Day chaos dies as
koto sings harmonious
release, tortured soul
The ancient sounds of the Japanese koto take center stage tonight as the Toho Koto Society of Miami presents Yoshiko Carlton, a virtuoso master of the multistringed instrument. Carlton performs and teaches about the history of this ancient music. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Alliance Franaise Miami, 1414 Coral Way. Admission is free. Call 305-859-8760. (JCR)
Friday June 13
With their intense colors, folk-baroque vibe, and images of vodou spirits, Edouard Duval-Carrié's pretty pictures, intriguing sculptures, and compelling mixed-media works often tell a tangled story: that of Haiti's turbulent political history and the resultant physical and spiritual displacement of the country's people. "Edouard Duval-Carrié: Endless Passage," opening at 8:00 tonight at Lowe Art Museum (1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables), offers the first mid-career survey of the Haitian-born, Miami-based artist's work, highlighting pieces created during the last 20 years and some new ones made just for this show. Arrive early at 7:00 and listen to the artist and gallerist Bernice Steinbaum chat about his work. Admission is five dollars. Call 305-284-3603. (NK)
Saturday June 14
Our love affair with erstwhile Genesis-frontman-turned-solo-artist/world music guru Peter Gabriel ended very quickly. It happened in 1994 when we witnessed the abhorrent sight of him flopping around the Miami Arena stage clad in a black Lycra Spandex catsuit. It's one thing to be avant-garde. It's another to have no shame, parading your ass-less body, pooch belly, and love handles in front of the world. The horror! Now Gabriel has taken to looking like a troll, sporting a long white beard and balding head. Rock stars! But none of this should matter if the music still sounds good, right? That is, even assuming he'll regale us with old favorites like "Sledgehammer," "Solsbury Hill," and "Shock the Monkey" tonight at 7:30 when he takes the stage (in what we hear is "a twelve-foot transparent hamster ball") of the Sound Advice Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansbury's Way, West Palm Beach. Tickets range from $27 to $87. Call 561-793-0445. (NK)
Sunday June 15
The birds have left Parrot Jungle. Time for the musicians to move in. Well, so far it's only on the third Sunday of the month for the Village of Pinecrest and Folk Club of South Florida's Music in the Park series. The jungle, now known as Pinecrest Gardens (SW 112th Street and 57th Avenue), will be open from 8:00 a.m. to sundown today. Get out there and you can enjoy guided tours of the hammock, munch on food and drink, and from noon to 5:00 p.m. take part in instrument-playing and songwriting workshops. Or just sit back on your picnic blanket and listen to folk performers such as John Blosser, the Hot Java Band, and Grant Livingston. Admission is five dollars; three bucks for kids ages three to twelve. Call 305-669-6942. (NK)
Monday June 16
So you never got the meaning of James Joyce's Ulysses. In fact you quietly surrendered after twenty pages of its nonsensical literary mishmash. Still you wonder what all the fuss is about. Just keep in mind the majority of folks who claim to have a grip on the book's meaning are as clueless about it as you are. You can put them in their place by bluffing up an explanation. Chances are, they'll run away from your would-be intelligence. Try that tonight at the celebration of Bloomsday, the yearly hosanna party for Joyce's masterpiece. Somehow the book has became a classic. What better way to celebrate its 99th anniversary than a good old Irish drinking bash? You'll hear staged readings of Molly Bloom's erotic soliloquy, and dance around the sidewalk following a pied piper. If you want to look smart, get a quick look at the Cliffs Notes before attending. The party starts at 7:30 p.m. at JohnMartin's Restaurant and Irish Pub, 253 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Admission is free. Call 305-445-3777. (JCR)
Tuesday June 17
History, politics, the economics of African-American cinema, and its impact on contemporary film and culture will be some of the central topics at a forum called "Race and Representation on the Silver Screen." The discussion brings four film and culture experts to Miami to explore the issues and meanings behind black cinema worldwide. The panel includes University of Florida professor Mark Reid; Pearl Bowser, director of African Diaspora Images; Clyde Taylor, film professor at New York University; and Jane Gaines of Duke University. As part of the "Close-Up in Black: African-American Film Posters" (see sidebar) exhibition at the Wolfsonian-FIU , the scholars will give a historical perspective to the plight of black actors, writers, and directors in popular culture. The discussion begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Admission is free. Call 305-535-2645. (JCR)
Wednesday June 18
Old-school Philadelphia rhythm and blues will likely bring the house down tonight as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly takes over the Office Depot Center (2555 NW 137th Way, Sunrise) with their special guest, sultry songstress Anita Baker. With a string of hits from the 1970s and '80s, Maze is not only one of the most important and fun-loving soul acts around, but its powerful performances have led music critics to refer to it as the ultimate urban contemporary group. By bringing Anita Baker out of retirement, Maze promises to be as exciting as a concert can be. The tour marks Baker's return to performing after leaving the bright lights in 1995 to raise her children. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Call 305-358-5885. (JCR)
