The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 92

Sunday, August 15, 1999 A be Auditions Books Openings Show Clock This Week 12 15 14 12 13 TRAVEL Nothing much is happening in Barra De Navidad, Mexico. And that makes it the perfect place for doing nothing. Back page rt; Editor: Maureen McNerney Phone: 582-4684 Fax: 582-4665 www.courier-journal.com ihort fakes jr 1 t3 funis Moves by two stations mean viewers won't find popular shows at the same spot By TOM DORSEY TV and Radio Critic OUISVILLE viewers who turn on their TV sets this week looking if 'il i 1 1 I -t I Nomination time A Chicago museum and an Illinois video company have joined hands to produce a TV program that will spotlight 100 influential African Americans of the 20th century. The DuSable Museum, the country's oldest African-American museum, and MPI Media Group are seeking nominations for the production. You are invited to submit up to three nominations via the Internet at: www.

dusa Mem useum. org1 OOmostinfluen tial. The nominees must be African Americans who inspired, educated or improved society in some way during this century. My nominees are all Louisvillians: "The Greatest" Muhammed Ali, late educator Lyman Johnson and sculptor Ed Hamilton, above. The nominees will be divided into categories, such as sports, politics and medicine.

The program will be broadcast next year. Judith Egerton, The Courier-Journal Kentucky crafts in New York Kentucky is well-represented at the New York International Gift Fair. The Kentucky Crafted Marketing Program invited 10 craftspeople to represent the state at the fair and to show their wares to potential buyers. Three of the craft businesses are based in Louisville. They are Clay House Pots, the studio of Amy Elswick, who creates clay animals, bird-houses and functional ceramics; BandanaYardbirds, where Richard Kolb recycles parts from garden and farm machinery and bicycles into yard sculptures; and Berni Enterprises art glass, the work of Berni and Michael North.

The other participants are Images of Santa, Churchill Weavers and Berea College Crafts, all from Berea; Aardvark Woodworks of Beattyville; Jane Fenestra Jewelry of Bloomfield; Judy's Kentucky Crafts of Tollesboro; and batik clothing design by Gail Cohen Designs of Lexington. Diane Heilenman, The Courier-Journal 4 it for "Butty the Vampire Slayer" or "Dawson's Creek" won't find them at their usual spots. In fact, unless you are a cable subscriber, you won't be able to see those popular WB shows at all at least for a while. These and other changes are happening in Louisville because of WBNA's unhappi-ness with the type of programming provided by WB, its network affiliate, and because of a desire on the part of WGRB, the WB affiliate in Campbells-ville, to move into the Louisville market. Behind these changes is also the tale of two men Gerry Pretorious of WBNA and Jeff Davidson of WGRB whose paths have crossed and crisscrossed over the years.

Here's a look at the changes that take effect tomorrow. What are the changes? The Pax network, which has been available only on cable in the Louisville area, will become the WBNA affiliate. That means Pax will no longer be a separate cable channel after mid-September and people without cable will be able to see the Pax lineup. Pax, which begins its new season Aug. 23, broadcasts what it calls a family-friendly schedule of shows and reruns, including "Touched by an Angel" and "Dr.

Quinn, Medicine Woman." However, the hot, youth-oriented shows on the WB lineup won't be seen for a while on a regular, over-the-air channel; exactly how long no one knows. Fans of those shows who don't have cable will be left in the lurch until WGRB, a Campbellsville station, can beam its WB network schedule to Louisville. Even people who subscribe to InterMedia will have to tune to WGN, the Chicago super-station, to catch WB shows. WGRB plans to have its over-the-air coverage in place via a booster transmitter before the start of the WB season Sept. 20.

InterMedia should pick up WGRB's signal on cable before that time. WGRB, which plans to change its call letters, will build a new transmission tower in the Louisville area that should be up by next spring. Why WBNA was unhappy WBNA's unhappiness with WB programming is rooted in the station's history. The station came on the air in 1986 licensed to the Word Broadcasting Network Inc. and the Rev.

Bob Rodgers, See STATION Page 6, col. 1, this section Jane Seymour and Joe Lando star in "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." Reruns are shown on Pax TV. If you watch Pax programs WBNA will become the Louisville outlet tomorrow. Pax programming will be available on WBNA over the air and on InterMedia cable (both channel 21).

The new season begins Aug. 23. InterMedia won't drop Pax as a separate channel (channel 32) until mid-September. Here's a sampling of some of the Pax shows: "Chicken Soup for the Soul" Based on the book of inspiring stories 'of people, often at a turning point in their lives. "Twice In a Lifetime" A fantasy about a guardian angel-like character who gives people a second chance at life.

"Destination Stardom" A variety show that features talented people looking for their big break. "It's a Miracle" Richard Thomas presents true stories of people who havewercome big problems. In addition, Pax airs reruns of such shows as "Touched by an Angel," "Highway to Heaven," "Diagnosis Murder" and "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." Keri Russell stars in "Felicity," which is a going-away-to-college drama set in New York City. If you watch WB programs WBNA will drop WB programming tomorrow.

WGRB eventually will become the Louisville outlet for WB shows. Management hopes to have its over-the-air channel operating by Sept. 20; on cable sooner. In the meantime, cable subscribers can see WB shows on WGN (InterMedia channel 28), the Chicago superstation. Here's a sampling of some of the WB shows: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Sarah Michelle Gellar is a high school student by day and a vampire slayer by night.

"Charmed" Shannen Doherty stars as one of three sisters who discover that they are powerful, good witches. "Dawson's Creek" A drama about the lives, mostly love lives, of high school students in New England. "Felicity" This is a going-away-to-college drama set in New York about the personal lives of students. "7th Heaven" The family life of a minister, his wife and children are the show's subject. Mood music The Kentucky Opera Guild is getting patrons in the mood for its coming season with "Puccini and Pasta," three evenings of food and song at Vincenzo's restaurant, Fifth and Market streets, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The singers will be soprano Mary Elizabeth Southworth, right, mezzo-soprano Dawn Coon and tenor Daniel Weeks. Kimcherie Lloyd will accompany the singers on piano. The opera will present Puccini's "La Boheme" as its first production of the 1999-2000 season on Nov. 19 and Nov. 21 in Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

Tickets are $39 apiece. A cash bar will open at 6 p.m.; dinner is at 7, followed by the singing. For reservations, which must be confirmed by check or credit card by noon tomorrow, call (502) 584-4500. Maureen McNerney, The Courier-Journal '1' K. niiHa(ij WhmuhuihmI )' Dick Van Dyke, above, stars in "Diagnosis Murder." Roma Downey and Delia Reese co-star in "Touched by an Angel." Sarah Michelle Gellar stars in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" while James Van Der Beek stars in "Dawson's Creek." ggr Mel Torme Mel Torme starred as Porgy and Frances Faye as Bess the first time that George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" was set to jazz.

It was 1956, and the sprawling three-LP set included performances by Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson, Clark Terry and Johnny Hartman. Avenue Jazz re- Les McCann is still exploring his style By JEFFREY LEE PUCKETT The Courier-Journal Iff you go A Les McCann was in Croatia recently when he caught a glimpse of home. The jazz pianist was struck by how the Cro-atians' simple lifestyle echoed his childhood in Lexington, where he lived happily with five brothers and sisters, a couple of dozen cousins and a piano he could bang people, not poor people, but people enjoying what they nave. "That really took me back home. Fond memories of my childhood, which was quite a joyous experience for me." McCann, 64, is coming back to Kentucky on Saturday and next Sunday to headline Jazz in Central Park, a free festival sponsored by KFC and the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

He hasn't been in Kentucky since last summer, when he played a festival in Lexington, where his mother and two of his brothers still live. He expects family and a few friends to make the drive to Louisville, but not many. "Very rarely do people from your hometown want to hear you, because they know you," he said, shifting into a pretend voice. 'Heh, you ain't foolin' me. I know 10 other play better than that.

And where'd you get that suit, See JAZZ Page 6, col. 1, this section releases the recording Sept. 14 in a two-CD set that has been remastered from the original tapes and includes a 48-page booklet. The producers have also edited together a bonus 29-minute instrumental suite combining main themes. "Porgy and Bess" kicks of Avenue's series of reissues of the Bethlehem jazz catalog.

Upcoming releases will include albums by John Coltrane, Ellington, Dexter Gordon, Torme, Hartman and Chris Connor. Jeffrey Lee Puckett, The Courier-Journal Be a volunteer If you love plays but hate ticket prices, you can volunteer to usher at Actors Theatre of Louisville and see performances free. Volunteers must be 16 or older and commit to ATL's season, which begins in September and runs through June. ATL needs ushers for all performances, but especially for weekend nights and matinees. Orientation for ushers will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Aug. 31; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 a.m. to noon Sept.

11; and 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 12. Ushers are required to attend at least one session. Need more information? Call ATL at (502) 584-1265 and ask for the volunteer hot line.

Judith Egerton, The Courier-Journal Saturday 4:45 p.m., opening ceremonies; 5, Just Friends; 6, the Ron Hayden Group; 7, Thielemans and Werner; 8:30, the Afro-Ri-can Ensemble Next Sunday 5 p.m., Splatch; 6, For 7, Dick Sisto-Lynne Arriale Quartet; 8:30, McCann. Central Park is at Fourth Street and Magnolia Avenue in Old Louisville. Parking will be available at the Girl Scouts Office, 1325 S. Fourth National City Bank, Fourth and Oak streets; West End Baptist Church, 1400 S. Fourth Cochran Elementary School, 500 W.

Gaulbert and any green, red or blue lots at the University of Louisville. Jeffrey Lee Puckett Jazz in Central Park marks its eighth anniversary Saturday and next Sunday with a typically strong lineup of national, regional and local talent. The free festival will feature acclaimed harmonica player Toots Thielemans, with Kenny Werner, on Saturday night. Pianist Les McCann headlines next Sunday. Thielemans is considered history's finest jazz harmonica player.

His recent collaborations with pianist Werner have been causing a stir. Thielemans, born in Belgium, began his career as a guitarist influenced by Django Reinhardt but switched to harmonica in the 1950s and redefined the instrument. Here's the lineup: on for hours. "What I grew up with was a simplicity of life, having people to play with and hang out with," he said in a gentle, musical voice that often breaks into chuckles and frequently hilarious profanity. "The fun we had was based around the things we had; we weren looking tor something else all ot the time, tvery- thmg was there tor us, and this is what I saw in Croatia the simplicity of life.

Not wealthy.