Daily Press from Newport News, Virginia • Page 44

tJailjj press TICKETevents Smallish crowds, cool bands at festival isinmir TGI D12 Friday, April 11, 1997 vil 0 i irsr sru JUrfl if rl f'-l tyA 1 fix 1 By late Saturday afternoon, Bay-oupalooza was at a simmer, not a full boil. There were plenty of people milling around Virginia Beach's Pavilion Towers complex in the Bayou itself, in the hotel's ballroom, under tents on the tennis courts. But not one of the local music festival's four stages had attracted a bona fide crowd. Organizer and Bayou manager Rick Mersel was starting to feel the heat. With good reason.

When all was said and done, the festival turned out to be something of a financial disappointment. About 2,000 people showed up over the course of the two-day festival. "We made only a little more over two days than we made in one last year," Mersel said Monday. Last year, Bayoupalooza was a one-day event. Organizers had hoped to increase the take significantly by expanding the festival.

"About the same number of people came but spread over two days," Mersel said. He figured the event will donate about $20,000 to Special Olympics about $4,000 more than last year. Why didn't this year's bigger, better Bayoupalooza attract more music fans? Mersel is baffled. But a couple of contributing factors are obvious. The super-popular Two Skinnee J's were playing a few blocks away at Peabody's Saturday night, siphoning off some of the festival crowd.

Also, Sunday's weather alternately sunny and stormy may have discouraged some fans from turning out. But even if the two-day bash' I oAlnc WHAT'S COMIN6 UP Rarriprs siirrnundinff the stage's perimeter allowed the musicians to stride past their fans at ground level, slapping fives and tossing out souvenir guitar picks. i And the show ended with some well-choreographed chaos towers tumbling, random explosions, roadies catching on fire. Stadium shows can be depressing affairs with muddy sound on1 Gaio nrpvpntinff much of a niivi uvwtw connection with the band. But: Metallica taking Kiss one better seems to have solved those problems.

QUICK CHECKS. Bonn Garrett, Norfolk-based music writer and co-host of WROX-FM (96.1)s "Local program, deserves kudos for presenting the first show in his Groove Spoon series late last month. He reports that the concert which featured David Middle-ton and The Hollowbodies attracted a healthy crowd. He's currently working on a follow-up show Those searching for discs by local musicians will eventually want to check Jeff's Vintage Music, a new shop at NewMarket Shopping Center. Run by Jeff Covington, bass player for Buddy Parker's blues group, the shop intends to carry used guitars and amps as well as hard-to-find local record ings.

Call Jeff at 244-4420. Let me know what you think of Sound Check. Call 247-4732 with your comments, reactions and ideas. Or e-mail me at spmcdon- aldaol.com. I i i t' i i '7 bang its way into Norfolk's Chrysler! I Amphitheater, Dam Neck and Princess Anne I roads (VB).

from Ticketmas-j ter. Call 872-81 00 or 671 -81 00 to charge by phone. 368-3000. yt Mighty Clouds of Joy. May 24.

p.m. With Golden Stars, the Rev. Thomas, Walker, Original Sunset Travelers, Fantas-i tic Vocalaires and Zion Baptist Mass Choir Hampton University, Convocation Center, Emancipation Drive (H). $18. Collective Soul and Darlahood.

May 25. 9 p.m. The Boathouse (N). $15 from Tick-! etmaster. Call 872-8100 and to charge by phone.

1 ..4 I Offspring with L7 and AFI. May 26. 8 The Boathouse, Park Avenue, next to Harbor Park (N). $15 from Ticketmaster. Call 872-: 8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone.

622-; 6395. -'i mtiaiitiit I Chat live with Sam every Wednesday night at 8 on Digital City Hampton Roads. On America Online, keyword "HamptonRoads," then click on the chat icon. showed that the local music scene is more fertile and diverse than expected. On the flipside, it raised a question: Why can't you see these bands year-round? METAL MASTERS.

Sure, they've sheared off the hair, but they still have plenty of power. Metallica's show at Hampton Coliseum last week was an eardrum-lacerating treat. And, visually speaking, the show was stunning. A huge, multilevel stage took up the better part of the arena's floor. Lights hovered above on long hydraulic arms.

And the sound system was devised so that the band's loud, pure guitar brutality could be sprayed to every corner of the building. Metallica's setup allowed for great staging opportunities. Instead of clustering on one end or the other, the members of the band using cordless instruments except for drummer Lars Ulrich sprinted from one end to another, pausing to rock out, then moving on. For those watching from the floor, a member of the band was never more than a few yards away. ft if i if.1, it it IN THE CAN.

STOMP is scheduled to Hall April 22-29. See listing at left. Beach Music Weekend. May 16-18. Performers at the 24th Street Park and a stage at 30th Street include The Catalinas, Bill Deal, Ammon Tharp and the Rhondels.

Shag dance competition Saturday. 24th Street Park, 24th Street and Atlantic Avenue (VB). Free. 491-7866. Gallagher.

May 18. 7 p.m. Carpenter Center, 600 Grace St. (R). from Ticketmaster.

Call 872-8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone. (804) 225-9000. Big Band Weekend. May 23-25. p.m.

Big band classics performed by Dick Crist The Sounds of Swing, the Pat Curtis Orchestra and Dreamstreet 24th Street Park, 24th Street and Atlantic Avenue (VB). Free. 491-7866. John Tesh with the Virginia Symphony. May 24.

8 p.m. GTE Virginia Beach Ken SilverDaily Press Mallibard, the Swiss company that built the ride, says Thompson. "It's a magnificent ride," says Thompson. "There's no doubt about it." Alpengeist winds its way through four of the park's villages: Okto-berfest, Aquitaine, New France and Rhinef eld. It also zips past the sky-train and under the bridge overlooking the log flume ride.

The ride holds 32 passengers -eight rows of four abreast and it looks like an elaborate ski-lift painted teal and white. Here's a tip coaster experts already know: For the best experience, sit in the first row or in the outside seats of the interior rows. The view is much improved. For those whose stomach cries, "Stay Busch has built a miniature Alpine village around the ride. As always, Busch is tops when it comes to "theming" the ride, or adding special details such as fake 2 skiers stuck in the snow.

Construction of the ride began in June of last year. Due to a relatively mild winter, the ride was completed ahead of schedule even the landscaping has been finished. Though Busch won't release cost or attendance figures, it's a pretty safe bet that Alpengeist will be this year's big attraction. sound check SAM MttONAlP underperformed financially, I'd gladly declare it a musical success. Initially, I was skeptical.

I wasn't familiar with many of the 60-plus groups playing the festival. But many pf those unknowns turned out to be at the very least interesting, take Heaven Falls Hard, a trio consisting of two synthesizer players and a bassist. HFH creates a slow, moody sound, a sort of gothic Mazzy Star-like drone. Early Cure is another reference point. Well-rehearsed and musically adventurous, the trio deserves credit for trying something totally outside the mainstream.

Wishing Tree was another pleasant surprise. This ultra-tight quintet played '70s style hard rock with violin as a featured instrument. Again, totally unfashionable, but still very impressive. Falstaff, Rip Dizzy and Overflow also turned in solid performances on Saturday. And while I feel guilty mentioning it (they're from Baltimore, not Hampton Roads), The Martians were lots of loud, weird fun.

The band's set was bristling with punk-pop energy. Great vocals, snappy drumming and cool songs made the Martians a highlight. Overall though, Bayoupalooza 8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone. 368-3000. Sister Machine Gun.

April 29. 9 p.m. The Abyss (VB). $6. 18 and older.

422-0748. GWAR and Chemlab. April 30. 7 p.m. Riverview Theatre, 391 2 Granby St.

625-7469. Cinco de Mayo Celebration presents Los Lobos. May 1 5-9 p.m. The festivities celebrate Mexican heritage with spicy Mexican food, entertainment and Mexican libations. Town Point Park, Waterside Drive (N).

Free. 441-2345. Rick Trevlno. May 1 1 0 p.m. Blaker- 41 4 S.

Battlefield Blvd. (C). DIVA. May 3. 8 p.m.

Exclusively female jazz band, with guest vocalist Rebecca Parris, performs original pieces as well as pieces by such composers as Tommy Newsome, Jerry Dodgion and Scott Whitfield. Wells Theatre, Monticello Avenue Tazewell Street (N). from Ticketmaster. Call 872-8100 or 671 -81 00 to charge by phone. 627-1 234.

Dinosaur Jr. May 4. 8 p.m. The Boathouse, Park Avenue, next to Harbor Park (N). $9 from Ticketmaster.

Call 872-8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone. 622-6395. Ramsey Lewis and Billy Taylor. May 7. 8 p.m.

Presented by the Virginia Waterfront International Festival. Willett Hall, Willett Drive, off Route 17 (P). 393-5144. JGB with Lake Trout May 9. 9 p.m.

The Boathouse, Park Avenue, next to Harbor Park (N). $10 from Ticketmaster. Call 872-8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone. 622-6395. Marilyn Manson with Helmet and Rasputlna.

May 10. 7:30 p.m. Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St. $20 from Ticketmaster.

Call 872-81 00 or 671 -81 00 to charge by phone. (804) 780-4970. Art Explosure presents Liz Story. May 10-11. Town Point Park, Waterside Drive (N).

441-2345. Alan Jackson with LeAnn Rimes. May 16. 8 p.m. Classic Amphitheatre, 600 E.

Laburnum Ave. (R). from Ticketmaster. Call 872-8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone. (804) 228-321 3.

Bill Engvall. May 16. 8 p.m. On sale Saturday. Chrysler Hall, Charlotte Street and St.

Paul's Boulevard (N). $16.50 from Ticketmaster. Call 872-8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone. 622-0288. Jazz and Blues Festival.

May 16-18. With Larry Carlton, Arturo Sandoval, Satflre the Uppity Blues Women and John May-all the Blues Breakers. Town Point Park, Waterside Drive (N). 441-2345. -1 A Gravity Kills with 7 Dust.

April 18. 8 p.m. The Boathouse, Park Avenue, next to Harbor Park (N). Free. 622-6395.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds. April 18. 5-9 p.m. Town Point Park, Waterside Drive (N). Free.

441-2345. Buzzfest '97. April 19. Noon. Featuring Sponge, Cracker, Poe, Moby, Fighting Gravity and the Sneaker Pimps.

Classic Amphitheatre, 600 E. Laburnum Ave. (R). $15 from Ticketmaster. Call 872-8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone.

(804) 228-3213. Better Than Ezra with the Boo Radleys. April 19. 9 p.m. The Boathouse, Park Avenue, next to Harbor Park (N).

$9 from Ticketmaster. Call 872-81 00 or 671-81 00 to charge by phone. 622-6395. Jerri Hollins. April 20.

3 p.m. Village Play-i house, Historic Hilton Village, Main Street (NN). $8 suggested donation includes beverages and canapes. 595-5728. Collin Raye with Prairie Oyster.

April 20. 8 p.m. Chrysler Hall, Charlotte Street and St. Paul's Boulevard (N). from Ticketmaster.

Call 872-8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone. 622-0288. STOMP. April 22-29. 8 p.m.

Tuesday-Fri-day; 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. This eight member percussion group uses garbage cans, tea chests, plastic bags, boots and hub caps to create a unique theater experience. Chrysler Hall, Charlotte Street and St.

Paul's Boulevard (N). from Ticketmaster. Call 872-81 00 or 671 -81 00 to charge by phone. 622-0288. The Connells with Poole.

April 25. 9 p.m. The Boathouse, Park Avenue, next to Harbor Park (N). $10 from Ticketmaster. Call 872-81 00 or 671 -81 00 to charge by phone.

622-6395. Herbie Hancock. April 26. Some prices include dinner and show. Norfolk Waterside Marriott, 235 E.

Main St. (N). from Ticketmaster. Call 872-8100 or 671-8100 to charge by phone. Jon Secada.

April 26. 4 p.m. Presented by the Norfolk Air Show. Norfolk Naval Air Station, Hangar LP-33 (N). Free.

Brady Seals. April 26. 6 p.m. Presented by the Norfolk Air Show. Norfolk Naval Air Station, Hangar LP-33 (N).

Free. Everything with Quiver and Frog Legs. April 26. Riverview Theatre, 3912 Granby St. (N).

625-7469. Steven Curtis Chapman with Carolyn Arends and Audio Adrenaline. April 26. 7:30 p.m. GTE Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Dam Neck and Princess Anne roads (VB).

from Ticketmaster. Call 872- from D1 Then we headed over the top, and the earth opened up below me. Ijyelled with the best of them. It was a great trip down. Steven Thompson of Springfield, 4 member of the Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club, agrees.

"The first drop is breathtaking," qays Thompson. "And the view from the top is extraordinary. It feels like you're looking down on the world." Alpengeist officially opens today, but the ride has been unofficially open since March 22 when the park began operating on weekends, fhomfison and other club members cjame down on the first day to ride After the initial plunge, the ride goes through a series of loops, rollovers and twists. They include tfre "Immelman," an inverse diving lbop named for a World War I German pilot; the "Cobra Roll," a boomerang-style inversion; and the 'Flat Spin," which feels like you're a pancake being flipped. As we flew along 3,828 feet of track, I was struck by how incredibly smooth a ride Alpengeist offers.

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Various artists "Booty Call" soundtrack. Various artists 9 10. Tru 2 Da Game. Tru D.J. Music A Video, Norfolk INGLES 1.

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