A rich pageant

Gearing up for AS220's Fools Ball

by Michael Caito

Doing the Saturday afternoon lazeabout on South Street in Philly a coupla weeks ago, we happened by a place called 3 Hairy Sisters. Actually, we almost walked past it, but . . . I mean, how can you not check out something with a name like that? It was a magnet. We left smiling, rejuvenated by the vibe and what must have been plutonium-powered caffeine. Despite the fact that they tried to foist dog-poop-shaped biscotti on us (looked dangerous but tasted OK), it was a worthwhile stop.

Back home, AS220 has this large week-long bash called the Fools Ball every year, and like the 3 Hairy Sisters it's tough to pass up. Again this year, the only thing not featured at the Fools Ball is foosball. Where to start?

Steven Jobe has instructed at RISD, helping their students put up an annual cabaret, and has also appeared in Amoebic Ensemble, sometimes on hurdy-gurdy, sometimes bassoon. A few years back, his ambitious opera Jeanne D'Arc enervated audiences at the tiny Bell Street Chapel. Since then the original male lead succumbed to AIDS, but several other members of the cast return, notably the amazing Ellen Santaniello as Joan. She frequently performs in some of New England's premier vocal ensembles, is a member of the Providence-based classical/ ska/folk/blues outfit Clean &Friendly, and is also a member of the vocal trio Zorgina, whose multi-lingual, multi-century take on music for voice left this critic double-clutching for superlatives for months after their late-1995 concerts. The opera goes up April 10 (8 p.m.) and 11 (7:30 and10 p.m.) at St. Xavier's Chapel, just up Weybosset from PPAC, heading towards the YMCA.

Prior to that Hal Crook opens the week with his Trio and guest guitarist Mick Goodrick on Tuesday at the Space, and then it's time for Laura Travis to do her thang there Wednesday. Long-time hostess of WRIU's wondrous Celtic Realm program, LT has often served as a prime motivational force, continually airing and informing the public of the rich traditions which American and European folk music embrace. A past Board member of AS220, Travis serves on the committee for this year's Ball. To say she has a few surprises is prob'ly an understatement. Thursday's GoldStar Invitational -- the brainchild of Geoff Griffin of Plymouth Rock, who appear Saturday night -- will offer familiar faces in less-familiar mediums. Pork Chop Lounge linchpin Lizzie Araujo, usually found in directorial or acting modes, will offer "Girl From Ipanema," for one, and multi-instrumentalist Keith Munslow (who appears Saturday in Neo-'90s, Meatballs/Fluxus and Smoking Jackets) will have at the accordion. Friday is big rock night, spotlighting Delta Clutch (go buy their EP, Rye), Chick Graning, Ether and the UVs. Saturday, Jeffrey Borchardt leads a realigned Honeybunch into the spotlight. With a finished Velvet Crushrecord in limbo, and fellow V.C.ers Chastain and Menck currently touring with their pal Matthew Sweet (the drummer appears three times, including the massive opener "Come to California" on Sweet's new Blue Sky on Mars (Volcano) Borchardt again picks up frontman duties in a trio. Should . . . no . . . will . . . be cool. Upstairs the Wholebellies (including Rachel Maloney, Chris Turner and Me from Me, Rick &Slice) appear, as does the recently-disinterred Meatballs/Fluxus performance troupe, whose members include Russ Kellogg from V Majestic, someone named Bert, Joe Auger and more. Can the West Warwick a cappella legends the Fontaine Brothers pull off another gem? Has the Flux movement finally succumbed to the MTVGeneration?Can nipples really be polished? Guess we'll see on Saturday.

Of course, that's not nearly all. There's the ritzier shindig at the Westin (whose lineup includes the mellifluous strains of another V Majestic member, Newspeak co-guru Frank Difficult, on keyboards). There's Jill on trumpet and author/ percussionist Jonathan Thomas and readings and the resident's Art Show and on and on.

Probably even some weird-lookin' biscotti.

WARM OFF THE SHELF:David Lopes just finished recording his debut for Potter's Field Records (which also brought us the sublime Useful Things CD by Mark Cutler and friends). Aptly titled Mental Stadium, it's due in late spring, and I can't wait, 'cause man-child Lopes is one of the funniest and most sincere performers going. Other recent adds include a pair of roots-rock acknowledgements: Satellite Pictures, a seven-song release on C&DRecords by the D.J.Lauria Band, and East Providence-based trio, and the Threats' 15-song Rush Hour (Vineyard Records). Abdoul Doumbia's visit with the Threats is a fortuitous on "Egyptian Love Song," but on the whole I'd rather listen to the always-exciting Doumbia play drums by himself. Keep an eye open for the D.J.Lauria record release bash, a fund-raiser for the 1 of 52 Hunger Effort, next weekend (4/11)at the Call. This effort, spearheaded by the R.I. Community Food Bank, enlists the aid of one group per week, who donate their proceeds from one show to combat hunger. If you're interested in helping out, e-mail ENDHUNGER@aol.com or drop a line to POBox 9, Clayville, RI 02815.

Hot off an impressive (sorry) appearance on Dan Moretti's Impressions, guitarist Peter Calo turns up on CommonGround's Fire &Rain (North Star) which is a tribute to the music of James Taylor. The 14-song disc covers most of the hits by Sweet Snookums or whatever they call Taylor; if you're in the right mood it's OK. If not, now everybody: "I've heard CDs that I thought would never end . . . . "

Can you name the first Rhode Islander to ever open for KISS? Has it been done? Well, it's happening in a few months if a certain four geezers don't injure themselves carrying their full wheelbarrows to the bank. The answer is Middletown's Gail Greenwood, bassist of L7, who join the KISS tour briefly in Europe. Meanwhile, her housemate and fellow artist/designer Chil Mott (One Ton Shotgun) again designed the annual Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook. With partners at Brown, RIC and the Rhode Island Foundation, the R.I. Kids Count group offers a sobering, statistically-oriented and cogent analysis of the conditions of the state's children, with breakdowns by graduation and employment rates, teen deaths, reading skills, child neglect. Numbers in prison, without health insurance, homeless. It's dreary, yet essential reading. Perhaps the single most vulnerable segment of our population (with the absolute least political clout), children find themselves in increasingly distressing straits, so it's good to know that there's a credible, verifiable resource for hard facts. For info on the work of R.I. Kids Count, e-mail HN3170@handsnet.org or drop them a line at 274-4564.

On with the shows:late April's Terrastock at Rogue sold out last week (sorry, you were warned), but a few of the bands (Olivia Tremor Control and Bevis Frond, at least) have scheduled area shows around this Olneyville-a-palooza, if you don't mind scooting to Boston or New York. Meanwhile, Cambridge hosts Popfest '97 on May 2-3 upstairs at the Middle East, with scheduled bands including Flora Street and Honeybunch from Providence, along with Hushpad, Jumprope, My Favorite, Musical Chairs, Names for Pebbles, Permafrost, Prickly, Push Kings (don't miss them), Ribbon Candy and more, though remember it is 18-plus. Lotsa melody, lotsa fun. And probably no mo' snow.