Cheryl's Art And Music Guide

The  Mountain Empire Community College  in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, will soon host a reception for a new exhibition,  The Tracks of   My   Years . It's an apt title, as the show (which runs for three weeks) features watercolors and photographs from local artist and railroad enthusiast  Ron Flanary .  He began sketching trains at just three years of age, and told  News Wire  he was later inspired by railway artist  Howard Fogg , with whom he kept in touch. Another important figure was   Grif Teller ,  as Ron even copied his style for one of his own creations.  The opening is to be held on the 17th of January, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the  MECC 's  Wampler Library .  Ron will be there to discuss his work, which will be on display at the school's  Slemp Gallery .   The 76-year-old is also a railroad historian who has written or co-authored ten books and contributed to hundreds of magazine articles. He...

There was a time when it seemed that everyone was recording disco music. According to a new book,   Disco: Music, Movies, and Mania   Under the Mirror Ball , even   Mickey Mouse, Ethel Merman , and   Karen Carpenter   joined the bandwagon. So did classic rock veterans such as   Elton John, Rod Stewart , and   Mick Jagger .  The writer,  Frank DeCaro , also came up with a list of ''discofied classics.'' Among them were new versions of  Led Zeppelin 's  Stairway to Heaven ,  Van Morrison 's  Gloria,   Marc Bolan' s  Bang a   Gong (Get It On) , and  Gordon Lightfoot 's  If You Could Read My   Mind . While  Studio 54  will always be associated with the movement, DeCaro says it began in another area of New York City--DJ  David   Mancuso 's downtown loft. David was known for his creative approach to mixing songs and for co-founding a music distribution program which allowed club ...

Christies  is honored to be entrusted with the sale of   The Personal Collection of Barry Humphries   in London next month. The performer was known for portraying  Dame Edna Everage . In addition, he was a collector who sought out Australian paintings, Victorian and 19th century works, and Impressionist and modern art. Leading the February 13th sale is  Sand Dunes, Ambleteuse . The painting, by  Charles Conder , could fetch as much as 300,000 pounds.   Eyeglasses worn by ''Dame Edna'' will be auctioned off as well. Barry was 89 when he died in 2023. He began collecting art when he was a teenager. It was also during that time that he created his own pictures: self-portraits and landscapes. 

Andrew Marttila  is a cat photographer married to  Hannah Shaw,  who has written books about kittens. They are also animal advocates who foster dogs and cats.  They decided to take a break and go on a trip together. They wound up spending much of their time with felines--resulting in  Cats of the World , a new book of stories and photographs. A few of the subjects and their surroundings are a perfect match. The color of their fur is so similar, as with a white and ginger youngster posing on the shore in Tanzania, and an older animal sitting by a peach and tan wall in Italy.  Others, unfortunately, were photographed too far away. So they can barely be spotted.  Far better are the shots featuring them in settings like produce markets and bookstores. One proprietor points out that it's more hygienic to keep a kitty around instead of being overwhelmed by rodents.  There's even a picture of one animal looking out of a window where food orders are ...

In  2012, an Idaho resident was watching the New Year's Eve ball drop in New York City and got an idea.  Dylan Cline  told the  Art & Music Guide  that little was happening in Boise that night until he started the  Idaho Potato Drop . Initially, the tater was made of foam, over a metal frame. Within a few years, it was a stronger model made out of fiberglass. There are now LED lights, too. While sometimes wings have been added, that won't be the case this time around. But Dylan says it will ''still fly,'' and thinks this year's event could be the best yet, with a bigger fireworks display than ever before.  Dylan is also pleased that the entertainers will include  Blues   Traveler 's  Ben Wilson  and  North Mississippi Allstars '  Cody   Dickinson . And for the first time, attendees can get customized screenprints. Other options include the VIP room, where folks can dance, enjoy an open bar, or take part in a raffl...

The   Florida Museum of Photographic Arts  in Tampa currently has a show which offers a look at both fans and performers. It's called  Fandom . The images are from photojournalist  Jay Nolan . He told the  Guide  that there are 27, with acts including  U2, Henry Rollins , and the  Cro-Mags . They are accompanied by a collection of concert posters and other memorabilia, courtesy of former  Virgin Entertainment   executive  Dave Alder .  The  FMOPA  exhibition will be up through the second of March, and a talk with Dave is scheduled for the 9th of January.  Alder is also a musician. Visit  https://rocknrollbrit. com  to find out more.