Charleston Gazette

A very reggae Friday

the gazz CALENDAR June 4-10, 2009

Today 6.4 Music

Out of Tennessee

Music by the river

FILM CLIPS

* "STAR TREK": HHH1/2 It finds compelling new angles on iconic science fiction characters, thanks to spot-on casting and a young, sexy vibe. Faithful to the outlines of the classic TV series yet original, this reimagined "Trek" will appeal to nerds and newbies alike. It's engagingly acted, intelligently scripted and confidently directed. Rated PG-13. * "THE HANGOVER": HH Director Todd Phillips and screenwriters Jon Lucas and Scott Moore take the familiar "What happens in Vegas ... " idea to b...

COVER STORY: ; Goin solo with the Symphony; Teen violinist to perform this Sunday

A tale of a gypsy, possibly in an eastern European country, will be running through Taylor Giorgio's head as she performs with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra on Sunday. "I like to make up a story that goes along with the music," the young violinist said. "And my Symphony Sunday piece, 'Ziguenerweisen,' by Pable de Sarasat, is about a gypsy. I imagine her being kidnapped, maybe running away... "The story trails off as Giorgio thinks about her imaginary tale.

Steve Earle shares the Lessons of Van Zandt

WANT TO GO? Mountain Stage With Steve Earle, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, King Wilkie, Sara Watkins and the Lovell Sisters WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday WHERE: Chuck Mathena Center, Princeton TICKETS: $18 and $20. Service charges apply. Available only through 877-425- 5128. INFO: www.mountainstage.org Hard-core troubadour Steve Earle has a lot of memories of his friend and mentor, Townes Van Zandt. This season, Earle is touring the country playing some of those memories from his latest release, "Towne...

Meet Miss Rainbow Pride of West Virginia

Akasha Lapre Karmichael came bounding into the Pride offices Saturday, looking a bit run down, but still all smiles. The night before, he'd won the Miss Rainbow Pride of West Virginia pageant, a drag competition held at the Clay Center as part of Gay Pride Week in Charleston. "We didn't get home until four this morning," he said.

Cher sues for $5M in royalties on behalf of self, Bono's estate

LOS ANGELES - Cher has sued Universal Music Group, claiming the company owes her and Sonny Bono's heirs more than $5 million. The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Santa Monica claims Cher and Bono's widow and children are owed royalties on songs that were included in recent greatest-hits compilations. The suit also states UMG has failed to provide key records that would show how much is actually owed.

Conor Knighton's Pop Culture Predictions: Summer 2009

Conor Knighton is a Charleston native who hosts/executive produces "InfoMania" on Al Gore's network, Current TV. (Google his name and the show to view current episodes online). On the program, Knighton dishes on all the latest pop culture events of the day. Here are his pop culture predictions for Summer 2009.

IN SHORT

Student Idol talent show Students in grades 5 through 12 may audition to compete in a Charleston Area School Idol Talent Show. Auditions are held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays at the Switzer Center, 900 Griffin Dr. Pick up applications at LDR Records, 801 Bigley Ave. Call 304-346-5656.

'Land of the Lost' is just that

REVIEW Land of the Lost H RATING: PG-13 ( sexual content) DIRECTOR: Brad Silberling CAST: Will Ferrell, Danny McBride INFO: Call 342-5757 or visit www.ticketmaster.com LOS ANGELES - There is exactly one funny bit in "Land of the Lost," and it stands out because it comes at the very beginning and the very end.

NEW SOUNDS

Andrea Wittgens In The Skyline

'Hangover' is inspired, until it wears off

REVIEW The Hangover HH1/2 RATING: R (pervasive language, sexual content, drug references DIRECTOR: Todd Phillips CAST: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis LOS ANGELES - You'd be forgiven for thinking "The Hangover" is a documentary.

Cirque de lespace?: ; Cirque du Soleil founder spacebound on a Soyuz

MONTREAL - Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte is set to become Canada's first space tourist when he travels on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in September. Chantal CFotDe, a spokeswoman for the circus troupe, confirmed the trip Wednesday but would not provide further details before a press conference on Thursday.

Paris does Dubai: ; Is Mideast ready for Hilton?

NEW YORK -- Dubai is synonymous with glitz and excess - but can the Middle Eastern hotspot handle the likes of Paris Hilton? The fame-loving heiress is about to make her first trip to Dubai. The city, located in the United Arab Emirates, will be the location for an upcoming edition of her reality series "Paris Hilton's My New BFF."

Its title is the only clever part of 'Ruins'

REVIEW My Life in Ruins No stars RATING: PG-13 (sexual content) DIRECTOR: Donald Petrie CAST: Nia Vardalos, Alistair McGowan, Alexis Georgoulis LOS ANGELES - As we learn from "My Life in Ruins," the Greek word for mojo - or zest for life - is "kefi." Nia Vardalos' character has lost hers and needs to get it back.

BUSINESS: ; Innovation called key to recovery

Silicon Valley venture capitalist Ray Lane came back to West Virginia Wednesday night and offered up a one-word prescription for bringing prosperity back to the United States: innovation. Lane, a West Virginia University graduate and former president of computer software giant Oracle Corp., said America is slowing down on innovation.

AUTO INDUSTRY: ; GM, Chrysler defend slashing dealerships; Spencer dealer talks to Rockefeller panel

WASHINGTON - Partners no more, bankrupt automakers and small- town car dealers who are being stripped of their livelihood brought the anguish of their sinking fortunes into the halls of Congress on Wednesday and sparred over the companies' plans to slash franchises nationwide. "This is our last chance to get it right," General Motors Corp. President Fritz Henderson warned testy lawmakers. Countering GM and Chrysler LLC executives in a Senate hearing room, two dealers who are soon to have thei...

State Museum ready for public viewing: ; 10 years and $17.6 million later, facility will open June 21

Acting like a proud father, Gov. Joe Manchin couldn't resist showing up for media tours Wednesday of the all-but-completed state museum in the Cultural Center. "This is definitely a destination. This should be a destination for every family in West Virginia," Manchin said, standing amid an 18th-century frontier life display featuring artifacts including Daniel Boone's rifle and a sword that belonged to George Washington.