Art, music, dance - fire for the weekend

Quite a few things going on in Columbia (and one thing) in Charleston during the next few days. Don't forget to also check out the re-installed collection at the Columbia Museum of Art, see the Robert Courtright show at the State Museum, hit one of the several plays that will soon wrap up around town.

Big Show in a small space

















Many people have seen Lee Monts' often-small, minimalist
landscape-inspired paintings He has a show of those, pared with
found-object constructions at the Gallery at DuPre starting Thursday, July 23.
"Testimony" consists of 60 works by the
Columbia artist and is his first solo show.
An opening reception takes place from 6
to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23. The show
runs through August 21. The gallery is
at 807 Gervais St. down the little alley to the west side of the building.

Vox Arcana - don't you want to hear something with that name?

The alt-jazz Chicago trio Vox Arcana celebrates the abstract painting of
Cleve Gray at a Columbia Museum of Art concert.
Percussionist Tim Daisy, (left) James Falzone on clarinet and cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm will play some of their usual unusual sounds as well as a work inspired by Gray's art. The late art of the later painter is subject of "Man and Nature: 19745 - 2004." ("Turain"from '79 at right.)
Thomas Crouch of Columbia is also doing an improvisational painting for the event.
Doors for the Friday, July 24 concert open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.
Admission to the event is $10 ($3 cheaper for museum members.)
You can read more about the band at http://www.free-times.com/

Belly dancing, fire-eating - you know, the usual

I can never quite figure out the names of the various groups, performances (Delirium Tribal,
Altercrique) and so on that take place the last Friday of each month at the Art Bar.
So I use the all purpose Crazy Cool Belly Dancing Fire-Eating Sword-Waving Cabaret.
Starts at 9:30 p.m. Friday July 24. Brings cash for the hat which will be passed.
Art Bar is on Park Street, between Gervais and Lady.

They feel love

If that doesn't work for you you can feel the "Love," a night of dance by the Columbia City Jazz Dance Company.
The group will use jazz, tap and some hip hop to explore love and relationships. $15.
Friday, July 24 at the Koger Center.


More of the good guys in Charleston

If you didn't get enough of some of Charleston's hot young-ish artists during the "Contemporary Charleston" show recently, you can see more in "Past Presence."
It has sculptures, paintings, collage and other things byKarin Olah, Jonathan Brilliant, Kevin Hoth, Dorothy Netherland, Seth Curcio, Jarod Charzewski and Tim Hussey (right), Jonathan Brilliant (who recently moved to Columbia) Kevin Hoth, Karin Olah, Dorothy Netherland, Seth Curcio, Jarod Charzewski and Tim Hussey.
Redux is at 136 St. Philip St.
Call (843) 722-0697 or go to www.reduxstudios.org
The show is up through Aug. 16.

Folding in on silence

The Folds Experimental Music & Performance Workshop plays Monday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at the 701 Center for Contemporary Art, 701 Whaley St.
The concert, titled "Several Silences," will include four "silences."
$10; $5 for students. (803) 779-4571.