Murali Coryell Brings Frightfully Good Blues to Elmira
Blues musician
Murali Coryell returns to Elmira for a blazing hot performance
at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at Roundin’ Third, 255 W. Water St. in Elmira.
If you like rockin’ blues music, you won’t want to miss this compelling performer.
Coryell, the son of a jazz musician and author/actress, is a dynamic singer, songwriter and guitarist. He’s performed with some of blues’ and rock’s legendary musicians, including B.B. King, Buddy Guy and funk master George Clinton.
This will be the third time Coryell is performing at Roundin’ Third, and those attending will get to hear the material from his upcoming album,
“Sugar Lips,” which drops Nov. 17. The CD features a mix of hot and heavy blues that make you want to shake your hips and groove to the searing guitar rhythms. There are also sweetly soulful tunes that capture powerful emotions such as “Mother’s Day,” which tells the heartbreaking story of Coryell’s mother’s passing.
Roundin’ Third owner Dain Reese has been impressed by Coryell's musical prowess.
“I can’t say enough good things about him,” he said recently.
Enjoy great music in a fun atmosphere this Friday, Nov. 13 at Roundin‘ Third in downtown Elmira.
Tickets are $8 at the door with a slight discount if you purchase the tickets in advance.
Call (607) 733-0199 for information, and visit www.muralicoryell.com to learn more about the musician and hear a few of his tunes.
A “Precious” Novel
Although, the critically acclaimed feature film
“Precious” opened in limited release on Nov. 6, it probably won’t show up in this area for a couple of more weeks, if at all.
A great way to prepare for the movie is to read the novel it’s based on:
“Push,” by Sapphire.
It’s a 176-page emotionally-charged story about a young woman abused by her parents and ignored by society until she attends an alternative school that offers her a sense of hope and an opportunity to achieve her vision.
You will definitely need a box of tissue while reading the book, but that shouldn’t discourage you.
Yes, it’s an ugly tale about dysfunctional, mentally ill and morally bankrupt people failing a child. From the main character’s family members to her teachers to her peers, Precious, as is the case with so many children, is ignored and marginalized by virtually everyone in her life.
Although “Push” is a fictional novel, one needs only to turn on the news or open a newspaper to learn of true life stories about children being molested, abused and mistreated.
One of the positive criticisms I’ve heard about the movie is that it allows one to look past the surface and realize that everybody has a story.
To outsiders, like the teachers and school administrators that came into contact with Precious Jones, she was just a difficult child who didn’t want to learn. Her mother was difficult to deal with, and it was easier to just let her sit in the back of the class and stare at the board than to engage her and find out that the reason she didn’t talk or move or interact with her classmates was because she was being severely abused at home.
The author, Sapphire, has created a stunningly powerful story that exposes the depths of human cruelty as well as the redemptive aspects of education and the importance of kindness and engagement with our fellow human beings.
I don’t know when “Precious” will make its way to the Twin Tiers. Reading the novel its based on, is a good way to pass the time until the film arrives.
A few upcoming events:- Although you should definitely check out the Murali Coryell concert I mentioned above, there is another great blues musician performing this Friday.
You can enjoy a relaxing evening of tasty chow, yummy drinks and fantastic tunes by Delta bluesman
Gerard Burke, performing
at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at the Starlite Room, 3018 Lake Road in Elmira Heights. His stripped down sound, strong voice and finger-pickin’ guitar skills brings to mind the masterful music of legendary blues performers such as Robert Johnson and Son House. If you‘re looking for something to do, this is a good bet.
- The holidays are coming up fast, and one of the hallmarks of the season is sharing the spirit with those who are less fortunate. Find a charity of your choice at the
Make a Difference Fair, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 14 at Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, 17 Aviation Drive in Horseheads. Find out about community organizations in the area that could use volunteers at the fair. There will be refreshments, door prizes and more. Call (607) 737-5520 for more information.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming cool flicks:- George Clooney stars as the
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (shocking typecasting!) in the animated film version of the Roald Dahl classic children’s book, opening in select theaters
Friday, Nov. 13. The flick is about a sly fox and his family, who must outwit a dimwitted, cruel farmer. Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson and Bill Murray also voice characters. It opens nationwide on Thanksgiving.
-
“2012,” a disaster flick that stars my super teen crush John Cusack, as well as Amanda Peet, Thandie Newton and Danny Glover, opens nationwide
Friday, Nov. 13. It’s an “end of the world” saga with plenty of action and explosions.
-
“Planet 51,” takes a fun twist on the alien theme, with a human astronaut landing on a distant planet inhabited by little green people. In other words, the human is the alien. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jessica Biel, Gary Oldman and John Cleese are among the animated voices in this colorful movie for kids of all ages, opening
Nov. 20.
-
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” the second movie in the popular teen vampire series, hits theaters on
Nov. 20. Based on one of the most popular book series, “New Moon” features vampires, werewolves and humans in a twisted love story. It stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Peter Facinelli.
