Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 19, 1993 TAG: 9311180027
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Margolin has played the blues with the vintage veterans of blues: B.B. King, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Nappy Brown and Jimmy Rogers, to name a few. From 1973 to 1980, he was the guitarist for the great Muddy Waters Blues Band. It was with Waters that he picked up his "old school" talents on slide guitar.
Margolin, who grew up near Boston in Brookline, Mass., said he discovered his passion, Chicago blues, when he first listened to the music of Muddy Waters.
"When I first heard Muddy, it changed my life and gave it a direction," he says. He attributes his fierce guitar playing to Waters' trenchant teaching methods.
Waters was not a softie when it came to teaching music. He once told Margolin "getting it right is gonna hurt like love."
Margolin recorded 10 albums with the Muddy Waters Blues Band before starting his own band in 1980. His solo recordings include "The Old School" and "Chicago Blues" on the Powerhouse label and, more recently, "Down in the Alley" on Alligator Records. Described as a "blues lover's blues album," it features 15 songs by Margolin. Calling it a "combination of Muddy's legacy, some personal favorites and my own songs," Margolin says it's his best album yet.
Though he now makes his home in Greensboro, N.C., Margolin lived in Blacksburg for several years and frequently returns to gig and jam at familiar watering holes.
He will be at Blacksburg's South Main Cafe Saturday. The music starts at 10 p.m., but you might want to get there early for a good seat. The cover charge is $5 if you're over 21 or $6 if you're under 21.
\ GOING TO THE MOUNTAINTOP? The annual Top of the Mountain Arts and Crafts Festival is Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Mountain Lake.
This is your chance to observe the working skills of some fine local artists and artisans. Knobbit carver Bob Evans, potter Rick Radman and weaver Avis Quinn will demonstrate their work both days. Jim Shipley, a painter specializing in Indian and wildlife art, will have ongoing demonstrations, too.
Unusual items for sale at the festival include the artwork of Ira Wallace. He uses recycled cans (from small soup cans to large lard tins) to create his decorative pieces. Jewelry, stained glass, baskets, hanging art and tin wares will be available, as well.
Goldrush, a local bluegrass band, will provide the musical entertainment, and Santa will visit with kids big and small.
Admission is free. Proceeds from sales will benefit St. Judes Children's Hospital.
\ ADOPT AN ANGEL: The Salvation Army will launch its "Angel Tree" program today at New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg. It's a traditional event offering members of the community a chance to help children in need during the holiday season.
A Christmas tree will be set up in the center court at the mall, and shoppers may choose an angel ornament from the tree. The ornament will have a child's name, clothing sizes and a Christmas wish-list so that shoppers will have some help in choosing gifts for a little angel. This year, the Salvation Army hopes to serve more than 1,500 children through the program.
Joan Munford will select the first ornament from the tree today at a special kickoff set for 6 p.m.
The event also features music by country singer Kerri Taylor. Taylor, a relative newcomer to the New River Valley, has lived in Texas, West Virginia and eastern Virginia and has performed all over the place.
"Never have I met more friendly people than here in the New River Valley," she noted. "They have been very receptive to my music and I'm really looking forward to performing at the mall for the angel tree event."
Taylor will sing some traditional country tunes, as well as a variety of Christmas music at today's event. The Salvation Army's Junior Soldiers will perform music for the holidays, too.
Representatives from K92, official sponsor for Angel Tree '93, will be at the kickoff.
\ DANCING TIME: No matter what your style, you can foot it this weekend.
The Old Pros, that big band orchestra sponsored by New River Community College, will play for ballroom dancers Saturday, 8 p.m. to midnight. The dance is at T.J. Anderson Student Lounge on campus. Tickets, $15 for couples or $10 for singles, will be available at the door.
At Virginia Tech, it's international folk dancing Saturday night. The university's YMCA Folk Dancing Club is putting on the event for those who enjoy line dances, circle dances and other fancy frolics. The dance runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Virginia Tech's Performing Arts Building. Admission is free.
Bill Cannaday and the Original Orchard Grass Band will play at the square dance in Floyd Saturday. It starts at 7:30 and runs to 11:30 p.m. at the Floyd County Rescue Squad Building. Admission is $4 for adults and free for kids under 10. The Floyd County Rescue Squad Auxiliary is sponsoring the dance.
For details on the foot-stomping fun, see "Etc." in today's Arts & Entertainment calendar.
\ COMEDY! COMEDY! Christiansburg High School's drama department has it.
The drama students, directed by Charlena La Luz, will present their fall production, "I Take This Man," tonight and Saturday at 8 and Sunday afternoon at 3 in the school auditorium. The play by Jack Sharkey is a fast-paced comedy suitable for all ages.
The cast features Leslie Cosgriff, Matt Gardner, Chris Rowe, Deanna duPlessis and Matthew Lucas. The story is about a girl who finds an unconscious man in his tank top and shorts lying in Copley Square following the Boston Marathon. The zaniness starts when she totes the man home and pretends he is her husband.
Tickets for all performances are $3 at the door.
by CNB