ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 27, 1996 TAG: 9612270079
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: out & about
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS BANKS
I promise I will never, ever again make fun of SCUM.
OK, I've shared my New Year's resolution. What's yours?
SCUM - for those of you who aren't familiar with the local music scene - is a Blacksburg-based band made up of musicians from several popular groups, including the Kind, Cellophane Rain, Electric Woodshed and M.R. Ducks.
The name (which, alas, cries out for smart-alecky commentary) is actually an acronym for the Small-town Coalition of Uncorked (or Unified or Unemployed or Unaffected) Musicians.
SCUM, in a nutshell, is a bunch of talented local rockers who are slightly off their rockers.
"We like to get SCUM together for shows three or four times a year," said Ron Clifford, who helped start the band several years ago. "It's a great way to break out of the confines of our regular bands."
"We have a lot of fun performing together," he added. "We hope the people in the audience have as much fun as we do."
Each year, SCUM performs at the big Steppin' Out festival in downtown Blacksburg. The group also does a New Year's Eve benefit for the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley.
"This is our favorite charity," noted Clifford. "We know that it benefits people in the community, battered women and children."
This year's New Year's Eve show is happening at Blacksburg's South Main Cafe. Clifford said the band is planning a big bash.
"There'll be stupid hats, hors d'oeuvres and champagne at midnight," he said.
The celebration even includes free escort service for those who need a ride home.
"We already have volunteers lined up to serve as designated drivers," Clifford said.
The music starts right after the televised Orange Bowl game. The Electric Woodshed will be sharing the spotlight with SCUM during the evening.
If you have a guitar, you might even find yourself performing with the band, Clifford warns.
"When SCUM plays, everybody plays!"
The group will do rock 'n' roll tunes by everyone from Tom Petty to the Rolling Stones to Jackson Browne. Wendy Heron, the lead female vocalist for the Kind, might even render a little Janis Joplin. Steven Hunt, bass player for Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, sits in with the band, too.
"This will be our seventh year of doing the charity ball," Clifford noted. "It's a good time and it's for a good cause, so we're hoping for a turnout."
Tickets are $12 per couple or $7 per person and are available by calling 961-6316. All proceeds go to the Women's Resource Center.
TEEN SCENE: The 180 Club (formerly Straight Street) is having a New Year's Eve party for families. The younger set will have plenty of opportunity to burn off excess energy as the clock ticks its way into 1997.
The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m. at the club, 894 Roanoke St., Christiansburg. If you haven't been there yet, it's right next to Dr. Video.
In addition to music and karaoke, there will be indoor basketball and volleyball competitions. You can check out the Orange Bowl on the big screen TV, too.
Free food and drinks are part of the deal. There's no admission, but if you'd like to make a donation at the door, the suggested amount is $3.
For more information, call the 180 Club at 381-1006. Ask for Bob.
FEEL LIKE DRESSING UP? The New River Valley Charity Ball may be just the thing for you this New Year's Eve. The affair (a black tie optional event) offers the whole nine yards - dinner, dancing and bubbly.
The ball runs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center on the Virginia Tech campus. The $50 ticket price benefits several local organizations: the Free Clinic of the New River Valley and Program for Special Medical Care, New River Valley Hospice and the New River Arts Council.
The Riverboat Ramblers will play Dixieland jazz and there also will be recorded music and a guest DJ. Overnight lodging is available at the Donaldson Brown Hotel. Call 231-8000.
Tickets for the ball are available at the Squires Student Center ticket office and the Donaldson Brown Center. Group tables may be reserved.
For ticket information, call 231-5615, 231-8000 or (800) 834-9281.
HURRY! HURRY! If you haven't seen the December exhibit at the Fine Arts Center in Pulaski, make some time for it in the next few days.
"Dolls, Dolls, Dolls, Bears, Bears, Bears!" That's the title of this exhibit which features several local collections.
Dolls by German designers Sonja Hartman and Elizabeth Pongratz are on display. You'll also see Hans and Gretel felt dolls designed by American folk artist R. John Wright. These are part of Pulaski collector Jerry Powell's contribution to the exhibit.
Some of the dolls were crafted by local artisans Louise Biggs, Heather Edens, Patty Ratcliff and Ethel and Wilmer Ryan.
Of course, the exhibit wouldn't be complete without the Barbie collections. The Ryans have a set of "Gone With the Wind" Barbies and Darlene Kuntz has included her complete set of Holiday Barbies.
In addition to dolls, this holiday exhibit has stuffed bears of various descriptions. Limited edition Rakes bears with carved wooden faces and paws are part of the display.
The Fine Arts Center is at 21 West Main Street and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
LENGTH: Long : 102 linesby CNB