THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 10, 1995 TAG: 9502090168
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
TONIGHT
MORE THAN 15 years after their first recordings, The Fleshtones are still super-rockin' their lives away. The garage-band favorites of many an '80s college grad are prepping for their next album, to be produced by Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies), and hit Hampton Roads again at 9 tonight at the Machine, 1118 Green Run Square, Virginia Beach. For info, call 468-6324.
- Rickey Wright
A THREE-HOUR documentary that chronicles 4 1/2 years in the lives of two boys with hopes has drawn rave reviews. ``Hoop Dreams'' is a riveting study of the class struggle in America as two Chicago high school students see basketball as their only hope of escaping the drug-infested inner city. The politics and heartlessness that can be a part of win-or-else recruitment programs come into play. You don't have to be interested in basketball to get caught up in its reporter-like pursuit of life on the run.
- Mal Vincent
SUNDAY: Kathleen Battle
WHETHER SINGING opera, oratorio or spirituals, Kathleen Battle entrances concertgoers and record buyers in a way few singers do. Sunday, the soprano appears with a trio led by jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut in a program of Duke Ellington songs and spirituals.
The bulk of Battle's publicity over the past year has stemmed from her dismissal by the Metropolitan Opera for behind-the-scenes antics. But she continues to tour and record. Sunday's program, a benefit for the Virginia Symphony, is a chance to hear two top-flight artists performing congenial material.
Chestnut toured with another demanding singer, Betty Carter, before releasing his acclaimed trio debut last year. The near-classical Ellington songs should be a good meeting place for Chestnut's warm, engaging style and Battle's purity. As for the spirituals, both Battle and Chestnut grew up making music for the Lord - she at Alan Chapel A.M.E. of Portsmouth, Ohio, and he at Baltimore's Mount Calvary Star Baptist. The show's at 3 p.m. Sunday at Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. Tickets $30 to $125. Call TicketMaster at 671-8100.
- Mark Mobley
SATURDAY
PROKOFIEV'S ``Romeo and Juliet'' is one of the most beautiful ballet scores. For Saturday's Chrysler Hall performance, the Richmond Ballet is bringing one of the most impressive young American conductors.
Though George Manahan has lived in Richmond for eight years as director of the Richmond Symphony, he has never conducted in Norfolk. He's been busy serving as principal conductor of Minnesota Opera and guesting at New York City Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. His work in new music includes premieres at Santa Fe Opera and albums for Joe Jackson and Steve Reich.
The Virginia Symphony has given some of its best performances in the pit. Manahan has a crisp, expressive beat and clear sense of drama. Together, they should bring Prokofiev's passionate reading of Shakespeare to life. 8 p.m. Saturday at Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. 623-2310.
- Mark Mobley by CNB