Back for the first time in a month, it’s your weekly dose of self-indulgence, Monday Morning Art. It might take a few extra days to get this picture up in the Monday Morning Art Store, but we’re kicking off Columbus Day with a digitally-assaulted photograph of my muse, Melanie Larch in profile.  The photo was taken at the dress rehearsal of “Jack The Ripper,” (kick yourself if you missed it) and is an exercise in color composition and dime-store surrealism. Hope you like it.

All right, I’ll admit it. I’m in the tank for Captain Action. I know it’s media bias, but I’m going to take any chance I can to write about one of my favorite childhood toys, especially now that he’s coming back. I’ll put in links to Captain Action Enterprises, and Moonstone Comics.  And you know I’ll send you over to Cast Away Toys,  where they’re bringing the good Captain back as  MEGO-style action figure.  I’ll even write about the new poster from comics legend Murphy Anderson. So, since there are some videos floating around, let’s look at Captain Action, starting with the very first commercial from the 1960s:

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Cool, huh? Well, after the jump, you can see what Captain Action is up to these days, in the midst of his big revival!

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L-R: Donnie Smith,Mara Regling , Ryan Hardiman, Kevin Pauley

It’s “Jack The Ripper,” the new musical from Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde, and you only have two more chances to see it, tonight and tomorrow, 8 PM at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater.  If you are a fan of musical theater and you don’t see this show, you will be kicking yourself for years.  After the jump, you’ll get to see more photos from last week’s dress rehearsal, plus some of my additional thoughts on the show. Read the rest of this entry »

Radio Free Charleston number 53, “Jack The Ripper Shirt,” is online now!

This episode features alternative rock from Ten Carp Lie, a jam-band tune from Corporate Orange, yet another promo clip for the new Scarpelli/Kehde musical “Jack The Ripper,” plus “Charleston Speed Run #1″ and a sneak peek at the documentary “Weird, Wonderful: The Braxton County Monster,” which will debut at the RFC Halloween Party October 25 at the La Belle Theater.

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Here’s another promo video for the Scarpelli/Kehde original musical “Jack The Ripper” (running Thursday through Saturday at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater next week). This one’s by K.C. Bragg. Check it 0ut!

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More details to come.  Needless to say, this will be a memorable night.

The fifty-second edition of Radio Free Charleston, “Captain Crash and The Beauty Queen Shirt” is online now!

This episode features music from Jonathon Glen Wood and Civil State.  We also have a promo video for “Jack The Ripper,” the new musical by Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde, which opens this week, and there’s some vintage campaign animation from 1960.

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CYAC Presents the new Scarpelli/Kehde Musical “Jack The Ripper” starting this week at The WVSU Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers St. in Charleston.  Our video this week is a promo spot I made for the show.

This is an amazing night of theater, featuring original work created by and starring local talent. In the clip above (which I shot last Thursday night) you see Ryan Hardiman as “Jack” and RFC Big Shot Melanie Larch as “Mary Kelly,” the final victim of The Ripper.  There is also a large cast of young talent mixed with area theater veterans such as Kevin Pauley,Greg Garner and Penny Fioravante.  Tickets are $9.50 for adults, and $5.50 for students and seniors. Call (304) 342-6522 for more information.

Two fan-favorite bands from Radio Free Charleston are teaming up to bring you an evening of wonderful free outdoor music at St. Albans City Park Ampitheater this Saturday!

SATURDAY, September 27 6PM-8PM
Admission is FREE!

STARRING ** UNDER THE RADAR
(as seen above, and on RFC #4, #17, and #21 the latter two of which will be returning online at the RFCTVArchive in the next few months)

SPECIAL GUEST ** The SYNERGY COLLECTIVE
(As seen below, and on RFC episodes 33, 36 and 42)

Your host for the evening will be your’s truly, Rudy Panucci, author of this here PopCult blog and host of Radio Free Charleston. This will be a fun evening of great, free music at the St. Albans City Park Ampitheater. It’s early in the evening, so you can fit it in between the Coal Bowl and whatever late-night plans you have.  After the jump, check out some video of the bands.

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That’s Ron and Nancy, in a speech specially edited and presented on Night Flight. 

I’ve mentioned before that one of the major influences on Radio Free Charleston was an obscure show that used to run on the USA Network back in the 1980s.  Night Flight was a collection of music, animation, comedy and mind-hurting weirdness that aired weekend nights from 11 PM to 5 AM.  The show jumped the shark before most people discovered it.  Originally they showed uncut cult movies with no commercial breaks and opened with a half-hour segment called “Take Off,” which featured original videos for the likes of Elvis Costello and The Stranglers produced by VideoWest in San Francisco.

After the first few months on the air, USA made the producers start editing the show, and they crowbarred-in commercials, but even watered-down, Night Flight was the hippest thing on TV.  After the jump, you’ll see more examples of this classic TV all-nighter.  See if any of it reminds you of RFC.

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