Art Gallery

By Kevin Lee Associate Editor

Food for body and soul

Art Soup

Where: Christ Church Cathedral (115 Conception St.)

When: Nov. 14, 6-9 p.m.

Kicking off National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, 15 Place will hold its annual fundraiser “Art Soup,” in a new venue downtown. Last year’s event was held in Cathedral Square Gallery but is being moved to the vicinity of the facility.

The event will feature not only live entertainment and food prepared by area chefs, but work donated by local artists – traditionally representations of bowls – will be auctioned to raise funds for the multi-purpose facility in downtown. Mateo, Kay Daughdrill, David Trimmier, Devlin Wilson, R.E. Templeton and Heather Petterson are some of the creative souls lending their skills to this worthy cause.

Programs such as employment counseling, mental health services, veterans’ services, literacy training and to help the homeless better their potential and find steady jobs and homes are offered at 15 Place.

Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by calling 251-432-7227.

American musical deity highlighted

MOJO Jambalaya honoring

Louis Armstrong

Where: Gulf City Lodge (601 State St.)

When: Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.

It’s rare a musician has an international airport named for him, but there are few like Louis Armstrong, the jazz trumpeter who reshaped the landscape of American music and culture in the 20th Century.

From his start as a street waif in New Orleans’ roughest neighborhoods, Armstrong rode his unparalleled talent and vision to stellar global fame earning accolades from critics and historians as the “American Bach.” His eccentricities and endearing personality forged the archetype of the jazz musician for generations, “hip” lexicon and omnipresent “reefer” included.

The musical interpretations of Armstrong’s work will be provided by Hosea London of the Excelsior Brass Band and the E.B. Coleman Big Band.

Entrance is $10, $7 for MOJO members. The fee includes a jambalaya dinner and a cash bar will be available.

For further info, call 251-459-2298 or e-mail mobilejazz@bellsouth.net.

Reliving a future tale

Metropolis

Where: Alabama Music Box (455 Dauphin St.)

When: Oct. 31, 9 p.m.

The centerpiece of last fall’s Arts Alive festival was the screening of Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent science fiction film masterpiece “Metropolis” complete with a live soundtrack composed and rendered by Mobile’s The Western Lands. The event met with wide acclaim and has been requested for reincarnation on Halloween 2008.

The movie deals with a futuristic city fractured by stratified class lines and the journey one scion of privilege finds in his explorations of the underworld. The live music is ethereal and bracing and a lofty complement to Lang’s haunting and visionary images.

Together, the contemporary and historic melding make for an unforgettable experience for attendees.

Kevin Lee is Lagniappe associate editor. Contact him at klee@lagniappemobile.com.

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