Local acts to perform 17 songs of ‘Dr. Phil’
Christy Tengs Fowler said fans and friends who show up for “The Dr. Phil Project” concert on Friday, Aug. 15, can expect something different.
“It’s almost a variety show. The Zumba girls are even going to dance to a Dr. Phil song,” Tengs Fowler said. “I’m really interested to see how different people interpret my songs.”
The show features local and regional acts performing 17 songs Tengs Fowler wrote using advice of television counselor Dr. Phil McGraw for lyrics. It starts 7 p.m. at the Chilkat Center and will be filmed by a crew making the documentary “Above the Bamboo Room.”
Tengs Fowler has been pursuing the attention of McGraw, hoping to interest him in songs she’s written over the past seven years. A documentary film crew is recording her quest. Her goal is to have McGraw’s country music friends record her songs and raise money through McGraw’s foundation for causes he espouses.
“All-star” acts that will be performing 17 of Tengs Fowler’s songs include The God Particle, The PBR, Hillbilly Jean, Burl Sheldon, Mario Benassi, Julia Scott and Adrian Nash.
A $5 ticket price goes entirely to show’s musicians. Child care will be provided. Sale of refreshments will benefit a planned domestic abuse shelter in Haines.
Hays, Jones show Sunday at center
Guitarist Christy Hays, a former resident who has carved a niche with her singing and songwriting in Austin, Texas, performs 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Chilkat Center lobby alongside Kris Eli Jones, a seamless performer also familiar to local audiences.
“Christy left here to go study music in Nashville. She now lives in Austin and has a new album,” said Tom Heywood, president of Haines Arts Council.
Reviewer Margaret Moser of the Austin Chronicle described Hays’ album “Drought” as “woven with deftness and maturity,” including the hard-luck tale “Winter Solstice” that Hays “knocks out of the ballpark.”
“Hays’ local debut signals her notable arrival with quiet grace,” reviewer Moser said. “The arrangements convey the songs, but the gritty lyrics carry their own weight and beauty in her plaintive vocals.”
Born into a musical family, Hays started writing songs at age 14. She lived in Alaska five years, working locally as a guide and fisheries technician. She has traveled widely and moved to Austin in 2009. Her website is christyhays.com.
Jones also is a former resident and accomplished singer-songwriter. His songs evoke the lonely corners of the American West. His unassuming stage presence, lyrics and honey-tinged voice make listeners lean in. Previous performances here include voice and bass accompaniment by his wife Lindy Jones, and with various artists as the rocking country band Honky-Tonk Habit.
Fans who’ve heard Jones performing in local bars will appreciate the concert at the Chilkat Center, said the arts council’s Heywood. “It’s a really nice acoustic, close-up setting to hear some great songs Kris has and pick up some of the nuances of his performances that you miss at the bar scene. It’s a more personal venue.”
Tickets to Sunday’s show are $12 for adults and $5 for students.
Yukoners launch comic convention this weekend
Lianne Maitland of Whitehorse, Y.T., said she and a friends who attend comic-cons down south wanted their own convention with a “distinctly Yukon flavor.”
They formed Yukon Comic Culture Society in December. The fruit of their work, the three-day “YukomiCon,” starts Friday at Coast High Country Inn.
“We wanted to be a resource for locals interested in pursuing a career in comics and related genres. We also wanted to make an event anyone could enjoy, whether they were fans, in the industry, or not,” Maitland said.
Besides celebrity actors and cosplayers, Yukomicon will feature an “Artists’ Alley” featuring 20 artists working in comics and related genres throughout Canada. There will be talks, workshops and panels presented by Yukoners, art demonstrations, gaming tournaments and cosplay contests for youths.
A weekend pass is $45 for adults and $15 for youths to age 12. A Saturday night ball and cosplay contest is $15 and participants must be 19. For more, go to yukomicon.com.