Friday 10
Bluegrass music got its name from seminal practitioners the Bluegrass Boys, who in turn took their moniker from the nickname of their home state of Kentucky. The music’s roots are apparently in Scottish and Irish folk music; subsequent mixtures with jazz, ragtime, swing, and gospel in the postwar South created the rollin’ and pickin’ music we love today. High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music, a feature documentary by Rachel Liebling, salutes the father of the music, Bill Monroe, and checks out modern practitioners like Illinois’ own Alison Kraus. The film shows at the Film Center, Columbus and Jackson, at 6 and 8 tonight, and at 6 tomorrow. Admission is $5, $3 for members. Call 443-3733 for more.
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Monday 13
Wednesday 15
The young heroine of Alice Walker’s new novel, Possessing the Secret of Joy, is subjected to genital mutilation according to African tribal custom; as an adult in America, she battles the trauma in psychoanalysis. Walker will sign books tonight from 8 to 10 at Women & Children First bookstore, 5233 N. Clark. It’s free; call 769-9299 for more.
