And with that, we say “so long” to August.

The PopCulteer
August 30, 2013

This week your PopCulteer turns to a bunch of short items, followed by a list of stuff to do. You just go enjoy the heck out of it, okay?

Quarrier Diner to return

Owner Anna Pollitt announced this week that the historic Quarrier Diner will reopen for lunch in mid-September, this time with a menu that harkens back to the Diner’s roots, featuring Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and BBQ (and let’s hope, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup). This is great news. For one thing, it’s another option for lunch in Downtown Charleston. In addition, it’s a sign that this great building will be spared the wrecking ball.

The PopCult Bookshelf 

Star Reach Companion
by Richard Arndt
TwoMorrows Publishing
ISBN 13: 978-1-60549-051-9
$27.95

Star Reach was a bit of an anomoly when it hit the scene in the 1970s. It was distributed through a combination of the Underground Comics pipeline of head shops or alternative newsstands, and the just-beginning direct-sales comic book market, then dominated by Bud Plant and Phil Seuling. The creators came from the ranks of seasoned mainstream comics professionals and up-and-coming talent. The content was more mature than mainstream comics, with adult language and nudity, but it wasn’t tied to the counter-culture or drug scene like underground comics were. The book featured top-notch writing and some of the finest comic book art ever. Richard Arndt takes a long-overdue look at this remarkable comic book.

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the first post in this, The PopCult Blog. When I started this blog, I had no idea if, or how long, it would last. I’m happy to say that there is no end in sight. I’m having more fun with PopCult than ever.

You may have noticed that we missed the PopCult Toybox yesterday. That really had nothing to do with the anniversary. At the last minute, the folks from the toy company that I was going to write about asked me to hold off reporting on their new toy for a few weeks while they sort out some distribution issues. Since we had a Radio Free Charleston taping scheduled last night (and it was a dandy) I didn’t have time to write a replacement. The Toybox will be back next week, and all our regular features are on track.

I’m not really planning to make a big deal out of our eighth anniversary. I’m saving that for our tenth, in 2015, if we’re lucky enough to last that long. I do want to thank The Charleston Gazette for letting me craft this weird little fiefdom off in a corner of their servers, and I want to thank Doug Imbrogno for instigating this whole thing.

Mainly, thank you for reading PopCult and watching Radio Free Charleston. I’ll keep trying to make it worth your time.

We kick off this week with a digital painting over a photograph that I took at South Charleston’s Summerfest Car Show. It’s the current object of my car lust, the mid-1950s Chevy Bel Air.  WANT. Click to enlarge.

And check back early in the morning for episode 189 of Radio Free Charleston, featuring Motion Theatre, Zeroking, Snakebox and Diablo Blues Band.

The Dread crew of Oddwood is sailing into Charleston this week, docking at The Empty Glass Tuesday night for an evening of wild, riotous madness with The Renfields. Our cameras will be there and you should be too! Just watch the video above to see what you can expect.

We’re talking pirates here, folks. It’s a night of pirates and monsters rocking out on stage. How can you miss that? Check out Bill Lynch’s interview with the band here, and show up at The Glass Tuesday night at 10 PM for the debauchery.

The PopCult Bookshelf 

The Amazing, Enlightening and Absolutely True Adventures of Katherine Whaley
As Told to and Illustrated by Kim Deitch
Fantagraphics Books
ISBN-13: 978-1-806-99831-7
$29.99

Billed as a new entry in Kim Deitch’s series of graphic novel alternate histories of early twentieth century showbiz, “The Amazing, Enlightening and Absolutely True Adventures of Katherine Whaley” is a tour de force of completely believable, yet outrageous, fiction.

The PopCulteer
August 23, 2013

This week we have news on The Simply Jazz and Blues Festival, more photos from last week’s Car Show in South Charleston and a rundown of Stuff To Do. Let’s dive in, shall we…

Jazz and Blues in Sandstone

Kicking off today at 5 PM and running until Sunday evening, The Inaugural Simply Jazz and Blues Festival promises to be a phenomenal, music-filled weekend. The Festival is taking place at the scenic Sandstone Drift Recreation Area, which has been developed specifically for this event. The Simply Jazz and Blues Festival organizer, Doris “Lady D” Fields says that this is a gorgeous spot to hear great jazz, blues and gospel music.

The festival itself will take place at the scenic “Drift” located on the majestic New River. Other music venues in the area will be hosting live jazz and blues and of course there are plenty of outdoor activities and attractions in the area.