Culture watch

Eleven years, and all he gets is a chair?

When Brevard Music Center Artistic Director David Effron announced plans to retire from his post last year, it was definitely a downer. Effron had been with the BMC for 11 years — nothing to sniff at for such a demanding job — and had done much to enhance the center’s status and reputation in academic and popular circles. How do they honor him? They name a chair after him, of course. It sounds a little disappointing at first, I know, but the chair isn’t actually the kind you sit in. It’s more of a memorial position for the next guy to take up the baton, and it’s backed by a $500,000 endowment. Effron was given the title of Artistic Director Laureate upon his retirement, which comes with the charming perk of having his painting hung — Hogwarts-style — in BMC’s Burt Alumni House. So, when new Artistic Director Keith Lockhart steps into the role this October, he’ll be forever reminded of the shoes — or is it seat? — he’ll have to fill.

Let’s party, community theater-style

When it comes to unusual promotional ideas, you’ve really got to hand it to the Flat Rock Playhouse. Not only have they created an event where you can schmooze with the casts of your favorite local productions, but they’ve even had the stones to declare their performers “stars.” While the true luminosity of these players isn’t exactly comparable to something in a major constellation, their appearant magnitude in the Hendersonville stage crowd is actually quite bright. (Yes, I did pass astronomy. Why do you ask?) If simply watching these talents tread the Playhouse boards wasn’t enough, now you can — for a reasonably priced donation — “party” with them. There are several “Party with the Stars of Flat Rock Playhouse” events on the horizon, including a cocktail party with the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Highland Lake Inn. For a mere $25 bucks, you too can ask all those burning questions you had about the dance numbers, the casting choices and how hot it was under that crazy quilted robe. For more info and details, call 693-0731 or visit www.FlatRockPlayhouse.org

Prime Directive: Party like A Klingon

I you love Star Trek in all its variations, you’ll probably want jump in your late-model shuttle craft and to set your phasers to “fun.” (Sorry, but I couldn’t resist. Kinda like Chekov when Khan put the ceti eel in his ear.) The Star Trek Club Alaric is holding Alaricon! 2007 this Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Lake Julian Pavilion #4. If you call yourself a Trekker and you aren’t there, you probably aren’t worth your pointy plastic ears. (Or prosthetic rumpled forehead, nose ridge or Ferengi ears, as the case may be.) Get details at ussalaric@gmail.com