LETTERS

Hello Weekly Circuit Columnist Xania,

I have just happened to read the Weekly for the first time tonight (April 14-20 2005 issue).

Your particular column (Nights On The Circuit) amongst other things in the Weekly caught my eye. The thing about your column is that it sounds a lot like me.

You even end the article with, "... as does dancing and rubbing against strangers, but since I rarely do that, I choose booze."

I guess, when it comes to clubs, that's kinda me too ...

At any rate, I imagine you are busy so I have just three questions:

1. The Pussycat Dolls Lounge at Pure ... what exactly is that and where can I find it?

2. How do you pronounce your name (Xania)?

3. At the end of the article there is the following statement: "Xania Woodman thinks globally and parties locally. And frequently."

What does "thinks globally" actually mean?

Xania responds:

1. Fancy that, a guy asking a gal how to find it. Ironically, it's inside PURE at Caesars Palace. And a little to the left.

2. Han-yuh. Like Lasagna. Ha-ha-ha, not Xena, not Anya. Or, if you want to get really technical, gather up some phlegm and say Chhhan-YAH!

3. Well, I'm glad you asked that, Evan. I believe that it is the responsibility of each of us as momentary residents on this earth to educate ourselves on all matters such as increasing pollution, the destruction of the rain forests, and the disappearance of wildlife. For my part, I listen to Sting and read travel novels. I "think globally" as frequently as I party locally. In fact, I'm thinking globally right now. Yeah, right now I wish I were in Belize, eating psychedelic mushrooms and communing with my ancestors. Or, perhaps I chose that tag line because I had a 10-word limit.

Dear Las Vegas Weekly,

Mr. Spacek in his review (in the April 7-13 issue of your paper) of the movie Paper Clips begins by stating, "Paper Clips tells the unique story of ..." Let me assure Mr. Spacek that nothing is unique about collecting objects to represent the six million victims of the Holocaust; back in 1997, a seventh-grade social studies class at Mahomet-Seymour Jr. High in Mahomet, Illinois, collected over 11 million pop-tops from cans in their attempt to understand the Holocaust. I have a letter from the class thanking us here at CCSN for our contribution (which amounted to over 60,000 pop-tops) and a photo of the 11 million spread out on their gym floor. No film of this was made, to my knowledge, certainly no Hollywood film, but Whitwell Middle School is not unique in teaching Holocaust Studies this way. Best wishes,

Dear Weekly Movie Critic Josh Bell,

After reading your review of Kung Fu Hustle, I am very disappointed. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I just find it very sad for you to compare Stephen Chow's movies with Zhang Yimou's movies. They are clearly two different types of films. One is clearly a comedy and one is artistic. Were you trying to imply that the HK film industry is ONLY capable and should ONLY produce one type of film? I hope not! I thought Chow's movies are excellent because they represent HK's successful comedy genre. The Chinese film industry is NOT just about Hero and House of Flying Daggers. I don't see the Chinese critics comparing Meet the Fockers with American Beauty. I don't think you would in your reviews, would you?

Regards,

Dear Weekly Film Critic Josh Bell,

The influence on Chow in Kung Fu Hustle is Tex Avery, not Bugs Bunny. Your ignorance of this is telling and suggests a narrow-mindedness when it comes to this type of slapstick humor. The fact you don't recognize this shows your palate has been limited and that you can't appreciate the subtlety, yes subtlety, of influences on Chow's work or the genres he is aping and admiring all at once.

For example, you may not like Thai food or be able to appreciate the complexity of the cuisine, but that doesn't mean the dish hasn't been prepared with excellence and capable of being enjoyed by many others; so why warn people off of something you know you aren't capable of appropriately evaluating or appreciating?

Kung Fu Hustle was lyrical, stylish and pure entertainment, the latter being the reason people go to the movies, you may remember. The fact that almost 90 percent of your professional peers (not the general public) disagree with you in your evaluation makes my point. When you persist in evaluating something you don't understand, readers will think you are more infatuated with your voice as a critic and less tuned into your appropriate role, and your audience. Your intended audience will begin to regard your point of view as screed more than substance and, to quote a word from your review, as "pointless".

Heya,

I just wanted to say a big "Thanks!" for your article in this week's edition ("Station Static" by Pj Perez, April 21-27). 94.9-FM is now on my streaming media from the moment I get in until I leave the house. I've even take the laptop out to the garage when I'm in the workshop. In the past half hour I've heard Bob Marley, The Ramones, Cracker and English Beat. I'm grinning from ear to ear.

Sorry if I'm rambling ... Really, though, thanks!

Dear Pj Perez ("Station Static, April 21-27),

I think it's great that you suggested and gave props to KUNV. I hear the Rock Avenue complaint a lot when I mention KUNV to friends. People say they just miss the show and that style of programming. The thing is, every Sunday night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., The Lyons Den is filling that void. It's the most eclectic radio show in town and presents music not heard anywhere else in Vegas, and maybe the entire country. You can hear everything from Tool and A Perfect Circle to jazzy, funky 1970s Miles Davis shows, Portishead, AIR, Cinematic Orchestra, Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia, Phish, Lamb, Radiohead, Bjork, Janes Addiction ... I can go on and on with the impressive list but you'll hear it when you tune in. You get the college radio fix but with a more professional presentation and in-depth music collection. You also have a host who has been in and around the music business for most of his life, George Lyons. The Rock Avenue DJs are not coming back, that we can all agree on, but what The Lyons Den is doing may be an even more evolved version of what people loved about Rock Avenue.

There is no need for them to come back when programming like this is going on every week at KUNV. The station needs community support and I hope that people who seek this kind of music know that it's right in front of them. This is the antidote to that "Vegas Radio Sucks" attitude. If more people listen and support this show, I can only imagine that this sort of programming will grow at KUNV and Vegas in general.

Glad to see you supporting local stations and quality music in Vegas! It's people like you who get the word out and educate people on where the music culture is happening in this town. Thanks for your time and your work.