Oprah Winfrey: saviour of the arts Talk show giant to start music club By Jay Schreiber, Arts Editor Dear faithful readers of The OP, As the arts editor, I have been unkind towards key figures of major media and their outlandish antics in this thing we call pop culture. The truth, however, is that I do not despise all media attention whores, but rather only the ones who deserve it, In the small but elite club of positive media giants, one individual begins to stand out as the Queen Bee: Oprah Winfrey. Oprah has always contributed to those in need whenever she can, and unlike attention whores who dispose of money for their own personal amusement, Oprah disposes it for others. Oprah usually gives away everything from blenders to cars, and her book club has turned an entire generation of middle-aged, stay-at-home moms into educated readers. Hell, I’d even go so far as to say that she would make a good first female president focused on peace, communication and most importantly, literacy in the United States. Recently, Oprah announced that she will continue her venture to culture the U.S. by starting a music club. This club would feature a musical guest, promote Oprah’s picks of music, and convince day time television watchers to shut their eyes and focus on their ears. So what does Oprah listen to, then? Whitney Houston and Tina Turner are going to be regulars, that’s for sure. Man-divas such as Sting, Elvis Costello and Elton John would probably be on the show fairly often if I have any idea how Oprah thinks. What if Slayer found themselves in a 10 minutes spot focusing on the roots of American heavy metal and promoting their final tour? Would soccer moms buy that? Ask yourself, could you imagine anyone over 40 making a special trip to go out and get the latest CD from such bands as Cannibal Corpse? Would Oprah be inclusive? Would she have opera singers, gangsta rappers and concert violinists from the Chicago Philharmonic? How about the latest electro DJ from Diisseldorf coming on to talk about his latest techno jive or his addiction to blow? I highly doubt that Oprah’s club will include any of the previously mentioned, and her favourite picks will probably all be within the same style of music. I don’t imagine that Oprah will get any more experimental than is expected of her. Never the less, the point still stands that Oprah is trying to do a good thing, whether it turns out that way or not. ¢ Thursday September 17: Pacific Coliseum is host to mainstream metal giants Killswitch Engage, In Flames and “finally legal to drink” Protest the Hero. This is the second (and in one case, third) time that these groups have come through Vancouver this year, so taking a night to study might not be the worst thing in the world. Friday Soomunier 18: Los Furious is skanking up Pub 340 with the Wrecktals and The Bone Daddys this Friday. Get your groove on to the sweet dub beats and have a brew or two while you’re at it. Music starts at 10 and the cover charge is the same. Saturday September 19: The Railway Club is host to rock group The Bends in “The Bends tribute to Radiohead” this Saturday. Back in ‘95, Radiohead played the Railway Club and turned it into an outright bar fight, so be sure to bring riot gear. Sunday September 20: Arctic Monkeys play Stanley Park’s Malkin bow! with supporting acts The Like. This is an all-ages show for the kids with doors at 5 p.m. The park ranger mentioned that the show must be over by dark so that the Monkeys can get back into their cages in time for dinner at the aquarium. The people hustle down the street towards nothing but office buildings They don't see that an old oak tree, knots of gnarled wood, a structure as fascinated as Eiffel Tower, has been taken down, replaced with a parking meter. The people see two inches in front of their squinting, dulling eyes Armed with briefcases and coffee they are missing out. _ They don’t feel _ the absence of the man sleeping bag and his worn out backpack, his Styrofoam cup filled with pennies, lie lonely on the sidewalk. The old bookstore on the corner is gone, replaced by a