GI at Steve Vai’s “Where the Wild Things Are” Premiere and Charity Event

By Ronny North

Steve Vai at the premiere of "Where the Wild Things Are" - Photo credit: Karen Barrezueta

Guitar International was invited to the premiere showing of Steve Vai’s new DVD release, Where the Wild Things Are that also served as a chartiy event. I had the good fortune to represent GI at the event held at the famous Graumans Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, California on September 15, 2009.

For those of you not familiar, the Egyptian Theater was the first to premiere a movie in Hollywood back in October 1922. The film starred Douglas Fairbanks and the crowd was delighted with the, then new movie, Robin Hood, about another guy who gave to those in need and who was also extremely talented with a stringed instrument.

It was quite a great event and it was heartwarming to attend the silent auction that benefited Hollywood Arts (www.hollywoodarts.org). It’s a great charity organization that supports musicians in need. Steve serves on organization’s Board of Directors. Guitars, amps and some very cool gift baskets – some with gear stashed in them – and personally signed by Mr. Vai were offered up.

Luck came my way when I bid on and won a very cool book by premiere rock photographer Neil Zlowzer. The book is about Motley Crue and features tons of great shots by Neil that he took during the early days of Crue. To top it off, the book was signed by Neil and all proceeds went to charity. It really doesn’t get much better than that…

Ronny North (left), Steve Lukather (center) and Carl Verheyen (right) - Photo credit: Karen Barrezueta

There was also a red carpet rolled out for the invited guests to the event. The evening kicked off with a great mixer that Steve and his band attended. They all mingled with the guests and posed for photos with everyone. Some of the better known invitees included guitarist Steve Lukather (Toto), Orianthi Panagar (guitarist for Michael Jackson/ Carrie Underwood),Carl Verheyen , Howard Leese (Heart) and Bruce Kulick (KISS, Union, Monster Circus). As an avid guitarist, it was particularly cool to meet and chat with everyone. Unlike other similar events I’ve attended, this one was very special in that everyone was so cordial. Steve’s live rig was set up in the lobby so you could see all the gear he uses on stage. After the mixer we all sat down for the movie in the very cool Egyptian Movie Theater.

Before the flick came on Steve came up and talked about both the movie and “Live Music” the animated short film that stars Steve and Ann Marie Calhoun. The short was great and very entertaining. I found it very intriguing when both Steve and the shorts director explained beforehand how the animation was developed by independent animators from all over the world.

My understanding is that Steve put out a posting on the Internet that invited anyone who wanted to participate to join in on the project and then the best animators of the lot were chosen to work on the short.

Steve Vai (red shirt) and his band at the "Where the Wild Things Are" Premiere

(Left to Right) Jack Wiesinger, Dave Weiner, Steve Vai, Ann Marie Calhoun, Bryan Beller and Alex Depue- Photo credit: Karen Barrezueta

Now that’s a great collaboration concept that should happen more often in order to give independent artists and animators their break or at least a helping hand into that part of the business. After the animated short, the Vai premiere movie lit up the screen. Well, let me tell you, I’ve seen tons of concert films, but this one is absolutely superb.

Orianthi-Panagar - Photo credit: Karen Barrezueta

Steve definitely took it to a different level and so much so that the film should serve as a benchmark for other artists to follow. Once you get over on how great Steve and his band are you realize that it also looks and sounds amazing. And there were a few laughs when Steve took himself to the mat with his self-deprecating sense of humor. There were a lot of little snippets that pop up during the movie that are pure entertainment, but I’ll hold onto those so you can discover them yourself.

The movie is a heavyweight rock DVD and is over two and one half hours long, so the event planners offered up a short intermission at the 90 minute mark, giving us all a chance to go outside for a few minutes of fresh L.A. air.

Howard Leese - Photo credit: Karen Barrezueta

Once the silent auction ended, those who won were ushered forward to grab the cool stuff they’d won. Soon, we were all back in our seats for part two. And I must add that Steve Vai is a true visionary, who really went all out by demanding a high quality production, great sound, and a wonderful group of performers to wow us. The new arrangements of his songs with his new band that now features twin violinists Alex Purdue, Ann Marie Calhoun ,as well as drummer Jeremy Colson, guitarist Dave Weiner and bassist Bryan Beller were stunning.

The musicianship from Steve and his band is really awe-inspiring, to say the least. At the end of the film, Steve and his band got up and did a short question and answer session with the audience. Some of the answers from Steve and his band were very insightful and entertaining, especially for Steve Vai fans. His violinist, Ann Marie Calhoun told about how after a great show, Steve makes them all desserts while rumbling down the road on their tour bus.

Steve warrants applause and praise for putting on a stellar event. You really need to see the DVD and get the CD if you’re a Steve Vai fan or love freakin’ great music. I’ve been watching the DVD and have had the CD in my car, digging it since we all stepped out of the Egyptian and into the night air.

More Shots at the Premiere of “Where the Wild Things Are”