Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "culture"

NorCal AIDS Cycle Raises $327,000 for HIV/AIDS Services

2013-05-20T01:42:26Z

Cyclists, crew members, and hundreds of friends and supporters gathered at the State Capitol Sunday, May 19, to welcome home the members of the ninth annual NorCal AIDS Cycle, a 4-day, 330-mile HIV/AIDS cycling fundraiser. The 2013 event raised more than $327,000 for HIV/AIDS services in the Capital region and Northern California—up from $304,000 in 2012.Nearly 4,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS in the eight counties traversed during the four-day ride, with one in four new infections occurring in youth ages 13 to 24. In addition to raising funds to replace diminishing state and federal resources, NorCal AIDS Ride raises awareness of the importance of knowing one’s HIV status to avoid infecting others.

“NCAC is the largest and only organization in the Greater Sacramento region right now that raises much needed funds for the HIV community,” said Emily Rymland, NCAC board president, veteran cyclist, and a nurse practitioner at CARES, one of the NCAC beneficiary organizations. “The need is enormous and imperative. Youth are directly impacted; one in four new infections are in people between the ages of 13 and 24. We have got to get a handle on prevention. There are no longer state dollars for this. It's on us.”

Some 125 cyclists and 75 volunteer crew members rode out from Folsom Lake on Thursday, May 16. The event closed with hundreds of well-wishers gathered to welcome the cyclists riding in for an emotional Closing Ceremony at noon on May 19.

Following an Opening Ceremony at 7 a.m., May 16, Folsom Lake’s Beals Point, NCAC cyclists and mobile crew followed a circuitous, often challenging route through the Sierra foothills and northern Central Valley, ending their first 101-mile day at Gridley, second 100-mile day at Williams, and third 80-mile day at Woodland.

Funds raised by the 2013 ride will provide funding for 11 non-profit HIV/AIDS service organizations in Sacramento and Northern California: CARES Clinic Dental Program, Golden Rule Services, SANE (Safer Alternatives thru Networking and Education), Breaking Barriers, Harm Reduction Services, Sunburst Projects, River City Food Bank, and Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, all of Sacramento; Sierra Foothills AIDS Foundation of Auburn, Calif.; Caring Choices of Chico, Calif.; and Shasta Trinity Tehama HIV Food Bank of Redding, Calif.

Each cyclist raises a minimum of $1,500 and each crew member a minimum of $250. Since its founding in 2005, NCAC has raised more than $1. 5 million total.

One of the things that historically has distinguished Sacramento-based NCAC from other California AIDS rides is its distribution of funds to multiple beneficiary agencies in Sacramento and Northern California. In many cases, NCAC’s contributions have s kept the doors open for small non-profit organizations, including some that are the sole providers of HIV/AIDS services to underserved or remote California communities.

For some small non-profits, such as Sacramento’s Breaking Barriers, NCAC funding has kept the doors open in the face of government budget cuts. Breaking Barriers provides HIV testing and education from a mobile testing van and supportive services such as holiday meals and transportation to medical appointments for people living with HIV. “Every year the ride has grown a little bigger and raised more money,” says Executive Director Craig Spatola. “That alone makes a major impact for HIV/AIDS agencies, some smaller than mine. For us it is literally the difference between paid and unpaid staff.”

The mission of NorCal AIDS Cycle is to support organizations throughout Northern California working to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to care for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in the region through fundraising; to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, the needs of the community and the benefitting organizations; and to encourage a positive environment for the dignity, quality of life, and acceptance of people affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS. For more information about NorCal AIDS Cycle, visit www.norcalaidscycle.org.

Here are more photos from today:

St. John, West Sacramento, says he is new to biking. They hit head, tail and sideways winds on the way to Sacramento today. He bought his bike in January. "It's been fun to be part of the event, and to raise awareness and money," he said.

Olsen says he rides across the Yolo causeway to West Sacramento everyday to work since 2006. He estimates over that time he's ridden 25,000 - 30,000 miles.

"The hardest part was sitting on the bike for nine hours versus one hour. Being on the bike for that long was the hardest," Olsen said.

The Midway Marvels provided music for the event.

'Proteges' points way to future of dance

2013-05-18T02:34:36Z

Instead of looking back, as one might do when celebrating a 25th anniversary, Ron Cunningham of the Sacramento Ballet seems always to look forward. The latest ballet company production is Modern Masters Proteges, in which Cunningham invited three former dancers with the Sacramento Ballet to create new works for it. Jared Nelson, a Yuba City native who, after a stint with the local company, has danced for about a dozen years with the Washington Ballet; Ilana Goldman, who danced several seasons in Sacramento before moving on to the Trey McIntyre Project and then to the University of Washington where she’s soon to graduate with an advanced degree; and Amy Seiwert, who became resident choreographer with San Francisco’s Smuin Ballet and formed her own dance company, Imagery, after several years of dancing with the Sacramento Ballet each created a piece for the “Proteges” program.

They point toward the future of contemporary ballet – new and adventurous takes on dance possibilities, but grounded in the classical form. Seiwert, in particular, has been lauded (by the San Francisco Bay Guardian) as “quite possibly ... the Bay Area’s most original dance thinker.” A Cincinnati native, Seiwert gave “I Think of You Often” its world premiere last September in her home town. It’s an easy, elegant dance set at a seaside resort. It uses beach chairs as props (a rarity in more formal dance), and creates a rushing wave upon the shore with a line of female dancers. Music by Swedish pop group Koop accompanies the five movements of the dance, the most impressive of which is a stunning pas de deux featuring Alexandra Cunningham and Stefan Calka in “Strange Love.”

Nelson’s “Cinq Fois Deux (Five Times Two)” opens the program and is perhaps the most traditional dance of the evening (made more classical by its music by Sergei Rachmaninoff). Five couples (Evelyn Turner and Richard Porter, Alexandra Cunningham and Christopher Nachtrab, Ave Chatterson and Stefan Calka, Maggie Rupp and Mate Szentes, and Lauryn Winterhalder and Oliver Adams) begin the dance in darkness in an elegant tableau, then break off and dance – each given fine, classical turns in the spotlight – before ending the piece again in tableau.

Goldman’s “Elusive” is credited “in collaboration with the dancers,” and it is truly an ensemble piece. Based in today’s society, it’s about the eternal search for that ideal, unattainable goal. With people running here and there, in packs and small groups yet always appearing alone, it’s a meditation on the difficulty of making personal connections. Alexandra Cunningham and Stefan Calka are the main pair in Goldman’s vision. Calka sees Cunningham in the distance, calls to her and chases after her, ultimately losing her in the mass of humanity. He continues to search and gets rare glimpses but contact remains elusive. (Calka will dance the part tonight but will be replaced by Christopher Nachtrab for Saturday and Sunday performances.

The program also includes the delightful “The Professionals,” a satire on the dancer’s life, created by company member Rex Wheeler and first performed here May 25, 2011. It is a hilarious look at what may or may not go on inside the dancer’s studio during a typical work day. There are several excellent comic turns in the piece, particularly the sleepy-until-caffeinated “Coffee Girl” danced by Evelyn Turner, the headphone head case “Choreographer” danced by Alex Stewart, and “The Trouble Makers,” featuring Oliver Adams, Christopher Nachtrab and Mate Szentes. Ron Cunningham has a humorous walk-on part as “The Director.”

“Modern Masters” continues at St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center, 5900 Elvas Ave. through Sunday. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $45 and are available at the door. For more information, go to www.sacballet.org.

The ballet company has two other programs in quick succession. “Beer & Ballet,” which was reviewed here recently, continues May 23, 24 and 26 at the Sacramento Ballet Studios, 1631 K St. The dances on this program were created by members of the dance troupe to be performed by their peers, and they display a creative talent that’s equal to the artistic and athletic abilities they show as dancers. Tickets are $35 and include drinks. For more information, call (916) 552-5800, ext. 2, or go online at the address above. “Highlights,” a collaboration between the ballet company and Found Space Theatrical Productions will be presented on May 25 and 29 at the ballet studios. Half dance from the repertory of Sacramento Ballet and half musical theater from the folks who staged the wickedly witty “At the Ballet” fundraisers, “Highlights” is a multi-faceted entertainment featuring singers, actors and dancers. Tickets are $30 and include refreshments. For more information: (916) 552-5800, ext. 2 or www.sacballet.org.

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New films: Star Trek Into Darkness (2 opinions), Kon-Tiki, At Any Price

2013-05-17T20:08:27Z

Multiple bold explorers and a proxy for Monsanto

While the big buzz this week will be focused squarely on the latest entry in the decades-long Star Trek franchise, there are also a couple of smaller, counter-programming opportunities, one of which is oddly related to Star Trek. There’s also a second opinion included in today’s column on the Star Trek movie itself, but be warned in advance: Malcolm’s comments contain a character spoiler (although many viewers probably know this particular detail already).

Star Trek Into Darkness
Directed by J. J. Abrams

When the last “Star Trek” movie came out, I strongly praised its balancing act in terms of respecting the canon and the knowledge of the fans, while still offering a fresh take in what was both a reboot of the original series and a prequel to it. The new film continues and, if anything, actually manages to walk that same tightrope while narrowing the rope even further. And it’s still an impressive act.

That’s not to say you’ll necessarily love the outcome, as it’s more of a non-stop action film than we’ve seen before. Every crisis is a crisis related to fighting, war, explosions, etc. – with only the briefest of considerations of the “Prime Directive” and certainly no long and drawn out diplomatic disagreements. In short, it’s back and it’s big, and it’s very well put together, but it also has a different tone to it than many fans of the original series might prefer.That said, I liked it. For me it’

more about revisiting the cast of characters than worrying too much about what particular scrape they’re going to warp/transport/squeeze their way out this time around. And where the last film gave us back the original crew in almost loving detail, the new film throws in a bunch of other similarly preserved and respected references. J. J. Abrams may be happy to admit that he never enjoyed “Star Trek” while growing up, but it’s clear he’s come to love it since then – and we can only hope that attention to detail and respect for the source material translates into similar work as he helms the new “Star Wars” outing.

But J. J. Abrams also comes with his own drawbacks – most notably his great affinity for lens flare. Early on there’s enough to be a reminder - “Hey folks – don’t forget this is a J. J. Abrams film!” But later there are times when the screen goes bright and you just wish he was sitting in the row in front of you so you could slap him across the back of the head every time it happens – “Hey J. J. – we didn’t forget!”

The single best development of the new series here is the addition to the cast of the excellent Benedict Cumberbatch, who is a familiar face to many although new enough to some to produce some awkward moments. In a recent interview, David Letterman asked him if this was his first big film and Cumberbatch looked a little uncomfortable for a moment and perhaps avoided the urge to rattle off a list (“The Hobbit,” “War Horse,” Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “Atonement,” etc.). Although much of his almost cult status with a core group of fans comes from his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the British TV series “Sherlock” – where he’s brilliant enough that when you’re not wishing you could slap J. J. Abrams, you might wish you could slap the American TV executive who felt the need to remake the series for the American market.

All in all it’s a neat movie. It also has fun with some neat reversals of fortune that will amuse and perhaps amaze the true Trekkies without causing too much confusion in the newbies. It’s like a wonderfully constructed inside joke that you don’t actually need to be an insider to get. And, as part of its ongoing balancing act, it manages to bring the series to where it needs to be for logical progression. That’s a pretty clever package.

A second opinion by Malcolm Maclachlan: POSSIBLE CHARACTER SPOILER AHEAD!

When it comes to mass-market American pop culture, “Star Trek” is the standard-bearer for nerds. With its high regard for intellect, uncanny ability to predict consumer electronics decades in the future, and elevation of Spock as it’s unquestioned most popular character (not to mention its endless conventions and spin-offs), it has become cultural shorthand for nerd ascendance.

But watching “Into Darkness,” I can’t help thinking the nerds lost and the jocks won. It’s entertaining alright. But there’s something kind of wrong about watching Spock fistfight with Khan across hover-barges. Taken as a whole, it’s loud, fast and not especially cerebral.

Of course, Spock and Khan (who came from the same era as Chaka Khan) are the two most fun characters by far. In a reboot that has most of the principles playing caricatures of themselves (especially Doc, Scotty and Chekov), Zachary Quinto’s Spock impression is uncanny. And yes, that recent commercial pairing him with Leonard Nimoy was brilliant (I think it was advertising a car or something).

Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Khan has nothing to do with Ricardo Mantalban’s vaguely ethnic space marauder, and that’s fine. Besides being perhaps the only actor ever to play Sherlock Holmes who has a more ridiculous name than Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch has a tendency to quietly steal movies. Here he does it loudly. My only objection comes to the way his character was written. The earlier Khan mainly conquered with his intellect. This one not only casually take out squads of Klingons and other assorted baddies with fists and phasers, he also makes too many mental lapses for someone with a supposedly stratospheric IQ. But he’s got to lose somehow.

Meanwhile, I don’t especially like how they’ve made Spock all weepy and emotional compared to the original series. He’s basically a stand-in for men who can’t express their feelings. I find the Spock-Uhuru romance kind of annoying and unbelievable (especially since Quinto recently came out as gay, to a collective cultural shrug and lucrative endorsements that would have happened anyway).

Of course, “Star Trek” was always more about respecting smartness than actually being smart. Its scientific lapses are legendary. Some of the ones here: I can roll with cold fusion, but why does such a device need to be hand-delivered? Why would you bother to chase a spaceship through a debris field when you could just hover above and take it out? Why bother making the Enterprise such an all-terrain vehicle? Why don’t other bodies reject the Khan super-cells (you’ll see on all scores).

Kon-Tiki
Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg

In one of those coincidences I dig so much, “Star Trek” opens in Sacramento in the same week as “Kon-Tiki.” And for all of the “Boldly going where no man has gone before” sentiment of “Star Trek,” sometimes it can be just as bold to go where you think someone has gone before.

In the late 1930’s, Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl and his wife Liv were living with and studying native Polynesians. At that time, the accepted wisdom was that Polynesia had first been populated from the West, from Asia. But Heyerdahl came to realize that the winds and currents came from the East, and even local legends referred to “Tiki” bringing the people from the East.

A decade later, after WWII, Heyerdahl was trying to publish his theory with no success when it became clear that the only way anybody would respect the idea was to prove that it would have been possible for ancient Incans/Peruvians to travel to Polynesia on the types of rafts they were capable of building at that time. And so, with very little support and even less in the way of backup plans or safety features, he and a small group of like-minded adventurers drifted away from the Peruvian coast, at the mercy of the winds and currents.
In that post-war period, Heyerdahl’s crazy enterprise was credited with rekindling an interest in exploration and some even said it helped with undertakings like space exploration – which of course rings us back to “Star Trek.” As school kids growing up in England in the 1970’s, we were still reading about the Kon-Tiki expedition and Heyerdahl’s other undertakings, as well as the various other groups that attempted the same trip.

He didn’t prove his theory, but he did prove the possibility of it – and researchers still debate the same origin question, albeit now through other means like DNA analysis, which suggests that people came from both directions at different times. Interestingly, for film lovers, as well as writing a book, Heyerdahl also directed a documentary about the trip (and the filming is a feature of the current narrative re-telling of the story), winning the Academy Award in 1951.

At Any Price
Directed by Ramin Bahrani

“At Any Price” is reminiscent of the recent “Promised Land,” in that it tries to tell a character-based story as a mask for teaching us about a politically charged practice. In “Promised Land” the topic was fracking and in “At Any Price” it’s the kind of GMO-based modern farming dominated by Monsanto. Here, Monsanto is replaced by “Liberty Seeds,” although it’s not hard to spot the real villain.

Dennis Quaid plays Henry Whipple, a third generation farmer who also sells for Liberty Seeds. His younger son Dean (Zac Efron) has little interest in the farm, hoping instead to become a racecar driver. And that’s the basic dynamic behind the father-son story that sits in front of the political message of the film.

In another interesting coincidence, I watched this film within a couple of days of reading a news story that focused on the same underlying issue depicted, namely that the folks at the fictional Liberty Seeds and the actual Monsanto prohibit farmers from engaging in the age-old practice of taking seeds from their own crop as the basis for next year’s planting. The companies have copyrighted the DNA in the seeds and, in order to maximize profits, require farmers to agree to always buy new seed stock. Henry explains this in the movie to Dean’s friend, who asks if it’s like the issue of “bootlegging DVD’s.” To which Henry replies “Except these guys didn’t just copyright movies, they copyrighted life.” Almost that same phrase was in the news story about millions of farmers suing Monsanto, with an official (from memory, I think it was an Indian Government official) referring to the ridiculousness of Monsanto “patenting life.”

Unfortunately, the movie is also similar to “promised Land” in that in trying to do two things at once, neither film is very good – although they certainly serve a purpose in terms of delivering a message that many will approve of (and other won’t) that some may not hear any other way.

The other interesting and useful aspect of the film is the way it shows, briefly, the nature of modern farming outside of the issue of GMO’s. Henry Whipple doesn’t farm the same way that his father did – although he reminisces about the days of hard work in the fields, and the simplicity of it as he realizes how complicated the business has become. But he’s a farmer who can sit back in his enclosed, air conditioned tractor cab, not touching the controls, as the tractor is driven by a computer that’s downloading information from a satellite feed that’s providing information about soil temperature, moisture, and other variables and adjusting the delivery of fertilizers, irrigations, etc. accordingly.

It would be a neat film to take kids to, to introduce to some of these topics except that the family story tacked on top both violent and sexual. All of which leaves the film without much of an audience.

Concerts in the Park 2013

2013-05-17T06:19:27Z

This past Friday I attended my first Concerts in the Park of the year. The evening was spent with great friends, family and a full evening of phenomenal musical performances.

I could hear I'm Dirty Too playing from a block away before arriving at Cesar Chavez Plaza. I hurriedly made my way to the park entrance on 10th and I streets. My hurry was to no avail as I had to wait in a long line for 15 minutes for security to check everyone coming in.

Once inside I noticed a thirst had been built up so I got in line to purchase some drink tickets. After a short wait in line I got a drink and walked around the park.

Several food trucks and specialty food stations lined the park near 9th and J streets. Like last year Cesar Chavez Plaza had a large crowd that grew by the minute as the evening progressed.

Besides the many food trucks the Gypsy truck, a boutique on wheels, had many outfits and accessories available for buyers. The Gypsy mobile boutique is a black truck that's easily recognizable and participates at many events. Visit the boutique at Concerts in the Park or at their one year Gypsy celebration being held on Saturday, May 18 at the Truck Farm located at C Street between 14th and 15th.

As I walked around the park I could hear Zac Brown playing the guitar as he sang some tunes from their The Downhill Dive CD while Jess Gowrie delivered a raw and energetic beat on the drums. The Sacramento duo also perform with other bands but on Friday night they played as I’m Dirty Too and opened the second week of Concerts in the Park.

Dogfood, who played CIP last year returned to deliver another outstanding performance. Skyler Michael, Matt Harris and J.T. Reed brought a healthy doze of high energy to the stage playing original and cover songs. I particularly enjoyed their rendition of “Miss You” by the Rolling Stones.

Bad boy and often misunderstood Jonny Craig was joined on stage by Blake Abbe y, James Cavern, Jessie Brune and Zack Kampf. Craig's soulful voice continues to amaze and the crowd was treated to a great set.

The former Dance Gavin Dance singer also just recently released a video for his “The Lives We Live” single. Craig, after rehab (in 2012), appears to have a better outlook, looked very relaxed and treated the CIP crowd with his soulful lyrics and vocal range.

Craig's Tweeter account (@jonnycraig4L) has a profile note that summarizes his current state that says, “I am more insane sober than i ever was fucked up and i just found out for the first time in 27 years... im not black..”

Returning from last year and headlining the second CIP of the year was Middle Class Rut.

Once they took the stage there was no denying they're a good party band. What other band have you ever seen that brings their own keg to the stage?

Well the keg actually served as a drum as Zack Lopez and Sean Stockham were supported by some amazing backup players.

By the time MC Rut came on stage the park was packed. Fans of all ages made their way toward the front of the stage as MC Rut's music made the crowd jump up and down, dance and shout in approval.

MC Rut will be on tour across the country and will also be playing in London. The boys have been pretty busy and recently released a video “Aunt Betty” that's on their Pick Up Your Head album to be released on June 25. The video is a bit messed up but looks like they had fun making it.

CIP continues to be a great showcase for local artists. Come out every Friday from now until July 26 (except July 5) to catch your local favorites play at Cesar Chavez Plaza. This year's schedule features returning bands and DJs. The lineup for Friday, May 17 features DJ Whores, Live Manikins, Rasar, Syncro and Arden Park Roots.

Editor's Note: Ride RT to Concerts in the Park by jumping off at the stop on I and 9th streets. Sacramento Regional Transit supports The Sacramento Press and local journalism.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

4th Annual Vida de Oro Folk Art Festival

2013-05-15T06:45:41Z

Families enjoyed a Mother's Day celebration at the 4th Annual Vida de Oro Folk Art Festival. The festival was held at the Good: Street Food + Design Market building located at 1409 Del Paso Blvd.

Vida de Oro (which means “golden life”) was a free, family-friendly event held Saturday, May 11. This was the first year that the event was held at this venue.

Artists, vendors and performers were on hand to help celebrate the event.

The Good warehouse building has a high ceiling, and for most of the day it helped keep things somewhat cool, bringing relief from the hot weather. Delicious food and drinks were sold at the back of the building, providing a picnic-type setting.

Vendors and artists offered merchandise suitable for collection, and visitors looking for a Mother's Day present had many delightful choices.

Children watched performances and participated in hands-on activities. Angela James had a table to sell handmade musical instruments used by her Fenix Drum and Dance Company. James also provided craft materials for children to create their own artwork.

Artist Rob-O had a couple tables set up for guests who wanted to create their own sugar skulls, enhancing the market experience for both young and old. Many of Rob-O's creations were in the same area, giving art collectors the opportunity to purchase his renowned traditional Dia de los Muertos art.

Two other well-known artists had tables next to each other. Both artists shared their art experience with guests. Felipe Dávalos, an artist and author whose work has been published by National Geographic, sat next to Juanishi V. Orosco, one of the founders of the Royal Chicano Air Force, aka Rebel Chicano Art Front.

Both internationally known artists remain busy. Dávalos has spent the past 15 years living in Sacramento. Orosco has spent most of his life in Sacramento and continues to create bigger-than-life-size murals.

Most Sacramentans have seen Orosco’s work and yet don’t know it. His art, along with the work of other RCAF members, can be seen at the Southside Park amphitheater. If you ever walk from Old Sacramento to the Downtown Mall Plaza and take the tunnel that connects them, then you have seen his work. Orosco and the RCAF created the colorful mural that lines the tunnel. When you exit the connecting tunnel, you’ll see other Orosco murals on the plaza walls.

Orosco shared that he became interested in art at an early age. “I remember when I was around 10 years old, my older brother used to draw cartoons and I wanted to draw like him. I would practice and practice until one day I was as good as he was,” said Orosco. His love for art continued, and he made it a life goal to learn as much as he could about art and artists. His influences include Diego Rivera, Michelangelo, Dali and others.

Orosco takes pride in his work and his face shows that as he speaks about his murals and growing up in the Sacramento area. Other murals he's created appear up and down the Western United States, from San Diego, to Idaho, to California and to a new project in Oregon. When asked what keeps him going he quickly and enthusiastically answered, “Murals!”

Since 1969 the RCAF art collective and Orosco have been a part of the Sacramento art scene and it's great to see artists as committed to their trade as he is. “I'm not as young as I once was but creating murals makes me feel young,” said Orosco.

Other artists and performers scheduled to attend included photographer Frederick Romero and Gillermina “Mina” Perez.

Performances during the event included dancers from the Miktlantekuhtli Azteca Dance Troupe, Ballet Folklórico de Beamer, Cheyenne Danner, Summer Lynn, Folklórico Latino de Woodland and the Yemaya Dance Troupe.

Other performers included trick roper, whip master and Vida de Oro Festival Promotions Director James Barrera. I have seen Barrera's rope and whip tricks at other venues, including the World Music Festival and Festival de la Familia.

Singers Arieana and Pete Vidales, Carlos Lastra, Rose and Cecelia Marin, and Melissa Cobian rounded off the wonderfully entertaining performances.

The festival allowed local artisans and performers from the Del Paso area the opportunity to showcase their work and show what's available in the community. The festival also gave out-of-town artists, performers and vendors the opportunity to feature their talent.

Vida de Oro, a nonprofit arts and publishing organization, put together a well-rounded event in this family-friendly venue. Festival founders Adrian and Mina Perez and Barrera continue to promote cultural arts and entertainment in Sacramento through events and their online publication.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

CSER Quarterly Economic Report-Q1 2013

2013-05-14T23:59:13Z

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) has released the Q1 2013 Quarterly Economic Report--supplied to you through SACTO's member benefits.

The Quarterly Economic Report provides an overview of the health and performance of the Sacramento Region's economy along with an update to the Sacramento Region Business Confidence Index, a collaborative project with the Sacramento Business Journal to measure business sentiment.

Previous editions of this report are available on the CSER website (strategiceconomicresearch.org).

FIRST QUARTER REPORT - April 2013

Click to view

Positive job growth in the Sacramento Region moved up again in the first quarter of 2013

The six-county Sacramento Region posted an uptick in annual job growth at the end of the first quarter of 2013. Preliminary data show that payroll employment at establishments in the Region increased by 1.7 percent between March 2012 and 2013, equating to a net gain of 14,200 jobs. Following a major rebound in economic performance which peaked in June 2012, job growth dropped off in the Region through December 2012. Since that point, job growth started moving up again, reaching levels slightly higher than at the same point in the previous year. At the end of the first quarter, regional job growth placed notably below the statewide average, but came in just above the national average. Four of the Sacramento Region’s five largest sectors posted positive annual job growth in March 2013. The Professional & Business Services sector saw the most robust growth at 6.7 percent—a large portion of the gains in this sector came from the temporary or job placement services component, but a notable share of jobs was also created through the professional services segment. The generally improving economic conditions coupled with rising consumer sentiment is reflected in the Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sector which grew by 3.7 percent in March 2013 and is dominated by retail trade activities. The Educational & Health Services sector posted positive annual job growth for the 28th straight month (1.7 percent in March 2013) due to continued expansion of health care activities. While the Leisure & Hospitality sector has maintained positive annual job growth for over two years, the rate of growth has varied substantially with volatility created by the inconsistent regional recovery, which is required to support the major restaurants and bars and entertainment components. The most recent data shows annual job growth in this sector moving back up to 1.5 percent. Sacramento’s largest sector, Government, has experienced consistent negative job growth for 46 straight months with the latest data showing an annual growth rate of -0.8 percent. Recent losses have primarily fallen within the local government segment. The public sector is hampering overall economic performance substantially with most of the Sacramento Region’s large private sector industries adding jobs at fairly healthy rates.

California posted 2.1 percent annual job growth in March 2013 with a net increase of 302,800 jobs. This rate of growth exceeded the national average and placed the state sixth among all states, falling behind North Dakota, Utah, Texas, Colorado, and Idaho. California’s job growth basically flattened out in June 2012 after showing consistent improvement since shifting back to positive territory in the summer of 2010. Job growth at the national level was slightly lower in March 2013 than at the same point in the previous year. The most recent data show that, nationally, the number of jobs on payrolls increased by 1.5 percent in the past year, reflecting an increase of nearly 2 million jobs. Two of Sacramento’s neighboring markets, the SF Bay Area and Solano, both outpaced the state and the nation in March 2013 with annual job growth of 2.9 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively. The SF Bay Area posted an annual increase of 82,900 jobs with the gains essentially split equally across the San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and East Bay sub-markets. The Solano market saw a gain of 3,300 jobs in the past 12 months. Stockton’s March 2013 annual job growth rate came in at the same level as the Sacramento Region, 1.7 percent, with a 3,200-job increase.

Annual Job Growth

Major Sector Annual Job Gains and Losses

Seven of the Sacramento Region's major sectors added jobs in the past year

Most of the major sectors in the Sacramento Region added jobs over the 12 months ending March 2013. Three of the Region’s largest sectors topped the list—Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Educational & Health Services—posting a combined gain of 14,500 jobs (nearly 91 percent of the net private sector increase). Manufacturing and Leisure & Hospitality also posted annual gains in excess of 1,000 jobs each. The two sectors that were decimated by the housing downturn—Construction and Financial Activities—added 500 jobs each over the 12 months ending March 2013, demonstrating the early stages of recovery for Sacramento’s housing market. Only three sectors shed jobs in the past year including the large Government sector along with two of the smaller private sector industries, Other Services and Information. These three sectors posted a total annual decline of 4,400 jobs. With an overall net gain of 14,200 jobs, the Sacramento Region saw total Nonfarm employment reach 864,900 in March 2013. The Region is clearly beginning to make up some of the significant job losses it absorbed during the recession and is now tracking at year 2002 employment levels.

California also posted annual job losses in only three major sectors. Most of the losses occurred in the public sector, primarily in the local government component. Of note, the Manufacturing sector lost jobs statewide in the past 12 months, while the Sacramento Region saw a moderate gain in this sector. The small Mining & Logging sector also lost jobs on an annual basis in the state. The greatest annual gains were posted in California’s Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality sectors. The SF Bay Area saw the largest annual job increases in the Professional & Business Services sector while losses were confined to the Manufacturing; Other Services; and Government sectors. Only four sectors posted job gains between March 2012 and 2013 in the Stockton market with Trade, Transportation, & Utilities leading the pack. Three sectors lost jobs over the past year in Stockton including Educational & Health Services; Manufacturing; and Government. Job gains in the Solano market were dominated by the Construction and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sectors while Government was the only sector to shed jobs in the past 12 months.

ABOUT CSER

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) is an economic research and consulting group specializing in applied research and strategy development in the regional economics and economic development fields.

www.strategiceconomicresearch.org

CSER is grateful for the support of the Signature Underwriter, UC Davis Health System, and Supporting Underwriters of the Quarterly Report, Cushman & Wakefield, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Sacramento Works, Weintraub Tobin and Wells Fargo.

Disclosure: This story has been posted by Ryan Sharp, Director of the Center for Strategic Economic Research

GODAI: Choral Music Summoning the Five Ancient Elements

2013-05-14T17:46:50Z

Celebrating its fifth anniversary season, the Vocal Art Ensemble of Davis summons a musical invocation of the Japanese Godai --
the “Five Great” elements that create our world: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Void.

Transcendent a capella singing, instrumentals and dance unleash one by one the solid and the fluid, the passionate and the wise, and the intangible energy that connects us all.

Welcoming back a rich roster of past guest artists, VAE forges powerhouse favorites with enticing new discoveries in a program shaped by characteristic depth of emotion and attention to detail.

Experience the tide of elemental forces expressed in music, dance, and poetry!

Friday, May 24, 2013 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento

Saturday, May 25, 2013 7:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis
27074 Patwin Rd., Davis

Sunday, May 26, 2013 4:00pm
Davis United Methodist Church
1620 Anderson Rd., Davis

Suggested donation: $6-20. For more information, please visit www.vae.trug.com .

Disclosure: Jeanine McElwain sings alto/mezzo with Vocal Art Ensemble and assists the group with concert publicity.

Hometown orchestrator Matt Castle happy to be part of STC's 'Princess' diary

2013-05-14T17:23:51Z

For Matt Castle, a New York-based jack of all musical trades whose work can currently be heard in Sacramento Theatre Company’s lauded world-premiere production of “A Little Princess” (extended through the evening of May 19), taking on the task of orchestrating Eric Rockwell’s score was a multi-layered labor of love.

Not only did it allow Castle, a Sacramento native now living in New York, the opportunity to participate in the gifting of his hometown with an original musical adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved novel, but it provided yet another project on which he and husband Frank Galgano could collaborate – further establishing the duo’s reputation as go-to guys for musical theater orchestrations.

“When Eric came to me and Frank, we were happy to be asked,” said Castle during a rehearsal break from his current gig as the musical director/pianist for the Fiasco Theatre production of “Into the Woods” at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, N.J. “It’s definitely a big deal for Sacramento Theatre Company to be creating a new musical. It’s a huge endeavor.”

“We talked with him and the other two authors (lyricist Margaret Rose and book writer William J. Brooke), discussed the space available, and once we had the choice of instruments set (harp, cello, clarinet/flute/piccolo, piano/synthesizer, percussion), we went to work.”

Castle said he likens the work he and Galgano accomplish to what one sees on “reveal-happy” reality shows. “You get the parameters from those in charge, and then you have to balance your work between utility and design and cost. It’s a wonderful process – it uses your whole brain.”

What followed were an exchange of ideas and digital files between Castle and Galgano, and the other members of the creative team that also included Sacramento Theatre Director Executive Producing Director Michael Laun, who oversaw Equity principal auditions in New York this past October. The 18-member cast – led by Jerry Lee, Josh Powell, Michael De Souza and Deborah Tranelli – first gathered for a read-through in February, with rehearsals starting in earnest a month later.

“We understood very well the style of Eric’s score, Margaret’s lyrics and William’s book,” Castle said. “Our primary challenge as orchestrators – and what we had no way f knowing – was the tone and style of the production itself. We hoped to orchestrate with a design that will last for the life of the show, something that fits with the play as written. We didn’t know Michael Laun’s work as a director, we hadn’t seen set sketches or costume sketches. We were, after all, on the other side of the country.”

“One thing we did to help bridge the distance after scoring the first song, was orchestrate what was essentially a karaoke track so the other designers could hear a soundscape. We sent it out to the design team to help them imagine a jumping-off place.”

The feedback from Rockwell was more than positive, said Castle.

“He said some very gracious and complimentary things about our work on the show,” he said. “He said we took what he wrote and lifted it to a new, higher level. We couldn’t ask for a better compliment than that.”

Despite the kudos the creative team was trading, a certain amount of anxiety comes with the opening of every world premiere. They needn’t have worried; local reviewers were extremely generous, tossing out superlatives like Mardi Gras doubloons.

“Exquisite score,” proclaimed The Sacramento Bee. “This show has everything one could want to make it a hit,” said The Davis Enterprise. “The music, by composer Eric Rockwell, is one of the stronger aspects of ‘A Little Princess.’ And just about everyone in the large cast ... sings well,” broadcast Capital Public Radio.

“It turned out much better than I ever hoped it would,” said Castle, who said he tends to avoid embracing expectations. “I guess that’s a benefit of enjoying the unknown as I do. I don’t have to meet an expectation; I just go forward doing the best I can, enjoying it as it happens. I don’t often feel disappointed because I go in with high hopes, with open eyes, and an open heart. Part of the reason I feel successful – and my standard of success is based on what I’m doing, if the work I’m doing today better than what I was doing yesterday – is that I feel very happy about what I’m doing.”

Castle’s positive attitude and willingness to explore the unknown have served him well in an industry where knowing too much can often dampen a performer’s creative spark before it has a chance to catch fire. His never-say-die spirit was evident even as a University of Pacific Conservatory of Music student, said Professor Sue Eskridge, who served as Castle’s mentor and collaborator during his matriculation and subsequent tenure as head of the school’s summer enrichment program, which facilitated musical theater training for juvenile artists.

“Matt’s the only perfect person I know,” said the now-retired Eskridge, “not that I'm biased. He truly does come close to perfect. During the 10 years he was artistic director for SEP, he wrote the shows, directed the shows, did everything, including playing the piano. I think I called myself the program director. I created it and raised bundles of money so he could make it wonderful, which he did. But he was the artistic genius. Yes, I am quite biased, but it is all true.”

“Since I first met Sue she fully expected me to go to New York and take over ‘Phantom,’” laughed Castle. “But it’s easier for some else to say than saying it about yourself. That’s not how my ambition functions. Since my first involvement in theater as a sophomore in high school, I subconsciously felt that pull until my mid-20s. Then it took a little time to feel ready.”

After a few months of study with Fair Oaks-based vocal coach Jackie Victorino, Castle said it was time to head east.

“There was nothing left but to jump in and try to do my best and see if it would work out,” Castle said.

When Castle decided to make the move in the fall of 2000, he confesses to going in blind.

“I can honestly say I moved to New York City without one expectation of what it would be like,” said Castle. “I knew I couldn’t predict it, couldn’t even imagine it. I’ve never been a five-year plan person – it’s just not my style. I enjoy the unknown, and the adventure of what that means. I went to New York to make an identity for myself as an actor, and knew exactly two people in the entire city. I had no idea how it all works. I had a headshot and a résumé, but didn’t know where to go to find where auditions are. Plus, I had no professional training as an actor – all my training was in music. I learned it all on the job.”

Call it luck, call it talent – or a combination of both – but Castle found a modicum of success right off the bat.

“Then September 11th came, and the job market changed overnight,” said Castle of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers. “Those with Broadway jobs had to take jobs out of town; people at the top of the food chain changed. I had such a slight foothold that I was completely bumped – I did what I had to do, and that included going to temp agencies and taking clerical tests.”

But Castle never had to trade in the calluses built up over years of playing the piano for paper cuts garnered from daylong sessions of filing legal folders thanks to a job offer playing for rehearsals at New York University.

“I began playing more, and getting musical-direction jobs,” said Castle. “And I was still auditioning from time to time. That led to work as a musician-actor combination, which is how I got to understudy Eric Rockwell in ‘The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)’ off-Broadway. He didn’t want to do the show eight times a week, and the producers allowed him to sit out three days a week and I was going on every matinee in his place, as well as occasionally for the other male lead.”

In 2006, Castle made it to Broadway as a cast member in the Tony Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” an experience he hopes to repeat.

Soon thereafter he and Galgano discovered one another and thus began their personal and professional partnership.

“Frank comes to music as a singer,” said Castle of the duo’s approach to orchestration. “His knowledge comes from recording other people’s orchestrations. He’s recorded more than 100 Broadway shows instrument by instrument. His training reminds me of how orchestrators trained before computers.”

“I often do the nuts-and-bolts work, the technical side. He maintains the broader, stylistic, overall view of what we do. Sometimes he does the forest and I do the trees. Other times, he does the fun aspects, and I do the detail work. For me, the nuts-and-bolts stuff is fun so we both have jobs suited to our personalities.”

In just a few short years of working together, Frank and I are becoming known as a creative team,” said Castle, who said the couple’s professional teaming has happily tipped the scale of his creative endeavors in favor of orchestration work.

“In the past eight or nine years, a lot of what I’ve been doing has been musical direction, with some orchestration,” said Castle. “Now orchestration is a bigger piece of what I do, and that’s partly because it’s something Frank and I can do together – something we can do better together.”

Together for more than four years now, the couple made it official a year-and-a-half ago.

“We have both been actors, but Frank doesn’t act that often anymore, so I guess for me it’s not so much about changing focus than switching my work balance a bit,” Castle said. “I’m very happy with the current balance – happier than before. It’s a silly thing to say, but it’s true. It’s more enjoyable because I get to do it with my husband.”

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: The world premiere production of "A Little Princess," a new musical by Eric Rockwell (composer), Margaret Rose (lyricist) and William J. Brooke (book)

WHERE: Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H St., Sacramento, Calif.

WHEN: Plays through May 19, with performances at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday,12:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday

WHO: Directed by Michael Laun; orchestrated by Matt Castle and Frank Galgano; with musical acompaniment by Erik Daniells (conductor/piano), Elaine Lord (percussion), Alex Winter (cello), John Doolittle (reeds), Beverly Wesner Hoehn (harp); featuring Lauren Metzinger/Alyssa Middleton (Sara Crewe), Jerry Lee (Captain Crewe, Sara's father), Josh Powell (Tom Carrisford), Michael De Souza (Ram Dass), Deborah Tranelli (Miss Minchin), Tyler Wipfli (Mariete), Tori Johnson/Emma Vance (Becky), Martha Omiyo Kight (Amelia), Meghan Greene/Abbey Williams-Campbell (Lavinia), Devon Hayakawa/Christine Miyashiro (Ermengarde), Courtney Shannon/Jordan Taylor (Betsy), Sydney Christofferson/Ana Riley-Portal (Ruth), Kiki Burns/Bella Bagatelos (Jessie), Angel Marie/Jillie Kate Randle (Lottie), Jeffrey Lloyd Heatherly (Constable), Blair Leatherwood (teacher), Carol Miranda (cook), Kayla Berghoff (maid), Courtney Shannon/Jordan Taylor (beggar girl), David McDaniel (beggar), Kayla Beghoff, Kailey Diggs, Jeffery Lloyd Heatherly, Blair Leatherwood, David McDaniel, Carol Miranda (other servants and Londoners)

HOW MUCH: $15-$38 (discounts for students, seniors, and groups available)

FOR MORE INFO: (916) 443-6722; www.sactheatre.org

Whole Earth Festival: Photos

2013-05-14T00:13:51Z

The Whole Earth Festival was held for the 43rd time on the UC Davis campus over the weekend of May 10-12, 2013.

Vendors, artists, performers, cooks, and the general public were part of an inspiring and fun event that highlighted the experience of the wholeness of the earth.

From the Whole Earth Festival website .

“Whole Earth Festival was born when an art class taught by Jose Arguelles had an “Art Happening” on the University of California, Davis campus in 1969. The students used art to involve visitors in the ultimate goal of learning about activism, wellness, and the environment. Whole Earth Festival aims to ignite passion, propel creativity, and leave visitors with inspiration.

Following the United Nations declaration of “Earth Day” in 1970, the third “Art Happening” in 1971 was renamed “Whole Earth.” Later, Whole Earth Festival was sponsored by the Associated Student’s Experimental College, and has since become a self-sustaining unit.”

I attended the Sunday afternoon festivities and was able to experience a wide range of the people and activities that have been the hallmark of the festival for the past 42 years. In addition, I watched the closing ceremonies as Sunny brought the weekend to an end.
Here are pictures of the events, people, and activities that I experienced.

Angels, and faeries, oh my!

Vendors lined the four sides of the UC Davis Quad, showing off food, jewelry, arts, and crafts.

Colorful animals abound.

A stong theme of the weekend was awareness and education about a 'whole earth' approach to living.

Jesters, and tricksters.

Young angels at play.

The public writhed in time to the music of the Tempest, a Celtic rock band.

Tempest band lead.

People were led in a circle dance by Tempest.

Dad, why is everyone going in a circle?

A round of unison clapping and singing by the audience and Tempest.

There were wild folks and

and young innocent folks.

Sunny starting the closing ceremonies.

Sunny with a photograph of Jose, the original inspiration for the Whole Earth Festival.

Closing the event.

Even guests from Bhutan were in attendance to chant and sing the festival to a close.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Interview with Rock Museum Curator Dennis Newhall

2013-05-13T18:57:43Z

Dennis Newhall has been the organizer and curator of the Sacramento Rock and Radio Museum since 2000. The museum, which houses a wealth of local concert memorabilia, only opens for the public on Second Saturdays. It's located at 911 20th Street, next door to what used to be a hot local band venue called the Oasis Ballroom. Dennis himself played a role in the local music and radio scene, working for radio stations KZAP, KSFM and KROY. The museum showcases his vast collection of concert posters and donated memorabilia of mainly the 1960s through 1980s, but also includes later artifacts. On Saturday night, May 11, Dennis and I did a video interview for SacTV.com about the museum and how it has attracted large crowds of over a thousand people at one time.

The museum is fairly spaceous and might only take a few minutes to walk through if you were not concentrating on the displays. But since there's a story behind every framed picture, it's possible to spend hours at the museum recalling memories about shows, artists, venues and radio stations. Dennis has also put together a database of as many Sacramento concerts as possible to document local history. He found the information from ticket stubs, posters, publications and going through the records of the Memorial Auditorium. "The fantastic but unachievable goal," Dennis says in the interview, "is to have everything documented."

Almost every major act besides the Beatles visited Sacramento in the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, one of the first shows the Rolling Stones ever did on their first American tour in 1964 was at Memorial Auditorium. The Stones, who kicked off another tour last week and played in the Bay Area, visited Sacramento four times over a two year span between 1964 and 1966, including the infamous Dec. 3, 1965 show in which the show ended early due to Keith Richards getting shocked. Huffington Post quoted Richards last week as saying "my most spectacular moment was in Sacramento."

Even for people who did not grow up in the region, the museum can trigger memories and conversations about rock history. The concert posters reveal many things about how society has changed, both musically as well as the cost of ticket prices. Many shows in the sixties, for example, cost no more than three dollars. Historians may be interested to know that the Beach Boys recorded a live album at Memorial Auditorium in the early sixties, which was not an era known for live concert recordings. According to Dennis, Sacramento was the band's biggest town for shows at the time, which is why they visited the River City so frequently.

As far as the local music scene, Dennis says the New Breed gained a lot of attention in the sixties. Their bassist, Timothy B. Schmit, went on to join the Eagles and eventually Ringo Starr's All-Star Band. "Pretty much in 65 and 66 the New Breed was regarded as the best local band by far," Dennis confirms. "They had some records produced that were on the air that should have been hits had they not been on small labels without much clout." One of the band's notable achievements was learning and performing the Beatles' entire Help! album the week it came out in 1965.

SacTV also captured a video tour of the museum that highlights many posters and radio logos, including the famous KZAP logo with an orange cat. Walking through the halls of this museum reminds Sacramentans that the city has been visited by many legends including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Doors. Bay Area concert promoter Bill Graham began doing big rock shows more frequently when the Cal Expo Amphitheatre opened in the 1980s. In many ways the museum is a reminder that Sacramento has been a part of music history for decades, which may even be of interest to diehard rock historians throughout Northern California.

Disclosure: Alex Cosper owns SacTV.com and posts in partnership with The Sacramento Press.

New film : The Great Gatsby (x3)

2013-05-10T20:57:18Z

The Great Gatsby (x3)

1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
1974 film by Jack Clayton
2013 film by Baz Luhrmann

There have been four theatrical film adaptations of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the earliest of which was made in 1926, only a year after the manuscript was completed (and which is now lost). Other than the latest version by Baz Luhrmann, the only version easily found for comparison purposes is Jack Clayton’s 1974 film, with a screenplay adapted by Francis Ford Coppola.

In anticipation of the press screening of Luhrmann’s film, I downloaded and re-read the novel in the break between last Sunday’s East Coast feed of “Game of Thrones” and the West Coast feed of “Mad Men.” That timing is significant, because Clayton’s film is 144 minutes long, Luhrmann’s is 143 minutes long, and the book can be read in the same amount of time – so watching a film version may make some lazy students of English happy, but it won’t save them much time. I also re-watched the 1974 film.

It’s a short novel to begin with, with only approximately 200 pages organized into 9 chapters, which would make for a fairly simple screenplay adaptation if length was the only issue. However, the story in the novel is being told to the reader by Nick Carraway, who is essentially Fitzgerald’s proxy, who describes in great detail the lives of material excess enjoyed by wealthy residents of Long Island, NY in 1922.

Carraway is a young man from the Midwest who has decided to try his luck as a bond trader in New York. He rents a small cottage in the up and coming “new money” town of West Egg (Fitzgerald’s substitute for Great Neck, NY) and he has a cousin, Daisy, who married into “old money” and who lives with her inattentive husband Tom Buchanan in tonier East Egg (Manhasset, NY) across the bay. As luck would have it, his cottage sits next to the vast mansion and estate of the mysterious Jay Gatsby, a man with a murky past and a strong interest in Daisy.

In a sense, it’s a somewhat delayed coming of age novel but it’s one that would result in a significant amount of voice-over narration (by Carraway) if it was filmed directly from the novel – and that becomes one of the primary difficulties in adapting it for the screen.

In the 1974 Coppola adaptation, this is addressed by taking many of the scenes that Carraway describes in the novel, some of which have previously been described to him by other characters, and simply lets the viewer watch them unfold directly. But it goes further than that by expanding on others, such as a series of romantic encounters shot with enough backlighting and four-point starburst effects for a dozen contemporary Harmony Hairspray commercials (“Is she, or isn’t she…?”). These aren’t just stylistic issues, as these are events and developments that Carraway, our witness and storyteller, couldn’t have seen.

In Lurhmann’s 2013 film, he and co-screenwriter Craig Pearce create a completely fabricated device that attempts to make the Carraway narration work without simply having it be disembodied voice-over. They do this by having Carraway write the story under the supervision of a doctor, during a later stay in an institution. The problem now being that, while it somehow justifies the idea of Carraway telling us the story after the fact, it also inherently changes that character and attributes health issues to him that aren’t in the novel.

The other most obvious difference between the two films is their general style and tone. Clayton’s film is slow and deliberate, with a soundtrack that occasionally borders on what one might expect in the horror genre, but it attempts to accurately capture the period in terms of popular music and wardrobe choices. Luhrmann’s film is an eye-candy montage of excess, with everything shown bigger and better and faster, and with a blend of music that’s packaged for independent sale and somewhat more suited to a rave than a party with a ‘Roaring 20’s’ theme. For example, in the new film, any scene that involves driving a car is like a live action version of “Speed Racer” – and it drops accurate depictions of details from the novel (types of cars and dogs, for example) whenever something cuter or glitzier is possible.

I’m not opposed to what Luhrmann was trying to accomplish here – it’s fun and loud and bold. But it’s also an over the top depiction of a time and place that was already over the top. Indeed, much of Fitzgerald’s descriptions are intended to convey the excesses he himself witnessed in that time and place. And while it’s calmer and more staid, the 1974 film gives a clear impression of wealth and the yawning gulf of socio-economic distances. From a narrative perspective, we’re told that the outrageous parties Gatsby throws are largely an attempt to lure Daisy – and Daisy seems more likely to find her way to one of the 1974 parties than one of the 2013 parties. Luhrmann’s film is like “Downton Abbey” as if shot to be a spring break special for MTV.

That said, there are also some remarkable similarities, with the new film at times feeling more like an adaptation of the earlier film than as an independent adaptation of the book. Chief amongst these similarities is the depiction of the area between the ritzy Long Island communities and Manhattan – the area around Wilson’s Garage, where the road and the train tracks come together in an almost post-apocalyptic environment, born by the consumption around it.

Despite being a short novel, as described earlier, the films both jettison material in pursuit of other goals. The romance in the 1974 film and the partying in the 2013 film both result in other storylines and characters being lost. The earlier film limits a separate romance between Carraway and Daisy’s professional golfer friend Jordan Baker and the newer film essentially ignores that story altogether, with both outcomes shifting the story away from Carraway (who spends much of that summer in the book away from the other characters) and more towards Gatsby. The 1974 film loses much of Gatsby’s backstory, including a mentor that shaped his future life and persona, and the 2013 film drops most of the last chapter of the book, including the appearance of Gatsby’s father, truncating much of the end of the story.

If I could wave a magic film wand, I’d probably attempt a mashup of some kind between the two projects – perhaps the period style and visual elements of the earlier film, with the cast and exuberance of the new film. There are some odd comparisons between the two films that are, at times, counter-intuitive. For example, the 1974 film has a more mature tone to it, and Robert Redford as Gatsby and Mia Farrow as Daisy seem older than the characters in the book – Coppola even moved the story forward slightly by saying that eight years had passed since earlier events in the story, rather than five. The new film has a much younger air to it, with Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby and Carey Mulligan as Daisy – but DiCaprio is actually older than Redford was in 1974, which is coincidentally the year that DiCaprio was born. Mulligan seems a closer fit, agewise, to Daisy than the slightly older Farrow and Sam Waterstone as 1974’s Nick Carraway has a fresher feel to him than an older Tobey Maguire in the same role in the 2013 film. Bruce Dern played an appropriately mean-spirited Tom Buchanan in 1974, but Joel Edgerton has more of the novel’s description of Tom’s physicality in the new film. And, in perhaps the oddest piece of cast trivia, Daisy’s (Mia Farrow) young daughter is played (briefly) by Patsy Kensit in the 1974 film, and Kensit later played Mia Farrow in a television movie about Farrow’s own ill-fated love life.

There’s a stability and pacing in the earlier film that borders on the ponderous (if you watch it, go and make a sandwich as the opening title sequence plays itself out ad nauseum) – compared to a frenetic energy and visual abundance in the new film that’s made even more profound by the availability of 3D screenings. The new film is like an uneven patchwork of heavy-handedness and deft accuracy. On the one hand, we’re given a short Tom Buchanan speech on white supremacy while he’s closely surrounded by black servants (the servants are white in the 1974 film), on the other we’re given a Gatsby mansion styled closely on photographs of the houses thought to have been visited by Fitzgerald that inspired the descriptions in the novel. The new film also appears to change the ethnicity of another key character, shows a pivotal scene in great detail despite it not being witnessed by Carraway, and has a secondary character seemingly mispronounce Kaiser Wilhelm’s name (despite it being DiCaprio’s own middle name). And, on the topic of pronunciation, DiCaprio’s delivers Gatsby signature phrase “old sport” to rhyme with “Colbert Report” in a manner that simply grows tedious over time.

All of which leads me to say that I’m glad I watched the new film, and I even enjoyed watching it on the level of eye candy and as a visual exercise, but I don’t especially like it as an adaptation. It transforms the Nick Carraway character and drops too much of the original story to be considered an accurate telling of the story. The 1974 film also drops some of the details, but to a lesser extent, but it’s also a flatter version of the story. Watching both films and re-reading the book, all within a week, primarily caused me to appreciate the book more – it’s a short story told in a manner that simply works better on the page, where narration works perfectly, than on the screen. Perhaps re-reading the book is a mistake if one simply wants to enjoy either film.

That’s not to say it can’t be adapted well, and there at least two adaptations that are either lost or hard to find and another television movie that I haven’t seen, but these two adaptations each lose something in the translation. It’s material I’d still like to see others have a go at – I could imagine, for example, Sofia Coppola creating a film that might exist somewhere in the middle of what we’ve seen so far, with perhaps a better balance of elements. I’d certainly enjoy watching her, or others, try.

'Beer & Ballet' -- I'll drink to that

2013-05-10T05:25:14Z

Besides giving you the opportunity to sip an adult beverage and sit hardly more than inches from the dancers, the Sacramento Ballet's "Beer & Ballet" lets you see how creative these dancers are at making dance, not just doing it.

All the pieces on the program are new works created by members of the troupe, and, for the most part, they show a solid command of dance vocabulary and syntax and a maturity of style.

"Beer & Ballet" opens Saturday after a couple of recent private performances, one of which I saw for review. Of the 11 dances, there probably are half a dozen really fine ones.

Take, for example, the wonderful duet "Scars Never Seen" created by Nicole Haskins and danced by Ava Chatterson and Stefan Calka; "The Boxer," in which choreographer Alex Stewart brings unity to a long and intricate musical score by repetition and echoes of movements; "Euphemism," in which Christopher Nachtrab delivers a big production (11 dancers) in four movements to music by Demetri Shostakovich.

Alysia Chang creates a signature move -- an arm brought around the body to rest the hand upon the opposite hip -- in "Black Tin Box." Alex Biber moves three couples (Amanda Peet and Rex Wheeler, Alexandra Cunningham and Alex Stewart, and Julia Feldman and Christopher Nachtrab) through phases of emotional attachment, from innocent, almost chaste, to playful, then serious and studied in "Different Relations."

Rex Wheeler has created two dances on the program and his work is very impressive. In other works, he has shown humor and a modern mind set upon classical ballet. In these, he shows a strong, serious side. In "Cradle," he bases the dance on a specific movement of cradling the partner from the first pas de deux of "Swan Lake." Lauryn Winterholder and Stefan Calka dance this very intimate duet. In "7th Symphony," Wheeler moves 15 dancers through an impressively designed dance.

Less satisfying dances, at least to me, were one called "Someone You'd Admire," whose movements seemed obvious and whose ending was a bit abrupt, and "The Orchard," an adequate but uninspiring solo piece. None of the dances is bad, and all illustrate how the choreographers play on and play up the strengths of their fellow dancers.

"Beer & Ballet" opens at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Sacramento Ballet Studio, 1631 K St. Other performances (those not already sold out) will be at 7 p.m. May 23 and 24 and 2 p.m. May 26 and June 2. Tickets to each performance are $35, available through the Sacramento Ballet Box Office at (916) 552-5800, ext. 2, or through the company's website, www.sacballet.org.

Kaleidoscope fashion

2013-05-08T22:50:56Z

Psychedelic forms viewed through a kaleidoscope have fascinated me since childhood. With kaleidoscope images in the back of my mind I attended the American River College “Kaleidoscope 2013” fashion show held on May 3.

The American River College's 12th Annual Fashion Show brought 12 student designers to the campus' Black Box Theater stage for three showings. The air conditioned theater also served as a relief from the heat outside.

Stunning children, men and women's designs captivated the audience during each of the three fashion runway shows.

A production with so many designers and shows had to have many volunteers to make things move smoothly. ARC students and faculty worked hard to accomplish this as they worked backstage, on and offstage. Many of the volunteers, designers and models had only a few hours of sleep the night before, and many had been on campus since 7 a.m.

After the first runway show, Joanna Durkee, one of the show directors, shared a few thoughts about the fashion show. “The first show I think went well,” said Durkee as she prepared for the second show.

“The designers showed really well. It was very eclectic as it included children's, evening, resort and elegant fashion. You had something from every style,” continued Durkee. The show director also has experience as a designer and has participated at various fashion shows in Sacramento including including this year's Sacramento Fashion Week with her Niv Elliot line.

When asked about challenges and rewards for the ARC fashion show Durkee said, “I think the biggest challenge is the amount of people I have to work with because we have 100 models, 12 designers and three shows you have to organize. The most fun I've experienced is seeing it in person. Before the first show I was really nervous but as soon as the first set of girls hit the runway things changed. Everything came together and it was great, the music worked well and the outfits looked fantastic.”

Besides the 12 designers who showcased their talent, alumnus guest designer Michael Kouri was invited to share his “Forever Yours” line shown at this year's Sacramento Fashion Week. Ruchi Shah provided accessories for Kouri's line.

Kouri's dramatic designs set the stage as each ARC designer showed four or more pieces during their runway show.

A panel of judges was on hand for the early show and collaborated to vote in several categories. As they watched the morning runway show they could be seen talking to each other as each of the designers showcased their line. Before the second showing they also had a chance to speak with each of the designers.

Carolyn Keys' “Lil Madam” collection was the only children's line on exhibit. Adorable little girls walked down the runway in beautiful floral-patterned dresses. Wearing their “Sunday best” the little models drew audible compliments from the audience. The boy escorts stepped back slightly allowing the “Lil Madam” collection models to pose and show a true kaleidoscope display.

Each designer was inspired by different elements, styles and eras. Alexandra Kastner's showed her debut collection “Mod Me Up.” The collection was inspired by the '60s boxy mod look. The Brazilian native showed six bright one and two-piece outfits to showcase her talent.

Lisbeth Contreras showed a collection of day and evening casual wear. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Contreras' collection was simple yet elegant, contemporary yet vintage, creating a diversified look.

Bright floral patterns adorned most of Svetlana Nalobina's “A Step Into Summer” collection. Nalobina's '70s inspired collection encompassed that decade's retro style look. The Russian native used bold floral prints to embellish each of her designs, creating a sophisticated style.

Tiffany Hagewood's “Mod-ish” brought five sleeveless one-piece dresses to the runway. Inspired by the '60s London Mod movement Hagewood's black, white and teal collection was quite enticing. Her vintage collection included contemporary touches giving the always stylish '60s an update for today's look.

The audience was thrilled to see Venice Ousley's collection “Incogneetah” as Michael Jackson's song “Thriller” was used to introduce her line. Ousley's alluring collection contained camouflage and cheetah prints. These elements, along with bright black and red colors, created a seductive look.

“Gods and Monsters” by Syu Martin brought a dark beauty to the stage. Martin's designs showcased her conspicuous Gothic Lolita style that separated her collection from most others. Martin's “You can be beautiful on the outside but be a monster inside” collection had the Japanese fashion pop-culture style that has become popular with today's youth. Martin's Prince Noir collection has won awards at the SacAnime fashion shows.

With 26 years of fashion construction and design experience, AnHa Tran showcased her colorful collection “Break Away.” Tran's collection, with its many colorful garments, reminded me of birds of paradise. Her elegant line was beautifully accentuated with very colorful and fashionable headwear and accessories.

The only men's collection showcased at the Kaleidoscope Fashion Show belonged to designer Saul Latvanen. Entitled “The Same Boy You've Always Known," Latvanen's designs were elegantly edgy and high-end couture Latvanen displayed a collection at last year's ARC fashion show and two of his garments from that show were displayed on last Saturday's red carpet. He also participated in last year's Sacramento Fashion Week.

Having met Latvanen before, I remembered he had mentioned he was going to be working on a men's line, and that this was the first time he'd shown a full men's collection. “My inspiration was 'The Same Boy You've Always Known' which is a new menswear fashion style but with different fabrics. For example, the models will be wearing lace, which is a feminine fabric but in this case I'm making it very masculine at the same time,” said Latvanen as he described his collection. The designer ended by saying, “Technically the collection is 1970s inspired while at the same time exhibiting an edgier couture men style..”

Dure Arshad’s “Diamonds in the Sky” collection brought a set of sleeveless and beautifully stylish wear to the runway. The collection of dresses ranged from outfits that could be work for a night on the town or to a formal event. Ar shad’s couture collection was very feminine, elegant and included meticulous patterns on each dress.

“La Beaute” was Helen Romero's line. The Romero collection was inspired by a Victorian elegance combined with a modern look. The black and white collection included fine and precise detail. Romero's designs were accentuated with precise hand stitching on her collection.

Kristin Huss brought delightful splendor to the stage with her “Echos of Morning” collection, inspired by the tragic loss of her mother to cancer. Huss wanted to create something beautiful in her honor. Huss' beautiful form-fitting collection was brilliant and paid honorable homage to her mom.

‘Listen to Your Mother’ arrives in Sacramento

2013-05-08T15:26:38Z

On Sunday, May 12, at 7 p.m., 15 local women writers will perform in the Sacramento premiere of “Listen to Your Mother” at the Crest Theatre. A portion of all proceeds will benefit 916 Ink, a local nonprofit organization that is dedicated to increasing the literacy rate of youth in Sacramento. Bring your mother, sister, daughter or friend and spend a Sunday evening listening to stories of motherhood.

It’s certain that one of the stories presented by these women, who are professional writers or bloggers, artists, homemakers, teachers or office workers, is sure to tickle your funny bone and perhaps moisten your eyes, while each will certainly celebrate the complexities of motherhood.

Since its inception in 2010, “Listen to Your Mother” has expanded from one city to 24 in 2013, and is under the leadership of Ann Imig, the organization’s national director. Each city features local readers. The Sacramento show is being produced and directed by Margaret Andrews and Nichole Beaudry.

Andrews has worked as a software developer and technical writer, and is now the writer behind the award-winning humor blog, “Nanny Goats in Panties.” She is also the author of “Sticky Readers: How to Attract a Loyal Blog Audience by Writing More Better.”

Beaudry performed last year in the San Francisco production of “Listen to Your Mother,” is a former English professor, co-founder of Sacramento Bloggers, columnist for “SheKnows” and the writer of the blog, “in these small moments.”

The cast is diverse and includes KCRA’s Emmy Award-winning journalist, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, who also writes the online Olympic blog, “Deirdre’s Diary.” In addition to Fitzpatrick, Andrews and Beaudry, readings will be presented by Tresa Edmunds, Janelle Hanchett, Jill Mansfield, Penny Manson, Laura Meehan, Stephanie Huang Porter, Kim Prior, Lisa Smiley, Roxanne Stellmacher, Emma Wall, Tonya Wertman and Bridgette White.

Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance or $25 if purchased on May 12.

Lost art of Mora – 'Sojourner' sculpture vandalized

2013-05-07T22:13:21Z

The local arts community recently discovered that the public artwork 'Sojourner' on 13th and K Street had been vandalized. The sculpture was found pushed off its pedestal on January 6, 2013. The sculpture, a 7ft. Mexican limestone work of art by Master Artist Elizabeth Catlett Mora, was broken into several pieces. Unfortunately the artist cannot repair this treasured work. Catlett died last year on April 2, 2012.

The breaking news originally appeared on the blog "Sacramento Pedestrian Art." At the time, there was very little additional information provided on the developing story. And, by the time this article is published The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) is expected to have updates on the repair and restoration progress. The arts community can visit the SMAC website http://www.sacmetroarts.org/ for updates.

The future home of the sculpture is as yet uncertain. In fact, as told to the Sacramento Observer Newspaper, SMAC is considering a new location for the sculpture once repairs are completed. This is bittersweet, as 'Sojourner' was a mainstay on K street for several years and a staple of downtown public art. The safety of the art is of primary importance.

Relocation may turn out to be the best option in this case, considering the longterm changes the downtown area is undergoing – plans for the new entertainment arena, overhaul construction to reinvigorate K Street, and inevitably the influx of new businesses that will arrive. Yes, downtown will be an even more high traffic area. Yet, the challenging task may be to find a place that will provide suitable exposure of the art to the public while ensuring its protection.

At the core of the incident is preservation of art – its integrity, creation, education and cultural legacy. And, if we look close enough, this is a rare teacheable moment.

It is important to emphasize that art created by an artist that is no longer living possesses truly unquantifiable value. The artist's body of work is considered irreplaceable. Special attention is given to artists who have mastered a lifetime of achievement in contribution to the arts. A Master Artist is considered prolific, exceptional, and celebrated. The presence of 'Sojourner' at the State Capitol speaks volumes – it attests to Catlett's support of arts and culture, both locally and in our region.

Art is a very special gift that crosses ethnicities and languages. It is a derivative of humanity, a record of human experience, a form of communication and serves as a cultural ambassador. I know that Elizabeth Catlett Mora understood these immutable truths of art. The evidence is found in her lifetime of accomplishments and in the body of work she left behind for the world to enjoy.

Sacramento is extremely fortunate to have one of her works displayed.

Sacramento art supporters can breathe a sigh of relief after SMAC's plans to repair the damaged art are underway and the final selection of the conservation expert is completed. Then, we all will anticipate the new installment of 'Sojourner' – a symbol of endurance, strength, pride, heart, beauty and more – that goes beyond mere sentimental value. In fact, it is the proverbial 'steel' of the character in our soul that everyone aspires to embody and exude.

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Take Mom out this Mother's Day

2013-05-07T16:45:17Z

It's the time of year to honor your Mom and celebrate all she does for you. What better way to do so than to take her out for a fun day on the town? We've compiled some suggestions for you below, but you can always find even more in Sacramento365.com's Holiday Events section.

Treat her to eats:

Mother's Day Brunch at the Hyatt: Hyatt Regency Sacramento; Sun 9:30am-3pm: Treat your mother to a scrumptious buffet featuring omelets made-to-order, a carving station, fresh seafood, and a bountiful dessert selection.
Mother's Day Brunch with Sacramento RiverTrain: Sacramento RiverTrain - West Sacramento; Sun 10am-1pm: Bring Mom, Grandma, Aunt, and friends aboard the RiverTrain for a three-course plated brunch, which will include your choice of main entree.
Mother's Day Brunch at Scribner Bend Vineyards: Scribner Bend Vineyards; Sun 11am-5pm: Enjoy a meal prepared by Rayna's Gourmet Catering which includes salads, quiche, a pancake bar, carving stations, desserts, a glass of sparkling wine, and more.

Unique outings:

East Sacramento Garden Tour: Begins from David Lubin Elementary; Sat & Sun 10am-4pm: Stroll along the tree-lined streets and take in a variety of lush, creative gardens amid the gorgeous architecture of this older Sacramento neighborhood.
CycloFemme: American River Bike Trail; Sun 9am-Noon: Celebrate Mother's Day and ride to encourage women to ride and change the world! Tiny Helmet Big Bikes rides to honor the past, celebrate the present, and empower the future of women in cycling.
Listen to Your Mother: Crest Theatre; Sun 7pm: Take Mom to a show that honors her. Listen to Your Mother, a nationwide live reading series, comes to town featuring a cast of 15 local performers reading their stories of motherhood from the hysterically funny to the soulful and poignant.

For those with little ones:

Marvelous Mother's Day Weekend: Sacramento Children's Museum; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun Noon-5pm: Enjoy free admission for mothers as well as card-making activities in the art room, frame making, and a photo booth.
Mother's Day at Funderland: Funderland Amusement Park; Sun 10am-6pm: Spend Mother's Day enjoying all of the thrills at Funderland. For this special holiday moms get to ride for free.
Mother Nature Day Walk: Effie Yeaw Nature Center; Sun 1:30pm-3pm: See some wild mothers in action and spend some time with Mother Nature this Mother’s Day on this naturalist-led hike.

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As an event partner for The Sacramento Press, Sacramento365.com provides information on activities happening in the Sacramento community. Find these and many more events on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Alison Kranz is Assistant Editor for Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Fallen Police Officers remembered

2013-05-07T03:57:13Z

"Today the people of California pay tribute to 12 men whose names will be engraved on the California Peace Officers' Memorial," said Master of Ceremonies Attorney General Kamala Harris of the State of California. "Their service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten."

"To the honored families who are here today there are no words to match the depth of your loss," Harris said. "But I do want to say 'thank you' on behalf of the people of Save California for supporting our fallen heroes."

Since California became a state, 1500 men and women who gave their lives will always have their names on this memorial.

Officers from all over California came to pay their respect.

In 2012 two officers were honored; Deputy Robert Lee Paris, Jr., Stanislaus Co. Sheriff's Dept. End of Watch: April 12, 2012 and Officer Kenyon M. Youngstrom, California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa. End of Watch; September 5, 2012.

Eight officers from the distant past, going back to 1907, were also honored.

Governor Jerry Brown said he was at the first memorial ceremony 37 years ago."More than anyone else, officers who put their lives on the line everyday exemplify that core of our civilization, which is the willingness to stand for what holds us together, the rule of law," Brown explained. "Sometimes that rule of law has to be enforced sometimes under very tragic circumstances. And that is what we memorialize today."

"To keep our social fabric intact, we honor courage, we honor loyalty and that camaraderie that comes from being in uniform for defending life and property and doing it in a way our law enforcement officers do everyday," Brown said.

Jennifer Grant, surviving daughter of Deputy David Grant, Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Department, EOW 2004, sang "Can you hear me when I talk to you."

Guest Speaker Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, California Supreme Court, shared with the crowd her husband is a police officer, who happened to be retiring today. She expressed the stress she felt being married to a peace officer.

Commissioner Joe Farrow, California Highway Patrol was the Keynote Speaker.He expressed thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation for the officers who serve and their families.

Farrow suggested people spend quiet time at the memorial. People come to pay their respect to those who gave their lives. He explains he has been at the memorial when school classes visit. He stood quietly by listening to the teachers explaining the significance of this memorial, listening as they describe the names engraved of those before us, our nation's true heroes.

"Almost instinctively, there would be no words spoken," Farrow said. "Even the youngest visitors seemed to understand the magnitude of this place and what it stands for."

Six California State officers have died in the line of duty in 2013.

Here are scenes before the memorial began:

Police on motorcycles and in cars drove around the Capitol Mall

Men in heels raise over $204,000 for WEAVE | PHOTOS

2013-05-05T03:45:31Z

600 specimens of brawny, hairy men (well, some were) donned high heels to walk a mile around the Capitol Mall today. They did it with grace and pain. Some did it fast, some slow. They did it.

They did it to raise awareness about sexual assault against women and raised funds for WEAVE to provide 24-hour services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Here's some photos from the event:

Award winners will be posted when information is received.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Sacramento Ballet's Mondavi show a real "event"

2013-05-03T23:37:56Z

The Sacramento Ballet returned to the Mondavi Center at UC Davis on Thursday to star in one of only a handful of "events" in the inaugural season of the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre's Studio Dance Series. The program, "An Evening of Solos, Duets and Trios," will be repeated at 8 tonight (Friday) and Saturday.

Co-artistic directors Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda have assembled a program of 10 dances representative of the company's breadth and depth. They chose four dances choreographed by the brilliant George Balanchine (from among 18 in the company's repertory); one by former company member Nicole Haskins, currently dancing with the Washington Ballet and recently selected for the prestigious New York Choreographic Competition; one by Bay Area star dancemaker Edwaard Liang; two by wunderkind Trey McIntyre (one created for the Sacramento Ballet); one created for the company by Broadway dancer and New York Times-lauded choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie; and one created by company dancer Stefan Calka.

The dances have all been performed by the company in other programs, but to see them together on a single program is impressive indeed. The dancers have a national reputation for excellence (Balanchine Trust repetiteur John Clifford, who set the four dances, among many others, on the company, calls it one of the strongest -- and perhaps his favorite -- dance troupe "clients"). Sometimes it appears the Sacramento Ballet is more recognized and respected elsewhere than at home. A visit or two to a company performance will surely change that.

The success of "Solos, Duets and Trios" is as simple as one, two, three: diverse dance styles, music ranging from Tschaikovsky and Gershwin to the Partridge Family and the Civil Wars, and incomparable dancing. There is something amazing in each of the pieces. Among the highlights:

The partnering of Alexandra Cunningham and Richard Porter in the excerpt from McIntyre's "Second Before the Ground." The dance soars and so does Cunningham, who seems born to fly, as elegant and at ease in the air as on the ground.
Lauryn Winterholder and Christopher Nachtrab's high spirits and humor in "Tarantella," Balanchine's take on the Italian folk dance said to have been inspired by the frenzied dance seen in people who had been bitten by the poisonous tarantula. As he did with American folk dance in his "Western Sympnony" and Broadway- and Hollywood-style ballroom dancing in "Who Cares" (also on this program), Balanchine combined his grounding in classical ballet with his inspired modern approach to dance.
The physical tension that reflects the emotional turmoil of the couple danced by Ava Chatterson and Stefan Calka in Haskins' "Scars Already Seen," which was created for the company last year. Although it does not in any way "tell" the story of the Civil Wars' tune "Dance Me to the End of Love," it does embody the song's exploration of the Nashville duo's theme of the good, the bad and ugly of interpersonal relationships.
Because of a slight injury to dancer Amanda Peet, she and Cunningham share the female lead in Balanchine's "Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux." The "Tschai Pas," as dancers refer to this demanding piece, is remarkable here for Cunningham's blind leaps into the arms of partner Richard Porter. Such trust (that even when airborn backwards there will be a partner there to catch you) is a hallmark of the company.
Ava Chatterson commands attention in her solo excerpt from Moultrie's "Jazzin'," performed to a song by Ruth Brown, ostensibly about the owner of a used furniture store who would rather sit on her remarkable "seat" than give it away to a man who wants something for nothing. Chatterson's moves are loose but precise and her playful demeanor throughout is perfectly matched to the humor and innuendo of the song.
If Cunningham and Calka need a performance "greatest hits" reel, the pas de deux from Balanchine's "La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker)" and the Fifth Movement from Liang's "Wunderland" should be on it. Cunningham retains a blank-faced stare as the sleepwalker, whether instinctively and believably stepping over obstacles or running, on pointe, backward, in response to her partner's push. Calka, meanwhile, is the epitome of focus in both pieces. In "Sonnambula," he intently concentrates on his partner. She is exclusively the object of his attention. In "Wunderland," Calka's focus is not the focus of a dancer intent on getting the steps right, but the focus of an artist collaborating with the choreographer to create a unique dance experience.
Chatterson and Porter team for a ballroom ballet excerpt from Balanchine's "Who Cares?" Both are long-limbed, have excellent extensions and are elegant and exquisitely costumed in this glittery celebration of the music of George Gershwin.
Lauryn Winterhalder and Rex Wheeler are loose and playful in their innocent flirtation to the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You" excerpt from McIntyre's "Wild Sweet Love." Peet, Nachtrab and Oliver-Paul Adams perform the demanding, synchronous steps of the dance's "Mexican Trio" excerpt. McIntyre created "Wild Sweet Love" for the Sacramento Ballet in 2007.
The show-closer is Calka's impressive "Figures F + L," to music by British minimalist composer Michael Nyman. An insistent violin phrase recurs throughout the piece, and Calka has created a movement that reflects and amplifies the statement. The choreographer also plays off a dancer dynamic in which the women are on pointe and the men sometimes are on demi-pointe (on tip-toe), which puts the guys slightly off-balance while they must help balance their partner who is on pointe. Calka, who created the dance for fellow cast members last year, accomplishes the near-impossible: moving and featuring three couples equally in a complex and satisfying work.

The Sacramento Ballet's "Solos, Duets and Trios" has two more performances at the Mondavi Center's Vanderhoef Studio. Tickets are $38-$42 and available only through the Mondavi Center Ticket Office. Call (866) 754-2787 for more information.

There are other opportunities in the next few weeks to see the Sacramento Ballet in performance. They include "Modern Masters Proteges," May 16-19 at the St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center; "Beer & Ballet," May 24, 26, 30 and June 2 at the Ballet Studio, 1631 K St.; and "Highlights," May 25 (two performances) and May 29 at the dance studio. The program is a collaboration between the ballet company and Found Space Theatre Company, which presents a musical theater fundraiser called "At the Ballet." Among the highlights of "Highlights" is sure to be the hilarious send-up of Beyonce's "Single Ladies." Tickets to the upcoming shows range from $30 to $45. For more information, call the Sacramento Ballet Box Office at (916) 552-5800, ext. 2 or go to www.sacballet.org.

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New films: Iron Man 3 (two opinions) - Ginger & Rosa - other film news

2013-05-03T19:33:42Z

Iron Man 3
Directed by Shane Black

Malcolm Maclachlan: It’s often that I’ll think more of a flick the day after I see it than when I’m actually watching it. In this case, I like it less. “Iron Man 3” starts out with some compelling ideas and snappy dialogue, but ends up as a typical overstuffed…well, let’s just say towards the end when Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow argue about which one of them is more of a “hot mess,” my answer is “you’re both soaking in it.”

Tony Sheppard: I think we had opposite reactions, or at least opposite post-reaction reactions. I had gone into the film with some fairly specific concerns regarding the storyline and enjoyed the film more than I had expected to and, since watching it, have actually appreciated the overall effort and approach even more as I’ve given it more thought. I do agree that at some point, as with most of these films, the action, explosions, and overall grandiosity of it all reaches a level of overkill, but they’re also catering to folks who rate their films based on the residual level of ringing in their ears.

MM: So let’s start by focusing on the good. Ben Kingsley steals a few scenes as a terrorist leader known as The Mandarin.

TS: Agreed. And there’s far more to this performance than the previews might suggest, on multiple levels.

MM: Plus, the comic relief in the film is often actually funny. Downey is engaging and entertaining as amiable jerk Tony Stark. They also saddle him with anxiety attacks verging on PTSD, which is a lot more interesting and human than that catchphrase-infested coolness of too many action flicks.

TS: Again, agreed. There’s a very interesting method to the way Stark is depicted here – we’re reminded of what a brash <insert bad word here> he used to be and so we’re given more of a character arc than this single film would otherwise have by itself. And the anxiety he experiences seems very real, if not exactly in the way it occurs at least in its presence. We’re too often shown heroes and superheroes who aren’t just strong in one sense, they’re strong in every sense – physically strong, confident, emotionally stable, etc. “Iron Man 3” takes place post-“Avengers” and it’s not an overstatement to say that everything has changed – suddenly we’ve gone from planet saving to universe saving, with wormholes, aliens, ancient gods in the mix, etc. Even the Tony Starks of the world are suddenly brought down to size by all of that.

MM: There are also some interesting ideas around the interplay of terrorism, the media, and the motivations and personas of mass killers. Given that the Mandarin is a bomber who often strikes on U.S. soil, the release of this flick so soon after the Boston Marathon bombing is positively creepy. Toss in drones, oil, the current cultural obsession with bullying, an interaction between two powerful women that doesn’t dissolve into a petty catfight, and you’ve got a lot to work with.

Maybe too much. Some interesting ideas turns into a kitchen sink catch-all. Over time, the focus seems to turn back to Stark’s ennui and midlife crisis, the very same elements that turned “Iron Man 2” into a barely-watchable exercise in daytime television psychology. I’ve never been sold on the onscreen chemistry between Downey and Paltrow, and it feels particularly pallid here.

TS: It’s not just a relative lack of chemistry but I also find myself questioning, at times, why the two characters would even be drawn to each other – but that’s probably a whole different conversation.

As for timing, I thought the same thing last week with “The Company You Keep” and it’s domestic terrorism/protest storyline, as well as the way it told a story about the families of those who choose to take certain actions, for whatever set of reasons they may have.

MM: Meanwhile, while I loved “The Avengers,” going back to a universe of individual heroes feels a bit artificial. I get that Thor is off in Valhalla or someplace, and maybe Bruce Banner/The Hulk is back in hiding. But with a vaguely Middle Eastern terrorist (The Mandarin does seem rather culturally nonspecific, sort of like Ben Kingsley himself) blowing up bombs on U.S. soil and posing a credible threat to the President’s life, are we supposed to believe that Captain America, Black Widow and Hawkeye are just sitting this one out? Of course, it they’d all done cameos, it probably would have cut into Downey’s reported $50 million paycheck.

TS: Now you’re getting at my big concern going into the film. It’s like a story about a guy who makes several of the best friends in the world/universe and who then can’t find anybody to help him move. This is a series of explosions and claimed attacks that is plastered all over the news media – so the other folks would have to be in some kind of silent retreat, comatose, or buying Valhalla timeshares to be out of the picture – and I expected this to completely destroy the story and film for me. But they took an approach which actually made it work despite my misgivings – they made it more like a giant bar fight than a campaign. Stark basically calls this guy out and launches into action without any consultation or plan – it’s a chest-thumping charge (think about it) that doesn’t pause long enough to gather backup. But it’s still a problem they have to overcome every time they revisit one but not all of the gang.

The other part of the film that I particularly liked and which added an element of wide-eyed wonder that these films benefit from but often lose over multiple iterations, is Stark’s involvement with the kid. It has the tone of recent films like “Super 8” but also managed to remind me of “Iron Giant” (iron man falls from the sky, is found by a young boy, the son of a single mom who works in a diner, who helps fix up the iron man and protect him from the folks trying to capture him), which is a desirable association.

MM: “Iron Man 3” does have some fun with Stark creating multiple Iron Man suits. But it also begs the question why people are still driving normal cars and living with the same electrical grid in a world where that kind of power can be mastered. I know I’m probably overanalyzing it, but given the resources both sides have at their disposal, their ambitions seem rather limited.

Then again, superhero movies are about our own limitations and self-obsessions in the first place. I’d even argue that this is embodied, literally, in the hard bodies of Downey, Paltrow (she has a six pack!), Don Cheadle and Guy Pierce. There was a time when Pierce stood out in Hollywood for his near complete lack of body fat, his face always looking like he was headed into a hard wind. Now he’s just another gaunt face in the crossfit-sculpted crowd.

This is aspirational fiction just as much as “The Real Housewives of….” When Downey invokes the catchphrase “I am Iron Man,” it isn’t really about the suit.

TS: Letting your use of “begs the question” slide for the moment, while the multiple suits are fun it takes us deeply into the drone territory you mentioned earlier. We’ve gone from lone hero to clone wars in rapid fashion, except that the suits are generally being operated not by Stark but by his computer sidekick Jarvis (which also undercuts the role, now and in the future, of Cheadle’s character if he could stay home and Jarvis could take care of business).

But despite our disagreement in terms of overall opinion, I think we probably agree about the general direction the film takes – and perhaps I simply like that direction more. Stark/Iron Man is more Wayne/Batman than Kent/Superman – he’s a smart guy with cool stuff and deep pockets. And while we expect to see and enjoy the gadgetry, at some point it has to come back to the decisions he makes and the way he lives with those decisions – he can’t simply fall back on invulnerability. (Interestingly, that’s also the direction the rebooting of the James Bond franchise has taken – more man than machines.) I like my heroes flawed, limited, and vulnerable – not only does it make them aspirational, as you point out, but it helps us to pretend for a moment that they might actually be in jeopardy occasionally.

Ginger & Rosa
Directed by Sally Potter

In about as much of a contrast with this week’s major opening of “Iron Man 3” as possible, “Ginger & Rosa” open in an exclusive engagement at the Tower Theatre. It’s a powerful character study of a girl growing up in the early 60’s in England at a time when world news is dominated by the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Although the title includes both Ginger and Rosa, this a film seen mostly from Ginger’s perspective as their lifelong friendship and inter-dependence begins to be challenged. Ginger is surrounded by instability - in her primary friendship, in her parents on again/off again marriage, and in the perceived threat to the safety of the entire world. The only calm opinions she’s exposed to inadvertently fuel her concerns and she finds it harder and harder to cope.

“Ginger & Rosa” has an interesting and talented cast but this is really Elle Fanning’s film. She takes on the role of Ginger and makes it believable, including in her accent (which isn’t true of all the cast). It’s an emotional role and the heartbreak and struggle she embodies are palpable. This is worth watching for her performance alone in much the same way that “The Iron Lady” was worth watching for Meryl Streep’s Thatcher – and that she can accomplish this as a young teenager is remarkable.

Other film news

As I pointed out earlier in the week, there are some neat films coming to the Crest Theatre, including Shawn Carruth’s “Upstream Color” in a three-day engagement this weekend, a special screening of “Infinity and Chashu Ramen,” a one-night only screening of a tour movie based on the Co-Exist Comedy group (Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and Atheist comedians sharing a stage), and a screening of the Wild and Scenic Film festival – all in the next week. So if any of that sounds appealing, check their website at thecrest.com.

The body as a canvas: Tattoos in the workplace

2013-05-03T19:29:42Z

The cover of this month’s issue of Comstock’s asks, “Are anti-tattoo policies prejudice?” Perhaps the implied questions is, “Are anti-tattoo policies wrong?”

I should say that I do not have any tattoos – not as a result of any particular social stance; only because I am terribly fickle.

These days, I often wonder if I’m not in the minority. A number of my friends sport ink, many of them able to talk at length about the stories behind their art and the life experiences their tattoos represent. Clearly this is something meaningful.

On the other end of the spectrum are the friends with tattooed eyebrows and eyeliner. Not really an emotional connection there, but I suppose it does blend in at the workplace. I’m not sure I’d let anyone near my eye with a needle, though.

A number of tatted-up Sacramentans weighed in for Allen Young’s article, The tattooed professiona l (a good read), as well as local employers wishing to remain anonymous.

“If you are a business owner considering prohibition or restricting piercings and tattoos,” said one such employer, “make sure you have a valid reason and always consider the thoughts, interests and opinions of your employees. Micromanaging them may lead to resentment, management/employee tension and more.”

Fair enough, though instituting a policy that affects current employees isn’t exactly the same as weeding out those with body modification from the applicant pool.

Another employer, again anonymous, had this to say: “Freedom of expression and professionalism collide at the intersection of your world viewpoint and your self image at the expense of others. In other words, it’s not all about you.”

Some Facts

According to Young’s article:

Almost one-half of millennials have at least one tattoo, and about 70 percent of them hide their ink.
careerbuilder.com says, as of 2011, 31 percent of employers are less likely to grant a promotion, based on a visible tattoo.
Sacramento’s Laser Skin Surgery Center has seen the number of tattoo-removal procedures double in the last five years.

“Opinions about body art have grown as diverse as the images themselves,” writes Young. “From snowflakes to swastikas, some people see self-absorption where others see self-empowerment.”

What do you see?

Book Talk: Akashic, local writers and notable events

2013-05-03T15:58:26Z

Small press focus: Akashic Books

Akashic Books is this edgy press that you may or may not have heard of. Akashic published one of my favorite books of all time, “Ruins,” by Achy Obejas. Their noir series is sure to please fans of noir, and I recommend picking up one of the many titles, perhaps beginning with “Boston Noir 2: The Classics” or delving even deeper into the drug noir series, perhaps with “The Heroin Chronicles.”

You might be asking just how good these books are. Well, with contributors like David Foster Wallace, Joyce Carol Oates and Andre Dubus, how can you go wrong with “Boston Noir 2: The Classics?” This collection is divided into three sections: Broken Families where you’ll find “Night-Side” by Joyce Carol Oates and “Surrogate” by Robert B. Parker; Criminal Minds where Dennis Lehane’s “Mushrooms” and Linda Barnes’ “Lucky Penny” can be found; and Voyeurs and Outsiders with offerings like “Townies” by Andre Dubus, an excerpt from “Infinite Jest,” by David Foster Wallace and “At Night” by David Ryan.

Akashic's series of noir anthologies began with “Brooklyn Noir” in 2004. The series includes anthologies covering Wall Street, New Jersey, Boston, Baltimore, Barcelona, Cape Cod, Copenhagen, Delhi, Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico City and even Moscow. No Sacramento on the list. Yet.

In addition to the more traditional noir anthologies featuring works by Joyce Carol Oates, Andre Dubus, David Foster Wallace and many other recognized names, Akashic also publishes its drug chronicles series. Titles include “The Cocaine Chronicles,” “The Speed Chronicles,” “The Heroin Chronicles” and the forthcoming “The Marijuana Chronicles.” These are short literary fiction works that focus on people and place and feature some of the most well-respected and well-known writers, including Sherman Alexie, Beth Lisick and William T. Vollmann.

My copy of "The Heroin Chronicles" was inadvertently borrowed by someone, and I had to borrow another copy from the library. Yep, these books are good.

“American Honor Killings: Desire and Rage Among Men” by David McConnell is a true crime book that explores various cases, including one featuring an episode of Jenny Jones and one that includes the arson of three Sacramento synagogues in 1999. Congregation B’nai Israel’s library contents were destroyed. Congregation Beth Shalom and Knesset Israel Torah Center were the other targets of the brothers McConnell interviewed for “Matson, Mowder, and the Williams Brothers, 1999,” one of several pieces included. Each story re-creates the events surrounding the cases.

* * *

On the local front

Local writer and historical archaeologist Glenn J. Farris is the editor of “So Far From Home: Russians in Early California,” published under Heyday’s California legacy imprint in collaboration with Santa Clara University. In this fascinating book, Farris brings together documents dating back to 1768 and extending to 1951 and Fort Ross’s place in the Cold War.

A wonderful read for those interested in California’s history, this book is sure to find a place on any history buff’s bookshelf. Through letters like the one written to Ivan Aleksandrovich, dated Oct. 14, 1808, readers learn that Alexander Baranov, the chief manager of the Russian American Company, plans to “dispatch a hunting party to the coast of the American New Albion with the Company vessels Mirt Kadiak and Nikolai.”

With chapters like “Russian and Kodiak Deserters, Captives, and Martyrs: Bolcoff, Egorov, and St. Peter the Aleut,” “The Transformation of Fort Ross’s Primary Function from Fur Hunting to Agriculture and Light Industry” and “Botanists on Russian Expeditions to California,” Farris opens a part of history that many may not be aware of. Several animal species were named by or for Russians, including the tiger beetle; the Monterey salamander; the Steller sea cow, sea lion and sea jay; the live oak cluster beetle and the bombardier beetle.

Much of the material included in this 368-page book has not been previously published. Farris received assistance from the Fort Ross Conservancy and drew material - including letters, journal entries and reports - from California, United States and Russian archives, providing readers with a different look into California history.

* * *

The last time we met Sacramento writer Norm Schriever, he’d sold all of his possessions and had moved to the tropics to write. Well, he moved, lived, laughed and wrote. The result is his second book, “South of Normal: My Year in Paradise,” published by Sacramento-area Authority Publishing.

The release party for "South of Normal" is scheduled for May 11 from 5 - 9 p.m. at LowBrau, 1050 20th Street.

* * *

The first book has rolled off the new small press at American River College, Ad Lumen Press. The anthology, "Burning the Little Candle" features works by Lois Ann Abraham, Christian Kiefer, Michael Spurgeon, Traci Gourdine and an introduction by Anthony Swofford. The next book, "Let the Water Hold Me Down," by Michael Spurgeon is scheduled to release on July 1. Books by Jason Sinclair Long and Daniel Rounds are forthcoming.

Cold River Press, the sponsor of the ever-popular twice-monthly poetry series, Poetry With Legs at Shine Cafe, has been quite busy at the press. This local small press recently released books by Davis poets D.R. Wagner and Phillip Larrea. Ask for these books, and other small press books, at your independent book store.

* * *

On the event front

Conference time has begun. Actually, it never really ends, but summer's warmer temperatures seem to equate with the cooler indoor temperatures of writing conferences. As you know, the Sacramento Poetry Center held its annual poetry conference in April.

"Our Life Stories" is another local conference that is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Cosumnes River College. This conference is a wonderful opportunity to take workshops from notable writers and poets. Jeff Knorr, the poet laureate of Sacramento, will present "Crafting Your Poems." Satsuki Ina will present "From A Silk Cocoon: Working with Letters, Diaries, Poetry to Tell the Story through Narrative and Film," and V.S. Chochezi will present "For a Live Audience." A full day of workshops, meeting other writers, lunch and materials runs $35 - $40. This is one of the best conferences in town and welcomes writers of all ages and levels.

SummerWords returns this year on May 30 and runs through June 2. T.C. Boyle is the keynote speaker this year, and a host of workshops and readings are available for $95.

The Community of Writers at Squaw Valley has presented workshops in poetry, prose and screenwriting for more than 40 years. This program begins June 22 and runs through July 15. While registration for this event has closed, you can attend several of the public events held in Squaw Valley. Additionally, you can help raise funds for this event by attending the annual benefit reading at Crocker Art Museum on June 21.

* * *

A reminder that May is short story month. Read many short stories this month. You might want to begin with some from Akashic's anthologies or from other anthologies you might have found. Do you have a favorite short story? A favorite short story author?

* * *

If you have book news (new books; author readings, signings, events; or any other book-related items), please email SacramentoBookTalk@gmail.com.

Big Idea's 'Private Eyes': Who's zoomin' who?

2013-05-03T15:09:48Z

With all of the social media outlets available to theater professionals – arguably one of the Sacramento area's most "vocal" populations now posting, tweeting, webbing and pinning – it's a challenge for those company members charged with "getting the word out" to play it close to their Velcroed vests to avoid spilling "spoilers."

But that's exactly the very thin, gaffer-taped line that director Jouni Kirjola is walking these days as he promotes the Big Idea Theatre production of "Private Eyes," playing April 26 through May 25.

"It's so hard to describe without giving away the secrets," said Kirjola of the show, what playwright Steven Dietz calls a “relationship thriller.” "It's an exploration of relationships and dynamics within relationships, but also of perceptions. Maybe I should just say it's a fast-paced, comedic, dramatic, schizophrenic exploration of deception within relationships."

The title of the play might suggest it’s something of a play noir, about a hard-boiled detective, a leggy lady in distress, a menacing mobster and a gal Friday all in pursuit of some mysterious (albeit valuable) objet d’art. But as Kirjola says, “Private Eyes” is more about betrayal on an emotional level, and how emotions (and the passage of time) can alter one’s recollections and interpretations of the past.

“It has heart, it has emotion, it has sex, it has a lot of comedy – it has a little bit of everything,” said Kirjola, a second-year Big Idea company member whose directorial credits include 2012’s “Moonlight and Magnolias.”

Told in a decidedly non-linear style, and featuring a plot course with more twists and turns than a Formula One race track, it’s a show best seen when fully rested, when one’s eyes aren’t prone to flutter and one’s chin isn’t likely to fall to chest level.

But as much as he’d like audiences to put their faith in him and his cast without a word of preface, he’s aware that in this information age people prefer to take journeys of discovery only after having read the last screen of a text.

For those folks, he offers this hors d'oeuvre of an overview: “Matthew’s wife, Lisa, may be having an affair with Adrian, a British theater director. Or, perhaps, the affair is part of a play being rehearsed. Or could it be Matthew has imagined all of it simply to have something to report to his therapist Frank? And who is the mysterious woman who seems to shadow the others?”

“Nothing is as it seems,” said Kirjola. “That’s part of the fun of it – nothing is certain; it inspires conversations and warrants a second viewing.”

The cast features Bert Andersson as Adrian, Kristine David as Lisa, Dan Featherston as Matthew, Nina Collins as the “mysterious woman,” and Big Idea company member Gregory Smith as Frank.

Kirjola credits his actors for tackling the play's admittedly steep peak, and for reaching the rarefied air of its summit.

“The script is extremely complex,” said Kirjola. “It has so many different layers. There are alternate realities, flashbacks told out of order. But each of the actors has truly delivered not only an understanding of the show itself, but of each of the characters. And that’s important because each character should have a soul, and be relatable to the audience somehow. The cast has really delivered that heart and soul.”

Kirjola discovered the play during one of Big Idea’s regular confabs when the company’s upcoming season is mapped out, and its members decide who is going to take on directorial duties.

“I just latched onto it,” said the Placerville native. “It was my favorite show out of all the plays we read. I pushed hard for it with my intention of directing it. Every actor in the show gets to play every emotion, so it’s a fun story to tell. I just got super excited about it.”

“Though I’m more of an actor than a director, this play really spoke to me,” continued Kirjola (“Arcadia”). “Even when I’m directing, I come to a play as an actor and will help my cast discover their characters. There’s so much going on with this script in particular, so I worked with each actor on points of humanity, and tried to engender a sense of fun during the process. I encourage them to try new things, and to join them in that process is definitely fun for me.”

Just as his cast has done, Kirjola said he hopes Sacramento-area audiences will take the leap with him to discover all that “Private Eyes” has to offer.

“Even my friends are cautious about seeing new shows because they’ve seen so much bad theater,” said Kirjola. “But this is an incredibly engaging show, and I think people – even those who don’t like theater, or have been bored by plays in the past – might be surprised at how entertaining it is.”

“Everyone has been lied to or deceived. We’re all 'private eyes' throughout the show; we’re all trying to put all of the loose ends together and solve the mystery. That, in itself, makes ‘Private Eyes’ an extremely rewarding and exciting – and fun – adventure.”

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: The Big Idea Theatre production of Steven Dietz's "Private Eyes"

WHEN: April 26 through May 25, 2013, with performances at 8 p.m. April 26 and 27, May 2 through 4, May 9 through 11, May 16 through 18, May 23 through 25

WHERE: Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, Calif.

WHO: Directed by Jouni Kirjola; featuring Bert Andersson (Adrian), Kristine David (Lisa), Dan Featherston (Matthew), Gregory Smith (Frank), "Mysterious Woman" (Nina Collins)

HOW MUCH: $14-$16 (online); $18-$20 (at the door); $10 "Thrifty Thursday" tickets available May 2, 9, 17, 24

MORE INFO: Call (916) 960-3036; www.bigideatheatre.com

Kaleidoscope fashion

2013-05-03T09:14:14Z

American River College's Fashion Department will hold a gala fashion show this Friday, May 3.

Up-and-coming designers will be featuring creative fashion for women, men and children.

The 12th Annual Fashion Show will feature 12 designers with unique collections. Designers have been preparing for the show since before a casting call that took place in early April.

The May 3 event has three fashion shows and each shows differs in price depending on the time of the event. Show times are 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Student discounts apply for a limited time. A note from the ARC Facebook shows a discount code for ARC students when they use promo code: ARCSTUDENT.

The spring show is called “Kaleidoscope.” Designers showcasing their fashionable wear and their collection will be:

Dure Arshad, Collection: “Cloudwalk”
Lisbeth Conteras, Collection: “Wonderland”
Tiffany Hagewood, Collection:: ”(to be named)”
Kristen Huss, Collection: “Echos of Mom”
Alexandra Kastner, Collection: “Mod Me Up”
Carolyn Keys, Collection: “Lil Madam”
Syu Martin, Collection: ”Gods & Monsters”
Svetlana Nalobina, Collection: “(to be named)”
Venice Ousley, Collection: “Incognita”
Saul Ramirez, Collection: “The Same Boy You’ve Always Known”
Helen Romero, Collection: “La Beaute”
Anha Tran, Collection: “Resilience The Courage to Come Back”

Several of these designers have experience showing their lines at different venues.

ARC recently announced that alum designer Nolan Kouri (aka Michael Kouri) would also be presenting a special collection. The Kouri collection will feature accessories by local designer Ruchi Shah. A Kouri collection was featured at this year's Sacramento Fashion Week.

ARC is located at 4700 College Oak Drive and parking will be available in Lot D. Log on to the ARC website and their Facebook page to learn more about the event.

Minor League Baseball: Thankfully, not the big leagues

2013-05-03T04:10:26Z

Watching the Sacramento River Cats isn’t like going to a Giants or A’s game – and that’s a good thing.

There’s nothing like the minor leagues, especially at the AAA level played by the hometown River Cats. Players in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) are as close to the Big Leagues and that big time money and fame as you can get. Fans in Sacramento waited more than 20 years for professional baseball to return before the Cats arrived in 2000, and were rewarded with being the top farm club for a franchise that’s a mere 100 miles away. That means you can watch a River Cats player at cozy Raley Field, then follow him to the highest level once he hits Oakland. Another local bonus is that Stockton is home of Oakland’s Single A team.

So sit back, or wander around the grandstand of beautiful Raley Field on a perfect summer night with a beer and bag of peanuts in hand, keeping a few things in mind:

Did the River Cats win? Who cares!
While it’s a lot of fun to see the River Cats play well and pound the opposition, especially if you’re an Oakland A’s fan, that’s not really the point of the minor leagues. There’s just too much player movement during the course of a minor league season to realize any sort of “team” concept. Feel blessed that in Sacramento the A’s organization of “Money Ball” fame yearly provides us with quality players. Fans have responded by making Sacramento one of the minor’s top draws. But does it really matter if they win or lose? Not really. What matters most are the almost 200 former River Cats players dotting MLB rosters. That group includes an American League Cy Young Award that went to Barry Zito, two AL Rookie of the Year winners – Eric Hinske and Bobby Crosby – as well as numerous others who have put together impressive careers, including Andre Ethier, Mark Ellis, Gio Gonzalez, Mark Belhorn, Eric Byrnes, Nick Swisher, and Hudson Street, to name just a few. You go to games at Raley Field so you can proudly say “I saw him when . . . “, not to watch a victory. Frankly, the players aren’t focused on if they win or lose – except maybe pitchers who carry that won/loss record everywhere they go. Players at Raley Field to generally fall into one of these categories:

A’s Prospects
Players for any minor league team are put there by the organization they represent, and the organization’s purpose is to prepare a player for the next step. Hungry prospects are the reason the minors are so exciting, and have a completely different vibe than the MLB. Last season was fantastic for both A’s and River Cats fans. Several of the players that helped lead the A’s to their magical AL West title run made a pit stop or two here at some point. The minors are essentially a numbers game, with too many good players for an MLB roster that is capped at 25 during the regular season.

One example: This year Sacramento has been able to again see pitcher Dan Straily, Oakland’s No. 2-rated prospect, who led all of professional baseball in strikeouts last year. Straily, however, is the A’s No. 6 starter in a five-man rotation, and as a result gets regularly yanked between the two teams. In 2012, Straily was with the A’s from mid-August on, and helped win some big games. He started this season with Oakland, beat the Houston Astros on April 6 – striking out 11 in less than seven innings – then was shipped back to Sacramento the next day when starter Bartolo Colon came off the disabled list. On April 29, he was back up to start against the Angels in what turned out to be an epic 10-8, 19-inning A’s win that was decided when former River Cat Brandon Moss hit a walk-off homer. Such is life in the minor leagues. Sacramento fans certainly benefit from that bumpy road to stardom.

River Cats fans will see a stadium full of talent all season. There are five first-round draft picks on the River Cats roster – veteran infielder Jemile Weeks, who already has 850 at bats in the majors, (brother of Milwaukee’s Rickie Weeks), outfielder Michael Choice, utility player Grant Green, and pitchers Sonny Gray and James Simmons.

Don’t Just Focus on the River Cats
Every team in the PCL playing in Sacramento has a major league organization feeding them players. Fresno (San Francisco Giants), Albuquerque (Los Angeles Dodgers), and Reno (Arizona Diamondbacks) are just a few of the more popular examples. Those teams will all come through Sacramento during 2013. For fans of the parent club, it’s a rare chance to see stars before they become stars. It’s no wonder Raley Field is packed with Giants fans every time the Fresno Grizzlies arrive. Many still remember Buster Posey playing here with Fresno (and in Stockton in 2009) the spring he went on to lead the Giants to a 2010 World Series title, earning Rookie of the Year in the process. Angels’ phenom Mike Trout played a series in Reno last year before he was called up, where he had an MVP-caliber season. And, as a Dodgers fan, I still not-so-fondly remember the time Brandon Belt made a 2011 weekend appearance for Fresno here where he couldn’t buy a base hit. Then a couple of days later, after being called up, he thumped the Dodgers with a home run and a couple of RBIs. Earlier this season, I caught a noon game at Raley Field and saw Arizona’s top-rated prospect, Tyler Skaggs, pitch against the River Cats. Those moments make watching the minor leagues a unique experience.

Thank the River Cats for making it easy to keep track of all the top PCL prospects, through the free program handed out at Raley Field each game. The program includes a list of every PCL team and top 10 prospects. Oakland’s top-rated prospect, by the way, is Addison Russell, who’s playing up the road in Stockton. Look for him in Sacramento soon.

Veteran Players
Every level of the minors will benefit during the season from a veteran player or two appearing in a few games, usually because of an injury rehab assignment. Second-year sensation Yoenis Cespedes, coming off a hand injury, played three games for the River Cats in late April and hit a 3-run homer. The Sunday after his rehab assignment ended, Cespedes hit a huge home run keying an Oakland victory. Keep on top of who’s rehabbing and you can often see an elite player, both pitchers and position players, in Sacramento.

Then there are the guys looking for that last shot with an organization before calling it a career. F.P. Santangelo, who grew up in Sacramento, was with several teams during his career – including the Giants and Dodgers. He finished with the River Cats and is now an announcer for the Washington Nationals. And who can forget the colorful Manny Ramirez, a sure Hall of Famer if not for a pesky PED problem, playing a number of games for the River Cats last season while trying to make a comeback. Oakland later released Manny before he played for the A’s, and he was last seen playing this spring in a Taiwanese league.

You Can’t Beat the View
With a capacity of about 14,000, Raley Field is one of the larger AAA parks (Reno’s capacity, in comparison, is 9,100). However, that’s still 30,000 seats less than an average MLB ballpark, yet virtually every seat at Raley would cost you at least a hundred bucks at AT&T in San Francisco. Plus, the view’s much better. Whether you’re in a seat, lounging on the grass, or walking around, you’re extremely close to the players. Getting one to toss you a ball or securing an autograph, especially if you’re a kid, is easy. At a recent sparsely attended day game, one young girl sitting along the dugout with her father went home with four baseballs.

The seat attendants at a Rivers Cats game are very accommodating about allowing folks to move into empty seats, especially past the halfway point of a ballgame. Attendants were much stricter at a game I attended in Reno earlier this year. Then again, the Reno Aces charge $10 for a general admission seat, as opposed to Sacramento’s $8, but Reno has tables along the stadium concourse facing the action where you can comfortably place a beer or food while watching the game. That means you’re not anchored to your seat and you feel freer to move around the ballpark. That’s a great idea I wish Raley Field would adopt.

The Sacramento River Cats and Raley Field are now a vital part of our region’s landscape. It’s impossible to think of a Sacramento summer without taking in a minor league ballgame. We’ve got the weather, a great ballpark, and an organization that believes in stocking a strong minor league system. Take advantage, and you’ll enjoy watching the MLB up the road even more.

Actor Dan Fagan adds playwright to résumé with 'A Tiger Without Mercy'

2013-05-02T18:00:25Z

On June 24, boxing fans around the world will commemorate the 118th anniversary of William “Jack” Dempsey’s birth.

This evening – May 2 – Sacramento’s Geery Theatre gets the party started for the well-liked heavyweight champ with its world premiere of Dan Fagan’s “A Tiger Without Mercy.” The one-man show, starring Fagan as Dempsey (as well as some 30 real-life figures in the prizefighter’s life), and directed by Anthony D’Juan, continues through May 10.

As the first-time playwright (and up-and-coming actor) details, this “Tiger” is no blindly “Raging Bull,” but neither is he a pussycat. Dubbed “the Manassa Mauler” by writer (and boxing aficionado) Damon Runyon, whose Broadway-based stories inspired such works as “Guys and Dolls” and “The Lemon Drop Kid,” Dempsey was a gritty, small-town Colorado boy who would develop world-class tactical skills to complement his God-given boxing talents.

Writer Joyce Carol Oates calls his style “fast, direct and merciless.” Journalist Mike Casey, calls Dempsey the greatest of all time.

“Jack, the ninth of 11 children of an impoverished family of Mormon itinerant workers in Colorado, welded brilliant technique and strategy with a stupendous punch like no other boxer,” writes Casey in one of the many pieces on the coal miner-turned-heavyweight champ Fagan would study during the seven months he spent researching and writing “A Tiger Without Mercy.”

“His punches came packed with the full power of his entire shoulder span," continues Casey. "He was a nightmare of an opponent. He hated sharing the ring with anybody else. He appeared to be a fist fighter from another planet. It was no coincidence that they called him ‘the man killer.’"

“The chilling term of ‘man killer’ wasn’t casually lumped on Jack Dempsey in the throwaway manner that nicknames are handed out today. It was thoroughly earned in the toughest schools the fight game has ever seen. It was earned thrillingly, violently and sometimes shockingly by a unique force of nature.”

“He was a great personality to write about,” said Fagan of Dempsey, who elicited his fair share of roars during the Roaring ‘20s. “He was someone who started with nothing, but who achieved a lot. As an actor and a writer, I’m drawn to characters who are complex and interesting – Dempsey fit the bill.”

Fagan, who, as a very young boxer-to-be, spent three successful years in the ring making his father proud and his mother nervous, brings more of himself to his script (and to his performance as Dempsey) than a shared appreciation of the manly art.

Born and brought up in a cozy, cloistered community (Cody, Wyo.) whose population has yet to hit exceed four digits, Fagan was drawn to televised bouts, and then to the local boxing gym.

“I fell in love with it,” said Fagan, 27, who went on to become a two-time state boxing champion. “It was a very demanding sport, and forced me to be committed and dedicated.”

But when city-funded support was cut, Fagan looked for other outlets for his energy. He found some satisfaction in playing a variety of team sports, but nothing was quite the same as lacing up the gloves and going mano-a-mano.

“I grew up in the country outside of town – swimming in the canal, climbing mountains and hay bales, and riding horses,” he said. “We didn’t have cable, we had five TV channels. It wasn’t a typical childhood, but it was a memorable one.”

But Fagan was eager to escape the confines of village life, and pursued a variety of odd jobs that he looked to take him to more romantic locales than the interior of a coal mine. His wanderlust would eventually land him in Buenos Aires, where he bartended until his visa expired.

“I always had a desire to go out and see other places – much like Jack Dempsey,” said Fagan. “I had a fascination with South America. To me, Buenos Aires was mysterious place, deserving of the nickname ‘the Paris of South America.’ I made a snap decision to go there and live for a while.

“It was a wonderful three months.”

But as they say, all good things must come to an end.

“I was 22, and I asked myself, ‘Now what are you going to do?’”

The answer turned out to be head back to Sacramento where he had family living in nearby Elk Grove.

While taking classes at Cosumnes River College, he met drama instructor and River Stage founder Frank Condon who invited him to participate in the 2010 premiere of his “True Life Stories” project about the personal and professional challenges facing six student actors. (Think “A Chorus Line” without the dance belts and Danskins.)

Since then, Fagan completed a successful acting internship at the B Street Theatre, nailing a number of roles along the way, including parts in the company’s productions of “Carapace,” “In Absentia,” and “We Declare.” Additional Sacramento-area credits include “Strangers on a Train” (Actor’s Theatre of Sacramento), and “My Fellow Creatures” and “Liar” (EMH Productions).

Looking back on his short-lived career as a pre-teen boxer, Fagan said the program’s closure was the best thing that could have happened to him.

“After I stopped boxing, I made this huge discovery in theater,” said Fagan. “It changed the course of my life, and it was all for the best.”

To view additional production photographs, click here.

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: The world premiere of "A Tiger Without Mercy"

WHEN: 8 p.m. May 2, 3, 6, 9, 10

WHERE: The Geery Theatre, 2130 L St., Sacramento, Calif.

WHO: Written and performed by Dan Fagan; directed by Anthony D'Juan

TICKETS: Call (307) 250-1891

Mural unveiling at Rio Americano High School

2013-05-02T06:24:59Z

Paul Valéry, the French writer, poet and philosopher, once said, “An artist never really finishes his work, he merely abandons it.” Those words exemplify the process that took place over a three-year period to create a mural at Rio Americano High School.

On Tuesday night, April 30, the unveiling of the completed mural took place at Rio's band building.

The high school's “Rio Music” project commenced in 2010 with the sponsorship and support of the Sacramento River Cats and the Rio Band Boosters.

Artist Markos Egure was commissioned for the project, which proceeded in three different phases. Egure's other artistic work can be seen at various sites in the Sacramento area. Egure, and the company he founded, Wes Kos Images, have been creating projects in the Sacramento area since the company was established in 1997.

The Rio Music Project Mural unveiling and celebration included wonderful music by three young talented musicians.

A couple dozen supporters were on hand as they enjoyed the soothing sounds performed by the Rio trio.

The Rio Americano Band Program directors, Josh Murray and Max Kiesner, were also on hand to meet and greet visitors.

Murray addressed the crowd, thanking them for being at the event. Murray indicated the school had been built around 1965, and at the time was just going to be a temporary campus. “It was only supposed to be here 10-15 years, so they weren't thinking about aesthetics,” said Murray as he explained the mural project.

The idea of doing a mural was tossed around. “We wanted people to see the mural when they came to the school,” said Murray, and continued, “It would be the first thing they would see and notice that music is important and that it could be a source of pride for the whole school, for the community, for every kid that walks through this door.”

Murray also shared that after the decision was made to create a mural, the artist was found via a Google search, resulting in the selection of Egure, although his name did not pop up on the first page.

When Egure addressed the crowd, he talked about the process of beginning the mural in 2010. The artist gave some reasons for doing the project, and noted that the most important reason turned out to be the students, the future talent that practiced and played in the building.

“Overall the mural took one year and one week over three years’ time,” noted Egure, who said he was already looking at the other walls of the building. Egure's donated project took a lot of his time, but he noted that he does this type of work as part of giving back and being involved in community art. Egure has created 28 murals in schools he's been associated with and has donated 22 projects as part of giving back to the community.

As you drive into the Rio Americano campus, located at 4540 American River Dr., the band building is indeed the first thing that grabs you attention.

Egure has several other projects in the works. Beginning this summer, he will start on a mural at the YMCA, and also shared that he will be featured on a “Yard Crashers” episode in May or June of 2013.

"A Little Princess" STC world premier a major sucess

2013-05-02T06:10:11Z

A major theatrical event took place in Sacramento on Saturday night, April 27, with the Sacramento Theater Company’s world premiere of “A Little Princess.” It is a musical with close creative ties to Sacramento, a show with a potential to reach a huge audiences, given its launch in a Sacramento Theater Company production that could not be more pitch perfect in any way.

William J. Brooke has created a wonderful playbook based on popular English-American writer Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s novel of the same name. Burnett is best known for her children’s books published just before and after the turn of the 19th century, “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” “The Little Princess” and “A Secret Garden.” The great popularity of the books, along with her other writing, and her family’s resources, allowed Burnett to live like the little princess she describes.

The book’s elements are present in the production, such as British rigid classism: men escaping responsibility in the name of country and fortune to hang out in the jungles with their drinking buddies of the same class, paying others to deal with family responsibilities. The production also shows some of those most negatively impacted by the classism and unforgiving roles work the hardest to maintain them, Brooke has chosen to focus on developing parent-child bonds and how having an imagination can be a powerful resource even in times of great adversity.

Lyricist Margaret Rose has crafted wonderful words for songs that could easily stand on their own, but also move the story forward in a poetic way. A sign of a successful Broadway musical is that it contains songs that will be covered by artists who are well-known and those who are now, from hit recordings to performances on cabaret stages around the world. What Rose and composer Eric Rockwell have created with “A Little Princess” has a very strong potential to reach that level as a musical.

Rockwell’s score does much to propel “A Little Princess” into the eventual Broadway production territory. Who but a composer that has made a hit show out of sending up Broadway with “Musical of Musicals, the Musical,” can go to the other side and create a pitch-perfect score for what could be viewed as a very traditional Broadway musical. (Search for Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Tony Award, “Book of Mormon,” “Avenue Q.”)

But please do not confuse “A Little Princess” with either of the last two plays mentioned as to thematic elements, but in terms of collaborative development among artists with a history of skewing exactly what they are now producing. All three are in the same boat and that boat has won several well-deserved Tony Awards.

Just as outstanding as I found the play, Sacramento Theatre Company in its entirety has produced just as outstanding a production of “A Little Princess.” Everything simply shines here, from the performances, sets and costuming, to Michael Laun’s direction. This production has the feel of a show that became popular, and having now been released to regional theatre, has been given a rousing original production, not the first production of a new show.
Of all the many perfect performances in “A Little Princess,” I have to begin with the opening night pairing of professional and beloved Sacramento actor Jerry Lee and STC Young Professionals Conservatory fifth-year actor Alyssa Middleton.

What is so amazing about Lee’s performance of Captain Crewe is how he demonstrates a growth in maturity in a character, so believable that it echoes his 2011 staged reading performance as Marvin (Graham-A-Rama “In Trousers”).

Middleton, another very impressive YPC actor who plays Sara, has great chemistry with Lee and demonstrates the same level of growth in maturity in the parent-child relationship from their first duet “I Know You By Heart.” The song received a well-deserved loud ovation, and has the potential to be the first popularly performed number from “A Little Princess” for writers Rockwell and Rose.

Middleton gave an inspiring performance opposite both her fellow YPC classmates and the far more experienced adult and professional actors. She did embody a little princess. The show is being compared to “Annie,” but Sara is a little more like Shirley Temple who, in fact, played Sara Crewe in a 1939 film version. Middleton eschewed both the comic book and the cutesy to create her own more balanced, real girl that connected so strongly with the audience.

Josh Powell is well-cast as Tom Carrisford, who leads Crewe into the misadventure that bankrupts and kills him. Carrisford, while remaining a British upper-class twit, feels an obligation to find Sara and give to her the share of the fortune that was eventually found back in India. Powell is beautiful to listen to, including in a beautiful duet with Lee’s Crewe, “You Need Me.”

New York-based actress Deborah Tranelli plays Miss Minchin, owner of the girls’ boarding school where Sara Crewe goes from princess to lowest servant. Miss Minchin is a character damaged by both a relationship and her finances gone wrong. Tranelli never veers off into the comic or overwrought, making Minchin frighteningly real. We do learn why Minchin is the way she is, mostly through the songs, which are some of the best in the show, and are powerfully delivered by Tranelli.
The narrator that keeps the audience informed of much of the goings-on is Ram Dass, Carrisford’s trusted (maybe), loyal (not sure), smarter-than-the-boss (definitely) native servant. Brazilian native and recent drama school graduate Michael De Souza plays Ram Dass with wry humor. With a slight move of his hand, De Souza had the audience roaring with laughter over the native servant outsmarting the colonial boss.

Another STC YPC graduate who has gone on to attain a prestigious education (Oklahoma City University for music theatre, under Florence Birdwell), Tyler Wipfli is quite charming and shows off her vocal talent well as Mariette, Sara’s kind and understanding French maid.

Martha Omiyo Kight, long popular as an actor-singer in the area, is reunited here with composer Rockwell and actor Lee, having appeared in the STC production of “Musical.” She fits the role of Amelia, Miss Minchen’s not-so-evil sister, very well, and as always is a joy to hear.

There are two rotating casts of seven actors from the Young Professionals Conservatory that perform the children’s roles. I have spoke of Middleton’s performance in the title role. Having seen Lauren Metzinger in other roles and performances (“Ruthless!” and “ Brighton Beach Memoirs”) at STC, I am sure that she gives just as powerful a performance.

Other standouts from the YPC on opening night included Tori Johnston as Becky, a scullery maid and Sara’s roommate in the attic; Devin Hayakawa as Ermengarde, Sara’s biggest fan; and Abbey Williams-Campbell as Lavinia, Sara’s biggest skeptic.

STC Executive Producing Director Michael Laun’s staging and direction of “A Little Princess” brings with it all his experience and knowledge of directing large-scale musicals on the STC Mainstage, such as “A Christmas Carol.” His incorporation of Michelle Hillen-Noufer’s lovely choreography into the show, just the general staging and especially the performances he elicited from his actors make this some of Laun’s best work.

Backing up this cast is an orchestra with Elaine Lord, percussion; Alex Winter, cello; John Dolittle, reeds; and Beverly Wesner Hoehn, harp, all led by one of Sacramento’s most popular music directors, Erik Daniells, on piano. Daniells was also the music director with Laun when he directed the STC production of “Musical of Musicals.”

Kelly James Tighe’s scenic design, lit by Jordan Burkholder, along with Jessica Minnihan’s costumes, gives “A Little Princess” just the right look.

Sacramento should rightly be proud of how much local talent went into creating its world-premier production. It is a great play, with the production it deserves. Those who attend not only get an afternoon or evening’s entertainment, but will also be some of the first to experience what could very likely become a long-running Broadway musical.

Certified Farmers' Market at Caesar Chavez Plaza opens | PHOTOS

2013-05-02T02:48:18Z

The newly designed Caesar Chavez Plaza Farmers' Market opened today amongst great temperatures and a windy day.

Lots of farmer's stands, food servers and a good crowd made for a successful opening day.

Here are some photos:

The stands remain fairly consistent throughout the season. If you saw something you liked, you should be able to find it when you go.

For information on Sacramento's Farmers Markets CLICK HERE.

Choose your own adventure: Brew up a road trip

2013-05-01T06:16:43Z

Now is the time for a semi-local brew road trip. Pick a couple of friends, find a designated driver, promise him or her a growler of choice – beer to go, fresh from the brewery tap – for the end of the trip, and visit one, two or all of the mouthwatering breweries just west of Sacramento. Road trip!

Starting from home, you might want to first hit up your favorite growler stop, though this all depends on where you plan to spend the night. Don't let it get warm! Track 7, Hoppy and Berryessa all have growlers. Toss a cooler stocked with ice in your trunk for growlers and 22-ouncers that you pick up along the way.

Did you remember to find a designated driver? Be sure to do so – and not just your best friend's pregnant wife, because that's just not fair. Suck it up and take turns. Just imagine the intelligent conversation you could have sober with brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo at Russian River Brewing Company.

Head west on Interstate 80 towards Davis. Here's where you make your first decision. You could take State Route 113 north all the way to Main Street in Woodland if you'd like to check out Black Dragon Brewery – either for the taproom or for homebrewing supplies.

Your other option is to get off in Davis and take Russell Boulevard, aka Lincoln Highway, west towards Winters. Stay glued to Russell (it becomes Grant Avenue in Winters, so no worries if it changes on you), and just after you get through town you'll run into Berryessa Brewing Company. It's almost impossible to get lost; there's just not that much else around.

Your next stop depends on the car you're driving – at least, it does for me.

View Larger Map

Somehow I live in the valley without air conditioning, so I hug the bay for as long as possible. If you are in a similar position or simply prefer to road trip with the windows down and the breeze on your face, I recommend heading south on I-505 to I-80 and then curving west on Route 37 in cooler air. This also adds the possibility of a stop at Moylan's. This brewery and restaurant is located in Novato just north on U.S. Highway 101 after the junction of 101 and 37. You can even see the brew tank from the highway. Growler refill opportunity! If traffic is bad, perhaps you should stay for a bratwurst and sauerkraut as well.

You are now about to enter the beer wonderland that is Highway 101. Lagunitas Brewing Company is in Petaluma – go "Around the World" with friends and try 16 of their beers as part of a lengthy tasting. After that is Santa Rosa, where you will find yourself in heaven drinking Pliny the Elder and munching on Pliny pizza bites at Russian River Brewing Company (obvious growler opportunity as part of your Pliny parade).

View Larger Map

2. Wait, were you totally repulsed by the idea of freeways and Marin County gated communities? There's some relief for you on State Route 128. From Berryessa Brewing Company, Grant Avenue will become winding 128, taking you through the Putah Creek Wildlife Area and on to Lake Berryessa, where I've been known to seek sweet lakeside ecstasy on a 100-degree day.

After a fair to moderate amount of curving up, around and over hills, you'll find yourself heading through vineyards, fields of wild mustard and beautiful vistas on the way to St. Helena. I know, the wineries are tempting, but remember, this is a beer road trip. Stay focused. Highway 128 gets a little messy on the way there – why weave south and then west and north? I prefer to stay northbound and simply continue on Silverado Trail. From St. Helena, go west on Route 12 to Santa Rosa. Please note: If you choose this route, you will have to (and should) hit up Lagunitas on the way home, because you will not be passing through Petaluma.

Head west out of St. Helena on Spring Mountain Road. This will meet up with Calistoga Road and feed into Santa Rosa and your subsequent Pliny parade.

Itching to continue? Drive just a half-hour farther north to the town of Healdsburg, the home of Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Cloverdale is just past Healdsburg, yes, still on 101, and next is Ukiah, where you will find Ukiah Brewing Company's organic brewpub and restaurant.

From there? Well, you might as well just persevere and head to the North Coast. An Old Rasputin Russian imperial stout is all the better with the rough coastal winds beating against the window panes in whatever small, cozy Fort Bragg establishment you choose for the evening.

And that's it! You have everything you need for the beer weekend of a lifetime. Can you believe all these amazing breweries are within range? Thank you, NorCal.

Tips for a good time? Make it a long weekend, book a couple of budget hotels or campgrounds and switch drivers daily. But remember to switch. Your friend will never forgive you if you skip your turn and they miss out on Berryessa, Bear Republic and Russian River, you douche.

Good luck, and cheers!

For more Sacramento Beer Writer updates, sign up for the newsletter here. You can also follow me on Twitter.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Get festive with Cinco de Mayo in Sacramento

2013-04-30T18:41:45Z

Tequila, tacos, maybe some more tequila—these are but some of the tasty aspects of the quickly-approaching Cinco de Mayo. If you're lucky enough to spend this fifth of May in Sacramento, there's also comedy, music, and more to make your Cinco de Mayo celebration a festive one.

In addition to the events below, find even more in Sacramento365.com's Holiday Events section.

Laugh a lot:

Sacramento Cinco de Mayo Festival: Sleep Train Arena; Sun 6pm
Enjoy non-stop laughter on stage with the Latin Stars of Comedy, row after row of low rider cars on display, and Latin All-Stars Band playing all your favorite songs non-stop live.
Cinco de Mayo Comedy Jam: Punch Line Comedy Club; Sun 7pm
Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo along with the funniest Latin and urban comedians in California, all in one show.

Feast festively:

Tamale Party: Food Co-op's Community Learning Center & Cooking School; Thurs 6pm-8:30pm
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, students are invited to join Chef Dio for this hands-on workshop, where they'll learn to make delicious tamales in their home kitchen.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta: Centro Cocina Mexicana;
Sat Noon-2am; Sun Noon-9pm
The two-day party will include drink and food specials, an extended patio, no cover, an outdoor bar, music, and a pinata giveaway.
Tapas & Tutus: Elks Tower Historic Ballroom;
Sun 2pm-5pm *VIP Party 5pm-7pm
The benefit for the Sacramento Ballet features a variety of tapas stations, margarita and tequila bar, celebrity salsa bar, and entertainement galore.

Get your drink on:

6th Annual Tequila Festival: Zocalo; Thurs 6pm-9pm
Get your Cinco de Mayo weekend started right and join for this event featuring tequila tastings, appetizers, and a cigar bar.
Cinco de Old Sacto: Old Sacramento Bars; Sun 6pm-2am
All participating bars will have food and drink specials as well as live music, comedy, karaoke, and dancing.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Alison Kranz is Assistant Editor for Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Arts Day of Giving at Mulvaney's

2013-04-30T02:03:58Z

GiveLocalNow has a good competitive spirit. It's a 24-hour online giving for the arts. It's aim is to raise money for Arts. $500,000 is their goal.

It kicked off at 4:29am and continues until 4:29am tomorrow (Tuesday).

More than 75 participating arts organizations are asking the public to give an online donation as small as $25 to the arts via a mobile-friendly website, givelocalnow.org.

Kelly Lind who works with the Sacramento Region Community Foundation said when she gave her donation at 6:30am online, the total donated at that point was around $32,000. When she got into the office at 8:30 it was up to the $100,000 mark.

As of 6:23pm Monday, $316,506 has been raised, past the half-way point to the goal of $500,000. Not including the $100,000 match Wells Fargo, Western Health Advantage, Barry and Linda Keller, Enlow and Melena Ose Arts Endowment Fund, SAFE Credit Union, Jean Runyon Endowment for the Arts Fund and others! All donations are tax deductible.

From 11am - 1pm 19th St in front of Mulvaneys was closed for a lunchtime event accompanied by music by the Sacramento Blues Society, dance by Instituto Mazaltan Ballet Association.

Food trucks serving were Simply Southern Food, Drewski's, Bacon Mania and Krush Burger.

Douglas Adam Bradley worked on a wooden sculpture just outside the doors into Mulvaney's.

Folks have until 4:29am Tuesday to donate to the arts online.

Go to givelocalnow.org and show your support for the arts with a donation!

The photos are from Mulvaney's around lunchtime:

Remember you have until 4:29am Tuesday to help the Arts!!!

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Sacramento's historic Crest Theatre: Another busy week!

2013-04-29T04:14:20Z

Another busy week at the Crest Theatre

A little over 100 years ago, in January 1913, what we now know as the Crest Theatre first opened its doors as the Empress, a vaudeville theater - soon to be renamed the Hippodrome. In 1946 it closed for extensive remodeling, re-opening in 1949 as the Crest with an interior much as you can still enjoy it today, thanks to extensive renovation and care from the current ownership team and staff.

A couple of months ago, news leaked out that the Crest would no longer routinely schedule films on its two smaller screens, disappointing many who feared that Sacramento would lose its only truly independent movie theater (The Tower Theatre being part of a small chain). But this new development, the most recent of many re-inventions of this historic venue, doesn't seem to be slowing down activity at the theater.

To some extent, because films are no longer locked into week-long engagements, there's actually more flexibility to book special screenings of films that otherwise wouldn't make it to Sacramento - you just have to keep a slightly closer eye on the calendar to keep up with what's coming. And that's in addition to the regular schedule of speakers, musicians, comedians, and other events that the Crest continues to host.

Just check out this week's activity and you'll see what a treasure the Crest is and continues to be:

Monday has a daytime theatrical performance, geared towards local schoolchildren as part of an ongoing and frequent educational and cultural series. There's also a private event on the books and you can check here to find out more about booking the Crest for parties, weddings, screenings, or anything else you'd like to share with up to 1,000 of your closest friends.

Tuesday has an exclusive one-night only screening of "Jay and Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie" with filmmakers Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes on hand for a post-screening Q&A. More details here.

Wednesday has another daytime play for schoolchildren as well as another exclusive one-night screening, this time of political documentary "The United States of Alec" which aims to shed light on the American Legislative Exchange Council," a group described as hiding "...vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge." More details here.

Thursday has "Inside Amy Schumer" with the comedienne and Comedy Central host live on stage. More details here.

Friday somehow manages to accommodate another private event as well as the "Teen Digital Showcase," screening of the works of young filmmakers as part of the Tower of Youth film program. Friday is also the first of three nights for a short-run, exclusive engagement of "Upstream Color" from filmmaker Shawn Carruth. Carruth is best known for his 2004 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize winning "Primer." "Upstream Color" is gaining similar praise and attention and has won acclaim again at Sundance, this time with a Special Jury Award. More details here.

Saturday has author and audience favorite David Sedaris returning to the Crest. More details here. "Upstream Color" also continues on screen - see Friday for details.

Sunday has a special screening of "Infinity and Chashu Ramen" presented by Norcal Buddhist Churches. More details here. "Upstream Color" also continues on screen - see Friday for details.

If that's too much to remember, and that's only one week's worth of events, you can sign up for the Crest's email newsletters here.

You can also follow the Crest on facebook here or search for "Crest Sacramento."

I may be a little biased as the co-director of one of the many film festivals that call the Crest home, but this is a true gem in our midst and one of the few businesses that has braved both good times and bad on what's now The Kay, Sacramento's downtown stretch of K Street.

So check out what's happening right on your doorstep at the Crest Theatre, the Heart of Sacramento.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: The author is co-director of the Sacramento Film and Music Festival, one of at least eight (it's a little hard to keep track of them all!) film festivals that are hosted by the wonderful folks at the Crest Theatre.

School dad runs circles around fundraising - PHOTOS

2013-04-28T21:07:43Z

Forget about bake sales and raffle tickets. Lincoln resident Tony Overbay knows how to get people excited about school fundraising.

Overbay is an experienced marathon and ultra-marathon runner. On Friday morning, he put his feet to work to raise money for school sports programs at Glen Edwards Middle School (GEMS) in Lincoln. His goal: to run 125 miles within a 24-hour period.

This is the third year that Overbay has used a 24-hour run to promote the GEMS 5K run. In his first year, he set a goal for 100 miles. He accomplished 111 miles. The second year he ran 120 miles. He accomplished his 125 mile goal on Saturday morning.

GEMS students joined Overbay during the day Friday as he looped the school track. Later in the day, he moved his run to the Lincoln High School where the 5K run started the next morning. Over 350 people signed up for the run that wound through Lincoln neighborhoods.

Del Paso Blvd hosts 4th annual Spring Carnival | Photos

2013-04-28T02:35:30Z

Friday night the Del Paso Blvd Partnership kicked off its 4th annual Spring Carnival. It's like a scaled-down version of the State Fair.

Part of the proceeds go to the beautification project for the area.

It runs through Sunday night.

Here's some opening night shots:

Admission is FREE!

Midtown Farmers Market [Photos]

2013-04-28T00:58:07Z

The first Midtown Farmers Market was held today. The market takes place on Saturdays (year round, rain or shine) and is held on J Street between 20th and 21st streets, in the parking lot next to the Sacramento Native American Health Center.

Here's some photos from the first edition:

Here's the schedule for the upcomg events:

Saturdays 8am-1pm

Individual Dates & Times: *

Apr 27, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
May 4, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
May 11, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
May 18, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
May 25, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
Jun 1, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
Jun 8, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
Jun 15, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
Jun 22, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
Jun 29, 2013: 8 am - 1 pm (Sat)

Sac Pride Live hits the air Saturday night

2013-04-27T02:49:44Z

It is always exciting when a new media organization starts up and provides readers and listeners with news you are truly interested in and entertainment to lighten your day. The new Sac Pride Media Group led by Tyler Edwards will launch the first ever live LGBTQ weekly radio show, “Sac Pride Live” on local Talk 650 KSTE Radio as well as worldwide on iHeartRadio, by app on your Smartphone or online at www.iheart.com/live/Talk-650-KSTE-229. The first show will air live Saturday, April 27 after the River Cats game between 10:00 PM and 12 midnight.

On-air hosts for Sacramento’s newest source for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community, will be realtor Tyler Edwards and well-known poet and spoken word artist, Jovi Radtke. Members of the production team include fellow realtor Todd Lohse and Kevin Manz.

Edwards says the focus of the show will be to, “end labels and start conversations.”

“I have been working on this project for a long time and in developing Sac Pride Live as well as a bi-monthly insert in the Sacramento News and Review, and future expansions into social media, I hope we can provide a venue where we can discuss topics that touch us, engage us, and even make us angry. This conversation will not only be for those in the gay community but also outside the community, our allies as well as those who don’t understand us.”

Radtke who is very comfortable in front of an audience belting out her creative poetry of life, love, and heartbreak should do very well in her new job as co-host of a radio show that will be heard by tens of thousands of listeners both locally and world-wide.

“This is very exciting to start on my new adventure with a radio program that locally gives a brand new voice that didn’t exist until now,” said Radtke.

In explaining what listeners might have in store for them in the weeks to come Radtke said listeners can look forward to local, regional, national and even world news and entertainment of the day like marriage equality, Prop 8, bullying and peer abuse in our schools and hate crimes in our neighborhood. We hope to interview interesting and engaging people from all walks of life and talk about upcoming events like Sacramento Pride, Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and other fun events for the whole family.”

Edwards wanted to emphasize that the show will not “back away from controversial issues plaguing us both within our community and outside. We want to have an open and honest conversation about the problems we have as well as celebrate what makes us fabulous”.

“While we might not solve all the problems of the world, our show will at least bring to light and give voice to those who may have really good suggestions on how to live with each other in harmony and respect”.

“Our first program will be mainly introducing ourselves to our listeners in the first hour and in the second hour our first guest will be Michael ‘Misha’ Kennedy owner of Kennedy Gallery Art Center. In the future we will welcome community members to call in and offer their thoughts on issues discussed on the program”.

“Each week should prove to be interesting, enlightening, entertaining, engaging and sometimes very controversial.”

For more information about Sac Pride Media or Sac Pride Live visit their web site at www.SacPrideLive.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SacPrideLive. If you are interested in being a guest or would like to suggest a subject contact Sac Pride Media’s Administrative Executive Melissa Martinez at Melissa.Martinez@sacpridemedia.com.

Disclosure: Ken Pierce is a freelance journalist. Ken was not paid for writing this article. You can contact Ken Pierce by email: kpierce8272@yahoo.com.

Film Review: What's in a name like Mud?

2013-04-26T22:31:05Z

“Mud” film review by Gary Chew

Imagine if you can, a film actors’ school for men only. The primary acting coaches at the school are Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall ... and maybe Sam Elliott.

Now you have a good impression of how most of the men in “Mud” talk and act. “Mud” was a contentious film at Cannes last year; written and directed by native Arkansan, Jeff Nichols. His earlier film was “Take Shelter” (2011).

Two of the males in “Mud” who seem as though they might have been influenced by Jones and Duvall are in their early teens. Tye Sheridan (“The Tree of Life”) plays 14-year-old Ellis and Jacob Lofland (from Yell County Arkansas) plays his best bud, Neckbone, the same age. These whippersnappers are just aching to have a big adventure. Nichols' script gives it to these young fellows - right between the eyes.

That's because the kids happen onto Mud - played so winningly by Matthew McConaughey - hiding out on a small, tree-filled island in the middle of the Mississippi River. The boys boat out to the island seeking an inboard motorboat that's snagged in a tree on the island, after the big river bloated earlier due to flooding. Someone in their nearby town told Ellis and Neckbone about the abandoned craft.

However, the vessel isn't abandoned. The boys find clues in and around the boat that indicate there's someone using it for shelter. That would be Mud on the lam.

Mud's in trouble for shooting a man dead who beat up Mud's longtime love, Juniper; that would be Reese Witherspoon. The Arkansas State Police are after Mud's butt.

Mud tends to stretch the truth some. But overall, despite his killing that bad guy, Mud's a good man. He needs food and parts to rebuild the boat that's up in the tree. The boat is how he and Juniper will escape from the really bad guys, led by the weird head of the Texas family just into DeWitt, Arkansas, to waste Mud for Mud’s killing of the Texas man’s son who beat up Juniper. The weird, heavy-voiced daddy is done by Joe Don Baker. Remember him?

Another notable on hand for this Razorback ruckus is Sam Shepard, a retired and solitary Marine sharpshooter who lives in his houseboat just across the river from Ellis' mom and dad's houseboat. Ellis' dad makes his living off the river selling fish. Mom and Dad are on the verge of splitting up, which would put an end to Ellis and his dad living along the water - something they love. Ellis' mom thinks riverside residing is passe. She's a serious, dedicated and loving mother.

Sheridan and Lofland's roles work as the go between for Mud and Juniper somewhat like that seen with a singular teenage boy in the 1972 film, “The Go Between,” which comes from a mid 50s novel by the English author L. P. Hartley. “Mud” belongs more to the pair than McConaughey.

Young Sheridan's turn is particularly impressive, much as his role as the son of Brad Pitt's character in “The Tree of Life.” Master Sheridan may well be a future Hollywood heart throb for young women like those who confound his character so well in “Mud.”

There's lots of male-female rub going on: adult men and adult women not making out well at getting on together … lots of male-female discord as well, with teenage boys being disenchanted by how coy that girls of their generation can be regarding romance, especially considering how inexperienced young fellows can be at their awkward yet hyper-girl-curious age. Some of it is lots of fun to watch.

A subplot brings Ellis in contact with May Pearl, played by Bonnie Sturdivant. May Pearl is two or three years older and six inches taller than Ellis, but Ellis is in love. She thinks he's cool for standing up to a senior high school boy who's been hassling her.

The power of “Mud” (PG-13) is how it portrays how things are … whether in a rural community or anywhere.

Men sometimes wish to hold on to what they've had, so far … sometimes they want to take revenge on others for acts of wrongdoing. And all the time, they don't think clearly when it involves a relationship with a woman - or even a girl.

Witherspoon is alluring as Mud's obsession. She loves him, but seems unable to hold to just one relationship. Sarah Paulson plays Ellis' mom, Mary Lee. Wow. She has brief face time, but runs the show when onscreen. Ray McKinnon as Senior, Ellis' dad, shows the fatigue of a man at the end of his rope, thinking he's not a good husband or father but, as with most characters in the film, means well.

“Mud” is a subtle mix of “Winter's Bone” and “Deliverance,” without the darker moments seen in the memorable 1972 backwoods-river story directed by John Boorman.

Jeff Nichols has provided a good movie. His actors are all top-of-the-line with their performances. If you're from the South or have spent much time along a large waterway you'll sense, more so, the authenticity that seeps from an engrossing story about two young bucks who meet up with a wiry man called Mud.

Copryright © 2013 by Gary Chew. All right reserved“Mud” film review by Gary Chew

4 New films: The Big Wedding - The Company You Keep - Pain & Gain - Mud

2013-04-26T20:26:57Z

A mixed bag of four new films

It’s a busy week at the movies and a mixed bag of outcomes, including veteran stars who elevate their material and films that both benefit and suffer by being associated with true stories.

The Big Wedding
Written and Directed by Justin Zackham

This is the first of two movies this week that become more than they might otherwise be by virtue of their casts. In this case, what would otherwise probably be a C+ grade comedy romp is pulled up a notch or two by stars Robert De Niro, Susan Sarandon (see below also), Diane Keaton, and a refreshingly understated performance from Robin Williams.

It’s a surprisingly raunchy-at-times (and appropriately R-rated) take on a dysfunctional family wedding with a modern twist, in that bridegroom Alejandro (Ben Barnes) finds himself trying to juggle three mothers (or mother figures): His staunchly catholic and Columbian biological mother, his now-divorced adoptive mother, and his adoptive father’s long-time girlfriend who has been a quasi step-mother.

Some of the familial relationships feel quite genuine at times, including sibling rivalry raised to the level of sport, and the film has enough funny moments to cause subsequent lines of dialog to be obscured by audience laughter. But it’s also rather unbalanced and inconsistent, with somewhat abrupt editing, and the fact that it works even as well as it does is because of the talent and gravitas of the actors delivering the lines. If the thought of A-list actors in a C-grade sex comedy is appealing to you, this could be your movie.

Sidenote: I see a lot of movies, including horror films and thrillers, and few things have shocked me as much recently as watching a character in “The Big Wedding” casually throw a martini glass into a swimming pool. Which just goes to demonstrate how much I’m affected by real life scenarios as I leaned over to my companion and said “They’re going to have to drain that entire pool!”

The Company You Keep
Directed by Robert Redford

“The Company You keep” has an even more impressive cast than “The Big Wedding” including, again, Susan Sarandon, along with Robert Redford, Julie Christie, Stanley Tucci, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Elliott, Richard Jenkins, Chris Cooper, Nick Nolte, Terrence Howard, and relative youngsters (who look like teenagers by comparison) Brit Marling, Anna Kendrick, and Shia LeBeouf. Frankly, it’s a dream cast and I’d probably enjoy watching them all play dead for two hours – so I go into a film like this with an inherent bias.

Sarandon plays a suburban housewife who, for three decades, has hidden her identity as a former member of The Weather Underground – a Vietnam War era domestic protest group that elevated their activities to a level that we would now label terrorism. She took part in a bank robbery that left a guard dead and she’s arrested on her way to turn herself in. LeBeouf plays a young local newspaper reporter who’s drawn in by the story and begins to realize there are more folks around whose pasts cover similar ground.

The legitimacy of the backstory, with the actual Weathermen having roots around some of the movie locations, adds credence to the story and it’s a topic that is remarkably fresh despite those roots being 30 or more years old. As characters discuss their original motivations, their complaints and concerns sound as though they could be current and new, and that’s an obviously intentional aspect of the screenplay. That it also comes to screens so close to the Boston Marathon bombings makes it seem even more topical and, truthfully, it’s a subject matter that could play in almost any decade, with only the exact motivations of those involved changing.

Redford’s last film “Lions for Lambs,” was similarly political in its content and messages although “The Company You keep” is, perhaps, a little less heavy-handed in that regard. However, while Redford is a very capable director and storyteller, he doesn’t waste time on too much subtlety when he has a message to convey. And here we get multiple corollary messages, such as the death-struggle of print journalism and the work that can sometimes only come from a doggedly determined local investigative journalist, and the relative complacency of younger generations for whom the gross injustices of an earlier time have become the status quo.

This is a solid film, reminiscent of the drama “Running on Empty,” which tackled similar themes of long-term fugitive status and its effects on family and relationships. It’s also an excellent reminder to those of us who are out of shape that 76 year old Robert Redford can still run through the woods carrying a backpack in a manner that leaves me winded just thinking about it.

Pain & Gain
Directed by Michael Bay

“Pain & Gain” is my most conflicted movie of the week and is the second that’s affected by being based on truth – in this case a true crime story from Miami. But it’s that truth that forms the basis of my conflict.

This is the story of a bungling group of thieves who attempted to get rich through a couple of kidnappings and the associated theft and extortion that followed. The ring-leader is played by Mark Wahlberg, with Anthony Mackie and Dwayne Johnson in tow as his accomplices. They’re supported by an effective secondary cast, including Tony Shalhoub as one of the victims and Ed Harris as the ex-cop turned private detective who investigates the events.

It’s actually a well made and well acted film that manages to deliver some genuine laughs along the way, in much the same way that we enjoy stories of crooks who try to pull ATM”s out of walls by tying chains to their cars only to end up leaving an axle or transmission behind. The problem is that the film tries to deliver those laughs consistently across its content – something which would normally be a good thing. The difference here being that while it’s fine to laugh at the villains (who are closer to being the heroes of the film) and their incompetency, we’re also asked to laugh at the scenes of torture and murder and, for example, the difficulties encountered while trying to return a chain saw to a home improvement store with human hair stuck in the mechanism.

This may be a very personal and subjective reaction, and others may differ in this regard, but I couldn’t separate myself from the fact that this is a real story about actual torture and murders. A couple of weeks before seeing the film, I had read a newspaper article about the relatives of the original victims who were irate at their loved ones’ deaths being the subject of a comedy re-telling of the facts of the story. And the film even pauses as it gets to a point of seeming ridiculousness to remind us it’s all true.

For me, this one was too close to the bone to enjoy, especially being played so obviously for laughs. A darker, less farcical telling of the same facts and the same events might have worked for me, but this just seemed crass.

Mud
Written and Directed by Jeff Nichols

Which brings me to my favorite new film of the week – “Mud” – written and directed by Jeff Nichols, who last wrote and directed 2011’s “Take Shelter.”

Matthew McConaughey plays the title character, who is discovered by two young boys in rural Arkansas, hiding from law enforcement on an undeveloped island in the river that dominates their lives. One of the boys, Ellis (Tye Sheridan), lives with his parents on a condemned houseboat, working with his father to sell fish and other meat out of coolers from the back of a pickup truck. His best friend Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) lives with an uncle who uses home-made diving gear to harvest shellfish. Together, the two boys enjoy the kind of largely unfettered and undefined childhoods that have remained relatively unscathed in rural areas, exploring their world in a manner that Huckleberry Finn would probably appreciate.

It’s a world that’s foreign to many of us, although still far more recognizable than the extreme independence and poverty depicted in last year’s “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” And it’s brought to life through solid acting, especially and most noteworthy from the two child actors – Sheridan who first appeared in Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” and who already has another film in the can, and Lofland in his debut performance. This is a film that couldn’t work at all without these two parts being played this well – it’s more their story than Mud’s.

In essence that story is one of love, in multiple forms. It represents my favorite film genre, the multi-layered coming of age drama in which characters of multiple ages come to realize new things about the world around them. The film centers primarily on Ellis and his burgeoning understanding of human relationships, not just of the girl he likes but also the changing nature of his parents’ failing marriage, and the ill-fated love he sees between Mud and Juniper (Reese Witherspoon), the woman Mud has loved since he was younger than Ellis. But we’re also seeing those, and other relationships, through the other characters’ eyes as well as Ellis’ as they each discover more about themselves.

It’s a beautifully simple and effective film, with only the most minor of missteps, and my pick of the week.

Book Review: Another film of Tulsa, maybe

2013-04-26T05:48:26Z

“A Map of Tulsa” book review Gary Chew

No doubt another really fine writer like native Tulsan Benjamin Lytal could write a story about the city in which he or she grew up, and give touching expression to that town and some of the people he or she knew while there.

But since I lived in Tulsa, Okla., for nearly 30 years, I'm partial to “A Map of Tulsa,” Lytal's first novel. It's likely I was living there when he was born.

One of my most memorable experiences in Tulsa happened after dark one evening, while I was driving home to my high-rise apartment among the tall buildings Lytal writes of when he describes our skyline. It was along the Arkansas River, near where 21st joins Riverside Drive, that I saw bright lights near the riverbank, and people under the lights with Francis Ford Coppola in the middle of them all, directing a scene for “Rumble Fish.” I freaked.

Have you ever re-read the cast list for “Rumble Fish?”

Tulsa is one of those kinds of towns, and I need to believe like Jim Praley, Lytal's protagonist, that Oklahoma's second-largest city is just of that kind ... with its empty downtown evening streets and politics notwithstanding.

S.E Hinton thought so when I was full-time in Tulsa. Apparently Francis Ford Coppola also did, according to “Rumble Fish” and his other film from the “Tulsanian” writings of Hinton, called “The Outsiders.” ( Tim Hunter was first in Tulsa in 1982, putting Hinton's ideas on film with “Tex.," if the 1949 picture with Susan Hayward titled, "Tulsa," has slipped your mind.)

But Lytal's Tulsa story keeps its lonely distance adrift, much of the time, just floating there, 10 or 12 stories above Tulsa County in the Booker Petroleum Building. It takes me deeper with more subtlety. It hangs better up there in my head.

I've also carried with me the myth of Tulsa and the days I lived there, much as Lytal did later. I also know other former Tulsans who say that.

For me, these thoughts have much to do with my being a young man in that town, and knowing the people I knew then, as well; some of them not unlike Adrienne Booker and her entourage that busily fill the Tulsa fiction - maybe mixed with fact - that Lytal has allowed himself to set down for strangers (even from Tulsa) to read.

That's not very extraordinary. People do it all the time, although not everyone, I say, can put it to the page the way Lytal does … after a close look at “A Map of Tulsa.” And what a neat city Lytal has chosen for his cartography. If Tulsa were in California, it would be called San Francisco.

Mr. Lytal. Thank you for inking in the memories.

Copyright © 2013 by Gary Chew. All rights reserved

Help keep California beautiful - Recycle E-waste

2013-04-26T02:31:00Z

Today was Keep California Beautiful Special Earth Day Event.

Johny Garcia of California Electronic Asset Recovery (CEAR) and Roman Gonzalez hold laser video discs someone dropped off for E-waste recycling during the 7th Annual California Litter Collection day on April 25th.

Other items dropped off were vacuums, tvs, small appliances and other small items with cords. When the items are sold to recycling companies, part of the proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House.

Gonzalez is a student in Christine Flowers Environmental Science class. He is fulfilling 10% of his grade by working alongside Garcia for the day.

Every Saturday, CEAR does collect e-waste at various McDonalds stores. Donaters receive a gift card for use at McDonalds as well as a packet of flower seeds.

Midtown Art Walk

2013-04-26T00:46:00Z

April's Second Saturday Art Walk drew the highest attendance of the year. More visitors and vendors enjoyed warmer weather as they visited the various art galleries and events in Midtown.

Sacramento law enforcement made its presence known as they patrolled Midtown on foot, bicycle, horseback, patrol car and I even saw a helicopter flying in the 20th and J Street area,

The added security made some people feel safer. “I like to see the police out here. I've heard about people getting robbed and assaulted the past few months around here and I do feel safer walking the streets,” said Grant Martin. Other people walking with Martin's agreed with his comments as they nodded.

20th Street between J and K had plenty of activity. War protestors occupied the corner of 20th and J streets. Live jazz music played at the Entertainment Plaza in front of the MARRS building. The art of John Huerta also graced the area and both activities brought plenty of shoppers and on-lookers to the street.

Vendors usually occupy the alley area between J and K streets behind The Depot bar but it had been empty the past few months. Many returned to sell their specialties this month. Across the street, the always busy, LowBrau hosted the largest crown on the block.

I made a list of places to visit during Second Saturday. One of the galleries I wanted to stop at was the Gallery 2110 and The Sacramento Art Complex located at 2110 K Street. This was the first time in several months that I had visited the gallery and noticed right away that many of the previous artists had moved out and new artists had taken up residence.

The Main Gallery at Gallery 2110 featured the art of Susan Ballenger. Ballenger's paintings and drawings of farm equipment and old rusty engines showcased the artist's perspective on Americana artifacts. The rustic and vibrant colors drew my attention which in turn made me inspect each piece of art closer as I marveled at the details.

An artist reception allowed invited guests to visit the complex before it was opened to the Second Saturday crowd.

The Sculpture Garden patio in the back exhibited three dimensional art and the Loft Gallery, on the second floor, showcased the work of Jenny Long.

Several of the resident artists were on hand to meet and greet visitors to the art complex.

Another place I planned to visit was the Spanish Fly Hair Garage to view their promoted live music, fashion show, art, tattoo and body piercing demos. “Fly Fest” as the event was tagged had many guests in the front salon where a fashion runway had been set up.

When I arrived, the patio in between the salon and the back room was overflowing with guests and Ghost Parade played in the back room.

Since no tattoo or body piercing demos took place when I arrived I decided to return later for the fashion show.

More protestors could be seen on the corner of 16th and J streets in front of the Memorial Auditorium. These protestors stood in unity calling for gun reform and to protest the sale of assault weapons.

Music coming from Barber's Shop Automotive grabbed my attention and noticed several people admiring cars parked in front of the shop. The new Fiat 500 along with other vehicles were stationed in front of the garage while the Bathtub Gins played inside to an intimate crowd.

The Bathtub Gins can be seen playing on many Second Saturdays at the Alfa Romeo garage.

Making my way back to “Fly Fest” I arrived in time to catch Daniel Osterhoff aka DJ Whores, spinning some of his mixes while Casey Inkdup Lewis set up his drum set.

A fashion show soon followed and was repeated later in the evening. Hair and makeup for the fashion show was done by Spanish Fly and its sister salons Maverique Style House and Crushed VLVT. Krazy Mary's Boutique provided the outfits.

I stayed to watch Diamond Dez perform while Lewis played the drums. As Diamond Dez performed a little girl from the audience stood up and joined Dez on stage showing her dancing abilities that delighted the audience.

The audience at the Spanish Fly Hair Garage increased as the evening continued and other performances took place.

I had one more place to visit on my list. I made my way to Courtney Cuts on 9th and K near the KBar where a friend had some artwork on display. The salon unfortunately closed before 9 pm.

The Art Walk was exhausting but there is always so much to see and experience in Midtown during Second Saturday. If you're looking for places to visit during the monthly Art Walk, Sacramento Press and Sacramento News & Review publish several suggested events in Midtown a few days before each Second Saturday.

Jewish heritage festival comes to midtown Sacramento

2013-04-25T03:57:30Z

The Jewish Federation presents their signature affair of 2013, the Jewish Heritage Festival. A midtown Street Fair in celebration of Yom HaAtzamut, 65 years of Jewish Independence.

Sacramento's midtown corridor on Capitol between 20th and 21 streets will be transformed into an open air market this Sunday. There will be artisans, food, live entertainment, vendors and activities for the children. Festivities begin at 10:00am.

Interested in what different cultural backgrounds have to offer the world?

Just want to learn more about the Jewish people?

Like to have a good time?

This would be a great event to get out and enjoy what the Jewish community has to offer.

For more information, contact Melissa Chapman at mchapman@jewish sac.org or 916-486-0906.

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Aztec dance ritual at Southside Park

2013-04-24T22:45:26Z

Sacramento's outdoor festivals and events increase during the spring and summer. The Xipe Colores Ceremony is one of these festivities that has been celebrated for the past 37 years.

The annual ceremony recently took place once again at Southside Park. The April 13 event began a little later than expected but brought a good size crowd of supporters to the event.

The Xipe Colores Ceremony was organized by the Maquilli Tonatiuh Aztec Dancers and dancers from Kalpulli Itzkuauhtli also participated.

Xipe Totec was, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Aztec god of spring and new vegetation and also the patron of goldsmiths.

The Xipe Colores Ceremony held at Southside Park celebrated the beginning of spring and honors children.

The celebration area was roped off for a dance and cleansing ritual. A series of drums stood in the middle among ornate incense holders and other items.

The ceremony paying homage to springtime, regrowth and children was very colorful. Dancers created music as they walked with “Codo de Flailer” (ayoyote-seeded) ankle bands. Other instruments made from these seeds were carried by other dancers.

The weather was rather hot during the ceremonial dances and little or no shade fell on the ritual area. Once the drumming began the colorful and frantic dancing began and continued for hours with a few seconds rest in between dances.

The exhausting dance is full of symbolism celebrating life.

“The celebration has slightly deviated from its roots and now we mostly celebrate the beginning of spring. The ceremony is performed in expectation of a bountiful harvest for farmers, “said Salvador Poulos. The nearby resident continued, “Now the ritual of honoring Xipe Totec is celebrated, as I understand it, in the 'Danza de los Voladores' (Dance of the Flyers).”

The Xipe Colores Ceremony returns next year and will continue to be held at Southside Park. Visit the Maquilli Tonatiuh Aztec Dancers and Kalpulli Itzkuauhtli Facebook pages to view other upcoming events.

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B Street's 'Fantasy Festival XXVII' puts student playwrights in spotlight

2013-04-23T14:31:29Z

Today’s headlines: King Arthur and Sir Robin of Locksley pull out all the stops (as well as their sword and bow) to vanquish the evil Mordred; a boy’s neighbors find a bit more spring to their steps when a fairy godparent turns city streets into trampolines; a time-traveling scientist turns up the volume for all those he encounters during a mid-19th century sojourn; rival lemonade-stand entrepreneurs discover more in common than a mutual love of citrus fruit; and when a rebel cowgirl arrives in Rodeo Riday, she spurs the populace into making drastic changes.

If only the real headlines of the day were as entertaining as these.

These may not be actual breaking-news stories, but those familiar with the B Street Theatre School Tour’s annual “Fantasy Festival” productions have come to expect zany with a capital “Z” each spring, when company members collaborate with budding K-8 playwrights to break everything from conventional theater boundaries to “wind” in pursuit of laughs.

More than 150 plays from Sacramento-area elementary and middle-schools were submitted for this year’s “Fantasy Festival XXVII” competition, said Alison Whismore, coordinator of the midtown troupe’s outreach and education office. Five were ultimately selected, with each getting a bit of professional B Street polish by resident playwrights Dave Pierini and John Lamb.

“In the 27 years of serving schools, child audiences remain entertained and involved in the B Street Theatre School Tour,” said Whismore. “As it is the first – and sometimes only – exposure to live professional theater for many kids, the plays continue to be received with delighted surprise by all our audiences.”

Since March 18, school tour company members Mikey Pollock, Andrew Perez, Denver Vaughn and Andy Rathburg have been performing the 45-minute show for students and their teachers in cafeterias and auditoriums throughout Northern California. Before the show closes on June 7, the cast will have presented the fast-and-furiously funny showcase at 144 assemblies at some 110 schools.

On April 13, the troupe gave a pair of public performances at the Fairytale Town-hosted Sutter Children’s Center Wellness Festival. A free public performance is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 27 on the B Street Theatre’s B3 stage (2727 B St., Sacramento, Calif.).

Whismore, a two-and-a-half-year veteran of the B Street’s outreach/education office, said that while she’s come to understand and appreciate that the school tour program often plays to students who are live-theater newbies, she continues to be taken aback by the number of teachers and administrators who are among the uninitiated.

“This is hard to believe for some of us,” said Whismore. “There are many teachers in the counties we serve who have never seen a live professional performance of any art form: theater; ballet; orchestra; opera. So, culturally, we’re dealing with preserving the notion that these art forms exist and still have social power and impact.”

One of the greatest achievements of the school tour productions is demonstrating that kids and adults alike can actually survive for more than a half-hour without once pushing a smartphone keypad.

“My perception of our artistic goals as a company is that we want to bring arts exposure to students in the form of a professional live theater production,” Whismore said. “The entity being presented is a crafted play written, directed and performed with purpose. It is not structured to be interactive, which seems to be the trend of demands in recent years. More and more there’s a hope that we will involve the kids in interaction during a show. Our definition of audience engagement is achieved when the kids lose themselves in the stories and cheer, gasp or applaud in response to what they are experiencing.”

“In this age of social networking, and instant ‘gotta-share-this-now-with-someone-who-isn’t-here’ society ... one hopes that it is a measure of accomplishment when actors can hold the attention of an audience of both children and adults for 45 minutes without a single audience member feeling the compulsion to ‘tweet’ the experience. That says a lot, I believe, about engagement and involvement, when the individual in the audience allows the moments to be that communal experience experienced with the ‘community’ – aka the audience – present in the same room.”

Of course, “Fantasy Festival” is as much about the playwrights’ accomplishments in holding the attention of audience members, as it is the actors’ performances.

This year’s winning playwrights and their plays are: Angela Tomasello (third grade, Williamson Elementary School, Rancho Cordova) for “The Trampoline”; Dolores Villaruel (fourth grade, Cordova Villa Elementary School, Rancho Cordova) for “Lemonade vs. Lemonade”; Jordan Dreyer and Abby Benvenuti (eighth grade, Sierra Oaks K-8 School, Sacramento) for “Jordan Da Rebel”; Josh Golden (sixth grade, Rocklin Elementary School, Rocklin) for “Robin Hood’s Adventure in Camelot”; and Emily Walmer (seventh grade, Quincy Junior/Senior High School, Quincy) for “The Time Traveler.”

While school budgets are continually scrutinized for possible cutbacks, Whismore said the B Street Theatre’s School Tour productions have earned such high praise in the last three decades that communities are loathe to let go of the opportunity to host them – including the annual “Fantasy Festival” shows.

“I was just calculating the number of shows sponsored by outside organizations,” said Whismore. “And it looks like 79 are being sponsored this year – 79 that the schools themselves didn’t have to pay for. That includes support from a lot of Rotary Clubs, whose emphasis is on literacy. While budgets keep getting cut, cut, cut in schools, these other organizations are rising to the challenge to make sure kids are getting arts education in schools.”

For more information on “Fantasy Festival XXVII,” the B Street Theatre School Tour program, or Saturday's free public performance, call (916) 442-5635 or (916) 443-5300, or go online at www.bstreettheatre.org/school-tours.

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Wienermobile in town

2013-04-22T21:20:33Z

The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile has been here and there in the Sacramento area the past few days. It was in front of Wal Mart at the corner of Watt and El Camino today.

People seemed fascinated with it, perhaps it brought back memories of the folks who grew up listening to the song "I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner....everyone would be in love with me.".

Some climbed up and inside.

Last chance to see it around here is today at Antelope at 7901 Watt Ave from 2-5 - come ketchup!

Read the Hotdogger Blog, the Oscar Mayer story and become part of the community of Oscar Mayer,

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A powerful 'Agnes' at Celebration Arts

2013-04-21T03:55:58Z

In putting together a season roster, artistic directors must weigh factors both creative and financial – from the cost of royalties, to the size of the stage, to scenic-design requirements. And though the finished dish may be delectable, rarely does a recipe end up with that perfect combination of ingredients in all of the right proportions.

But, sometimes, prayers are answered.

Celebration Arts Artistic Director James Wheatley, who directs the theater's current production of "Agnes of God" (March 22-April 28), was searching for a show that would satisfy some very-specific needs, including the above-mentioned considerations.

"I was looking for a small-cast play featuring females," said Wheatley, noting the greater availability of female actors in the Sacramento area. "When I thought about 'Agnes,' it seemed like it would be a nice challenge for the actors, that it would stretch them out."

Most importantly, he said, play selection is all about satisfying audience expectations, and "Agnes" seemed to be a good fit for Celebration Arts' drama-heavy, 7-year-old wheelhouse.

"I liked the story," said Wheatley. "I liked the way playwright John Pielmeier told the story, the way it's done in a seamless series of short scenes. It should provide a good experience for the audience."

"It really was good for us," he continued. "It didn't require extensive sets – just a table and a couple of chairs. There aren't even a lot of props. I have to rely a lot on the actors to convey the story."

As summarized by the play's publisher, "Agnes" is the emotionally charged story of a horrifying discovery at a convent.

Dr. Martha Livingstone (Voress Franklin), a court-appointed psychiatrist, is charged with assessing the sanity of Agnes (Imani Mitchell), a young novice accused of murdering her newborn. But Miriam Ruth (Alana Mathews), the Mother Superior, is determined to keep Agnes from the doctor, further arousing Livingstone's suspicions.

"Who killed the infant – and who fathered the tiny victim? Livingstone's questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love leading to a dramatic, compelling climax."

Set in the early-1970s, "Agnes of God" debuted in 1980 to popular and critical acclaim, earning it a place in the 1982 Broadway season. Three years later, a big-screen adaptation of "Agnes" (also written by Pielmeier) premiered, starring Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft and Meg Tilly.

"Shows make people think," said Wheatley, a retired California EDD manager who also finds time to act in addition to his Celebration Arts administrative duties. "We don't do plays just to do plays. But there's no guarantee any play will draw anybody. It's sort of a crapshoot every time you do one. You just never know – you just keep trying."

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: The Celebration Arts production of John Pielmeier's "Agnes of God"

WHEN: Plays March 22 through April 28, 2013, with performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays

WHERE: Celebration Arts Theatre, 4469 D St., Sacramento, Calif.

WHO: Directed by James Wheatley; featuring Voress Franklin (Dr. Martha Livingstone), Alana Mathews (Mother Miriam Ruth), and Imani Mitchell (Agnes)

HOW MUCH: $8 to $15, with discounts available for children (under 12), students, seniors and SARTA members

MORE INFO/TIX: Call (916) 455-2787; www.celebrationarts.net

ZuhG music, ZuhG Life

2013-04-20T05:46:56Z

ZuhG is a band with deep roots in Sacramento. They have been described as unique, energetic, funky, lively and above all, fun to watch live. ZuhG is a band that moves audiences to their feet and inspires them to move to their beats and to dance.

The talented musicians that make up ZuhG are not afraid to experiment with different types of music and do things differently. They have played most of Sacramento's venues and venture out to spread their brand of music as they constantly tour.

Although reggae continues to be what most fans enjoy when they watch ZuhG play, the band continues to experiment with different music genres, including folk music. Their last CD was “Calm & Clear,” a folksy album released on March 30, 2013.

ZuhG opened ZuhG Life in the Sacramento Downtown Plaza in 2010. The store sells art, clothing, jewelry and music by local artists, and is located near the food court on the second floor of the mall. It was at the store that I met Bryan Nichols, who talked about the ZuhG Life, ZuhG the band and other topics.

Describing ZuhG music:

My auto response answer to that is usually; funky, reggae jam music. You know people ask that a lot. My guitar player will say rock ‘n’ roll right away. I'll say funky, reggae, jam and then on the flip side of that we just released a somewhat folk music record. We like to dabble in several elements.

On the current ZuhG lineup:

It changes quite a bit you know. We've been on a couple of national tours that are like a month long and whatnot and it's not for everybody so sometimes we come home and someone says, “I don't want to do that anymore.” So the lineup has changed a lot over the years but it's always been me, Charlie (Wheeler) and JR (Halliday), the guitar player. Right now we got a guy name Joe (Arrington) on the drums. Jesi Naomi doing vocals. We got Shawn Tindell who just joined us recently on the bass. He used to be in a band called Monkey Flower and now he's our bassist because they had their last show a while back.

We've had from five and up to 10 onstage.

On coordinating tours and picking up other players:

When we're finally ready to go on a tour we find the musicians and people in our band that are for sure able to go. In case we have something like if a drummer can't go we'll get a different drummer. All members are from Sacramento and they all live in Sacramento.

On playing Concerts in the Park this summer:

This will be the second time we're playing Concerts in the Park. The first one we played was last year. We got to headline and we have another one on July 12 and we'll get to headline that one again.

Other projects:

Other big events coming up? We have a lot of festivals all summer long. Some big ones I'd like to point out we have Cosmic Family Gathering which we help organize. It's up in Placerville and it's a three-day festival, May 17 through 19, with a lot of local bands and some out-of-town bands as well.

We're doing that and then another big project is a Dr. Dre Tribute concert project. It's members of ZuhG, guitar players and bass players and then we have a bunch of Sacramento rappers doing the rapping. So it's like a live band-Dr. Dre thing which is super fun. It's fun to play hip-hop music.

On the 19th we're playing in Chico but the big one is the show on the 20th. We're doing a 420 show at the Assembly (Sacramento). It's new venue, the Assembly on K Street. Some big names will be going trough there. It's bigger than Harlow's a little smaller than Ace of Spades.

Special things about touring:

There's a lot of things to look forward to when touring. Just getting out of town and out of your house and just being out on the road and being in a different town every day it's just a lot of fun. It's like there's not a lot going on when you're driving all the way from one town to another but at the same time it's entertaining and it's fun. So yeah just being in a different town every day, playing for new people, meeting new people every day it's just a lot of fun and people are usually pretty responsive and supportive. We get to hang out with a lot of new people so I think it's great.

On drawing inspiration and motivation:

Lots of things inspire and motivate you know. Musicians that I look up to inspire me. We watch as much music as we can when we're not performing. We watch bands that have just been killing it and it's inspirational just because they're so talented. That's what inspires me just the musicians that are better than me.

On jamming:

We do have some songs that are live that end up being 10-15 minutes long for sure and yeah a lot of that depends on the crowd. If they're feeling it and we're having a dance party and it's keeping you going then we'll go for a while, and if they're not then we might end early. We don't practice elongated improv jams really. We don't get together and practice where we practice the parts and transitions and the core of the song any live improv or extension is unrehearsed which makes it fun and different every time.

Regarding the Kings possibly building a new arena where the mall stands:

Rumor has it that if the arena is built here, yes most of the mall will be I guess torn down and turned into an arena.

I've accepted both outcomes. If it doesn't come here and we have the opportunity to stay in the mall longer, I'll do that and I'll be happy to do that. It's been fun working at the store and it's been a good thing for local musicians and everybody. On the flip side of that if we have to close because the new arena comes I'm excited to see what I'll do with all my free time that I would have. I'm here six days a week and my other band member Charlie is also here five to six days a week and we have some other friends who help. With the amount of work I do I'd just have so much free time so you know I'm interested on starting a record label with all the connections we've made. So we have other projects in mind to occupy my time with and this is rewarding. It would be fun to do something with other local music artists.

So, if the store closes I'd have to look at other things. Right now I'm trying to buy a house with my guitar player JR and we have dreams of building a recording studio. After that maybe starting a record label you know. I would enjoy recording bands, booking them tours, printing out CDs for them.

Regarding the ZuhG Life store:

We've been open two-and-a-half years. We had a grand opening on November 13, 2010.

The idea behind the store is definitely local. The original idea was to sell local music and be like a merch booth for all the local bands in Sacramento like ZuhG and bands that we work with and then that grew into other things.

I enjoy painting so when we started the store I was selling my paintings in here and then we had artists coming in here saying “Hey, can I sell my art here too?” So now we switch the art once a month and we have local clothing companies, local jewelry, anything that is Sacramento. People can just bring it in and if we like it we'll work with them.

This is just a local hub for anybody bringing in anything crafty you know what I mean? Or teaching music lessons out of the back room.

We also have live music on the stages outside. So yeah the concept has always been the same but it's grown a lot since the early days.

On ZuhG Life and what would happen to Nichols and other vendors:

The revenue here isn't huge, we just pay the bills. I work for free, anybody that works here works for free, we're happy to do it but because a lot of the items are consignment.

Where will they go after if we have to close? I don't know, I'm not saying that opening up another store is not an option, there's definitely that possibility. I'm not going to sell my fixtures and clothing racks I'd probably put them in the garage for a while and see if any location opportunities arise and if they do then it will be a serious thought to keep ZuhG Life going in a different location.

On live music at the Sacramento Downtown Plaza:

I actually had a job booking music before I owned my store so I was booking music for the mall and then after a while they asked me if I wanted to open up a store, a music store. They knew I taught guitar lessons at the time and there were some empty stores and they asked if I wanted to open up some kind of music, guitar or some kind of store and I thought about it. I went on tour to Oregon and told them I'd think about it.

When we came back I said yes and then came up with this idea. So we have two stages in the mall, upstairs and downstairs. We've been doing this for over three years now and I get a lot of touring bands which is cool because we meet a lot of great bands from all over the world and then we have a lot of locals. Right now we have live music every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

It's so cool that my day job is booking music for the mall, I'm very grateful to have this. It's what I like to do so it's not hard, I like my job.

On future goals:

We've always focused on playing festivals and that's a constant. You want to upgrade each time you start off at festivals; opening up and maybe getting a bad slot and hope maybe you get a better slot next year. This upcoming festival season is full of great slots and good festivals all over California so we're going to continue that push, keep playing the festival circuits and keep getting bigger and better at it.

We also have a guy who is going to book us a big tour again in the near future. We don't have the dates yet or even where but we just found out that he is indeed going to book a tour for us.

At the moment we’re concentrating on summer events. We're booked all the way to September now and then I have a festival called ZuhG Fest in October so I'm going to be busy with that and then we'll see what starts happening in 2014. It's crazy to even think about 2014, I feel like 2013 just got here.

Thoughts on recording “Calm & Clear”:

Every album is different but this last one “Calm & Clear” is an acoustic folksy album. We didn't originally have that idea. We were in the studio recording a normal funky rock ‘n’ roll ZuhG album. We recorded a couple of songs and I also recorded a couple of acoustic songs.

We go to the studio we go once or twice a month, we like to spread it out. We don't go like every day and try to pump out an album. We go like once or twice a month for 10-hour days. So anyway we had a couple of acoustic songs and then we started adding stuff to them and adding different things and after a while we're like “Yeah let's just record an acoustic album.”

JR and I just kept going to the recording studio and recording these acoustic songs that had been on the waiting list forever. We didn't play too many acoustic songs live but we have them you know. So anyway yeah it just kind of started happening and we just kept going.

Jesi Naomi sings on it and we wrote a lot of music in the studio which was good for us and fun at the same time because you're creating things on the spot that will go on CDs that will last forever.

As a guitar player, singer and songwriter I write songs like you see us play live. I also sit at home with my acoustic guitar on my couch and I'll write some folk or acoustic songs. I know we'll not be getting the crowd dancing with songs like that. We're not going to be performing that at Concerts in the Park but that doesn't mean they're not good songs though. It's an album full of songs that you won't hear us playing live too much which is the unique thing about it.

Final thoughts:

Check out our new CD. We're excited about our 420 show and the Cosmic Family Festival and come by the store to chat and say hi.

Women working on the railroad presentation

2013-04-20T05:21:26Z

At 1 p.m., Saturday, April 20, Shirley Burman will speak about the history of women in the railroad industry. This event is sponsored and hosted by the SCC Railroad Club and will be held in the Sacramento City College Student Center.

Burman is a documentary photographer and historian who received the Fred A. and Jane R. Stindt Photograph Award for her “‘accomplishments as a railroad photographer, especially the documentation of women’s contributions to railroading’” in 2012.

In 2013, she received the Hall of Fame Award at Winterail. She is the first woman to receive this award in the organization’s 35 years.

About the award, she said that she hadn’t been thinking about the award because she was busy thinking about her lecture and slide presentation, “Donner’s Journey,” documenting trips to Donner Pass after the 1983 blizzards with her future husband, Richard Steinheimer.

Since 1991, Burman has presented talks and programs at the Smithsonian, the California State Railroad Museum and the Oakland Museum. Her work has been published in “Journal of the West,” “Diesels over Donner,” “Mountain Soul of the Southern Pacific,” “Whistles Across the Land” and in the “Encyclopedia of North American Railroading.” Additionally, she co-wrote a children’s book, “She’s Been Working on the Railroad.”

This event is free and open to the public.

Two vehicle accidents within five hours at T & 13th St.

2013-04-19T22:57:31Z

A second accident within just five hours happened at the intersection of T & 13th St in midtown around 1pm.

According to Officer Morris, the gray Honda was stopped on the south side of T St because of a stop sign.

The white GMC SUV was traveling east on T St. and did not have a stop sign at that intersection. The Honda pulled out as the GMC SUV travelled freely through the intersection, resulting in a collision.

The GMC traveled until it hit a curb and turned it upside down.

The collision sent the GMC off course where it hit a VW that was parked, removing it's front bumper and headlight. The owner of VW was not present at the scene.

Officer Morris said the occupants of the GMC had minor injuries and were transported to a hospital.

Another accident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. at the same intersection under similar circumstances.

A burgundy Chevrolet Tahoe SUV was traveling west on T street (with no stop sign) when a black Mercedes wagon pulled out in front of the Tahoe causing a collision. Four people occupied the Tahoe; the driver and front passenger were transported to the hospital. The rear passengers of the Tahoe stated that the driver was unable to feel his legs and in a great deal of pain as firefighters and medics removed him from the vehicle. The front passenger was suffering from back pain.

"I see a lot of accidents happen at this intersection," stated Michael Miguel who witnessed the first accident and works in a building at the intersection.

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New film: Oblivion - two opinions

2013-04-19T21:49:37Z

Oblivion
Co-Written and Directed by Joseph Kosinski

This week’s column contains a blast from the past, in the context of blasts in the future, as my former writing colleague Malcolm Maclachlan joins me in reviewing “Oblivion.”

Malcolm Maclachlan: When you put “The Matrix,” “Total Recall,” “Star Trek,” “Blade Runner,” “Star Wars,” “Wall-E,” “Architectural Digest,” “Planet Earth,” “The Twilight Zone,” and Tom Cruise in a blender, sometimes the results turn out okay.

Tony Sheppard: Yes, I agree, albeit for somewhat different reasons. As I watched the movie, I wasn’t so much reminded of other movies as of the books I read as a kid. I was an avid reader of science fiction and at one point I bought up almost the entire smoke-damaged sci-fi collection from a small, local library that had a fire. For whatever reason, “Oblivion” felt closer to me to the content of those books, and the recurring themes, than to other more recent movie experiences.

MM: I’ll admit Oblivion may have benefitted from my low expectations. Tom Cruise has become a bit of a parody of himself in recent years, especially when—as here—he’s matched up with actresses two decades younger. The whole set-up of a ruined earth populated by a few poor and downtrodden, while the rich live it in space, has completed is transition to cliché. Another four-syllable, multi-zillion dollar version of this idea arrives this summer in the form of “Elysium” starring Matt Damon.

TS: It’s an age old theme – and whether or not one wants to go back as far as the writings of Plato, we’ve seen workers toiling away ‘below’ in support of others ‘above’ in films at least as far back as 1927’s “Metropolis.”

As for Cruise, I think he’s mostly damaged his own reputation through various bizarre talk-show appearances and interviews. It’s interesting to see him rehabilitate that image recently with a newer round of talk-show appearances. For example, he seems willing to do just about anything Jimmy Fallon asks him to do, routinely getting soaked as part of some silly game – if nothing else, the ego is firmly in check. He’s also pretty well-preserved for 50.

MM: But somehow “Oblivion” works. There’s plenty of sci-fi blockbuster silliness along the way, along with too much bombastic music played at a volume that would make Wagner’s ears bleed. I’m also dying to see Morgan Freeman play an ax murderer, because if I see him doing his wise grandfather thing one more time I’m going to…well, at least we don’t have to see too much of that here (and in “Elysium,” none. I’ve already checked).

TS: Freeman is at least a little grittier here than he is sometimes – he’s not God in a white suit and he’s not narrating a penguin migration. The music seems to be a dividing issue – I’ve both read and heard quite mixed reactions to it, including the very positive.

MM: Oblivion opens with Jack Harper (Cruise) and his companion Victoria living in a glass house hundreds of feet above the clouds on a metal spire. It’s the kind of place you’d expect to see under the headline announcing “Beyonce’s fabulous vacation pad,” a minimalist setting for what turns out to be a twisted domestic drama. They’re a happy couple and a team. He’s the technician who goes out and services the drones and fights the few remaining aliens on earth’s surface. She’s his full-time project manager, content to never leave their architectural marvel for two years, in exchange for a free trip the human paradise being built on Saturn’s moon Titan. They chose this, with the price of having their memories wiped clean. Except his…hasn’t quite.

TS: It’s that idea of a human colony on Titan that, I think, might have kicked off the nostalgia for the books of my childhood. We see so many shows and movies, such as the “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” franchises you mentioned earlier, where humans and others flit about the universe with little concern about distances. Here we get a more classic idea of a forced migration within our own solar system, and Titan was a frequently recurring destination, at least in more books than films.

It’s funny that you describe the house and that you made the earlier reference to “Architectural Digest.” I was actually distracted in similar ways and was thinking about “Dwell” magazine. And it doesn’t really make much sense. Cruise’s Jack Harper describes their role as the “mop up crew” – left behind to take care of the last few tasks before transitioning to Titan. Yet they have a luxurious home with a high-altitude, glass bottomed swimming pool that is certainly stunning on screen (especially on an IMAX screen), but which seems extremely vulnerable to damage or attack. They worry constantly about “scavengers” on the surface but they live at the top of a pole that seems like it could easily be detonated. However, more than any other single factor, I was bothered by one particular large vase in the corner of the living space that appears to have no utilitarian function and seems entirely out of place in a working environment. As a team, Jack and Victoria have been taught or indoctrinated to expect little and manage with less and some kind of minimalistic pod or bunker would seem to make more sense in that context.

MM: What follows the basic premise of a lone work crew is a compounding set of plot twists I can’t reveal without spoiling things. Some are predictable in retrospect, but mostly I didn’t see them coming. There’s action here, mainly in the forms of CGI dogfights between Cruise and pursuers. But “Oblivion” morphs into a film about identity, human nature and the lies we tell ourselves and others. The whole sci-fi convention of plot and character being mere filler between the action sequences gets flipped. I found myself waiting for a chase to end so we could get back to the plot.

TS: I actually liked a lot of the action sequence here – aside from the visual imagery described previously, there’s no obvious tendency in “Oblivion” to amp up the gadgets and gizmos. We see one kind of drone with fairly limited capability and also inherent vulnerability – we don’t see what looks like somebody being let loose in the effects and prop departments as we do in many futuristic films. For example, Harper has a motorcycle for ground-based maintenance work and it looks like a mild advancement in current technology and style rather than something that floats or dematerializes. IN that way, the film seems surprisingly grounded and, relatively speaking, even somewhat realistic.

MM: It’s good that so much did work in this movie, because otherwise I would have been more distracted by all of the bad science. And I don’t just mean that a ruined Manhattan has once again been magically moved to the Rocky Mountains. I’m a big fan of the “Bad Astronomy” blog by (yes, a real) astronomer Phil Plait, who loves to write about bad science in movies. One of his favorites drives the plot here—the idea that aliens came here to steal our water. This is, in a word, silly. Water is one of the most abundant substances in the universe, relatively easy to get without dealing with earth’s gravity.

TS: One certainly finds oneself wondering just how large Harper’s maintenance territory is – but I was bothered by some of the other images. We’re shown the top of recognizable buildings as though either the ground has risen up around them by several hundred feet or the top has fallen down and remained largely intact. Similarly, in a glimpse of a damaged Pentagon, the remains of the building itself is there but somehow nothing else is nearby. It’s a cherry-picking of well-known landmarks intended to give scale to the apocalypse that has occurred regardless of the logic involved.

MM: There’s also a plot point about how the aliens have shattered the moon, which is now slowly breaking apart into a ring around the earth. This is part of their invasion plan—destroying the moon caused "earthquakes and tsunamis," which devastated humanity, and most died outright or starved afterwards. Such disasters, if they happened at all, would come from changes in the moon’s gravitational effect—and given that most of the mass of the moon is still held together by its gravity, this wouldn’t change that much. The far bigger problem of moon rocks raining down on the earth for thousands of years isn’t mentioned. But it does give the sky a cool pulp sci-fi, side-of-a-van-in-the-1970s look.

TS: It does look cool. I’m less sure about the math/physics behind the tidal effect because the spread of the moon’s mass is quite significant and so even if the mass remained constant, the directionality of at least some of the gravitational attraction would be significantly altered – and the moon exerts enough of a pull to change the shape of the planet and not just its bodies of water. So I’ll give them a pass on that one.

What I won’t do is give them a pass on alien technology and achievement of such magnitude and complexity without hands, clamps, appendages, or opposable thumbs anywhere in sight.

MM: Once again, super-advanced invaders have some glaring holes in their technology and strategy…oh, never mind.

TS: Agreed – none of it bothered me enough to detract from the fact that I was simply enjoying the film. It’s an interesting story well told. And it’s an encouraging piece of work from Kosinski, a filmmaker who was plucked from relative obscurity to make the recent “Tron” sequel – which gives him a very short but technically impressive resume, with stories that manage to dig deeper than just blasters and cool bikes, delving into the issues of identity and human nature you mentioned earlier. It makes me look forward to seeing what else he has in him.

CineLatino lineup, a cultural classic of the Sacramento Film Festival

2013-04-19T19:03:03Z

The Sacramento Film Festival (SFF) is set host their Latin infused event on the Delta King in Old Sacramento 7pm this Sunday, April 21st. This cultural favorite of the Sacramento community will feature short films produced by Mexican filmmakers, Fran Guijarro's Mexican Cuisine, El Invento- a Giovanni Granada film, as well as Gloria Moran's, The Unique Ladies, "world's 1st lady low-rider car club!"

Professor Dr. Jorge Santana of CSU, Sacramento notes, "This event honors and shines light on the great aspects of the Latino community, a true favorite of mine." Since its establishment in 2007, CineLatino is going on its 5th year to reflect and celebrate Chicano, Latin American, and Spanish culture through film. It also features year-round events, with its most recent film of Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me Ultima making its premiere this past February.

Check out this year's CineLatino, a true cultural event you don't want to miss. Tickets can be purchased at Sacramentofimfestival.com.

CineLatino lineup:

La nuera de don Filemón

La Patrona

Andrea

La Mina de Oro

Mexican Cuisine

El Invento

The Unique Ladies

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Disclosure: Student discounts given

Flywheel Incubator opens in Downtown Plaza

2013-04-19T17:55:29Z

The Flywheel Incubator program, run by the Arts & Business Council, had a successful grand opening. Beer, wine and food was served, live music and a great crowd of people stopped in to shop.

Here are some scenes:

To get the full experience of Flywheel, stop by. It's located between the cell phone shops and the two big spaces occupied by Macy's. These photos are just the tip of the iceberg!

To read about Flywheel, CLICK HERE>>>

Go to their Facebook page.

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TAAC's Rose transfers 'Shrew' to trailer park in directorial debut

2013-04-19T07:01:58Z

Denizens of the Padua and Verona trailer parks are stereotypical "white trash" ne'er-do-wells one would expect to see feudin' and fightin', swillin' and smokin' on an episode of "Cops" – not spouting iambic pentameter center stage in a Shakespearean comedy.

But that's exactly what distinguishes The Alternative Arts Collective's cast of characters in its world-premiere adaptation of "Taming of the Shrew," now playing through May 4 at the Blue Box Theater.

"I was trying to think what would be fun to do for a contemporary take on Shakespeare," said TAAC company member Cameron Rose, a familiar face on stage ("Suburbia," "Equus") who's making his directorial debut with "Shrew."

"Then it just came to me," he said. "I've always loved 'The Taming of the Shrew' – it's one of the least obtuse of Shakespeare's plays. And I also love modernizing his work, so I asked myself, 'Why not have fun with it?'"

Inspired by the remnants of holiday decor in his own backyard, Rose projected a contemporary re-telling of the familiar boy-meets-girl, girl-hates-boy story transferred to a 21st-century, AstroTurf-covered, low-rent landscape littered with Airstreams and aerials, Pabst cans and pink flamingos.

The play was ripe for an infusion of "zany," said Rose, given that – even as originally written – man-hater Kate, her sweet sister Bianca, lioness-tamer Petruchio, and their friends and family are exaggerated, crazy caricatures whose motivations and actions don't exactly require a Rosetta Stone to be understood.

Rose's concept was immediately embraced by TAAC Founding Artistic Director David Blue Garrison, who describes the 4-year-old troupe's third Shakespearean production as "very fun, very witty – and sometimes crude."

"But so was Shakespeare," laughed Garrison, who dons a polka-dot dress and seven-inch heels late in the second act to play a member of Katherine and Petruchio's Cheetos-munching wedding party. (Garrison also shares set-design credit with Rose and Richard Spierto.)

In Rose's updated take, Baptista (Susan Madden), owner of Padua Trailer Park, announces her daughter Bianca (Denver Vaughn) will remain single until her older sister Katherine (Ashley Eigenman) gets hitched.

But Lucentio (Ciara McClary), a student and daughter of a prominent merchant, is in love with Bianca and poses as a tutor to get close to Baptista's baby girl.

Meanwhile ... Petruchio (Tony Hutto), a decidedly non-gentleman from Verona (the neighboring Verona Trailer Park), pays a visit to the Padua park in hopes of securing a bride.

In hopes of paving the way for his own betrothal, another of Bianca's suitors, Hortensio (Jason Rodriguez), attempts to direct Petruchio's attention toward Katherine.

Intrigued by the challenge Katherine's attitude presents, Petruchio sets his course for the fiery "Kate" which delights Hortensio, as well as his fellow suitor Gremio (Joel Porter), an old, tie-dyed pot farmer who may remind audiences of the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia. The pair pledges to cover Petruchio's expenses as long as he focuses on Kate.

"It's been an amazing experience," said Rose of his inaugural voyage through somewhat unfamiliar theatrical waters, describing himself as a "chatty guy" who loved the pre-production and rehearsal phase of "Shrew." "I loved going from person to person, interacting with the designers and actors."

Rose said his 13-member cast – which also includes Yuri Tajiri as Grumio, Jason Vitaich as Vincentio, Sandy Phillips as the drunk/fake Vincentio, and Robin Southworth as the widow – brought a wealth of talent and experience (not to mention opinions) to the process.

While some directors prefer to maintain their own preconceived notions on how a part should be played, Rose was open to his cast's interpretations.

"I learned to 'go with the flow.' I kept telling myself that I cast these people for a reason, and that's been good advice. They've been making me laugh every night."

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: The Alternative Arts Collective production of "Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare

WHEN: April 18 through May 4, 2013; performances are slated for 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. Sundays.

WHERE: The Blue Box Theater (corner of Oxford Street and Lea Way, Sacramento, Calif.)

HOW MUCH: $10 to $15 (plus service charge); brownpapertickets.com

FOR MORE INFO: www.taactheatre.com | Facebook | david@taactheatre.com

To view additional production photographs, please click here.

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Japanese farm food comes to the farm-to-fork capital

2013-04-18T03:19:43Z

I've been having a lot of conversations lately about the farm-to-fork movement, especially now that it seems to have become the It Girl of the food world. While eating lunch in my backyard earlier today, a friend and I found ourselves discussing the topic once again. "Everybody's jumping on the bandwagon," he laughed. I smiled and replied, "Good." And it is. In my humble opinion, the more people come to appreciate the wonders of farm-fresh food, simply prepared, the better.

Which brings me to the subject of this article: Japanese Farm Food, a cookbook written by California-born Nancy Singleton Hachisu, the featured author at next week's Tasty Books event here in Sacramento. The event pairs the cookbook with a prix-fixe dinner at Mulvaney's, allowing attendees to sample what they might eventually cook at home. The meal, prepared by Chef Patrick Mulvaney, will include passed appetizers and a four-course, all-you-can-eat, family-style dinner based on recipes from the book. Ticket buyers will receive a signed copy of the cookbook.

Japanese Farm Food was released in 2012 and has already gone into the fifth printing. With more than 350 pages of recipes, stories, and achingly beautiful photographs, this book celebrates food born of the "simple, warm, and welcoming life" on a rural Japanese farm. The book's author is a Bay-area native who traveled to Japan in 1988 with the intention of learning Japanese before returning to the U.S. for graduate school. Instead, the self-described "town girl" fell in love with a tall, handsome Japanese farmer. He shared her love of food and embodied an "odd mix of traditional Japanese with a global viewpoint" that she found irresistible. They married, and for more than two decades, they have lived on their organic farm in northern Japan.

I imagine when most of us hear the term "Japanese food," the ubiquitous American sushi bar comes to mind: California rolls, shrimp tempura, and sticky-sweet teriyaki chicken. You won't find that in this cookbook. Instead, you'll find a carefully crafted guide to a far more authentic kind of Japanese food. In place of California rolls, there are recipes for Country Sushi Rolls and Yellowtail Sashimi on Hot Rice with Broth. Shrimp tempura is replaced with crunchy and bitter Mountain Vegetable Tempura. And although Hachisu concedes that tempura is "one of the trickiest Japanese foods to prepare," most of her recipes are straight-forward simple, with limited ingredients meant to showcase the freshest food you can find. Hachisu's recipe for teriyaki chicken is a perfect example, calling for just four ingredients: chicken, mirin (a kind of rice wine), soy sauce and ginger. She explains that her version uses no sugar because "a simple soy sauce-mirin marinade is all you need to infuse the chicken thighs with that hauntingly dark and completely addicting teriyaki flavor."

Hachisu opens her book by advising readers to trust their instincts as they attempt to cook a foreign cuisine for the first time. She advises that once armed with some basic (preferably organic) Japanese pantry staples, "a trip to the farmers' market or local fish market is all you need to start cooking Japanese farm food. Learning to trust your instincts in cooking is the only way to get beyond the recipe." Trusting your instincts may seem intimidating to the novice cook, but Hachisu's gentle and precise guidance makes it seem like something any of us could do... because we can. The author sums up the farm-to-fork movement in this unaffected statement: "cooking farm-to-table food ... is easy if you source your ingredients thoughtfully and take care to understand the heart of the food." And therein lies the brilliant simplicity of the Japanese Farm Food philosophy.

Event Details:

Tasty Books – featuring IACP award-nominated author Nancy Singleton Hachisu
Tuesday, April 27, 2013 – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Mulvaney's B&L Next Door – 1215 19th Street
$75 per person; two for $115. Ticket price includes gratuity and taxes.
Tickets available via Tasty Book's Eventbrite page
Vegetarian option available
Ingredients will be sourced from local farms and local producers such as Massa Organics in Chico. Oakland’s Kitazawa Seed Company, specializing in Japanese produce, will provide copies of their latest catalog and sample seed packets for attendees.
Cash bar or BYOB

As a preview to next week's Tasty Books event, Hachisu has been kind enough to share with The Sacramento Press readers a recipe from the "Small Bites with Drinks" chapter of her book.

Eggs Pickled in Soy Sauce

These addicting eggs could not be easier to make. The dishes in this section of the book are often served as "tsumami" (small bites before dinner), and I think this recipe would be delicious as a starter or side dish at a summery barbecue, paired with an ice-cold cocktail or beer.

Use organic whenever possible.

8 farm-fresh eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup soy sauce

Fill a medium sauce pan three-quarters full with water and bring to a boil. Carefully lower the eggs into the boiling water. Boil for 8-9 minutes, depending on size. Meanwhile, set a large bowl in the sink and fill with cold water. Scoop the eggs from the boiling water with a strainer and immediately plunge into the bowl of cold water. Run more cold water if the temperature feels warm. When the eggs are cool, gently crack by rapping and rolling on a cutting board. Put the eggs back in cold water for a few more minutes, then peel, taking care to remove the inner membrane and free the shiny white egg.

Pat the eggs dry, then place in a freezer-style gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour in the soy sauce and tip the bag to distribute. Press out all the air, roll up the unused portion of the bag to create a tight cylinder, then seal. Refrigerate overnight. Best the day they are made.

Serves 6 or more.

Dawn Balzarano is a local freelance food photographer, blogging at KitchenTravels.com.

Disclosure: Dawn is receiving a press pass to the Tasty Books event. Dawn's opinions are her own, always will be.

Petunia and the Vipers Roll into Town on Sunday Night, April 21 at the Torch Club

2013-04-16T21:33:02Z

Sunday night (April 21), Sacramento audiences will have a unique musical experience and that is to meet and experience Canada's Petunia and the Vipers when they perform at the Torch Club (901 I Street, Sacramento).

Petunia And The Vipers’ name may suggest an L7 covers band, but in actuality they are an altogether more eclectic outfit, combining old-style country, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll with elements of big band and swing. Furthermore, Petunia is the stage name of 100% male frontman, Ron Fortugno.

With a piercing gaze, Petunia looks into the collective soul of the audience, then launches into some high and lonesome vocals that conjure up the ghost of Jimmie Rodgers. Not content with mesmerizing the crowd, Petunia’s tapping boot propels the band into a snarling fire and brimstone rave-up as a wave of frantic jitterbuggers compete for space on the dance floor.

Imagine that David Lynch and Nick Cave had a hillbilly baby. A hillbilly baby that yodeled. That’s Petunia. Now imagine he’s backed by a band whose talents match his own. That would be the Vipers. Imagine that man and that band can step onstage and hold a crowd in thrall song after song, until the last note fades away, and that would be Petunia and the Vipers.

Since forming a few years ago Petunia and the Vipers have been very busy bringing their exciting and highly original brand of roots music to an ever increasing audience. They've been on the road almost constantly in Canada and the US, and recently toured for a month in the UK and Ireland to rave reviews. This is their only Northern California date, on their way to several nights in Los Angeles and beyond.

Growing up in rural Ste.-Dorothee, Laval, (Quebec) seems like an obvious connection for a sometimes country blues yodeler. Picture shady creeks with fallen tree bridges, and secret hiding spots. Part wanderer, part musician Petunia has been on the road for full years at a stretch at time -- sometimes propelled by nothing more than his outstretched thumb alongside of the trans-Canada highway. He has laid his hat and made his home in many, many spots along the way as befits a wandering troubadou. His traveling libido has led him to secure bands of musicians spanning across three continents. He has played with literally hundreds, and maybe thousands of musicians. Personal highlights from recent California West Coast tours include Phil Alvin (Blasters), Exene Cervenka (X), and country music icon Wanda Jackson.

Petunia loves to keep you guessing, often throwing a Spanish Ballad or Chanson a la Edith Piaf into the set. It's the spirit of adventure that attracted the high calibre musicians that make up The Vipers. The Vipers collectively have decades of experience working their magic with some of the most exciting names on the country and rockabilly circuits. Some of the Vipers were formerly with the legendary Ray Condo and his Richochets.

Sacramento's Delta City Ramblers open the show at 8:30 pm. Admission: $8 at the door.

Disclosure: The writer has no personal or professional connection to this story.

Scenes from Second Saturday, April 2013

2013-04-16T01:01:21Z

Midtown had a modest turnout for Sacramento's Second Saturday Art Walk. One of the things I wanted to find out about was who gets to play live music at these events. I understand from talking to local owners that an entertainment permit from the city is actually required but many artists show up without a permit and use it to get exposure. I ran into a few bands who didn't know what I was talking about when I asked about permits. Funny how I keep running into groups who perform at Second Saturday who don't even have a group name yet. What's amazing about Second Saturday, despite the cold breeze, was that I found great opportunities for local musicians and painters to showcase their work.

SacTV.com interviewed Clubhouse 24 owner Bobby Griffith about his private venue that opens for the public every Second Saturday. The club is located at 920 24th Street off off J Street. Normally the venue is used for private parties, business meetings and other private social events. Bobby has seen consistent growth in Second Saturday's development and believes any type of culture that can be brought to Sacramento is a big advantage. After four years he has developed an artstic venue that includes live bands and paintings. During our interview we listened to the live music of local band Folsom Prison Blues Trio.

Bobby explains in the video interview how Clubhouse 24 helps local artists. "If you have a band," Bobby says, "you have a duet, you have a trio, any kind of type of music, you come to us, (and say) hey we'd like to play at your venue, and basically we pitch you in. We get you a place to play and people to follow you. They can come and watch you work your craft." Bobby enjoys giving Sacramento a voice and place to showcase art. He believes culture helps local business. Clubhouse 24 has large well decorated rooms and was selling tacos outdoors. The stage area looks completely artistic and all the other rooms have a positive ambiance as well.

I interviewed other local scene owners and artists at Second Saturday, which I will be highlighting all this week on SacTV. One of the artists I talked with earlier in the day was Robert LaNeau, who moved to Sacramento from Haiti six years ago. His paintings have bright colorful abstract themes using fruit and vegetable imagery merged with crowds of people to convey farmer's markets. Robert's paintings generate a friendly upbeat sensibility about a forward moving culture. I also talked with Little Relics owner Susan Rabinovitz about the art that changes every month at her gallery/jewlery manufacturing store. We did a video interview that will be produced later in the week for SacTV.

Others I interviewed from Second Saturday who will appear on SacTV this week include painter John S. Huerta, whose paintings are meant to communicate happiness in death, more as a celebration of one's life. His interesting colorful portraits, as shown with this article, are very eye catching. I also spoke with Brad Newey, who hosts an event called "Drag Queen Bingo." Finally, I talked with painter Pete Conine, whose car art was on display at Cuilla Brothers, an auto body shop that turns into a classic car museum on Second Saturday. I also ran into several local scene people like Allyson Seconds, Tom Bixby, my high school classmate Sue and some friends from way back named Doreen and Glynese. That's what's fun about Second Saturday. You never know who you'll run into.

Disclosure: Alex Cosper owns SacTV.com and posts in partnership with The Sacramento Press.

Earth Day events in Sacramento

2013-04-15T23:34:17Z

The end of April is near, which means that Earth Day is here! While the official date isn't until this coming Monday, April 22, Sacramento is starting the celebrating early this weekend with green-loving events galore.

Take a look at the environmentally-friendly events below, and find more information in Sacramento365.com's Holiday Events section.

Earthy Festivals:

Earth Day Celebration: Sacramento City Hall; Thurs, April 18, 9am-2pm: Come out and join for a free day of fun for all ages. There will be interactive learning including composting, recycling, clean air demonstrations, and much more.
Celebrate the Earth Festival: Utility Exploration Center at Mahany Park; Sat, April 20, 10am-3pm: Don’t miss a day of fun-filled day of food, live music, local green vendors, electric vehicles, and family entertainment.
Sacramento Earth Day Celebration: Southside Park; Sun, April 21, 11am-4pm: Learn about living healthier & protecting the environment while enjoying great entertainment, activities, and cuisine.

For the kids:

Children's Earth Day Celebration: Sacramento Children's Museum; Sat, April 20, 10am-3pm: Kids will have the opportunity to learn Earth-friendly lessons through interactive activities led by event participants.
Earth Day Animals: Effie Yeaw Nature Center; Sat, April 20, 10:30am-11:30am: Come celebrate Earth Day by learning about how to be a better neighbor to local wildlife. Meet resident animals and hear about how humans have impacted their species.

Keep your energy environmentally-friendly:

Going Green: It's Cool for the Planet: California Automobile Museum; Ongoing, Daily 10am-6pm: This exhibit tells the story of clean fuel alternatives. Ask Museum staff for a free guided tour and information about this project.
Green Day at the Grove II: Nissan of Elk Grove; Sat, April 20, 10am-2pm: This event promotes alternative energy solutions and includes all-electric vehicles on display, e-Waste collection, electric bike demonstrations, kids' activities, and more.

Disclosure: Alison Kranz is Assistant Editor for Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

STC culls Lloyd Webber canon for latest cabaret offering

2013-04-14T14:14:13Z

For those who thought Sacramento Theatre Company's April 2012 cabaret production of "Music of the Night: The Musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber" had exhausted the best of the composer's catalogue, the company's closing cabaret offering of the 2012-13 season, "As If We Never Sad Goodbye," might well force a change of mind.

Subtitled "A Brand New Tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber," "As If ..." takes listeners back to the beginning with selections from the 1960s ("Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat"), to the 1970s ("Jesus Christ Superstar," "Evita"), to the prolific 1980s ("Starlight Express," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Aspects of Love"), to the '90s ("Sunset Boulevard," "Whistle Down the Wind") and through today ("Love Never Dies," the sequel to "The Phantom of the Opera").

Featured performers are STC Executive Producing Director Michael Laun, Tyler Wipfli, Mark Ettensohn, Lauryn Caruso, Justin Petersen, Michael RJ Campbell, and Abbey Williams-Campbell.

Musical accompaniment is provided by pianist Samuel Clein and drummer Brian Ivie.

The show plays at: 7 p.m. April 4, 8 p.m. April 5; 8 p.m. 8 p.m. April 6; 2 p.m. April 13; and 2 p.m. April 14.

Tickets cost $25 (with group tickets discounted to $20). To purchase tickets, call (916) 443-6722, or go online at www.sactheatre.org.

Youth Task Force to host “Breaking the Silence” rally

2013-04-14T03:22:25Z

To follow up “National Day of Silence”, an event held in Junior and High Schools all across the nation, the local Sacramento LGBTQ Youth Task Force is hosting a “Breaking the Silence” rally on the west steps of the California State Capitol (1314 Tenth St., Sacramento, CA 95814) Friday, April 19, 2013 between 5:00pm and 7:30pm.

Originally organized by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in 1996, the “Day of Silence” is a day of action in which “hundreds of thousands of students across the country take some form of a vow of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and peer-abuse in schools. Through their activities students can speak out against harassment and organize for change in their schools and communities”.

The Sacramento LGBTQ Youth Task Force, led by Sacramento City College student, Spencer Douglas, is a grassroots regional youth organization consisting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied youth, middle school to college level, along with adult partners from the community.

In a statement about the Day of Silence event, Douglas said, “The Day of Silence is symbolically giving up your voice representing those who never had a voice or were afraid to speak out against discrimination and violence. It’s mainly LGBT oriented but I like to imagine that I’m representing everyone that has not had a voice, no matter what background they come from.”

Douglas and his Task Force will celebrate the end of Day of Silence by hosting a “Breaking the Silence” rally for all area students throughout the region. College-age, parents and supporting adults are also invited to attend.

Spencer Douglas will be host speaker as well as several students who will be invited to talk about their experiences during Day of Silence at their schools during an open mike session.

In part, the celebration will be in remembrance of Michael Joseph Berry who was a victim of “bullycide” in 2008 at Mira Loma High School. Special guest speaker will be Michael’s mother, Lisa Ford-Berry, founder of B.R.A.V.E. Society, a local grassroots bullying awareness non-profit organization.

Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento), a long-time ally is sponsoring the “Breaking the Silence” event at the Capitol.

In addition, Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) authored an Assembly Resolution (ACR 44) to recognize National Day of Silence. The summary of the bill stated, “This measure would declare support for the goals and ideals of the National Day of Silence and would encourage school districts in the state to enforce laws and policies that prohibit name calling, bullying, harassment, and discrimination against all students, teachers, and other school staff regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.”

After the rally, Douglas and his LGBTQ Task Force team will move to the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center where they will host a “Night of Noise” party between 8:00 and 9:30 PM. All area Jr. and Senior High students are invited to attend.

For more information about the Task Force, contact Spencer Douglas: SacYouthTaskForce@gmail.com or check out their Facebook page HERE. To help support to work the Task Force is doing in the community go HERE.

Disclosure: Ken Pierce is a freelance journalist and a volunteer for the Sacramento LGBTQ Youth Task Force. Ken is not paid for the services he offers the youth organization. You can contact Ken Pierce by email: kpierce8272@yahoo.com.

Film Review: Trance for the memory

2013-04-12T17:20:52Z

“Trance” film review by Gary Chew

Director Danny Boyle, who gave us “Trainspotting” and “Slumdog Millionaire,” is back with another visceral romp that may be the product of Boyle watching “Inception” too many times. Also titled in a single word, “Trance” uses hypnotherapy as its conceit instead of dreams, as Christopher Nolan did for “Inception.” Either dreams or hypnosis used in a screenplay can be awesome for keeping a moviegoer tricked and, hopefully, astounded.

Tricked I was watching “Trance,” but not so much astounded. I did feel a mild touch of shock at some of Boyle's devices to hold my attention. One that was really catchy is when a leading player in the film is shot point blank in the face. Viewers don't immediately see the extent of the wound … until the victim raises only half a quite bloody head above the edge of a counter, and continues talking to the shooter – with the still intact upper lip and lower jaw. It's then you know that the person experiencing this confrontation – that really hasn't happened – is in a trance. Such things often occur in “Trance.”

Joe Ahearne and John Hodges' script has little sense of reality. Keeping the pace at full tilt with unrelenting repetition of various effects suddenly popping into a scene seems to be the top priority. Over-the-top action and violence run a close second. And it's all deftly supported by excellent cinematography and editing, although the film's music is too frequently applied with a heavy brush.

That good, old standby, baring the skin, is another strategy for not allowing the viewer to look away much, especially when the leading lady, Rosario Dawson (“Sin City”), comes ambling down a hallway to an attentive James McAvoy (“Atonement”) without a stitch on. That would be a stroll toward Mr, McAvoy while she's looking him straight in the eye. Boyle has framed Dawson frontally, and totally fills the screen with her form – head to toe.

Then for the gals, McAvoy and co-star Vincent Cassel get a good bit of bare skin time too, although not to the extent of Dawson's. All three leading players in the film appear to have rigorous workout schedules in real life.

What's the movie about? I thought you'd never ask.

This is a multi-million dollar art auction heist movie. McAvoy's character, an auction-house employee named Simon, has hooked up with a gang of art thieves led by an intense guy who goes by the name of Franck, played by Cassel (“Black Swan”). Simon has made this liaison because of his heavy gambling losses. The stolen painting, Goya's "Witches in the Air," would more than pay for what Simon has lost at poker.

But somehow, and we don't know it for a while, the purloined masterpiece is not in the gang's getaway briefcase where Simon placed it during the commotion of the well-staged heist. Franck knocks Simon unconscious for the high dollar art going missing. When Simon regains consciousness, he can't remember what he's done with the Goya. (However, you're supposed to know, somehow, that he's done something with it). If the script hadn't required Simon to lose his memory, the movie wouldn't have reached the entertainment level it does since he has lost it … his memory, that is.

Dawson plays Elizabeth, a professional hypnotherapist who specializes in helping patients remember that which they can't. Instead of killing Simon, the art thieves allow him to make an appointment with Elizabeth so he can begin work to recall what happened to the arty loot that's disappeared.

Yip, that's the story.

But not to worry, the narrative is cleverly presented in such a way that's meant to be a high-level, quick-think puzzle in a puzzle that mostly appeals to those with a keen intellect. You know, like a chess player's?

I hate to say it, but there's no one in “Trance” whom a moviegoer can care about in terms of “the good guy,” not even the character Dawson portrays. But for some reason, I didn't take much umbrage due to Elizabeth's shortcomings.

“Trance” tries too hard and pushes all the way to excite, titillate and confound, then loses most of its steam racing to the not-much-of-a-payoff finish.

Danny Boyles' clever film asks a moviegoer to suspend way too much disbelief for the amount of “smartz” it appears to require to appreciate. Following the screening, if my memory serves me correctly, I seem to recall someone else saying that “Trance” is silly.

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Kleber brings bigger-than-life laughs to B Street's Family Series

2013-04-12T14:13:21Z

B Street Theatre veteran Rick Kleber, who began performing for the company’s multi-generational audiences in the mid-1980s as a member of its Fantasy Theatre touring cast, is no subtle supporting actor, but an overwhelming comedic presence who doesn’t so much evoke LOLs from children and their parents (and their parents), as demand them.

In the B Street Theatre’s Family Series production of “Finding Our Voice: Susan B. & the Women’s Suffrage Movement,” which continues through Sunday, April 14, the Los Angeles-based Kleber – who was last seen here in 2012’s as the witch in “Hansel & Gretel” – once again pulls a Kleber. That is, he turns the comic sensibility up to “11,” changing personas as quickly as costumes.

“I’m playing three different characters,” said Kleber of the David Pierini-penned world premiere. “I’m playing a misogynistic garment-factory owner who treats women horribly – which is one reason why the women want better rights. I’m also playing a prison guard, and Dudley Field Malone – one of Woodrow Wilson’s right-hand men who became an assistant secretary of state. Malone was told to spy on the women involved in the suffragette movement, but he began to see their side and quit to represent the women by adding his legal know-how to help their cause.”

“Dave’s written a nice show,” said Kleber, adding his regular twice-a-year trips to Sacramento and the B Street are like “coming home.”

“It’s the same group of actors who have been together for years,” he said. “You build up certain relationships with these guys. At the beginning of rehearsals, we just sit back and reminisce a lot – it’s a kick.”

Among Kleber’s fellow veteran B Streeters featured “Finding Our Voice” are Ed Claudio as Woodrow Wilson, Greg Alexander as father of suffragette Mary Foster (Sarah Clancy), and Jamie Jones as Susan B. Anthony in her later years, as well as suffragette Alice Hall.

But for all of the star power B Street Producing Director Buck Busfield has brought to bear for “Finding Our Voice,” it wouldn’t be uncommon for Kleber’s performance to be the one exiting audiences will most fondly remember.

“I’m a bigger-than-life type of character,” said Kleber, a trained opera singer who’s usually cast in musical-theater roles when not performing at the B Street. “They always come to me for cartoonish characters, and I give them a variety of extremes. They don’t have to build me up – I’ll start at the top, and then they’ll rein me in.”

It’s this over-the-top, playing-to-the-balcony persona, which has made Kleber a favorite of B Street patrons of all ages.

“I think I’m a true character actor,” said Kleber, who’s also made his mark on the B Street main stage in such productions as “Gun Metal Blues” and “Death of Zukasky” (a personal favorite). “I don’t play a lot of straight-man roles – that’s not what they hire me for. I’m one of their human cartoons, though I still perform my characters from the heart. There is some realism involved. I perform from my heart so I can believe what I’m doing. You can’t fake stuff in front of kids. Sometimes you can with adults, but there’s no faking it with kids. If they don’t like you, you can see them get restless.”

“But I’ve always had good responses from children – and that’s why Buck has kept me doing kid’s stuff."

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: B Street Theatre Family Series production of “Finding Our Voice: Susan B. & the Women’s Suffrage Movement” by David Pierini (recommended for children 8 and older)

WHEN: March 9-April 14, 2013; with performances at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

WHERE: B Street Theatre B3 Stage, 2727 B St., Sacramento, Calif.

HOW MUCH: $18-$27

FOR MORE INFO: (916) 443-5300; www.bstreettheatre.org

New film (Interview): The Place Beyond the PInes (PART 2)

2013-04-12T11:57:13Z

This continues from Part 1 (link) - uploaded separately due to length.

INTERVIEW - PART 2

Tony Sheppard: So, without trying to give too much away, you’ve got this film here with big names on the marquee and yet the characters come and go. By my clock, Bradley Cooper doesn’t even show up until about 55 minutes into the film.

Derek Cianfrance: Yeah.

TS: Does that make it a hard film to sell to a general audience? I mean you have a poster….

DC: Yeah.

TS: …with three characters on it that never appear together on screen.

DC: Yeah. Well they…yeah. I always remember “Heat” was like that too – Michael Mann, when De Niro and Pacino are on screen together, they’re never in a two-shot together, they’re always like flip sides of a coin. I always thought that was amazing. But look, how do you market a film like this? You know what I mean – that’s so unlike other movies. How do you fit this into the pre-approved…how do you cut out a movie poster or cut a trailer that tells you this story.

TS: Yes – so many trailers these days just seem poorly made.

DC: Yeah – At the same time, I hope what’s great about Ryan, Bradley, Eva, and Ray and all these people being in this movie is that I have great actors that.... You know, this is what I think – I think of myself as an audience member and what I want to see. It’s as simple as that. I like to be challenged, I like to be surprised in a movie, I like to be respected as an audience member – to have my own thoughts about things. You know, I don’t like to be hammered – things like messages. And I like to be able to watch and experience – like when a movie enters my life. And I don’t think I’m that unlike a lot of people. I think there will definitely be a bit of… you know, the people that don’t like “The Place Beyond the Pines” – they end up pitting the pieces against each other. They say “2 was better than 1, or 3” or “1 is better than 2” They make it start to eat itself – do you know what I mean? But to me it’s just one thing.

TS: Did it always seem like one thing to you even while shooting – or were there moments when it felt like you were shooting three different films? Because you were working primarily with three different groups of people in different contexts.

DC: No, it was all one. It definitely felt as one the whole time. It felt like a city. Ben Coccio, my co-writer, and I, we love “The Wire” and how it went into different tribes within a city. And I think this movie just lives within two different tribes, you know, and it felt like they’re still in the same…. You know, that’s why we shot it Schenectady - and Schenectady means “The Place Beyond the Pines” in the Iroquois language.

TS: Right.

DC: It’s about what happens in this city when these tribes clash – it’s like war between two tribes. That’s why, with the grammar of the storytelling, we tried to make it consistent throughout – it didn’t change when Avery took over. We didn’t switch to digital format or something with the kids – it’s the same language.

TS: Having been to Schenectady, you’d think it meant something more like “Unremarkable.”

DC: (laughs) I don’t know – I love that place.

(laughs again) Well Schenectady – the thing is, on their patch on their police uniforms it’s Indians chasing the Dutch out of burning buildings. And there was a lot of massacres in Schenectady. And again, you think about history, you think about the blood on the hands you can never wash off. The “Macbeth” of it all. It’s there – it’s there in that city. It’s still there today – it’s haunted….

TS: To some extent, in your mind, Avery is like a single personification of the history of the region.

DC: Yeah.

TS: He’s got blood on his hands that he can’t wash off – and you feel like that place is steeped in that sort of lore and legend.

DC: Yeah. And the thing about Avery too is that he’s a good man. He grows up with this powerful father who’s steeped in that tradition – and he’s expected to assume that mantle that his father has. But he wants to be his own man.

TS: He’s certainly trying to be a good man.

DC: Yes.

TS: Whether or not he’s always hitting the mark.

DC: Yes, exactly. But that’s why I was interested. He becomes a cop, why? Because he’s his own man. Is he ever meant to be a cop? No – he’s meant to follow in his father’s footsteps but he has this hubris. And as a cop he makes this mistake, and once he makes that mistake he suffers this toxic shame. And he can’t deal with it – he’s a good man but instead of dealing with the corruption inside himself, he tries to clean up everything around him. But that corruption inside of himself doesn’t go away – it comes back, the chickens come home to roost as they say.

TS: There’s another Hollywood angle to this that you may not care about at all, and I wouldn’t blame you for not caring, but we’re in an awards season, we’ve just had the Oscars – at least at the time of this interview, not when the film will open. And Hollywood likes to define people based on whether they’re the lead role or the supporting role – and this seems like a film that, when you look at in that perspective, this seem like a very difficult cast to categorize.

DC: Yeah.

TS: Eva is obviously there through the whole story – but it’s hard to pinpoint who the lead character here is in terms of the way that the Academy or the Globes or somebody would look at the film. It feels like people are going to be looking at the film in those contexts but it’s hard to see how they’ll perceive it.

DC: Yeah, I have no idea. I mean you can’t make a film for awards shows….

TS: Although people apparently do.

DC: I’m only making this film because it feels like it’s very personal – it’s a lot of my fears, it’s a lot of my hopes and my dreams up on the screen. And fortunately I had so many great people – so many great actors and crew members along for that ride with me.

TS: Let me ask you a casting question. And I don’t mean to negate anybody else’s contribution to the project.

DC: Sure.

TS: You’ve worked with Ryan Gosling before on “Blue Valentine” and a couple of your producers have also worked with previously him on “Half Nelson.” There was an article, or a couple of articles, a couple of years ago that were talking about how the leading men in Hollywood were becoming more baby-faced and cute – pretty rather than handsome – the Leonardo DiCaprio, Zac Efron, Logan Lerman mould. Ryan Gosling is obviously good looking and he has a child actor past in him – but he’s a little more chiseled and angular and classic in his handsomeness. He’s clearly a talented guy – but what is he bringing to this that makes him, for you, the go to “I want to work with this guy again” actor?

DC: Magic. He’s magic. He’s a magic human being. We’ve all seen him break up fights in New York in those youtube videos and I have to say, when he’s on a movie set he’s the same way. He just… he makes the world a better place. And to have a collaborator like him is a gift. He’s so creative, his instincts are so good, he’s so talented. He’s just… you know… if I could make every movie with him I would love to.

TS: Are you at all concerned that, and again I don’t know if this is the right question to ask, but are you at all concerned that there are likely to be parallels drawn between this movie and “Drive”?

DC: You know, I think if they are they are only very, very surface elements. I started writing this film in 2007 and I remember…. I’ll say this, when I was writing “Blue Valentine” in 1998, one day I walked by a marquee in Santa Monica and I saw a poster for “The Story of Us” starring Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer, directed by Rob Reiner – a story of marriage on the rocks. And I thought “Oh my god, shit! – they did it, they made “Blue Valentine”!”

TS: It strikes me that with “Drive” if you think they’re the same, you actually don’t understand either character.

DC: No. Refn’s a great filmmaker but we couldn’t be more different as filmmakers – we’re interested in different things. And this movie is… yeah, I don’t see the similarities.

TS: Let me ask you one last question. I’ve been co-directing a small, modest film festival in Sacramento for about 10 years, and whenever anybody talks about film festivals they think Cannes, Sundance, Toronto – and we’ve been showcasing a lot of student films. We’ve seen great student films from all over - we’ve seen films from the University of Central Florida and Chapman, and films from Colorado, and Columbia in Illinois. And when people talk about film schools they mention USC, NYU, UCLA and many people’s lists don’t go much further. Do you get frustrated with the closed-mindedness –that those are the good film schools? You’ve obviously come out of a good film school with a solid grounding and you’re making fantastic films – does that aspect of the closed-mindedness of Hollywood and the industry frustrate you?

DC: Well, I grew up, when I was 17 years old, I was programmed that way – I had to go to USC, UCLA, NYU – but I couldn’t afford to. I was so disappointed. I ended up going to the University of Colorado, disappointed. And I have to say that after going there, I feel like I’m so thankful for having gone there because I feel like my education was very unique – I studied with true artists, with [Stan] Brakhage and with Phil Solomon – and they taught me how to be an artist and I’m so thankful. I’ve later sat in on some classes at NYU and I’m just so thankful that I went to school at University of Colorado. And yes there’s so many places with great film professors that those aren’t the only games in town – just like you don’t have to live in Hollywood to be a filmmaker. There’s plenty of… you don’t have to play by the rules.

And I’m always fighting that when I’m on set too – there’s this certain way that you’re supposed to make movies – well I have my own process. I don’t like saying “Action” or “Cut” – I don’t have a director’s chair. There’s no video village when I’m making a movie. I hate the machine behind the scenes. I have to say that by Day 7, usually my crew wants to throw a mutiny, but by Day 47 everyone is on the same page. I just think that people need to be themselves and come up with their own process and make their own paths. Just because Scorcese went to NYU doesn’t mean that if you like Scorsese films that’s the only place to go.

TS: He’s a great filmmaker because he’s Scorsese not because he went to NYU.

DC: Yeah. Yeah. But when I was a kid, he was right above my bed – I used to sleep with his picture above my bed. I really wanted to go to NYU. (laughs)

TS: Well, thank you very much – I really hope that it works out and that audiences find it and appreciate it as much as I did.

DC: Yes thank you for your time – let people know about it. Tell your students about it and hopefully they’ll like it, I think they will.

New film (Interview): The Place Beyond the Pines (PART 1)

2013-04-12T11:49:29Z

The Place Beyond the Pines
Directed by Derek Cianfrance

In “The Place Beyond the Pines,” Ryan Gosling is a motorcycle stunt rider (Luke) in a traveling carnival, who meets up with an old flame (Eva Mendes) as he passes back through Schenectady, New York, only to find reason to consider settling down. But his desire to make money and his riding ability translate into an unlikely series of bank robberies that bring the attention of local police, including Avery Cross, played by Bradley Cooper. Aside from a neat story and strong characters, what really sets this movie apart from most others is a very distinctive narrative structure that spans many years and multiple character arcs.

In February, I had the opportunity to sit and chat with director Derek Cianfrance about the film, the genesis of the idea, about things it reminds us of (including an unlikely conversation about “Star Wars”), influences, Hollywood, Ryan Gosling, filmmaking, and film schools. It was a fairly freewheeling conversation that, other than the more general remarks, will likely make more sense after seeing the movie, and it may contain a few mild spoilers.

INTERVIEW - PART1:

Tony Sheppard: I’m a college professor and I only do one or two film interviews a year, so something really has to grab my attention and your film certainly did.

Derek Cianfrance: Nice!

TS: I loved it, by the way.

DC: Thank you – and I appreciate you taking the time.

TS: Hollywood is pretty much entrenched in the three act screenplay mindset. If you take a class in screenwriting, or a workshop, or even in film school, you’re basically taking classes in three act screenplay writing. Your film clearly isn’t that – it’s more like a trilogy of three act screenplays, or a nine act screenplay. You’ve said previously that the three screen presentation of “Napoleon” and the protagonist transition in “Psycho” really influenced you wanting to do something that was structurally different.

DC: Yeah – that was the basis of “The Place Beyond the Pines” 20 years ago when I saw those films. I always dreamed of doing a triptych movie I just didn’t know what the story was. I didn’t have a song to sing – you know I had a melody but no song to sing. It wasn’t until my wife was pregnant with our second son that I realized I had a story and it was all about becoming a father again, it was all about legacy. I was thinking about what I was going to pass on to my child and what I was born with. I was thinking about my ancestors and how brutally they must have lived in order to survive – and now I’m eating with a knife and a fork and I’m civilized but there was incredible bloodshed in my past. Just thinking about the animal in us - it seemed like a ripe idea. It seemed like something very personal and very vulnerable for me to go into and I had this structure – like the father, the son, and the holy ghost. I had this skeleton and all of a sudden there was meat on it, there was blood pumping , and there was life in it.

In film school, my film professor Phil Solomon, when he saw my first student feature “Brother Tied,” he said “It’s too much ‘Look Ma, no hands!’” – he said “Derek, just ride the bike!” you know?

He said “Form must illuminate content.” I went to a very formalist film school, so I knew all about aesthetics and structure – what I really had to be ,mindful of from that point forward was story. What was the story?

TS: I don’t know if anybody else has said this and I hope you take it the right way, and I mean this in kind of a fun way, there are aspects of it that reminded me of “Star Wars.” Lucas went into that with a trilogy in mind, it’s a father-son story, you’ve got your own Han Solo/Greedo “Who shot first?” moment

DC: Yes, we do! (laughs) And then of course it changes in the new “Star Wars” and Han moves and Greedo shoots first. But in the original “Star Wars” Han shot first and I thought that made such a better character.

TS: Right! But you’ve got the debate of whether or not shooting first makes you a better character or makes you a bad person and I think it’s an odd analogy, and I don’t know if anybody else has stated it in these terms, but you’ve got the Han Solo/Greedo debate in the middle of “The Place Beyond the Pines.”

DC: The Han Solo/Greedo debate – 1977 version of “Star Wars.”

TS: Yes.

DC: Not the re-release. And that what was so interesting to me about Avery, Bradley Cooper in this movie, is that he’s that character who does, who preserves himself, who has the ability to keep himself alive. Survival of the fittest – that ruthlessness. And the guilt, psychologically, and your heart - how that corrupts your soul.

TS: To follow the same analogy, Han Solo does it casually and he’s cool with it. That’s who he is. Avery is not casual about it.

DC: No.

TS: It’s not something that’s easy for him to live with.

DC: No.

TS: The other aspect of the unconventionality of the screenplay structure that I thought was interesting, and I think you touched on it when you talked about your ancestors, is this is a film that from a Hollywood perspective is quite unconventional. But in terms of life it’s quite conventional – the decisions that you make 10 years ago, 20 years ago, or the decisions your parents made, affect what you do now. So I found it interesting to think that if this is unconventional in Hollywood terms but conventional in real life terms, does your movie essentially demonstrate how deficient in a sense, or broken, Hollywood’s fixation on these very linear three act stories is, rather than perhaps telling more meaningful life stories?

DC: Yeah. That’s interesting. Look, I relate to that because when I was 25 years old, living in Boulder, Colorado, I had a choice where I was going to go – New York or L.A. I figured if I go to L.A., everybody’s going to be out there making movies. My movies were going to be inspired by other movies. If I moved to New York, not everyone’s making movies out there, I’d be around people and maybe my movie would reflect the human experience and not other movies. And so I put myself in the place where I could try to make films about life. And as an audience member who’s loved films his whole life, as much as anyone I’ve ever met, I feel a great disconnect often times from the perfection I see up on the screen – and the Hollywood structure. My life doesn’t work in those three act structures. My life… I don’t have an exciting incident in my life all the time and I don’t always know what I want, and I don’t always have these clear character arcs….

TS: It certainly doesn’t resolve itself – like a 22 minute sitcom does.

DC: Yeah.

TS: I was sitting there thinking “Wow, I like this, I like the story you’re telling me, I like the structure you’re using to tell me the story you’re telling me.” But I was kicking myself at the end because, despite the fact that even early on I was thinking “This is unconventional” and I was enjoying it, I still found myself looking for a conventional ending. There’s a point there where you could have that wrapped up, neat Hollywood ending, where maybe Avery disowns A.J. [his son] and Jason [the son of Ryan Gosling’s character] ends up in law school with Avery picking up the tab.

DC: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

TS: Because he might feel more inclined to help the other guy’s son than his own son.

DC: Yeah.

TS: And it’s interesting to watch something unconventional and still try and think of it in conventional terms.

The interview continues in Part 2 - uploaded as a separate article due to length.

Historic R

2013-04-12T03:31:11Z

Early evening light casts a soft glow on the Historic R District. The R Street Corridor is a 27-block long, two block wide special planning district within Sacramento’s Central City Community. The Fox and Goose Pub is behind the bicyclist.

Perfect weather and a beer, anyone?

2013-04-12T01:31:13Z

April and May are the perfect months for enjoying the Sacramento sun. Sure, you can drink a decent beer outside on many a streetside table, but this is about back patios, gardens and out-of-the-way spots to drink out of doors. A lack of car traffic is key, and both fountains and live music earn you extra points.

Before long it will be far too hot to sit and bask with a beer, so without further ado, here are five excellent places in the area to enjoy a beer outdoors. If you agree, disagree, or wish to share your favorite spot in the area, I invite you to do so – secret spots welcome!

Bows & Arrows

This collective has a nice, albeit generally minimal, selection of beers; excellent food made by in-house chef Gabriel Nokes; a great back courtyard and a constantly changing supply of art throughout the complex. Going to Safeway for groceries? Why not stop for a drink and bask in the sun for an hour or two on the way?

They are set up to sell almost anything in the place – clothing, art, jewelry, you name it. Don’t be intimidated – this is a benefit. There are things you are going to want. If you haven’t been, go. It’s a fountain oasis back there.

The Shack

The Shack has amazing beer and plenty of it – and a fire pit for breezier evenings. They also have live music Thursday nights, mussels on Belgian Beer Night (Tuesdays) and Sacramento Beer Week master Dan Scott hosting trivia on Wednesdays.

Belgian beers, local beers, lambics, saisons, German beers – The Shack has choices for everyone. In fact, they have so many beers that you won’t know where to start.

Dad’s Kitchen

Dad’s Kitchen, featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives back in 2011, opened a new tap room and expanded patio on Tuesday night. The shady back patio can get rather packed, but the atmosphere is fun and the staff very friendly. They also frequently have live music. They stock numerous local brews, and as you may have guessed, their food is terrific and goes well with beer - health food fanatics need not stop by.

“Holy crustification,” Guy Fieri said about the Dad’s Burger, a burger encrusted with blue cheese and bacon. Pairs well with an IPA.

Notable facts: All-day happy hour Tuesdays means all beers are $4. During regular happy hours they have a $7 pitcher of PBR, plus one featured craft beer – usually for $4. They also serve Temple coffee if you are headed there for brunch and prefer not to drink in the morning.

Berryessa Brewing Company

This one is a must. It’s true, Berryessa Brewing Company probably isn’t within walking or biking distance of home, but it’s well worth the drive to Winters. They make great brews and the location is picturesquely situated between a vineyard and an orchard. In fact, they share the property with Berryessa Gap Vineyards. They also have frequent live music and along with it, a food truck or specialty caterer such as The Pasta Queen, The Hotdogger or Fuzion Eatz on site. You can also bring a picnic of your own.

Festivals

I admit, this is not a place, per se; you cannot just stop by any day of the week. But on a perfect spring day with sun and just the right amount of heat, there is no better place to be than at an outdoor beer festival. Fremont Park, Discovery Park, Raley Field - picture it.

There is an abundance of outdoor beer festivals in the Sacramento region, starting with the Sacramento Beer and Chili Festival at Fremont Park last Saturday and the Bockbierfest at the Sacramento Turn Verein, also this past weekend.

If you missed last weekend, fear not. There are many more opportunities to come. Pick your favorite locale and get yourself a ticket. Bring friends and enjoy the beautiful weather and the insane variety of beers to choose from.

Upcoming festivals include the Capitol City International Beerfest at the Sacramento Turn Verein (STV) on Saturday, April 27. Proceeds from this event will go to the United States Handball Association FirstAce. The STV’s annual Maifest will take place on May 5 from noon to 5. Now there’s a way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Of all the beer festivals around, those hosted by the STV are the most family friendly. Before you are done with a liter, your son or daughter may be signed up for German language classes, dancing lessons or the STV soccer team. They also generally serve up some pretty delicious traditional German eats.

The West Coast Brew Fest will be Saturday, May 18 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Miller Park – a great spot right on the Sacramento River - and the 7th Annual Raley Field Brewfest will take place on Friday, June 7. Tickets are already on sale, so check it out for your chance to have a beer in the outfield.

If you’re a real planner, the California Brewers Festival at Discovery Park has already been set for Sept. 21, 2013. This festival serves as a terrific sendoff to the summer heat.

Honorable Mention goes to Lagunitas in nearby Petaluma. It’s not local, but it just isn’t right to have a list of outdoor drinking spots without mentioning them. Actually, next week here at the Sacramento Beer Writer we will be laying out a beer road trip. Block off a weekend in your calendar because you're not going to want to wait long before giving it a try.

[Sponsored: Get the tools to brew your own beer at Brew, Ferment and Distill, now at new location; 3216 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.. Learn more here.]

Cesar Chavez Day in Sacramento

2013-04-11T23:38:37Z

Last year brave marchers participated in the annual Cesar Chavez march under rainy skies. This year it did not rain on their parade and a larger number of marchers participated on Saturday, April 6.

Participants gathered at the Southside Park Amphitheatre, near the corner of 7th and T streets. Marchers eventually paraded towards the Capitol Mall and advanced to Cesar Chavez Plaza that remains closed due to renovations.

This was the 13th year the march has taken place in Sacramento. This year many of the marchers also marched to demand legislation to give undocumented residents a path to the always controversial issue of citizenship for illegal immigrants.

A White House Presidential Proclamation released on March 29 proclaimed March 31, 2013, as Cesar Chavez Day. In that proclamation, President Barack Obama stated, “I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community, and education programs to honor Cesar Chavez's enduring legacy.”

The legacy that Chavez left was celebrated by a crowd of over 350 marchers.

Banners from groups such as Primero de Mayo, Occupy Sacramento, Latin Democratic Club, Roger Dickinson California State Assembly member, Sacramento City Teachers Association, Sacramento City Teachers Association and many others were displayed as they marched.

Along the route some participants chanted “Si se puede!” (yes we can) , “El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido” (the people united will never be divided) as well as chants aimed against Obama's deportation policy.

A marcher, Marcos Sanchez, nodded as he recited, “According to the Department of Homeland Security, the federal government, in 2011, deported close to 400,000 people who were in the country illegally.”

Students from local colleges and high schools made up a good portion of the marchers. Some of the students in rhythm chanted, “Money, for jobs and education. Not for racist deportation.” Most marched with the same passion as Chavez himself and with as much fervor and enthusiasm.

The most colorful contingency belonged to the Kalpulli Itzkuauhtli Danza Azteka many of whom marched and danced the three mile route barefoot.

Once the march returned to Southside Park the Kalpulli Itzkuauhtli dancers performed in front of the park's amphitheatre.

Speakers from organizations took turns to thank the marchers and talk about their group.

Conscious of the growing power Latinos hold at the ballot box, Sacramento area politicians including Assembly members Roger Dickinson and Richard Pan joined the marchers. Both Assembly members thanked marchers for their support and for keeping the legacy and memory of Chavez alive.

Similar events took place throughout the U.S. commemorating Cesar Chavez Day.

Jeremy Brickner: Chemical-free bee collector

2013-04-11T18:50:10Z

If you see a swarm of bees that won't move on - who ya gonna call?

Jeremy Brickner, beekeeper and swarm collector.

He will gladly respond, with a huge smile, to someone in need of help getting rid of unwanted bees.

Yesterday afternoon he responded to the 800 block of F Street. Residents had noticed 5,000-6,000 bees hanging around a gutter, flying about, for roughly a week.

He said he sells the boxes – that happen to be full of bees. The bees, however, are free – Brickner can't guarantee they'll survive long.

He explained that about five generations of bees will become toxic from one generation’s exposure to the poisons used for extermination in the hive. Bees live four to six weeks.

Pesticides, when used, build up in the hive. The bees will, at some point, bail out of the hive and leave within minutes.

"Where they go, don't know," Brickner said. "When they fly out their front door with all the toxins in their bodies, they are so deranged and geographically challenged. They have no idea where they're at."

"They have no idea where to go because they are so jacked up on drugs and they're done," he said.

Brickner arrived with a white box for collecting bees. Wearing purple latex gloves and no other protection, he gently picked up piles of bees from the gutter, placing them into the box.

This was his second call of the day. He was having lunch when called and he headed right over to F Street.

The bees were flying around the box. At times it seemed he wasn't making any headway keeping them inside of it.

He tried to find the queen bee, though didn’t have much luck.

The massive number of bees he collected in the box weighed a couple of pounds.

Towards the end of his mission, he got one sting on the tip of one of his fingers. He really does love his job.

Second Saturday cooking with Chef Adam Pechal

2013-04-11T14:10:55Z

Last month Chef Adam Pechal and Feeding Crane Farms partnered to host the first in a series of Second Saturday classes at Lulu's Kitchen. Pechal will be holding another class this Saturday, April 13. This week’s class features wine and cheese pairings and recipes with Sean Minor Wines.

If the March event is any guide, expect a good time and some delicious food. With Pechal’s gregarious personality and proven skills, you may even learn a little about about cooking along the way.

Here's how things went down during the March class. The event was appropriately billed "Beer, Beer, Beer," and a variety of brews from Berryessa Brewing Company did indeed flow freely throughout the evening.

Guests sampled five different dishes that were paired with the beers. All the food was delicious, but if you go, don't expect a full meal. Although guests were offered seconds (and sometimes thirds) of items at the class I attended, most of the food was plated as a one- or two-bite sampling. We started things off with some crispy-salty kale chips.

As we finished up the chips and our first beer tasting, we headed into the kitchen, where Pechal demonstrated how to make the next pairing's featured bite: shrimp fritters with Meyer lemon aioli. Pechal proved to be a natural showman and teacher, explaining each step of the recipe with clarity and good humor. Since this first event was originally touted as a "cooking class," I was a little surprised when we left the kitchen after just one demo, and with no opportunity to try our hand at making any of the dishes. But after all, it was the first class and I imagine they were still working out the kinks.

Despite this minor disappointment, I was having a good time. Moving back into the dining room adjacent to the kitchen, my fellow classmates and I happily munched on the fritters while sipping its beer pairing, Berryessa's Common Sense Ale. After some more socializing, some more beer, and some enlightening comments from brewmaster Chris Miller, we sampled a refreshing salad of grapefruit and greens ...

followed by housemade sausage with horseradish mustard, paired with Cease and Desist Ale, my favorite beer of the night.

And so the evening progressed: As we ate and drank our way through the pairings, Miller discussed the attributes of each brew and Pechal provided commentary on the food. There was a bit of Q-and-A, a good amount of culinary education and quite a few laughs. I even got the chance to taste my very first barley wine.

Oh, and there was bacon. Chocolate-covered bacon to be exact, which was a surprisingly suitable accompaniment to the last brew of the night, a smooth, dark stout... the name of which I honestly can't recall. I blame the beer (and the bacon).

The next Northern California Favorites class will be held this Saturday, April 13. The class is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m., but be aware that the March event ran until 7 p.m. Students in the April class will partake of wine and cheese pairings featuring Sean Minor Wines.

What: Monthly classes hosted by Chef Adam Pechal and Feeding Crane Farms, highlighting the chef’s favorite Northern California farms, food and beverage producers and culinary events. Classes include food and drink tastings, recipes, free all-night parking and goodie bags for each student.

Cost: $49 per person or $89 per couple

When: Every second Saturday, 4-6 p.m.

Where: Lulu's Kitchen, 701 16th St. (at G Street)

Tickets are available via Chef Pechal's Eventbrite page. All students must be 21 years of age or older and will be asked to show identification at the door.

Dawn Balzarano is a local freelance food photographer, blogging at KitchenTravels.com.

Disclosure: The author received a press pass to attend the March event. Dawn's opinions are her own, always will be.

Bash and Bike 2013

2013-04-11T05:56:10Z

The Lionsgate hotel at the old McClellan Air Force Base, hosts the second installment of the Bash and Bike.

Local star John Abella is the main event and former womens world champion Martha Salazar from San Francisco is the co-main event.

Bash and Bike includes a motorcycle show, boxing and amateur kickboxing.

Come on out Saturday, April 13, 2013 and enjoy the beautiful Bikes and take in some great Kickboxing action afterwards. Seats are still available.

For Information about tickets or directions please visit: http://oppboxing.com/

‘Family Sunday Funday’ highlights expanded ‘Festival of the Arts’

2013-04-11T04:18:40Z

‘Funday’ highlights expanded ‘Festival of the Arts’

A new, Family Funday Sunday on April 14 is the centerpiece of a dramatically expanded Festival of the Arts at Sacramento State.
Presented by the University’s College of Arts and Letters, this year’s Festival runs April 12-17 and has more attractions offering the best of Sacramento State’s arts programs with productions such as Cabaret, jazz by Saturday Night Live trombonist and Sac State alumnus Steve Turre, and special exhibits in the campus’ art galleries.
“Our Festival, like our majors, offers a variety of creative outlets; be it a theatrical or musical performance, a lecture on how artists price their talents and work, a film screening or poetry reading,” says College of Arts and Letters Dean Edward Inch.
Visit www.csus.edu/festival for a complete schedule. Festival highlights include:

“Bodies of Water,” a free exhibit of works by Sylvia Sensiper, a researcher and artist who teaches courses on Buddhism and has produced a video about Tibetan Buddhism. It runs April 2-25 in the Else Gallery. A special reception featuring music and dance runs 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, April 12.

Cabaret: The Tony award winning musical turns the spotlight on Kit Kat Klub singer Sally Bowles and her experiences amidst the rise of Nazi Germany in 1920s Berlin. Performances are April 10-21.

“Dance Sampler,” a presentation of selections from some of the city’s professional dance troupes, under the direction of Professor Lorelei Bayne. April 13 and 14, two performances each day.

Steve Turre: Saturday Night Live’s trombonist for 30 years, the Sac State alumnus is also the master of the jazz conch shell. He performs with our own Jazz Ensembles on April 17.
The Funday Sunday runs 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with demonstrations, performances, exhibits, live music, a special Kids’ Zone, and the best of the city’s mobile food providers, Sacto MoFo with vendors such as Krush Burgers and Chando’s Tacos.
“Funday is an opportunity for the college to welcome our students, staff, faculty, alumni, neighbors and their families to campus for one day—to experience both the arts and the letters at Sac State,” says Inch. “Funday celebrates what makes our programs so unique.”
The College of Arts and Letters has lined up events for the entire family on that day, including a Kids’ Zone that will be located on the Main Quad at the north end of campus, offering a bounce house, free ice cream, and many other child-oriented attractions.
The University’s Ceramics Guild will offer demonstrations of making items from clay on a ceramics wheel. Adults and older children will have the chance to try it themselves.
Visitors to Mendocino Hall will be able to use the sound studio to record themselves and listen back to the results.
And there will be theatrical and dance presentations, as well as exhibits in galleries across the campus.
Parking on campus is free during the run of Funday, as are all activities except for Cabaret and the Sacramento Dance Sampler.
Ticket prices, times, and more details about the Festival of the Arts are available at www.csus.edu/festival. More information also is available at the College of Arts and Letters, (916) 278-6502 or at their Facebook page www.facebookcom/CSUSArtsLetters. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

Craig Koscho
ckoscho@csus.edu

Book Talk: D. A. Powell and the Northern California Book Awards

2013-04-10T03:48:38Z

The Northern California Book Reviewers have shortlisted the books for the 32nd Annual Northern California Book Awards, and D.A. Powell, a Sacramento area favorite, is on the list.

Why does that matter?

Well, he’s also going to be featured in this year’s Festival of the Arts at California State University, Sacramento. On Friday, April 12, from 3 to 4 p.m., Powell will read and hold a book signing at the University Library Gallery.

Powell’s newest book, the one being considered for the poetry award, is “Useless Landscape: A Guide for Boys,” and was published by Graywolf Press in early 2012.

With poems like “Head Out on the Highway,” “The Price of Funk in Funkytown” and “Riverfront Park, Marysville, CA,” Powell presents the between. His ear and attention to language is always careful and appropriate to the poem. There’s also always a little twist.

About Powell, Dr. Joshua McKinney, the event’s host, said:

“To my mind, D.A. Powell has with his last two books assumed his rightful place in the pantheon of California poets—I mean those poets for whom the California landscape (in Powell’s case the Central Valley) and the landscapes of the poet’s psyche, blood, and bone become one and the same. No one captures this terrain—its beauty, futility, and sadness—better than D.A. Powell. He’s a poet whose work draws me back to it often, and I am always humbled and instructed and amazed.”

Other Sacramento area favorites being considered include Lucille Lang Day and her book, “Married at Fourteen: A True Story,” published by Heyday; Art Beck and his translation from the Latin of “Opera Omnia” by Luxorious, published by Otis Books, Seismicity Editions; and Robert Hass and his book, “What Light Can Do: Essays on Art, Imagination, and the Natural World.”

Lang Day’s reading at The Avid Reader a few months ago is still being talked about. If you see her, be sure to ask about the hair. Beck has read several times at the Sacramento Poetry Center, and Hass is the director of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers and will return to Sacramento in June to read at a benefit to be held at the Crocker Art Museum.

In the meantime, mark your calendar and make your way out to the University Library Gallery Friday, April 12 at 3 p.m. to hear Powell read from his new, and perhaps older, works.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

SERGE! IS COMING TO TOWN...

2013-04-10T00:53:34Z

On Saturday, April 13, 2013, the Sacramento French Film Festival will bring Gainsbourg-mania to Sacramento for the fourth year in a row, with Serge! a party paying homage to one of France’s most provocative artists, Serge Gainsbourg. Featuring films, music, art and French cocktails, Serge! is one of the most fun and unique parties Sacramento has to offer!

Serge Gainsbourg, a major figure in the 1960's, ‘70's, and ‘80's pop-culture, took the world by storm through a fog of Gitanes and alcohol, reinventing himself from Gainsbourg to “Gainsbarre”! Singer-songwriter, director, actor, photographer, provocateur, and iconoclast, Gainsbourg was the lover of sex-symbol Brigitte Bardot and fathered singer-actress Charlotte Gainsbourg with famous English beauty Jane Birkin. He wrote songs for countless artists including France Gall, Vanessa Paradis, Juliette Greco, Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Adjani. Gainsbourg is still considered one of the world's most influential and popular artists.

Serge! brings together several Sacramento musical talents: from DJs Christophe and Roger to live tribute bands Afternoon Teacup Collection and Peter Petty IS Dirge Gainsbourg. Serge! will also feature a lightshow from Rainbow Prism Atomic and local Gainsbourg inspired artwork…

A program of three short films inspired by Gainsbourg will start the evening: Une nuit qu’il etait à se morfondre… (One Night He Was Lingering Around…) by Cyril Paris, Variations sur Marilou by Félix Dufour-Lapierre and L’Histoire de Melody Nelson by Sébastien Merlet. Films will be presented in French with English subtitles. After the screening, you will dance the night away to the sound of live tribute bands and Gainsbourg songs!

Don’t forget to visit the bar for champagne, beer, wine and the SFFF’s signature Pastis cocktails served to you with an enchanting Southern French accent by Guy, the SFFF bartender!

In conjunction with its Serge! celebration, and for the first time this year, the Sacramento French Film Festival is launching a call for artists so that the Sacramento arts community can be represented on the “Gainsbourg Wall” in Paris! Gainsbourg lived at 5 bis rue de Verneuil in the 7th arrondissement from 1969 until his death in 1991. Since he passed away, artists and fans have been paying homage to him by adding graffiti, poems, collages, and stencils on the wall in front of his house, making the “Gainsbourg Wall” a constantly evolving work of art. Sacramento artists are invited to create a stencil inspired by Gainsbourg. The winning design will be stenciled on the iconic graffiti-covered wall in front of Gainsbourg’s house in Paris this summer. Entries will be judged by a team composed of members of the SFFF, Verge Center for the Arts, and local artists (deadline is May 30, 2013). Winners will be announced during the 12th Sacramento French Film Festival (June 21-30 at the Crest Theatre). More information can be found on the Sacramento French Film Festival website.

SERGE! 4th ANJNUAL GAINSBOURG TRIBUTE PARTY will happen this Saturday, April 13 at Verge Center for the Arts. 625 S Street, Downtown Sacramento.
7:30p.m. Doors and bar open!
8:00p.m. Short Film Screening.
9:00p.m. Live Music by Afternoon Teacup Collection & Peter Petty IS Dirge Gainsbourg.
10:00p.m. till 1:00a.m. French Pop Dance Party w/ DJ Christophe & DJ Roger Carpio.

The event benefits the Sacramento French Film Festival and Verge Center for the Arts.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Cecile Mouette Downs is the Executive & Artistic Director of the Sacramento French Film Festival.

Award-winning filmmaker & sound engineer give tips on April 16

2013-04-09T17:34:35Z

Aspiring filmmakers -- professionals and weekenders – should come out to the next "Third Tuesday" workshop from the Capital Film Arts Alliance. It's on April 16 at The Art Institute at 7p.m. and will feature director Chris King and sound engineer Jimmy Bell. These guys know what they're doing with camera and sound, they've won awards and accolades galore, and are more than willing to share their "best tips" with others.

This particular workshop is part of The Poe Project, a creative filmmaking, writing and literature project from the Capital Film Arts Alliance, the Sacramento Public Library, and a host of other arts groups and businesses. "The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe" has been named as the work for the Sacramento Public Library's "Read One" program for 2013, and The Poe Project film/video competition is part of a coordinated effort to bring the "Read One" program into different artistic, social and creative parts of the local community.

Some of the basic tenants of The Poe Project: local filmmakers will be asked to create short films no longer than 13 minutes long, submissions will be screened at a major Sacramento venue (most likely the Crest Theatre) in the fall and then be available online, and there will be prize money available in different categories, including for student films (both high school and college). In addition, a full-length screenwriting competition of an adaptation of Poe's work will also be part of The Poe Project. Filmmakers and writers who sign up now will have the entry fee waived (no obligation).

About Chris King and Jimmy Bell

The Capital Film Arts Alliance – of which I'm a board member – is very excited about to have King and Bell speak. The board pondered how best to give the aspiring Poe Project filmmakers the best advice and information as they work toward their shoot days. We wanted our series speakers (our "Third Tuesday" event because … well, it's on the third Tuesday each month) to have speakers who could help filmmakers on set. How can a filmmaker make sure he or she gets all the different shots, angles and images for the editing process? How can you get the best sound on set?

King and Bell are the ideal experts to answer these questions.

I've worked with both of them. They are two of the nicest, friendliest, most talented and intense people I know, and they are both completely dedicated to their craft. King has won award after award for his shorts, including "The Killing of Mary Surratt," where – full disclosure! – I played the title character about the true story of the fate of an accused Lincoln-assassination conspirator. King understands how to plan a shoot, sketch out what shots are needed and how much time it should take, and how best to provide enough material for the editing process -- and make an amazing film.

Bell started out as a musician and migrated to the film/video world because of his knowledge of sound and sound equipment. He created his own sound studio business, cut his teeth by teaming up with local filmmakers on creative projects, and now regularly works for a variety of cable shows on DiY, HGTV, National Geographic and Country Music Television (CMT). He was also nominated for an Emmy in 2011 for work on Sutter Health Television.

About the Capital Film Arts Alliance

The Sacramento filmmaking world is an interesting one, in the best of ways. There's a sense of camaraderie among the folks here, and an incredible amount of talent. I've lived in San Francisco and New York, and know a lot about the filmmaking world in Los Angeles. Sacramento's best talent – including and especially Chris and Jimmy – rival the folks from the more stereotypical filmmaking centers in terms of talent and accomplishment.

The Capital Film Arts Alliance (or CFAA) is a member-based nonprofit established by and for local filmmakers of all levels to further the community. We started out as a handful of aspiring filmmakers who met every once in a while to share ideas and best practices. This evolved over time to a regular monthly meeting and occassional creative competition in conjunction with film festivals like the Sacramento Film and Music Festival's creative programming and Access Sacramento's "Place Called Sacramento" program. Now we're an official nonprofit.

Filmmaking (or really "video production," since few people actually work in film these days) is a constantly evolving art form, craft and business, and the CFAA was established to bring both professionals and aspiring filmmakers together to share ideas, tips, best practices, and "war stories." We outreached to the Library for The Poe Project to inspire the local community to stretch their creative muscles … and possibly learn new crafts in the process. And we always welcome film fans who want to learn about what's being made locally.

So come out to the CFAA's next Third Tuesday at The Art Institute at 7pm and listen to Chris and Jimmy and meet other creative types. Or keep your eye on the Capital Film Arts Alliance facebook page for other upcoming events, especially ones related to The Poe Project. It's free to members ($35/year; $15/year for students), or just $5 at the door as a guest.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Mary Beth Barber is a board member of the Capital Film Arts Alliance.

Sacramento celebrates National Poetry Month

2013-04-09T16:17:16Z

Poetry abounds in the Sacramento region and what better way to celebrate all the city has to offer in terms of poetry & literature than during April, National Poetry Month?

In honor of National Poetry Month, Sacramento365.com's Featured Local Artist for April is poet Shawn Aveningo. With four published books of poetry and her work appearing in dozens of publications, Shawn is an accomplished and prolific poet.

Learn about Shawn in her Featured Artist Profile and catch her performing live this Friday, April 12 at the Poets Showcase and reading with Poetica Erotica at Luna's Unplugged on Thursday, April 25.

In addition to events listed above and in this round-up on The Sacramento Press, here are some other poetry-oriented events worth checking out this month:

Talent Showcase: Live Music & Spoken Word Performances:
Brickhouse Gallery; Sat, April 13, 7:30pm-10:30pm
9th Annual Teen Poetry Slam:
Elk Grove Library; Thurs, April 18, 3:30pm-5:15pm
TrueStory: Remembering 1963:
Crocker Art Museum; Thurs, April 25, 6:30pm-8pm
Altered Lives/Altered Poetry:
McClatchy Library; Sat, April 27, 2pm-3pm

Find even more poetry events in Sacramento365.com's Poetry & Literature section.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Alison Kranz is Assistant Editor for Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Film Review: A roar well past the Twenties

2013-04-08T05:11:54Z

“On The Road” film review by Gary Chew

When Jack Kerouac began scribbling down things in a notepad that found their way into his novel, “On the Road,” he had not a notion about whether what he was creating would make a good screenplay for those flyby moments in the late 1940s of his short life

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That’s one reason I found “On the Road,” the stalled and finally available film of the same name, to linger in my head well after seeing it. It’s now showing at the Crest Theatre, downtown near 10th and K streets.

“On the Road” is another road movie from the Brazilian filmmaker, Walter Salles, who gave us that memorable two-wheeler rendition, “The Motorcycle Diaries.” Salles’ film of the Kerouac classic depressed me some, but how could it not? “On the Road” isn’t a novel, or film, by which one escapes. It celebrates the moment – the fiber of living a life, or lives, of youthful Americans altering (in more ways than one) how those bohemian sorts, living on this planet, pass their time.

Some of these men and women became rather well-known – for more than one reason. Sal is Kerouac himself (Sam Riley). Dean is Neal Cassady (Garrett Hedlund). Marylou is LuAnne Henderson (Kristen Stewart). Marylou was Dean’s (or Neal’s) first wife.

To be less confusing: Just a couple of other famous people that show up in “Travels With Jack” are Old Bull Lee or, actually, William S. Burroughs (Viggo Mortensen), and Carlo Marx, who in truth is Allen Ginsberg (Tom Sturridge). Not so famous is the part played by Kirsten Dunst as Neal’s second wife, Carol Cassady. The novel and film have her as Camille.

It’s kind of a stretch that much of all this “being on the road thing” began because of Marcel Proust, but that’s what’s messaged in Kerouac’s writing. See Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time.”

So far, this suggests that the film, “On the Road,” takes us into the recent cinematic territory of Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master.” In the same genre, Anderson transported some movie buffs with his earlier “There Will Be Blood.”

To put a finer point on it: A movie like “Trance” (just opening) is, let’s say, an orange. A film like “On the Road” or “The Master” or “There Will Be Blood” is apples.

I like apples. I like oranges. But each has a much different taste from the other. Hello.

And yes, arguing “taste” is sort of, uh … not so tasteless as it is a waste of time.

“On the Road” is a very good movie. I’m glad Francis Ford Coppola acquired the rights to it some decades back. Under his sensitive artistry, we’ve got – pretty much – what Kerouac gave us in the book. And don’t forget, Kerouac wasn’t writing a screenplay in the back of that flatbed truck on its way to Denver when Sal first hits the road to party with Dean and all those other restless Post WWII souls.

Kristen Stewart! Wow – really good. Really. She, Mortensen and Amy Adams are the only quickly recognizable faces in the cast. Look out, though, Steve Buscemi has a curious and very humorous cameo. “Mad Men” freaks will quickly notice that phenomenal cable series’ “Peggy Olson” (Elisabeth Moss), too. But Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund are just barely recognizable. They have only slight facial gravitas which doesn’t invade the important characters of Sal and Dean. These dudes are good, too.

I don’t think I could have handled being in the presence of guys like Sal and, particularly, Dean, for much time, but they are certainly interesting to watch and then ponder as they rush to meet living their lives head on.

So maybe “On the Road” is an escape for people like me. But I don’t want to argue about it.

After “On the Road” one might feel that, according to Kerouac, the late Forties and the early Fifties did some ‘roaring’ of their own.

The Crest Theatre preceded the Saturday matinee of “On the Road” with a lowering, then raising of the big beautiful curtain there in tribute to the late Roger Ebert. Such class. It was a thumbs-up from all who were there.

Beer & Chili Festival - Hoppy & hot | Photos

2013-04-07T17:36:46Z

Fremont Park was a great setting for the second annual Beer and Chili Festival. Lots of good beer and chili. Lots of people to sample all of it.

Here are some photos from the event:

The Sacramento Artists Council, Inc. in partnership with The Grid Agency and Dad’s Kitchen (Freeport Location) is hosting the 2nd Annual Beer and Chili Fundraiser on Saturday, April 6th, 2013 at Fremont Park.

Sacramento Beer and Chili Festival is a fundraiser for The Sacramento Artists Council and will raise money for art programs that assist at-risk children, children of homeless families and fund adopt a school art programs for Sacramento Regional Schools. Sacramento Beer and Chili Festival will feature a chili cook off competition (industry and individual) and unlimited beer tastings provide by local breweries.

Kings loss to Mavs on Friday illustrates season of discontent

2013-04-06T20:29:10Z

It’s frustrating when -

1. A player that averages 11.6 points per game scores 25 and has 12 boards.

The big scorer - Shawn Marion, a guy past his prime that rarely puts up those types of numbers anymore.

2. Your team shoots horrible from beyond the arc.

The big culprit - shooting 6-for-26 from three-point land, including Isaiah Thomas' 0-for-7.

Add it up and it’s not recipe for success - you probably lose that game nine times out of ten.

That’s exactly what happened on Friday evening at Sleep Train Arena when the Dallas Mavericks came to town and beat the Sacramento Kings 117-108 in a game that the home team had under control at the end of the first quarter.

“I knew we had to get a good pace in this basketball game and I thought our guys that started the game did a great job with that,” said Coach Smart from the podium in the press room after the game. “But then we had a big drop-off in the second - gave up 41 points in the second quarter.”

Boy, I’ll say!

But that’s a pattern in this Kings/Mavs rivalry this season.

On December 10, in the first meeting between the two teams this season, The Mavs outscored the Kings 29-14 in the second quarter. On January 10, it was a 33-23 besting in the final frame to tie the game eventually win it in overtime. Then, on February 13, in the second game in as many days, the Kings got blasted again in the second quarter 29-17.

Considering all those numbers, Coach Smart wasn’t surprised at all.

“We’ve had a hard time with this team all year,” said Coach Smart. “This team has done a number on us no matter how we’ve tried to play them.”

You still have to give the players some credit. Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas knew that without DeMarcus Cousins starting (coaches decision) and also realizing one of their volume scorers - Marcus Thornton, would play less than six minutes.

Cousins played nine minutes in the second but never returned to the game.

When Smart was asked about his decision, he was short and to the point in his response.

“It was my decision, a coach’s decision,” said Smart.

Cousins didn’t have an answer either.

“It was his decision,” said Cousins.

Because of Smart’s decisions, Evans and Thomas probably felt like they had to do a little more to pull this one out.

Evans, who visited his brother Doc’s house in the morning to have some green tea as he was feeling a little sick, still put up 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting and had six assists and nine boards.

“Yeah, I’ve been a little under the weather,” said Evans. “I still managed to come out and play and try to help the team win. We had them in the beginning - we wanted to get out to a fast start and we did that, but we just couldn’t hold the lead.”

Thomas understands some of the criticism on the games where his assist total is not where some think it should be but on Friday, he knew he had to be aggressive to make up for the lack of scorers used in the game.

“I felt like I should be in attack mode today just knowing and seeing that DeMarcus wasn’t playing too much and Marcus Thornton wasn’t playing too much and those are our top scoring threats besides Tyreke, so I just felt like I needed to be in attack mode and be a little more aggressive to make plays.”

The Kings closed it to 94-90 Mavericks at the 10:23 mark of the final quarter but then gave up nine straight to put the game out of reach.

Frustrating? Yes.

But what has to get worked out prior to next season?

Either making sure everyone’s happy with the rotation and their role on the team or find players that will accept their position and work as one unit on the floor.

Evans was asked about the rotations and gave an honest answer.

“It’s a little frustrating, everybody’s frustrated,” said Evans. “For us, we have to be professional . . . When he (Smart) doesn’t make the right setup tonight, you can’t get mad. Whoever’s out there - you just gotta work.”

Evans is right.

Whatever the root of this season’s discontent, playing together and having each other’s backs is truely the answer.

KINGS NOTES: Jason Thompson had another solid game with 16 points and 16 rebounds . . . Toney Douglas added 14 off the bench . . . James Johnson saw his first action since missing almost a month for the birth of his son

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

GEORGE YOUNG

'Twilight Zone' stories form basis of Big Idea's 'BIT More' debut

2013-04-06T13:52:40Z

More than one artistic director would appreciate an army of tireless, nimble-fingered scenic-designer elves who emerge at night to tear down old sets, then build and paint new ones. But the reality is it takes many human hands to ready a stage for a company's acting contingent.

Recognizing the toll its quick turn-around schedule was taking on its design and technical team – and how the Del Paso Boulevard theater's relatively short-runs might be affecting attendance – Big Idea Theatre company members Brian Harrower and Wade Lucas put their heads together over a few holiday-break drinks.

"Our solution was to do fewer main-stage shows, but schedule them for longer runs," said Lucas. "That would give us more time between shows to catch our breath, and to do things like our 'A BIT More' series."

"BIT," which is both an acronym for Big Idea Theatre and a description of the short-run, short-in-length productions the duo had in mind, will make its debut April 4 through 7, with back-to-back performances of two Rod Serling-penned "Twilight Zone" favorites ("The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street," "To Serve Man") at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A test run of the "BIT More" concept was conducted during a December fundraising event, when the company performed an adaptation of Serling's "Twilight Zone" teleplay "Five Characters in Search of an Exit."

Lucas, who is directing both one-acts, said the theater is "passionate about telling stories," and hopes the new series will give the 19-member company an opportunity to tell more stories than ever before.

In addition to presenting "live on stage" adaptations of classic "Twilight Zone" episodes, Lucas said future "BIT" productions will likely include special one-night readings, "black-box" one-acts, new works, as well as one-man and one-woman shows – basically anything that doesn't require complicated sets, lavish costumes, or extensive rehearsals.

"I am positively giddy with enthusiasm to be able to bring two more episodes to life on the BIT stage," said Lucas. "We have a group of talented and funny people on board who will reallly make for an enjoyable night of theater for all ages."

Lucas said the cast of this inaugural "BIT More" production is a mix of Big Idea veterans and newcomers. Those returning to the BIT stage are: Dan Beard; Christina Clem; Robyn Colburn; Jamie Kale; Ryan Snyder; and Earl Victorine. Making their BIT debut are: Dennis Beck; Bethany Hidden-Cauley; Jack Hastings; Raymond Keller; LeeMarie Kelly; Edward Nason; Daryl Petrig; Ariel Ryan; and Amos Wright.

Providing additional opportunities for BIT's established company members to "shine a bit more," as well as giving first-time BIT players extended, real-life tryouts are also benefits of the "BIT More" productions, said Lucas.

For the uninitiated, "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" is the story of what happens to a group of everyday American suburbanites whose neighborhood mysteriously loses electricity after a shadow passes overhead (accompanied by a deafening roar and flash of light). Panic ensues, fingers are pointed, and in true Cold War fashion, neighbor turns on neighbor.

"To Serve Man" like "Monsters," features an O. Henry-styled twist at the end, and is a look into a future when man makes first contact with a seemingly benevolent extraterrestrial race known as the Kanamit (played here by Hastings in a role created by a young Richard Kiel). in this tale, a linguist (Keller) and his assistant (Kale) attempt to decipher the Kanamit language in order to read one of their books.

While it is the company's goal to remain faithful to the original scripts, Lucas said a bit of camp will be injected where appropriate.

"Both one-acts presented unique challenges, but I think they turned out very, very well," said Lucas.

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: Big Idea Theatre's "A BIT More" series debut, featuring "'The Twilight Zone': Live On Stage"

WHEN: 8 p.m. April 4 and 5; 5 and 7 p.m. April 6 and 7

WHERE: Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, Calif.

WHO: Directed by Wade Lucas; stage managed by Cyndi Lopez; featuring Dan Beard, Christina Clem, Robyn Colburn, Jamie Kale, Ryan Snyder, Earl Victorine, Dennis Beck, Bethany Hidden-Cauley, Jack Hastings, Raymond Keller, LeeMarie Kelly, Edward Nason Daryl Petrig, Ariel Ryan, and Amos Wright

HOW MUCH: $10; call (916) 960-3036; www.bigideatheatre.com

Thomas still working on weaknesses, has made great strides this season

2013-04-04T22:18:13Z

When asked at the beginning of the season who I thought should start at the point for your Sacramento Kings, I said Aaron Brooks, no questions asked. For me, starting Isaiah Thomas was not even an option.

Fast forward to the present and, not only have I softened my stance against “The Pizza Guy” starting, but am finally seeing the reasons Coach Keith Smart has stuck with him since inserting him into the starting lineup in the first week of the regular season.

Let’s be honest here. After watching Tyreke Evans run the show for SacTown for nearly three years, I really struggled watching ‘Reke play the small forward late last year. I got the concept, but didn’t think it was the best way to utilize Evans.

Enter Aaron Brooks.

So now I’m thinking that Brooks is the answer and Thomas would be a solid backup. Considering that the Kings also signed James Johnson, moving Tyreke to the two made sense.

After not getting off to the start Coach Smart wanted, he benched Brooks and inserted Thomas into the starting five.

Of course, Thomas brought the flair and excitement that made him a crowd favorite right away at Sleep Train Arena.

But I was reading between the lines, so to speak.

Think about this. This team went from the fans and the players thinking that Evans was the savior and leader to DeMarcus Cousins being the next big thing to the last pick in the draft - and maybe the shortest - Isaiah Thomas being the one to lead Sacramento to the promised land.

That’s not only a tough transition for the loyalists that follow the team, but for the players themselves. And I think that some of that animosity has shown itself on the court this season.

Nonetheless, things are starting to settle down at the old barn and Thomas is finding his way.

Early on, my biggest issue with the second year player out of Washington was that he was hunting for his shot before looking to include his teammates in the action. Exactly the opposite of a point guard’s job. There were many games in which Thomas had 15-20 points and barely registered an assist.

Then there was the Philly game on March 24. One look at Thomas’ line and you would immediately notice. The super sophomore put up 25 points and hit four triples along the way. Did you see the rest of his numbers? Zero assists and zero steals. On paper, one of the most selfish games a point guard could have.

But not so fast says Coach Keith Smart.

“When I went back through the film, there were several occasions where he dropped the pass off to a couple of guys under the basket and they didn’t finish plays,’ said Coach Smart. “He made the plays to a couple of guys at the perimeter and they didn’t make their shots. As you see, the stat sheet says zero, but he did have six or seven plays he made where guys just simply didn’t make their shot.”

“He had a couple of plays where Tyreke came off on a screen right toward the elbow - all he had to do was throw up a jump shot, he was wide open - but he caught it and put it down. A couple times he dropped a pas of to “Cuz but he caught it and put it down two times and went to the basket.

“He was making plays, but that donut just stood there.”

Since then, Thomas has been much more consistent with his assists totals and Smart knows why.

“I think it (the zero assist game) it really stood out to him,” said Smart. “I keep telling him, you’ve got to have a plan for your assists. Kidd, Stockton, Nash - they get out of the gates fast. They get five assists in the first quarter or the first half. Now your on track for ten.”

The issue at hand now seems to be the same issue I’ve ever had with Tyreke Evans. Trying to do too much on his own. Forcing his way into the paint - even attempting to barrel through three guys in the middle - with little to no success.

Thomas’ weakness is very similar in that at times he dribbles and dribbles and dribbles and dribbles and dribbles - you get my point? - until there are either five seconds left on the shot clock or he has it taken away by one of the big guys clogging the lane.

Both are unacceptable and kill the teams momentum every time.

Both Smart and Thomas are aware of this and Smart had a suggestion for the player.

“He has to keep understanding space is his best friend on the floor,” said Smart. “He has a high dribble and he has to get to that point to where he can control that dribble. When guys like Nash and Steph Curry get into tight spots, they get real, real low with the basketball. He’s still at that stage where he is a very high dribbler.”

Thomas, who has corrected or is working on fixing the earlier issues I’ve brought up, understands that this may be the one that puts him over the top.

“If I can get as low as I can get, they don;t want to get as low as they can get because I’m already lower to the ground than they can get,” said Thomas.

How hard will it be for Thomas to learn a shorter, lower to the ground dribble?

“It’s not going not be that much harder,” continued Thomas. “I just have to watch film and really work on it, especially when I’m in the paint. Staying low and finding the cuts and openings to so I can make plays for myself and my teammates.”

“Once the season’s over, I’m going to watch a lot of film and really try and work on it and come back next year even better.”

So for you Pizza Guy lovers, I get it. He is exciting to watch and brings a needed intensity to the club.

If Thomas can truly stop forcing the issue at times and keep all his teammates involved (and hopefully happy - not all on him), the next growth spurt Thomas makes will be one into the national spotlight.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

RON NABITY

http://www.nabityphotos.com/index.htm

Ask the County Law Librarian - Ending Same-sex Marriage and Domestic Partnership

2013-04-04T18:45:51Z

Q. My wife and I became registered domestic partners in 2005. When the California court made same-sex marriage legal in 2008, we got married, too. We are now getting a divorce. Do we need to file two different divorces or can we do it all in one case? Do we even need to officially get divorced since Prop 8 did away with same-sex marriage?

A. First of all, you do need to officially get a divorce to end your same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage became legal in California in June, 2008, after the California Supreme Court ruled that restricting marriage to heterosexual relationships was unconstitutional. (In re Marriage Cases (2008) 43 Cal.4th 757). In November, 2008, the voters passed Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage.

However, the California Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that same-sex marriages during the five-month window in 2008 remain valid (Strauss v. Horton (2009) 46 Cal.4th 364), so you really are married.

As a result, you will need to formally end both the marriage and the domestic partnership. Luckily, you should be able to end both in the same case.

Use form FL-103 (Petition - Domestic Partnership/Marriage) instead of FL-100 (Petition-Marriage) and check the boxes for both “Domestic Partnership” and “Marriage.” The form asks questions about both the marriage and the domestic partnership; be sure to answer all of the questions. If one spouse files a response, be sure to use FL-123 (Response-Domestic Partnership/Marriage) instead of FL-120 (Response-Marriage). All the other forms should be the same as a standard divorce case.

The only thing that might make a difference is if you have not been living in California. Domestic partners who registered in California can divorce here even if they no longer live in the state, but married couples have to meet residency requirements –six months in California, and three months in the county where the divorce is filed.

If neither spouse meets those requirements, you can start the marriage portion of the case as a legal separation (which does not have the same residency requirements) then change it to a divorce once one spouse meets the requirements. That would be a way to start the case right away and speed up your final judgment of dissolution.

Job growth is moving back up again in the Sacramento Region - CSER Economy Watch March 2013

2013-04-04T00:57:06Z

Each year, the Labor Market Information Division of the California Employment Development Department (EDD) revises its monthly data series covering payroll employment and labor force to reflect information in official tax records. The recent annual benchmark process resulted in notable changes to job growth patterns for the six-county Sacramento Region. Most striking, EDD’s revised data shows that the Region shifted back to positive job growth 10 months earlier than the previous data were showing—this movement happened in July 2011 instead of April 2012. In addition, throughout most of 2012, annual job growth rates were significantly higher than the rates reflected in the previous data with an average difference of about 8 basis points. In 2012, the Sacramento Region actually added roughly 7,200 more jobs than what previous EDD estimates were showing. The state overall also received an upward revision, but it was not nearly as pronounced as in the Sacramento Region. Average job growth shifted up three basis points with an additional 48,000 jobs added in the past year.

Annual job growth in the Sacramento Region saw an uptick in February 2013, moving up to 1.6 percent following a downward pattern that lasted for several months. This rate of growth reflects an annual gain of 13,300 jobs. With the recent uptick, the Region moved back ahead of the national average, but remains well below the statewide average job growth of 2.2 percent. The SF Bay Area is leading the group of neighboring regions with 3.1 percent job growth in February 2013 while Solano posted 2.8 percent job growth and Stockton came in at 1.7 percent.

Annual Job Growth

Major Sector Annual Job Gains and Losses

Six of the Sacramento Region's major sectors added a notable amount of jobs in the past year

On an annual average basis for 2012, the revised data shows the Sacramento Region adding over 14,300 jobs to payrolls, whereas the previous data reflected a gain of almost 7,200 jobs—a difference of approximately 7,200 jobs. The annual benchmark revision led to greater gains in three of the Region’s 11 major sectors including Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Manufacturing. Two other major sectors shifted from an annual loss to job gains, Leisure & Hospitality and Other Services. The small Mining & Logging sector saw the opposite change while both the Government and Information sectors experienced a downward revision with greater annual losses. The remaining three sectors also received downward revisions with smaller gains reported in the newly benchmarked data series. Three of the Region’s five largest sectors moved in a positive direction (Professional & Business Services; Leisure & Hospitality; and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities) while the revision affected the other two negatively (Government and Educational & Health Services).

Among the Sacramento Region’s 11 major sectors, 6 added jobs between February 2012 and 2013. The three sectors posting the greatest gains were some of the Region’s largest, including Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Educational & Health Services. Combined, these three sectors added over 15,000 jobs in the past 12 months. Four sectors saw job losses in the last year with the large Government sector shedding 2,900 jobs. All in all, Sacramento’s private sector posted a net gain of 16,200 jobs with the public sector decline pulling this down by roughly 18 percent. Establishments in the Region held nearly 860,000 jobs on payrolls in February 2013, which reflects movement in the right direction over the low point in the recession (approximately 835,000 jobs), but is well below the 2007 peak (around 954,000 jobs) and still tracking at year 2001 levels.

ABOUT CSER

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) is an economic research and consulting group specializing in applied research and strategy development in the regional economics and economic development fields.
www.strategiceconomicresearch.org

CSER is grateful for the support of the Signature Underwriter, UC Davis Health System, and Supporting Underwriters of the Economy Watch, Cushman & Wakefield, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento Works, Weintraub Tobin and Wells Fargo.

Disclosure: This story has been posted by Ryan Sharp, Director of the Center for Strategic Economic Research

Book Talk: National Poetry Month in Sacramento

2013-04-03T16:04:32Z

If you thought last year’s National Poetry Month celebrations were hot in Sacramento, you haven’t heard about the happenings this month.

Carlos Alcalá kicked the month off at the Sacramento Poetry Center on Monday, April 1, with some light verse.

The Book Collector is offering a generous discount on all poetry books until April 30. Did you know that they have the largest collection of chapbooks by local area poets? Stop by and ask Debbie to show you the collection.

Look at these highlights for the rest of the month. How many events will you attend?

Head to Folsom on Wednesday, April 3, when Verse on the Vine features Indigo Moor.

The Sacramento Poetry Center’s Literary Lectures series continues Thursday, April 4, with William O’Daly and “The Silence That is Great Within Us: The Many Voices of Our Poetry.” If you find yourself in Davis, you might want to stop by the Natsoulas Gallery to hear Joe Wenderoth and Oliver Jones.

On April 8, the SPC 4th Annual Autism Benefit Reading: Poetry and Art at the MIND Institute will kick off with a viewing of art from the MIND Institute (UC Davis Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute), followed by a reading by poets who have a personal connection to autism.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 10, when several area poets, led by Allegra Silberstein, will honor the memory of Patricia Hickerson over at the Shine, part of the Poetry with Legs series hosted by Bill Gainer. This series features readers and open mic opportunities on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Head back on the 24th for another exciting evening.

Bicycling enthusiasts might want to hear Phillip Baron speak at the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame's "tireside chat" on Wednesday, April 10, from 6 - 7 p.m.

On Thursday, April 11, make your way to Folsom Lake College for a 12:15 p.m. reading by Dana Gioia, then grab a bite to eat and make your way to the Crocker Art Museum for U-Nite, two half hour poetry readings by CSUS faculty, students and alumni. This is the kickoff for the California State University, Sacramento’s Festival of the Arts. This event is led by Dr. Joshua McKinney and begins at 7 p.m.

The Festival of the Arts features the winner of the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, D.A. Powell, from 3–4 p.m. on Friday, April 12; Kristen Iversen on Saturday, April 13, from 6:30–7:30 p.m.; and CSUS Professor Emeritus Edythe Haendel Schwartz will read from her new collection, “A Palette of Leaves,” on Monday, April 15, from 3–4 p.m.

The 13 x 13 show featuring artists, poets and musicians associated with the Rattlesnake Press publication, “WTF,” will perform at Vox Sacramento on Saturday, April 13, which is also the date of the Sacramento Poetry Center’s annual poetry conference. Attend that during the day and head to the Vox in the evening.

On April 18, don't forget to stuff your pockets with poems for Poem-In-Your-Pocket Day. You might want to get one of those traveler's jackets or a gardening smock so you have lots of room for small and large poems.

Lee Herrick returns to Sacramento on Monday, April 22, where he’ll share the featured spot with Sacramento favorite, Alice Anderson.

Head to Luna’s Café any Thursday in April for featured poets and open mic opportunities. The Poetry Unplugged series features Sacramento's longest-running spoken word open mic. Rotating hosts provide the opportunity to hear many voices.

Check one of these calendars for additional events in and around Sacramento.

Medusa's Kitchen

SPAM

Poetry in Davis

How will you celebrate National Poetry Month? Who’s your favorite poet? Will you challenge yourself to write a poem a day? How about attend a poetry reading for the first time? Maybe you'll even curb your fear and read one of your creations at any of the open mic opportunities in the area.

If you don't see your favorite National Poetry Month event listed here (remember, these are only some highlights), please add the event in the comments section below.

Most of all, enjoy the month and enjoy and share poetry.

If you're looking for poetry books, please visit our many local, independent booksellers.

Disclosure: I am a Sacramento poet, writer and visual artist who can't possibly know about everything happening in and around Sacramento.

March's Final Friday at Beatnik Studios

2013-04-02T07:32:00Z

Beatnik Studios' Final Friday attracted a crowd of over 100 guests to its monthly event.

Final Friday featured the artwork of David Mohr, Trent Liddicoat and James Angello. The three artists were present for a meet-and-greet.

I had met one of the artists at an artist reception last year at Sol Collective. Liddicoat indicated that his work, along with that of the other two artists, will be exhibited for two months.

“I was asked to exhibit because I'm friends with the other artists who are showing and they studied at Sac State with the curator (Kelley O'Connell) who is working here,” said Liddicoat.

The self-taught artist shared that he did not attend art school, has been friends with Angello for two years and that they met when they both previously worked together. Many of the artists and guests shared the commonality of being friends with others and made the event an intimate gathering.

Liddicoat stated that most of the art in this show, except for four pieces, was created for the Beatnik exhibit.

The musical part of Final Friday included the Rook Family, Orion Walsh, Musical Charis and Autumn Sky.

Musical Charis, which recently returned from their "Desert Dessert Tour" that also included Orion Walsh, took the stage first.

Musical Charis kicked off an evening of great music with “Eye Candy.” After playing “East West” it became evident that the local band was set to deliver a great performance. Different artists picked up instruments and joined Musical Charis at different points, making the event more like a family reunion than anything else.

Audience participation also contributed to the fun, with much hand clapping, foot stomping and joining in to sing to some of the songs.

Most of Musical Charis' songs are original, but once in a while they throw in a cover song. Their rendition of U2's “Sunday Bloody Sunday” with Orion Walsh was a great addition to their set.

Orion Walsh, accompanied by Musical Charis, also sung a wonderful rendition of "Amazing Grace." After Musical Charis had played for a while, they departed from the stage, leaving Orion Walsh alone onstage.

Visitors continued to enter Beatnik Studios throughout the evening to enjoy the art, music and socializing in a very casual atmosphere. On the side patio, several guests enjoyed the warm evening, while still listening to some of the music.

The Rook Family entertained with a folksy set that captivated the audience. This was the first time I've seen them perform, but at the same time they've only been together for a few months. The audience joined in with some hand clapping and foot stomping. Several members took turns at the microphone, sharing vocals.

Autumn Sky was the last performer to take the stage. Having seen her on stage before, I was quite pleased to see her performance at Beatnik Studios. Her energetic set had the audience involved as well, as she asked the audience to move closer to the stage.

Autumn Sky's set included a more traditional rock style, and she made it livelier by jumping and moving around the stage. Autumn Sky's musical talent was well-received, and she delivered a great closing performance.

Final Fridays at the Beatnik, from what I've witnessed, are a great showcase for Sacramento-area talent. By combining art, music and a great place for social gathering, Beatnik has created an entertaining venue for guests of all ages to enjoy.

Log on to Beatnik Studios to view their upcoming events during the month of April. Visitors can view some of their past events as well as other information about their space availability for venue rentals.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Reviewing Sacramento's economy: first quarter

2013-04-01T21:47:45Z

Sacramento's struggling economy survived the first quarter of 2013, despite continued high unemployment and rising cost of living. SacTV.com is currently exploring data on the local economy to make comparisons with the national picture. As it stands, it appears that the local region is still hurting, although the worst of times seem to be behind us.

Unemployment in Sacramento County, which rose slightly in January, still hovers around ten percent, marking a huge improvement compared to 2010 when it was soaring at 13 percent. But the situation is still worse than the national figure, which is a hair below eight percent. Part of Sacramento's unemployment crisis has been that the Capital City has a huge government workforce that keeps shrinking due to state and local budget cuts. On a county by county basis, Yolo County has the highest unemployment at 12.7 percent, while El Dorado County is at 10 percent. Placer County has the lowest unemployment in the region at 8.9 percent.

On April 1, local gas prices range from $3.57 to $4.39 per gallon, depending on which gas station you visit. Arco, Sam's Club and Costco currently have the lowest gas prices in the region.The lowest prices can be found in the Arden Fair, Carmichael, Broadway, south area and north of the Sacramento River between I-5 and I-80. Other areas have a wider mix of prices, as shown on SacTV's info page featuring a map of gas prices powered by GasBuddy.com. Sacramento's average gas price is $3.89 per gallon, compared with the state average of $4.03 and the national average of $3.62.

High gas prices, which are partly a result of Wall Street speculators running up oil prices, drive up many other market prices due to distribution costs. That partly explains high food prices, which are also affected by the Midwest and California drought. January and February turned out to be California's driest months ever, although Sacramento was lucky to experience rain over the weekend.

The housing market is somewhat stagnant after bottoming out in 2011. Even though foreclosures are down significantly the past year, home sales are slightly down. Then again, inventory is down as well, meaning supply is down, which in a free market would normally create higher demand. But keep in mind, the only reason inventory is down is because big banks are keeping many foreclosures off the market. That's just how the game works, as banks have maintained control of the housing market, even though it hasn't really created any boom in sales. You would think that investors all over the world would be scrambling to buy all kinds of cheap property in Sacramento, but it's not happening. Perhaps prices are still too high for buyers, as asking prices have increased the past year.

So how about the indie revolution? It would help if Sacramento were a bigger part of it since nationally it's been small to medium businesses accounting for most of the job gains the past few years. Corporations are still talking about layoffs, despite overall record corporate profits and record low taxes as unions continue to gradually diminish, which has been the trend decade after decade since the 1950s.

Sacramento definitely needs a boost in small business help. Although some small businesses have expanded through the recession, it is not yet evident that there is a boom recovery going on with independent owners. Part of what may help small businesses may not be physical location. It may have more to do with online opportunities. More and more people are leaving the corporate world to become online entrepreneurs. It will be interesting to see if and when Sacramento catches on to this growing trend.

Disclosure: Alex Cosper owns SacTV.com and posts in partnership with The Sacramento Press.

New film: The Host

2013-03-29T21:12:20Z

The Host

One of this week’s new movies is “The Host” based on the novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer, known to most people as the author of the “Twilight” series of books. Meyer’s association with “The Host” is probably both the film’s best and worst marketing angle, given that the “Twilight” films have legions of both supporters and detractors. So what of the new film?

In “The Host,” Meyer again crafts a story centered on a female (or apparently female) character, with relationships seen from her perspective. I say “apparently” because the initial main character Melanie is taken over by an alien parasitic being called Wanderer and the alien species is never defined in terms of gender – so where Melanie is a female it’s not really clear what Wanderer is, other than an alien in a human female’s body.

This alien species has arrived on Earth some time previously, after colonizing multiple other planets, and all alien individuals require a human body to occupy. It’s not a new concept in fiction or film, but it’s handled quite well here with some interesting complications. Chief amongst those is, naturally, that humans aren’t thrilled at the idea of being occupied and small pockets of humans have gone into hiding – and so some of the aliens take on the role of ‘seeker’ to track down those pockets of resistance. Also, in some instances, the human host is not completely suppressed by the alien occupier, leading to a sort of captor/captive personality duality existing within the same body.

Melanie and Wanderer experience this duality and much of the story’s dramatic conflict is played out in arguments and conversations between the two of them. This is both interesting conceptually and also the film’s biggest problem. Having not read the book, I’m not sure how it plays out on the page, but it’s some blend of creepy and annoying on film. Both characters are played/voiced by Saoirse Ronan but the disembodied voice of Melanie, which we hear speaking to Wanderer internally, just sounds off. For starters, although angry at times, presumably for reasons of ratings consideration Melanie doesn’t employ the kind of colorful vocabulary one might expect to be employed by somebody yelling at an alien who has just taken over that person’s body. And the dialog in general just seems very childlike and simple – which sounds odd in discussions about having sex, for example (“We could be taken tomorrow, this might be our only night together!” [paraphrased])

This voiceover work, as well as the clunky dialog, is awkward enough to solicit giggles from the audience. It’s hard to decide if it might work better with less angsty delivery and it’s also hard to decide how else it might have been accomplished – but it’s still annoying to the point of distraction. Again, having not read the book, I’m also unsure of how much of that dialog is true to Meyer’s original text and how much is from screenwriter and director Andrew Niccol – but it’s not something you’re likely to look forward to hearing more of.

I sat watching “The Host” reminded of scenes between Anakin and Padme in the “Star Wars” prequels, scenes that were roundly panned for their stilted nature. But at least those had the somewhat mitigating circumstance of being between a universe wandering acolyte to a semi-hermitic warrior monk and the young Queen graduate of a juvenile diplomatic corps more versed in trade agreements than romance – it’s actually hard to imagine that conversation ever going smoothly. At times, one can give “The Host” a pass for similar reasons, given that one doesn’t expect a human/alien conversation to be without problems, but the human/human conversations are even worse. It’s adult topics written for tweens.

And some of those topics are very mature and intriguing. Not just the sex and killing aspects of the story, but the parts that dwell on what it means to be human. The idea that the aliens consider us to be worthy of their contempt as a species that readily kills each other and destroys our planet. But at the same time find us to be species that has the will to fight back against occupation, both internal and external, and as a species capable of love and sacrifice. Again, these aren’t original concepts but they still have merit even when borrowed.

Which leads me to what might be an observation that will annoy some people: That Stephenie Meyer reminds me of George Lucas – as somebody who can adapt existing themes and/or create new ideas that take the form of interesting and appealing story arcs but who, at the same time, manages to be pretty lousy at filling in the smaller details and dialog. To some extent, the same might be said of M. Night Shyamalan, as another person who has some neat ideas but who might be better served writing a treatment and then handing that outline to somebody else to execute.

Meyer’s “Twilight” series and “The Host” are stories written to appeal to girls and young women. The central characters are strong females, found to be attractive by multiple boys/men (with female characters on the cusp of adulthood, to keep one foot in both worlds). The same is true of the “Hunger Games” series of stories – and it’s a popular and very successful genre that you should expect to see more of. As I’ve said before, the simple idea of a love triangle between a high school girl, a vampire, and a werewolf is a neat starting point for a story in this genre, but the “Twilight” stories suffer in the details. Similarly, alien occupation and the internal conflict between characters is interesting, especially given the possibility that the host human and the occupying alien might fall in love with different people, giving rise to the possibility of love rectangles rather than mere triangles. But “The Host” also needs better detail work.

There are also other interesting ideas that the film fails to convey or explore. Meyer has said that she was interested in the topic of body image and aliens who would simply be grateful to have a body to occupy, perhaps regardless of its appearance. Yet “The Host,” on film, is populated by fit, attractive people – we’re not given happy aliens in obese bodies. And, as I mentioned earlier, we’re not really given an indication of gender as it applies to the alien “souls” and the film could have been a great opportunity to explore what it might mean to fall in love with a soul and then tackle the question of gender as depicted by the host body’s external sexual characteristics.

Instead, what we’re given is another interesting concept fundamentally flawed by stilted dialog, with mature topics reduced to fleeting exchanges and steamy kisses. So another likely success story to love or hate.

Easter egg-tivities in Sacramento

2013-03-28T16:54:10Z

Spring has blossomed and Easter is almost here. Celebrate the season with all things eggs, bunnies, and flowers.

In addition to the events below, find more in Sacramento365.com’s Holiday Events section.

Hunt for eggs
Easter Eggstravaganza: Fair Oaks Park; Sat 9am-1pm
Come enjoy a free egg hunt for children, pictures with the Easter Bunny, or purchase a $10 wristband for unlimited carnival games and bouncers, one face painting, and one train ride. Also, adults can join in on the fun at the adult egg hunt for a chance to win gift cards and prizes.

Spring Eggstravaganza: Fairytale Town; Sat & Sun 11am-3pm
This popular, fun-filled family weekend features egg hunts, prizes, spring-themed hands-on activities, and pictures with Peter Cottontail.

Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast: Haggin Oaks Golf Complex;
Sun 9:30am-11am
Easter Sunday is family time and your family is invited for the 15th annual family friendly pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt. This event is free for kids under ten years of age and parents can join the complimentary breakfast when accompanied by a child.

Go for a ride
Easter Egg Express: Sacramento RiverTrain; Sat & Sun 10am & 2pm
This is a fun family trip on the Sacramento RiverTrain to a park where the Easter Bunny hides 100s of easter eggs for the kids to find. Along the way, there is entertainment strolling car to car.

Easter River Cruises: Empress Hornblower; Sun 2pm & 3:30pm
Enjoy a one hour cruise of the Sacramento River with the Easter Bunny. See where the American and Sacramento Rivers come together to experience the wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty that this historic and important waterway has to offer.

Celebrate no matter what your age
Living History Easter Bonnet Promenade: Sacramento History Museum; Sat 11am-1pm
Dress up in your favorite Easter finery—or other historic apparel—to celebrate in high style. You’ll enjoy a leisurely one-hour stroll through the historic boardwalks and cobblestone streets of Old Sacramento.

Easter High Tea & Egg Decorating Party: HelloXOXO; Sat 3:30pm-5pm
Scones, petit fours, finger sandwiches, and tea, of course! Feel free to come in your pretty dresses or anything you like. Stay for egg decorating projects in time for Easter.

Easter Brunch: Hyatt Regency Sacramento; Sun 9:30am-12:30pm
Join on Easter Sunday for a scrumptious buffet featuring omelets made-to-order, a carving station, fresh seafood, and a bountiful dessert selection.

Disclosure: Alison Kranz is Assistant Editor for Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Final Friday at Beatnik Studios

2013-03-28T01:58:40Z

Expect an evening of art, music, food and family fun at Beatnik Studios during its Final Friday event. Final Fridays is a free monthly event that showcases local, regional and statewide talent and is open to an all-ages audience. Beatnik Studios is located on the corner of Broadway and 17th Street.

Final Friday will feature the art of David Mohr, Trent Liddicoat and James Angello. An artist reception will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 29.

Music will be provided by Rook Family, Orion Walsh, Autumn Sky and Musical Charis.

I sat with Wesley Davis, photographer and co-owner, Beatnik Studios to talk about Final Fridays.

Davis began by saying, “We actually have a new artist director. Her name is Kelley O'Connell who has been a friend of ours for a long time. She's a recent graduate of Sac State with a degree in Fine Arts. She has a good network of artists and is really passionate about doing new things with Sacramento artists.”

As the new Gallery Director, this will be O'Connell's first Final Friday. Davis stated, “She brought in all the artists which is exciting. The artists are David Mohr, Trent Liddicoat and James Angello. Both David Mohr and James Angello are Sac State graduates and Trent Liddicoat is a self-taught artist.”

Music is an integral part of Final Friday and Davis talked about the lineup saying, “I asked Musical Charis to host this Final Friday because they haven't done it in a long time. They're good friends of ours, they live right upstairs here. They're on tour and are basically bringing their tour package. It will be like their homecoming show they're touring with Orion Walsh. Autumn Sky will be here as well with the Rook Family. So Musical Charis put the music portion together for this Final Friday.”

As we talked about Final Friday, Davis shared some thoughts about how the event started.

“Final Friday started about three years ago. Beatnik opened five years ago, in reality it will be five years in May. Actually we may have been doing Final Friday for four years, maybe over four years. Anyway, we started doing them as an open studio it was called Last Friday Open Studios and it kind of disappeared for a while and then we brought them back. I was like the one that said 'Hey we should really be doing these Final Fridays because it's a night to showcase studio space and to invite the community to come in and see what we're up to.' So we started it back up and the venue is really accessible, it's open to people of all ages. We don't charge to get in and then we have live music. So our goal, our main goal, for Final Friday is just to kind of give a little cross section of music and art culture in Sacramento to as many people as we can.”

Davis has been at Beatnik since its beginning and he shared a little history about the studios.

“When we first opened up we were a shared studio. Our business plan was to have kind of like an Urban Hive, a common working space but for photographers specifically where we would have a studio then offices and spaces just to meet clients. That was really up and down and then we also had the gallery pretty much from the get-go. We would hang art and show art and that was also kind of up and down and then we started doing events here. That was never really the original intent, to do events, but the events were very popular and we saw the potential of having them.”

Davis saw the use of events saying, “Event revenue helped support the studios so we made the transition to become an event space and now you now we're a full out event space. We do weddings almost every weekend from spring to fall. Weddings are the big events but we also do fundraisers and all kinds of different parties. The cool thing about the events is that all those people who come for the events they get to see the art and they get to experience the culture that we provide.”

Beatnik has been around for almost five years and Davis noted that they must be doing something right and they're not planning on going anywhere as they continue to grow.

When asked why Final Friday was chosen instead of Second Saturday or First Monday or anything similar Davis said, “We're not trying to compete (with other events). We did Second Saturday but we want to provide a completely unique experience. We'd like to provide an evening where you can be in one place not hop from place to place to place. We want people to come and soak it all in, in one place and spend quality time with the artists' work. We wanted our own kind of night something out away from the grid, away from that cluster of galleries. We wanted to give people a night where they could really feel like they've been soaked in an atmosphere that we provide instead of going for 10 minutes and then leave.”

The public is invited to enjoy local art and music at Beatnik Studios every Final Friday. The venue is open to guests of all ages. Log on to the Beatnik Studios Facebook or website to find out more about the studio and other events throughout the month.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Opinion: What else could $250M buy us?

2013-03-27T22:16:02Z

Let's come at this from another perspective. And just in case I sound like I'm anti-arena, I'm not – I'm just inclined to be wary of public spending on developments of this nature as they rarely pan out. Money often gets made, but it's not by the city or municipality involved. Deals are made that involve fabulously wealthy people who generally get wealthier (the Maloofs being bad examples) with public assistance. And if the overall business proposition involved was so appealing, there would be private investors lined up around City Hall, bidding on the opportunity to build an arena and operate it. The only time recently we've had that kind of rush to bid on something was when the city proposed selling off parking as a private concession – precisely because it was good for the private enterprises rather than for the city.

So here we have $250 million taxpayer dollars (or their equivalent in terms of city-owned land) being thrown into a deal that is essentially a business startup for a small group of very wealthy private investor/operators who want to operate one of the most exclusive business franchises in the country. And that money covers more than half of the startup and development costs. And the initial question is simply "Does it make sense?"

For all of the energy and eagerness that has gone into this, nobody has spent any time eagerly rushing to figure out what $250m could accomplish given that the City is apparently willing to put that kind of sum into business development. And the deal on the table, as has been discussed, doesn't really add something new to the balance of what the City currently has. It just moves it from one location to another, leaving Natomas with a big hole - which could certainly be developed for other purposes, such as a small or satellite college campus, but the arena conversation tends to suck the air out of the room.

So if we're collectively willing to throw $250m of our money at Downtown, what else could be done with it? How many small businesses or residential developments could start up if the City is willing to put in over half the initial costs? An arena isn't the only way to spice up a downtown neighborhood - and $250m is a lot of money, especially if we're looking at it as matching funds in development proposals (or somewhat better than matching).

It's not just "is this a good idea?" which is already a complicated and nebulous question, it's "is this the BEST idea?" And, unfortunately, nobody in charge of our money is actually considering alternatives.

Push for equality in the home stretch

2013-03-27T18:31:01Z

As the Supreme Court of the USA listens to oral arguments March 26 and 27 on The Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, many people, gay and straight across the nation, are showing their desire for equality.

Tuesday March 26 many in the Sacramento area rallied for Sacramento Light the Way to Justice in front of the Sacramento Federal Courthouse at 501 I Street for over two hours holding signs, flags and waving at people driving by. It will happen again today starting at 4pm.

Just bring some signs to hold for this peaceful stand of love and solidarity.

I asked some ralliers why they were there. A common thread was "celebration".

Here are some responses:"For equal rights. I believe everyone has the right to be married," Patricia Boynton explained. "I'm straight. I'm an ally."

"We support our LGBT brothers and sisters to get married because we were fortunate enough to get married on Oct. 2008 and we're supporting our brothers and sisters who can't and hopefully will by June," Nicole Scanlan said.

"My wife asked me to come," Joan Haug-West.

Ken Pierce is a representative of BRAVE society, a bully-awareness, a non-profit.

He said he's here "to hopefully celebrate what will be the end of a very long fight for Marriage Equality here in California."

"I think, at least I hope, what will happen, is they're going to realize this is a state issue. The way it was framed going up to the Supreme Court is it's a very narrow issue and it's a state issue and I think they will push it back to California saying 'you've guys have pretty much decided the Supreme Court in California has said this Prop. 8 is unconstitutional.'"

They're looking at late June for a decision, but Pierce added "I'm hoping for mid-June because PRIDE Festival is June 15 and it would be nice to have the decision the Friday before so we can have same-sex weddings on the main stage at our PRIDE festival."

Spencer Douglas was at the rally celebrating his pride for being part of the LGBT and supporting my friends and others who should have the right to marry.

"I'm also here personally," Douglas said. "The day (anniversary) probably passed that was the first LGBT oriented event I ever went to - the march on the Capitol."

He was a freshman in high school at the time, he explained, about 5 years ago, and he remembers being so scared that day to come out here and march with people and he hid in the middle of all these gay guys because he didn't want anyone to see him or be on the news.

"For me this is kind of celebrating my journey of being who I am today and how I got to be proud of myself compared to how I used to be," Douglas concluded.

Here are some photos taken at the rally:

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Book Talk: Allegra Silberstein shines 'Through Sun-glinting Particles"

2013-03-27T15:40:49Z

People in the poetry community from here to there are likely familiar with the name, Allegra Jostad Silberstein. She was the first poet laureate in Davis, and she’s been seen and heard at nearly every poetry venue in Davis, Sacramento and points in the four directions.

Through Sun-glinting Particles by Allegra Jostad Silberstein
Parallel Press
ISBN 978-1-934795-38-5
2012, 36 pp.
Poetry – Local Author

This latest chapbook, “Through Sun-glinting Particles,” is one of the best, and dare I say most meditative, collections I’ve read in quite some time. The collection opens, appropriately with “In this moment,” which is where Silberstein keeps the reader through poems about life, about time and about memory. Her poet’s ear for sound finds its way to the page so that readers can enjoy lines like “nautical miles and knots ago / a call comes across an ocean of space / delivered like a sudden rush of hail. . . / now, now, who are you.” This from “Over and beyond the hills I left behind, is only a sample of the way Silberstein creates with language. She incorporates sound in other ways, too, as in “Old Woman With Springtime Eyes,” one of this reviewer’s favorites. This is not a collection to read silently. Silberstein is a dancer, who “pause[s] in hieroglyphics of night, / in the alphabet of dawn.” You’ll find poems about Aunt Delia and Aunt Lil, and for those of you who’ve crossed the causeway and have looked outside, you’ll recall a “Sunday afternoon near the causeway.” If you’ve never crossed the causeway, you’ll surely find meaning in this poem, as well as the twenty-five additional collected poems.

To read this collection is a pleasure, but if you’re like me and want to hear the poet read, make your way to Shine Café at 1400 E Street on Wednesday, March 27 at 8:00 p.m. where Allegra Silberstein will read from her new collection.
* * *

CivicMeet invites public to incubate new ideas

2013-03-25T18:11:12Z

CivicMeet Sacramento will continue to fill an unmet need this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Urban Hive. The traditional public meeting format does not give citizens the opportunity to help solve problems that they are capable of voluntarily tackling.

Do you remember the last time you went to a public meeting? Sure, they’re useful for getting information, but not necessarily for incubating new ideas.

Public Innovation, one of the organizations behind CivicMeet Sacramento (and Code for Sacramento), is building a civic innovation ecosystem to provide citizens with creative spaces where they can address community issues together.

Civic initiatives just like this are spreading across the country. As described in Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new book Citizenville, technology is connecting civic innovators and bringing them together at meetup-style events. This new civic infrastructure facilitates collaborative problem solving among citizens from different backgrounds -- including the nonprofit, business, and government communities.

Beyond the protest movements of Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party, civic innovation transcends ideology because there’s no shortage of public services that could be improved through creative, citizen-driven approaches.

Government plays an incredibly important role in our lives. It protects us from criminals, cleans our streets, educates our children, and more. But there are many areas where it falls short. Government makes it hard to find the information we need when we need it, get where we want to go when we want to get there, and start the new business that we’ve always dreamed about starting.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Just look at the amazing work that Turn Downtown Around is accomplishing by bringing people together who are willing to invest their time and energy to make their community a better place to live.

So what’s your issue? CivicMeet Sacramento #4 will give you the opportunity to not just talk, but to act. We have a new format to help the best ideas rise to the top and we’ll give you the tools to make them reality.

Join us this Wednesday to see what CivicMeet is all about.

Register for CivicMeet Sacramento #4

Disclosure: Ash Roughani is chief evangelist of Public Innovation, a sponsor of CivicMeet Sacramento. If your organization would like to co-sponsor CivicMeet Sacramento, please send an email to civicmeet (at) publicinnovation.org.

Make sure your Easter egg hunt is fun and safe

2013-03-25T16:32:51Z

What would Easter be without decorating, hiding, hunting and eating Easter eggs! Just a reminder, all this handling provides opportunities for foodborne illness. The Sacramento County Department of Environmental Management recommends a few egg safety tips to help keep you and your family healthy:

• Always buy eggs from a refrigerated case. Choose eggs with clean, uncracked shells.
• Buy eggs before the "Sell-By" or "EXP" (expiration) date on the carton.
• Take eggs straight home from the grocery store and refrigerate them right away. Check to be sure your refrigerator is set at 41°F or below.
Don't take eggs out of the carton to put them in the refrigerator -- the carton protects them. Keep the eggs in the coldest part of the
refrigerator — not on the door.
• Raw shell eggs in the carton can stay in your refrigerator for three to five weeks from the purchase date. Although the "Sell-By" date might
pass during that time, the eggs are still safe to use (the date is not required by federal law, but some states may require it).
• Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before and after handling raw eggs. To avoid cross-contamination, you should also wash
forks, knives, spoons and all counters and other surfaces that touch the eggs with hot water and soap.
• Don't keep raw or cooked eggs out of the refrigerator more than two hours.
• Egg dishes such as deviled eggs or egg salad should be used within 3 to 4 days.
For more information on egg preparation safety tips, visit the following websites:
• http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm077342.htm
• http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fact_sheets/Focus_On_Shell_Eggs/index.asp

Visit the Environmental Management Department website or call (916) 875-8484.

Disclosure: Media Officer with Sacramento County

Sacramento Ballet's program is a 'Dream'

2013-03-23T01:58:10Z

The words "spectacle" and "spectacular" come from the same Latin root meaning "unusual, notable, entertaining, striking and sensational." Both terms apply to The Sacramento Ballet's current program, which opened Thursday and continues through Sunday at the Community Center Theater.

The program features an unlikely pairing of George Balanchine's "Western Symphony," a celebratory hoe down that fuses American folk dance with classical ballet, and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Sacramento Ballet co-artistic director Ron Cunningham's take on Shakespeare's comic fantasy. "Dream" is a spectacle, with its shimmering forest backdrop and colorful costumes, not to mention a stageful of children dressed as fairies and fireflies and the impish Puck (danced by Jackson Jirard) wreaking havoc with young lovers by enchanting them to fall in love with the first person they see upon awakening.

The plot basically follows that of Shakespeare's play, with a dispute between the King and Queen of Fairies (Oberon, danced by Oliver-Paul Adams, and Titania, danced by Kaori Higashiyama) setting off a plot by Oberon to get revenge upon Titania. It is he who sends Puck upon his mischievous mission. Among his victims are Demetrius (Christopher Nachtrab) and Lysander (Stafan Calka), both of whom are suitors of Hermia (Amanda Peet). Trouble is, Hermia only has eyes for Lysander, while the lovely Helena (Alexandra Cunningham) has the hots for Demetrius, to no avail. And then, there's the hapless weaver Bottom (Alexander Biber) who is turned into an ass and set up as the love object for Titania. Biber spends a lot of time dancing in a donkey head, flicking his ears and scratching his behind, all to great comic effect. Finally, when Oberon is satisfied that he's had his fun, he instructs Puck to undo the spells so that the couples are rightly paired and discovered just in time to turn the already-planned wedding of Theseus, the Duke of Athens (Richard Porter), and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazones (Ava Chatterson), into a triple ceremony. And all's well that ends well -- except that's a different Shakespeare play.

One suspects there's a bit of the imp in Cunningham himself, for he enthusiastically embraces the fantastical nature of the play and piles on the fun. Lucky for him he has a strong ensemble (augmented by several extra dancers), because Adams, Higashiyama, Nachtrab, Calka, Peet, Cunningham and Biber are required to act as well as to dance as they create their likable characters. Particularly impressive is first-year apprentice Jirard, a dynamo who seems to almost fly with his leaps onto and across the stage.

Opening the program is Balanchine's spectacular "Western Symphony," a rousing show-closer on just about anybody else's stage. Hershy Kay arranged the score, which features familiar folk and Western tunes ("Red River Valley," "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers," "The Girl I Left Behind" and "Good Night Ladies," among them). Balanchine's genius in this dance is the manner in which he interprets stereotypical "cowboy" gestures and attitudes with formal classical ballet vocabulary. He not only celebrates the American West, but he also adds a little subtle satire on, and references to, classical ballets (including "Swan Lake"). In a way, there is as much humor and mischief here as in Cunningham's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Especially impressive in "Western Symphony" is Stefan Calka and Alexandra Cunningham's second movement Adagio. Calka dances the part of a lovelorn cowpoke, scorned by Cunningham in a series of attempts to infatuate her. Calka displays good comic timing in addition to the excellent dance timing that makes it possible for him to catch Cunningham in a couple of daring fish dives, in which she, outstretched, jumps blindly into his arms and is dipped low to the ground. His exit, with a bevy of saloon girls, is delightfully humorous. Oliver-Paul Adams, whose strength as a soloist is undeniable, shows great improvement in his partnering skills with Amanda Peet in the opening Allegro segment.

The Sacramento Ballet program "Western Symphony" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $17-$70, available in person from the Community Center Box Office, 1301 L St., or by phone at (916) 808-5181.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Sacramento – in living color

2013-03-23T01:56:13Z

A colorful day of events transpired this past Saturday, March 16.

Run or Dye is a 5K event that took place at McClellan Park in Sacramento.

Run or Dye

Billed as the world's most colorful 5K the event lived up to its billing and was attended by over 2,000 participants.

Run or Dye has scheduled events that take it from coast to coast and is also open to participants of all ages.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

That same day Old Sacramento held its annual St. Patrick's Day Parade where green was the color most prevalent.

Participants followed the beat of drummers and marched behind bagpipers as Sacramento celebrated St. Patrick's Day.

Thousands of spectators lined the streets to watch the parade that featured Irish and Highland dancers, bagpipe and drum bands, several cultural organizations and community groups to celebrate the 17th annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

2nd annual Sacramento Food Film Festival a hit

2013-03-23T00:44:06Z

The second annual Sacramento Food Film Festival was held last weekend at the Guild Theater. Presented by Slow Food Sacramento and supported by a slew of local sponsors, this year's festival was better than ever. Founder and event organizer Catherine Enfield – who also blogs at Munchie Musings and was one of the originators of SactoMoFo – did a stellar job with both the planning and execution of the festival. In addition to lining up two films on Friday night and a whopping five films Saturday, Enfield organized a series of fun events to complement the films: discussions with filmmakers, a sushi tasting and a scavenger hunt, among others. Below are some scenes from Friday night at the festival.

The first film of the evening was "Quest for Local Honey" – a documentary film by two nascent Nevada County filmmakers. After the film, movie goers engaged in a Q&A with the producers while tasting some local honey. Audience members also took home boxes of organic honey graham crackers from Attune Foods, the same company that donated a beautiful wooden bee hive to the lucky winner of the night's raffle.

When the discussion with the "Quest" filmmakers ended, we made our way to neighboring Old Soul to enjoy a generous sushi tasting with Mikuni and Kru, a fitting match for the next film of the night, the highly acclaimed "Jiro Dreams of Sushi." Beer from Hoppy Brewing Company, Hakushika Sake tastings, and cups of delicious, effervescent kombucha accompanied the innovative sushi dishes.

I consider myself a fairly experienced sushi connoisseur, so was pleasantly surprised to see two types of sushi I had never tried before: chef Taro Arai offered "oshizushi", also known as Osaka-style or "pressed" sushi, made with ocean fish varieties from Sunh Fish. In contrast, the lovely, mild fresh-water fish from Passmore Ranch incorporated in Chef Billy Ngo's nigiri was an unusual and tasty change from the traditional salt-water sushi most of us are accostumed to.

As guests munched the last pieces of sushi and sipped their choice of beverages, Enfield opened up a conversation on seafood sustainability with guest chefs Arai and Ngo.

The discussion was informative, but also entertaining... as you can see!

Enfield seems to have mastered the recipe for a successful food film festival. Current and relevant movie selections? Check. Fun, food-centric events? Check. Healthy theater snacks from Whole Foods? Ticket sales supporting great local organizations such as Slow Food Sacramento and The California Food Literacy Center? Priority seating for VIP ticket holders? Check, check and check! From start to finish, this was a high quality, well-organized, and thoroughly enjoyable event. Although you'll have to wait a year for the next Sac Food Film Fest, I would suggest marking your calendars now with a reminder to check the event's Facebook page and website. Trust me, you won't want to miss it when the festival returns in 2014.

Dawn Balzarano is a local freelance food photographer, blogging at KitchenTravels.com.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Sacramento Food Film Festival provided the author a press pass to the Friday night films and tastings. Dawn's opinions are her own, always will be.

Numbers Never Lie: Tyreke Evans continues to make strides in his game

2013-03-22T22:41:05Z

For the second game in a row, Tyreke Evans was an integral part and the catalyst of two Kings comebacks that resulted in wins.

On Thursday evening, March 21, at Sleep Train Arena, the Sacramento Kings toppled the Minnesota Timberwolves 101-98 in front of 12,176 riled up fans.

Make no mistake about it. Ever since the Brothers Maloof’s secret sale became uncovered, the attendance at the ole barn has increased and the fans there are getting louder and louder with their collective “Sac-ra-men-to” and “Here we stay” chants at each game.

With Evans’ contract running out at the end of the season - the club does have the right to match any offer for next season - there is lots of speculation and opinion whether he should be resigned.

For anyone that has followed this team since 'Reke came onboard, the answer should be an easy one.

Yes!

Evans has made many improvements since he’s arrived in town.

From a reporter’s point of view, Evans has gone from a very quiet guy that rarely looked reporters in the eye when answering questions in the locker room after the game, to a guy that looks and speaks directly at you for every query thrown his way.

His quiet demeanor when landing in Sacramento was somewhat misunderstood as arrogance by some. Mostly those who never get a chance to have a real conversation with the guy. Once you do, you realize that he is a little reserved and not cocky at all.

Besides his I-80 speeding incident, Evans has remained out of trouble and in the good graces of the team and fans.

In Tuesday, March 19's game versus the Clippers, Evans got the team cooking early in the fourth when he became the primary ball handler with Isaiah Thomas on the pine. After hitting four free throws in a row to tie the score at 86 with 8:25 remaining in the game, Evans hit two tough driving layups in a row to really give the Kings the feel that they could win this game.

He really clamped down on Jamal Crawford late in the game, and held him scoreless the last 5:15 of the game.

Evans credited Toney Douglas’ defense as his motivator for clamping down on his man late in the game.

“He’s pressuring at full court and making the guards work,” Evans said. “When I see that, it kind of gets me going to pressure my guy and trying to make him work. We’re just all out there having fun and playing defense. It’s always good to get a win when you're having fun playing defense.”

In the fourth quarter against the Wolves on Thursday, Evans took over again. With 8:48 left this time, Evans again was the main ball handler throughout the fourth. Evans would then score 9 of the next eleven points to give the Kings a confident margin.

Evans, who scored 11 of his 21 in the final frame, talked about how he stays ready after having such a quiet first three quarters.

“I just stay ready,” Evans said. “It’s a long game - 48 minutes. Every chance I get, I just try and be patient and make the right play. When it’s time to attack, I attack.”

A further look at Evans' stats fills in more of the picture and shows why he should be a King in the coming years.

His field goal percentage is at 46.8 - the highest in any season so far. He’s shooting 35 percent from three-point land - over five points higher than his previous best. His turnovers are down from three per game in his rookie season to only two each contest this year.

When you delve deeper into some of the more complicated stats, as they say, the numbers never lie. According to Hoopdata.com, he’s at an all-time high in true shooting percentage, percentage of field goals assisted and total rebound rate.

Coach Smart sees the improvement and is trying to put Evans in more successful situations. After taking a bit to accept his new role, Smart says the kid has started to flourish.

“His whole life, he’s been a guy that had the basketball in his hands,” Smart said. “I had to share with him, that what needed from him was defense and developing his shot. He knew it was important for him to do that, but I don’t think he ever really took it serious until this past summer.”

Smart noticed and Evans agreed that early on this year, when the mid-range jumper wasn’t falling, he would resort back to his old form. But neither gave up his shot. And his shot started to come together.

“With his ability to drive the basketball and making those long-range jumpers, it only helped his overall game,” Smart said. “Now, he has the ability to shoot the long shot, drive to the basket and then make plays off the dribble. That’s what a two guard in our league needs to be able to do. He’s done some of those things this year and that’s just the steps he’s making to help solidify our team.”

Both Smart and Evans agree that the only real thing to work on is the mid-range pull-up shot. And when that comes, watch out opposing guards!

“His balance is still not there for that shot, but I think he understands where his spots on the floor are to shoot the long ball,” Smart said. “Having that mid-range pull-up jump shot to now not only with the shot, but also it puts defenses in a decision-making time by saying, do I come to help? If I help, he can drop off the pass.”

So naysayers, still wanna get rid of a truly talented guard that nearly breaks ankles each and every game?

Sure, once or twice a game he turns the ball over while making one of those plays that just takes your breath away.

For my money, no one can drive to the rack like ‘Reke.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

RON NABITY

http://www.nabityphotos.com

New films: Olympus Has Fallen, Admission, The Croods, Stoker, Spring Breakers

2013-03-22T20:22:11Z

A Directors Week

This is an interesting week with a slew of new releases, all of which are from directors with track records that include better or more interesting work than we’re getting now. Given the number of films this week, I’ll keep the reviews and commentary relatively short.

Olympus Has Fallen
Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Antione Fuqua is building a steady record of crime and action films, probably still most notably “Training Day” with Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. In “Olympus Has Fallen,” he gives us what is essentially “Die Hard: The White House” only with Bruce Willis being played by Gerard Butler. That said, it’s a far more enjoyable film and also closer to the original “Die Hard” model than the latest entry in that series and Willis could do a lot worse than go to Fuqua if he wants to keep going as John McClane (although Fuqua’s dance card seems pretty full for the next couple of years – with four films in production or pre-production according to imdb.com).

In serendipitous timing for the producers, given recent headlines and developments coming out of the Korean peninsula, the action in “Olympus Has Fallen” is based on the idea of the White House and President being taken by a team of North Koreans intent on forcing a U.S. pullout from that area of the world. The action sequences are well put together and, at times, realistically low tech – in the sense that a lot can be accomplished with radicals who are simply willing to die and with converted, everyday and unremarkable vehicles like sanitation trucks. But the film still relies on one of those key plot points that always seems a bit silly (a computer process with no override capability) and plays upon the idea that government officials are always vulnerable if they have loved ones who can be captured. You’re likely to walk away from a film like this thinking that politicians should have their families locked away in a military installation at all times or that the qualifying characteristics for President of the United States should read like a vintage Pony Express recruiting poster – no family or attachments, “orphans preferred.” As with almost any film of this kind, it’s far better as a low-thought action film than as a civics lesson.

Admission
Directed by Paul Weitz

Paul Weitz has a record that includes the original “American Pie,” the excellent “About a Boy” (that launched the film career of current it guy Nicholas Hoult), and the visually interesting “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” – any of which carry more appeal than “Admission.” Which isn’t to say that “Admission” is especially bad, just that it’s rather flat. I think the fact that I enjoyed it even as much as I did probably stems more from it being about college admissions and me being a college professor than from the quality of the production. It stars Tina Fey as a Princeton admissions officer and Paul Rudd as a teacher at a small, alternative school, trying to champion the cause of one of his students. Fey just seems underused here, delivering lines that would probably have been funnier if she had written them herself. Rudd, by comparison, seems quite appealing and comes across better than he often does (and I’m not implying that I don’t like him as an actor) in a role that appears more tightly scripted than some of his performances. Lily Tomlin plays Fey’s eccentric mother, and is fun to watch but it’s a role that is remarkably similar to Jane Fonda as Catherine Keener’s eccentric mother in 2011’s “Peace, Love and Misunderstanding” – they have been reduced to cranky, senior comic relief. The only relatively fresh parts of all of this are those that are focused on admissions decisions, and there are only enough of those to sustain a short film rather than an almost two hour feature.

The Croods
Written & Directed by Chris Sanders & Kirk De Micco

Kirk De Micco’s only prior directing credit is 2008’s “Space Chimps” but Chris Sanders is half of the directing team that brought us 2002’s much loved “Lilo and Stitch” and 2010’s excellent “How to Train Your Dragon.” The most surprising part of “The Croods” is that it was only written and directed by two people, because it feels like the work of a committee and is one of the most formulaic and bland (albeit pretty) animated features of the last few years. As with so many films these days, the preview packs in many of the highpoints and even that is formulaic and bland – which doesn’t leave much to look forward to. It’s like some kind of cross between the original “One Million Years B.C.” and the latest in the tired “Ice Age” franchise, with humans from two distinct stages of evolution desperately trying to escape the effects of continental drift. As with many of these types of film, the most appealing character is a cute anthropomorphized critter rather than one of the main cast, reinforcing the notion that animated films don’t need A-list voiceover talent (and would be much cheaper without it).

Stoker
Directed by Chan-wook Park

Chan-wook Park has a following of his own, probably being best known for 2003’s “Oldboy,” and is highly regarded for the visual elements in his films. And in that sense, “Stoker” is phenomenal – I sat wishing I could capture stills from what often seems more like a photography exhibit than a movie. Unfortunately, the storytelling doesn’t live up to the imagery. It’s well acted by Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska, and Matthew Goode, and the basic story idea behind the film is intriguing – it simply isn’t well realized as a whole.

Wasikowska plays India Stoker, a high school loner whose closest companion has been her father, and who meets her mysterious uncle (Goode) for the first time at her father’s funeral. India is somewhat unusual herself, with extremely acute hearing for example, and Uncle Charles seems equally odd and out of place. As Charles insinuates himself into India and her (Kidman) mother’s lives, it becomes increasingly clear that all is not well in the Stoker family. But the film fails to fill in some of the causal links between characters and traits and provides moments that don’t fit what we’ve already been shown – like India dropping a letter onto a hard staircase and not hearing it, despite the impression given throughout the film that she most likely would have heard it dropped somewhere else in the house. This is a beautiful film that is likely to make you wish that some of the time spent caring about the appearance had been directed more towards the content.

Spring Breakers
Written & Directed by Harmony Korine

Harmony Korine came into the film scene in the 90’s as the writer of Larry Clark’s controversial “Kids” and “Ken Park,” and as writer and director of his own equally polarizing “Gummo.” His material tends to live at the edge of what many people would think of as either socially acceptable or, perhaps, a dividing line between art and porn. His first writing in “Kids” explored the harsh world of drugs and sex amongst a group of teenagers, especially the way some boys exploit girls for sex. It was harsh and raw and I remember a conversation with a colleague years ago in which he asked me “If you had daughters, would you let them watch it?” And I answered, “If I had daughters, I’d require them to watch it every time they wanted to leave the house!” It’s a film that would seem far more extreme if we didn’t live in a world that brought us the current Steubenville rape trial.

“Spring Breakers” lives in that same world, focusing on the underbelly of a bad spring break week for four female college students. Much of the imagery here looks like it came from the outtakes bin at “Girls Gone Wild,” and there’s certainly no shortage of bare breasts and other bikini-oriented closeups. But the narrative focus, is more on violence and exploitation, as the girls find themselves caught in the web of a local drug dealer (James Franco). To some extent, it’s still reminiscent of “Kids” as he pulls them into his world, for his purposes, although with respect to at least a couple of the students, it’s not clear who is exploiting whom (and they have a violent past of their own). Franco hams it up as the white rapping drug dealer, as does Vanessa Hudgens as one of the girls, alongside Korine’s own wife Rachel. The best performance comes from Selena Gomez as the one of the four who is most clearly out of her depth and willing to admit it.

But this is not a film for teen fans of any of those actors to flock to unaware of Korine’s style and approach to filmmaking. This is not a film that would get played at a meeting of the Selena Gomez fanclub – except perhaps the mature adult male branch of the Selena Gomez fanclub. Korine also repeatedly uses much of the same video and audio for a slightly disorienting effect in a 94 minutes film that might only have about 70-75 minutes of material. It’s harsh, raw, and crude in both its content and its appearance and isn’t remotely kid friendly.

Resurrection Theatre fundraiser features James McLure doubleheader

2013-03-22T19:22:40Z

In addition to the pair of James McLure comedic one-acts ("Laundry and Bourbon" and "Lone Star") Resurrection Theatre Company is serving up as the main course of its inaugural fundraising event, staff members of the 4-year-old troupe are hoping patrons will take away a never-ending hunger for their house specialty: "challenging and fiscally responsible theater."

"Laundry and Bourbon" is a semisweet tale about "discontented and gossiping small-town wives, whose marriages are less than ideal." But with the help of a bit of alcohol and a lot of fabric softener, they manage to dissipate a lot of the static that exists between them. In "Lone Star," three "good ol’ boys" spill their feelings without losing a drop of their beloved beer of choice during a Friday-night gabfest.

With the first two shows having sold out, theater spokeswoman Margaret Morneau said those interested in attending the final performance (8 p.m. Saturday, March 23) at the 30-seat Three Penny Playhouse shouldn't wait to buy tickets at the door, but call or buy tickets online (see below).

Tickets for Saturday's show are priced at $30, and include complementary bourbon, beer and other refreshments.

In keeping with its mission to present "fiscally responsible" productions, Resurrection's stagings are produced on the cheap. The props for this weekend's fundraising shows, for example, are "found" pieces from company members' homes or discovered in storage rooms, and in the parking lot at the Three Penny complex at 25th and R streets.

But with this season's next two shows leaning toward the more-ambitious side (Geoffrey Naufft's "Next Fall," set to open in May; Edward Albee's "The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?," tentatively scheduled for September), Morneau said real money will have to be spent on set design and construction.

Monies raised this weekend will also be earmarked for facility rental, as well as filing fees for the theater's 501c3 (nonprofit) application.

"Once we have nonprofit status, we'll be eligible to apply for grants, which will enable us to host workshops aimed at teens who aren't necessarily exposed to theater," said Morneau. "Roseville and Natomas Charter School have great theater programs, but some other high schools, well, their programs are just sad.

"I'm thinking there should be an outlet for them somewhere."

But filling the company's coffers is just one goal of the three-night series of fundraising performances, said Morneau, who's been a Resurrecton company member since 2010.

"We also want to have the opportunity to mingle with our audience members, and talk about what our goals are, and encourage them to get involved with theater – and not just our theater.

"We'd like to help build more of a theater community, to build awareness and get people to go to more than one theater."

Morneau said she and her fellow Resurrection Theatre Company artistic staffers (Laura Gonzales, Joshua Glenn Robertson, Shawn B O'Neal) are walking the walk, and have been supporting area theater through such channels as social media – going so far as to promote other theaters' shows on the company's Facebook page during those weeks when its own playhouse is dark.

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: The Resurrection Theatre Company's inaugural fundraising event, featuring a pair of James McLure comedic one-acts ("Laundry and Bourbon" and "Lone Star")

WHEN:Thursday, March 21, 8 p.m. (sold out); Friday, March 22, 8 p..m. (sold out); Saturday, March 23, 8 p.m. (Saturday's performance is followed by a reception featuring complementary beer, bourbon and hors d'oeuvres)

WHERE: Three Penny Playhouse, 1723 25th St., Sacramento (between Q and R streets)

WHO: Directed by Shawn B O'Neal and Joshua Glenn Robertson; featuring Kellie Yvonne Raines (Elizabeth), Laura Kaya (Hattie), Eliza Webb (Amy Lee), Scott Devine (Roy), William Gilbert (Ray), Jonathan Hansen (Cletis)

HOW MUCH: $20 Thursday and Friday; $30 Saturday (includes refreshments)

TICKETS: Purchase online at www.brownpapertickets.com

MORE INFO: Call 916.223.9568, or see the Resurrection Theatre Company website

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PSAs: Spring on the Farm at Putah Creek, disability van and mini-bus giveaway

2013-03-22T18:24:09Z

Spring on the Farm on Putah Creek April 7

The Center for Land-Based Learning is inviting “kids” of all ages to attend its spring open house at the Farm on Putah Creek. The spring open house will be held Sunday, April 7, from noon to 4 p.m.

The Farm on Putah Creek offers miles of walking trails, hedgerows in full bloom, ponds of tadpoles, birds and wildlife. Hands-on activities will also be offered the day of the event, including hayrides, crafts, and insect, tree and flower education/activities and a greenhouse seeding station. “You can visit baby lambs and sheep or hold a cute baby chick,” according to a statement for the event.

Children and adults are invited to participate in physical science activities and learn about the many species of birds and other wildlife around the farm. This fun afternoon is free of charge, and feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with friends and family. The Farm on Putah Creek is an easy driving distance from Sacramento and very close to Davis.

The Center for Land-Based Learning is dedicated to creating the next generation of farmers and teaching California’s youth about the importance of agriculture and watershed conservation. Combining innovative hands-on experience with classroom learning, participants in CLBL’s many programs develop leadership skills, learn how sustainable agriculture practices contribute to a healthier ecosystem, and create connections to agricultural, environmental, and food system careers.

Students, mostly inner-city from the Sacramento region, are selected by their school's administrators to participate in programs such as SLEWS Program, FARMS Leadership Program, Green Corps, and Caring for our Watersheds.
For more information and driving directions visit the Center for Land-Based Learning's web site, or call (530) 795-1520.

Local nonprofit giving away van and mini-bus for first anniversary

For its first anniversary, Destinations Mobility is giving away a wheelchair-accessible van to any California or Nevada resident who is disabled, and a mini-bus to any California or Nevada organization that can use the wheelchair-accessible vehicle for its clients.

The contest runs through May 20, 2013. No purchase or donation is necessary, and entry forms for contest vehicles are available at the Destinations Mobility website, www.destinationsmobility.com.

Although winners will be selected by random drawing, the form includes a section on how the van would change the person’s life or, for the business, nonprofit or church, how the bus would help the people it serves.

Winners will be announced at noon May 31, 2013, at the nonprofit’s open house. Entry forms must be received by May 20, 2013, at Destinations Mobility, P.O. Box 23100, Sacramento CA 95822.

An adult can enter for a family member who is disabled. Only one entry per household or organization.

The van and bus can be viewed at Destinations Mobility, 2501 Florin Road, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A division of the nonprofit Paratransit, Inc., Destinations Mobility sells wheelchair-accessible vehicles for people with disabilities and businesses.

Founded in 1978, Paratransit, Inc. provides transportation services to individuals with disabilities as well as related agencies in Sacramento County.

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