Arts & Life
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- Written by: Middletown Art Center
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Art Center, or MAC, invites the public to the opening reception of its 62nd exhibit, “Configurations” on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m.
This compelling display features new and returning artists’ work in a variety of media. As a whole, the exhibition explores a variety of ways in which the artists create a sense of order, structure, and connection within a single piece or a grouping of pieces.
Some artists build literal configurations through multi-part works, while others reveal more subtle relationships through recurring shapes, colors or themes.
“The works offer a dynamic meditation on how meaning can emerge from the interplay of elements, symbols, and associations,” said curator and MAC Artistic Director Lisa Kaplan.
“Configurations” will be on view from Dec. 6 to Feb. 16, Thursday through Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment, and is free to the public. A virtual tour will be available on MAC’s website after New Year’s.
Don’t miss the annual Posada Navideña during Christmas in Middletown on Dec. 13, from 3 to 8 p.m., featuring piñata breaking, vendors, kids’ art making, and community caroling in Spanish and English at MAC.
The MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29 in Middletown.
To find out more about the art center’s broad palette of programs, events, arts and culture engagement opportunities, and ways to support MAC’s efforts to weave the arts and culture into the fabric of life in Lake County, visit middletownartcenter.org or call 707-809-8118.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Center Stage Studios and North Bay Ballet Theatre is proud to announce that tickets are on sale now for their annual production of “the Nutcracker Ballet,” featuring music by Peter Tchaikovsky in four separate shows.
The shows will take place at the Marge Alakszay Center at 250 Lange St. in Lakeport on the following dates and time:
• Friday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Center Stage website and following the link on the home page to purchase tickets now.
Ticket prices range from $15 to $17 per person and there is available floor seating for wheelchairs.
“We strive to give our performers and the audience a true theatre experience without having to leave the county. Our performers have worked hard all year to bring this production to the stage and we invite anyone and everyone to come enjoy the show,” said Studio Director Jeanette Marchais.
Join them as they bring the magical story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to life on stage.
This production is open to children over 3 years old and makes an awesome field trip for schools, youth groups and large families looking for a way to kick off the Christmas season with the arts.
There will be complimentary refreshments and goodies available along with special Nutcracker Ballet 2025 merchandise for sale at each show (as supplies last).
Follow them on Facebook to stay in the loop with all the exciting things happening at Center Stage Studios, or to find out more about how you can financially support the performing arts in Lake County.
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- Written by: Tim Riley
‘LAW & ORDER TORONTO: CRIMINAL INTENT’ ON CW NETWORK
No matter where the “Law & Order” franchise lands, even in Canada, the one familiar constant is the voice of the narrator that should trigger memories of other iterations.
Indeed, for the opening narration of “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent,” a Canadian production based on the American franchise created by Dick Wolf, the voice of Steven Kirnkilton remains instantly recognizable.
“In Toronto’s war on crime, the worst offenders are pursued by the detectives of the Specialized Criminal Investigations Unit. These are their stories,” intones the narrator, whose imposing tone suggests a satisfying police procedural is on offer.
The good news is that the Canadian series is now running on the CW Network, beginning with the first season that has already been eclipsed by the second season enjoyed by our neighbors to the north.
The cast is primarily Canadian, with the notable exception of British-born actress Karen Robinson in one of the key roles as Inspector Vivienne Holness, to whom the two main detectives report their ongoing investigations.
Like the original, starring detectives in the New York-based “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe, Aden Young and Kathleen Munroe make a great team as Detective Sergeants Henry Graff and Frankie Bateman, respectively.
The fourth central character, Deputy Crown Attorney Theo Forrester (K.C. Collins), brings authenticity to the role that in the United States would be that of an Assistant District Attorney.
Showing great promise for the series, the first episode focuses on shady crypto investor Daniel (Ali Kazmi), recently married to trophy wife Sophie (Amber Goldfarb), entertaining clients on his private yacht, only to fall off the side of his boat and later be found washed ashore.
Working together with good chemistry, Detectives Graff and Bateman start their probe into the mysterious death, unearthing the possibility that Daniel stole hundreds of millions of client money, leaving Sophie in a precarious spot when she becomes the victim of a hit-and-run accident that is hardly coincidental.
Graff and Bateman play off each other nicely, with the former proving to be quirky with his endless knowledge of art, literature, and cultural issues, while the latter is more balanced and direct in questioning.
That Graff has infinite familiarity with fine art is amusing when, during a visit to Sophie’s home, he informs her that a painting hanging upside-down is by a French artist no one has probably heard of.
The fan base for “Law & Order” series is so strong that it may come as a surprise if the Canadian version fails to get traction in the United States. The “Toronto” edition merits more than a look; it’s a winner that should run for many seasons.
‘NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T’ Rated PG-13
A dozen years have passed since the original “Now You See Me” brought a team of illusionists known as the Four Horsemen working their magic to commit heists during a performance, drawing the attention of an FBI agent and Interpol detective.
My memory has faded on the 2013 film and its first sequel only three years later. The Four Horsemen are a little older now, but maybe not much wiser, since they cannot resist their Robin Hood impulse to fleece the well-connected.
The group leader is J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), backed up by the exuberant card shark Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) and Isla Fisher’s Henley Reeves, an escape artist who returns after an absence during the second film.
Woody Harrelson’s Merritt McKinney, a mentalist who appears to be either stoned or missing a few cells, is back. Rounding out the gang is Lizzy Caplan’s Lula, and thus, unless it’s magician’s misdirection, it looks like the group is really the Five Horsemen.
Well, no matter, because the group expands with a younger generation of three social activist illusionists. Feisty June (Ariana Greenblatt), Bosco (Dominic Sessa), and Charlie (Justice Smith), draw attention for their antics at a show to swindle and redistribute an obnoxious crypto huckster’s bank accounts.
When the Gen-Z magicians team up with the Horsemen, the action gets rolling with a grand design to heist a diamond larger than a baseball from the wicked Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike), a rapacious, unctuous diamond heir from South Africa.
A true villain, Veronika partners with drug traffickers and war criminals to launder money for their criminal enterprises. Naturally, the group can’t resist the challenge of stealing what is most precious, to say nothing of boosting one of her race cars for a high-speed joyride.
The biggest mystery of this third “Now You See Me” is what possessed the creative team to generate another sequel after nearly a decade. Was there a push from a fanbase to unleash a budding franchise? If a fourth film is forthcoming, maybe the answer was in the affirmative.
“Now You See 3” does have its moments of awe and excitement, but it may prove to be forgettable as early as the next day.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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- Written by: Middletown Art Center
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Give thanks this Saturday night, Nov. 22, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Middletown Art Center, or MAC.
Dance to EDM straight out of the United Kingdom underground music scene. DJ’s Ami and Nick deliver an energized dance party, with UK Garage (UKG) Bassline, and House tracks beats, rhythms and sounds.
Give thanks and work up an appetite for the holiday season. Enjoy uplifting energized music, friends and community.
UK Garage, played in dance clubs worldwide, is a mash-up of house and bass music, borrowing heavily from jungle and incorporating elements of R&B and reggae. There will be bass!
Young in Lake County and looking for a party? Come dance with us! Dance to urban underground club sounds in our small country town!
Ami Verhey is an emerging DJ, a Middletown High and UC Davis graduate currently working on his masters in wildlife ecology at Cal Poly Humboldt. Nicholas Hay is a veteran L.A. and local DJ and head gardener at Harbin Hot Springs.
“I am always super happy to showcase and share current dance-focused music here at home,” said Verhey. “We need more quality exposure to contemporary music and culture here in Lake County, and this is part of making that happen!”
Suggested donation $10; $5 for ages 18-21; high school students, and younger free or by donation. No one turned away for lack of funds. Multiple generations and families are welcome! Movies in the back for kids.
First 20 guests get a free beverage, and ALL guests receive a free raffle ticket for THERE WILL BE BASS T-shirts! Beverages/snacks for purchase—non-alcoholic or beer/wine (21+ with ID)
Experience the uplifting contemporary sounds, rhythms, and beats that are getting people up and dancing across the world, right here in the heart of Middletown!
Middletown Art Center is a nonprofit dedicated to engaging the public in art making, art education, and art appreciation, and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, striving to create an inclusive and accessible space for all.
To learn more and donate to support this or other MAC arts and cultural programs, visit middletownartcenter.org. For inquiries or further information, please contact the Middletown Art Center at 707-355-4465 or email
