Ted Kooser, US Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006. Photo by UNL Publications and Photography.
Here’s a fine poem about a cricket by Catherine Tufariello, who lives in Indiana. I especially admire the way in which she uses rhyme without it ever taking control of the poetry, the way rhyme can.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Soper-Reese Community Theatre will be the scene of this year's annual Christmas Concert of the Lake County Symphony, taking place on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m.
The concert is sponsored by Clear Lake Performing Arts.
Conductor John Parkinson is scheduling not only many of the traditional holiday favorites such as the Nutcracker Suite, the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Leroy Anderson's ever-popular "Sleigh Ride" "Winter Wonderland," "It's a Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and many others, but is once again presenting a medley of jazz arrangements.
These have become increasingly popular in recent holiday concerts both in Lake County and other venues.
They feature local soloists, including Shelly Mascari and Sarah Cunningham. Mascari recently wowed the Soper-Reese audience with her renditions from the opera "Carmen."
Her singing partner in that event, Carl Stewart, will also return to deliver a solo of "O Holy Night" backed by the orchestra.
Another tradition – the singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus" by the audience – returns, this time with the local vocal group "EarReverance" leading the way.
The CLPA Youth Orchestra, led by conductor Susan Condit, also promises something a little different than the usual Christmas fare.
"Angels Bach has Heard on High" has been described as coming right out of the J.S. Bach family songbook, even though it was written and arranged by contemporary composer Owen Goldsmith, a native of Borger, Texas, who now lives in California's Sierra foothills.
Her second selection has been entitled "Five Ukrainians in a Bell Tower" by arranger Rick England who adapted it from Mykola Leontovych's holiday favorite "Carol of the Bells."
England's arrangement is in 5/4 time, similar to that used by Dave Brubeck in his classic "Take Five." It will feature a quartet of former Youth Orchestra members Annie Perez, violin #1, Erin Call, Violin #2, Aaron Bielenberg, Viola and Amanda Bronson, Cello.
Reserved seats may be obtained by contacting www.soperreesetheatre.com or by phone at 707-263-0577, or by visiting the theater box office at 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport Thursdays or Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Youngsters under 18 will be admitted free to the full dress concert starting at 11 a.m., and adults, too, can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this presentation, for an entry fee of just $5.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Starting Dec. 5, tickets to all Soper-Reese Community Theatre events will be able to be purchased at The Travel Center in Lakeport.
April Knoll, owner of the Travel Center, expressed her enthusiasm at being involved with the theater and to be able to offer this service to her customers.
The Travel Center is at 1265 S. Main Street in the Shoreline Shopping Center and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Knoll's active involvement with the Soper-Reese started when she approached them about hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration and featuring the LC Diamonds.
“The theater loved the idea and has scheduled this event, and now tickets will be available five days a week to our audience,” said Mike Adams, the theater's executive director.
The genius behind the camera for “Sideways,” director Alexandra Payne, returns to the screen after a long absence with “The Descendants.” The extended wait was well worth it.
Not quite in the class of quirky director Terrence Malick, Payne nevertheless shares the same sensibility of not rushing to crank out an endless procession of passable fare.
As he also demonstrated with “Election” and “About Schmidt,” Payne, often a screenwriter as well as director, has a knack for dramatic comedies or satires that thrive on being observant of the human condition.
“The Descendants” is almost in a class by itself. Like Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” Payne’s latest work deserves accolades and awards as of the one of the best movies of the year.
Another superb achievement is that superstar George Clooney becomes an Everyman in bedraggled Honolulu lawyer Matt King, the primary trustee of a large tract of pristine beachfront property held in a family trust.
In his best performance ever, Clooney plays the part of a bewildered father of two precocious, free-spirited daughters who is thrust by circumstances into the unwanted task of assuming the role of principal parent.
At the film’s opening we see Matt’s wife water-skiing with wild abandon on Waikiki Beach. Then, rather abruptly, we learn that a boating accident rendered her comatose and in a death watch at the local hospital.
Matt’s oldest daughter Alexandra (an excellent Shailene Woodley), a high school senior, was sent away to a boarding school where her rebellious ways remain unchecked. Her problem with substance abuse is evident.
Meanwhile, 10-year-old Scottie (Amara Miller), a happier kid, worries that her heretofore absentee father may not be up to job of parenthood. For his part, Matt refers to himself as the “backup parent.”
In the wake of the family tragedy, Alexandra is brought back to Honolulu and workaholic Matt goes about the mundane business of trying to hold the family together in a time of crisis.
Matt’s job is complicated by other factors, some of which should not be revealed so honestly that the element of surprise is needlessly blunted. Suffice it to say that marital discord intrudes in a big way.
To say that Matt King is a flawed character would be an understatement. Playing the part calls for Clooney to deliver a performance that is often slow and plodding, and not the least bit flashy.
With graying hair and rumpled clothes, Matt is a man adrift, unsure of himself while he confronts his cranky father-in-law (Robert Forster) and deals frankly with Realtor Brian Speer (Matthew Lilliard).
An even bigger confrontation looms with a frenzied bunch of greedy cousins who insist on selling the ancestral land to hotel and condo developers. Cousin Hugh (Beau Bridges), seemingly a laid-back hippie type, is the orneriest of the group.
As befitting the movie’s title, Matt is keenly aware of his Hawaiian heritage. He is descended from a Hawaiian princess who married a wealthy white banker. His dilemma is how he will honor and cherish his lineage.
Adding to the dysfunction of the King household is Alexandra’s boyfriend Sid (Nick Krause), the stereotypical clueless slacker who at first provides comic relief, and yet later surprises everyone with his innate wisdom.
The genius of “The Descendants” is that virtually every character brings essential pathos, passion or comic relief to the film, which is realized by the film’s perfect blend of humor and drama.
With Clooney and the wonderful Shailene Woodley leading the way, “The Descendants” offers the audience the rare gift of being truly invested in the arc of each character’s story.
There is nothing about “The Descendants” that feels anything less than genuine, nor does it manipulate the audience. The humor, passion and emotions are real. Don’t pass up the chance to see it.
DVD RELEASE UPDATE
One of the highly anticipated holiday movies is Steven Spielberg’s “The Adventures of Tintin,” based on the comic strip creation of Belgian cartoon artist Herge.
The Spielberg film will be an ambitious motion capture animated film, but you can get your taste of what “Tintin” is all about with the DVD release of “The Adventures of Tintin: Season One.”
The DVD release brings to our shores the popular animated TV series that chronicled the adventures of the young, intrepid investigative reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy as they embarked on globe-trotting missions.
Unfortunately, most Americans are unfamiliar with the great series of graphic “Tintin” novels, which were translated in 80 languages and published in over 50 countries.
Though Steven Spielberg intends to raise our awareness of the popular comic strip character, it would be best to experience the excitement and wonder of “The Adventures of Tintin” at home before heading to the local multiplex this Christmas.
The DVD’s 13 episodes includes several of the graphic novels, offering a great chance to be familiar with other characters like the crusty Captain Haddock, the muddled genius Professor Calculus and the bumbling detectives Thompson and Thomson.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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