Liberty Arts Squared

PRESS RELEASE

P.O. Box 302, Liberty, MO 64069

staff@libertyartsquared.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:   Jennifer Hardesty, Marketing - jhardesty@kc.rr.com or Cory Unrein - staff@libertyartsquared.org

 Arts Festival on the Square in Liberty, Mo. June 5, 2009

Liberty, Mo – Historic Downtown Liberty, Mo. will be the site of an arts festival June 5, 2010, 10 am to 7pm.  The festival is named, “Liberty Arts Squared,” for the location around the courthouse square, as well as the four categories of art featured at the festival.  The festival is a juried show, which will include visual (painting, sculpture, pottery, certain crafts), literary/written, performing and children’s arts.    The festival is free to the public, with plenty of free parking available. 

“Our goal is to bring quality arts to the community, support local and regional artists, and host a fun, family friendly event,” said Heather Jones, who is event co-chair with Trish Hughes. 

Over 100 booth spaces are available for artists to display their work.  Sponsorship, food vendor and volunteer opportunities are also available.  

“We are excited about the quality artists who are coming” said Carol Kariotis, member of the Liberty Arts Commission, and Director of Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities.  Steve Karol, Karol Fine Arts, will be showing digital photography and paintings in Corbin Theatre.  Mr. Karol has exhibited work in many area Liberty locations including Martha Lafite Thompson Wildlife Sanctuary and Crepes on the Square.

Watercolorist, Mark Anderson, will have a booth at the festival and will also include demonstrations.  Mr. Anderson has exhibited widely throughout the Mid-West and Alaska including paintings exhibited in the 6th Annual Juried Art Show of Burlington, Iowa, ; Paintings exhibited in, \"Not Under Glass\", a national exhibit of fine oil and acrylic paintings, St. Louis, MO;  Paintings exhibited in Artists Along The KATY Trail traveling exhibit; exhibits at The Rozier Gallery, Jefferson City, Missouri; Award Winner Painting on exhibit, \"Portrait of Miss Lucy\" The Kansas City Museum; Soldotna, Alaska Oil painted mural commissioned, placed in permanent installation in Gourmet Gardens, Soldotna, Alaska; and numerous solo exhibits.  Mark Anderson, Watercolorist, photographer and Liberty resident, teaches art at Oak Park High School.

Artist and vendor applications are being accepted now.  For an application, or more information go to www.libertyartssquared.org

The festival entries are juried, with a $500.00 Best of Show, $500.00 Best Overall Booth Display prizes, and a number of other cash awards in the visual, folk arts and crafts and literary arts categories

Music performances will take place throughout the day of the festival, and all will be free to the public.  Wandering performers will be on hand.  Literary readings will take place at selected venues, as well as in writer’s booths.   

The festival is presented by Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc. (a non-profit Main Street organization) and the City of Liberty Arts Commission.

Liberty, Mo. is located 20 minutes northeast of downtown Kansas City.  To come to the festival, take the Highway 152 exit off of I-35 and go east two miles to the historic downtown.

*attached with this press release – painting by Mark Anderson, title: Fleeting Glimpses, watercolor on handmade paper

(Used with permission)

The Crazies

Film Review by Alexander Morales

With a title like “The Crazies,” I am betting someone could expect a lot of weird stuff to be going on. I mean, come on, just the idea of the word crazy brings up some pretty frightening things. From mass murders to demented clowns, crazy has become one of those words that, while probably used too much in the incorrect context, is still able to reduce you down to your worst kind of nightmares. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about that here.

Directed by Breck Eisner and a remake of the 1973 film of the same name by George A. Romero, “The Crazies” is set in the quaint, quiet Iowa town of Ogden Marsh where something bad is starting to happen. Townsfolk are starting to act a little “off” and it even sends a few of them into a violent rage. Needing to get some answers, the sheriff (played, as always with just the right amount of tough guy swagger by Timothy Olyphant) and his trusty deputy (Joe Anderson) work the conveniently placed clues in order to uncover the ugly truth … something tastes a little funny with the water. From there, more people go a little crazy, the government steps in and a small team of the most likable people in town band together for survival. Let the horror ensue.

Or not.

The problem with this film is that it really isn’t that scary. While the infected can be a little weird and do bad things, the majority is not so much crazy as just turning violent. I think this could be qualified into the zombie kind of genre, but the people that do get infected and get into the killing mood, still have some motive and reasoning skills and last I checked, you kind of lose that when the mind goes a little kooky. Now there were some tense moments, but everything scary was that quick jump kind of a scare and was set up so clearly by the darkness, lack of sound and any other cliché we all know, that you just kind of laugh when it happens.

Now I am not saying I didn’t like the film. Production and acting-wise, this film is very well made. Olyphant plays the tough sheriff role perfectly and a nice surprise of loyalty, humor and strength comes from his deputy Russell. The sheriff’s wife (Radha Mitchell) is just as tough as him and holds her own in times of danger so I can’t really complain about her role. The movie is not too long and paces well with a good score and solid special effects. Surprisingly, there is some great humor and good dialogue was interjected throughout so you could stay engaged pretty well, but there was just something about it that seemed a little off to me. What was it? I can’t put my finger on it … oh wait, a minute, that’s right. It’s because I’ve seen it already.

I don’t mean that I’ve seen the 1973 version of the film. Nothing is original about the way this movie is made or in how it is presented. Clearly, the director has just taken the best parts of other, better films and made something based in Iowa. A smattering of “28 Days Later” here, Zack Snyder’s “Dawn of the Dead” there, throw in some Tony Scott government electronics and suddenly you have “The Crazies.” Like I said, it’s not bad, but it’s also nothing new and in the end; I think that is its greatest flaw. Which truly is a shame, since it’s clear that Eisner and Romero were going for the newest creepfest, but like the last few Romero outings, all you get is yesterdays retreads.

In the end, I think most people will like it. Like I said, it’s well made and the cast do a great job. Nothing is overly silly or ridiculous and I think anyone on a date will have fun with the jumpy scares. Probably worth a one-time showing but nothing that will stand for long in great halls of Horrordom.

3 out 5 Infected Townsfolk

Cop Out (A.K.A. “All the other good movie titles were taken so we got stuck with this one”) 

By Jason Gregg

Painful to watch. Absurd story line. Dull action. Slow moving train wreck. Those are the words I am using to describe Bruce Willis’ and Tracy Morgan’s new movie “Cop Out.”  Five being the number of times I laughed in the almost two-hour long tragedy. Although, I think it was intended to be a comedy.

The story begins with Jimmy (Willis) and Paul (Morgan) interrogating a suspect in a drug case. It also happens to be their nine-year anniversary of being partners on the NYPD.  Laugh No. 1: the interrogation scenes were partially funny because Paul, while physically and verbally abusing his suspect, was quoting cop movies he had seen.  The scene does take a clever jab at a Willis movie.  

The film quickly moves into the typical 1980s buddy cop movie. I think that the writers simply Netflixed the entire buddy cop genre one weekend and wrote notes on what they thought was funny. Robb and Mark Cullen wrote the screenplay and Kevin Smith of “Clerks” fame directed.

Jimmy and Paul go on an assignment and make a few mistakes that results in losing their badges for 30 days. Who takes their badges away? It is the stereotypical angry police captain that has had enough of their antics. Sorry, seen it before, guys. 

Jimmy soon finds himself in a situation where he needs $48,000 and is without a job. Oh no, how will Jimmy ever find a way get the money? It turns out that Jimmy has a very valuable baseball card and when he goes to sell the card, it’s stolen by Dave (Seann William Scott). The card ends up in the hands of a ruthless Mexican gang leader who houses baseball memorabilia worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in a $25,000 home in the ghetto.   

During this train wreck, I couldn't find a time where I really cared about any of the characters; Willis seemed to be phoning most of his lines into the movie. Morgan was being, well, Tracy Morgan. That was actually a good thing. He plays the sensitive dumb wit so well that it's fun to watch him on “30 Rock.” But, when I can watch him be a goofball for free on Thursday nights, why would I pay $10 on Friday to watch him to play the same character?

The rest of the story is about Jimmy trying to get his baseball card back from the Mexican gang who is using Jimmy and Paul to retrieve a stolen Mercedes. Dave comes back into the story with laugh No. 2 where they have a juvenile joke fest while figuring out if Paul’s wife is cheating on him. Laugh No. 3 comes soon after that with a little physical pain to an 11-year-old boy (I don't advocate violence upon children, but I will laugh at it when it is done right). The story moves slowly into finding an angry Mexican woman. I assume the casting agent hired her because she is pretty and she could scream/ curse in Spanish for the remaining 45 minutes of the film.  

Laugh No. 4 and the last one (Sorry, there was no laugh No. 5. I was giving the movie a handicap out of pity), was when the credits were rolling. It takes place in a morgue and as far as morbid pranks are concerned it was funny. Again the joke was by Scott, which makes me ask - why didn't he get his name on the movie poster? He did most of the work.

There you have it, a 1980s cop comedy that would have been funny 25 years ago. Maybe it was paying homage to the cop comedies we grew up on but then again maybe this is simply a lost cause. Pay attention to the musical score and you'll hear the 1980s Casio Synthesizer used in movies like “Fletch” and “Beverly Hills Cop.” It brought me back to a simpler time when these jokes were fresh and new.     

Should you see this movie? Please don't. Save your $10, watch “30 Rock” and rent “Die Hard” and you'll see Willis and Morgan in their best elements.

Coming Up:  "Sing to Love"

Celebrate Spring, the season of love with the Choir you love!

Our springtime concert will feature Brahms’
second book of the romantic
Liebeslieder Waltzes and a bouquet
of love songs hand-picked by Maestro Bruffy.
And special guests: Six professional dancers from
TC Dance International
will be at the concerts waltzing to the music!
Listen:  Brahms, Neue Liebeslieder: "Flammenauge, dunkles Haar"

NEWS FLASH: We just found out that the
Steinway L1037 will be the instrument accompanying the Chorale at
the Visitation Concert
Read about it here

Sat Mar 6   7:30pm Visitation Church, 5141 Main
Sun Mar 7 2:00pm Asbury Methodist, 5400 W. 75th St (at Nall)

Order Tickets Here

-------------------------------------------------- 

A whole new way
to support the choir you love

It's never been easier to support the Chorale! Just click the blue "Donate Now" button on the right. Plus, with the option for Recurring Donation you can join our Conductor's Circle (only $83 a month), our Patron Level (only $42 a month) or Sustainer ($8 a month) and spread your contributions over a year.

Now in our 28th season, we continue to grow in artistic distinction because of the generosity of our patrons. Without your support we couldn't have achieved our national reputation for excellence, nor the quality we bring to Kansas City audiences, and we are very appreciative of every investment in us.

New Theatre Restaurant Presents ‘Cactus Flower’

 Review by Kellie Houx

Attending a production at New Theatre Restaurant begins with a meal. Now, this is not just any humdrum meal. It’s a meal designed by Executive Chef Mark Webster and his crew to create the tone that you are in for a treat of your eyes, ears and palate when you attend a show at the New Theatre Restaurant.

OK, here are my favorites from the evening menu that accompanies “Cactus Flower”: spring vegetable medley comprised of zucchini, yellow squash, capers, tomatoes and onions; polenta with fontina cheese; basa (a tender white fish) served with a cilantro, lime and chili sauce; and fried chicken served as tenders with a white cream sauce.

At intermission, my husband and I had the apple crisp cheesecake, based on the recommendation of our server, Tom. To Tom, thanks for the suggestion. It was a tasty treat with a streusel crust and baked apple compote. The apples were tart, tart and more tart.

All right, enough about food. Let’s talk about flowers that bloom under and around adversity. So here is the basic story: a footloose and charming young woman named Toni Simmons believes she is in love with older dentist Dr. Julian Winston. However, the duplicitous nature of people forces more and more lies, especially on the part of Dr. Winston, who is a commitment-phobe. He conjures up a story that he is in an unhappy marriage, but won’t leave his “wife” because of the children. There are no children and no wife. He just tells women he does to avoid getting involved, but as is good humor in a well-written play, the lies unravel in the best way imaginable.

Loretta Swit, star of “M.A.S.H.,” is in town to play Winston’s nurse, Stephanie Dickinson. OK, I was a little young when the series started in 1972, but I really remember the show during the late 1970s and into the early 1980s. The show ran until 1983. I liked Swit’s character, Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan. That last year, she played the mom in the made-for-TV movie, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” For me, Swit became this strong, but sensitive woman who could raise a family, be in a war and take care of just about everyone. So, needless to say, seeing Swit on the New Theatre Restaurant stage was a little like becoming a young girl again.

Swit capitalizes on the acerbic wit she perfected on “M.A.S.H.” for the role of Dickinson. There are one-liners zinging from her that caused me to laugh and perhaps I laughed a couple of times when only a few others did because the next joke was being set up. Here is one laugh that I really enjoyed. Dr. Winston asks her if a certain Senor Sanchez made overtures to her. “No just a little bossa nova.” Then as she is trying to play the fake wife who is also philandering, she is paired with an actor patient of Winston’s and cloys her way through the evening. She takes a large drink so she can tolerate this man and says, “I have to pre-medicate.” I loved it.

Now, let’s talk about the local actors who supported Swit through the night. The incomparable Dodie Brown plays Mrs. Dixon Durant, a wealthy patient who knows how to keep the one lines flowing. Jim Korinke plays Harvey Greenfield, the obnoxious actor friend of Winston’s. He is as charming as ever. T. Max Graham plays Senor Arturo Sanchez, the Latin ambassador who tries to snag Dickinson. The three provided the Kansas City “weight.” They are all three legends in the dinner/local theater scene and held their own with Swit.

Then there is Kip Niven. I am really beginning to enjoy each time I have a chance to see him perform. In just the span of a few short months, I have seen him sing the role of Pap in Musical Theater Heritage’s “Big River” and then sing the role of the mysterious man in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of “Into the Woods.” So when I saw him onstage as the conniving, but loveable dentist, I knew it would be good. Niven did pretty well, matching wits with Swit and the lovely Natalie Hiatt, who played Toni Simmons. It was a nice turn to put Hiatt in the mod wig and the groovy late 1960s clothes, reminiscent of Goldie Hawn when Hawn played the character. Hawn won an Oscar for best supporting actress for the role.

Tristan Colton, who plays Igor Sullivan, provided some nice muscles and a sweet character that pairs well with Hiatt. My husband thought Hiatt was adorable and I found Colton nice to watch. Patrick DuLaney took on three bit parts – music lover, waiter and customer. Cassie Hollmann plays Botticelli’s Springtime, a bombshell-sort of girlfriend for Harvey.

Here are some of my final thoughts about the play. First, I enjoyed it. I love farces. The play ended up with the right folks in love with each other. Second, it is a “period” piece in one sense. The time period is the late 1960s-early 1970s, which is about when the movie hit the big screen. The one disjointed aspect was some of the music. Taylor Swift and Michael Bublé were out of place. So on the whole, “Cactus Flower” is good family fun. Enjoy blooming where you are planted and take in the play at New Theatre Restaurant by April 10. 

www.newtheatre.com

Shutter Island

Film Review by Alexander Morales

Uncomfortable. Completely uncomfortable. And that’s a good thing.

From the opening scene of “Shutter Island,” you are overwhelmed with this complete feeling of uneasiness. From the hard-edged musical score to the worried frowns of the island employees, you just know that something is not right. But then again, I’m getting a little ahead of myself.

“Shutter Island,” directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane, is a mega-creepfest that needs to become a prerequisite watching for all young filmmakers in the mood to make a thriller. Starring a slew of superb actors, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley, this film begins delivering immediately.

The story starts simply, in 1954 a female patient has disappeared from her quarters without a trace and two U.S Marshals have been called in to investigate. Unfortunately for them, the patient is a passed murderess and her quarters are housed on an island in Boston Harbor that is home to a maximum, security hospital for the criminally insane. From there, the story moves into a complex maze where everyone’s intentions, including the two investigators must be called into question.

Honestly, it’s hard to find something wrong with this film. DiCaprio is captivating as the tattered hero Teddy Daniels. From the stress of seeing the ugliness of World War II to the loss he experiences at home, DiCaprio plays his part with focus and determination that never falls into cliché or satire. Which is extremely important since the pace of the film and the unraveling of the truth all depends on him and his dedication. At the same time, Kingsley is excellent as Dr. Crawley; a passionate man, who cares deeply for the well-being of his patients but is surely hiding something sinister within the storm-hitting Shutter Island.

On the flip side, the score is extremely heavy and is, above all, the source of the high tension you feel throughout the film. Although the set and landscape of the island helps enhance the dark tone of the film, the score completely becomes like a persona working side by side with the actors and places you in the moment. In contrast to the acting, which is very nuanced, the sharp heaviness of the score helps balance everything in a way that keeps the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats. However, I will say that the musical format is not for everyone and some will probably think that’s a little too intrusive into the film, but that’s OK, because like the island, nothing is as it seems.

If I did have to find something wrong with the film, I will say that some of the events in the film are a little coincidental and the ending, which I enjoyed, could be a little too ambiguous for the average audience member. However, that’s if I had to find something wrong.

Clues are all around to tease you into thinking you know what’s happening, but at the same time, you are getting pulled into a web of lies, abuse and fear that never allow you to feel comfortable within the confines of the island complex. This works wonderfully, especially when, as things start to fully unravel, you are not given the random twist-kind-of-ending that Hollywood is making standard in its films right now. No, this film is deliberate, focused and the kind of story that makes you feel satisfied about spending your time in the theater.

Above all, go see this film. Martin Scorsese, while truly a wonderful filmmaker, has made an excellent addition to his resume and given filmgoers a magnificent thriller to spend time with. While many new films think that tension is built on quick scares and dark lighting, “Shutter Island” proves that with strong acting, deep source material and the right guidance, the thriller is alive and well. Just don’t get too comfortable.

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Co.

Presents ‘Wylliams/Henry on the Edge’ March 5 and 6

The dancer is Christina Mowrey from Eden, by dancer and choreographer DeeAnna Hiett.  Photographer is Michael Manley. 

The Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Co. presents “Wylliams/Henry on the Edge” at 8 p.m., March 5 and 6 at The Foundation, 1221 Union St., in the West Bottoms with a dance party following the concert.

“These two concerts are a new addition to the regular concert season and this concert includes provocative, sensual, edgy, and out of the box choreography. We also selected an alternative venue, The Foundation, in the West Bottoms, to attract an audience that enjoys art openings and avant garde events,” says Mary Pat Henry, co-founder of Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Co.

DeeAnna Hiett, Charlotte Street Foundation 2008 Generative Award winner, has choreographed “Eden” about Adam and Eve and they dance on a 10-foot ladder. Tiffany Sisemore, a Charlotte Street Foundation 2009 Generative Award winner, is doing a work for 3-4 dancers and they are on 4X4 platforms four feet off the floor called “Untitled.” Susan Warden, NEA Choreographic Fellowship Award, and founder of the Susan Warden Dancers, is working on “2164 in a Series” and the dancers, in lingerie, recite text form a Harlequin Victorian romance novel. Henry says it is funny. There is also a number by Josh Beamish, artistic director of the Canadian Dance Co. MOVE.

For the March show, the avant-garde works are provocative, edgy, sensual and funny. “I am doing a piece I have always wanted to do from the famous duo from the Apollo Theater called Butterbeans and Suzy. It’s called ‘I want a hot dog for my roll.’ I could only get away with that song and dance piece at a venue like the Foundation. I always wanted to do this tongue-in-cheek number,” Henry says. “Wylliams/Henry takes a walk on the wild side with out of the box choreography with the great athletic technical dancing we are known for. This concert will make you laugh, blush, gasp and be astonished. You will want to kick up your heels and join us for a dance party following the show.”

 On March 5, DJ Fat Sal will be present and DJ Iggybaby is on for March 6. Tickets can be purchased at the UMKC Central Ticket Office or by calling 235-6222 or at the door.

 www.wylliams-henry.org

EWARE: Marc Digeros and Other Boys That Get Low

March 4^th – 27^th

Opening Reception First Friday March 5^th from 6 – 9pm

 There is a lot of enthusiasm for low fire ceramics today. LA artist, Marc Digeros is the first when uncovering the men that have gotten in touch with earthenware. He attended the University of Minnesota, BFA, and the University of Washington, MFA. In 2000, Marc moved to Los Angeles where he still resides. He has worked for the architect Frank Gehry since 2001, as the Model Shop Manager.

Other invited artists include Marty Fielding, Middleburry, VT; Arthur Halvorsen, Boston, MA; Brian R. Jones, Portland, OR; and Joe Pintz, Bowling Green, OH.

Marc Digeros, Purple Ewer

Marty Fielding, Oil can