Can Man and Dragon peacefully coexist?  

By Jason Gregg

“How to Train your Dragon” is the latest digital animation movie from DreamWorks Animation studios (the same studio that produced the Shrek movies, “Kung Fu Panda,” and “Bee Movie”). The movie starts off with the narration of the main character, Hiccup (his name is explained in the movie), voiced by Jay Baruchel, describing his Viking hometown and the problems they have with dragons. The audience is thrust into an elaborate action sequence of dragons attacking Hiccup's village. This opening scene does justice to the advancements in digital animation and explores some inventive camera shots of the action and its characters. 

Young Hiccup wants to be a dragon fighter and have the chance to kill his first dragon. Why does he want to kill a dragon? It means he will be respected among his fellow Vikings.  He has one big size issue though, considering the average Viking is four times his size, no one takes him seriously. Villagers ridicule his size often. He resorts to using his intelligence to solve his problems (it seems that for such a young mind he knows quite a bit about aerodynamic engineering). One of his inventions takes down a dreaded night fury dragon. Yet no one believes Hiccup is worthy of being a dragon slayer.  

The movie moves along smoothly with more being revealed about Hiccup and his situation. Turns out the head of village is also his dad, Stoick, voiced by Gerard Butler.  Here is the setup of the traditional kids' movie story line where the child tries to prove himself to his father and/or mother. And yes, we have seen it before and the story is pretty formulaic, but this story does have emotion and well-written dialogue to keep the audience's interest.  

Hiccup ventures into the woods to find and slay the dragon he had taken down earlier only to find that he cannot kill the dragon.  He eventually befriends the beast and learns the traits of the dragon species. There is a humorous and touching development between the boy and the dragon.  Toothless (that’s Hiccup's name for the new friend) has mood swings from a Clint Eastwood toughness to a Bambie-like curiosity and friendliness. The directors, Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders (both of “Mulan” and “Lilo and Stitch” fame), put it together to make this friendship work so it doesn’t come off too cheesy.

Stoick eventually enrolls Hiccup into a dragon slaying class in the village. In the class, fellow village adolescents learn the proper Viking way to kill different varieties of dragons. What develops is the conflict within Hiccup – should he kill the dragons or should he befriend them?     

The imagery of the movie is outstanding. The art directors took their time and added the details in the background shots. The water and the fire caught my attention because those elements looked real. I also noticed the hair of the characters (I know I am nitpicking, but in a good way). Considering the era and primitive ways of the Vikings, I could see that their hair was chopped off with a knife. The villagers obviously didn’t have a village barber shop. They simply cut their hair with what was available to them. It’s a small detail I know, but little things like that made the movie feel realistic.  

Should you see this movie? Yes, it's a good kid’s movie with only a few hidden adult jokes. The action will keep it together and hold your interest until the end. The kids will like the different varieties of dragons and most likely relate to one of the adolescent characters. To paraphrase my 10-year-old daughter — it is a good family story that is funny and yet scary at times (she was referring to the action sequences, but in a good way).  One more thing, I saw the movie in 2D and I still feel it was great. Try seeing it in its 3D format; it almost has to be better. 

Two Solo Exhibitions at Byron C. Cohen Gallery for Contemporary Art

KANSAS CITY, MOByron C. Cohen Gallery for Contemporary Art located in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District is pleased to announce two solo exhibitions featuring work by Linnea Spransy and Amy Myers. Exhibitions will open on First Friday, April 2 from 7 9 pm and will run through May 28. On Saturday, April 3 @ 11 am both artists will be talking about their work. This event is free and open to the public.

Spransy, who received her M.F.A. from Yale University in 2001, explores limits and boundaries through her paintings and mixed media works. This interest revolves around, the ability to generate surprise, even freedom. Her bright, flowing pieces explore lines of all degrees.

Limits, however, are not something Myers invokes in her vast drawings made with graphite, pastel and gouache. Myers attended the Kansas City Art Institute as an undergraduate and completed an M.F.A. at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her infinite work evolves without planning and utilizes scientific means of physics, geometry and mathematics to create imagery.

Byron C. Cohen Gallery for Contemporary Art
2020 Baltimore, Suite 1N
Kansas City, MO 64108
(t) 816.421.5665 (f) 816.421.5775
http://byroncohengallery.com
http://artnet.com/cohen.html
byroncohengallery@gmail.com

April 1 – May 1

Correlations

Mike Jabbur and Michael Fujita

Red Star Studios proudly welcomes back two of its former residents, Mike Jabbur and Michael Fujita. Jabbur, resident 2003-2005, attended grad school at the University of Ohio and has since been the Studio Manager at the Santa Fe Clay Studio. Fujita, 2005-2006, attended the master program at the University of New York, Alfred and is now the Evelyn Shapiro Foundation Fellow at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia, PA. Mike Jabbur will be here April 16^th-18^th for an artist reception, Third Friday April 16^th from 6 – 9pm, and for his weekend workshop at Red Star. Red Star Studios is located on 821 W 17^th St Kansas City, MO 64108.

Michael Fujita, Coil Vase

Porcelain Pots for Contemporary Culture with Mike Jabbur

Weekend workshop Saturday April 17^th 9-5 and Sunday April 18^th 9-5

Cost $75 a day, $130 for the weekend.

On Saturday at 2pm Mike will give a slide presentation that is open to the public, please come!

Demonstrations will include throwing and altering on the potter’s wheel for highly altered forms. Mike will also be making handles, knobs, and spouts that challenge conventional studio approaches.  Discussions will include inspiration, design, craftsmanship, presentation, and the role of utilitarian pots in contemporary culture.
Students will need to bring a special pot or an object of any kind for a hand building project. Please contact the gallery to sign up 816.474.7316 or gallery@redstarstudios.org.

7:30 pm March 27, 2010

Village Presbyterian Church 6641 Mission Rd Prairie Village, KS

BAS and Bill McGlaughlin
Inspired By Bach

Composer, Conductor, Saint Paul’s Sunday Radio host Bill McGlaughlin returns to Kansas City to join the BAS in this unforgettable program. With his signature style of humor and intellect, Bill introduces the stories behind the music of Bach’s Sonata No. 1 for Unaccompanied Violin, Bartok’s Solo Sonata for Violin, performed by Artistic Director/Founder, Elizabeth Suh Lane; favorite BAS soprano arias with Grammy Award winning BAS soprano, Rebecca Lloyd; improvisation of a Baroque Chorale with Elisa Bickers; gorgeous Little Preludes for violin and guitar with guitarist, Beau Bledsoe, all Inspired by Bach!

Order 2010/3/27 BAS and Bill McGlaughlin – Inspired by Bach

Bill McGlaughlin Inspired By Bach

Posted by admin on Saturday, March 27, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

7:30 pm March 27, 2010

Village Presbyterian Church 6641 Mission Rd Prairie Village, KS

BAS and Bill McGlaughlin
Inspired By Bach

Composer, Conductor, Saint Paul’s Sunday Radio host Bill McGlaughlin returns to Kansas City to join the BAS in this unforgettable program. With his signature style of humor and intellect, Bill introduces the stories behind the music of Bach’s Sonata No. 1 for Unaccompanied Violin, Bartok’s Solo Sonata for Violin, performed by Artistic Director/Founder, Elizabeth Suh Lane; favorite BAS soprano arias with Grammy Award winning BAS soprano, Rebecca Lloyd; improvisation of a Baroque Chorale with Elisa Bickers; gorgeous Little Preludes for violin and guitar with guitarist, Beau Bledsoe, all Inspired by Bach!

Order 2010/3/27 BAS and Bill McGlaughlin – Inspired by Bach

Kansas City Metro Opera presents

The Mikado by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

Friday, April 9, 2010, 7:30pm, Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, MO

Saturday, April 10, 2010, 7:30pm & Sunday, April 11, 2010, 4:00pm, Congregation Kol Ami, 7501 Belinder Ave., Prairie Village, KS

Admission is free; tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, call 816-361-9658 or go to www.kcMetroOpera.com

 Kansas City Metro Opera is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to create rehearsal and performance opportunities for high school, college and semi-professional singers and instrumentalists. For more information, call 816-361-9658 or go to www.kcMetroOpera.com.

Media Contact:

Patrick Buckley, president, 816-361-9658, pbuckley@kcMetroOpera.com

KC SuperStar Coming

Cultural Arts Director Tammy Ruder is leading the way with KC SuperStar, an “American Idol” -type event that will benefit the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and the Jewish Arts Festival.

The first rounds are March 21 at Union Station and White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center. The semi-finals will be May 6 at Blue Valley Northwest. The finals, Aug. 29, will be at a location to be announced later.

KC SuperStar is open to any high school student in the Greater Kansas City area. Solo singers from all backgrounds, representing the full spectrum of musical genres could win $5,000. Call 913-327-8073 for information.

 GREEN EXPOSURES Photography Contest Starts March 17

The inaugural photography contest headed by the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department provides you the opportunity to explore our parks, facilities, activities and events and – just maybe – win some green while you're at it!

Submissions for Green Exposures will be accepted beginning on St. Patrick's Day--March 17, 2010 through March 17, 2011. 

The yearlong contest is open to the general public with cash prizes. All submissions must be or have been photographed in one of Kansas City, Missouri's parks or facilities between Jan. 1, 2008 and March 17, 2011. Photos will be judged on artistic merit and should illustrate the beauty of the park/facility or activities taking place within them.

Images will be accepted in two age divisions: youth (14 and under) and adult. Submissions may be made in any of three categories: “Activities & Events,” “Landmarks, Monuments & Fountains” and “Nature & Wildlife.”

Check out the Web site below for more information and contest details:
www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/ParksandRecreation/GreenExposures/index.htm

Green Zone finally got the story right this time…………….

Reviewed by Heidi Nast

Director Paul Greengrass (“The Bourne Supremacy,” “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “United 93”) has delivered an Iraqi wartime thriller with the Green Zone.  The star studded cast includes Matt Damon as Army Chief Roy Miller; Greg Kinnear as Pentagon Special Intelligence Coordinator Clark Poundstone; Brendan Gleeson as Central Intelligence Agency Chief to Baghdad Marty Brown; Jason Isaacs as special forces operative Briggs; Amy Ryan the hotshot journalist with The Wall Street Journal as Lawrie Dayne and Khalid Abdalla portraying Freddy, an Iraqi citizen with a passionate agenda. 

In 2003, Baghdad’s in the throws of covert calamity, over-populated congestion, social unrest, revenge killings, and hostility among the Iraqi citizens who attempt to resist occupation by our U.S. military that promise democracy, as they witness their societal and political infrastructure status dismantled to sand under foot, and become outlaws within their own borders. With tight camera shots, an almost in-your-face perspective; one can’t help but smell the sweat of fear and taste the sand that leaves grit in your teeth afterward.  

It doesn’t take long to figure out the theme of Green Zone; it’s the hunt for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) that somehow will justify our U.S. presence in Iraq. The questions become….where are they, what are they and with classified Intel inaccurate, how is Chief Miller to lead his men?  While journalist Dayne and Chief Miller scramble to find the truth about U.S. involvement in the Iraqi War, they are tripped up by a disconnect of information, nothing is as it seems, who the sources are and who can be trusted within our fractured government officials representing The Pentagon, the CIA, all the way up to the Oval Office.  Reliable intermediaries are called upon to report to the world the reason we went to war and the logical finger points at WMD.  But wait — surely we all remember President Bush proudly announcing on board an aircraft carrier that our U.S. involvements “mission is accomplished” with that banner billowing about in the background. What dominates is a sense of urgency to report skewed good news, not accurate news, to the United States and the globe that culminates into a sensitive political pressure cooker disregarding Intel, sources and accuracy at all costs.

Green Zone gives one pause to understand seven years hence that the Iraqi War was politically manufactured by a small minority of self-aggrandizing U.S. officials tucked away in places of isolated power, all based on the supposition of WMD that in the end; never did exist! History will show that the number one reason for the Iraqi War was to clean up unfinished business, to get Saddam Hussein. So it begs the question; did the United States join the mayhem on the streets of Baghdad or directly cause it, by coloring it with the glow of democracy-the dawn of new leadership?  Only you can answer that, but for me and thanks to Hollywood; Green Zone finally got the story right this time, mission accomplished.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Bunten, mbunten@writersplace.org

WRITERS, EDITORS, PUBLISHERS GET CONNECTED AT THE WRITERS PLACE

Open House Takes Place on Thursday, March 25 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

KANSAS CITY (March 5, 2010) – The Writers Place will host Get Connected, an open house celebrating area newspapers, magazines, online media, and our best local writers, on Thursday, March 25 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. This free event takes place at The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Missouri.

Get Connected will be unique evening bringing together writers, readers and publishers to share experience, energy and ideas. Representatives from more than 20 area publications will be on hand to display issues and covers, distribute guidelines, and answer questions. Local publishers will connect with local talent. Writers will meet decision makers. Everyone will talk shop and network to their hearts’ content.

According to the Kansas City Convention and Visitor’s Association, our area produces over 65 publications across a wide range of categories. Get Connected will feature as many of these as possible. Interested in being part of this special evening? Contact Mary Bunten: mbunten (at) writersplace.org

Get Connected will be an invaluable networking opportunity for media professionals. Connect with old friends, meet new ones, and have a drink on us. Don’t forget your business card.

# # #

Event details: Get Connected: an open house for writers, editors, and publishers

Thursday, March 25, 2010 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO 64111

Contact: Mary Bunten, mbunten (at) writersplace.org

Media Contact:

Rachel Waller

Kansas City Power & Light District

(816) 877-8319

EVE 6 HEADLINES 2^ND ANNUAL

SHAMROCKS & SHENANIGANS FESTIVAL MARCH 17

All-day music festival downtown to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

(Kansas City, MO) – Just as the excitement and festivities surrounding multiple college basketball tournaments winds down in the Kansas City Power & Light District, KC Live! prepares to host the biggest St. Patrick’s Day party in its history. The 2^nd Annual Shamrocks & Shenanigans Festival features live bands starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, with national recording artists Eve 6 headlining the festivities at 6 p.m.

The festivities kick off as McFadden’s opens at 6 a.m. and Raglan Road Irish Pub opens at 8 a.m. Both Irish-themed taverns will feature breakfast and fun to kick off the spirited festivities. Live music kicks off on the KC Live Stage at 10 a.m. with local U2 cover band Rattle & Hum. Other bands throughout the day include Flannigan’s Right Hook, A.M.I.M and Auto Vein. Eve 6 takes the stage about 6 p.m.

The 2^nd Annual Shamrocks & Shenanigans is sponsored by Miller Lite.

DETAILS

Date:         Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Time:        Festivities kick off at 6 a.m. at McFadden’s

                     Live music begins on KC Live! Stage at 10 a.m.

                     Eve 6 headlines the festivities at 6 p.m.

Location:          The KC Live! Block of the Kansas City Power & Light District located between 13^th Street and 14^th Street and between Grand Blvd. and Walnut St.

 Admission:      Free to attend; Must be 21+                     

 For More Information:    

Visit www.powerandlightdistrict.com  www.mcfaddenskc.com