International guest artist appears Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m.

Musical ambassador, master trombone player, and vocalist Wycliffe Gordon will appear at University of Puget Sound on Tuesday, Feb. 28, for a public concert with the university’s Jazz Band.

The former collaborator with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and pianist Billy Taylor will be a guest artist of the Jazz Band, under the direction of Wayne Horvitz, in celebration of Black History Month. The performance will start at 7:30 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall. Ticket information and a map of campus are below.

Gordon has toured the world with his hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz, receiving acclaim from audiences and critics alike. His mastery of the plunger mute and his exceptional technique and signature sound have won Gordon a reputation as one of the top trombonists of his generation.

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Experienced dancers with classical training are needed for upcoming performances of Arts Are Education & Community Outreach Performances. Positions are open for Company members, Jr Dance Ensemble Members and Guest Performers. Call (253) 778-6534 for an application and audition appointment or send DVD or VHS audition and resume to: DTN, 2811 Bridgeport Way West #24, University Place/Tacoma, WA 98466.

(more...) ]]> http://www.thesubtimes.com/2012/02/08/dance-theatre-northwest-opportunities-for-dancers/feed/ 0 http://www.thesubtimes.com/2012/02/01/cp-rotary-brings-snow-white-production-to-southgate/ http://www.thesubtimes.com/2012/02/01/cp-rotary-brings-snow-white-production-to-southgate/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:00:05 +0000 russell http://www.thesubtimes.com/?p=32564

The cast of Snow White prior to a performance at the Lakewood Playhouse.

Southgate Elementary School students brought the magic of the classic children’s story, Snow White to life for their classmates, teachers and families, thanks to contributions by the Lakewood Playhouse and the Clover Park Rotary.

Beginning last fall, staff from the Playhouse tutored Southgate students in acting exercises. Once the basics were mastered, more than 175 students auditioned for 25 parts. Students performed two productions of Snow White at Southgate Jan. 27 and two additional community productions Jan. 28 at the Lakewood Playhouse.

“This opportunity gives our students confidence and widens their horizons,” said Becky Condra, reading interventionist. “Our students worked extremely hard to memorize their lines and ‘become’ their characters. I was absolutely amazed at how well they performed.”

The collaboration was born from an idea by Rotarian Ernie Heller, and started last school year with a production of Peter Pan. The Clover Park Rotary contributed funds to pay theatre staff and to purchase costumes and props.

by Lynn Geyer

There was a time when, if theatre-goers wanted an assurance of a fun evening, they would look for a Noel Coward play.  Since the 1960s, Neil Simon plays have always been sure-fire laugh fests.

Today – things haven’t changed!

No matter how you slice it or what your age, “California Suite,” by Neil Simon is still as funny as it was when first produced in 1976.

This sparkling comedy offers four vignettes involving five actors as 11 characters; all but one of whom plays two or three roles.  The differences between these personas are beautifully pulled off by the actors – there is absolutely no similarity of character in the roles each plays.

Much of this is probably due to the excellent direction of Frank Kohel, who has a portent for bringing out the best performances from an actor.  Yet, surely, it is the actor who is ultimately responsible for the finished product of any show.

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by Lynn Geyer

Somebody made a mistake and dropped the Muse in Venice, California, in 1980, where they collided with “Starlight Express!”

Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s Director/Choreographer Jon Douglas Rake confesses that “Xanadu” is “a Dumb…Stupid… show!” But, it’s SO entertaining!

In a nutshell, this unbelievably campy musical is about a sidewalk artist who isn’t satisfied with his mural of the Greek Muse so he figures he’ll commit suicide. The youngest muse, Clio decides to help him. However, she must disguise herself or break Daddy Zeus’ rules of not revealing herself to a mortal. So, she changes her name to “Kira” and puts on a pair of roller skates, leg warmers and an Australian accent. Sonny, our hero, is instantly inspired and plans to ask location owner, Danny, to donate the old, never opened Xanadu Movie Theater to him to use as a roller disco!

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Humphrey Bogart played by Matt Garry coaches Allan Felix played by Alex Smith how to deal with a woman in “Play It Again, Sam,” the current production at The Lakewood Playhouse. - Photo by Dean Lapin

By Lynn Geyer

• Tacoma Costco (2219 South 37th Street): Jan 21, 1-3 p.m.
• Lacey Costco: Jan 22, 1-3 p.m.
• Puyallup Costco: Jan 28, 1-3 p.m.

Keeffe was awarded the 2011 Military Writers Society of America Award for a book about the Air Force.

Daddy Daughter Dance – The 9th Annual Daddy/Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday February 11th (6:30-9:00 pm) at Curtis High School. Dance features: a goody bag for all daughters, treat and refreshments for all, and music and dancing and surprise guest entertainment. Come join us for an unforgettable night and dress for the occasion. Father & Daughter - $35. before event, $40 at event, $5 for each additional child. To register call 253-460-2530 Parks & Rec Dept. Space is limited and Photos are available.

Lakewood will hold its Ninth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Saturday, January 14 at the Sharon McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College. The event starts at 10 am and ends at noon. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.

This year's celebration features a wonderful variety of performers to include: the Prairie Bells, the Korean Traditional Drummers, Lakes High School Performance Choir, the Scoil Rince Slieveloughane Irish Dancers, Trumpeter Morris Northcutt, Lakewood's Charisma School of Dance, the Freedom Dancers and many more outstanding performers. The ceremony will also feature a reading by the winner of the Clover Park School District MLK essay contest. The theme for this year's contest was "Freedom, Yesterday and Today".

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Tacoma Community College’s Artist & Lecture series brings in extraordinary people to converse with the campus community. Presentations are free and open to the public. The winter 2012 lineup is as follows (all three lectures will be held at 11:30 am in Building 11 - Student Center):

Eric Ethridge (Jan. 17) is the author, journalist, and photographer of “Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Freedom Riders,” published in 2008. The book includes mug shots of the 328 black and white Freedom Riders who were arrested in Jackson, MS and charged with breach of peace for trying to desegregate transportation terminals in the city. Ethridge is a graduate of Vanderbuilt University.

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Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. meet New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz at Lakewood Pierce County Library, 6300 Wildaire Road S.W. Krentz will give a writing workshop and sign books. To attend the free event, register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar. FRIENDS of Lakewood Library are sponsoring this free event.

Krentz’s newest book in the Dark Legacy series—"Copper Beach”—is scheduled to be released Jan. 10, 2012, and it will be available at the event. A bookseller will be onsite to sell books.

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Habari gani?—What’s the News? "Kuumba!” (Creativity)

Candles, special foods, music, gift exchanges, time for reflection about the past and planning for the days to come…no matter how it’s celebrated: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa… this time of year is regarded as the Season of Good Will. At the root of this Season is a collection of customs designed to lighten the hearts of its participants as they continue the quest for Peace on Earth.

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People will learn, create and connect during free events at eight libraries in Pierce County Library System on the second Saturday of the month. Friends of the libraries sponsor these free events.

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... The house was sparsely furnished,
the walls in need of paint,
A tree stood in the corner, it's lit, but very faint.
A little boy stood sadly, his gifts had disappeared,
He knew Santa was coming,
then his mom broke down in tears.
The thief who stole this family's gifts
took more than he ever knew.
I looked at my partner and he at me.
We knew what we had to do.
Santa will visit this family, his sleigh a different hue,
Tonight Santa is coming but he will be wearing Blue.

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DESCRIPTION:  The role of the Lakewood Arts commission is to assess needs, establish priorities and make recommendations for enrichment of the community and promotion of its cultural vitality through the arts.  The Lakewood Arts Commission will do the following:

• Promote the visual, performing and literary arts;
• Encourage the creative contribution of local artists;
• Make recommendations for Public Art to the City Council;
• Support community-building events; and
• Foster the City’s cultural heritage.

(more...) ]]> http://www.thesubtimes.com/2011/12/22/lakewood-arts-commission-needs-a-new-member/feed/ 0 http://www.thesubtimes.com/2011/12/13/tlt%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98christmas-carol%e2%80%99-sings-a-different-tune/ http://www.thesubtimes.com/2011/12/13/tlt%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98christmas-carol%e2%80%99-sings-a-different-tune/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:05:19 +0000 Ben Sclair http://www.thesubtimes.com/?p=30951

By Lynn Geyer

Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" takes a different turn at Tacoma Little Theatre thanks to playwright Michael Paller.

This time the audience finds Dickens in his attic composing room dealing with an ornery pre-incarnation of himself who is determined to make Dickens find the true meaning of his literary scribbling before the young waif will allow the author to retain his writing.

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Peter Pan, played by Erika Zabelle, is held at bay by Captain Hook played by Mark Rake-Marona in the Tacoma Musical Playhouse production of "Peter Pan." Photo by Kat Dollarhide

By Lynn Geyer

"Peter Pan," J. M. Barrie's boy who "won't grow up" has been around for more than 100 years and he's still a youthful sprite with undying exuberant spirit.

You can meet Peter and his gang of Lost Boys along with his new friends, the Darlings — Wendy, John and Michael — and his sworn enemies, the Pirate troupe led by Captain Hook, at Tacoma Musical Playhouse where they are singing and dancing sprinkled with Holiday fairy dust by the ever-elusive Tinkerbelle.

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On Saturday, Dec 3^rd, the Lakewood History Museum’s debuted their new art display in the popular Artist’s Corner. When Marjorie Mankin agreed to be the next artist, she decided this would be a perfect opportunity for her to showcase the works of her students rather than her own. She has been teaching art to children and adults alike for over 45 years. Learning techniques of how to relate what we see and feel is so exciting and she feels blessed to share my gift.

Marjorie has had a love of art since early childhood. She has studied both commercial and fine art with many local and nationally renowned art instructors. These studies have strengthened her personal philosophy that one never stops growing in the knowledge of self expression in the visual arts. Her philosophy can best be understood by this statement she recently made. "Art is what pumps up your 'tire' so you can keep on rolling."

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If you are currently harboring a hidden talent for caroling and have an abundance of holiday cheer come to the 1st annual "Duck the Halls" Caroling Competition and sing your heart out. This charity event is sponsored by UP for Art to benefit the Families Unlimited Network and the University Place Food Bank. Enter and sing as a group of family and friends or join together with several classmates from your school. Anyone can come and watch this exciting new UP for Art event on Friday, December 9th at the University Place Civic Building/Market Square. Competitors must hurry to sign up as there is limited registration and entries are due by November 16th.

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Coleman Hagerman as The Artful Dodger proves a bit too "ripe” for Delia Ozburn as Nancy in the Lakewood Playhouse production of "Oliver!". Photo by Dean Lapin.

By Lynn Geyer

“It was a dark and stormy night…” This is not just the infamous first line of the great purple prose novel written by Victorian author Edward Bulwer-Lytton, it is also the beginning of “Oliver!” adapted by Lionel Bart from Charles Dickens’ classic now playing at The Lakewood Playhouse.

Sound designer Alex Smith uses the continuous rolling thunder to set the mood for this musical version of Dickens’ poignant story of the ill-born orphan boy “Oliver Twist.”

Dickens wrote many stories against the two-class system which prevailed during the Victorian era – there were the very poor and the very well off, usually at the expense of the poor.

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The festival includes a Kiddie Parade, the Lakewood Christmas tree lighting, free children’s crafts, holiday music, refreshments and a visit with Santa.

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The appointees are: artist Kimatha Kesner of Graham (District 3); professional musician and music instructor Debra Christnacht of Lakewood (District 6); photographer and arts educator Katy Stone of Tacoma (at-large member); and college administrator and museum studies graduate Debra Sidor Tanner of Gig Harbor (District 7). Each will serve a three-year term.

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