Art Talk Monday

This week's Art Talk Monday, mentioning last week's theatre performance at LA Tech, and THIS WEEK's musical performance of Jazzland at the Dixie Center for the Arts.  I want to tell you about two great opportunities for entertainment in town that you shouldn’t miss! First up, this weekend Louisiana Tech’s Department of Theatre is performing  The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This show is a long one-act musical comedy written by Rachel Sheinkin, with music and lyrics by William Finn, and directed by Cherrie Sciro, Coordinator of Theatre at LA Tech. As the winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical, this show follows six students of Putnam Valley Middle School as they compete in the annual spelling bee. However, this is not the average contest as audience members will be selected to participate in the bee. With the competition on, it is a fight to the finish as only one student can be v-i-c-t-o-r-i-o-u-s. The show opened on Wednesday, and will run through Saturday, May 3. Call the Howard Auditorium Box Office at (318)257-3942 for ticket information. Musical comedy at Tech is not to be missed!

Next, on Friday, May 9^th, the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of North Louisiana will present their annual fundraiser JAZZLAND. All funds generated from the event will go directly to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Louisiana.

Starting the show will be Dr. Larry Pannell and the Grambling State University Faculty Jazz Ensemble.  Dr. Pannell formed a talented group of former and current Grambling State musicians from all over the country.  “Their jazz stylings were the hit of last year’s JAZZLAND and we are excited they have agreed to come back this year!” Janet Wilson, Director of Resource Development of the Boys and Girls Club, said. “This may be my favorite performance ever at the Dixie! They are playing everything from Barbara Streisand’s, The Way We Were to Al Green’s Lets Stay Together. This group is amazingly talented and if you miss THIS CONCERT- you are really missing something GREAT!” 

Headlining the evening is Marc Broussard, a singer-songwriter hailing from Lafayette. His style is best described as "Bayou Soul," a mix of funk, blues, R&B, rock, and pop, matched with distinct Southern roots. In his career, he has released five studio albums and one EP, and has charted twice on Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks.  Marc and his band are known for their relentless touring and high energy shows that have won them legions of fans.

Tickets ($30 balcony seats and $40 floor seats) may be purchased online at on the Boys and Girls Club’s website, www.bgcncl.org and at the Boys and Girls Club located at 300 Memorial Drive, Ruston. Doors open at 6:45pm and the show begins at 7:00. An after party sponsored and held by Sundown Tavern will immediately follow.

So there you have it, folks. Two more top-quality arts performances right here in Ruston. And as a reminder, tonight is Ruston Community Theatre’s performance of All Because of Agatha at 7pm, as well as the Spring Gallery Crawl from 6-9pm, and the MFA reception for Construct  from 6-8pm. Visit our blog at nclac.wordpress.com for more details.

Art of Film: 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'

What better time than mid-summer to view a free movie aboutAmerica's pastime and a couple of melodious Boys of Summer? Mix in the Million Dollar Mermaid as the baseball team's owner, and you've definitely got a winning line-up. "Take Me out to the Ball Game" – starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Esther Williams – will be shown at 6 p.m. July 28 in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room. It's part of the Art of Film series, a collaboration of the library and the North Central Louisiana Arts Council.

Set in the early 1900s, this musical comedy revolves around the fictional American League team, the Wolves, and two of its players, Eddie O'Brien (Kelly) and Dennis Ryan (Sinatra). The team's success depends in particular on the double-play action of O'Brien to Ryan to Nat Goldberg, but two of the players (guess which ones!) actually prefer their part-time, off-season vaudeville work over baseball.

Williams enters the mix as the team's new owner, K.C. Higgins, and when Summer's Boys learn that the "K.C." stands for Katherine Catherine, the equation, of course, becomes even more interesting. Director Busby Berkeley couldn't miss an opportunity – even in a baseball movie – for Williams to don a bathing suit, so she croons "Take Me out to the Ball Game" while swimming in a hotel pool. Toss in a few gangsters who try to get the team to throw one of its games for a big gambling payoff, and you're got the premise for a movie that raked in more than $4 million in 1949.

Termed "one of MGM's musical comedy gems" by an Amazon.com reviewer, this film offers 93 fast-paced minutes that "just fly by with snappy dialogue, foot-tapping musical numbers, some good plot twists and great interactions between the characters."

Upcoming films in the Art of Film series include:

• Aug. 25 – "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold"
• Sept. 22 –  "Sita Sings the Blues"
• Oct. 27 – "The Awful Truth"
• Nov.  10 – "Charade" and
• Dec. 8 – "Jane Eyre."

Begun in 2007, the Art of Film is a free monthly film series that features notable movie classics in all genres. For more information or to make suggestions for the series, call Leigh Anne Chambers at 255-1450. In addition to the film, other offerings will include popcorn, treats and trivia.

Art of Film: 007 in "Dr No"

If you have never officially met the legendary and suave James Bond – via film, of course – or if your connection with him has been limited lately, now you've got a chance to associate with him up close and personal … in a library, of all places.  The first offering of the James Bond film franchise, "Dr. No" starring Sean Connery, will be shown at 6 p.m. June 23 in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room. It is part of the Art of Film series, a collaboration of the library and the North Central Louisiana Arts Council.

Directed by Terence Young, the 1962 surprise hit introduces us to both a then-unknown Scottish actor and the long line of screen exploits by author Ian Fleming's Agent 007. The rapid-fire, tongue-in-cheek style set the tone for the 22 Bond movies that followed – a franchise that trails only "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" at the box office. Connery was the first of six actors to play 007 in the series and is often said to have personified the character better than any other.

In "Dr. No," Bond – James Bond – is sent to Jamaica to investigate the brutal murders of two British Secret Service agents. Special Agent Bond, with a license to kill, survives abundant attempts on his life and soon learns of the enigmatic recluse Doctor No, who seems to be behind multiple unsavory happenings. After journeying to Doctor No's island, Bond finds himself enmeshed in a deadly plot.

Because of its low budget, this offering is more down-to-earth than subsequent Bond movies, with 007 being forced to use his wits more often than the now-well-known gadgets of later fare. Still, the ingredients that fill the remaining Bond films are already evident, including the Bond Babe – in this version Ursula Andress, whose emergence from the water in a bikini topped a list of 100 sexiest scenes of film history.

 Though "Dr. No" is tame when compared to later Bond productions and today's standards, some content makes it unsuitable for viewing by children.

 Upcoming films in the Art of Film series include:

• July 28 – "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
• Aug. 25 – "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold"
• Sept. 22 –  "Sita Sings the Blues"
• Oct. 27 – "The Awful Truth"
• Nov.  10 – "Charade"
• Dec. 8 – "Jane Eyre."

Begun in 2007, the Art of Film is a free monthly film series that features notable movie classics in all genres. For more information or to make suggestions for the series, call Leigh Anne Chambers at 255-1450. In addition to the film, other offerings will include popcorn, treats and trivia.

Art of Film: Bright Star

Join Lincoln Parish Library and the North Central Louisiana Arts Council on Thursday, April 28 at 6pm in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room for their monthly series Art of Film. This month’s screening will be Bright Star a 2009 British/Australian/French co production about the last three years of John Keats life. This film based on the biography written by Andrew Motion, tells the tragic love story of John Keats (Ben Whish...aw) and Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). The film’s titled is inspired by Keats sonnet titled by the same name supposedly about Fanny Brawne. Bright Star

Bright star! would I were steadfast as thou art—

Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night,

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

Like Nature’s patient sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task

Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft fallen mask

Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—

No—yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,

Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever—or else swoon to death.

Upcoming films in the Art of Film series include: • 5/26 Driving Bell & the Butterfly • 6/23 Jane Eyre

Begun in 2007, the Art of Film is a free monthly film series that features notable movie classics in all genres. For more information or to make suggestions for the series, contact Leigh Anne Chambers at 255-1450. Please join us Thursday, April at 6 p.m. for popcorn, treats, trivia and a great movie. We look forward to seeing you there.

Art of Film: The Court Jester

Join Lincoln Parish Library and the North Central Louisiana Arts Council on Thursday, March 24 at 6pm in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room for their monthly series Art of Film. This month’s screening will be The Court Jester a 1956 musical-comedy film starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, and Angela Lansbury. Listed at #98 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Years 100 Laughs and selected for preserva...tion in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress this film is sure to be a guaranteed good time!

Upcoming films in the Art of Film series include: • 4/28 Bright Star • 5/26 Driving Bell & the Butterfly • 6/23 Jane Eyre

Begun in 2007, the Art of Film is a free monthly film series that features notable movie classics in all genres. For more information or to make suggestions for the series, contact Leigh Anne Chambers at 255-1450. Please join us Thursday, March 24 at 6 p.m. for popcorn, treats, trivia and a great movie. We look forward to seeing you there.

Art of Film: Wuthering Heights

Classic romance courtesy of Emily Brontë comes to your local library.  Join Lincoln Parish Library and NCLAC (North Central Louisiana Arts Council) at the screening of Wuthering Heights starring Sir Laurence Olivier, Merle Oberon, and David Niven for the series The Art of Film on Thursday, February 24 at 6pm in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room.  Oscar-nominated for Best Leading Actor, Actress, Art Direction, Director, Music, Writing and Picture, the film won for Cinematography.  The film is also honored in the National Film Registry.   Enjoy the movie trailer and details available on www.imdb.com.  English treats including cucumber sandwiches will be served.  The Art of Film series is presented monthly and features trivia, themed treats, and popcorn.   For more information or to make suggestions for the series, call Megan Davenport at 513-6410 or visit www.mylpl.org.  This program is free and open to the public.

Art of Film: The Country Girl

Lincoln Parish Library and North Central Louisiana Arts Council will present a screening of “The Country Girl” starring Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, and William Holden for the series The Art of Film.

The event is set for 6 p.m. Thursday in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room.

Oscar-nominated for Best Leading Actor, Set Decoration, Cinematography, Direction and Picture, the film won for Writing and Leading Actress.

Grace Kelly was also honored with a Golden Globe for her role as a plain Jane.

Both Kelly and Crosby played against type and received awards from the National Board of Review. See the movie trailer and details available on www.imdb.com.

The Art of Film series is presented monthly and features trivia, themed treats and popcorn.

For more information or to make suggestions for the series, call Megan Davenport at 513-6410 or visitwww.mylpl.org.

This program is free and open to the public.

2011 Art of Film Schedule

NCLAC and the Lincoln Parish Library announce the schedule for the 2011 Art of Film!!  Be sure to join us on the fourth Thursday of every month from 6-8pm at the Lincoln Parish Library.  Every film features trivia and a themed treat so bring your belly and your brain. 

•  

• January 27    The Country Girl
• February 24    Wuthering Heights 1939
• March 24    The Court Jester
• April 28    Bright Star
• May  26   Diving Bell & the Butterfly
• June 23   Jane Eyre
• July 28    Dr No 007
• August 25   Take Me Out to the Ball Game
• September 22   Spy Who Came in from the Cold
• October 27    Sita Sings the Blues
• November  10   The Awful Truth
• December 8    Charade

We will be posting more detailed information right here so keep your eyes peeled.

Art of Film: The Thin Man

Come to the library for fantastic cookies and a mystery-comedy set during the holly jolly holidays; watch Nick and Nora Charles crack the case of The Thin Man!  Get ready for the Johnny Depp remake by watching the original film.  Join Lincoln Parish Library and NCLAC (North Central Louisiana Arts Council) at the screening of The Thin Man starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, and clever canine Asta for the series The Art of Film on Thursday, December 9 at 6pm in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room.  Roger Ebert asserted that “William Powell is to dialogue as Fred Astaire is to dance.”  Noted film critic Pauline Kael called the movie “one of the most popular comedies ever made.  It started a new cycle…by demonstrating that a murder mystery could also be a sophisticated comedy." Oscar-nominated for Best Picture, Writing, Actor, and Director, this great combination of murder and screwball comedy is so right it spawned five sequels. Attend the movie to help plan next year’s selections, enjoy the best homemade cookies ever (choices including Thin Man Mints and others), and hear fun trivia from the making of this picture included in the National Film Registry.  The Library of Congress preserves the Registry’s collection of important films.  Dashiell Hammett is the author of the book behind the movie.  Enjoy the movie preview and details available on www.imdb.com.  The Art of Film series is presented monthly and features trivia, themed treats, and popcorn.   For more information or to make suggestions for the series, call Megan Davenport at 513-6410 or visit www.mylpl.org.  This program is free and open to the public.

Art of Film: Maltese Falcon

See Sam Spade, private detective, take on a case involving a trio of eccentric crooks, a beautiful liar, and the hunt for a priceless object!  Join Lincoln Parish Library and NCLAC (North Central Louisiana Arts Council) at the screening of The Maltese Falcon starring Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre for the series The Art of Film on Thursday, November 11 at 6pm in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room.  Attend the movie to help plan next year’s selections, enjoy delicious homemade treats, and hear juicy trivia on the making of the picture.  Dashiell Hammett is the author of the books behind The Maltese Falcon and the December screening of The Thin Man.  Oscar-nominated for Best Picture, Screenplay, and Supporting Actor, the first true film noir is included in the National Film Registry.  The Library of Congress preserves the Registry’s collection of important films. Details are available on www.imdb.com, where the feature ranks in the Top 100.  The Art of Film series is presented monthly and features trivia, themed treats, and popcorn.   For more information or to make suggestions for the series, call Megan Davenport at 513-6410 or visit www.mylpl.org.  This program is free and open to the public.

Art of Film Presents "Turn of the Screw"

Join Lincoln Parish Library and NCLAC (North Central Louisiana Arts Council) at the screening of Benjamin Britten’s operatic spooktacular The Turn of the Screw for their series The Art of Film on Thursday, October 28 at 6pm in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room.  This selection has been called a masterpiece of atmosphere, ambiguity, and eerie foreboding.  The film is based on the novella of the same name by Henry James.  Details are available on www.imdb.com.  Attend the movie for a chance to help select next year’s films.  The Art of Film series is presented monthly and features trivia, themed treats, and popcorn.   For more information or to make suggestions for the series, call Megan Davenport at 513-6410 or visit www.mylpl.org.  This program is free and open to the public.

Art of Film Screening: Pride and Prejudice

Win a Jane Austen classic!   Join Lincoln Parish Library and the North Central Louisiana Arts Council on Thursday, September 23 at 6pm in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room for their monthly series Art of Film. This month’s screening will be of Jane Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice, starring Sir Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson. This 1940’s classic, co-written by Aldous Huxley, won an Oscar for Best Art Direction.  Attend the movie for a chance to win a copy of the novel and to enjoy tea time treats.

Upcoming films in the Art of Film series include: 10/28 Turn of the Screw 11/11 The Maltese Falcon 12/9 The Thin Man

Begun in 2007, the Art of Film is a free monthly film series that features notable movie classics in all genres. For more information or to make suggestions for the series, please call Megan Davenport at 513-6411 or Leigh Anne Chambers at 255-1450. Please join us Thursday, September 23 at 6 p.m. for popcorn, treats, trivia and a great romantic movie. We look forward to seeing you there.

Art of Film Screening: Bride and Prejudice, 8/26

The novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a much loved romantic classic. Modern readers continue to place it at the top of their favorite reads. Though written at the end of the 18th century, its continued popularity has resulted in numerous film adaptations and written takeoffs. Pride and Prejudice readers will surely enjoy the film adaptation Bride and Prejudice. A free screening of this Bollywood-style musical will be offered Thursday, August 26 at 6 p.m. in the Lincoln Parish Library Meeting Room. The film is one of many offered in the Art of Film series, a collaboration of the North Central Louisiana Arts Council and the Lincoln Parish Library.

Bride and Prejudice begins a special segment of the series celebrating Austen’s novel. The August 26 and September 23 films both adapt her timeless story. Directed by Gurinda Chadha, who also directed Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice features Bollywood beauty and former Miss World, Aishwarya Rai, as well as Naveen Andrews of “Lost.” The September version of Pride and Prejudice stars one of the most famous British actors of the 20th century, Sir Laurence Olivier.

In the August film, different cultures collide, creating comic tension as sparks fly between a small-town Indian girl and a wealthy American. Through a delightful mix of song, dance, and humor, these opposites attract and repel each other but ultimately fall in love as in the novel itself. Upcoming films in the Art of Film series include:

9/23 Pride and Prejudice 10/28 Turn of the Screw 11/11 The Maltese Falcon 12/9 The Thin Man

Begun in 2007, the Art of Film is a free monthly film series that features notable movie classics in all genres. For more information or to make suggestions for the series, please call Megan Davenport at 513-6411 or Leigh Anne Chambers at 255-1450. Please join us Thursday, August 26 at 6 p.m. for popcorn, treats, trivia and a great romantic movie. We look forward to seeing you there.