The Art of Erie

So, I realize my trend in movie reviews seems to be based on action heroes, however, I guess I just enjoy seeing what the hype is all about sometimes. This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing the ‘Dark Knight.’ True to form, this movie has all the offerings it promises in the previews and more. I must say, Heath Ledger portrayed the Joker quite fittingly. I actually would compare him to Anthony Hopkins role of Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs or Red Dragon - sinister with a cutting, dry, evil sense of humor. I loved it.

I remember an interview with Ledger before his passing - he commented on having nightmares during the production of the show, because of his role. And after seeing his performance, one can see why that would happen. For me, he is the one that made the movie what it is. While everyone else gave a fine performance - Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, it was Ledger’s performance that was truly capturing.

I realize roles like these are rarely ever nominated for an Oscar, and probably even more difficult to achieve posthumously (sad, but true), however, I think if there was ever a time and place for such a nomination - and a win - this would be it. This movie is definitely worth seeing in the theatres.

For over 20 years, the Arts Council of Erie has saluted businesses and individuals for their contributions to the arts, through our annual Business/Arts Awards. This year, we’re asking the community to help select the recipients by submitting nominations in each category. Nominations can be made online through August 1st.

The following awards will be given:

The Business Appreciation Award is presented to a business, government or foundation that has exhibited long-term, broad-based support of the arts, including the United Arts Fund Drive. Recent recipients include: The Black Family Foundation, Northwest Savings Bank, Penelec, and the Erie Community Foundation.

The Art Service Award is presented to an individual who has given his or her time and talent to the Arts Council, either currently or in the past. Recent recipients include: Susan Kemenyffy, Hoop & Marne Roche, and Marlene Mosco.

The Applause Award is presented to individuals or groups who have shown dedicated support to the arts in Erie. Recent recipients include: Scott and Kim McClelland, Stairways Behavioral Health, Don and Susan Baxter, David Matthews, and Ruth Jageman.

A complete list of past Business/Arts Award recipients is available here. Awards will be presented in October, National Arts and Humanities Month, at the Arts Council’s Fall for the Arts celebration. For more information, contact Zach Flock, Program Associate, at 452-3427 or by e-mail.

One of Erie’s most well-known radio personalities “Captain” Dan Geary is now part of WYNE 1530 AM, which stakes claim to play the best oldies of the 50s, 60s and 70s. (Which, for the record, they do.)

WYNE is operated by Mercyhurst North East, (which is a perfect connection to North East - WINE/WYNE – get it? Thought so.) Okay, okay. Anyhow, this great station hit the airwaves last August under the leadership of Erie radio veteran Bill Shannon. Geary joined Shannon a few months back as host of the station’s morning program and as sales manager. Together they bring more than 75 years of radio experience to WYNE. 75 years is quite a long time. Personally, I best know Geary for his outstanding emcee capabilities, and his years at Froggy 94.7. I suppose that may be a little sad to say, as I know his talents and experience surpass the knowledge I have on this character.

The station operates on the AM band at 1530 khz in AM stereo – but only during daylight hours. The radio station is also used as a teaching facility for Mercyhurst North East’s liberal arts/radio broadcasting concentration associate degree program. Under Shannon’s instruction, students learn everything from on-air broadcasting of news, sports and weather, to how to operate radio equipment, to advertising sales.

If you’re not near a radio, you can listen online. Just go here and click on the “Listen to Wyne Live” link. There you can also check out the program schedule, as well as a little background info (in case this hasn’t provided you enough!)

If you want to contact “Captain Dan” or Bill Shannon directly, you can call them at 725-WYNE (9963).

The 16th annual Erie Art Museum Blues & Jazz Festival returns to Frontier Park on Saturday, Aug. 2 & Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008. For two days and two nights, Frontier Park comes alive with what has proven itself to be the region’s most dynamic musical events; this free community event is held rain or shine.

“Once again this year we will present a variety of great artists exemplifying the blues and jazz traditions, along with the other amenities that make this festival special,” said John Vanco, director of the Erie Art Museum and Festival artistic director. “We are particularly excited about the family performance on Saturday, which will feature Minneapolis based musical duo Beatrix JAR. They’ll be in residence and perform using a technique called circuit-bending, a do-it-yourself sound art which allows anyone to discover new hidden organic sounds in battery-powered electronic toys recycled from homes, thrift stores, second hand shops and garage sales.”

According to Vanco, the jazz lineup includes the exciting Winard Harper Sextet, featuring one of the truly great young bandleaders today. Harper has been leading ensembles since the ‘80s, as well as holding down the beat for jazz greats Dexter Gordon, David “Fathead” Newman, and—the association for which he is probably best known—the late, great, jazz diva Betty Carter.

Also headlining are Bobby Zankel & the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, who are riding a wave of critical acclaim for their fresh and exciting approach to big band jazz.

Blues fans can look forward to a performance by one of the brightest stars in the blues firmament: Mem Shannon and his band, The Membership. Described as “the first major new talent to come out of New Orleans in years”, Mem Shannon first achieved notice as the cab-driving bluesman, a vocation he left behind in 1996 to pursue the blues full time. He has made six outstanding CDs, including most recently the multiple-award-nominated “Live at Tipitinas”. Mem Shannon has been nominated again in 2008 for two Blues Music Awards (formerly known as the W.C. Handy Awards).

Also on the lineup is blues harp master Wallace Coleman, who played for ten years with the great Delta bluesman Robert Junior Lockwood before taking to the road with his own band. Lockwood said he would never hire a harp player, until he heard Coleman play. Blues Revue describes him as “…one of post-war Chicago Blues’ most indomitable torchbearers”, while Living Blues Magazine says, “Wallace Coleman should be ranked among the very best of today’s blues harp players.”

Local favorites round out Saturday & Sunday’s programming. Included in the line-up are Rodger Montgomery Blues Band, Mary Alice Brown Trio and Torn Curtain.

More details will follow - make sure to save the date(s)

As I’m sure most (if not all) of you are aware, George Carlin passed away this past Sunday. Known mostly for his flippant social commentary and his outlook on the absurdity in life (mostly portrayed in a somewhat vulgar fashion) he was one of the comedians I truly enjoyed most - mainly because he didn’t care what he said or when he said it - and although vulgar, it was often times more refreshing to hear unabashed commentary such as his. So, in tribute, some of my favorites quotes (that I can print) are below:

One can never know for sure what a deserted area looks like.

Religion convinced the world that there’s an invisible man in the sky who watches everything you do. And there’s 10 things he doesn’t want you to do or else you’ll go to a burning place with a lake of fire until the end of eternity. But he loves you! …And he needs money! He’s all powerful, but he can’t handle money!

The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.

People who say they don’t care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don’t care what people think.

Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

Every Wednesday during July and August the Museum extends visitors FREE admission, guided half hour gallery tours at 12:00 and 12:30 and live music on the Museum’s front steps. Just Pick-up lunch and shop the Erie Farmers’ Market in nearby Perry Square then enjoy lunch on the Museum front steps. A must do for anyone in the area!

Schedule is as follows:
July 2 - Dank
July 9 - Katie Chriest and Sheldon Peterson of the Heliotropes
July 16 - Mambo
July 23 - The Sam Hyman Acoustic Trio
July 30 - Beatrix JAR
August 6 - Gaffer
August 13 - Katie Chriest and Sheldon Peterson of the Heliotropes
August 20 - Akoostikatz
August 27 - Kyler Morrison

I received this email from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council today….

Individuals Invited to Apply for Commentary Awards on the Arts

In partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council invites individuals to apply for Arts Commentary: Perspectives on the Arts ($5,000). The program recognizes work in all media and is open to the full range of Pennsylvanians producing interpretive work about the arts. Journalists, broadcast and electronic media professionals, documentary filmmakers, artists, scholars, arts educators, and non-profit professionals are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is August 4th, 2008.

Arts Commentary fosters nonfiction work which educates the general public about the contemporary arts. Offering awards for special projects, it promotes arts commentators, endeavors to reach new or larger audiences. Projects must lead to a presentation such as publications, media projects, and educational programs for the public. Topics are not exclusive to the fine arts; any work that raises discussion about the arts or aesthetics is
appropriate. Arts Commentary is part of the PCA’s Individual Creative Artists Fellowship program.

Interested individuals who meet the eligible criteria should submit applications no later than August 4th, 2008. Visit PAHumanities.org for the guidelines and application. If you have questions, contact PHC Program Intern Ali King, (800) 462-0442, or (215) 925-1005 ext. 125.

Erie’s having a block party. Well, several of them actually. The festivities kick off next Thursday, June 12th at Calamari’s. One World Tribe will be performing. Below is the rest of the summer’s itinerary. I highly suggest you get out to enjoy a few of these. There’s just nothing like sitting outside on a warm summer night surrounded by good friends and great music, all the while enjoying a cocktail (or two).

June 19th Block Party @ Nickys/Docksider/Papa Georges with performer Next of Kin
June 26th Block Party @ Skeeters with performer the M-80’s

July 10th Block Party @ Cell Block with performer Joe Buchman & the Crew
July 24th Block Party @ Sugar Rays with performer Money Shot
July 31st Block Party @ Brew Erie with performers Man’s Room Band & Jake’s Blues

August 7th Block Party @ Jr’s Last Laugh Comedy Club with performer the M-80’s
August 21st Block Party @ Matthew’s Trattoria & Martini Lounge with performers Duke Sherman Band & Sam Hyman
August 28th Block Party @ Plymouth with performers Key West Express

September 4th Block Party @ Scully’s with performer Money Shot

For more information, click here.

Erie Life Magazine has hit the newstands! Well, technically, more of them. Recently the magazine was picked up for retail distribution by Barnes and Noble, Border’s Bookstores & Wegman’s Supermarkets. This adds 45 new distribution locations totaling 80 retail outlets across the tri state area to date.

Progress - Growth - Development - all key terms that come to mind.

Just one more reason I love this city.

Although this past Sunday was absolutely beautiful outside, I found myself inside the dark sinister walls (trying to set a tone) of Cinemark to see the movie Iron Man. I must tell you, I looked forward to going to this movie like a hole in the head. I mean, I’m not the sort of girl that ever collected comic books or truly appreciated this form of art, and now with the over popularized Batman, Superman, Spiderman, etc… I felt like Hollywood had nowhere else to turn but deeper down into the trenches of past superheroes. However, I was craving some good movie theater popcorn…

I must say, what I found myself watching over the next two hours was pleasantly surprising.  The movie didn’t require the eye candy action scenes that most of these movies do. Robert Downey, Jr. played an exquisite role of Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist who is captured by terrorists in Afghanistan. He’s given orders to build a missile, but instead uses his resources  to build a powered iron exoskeleton to make his escape. After his return to the States, he improves his armor and becomes the superhero known later as Iron Man. The movie definitely has character - I found him to relate as closely to the billionaire playboy as he would the nightly corner bar visitor. I definitely left the theater with a newfound appreciation of these characters overall. and I would definitely recommend this film to any movie lover.

While I realize of all the “artistic” films to give my opinion on, I had to pick this one, I just had to share - I think I was more shocked and awed by the character of the film itself than by the shock and awe factor that I expected to be dissapointed by.

yet wasn’t. It is a movie I highly recommend seeing.