May 22, 2012
A Byrd’s Eye View N
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ABOUT FILMS, TV, ARTS AND EVENTS IN THE VALLEY
Dark Shadows Isn’t a Comedy, But It’s Not a Horror Movie, Either By Art Byrd
A Quote By
When I was a kid, I remember watching Dark Shadows, the Gothic soap opera that aired Monday through Friday from 1966-71. Even though I had no idea what was going on in the storyline, I liked the creepy characters. It had werewolves and vampires, and even though some of the women might take a bite out of your neck, they were hot. Now Dark Shadows is back, courtesy the team of director Tim Burton and actor Johnny Depp. The movie doesn’t try to be funny, but the lines delivered deadpan by the actors -- especially Depp -- make it extra funny. Burton does a great job of setting-up the story as we see a young Barnabas Collins and his family emigrating from Liverpool to Maine in the 1700s. They build a fishing empire and the town is named Collinsport after them. As the years pass, Barnabas has an ongoing physical relationship with Angelique, the housekeeper's daughter, played by Eva Green (Casino Royale). Then Barnabas finds the love of his life, Josette, by played by Australian actress Bella Heathcote. A jealous Angelique, who is actually a witch, puts a curse on Barnabas and his world is turned upside down: Josette throws herself off a cliff and Barnabas becomes a vampire. On top of all that, Angelique turns the town’s people against Barnabas and he is imprisoned in a coffin for 200 years.
J o i n A r t o n T w i t t e r a t t w i t t e r. c o m / a r t b y r d v i e w
“If there's any message to my work, it is ultimately that it's OK to be different, that it's good to be different, that we should question ourselves before we pass judgment on someone who looks different, behaves different, talks different, is a different color.” Actor Johnny Depp, who is starring in Dark Shadows, now showing in theaters.
May 22, 2012
In 1972, a construction crew accidentally come across Barnabas’s coffin. He is freed and kills the crew. Yet he is totally confused by the new surroundings. This is what makes the movie funny. What really sells the movie is Depp’s look as Barnabas with the chalky skin, sunken eyes and the funky-bangs hairdo. He sports styles from the 1700s with a long coat, ruffled shirt and a wolf-head cane. Yet he comes off as a strange gentleman with manners. When he finds his way to Collinswood, the run-down family mansion, Barnabas comes upon Willie, played by Jackie Earle Haley (original Bad News Bears), the Collinswood caretaker. Willie becomes Barnabas’s sidekick and they are funny together. Inside the mansion, Barnabas meets what’s left of his family. There is Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, the family matriarch, played by the timeless Michelle Pfeiffer. Her elegant demeanor sets the tone of Barnabas being re-accepted into the family. Burton's forte for excellent casting is present with Chloe Grace Moretz (Hugo) playing brat Caroline, Elizabeth's daughter; Johnny Lee Miller (TV’s Dexter) playing Roger Collins, a spineless scoundrel; and Gulliver McGarth (Hugo) as David Collins, a misunderstood kid. Depp’s real-life good friend Helena Bonham Carter plays heavily boozing, redheaded Dr. Hoffman. I really enjoyed Green as Angelique. She was sexy evil as she tormented Barnabas, trying to make him love her. In 1972, she is still in Collinsport, now the head of the fishing business in the city. Through witchcraft, Angelique ruined the Collins fishing-business empire. Barnabas vows to restore the Collins name and wealth, which he does. Now Angelique wants revenge on Barnabas for a second time. Their war is done very well, especially a love scene which leaves a room totally destroyed. Very funny. Dark Shadows could be considered a tale of good versus evil. But it is really a story of evil versus evil. The movie has a lot of great elements, such as family loyalty, revenge, and a tortured soul in a love triangle. Depp is very good as Barnabas and easily transitions between gentleman and evil vampire, offering an interesting mix of the two. Dark Shadows is not a pure horror movie, yet it is not a comedy. If you like the quirkiness of Tim Burton and the willingness of Johnny Depp to go there with him, Dark Shadows may deliver you to the light of a good time.
Be Heard At Toastmasters How would you like to be heard when you speak? You can do that at Toastmasters. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization that provides a friendly, comfortable environment in which to learn and practice to become a better communicator and leader. Executive 408 Toastmasters is a local group that meets every Monday from 6:45-8:45 p.m. at Shepherd of the Valley, 301 Western Reserve Rd., Boardman. Visit the website at http://www.speakingclub.org/ J o i n A r t o n T w i t t e r a t t w i t t e r. c o m / a r t b y r d v i e w
May 22, 2012
Monteen’s Brings Southern Comfort Up North By Monnie Ryan To read the full version of this review, visit http:// mahoningvalleyeats.blogspot.com I'm not from the South, but I did grow up in southwestern Ohio close enough to Kentucky to have a bit of a southern accent, or so I was told by my college roommates here up north at Kent State University. So when I saw a new Liberty Township restaurant - Monteen's Southern Cuisine - I started hankering for some down-home cookin'. One evening, my husband Jack and I gathered up friends Jerry and Barb from Niles and paid a visit. For openers, we decided to share an appetizer of six fried green tomatoes with horseradish sauce for dipping ($5.99). Breaded in cornmeal, the tomatoes were delicious, and we all loved the horseradish sauce. For dinner, we agreed to choose different entrees so we could sample more things. Jerry made his decision quickly braised oxtails with sides of red beans and rice and candied yams for $15.99. Jack chose grilled salmon with fried okra and macaroni and cheese for $14.99. Barb loves grits, so she settled on shrimp and grips with fried okra and chef's choice of greens for $14.99 in short order. Since I was looking for childhood reminders, I considered grilled liver and onions. But then I spotted chicken livers - a dish my mother cooked often. I could get them fried or sauteed (I chose the former) for $10.99, and my choices for sides were baked beans and sauteed squash. I will emphasize that if you're not a fan of the somewhat gritty cornmeal, stay away from anything here that's fried since it seems to be the breading of choice on just about everything. I like it, but had I known ahead of time, I'd have ordered my livers sauteed instead. Barb was delighted with the fried okra (yes, same breading), noting it's different from most because the entire pod is cooked. Jerry was happy with his oxtails as well - three good-sized ones -- and the bowl of red beans and rice was so large he couldn't finish it all. The candied yams had a slightly different flavor we couldn't put our finger on, so we asked the owner, who said it's nutmeg. Barb's grits had lots of cheese and bacon bits and was very good, but it, too, was just too much to finish. She had no such problem with the six shrimp, though, polishing off each and every one. Except for the cornmeal breading, my chicken livers were wonderful too, although I'd have preferred a few more grilled onions. The grilled squash and baked beans were delicious as well, and Jack enjoyed his salmon and the mac and cheese (which I happily helped polish off). If you go: Monteen's Southern Cuisine 3807 Belmont Ave. Youngstown, Ohio 44505 (330) 759-3699
J o i n A r t o n T w i t t e r a t t w i t t e r. c o m / a r t b y r d v i e w
May 22, 2012
WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE VALLEY: MAY 25TH – MAY 30TH Friday, May 25th Breakfast Botany: Figwort Family Start your spring morning with a brisk walk in the Mill Creek MetroParks Gardens. Return to the Garden Café to enjoy a light breakfast and learn about the family that includes digitalis and penstemon. 8:30-10 a.m. $7 R, $9 NR. 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown. For more information and to register, call 330-740-7116.
Party on the Plaza The kickoff of a Youngstown tradition happens in the Downtown as the summer of Party on the Plaza begins. Hoss Jarman & the Juggernauts and Winslow get the party started at 8 p.m on the stage at BW3 Youngstown.
Monday, May 28th Lowellville Cruisin’ the River Car Show Downtown Lowellville; 330-536-6811. This car show occurs every Monday tonight through mid-October in downtown Lowellville. Features classic cars, hot rods, street rods, motorcycle and choppers. Registration is optional at $2 per vehicle. Admission is free. 6-9 p.m. Free.
Wednesday, May 30th T’ai Chi Step One in the Gardens Ease stress, improve health, and increase vitality. Join Marie Lew in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information or to register: 330-740-7116; 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown. Noon-1 p.m. $10 per class.
Mill Creek Metroparks Has Announced The 2012 Summerfest Schedule June 13 June 20 June 27 July 4
Sarah Turner - Country July 29 Julius Veal 1pm - 3:30pm Cleveland Breakfast Club -80s Savoy 5pm - 6pm Hoss and The Juggernauts -Blues Rainbow Tribe 6:30pm - 8pm Youngstown AreaCommunity Concert Band R&B, Variety, Smooth Jazz & Soul Reggae Patriotic August 1 JD Eicher and the Goodnights- Pop July 11 Don Burns -Big Band Rock July 18 Del Sinchak- Polka August 8 Mo Mojo- Zydeco July 25 Red Sun Rising- Rock August 15 Redline- High Energy Hits August 22 Evil Ways- Santana tribute August 29 Easy Street- An Evening of Favorites Judge Morley Pavilion · 7 pm · Free performances · Lawn seating · 330-702-3000
J o i n A r t o n T w i t t e r a t t w i t t e r. c o m / a r t b y r d v i e w
May 22, 2012
ON STAGE The Oakland Center for the Arts: Last Summer at Bluefish Cove Running June 8 through June 23. Evening performances are at 8 p.m. Last Summer at Bluefish Cove tells the story of Lil Zalinski, who is spending the summer alone in a cottage on a New England Beach that has been a lesbian haven for 30 years. Also at the cove are her dearest friends, and into their company walks Eva, an insecure, sheltered woman who has walked out on her marriage of 12 years and rented a cottage there by mistake. The Oakland is located at 220 West Boardman St., downtown Youngstown. For tickets or more information, call 330-746-0404.
New Castle Playhouse: Neil Simon's Broadway Bound Running June 1 through June 17. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Broadway Bound is the conclusion of Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical, Brighton Beach Trilogy and tells of Eugene and his brother, Stanley, trying to break into the world of professional comedy writing while coping with the breakup of their family. or tickets or more information, call 724-654-3437. The theater is located at 202 East Long Ave.
The Youngstown Playhouse: The Homecoming Running Fridays and Saturdays from May 25 through June 2 at 7:30 p.m. each night. The Homecoming tells of Teddy, a successful professor of philosophy in America who returns home to London with his wife, Ruth, and introduces her to his aging crude, father, his ineffectual uncle, and his two brothers, one a small-time pimp and the other who dreams of success as a boxer. For tickets or more information, call 330-788-8739. The Youngstown Playhouse is located at 600 Playhouse Lane, Youngstown.
The Victorian Players: The Lion in Winter Running weekends from June 8 through June 24. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m.; matinees are at 2 p.m. The Lion In Winter takes place during Christmas of 1183 at the chateau of King Henry II, and revolves around the gamesmanship between Henry, his wife Eleanor, their sons and a couple of guests at the chateau. For tickets or more information, call 330-746-5455. The Victorian Players theater is located at 702
Youth Summer Workshops at the Art Outreach Gallery The Art Outreach Gallery is expanding its summer workshops and children’s programs this year.. Area youth are invited to participate in the 2012 Summer Workshops, an education program sponsored by community foundations. The workshops will happen from June 25 to July 14. Fifty workshops are scheduled including Photography, Robot Shop, Jewelry Making, Tie Die T-shirts, Art of Abstraction, Language classes including French and Spanish. Workshops are designed for students 3 to 18 years of age. Area art educators and art education students from Trumbull Career and Technical Center (TCTC), Kent State University, American University and Carnegie Mellon University will conduct the workshops. Class information and registration forms can be downloaded at www.artoutreach.org, picked up at the Art Outreach Gallery or the Eastwood Mall Customer Service Center. Contact the Eastwood Mall office at 330.652.6980 or Gail Stark at 330.219.7833 for more information. Art Outreach Gallery located in the Eastwood Mall Complex J o i n A r t o n T w i t t e r a t t w i t t e r. c o m / a r t b y r d v i e w
May 22, 2012
Yoga, Humor and Laughter Equals Laughter Yoga Class Yoga is known for being good for the body and soul. Humor and laughter can strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. If you combine the three, you get Laughing Yoga. Laughing Yoga is a unique exercise routine, which combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing. There will be a Laughter Yoga Class on Wednesday, May 30th from 6-7 p.m at Bella Nitesh Spiritual Arts & Education Center. The class routine consists of rhythmic clapping, light stretching, deep breathing and laughter exercises. Wear loose fitting clothes. Donations are appreciated. Bella Nitesh is located at 837 Boardman-Canfield Rd, Boardman, Ohio.
Oscar’s Best Foreign-Language Films Coming to Ohio In the coming weeks, you have a chance to see the Oscar winner and nominees for Best Foreign Language Film. You’ll have to take a road trip to Cleveland, but it’ll be worth it. The Cleveland Cinematheque presents three of the five nominated films. Asghar Farhadi's A Separation (Iran), the Oscar winner, shows on Friday, June 1 at 7:20 p.m. and Saturday, June 2 at 5 p.m. In this film, a married couple is faced with a difficult decision -- to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer's disease. Michael R. Roskam's Bullhead (Belgium) premieres Friday, June 1 at 9:45 p.m. and Saturday, June 2 at 9:15 p.m. Agnieszka Holland's In Darkness (Poland) shows Monday, June 4 at 7 p.m. A powerful Holocaust drama. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque is located at 11141 East Blvd. in University Circle. For more information, call 216-421-7450 or visit www.cia.edu/cinematheque. Admission is $9; members $7; ages 25 & under $5 (with proof of age).
J o i n A r t o n T w i t t e r a t t w i t t e r. c o m / a r t b y r d v i e w
May 22, 2012
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Excerpts from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Review, Newspaper, available throughout the Valley and online at http://www.thereviewnewspapers.com/
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Art Byrd Jr. has won awards as a filmmaker and journalist. After working many years as a videographer and director for WFMJ TV News, he retired from broadcasting to share his experience and insight with students as an instructor at Youngstown State University. Art has written and produced numerous Indie films, which have been shown at prestigious film festivals. In addition to teaching and writing/ producing A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter, Art also does freelance media work. He is based in Youngstown, Ohio. Michele Ristich Gatts began her full-time career in journalism with WKBN TV News, where she worked closely with radio news as well. After a decade in broadcasting, she branched into print, working five years for The Business Journal in various reporting and editorial capacities. Michele was fortunate to be recognized with a few prestigious journalism awards along the way, and has done a little teaching for YSU. She currently works as a freelance writer, editor and media consultant, and is based in Youngstown, Ohio. Contact her at michelegatts@yahoo.com. Monnie Ryan retired in 2003 after 14 years as managing editor of The Business Journal in Youngstown, where she continues to contribute to the print and online editions. Articles she has written have appeared in more than 20 national publications and at several travelrelated Web sites, and she has won numerous awards for photography. Contact her at mryan62692@aol.com.
J o i n A r t o n T w i t t e r a t t w i t t e r. c o m / a r t b y r d v i e w