E
H TS T
EN PRES
MIDDLESTATE INDEPENDENT COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL COMEDY SHORTS COMEDY LONGS COMEDY TALKERS
April 26 & 27th
2013
at the Historic Merced Theatre, Downtown Merced, CA
FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO VISIT
Adam Carolla
WWW.MIDDLESTATEFILMFESTIVAL.COM or call 209-381-0500 SPONSORED BY
FROM THE PUBLISHER
I
Dear Reader,
have a confession to make. Four years ago when the DLM first started showcasing independent films at the Multicultural Arts Center, I had no idea what I was doing. I heard the chorus of requests to bring these films to Merced and I responded without a clue what I was doing. I handpicked a couple films, rolled out a red carpet and hoped for the best.
And it worked. The years since we have stumbled our way into what has become the MiddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival. Along the way we have had some incredible moments. We had Drake Doremus, the director of the Sundance Festival hit “Like Crazy,” come speak on the heels of his award winning festival season and we’ve had producers and filmmakers travel from across the state to be a part of the event. I think our inexperience was an asset as we developed into what is now a two-day event featuring three film programs, a reception and a performance by a standup comedian. We are very excited about our selections this year and we’ve even put a cherry on top. We’ve added a live stand-up performance by radio personality and former co-host of Loveline Adam Carolla. Come be a part of this great homegrown event and learn more at www. middlestatefilmfestival.com. Editor & Publisher
The Players PUBLISHER: Tom Price tom@thedlm.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Janna Rodriguez janna@thedlm.com ADVERTISING MANAGER: Samantha Yniguez samantha@thedlm.com CONTENT EDITOR: Nathan Quevedo nathan@thedlm.com WEB GURU: Kenneth Nelson kenneth@thedlm.com DISTRIBUTION: Donna Nelson donna@thedlm.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & EDITORS: Theresa Hong, Montse Reyes, Jim Kocher, Jordan Cowman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Cindy Panyanouvong, Tom Price, Dan Hong
The Cover COVER: It’s a Disaster PHOTOGRAPHER: Contributed Art
Issue #43 Volume #3
Find Us
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CONTENTS
MiddleState Film Festival 26
The DLM talks to funnyman Adam Carolla who is headlining the MiddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival at the Merced Theatre on April 27.
THE LEDE 08
Mr. Miss and Ms. Gay Merced County Pageant, UC Art shows and The Art Hop all coming in April.
JESSICA STYLER 22
East Bay artist Jessica Styler brings her unique band to DLM Live’s Houseshow Series.
MC DRAMA 12
Merced College performing arts class prepares to step into the spotlight.
ASSAULT AWARENESS 16 Woman shares story of sexual assault, hopes to bring attention to cause.
URINE TOWN 18
Playhouse Merced brings hilarious stage show to Merced.
PRINTMAKING 34
Annual MCAC printmaking competition returns to Arts Center.
Downtown Life Magazine is a monthly publication distributed downtown and at more than 90 other locations, including: UC Merced, Merced College, Raley’s grocery store and every Starbucks Coffee Company in Merced and Atwater. 5,000 DLM magazines are distributed every month. For more information, go to www.thedlm.com
8
the lede Events in and around Merced
File art The second annual Mr., Miss and Ms. Gay pageant of Merced County will be held at 5 p.m. on April 13.
Mr. Miss and Ms. Gay Pageant
R
ick Regur and Tanisha Hernandez, through the Owl Empire of Stanislaus County, are breaking the mold on pageants with a loud, colorful, classy night on the town. The second annual Mr., Miss, and Ms. Gay Merced Pageant promises to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen in Merced. Prepare yourself for a Moulin Rouge themed party with free food, a no host bar, and larger than life entertainment. Why Moulin Rouge? “We wanted to go out with a bang,” explains Regur. Each year the reigning contestants from each Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
category agree to plan and throw the next year’s pageant, among other obligations. The three categories for contestants are Mr., Miss, and Ms. Gay Merced, for men, drag queens and women respectively. For those who want to participate but don’t fit neatly into binary gender, Regur will find a place for you. Also, the pageant is by no means limited to the LGBTQ+ community. “Anyone can come be a contestant. Gay or straight, it doesn’t matter, as long as you support the community,” says Regur.
Each contestant receives an empty can when they turn in their application. For every 10 dollars participants raise for a charity of their choice, they are awarded an extra point of favor with the judges. Last year, Regur raised more than $400 alone for the Last Hope Cat Kingdom in Atwater. The event is being held at Merced Women’s Clubhouse, 707 W 22nd street, on April 13. Doors are at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 5:30 p.m., and the floor show starts promptly at 6 p.m. Tickets are being sold at the door. If you’d like to apply to be a contestant, call Regur at (209) 631-0078. www.thedlm.com
M|A|H 9
the lede Events in and around Merced ARTIST: Robert Hernandez
Annual Bobcart Art Show at UC Merced
Art Hop April 20 inCOMPUTER Downtown Merced BINARY SYSTEMS
The UC Merced Art Gallery and Arts UC Merced Presents continue to annual tradition of celebrating student and faculty art with the 8th annual Bobcat Art Show. The show runs through May 2 and there will be a reception from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the UC Merced Art Gallery. The exhibits will feature mediums such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and mixed media. As they did last year, Professor ShiPu Wang’s curator class will assist in the show’s installation and judging. The mission statement of Arts UC Merced emphasizes art that educates, enriches and entertains. This annual show strives to uphold this belief by expanding the understanding of contemporary art and multimdia. For more information on the show, 5200 Lake Road, Merced CA visit N www.arts.ucmerced.edu.
R E PA I R
tArt ArtShow Show2013 2013
April 1 to May 2 April 1 toGallery May 2 (SSM106) CM Art Mand Art Kolligan Gallery (SSM106) Library d Kolligan Library
200 N Lake Road, Merced CA
The popular outdoor art exhibition that features local artists diplaying their work in Downtown Businesses returns from 5 to 9 p.m. on April 20. Dozens of artists display their paintings, sculptures, drawings and mixed media work throughout downtown. There’s even live music on the streets to entertain the folks at the always well-attended event. For more information, visit www. mercedarthop.com or find them on Facebook.
Artists’ Reception UC celebrates Earth Day with Recycled Art Artists’April Reception UC Merced’s Earth Day Celebration and Health and ursday, 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wellness Fair combine bring you Mind.Body.Planet. — a ay, April 18,Art 5:30-6:30 UCM Galleryp.m. recycled art competition. Staff and faculty are allowed to participate by constructing UCM Art Gallery
Sponsored by Sponsored by Presents Arts UC Merced Arts UC Merced Presents UCM Art Gallery UCM Art Gallery UC Merced Library UC Merced Library
art from recycled and found materials. Prizes include gift cards to local restaurants, T-shirts, bags and the opportunity to have your artwork displayed on campus. Summaries of work must be submitted by April 11 and all artwork must be submitted by April 18. All artwork will be judged by UC Merced art faculty. To submit a summary or get more information on the competition, please email recyle@ucmerced.edu.
For more information: arts.ucmerced.edu For more information: 209-228-4566 arts.ucmerced.edu Like Us on Facebook www.facebook.com/thedlm 209-228-4566
Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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Theater Merced Junior College
Photo by Cindy Panyanouvong The Merced College performing arts students are done flying under the radar, they are looking to step into the spotlight and leave their mark on the local theater community.
Setting the stage Challenging Merced College performing arts program pushes students to greatness
I
t’s a story that’s becoming more and more common in small towns throughout the United States. Art becomes a focus, and through the different mediums, the town seems to transform and even transcend — it becomes more educated, healthier and economically robust. Study after study show that a thriving arts community is an essential part of maintaining — or revitalizing — a town. And Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
Words by Theresa Hong theresa@youbiquicast.com Merced is becoming a prime example of this phenomenon. And as Merced continues its evolution in embracing, celebrating and supporting the arts, the Merced College Performing Arts Department seems to remain underground, despite their talent, dedication, passion and desire to not only entertain, but to teach future theater professionals, as well. Merced College is a hidden gem, tucked tightly away like
the secret gardens one reads about in fairy tales. However, what many individuals don’t realize is that this talented group of students, faculty and staff hold the key – through performance art – to a thousand secret gardens. “We have an incredibly talented group of students, faculty and staff,” says Merced College Drama Professor Carin Heidelbach. “They all are very passionate about their craft, www.thedlm.com
and it shows through our productions.” For three years, Heidelbach has served as instructor and mentor for future theater professionals, and has become a strong voice in not only challenging students with a variety of complex productions, but rallying for and securing more classes to ensure her students are ready for their next step in life – whether preparing them for university to continue their studies or a professional career. “Overall, I want students to leave Merced College ready to compete at a university level,” she says. “But the bigger picture for me is to create an atmosphere where students feel safe and feel that they can both fail and succeed – this is a lot of what acting is all about – I want to push and challenge them, while giving them the tools they need to succeed.” Merced College theater student, Merced College Theater Society head of publicity, and local actress and singer Jillian Giacalone is currently auditioning for several university programs, and says her experience with Heidelbach and the department has been nothing but positive. “Carin has helped me tremendously
– she has created a place not only to learn, but also grow as an actor, giving us the tools we need to become professional,” Giacalone says. “She is much more than just a drama professor; she’s a true mentor for me and others in the program.” Heidelbach does push her students hard, offering a comprehensive, challenging program for students interested in all aspects of theater, including performance classes, directing, stage craft, stage managing, sound and lighting. The results yield incredibly wellproduced productions, including the department’s most recent play, William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale,” directed by Heidelbach and costumed by Kristine Doiel. “I like to tell stories, take the audience on a journey and have them get something out of it – feel something profound,” she explains. “But at the same time, I want to challenge my students, too, and ‘The Winter’s Tale’ was one of those plays – it isn’t exactly a comedy or a tragedy, it’s something inbetween and probably not something they could do in traditional community theater because it’s not as well-known as other plays.”
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Taking good care of our community for over 100 years. Taking care of businesses. Taking care of our community. We have a long history of providing peace of mind around town.
725 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340 Ph (209) 722-1541 • www.FandB1912.com Agency license #0358327 Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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Theater Merced Junior College
Heidelbach explains that it isn’t lack of student, staff and faculty talent or dedication and participation that is a challenge, but like many programs, budget remains a lingering issue. And although Merced College Dean of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences John Albano and Heidelbach are attempting to change that, she acknowledges it will take some time. “What many people don’t realize is that our production budget comes completely from ticket sales,” she says. “This is especially hard since it seems so many people are unaware our theater even exists.” Merced College theater student Amber Rain Fowler who recently played Hermione in “The Winter’s Tale,” looks at the department and theater not only as a place of learning, but a place of community. “In a sense, I believe we are a community theater, too, and people don’t understand we need community support to thrive – not only in making money, but also having the community support what we do,” Fowler explains. “And the biggest support you can give us is to come to our shows.” With an extremely diverse background in performance arts studies – Heidelbach earned a bachelor of arts in drama at California State University, Stanislaus, a master’s degree in acting training from DePaul University’s Goodman School of Drama in Chicago and a master of fine arts in directing for theater at Humboldt State University, as well as completed British Theater Studies at London’s Richmond Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
Photo by Cindy Panyanouvong Theater students at Merced College are learning the rigors of operating large-scale shows.
College – one might wonder why she chose to teach at a small town community college. “I’ve always been more interested in bringing theater to a place where it doesn’t really or hardly exists,” she says. “So, it’s nice to see more students wanting to participate in the program, and at the same time, introducing people who may not be familiar with live performing arts for the first time. “What’s really challenging is getting audience members to understand this isn’t a ‘Glee’ episode – it takes weeks to put on a show while at the same time teaching kids about Shakespeare, costumes, literature – it’s really a pretty comprehensive process.” As Merced continues to cultivate the arts throughout
the community, Merced College has remained a bountiful – albeit secret – garden for many years, providing the resources, and more important, confidence to hundreds of hopeful actors. “My sense of success has always been giving students the resources they need, including the thought that it’s OK to fail – it’s a necessity as an actor,” Heidelbach explains. “But my success is also determined by community involvement, so I really hope more people realize what we offer is not just great entertainment, but an avenue for these students to continue to grow and develop as theater professionals – community support is one way to do that and we definitely need more of it.” www.thedlm.com
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Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
YOU ARE NOT ALONE A victim of sexual assault as a child, Lisa Mercaco battled unthinkable demons before finally getting help and finding happiness as an adult
Words by Tom Price tom@thedlm.com
Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
www.thedlm.com
S
he was alone. A victim without a voice trapped by the terror of repeated sexual assault by a family member. Lisa Mercado, 43, says that although the first assaults happened between the ages of 6 and 8, she still wears the scars left by her attacker today. “It affects me even now, I don’t feel secure and I struggle with intimacy,” says Mercaco, who lived in Merced her whole life until moving to Modesto eight years ago. “I think if I had somebody to talk to a whole lot of things would have been different.” April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Mercaco decided to share her story in hopes that it will help people recognize the signs of assault and encourage victims to seek help from organizations like the Valley Crisis Center. Mercado was just six years old the first time her attacker fondled her. She says she knew it was wrong, but she had nowhere to turn. “I knew it wasn’t right, I knew I wasn’t comfortable. If somebody would come by he would act like he was tickling me,” says Mercado. “Back then nobody talked about these things and what you were supposed to do. I always felt like I was alone and didn’t have anybody to talk to.” The family member performed acts of sexual assault and attempted, but never succeeded, in an act of rape. She started to build a wall around herself and at the age of 7 when a teenage boy in her apartment complex tried to force her to have sex when her mother was away, she — Lisa Mercaco says she screamed and cried for help and was able to escape her attacker. But the damage was done and she felt like she was on an island all alone. “What could I do? I was a child,” says Mercado. “I think if I tried to tell my mom or tell my family nobody would have listened.” Mercado says she suppressed her feelings and hid them from everybody as she grew up. And at age 16, after giving birth to her first child and being in her first healthy and committed relationship, something happened. “I started waking up with terrible nightmares,” she says. “I would wake up and want to protect my child or dream I was being touched.” She sought counseling and for the first time confronted the terrible images of her attackers. “I needed to deal with it,” says Mercado. “I had seen a lot of stuff as a child with my mom and all the partying and didn’t want my kids to see that.” Talking about it now, she says the scars from the attacks still impact her relationships today, but she says she is the happiest she’s ever been. She’s in a healthy relationship and the wall she had constructed around her has slowly come down.
“I started waking up with terrible nightmares. I would wake up and want to protect my daughter or dream I was being touched.”
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SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS AROUND MERCED WHAT: Denim Day WHEN: April 24 (All Day) INFO: Members of the community can purchase stickers for Denim Day at Valley Crisis Center located at 1960 P Street. There will also be stickers available to purchase at Merced College and UC Merced. If organizations and business are interested in packets for staff, please contact Denise Rizo at deniser@mcs4you.org or call (209) 725-7900. WHAT: 11th Hour WHEN: 6:30-9 p.m., April 27 WHERE: Gallo Recreation Gym at UC Merced from INFO: UC Merced’s Violence Prevention Program, in collaboration with Women’s Programs in the Office of Student Life at UC Merced, are hosting the third annual 11th Hour. The 11th Hour is a night aimed at raising awareness and finding ways to stand up, step in, and speak-out against violence. This event is open to the public. WHAT: Free Screening of “The Invisible War” WHEN: 7-9 p.m., April 30 WHERE: Coffee Bandits INFO: Women’s Programs in the Office of Student Life at UC Merced, in collaboration with Valley Crisis Center present an Academy Award nominated documentary about sexual assault in the United States Military. There will be free coffee and drinks for the public while supplies last. A discussion will follow after the screening.
Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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Theater Playhouse Merced
Photo by Dan Hong Back row from left — Penelope Pennywise (Dianne Kocher) Caldwell B. Cladwell (Stephen Mouillesseaux), Officer Lockstock (Jim Kocher). Front row from left — Hope Cladwell (Liz Belloli) and Bobby Strong (Corey Strauss) in Playhouse Merced’s production of “Urinetown: The Musical”
What in the heck is ‘Urinetown’?
W
Words by Jim Kocher jimmkocher@att.net
hat is Urinetown? According to the title song of Playhouse Merced’s current production (April 12 – April 28), Urinetown’s a place. It’s a lie. “A means to keep the poor in check until the day they die.” It’s a musical that is sure to raise a number of eyebrows just based on the title alone: “Urinetown: The Musical.” The satirical comedy tells the tale of a postapocalyptic society where a 20-year water shortage has allowed a large corporation, Urine Good Company, to start charging people Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
high fees in order for them to do their private business — yep — go to the bathroom. If the citizens of the community are caught ‘going for free’ they are sent to this mythical place; this bad place called Urinetown. With that premise, “Urinetown: The Musical” launches into its story. The young hero Bobby Strong decides to begin a grassroots uprising to try to force Urine Good Company, led by Caldwell B. Caldwell, to allow the citizens of their small town to be able to pee for free. Along the way, Strong must contend with his supervisor Penelope Pennywise, who runs the www.thedlm.com
poorest, filthiest urinal in town, evade local policeman Officer Lockstock, and oh yeah, fall in love with Caldwell’s daughter, Hope. Will the citizens of the town be able to escape the crushing grip of Urine Good Company and be able to ‘go’ freely? That’s the central conceit of the show. Written in 1998 by newcomers Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, “Urinetown: The Musical” made its debut on Broadway September 20, 2001, where it opened to good reviews and even better ticket sales, subsequently winning three 2002 Tony awards including Best Original Musical Score. The show ran for a solid 964 performances before closing January, 2004. Playhouse Merced’s production is being directed by Joe Hypes and musically directed by Darrel Lingenfelter. Hypes and Lingenfelter have worked together at Playhouse on such shows as “Sweeney Todd” “Something’s Afoot” and “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.” “Darrel and I have fun together,” says Hypes, “plus, he has a great way of organizing and teaching the music, which is plentiful and a bit complicated.” Lingenfelter also musically directed “Urinetown: The Musical” at Golden Valley High School a
couple years ago. “I think it’s a wonderful show,” he says, “not only is the music really good, but it’s very, very funny.” The cast consists of a mix of Playhouse Merced veterans and new comers with Corey Strauss as Bobby Strong, Liz Belloli as Hope, Stephen Mouillesseaux as Caldwell B. Cladwell, Dianne Kocher as Penelope Pennywise and Jim Kocher as Officer Lockstock. Rounding out the cast is Chris Battisti, Melissa Beckwith, Alicia Bohlke, John Callihan, Dave Elam, Dusty Guthier, Danaelle Lewis, Sergio Lopez, Bridget Mitchell, Madison Mitchell, Jake Nelson, Rachel Rodrigues, Carolina Stevens and Jeshamon Volkerts. A combination of melodrama, classic musical theatre and a wacked out story, “Urinetown: The Musical” is filled with great music, hilarious characters, and a story line that pushes the envelope for sure. “You’re at Urinetown / Your ticket should say Urinetown / No refunds this is Urinetown / All by Design” (Playhouse Merced’s production of “Urinetown: the Musical” plays April 12 – April 28, 2013. For tickets call (209) 725-8587.)
Recurring Events
APRIL EVENTS
MUSIC AT J&R TACOS
WHAT: Patty Lou and the Flower Pots entertain at J&R Tacos. WHEN: 7:31 p.m., Every Wednesday WHERE: Playhouse Merced INFO: Facebook
COFFEE BANDITS OPEN MIC WHAT: Local talent showcasing their skills. WHEN: 8 p.m., 1st and 3rd Wednesday of month WHERE: Coffee Bandits INFO: Facebook
PARTISAN OPEN MIC
WHAT: Local talent showcasing their skills. WHEN: 8 p.m., Every Monday WHERE: The Partisan INFO: Facebook
BRAINGAZM
WHAT: Pub trivia game. Groups compete in rounds of trivia and physical challenges to win prizes. WHEN: 9 p.m.,Every Tuesday WHERE: The Partisan INFO: Facebook
POETRY JAM
WHAT: Local poets read and share their work. WHEN: 8 p.m., 4th Wednesday WHERE: Coffee Bandits INFO: Facebook
CONJUNTOS
WHAT: An artist, poet and musician create improvised work on the spot WHEN: Last Sunday of every month. WHERE: J&R Tacos INFO: Facebook
BAD FICTION NIGHT
We need your help, send us your event information to: tom@thedlm.com or call (209) 777-6176
WHAT: What is the worst thing you’ve ever read? Come share with the group WHEN: 2nd Wed of month WHERE: Coffee Bandits INFO: Facebook
FARMER’S MARKET
WHAT: Certified Farmer’s Market in Downtown Merced. WHEN: 8 a.m.-Noon, every Saturday WHERE: 18th and N Street INFO: http://www.mercedcfm.com
Downtown Bus Schedule
12 Jessica Styler Band
WHAT: DLM Live presents the third house show in it’s new series featuring touring and local artists playing in living rooms and backyards around Merced.This month we feature the Jessica Styler Band, Awahnichi and the Lost Cats Duo. WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Deans Household (444 W. 26th Street) COST: $10 INFO : www.thedlm.com
Departure times for a few popular bus stops on the UC Merced/Downtown loop
13 Mr. Miss & Ms. Gay
Location
WHAT: The Mr. Miss and Ms. Gay Merced Pageant is a Moulin Rouge themed party with free food, a no-host bar and larger than life entertainment celebrating the LBGT community. WHEN: 5 p.m. WHERE: Merced Women’s Clubhouse (707 W. 22nd St.) COST: $15 INFO : Facebook
14 Socorra at Bobcat Day
WHAT: Come celebrate Bobcat Day! Socorra will be selling her CD, “Little by Little.” Proceeds will benefit The Center for the Protection of Girls in Fez (Morocco). Five dollars from each $15 cd purchase goes to this organization to help empower and protect girls. WHEN: 8 p.m. WHERE: Coffee Bandits (309 W. Main Street.) COST: Free INFO : Facebppl
21 The Art Hop
WHAT: Downtown’s popular outdoor art exhibit featuring artists showcasing their work inside local businesses. WHEN: 5-9 p.m. WHERE: Downtown Merced COST: Free INFO : www.mercedarthop.com
26 “Rarest Bird” CD Release
WHAT: Songwriter, Coffee lover, and Ukulele player Alison Rush will be performing at Coffee Bandits to celebrate the release of her first album. Hear it before anyone else. WHEN: 8 p.m.. WHERE: Coffee Bandits (309 W. Main Street) COST: Free INFO: Facebook
27 Adam Carolla in Merced
WHAT: MiddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival featuring hilarious independent comedies all day long and a live stage performance by Adam Carolla WHEN: All Day WHERE: Coffee Bandits (309 W. Main Street) COST: $25-$45 INFO : www.middlestatefilmfestival.com
Monday through Friday Route 22
Times
Main & K Street (Hollywood Theater)
7:18, 7:48, 8:18, 8:48, 9:18, 9:58, 10:28, 10:58, 11:28, 11:58, 12:38, 1:08, 1:48, 2:18, 2:48, 3:33, 4:03, 4:33, 5:03, 5:48, 6:18
Merced College (M Street)
7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:10, 9:40, 10:10, 10:40, 11:10, 11:40, 12:20, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:45, 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, 6:00, 6:30
Paulson & Yosemite (Starbucks)
7:38, 8:08, 8:38, 9:18, 9:48, 10:18, 10:48, 11:18, 11:48, 12:28, 12:20, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:45, 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, 6:00, 6:30
UC Merced Kolligian Library (Arrival)
7:43, 8:13, 8:43, 9:23, 9:53, 10:23, 10:53, 11:23, 11:53, 12:33, 1:13, 1:43, 2:13, 2:43, 3:13, 3:58, 4:28, 4:58, 5:28, 6:13, 6:43
UC Merced Kolligian Library (Departure)
7:45, 8:15, 8:45, 9:25, 9:55, 10:25, 10:55, 11:25, 12:05, 12:35, 1:15, 1:45, 2:15, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:15, 5:45
Paulson & Yosemite (Starbucks)
7:50, 8:20, 8:50, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:10, 12:40, 1:20, 1:50, 2:20, 3:05, 3:35, 4:05, 4:35, 5:20, 5:50
Merced College (M Street)
7:57, 8:27, 8:57, 9:37, 10:07, 10:37, 11:07, 11:37, 12:17, 12:47, 1:27, 1:57, 2:27, 3:12, 3:42, 4:42, 4:12, 4:42, 5:27, 5:57
Friday & Saturday Nights
Departure times for a few popular bus stops on the UC Merced/Downtown loop (10 p.m.-2:35 a.m.) NiteCat Line Location
Times
UC Merced Kolligian Library (Arrival)
10:04, 11:14, 12:24, 1:34
Merced Mall Theatre
10:28, 11:38, 12:48, 1:58
Main & M Street (Hollywood Theater)
10:46, 11:56, 1:06, 2:16
Scholars Lane
11:05, 12:15, 1:25, 2:35
Morning
Afternoon & Evening
For complete schedule go to www.cattracks.org
J E S S IC A S T Y L E R
T
Words by Nathan Quevedo nathan@thedlm.com
he first time someone hears Jessica Styler’s music, the unique instrument that most of her music is centered around is apparent. Its unique UFO shape and homemade appearance would likely turn anyone’s head.
Music Jessica Styler What those listeners likely wouldn’t know about is the wide range of instruments she plays, including the ukulele, piano, concertina, dotar, autoharp, Celtic harp and vocals. Moreover, the fact that she majored in vocal performance in college and studied and performed classical music for 15 years would likely surprise them more. She first saw that unique instrument, the Hang, in the Bay Area nearly a decade ago. “I saw someone play it eight years ago in Berkeley,” she says in a phone interview from her Oakland apartment. “It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.” The instrument is constructed from two halfshells of steel sheet glued together at the rim leaving the inside hollow and creating a distinct UFO shape. Styler, 31, grew up in the Los Angeles area, but has lived in the Bay Area for years and is, for the most part, a lifelong Californian. “My mom’s from Mill Valley and half my family lives up here,” she says. Her first encounter with the Hang had a profound change in her scholastic career. “I basically went back to college and finished my last year because I knew my dad would help my go to Switzerland so I could buy this instrument,” she says laughing. She has a genuine, almost infectious laugh and very honest approach about life and her music. Purchasing a Hang is not like walking into a store and buying a guitar — thousands of people are denied. “You have to send a letter in the mail requesting to buy one and they choose you,” she says. “It was invented in 2001 and I’ve been playing for six years.” She says her focus through college wasn’t necessarily on music performance. “While I was in college I got really into the music business … but when I saw the hang, I refocused my interest back to music,” she says. She also sees the Hang as different from other more traditional instruments. “The thing is, the Hang on its own is very much Like Us on Facebook www.facebook.com/thedlm
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a new age, healing instrument,” she says, adding that for the majority of people that play the Hang, it’s among many other instruments that they play. She sees her style of songwriting and playing with the Hang as transformational. “I’m taking the Hang out of a new age genre and bringing it more into a jazzy, groovy sound,” she says. She admits that her full band, The Jessica Styler Trio, only plays a handful of shows because of financial constraints. “As a full band, we probably only play three or four times a year,” she says. Having worked on the business side of music, she sees the opportunities and limitations. “There’s all these ways to do crowdsourcing and that’s helped musicians raise money,” she says. “It helps you to be on (Spotify), but I’m not gonna put myself on there. … I think music’s eventually going to be free.” If the music is free, the artist has to figure out how to make money somehow. “The way to continue to keep making money is to play shows and play big ones,” she says laughing. Styler says she’s played more than 150 concerts during the past six years and a few of those were with the most famous Hang player in the world, Manu Delago. “We did a tour a few years ago and played some shows — a series of concerts in California,” she says. Delago toured with Bjork and is on Bjork’s new album. We end the conversation on a slightly different note. “I’m also a sound healer and I use songs,“ she says, quite serious. “I usually say I’m healing with sounds. … When I play the Hang I can get to a place of instant connection.” Styler, who says that she’s a certified sound healer, explains: “We’re all vibrational beings … It makes sense that we can use vibration to heal ourselves and we have the power to heal our own bodies.” Check out Styler’s healing sounds on April 14 at the DLM Live show with Awahnichi. Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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Film MIddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival
IT’S A DISASTER DLM talks to director Todd Berger about his star-studded new film
Contributed Photo Four couples are trapped together in what is the worst brunch ever in “It’s a Disaster,” The MiddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival’s prime time screening on April 27.
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ou may see him in new FedEX or ancestry.com commercials. You may recognize his voice from a 30-minute cartoon short. Regardless if you’ve heard of him, Todd Berger’s “It’s A Disaster” is one of the featured films at the Middlestate Independent Comedy Film Festival and definitely worth its hour-and-a-half running time. Berger’s career in the film industry ranges from Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
Words by Nathan Quevedo nathan@thedlm.com short documentaries about post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans to a small role in the NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation” to voice work as the pig server in a “Kung Fu Panda” short. “I did not get a call from my talent agent saying ‘they want you as the pig server,’” Berger says from his Eagle Rock home during a telephone interview. It’s obvious he’s been a comedy writer for some time. Berger, who turned 34 on
April 5, was born and raised in New Orleans. As a huge fan of NBC Thursday night, I had to ask what it was like to work on the set of “Parks and Rec.” “It’s shot like a documentary,” says Berger. “They have two cameras that are just roaming around like a documentary.” His role in the episode was a photographer. “The scene I was in, I had like three lines,” he says, but that was just the first take. www.thedlm.com
He says they film it once as it’s supposed to be according to the script, then do a few more takes with more of an improv approach. “There was one take that was like four minutes long,” he says. So what was it like to meet the star of the show? “I had actually met Amy Poehler before,” he explains. They were both in the 2006 film “Southland Tales” about a futuristic L.A. in the throws of World War III. “The days I was on set for ‘Southland Tales’ were the days Hurricane Katrina hit and the levees were breaking,” Berger says. He was supposed to be the comedic relief for filming that day as he watched parts of his hometown get destroyed. When he arrived on the set of “Parks and Rec,” Poehler recognized him as the New Orleans guy. “We realized we need to talk about something else because that’s a bummer,” he says. He also had the opportunity to meet the show’s popular mustachewielding Ron Swanson, played by Nick Offerman, who needed no introduction. “It’s funny when a celebrity introduces themselves because you’re like ‘I know who you are,’ ” Berger says. His latest release, “It’s A Disaster,” is a fast-paced ensemble comedy about what sounds like the worst brunch ever. “It’s four couples at different stages of their relationships,” he says. Some catastrophic event hits the city and they become trapped in the house they
were invited to for brunch. Berger wrote and directed the film, which features, among many other actors, David Cross and Julia Stiles. If you missed the above sentence: David Cross is in this film. I was not shy about my affinity for the co-writer of “Mr. Show with Bob and David” and the actor who plays Tobius Fünke in the soon-to-be-revived “Arrested Development” series. “He had just finished up ‘(The Increasingly Poor Decisions of) Todd Margaret’ and the ‘Chipmunks’ movie,” says Berger. The script was appealing from a production standpoint because there weren’t multiple locations. “Here’s something cheap we can do; we can shoot it in my house over the weekend,” he says. A friend of a friend introduced him to Julia Stiles a few years back and Berger first approached her with the script. She was in. The next actor to sign on was America Ferrera, probably best known for her role in the 2005 film “Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants” and as the star of the ABC comedy “Ugly Betty.” She was interested, and it just so happened that her costar from “Sisterhood” was dating Cross at the time (they’re now married). Ferrera got the script to Cross and he agreed to take on a roll. “He said in an interview that he made more doing the third ‘Chipmunks’ movie than everything else he’s ever done combined,” says Berger, laughing. This could have been part of the motivation for such a
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Film MIddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival
big star to take a smaller role in an indie film. Every actor in the production was paid the Screen Actors Guild minimum per day (this is a surprisingly difficult number to find, though Berger guessed it was around $100). “Legally, the least amount we’re allowed to pay,” he says. He also said some actors just want to do something different or work with a particular person. “A lot of actors want to work with each other because they’ve worked together before, or they want to work with them (because of their reputation),” Berger says. The filming went faster than
most productions. “We shot the whole movie in 14 days,” he says, adding that for half the time it was the hottest week of the year reaching temperatures of 109 in the West Adams region of L.A. Though it was filmed in Southern California, Berger says “I go to great lengths to make it really confusing where exactly it is.” He uses park and street names from different cities throughout the country. “Maybe it takes place in your town,” he says wryly. Contributed Image Buy tickets for “It’s a Disaster” will be screened the film festival at at 6 p.m. on April 27 at the Mermiddlestatefilmfestival.com. ced Theatre.
THE SCHEDULE
APRIL 26 Opening Reception and film talk/Multicultural Arts Center APRIL 27 Program 1 (11:30 am): Wake and Watch! Program 2 (2 pm): “Wrong” + Short Film Program Program 3 (6 pm): “It’s a Disaster” + Short Film Program ADAM CAROLLA (9 pm): Stand-up performance
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Film MIddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival
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Adam Carolla
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Words by Sam Yniguez sam@thedlm.com
ontrary to popular belief, Adam Carolla does not actively search for things to complain about. Still, the 48-year-old comedian/podcaster has made quite a living out of sounding off on things that bother him. And, much to the delight of his audience, there’s no topic that’s too controversial (or mundane, for that matter). On any given episode of “The Adam Carolla Show” – his daily podcast – you might hear him and his cohorts (Alison and “Bald” Bryan) involved in a heated discussion with their guest that day, about a serious topic such as gun control, only to be followed by Carolla lamenting — with the same amount of passion – on the ideal time to arrive at someone else’s house for a party. That freedom to bounce from topic to topic without having to adhere to a format of any kind is the appeal of podcasting. It’s also one of the reasons why podcasts have exploded in popularity over the last few years. The ability to conduct longform interviews was especially enticing to Carolla. So when his morning show was canceled four years ago due to a station format change, it didn’t take long (basically the weekend) before he found himself back behind a microphone. Only this time, he was his own boss. And it wasn’t like Carolla couldn’t pursue other avenues. He had already experienced success in TV (The Man Show, Crank Like Us on Facebook www.facebook.com/thedlm
Yankers) and movies (The Hammer). But Carolla is a radio guy at heart and the opportunity to do an unfiltered version of what he loves doing the most was too great to pass up. Ironically, it turns out that doing the podcast allows him to be able to pursue those other interests. But starting your own podcast network isn’t cheap and in order to pay for a new studio and ever-increasing bandwith, Carolla had to get back to his comedic roots and start doing stand-up. He didn’t have an act per se, but he was able to rely on his gift of gab and background in improv. Now a seasoned comic who has toured all over the nation, Carolla brings his one-man show to the Merced Theatre on April 27 to close out the MiddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival. No stranger to the independent film circuit himself, Carolla‘s “The Hammer” got positive reviews when it debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007. It was released nationwide in 2008. I got the chance to speak with The Ace Man about a new film he’s working on, his podcast empire, his new wine-making venture and that infamous interview with Lt. Governor Gavin Newsome. Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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Film MIddleState Independent Comedy Film Festival
DLM: So are you completely done with radio? AC: They’d have to back a Brink’s truck up to my driveway, and then as it’s leaving, it has to pass another Brink’s truck that’s on its way here. DLM: But isn’t it true that you were offered a multi-million dollar deal and you turned it down? AC: It was a radio/TV deal and, yeah, I just thought the future would be brighter here. I turned out to be right, actually.
“I say what’s on my mind, give my point of view and I don’t think about what people want to hear.” — Adam Carolla
DLM: You do a lot of shows, both in your studio and on the road. With all the talking you do, you can’t help but get into your personal life which includes your wife (Lynette) and children (6-year-old twins Sonny and Natalia). How does your wife feel about you talking about your personal life as much as you do? AC: She used to get pissed DLM: It seems like everyone off about it, but she’s mellowed has a podcast these days. Is out now. And to be honest, I the media already in danger have too. She has her own of becoming oversaturated or podcast and it’s doing pretty is there room for everyone? well too. AC: There’s room for everyone who’s good. The DLM: How has having market will decide if they children affected your brand of want to hear what you have comedy? to say. It’s not really so much AC: I don’t know if it has. about room. For instance, I mean, I try to learn and see I’ve got a new wine out now things from other points of view. called Mangria. But if you I don’t want to be Andrew Dice asked me before if there was Clay doing Andrew Dice Clay room for another brand of when he’s 70. Or Carrot Top booze…well, there’s room for for that matter. I like growing, Mangria because it’s good. changing and evolving. But But there is no room for a honestly there’s no conscious crappy product. People try to decision for me. I say what’s on break it down different ways. my mind, give my point of view But what it boils down to is if and I don’t think about what the funniest guy on the planet people want to hear, or what wants to podcast, then there’s my audience wants to hear. I room. think you’re dead in the water DLM: Why do you think podcasts have become so popular? AC: People like to hear unfettered voices and the radio format doesn’t allow for that. So a lot of personalities have found their way to podcasts and their fans have followed them.
Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
if you do that. Just say what you want to say and people will either like it or they won’t. DLM: Something that recently got a lot of ink was your discussion about race and the family dynamic when you had Lt. Governor Gavin Newsome in the studio. Not to completely rehash that ordeal, but looking back on it, did you expect to get more out of him or did you pretty much get what you expected? AC: I had no preconceived notions, that’s not how I go into any interview I do. I just do it and then I attempt to get at whatever truth I can. I didn’t even bring it (race) up. He did. I wasn’t even planning on talking about that topic, but since he brought it up I wanted to discuss it and, well, you heard how it ended up. DLM: “The Hammer” was your labor of love and you said you would never make another independent movie, yet here you are working on a new film. What made you change your mind? AC: Well, Judd Apatow saw my first film and said I should make a second one, so I thought ‘OK’. Plus, this whole Kickstarter thing really got me going too. So, I thought if we can do it our own way and have it done completely independently then we’ll do another one. It was at this point that Carolla had to go. My next question was going to be about what people who come to see him can expect. I guess we’ll have to wait until showtime to find out, but we do know one thing: He will have an opinion to share. www.thedlm.com
april 26-27
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Art California Centered Printmaking Show
Contributed Images “I wish it were a cortoon” relief linocut print by Noriho Uriu, one of last year’s winners of the California-Centered Printmaking show at the Arts Center.
Print is Alive
MCAC’s California-Centered Printmaking Show enters seventh year
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Words by Tom Price tom@thedlm.com
n California, printmaking is king. Dozens of California-based associations, guilds and societies are filled with members who are award-winning printmaking artists. And for the past seven years, the Merced Multicultural Arts Center has been home to one of the fastest growing printmaking shows in the state — The California-Centered Printmaking Contest. This year’s show received 120 entries from 70 artists and will open on April 18 with a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on April 19. Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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“The payoff for me with this show is that Merced is known for something in particular. And something that you wouldn’t necessarily think Merced is known for,” says Joey Essig, operation’s director. “This is a printmaking show that is statewide and highlights the best in California printmaking. And because of the longevity we are starting to develop traditions and I just want to keep making it bigger and bigger.” Printmaking by definition is an art form consisting of the production of images, usually on paper but occasionally on fabric, parchment, plastic, or other support, by various techniques of multiplication. The definition is somewhat vague because the practice is always evolving and the techniques range from the use of hand-carved tools chiseling wooden plates, to etching and lithography. “Right now we are open to any traditional printmaking medium,” says Essig. “We will eventually have to expand upon them because I think techniques are expanding a little bit.” One of the artists featured in this year’s show is Cianna Valley. She uses a technique called etching with a sugar lift. Her images are spectacularly detailed and filled with quirky, dark and thought-provoking entry points. “I started working with the idea of memories changing over time. I read this study that every time you revisit a memory from the past it changes,” says Valley. “With the pieces at the show I tried to work with the idea of childhood memories and how they are affected by my adult understanding of the world. The scenes are very reminiscent of the environment I grew up in and I just twisted them a little.” Valley’s work will be shown in the Arts Centers main gallery and the upstairs gallery will showcase the work of last year’s winners Peter Baczek and Caryl Christian Levy. “Ultimately, this show is not as big as I would like it to be,” says Essig, who is a printmaking collector himself, with four pieces purchased from the show over the years. “My hope is that we are in the seventh year now and we keep growing this thing and make it one of the premier printmaking shows in the state.” The reception on April 19 is free to the public and will provide an opportunity to meet some of the artists and learn about California’s great printmaking tradition. Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thedlm
Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
Alison Rush Words by Montse Reyes montse@thedlm.com
Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
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F
ollowing the fateful acquisition of a ukulele, Alison Rush sort of fell into songwriting. Now, two years later, the newly settled Merced resident finds herself wrapping her first album, titled “Rarest Bird,” with a release scheduled at Coffee Bandits on April 27 to celebrate the whole experience. Rush’s songwriting efforts began in 2010, when she inherited a ukulele. Despite being a novice to the four –stringed instrument, Rush was not without prior musical knowledge. Her experience playing the piano all throughout high school proved beneficial, not to mention her
explains, “I think that the more confidence I’ve gained in my ability to stimulate people, make them laugh, make them think, make them cry, the more I want to perform.” Inspired by musician Amanda Palmer’s fundraising success story, Rush took to Kickstarter, an internet-based funding platform for creative projects, to fund her album. On Kickstarter, individuals can launch any sort of creative project, from films and books to games and food, allowing people from all over the world to fund their prospective endeavor. After getting their project approved, creators will set a funding goal, deadline and rewards for backers.
their choosing” Described by her aunt as “prose rock”, Rush’s music is lyric-driven and verbose peppered with pop sensibilities. Aptly nicknamed the “classic rock project,” many of the songs on “Rarest Bird” are lyrical takes on ancient Latin poems. She personally translated the poems into English and then wrote the song lyrics based upon the translations. Rush’s desire to transform the mundane, ordinary, or not typically appealing into something beautiful speaks to her own personal mythology and perception of art. “Everybody needs that deep meaningfulness,” she remarks.
“I’ve always loved words and poetry and witty, clever songs. So, at a certain point I thought ‘OK, I can maybe make some of my own.’ ” — Alison Rush
involvement with other artistic mediums, like painting and dancing. “I’ve always loved words and poetry and witty, clever songs. So, at a certain point, I thought ‘Ok, I can maybe make some of my own.’” What initially began as a few performances at an open mic night in San Francisco grew into something larger when Rush made the conscious decision to make music more than a mere hobby. After overcoming what she thought to be a horrendous first performance, Rush made it a point to keep playing, eventually growing to view it as an outlet for self-expression. “I’ve become sort of addicted to performing.” Rush Downtown Life Magazine April 2013
Rush asked for $2,000 to cover recording, packaging and reward costs. Within the first week she had met her goal and by the deadline she was blown away to see the project had raised over $3,000. Her success with Kickstarter left Rush excited about the direction in which the music industry is changing. “It’s democratizing art and the production of art in a way I don’t think would have been possible without the Internet,” she elaborated. “It’s not about making people pay for music anymore,” Rush continues, “It’s about creating mechanisms for people to support the arts in a way of
“There are very few things in the world that have the power to make everyday life become larger than life. Everybody has a personal mythology,” she says. “I think that the works of art, music, dance or whatever we choose to supplement that mythology with gets built into who we are.” The East Coast transplant has never lived in a small town before, but she finds herself embracing the lack of “comfortable anonymity” she’d grown accustomed to in big cities. “Getting involved with the artistic community here is just about one of the coolest things I could be doing at the moment.” www.thedlm.com
ork Artw
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Bobcat Art Show 2013 April 1 to May 2 UCM Art Gallery (SSM106) and Kolligan Library 5200 N Lake Road, Merced CA
Artists’ Reception Thursday, April 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m. UCM Art Gallery Sponsored by Arts UC Merced Presents UCM Art Gallery UC Merced Library For more information: arts.ucmerced.edu 209-228-4566
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