Page 2, The Loafer • January 13, 2015
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January 13, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 3
Volume 29 Issue #6
in this issue .... 4
Guide to local theatre
9
Tim White & Friends at Carter Fold
10
An evening with Blue Highway
16
Della Mae & Sierra Hull at NPAC
17
“Foggy Valley Idol” at Lamplight
music & fun 12 20
Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times Crossword & Sudoku
columns & reviews
Guide to Local Theatre
14 15 18 19 21 22
Stargazer Skies This Week Fine & Dandy - Mid City Grill Screen Scenes - Into The Woods Batteries Not Included Kelly’s Place
Publisher - Bill Williams • Editor/Graphic Arts Director - Don Sprinkle • Office Manager - Luci Tate Cover Design - Bill May Advertising - Dave Carter, Terry Patterson Contributing Staff - Jim Kelly, Andy Ross, Ken Silvers, Mark Marquette, Jessica Gilliam Published by Tree Street Media, LLC., P.O. Box 3238, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com • info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com (editorial) adcopy@theloaferonline.com (advertising) All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any loss of expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement,including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.
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Three Venues in 2015: Barter Theatre Main Stage, Barter Stage II and The Tent at Barter Square
Barter Theatre began in 1933 with one man’s idea to have patrons pay with produce and has grown today into a yearround theatre with more than 160,000 visitors each year. A Unique Beginning During the Depression, Robert Porterfield, an enterprising young actor, returned to his native Southwest Virginia with an extraordinary proposition: Bartering produce from the farms and gardens of the region to gain admission to see a play. So on June 10, 1933, Barter Theatre opened its doors, proclaiming “With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh.” The price of admission was 40 cents or equivalent amount of produce. Four out of five Depression-era theatregoers paid their way with vegetables, dairy products and livestock. The actors performing at the building were distracted not only by the occasional squealing pig or clucking hen, but noise from the town jail, which was located directly beneath the stage. The jail space was later used as a holding area for dogs suspected of rabies. It was eventually converted into dressing rooms for Barter actors. To the surprise of many, all the seats for the first show were filled. The concept of trading “ham for Hamlet” caught on quickly. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly, and a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds. Today, at least one performance a year celebrates the Barter heritage by accepting
donations for an area food bank as the price of admission. Barter Stage II Barter Theatre Stage II was constructed in 1829 as a Methodist church. Only the main building of the church was not destroyed by fire in 1914; it was later used by the Martha Washington College as a gymnasium and a storage area. In 1961, the building was renovated by Barter Theatre as a small theatre, with major improvements made in 1973 and again in 1985, when additions included a lobby and the Jessie Ball DuPont Memorial Theatre Garden. The unique performance space features 167 seats around a thrust stage, with patrons only a few feet away from the performers. Barter Stage II is favored by actors and audiences for its intimate setting.
127 W. Main Street Abingdon VA. (276) 628-3991 www.bartertheatre.com
Spring Rep The Road to Appomattox STII February 5—February 22 Anything Goes BT February 14—May 16 The Miracle Worker BT February 26—May 16 Love, Sex and the IRS STII March 5—April 19 The Gnome STII March 13—May 16 The Starving STII April 21—May 9 Stonewall Country BT April 23—May 9 June 18—June 21 (The Tent) Summer Rep Mary’s Wedding STII May 16—June 28 Mary Poppins BT May 23—August 9 Southern Fried Nuptials BT June 4—August 8 The Marvelous Wonderettes ST II June 11—August 8 The Understudy STII July 1—August 9
Fall Rep The Blind Man’s Tale BT August 12—23 Shake, Rattle and Roll BT August 27—September 6 Confessions of a Liar STII September 3—September 19 The Three Musketeers BT September 12—November 14 The Doyle and Debbie Show STII September 22—November 15 Curtains! BT September 25—November 14 I’ll Be Back Before Midnight STII October 3—November 14 Christmas Rep Miracle on 34th Street BT November 20—December 27 Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol STII November 24—December 20 The Tent Stonewall Country June 18—June 21 Keep on the Sunny Side June 10—July 19 The Boy in the Box August 13—August 30 The Santaland Diaries December 2—December 23
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Jonesborough Repertory Theatre Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Jonesborough featuring quality shows throughout the year. The Theatre has grown to selling out nearly all performances with popular productions including Shrek The Musical, Hairspray the Broadway Musical, Smokey Joe’s Café, A Grand Night for Singing and the 1940s USO Show. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre values live theatre as an entertaining and educational event providing a unique opportunity for audiences and artists to share experiences that can be enjoyable, uplifting and thought-provoking. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is dedicated to being a nurturing environment for seasoned and developing artists. The plays we choose, our educational programs, our children’s theatre and special events are dedicated to enriching the lives for residents and guests of the region. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is located at 125 ½ West Main Street in Historic Downtown Jonesborough. For information on upcoming shows, auditions and activities at the Theatre visitwww.jonesboroughtheatre.com, call their Box Office at 423788-3403 or email jrtinfo@yahoo.com. For tickets, call 423-753-1010.
Remainder of 2014-2015 Season Singin’ in the Rain 1/22 – 2/15 Pride and Prejudice 3/13 - 3/29 The 39 Steps 4/9 - 4/19 Father of the Bride 5/8 - 5/24 1940’s USO Show 6/26 - 7/12
2015-2016 Season
Opening Production TBA 8/14 – 9/6 The Wizard of Oz 10/23 – 11/8 Miracle on 34th Street 12/3 – 12/20 Anything Goes 1/29 – 2/14 Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window 3/3 - 3/13 Bye Bye Birdie 4/8 – 4/24 Sense and Sensibility 5/13 – 5/22 1940s USO Show 6/24 – 7/10
A family owned and operated dinner theatre located in the heart of downtown Johnson City, TN. Enjoy an intimate candle-lit 3 course meal in an elegant setting then prepare yourself for an outstanding entertainment experience. “Our journey began years ago when we were “starving” New York actors. We were lucky enough to be “employed starving” actors but we wanted more. We had a strong desire to start a family of our own but keep doing what we loved-theatre. The Blue Moon Dinner Theatre was started in 2008 as a way to merge our two passions – theatre and family. They are both at the very core of our being. We wouldn’t be here now, opening our doors without the love and support of our family. It would be impossible to pay them due thanks for the countless hours they have donated and the sacrifices they have made to ensure the success of the Blue Moon Dinner Theatre. We are also passionate about the revival of downtown Johnson City. We feel privileged
to call Johnson City our home and will do everything in our power to ensure that our downtown keeps growing and thriving. There are so many new and exciting businesses here and new ones are opening up every day! The arts community here is a strong one and we are excited to be a part of it. We’ve had such an outpouring of support from local theatres and businesses. We are dedicated as business owners and as a family to contribute to the growth of the arts here in Johnson City and the surrounding areas. It is with great excitement and years of anticipation that we open our doors to you, the public. We welcome you to feel like one of the family and invite you to share in our love of theatre! Come in. Eat, drink and be merry! 215 E. Main Street, Johnson City TN. (423) 232-1350 For more information visit: www.bluemoondinnertheatre.com
Feb 13-28
2015 Season:
“Funny Little Thing Called Love” a comedy by Jones Hope Wooten Mar 27-April 11
“Like Kissing Moonlight”
a world premiere drama by Stacey Bracey
Northeast State’s Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts opened in the fall of 2008. The complex features a 500seat theatre and a stage that offers state-ofthe-art lighting and sound. Since opening, the theatre has hosted tens of thousands of patrons who have enjoyed a myriad of events including concerts, plays, ballets, authors and poets, and pop-culture speakers. Most of the events at the facility are free and open to the public. The venue is located at 2425 Highway 75, adjacent to the Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The theatre has disability access and seating and free park-
ing is available in campus lots. For more information, visit www.northeaststate.edu/theatre and www.northeaststate.edu/rcpa. Upcoming events include: Feb. 2 – The Jonathan Blanchard Group – “Music that Fueled the Civil Rights Movement” Feb. 27 – Bluegrass concert with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver March 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, and 29 – The Laramie Project April 16 – Hypnopalooza with Rich Aimes
June 12-21 “Rent” - the first local production of this Pulitzer prize winning musical Johnson City Community Theatre is by Jonathan Larson proud and excited to be starting its 103rd season of continual performing in Johnson Aug 14 - 28 City! 2015 makes JCCT the longest-running “Farce of Nature” community theatre in Tennessee and the a comedy by Jones Hope Wooten sixth longest running theatre in the United States! There is a full season lined up for Oct 9-24 2015 in our 60-year home at 600 E. Maple St., which has recently been renovated and “1 Man, 2 Guvnors” a hilarious British cleaned up for a fantastic season. A new ad- comedy with audience interaction
dition this year are some “pay-as-you-can” performances for select shows - all part of Dec 4-19 our community outreach to let everyone en- “A Charlie Brown Christmas” joy live theatre. For more information or to the beloved classic that families will love adapted for the stage by Eric Schaeffer order tickets visit www.jcct.info.
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Theatre Bristol
Theatre Bristol, located in Bristol, Tennessee, originally established in 1965 as the Bristol Children’s Theatre, is a community theatre with a focus on reaching children performers and audiences. Theatre Bristol holds distinction as the oldest continuously-run children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee, founded by Cathy DeCaterina, and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Theatre Bristol goes into 2015 with big hopes and dreams as we will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary. It is a season that will be golden, revolutionary, classic, full of optimism and magic, featuring the classic fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin, Les Miserables in partnership with the Paramount Center for the Arts, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, and the popular Scrooge! The Musical. 2015 will include a return to the Paramount and the unveiling of a plan to move our facility and our organization into the next 50 years of Theatre Bristol. Cathy’s dream to make a difference in the lives of children through the power of theatre and the arts is a dream we are still committed to today. Currently,Theatre Bristol is an organization with no paid staff. It
is completely run by a volunteer Board of Directors and joined by the Youth Service Board and other tireless and talented volunteers who help make each show happen. It is truly a community theatre, run by people from our community. Productions have an emphasis on quality and a premium on economy. Even with the emphasis on keeping production costs low, there are still “the costs of doing business,” such as royalties, promotional cost, maintenance, and utilities. Sponsorships and advertising, as well as donations sustain Theatre Bristol. It’s a great time to get involved by volunteering (online form at TheatreBristol.org), auditioning, performing or donating. Keep up with Theatre Bristol at www.theatrebristol.org, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheatreBristolTN, or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ theatrebristol1.
Theatre Bristol 2015 Season
Rumpelstiltskin directed by Chris McVey
Auditions are January 17 at 2:00 pm; January 18 at 2:00 pm; and January 20 at 6:00 pm; Theatre Bristol (512 State Street) Performances are three weekends, running March 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, & 29 at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace (506 State Street) Audition information is available here: http://theatrebristol.org/audition/
Les Miserables directed by Glenn Patterson
THEATRE BRISTOL Presents a new production of BOUBLIL and SCHÖNBERG’S LES MISÉRABLES Les Miserables is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI) by arrangement with CAMERON MACKINTOSH LTD. Auditions are March 14, 15, 16, & 17 with callbacks on March 21 at Theatre Bristol (512 State Street) - Audition times for children, men, and women and details available at www.TheatreBristol.org Performances are two weekends, opening June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, in partnership with and presented at the Paramount Center for the Arts
Charlotte’s Web - Auditions TBD
Performances this September at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace (506 State Street) Scrooge! The Musical (returning after sold-out performances in 2014!) directed by Glenn Patterson. Auditions TBD Performances two weekends in November at the Paramount Center for the Arts
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January 13, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 7
Kingsport Theatre Guild The Kingsport Theatre Guild is one of the oldest community theatres in the state, in continuous operation since 1947. J. Fred Johnson, one of Kingsport’s founders, may have been the city’s first prominent Thespian. He appeared in a 1920 theatrical production titled “Everybody’s Husband” for the benefit of the future public library. It wasn’t until 1947, however, that an official community theater was formed and Kingsport Theatre Guild presented its first formal offering, “Yes and No.” Through the years, the Kingsport Theatre Guild has performed in a variety of venues, including a barn on a Eden’s Ridge, School auditorium, Church Fellowship halls, a community center on Sullivan Street, a Fine Arts Center on Church Circle, and, currently, at the Renaissance Center.
Spring 2015 Schedule:
Shakespeare Workshop (Saturdays, January 24 March 14) Alice @ Wonderland (February 20, 21, 27, 28 @ 7 p.m.) (February 21, 22, 28, March 1 @ 2 p.m.) (School Show February 20 @ 10 a.m.) Mad Hatter Tea Party (February 21 @ 4 p.m.) Auditions for Stand and Deliver (February 26, 27 @ 6-9 p.m.) Auditions for Much Ado About Nothing (March 19, 20 @ 6-9 p.m.) Stand and Deliver (April 17, 18, 24, 25 @ 7 p.m.) (April 18, 19, 25, 26 @ 2 p.m.) (School Show April 17 @ 10 a.m.) Much Ado About Nothing (May 15, 16, 22, 23 @ 7 p.m.) (May 16, 17, 23, 24 @ 2 p.m.) (School Show May 15 @ 10 a.m.) 2015-2016 Season Kingsport Theatre Guild announces it’s biggest season ever plus a new series called “KTG:Downtown” The 2015-2016 schedule consisits of 5 shows on it’s Main Stage in the Renaissance Center and 5 shows in it’s new “KTG:Downtown” series at various locations in downtown Kingport. Each month, August – May, will showcase some of Kingpsort’s most talented actors, directors and tech crews in many different genre’s of shows. KTG’s Mainstage venue is located in the historic Renaissance Center Theatre on Center Street, just outside Downtown Kingsport. It can seat around 330, including the balcony, and has one of the best technical setups of community theatre’s in this area. KTG’s Mainstage opens the 2015-2016 season in September with the musical “Annie” followed by “To Kill A Mockingbird” in October. December brings an old Christmas favorite “It’s A Wonderful Life” and the season wraps up with “13, The Musical” in March and “Midsummer Night’s Dream” in May. All 5 Mainstage shows will have school showings of-
fered and will run Friday,Saturday, Sunday for two weekends. KTG:Downtown will involve various venue’s in Downtown Kingsport with more intimate seating from 20 – 50 in each location. These shows will run one weekend only with a 7 p.m. show time on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. KTG:Downtown opens the 2015-2016 Season in August with those six sassy women in “Steel Magnolias” followed by “Things My Mother Taught Me” in November. The new year kicks off with “After” in January, a Valentine treat in February with “Same Time Next Year” and wraps up with “Agnes of God” in April. “Steel Magnolias” (August 6, 7, 8 @ 7 p.m.) “Annie, Musical” (September 11, 12, 18, 19 @ 7 p.m.) (September 12, 13, 19, 20 @ 2 p.m.) (School Shows September 11 & 19 @ 10 a.m.) “To Kill A Mockingbird” (October 23, 24, 30, 31 @ 7 p.m.) (October 24, 25, 31, November 1 @ 2 p.m.) (School Shows October 23, 30 @ 10 a.m.) “Things My Mother Taught Me” (November 19, 20, 21 @ 7 p.m.) “It’s A Wonderful Life” (December 4, 5, 11, 12 @ 7 p.m.) (December 5, 6, 12, 13 @ 2 p.m.) (School Shows December 4, 11 @ 10 a.m.) “After” (January 14, 15, 16 @ 7 p.m.) “Same Time Next Year” (February 12, 13, 14 @ 7 p.m.) “13, The Musical” (March 11, 12, 18, 19 @ 7 p.m.) (March 12, 13, 19, 20 @ 2 p.m.) School shows March 11, 18 @ 10 a.m.) “Agnes of God” (April 14, 15, 16 @ 7 p.m.) “Midsummer Night’s Dream” (May 13, 14, 20, 21 @ 7 p.m.) (May 14, 15, 21, 22 @ 2 p.m.) (School Show May 13 @ 10 a.m.)
1200 E. Center Street Kingsport, TN. (423) 392-8427
www.kingsporttheatre.org
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The Lincoln Theatre is a nonprofit arts organization located in the heart of Downtown Marion, Virginia. An anchor for local tourism, The Lincoln is nationally known for our heritage music brand Song of the Mountains®. This concert series features top performers and rising artists in bluegrass, old time, and Americana music. Song of the Mountains® is a program of The Lincoln Theatre and concerts are held throughout the year. The live concerts are taped and edited for television broadcast. In addition to the Song of the Mountains® concerts, The Lincoln offers a diverse range of live music, theatre, and arts events. In 2014, the theatre celebrated 10 years since the
completion of its restoration and reopening, and the organization made the most of that celebration with the largest schedule of events that the theatre has seen. The Lincoln offers musical performances ranging from the traditional bluegrass and old time to jazz, blues, rock, classical, and more. In 2014, as part of the Anniversary Season, the theatre made a special effort to increase outreach to young audiences with a new series called The Lincoln Listening Room. These concerts feature young, local, and rising artists in an environment focused on listening. Many young bands have to get their start playing in bars and coffeehouses, where audiences are preoccupied with food, drink, and conversa-
tion. The Lincoln wanted to give these musicians an opportunity to play on a professional stage with great acoustics and an audience that is there for the music. The series has brought in some up and coming groups and have paired them with local acts for a unique shared experience. Performers from the season included The Black Lillies, David Wax Museum, and Wayne Graham Band. The first Listening Room concerts in 2015 will feature If Birds Could Fly with Amythyst Kiah and The Shack Band with Badunkafunk. The Lincoln is really excited about the buzz that is generating around this series and has had a great response from musicians and audiences, alike. The 2015 season will
also include theatrical performances by Barter on Tour and Gary Reid’s new one-man play, Life of Sorrow, about the life of Carter Stanley. The Lincoln Theatre’s educational activities for children are also a major part of fulfilling the organization’s mission. The Lincoln Theatre Children’s Chorus just completed its third season of performances and is directed by a group of volunteers and retired teachers. The chorus conducts rehearsals throughout the year to prepare for performances with professional musicians including country music star James Rogers and operatic sensation Daniel Rodriguez. In addition to this program, The Lincoln offers programs such as Missoula Children’s Theatre that operate to expand educational experiences for youth. The Lincoln Theatre is a partner with the new Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts in Downtown Marion and the Spotlight Southwest Virginia theatre network. Through partnerships such as these, the theatre contin-
ues to develop new opportunities for growth and continue its programming with one of the most diverse schedules in the region. The mission of The Lincoln Theatre is to create and sustain a regional center for enrichment, education, and entertainment. Through the quality and integrity of programming and management, The Lincoln Theatre will operate with sensitivity to the diversity of its patrons. The Lincoln Theatre seeks to extend its visibility toward making Smyth County a travel destination. The Lincoln Theatre is a nonprofit arts organization. The theatre receives general operating support from the Town of Marion, Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, the Williams-Berry Foundation, and individual donors from our community. Song of the Mountains® is underwritten for public television in 2015 by the Town of Marion, the Ellis Family Foundation, the Bank of Marion, and Emory & Henry College.
2015 Schedule at: www.thelincoln.org
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Tim White & Friends at Carter Fold Saturday, January 17th, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of bluegrass music by the Tim White and Friends. Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free. Tim White is the banjo picker, guitar picker, and baritone singer for the VW Boys. Through his many years of performing, radio, and production, Tim is both well-known and well-connected in bluegrass and old time circles throughout the U.S. and abroad. Tim will bring along some of the region’s finest musicians for this special show at the Carter Family Fold. Tim is also Executive Coordinator of Song of the Mountains, a nationally syndicated public television show featuring bluegrass, old time, and Americana music. Song of the Mountains was launched in 2005 and is based at the beautiful Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia. The show is broadcast on over 190 PBS outlets across America reaching over 140 million people per year. For additional information, go to www.songofthemountains.org. Tim is a well-known musician, recording artist, radio air person-
ality, concert event promoter, and music preservationist. He is native of Roanoke, Virginia, and a current resident of Blountville, Tennessee. Tim produces and hosts “The Tim White Bluegrass Show” which airs across America on dozens of radio stations and can be heard on the internet. A veteran of radio broadcasting, he started his career in radio in 1989 at Bristol, Virginia’s AM 1490 WOPI radio station and later broadcast for over 11 years on AM 640 WGOC a powerful 10,000 watt station based in East Tennessee. Tim is co-founder of the Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA) - a non-profit organization promoting the music and lifestyle of the southern Appalachian region. The ACMA operates the Mountain Music Museum and the Pickin’ Porch stage at the Bristol Mall in Bristol, Virginia, which showcases the music and performers of our region. Visit www.pickinporch.org. In 1986, he painted the now famous 30 x 100 foot mural on State Street in Bristol, VA-TN paying tribute to the Bristol Sessions of 1927. The mural pictures the main players of these historic sessions including Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, Ernest and Hattie
Stoneman, and talent scout Ralph Peer. In 2003, he helped take the music of the Birthplace of Country Music region to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C. where the VW Boys performed along with other artists from this region. Tim and the VW Boys have also performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, the Ford Theatre at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee, and many other prestigious venues. In 2008 Tim performed on the Grand Ole Opry at both the Ryman Auditorium
and the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, with Virginia’s native son, Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys. For further information on the center, go to www.carterfamilyfold.org. Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at thecrookedroad.org. Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054.
Have an event coming up? Email a press release and photos to:
editorial@theloaferonline.com
Page 10, The Loafer • January 13, 2015
An Evening w/ Grammy nominated contemporary bluegrass band
Blue Highway w/ The Fiddlin’ Carson Peters Band on January 16 at 7:30 pm
The Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts and Engage Kingsport present an evening with Grammy nominated contemporary bluegrass band Blue Highway and special guest The Fiddlin’ Car-
son Peters Band on January 16th, 2015 at the beautiful Renaissance Arts Center Theatre in Kingsport. The show will open Engage Kingsport Performing Arts Series of 2015. All tickets are for reserved seats and available now at www. EngageKinsport.com or by calling the Office of Cultural Art at (423) 392-8414. At the 20-year mark, Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band’s eleven exceptional albums and compelling live performances give proof to the stellar reviews, Grammy nominations, and numerous awards earned by the band since it first took the stage on December 31, 1994. That first performance featured the same musicians that comprise Blue Highway today, making their 20th anniversary all the more remarkable.
With a deep bench of virtuosic songwriters, vocalists and instrumentalists, Blue Highway’s hallmark is an unwavering commitment to the ensemble, the “democracy of the band” that makes Blue Highway a powerhouse. Individually, Jason Burleson (banjo, guitar, mandolin), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Shawn Lane (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals), and Wayne Taylor (bass, vocals) are masters of their respective roles. Together,in Stafford’s words, they are “a democracy in the best sense of the word”: five gifted artists selflessly merging their talents into a seamlessly brilliant group sound. As a result, the band moves from strength to strength, more mature and impressive with each new album. Blue Highway has five gifted writers in its ranks. Rob and Jason turn out the heart-pounding
instrumentals, while Shawn, Tim and Wayne give Blue Highway a depth of songwriting talent unprecedented in sixty years of bluegrass bands. With eleven highly-acclaimed albums to its credit, Blue Highway has garnered two Grammy nominations, a Dove Award, topped the Blue-
grass Unlimited radio charts, and won numerous International Bluegrass Music Association awards. Refusing to coast on past glories, Blue Highway continues to push its music to new levels of accom-
Blue Highway....
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Blue Highway .... Continued on previous page plishment. Artfully balanced between tradition and innovation, it remains in the forefront of contemporary bluegrass music.
with Ricky Skaggs during the 2014 Bluegrass Nights series. Carson says winning trophies and getting your name in the newspaper is “really cool” but that is not the main reason he works so hard at his music. “It’s all about using the talent GOD gave me to make people smile!” Carson truly loves to entertain people! Carson has been blessed to have a
Opening Act: The Fiddlin’ Carson Peters Band Carson Peters, or “Fiddlin’ Carson Peters,” as he is becoming known started playing the fiddle at the ripe old age of 3 when his parents bought him a 1/8 size fiddle. By age 4, he was playing in fiddle competitions and jamming at musical festivals. Carson has continued to hone the fiddlin’ and singing talents that God has so graciously blessed him with and has won many competitions along the way. At ten years old, Carson is a seasoned performer playing numerous venues with his band throughout the region; Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Dollywood’s Bluegrass and BBQ, Asheville’s Bluegrass First Class, Song of the Mountains and WDVX’s World Class Bluegrass concert series to name a few. Carson has also had
the honor to play on national TV as a guest on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as well as play with Jimmy Fortune on the floor of the Tennessee State Senate. On March 28th of 2014, Carson’s dream of playing on the Grand Ole Opry stage was realized when
he was invited by Ricky Skaggs to come and perform with him and Kentucky Thunder. In May of 2014, Cason was asked to make a reappearance at the Opry, but this time with his own band. On July 31st, 2014, Carson made his Ryman Auditorium debut playing
great band to help him entertain audiences at local venues around the region performing old-time, bluegrass and gospel music. The band consists of Tom and Bobbie Dier from Greene County, TN and Carson’s father, Jamie Peters. You can get more info about The Fiddlin’ Carson Peters Band and upcoming shows at their website www.fiddlincarsonpeters.com
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What’s Happenin’ in the Solar System? PLENTY! The New Year brings new challenges for space exploration and discoveries in astronomy, the oldest of the sciences. I think it’s something in our genes that links all humans with the curious desire to look up at the stars. And every trip around the Sun, earthlings learn more about where we live in the Milky Way Galaxy. So let’s whip around the Solar System and catch up on the dozen or so unmanned missions that are unraveling mysteries every year about whom we are and where we’re going.
DWARF PLANETS - The year 2015 will be known for pulling back the curtains on the mysteries of two worlds that have been reclassified from their original discovered status. The first asteroid discovered in 1801, Ceres, and the last planet to be found, Pluto in 1930, will be visualized at last by spacecraft flybys. March 6th is the date when NASA’s spacecraft DAWN will rendezvous and begin orbiting Ceres, now classified as a “dwarf planet.” That change wasn’t nearly as noticeable as the demotion of Pluto on 2006 from planet status to “dwarf planet,” who’s surface will be seen by the New Horizon spacecraft in July2015. The controversial demotion of
Pluto was necessary with the only option being to name three or four newly discovered bodies beyond Pluto as planets. Pluto is barely larger than our Moon and is on the inner fringe of the Kuiper Belt that might contain dozens of objects its size and some 6 billion miles away. Regardless of what you call them, both Ceres and Pluto will reveal for the first time what their surfaces are like. Both have atmospheres and the Hubble Space Telescope has shown interesting surface markings. Do they have exotic lakes of liquid, -200 F. degree methane like Saturn’s moon Titan? Ceres might have polar caps, and Pluto could have ice-spewing geysers. And it’s one large and three small moons will be seen closeup for the first and last time. The excitement is already building on their websites. COMETS - The leftovers from the creation of the Solar System, comets hold the clues to what happened that first billion years of our nearly 5 billion year Sun and the birth of its family. Since Aug. 2014, the European Space Agency’s spacecraft Rosetta has been in a slow orbit around the half-mile lump of rock, ice and frozen gases called Comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko. And on the surface is the world’s first lander on a comet, the clothes washer-sized Philae that worked as planned for three days on batteries and might resume transmission if its solar panels get enough energy. The comet is on an elliptical path around the Sun and will make its closes approach in Autumn 2015. Rosetta and Philae are along for the ride. One discovery already: comets don’t have enough water to seed the Earth’s oceans—it’s the wrong chemical combination than what exists on Earth.
MERCURY - The spacecraft MESSENGER has spent four years on March 18th in orbit about the first planet, and we now have a complete map of this cratered globe. Among significant discoveries is water ice hidden in craters at the North Pole despite a 400 F. degree hot surface elsewhere. When the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging spacecraft ends its mission sometime before 2020, there will be no plans to visit Mercury in the future. VENUS - Earth’s hellish twin with the 30-mile thick sulfur clouds creating a runaway greenhouse of 900 F. degree surface is well known thanks to the NASA Magellan orbiter in the 1990s. European Space Agency’s Venus Express has been orbiting since April 2006, intensely studying the complex atmosphere, and it may have found active volcanoes. It finally ran out of fuel and lost contact in December 2014. By March 2015 it will meet its doom upon reentry in the Venusian atmosphere. MOON - The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has been circling the Moon since June 23, 2009, and has primarily been making 3-D maps for training by future Moon explorers. Little heard about by the public, this $500 million spacecraft has the most powerful cameras and scientific instruments
ever to peer at our celestial neighbor. LRO funding has been extended through 2016 as the spacecraft makes an elliptical orbit that dips 20 miles low and 100 miles high. China landed a rover on the Moon in 2014, and has announced plans for a rover that will return a soil sample—and that could happen in 2015. MARS - The invasion of Earth robots to Mars continues in 2015 as five orbiters from three countries and two American rovers keep a constant observation of the alien world most like ours. India’s MOM, NASA’s Odyssey, MAVEN and Global Surveyor, and Europe’s Express are invaluable with their ears and eyes accumulating science data to the many theories of how Mars evolved. And on the surface touching and tasting the Martian soil is 10-year veteran Opportunity and new rover Curiosity in its second year. Opportunity is experiencing old age problems, particularly in its short-term computer memory. But Curiosity is going strong, finding plenty of evidence that Mars once could have supported microbial life. The big question is if anything is alive on Mars today? JUPITER - NASA’s newest interplanetary robot JUNO will reach Jupiter in August 2016 and from a polar orbit it will study the intense Jovian magnetic field,
gravity field and aurora—as well as taking some new, fabulous photos. SATURN - The 10-year mission of orbiter Cassini has been an incredible success that will continue for at least four more years of funding. The billion-dollar spacecraft has sent back an amazing visual treasure trove of Saturn, the magnificent rings and dozens of moons. Now in an orbit that take it over the poles and close to giant moon Titan, Cassini is trying to unravel this exotic world of super cold, liquid methane rivers and an active atmosphere. SUN - The Stereo A and B satellites and Solar Dynamics Observatory are operating millions of miles from Earth in orbits that keep constant surveillance of the Sun—front and back. Watching the active surface predictions on solar storms that might harm Earth are now daily predictions on websites like SpaceWeather.com. There is plenty of astronomy and space news ahead in 2015 that will perk our ears and tease our imagination. And in today’s 21st Century world, any news is just an Internet connection away. Keep informed and keep looking up and you’ll find that science fact is stranger than science fiction. And that may leave you wondering how that is possible?
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January 13, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 15
Celestial events in the skies for the week of Jan. 13th - Jan. 19th, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.
Tuesday Jan. 13
On this 1978 date in space history, NASA announced first six female astronauts Sally Ride, Judy Resnick, Anna Fisher, Kathryn Sullivan and Rhea Seddon . All flew aboard the Space Shuttle at least once—Ride the first American female in space; Sullivan the first American female spacewalker; and Lucid who stayed four months aboard the Russian Mir Space Station. On this 1993 date, Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched with five astronauts spending five days in orbit deploying the fifth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, and then testing space suits and construction tools in the cargo bay.
Wednesday, Jan 14
On this 2005 date in space history NASA landed a tiny space probe on the alien moon Titan orbiting the planet Saturn. Ejected from the $1 billion Cassini spaceship in orbit about Saturn, the probe Huygens parachuted while taking photos of flowing methane rivers before landing on the shore of a small lake. It sent back data and photos for about an hour in the minus -200 F. degrees below zero surface.
Thursday, Jan. 15
On this 1973 date in space history, Luna 21 lands on the Moon in Le Monnier Crater in the Sea of Serenity. The Lunokhod 2 was deployed, and it drove 26 miles, sending back 80,000 photos in five months of operation.
Friday, Jan. 16
On this 1969 date in space history, the Soviet Union performed the first outer space docking of two manned spacecraft, Soyuz 5 and 6. Two cosmonauts in Soyuz 5 left their commander and spacewalked to the two empty seats beside the Soyuz 4 commander—the first and only transfer of crews by spacewalks. NASA’s Apollo and Lunar Module were linked by docking hatches. Today in 2003 was the launch of the 113th flight of the Space Transportation System with Space Shuttle Columbia, and this mission ended 17 days later in disaster. A hole punched in the left wing by a piece of ice off the big fuel tank went unnoticed. The launch blow actually created a fist-sized hole in the wing which created a weakness during the fiery reentry, destroying the spaceship as it flew over Texas the morning of Feb.1.
Saturday, Jan. 17
Looking east at 9 pm you immediately see several bright stars, include the brightest, Sirius, above the horizon. Sirius makes a “Winter Triangle” with Procyon high to the left and Betelgeuse to the right. Sirius and Procyon are in the Big and Little Dog, respectively, and Betelgeuse is the shoulder of Orion the Hunter.
Sunday, Jan. 18
Jupiter is below and to the right of the Winter Triangle, and by 10 pm is high enough to outshine Sirius. Its cloud bands and four largest moons are easily visible in even the cheapest telescope.
Monday, Jan. 19
On this 2006 date in space history, NASA launched the New Horizons space probe to Pluto, which was listed as the 9th planet at the time. Now demoted to a “dwarf planet,” Pluto and its five moons will be visited by New Horizons July 14, 2015. Blasted off Earth at a fastest speed ever that reached 36,700 mph when New Horizons’ engines shut down, it still takes more than 9 years to travel the 4 billion miles to reach Pluto.
Page 16, The Loafer • January 13, 2015
Della Mae and Sierra Hull
will perform at NPAC on Saturday, January 17th at 7:30 pm. Grammy-nominated bluegrass group Della Mae includes five multitalented young women, respectful of American musical traditions, but not restricted by them. Combining centuries of musical influence with an emotionally tough & undeniably modern songwriting sensibility, the band has become a sensation in the music world. Della Mae commands a powerful collective of chemistry with vocal, instrumental, and songwriting talent to spare. The group has recently expanded their musical horizons by taking part in the American Music Abroad program. As cultural ambassadors, Della Mae spent 43 days traveling in Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. During the tour, band members collaborated with local musicians, taught educational programs for children, and played various concerts. Della Mae’s members hail from all over the United States, and each musician brings an impressive musical repertoire of her own. “The identity that we’ve developed as a band is a melting pot of our different personalities and backgrounds,” says founder, Kimber Ludiker. Ludiker handpicked musicians from all over the country to join Della Mae. Singer Celia Woodsmith was recruited from a bluesrock background; bassist Shelby Means played with various bands in Nashville; mandolin player Jenni Lyn Gardner was schooled in traditional bluegrass; and guitarist Courtney Hartman studied at Berklee College of Music. East Tennessee’s own bluegrass sensation Sierra Hull will share the stage for this performance. By age 11, Sierra Hull had been invited to join Alison Krauss on the Opry stage. A year later, record labels began taking notice of her talent. Sierra’s abilities also captured the attention of Berklee College
of Music, where she became the first bluegrass musician to receive the school’s coveted Presidential Scholarship. Hull’s uncommon maturity, both musical and personal, has won lasting favor among her fans. As a player, singer, and songwriter, Sierra Hull has remarkable range. In addition, Hull’s artistry contains a broad cultural significance, as shown by her performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. While her mandolin playing has always possessed clarity and precision, Hull attacks her solos with spontaneity and depth of feeling. She refers to her unique style as “playing with a point to prove”. Della Mae and Sierra Hull will perform at Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN on Saturday, January 17th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $30 for orchestra level seating, $25 for mezzanine level seating, and $20 for balcony level seating. Tickets may be purchased online at www.npacgreeneville.
com, in person at the NPAC box office, or by calling 423-638-1679. NPAC offers online seat selection and no fee ticketing. The box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am until 5 pm. The 1130 seat performing arts center is located adjacent to the campus of Greeneville High School in Greeneville, TN. For venue information, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.npacgreeneville.com.
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“Foggy Valley Gang Brings Comedy to LampLight” “Foggy Valley Idol”
LampLight Theatre’s favorite comedy crew is back. Shake off the winter blues with this muchloved gang of characters as they bring their “redneck” slapstick to the stage. The hilarious exploits continue with this new production, Foggy Valley Idol. As the town of Foggy Valley searches for the best of the best, tomfoolery is sure to happen. Due to a temporary shut-down of the community center, the Foggy Valley Idol talent show has been moved to the B.A. Goodin Funeral Parlor and will be broadcasted live on WFVG radio station. The talent contest brings some special “outof-town” visitors including ‘larger-than-life” Cleopha Blair and the Boondocks Boys. “Wanna-be” actress, Willa Lovewright, also flies in to vie for Idol title. Both women cause lots of farcical tension with Goodin family matriarch, Mama Goodin. In the idiotic chaos of
A Heart Warming Winter Event from
“Music On the Square” “Mustard’s Retreat” Dynamic Folk Duo from Ann Arbor, MI. Learn more and sample their music at www.mustardsretreat.com along with “Local Relish” Jonesborough’s Peter Montanti, Jerry Muelver, Don & Deb Burger . An afternoon of inspiring and funny music with sing along for all ages and refreshments. Tickets available at Jonesborough Visitors Center (423) 753-1010 Admission: $15 Adults, $25 Couple, $10 65+ or 12 and under Ticket sales benefit the Jonesborough’s Public Art Initiative and Interactive Music Trail.
Sunday, Jan.18th at 3pm The McKinney Center 103 Franklin Ave., Jonesborough, TN
prepping for the show, Mama Goodin starts feeling left out and unwanted. Led by a street urchin, Mama runs away and finds herself among the homeless with no intentions to return. In their frantic search for Mama, the Goodin family still decides to do the live broadcast in hopes of drawing Mama back home. “The show must go on…” and so it does. The Foggy Valley celebrities bring their own crazy knacks to the competition. Clementine Hogg’s sultry voice is sure to charm the audience and woo the attention of Rev. Clyde. Florence Rakestraw strews her self-taught song interpretation talents all over the stage. Elvis impersonator,
Clovis Bodine, will swoon all the ladies with his uncanny magnetism. All are in hopes that Mama is listening out there somewhere. A moral is to be learned in the sub-plot of Clara Simms, a young misplaced soul. This amusing uproarious production has an ethical twist that dispels misunderstandings and marshals forgiveness. “Foggy Valley Idol” will be premiere January 16-18, 23-25, and January 30 - February 1 at LampLight Theatre at 140 Broad Street in Kingsport, Tennessee. Friday and Saturday night performances will be at 7:00 p.m. with matinees on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Doors will open one hour prior. Admission is a
suggested donation of $10 Adults, $5 Students, and FREE for children 5 and under. For reservations and information, please contact the LampLight
box office at (423) 343-1766, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or online at www.lamplighttheatre.com.
Page 18, The Loafer • January 13, 2015
Burgers, and Chocolates, and Cheesecake! Oh My!
In late 19th century New York City, bars and taverns were sprouting up on every corner. Hamburg steak, traditionally a breakfast item, became a fast growing staple among late night drinkers around the city. With the demand for beef at an all time high, many of New York’s young and strong immigrant men traveled west to drive the cattle from Texas to Kansas, taking their hunger for Hamburg steak with them. After over 300 miles of cattle driving, young men with pockets full of money freely took over those small towns. In the late 1800’s, one could say that the best Hamburg steaks came out of Kansas, but that is probably because they never lived long enough to try a burger from Mid City Grill in downtown Johnson City. One bite and you know you’re not in Kansas anymore. In May of 2003, Jeff Pike opened Mid City Grill on Tipton Street. Originally the restaurant was open for lunch and dinner hours only, but soon Jeff noticed that every night when he drove out of the parking lot, cars would still be pouring in. He started experimenting with the hours and the menu items: some days he would be open from noon to four in the morning.
He noticed that 80% of his revenue generated from his late night hours, so when he opened his current location on Commerce Street in 2007, he had settled on dinner and late night only. As I walked into Jeff’s establishment late one Wednesday night, I was immediately struck by the smell of chocolate. To my right stood a display case baring over twelve different options of hand crafted bite-sized goodies that I had never noticed before. I had to look away so I wasn’t tempted to spoil my dinner. I choose a table overlooking the majority of the room as opposed to placing myself far away from the action—because people don’t flock to Mid City Grill at all hours of the morning to be alone, they do it to share amazing food with their friends and loved ones. Three towering photographs of food stand alone on the far wall for decoration, and people bobbed their heads along to the classic hits of the 70’s playing in the background. As I started to sing along to my favorite CCR song, Jeff greeted me at my table. We briefly spoke of some of the menu items, but as the head chef, he was needed in the kitchen. Not wasting any time, I poured over the menu. I found myself wanting to
try a bit of everything so I started off with the sampler plate: fried cheese ravioli, portabella fingers, and hummus with soft grilled pita bread. The ravioli was crisp on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside; garlic and herb infused cheese mixed with a hint of spice provided a perfect combination of flavors. Mushrooms sliced long and deepfried to perfection served along side Jeff’s “get saucy” sauce knocked me off of my seat. The Asian infused fried garlic and apricot sauce had my mouth watering for more. So that left me with the humble hummus, something that every home cook should know how to master with a food processor. This dish was so full of texture and flavor, bright notes of garlic and herbs danced around my taste buds as I noticed another scoop full of something next to this delicious chickpea and tahini creation. Red in color and the same consistency as its neighbor, I scooped a spoonful onto a warm slice of pita and tasted Jeff’s sun-dried tomato cream cheese. The taste was so familiar, like that of tomato basil soup, but in a much more sophisticated form. Next, I ordered something of a classic—the pork dip. While it may not sound like much of an astounding dish, the idea caught my attention: a thick sliced pork sandwich with caramelized onions and provolone cheese melted on top with a cup of steaming pork au jus on the side. The sweet and savory flavor of the barbeque smacks you in the mouth as the au jus brings the smokey life back into the sandwich with every dip. The menu offers you a large number of side items, and with this dish I wanted to try something on the menu that wasn’t fried, so I opted for the risotto. Each grain was plump and juicy and crammed full of fresh herbs, and easily melted in my mouth. For my second plate I had the classic American staple, a cheeseburger and fries. Now Mid City’s menu offers you over a handful of different burgers, not to mention an ever-changing weekly special, so I was curious to see amid all of these amazing combinations how he could do with the simplest of
burgers. Needless to say I was not disappointed. The burger was so juicy that I had to tighten the corners of my mouth every time I bit down. Cooked perfectly medium with fresh veggies mounted on top, there was now no question as to why there was such a buzz over Jeff’s burgers. Hand cut shoe-string fries piled over top of the burger were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. One of the quotes Jeff has printed on the menu reads, “We prepare in small batches to guarantee freshness and the best taste,” something that no ordinary burger joint would be able to say. That’s why Jeff is able to produce such fresh and enveloping flavors. With so much in my belly, I had completely forgotten about dessert—until I looked over and saw a table dedicated to just one thing: cheesecake. Since it was nearing the end of the holiday season, my eyes zeroed in on a flavor that looked to be a fitting mouthful, Pumpkin Spice Latte with Pumpkin Pie Swirl. All of that mixed with the flavor of cheesecake itself was better than any pumpkin pie or pumpkin roll I have ever eaten. But my meal still wasn’t over. A little known fact about Mid City Grill, and the surprise I received at the beginning of my visit, is that they have hand made chocolates. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, and men and women planning to flock to stores to buy some chocolates for their sweetheart, I felt I had to try some so I could pass it along. I asked Jeff himself to pick out five flavors he would want me to try. Grinning from ear to ear, rounding the corner with a small plate of chocolates, Jeff laid them in front of me and explained each flavor, letting me try them as he told me the story of how his establishment came to be. The first chocolate I tried was a dark chocolate, which happens to be my favorite, but with feta cheese crumbles in the middle. Now when he said there was feta in it I assumed he somehow extracted the flavor of feta into the chocolate, but I was wrong. He actually cooked crumbles into the chocolate. The sharp dark chocolate flavor married so well with the creamy flavor of the
feta. It was sophisticated but still classic enough that anyone could enjoy a bite. Second on my plate was a milk chocolate lavender honey—the title says it all. Lavender is a known strong and healthy ingredient that is used in everything from oils and lotions to butters and cookie mixes, but I had never had the pleasure of eating it in a chocolate. This was a blend that melted instantly and filled you with a since of ease and calm. The sweet after taste of honey made it hard to resist not licking my fingers in public. Third was dark chocolate and bacon, which is to say it wasn’t the flavor of bacon, but actual chopped up pieces of bacon inside of the chocolate. If you’re looking for a treat for your husband or wife who loves bacon, look no further. Crisp bites of savory and sweet made my mouth water for more. And ready to try the next, and in my opinion most exciting, flavor. Sriracha Caramel was my fourth chocolate for the evening (by this time I don’t even know how I consumed as much as I had so two more tiny chocolates wouldn’t hurt a thing.) With one small bite of this bright red, chocolate-covered caramel, my whole mouth lit up like the fourth of July and I felt the burn all the way down to my stomach. I love spicy foods but I had never tasted the delight of a spiced chocolate. Now unknowingly Jeff had picked out some of my favorite ingredients including one of my favorite classic drinks, Cheerwine. My fifth and final chocolate was a Cheerwine infused caramel. This sweet and famous tasting treat was kind and gentle enough to calm down my palate after a roller coaster of flavors provided by this meal. Whether you have a sophisticated palate or are just looking for a super late-night snack, Mid City Grill will take care of your taste buds. Open till 5 am on the weekend and they even offer delivery, you won’t go home hungry after a night out with your friends as long as this restaurant stands. This staple of local and American cuisine is a must whether you’re a regular or just passing thru. Visit Mid City Grill at 106 S. Commerce St. Johnson City, TN
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January 13, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 19
“Into The Woods”
My first experience with a movie musical was “The Sound of Music”. The tale of the Von Trapp family left such an impression on me I have enjoyed musicals ever since. I have loved every musical from “Hairspray” to “Rock of Ages”, and have added a new one to the list: “Into the Woods”. The movie is a musical fantasy adapted from a Broadway musical of the same name, and features an array of stars led by Meryl Streep. The story mixes famous fairy tale characters together resulting in a marvelous mash up. The story involves a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) wishing for a child, but have been hindered by a witches (Meryl Streep) curse placed on the family years ago. When the Witch (who lives next door) visits the couple, she tells them if they can go into the woods and gather a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold, the curse will be lifted. Thus enters the famous characters of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapun-
zel (MacKenzie Mauzy), along with their famous co-horts which include Chris Pine as Prince Charming and Johnny Depp as The Wolf. As the baker and his wife enter the woods, all the characters eventually become interconnected and due to a mistake, some of them meet an unhappy end. So don’t think the film is all fun and games, as the story has a dark side. The musical numbers were all fantastic, with highlights for me being “Agony” sung by Pine and Billy Magnussen, and “Giants in the Sky” by Huttlestone. The lyrics of the former are humorous, with Pine and Magnussen adding the perfect touch of humor. I was impressed with the singing talents of all the actors involved, and Streep proves again she is worthy of all her Oscar nominations and awards. The sets and production are fantastic, and the magical kingdom is really brought to life. Overall, “Into the Woods” is a feast for the eyes and ears, and Depp once more gets to play dress up. (Rated PG) A-
Page 20, The Loafer • January 13, 2015
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January 13, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 21
Batman: A Bat-Follow Up Last year I took some time here to talk about my love of Batman, in particular my deep fondness for the 1960s Adam West TV series, that after years of legal complications finally made its way to home video for the very first time this past November. I mentioned that should I be given the super deluxe, limited blu-ray box set— complete with a Hot Wheels Batmobile—that I might revert to my seven year old self for a little while on Christmas morning. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I was a seven year old on Christmas morning. It was an instantaneous rush of excitement as the colorful wrapping paper was peeled away to reveal a giant Batman logo and a large box that artfully covered just right for the set. There it was, all 120 episodes on 12 blu-rays discs, a total that includes a bonus disc of extra material and short features on the series. A button rested on the right side of the box, with bright yellow lettering around it that said “Press here!” I did, and a snippet of the classic Batman theme began to play. Inside were all three seasons of the series, the aforementioned Batmobile boxed in a box that had a picture of the batcave on it, and a set of reproduction vintage trading cards. In addition to this, an episode guide was included, as was a scrapbook full of pictures from Adam West’s collection. Enough of my geeking out, I’m sure some of you--or maybe none of you—want to know how it actually looks in sparkling HD. Simply put, the show looks amazing, better than it ever has before, and I’d say better than it did when it first aired. I grew up watching the show in syndication, where it looked good, but the prints were a little washed out and had some age and wear on them. The big-
gest example where the new restoration stood out in my mind is in Commissioner Gordon’s office. In my memory, Gordon’s office was always very brightly lit, on the blu-ray there’s a lot of depth, darkness, and some shadow in the office that gives it a more natural look. The episodes are also uncut. In syndication, TV series are usually edited to remove 2-3 minutes from each episode to allow for more commercials. I’m sure I’m seeing things I never saw as a kid watching the show, the most notable being that every episode begins with the original “Batman – In Color” bumper. Fans have noted that one episode is mistakenly missing it’s tag scene before the ending credits, but Warner Brothers announced a replacement disc plan, saying it was an oversight on the parts of both them and Fox, and they’re
even adding more bonus material to the replacement discs—even a few more of the “next week Batman vs. _____” villain tags. The show still holds us, I’ve enjoyed each episode with great delight, and I burned through the entire first season in a week. It still hits a part of my heart that just makes me feel warm and happy all over. I love it as much now as I did as a kid watching it every morning before school—and every afternoon after school. The anticipation that had built up over years means that no set could realistically meet everyone’s dreams, but WB & Fox did a darn fine job bringing one of the most beloved TV series of all time to blu-ray and DVD. It’s worth every dime, and I’m gonna be deliriously in Bat-Land any time I want to be. See you next batweek.
Page 22, The Loafer • January 13, 2015
Will You Join the Zuckerberg Book Club?
Already being hailed as “this generation’s Oprah” by several publications, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, in addition to unveiling his plan “to get every human online” (see Time cover story for December 15, 2014), wants you to join his book club. That’s right—in this age of online everything, including books—Zuckerberg seems to be going a little retro by suggesting lists of books you should read. As a testimonial to his influence, his first selection, Moses Naim’s The End Of Power: From Boardrooms To Battlefields And Churches To States, Why Being In Charge Isn’t What It Used To Be, has repeatedly sold out on Amazon since its inclusion. And this book may have the distinction of presenting us with the longest title of any recent book, harking back to those very long, yet descriptive and often culturally arrogant titles that graced many 19th and early 20th century tomes (i.e. consider this 1811 conversion tract by Rev. Claudius Buchanan, Memoir Of The Expediency Of An Ecclesiastical Establishment For British India, Both As The Means Of Perpetuating The Christian Religion Among Our Own Countrymen, And As A Foundation For The Ultimate Civilization Of The Natives). Although I am not a Facebook fan (following Groucho Marx’s advice that I should never join any
organization that would accept me as a member), I do applaud Zuckerberg’s efforts to keep books in the cultural mix. I believe that books are essential to living, whether they be in analog or digital form, so anything that can be done to endorse them is a good thing—although we should admit that much of the stuff that is published every year is not worth reading, and we should take every reading list with a big dose of salt. It remains to be seen what other books Zuckerberg will add to his list (at the time I wrote this last Wednesday evening, he had already garnered over 100,000 Facebook fans of his book project) but there are many others to choose from, especially at this time of year when so many people occupy themselves with the compilation of various “best-of” lists. Bill Gates, although he doesn’t have a book club, does regularly include his favorite book on his blog page. His most recent recommendations include John Brooks’ Business Adventures, Timothy Geithner’s Stress Test, Doris Kearns Goodwin’s The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, And The Golden Age Of Journalism, and his favorite on the list, Elizabeth Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History. While most lists include recent
publications, there are many that recommend the enduring classics we should read to make our lives better. In 2011, for instance, Neil deGrasse Tyson, who is listed as a “champion of science, celebrator of the cosmic perspective, master of the soundbite” (sounds impressive on a business card, doesn’t it?), gave us a list that included the usual suspects, including The Bible, Isaac Newton’s The System Of The World, Darwin’s Origin of Species, Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, and Machiavelli’s The Prince. Needless to say, we probably won’t be seeing any of these on Zuckerberg’s list. Be honest—how many of these have you read lately? However, we probably can offer opinions on most of these unread tomes. For an exploration of why we can do this, I suggest you read Pierre Bayard’s amusing and stimulating How To Talk About Books You Haven’t Read (2007). Although I gave you a pretty extensive list of my favorite books of 2014 in a December column, I should recommend what I consider as the best of 2015 so far. First up is a fascinating memoir, although the title might drive some readers away: Kate Mayfield’s The Undertaker’s Daughter: A Memoir (yes, it’s about the experience of growing up in a family of funeral directors). Next, we have comedian Patton Oswalt’s page-turner, Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life From An Addiction To Film; this is required reading for anyone with more than a passing interest in the movies, and the perfect companion volume is David Gilmour’s 2007 account of how he and his son spent a year bonding while watching movies, The Film Club: A Memoir. And my favorite at this point, Anya Kamenetz’s The Test: Why Our Schools Are Obsessed With Standardized Testing—But You Don’t Have To Be, presents all the right reasons for why we need to say goodbye to the era of standardized tests and
to begin creating learning environments that access real-world skills and engage our students in something more important than filling in circles. Before I go, let me leave you with a list of some really good books that explore the many reasons why reading is so important and so vital. Call this Kelly’s Book Club if you will. One of my recent discoveries is Maureen Corrigan, who is a true advocate of reading. Her most recent book, So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came To Be And Why It Endures (2014), prepares us for the upcoming 90th anniversary of the publication of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wondrous novel, and should be read in conjunction with Sarah Churchwell’s Careless People: Murder, Mayhem, And The Invention Of The Great Gatsby (2013). Corrig-
I discovered a few weeks ago, is a true book lover’s friend and two of his many books should be treated as owner’s manuals for the skill of reading: Reality Hunger: A Manifesto (2010) and How Literature Saved My Life (2013). And, last but certainly not least, is perhaps the best love letter to books I’ve encountered: Azar Nafisi’s marvelous The Republic Of Imagination: America In Three Books (2014) uses the work of Mark Twain, Sinclair Lewis, Carson McCullers, and James Baldwin to reflect on the entire American experience; Nafisi is also the author of the bestselling Reading Lolita In Tehran, another moving justification for engaging in a lifetime of reading. I encourage you to ignore Zuckerberg’s book club and to start your own. I’m sure your list will prob-
an’s other book is Leave Me Alone, I’m Reading (2005), which works very well as a triple feature with Makita Brottman’s The Solitary Vice: Against Reading (2008) and Geoffrey O’Brien’s The Browser’s Ecstasy: A Meditation On Reading (2000). The best book I have read about what happens inside our heads when we read is Peter Mendelsund’s What We See When We Read (2014). David Shields, who
ably be more interesting, because he will undoubtedly base his on Facebook likes rather than actually taking the time to read the books himself. And I am always grateful for the time you take to read my column each week. Not great literature, admittedly, but hopefully lots of fun and giggles. Until next time . . . . .
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January 13, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 23
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