The Guide 08-09-2013 by The Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company

///////////// THE TIMES LEADER //////////////// August 9-15, 2013 ///////////////

the Guide

A tomato

TURNING POINT Favored summer festival turns 30

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Library-lovers, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s party time on the roof again. PAGE 5

Doors drummer Densmore has books to sell and his side of the story to tell. PAGE 6

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THE GUIDE

FIVE FOLKS

With summer winding down we asked: “WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE THE SEASON ENDS?’ “I’d like to finish my painting project.” Odette Ashby, 56, Hazleton

“Getting moved.”

Located on Route 11 South, Berwick Just 30 minutes from Wilkes-Barre

Billy Fox, 54, Wilkes-Barre

Featuring a Large Selection of Concrete Ornaments

Salem Blvd., Kathy’s 570.204.0608 1635Berwick Concrete Ornaments M-F 10a-5p

and Pre-Cast Sidewalks kathysconcreteornaments.com

“New employment, here (at King’s College.)”

Sat 9a-4p • Sun 1p-4p

Nancy Spaide, 50, Wilkes-Barre

$299.95

“I”m going to South Beach to party with a gaggle of gay men.” Geena Russo, 37, Kingston

MS 211 C-BE 16” Chainsaw 2965 Memorial Hwy. Dallas 570-675-3003

“Finish getting my tattoos.”

END OF SUMMER CLEARANCE

25% OFF all patio furniture, cushions & serve ware and select indoor furniture Open to the Public!

Immerse yourself in country club style: daily lunch specials • romantic dinners patio dining • business meetings • parties outdoor weddings • elegant receptions

CLUBHOUSE

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Corey Kucker, 23, Peekskill, N.Y.

GETTING INTO THE GUIDE All submissions must be received two weeks in advance of the event you wish to promote. Emailed announcements via guide@timesleader.com are preferred, but announcements also can be faxed to (570) 829-5537 or mailed to 15 North Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. The Guide provides advance coverage and/or notice for events open to the public. Events open only to a specific group of people or after-thefact announcements are published in The Times Leader’s community news section each day.

All announcements MUST INCLUDE a contact phone number and MAKE NOTE OF ANY ADMISSION OR TICKET PRICES OR NOTE THAT AN EVENT IS FREE. We cannot guarantee publication otherwise. We welcome listings photographs. First preference is given to high-res JPGs (300 dpi or above) submitted in compressed format to guide@ timesleader.com. Color prints also can be submitted via U.S. mail, but we are unable to return any submitted photographs. Please identify all subjects in photographs.

••••• LISTINGS Marian Melnyk — guide@ timesleader.com

FEATURES STAFF Mary Therese Biebel — 829-7283 mbiebel@timesleader.com

••••• FAX 829-5537, Attn: The Guide

•••••

Christopher Hughes — 829-7239 chughes@timesleader.com

ADVERTISE To place a display ad 829-7101

THE GUIDE

MARY THERESE BIEBEL mbiebel@timesleader.com

Gather ’round, all you tomato connoisseurs and festival fans. For three decades the good folks of Pittston have put together two of your favorite things. Much as a chef adds garlic to a ragout or layers ricotta in a lasagna, they’ve taken sweet, sunripened Pittston tomatoes and built a carnival around them. In honor of 30 years of this feat, we offer 30 reasons to appreciate the Pittston Tomato Festival, which begins Thursday in downtown Pittston. Here they are: • Big, round tomatoes. Perfect for slicing onto a sandwich. • Little cherry tomatoes. Perfect for brightening a salad. • Little Miss Pittston Tomato Contest. How cute is that title for a young beauty queen’s resume? • Little Mr. Pittston Tomato Contest. Can’t forget the boys. • The Miss Tomato Festival Queen Contest. For the teenage ladies, this is a chance to win a college scholarship. • The 5-kilometer run that begins at 10

ToMATo FIGHTS When: 1:30 p.m. Aug. 17 Where: Parking lot of Cooper’s restaurant, 304 Kennedy Blvd., Pittston. Limited: to first 150 participants You must be: at least 15 years old Fee: $5 Teams: welcome Competition: friendly

THE GUIDE

30 reasons to love a 30-year-old Tomato Festival IF YoU Go What: Pittston Tomato Festival When: 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 5:30 to 11 p.m. Aug. 16, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 17, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 18 Where: Main Street, downtown Pittston More info: 655-2398

a.m. Aug. 17 at Main and William streets. This is an an opportunity to race for a worthy cause, Miles for Michael, which beneﬁts families battling cancer, and help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. • A parade that begins at 11 a.m. Aug. 17, likely with some tomato-themed entries. • A chance to practice your aim in the everpopular tomato fights, set for 1:30 Aug. 17 in the parking lot of Cooper’s Restaurant. • Protective goggles, likely to come in handy if any of those less-than-premium tomatoes hits your face. • A chance to admire spiffier-all-the-time downtown Pittston, where one of the newest additions is The Tomato Bar & Bistro. S. John Wilkin File Photo/The Times Leader • If you haven’t been here in a while, you’ll be sure to admire the Heritage Mural, which A bountiful tomato harvest makes the Pittston Tomato Festival more colorful. honors the area’s roots in the mining, railroad and garment industries. CoNTESTS • You can pose for a photo by the big bronze sculpture shaped like — what else? — Little Miss Tomato and Little Mr. Tomato: 11 a.m. Aug. 18 a tomato, and shoot another picture with “the Entry fee: $5 tomato mule.” To register: Download a form at www.pittstontomatofestival.com ••• • Poke your head, or even your dog’s head, Tomato Festival Queen Pageant: 1 p.m. Aug. 17 through the tomato mural, and you’ll have Applications: available at Pittston City Hall, Pittston Chamber of Commerce, or www. another photo op. pittstontomatofestival.com • You could even dress up like a tomato — Entry fee: $30 See ToMaTo | 19

Bill Tarutis File Photo/The Times Leader

The Pittston Tomato Festival, and especially its annual parade, offers a chance to dress as a tomato Runners take off in the 2012 5K race that was part of the Pittston Tomato Festival. and be admired for it.

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Bill Tarutis File Photo/The Times Leader

Prizes: $500 scholarship to winner, $250 scholarship to runner-up ••• Contest for actual tomatoes: 7 p.m. Aug. 17 Where: the committee stand Prizes: will be available for largest, smallest, most perfect and ugliest tomatoes

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THE GUIDE

EvENTS THIS WEEK: Aug. 9 to 15, 2013 Bloomsburg Nationals, a family custom-car show with more than 800 vehicles,car corral and swap meet,Tonny Petersen’s Hell Drivers,music by Flamin’Dick & the Hot Rods,burnouts,slow drags,gridlock parade,helicopter rides,festival foods and camping.Bloomsburg Fairgrounds,620 W.Third St.8 a.m.to 9 p.m.today and Saturday; 8 a.m.to 3 p.m.Sunday.$10.717-243-7855 or bloomsburgnationals.com. Wayne County Fair, the 151th annual agricultural event with carnival games,amusement rides,farm animals,horse pulls,demolition derby,lawnmower races,monster truck racing and more.Fairgrounds, Route 191,Honesdale.9 a.m.to 11 p.m.today and Saturday.$8.253-5486. Cocktails for the Courts, with signature cocktails,hors d’oeuvres from area restaurants, craft beers and music by theVon StorchTrio. Waverly Community House,1115 N.Abington Road. 5:30 to 7:30 tonight.$25 benefits tennis and other recreational programming.Over 21.585-8113. St.John the Evangelist Bazaar, with a giant flea market,ethnic andAmerican foods,variety booths,children’s games and entertainment by Hillbilly D’Lux (tonight) and Flaxy Morgan along with clown/magician PatWard (Saturday).St.John the Evangelist Parish,Church and Broad streets, Pittston.5:30 to 10 p.m.tonight and Saturday. 654-0053. St.John the Baptist Family Picnic, with themed baskets,a gigantic flea market,bingo,ethnic andAmerican foods and entertainment byJohn Stevens Doubleshot (tonight),GeorgeTarasek & the Polka Partners (Saturday) andThe Intentions (Sunday).Also: FatherJerry’s newest original play “The Red Neck PierogieWedding and Beauty Pageant”2 p.m.Sunday.St.John the Baptist Church,126 Nesbitt St.,Larksville.6 to 11 tonight; 5 to 11 p.m.Saturday; 3 to 10 p.m.Sunday.779-9620. St.Jude Parish Picnic, the 60th annual event with Polish and Italian foods,an open-pit barbecue chicken dinner (Sunday),the Sweet Shop,a raffle with grand prize of $10,000 and entertainment by Better with Beer (tonight),Mr.Echo (Saturday), Flashback (Sunday afternoon) and Chixy Dix (Sunday night).St.Jude’s Church,420 S. Mountain Blvd.,MountainTop.6 to 11 p.m.tonight and Saturday; noon to 9 p.m.Sunday.474-9746 or 474-6315. Pocono Drag Lodge 50th Anniversary Reunion, a car show with trophies,T-shirts and dash plaques to the first 250 cars.Former Pocono Drag Lodge,648 Meadow Run Road,Bear Creek. 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.Saturday.$15 show cars; $7 spectators.845-635-3662. Knit and Crochet Group, for all ages.Beginners welcome.Osterhout Free Library,71 S.Franklin St.,Wilkes-Barre.10:30 a.m.to noon Saturday. 829-1959. Train Excursion, a round trip from Scranton to the Pocono town of Moscow with a stopover at its restored 1904 train station.Steamtown National Historic Site,300 Cliff St.,Scranton.Saturdays throughAug.31 with a 12:30 p.m.departure and approximate return at 2:30 p.m.$24,$22 seniors, $17 children.340-5205. Doing It for Leona, a benefit bike run and scavenger hunt for breast-cancer victim Leona Elko.American Legion Post 781,MountainTop. Saturday with registration 11 a.m.and run at 1 p.m.Party runs 1 to 10 p.m.with food,pig roast, pony rides,music,bounce house,face painting,

(Saturday).St.Joseph’s Church,721 Monroe St., Berwick.4 to 9 p.m.Aug.16; 11:30 a.m.to 9 p.m. Aug.17; noon to 5 p.m.Aug.18.752-7000. Heritage Explorer Train Ride, an excursion from Scranton to Carbondale’s Pioneer Days Ethnic Heritage Festival.Leaves from Steamtown National Historic Site,300 Cliff St.,ScrantonAug.17 with a 9:30 a.m.departure and a 4 p.m.return.$5,$4 seniors,free for age 12 and under.Tickets available at all Lackawanna County libraries throughAug.15. 348-3003 or lclshome.org. Peach Festival, with homemade peach ice cream, peach shortcake,peach pie and other picnic foods along with vendors,games,classic cars and music byJesse Fink and Company.St.John’s United Church of Christ,100 Church St.,Wapwallopen.10 a.m.to 4 p.m.Aug.17.379-2971. A Ride to Remember, a 40-mile scenic It’s all about cars when the Bloomsburg Nationals get under way this weekend at the Bloomsburg motorcycle ride in honor of Michael Garron who lost his life in a motorcycle accident in 2008. Fairgrounds. Followed by a post-ride party with food and vendors,basket raffles and more.$15 drivers; $10 before the Nazis.F.M.Kirby Center,Public Square, entertainment.PolishAmerican Citizens Club,111 Elm St.,Dupont.Aug.17 with registration at 10 a.m. Wilkes-Barre.Wednesday at 1 p.m.($4) and 7:30 passengers. and ride at noon.$15.362-0823. p.m.($6).826-1100. Filipino Cultural Day, a celebration of Filipino Living History and Civil War Weekend, Fam Jam, an evening of family fun with games, food,music and more at New Life Community with small arms and artillery demonstrations, swimming and food.Hosted by Back Mountain Church,301 Delaney St.,HanoverTownship. skirmishes,CivilWar troop encampments,living HarvestAssembly at the Rock Recreation Sports Saturday beginning with a Filipino dinner at 4:30 p.m.($8,$4 children),followed by cultural dances Complex (ValleyTennis and Swim Club),211 Harris history scenarios,period craftsmen,sutlers’ shops,food,period music and the Eckley Players and children’s games at 6 p.m.(free) and finishing Hill Road,Trucksville.5 to 8 p.m.Wednesday.Free. in“The Ballad of Patrick Sweeney.” Eckley Miners 696-1128. with a concert by Filipino star Eddie Mesa at 7:30 Village,Highland Road,off Route 940.10 a.m.to 5 p.m.(donation).Dinner reservations: 836-3422. Walk Wilkes U, a walking tour of theWilkes p.m.Aug.17 and 18.$10,$9 seniors,$6 children. University campus.Meet at theWilkes-Barre Car Cruise, to benefit cerebral-palsy victim Cody 636-2070. FamilyYMCA,40W.Northampton St.6 p.m. White.With trophies,raffles,music and food. Wednesday.Free.823-2191. Austie’s Family Restaurant,2333 Sans Souci Parkway,Wilkes-Barre.5 to 8 p.m.Saturday.824Summer Luncheon, with prizes awarded.Hosted 7015. by the IremWomen’sAuxiliary and open to the public.Irem Country Club,397 Country Club Dog Days of Summer Ice Cream Social, Road,Dallas.Thursday at noon.$18.Reservations: with psychic readings on Saturday and dogs for 256-3031. adoption on Sunday along with raffles,prizes and lots of ice cream for people and pets.Ben Walk Around Wilkes-Barre, the annual & George’s Ice Cream,194 E.Oak St.,Pittston. progressive dining and entertainment fundraiser 5:30 to 10 p.m.Saturday and Sunday.Proceeds for Big Brothers,Big Sisters.Begins with hors benefitTracey’s Hope Hospice Care and Rescue for d’oeuvres at the F.M.Kirby Center on Public Square DomesticAnimals.763-9856. and continues with soup and salad atThe Ramada, dinner at theWestmoreland Club and dessert at Night Out at the Station, with food and The weekly Y Walk takes a tour of the Wilkes Bart & Urby’s,all in downtownWilkes-Barre.5:30 fireworks.JustusVolunteer Fire Company,159 University campus on Wednesday evening. p.m.Thursday.824-8756 or bbbsnepa.org. Fieldstone Drive,ScottTownship.7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday.Bring a lawn chair or blanket.Info at Dancing with the NEPA Stars, third-round jfc28fire.com. Classic Car Show, sponsored by the Hicompetition with finalists artistJack Puhl and Lites Motor Club.The Meadows Nursing and fitness instructorAllan Souza.Scranton Cultural Taking Action, a wrestling fundraiser to benefit Rehabilitation Center,4 E.Center Hill Road,Dallas. Center,420 N.WashingtonAve.5:30 p.m. the Helping Hands Society.With wrestling stars 1 to 4 p.m.Aug.17.Proceeds benefit Boy Scout Thursday.$20 includes drinks and light fare.Over Justin Credible,Sonjay Dutt,Chris Envy,Tommy Troop #155 who will be grilling hot dogs and 21.344-1111. Suede,The Flows,JamesVazquez,T.J.Masters, serving lemonade.675-8600. I.B.Green,Rockin’Rebel and more.Pocono Market Fair,601 S.Poplar St.,Hazleton.8 p.m.Saturday. Lebanese-American Food Festival, with MiddleFUTURE $10 advance; $12 at the door.582-6344. Eastern food and pastries,games,book sale, St.Joseph’s Italian Festival, with ethnic foods, basket raffles and more.St.Joseph Melkite Greek Forty Fort Meeting House Tours. Explore the games of chance,themed-basket raffle,children’s Catholic Church,130 N.Francis CabriniAve.,West 1807 historic religious edifice with its original box games,crafts,money raffle and entertainment Scranton.4 to 11 p.m.Aug.17; noon to 7 p.m.Aug. pews and elevated pulpit.20 River St.,Forty Fort. 18.343-6092. 1 to 3 p.m.Sundays through Sept.29; and Sept.2. by DYN (Friday),Joe Lastovica and Polka Punch $2,$1 children.287-5214. Chef Ernie Mellor, the famed chef and pitmaster (“BBQ with Bobby Flay,”“Martha Stewart’s Denison House Tours of the historic 1790 edifice Summer Cookbook”) brings his HogWild including the two-story interior and furnishings Barbecue to R&D Memories,566 FellowsAve., along with a history of early settler Nathan HanoverTownship.Aug.17 with seatings at 4 and Denison. 35 Denison St.,Forty Fort.1 to 4 p.m. 6:30 p.m.$20; $10 children.Proceeds benefit Sundays through Sept.22.$5,$3 children.288the Center of theVillage afterschool program. 5531. 855-2759. Classic Car Show on the lawn of theWaverly Summer Reunion Dance, withJoe Nardone and Community House,1115 N.Abington Road.4 p.m. theAll Stars and Eddie Day and the Starfires.Irem Sunday.585-8113. Country Club Pavilion,397 Country Club Road, Summer Film Series:“Raiders of the LostArk” Dallas.7:30 to 11:30 p.m.Aug.17.829-3603. Fitness instructor Allan Souza is one of the finalists (1981),the adventures of archaeologist Indiana in the third round of ‘Dancing with the NEPA Stars’ Jones attempting to locate theArk of the Covenant on Thursday at the Scranton Cultural Center.

THE GuIDE

THE GUIDE

‘Raising the Roof’ again for the Osterhout MARY THERESE BIEBEL

mbiebel@timesleader.com

“When this old world starts getting me down and people are just too much for me to face, I climb way up to the top of the stairs, and all my cares just drift right into space.” With apologies to The Drifters, they’re not the only people who feel drawn to a “peaceful-as-can-be” place, far from the bustle of the street. “The view is the big thing. It’s a unique vantage point of the city,” said Chris Kelly, development director of the Osterhout Free Library, which will beneﬁt from “Raising the Roof,” a fund-raiser set for tonight at the Intermodal Transportation Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre. “You get the sunset and the open air,” Kelly said. “Being outdoors, it’s great for a summer party.” The library party will include food and beverages from about two dozen local restaurants and brewing companies, as well as music from the Sperrazza Band. As it has for the past three years, the event will raise money for the North Branch of the Osterhout Library, which was destroyed in a 2007 ﬁre and re-established in a former church on Oliver Street in the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre. Last year, the committee reached the $80,000 goal it had set, Kelly said, and this year’s funds will go toward upkeep. Bill Tarutis File Photos/For The Times Leader Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 in advance. You John Miller of Swoyersville chats with Carol Cierniakoski, supervisor Joann Austin and Margaret Harris of the Osterhout Library at a prevican still buy advance tickets as of 2 p.m. today, Kelly said. ous rooftop fund-raiser. While members of the library fund-raising committee like the rooftop setting, Kelly said, next year a late-summer party may take place at the central library on South Franklin Street in honor of the library’s 125th anniversary. IF YOu GO “A lot of us are saying let’s do something at the main building and celebrate what we have here,” he said. What: Raising the Roof, the annual rooftop fundraiser for the North Branch of the Osterhout Library By the way, don’t worry about any rain in tonight’s foreWhen: 5 to 8 tonight cast. Where: Intermodal Transportation Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Enter from South Washington Street. That’s the beauty of having the rooftop party at a Tickets: $15 at library until about 2 p.m. today; $20 at the door parkade. More info: 823-0156 If the skies are threatening, Kelly said, “We’ll just move down a level.”

Ed Lupico of Wilkes-Barre, left, Shawna Teer of Dallas and Linda Gramlich of Bear Creek sport interesting T-shirts at a past rooftop party.

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Susan and Sonny Witkowski of Glen Lyon, left, and Neil and Joan Bavitz of Wanamie enjoy a previous night out on the roof to support the Osterhout Free Library’s North Branch.

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THE GUIDE

THE GuIDE

John Densmore tells his side of the story

Doors percussionist will sign books — and possibly talk shop — locally BRAD PATTON

For The Times Leader

When John Densmore, drummer of the legendary rock band The Doors, decided he had to sue his former bandmates Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger in 2003, he says, he became the scourge of Internet message boards. But after his book, “The Doors: Unhinged,” a recounting of the fiveand-a-half-year odyssey of depositions, trials, verdicts and appeals, was published earlier this year, he also said, fans now understood why he did it. “I just got a letter from a guy who had really ripped into me,” Densmore said in a recent interview with The Times Leader. “And he said, ‘Sorry, now I get it.’ ”

Densmore will be in town to sign copies of his book at the Gallery of Sound store on Mundy Street in Wilkes-Barre at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Both hardcover and paperback editions will be available for purchase at the signing, as will a photographer. Fans also can get one other piece of Doors memorabilia autographed by the now 68-year-old drummer-turned-author. In his second book after 1990’s best-selling memoir “Riders on the Storm,” Densmore tells how his lawsuit (filed with deceased singer Jim Morrison’s parents and mother-in-law) over the use of the band’s name, logo and images of Morrison when his former bandmates were performing concerts as “The

If yOu GO What: Book signing with John Densmore, drummer of The Doors When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Where: Gallery of Sound, 186 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre More info: 570-829-3603

Doors (big print) of the 21st Century (tiny print)” with Police drummer Stewart Copeland and Cult singer Ian Astbury led to a $40 million countersuit, which was more than the band had ever made collectively. The figure was supposedly arrived at due to deals to use The Doors’ music in commercials that Densmore had vetoed. “In the depositions, my lawyer asked Ray how they came up with the figure,” Densmore said. “And he said, ‘Well, $15 million for Cadillac and $1 million for Apple.’ Then he asked Ray if I was worth $40 million, and he said he thought I was.” The reality, Densmore said, was that the band had always split things equally four ways, so Manzarek knew Densmore didn’t have that kind of money. Along with the fourway split, the band had always said it had to be unanimous in decisions. To illustrate that point, Densmore opens the book with a colorful descrip-

tion of Morrison’s reaction when he found out the other three had agreed to let Buick use “Light My Fire” (and alter the lyrics to “Come on Buick, Light My Fire”) in a 1968 commercial. “He told us he would take a sledgehammer to a Buick on stage if we went through with it,” Densmore said with a laugh. “If he was so concerned over that song, which was primarily written by Robby, I knew he cared about the whole catalog, not just his songs. “So I need to protect it for him since he’s not here. He’s my ancestor, and I need to protect him.” When he was writing the book, Densmore said, he didn’t know Manzarek, who died of bile-duct cancer in May, was so sick. But he did say he sent copies of the final chapter to his two former bandmates before it was published. “I told them the other stuff will be hard, but this part shows why I love you guys,” he said. “When I found out he was getting

Courtesy photos

Doors drummer John Densmore will sign books at the Gallery of Sound in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

really sick, I called him. We hadn’t spoken in so long, but he obviously had read that chapter. “Thank God I had a healing with him,” he said, noting that he and Krieger already have discussed getting together to play a concert in Manzarek’s memory. “We’re gonna do it; nothing is definite yet, but hopefully it will be around Ray’s birthday (Feb. 12).” As for the near future,

Densmore is visiting independent record stores like the Gallery of Sound to promote his book. “Just like record stores, bookstores are now kind of disappearing,” he said. “Borders got their karma, and the record stores that hung on diversified and really have a great sense of community. “People love these places, and I love going to them and meeting these people. It’s really a winwin.”

CONCERTS THIS WEEK: Aug. 9 to 15, 2013 Musikfest, the final three days of the 30th annual music extravaganza boasting 14 stages (13 of them free).This weekend’s performers include Darius Rucker,AlexTorres Band,Muriel Anderson,Blackwater,Ke$ha,Splintered Sunlight, DanceNow,Hot Bijouxx,Semi PreciousWeapons, Avenged Sevenfold,Blues Brotherhood,Luisito Rosario Orchestra,Ben Mauger’sVintageJazz Band,Mindset Evolution,Trout Fishing inAmerica and many more.Downtown Bethlehem.Noon to midnight today and Saturday; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.Complete schedule at musikfest.org. Rockstar Energy uproar festival, the fourth annual touring rock music and lifestyle festival with three stages of performers includingAlice in Chains,Jane’sAddiction,Coheed and Cambria, Circa Survive,Walking Papers,Middle Class Rut, New Politics,DankoJones,the Chuck Shaffer Picture Show and many more.Toyota Pavilion, 1000 Montage Mountain Road,Scranton.Today beginning at 2 p.m.800-745-3000 or ticketmaster. com. Talent and Variety Show, presented by the Youth Ministry of St.Faustina Parish at the Cultural Centre,38W.Church St.,Nanticoke.7 tonight.Free

but donations accepted. freedom Hill Ministry, Christian music.Ekklesia Christian Coffeehouse,River of Life Fellowship Church,22 Outlet Road,LehmanTownship.Tonight with dinner menu at 6 and concert 7 to 8:30.Free. 899-2264. foggy Mountain Glory, Christian band.TheTruth Cafe,New Life Community Church,570 S.Main Road,MountainTop.7 to 9 tonight.899-2264. Joe Louis Walker, the Grammy winning blues singer and guitarist.Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14W.Broadway,JimThorpe.8:30 tonight.$20. 325-0249. Tizer, a diverse mix of jazz,rock,classical,jam band and world rhythms by the award-winning quartet. Wildflower Music Festival,Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary,Elizabeth Street,off Route 6, White Mills.Saturday with seating open at 5 p.m. and concert at 6.Bring a lawn chair,blanket,picnic or beverages.$22; $11 students.253-5500 or dorflinger.org. Mike Lewis,Americana recording artist with opener Stephen L.Perillo and Friends.My Cup Runneth Over Christian Coffeehouse,Good Shepherd Lutheran Church,South Main and South

streets,Wilkes-Barre.6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Saturday. 899-2264. Roses and Revolutions, the singing duo ofAlyssa Rose Coco and Matt Merritt accompanied by guitar and piano.Hawley Silk Mill,8 Silk Mill Drive. 7:30 p.m.Saturday.$16 advance,$20 at the door. 588-8077. Brother Sun, a male trio fusing folk,roots,blues, pop,jazz,rock and a cappella.The Cooperage,1030 Main St.,Honesdale.8 p.m.Saturday.$18 advance; $20 at the door.Reservations: 845-252-6783. forward Motion, the soul-driven eclectic quartet. Mauch Chunk Opera House,14W.Broadway,Jim Thorpe.8 p.m.Saturday.$15.325-0249. Summer Concerts in the Park, with theWest Third StreetJazz Funk Band.NayAug Park Bandstand,1901 Mulberry St.,Scranton.2 p.m. Sunday.348-4186. Kansas, the progressive rock band celebrating more than 40 years of music making.Sherman Summer Stage,MountAiry Casino & Resort,312 Woodland Road,Mount Pocono.7 p.m.Sunday. $45,$35,$25.420-2808. Celebrate Harmony, with theWyomingValley Barbershop Harmony Chorus.The Pavilion at Irem

Country Club,397 Country Club Road,Dallas.7 p.m.Sunday.Free.675-1134. farm Hands Bluegrass Quartet, with long-time Grand Ole Opry performers Daryl Mosley and Tim Graves.Dimock Camp Meeting Grounds, Campground Road,off Route 29.7 p.m.Sunday. Free.609-241-5478. Step by Step, a free Christian music concert. Shavertown United Methodist Church,163 N. PioneerAve.7 to 8 p.m.Monday.696-2658. We the Kings, the alternative power-pop band on its Summer FestTour with Breathe Carolina,T.Mills and the Ready Set.ShermanTheater,524 Main St., Stroudsburg.6:30 p.m.Wednesday.$20 advance; $23 day of show.420-2808. Ted Nugent, the no-holds-barred rock musician and activist.Penn’s Peak,325 Maury Road,Jim Thorpe.8 p.m.Wednesday.$34 advance,$39 day of show.866-605-7325. The Peach Music festival, the second annual three-day,multiple-stage event hosted by the Allman Brothers Band with the Black Crowes,Bob Weir & Ratdog,Grace Potter and the Nocturnals,

See CONCERTS | 19

THE GUIDE

BRAD PATTON

For The Times Leader

Over the past 18 months or so, singer-songwriter Jason Isbell has gotten sober, married for a second time and released his most personal album to date, “Southeastern,” which has given him both the best reviews of his career and his greatest chart showing. He also has made triumphant appearances at Bonnaroo, the Hangout Festival and the Newport Folk Festival (which he had just played three days before speaking with The Times Leader), and will visit the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre tonight for the first time. Isbell, who spent his early years as a member of the Drive-By Truckers before departing in 2007 for a solo career, is reluctant to use the word “overwhelmed” about his recent success. “You can’t work this hard for this long and then be overwhelmed,” he said. “The response has been really, really good, but I wouldn’t say it has been overwhelming. But it’s been great — better than anything before.” He was 22 when he joined Drive-By Truckers, a critically acclaimed band led by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, and gave the band a third distinctive voice on songs such as “Decoration Day,” “Danko/ Manuel” and “Outfit.” After he was forced out in 2007, he released a solo record, three with his band The 400 Unit (including a live one) and spent much of his time wandering around in a haze. With the help of his then-girlfriend (now wife) Amanda Shires — a talented singersongwriter and fiddler who will open tonight’s show

— and local singer-songwriter and guitarist Mike Mizwinski, he went to rehab in February 2012. “Alabama Pines,” a song from his 2011 album “Here We Rest,” was named the Song of the Year at the 2012 Americana Music Awards, and then came “Southeastern.” “I always let the content dictate the album; I try to follow that at all costs,” he said. “This one was such a personal record; I thought it should have just my name on it. Isbell said though his name alone appears on the cover, it is not truly a solo record. “We tried that at first, just me and an acoustic guitar, but that wasn’t really working. So we brought in some musicians, including guys from my band.” The album’s first track, “Cover Me Up,” includes these lines: “I sobered up, and I swore off that stuff, forever this time.” “When I quit drinking, it gave me more time to practice writing songs,” he said. Asked why he thinks this album has been so wellreceived, he said, “Well, you like to think you’re getting better at it. And the subject matter makes for a good story. People like to get behind you and kind of root for you.” Isbell said the perfomance will showcase his band and his wife doing songs together. “They play on her record, too, so she starts it off, then I come up for a song, and then we just go from there.” It will also showcase his older tunes, not just stuff from the new album. “I always get (angry) if I go to a show and someone doesn’t play the songs from the past, so I’m not going to do that. There will be probably eight or nine songs from the new album plus

THE GUIDE

This time it’s personal

Former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell headed to Kirby stuff from the previous albums and stuff from the Truckers.” Asked about future plans, Isbell said his calendar probably has that information, but he doesn’t like to think that far ahead. “I just like to keep my head and my (backside) in the same place and kind of go from there.”

IF YOU GO Who: Jason Isbell with Amanda Shires and Mike Mizwinski When: 7:30 tonight Where: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre Tickets: $25 and $50 (VIP) Available: Call the Kirby Center Box Office at 570-8261100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com

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PAGE 7

Jason Isbell, who will perform at the Kirby Center tonight, tells a turnaround story — and so does his music.

PAGE 8

THE GUIDE

THE GUIDE REVIEw

In‘Elysium,’a cosmic divide between rich and poor

JOCELYN NOVECK The Associated Press

Of all the movie villains we’ve met lately, few are stranger than Delacourt, Jodie Foster’s evil, whiteblond, power-suited and power-hungry defense official in “Elysium,” the much-awaited but ultimately somewhat disappointing new film from director Neill Blomkamp. From her command post on a ritzy space station high up above 22nd-century Earth, a demitasse of espresso at her side, Delacourt doles out orders in a foreign but unrecognizable accent. “Send them to deportation!” she barks, when “undocumented” ships breach her borders. “Get them off this habitat!” Blomkamp, whose sci-fi parable “District 9” came out of nowhere four years ago to earn a best-picture Oscar nod, is crystal clear in his intentions here. He’s making obvious statements about immigration and universal health care, and whether the frequent references bother you or not will greatly influence how much you enjoy the film. One thing you can’t deny, though, is its visual beauty and masterful use of special effects. It’s not for nothing that Blomkamp, at the tender age of 33, has been called a visionary artist of the genre. His “Elysium” — that space station in the sky, looking a lot like presentday Easthampton — is an enormous wheel, on the rim of which its wealthy residents, having left the teeming and polluted Earth, inhabit pristine white homes with bright green manicured lawns. Brilliant sunlight dapples the blue waters of their swimming pools. Classical music and clinking glasses echo in the background. For some reason, people seem to speak French. Most important, Elysium’s inhabitants are eternally healthy, because each home

holds a “healing bay,” which looks like a tanning machine, except it cures all illness. Down on Earth, things are different. Los Angeles in 2154 is grimy, gritty and poor, with minimal medical care. Children look longingly to the sky, dreaming of Elysium. In a flashback, Max, a young boy in an orphanage, promises a young girl named Frey that one day they’ll go there together. Frey grows up to be a nurse; Max, a car thief. But Max — portrayed by an earnest, committed and perhaps overly grim Matt Damon — has reformed himself when, one day, at the hands of a heartless boss, he’s exposed to a lethal dose of radiation in the factory where he works. Within five days, he will die. To get to Elysium and save his life, Max makes a deal with an underground revolutionary (Wagner Moura) who runs a fleet of illegal shuttles. All Max needs to do is kidnap the evil billionaire who runs the factory (a creepy William Fichtner) and, oh yes, export data from his brain. He gets the data, but up in the sky, Delacourt, desperate for the information now in Max’s brain, has activated an agent on the ground. Suddenly Max is hunted by the vicious Kruger, a character so over-the-top, he takes over the film. It’s fun to watch the manic Sharlto Copley, who played the hunted man in “District 9,” now play the hunter. Eventually, Max will make it to Elysium, and so will the beautiful Frey (Alice Braga), with the critically ill daughter she’s desperate to save. There, despite the always-smart and crafted action scenes, the movie lets us down a bit with a reliance on action-hero formula and some pretty lame dialogue. As for Foster, what could have been an interesting character never really gels into anything but an oddity. But Blomkamp is talented

AP Photos

Sharlto Copley, left, and Alice Braga in a scene from the metaphorical ‘Elysium.’

enough that it doesn’t matter too much. If “Elysium” doesn’t nearly live up to “District 9,” it shows enough panache to leave us waiting enthusiastically for his next effort.

IF YOU GO what: “Elysium”◆◆◆ Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga Directed by: Neill Blomkamp Running time: 109 minutes Rated: R for strong bloody violence and language throughout

Jodie Foster is a sort of cosmic gatekeeper in ‘Elysium.’

Alice Braga, left, Emma Tremblay and Josh Blacker, right, are among the stars in the futuristic thriller with a message known as ‘Elysium.’

THE GUIDE

REVIEW

Meet ‘The Millers,’ summer’s most riotous ‘family’ PRESTON JONES

IF YOU GO What: “We’re The Millers” ◆◆◆◆ Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Will Poulter Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber Rated: R for crude sexual content, pervasive language, drug material, brief graphic nudity Running time: 110 minutes

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able) spider bite. As with “The Heat” earlier this summer, “Millers” walks a tricky tightrope between violent action and gasp-inducing comedy, albeit more successfully. “We’re the Millers” is far more concerned with its off-kilter nuclear family than the stakes of completing a drug deal, allowing the story to unfold at a more leisurely pace. The film sags in places — at nearly two hours, “Millers” could benefit from a few trims here and there — but shines when the cast, fueled by tremendous chemistry, is allowed to cut loose and tear into a series of juicy comic setpieces. Sudeikis, in his first film since confirming his exit from “Saturday Night Live,” manages to make his selfish, glib drug dealer sympathetic, as well as humorous, and suggests he could have a future with more dramatic parts. Aniston, continuing her foray into racy comedic roles (after 2011’s “Horrible Bosses” and last year’s “Wanderlust”), finds nuance in what could have been a thankless

part. Roberts and co-stars Helms, Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn also turn in strong work. But no one else on screen comes close to the performance delivered by the British Poulter, who is all but unknown to American audiences (he was the lead in the little-seen 2007 gem “Son of Rambow”). His Kenny is a ﬁgurative and literal punching bag for almost every other character, but Poulter conveys dignity and childlike won-

der at every turn, even during some of the most outrageous sequences. It’s a terriﬁc piece of acting — even his spoton rendition of TLC’s “Waterfalls” — and like Zach Galiﬁanakis’s turn in the original “Hangover,” one that will mark his arrival in Hollywood. “We’re the Millers” arrives at a familiar destination, but as summer comedies go, the scenery along the way is riotously, refreshingly funny.

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Emma Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis and Will Poulter make up the Miller ‘family’ in ‘We’re The Millers.’

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Friday August through Man Of Steel in RealD9th 3D/DBox Thursday 15th Motion Code SeatingAugust - PG13 - 150 min Elysium R, 17:10, hr 49 min - 12:50p, (12:15), (3:55), 10:10 3:20p, 7:15p, 7:45p, 9:45p, 10:15p **Man Of Steel in RealD 3D - PG13 1 hr 32 min -*Planes 150 min3:30p, -PG, (12:15), (3:55), 7:10, 10:10 1:10p, 7:10p, 9:30p *Man Of Steel 2D PG13 (12:00), (1:45), *Planes in 3D PG, 1 hr 32 min 2:10p, 4:30p (5:00), 7:00, 8:30, 10:00 (3:40), *This Is Jackson: The End - RSea - 110ofmin - (1:30), Percy Monsters PG, 1 7:15, hr 469:40 min - 1:20p, 3:50p, 7:05p, (4:00), 9:30p The Internship – PG13 – 125 min – *We’re the Millers R, 1 hr 50 min (1:00), (4:20), 1:40p,(1:45), 4:15p,(3:35), 7:15p, 9:45p7:00, 7:40, 9:35, 10:15 2 Guns in DBox Motion Code Seating!Purge R, 1 hr - – The – R49– min 95 min 12:40p, 3:15p, 7:00p, 9:30p (12:40), (2:45), (4:50), 7:30, 9:45 2 Guns R, 1 hr 49 min - 12:40p, Now You3:15p, See Me – PG13 – 120 min – 1:45p, 4:30p, 7:00p, 7:30p, 9:30p,(4:15), 10:00p (1:30), 7:05, 9:35 *TheEarth Smurfs 2 PG, 1 hrmin 45 min After – PG13 – 105 – 12:30p, 1:30p, 3:05p, 4:00p, 7:00p (2:00), 9:45 7:30p,(4:20), 9:30p,7:25, 10:00p Fast & Furious 6 – PG13 – 135 min – *The Wolverine PG-13, 2 hr 6 min 1:00p, 4:05p, 7:00p,(4:20), 9:50p7:00, 7:25, (12:50), (1:30), (3:40), 9:50, *The10:10 Conjuring R, 1 hr 51 min 1:30p, 4:10p, 7:05p, 9:35p Epic – PG – 110 min – *Grown Ups7:15, 2 PG-13, (12:30), (3:00), 9:40 1 hr 40 min 1:45p, 4:20p, 7:40p, 10:10p The Hangover 3 – R – 105 min – *Despicable Me 2 PG, 1 hr 38 min (12:45), (3:00), (5:15), 2:15p, 4:30p, 7:30p,7:40, 9:50p9:55 *Star Trek Into Darkness RealD 3D – *The Heat R, 1 hr 57 min - 2:00p, 4:40p,– 7:20p, PG13 140 min10:00p – (1:15), (4:15),Special 7:30, 10:20 Events

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PAGE 9

Multiplex summers have long been the province of lewd comedies, stretching back to the glory days of the ’80s. The past few summers, however, have been home to ostensibly funny movies forsaking fundamentals — interesting characters, compelling stories, relatively fresh takes on genre tropes — and instead intent on going for broke. There are exceptions — “Bridesmaids” memorably broke the mold in 2011, and Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted” was rejuvenating last year — but the recent majority of studios’ summertime sillies have been trying way too hard. Thankfully, “We’re the Millers” falls into the exception category. Anchored by breakout performances from Jason Sudeikis and Will Poulter, Millers is a raunchy, hilarious and ultimately sweet-natured riff on the tried-and-true roadtrip comedy. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber from a screenplay stitched together by four credited authors (Bob Fisher, Steve Faber, Sean Anders and John Morris), the ﬁlm wastes little time establishing its straightforward premise. Low-level pot dealer David (Sudeikis) is robbed, and forced by his friend and boss, Brad (Ed Helms), to head south of the border and return an RV full of weed over the Fourth of July weekend. To blend in and avoid suspicion from authorities, David hits upon the idea of recruiting a fake family: stripper neighbor Rose (Jennifer Aniston), troubled runaway Casey (Emma Roberts) and awkward teen Kenny (Poulter). The foursome sets off to retrieve the marijuana, and all manner of off-color hijinks occur — including a horrifyingly memorable (and incredibly uncomfort-

80017142

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

PAGE 10

THE GUIDE

REvIEw

‘Planes’ takes a nosedive

ROGER MOORE

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

There are funnier cartoons than the “Cars” universe of movies, and smarter ones and animated films with more heart. But there’s nothing like the “World of ‘Cars’” for toy tie-ins, or so the reasoning must have been for “Planes,” the worst of the animated blockbusters to come our way this summer. A bland, joyless plucky-little-plane race comedy, it’s even more starved of jokes than Pixar’s “Monsters University,” as if that was possible. “Planes” is about a crop duster named Dusty who longs to be more “than just what I was built for. I’ve flown thousands of miles, and I’ve never been anywhere.” His elders (Cedric the Entertainer) might remind him that “You were built for seed, not speed.” But Dusty longs to escape Propwash Junction, and with the help of his fuel-truck pal (Brad Garrett) and trusty mechanic forklift (Teri Hatcher), he might just get into the roundthe-world race and win fame and glory. So it’s “Cars II” with planes. Or “Turbo” without the snail. They cast salty comic Dane Cook as the voice of Dusty and gave him nothing funny to say. Garrett, Hatcher, Stacy

‘Planes’ looks, sounds and feels like a direct-to-video project, which in an earlier age when people still bought DvDs it would have been. Keach (playing a grizzled World War II F4U Corsair), funnymen John Cleese and Cedric the Entertainer, funny woman Julia LouisDreyfus (as a FrenchCanadian race plane), all great voices playing trucks or planes, none of them with anything amusing to work with. A few national stereotypes — stuck-up Brit, Latin Lover — don’t deliver laughs, either. Like “Cars,” this was based on an idea from studio head John Lasseter, who apparently is surrounded by “Yes” men and women. Nobody was there to tell him that wonderfully detailed animated airplanes — “Skipper,” the Corsair, remembers his combat days in a vivid re-creation of World War II at one point — do not a movie make. A perfect 1930s Gee Bee racer replica isn’t funny, even when it’s given a Mexican accent. Casting two actors from “Top Gun” to voice Navy jets? Giving

Bulldog, voiced by John Cleese, left, and Ishani, voiced by Priyanka Chopra, in a scene from the animated film ‘Planes.’

Dusty is voiced by Dane Cook in the animated film ‘Planes.’

sports announcers Brett Musberger and Colin Cowherd (as a blimp) race-coverage announcing jobs? Real side splitters. “Planes” looks, sounds and feels like a direct-tovideo project, which in

an earlier age when people still bought DVDs it would have been. In theaters, it’s nothing more than a laughless 90-minute commercial for toys available at a retailer near you.

AP PHOTOS

Dottie the forklift, voiced by Teri Hatcher, Fred the Firetruck, voiced by Marc Silk, Dusty, voiced by Dane Cook, center, Chug the fuel truck, voiced by Brad Garrett and Roper, voiced by Sinbad, in a scene from the animated film ‘Planes.’

IF YOU GO what: “Planes” ◆ 1/2 Starring: Voices of Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Teri Hatcher, John Cleese, Brad Garrett, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Carlos Alazraqui Directed by: Klay Hall Running time: 90 minutes Rated: PG for some mild action and rude humor

ALSO OPENING what: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters’ Starring: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson Directed by: by: Thor Freudenthal Genre: Adventure/Family/Fantasy Plot summary: To restore their dying safe haven, the son of Poseidon and his friends embark on a quest to the Sea of Monsters to find the mythical Golden Fleece while trying to stop an ancient evil from rising. Running time: 106 minutes Rated: PG for fantasy action violence, some scary images and mild language

THE GUIDE

W-B native had dashing role in ‘Wee Willie Winkie’

AMY LONGSDORF

For The Times Leader

Widely hailed as one of Shirley Temple’s best ﬁlms, the John Ford-directed charmer “Wee Willie Winkie” (1937, Fox, PG, $15) showcases the young actress at the height of her tenure as America’s Sweetheart. It was producer Darryl F. Zanuck’s idea of bringing Rudyard Kipling’s story to the screen as a vehicle for Temple. He hired Ford (“How Green Was My Valley”) to direct the then-8-year-old star as a youngster who, along with her widowed mother (June Lang), takes up residence at

an Indian military outpost overseen by her cranky grandfather (C. Aubrey Smith). In no time, Shirley — nicknamed Private Winkie — is making pals with everyone around her, including a gruff soldier (Victor McLaglen) and a prisoner of war (Caesar Romero). Shirley also manages to ease a local rebellion and play matchmaker for her mother and a dashing solider played with panache by Wilkes-Barre native Michael Whalen. Whalen, born Joseph Shovlin in 1902, spent many years in NEPA. He worked as a manager at Woolworth’s department store before

resigning at the age of 23 to travel the world. After catching a Broadway show in New York, he was bitten by the acting bug and soon departed for Hollywood. Three years after his 1933 arrival in California, Whalen co-starred with Temple in “Poor Little Rich Girl,” which hit big. A year later came “Wee Willie Winkie.” A contract player at Fox, Whalen went on to star opposite a number of the studio’s leading lights, including Alice Faye, Gloria Stuart and Claire Trevor. His career never reached the heights of Fox powerhouse Tyrone Power, whom he resembled, but

RICK BENTLEY

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

was 1971, and the world, much less Rhode Island’s Perron family, had not seen “The Exorcist” and the generations of ultra-realistic horror movies and“Ghost Hunters”TV shows that followed, they didn’t heed the dog’s warnings.This is like a prequel to 40 years of demonic-possession thrillers. 112 mins. R for disturbing violence and terror. ◆◆ 1/2 DESPICABLE ME 2 — Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal. 98 mins. PG for rude humor and mild action. ◆◆ 1/2 FRUITVALE STATION — Based on tragic real-life events in 2009 when unarmed 22-year-old Oscar Grant was fatally shot by a cop at Oakland, Calif.’s Fruitvale train station, this begins with grainy cellphone footage of the killing, then tracks back in time to what led up to that horrible encounter. 85 mins. R for violence, strong language, drug use. ◆◆◆◆ GROWN-UPS 2 — After having the time of his life three summers ago, Lenny (Adam Sandler), decides to move his family back to his hometown and have them grow up with his gang of childhood friends and their children. But sometimes crazy follows you. 102 mins. PG-13 for crude and suggestive content, language and male rear nudity. ◆◆ THE HEAT — You’ll never see Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy work harder at comedy than in this stumbling, aggressively loud and profane buddy-cop picture where they struggle to wring“funny”out of a script that isn’t. 117 mins. R for pervasive language, strong crude content and some violence. ◆ 1/2 PACIFIC RIM — Enormous alien beasts were sneaking into the ocean through a crack in the ocean floor along the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire,” so governments teamed up to build gigantic robots called

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Whalen worked as an actor in movies and TV almost until his death in 1974 at the age of 71.

Amy Longsdorf writes about DVD and Blu-Ray releases with local connections.

jaegers.Years later, the jaeger program is winding down, but the monsters keep coming. 130 mins. PG-13 for sci-fi action, violence, brief language. ◆◆ 1/2 RED 2 — They bicker, blackmail each other, kiss and make up. But Bruce Willis and John Malkovich aren’t the “real”couple at the heart of this action comedy sequel about retired government assassins.They’re part of a love triangle, which Mary Louise Parker completes. 130 mins. PG-13 for action, violence, language and drug material. ◆◆1/2 SMURFS 2 — Turns out those diminutive, blue-skinned forestdwellers have been just fine since their 2011 big-screen outing, but there’s trouble brewing in their new adventure-comedy that will require their curious blend of wide-eyed optimism and goofy enthusiasm. 105 mins. PG for some rude humor and action. ◆◆ TURBO — How about a snail who enters the Indy 500? So you’re not bowled over. But “Turbo”has just enough heart to make it to the winner’s circle. 96 mins. PG for action. ◆◆ 1/2 TWO GUNS — Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg team up in this jokey-bloody action comedy that could use more jokes and less blood. 109 mins. R for violence throughout, language and brief nudity. ◆◆ THE WAY, WAY BACK — A fairly straightforward story of coming of age in a time of divorce manages to feel fresh, with all the frictions that arise as kids find themselves dealing with Mom and Dad’s new loves. 103 mins. PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material. ◆◆◆ 1/2 THE WOLVERINE — Hugh Jackman returns to his famed “X-Men”role in a more contemplative fashion. Logan travels to Japan to bid farewell to a dying acquaintance only to find himself protecting the life of an heiress. 126 mins. PG-13 for intense sci-fi action and violence, some sexuality and language. ◆◆

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Topping this week’s new DVD releases are three movies about men facing major turning points in their lives. “THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES,” GRADE B-: Lives of two different men intersect. Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling star. The film’s a three-act examination of how hard it is not to cross the line between good and evil. This deep concept starts brilliantly, but it slowly loses design and focus with each new story. By the third act, the writer/director has allowed the film to settle into what plays out as little more than a rejected script from a teen-angst TV series. All three parts come together to make “The Place Beyond the Pines” a beautifully shot film, whether it be the chaos of a midway or the calm of a baby’s crib. It’s the story that fades, and no amount of photography can create enough distraction to overlook those flaws. “MUD,” GRADE B+: Jeff Nichols’ script is a lot like the Mississippi River that serves as a backdrop for the tale of unrequited love. There are times it is big and powerful and times when it becomes so serene it’s easy to forget the depths that hide below. The flow of this film comes from the friendship

that forms between lovesick teen Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Mud (Matthew McConaughey), a rambling man who has taken refuge on a small island in the middle of the river. Mud returns to the small Arkansas community where he grew up, a place where he killed a man who abused the love of his life, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). Mud wants to reunite with Juniper, but he’s being hunted by the family of the man he killed. “OBLIVION,” GRADE B: Tom Cruise stars in this end-of-the-world sciencefiction drama after an alien invasion more than a half-century ago. Director Joseph Kosinski has created a beautiful film, including the stark image of the moon broken into millions of pieces. But too often the movie comes across as a small story that’s just trying to look big. Also new on DVD Aug. 6: “STRIKE BACK: CINEMAX SEASON 2”: Section 20 crosses the continent of Africa hunting down terrorists. “ Q U I C K S I LV E R ” : Kevin Bacon’s film about a bicycle messenger on a collision course with danger is now available on Blu-ray. “TO THE WONDER”: Romantic drama that explores the many phases and seasons of love.

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MOVIE AMY

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THE GUIDE

ExHIBITS THIS WEEK: Aug. 9 to 15, 2013 Jessup Art Loop, with art exhibits at 17 venues along with a pig roast, musical entertainment, face painting, horse-drawn wagon rides and a trolley shuttle. Along Church Street in downtown Jessup. 3 to 8 tonight. 382-3989 or jessupartloop.info. ONGOING EXHIBITS Our People, Our Land, Our Images, 51 works of photography of indigenous people taken by three generations of indigenous photographers from North and South America, the Middle East and New Zealand. Through Sunday at the Sordoni Art Gallery, Stark Learning Center, 150 S. River St., Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. Noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. 4084325. Frank Wyso: Coal Country, an exhibit focusing on the anthracite coal region by regional outsider artist Frank Wysochansky. Eckley Miners Village, Highland Road, off Route 940, Eckley. Through Aug. 31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. 636-2070. The Miracle of the Bells, an exhibit covering the story of the “real” Olga (Trotzski) Treskoff of Glen Lyon who became a successful Broadway producer and was the inspiration for a 1948 movie partially filmed in Glen Lyon. Luzerne County Historical Society Museum, 69 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Through Aug. 31: noon to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 823-6244. Toulouse-Lautrec and His World, the art and life of the French impressionist who painted during the Belle Epoque Era, capturing its famous singers, actors and other characters of the cabarets and cafes. Included: 150 works on paper accompanied by passages from French literature, photographs and other objects. Allentown Art Museum, 31 N. Fifth St. Through Sept. 1: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. 610-432-4333. Gardening Mind, colorful floral acrylics by Jason Kresock along with new paintings by Nina Davidowitz. Marquis Art and Frame, 515 Center St., Scranton. Through Sept. 2: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. 344-3313. Our Picturesque Landscape, the everchanging world of nature as seen through the lens of the Pocono Photo Club. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. Through Sept. 3: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. most Saturdays. 629-3061. Art Exhibit, oil paintings by Thomas Stapleton, ceramics by Barbara Shaffer and photography by Charles Shaffer. Marquis Art and Frame, 122 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Through Sept. 7: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. 8230518. Luzerne County in the Civil War. Luzerne County Historical Society Museum, 69 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Through Dec. 21:

These ‘Purple Callas’ are one of the colorful pieces at Jason Kresock’s exhibit ‘Gardening Minds’ running through Sept. 2 at Marquis Art and Frame in Scranton.

noon to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 823-6244. Sidewalk Surfing: The Art & Culture of Skateboarding, a multi-disciplinary exhibit on the roots of skateboarding including artifacts and artwork on the cultural importance of the sport. Everhart Museum, 1901 Mulberry St., Scranton. Through Dec. 30: noon to 4 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. 3467186. Exceptional Art — Exceptional Artists, works by artists from Verve Vertu Center of the Deutsch Institute. Speech-Language Pathology Department, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas. On display through April 2014: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 674-8255. ANNOUNCEMENTS Life in Susquehanna County: Images in Time and Space, a digital photography contest, sponsored by the Edward L. Rose Conservancy, to highlight the rural beauty of the area. Categories include landscapes, wildlife, children in nature, black and white photos and junior photographers. $10 per entry with a limit of five. Deadline: Aug. 15. Complete rules and guidelines at elrose. org.

Paintings by Thomas Stapleton — including this one called ‘Clearing Skies’ — will be exhibited at Marquis Art and Frame in Wilkes-Barre through Sept. 7.

THE GUIDE

As a historian introduces Monty Python’s Spamalot, you’ll hear a rousing number in which singers wearing colorful folk costumes “schlap” each other with “fisch” and welcome you to Finland. No, no, no, the historian tells them. The musical doesn’t take place in cheery, schlap-happy Scandinavia but in dismal, down-in-the-dumps England, where everyone who is “not yet dead” seems to have died of the plague. “Our costumer actually made all the fish and stuffed them,” said Lee Lachette, who is directing the show at Phoenix Performing Arts Centre in Duryea starting tonight. “The girls have the littlebit-bigger ones, to hit the boys with, and then we have one huge, gigantic one that ‘swims’ across the back,” the director said, explaining just a bit of the intense work that went into the production. “We’re the first theater in Northeastern Pennsylvania to put it on,” she said of the show, which won the Tony Award for best musical in 2005. “We’re really excited.” Even though “Finland” may seem like a better place to visit, Lachette promises you won’t be sorry when the action takes you to medieval England for a spoof of the King Arthur legend that also

pokes fun at the world of musical theater itself. Consider the lyrics: “Once in every show there comes a song like this. It starts off soft and low and ends up with a kiss … a sentimental song that casts a magic spell. They all will hum along. We’ll overact like hell.” That’s from “The Song That Goes Like This,” which reappears in Act II as the number “Twice in Every Show.” In Spamalot you’ll meet the Lady of the Lake (a diva who is miffed when she’s off stage too long), her bevy of Laker Girls, several recruits for King Arthur’s round table, a “doubting Dennis,” an apparently vicious rabbit, the king himself (whom Lachette describes as “the one with the brains, a true leader of all the knights”) and Arthur’s loyal servant, Patsy. “He’s just a cute, lovable sidekick,” Lachette said. “He bears the brunt of every joke.” Arthur, for example, can sing sadly about being all alone while Patsy reminds the king he’s there. The king will look right at him and continue to complain about being alone. Lachette, who choreographed the show along with directing, calls Spamalot “a choreographer’s dream.” “It’s chaotic,” she said, meaning that in a good way. “There’s absolutely not one dance that’s symmetrical with

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The search for the Holy Grail is spoofed Monty Python-style when ‘Spamalot’ opens tonight at the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre in Duryea. The cast includes (kneeling) Julia Galat and Bryna Soriano (standing) Maddi Petro, Maddison Black, Marian Mitchell, Olivia Bellanco and Leah Natushko.

all of them dancing together.” ing but worthwhile. “I had to In one huge number, she teach all my boys how to tap said, “The Lady of the Lake dance.” comes out and sings scat like a nightclub; there’s acrobat- IF YOU GO ics and tap dancing on the What: ‘Monty Python’s tables and cocktail waitress- Spamalot’ es. Sometimes you just don’t Where: Phoenix Performing know where to look.” Arts Centre, 409 Main St., The show’s most memora- Duryea ble song is the “Always Look When: 8 p.m. Fridays and and 2 p.m. Sundays on the Bright Side of Life,” a Saturdays through Aug. 25. number for the knights that Tickets: $12 Lachette says was challeng- More info: 457-3589

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Colyn Rodriguez and Marikate Sullivan work the floor during the Theatre at the Grove’s rehearsal for its production of ‘Cats.’

Saturdays; 2 p.m.Sundays.$12.457-3589. FUTURE Pennsylvania Lyric Opera,a fully staged and costumed double bill of the comedy“Gianni Schicchi”and the gripping drama“Pagliacci.” Notre Dame High School,60 Spangenberg St.,East Stroudsburg. 7:30 p.m.Aug.16; 3 p.m.Aug.18.$20; $15 students and seniors; $5 children.328-5864 or griceartists.com.

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THIS WEEK: Aug. 9 to 15, 2013 The Legend of Zammo, a comedy about an aspiring actress who gets stuck in the middle of a series of misfortunate events ending up in prison.APlay Creation Boot Camp production performed by students of the two-week summer camp.Caldwell Consistory, Market Square,Bloomsburg.6 tonight.Free.441-7173 or bte.org. Bye Bye Birdie, the musical comedy about an Elvis-like singer getting drafted into theArmy.Presented by the Pennsylvania Theatre of PerformingArts at theJ.J.Ferrara Center,212W.Broad St.,Hazleton.7 tonight and Saturday; 3 p.m.Sunday.$16; $32 with dinner.Reservations: 454-5451 or ptpashows.org. Cats, the popular Broadway musical based on a work byT.S.Eliot about the“nine lives”of a group of junkyard felines.Theatre at the Grove,5177 Nuangola Road,Nuangola.8 tonight and Saturday; 3 p.m.Sunday.$20.Reservations: 868-8212. Youth Theatre Project: Teens Teaching Teens, an evening of 10-minute plays that deal with bullying in an honest,touching and sometimes funny way.Sponsored by Scranton PublicTheatre at the Olde BrickTheatre,Rear 128W.Market St.,Scranton.8 tonight and Saturday.$10.344-3656. Monty Python’s Spamalot, the musical based on the zany film“Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Phoenix PerformingArts Centre,409 Main St.,Duryea.ThroughAug.25: 8 p.m.Fridays and

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THE GUIDE

Medieval mayhem in‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’

PAGE 14

THE GUIDE

CELEBRITY Q&A BY R.D. HELDENFELS

JUMBLE

UNIVERSAL SUDOKU

BY MICHAEL ARGIRION & JEFF KNUREK

Departed actress’s picture still in show Q. What happened to Stephanie on “The Bold and the Beautiful”? Her picture still hangs in Eric’s home. A. In 2012, Susan Flannery, who had played Stephanie Douglas Forrester on the daytime serial since it began in 1987, told the makers of B&B that she had decided to leave the show. “Twenty-five years was a great run,” she said in a statement to Soap Opera Digest. “I was very lucky, but it was time to exit.” She made clear she was not retiring, and planned not only to keep acting but also to continue directing, which she has done for an online series, Venice. The daytime drama had Stephanie’s lung cancer recur, killing her off, though not before a long and affectionate farewell in November. Considering that, it should not be surprising that Stephanie’s husband, Eric (played by John McCook), would still have her photo on display.

PREVIOUS DAY’S SOLUTION

CRYPTOQUOTE

Q. I hope you can help me locate a tape or DVD about a dog named Kipper. I would greatly appreciate it. A. There is such a dog in a series of children’s books by Mick Inkpen, and those books became an animated TV series. There are also Kipper DVDs under titles like Kipper: Imagine That! and Kipper: Puppy Love. If your local retailer does not have them, you can find them for sale by online retailers including Amazon.com and Deepdiscount. com. Telecasts are also in streaming video on Amazon.com, Netflix and iTunes. Do you have a question or comment for the mailbag? Write to me at rheldenfels@thebeaconjournal.com or by regular mail to the Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44309.

HOROSCOPE BY HOLIDAY MATHIS ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you stub-

bornly cling to your own ideas, you won’t know what anyone else thinks. Don’t worry. No one can change your opinion without your permission. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have a flair for communication. It starts before you ever fully arrive on the scene. People will see you coming and will begin to build a sense of curiosity. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Writing and transportation are themes of the day that fit together well. Through writing,

ON THE WEB For more Sudoku go to www.timesleader.com you can transport yourself and others to a different headspace. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Maturity doesn’t always equal restraint. Sometimes it’s more evolved to act on an impulse than to hold it back. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You know all those glamorous, charismatic visionaries you admire? Well, you’re becoming more like them every day. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Strong-willed people are sometimes hard on the people around them, but they often have other qualities that more than make up for their tendency to be difficult. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You have guts today, so do what you love. Someone will enjoy what you produce and get behind

you. Others won’t get it. But you don’t need everyone on your side. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your sunny mood has you coming at every problem with optimism. You’ll assist anyone who needs it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). What you need is willpower and the ability to overcome adversity — not because times are hard, but because they are not. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It of course will be helpful to think about how things might turn out before you embark on a journey. But don’t forget the part where you really do embark. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When you meet people blessed with deep levels of graciousness and sweetness, it makes

you want to try harder. You can be sure that people are thinking this when they encounter you today, too. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Some people want to know you. Others want to know what you think of them — that is, if it’s good news. This is the difference between small and great minds. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 9). Direct your listening skills inward, because your intuition will lead you out of bad situations and into good ones. September brings a special person into your life. October shows you where the money is, and December improves the family dynamic. Financial shifts in February inspire new alliances. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 2, 33, 49 and 14.

THE GUIDE

Dear Abby: I am in my early 30s and have been married for five years. My husband and I decided to have a baby, and five months ago I found out I was pregnant. When I told my mom the great news, she wasn’t happy to hear it. All she cares about is how “fat” I’m going to get. My mother never wants to talk about anything baby-related. If I complain about an ache or pain, she quickly says, “It’s

DEAR ABBY ADVICE because you’re fat!” The last time I went to the OB/GYN for a checkup, Mom didn’t even ask if everything was OK. All she said was, “How much weight have you gained?” It hurts me so much that she treats me and her future grandchild this way. I almost feel like having this baby was a mistake. Please help me. — Almost in Tears in Ohio

Dear Almost In Tears: Stop depending so much on your mother’s approval. The person you should talk to about your weight is your OB/GYN. If your weight is such that it might affect your health or your baby’s, you need to know. Your relationship with your mother doesn’t appear to be particularly positive. As you grow closer to motherhood, talk more with your girlfriends, talk more to your husband and less to your mother. Dear Abby: I don’t go to night-

GOREN BRIDGE

clubs often, so I’m curious as to what the protocol is for this. Sometimes, in the ladies’ room, there is a woman there with toiletries, gum, cosmetics, etc. Before you can get your own, she puts soap in your hand and gives you a paper towel. There is a bowl on the counter for people to leave tips. I understand this. My question: Am I supposed to tip her just once for the evening, or each time I use the ladies’ room? — Inquisitive Clubber in Florida

THE GUIDE

Woman’s first pregnancy is tainted by her mother’s insults Dear Clubber: Tip the attendant each time you use the bathroom and she hands you the soap and towel — the standard rate is 50 cents to a dollar. However, if you tip the person generously the first time, you shouldn’t feel obligated to do it again if you need to return. To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby’s “Keepers,” P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)

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Dear Abby: PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Celebrity Questions: TV Week, The Dallas Morning News, Communications Center, PO Box 655237, Dallas, TX 75265

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