tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237390093713412042024-02-06T19:26:09.888-08:00High Plains Drifter: A culture blog from southeast Wyoming"He lived so close to the real world it almost let him in."
— James Galvin (The Meadow)JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-27465717651004580092013-03-15T13:10:00.000-07:002013-03-15T13:12:13.146-07:00Young LCCC art instructor shows off work <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://danielmaw.dot5hosting.com/incidental_theatre/images/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://danielmaw.dot5hosting.com/incidental_theatre/images/15.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
The official description "Incidental Theatre: The Vignettes" art show at Laramie County Community College is daunting.</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.296875px;">"Looped animations are projected amidst an array of objects and printed matter that fill up most of the gallery in an arrangement that chronicles life’s vicissitudes in a distilled, palatable format – paradoxically evoking the dull, repetitive nature of modern life while also alluding to its flux."</span> </div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
"I guess I had my MFA big boy pants on when I wrote that. The show isn't really that hard to connect with," Artist Daniel Maw said. "Honest."</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="Factboxheader">
The <a href="http://lccc.wy.edu/newsEvents/eventDetails.aspx?Channel=/Channels/Campus%20Wide&WorkflowItemID=3a58e10d-ce70-4feb-8361-35898d9978c7">exhibit </a>is about daily life and how lonely that can be. It features a stylized cartoon character based on classic 1930s comics who wanders through empty and repetitive activities and tasks. Maw admits a certain level of autobiographical detail in the works, though he said he was going for an "every man" theme in the long run.</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br />
"We all do these same sort of things every day. Visit the mail box. Sit at a desk. Watch TV. Most of that is done alone and I wanted to sort of play with that," he said. </div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
The actual exhibit is made up of animated GIF images along with standard drawings and 3D art work. It's an impressive show for someone as young as Maw.</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
Maw is currently working as an art teacher at LCCC, having
completed his undergraduate work at the University of Iowa and his masters at
the University of Tennessee. He said he has always been inspired by cartoons,
especially from the 1930s.</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
Checkout more of his work<a href="http://danielmaw.com/"> here</a> and head out to the exhibit before it closes towards the end of march.</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
If you go</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
What: “Incidental Theatre: The Vignettes” is an art
exhibit featuring the works of Laramie County Community College Teacher Daniel
Maw. It features 3D art, looped animations and traditional drawings.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
When: The exhibit runs through March 28.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Where: Esther and John Clay Fine Arts Gallery, Laramie
County Community College, 1400 E. College Drive.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Cost: Free</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
More information: 778-1158</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Online: www.danielmaw.com</div>
JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-56394212051016474172013-03-12T15:41:00.000-07:002013-03-12T15:41:29.999-07:00Kevin Seconds free acoustic in-store tomorrow <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/205761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/205761.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ernienovember">Ernie November</a> record store will host a special in-store concert tomorrow with hardcore punk front man <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Seconds">Kevin Seconds</a>. The show is free and is one of a few stops Seconds is making across America for his current tour.<br />
<br />Let me spare you the Google search (which I actually had to do) and tell you that Seconds was the singer for 7 Seconds, an influential hardcore group in the late 1970s and 80s. Seconds is also know for being straight edge, though Wikipedia tells me that he is no spokesperson. More like a guy who likes that lifestyle and doesn't see the need in forcing it on everyone else. While he is known for hardcore punk, Seconds has built an imprissive acoustic career. That path has taken him across the U.S. and Europe since 1989, playing with people like Elliott Smith and Ben Lee as well as groups like the Bouncing Souls.<br /><br />Most of my non-Googled knowledge on Seconds and his band comes from my friend <a href="http://senecaflowers.bandcamp.com/">Seneca Flowers</a> who will be opening up the show tomorrow. He was kind enough to answer some questions for me ahead of the show including what an honor he thought it was opening for a guy like Seconds.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Like Seconds, Flowers comes from a punk background, but has turned to the acoustic guitar of late. In his words his music is "indie/acoustic punk." That basically means he checks out people like Frank Turner and Ryan Adams for inspiration.<br />
<br />
"My songs are usually written about personal woes and dreams," he said. "I'm not very imaginative with lyrics, so I have many local and Wyoming themed songs."<br />
<br />
I also asked Flowers what he thought of the local music scene which can be dominated by metal bands at the local bars and country acts during things like Cheyenne Frontier Days.<br />
<br />
"The scene here is very extreme in nature. We have a great metal community and our coffee house scene isn't too bad," he said. "But the Cheyenne music audience generally favors radio musicians which is sad because there isn't really many people learning to support our own."<br />
<br />
As for tomorrow's show, Flowers said he was honored to share the stage with a man he calls a legend.<br />
<br />"Many people will never realize his band's contributions to the hardcore or punk movements, but he was one of the few positive vocalists during a time of much depravity and he did it well," Flowers said. "I can't wait."<br /><br />If you go<br />
When: March 13, 7 p.m.<br />
Where: 217 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne<br />
Cost: Free!<br />
More information: Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=508490362542746&set=oa.331079390337099&type=1&theater">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-13756512626019608692013-03-07T08:55:00.002-08:002013-03-07T08:55:34.307-08:00Journey will play CFD ... Again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.gorgeamphitheatre.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://www.gorgeamphitheatre.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/journey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The delay was not worth the payoff yesterday.<br />
<br />
After several set backs, Cheyenne Frontier Days <a href="http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2013/03/07/news/01top_03-07-13.txt">finally announced Journey</a> as their rock act Wednesday, citing contract troubles with another band that dropped out as the reason for the delay.<br />
<br />CFD had pushed this announcement back several times starting in November when they failed to announce a rock band at their annual reveal party. With each passing month nothing was announced, speculation and interest continued to grow. No act would have filled that gap, but I'm sure there were others out there that would have drawn a bit more excitement than what is essentially a Journey cover band that played the exact same venue last year. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
In my few years here, the rock act has always seemed like an after thought. Something of a gift to those in the city who don't like country music, but are subjected to it during the last full week of July. Still, many people in the community pin their hopes to it, as it is one of the few chances to see real stars outside of country music without having to drive to Denver. With that in mind, it's easy to picture the disappointment for that group when they heard that a band with less than a third of its original membership would be taking the stage <u>again.</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
The CFD officials I talked with all said they were excited to have Journey back (they will be supported by Styx this year). They talked about the positive reviews from last year and the demand from their customers to bring them back. They also talked about how the act they had originally booked fell through, leaving them in a lurch "for the busiest fair and festival day of the summer." Incidentally, those are the same things they mentioned when I interviewed them about <a href="http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2013/01/16/entertainment/01ent%2001-16-13.txt">Alan Jackson replacing Lady Antebellum</a>, which I guess says more about their ability to create and maintain a party line than anything else.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the end, what are they going to say? Clearly having Journey isn't an ideal solution. They still put on a good show and move tickets, but it is the same exact show. They haven't put out a new album anyone wants to hear in years. Are people really going to buy tickets again to hear "Don't Stop Believing" one more time? <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
At some point I would love for someone from CFD to tell me how this process works. From the outside, it looks like they bring the same 10-14 acts ever year in some combination and tell us it is what we want. I'm sure those acts sell very well, but it would be nice to get some diversity in here. Not everyone filling out a survey is saying bring the same show again right?<br />
<br />
Of course I am sure they would say their job isn't to heighten the cultural sensibilities and variety of the area. Their job is to make money.<br />
<br />
That part they seem to have a <a href="http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2011/03/26/news/20local_03-26-11.txt">good</a> handle on.<br />
<br />
<i>CFD tickets are available online <a href="http://www.cfdrodeo.com/">here</a>. Tickets for Journey go on sale Mach 15 and range from $38-$58.</i><br />
<br />
<br />JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-33656289532614590142013-03-05T14:19:00.001-08:002013-03-05T14:19:13.178-08:00Bluegrass group The HillBenders will play Cheyenne in April <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.maynestage.com/images/t/9-1053-EventGraphicLarge.image.ashx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://www.maynestage.com/images/t/9-1053-EventGraphicLarge.image.ashx" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Bluegrass group the HillBenders will play in Cheyenne in early April.<br />
<br />
In the same vein as the Steep Canyon Rangers, the group hails from Missouri and brings the heat with party stomping bluegrass. They are touring in support of their 2012 release "Can You Hear Me" and their album "Down to My Last Dollar" is currently available on Spotify.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />The show is among the first from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WheelRutsProductions">Wheel Rut Productions</a> which hopes to bring more bands like this to Cheyenne over the next year. The promotion company recently brought Jalan Crossland to the same venue and has other shows booked into the future as well.<br />
<br />
Northern Colorado favorites Blue Grama and local heroes <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beatgrassband?fref=ts">BeatGrass</a>, who are finishing up their new album, will open the set.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/68ZrvhCna_o/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/68ZrvhCna_o&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/68ZrvhCna_o&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
If you go</h3>
4/6 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/135976096573682/">The Hillbenders @ Terry Bison Ranch</a>. $15 in advance or $17 at day of show. Tickets are at Ernie November. For fans of mountain music like the Lumineers, Steep Canyon Rangers and Jalan Crossland.<br />
<br />JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-60222319732028536192013-02-27T16:25:00.000-08:002013-02-27T16:25:00.709-08:00Aaron Watson talks about "July in Cheyenne"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.countrymusicnewsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/aaron-watson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://www.countrymusicnewsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/aaron-watson.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Country music singer<a href="http://www.aaronwatson.com/"> Aaron Watson</a> will be at the Outlaw March 14 in support of his new album "Real Good Time."<br />
<br />
During my interview today, I talked with him a little about his song "July in Cheyenne (Song for Lane's Momma) which talks about rodeo rider Lane Frost.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
J: Can you talk about the song "July in Cheyenne"? Are you going to be playing that when you come to town?<br />
W: I was up late one night and there was a rerun of “8 seconds” at 1 or 2
in the morning and I wound up doing some research on Lane after that. Of course everyone thinks of him as this World Champion Bull Rider, but I came across an interview with him mom where she said that wasn't his greatest achievement. She said asking Jesus to be his savior was. That really struck home for me, because for us he is an icon. To her, that's her little boy. I just new I wanted to write a song about that right then.<br />
J: That's really interesting to think about.<br />
W: Yeah, it really is. Anyway, we are amazed at how popular the song is and we will probably make it a single in the future. She actually called me up a few months back to thank me for it. I haven't won a lot of awards, but that was an award I can hang in my heart forever and ever and those are the ones I want any way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/O3C48O7r5hw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My story will run sometime in March ahead of the show, but I can't stress how thoughtful Watson was in his answers and how excited he was to come play in Cheyenne. Checkout the song and look for my story in the near future.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="Bodytype">
</div>
JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-37013205139147222202013-02-22T15:07:00.000-08:002013-02-22T15:10:55.446-08:00Mac Miller at UW this spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/mm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"I'm white boy awesome."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hip Hop rising star Mac Miller is going to play a show at the University of Wyoming April 13. Students get in for free, public gets in for $20.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<h3>
Things that are going to be going over well at the show:</h3>
* Converse shoes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Clear Eyes drops</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4627319">Tim Lincecum</a> jerseys</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Tribal armband tattoos</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Flat billed - strap back hats</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Flat billed hats of teams that are not in the Rockies</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Beanies with balls on the top</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* A lot of guys saying the word "bro"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
This tour looks a bit like a take off of one Mac was doing with Wiz Khalifa, except the downgrade here is significant with Sean Kingston filling in. Still, this should be a really fun show in an area that is starved for mainstream music.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is especially interesting to me that this announcement comes shortly after my very own University of Northern Colorado announced that <a href="http://www.uncmirror.com/news/northern-colorado-student-senate-meeting-discusses-macklemore-venue-green-campus-updates-1.2993011#.USfnE6WcfQ4">Macklemore</a> would be playing a show on campus around the same time. Obvious comparisons aside, white boys appropriating hip hop swagger mixed with hipster flair, the two make for an interesting comparison.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Miller is almost <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3__p9j261g">purely party music</a>. When he isn't referencing weed multiple times in one song, he talks about sex booze and getting wild all with a hyper stylized sense of nostalgia. Other topics include how cool his clothes are and how much he really really likes weed. Did I mention he likes to smoke? The core material is hardly ground breaking given his genre, but his songs are doubly interesting because of his skin color and young age. Take that away and I suppose you are still left with some pretty good hooks, but is that all people want these days? Actually I suppose that is all anyone every really wants, a catchy chorus to sing along with. See Timbaland, Timberlake and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQHPYelqr0E">Weezer</a> for more on this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Macklemore on the other hand, at least in his single "Thrift Shop," plays against hip hop stereotypes- choosing to rep bargain pricing over high style and brands. Where Miller plays to the frat boy crowds, Macklemore appeals more to the indy/hipster crowd with off-kilter pop culture references. His flow is decidedly more substantial than Miller's as well which really sells it, especially with excellent sampling backing it up.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It says something about this point in time in music when two quirky acts like this are selling out campuses across the U.S., even in regions as vanilla as this area can be. That something probably has to do with internet presence and the new label structure which benefits acts that are hard to categorize, but do well once people are exposed to it. Although a simpler answer is probably that college kids like to smoke and drink and have get down to some beats. Probably best to go with that before I get sucked into an afternoon searching and watching Millers videos and Google searching objects to see if I could afford them and be white boy awesome too.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In any case, I would be curious how aware the university is of Mac's propensity to smoke a little. For a campus that has twisted itself into knots about "liberal" types coming to speak to students who are or so impressionable, this is certainly not a family act.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6bMmhKz6KXg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-49210178536445178922013-02-19T15:23:00.000-08:002013-02-19T15:23:34.648-08:002013 Oscar nominated short films: animated <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theawesomer.com/photos/2012/03/080312_fresh_guacamole_t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://theawesomer.com/photos/2012/03/080312_fresh_guacamole_t.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Fresh Guacamole"<br />
<br />
My girlfriend and I headed to Fort Collins this weekend to watch the Oscar nominated animated shorts at the <a href="http://lyriccinemacafe.com/">Lyric Cafe</a>. The cost wound up being $12 for both of us, tickets only, but I thought that was a low price to pay to look down at everyone at our bosses' party who hadn't seen them.<br />
<br />
Just kidding. I don't talk to people less pretentious than I pretend to be.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The Lyric recently got new seats and a digital projector which is important to note because the seats and projector sucked previously. Like, worse than an art house should. The staff was, as always very friendly and I was surprised to see the place pretty full at 2 p.m. on a weekend, all be a three day one.<br /><br />
Going in, I had only seen "Paperman" which was in front of "Wreck It Ralph." That one is still the odds on favorite for me because it is well executed and had a fantastic story, but two others caught my eye.<br />
<h3>
"Fresh Guacamole"</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FQMO6vjmkyI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Just over a minute in length, I was blown away by how smooth the animation for this film was. Doubly so because the transitions and transformations were not of ordinary actions, but household objects repurposed to make guacamole. To that end, I was very impressed with the imagination of the piece and the clear joy of it all. Diced tomatoes actually became red dice and dipping chips were represented by poker chips. You have to smile at things like that. There was no pretension to it. It was as if a highly skilled and uninhibited child was explaining his ideas of where guacamole came from with no context needed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The downside of this one was that it is very short, which is something I can see voters holding against it. Especially when fully thought out and rendered stories are in the race as well. Checkout other works by PES <a href="http://www.eatpes.com/">here</a> including some commercial work you may recognize.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
"Head Over Heels" </h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/HEAD-OVER-HEELS-Image-04-535x401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/HEAD-OVER-HEELS-Image-04-535x401.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Of all the shorts, I think this one could actually beat "Paperman." It deffinily has the heart and soul of a great story along with some very impressive technical aspects voters in these categories love.<br />
The story looks at an aging couple who have a very unique living arrangement. He lives on the floor and she lives on the ceiling as their house twists and turns through the sky. There is no reason given for this, but one could read a lot into how their perspectives and views of life have grown and changed since they were first married. In that way the film has a lot to say about compromise, sharing and even personal growth. All of this is delivered with amazing and inventive visuals. Check out the movie <a href="http://www.filmofilia.com/watch-full-oscar-nominated-short-head-over-heels-by-timothy-reckart-137971/">here.</a><br />
<br />
I'm told the <a href="http://ons.shorts.tv/index.php">other</a> films are available on demand for a minimal cost though I haven't looked into that yet. Additionally, the documentary shorts and live action shorts will be screening at the Lyric up through the Oscars, so if you have time before Sunday's ceremony you should check it out.JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-45123653239310911912013-02-19T12:51:00.001-08:002013-02-19T12:52:55.737-08:00Banff Mountain Film Festival comes to Laramie <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiy5N5EOWsbnxeZi8RCOuGRLPTmCaeqpvrJfoLNd-acRUIyP5FRXmxkszF3Mj59cWglOrLmYxm2KnkhpIal6eP4Un-j1gzQsGrV-XofbLr67BVix11Poyz2zjrcT4FgohMkQeDTvsg6k/s1600/02-21+FEAT+Banf+Film+Fest-+Crossing+the+Ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiy5N5EOWsbnxeZi8RCOuGRLPTmCaeqpvrJfoLNd-acRUIyP5FRXmxkszF3Mj59cWglOrLmYxm2KnkhpIal6eP4Un-j1gzQsGrV-XofbLr67BVix11Poyz2zjrcT4FgohMkQeDTvsg6k/s400/02-21+FEAT+Banf+Film+Fest-+Crossing+the+Ice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Crossing the Ice"<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainfestival/worldtour/">The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour</a> will stop in Laramie Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. The high profile festival, which has visited the <a href="http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2013/02/banff-mountain-film-festival-at-uw-feb.-20.html">University of Wyoming since 1999</a>, focuses on mountain sports and culture while also looking at related topics like global warming. Films range in length as well and each tour date, and even screening night, are specially selected from all of the films to fit the interests of each stop.<br />
<br />
<br />
The center piece of the festival is "Crossing the Ice" which won the grand prize and people's choice awards at the festival's opening.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Filmed in Antarctica, "Crossing the Ice" follows James Castrission and Justin Jones as they travel to and from the South Pole completely unassisted while dragging their food, supplies and shelter.<br />
The story of this short film gets really interesting as the pair discover they are not alone on the ice - another experienced adventurer is racing for the same goal.<br />
<br />
Seeing as I have a hard time getting up the stairs to my apartment most days, the film sounds mighty impressive. Check out the clip:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/0_V8uYONwBg/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0_V8uYONwBg&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0_V8uYONwBg&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
Both screening nights are completly free and open to the public. There will even be giveaways from the festival organizers and local sponsors. Deffinitly worth the drive if the weather holds out.<br />
<h3>
If you go</h3>
<br />
<div class="Factboxtext">
What: Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings the
best of outdoor adventure films to Wyoming.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
When: Feb. 20 and 21, 7 p.m.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Where: University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium,
1000 E. University Ave., Laramie</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Cost: Free</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Online: www.uwyo.edu/sac</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
</div>
<h3>
First night film screenings</h3>
<div class="Bodytype">
“The Gimp Monkeys” (Climbing)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Last of the Great Unknown”</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Industrial Revolutions” (trick biking)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Ndizotheka” (paragliding)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Unicorn Sashimi” (skiing)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Mountains in Motion” (Canadian Rockies)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Flow Hunters” (kayaking)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Petzl Roc Trip China” (climbing)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Lily Shreds Trailside” (Dog/biking)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Second night film screenings</h3>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Huck (kayaking)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Viva La Vie” (climbing)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Highway Wilding” (environmental)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Moonwalk” (slacking)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Crossing the Ice” (Exploration)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“First Afghan Ski Challenge” (culture/ski)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Ernest” (humor)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“Strength in Numbers” (BMX/mountain bike)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“RR: Wide Boyz” (climbing)</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
“On Thin Sea Ice 2” (humor) </div>
<div class="Bodytype">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Factboxtext">
<br /></div>
JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-9236916900396175252013-02-13T13:17:00.001-08:002013-02-13T13:17:10.198-08:00Local and regional Valentine’s Day events<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://screenshots.en.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/68000/68754/st-valentines-screensaver-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://screenshots.en.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/68000/68754/st-valentines-screensaver-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
Happy early Valentine's Day everyone.</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
Here is a list of events in Denver, Cheyenne and Laramie going on in and around Valentine's Day. If you know of others feel free to post them in the comments. </div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<b>Duo Dmitri: Valentine’s Day Concert</b></div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
What: Luba Agranovsky and Dmitri Kasyuk will perform on
the piano and flute. Winners of numerous competitions, they grew up in Moscow before
moving to Jerusalem. Wine and cheese will be served.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
When: Feb. 14, 7-9 p.m.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Where: Mt. Sinai Synagogue, 2610 Pioneer Ave. </div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Cost: Tickets are $10 each or two for $18 with discounts
for seniors and military.</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<b>“Exit the Body” </b></div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
What: Mystery/farce from the Cheyenne Little Theatre Company
set in New England.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
When: Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Where: Mary Godfrey Playhouse, 2706 E. Pershing Blvd.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Cost: Tickets are reduced to $10 each. </div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Online: www.cheyennelittletheatre.org</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="Factboxheader">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkqBawFxV1o"><b>Comedian Tom Papa</b></a></div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
What: Special valentine’s packages to see comedian Tom
Papa, who opened for Jerry Seinfeld and is a regular on late night TV shows.
Ages 21 and older.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
When: Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Where: Comedy Works at the Landmark, 5345 Landmark Place,
Greenwood Village, Colo.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Cost:$25-$119 with packages that include roses, or
chocolates.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Online: www.Comedyworks.com</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<a href="http://cheyennecapidolls.squarespace.com/"><b>Valentine Date Skate </b></a></div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
What: Hosted by the Cheyenne Capidolls admission includes
drinks, a snack and skate rentals. </div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
When: Feb. 16, 6-9 p.m.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Where: Roller City, 5506 Weaver Road.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Cost: $8 for singles, $15 for couples. Adults only.</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<a href="http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2013/02/13/entertainment/02ent%2002-11-13.txt"><b>Valentine’s Day Formal Dance </b></a></div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
What: Cheyenne Dance Club formal Valentine’s Day dance. </div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
When: Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m. cocktails; 6 p.m. dinner; 7-10
p.m. dancing.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Where: Yellowstone Room at the Holiday Inn, 204 W. Fox
Farm.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Cost: $25 a couple or $10 for first timers. Dinner is $24
a person and requires advance registration. Yearly dues to the club are $100.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Dinner is $24 a person and dancing is $25 a couple or $10
for first timers.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
For more information on membership: 635-0875 or 778-7977</div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<br /></div>
<div class="Factboxheader">
<b>Comedian Kevin Fitzgerald at Laramie Laughs for a Cause</b></div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
What: Fitzgerald is a comedian and former veterinarian who
also served as a bouncer for the Who and the Rolling Stones. Evening includes
silent auction and raffle.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
When: Feb. 15, cocktails and hors d’ouvres at 7:30 p.m.,
show at 8:30 p.m.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Where: Hilton Garden Inn and UW Conference Center, 2229 E.
Grand Ave., Laramie</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Cost: $25 in advance from select stores in Laramie, $40 at
the door. Special room rates for the hotel are also available.</div>
<div class="Factboxtext">
Online: www.soroptimistoflaramie.org</div>
<div class="Bodytype">
<br /></div>
JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-48212224229667648842013-02-08T12:56:00.001-08:002013-02-08T12:56:51.162-08:00New Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit opens Sunday in Denver <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNhACeN95EbJAcPqAUEkqohZuB3Ww_QxS_6pPddH5Jj-cHj7ywr_YCyCNVA1ehidJ9x2TyljRNWijkN3LYC_eXpW5eygu1i17fYBarxYb53XbskstYIROytm8q4Up12f3xpuEU4rXLQY/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNhACeN95EbJAcPqAUEkqohZuB3Ww_QxS_6pPddH5Jj-cHj7ywr_YCyCNVA1ehidJ9x2TyljRNWijkN3LYC_eXpW5eygu1i17fYBarxYb53XbskstYIROytm8q4Up12f3xpuEU4rXLQY/s400/image+(1).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, helvetica; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">"It is not a country of light on things. It is a country of things in light."</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I traveled to Denver yesterday to see the "Georgia O'Keeffe in New Mexico" exhibit at the <a href="http://www.denverartmuseum.org/">Denver Art Museum</a> during a media preview event.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While the display is lacking some of the large name works that can be seen on postcards, posters and perhaps most famously my mom's desktop wallpaper, it does feature a few rare paintings that should draw in knowledgeable fans and the curious first timers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>The display includes 53 pieces, including 15 rarely seen Katsinam doll paintings, from O'Keeffe's time in New Mexico. The works map her growth as an artists during that time period when O'Keeffe became very productive in the solitude of the west, creating the art she would become known for. She was attracted to the area almost instantly, finding beauty in the architecture and landscape - forms that were very different from the glass and steel of the skyscrapers she experienced in New York.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The exhibit has several examples of her work with local churches and landscapes next to original drawings.She would often paint the same locations in different ways, some more abstract than others, playing with shapes and colors that she had not worked with before.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Georgia O'Keeffe museum helped set everything up and many of the works come from its collections. Those works aside, the most interesting part of the exhibit was the katsinam doll paintings which have rarely been shown.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwmNTkO9wPLORvBB6GnT5uDJaSTJebnWAebzUPbrmPCRrZVWXVj1RyEnAgKvArdPZlstnVsogJK8s1006Mz_vKgy_5YOGIKzI5p_pu88BqlVMq8Tng_yiz4qwmgNL8kuLKSuRY_YToBE/s1600/image+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwmNTkO9wPLORvBB6GnT5uDJaSTJebnWAebzUPbrmPCRrZVWXVj1RyEnAgKvArdPZlstnVsogJK8s1006Mz_vKgy_5YOGIKzI5p_pu88BqlVMq8Tng_yiz4qwmgNL8kuLKSuRY_YToBE/s400/image+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Representative of spiritual figures from the Hopi tribes which traveled between the spirit world and the mortal world, these dolls were used to teach young tribe members about each God and their role in everyday life. Some brought rain, others provided punishment to those who had committed wrongs. O'Keeffe was certainly aware of the cultural and religious aspects of these dolls, having been invited to several ceremonies, but was more interested in their color and form. They provided the differing textures and colors she had been searching for in the desert environment which was essentially monochromatic.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />These paintings were made for herself and were occasionally given to friends. As a result, there have been few chances to see these dolls and the Denver Art Museum is rightfully excited to share them here. The works are augmented by the museum's collection of dolls which they have on display in the exhibit which gives a nice level of continuity. I found it interesting comparing the two sets and seeing how O'Keeffe played with their types and shapes over time. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />The exhibit opens Feb. 10 and runs through April 28. Admission to the exhibit is included with a general admission ticket. Head to their <a href="http://www.denverartmuseum.org/exhibitions/georgia-okeeffe-new-mexico">web page</a> for more information and to book your visit now. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-31861037098013732312013-02-05T08:26:00.003-08:002013-02-05T08:26:46.695-08:00The One Day Show The Ozymandian Theater, a local improv and sketch group, will be hosting an interesting show Friday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93Hmdd7v2WhYhQb0WdbMESZZVXNrDou2r5LQGYEia-QR3GlFfSQ0nncnZw-13VjCq0y_kjVfd41ODo-gzbiGmbtVd2dlTlpKJOTR76ZNRq1pF80TUH4NJJSX4U1LwPqET2Jhd4hiGy1_m/s1600/%25CE%25A0%25CE%25BF%25CE%25BB%25CE%25BB%25CE%25AD%25CF%2582+%25CE%25BC%25CE%25AC%25CF%2583%25CE%25BA%25CE%25B5%25CF%2582.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93Hmdd7v2WhYhQb0WdbMESZZVXNrDou2r5LQGYEia-QR3GlFfSQ0nncnZw-13VjCq0y_kjVfd41ODo-gzbiGmbtVd2dlTlpKJOTR76ZNRq1pF80TUH4NJJSX4U1LwPqET2Jhd4hiGy1_m/s320/%25CE%25A0%25CE%25BF%25CE%25BB%25CE%25BB%25CE%25AD%25CF%2582+%25CE%25BC%25CE%25AC%25CF%2583%25CE%25BA%25CE%25B5%25CF%2582.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The group will be taking ideas and suggestions for their show through social media sites most of the day Thursday. They will then take those ideas and fold them into a full show which will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Atlas. It is a massive undertaking, and something the group has never tried before.<br />
<br />
More from their their <a href="http://www.ozytheater.com/shows_details.html?id=41">web page</a> after the jump:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">Here is how this will work: On Friday, February 8th we will spend the day using Facebook, Twitter and our website to get sketch suggestions from all of you. Then the next morning (Feb 9th) the cast of Ozy will gather to write and produce the show that we will perform later that night. That's right folks, we are going to build an entire sketch comedy show in one day! It will be an evening not to be missed...and one that will keep the members of Ozymandian Theater from sleeping well over the next few weeks.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
Talking with the cast yesterday it sounds like it should be a fun evening and the money for tickets, $12 for adults $10 for students/Military, goes to local and national charities. Log on to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/13193787449/?fref=ts">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/OzyTheater">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://www.ozytheater.com/">web</a> page to track the suggestions Friday.<br />
<br />
<br />JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-50560329441979746272013-01-30T13:19:00.001-08:002013-01-30T13:19:12.095-08:00The Toasters- Atlas Theatre 1-29-13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">"This one goes out to you Cheyenne. Because living here must be a real *Explative*" -Bucket </span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI02oK2JRq5pmPudEG-kyCKUMg5e_Q2yuY6UFJ1bYaAwzCGxQFaGlwjHhr4nNN-SSiaIlFNCX5k5d7sX_ygcBUua6G3PP8NZS_4FhCcRYvKH73uJ8zHh_zeU0QcHhX1ETPNhpMzA02Pa0/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI02oK2JRq5pmPudEG-kyCKUMg5e_Q2yuY6UFJ1bYaAwzCGxQFaGlwjHhr4nNN-SSiaIlFNCX5k5d7sX_ygcBUua6G3PP8NZS_4FhCcRYvKH73uJ8zHh_zeU0QcHhX1ETPNhpMzA02Pa0/s400/image.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
The Atlas was empty Tuesday evening, save for about 80 people who braved the weather on a school night to see The Toasters. Still, I'm not sure there would have been a bigger crowd even if Cheyenne wasn't an ice rink already. While they are ska legends, the Toasters are hardly name brand, especially in a place like Cheyenne.<br />
<br />
Their case wasn't helped by a string of incoherent local openers, which were often terrible and mostly unlistenable. In their defense, when some 60-80 people (in a room built for hundreds) are there specifically to see one act, any opener is going to have a hard time Of course that doesn't excuse the terrible NOFX ripoff set (complete with incoherent yelling and swear words) that Ackrite put up or the random collection of over-energized/unintelligible covers and originals that locals<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ItGetsWorseSka"> It Gets Worse</a> put together. Touring opener Mrs. Skannotto out of New York were the one highlight of the early sets, and I have to commend them for playing with such class and skill to a room which mostly just stared and leaned on the railings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
It was about 9:30 by the time the Toasters hit the stage. Singer/Guitarist, and only original member, Bucket seemed nonplussed about the crowd size and his stage presence was a delight after the front men we had been subjected to by that point. Fat Tire at the ready, his band played for just over an hour, hitting all of the classics ("Two Tone Army") and generally making for a pretty enjoyable set. The whole thing felt at its best when the dance area filled up with skankers who were mostly dancing ironically, but still added to the vibe of the show. At one point Bucket mentioned he had forgotten the band had played here about 18 years ago. This was meet with some gentle applause from an audience which trended to the over 35 and under 20 heavily. A hard crowd to please and harder to gauge, even in the most festive of circumstances. <br />
<br />
The final song of the evening, "Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down" earned a pretty good response, though the crowd couldn't organize itself to call for an encore. It seemed like everyone wanted to get to bed or something. One attempt to start a chant went from three to just one voice before stopping completely. Just as well anyway. While The Toasters certainly have more songs, there is no need to draw out what was an undeniably strange evening and I can't picture something more awkward than walking off and on the stage for an encore at that point.<br />
<br />
In any case, lesser <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MemphisMayFire">acts</a> have been "thrown off" by the sound tech and crowd size, but the Toasters were true professionals. One hopes that the city made enough of an impression on them to warrant a trip sooner than 18 years from now.<br /><br />
<br />JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-28590925310635641932013-01-28T14:17:00.001-08:002013-01-28T14:22:32.507-08:00Upcoming shows of note in the area <i>The music scene is going pretty well in SE Wyoming these days despite it being the dead of winter. Here are a few shows to mark on your calendar in the upcoming weeks.- JJ</i><br />
<br />
<b>1/29 The Toasters @ The Atlas Theatre, 6 p.m. $10 in advance or $12 at the door. </b><br />
The Toasters are a legendary ska band that have been making music for more than 30 years. The lineup is in constant fluctuation as there is only one original member, Bucket, but that's not a bad thing. Bucket invites his friends, often ska legends in their own right, tour with him. The result is a heck of a good time from some real pros. Check out my story <a href="http://wyomingnews.com/articles/2013/01/21/entertainment/01ent%2001-21-13.txt">here </a> and the Facebook invite <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/174214856052363/?group_id=0">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/pSo-_TavE1U/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pSo-_TavE1U&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pSo-_TavE1U&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2/09 Jalan Crossland @ Terry Bison Ranch, 6 p.m.. $12 in advance or $15 at the door.</b><br />
Having done several stories on <a href="http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2012/05/15/entertainment/02ent%2005-15-12.txt">Jalan</a> I can say there are few people in the world easier to talk with. Part Dylan, part banjo fiend, Crossland comes from Ten Sleep, Wyo. and is an amazing story teller and performer. He also won an award from the <a href="http://artscheyenne.com/blog/latest-news/governor-mead-announces-recipients-of-2012-governors-arts-awards/">governor</a>. What have you ever done? Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/490136594377395/490281281029593/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SdYUx7E0oYE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="ToDocalendarsubhead">
<b>Other local shows</b></div>
<div class="ToDocalendarsubhead">
2/1 Peggy Maynard @ Sanford’s Pub and Grub, 115 E.
17th St. 634-3381</div>
<div class="ToDocalendartext">
2/1 Seven Sundays@
American Legion Post 6, 7-10 p.m. 2001 E. Lincolnway. 635-3696</div>
<div class="ToDocalendartext">
<br /></div>
<div class="ToDocalendartext">
Know a local show that needs to be heard about? Hit me up on twitter @TheRhoten or send me an e-mail at Rhot9839@gmail.com.</div>
<br />JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0Cheyenne, WY, USA41.1399814 -104.8202461999999941.044325400000005 -104.98160769999998 41.2356374 -104.65888469999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-23567294118125533122013-01-25T10:05:00.001-08:002013-01-25T10:14:06.034-08:00Review: "How to Survive A Plague" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTg2NTEyNTE3NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNjY3NzM0OA@@._V1._SY317_CR0,0,214,317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTg2NTEyNTE3NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNjY3NzM0OA@@._V1._SY317_CR0,0,214,317_.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Directed by David France<br />
Written by David France, Todd Woody Richman, Tyler H. Walk<br />
2013 Best Documentary Nominee (Academy Awards)<br />
Currently streaming on Netflix<br />
<br />
<i>"PLAGUE! A PLAGUE is upon us and all you can do is argue with each other? That's what this is. Over 40 million infected is a plague! And what have we done, what have we done to stop this? Till we get our acts together we are as good as dead." </i><br />
<br />
I didn't know this story.<br />
<br />
At 26 years old, I am too young to remember the AIDS crisis and have never really looked into. Why should I? AIDS doesn't draw the same fear and visceral reaction that it once did. It is still a scary disease that can and does kill, but we know about it. We know famous people with it. We know how it spreads and how we can protect ourselves. There is little left to the imagination about what it can do.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
"How to Survive a Plague" brings us back to a time when HIV and AIDS were death sentences. When the worst fears about a disease could be true and there were few places to get answers, and fewer to get treatment. It takes us to a very scary time that was not all that long ago.<br />
<br />
The film follows two gay rights activist groups, ACT UP and TAG, as they attempt to educate the community and world about the AIDS crisis and force the government into action to treat and to help stop the spread of the disease.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/01/How_to_Survive_a_Plague.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/01/How_to_Survive_a_Plague.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As the documentary progresses it shows the different tactics and goals of both groups and how they overlap and conflict over time, especially as change is slow to come. This wasn't one voice, but rather many calling for faster testing of drugs, more support for those already infected and greater education on prevention methods. The documentary shows these are all problems the U.S Food and Drug Administration and the government has no leadership for. Instead they are spending time testing drugs that have been approved by other countries for years in their slow and intensive process, leaving AIDS victims to experiment on their own or use black market drugs. Indeed, the heart of the movie shows that if the government hadn't ignored what was a quickly growing crisis there may well have been fewer deaths and certainly less suffering from poor combinations of medicines.<br />
<br />
The documentary does a great job of showing the general consensus in the 1980s that this was a white homosexual male problem and it would stay that way through TV interviews and public comments which is partially why it took so long to get anything going. Most people were ignorant about the disease from transmission to symptoms which created a lot of bias and miss information. My favorite part of the film was a news anchor asking a AIDS patient if there were any people of color or women in his study to which he said no.<br />
<br />
<i>"Well why do you think that is?"<br />"This just the start of the problem."</i><br />
<br />
There isn't much science in the movie and that is probably a good thing. The parts where we talk to chemists and doctors are simple and not filled with a lot of jargon which would have been easy to do. Instead we are shown the faces of the people effected and the people who are trying to get help. Their stories are the most vivid and the most heartbreaking.<br />
<br />
Cobbled together from home recordings and old footage, the documentary also mixes in a light sprinkling of current interviews for context. I can only speculate as to the amount of film that had to have been combed to get these great images of the protests and meetings, but the result is an impressive background document that isn't overwhelming in context or information. The added value from archive material is a real sense of time and place along with the urgency the two groups are feeling to get something done as people who appear one screen are literally dying.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Spoilers ahead</span><br />
<br />
I connected most with Bob Rafsky, an activist who brought the AIDS conversation to the front of the election cycle when he questioned then candidate Bill Clinton from the stands on his position. His speeches were empowering and I found myself wonder why I had not heard his name before. His death towards the end was an emotional turning point in the film and it was amazing to see his anger and confidence till the end. You can read about him <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/23/nyregion/robert-rafsky-47-media-coordinator-for-aids-protesters.html">here</a>, though I would also point to the stories of Ray Navarro and others as equally moving and in need of telling.<br />
<br />
"How to Survive A Plague" is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the social changes that can happen when the people say they have had enough. The movie is not just about gay rights, or an unchecked health crisis, but about civil rights and the availability of care for all human beings. It deserves to be, and must be, seen by everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wwhFS1mUaVY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723739009371341204.post-12163418661559608992011-01-18T17:13:00.001-08:002011-01-18T17:21:53.921-08:00Beneath These Western Skies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtWuTmkRsKgiJ3d908BxL06Uv9brOGqsnsENsB_Y3_WDrglwIXNSrLMYRYd2g7ht6UAURDVsMvk5fIdMPQ4hJXx25wo34ChV3XjKsmGhouXNOmLIf2L-857LUSVGiIHr8hKgYG2fXLRw/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtWuTmkRsKgiJ3d908BxL06Uv9brOGqsnsENsB_Y3_WDrglwIXNSrLMYRYd2g7ht6UAURDVsMvk5fIdMPQ4hJXx25wo34ChV3XjKsmGhouXNOmLIf2L-857LUSVGiIHr8hKgYG2fXLRw/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563699971929411666" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>At the buffalo ranch 300,000 years of evolution meets $300,000 worth of hydraulic equipment. Pop quiz...what is the difference between a buffalo and a bison?<br /><div>Answer: one is was hunted to near extinction in North America (bison) and the other is bread and raised like cows in many parts of the world (buffalo). The terms are not interchangeable. </div>JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560775326843026206noreply@blogger.com0