Comedy Thriller

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:27:08 -0700

“Burn After Reading” Next Featured Film at Fredonia Opera House

FREDONIA – “Burn After Reading,” the latest comedy thriller from the Oscar-winning Coen Brothers, is the next featured film in the Cinema Series at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. It will be screened Sat., Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. and Tues., Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m.
The opening film of the 2008 Venice International Film Festival, “Burn After Reading” stars Oscar winners Tilda Swinton, George Clooney and Frances McDormand and Oscar nominees John Malkovich and Brad Pitt in a story of what happens when top secret information falls into the wrong hands.
At the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency, analyst Osbourne Cox (Malkovich) arrives for a secret meeting. Unfortunately for Cox, the secret is soon out – he is being ousted. Cox does not take the news particularly well and returns to his Georgetown home to work on his memoirs and his drinking – not necessarily in that order. His wife, Katie (Swinton), is dismayed, though not particularly surprised. Already involved in an illicit affair with Harry Pfarrer (Clooney), a married federal marshal, she sets about making plans to leave Cox for Pfarrer.
Elsewhere in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, and seemingly worlds away, Hardbodies Fitness Center employee Linda Litzke (McDormand) can barely concentrate on her work. She is consumed with her life plan for extensive cosmetic surgery, and confides her mission to can-do colleague Chad Feldheimer (Pitt). When a computer disk containing material for Cox’s memoirs accidentally falls into the hands of Linda and Chad, the duo are intent on exploiting their find. As events spiral out of everyone’s and anyone’s control, the whole situation mushrooms into a cascading series of darkly hilarious encounters.
Amy Biancolli of the Houston Chronicle calls the film “a Coen brothers kick in the pants.” Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times calls it “funny, sometimes delightful, sometimes a little sad, with dialogue that sounds perfectly logical until you listen a little more carefully and realize all of these people are mad.” David Ansen of Newsweek calls it “a blackly comic illustration of Murphy’s Law, set in the Washington world of CIA espionage, and populated with a cast of delusional dunces who are a wonder to behold.” J.R. Jones of the Chicago Reader notes “Joel and Ethan Coen return to their trademark brand of cruel, misanthropic farce; and for dark laughs and hurtling narrative momentum this spy caper is their best work since Fargo.” Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence, “Burn After Reading” runs 95 minutes.
Tickets for the Opera House Cinema Series are available at the door for $7 (adults), $6.50 (seniors & Opera House members) and $5 (students & children) the night of each showing. For more information, call the Opera House box office at 716-679-1891. The Series continues with “Bottle Shock” on Nov. 8 & 11; “The Duchess” on Nov. 15 & 18 and “Flash of Genius” on Nov. 22 & 25.
Chautauqua County’s only year-round performing arts center, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.fredopera.org" www.fredopera.org.

Arts In Education

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:27:07 -0700

Arts Council Makes Impact on School Communities

The Arts Council For Chautauqua County’s Arts In Education programs have begun and are having an impact on the region’s school communities.
In early September, Dave Poulin unveiled a sculpture he completed with the inspiration and assistance of Bemus Point Elementary students. The work was funded through a BOCES Cooperative Service agreement by the school district, through the Arts Council.
At the end of the month, students from Lincoln Elementary School participated in a clean-up of Chautauqua Lake while visiting Celeron Park. Staff from the Jamestown Audubon Society shared samples of local wildlife during the activity. This program continues throughout the school year as The Chautauqua Lake Curriculum Project. Other participating schools include Rogers, Fletcher and Ring Elementaries. Renee Pye provides art instruction and coordinates this program.
21st Century Community Learning Centers and Jamestown Schools also fund many after school opportunities with teaching artists from the Arts Council. Students at 5 elementary schools and 2 middle schools are taking part in art, mixed media, hand drumming and video production activities in programs operated by the YMCA and YWCA. Additional programming is being planned for high school students at The Eastside YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and Lutheran Social Services. Jamestown Schools also fund art activities as part of the Accelerated Learner Program, which will begin in mid-October. Teaching artists include Lori Rothfus, Rich Schuler and Tara Eastman.
The Arts Council also provides special instructors for programs integrated into curriculum. Writers, Jana Willoughby, Paul Leone and Susan Rowan Masters are currently working with the Ripley Writes program. Arts Council staff (Ed Tomassini, Lisa Carlson and Dennis Drew) teach media arts as part of Jamestown High School’s RadioWorks and VideoWorks classes. In 2009, Nicole Ten-Eyck will return to JHS to teach a dance class as part of the physical education curriculum.
Jamestown High School also sponsors a Drama Club in the afternoons at the Reg Studio Theater at 108 East Third Street. Local actors, John Blackman and Dana Block are directing the students up to 4 days a week for a production that will be unveiled on November 21 and 22.
Dramatic arts instruction is not limited to after school clubs. At Resource Center locations in Jamestown and Dunkirk, the Arts Council will be providing acting classes. Valerie Walawender is teaching in Dunkirk, while Sandra Andriaccio will begin in November at the Dunkirk location.
Anyone interested in starting up an Arts In Education program should contact Program Coordinator, Len Barry at 716-664-2465, ext. 209. Local Capacity Building Grants will provide matching funds for programs that occur during the school day in grades Kindergarten to 12. Those interested in applying must contact Len. The next deadline is November 3. More information may be found at www.artscouncil.com. Local Capacity Building Grants, Ripley Writes and VideoWorks all receive support from The New York State Council On The Arts.

Last First Friday of 2008

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:27:05 -0700

Nov. 7 in Downtown Westfield

Enjoy a special afternoon at Cross Roads Market and Downtown Westfield. Come kick-off the holidays and support our local businesses on Friday November 7. The annual Christmas Open House starts at 3:00 p.m. at Cross Roads Market and will feature Live music, free candy to all kids under 99, specials and discounts, and $100 Cross Bucks giveaway. There will be a holiday burning log that is over 12 feet tall.
Later in the day come to downtown Friday November 7, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. to enjoy sales at retail shops, the art walk, lots of live music, wine tasting, gallery openings, and restaurant specials.
There will be special art displays at Main Street businesses featuring a dozen fine artists working and displaying their work. This will be the last First Friday until spring.
First Friday is sponsored by The Westfield Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and The Westfield Development Corporation. The purpose of this monthly event is to reconnect the public with local businesses and the arts. These Fridays are a chance to celebrate the increased liveliness of downtown and Westfield’s local flavors.
For more information on First Fridays or the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, please contact the Denise Connolly 716-326-4000.