Archive: Arts & Entertainment

v8i33

Amirali Ghasemi, Untitled from the Coffee Shop Ladies, Tehran series, exhibition size 50 x 70 cm digital C-print, 2004-05The Wells College Visual Arts Department is proud to announce its first exhibition of the 2012–13 academic year, "Gender and Exposure in Contemporary Iranian Photography." The photographic prints will be on display in the String Room Gallery (SRG) from August 29 through October 3. The exhibit is free and the public is cordially invited to view the show. An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, August 29 from 6-8 p.m.; refreshments will be served.

This exhibition, guest-curated by Andrea Fitzpatrick of the University of Ottawa, is based on her research into Iranian culture as well as field-work done in Tehran in 2010. In an attempt to expand the issues that have preoccupied discourses in Middle Eastern art (namely: femininity, the veil, gender oppression, religious traditions and/or revolutionary violence), this exhibition addresses the exposure of gendered bodies in Iranian lens-based art.

The Tompkins County Public Library will showcase an assortment of thought-provoking and timely exhibits during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night from 5 to 8 p.m. September 7.

Being highlighted during Gallery Night are: “Farewell,” an exhibit of ceramic birch sculptures created by nationally-exhibiting, renowned sculptor Eric Seritella, “Banned Books, a display of books torn from the shelves of school and public libraries, “Drawing on Democracy,” an exhibit that challenges the meaning and interpretation of the word “democracy” and “Heart Gallery,” an exhibit of photographs of available foster children waiting for forever families.

SMART TALK

by Dr. Verbos Metikulos



NOTORIOUS: Here at the Center for English as a First Language, we've noticed an increasing use of notorious to mean well known in a positive way. If we were notorious for our treatment of Americans who don't know their own language, people might think we feed them to alligators. Instead, we're famous. Our patients speak and write clearly and concisely, and the nation knows it. That's famous.

Notorious - why do we have to explain this? - means well known in a negative way. Serial kills are notorious. Politicians are notorious. Osama bin Laden was notorious.

Famous is well known in a positive way. Nelson Mandela is famous. Captain Sullenburger became instantly famous for safely landing a disabled airliner in the Hudson River. Toni Morrison is a famous author.

Notorious doesn't mean simply noteworthy, as some who claim to be native speakers seem to think. You don't want notoriety. Strive for fame.

v8i32

v8i32

Continuing a season of bold and dynamic productions, the Broadway luminaries Andréa Burns (In the Heights, Hangar's Ever So Humble) and Chris Hoch (La Cage Aux Folles, Shrek the Musical, Spamalot), directed by Tracy Brigden. Next to Normal runs Thursday, August 16th  through Saturday, September 1st.

A highly acclaimed, edgy rock-musical, Next to Normal has been heralded as "a brave, breathtaking musical" by The New York Times.This powerhouse show presents an intimate portrait of a family trying to take care of themselves and each other in the face of a mother's deteriorating mental state. With a pulsing, exhilarating, and contemporary rock score, Rolling Stone called Next to Normal, "the best musical of the season by a mile."

The History Center will inaugurate its new permanent interactive exhibition for kids Life in the 1890's on September 7th, 2012, 5 to 8pm as part of First Friday Gallery Nights.

Running to Places Theatre Company’s second stage program, affectionately dubbed R2P2, is proud to announce that “Pockets,” directed by Ithaca native and program alum Sarah Plotkin, will run at Greenstar’s “The Space” (located at its annex) on August 25 and 26.

'Pockets' is an original physical theater piece, created collaboratively by the ensemble.   What happens to a wish after you make it?  This new, experimental play incorporates dance, original music and text from James Joyce's Ulysses.

The Hangar's KIDDSTUFF season finishes with Seussical Jr., running August 23-25. Based on the classic children's books, this delightful musical centers around Dr. Seuss's beloved characters.

Horton the Elephant lights up the stage with the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, Mayzie La Bird, Gertrude McFuzz, and more! Horton the Elephant finds himself faced with a double challenge - protecting his tiny friend Jojo (and all the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.

SMART TALK

by Dr. Viva Palaver


WATERS: As staff psychologist at the Center for English as a First Language, I treat the therapists who treat the patients. I hear them rant about patients who say nucular and preventative, but I've never heard them complain about the widespread use of waters. Maybe because it sounds poetic, and it's technically correct, as far as I know.

But why waters? Isn't in the waters of the Mississippi redundant, when in the Mississippi will do? And all those double letters seem redundant enough for anybody.

Covered by flood waters. Why not covered by flood water? How many waters does it take? Better yet, why not simply inundated? After all, the therapists keep saying that simple English is better English.

Cruising the waters of the Pacific. Wait, the Pacific contains more than one water? How do you count them? Why say it that way? Besides, I understand cruising the Pacific perfectly. I know it's made of water, thank you. I even know it's an ocean.

I wonder if it started with Biblical translators in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries, who rendered the opening of a Psalm as "By the waters of Babylon." Maybe they had no idea which body of water the psalmist was singing about, so they invented an all-inclusive word.

The only sensible use of waters I can think of is in the phrase territorial waters, because it may well refer to more than one body of water.

But I'm not a linguist. Maybe I'm all wet.

v8i31

----
v8i231

Running to Places Theatre Company is rounding out its fifth season by bringing in energizing freshness to Urinetown, running at the State Theatre August 17 – 19. Despite its hard-to-market name, this hilariously self-aware satire holds the potential to be their most entertaining show yet due to several influencing factors. For starters, the play itself is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold.

Founder and Co-Artistic Director Joey Steinhagen takes on the role of “Caldwell B. Cladwell,” the villainous head of a corporation so controlling of a limited water supply that folks have to pay to use the…ahem…facilities.  The production showcases the talents of guest choreographer Steven Moore, who has pushed the already accomplished cast in new and exciting ways.  Notably, R2P is also working hand-in-hand with the State Theatre to explore ways to cool the audience while waiting for a major push for air-conditioning to commence.