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June 2010
Reichert invited to vote for Oscars
Three-time Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker Julia Reichert is joining the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, whose members vote on the Oscars.
The Yellow Springs resident and Wright State University faculty member is one of 135 actors, producers, directors and others who received 2010 invitations.
Others included Mo’Nique, Bono, Tobin Bell, James Gandolfini, Christopher Waltz and Vera Farmiga.
Reichert, who recently became a first-time grandmother, was in Washington to visit her daughter, Lela Reichert Klein, and grandson, Robert Jacob, when the invitations were mailed out.
“Friends kept calling and writing to congratulate me. I didn’t know why at first,” she said on June 28.
“I have just signed the confirmation card and sealed the envelope to send it back,” she said from her office at WSU.
“I consider this a true honor because I am a filmmaker, as distinct from someone who works primarily for television.. We make cinema. That’s what the Oscars are about.”
Reichert said there are approximately 6,000 members of the academy around the world. Annual dues are $250. She plans to attend an induction ceremony in Hollywood this fall.
“I assume I will be able to vote on everything, but since I am being inducted into the academy’s documentary branch, I think I may be able to have more personal influence there.”
Morgan Spurlock (“Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?” and “Super Size Me”) was among other documentary makers invited to join.
Reichert and Stephen Bognar were nominated for an Academy Award this year for their documentary “The Last Truck.” Earlier, they won an Emmy for their film, “A Lion in the House.”
She is also founder of New Days Films, a cooperative for independent filmmakers.
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No gold for ballet men
So you think you can dance? No, you can’t, if you were a contestant in the senior men’s division of the 2010 USA International Ballet Competition.
Judges decided not to award a gold medal in that category as the two-week event neared its June 26 conclusion in Jackson, Miss. It is held just once every four years.
Twenty dancers, most of them from Asia, did win medals, scholarships and cash awards.
Cao Shuchi of the People’s Republic of China was the senior women’s gold medalist and won best couple honors with partner Zhang Xi. Kosuke Okumura of Japan won the men’s silver.
Junior gold medalists were Marcelino Sambe of Portugal, men, and Ji Young Chae of South Korea, who also shared best junior couple honors with her partner, Ki-Min Kim.
Highest-ranked American dancer was Derek Dunn, who took the junior men’s bronze.
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State surveys arts, entertainment
The Ohio Arts Council is conducting a public opinion poll about arts, culture and entertainment as part of a strategic plan.
To take the survey, which requires an estimated five minutes, go to http://ohioartssurvey.questionpro.com.
All respondents are eligible for a drawing to win a $100 Barnes and Noble gift card from the Ohio Arts Foundation Inc.
If you have problems completing the survey, contact: Linda@taragroupinc.com. Other questions can be directed to Stephanie Dawson, in the OAC Public Information Office at: stephanie.dawson@oac.state.oh.us.
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Muse musical: ‘Into the Woods’
The Muse Machine has announced that its 2011 musical will be the Stephen Sondheim show “Into The Woods.”
Dates will be Jan. 13-16, 2011, at the Victoria Theatre. Tickets will go on sale Nov. 20 at (937) 228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.
First-time director will be Rufus Bonds Jr., who played Collins in “Rent” on Broadway and Mufasa in the national tour of “The Lion King.” David Dusing will return as music director.
The 1987 Broadway musical incorporates characters and stories from several fairy tales, such as “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Rapunzel” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
Songs include: “No One Is Alone,” “Children Will Listen,” “Agony” and “Giants in the Sky.”
The production by the arts education organization will feature more than 100 students from schools throughout the Dayton area. It will coincide with Sondheim’s 80th birthday year.
For more information, go to www.musemachinedayton.com.
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Joe Nichols added to Country Concert
Joe Nichols has been added to the Country Concert lineup, hit hard by the withdrawal of Brooks & Dunn.
On Wednesday, Brooks & Dunn pulled out as the Thursday headliner of the three-day outdoor concert, which runs in Fort Loramie from July 8-10
Concert promoters were able to secure country legend Hank Williams, Jr. as a replacement for Brooks & Dunn.
Now Joe Nichols, singer of recent No. 1 single, “Gimme That Girl” and “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” has been added and will perform at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 8.
For more information, go to CountryConcert.com or call (937) 295-3000.
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DPO Chorus at Lincoln Center
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus and its director, Hank Dahlman, will participate in a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” on June 27, 2010, in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.
Members of the choir will join other chorus members to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International for the New York performance. Dahlman will open the program as one of three guest conductors and will serve as clinician for the assembled choristers.
The chorus was invited to take part based on its reputation.
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Brooks & Dunn out, Hank Williams Jr. in at Fort Loramie
Brooks & Dunn have canceled their Thursday, July 8 appearance at Country Concert in Fort Loramie and promoters quickly booked legend Hank Williams, Jr. to fill the spot.
“We’re very excited to get a legend like Hank Jr. on such short notice,” said Paul Barhorst, Country Concert promoter.
Ronnie Dunn has been ordered by a doctor to rest his voice for three weeks, Barhorst said.
The Country Concert is a three-day outdoor music festival with multiple acts, but Brooks & Dunn were the Thursday headliner. The Friday headliner is Trace Adkins and on Saturday it is Keith Urban.
Even with the addition of Williams, the concert is going to add another big name performer to the 6 p.m. Thursday, July 8 slot.
Several years ago, when supergroup Alabama was scheduled, one of the group members fell ill and canceled a mere two weeks before the appearance.
“We were able to fly Kenny Rogers in to do the show,” Barhorst said.
Williams Jr. has never performed at Country Concert although fans have asked for him for years, Barhorst said. Previously, the scheduling never worked out.
The Brooks & Dunn website quotes Dunn as saying, Following my doctor’s order, shutting up, getting well and comin’ back asap!”
This is the duo’s final tour as they announced their retirement in late 2009.
A July 18 Brooks & Dunn concert at Riverbend in Cincinnati is still scheduled.
For more information, go to CountryConcert.com or call (937) 295-3000.
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Kettering author attracts press
“The Personal History of Rachel Dupree,” former Kettering resident Ann Weisgarber’s first novel, has already earned raves in the United Kingdom, where it was published in 2009.
Its August debut in the United States just got two nice nudges with word that a review is expected to be published in the August edition of “O, the Oprah Magazine” and that Terry McMilllan will include it on her must-read list for the summer in the July 2 issue of “Entertainment Weekly”.
A graduate of Wright State University and a former psychiatric social worker, Weisgarber now lives in Houston.
She will make a return visit to the Dayton area to do a book reading at The Greene on Oct. 5. For more about her, see her website, www.annweisgarber.com.
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Classic Country bash features Rhonda Vincent
A celebration marking the anniversary of Classic Country Radio will feature award-winning artist Rhonda Vincent.
Radio stations WBZI, WEDI and WKFI are collectively known as Classic Country Radio. The format was launched on 1500 AM in summer 1995 and has gone on to include 1090 and 1130 AM.
On Sunday, June 27 there will be a Birthday, BBQ and Bluegrass Bash at Young’s Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield Xenia Road in Greene County.
It starts at 5 p.m. with a picnic buffet. At 6 p.m Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers will perform and then be followed by seven-time Bluegrass Female Vocalist of the Year Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
Tickets are $25 and include the buffet of pork barbeque, burgers and hot dogs, salads and sides plus Young’s ice cream.
Tickets are $25 and on sale now at the Classic Country Connection, 500 W 2nd St, Xenia and at Young’s Jersey Dairy gift shop.
Tickets will be available on the day of the party as well.
Kids 5 and under are admitted free. Bring lawn chairs.
For more information, go to MyClassicCountry.com or call (866) 372-3531.
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Parable to play Dayton church
Ohio-born film and television actor Jasson Cring is taking a break from Hollywood to tour in a play his father wrote.
“Fruit in Its Season,” inspired by Psalms 1, 2 and 3 from the Bible, is a theatrical parable with drama, humor and music about an average man taking on developers over a plot of land targeted for a new mall.
Written by Jonathan Richard Cring, it will be presented at at Christ Episcopal Church at 20 W First St., at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 26. Admission is free, but offerings will be accepted.
Jasson Cring, 23, has appeared on television’s “NCIS: LA,” “CSI: NY” and “The Mentalist” and films including “Pound of Flesh.” He studied theater at the University of Tennessee. He was born in Sunbury, Ohio, and now lives in Nashville.
He is also directing “Fruit in Its Season,” which has two other cast members.
For more information, call (937) 223-2239. There’s more about the play at www.fruitinitsseason.net.
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‘Jersey Boy’ to star in Muse concert
The Muse Machine will feature the songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in its newly announced annual summer concert, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”
The arts education organization usually spotlights songs of the musical theater during its summer shows, which feature up to 200 current and former Dayton area students.
This one will be no different because The Four Seasons were the inspiration for the hit jukebox musical “Jersey Boys.”
Dates will be Aug. 4 and 5 at the Victoria Theatre.
The concert will have an authentic “Jersey” accent. Michael Ingersoll, who grew up in the Dayton area and was a member of the original Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago casts of “Jersey Boys,” will be the guest star.
The concert will also include songs by early ’60s girl groups and others. The cast will be made up of singers, dancers and musicians from college graduates to elementary school students.
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You: The Songs of Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons & Friends” will be presented at 8 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 at the Victoria Theatre, First and Main streets. Tickets go on sale June 14 at (937) 228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.
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Cityfolk Festival seeks volunteers
The Cityfolk Festival needs you.
Volunteers are being sought for the annual downtown celebration of art, food, music and dancing, which will take place July 2-4 at RiverScape MetroPark.
Up to 800 people are needed. If you might be interested or want more information about what volunteers do, go to www.cityfolk.org to find out, or to sign up.
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Maroon 5, Allen tickets on sale Friday
Tickets to see Maroon 5 and Kris Allen on Tuesday, Aug. 31 at Fifth Third Field will go on Friday, June 11 at 10 a.m.
Tickets are available at the Fifth Third Field box office, all Ticketmaster, DaytonDragons.com or by calling (937) 228-2287.
Reserved seats in the stadium seating bowl and general admission on-field (standing) seating will be sold. All tickets will be $55 plus service fees.
The concert will also feature VV Brown and MIGGS.
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Known poets top Oral Funk lineup
HBO Def Poet and Tony Award winner Georgia Me and nationally recognized slam poet William Evans will headline Oral Funk Poetry’s next show Friday, June 11.
This month’s theme for “The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show” will be “The Queen of Spoken Word.”
The night will also include El Coats and the Funk Point, local poets, singers and special guest I Witness Life.
TIme is 9 to 11 p.m. in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Performing Arts Center, Second and Ludlow streets. Tickets are $15 at www.ticketcenterstage.com or (937) 228-3630.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/thesignatureofpp.
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Nick Clooney coming to Little Art
American Movie Classics host Nick Clooney will help the Little Art Theater solidify its recent conversion to non-profit organization status by headlining a fundraising event June 25 in Yellow Springs.
“Clooney at the Movies,” an auction gala celebrating 80 years at the the Little Art, will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Antioch University McGregor, 900 Dayton St.
Clooney, a longtime Cincinnati TV newsman and the father of actor George Clooney, is also the author of “The Movies That Changed Us: Reflections on the Screen.”
As a single-screen independent theater, the Little Art has struggled to survive. The switch to non-profit status will allow it to raise money through donations and stabilize its future.
The evening will also include silent and live auctions, a raffle, food, wine and beer. Admission is $40. Prizes include free movies for two people for a year. Little Art trustees hope to raise $20,000. More information is available at www.littleart.com or (937) 767-7671.
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Ralph Stanley to perform free local concert
Grand Ole Opry member Ralph Stanley will perform a free concert at Island MetroPark on Saturday, June 12 at 6 p.m.
Stanley will be accompanied by the Clinch Mountain Boys. Also performing will be Dale Ann Bradley.
Stanley has been picking banjo and singing tenor in bluegrass music for more than 55 years and has performed more than 170 albums.
Bradley has been the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year for the past three years.
There will be food vendors. Pets are not permitted.
For more information, call (937) 274-0126 or go to MetroParks.org/IslandMusic
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Local talent fuels new musical
One reason The Human Race Theatre Company has earned a growing reputation for nurturing new musicals is its ability to draw upon the local community’s impressive pool of experienced and talented professionals.
Three of the four cast members for Adam Gwon’s new musical “Ordinary Days,” which opens Friday, June 4, in the Eichelberger Loft Series, have been among the regulars in recent years who have helped test and tweak new material in workshop performances at The Loft.
Scott Hunt starred in the first national tour of “Rent” and in “Les Miserables.” Katie Pees performed off-Broadway before returning to her hometown, where she now heads the theater program at Alter High School. Jamie Cordes, who has proven his versatility as a performer with The Human Race, is also developing new performers as director of Wright State University’s MAPP (Musical Theatre and Acting Preparatory Program).
The fourth member of the “Ordinary Days” cast also cut her musical theater teeth in Dayton. Tory Ross vaulted from local student stardom with the Muse Machine to perform on Broadway and film.
Tory Ross (L) and Jamie Cordes in rehearsal
In “Ordinary Days,” which will be a regional premiere, they will play four young New Yorkers whose lives intertwine by chance and, perhaps, due to fate.
Kevin Moore is director. Sean Michael Flowers is musical director.
Tickets are $15.50-$36 for the 14 performances.Times are 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. June 13 and 15 at The Loft, 126 N. Main St.
There will also be a “Pay What You Can” preview performance at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 9. Admission is a donation of cash or food to local charities. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis starting at 6:30 p.m. Doors to the theater open at 7:30.
The opening night show will be followed by a reception with the cast.
Other dates of note include June 15. Sandwiches, desserts and other food and drink will be sold in the lobby starting at 5:30 p.m. before the 7 p.m. show. Following the June 20 matinee, Gwon and others will lead “While We’re on the Subject,” a free-ranging discussion about issues and subjects raised by the play.
For more information, call Ticket Center Stage, (937) 228-3630, or go to www.ticketcenterstage.com.
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Show inspired by report on black men
Daniel Beaty said his goal with his latest one-man show was “to tell the story of an extraordinary black boy who believed his life and the lives of the people in his community could be better.”
The Dayton-born and nationally known writer, singer and actor will present “Through the Night,” as part of the third annual Blue Moon Affair at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 5.
The fundraiser for the Community Action Partnership’s Youth Empowerment Center will be at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, Second and Main streets.
“Through the Night,” which blends music, poetry, comedy and drama, is the story of six black males ages 10 to 60. Beaty portrays them all as an unexpected event changes each of their lives on the same night. Issues including education, addiction, finances and health are confronted.
When Beaty performed it in New York for three weeks in May, others including Bill Cosby, Ruby Dee, Hill Harper, Donny McClurkin and Tonex joined him for post-show discussions with the audience.
Beaty attended Lincoln Elementary School and Stivers Junior High before going on to the Miami Valley School.
Daniel Beaty
He won an Obie (Off-Broadway) Award for his first one-man drama, “Emergence-SEE,” about what happens when a slave ship rises from the depths of the Hudson River and moors beside the Statue of Liberty.
That one included 44 characters.
“I was inspired to write ‘Through the Night’ by the 2007 Urban League State of Black America Report, ‘Portrait of the Black Male.’ The report predicated that one in three black boys born in 2010 would spend time in prison,” Beaty said.
He said “many aspects of solo performance are thrilling to me. Finding the characters’ bodies, voices and emotional lives allow for distinctive and rich human beings to come to life in front of the audience’s eyes.”
He described his work as “highly poetic and inspirational,” drawing upon “my roots as a motivational speaker and poet. And because I am a singer, I often use music as transitions.”
Beaty has performed on television, in theaters and concert halls in the U.S. Europe and Africa.
The Blue Moon Affair will also include a cocktail hour, dinner, musical entertainment and a presentation by the Youth Empowerment Center. Guests are encouraged to wear a blue dress, suit, tie or accessories to the “blue-collar” event.
Tickets are $60 per person or $400 for a table for eight. For more information, call (937) 341-5000, extension 153.
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