Out of the Shadows

 

Shadows and Relics

This is the closest thing to a five-star book I have read in a long time. I didn’t give it five stars for it does have a few tiny flaws but think of it as a for and three quarter stars book.

The central character is immediately relatable, engaging, and appealing. This is a person with style ability and smarts who moves seamlessly between the supernatural world and the mundane. Better still the character has a complete life with favorite places, friends, and vices,

The secondary characters are all fully drawn and have real substantial life of their own, with jobs and desires all too understandable whether the reader is talented or simply mortal.

The antagonists and there are a few are for the most part equally drawn and have depth not usually found in fantasy. The supernatural opponents are challenging and capable without being so powerful they become cartoons. That is almost all of them are.

The failure comes with the principal villain, too hastily built and calling on too many tropes to have any real vibrancy. This character’s motivation and methods are pretty common to many sub-genres and hurt what is otherwise a fantastic book.

And, much as I am loath to say it, I can even forgive the introduction of a demon. Now I simply cannot stand demons or angels, they distract from any story they are inserted in and seldom offer any interest as well as being completely unbelievable. Yes, I know this is a fantasy and so reality is hardly a mainstay, but even fantasy should have some boundary.

It certainly helps that the demon is pretty charming and slyly seductive and very open to deals of an unconventional manner giving a more earthy flavor to the sulfur and brimstone. So, with grave misgivings, I’ll say this demon doesn’t slow or ruin the story.

And it, the novel, is way too short. I was just getting up steam when I hit the end. I had to scramble to get my hands on the next books so I can tell you to run straight out and get this book, cause I am one book ahead of you. (And I plan to stay that way.)

 

 

 

From Trey Parker, creator of  SOUTH PARK and BOOK OF MORMON

CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL! COMES TO THE LIBERTY THEATRE IN MAY!

CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL! is the kind-of true story of the only person convicted of cannibalism in America - Alferd Packer. The sole survivor of an ill-fated trip to the Colorado Territory, he tells his side of the harrowing tale to news reporter Polly Pry as he awaits his execution. And his story goes like this: While searching for gold and love in the Colorado Territory, he and his companions lost their way and resorted to unthinkable horrors, including toe-tapping songs! Featuring penguins, carnage, a beautiful horse, the fearsome Cyclops and much more!

CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL! Performs May 19th through June 3rd, Friday and Saturday evenings only. Tickets can be purchased at www.thelibertytheatre.org for $20 or by calling 541-756-4336. The theatre is located at 2100 Sherman Avenue in North Bend, Oregon 97459.

The show is adapted and directed by John Beane, assisted by Daneal Doerr. Beane - creator of WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S LEBOWSKI PRINCE OF NINEPINS, PULP SHAKESPEARE, BREAKFAST CLUB OF THE LIVING DEAD and others - has adapted the movie to the stage adding layers of comedy and creating a love letter to the theatre, with a cast of nineteen taking on more than forty roles. 

Starring Taylor Marchant, Jessica Crooks, Evan Haruyama, Michael Pedder, Harlan Morse, Aymee Pedder, Tim Novotny, Tom Holt, Bunny Ransom, Dawn Probst, Talisman Slatick, Kenzo, Masuda, Amanda King, Eric Gleason, Michael Slaska, Bex Turk, John Ezra Sherman, Mason Haruyama, and Steven Woods. Stage Manager is Johanna Zimmerman, assisted by Jason Goodson.

The show was written by Trey Parker (SOUTH PARK, TEAM AMERICA, BOOK OF MORMON and more). Originally a student of music, director Trey Parker transferred from the prestigious Berklee School of Music to Colorado University at Boulder to study film, and it was there he gave birth to his twisted brainchild "Alferd Packer: The Musical". Parker not only wrote, produced, directed and played the leading role in the film, he also wrote the songs and collaborated on the score.

The film began as a three minute fake trailer made for an advanced film production class and, as a joke the director said he was going to make the actual film. "People kept asking 'Where's the movie?" says Parker "The response was so positive, we decided we'd do it".

Together with fellow students Matt Stone, Jason McHugh and Ian Hardin (average age 23) they formed the Avenging Conscience Inc Production Company and raised $75,000 from private investors, friends and family by the day they needed to start shooting. They employed fellow students as cast members and took parts in the film themselves each stepping into each others shoes behind the camera when necessary. From conception to being in the can the film took around twelve months.

The Liberty Theatre is a 501c3 historical theatre about to enter it’s 100th season. Find out how you can become a member or help us in the final stages of our restoration program at www.thelibertytheatre.org. 2100 Sherman Avenue in North Bend, OR. 541-756-4336.

The show is produced under special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, Inc.

Shpadoinkle! 

--

John Beane

So It Goes Coffeehouse  

541.290.9726 www.soitgoescoffee.com    

 

Dare to Be Square

 

 

 

Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio Call to Artists Community Show Celebrate the Square! Square works & works with Squares May 3 - June 3, 2023 RULES OF ENTRY: The Theme: “Celebrate the Square” means just that; share your inner Square!… Art in Square format, art that incorporates Square shapes, art that plays with the idea of being Square, let your Square imagination run wild! Accepted Media: 2-D Media Including: Textiles, Fiber Art, Oils, Acrylics, Watercolors, Pastels, Drawing, Print Making (artist pulled prints only), Collage, Mixed Media, Encaustic, and Glass. (No photography or video). Size Limitations: Artworks may not exceed 26”, outside dimension in any one direction. Hanging Requirements: All work must be able to be hung and hangers must fall within the maximum allowed exterior dimension of 26” in any direction. Framed or Gallery wrapped pieces will preferably utilize “D” ring hangers and a hanging wire; please avoid saw-tooth hangers.). Textiles may be framed or hung with dowels, etc. Entry Fees: The non-refundable fees to exhibit are - $10 for first piece, $5 for 2nd piece, $5 for third piece, with a maximum of three entries allowed. Sale of Work: All work MUST be for sale. Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio retains a 25% commission on all sales for this exhibition; please price your work accordingly. Awards: Sharon Leahy, returns to Art by the Sea as the judge for this exhibition. Sharon brings her extensive background in textile, watercolor, and quilting arts, along with her love of all things colorful and creative, to inspire our Community artists through her wit and wisdom. We are delighted to have Sharon returning! Prizes will be $50 First Place, $25 Second Place, $15 Third Place, plus awards of Honorable Mention Ribbons. A People’s Choice Award will be decided by public ballot; the winner to receive a one month exhibition as a Featured Artist at Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio, during 2024 Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio “Celebrate the Square” -2023 ENTRY FORM Artist’s Name: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Daytime Phone: Cell Phone: E-Mail: Website: Artwork: 1. Title: Medium: Price: Outside Dimension/ Framed Size: 2. Title: Medium: Price: Outside Dimension/ Framed Size: 3. Title: Medium: Price: Outside Dimension/ Framed Size: Please make sure to have your: name, title of work, price, and phone number on the back of each work of art. Please provide a short biography if available. By submitting your work, you are agreeing to follow the rules of entry, including allowing photographs or video of your art to be used for publicity purposes only. We reserve the right to refuse art due to content or presentation and will refund fees if applicable. Art by the Sea Gallery retains 25% of the sale price of any art that is sold during the show; please price your work accordingly. All art entered must be for sale. I understand and agree to the requirements listed in this Call to Artists Signature Date

 

Classy April

 

ABTS April Class Schedule Thurs. April 13 - Introduction to Glass on Glass Mosaic with Anne Sobbota (Special Session arranged by Arlene**) 9:00–12:00 $65 All materials provided. Students may bring a simple design idea if desired. Please wear a mask. A maximum of 6 students and a minimum of 4. Class will take place at Anne’s Studio at 525 11 St., SE, in Bandon. See flyer for more information. Wed. April 19 - Collage Group 1:00-3:00 $6 (cash please) Please send an email request to join this session to Susan Lehman at Studioblue@mycomspan.com. There is no specific instruction, just bring your own project, materials and ideas to share. The Collage Group will meet at the Langlois Lions Club at 48135 Floras Lake Loop Road in Langlois. Fri. April 21 – Mosaic – Color & Contrast with Anne Sobbota 9:00-2:00 $110 All materials provided. Please wear a mask. A maximum of 6 students and a minimum of 4. Class will take place at Anne’s Studio at 525 11 St., SE, in Bandon. See flyer for more information. Thurs. April 27 – No Peek Painting (acrylic) with Jean Stephenson 11:30-3:00 $40 Materials, including canvas, paints and brushes, included. Maximum of 6 students and a minimum of 4. Class will meet at the Langlois Lions Club at 48135 Floras Lake Loop Road in Langlois. **Shows where a change in the schedule has been made. Contact ABTS Gallery at 541-347-5355 for more information. Most classes have a materials list of what to bring with you. **Pay for classes at ABTS Gallery at time of registration, please

 

Which Came First the Chickering or the Egg

 

Plan to join us at Black Market Gourmet 495 Central Ave., Coos Bay Oregon on Sunday March 19, 2-4 p.m. for an art reception featuring the work of Fiber Artist Theresa Richards Chickering.  Meet the artist, enjoy a wonderful collection of her works, complimentary noshies and a no host bar.   This show will be available for viewing through the end of April.  If you are unable to attend please e-mail: thebmg@msn.com or call: 541.269.0194

Artist Statement:

Theresa Richards Chickering is a traditional quilter and artist who now creates original quilts using her own designs. Chickering has been a pivotal figure in her community for over 25 years as both an artist and a teacher. Today in her personal work, she has become known for her landscape quilts—and in more recent years—for her abstract quilt designs in the vein of today’s modern quilt movement. Chickering was born in Aberdeen, Maryland and reared in the very small town of Alpine, Oregon. Her mother sewed but did not quilt, though there were family quilts in the home that that had been passed through the family from as far back as Chickering’s great grandparents. Her mother enrolled her daughters in sewing 4H programs (4H is a US-based network of youth organizations). Chickering also took home economics classes in high school. Her father was a mechanic, welder, and inventor who, at one point, designed and built his own self-loading log truck. Chickering inherited her father’s gift for solving design problems in her head; for her, this has resulted in intricately pieced quilt tops. Although Chickering had tried quilting by cutting out a Sunbonnet Sue pattern when she was 15 years old, she didn’t finish it. A decade later, her interest in quilting blossomed when she met Ann Smith, a quilter with years of experience. In time. the two opened a quilt shop in Reedsport where they offered beginning classes. They also helped found Coast Quilters, the local quilt guild now 30+ years running. Theresa Chickering’s at-home quilting studio occupies a good portion of the second floor of her house, which sits high atop the ridge line overlooking Reedsport. Although she started out on her home sewing machine, she has come to prefer the precision of her commercial quilting machine. Chickering has had many entries, and has received several awards, in the Coos Bay and Florence quilt shows and EE Schenk’s challenge. She has twice entered the Hoffman Challenge. Both times she has been selected for Hoffman’s national traveling show. As for mentors, “Tamara and Tara [Szalewski] at Mindpower Gallery have definitely helped Chickering bridge the gap between craft and art by displaying her art quilts at their local gallery. Summing up her avocation for quilting, Theresa Chickering says, "I really feel blessed, really lucky that all the pieces fell into place like they were supposed to and I found a medium I love. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of working with fabric

Kristin Hoefer

Chef Jardin Kazaar, RN

Black Market Gourmet

495 Central Avenue

Coos Bay, Oregon 

541.269.0194

 

 

Get some Class

 

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Art by the Sea Class Schedule: March 2023 145 Fillmore Ave. S. E. Old Town, Bandon www.artbytheseagallery.com March 2023 Wed. March 15 - Collage Group 1:00-3:00 $6 (cash please) Please send an email request to join this session to Susan Lehman at Studioblue@mycomspan.com. There is no specific instruction, just bring your own project, materials and ideas to share. The Collage Group will meet at the Langlois Lions Club at 48135 Floras Lake Loop Road in Langlois. Thurs. March 23 – In the Manner of Matisse (acrylic) with Jean Stephenson 11:30-3:00 $40 Materials, including canvas, paints and brushes, included. Maximum of 6 students and a minimum of 4. Class will meet at the Langlois Lions Club at 48135 Floras Lake Loop Road in Langlois. Sat. March 25 – Glass on Glass Mosaic with Anne Sobbota 9:00–12:00 $65 All materials included. A maximum of 6 students and a minimum of 4. Class will take place at Anne’s Studio at 525 11th St, SE, in Bandon. See flyer for more information. **Shows where a change in the schedule has been made. Contact ABTS Gallery at 541-347-5355 for more information. Most classes have a materials list of what to bring with you. **Pay for classes at ABTS Gallery at time of registration, please.

Knock your Eye Out

Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio Reception Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio is hosting a reception for Featured Artist, Sally Weymouth, on Saturday, March 11th from 2-4:00 pm. Sally’s photography won the People’s Choice Award at Art by the Sea Gallery in the 2022 Community Photography Show, “Eye & the Lens.” The Member’s New Show, “Spring Impressions,” will also be up along with the many unique pieces of artworks throughout the gallery. Meet and greet the artists while enjoying some homemade baked goods. The show will run from March 7th through April 1st. Gallery winter hours are 10am-4pm daily. Masks are now optional with respect to individual choices. Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio is located at 145 Fillmore Ave., S.E., Old Town Bandon You can always find more information about the artists, classes, and upcoming activities on Facebook, Instagram and on our website at www.artbytheseagallery.com