The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA

November 25, 2009

Entertainment briefs


Local student performs in musical

WILLIAMSPORT — Krista Peterson, a freshman English major with a minor in theater at Lycoming College, performed in the play “The Great American Trailer Park Musical.” She played the part of Donna, also known as “Pickles.” Peterson is a graduate of Warrior Run High School and is a resident of Dewart.



Arts council gets $1,891 grant

HARRISBURG — State Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr. has announced a state grant in the amount of $1,891 has been given to the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities as part of the Pennsylvania PA Partners in the Arts program. Funding will be used for general support of the arts council’s programs and initiatives.

Based in Shamokin, the council works to enhance the quality of life for area residents by promoting appreciation of and involvement in the arts for all ages groups and in a variety of mediums.

The group operates, participates in and sponsors programs and exhibits including the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center Fine Arts Gallery in Shamokin, artists’ exhibits and auctions, the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts, a Fall Fun Festival and a Downtown Christmas event.



Holiday art show now open

BLOOMSBURG — A variety of works by Artspace Gallery artists will be on display in the gallery’s Holiday Show through Jan. 3. Artists participating in the show include Sara Baker, Robert H. Brown, Sandra B. Davis, Sam Dion, Linda Doucette, Jeff Krankoskie, Joan Lentczner, Sandy Lentz, Marilyn Paul, Quattro, Denise Richards, Mike Silver, Dave Stabley, Deb. Feck-Stabley and Marlin Wagner.

Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and other times by appointment. Call 784-0737 or visit artspace-bloomsburg.com.



Bucknell offers special concert

LEWISBURG — Saxophonist Tim Warfield and vocalist Nina Bundy will perform with the Tim Warfield Quintet at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Bucknell Hall. The program, which is free and open to the public, is the final event in the fall semester’s Jazz at Bucknell First Wednesdays series at Bucknell University.

A native of York, Pa., Warfield has made several television appearances including the “Today” show, Bill Cosby’s “You Bet Your Life” (where he was a member of the house band until 1992), and Ted Turner’s “1998 Trumpet Awards.”

He has made numerous stage appearances with artists including Donald Byrd, James Williams, The Harper Brothers, Dizzy Gillespie, Isaac Hayes and many others. His first recording, “A Cool Blue,” was selected as one of the top 10 recordings of the year in a 1995 New York Times critics’ poll, as was his 1998 recording “Gentle Warrior.”

Nina Bundy first performed at the age of 17 in Tina Bradshaw’s Big Band at Town Hall in her hometown of Philadelphia. She was deeply inspired by her mother, blues singer Earselle Bundy. Her 2005 CD, “Simply Natural,” includes songs she learned from her mother as well as many of her own favorites.

Bundy, who returned to performing after raising a family, has appeared to great acclaim in jazz venues throughout the country and Japan.

Produced by Phil Haynes, Jazz at Bucknell is a chamber series conceived to present international modern masters and young visionaries, showcasing the entire tradition of jazz, from standards to the avant-garde, with an eye on artists who continue the innovative tradition of the music with their personal approaches to sound, style and composition.



“Miracle on 34th Street.”

HARRISBURG — Theatre Harrisburg will celebrate the holiday season with their presentation of the 1948 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the classic movie “Miracle on 34th Street.” Tickets are $20.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5, and 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Krevsky Production Center, 513 Hurlock St.

The show is performed in period costumes with live sound effects, holiday music and vintage commercials. Complementary seasonal refreshments will be provided and the lobby will be decorated like a 1940s New York City street, complete with Macy’s windows.

Tickets are available by calling (717) 232-5501 or visit theatreharrisburg.com.



Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Susquehanna University

SELINSGROVE — The classic play by Christopher Hampton, from the novel by Choderlos de Laclos will be presented by the Department of Theatre. Performances are at 8 p.m. Dec. 3 to 6 at the Degenstein Center Theater. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for non-SU students.

The story explores seduction among prerevolutionary French aristocrats, weaving sexuality, morals and manipulations in a game with tragic results.

For ticket information, call the Susquehanna University box office at 372-ARTS. The box office is open from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located at the Degenstein Center Theater.



Bucknell Dance Company concert features original choreography

LEWISBURG — The Bucknell Dance Company will present its annual fall concert on Dec. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. in the Powers Theatre, Coleman Hall.

The program includes original choreography by two Bucknell faculty members as well as student choreographers Lauren Hall and Sarah Thalhamer, and is directed by Kelly Knox, assistant professor of dance.

Er-Dong Hu’s premiere work engages the dancers in an evolutionary play of light and shadow against a permeable screen. As part of an interdisciplinary collaboration, Dustyn Martincich has built a new choreography based on Toni Morrison’s novel, “Paradise.”

A highlight of the evening is choreography by guest artist Salim ‘Slam’ Gaulwoos, best known for his work with Madonna.

Tickets are $8, $6 for students and senior citizens and are available in advance through the campus box office, by phone at 577-1000, and at the door one hour prior to each performance.



Solas presents ‘A Celtic Solstice Celebration’ at Weis Center

LEWISBURG — The Celtic band Solas will present “A Celtic Solstice Celebration” on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. in the Weis Center at Bucknell University. Tickets are $25.

Since 1996, Solas has been loudly proclaimed as one of the most popular, influential and exciting Celtic bands ever to emerge from the United States, said Bill Boswell, executive director of the Weis Center. “This performance will be a wonderful way to herald the winter season and the holidays.”

The band has performed at all the major Celtic and folk festivals, including the legendary National Folk Festival and Milwaukee’s Irish Fest as well as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Wolf Trap, and Queens Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland. The band’s latest release is a live CD and DVD called “Reunion,” which celebrates the band’s 10th anniversary.

Solas comprises Seamus Egan, flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, low whistle, guitars and bodhran (Irish drum); Winifred Horan, violins and vocals; Mick McAuley, accordions, concertina, low whistle and vocals; Eamon McElholm, guitars, keyboards and vocals; and guest soloist Máiréad Phelan, vocals.

Tickets are available by calling 577-1000 or visiting the Weis Center Box Office. The box office in the Weis Center lobby opens one hour prior to performances.

The next event in the Weis Center Series is the final event for the fall semester. The annual family matinee performance by The Paper Bag Players in “The Great Mummy Adventure” will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. It is free to the community through the generosity of Janet Weis. Children must be accompanied by an adult.