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Jim Fordyce for President?

Latest Michigan Entertainment News:

Monday Shout Outs:

Jim Fordyce Wraps up the Weekend and Looks at the Week Ahead

On Stage:

Boarshead's New Season Begins with a Good Drama
Williamston Announces Season Line Up
Erin's Blog

At The Movies:

"American Teen" Comes to the Jackson 10
"Tropic Thunder" A Bizarre, Confused Movie
"Pineapple Express" Predictable Fun
Clone Wars Drones On

Coming Attractions:

Seeley & Baldori Coming to MSU
Rumors Will Start LCP Season
Giant Plant Sets Up Shop at Riverwalk
Cinderella Coming to Eaton Rapids
Ruhala Ready's September Show
Kresge Art Museum Invites You to Help

Important News:

Gallery Walk features "Art from the Heart"
Party & Art Auction Helps Burcham Hills
Mayor Declares "Lansing Symphony Day"
(SCENE) Metrospace Names New Director
Help Wanted

Recent Photos!
Gallery Walk
Burcham Hills Party
Symphony Day
A Taste of Louisiana
Great Lakes Folk Festival

To Advertise on www.MIentertainment.biz click here

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Monday Shout Outs from Jim (Sept. 8, 2008)

What a fun weekend. Friday night was the big fund raising party for Burcham Hills Foundation. Saturday night I enjoyed the season opener at BoarsHead and Sunday was Gallery Walk in Old Town. But Saturday night at the theater meant I missed the Lansing Symphony's first concert of the season. (Oh, how I wish I could be in two places at the same time.) I heard it was excellent. I was on hand as the Mayor declared Symphony Day last week. The reviews and stories are all below and the pictures are in the photo album. OH, I almost forgot! The Williamston Theater has announced its line up for 2008-2009. Scroll down to see it, and Erin Benett is sharing her local theater wisdom with us all. Check out the link to her blog below

This week LCP & Riverwalk kick off their seasons, the final show of summer is at the Ledges Playhouse. There is a new show at Ruhala, "Permanent Collection" continues at Boarshead and Friday night Bob Seeley and Bob Baldori will bring their Boogie Woogie Freight Train to Michigan State University. Scroll down for the details. And Bob and Bob are scheduled to join Jack and Jim Thursday night on WILS 1320 AM radio. Tune in between 6 and 7 and enjoy! Also: there is an interesting movie with a mid west flair playing at the Jackson 10. Details are in the movie section

Have a great Week! and if you see me in the crowd say Hi!

Click Here for Monday Shout Out Archives

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BoarsHead Opens Season with “Permanent Collection” (Sept. 7, 2008)

Rating: 3 out of Fordyce

The Details: “Permanent Collection”

Opens:                                    xxFriday, September 5 – 8 p.m.

Runs:                                      xx Wednesdays and Thursdays – 7 p.m.
                                                xxxFridays and Saturdays – 8 p.m.
                                                xxxSundays – 2 p.m.

Third Thursday Matinee:      x September 18 – 2 p.m.

ASL interpreted:                    xxFriday, September 20 – 8 p.m.

Closes:                                    xx Sunday, September 28 – 2 p.m.

Tickets prices: xxxxxxxxxxxx$12 to $30

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Williamston Theater Announces 2008-2009 Season Line Up

T he Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam in downtown Williamston, begins its third season in October.  The 2008-2009 Season is filled with a mix of new and old, comedy and drama, audience favorites and new faces: Leaving Iowa by Tim Clue and Spike Manton, Every Christmas Story Ever Told!! by Michael Carleton, Jim Fitzgerald and John Alvarez with original music by Will Knapp, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon-Marigolds by Paul Zindel, Panache by Don Gordon, Flyover, USA: Voices From Men of the Midwest by Dennis North and Joseph Zettelmaier, Series Concept by Tony Caselli and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield.

Leaving Iowa is a warm, nostalgic and moving comedy about a man who returns to his childhood home in the Midwest following the death of his father. On his quest for the perfect place to scatter his father's ashes, he relives the family vacations he spent trapped in the backseat of their station wagon. Featuring Bruce Bennett, John Lepard, Teri Clark Linden, Hugh Maguire and Anne Miranda.  Directed by Tony Caselli. October 2 - November 9, 2008.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told!! is back for its third year!  The boys of Christmas are here for four whole weeks of holiday hilarity. Don't miss the newest edition of everyone's favorite holiday spectacular spectacle!   (This show may contain holiday spoilers for young children.)  Featuring Joseph Albright, Aral Gribble and Chris Korte.  Directed by Tony Caselli.  November 28 - December 21, 2008.  There will be 3PM performance on Friday, November 28.

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon-Marigolds is the 1971 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama. This American classic is a stirring story of perseverance and hope. One of Off-Broadway's greatest successes, this powerful and moving study of an embittered, vindictive widow and her two young daughters has been hailed as one of the most significant and affecting plays of our time. (This show contains adult themes and language.)  Featuring Emily Sutton-Smith. Directed by John Lepard.  February 5 - March 1, 2009.

Panache is the story of two lost souls who find their future in each other. This unpredictable, charmingly comic story seems to start out simply: Kathleen wants a license plate with the word "Panache" on it - but Harry has it. Nothing is as simple as it seems, however, and what begins as a ridiculous squabble over the seemingly unimportant turns into a desperate quest to salvage two lives. Directed by Joseph Albright. March 26 - April 19, 2009.

Flyover, USA: Voices From Men of the Midwest is the second installment of our groundbreaking series focusing on the people here in the Midwest.  As we begin the 21st Century, men's roles in business, family and social environments have evolved. This piece, built around submissions from men all over this part of our country, will explore the stories, journeys and lives of men from the Midwestern United States and ask the question: "What is it to be a man in the 21st Century Midwest?" Featuring Tobin Hissong and Paul Hopper. Directed by John Seibert.  May 21 - June 14, 2009.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) will test your knowledge of Shakespeare.  Think you know Shakespeare? See this production and find out what Shakespeare is really talking about! Three talented actors take the audience on a laugh-a-minute romp through all of Shakespeare's work - yes, ALL of it! A Co-Production with Tipping Point Theatre.  Featuring Aral Gribble and Laurel Huffano. Directed by Tony Caselli.  July 2 - August 9, 2009.

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can for the first performance of each production.  Previews are $15.00.  Starting Opening Night tickets prices are $24.00 Friday and Saturday evenings, $20.00 on weekend matinees and $18.00 on Thursday evening.  Tickets are now on sale for Leaving Iowa. Tickets for the remaining five productions will go on sale approximately one month prior to the first performance.  Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more.  To order your tickets, call (517) 655-SHOW (7469), Monday – Friday from 12 – 6pm.

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Erin Says:

A Note from Jim:

The Lovely and Talented Erin Benett has a new blog on the Local Theater Scene! She directs, she produces and she acts and she gave me the nod to feature some of her writings here. So look for those in the future. Check out her features at: http://prufrocke.blogspot.com/

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American Teen Arrives in Mid Michigan

This heartbreaking and hilarious was a Sundance hit that follows the lives of four teenagers - a jock, the popular girl, the artsy girl and the geek - in one small town in Indiana through their senior year of high school. We see the insecurities, the cliques, the jealousies, the first loves and heartbreaks, and the struggle to make profound decisions about the future. It is now playing at the Jackson 10 Cinema (A Goodrich Quality Theater)

Filming daily for ten months, filmmaker Nanette Burstein (ON THE ROPES, THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE) developed a deep understanding of her subjects. The result is a film that goes beyond the enduring stereotypes of high school to render complex young people trying to find their way into adulthood.

Jack and Jim Talked about this Film on "Ebling and You" To Listen click here

To View the Trailer: Click Here

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"Tropic Thunder" A Bizarre, Confused Movie  (posted 8-16-08)

 Rating: 2 out of Fordyce

Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. lead an ensemble cast in "Tropic Thunder." This is an action comedy about a group of self-absorbed actors who are making an expensive epic film about the Viet Nam war. After ballooning costs force the studio chief (Tom Cruise) to threaten to fire the director, that frustrated director takes the cast into the jungles of Southeast Asia, where they encounter real bad guys. While the premise seemed good and the all-star cast made this movie an attractive "must see" on my movie list, I was disappointed. The big problem is this film can't decide if it is a comedy or a drama. The strange story lines hover between the two genres leaving viewers confused. A few things, like how a Hollywood agent got to Viet Nam to save the day and why a 12-year-old cigar smoking boy is running one of the world's largest drug rings are not explained and hard to swallow. The film does have some good lines and some funny moments. The special effects are also well done. But those things don't make up for the shortcomings in the film that should have been much better. This one gets a mediocre 2 out of Fordyce.

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"Pineapple Express" Predictable Fun  (posted 8-16-08)

 Rating: 2 out of Fordyce

The guys who brought us Superbad are back, this time for the action-comedy "Pineapple Express." Seth Rogen is the stoned out process server Dale Denton. While trying to serve a subpoena, he witnesses a murder. The murderers trace Denton to his pot dealer Saul, the only one in the city who sells the rare new weed called Pineapple Express. Saul and Dale take it on the lam and that's is of course where the funny stuff starts. This movie has some good lines and action. James Franco is great as Saul and he carries this movie. But this is more of the same from Rogen who seems to always be playing the exact same character. In this film he appears to be in his early 30's inexplicably has a teen-age girlfriend who is still in High School. First of all no way this guy would have amber Heard as his gal pal and this part of the plot makes no sense in the beginning and even less sense when he visits her family for dinner. I also am still trying to figure out how they continued to drive a car after the air bag went off. So this one is funny, but not that funny. I will give it 2 out of Fordyce.

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"Clone Wars" Drones on  (posted 8-15-08)
 Rating: 1 out of Fordyce
  I am a big Star Wars fan. I have been since I  first saw Luke, Han and the Princess at the Lafayette Theater in Suffern, NY in the 1970’s.  So I was not going to miss “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” but now I wish I had.  I was first in line at the midnight show for this animated adventure which was obviously  made as a thinly veiled reason to get money out of Star Wars fans.
The weak plot here has something to do with a clone war, but you are not quite sure what is going on. The clone war is a sub plot with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda, badly woven in to a semi related story line with Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano on a mission to rescue Jabba the Hutt’s son.  The Padawan character is one of the most annoying beings ever put on screen.  She whines and complains for two hours. I kept hoping a light saber would seal her mouth shut.
 The voices in this film are from mediocre actors trying imitating the original stars who wisely avoided being involved in this mistake. This cast is just plain stiff. It’s like they sat around a living room and passed around a Mister Microphone between beers.
The studio says: "Star Wars" takes on a dazzling new look in the first-ever animated feature from Lucasfilm Animation
Jim says: The animation looks like it was drawn with crayons from a 64 count box where the built in sharpener did not work.
So here is a tip: Skip this one. It only gets one out of Fordyce. If you need a Star Wars fix, get out your DVD’s and watch the real thing

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For the Movie Review Archive, Click Here

Seeley and Baldori  Coming to MSU  
 
Bob Seeley and Bob Baldori will bring their Fourhanded Boogie Woogie Freight Train to Michigan State University, Residential College of Arts and Humanities, Snyder Hall on Sept. 12, 2008 at 7 pm.   Following recent performances in France and Moscow to rave reviews, this duo will ignite East. Lansing with their unique repertoire, infectious rhythm, and dazzling improvisation.                   
For Artist Information and tickets visit www.boogiebob.com

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"Rumors" will Open Civic Players 80th Season

The Lansing Civic Players opens its historic 80th season with Neil Simon’s classic comedy “Rumors”.  

This hilarious farce takes place at the townhouse of the deputy mayor of New York, who is hosting a dinner party to celebrate his tenth wedding anniversary with three other couples.  But the party never begins because the host has shot himself—it’s only a flesh wound—and his wife is missing.  Elaborate cover-up schemes are hatched to conceal the slightly wounded politician’s absence from his own party, including a missing cook, a damaged car, whiplash and rumors galore add to the laugh a minute mayhem.  Hilarity abounds as the couples get more and more crazed, and things really get complicated long before the police finally arrive at the scene to investigate.
 
Award-winning director/actor Rick Dethlefsen has put together some of the finest actors in the Lansing area.  The cast members are: Justin Hein (Ken Gorman), Rachel Mender (Chris Gorman), Joe Dickson (Lenny Ganz), Emily Aslakson (Claire Ganz), Mike Stewart (Ernie Cusack ), LeAnn Dethlefsen (Cookie Cusack), Philip Himebaugh (Glenn Cooper), Amy Winchell (Cassie Cooper), Gary Mitchell (Officer Welch), and Erin Hoffman (Officer Pudney).

“Rumors is one of those shows where all of the characters are wonderful, it’s a great ensemble of some of the best stage performers in Lansing”, says director Rick Dethlefsen.  “This is a fast-placed and high energy production. There’s no doubt it will be a crowd pleaser.”  

The show dates are September12-14 and 19-21 at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing (located at Abbott Road and Burcham).  For show times and ticket price information call the Lansing Civic Players box office at 484-9191 or go to the Lansing Civic Players website at  www.lansingcivicplayers.org.

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"Little Shop of Horrors" Coming to Riverwalk

The Chomping Musical Comedy by Howard Ashman & Harold Menken and directed by Stephanie Banghart will be on stage at the Riverwalk Theatre in downtown Lansing September 11-14 & 18-21, 2008

Drop in as our sensitive and somewhat innocent Seymour finds a plant from outer space that makes Mr. Mushnik's Flower Shop an overnight success! Audrey - his co-worker, and the sweetheart of a sado-masochistic dentist - needs his help, while the plant has an appetite that outgrows Seymour's conscience!

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Childrens Creations presents "Cinderella"

Childrens Creations newest production 'Rogers and Hammersteins Cinderella" will be presented at the Eaton Rapids High School Auditorium (800 State Street) on September 26 10:00 am & 7:30 pm as well as September 27 at 2:00 pm.
This delightful, timeless classic is loaded with songs and dance. A lovely event for all ages. Directed by Vickie Verstraete our cast stars; Kevin Rocheleau, Andrew Verstraete, Salli McGarry, Ryan Verstraete, Caitlin Chambers, Tony Mahaffey, Christa Scheck and many more of your friends and neighbors. For more information please contact Vickie at vickie@childrenscreations.org or 663-4667

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Ruhala Center to Perform "Oh Dear"
 A Cabaret celebrating the twists and turns of life!   
         
DATE/TIME:
Saturday, September 13th at 8 pm
Sunday, September 14th at 3 and 7 pm
Saturday, September 20th at 8 pm
Sunday, September 21st at 7 pm

Tickets: $15 Adults and $10 Children under 12 and Seniors over 65.     
     

Ruhala Performing Arts Center
1846 Haslett Rd.
East Lansing , MI 48823
                   

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Kresge Art Museum at MSU to hold fund raiser

The 9th annual Twilight in the Garden fundraiser for Kresge Art Museum will be held Sunday, September 21, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development.  Tickets start at $100 and an RSVP is required. To request an invitation, call (517) 353-9834.

Proceeds from this annual event, organized by a committee of over 20 volunteers led by Scott Sowulewski, will benefit the Facilities Fund for a new art museum building.  The new Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, designed by world-renowned Zaha Hadid, will enable the museum to increase its visibility, showcase more of the permanent collection, organize and exhibit larger and more significant exhibitions, become more integral to university life and the greater community — bringing international attention to the museum, MSU, the region and Michigan. Groundbreaking is scheduled for April of 2009.

Kresge Art Museum Director, Susan J. Bandes is excited about the new building, “This will enhance the capabilities of the museum to meet the needs of the community.  As the only accredited art museum in mid-Michigan, Kresge Art Museum already serves as the capitol area’s art museum with a national reputation and is recognized within the museum profession. Our collection and community deserve a handsome facility for education and entertainment of all.”

Elinor Holbrook, President of the Friends of Kresge Art Museum, echoes Bandes’ enthusiasm about this year’s Twilight in the Garden. The proceeds will help the Friends reach their fundraising goal of $1 million, of which they have already raised over $825,000.

Twilight will start in the late afternoon in the atrium of the Henry Center, overlooking the verdant Forest Akers golf course.  Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks and bid on silent auction items, including more than one hundred different works of art, donated by local artists.  Local businesses have donated an additional 50 auction items, ranging from travel packages and performance tickets to sports memorabilia.

Music by the Presto Okemos High School String Quartet and jazz saxophonist George Howard will set the tone for the early evening, followed by a seated dinner, expertly prepared by University Club chefs. Twilight culminates with a spirited live auction led by professional auctioneers from Sheridan Realty and Auction Company.

Pieces of hand carved stone sculpture by Featured Artist Maureen Bergquist Gray will be on display throughout the evening.  Ms. Gray is presently at work on sculptures honoring Robert Busby and David Kleis for Old Town Lansing. Her work was exhibited at East Lansing’s Mackerel Sky Gallery of Contemporary Craft in spring 2006.

Guests at Twilight 2007 clamored for Williamston-based artist Mark Chatterley’s ceramic crow sculptures.  Chatterley exhibits nationally, and was also featured in a Mackerel Sky exhibition in spring 2007. Chatterley will again donate multiple sculptures to this year’s event — though based on human, rather than animal, forms.

Twilight in the Garden is presented by Grand Patron Sponsor the City of East Lansing, as well as Picasso Level Sponsor Albert Place Condominiums. Other major sponsors include General Motors, Rehmann Financial Group and Kristin Olson, and the Team Lansing Foundation. Honorary chairs for the event are Kim A. Wilcox, Provost, MSU, and Diane Del Buono; Bill and Linda Demmer; Stella Cash, Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and Dr. Jerry Cash.
Over forty additional sponsors and donors have provided support for the event through sponsorships and donations.

To request an invitation, or more information on Twilight and the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum project, visit www.artmuseum.msu.edu, or call 517-353-9834.

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Sunday Gallery Walk Highlighted with "Art from the Heart" (Sept. 7, 2008)

The first Sunday of every month is always special in Mid Michigan as many of us enjoy the Gallery Walk. On a beautiful day, I was off to Old Town. I dropped by Perspective 2, to return some photo lights, the generously lent us for the Burcham Hills Fund Raiser (story below). Then I went to see Absolute Gallery, Turner Dodge House, making several other stops along the way. I finished with a stop at Haze Gallery, my home away from home in Old Town. The special guests there were the artists from Peckham's Art from the Heart program. What wonderful creations there were from the members of this program developed to provide professional and supportive instruction in the visual arts to persons with disabilities. For more Pictures from Gallery Walk: Click Here

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Burcham Hills Foundation Hosts 6th Annual Cocktail Party (Sept. 6, 2008)

The Burcham Hills Foundation held its Annual Cocktail Party and Art Auction on September 5, 2008. This year’s fundraiser took place at the home of Mr. Barry Wood and Mr. Bruce Stewart on Moores River Dr.,

Almost 200 guests enjoyed an evening social that included a sumptuous buffet, lots to drink, and dancing to the music of Yin & Yang.

The Art Auction was back this to help the Foundation raise even more money to assist the retirement community with capital projects and programs. Artists from Old Town LAnsing galleries generously donated art work. Haze Gallery, 1220 Turner St. in Old Town, Lansing, coordinated the donations with assistance from Absolute Gallery, 307 E. Grand River, Lansing.
Jim Fordyce, the popular host of the website www.MIentertainment.biz and the entertainment guy from WILS radio, was the master of ceremonies for the Art Auction.

 The Burcham Hills Foundation is working to enrich our society by extending the greatest measure of comfort, dignity and security to all who live in our retirement community.

For Pictures from the Event Click Here

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Lansing Symphony Orchestra Day (Sept. 3, 2008)

Leaders and supporters of of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra were on
hand as Mayor Virg Bernero declared September 3 as the LSO Day in Lansing. Everyone celebrated the new season of the Orchestra, got a preview of the upcoming season and helped the orchestra launch it's capital fundraising campaign, called “Securing A Sound Future.”

For Pictures and Video from the Event Click Here

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(SCENE) Metrospace Names New Director


Tim Lane (above) has been named director of (SCENE) Metrospace Gallery in East Lansing

Lane comes to (SCENE) with a background in art, writing and education.
He has lived in the East Lansing/Lansing area for the better part of the past 20 years and has been involved in the local art and poetry scene for the past nine years.

Lane replaces (SCENE)’s former director, Peter Richards. Richards, a graduate of Michigan State University and talented artist, served as (SCENE)’s director for two years. During his tenure at (SCENE), Richards’ artistic vision successfully attracted an audience of art lovers, young and old alike, to downtown East Lansing in appreciation of local and national talent showcased at the space.

“We are extremely sad to see Peter go, but also excited about the arrival of Tim,” said East Lansing City Manager Theodore Staton. “I am confident (SCENE) will be in good hands under his artistic direction.”

(SCENE) Metrospace is East Lansing's City-funded contemporary art gallery and performance space. Visit www.scenemetrospace.com to learn more about the space, including its hours and upcoming events. (SCENE) Metrospace is located at 110 Charles St. in the lower level of the colorful Division Street parking structure. The space is located next door to Georgio's Pizza.

Artists working in any media are encouraged to submit exhibition proposals to the (SCENE) offices in East Lansing City Hall:

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