Society 805 - Page 8

MAR

03

Review: Devil’s Music That Saves Your Soul

Miche Braden stars as Bessie Smith in the Rubicon Theatre Company's premiere production of "THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH"

Photo Credit: Ronnie Slavin

Review-

The Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura is currently showing the West Coast Premier of a very special project. Not really a play as such, or even what used to be called a “review”, The Devil’s Music: the Life and Blues of Bessie Smith is an extremely well-done hybrid whereby we, the audience are brought into a live speak-easy performance by Bessie Smith, the early pre-war Blues legend whose influence has shaped so much music since, from post-war small-band jazz to rock and roll.

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FEB

22

0

“Four Star Theater Alliance honors six Ventura County theaters

By Society 805 Staff Writer

Cecil Sutton Taylor Kasch The Night Alive Photo by Brian Stethem

It may be an increasingly electronic world, but the eclectic world of live theater is proving it has staying power in Ventura County, culminating in a gala Tony-like affair of awards on February 26th.

Offering over 1,000 seats on any given weekend, the County’s six community theaters – part of the unique Four Star Theater Alliance -- tap into local talents presenting comedies, dramas, musicals and dramedies.

The gala affair is at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 at the High Streets Art Center, 45 E. High Street in Moorpark. A limited amount of tickets ($15 in advance, $20 at the door) are available for the public at:www.HighStreetArtsCenter.com.

Veteran Ventura County actors Cecil Sutton and Taylor Kasch in a poignant scene from "The Night Alive," which won the most Oustanding Production Award for Santa Paula Theater Center from the Four Star Theater Alliance. Photo Credit: Brian Stethem

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FEB

18

1

Review:The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess at ETC

By Daniel Kepl

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Review-

Russian American Jews composing an opera about racism in the Deep South circa 1935 featuring a virtually all-black cast? George and Ira Gershwin were considered out of their minds if not outright un-American at the time for such boundary-bending audacity. Their masterpiece, Porgy and Bess, from a libretto by Dubose Heyward based on his novel Porgy was shunned after its initial debut and all but forgotten for decades. In recent years, though, especially since the civil rights movement of the 60’s, the opera has been revived and re-spirited on several occasions using diverse media and genres; recognized at last, as a major American folk opera of unparalleled genius and universal humanitarian message and appeal.

Photo Credit: David Bazemore

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masterpiece Porgy boundary-bending audacity Ira Gershwin Deep South Russian American Jews

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FEB

13

0

Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca

By Society 805 Staff Writer

Hailed by critics for their transcendent and deeply emotional performances, Noche Flamenca embodies the essence, complexity and mystery of flamenco.

Fronted by the incomparable Soledad Barrio, a Bessie Award-winning dancer acclaimed for her “smoldering, do-or-die flamenco passion” (The New York Times), this group of commanding dancers and musicians have earned accolades the world over. As a leading flamenco touring company, they embody a truly communal spirit, giving all aspects of flamenco – dance, song and music – equal weight as they seamlessly integrate each component into one spell-binding experience. Noche Flamenca’s vitality, energy and passion expresses the very heart and soul of the art form.

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FEB

07

0

Review: Driving Home: Rubicon Concludes Nibroc Trilogy

By Erik ReeL - Arts and Culture Contributing Editor at Large

Review-

With the wonderful cast and director of the previous installments reprising their roles, the third and last installment of the Nibroc Trilogy, Gulf View Drive, the conclusion to one of the most popular and critically acclaimed projects in Rubicon Theatre history, opened to an energetic and enthusiastic house last night. The play runs through 12 February 2017, and if you missed any of the two previous parts of the trilogy, no worries, this play stands on its own and offers up some first-rate comedy in the process.

(left) Erik Odom, Faline England, Sharon Sharth and Lily Nicksay star in Gulf View Drive, the final play of the acclaimed Nibroc Trilogy by Arlene Hutton .Performances January 25 – February 12 at Rubicon Theatre Company. Photo credit: Jeanne Tanner

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JAN

24

0

Artists Opening: Cody Hooper & Kaori Fukuyama

By Arts & Culture Staff Writer

Cody Hooper & Kaori Fukuyama

February 2 - 28, 2017
Artamo Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA

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Reception Thursday February CA Sensuous Light 28 2017 Artamo Gallery Santa Barbara Kaori Fukuyama February 2 Cody Hooper

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JAN

24

0

Artist Opening: Laurel Sherrie

By Arts & Culture Staff Writer

Laurel Sherrie

January 31 - March 1, 2017

2 blondes Boutique, San Luis Obispo, CA

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Laurel Sherrie from January 31 – March 1. Wild Places 2 blondes Boutique feautures CA March 1 2017 2 blondes Boutique San Luis Obispo Laurel Sherrie January 31

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JAN

17

0

Artist Opening: Jennifer Love

By Arts & Culture Staff Writer

Jennifer Love

January 19 - March 11, 2017

Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery, Ventura, CA

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solo art exhibition Gallery Ventura CA Coastal Escapes Ventura Gift Shop March 11 2017 Jennifer Love January 19

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JAN

17

0

Artists Opening: Susan Guy & Gerry Segismundo

By Society 805 Staff Writer

Susan Guy & Gerry Segismundo

January 19 - March 12, 2017

Fox Fine Jewelry, Ventura, CA

Susan Guy, Falling

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Fox Fine Jewelry Gerry Segismundo Susan Guy

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DEC

28

0

Museum of Ventura County Vigorously Prepares for Re-Opening in January

By Society 805 Staff Writer

Gallery Closure Gives Way to New Ideas, New Exhibits and a New Energy

The Museum of Ventura County is preparing excitedly for the Grand Re-Opening of its galleries after being closed since September 1. A fundraising gala, “Splendors of the Museum” will be held on Saturday, January 7, followed by a community celebration—free and open to all— on Sunday, January 8 from noon to 5 pm. The community celebration begins with an opening ceremony at 12:30 pm, followed by free tours throughout the afternoon of the museum’s new galleries. Two new exhibits, “Masterworks of the Museum” and “Really Awful People, featuring the George Stuart Historical Figures” will debut.

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