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Arts & Life

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Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty star in the 1961 drama, “Splendor in the Grass.” Courtesy image.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The touching 1961 drama, “Splendor in the Grass,” starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 1 and 6 p.m.

Entry to the film is by donation.

Written by William Inge and directed by Elia Kazan, “Splendor in the Grass” is a sensitively handled love story considered be one of director Elia Kazan’s masterpieces.

A powerful film about a small town love affair between two teenagers which examines growing pains, repressed sexuality and social hypocrisy.

Features Warren Beatty in an astonishing screen debut and Natalie Wood at her very best.

The movie is sponsored by Vivian Wilson and Jean Mead. Rated G. Run time is 2 hours and 4 minutes.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com.
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A past Art in the Gardens event in Fort Bragg, Calif. Courtesy photo.

FORT BRAGG, Calif. – The misty sea air and rugged natural beauty of the North Coast beckon.

Make a last-minute summer getaway to the coast for the 26th anniversary of Art in the Gardens.

The day-long event takes place at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Escape the heat and spend a day roaming the 47-acre botanical garden.

More than 70 artists will display their finest work amidst the spectacular background of summer floral displays.

The event includes live art demonstrations and performances by 10 musical acts situated throughout the Gardens.

Sample an array of wines from around Mendocino County. Wine tasting tickets may be purchased on the Gardens’ Web site or at the event.

Craft brews will be available for purchase with complimentary tastings on the event lawn.

Culinary vendors will be spread throughout the Gardens — all accented by miles of natural coastal beauty.

This year’s featured artist is realist painter Sanna M. Koski.

"As a youth, admiring the beautiful realistic landscapes and portrait paintings I saw in galleries, I knew that that was how I wanted to paint: in detailed realism. I worked on my skills through frustration and joy, fascinated by the artistic process, determined to improve,” Koski explained.

Her artwork strives to capture the mood, the unique beauty, and the mystery of a person or place.

General admission tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door. The cost is just $5 for children ages 6 to 16 and free for children under 5 years of age.

Wine tasting tickets are an additional $25 each, tickets include a commemorative glass and tastings from some of the best regional wineries.

Advance tickets are available on the Gardens' Web site through Aug. 3.

Proceeds from this spectacular event will directly benefit the nonprofit botanical garden and its mission to engage and enrich lives by displaying and conserving plants in harmony with our Northern California coastal ecosystems.

Art booths will be featured at the Art in the Gardens event in Fort Bragg, Calif. Courtesy photo.
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Ted Kooser. Photo credit: UNL Publications and Photography.


In one of my recent columns I wrote about the importance to the overall effect of a poem of having a strong ending, and here's a fine example of that.

It's by Terri Kirby Erickson, a North Carolinian, from her book, Becoming the Blue Heron, published by Press 53.

Others of Erickson's poems are available in the column's archives at www.americanlifeinpoetry.org.


My Cousin, Milton

My cousin, Milton, worked for a cable company.
The boy I knew when we were children

had fists that were often clenched, his face set like
an old man whose life had been so hard,

it hardened him. But the man's hands opened to let
more of the world in. He sent the funniest

cards to family and friends at Christmas, laid down
cable so others could connect. Yet, he lived

alone, kept to himself much of the time, so when
his sister found his body, he'd been gone

a good while. He died young at fifty-seven, without
fuss or bother. No sitting by the bedside

or feeding him soup. He just laid himself down like
a trunk line and let the signal pass through.

American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2017 by Terri Kirby Erickson from Becoming the Blue Heron, (Press 53, 2017). Poem reprinted by permission of Terri Kirby Erickson and the publisher. Introduction copyright ©2018 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.
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Adventures in Art and Storytelling Summer Camp in June. Middletown Art Center staff.


MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown Art Center's Adventures in Art “Nature & Numbers” summer camp starts July 30, and runs through Aug. 3.

The camp will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The second session this season will be an adventure in shapes, patterns, color, rhythms, movement and beats.

The instructional staff consists of credentialed art teachers, a drumming instructor and an architect.

“All of our activities will strengthen the connections and pathways to number sense and math through the arts,” said Director Lisa Kaplan. “Both math and the arts are ways to solve problems and understand the world around us, and both are creative and fun!”

Register your child grades first through ninth for a memorable and rich immersive, cultural and creative experience in the visual arts, dance and drumming.

The cost is $125 for the week and includes materials, supplies and healthy snacks.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org/classes, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-8118 to register and learn more.

Sibling discounts are available as are partial work-trade options and partial subsidies for those in need of assistance thanks to Calpine at The Geysers.

It promises to be a unique and fun creative adventure, not to be missed.
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FINLEY, Calif. – The day after the Pawnee Fire broke out, members of the Big Valley Hall in Lakeport decided to help the Spring Valley community by donating use of the hall for a benefit concert.

Hall members are now extending an invitation to join them on Saturday, July 28, to help raise funds for the NCO Pawnee Fire Fund. Entry will cost $10.

Two bands have volunteered to play from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Big Valley Hall, which is located at 1510 Big Valley Rd, Lakeport at the Finley border.

Come early for some tasty dancing blues by "South County" from Sonoma County. This up-and-coming band has matched veteran musicians with a few on the younger side to energize their delivery of well loved blues standards.

Mixing it up is Sean "Mudcat" Parnell on harmonica and vocals, Jody Counter on guitar and vocals, Eric Navas on guitar and vocals, Pete Rochelle on bass, and Marcus David on drums.

Finishing up the night will be The Mark Weston Band, a cover / original rock band that.prides themselves on their melodic harmonies and ability to keep a dance crowd on the floor.

Band members have been seen around Lake County with various bands and include: Mark Weston on guitar and vocals; Kent Hayden on bass and vocals; and Fred Hartnett on drums.

Wine donated by Don Angel Cellars, Kaz Winery and Mt. Konocti Winery will be sold. Beer, soda and water will also be available. Please bring cold dishes, fresh fruit or cookies for potluck snacks.

There will be two raffle prizes of table seats to the next fire benefit at the Soper Reese Theatre on Sept. 15 with The Funky Godfather, a 10-piece band specializing in James Brown hits.

Silent auction items have been donated by local crafts people and community members. Gift certificates have been donated by two businesses new to Lakeport: TurboTech Computer and Juicy's Pizza.

This benefit is an all volunteer production by Spotlight On Productions in partnership with The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County.

Event information is on Facebook at Lake County Fire Recovery Benefits or call 707-278-7126.
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UKIAH, Calif. – Four days of live music await visitors to the 2018 Redwood Empire Fair, and this year, be prepared to dance away the evening to some of the region’s most celebrated local talent.

On Thursday, Aug. 2, the Back Porch Project will perform two shows at 6 and 9 p.m.

Featuring a powerhouse of local talent- Rodney Grisanti on mandolin, Sid Bishop on guitar, Steve Hahm, guitar and vocals, vocalist Rosie Wetzel, bass player Jeff Taylor and percussionist Ken Ingels, the group has performed separately in different iterations for years.

Following a backyard jam session, they knew they had something special and since then, the Back Porch Project has been touring the area for about a year.

Their “folkgrass” sound, consisting of blues, country, harmonies and superlative instrumentation are a perfect matchup for the fair’s “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams” theme.

On Friday, Aug. 3, one of the area’s most celebrated bands, II Big, will rock the Willow Tree Stage for two shows at 6 and 9 p.m.

Since 1994, the hard-playing, hard-working band has wowed audiences with their take on house rock, boogie and blues music. Their robust catalog of songs on iTunes is a testament to their professionalism and dedication.

II Big has opened for rock ‘n’ roll giants including Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Loverboy, Grand Funk Railroad, Joe Walsh, REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, Jeff Healy, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Styx.

The band will be playing old favorites and new songs from their recent CD, “Black Cat Bone.” Join Aubrey Hansen, Ken Ingels, Indiana Slim and Derek Soderquist for an evening of “Brand New Classic Rock!”

Put on your dancing shoes for two Saturday night performances by The Funky Dozen.

The 12 master musicians and vocalists combine classic rock guitar, keys and percussion with a horn section, creating a “dance ‘til you drop” sound with influences spanning 50 years of Motown and Uptown Funk: Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Aretha Franklin, KC and the Sunshine Band, Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown, The Isley Bros, Patty Labelle, Bruno Mars, and Meghan Trainor. The band will perform two sets at 7 and 9 p.m.

Led by Larry Thompson, the Funky Dozen has been performing regionally for about 10 years, with roots that go back to the early 1980’s, when vocalist Eric Peterson and guitarist Thompson played in separate bands on the Mendocino Coast.

Save some energy for the fair’s final musical offering. On Sunday evening, close out your weekend with three exemplary Latino bands

Enjoy Creativos de Tierra Caliente, Grupo La Elegancia and Banda Pacifica, beginning at 5 p.m. on the Willow Tree Stage. All performances are included with your Fair admission ticket.

The fair opens at 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Children under 5 are always admitted free.

For more information, visit the Fair’s Facebook page, the Redwood Empire Fair’s website at http://www.redwoodempirefair.com/august-fair/ or phone 707-462-3884.

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