Reviewed by Jason Gregg

Mixed Martial arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the last few years and we were bound to see a movie about it sooner or later.  It makes sense to capitalize on it and try to put a personality to it (other than taking two men and having them beat the hell out of one another for a few rounds).

“Warrior” the new movie by Gavin O’Connor (“Miracle”and “Pride and Glory”) not only looks at the physical toll it has on its fighters but also gives a solid story of what some of these fighters go through to win the ultimate prize, which interestingly enough, isn’t always about the money.

We are given three members of a dysfunctional family.  The father, Paddy Conlon (played by Nick Nolte) who is a recovering alcoholic coming up on his 1,000th day sober.  The older brother,  Brendan Conlon (played by Joel Edgerton), an ex-Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter who is about to lose his home to foreclosure and is now working a job as a high school physics teacher.  And the younger brother, Tom Conlon (played by Tom Hardy) who is running from a mystery that occurred during his time as a Marine in Iraq.

The entire story line has an underlying mystery to it.  Something dark happened between these three men years ago that made Tom and their mother run away and Brendan and Paddy stay behind in Pennsylvania.   We are slowly revealed the pieces of this puzzle throughout the entire story.  It was enough to keep the audience engaged and guessing why two of these men are not willing to admit that they were wrong. (Sounds like a man, right?)

Tom comes back from the Marines to Paddy’s house with enough anger and resentment to fill a coliseum.  Paddy with all of his sober intentions only wants the two of them to make up and start over again.  Tom will have nothing to do with it and goes to the local gym where in a sparring match, he knocks down a fighter that shouldn’t be knocked down by a nobody.

Meanwhile we see a family story develop with Brendan, his wife and children. They are about to lose their home and with all of Brendan’s ego, he refuses to take a step backwards. (Sounds like a man, right?)

This couldn’t be a story about guys being too tough to accept defeat or mending broken relationships. The fight of the century is coming up in Atlantic City. A fight organizer wants to find out who the toughest man on the planet is through a series of "winner takes all" cage matches.

After building the two back stories through a training montage we move into the “Sparta Championship.” While there Brendan and Tommy reunite on a beach. There was a lot of emotion on Brendan’s part and a lot grunting on Tommy's part.  Did you think that they were going to resolve their issues on beach? That’s what cage matches are for.

After several intense fight scenes, the story finally climaxes where Tommy and Brendan have to fight one another to win the $5 million prize. One is fighting to for his family and home. The other is doing it to prove to himself that he can do it. 

Should you see this movie?  Sure, it’s a good movie for fans of this sport.  For the non-fans who are new to this sport, there is enough of a story line to hold their attention. It was a blast to see Tommy's fight scenes where he knocked his opponents out with one or two punches instead of the standard “let’s drag this movie out through highly choreographed fights.”

A new tragicomedy by Bryan Moses

It is Sept.10, 2001 and Danny and Tom, two twenty-something guys, are ready to make a drastic decision to be remembered and make a statement about the current state of affairs in America- to put an end to all the Apathy.

Starring Sean Hogge, Bob Linebarger, George Forbes, and Kelly Main.

Set Design by Tim Ahlenius, Set Dressing/Props by Shawnna Journagan, Lighting Design by Moose Kimball, Sound Design by David Kiehl

Written and Directed by The Living Room's Associate Artistic Director, Bryan Moses.

SEPT 10-26
THURSDAYS-MONDAYS
ALL PERFORMANCES AT 8PM  $20 

Tickets can be purchased in advance at
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/193975

 thelivingroomkc.com

(816) 221-4260

504 E 18th Street
Kansas City, MO  64108
August 15, 2011

Contact: Paula Rose
E-mail: plenumspacekc@gmail.com

For Immediate Release

Vices Versus: Taxidermy by Courtney Soldan-Els
and
Carnalas: Multimedia work by Sarah Smith

Vices Versus
An à la mode study of habit and adornment

Vices Versus is a contemporary take on taxidermy, focusing particular attention to the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the ideas of home and ritual. All of the animals on display in this show were salvaged post–mortem from a freezer in an abandoned local pet shop. In this exhibition, I invite viewers to consider our modern conceptions of animals and objects.

First, and foremost, my artwork is an intimate self–portrait. While the initial basis for each of my pieces is very carefully selected, it is important to me to create a body of work that is engaging on multiple levels and inviting to viewers.

My taxidermy art, in particular, pays a specific homage to the white mouse along with a collection of other “urban undesirables.” I call attention to the evolution of animals as modern–day pop icons taken from their historical roots as spirit totems. Using my own association with the animal world, I explore the interconnectivity between humans and animals, and our respective environments. I address topics such as animal friends–versus–foes, present–day human relationships with animals (both medicinal and spiritual), and in particular, the continuing loss of human connection with the animal world.

Every animal that becomes a part of my body of work is either found or donated, and ultimately, the respect and connection with these animals translates into a tangible dialogue between my piece, the viewer, and myself.

Courtney Soldan–Els is a self–taught taxidermist and Kansas City native. A recent graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute class of 2011, she is returning to school for an extra semester to obtain her double major in both Fiber and Creative Writing.


Carnalas

Growing up, my family and I tip-toed around passion and emotion, blanketing everything with a thick layer of tense, sarcastic humor, never directly addressing any issue. Because of this, I’m incapable of taking even my own pain too seriously. Although I satirize the themes and subjects in my work, I truly admire and sympathize with them; my imagery is pop-y and flowery, but also felt and sentimental. I approach each body of work as an opportunity to whole–heartedly communicate to someone I love that I'm sorry; I miss them; I love them.

Sarah Smith was born and raised in Houston, Texas of which she is abundantly proud.  She recently graduated with her BFA in Printmaking from the Kansas City Art Institute and continues to live and work as a painter in Kansas City.

Here's the exciting 2011/2012 Season.
Order your tickets today!

 Chant & Beyond
Chant. The very word evokes calm and mystery. Chants of 12th century Hildegard von Bingen, 13th century Ireland, 15th century L’homme armÈ settings, as well as pieces written in our own time, inspired by these ancient tunes.

Sat. Oct 15, 7:30   St Michael Archangel, 143rd and Nall
Sun. Oct. 16, 2:00 Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway
Tue. Oct. 18, 7:30 Asbury Methodist, 5400 W 75th St. (at Nall)

The Holiday Concerts
Two concert programs. Take your pick (or attend both!)

A Family Christmas concert with a massed chorus of the Chorale and honor choirs from 8 area high schools. Two hundred young voices singing with the Kansas City Chorale celebrating the joy of the holiday season!
Sun. Dec. 4, 2:00 Grace & Holy Trinity, 1300 Broadway

Gaudete! Rejoice! The Chorale presents its much-loved holiday tradition, classical music to celebrate the season. From formal settings of the 16th century “Gaudete” to a sleigh full of traditional carols (that you sing with us).
Sun. Dec. 11, 2:00 Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway
Tue. Dec. 13, 7:30 Asbury Methodist, 5400 W 75th St. (at Nall)

Request Line: 30 Years of Your Favorites
A concert of music most requested by our patrons and singers. Ticket holders and singers will vote, the votes will be tallied, and Maestro Bruffy will conduct the Chorale’s most beloved repertoire. Also on the program to celebrate Franz Liszt’s 200th birthday and the start of the Paschal season, “Via Crucis,” one of Liszt’s most daring and original compositions.

Sun. Mar. 4, 2:00 Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway
Tue. Mar. 6, 7:30 Asbury Methodist, 5400 W. 75th St.
Tue. Mar. 13, 7:30 Liberty United Methodist
1001 Sunset Ave, Liberty, MO

newEar announces its 19^th consecutive concert season – our most ambitious to date – with more variety, more musicians, and more challenging and innovative music making, Verge 2011-12.

Concert 1: Vortex Memoriam
Saturday, September 10, 2011 8:00 pm
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
4501 Walnut, KCMO

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, newEar explores the realm of remembrance, memories and time in this concert featuring works Voices in Memoriam (for piano and electronics) by Kansas City's award winning composer, James Mobberley and September Canons (for violin and electronics) by Ingram Marshall, (September Canons) composed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Other works include Lei Liang's Memories of Xiaoxiang, a haunting reminder of the loss of a loved one during the Chinese cultural revolution (for alto sax with dancer) and Gerard Grisey's Vortex Temporum, (for flute, clarionet, violin, viola, cello, piano.)

Concert 2: Strange Nonsense
Saturday, November 5, 2011 8:00 pm
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
4501 Walnut, KCMO

New Music equals nonsense? Not at all! newEar invites you to experience our take on "nonsense" – most decidedly more sense than non … are Jeremy Podgursky's piano trio "Nonsense or Sorcery" and Kamram Ince's driving, Turkish-inspired "Strange Stone." Olga Neuwirth's colorful and quirky "5 Daily Miniatures. Works by Jay Batzner and Henri Lazarof round out the program. 8:00 pm at All Souls church, 4501 Walnut, KCMO. Tickets thru CTO at 816-235-6222. Details at newear.org

Concert 3: Worlds Apart
Saturday, February 11, 2012 8:00 pm
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
4501 Walnut, KCMO

Anchoring this concert is the remarkable "Clarinet Quartet" of Krzysztof Penderecki. Works by local composers include "For the Time Being" by Ingrid Stolzel and "Invisible Worlds" by Nick Omiccioli receive their Kansas City premieres.

Concert 4: Road Trip
Saturday, April 28, 2012 8:00 pm
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
4501 Walnut, KCMO

A newEar Road Trip … what could be more intriguing? John Adam's earbox.com "Road Movies" for violin and piano leads off the first leg of the journey. This concert will also feature the winner of our 2nd Annual Composers'Competition and the premiere of a newly commissioned work as well as works by Salvatore Sciarrino, Per Bloland, and Andy Akiho.

For ticket information please call the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222 or toll-free at 1-888-286-4849 or visit newear.org.

8:00pm, Saturday, September 10, 2011
All Souls UUC, 4501 Walnut, KCMO

newEar contemporary chamber ensemble begins its 19th season probing the themes of time, remembrance, and loss, including works serving as emotional responses to the events of September 11, 2001. Ingram Marshall’s September Canons for violin and electronics, while clearly memorializing 9/11, also draws inspiration from Bach, Ives, and others. Kansas City composer James Mobberley composed Voices in Memoriam to speak to the notion that our memories, while changing with time, “argue convincingly that nothing that we love ever really leaves us.” Memories of Xiaoxiang is composer Lei Liang’s plaintive response to a tragedy of the cultural revolution of his native China, scored for alto saxophone and recorded media. Having a career interest in the infinite possibility of timbre, GÈrard Grisey composed Vortex Temporum as a massive exploration of how our perception of sound changes over time. We hope you’ll join us for a penetrating musical journey into the emotional heart of the human experience.

Pre-concert talk at 7:15 p.m. Reception follows concert.

Ticket and further program information are available at newear.org

September 2 - October 29, 2011

Untitled Dango #11-05-14

2011 glazed ceramic

69"x37.5"x20"

*if you would like a higher resolution images, let us know!

 Gallery Hours:  Tuesday - Saturday, 11 - 5 p.m. & by appointment

 SHERRY LEEDY CONTEMPORARY ART

2004 Baltimore Avenue

Kansas City, MO 64108

816-221-2626

www.sherryleedy.com

Grand Arts is pleased to announce the upcoming installation of sculptor John Salvest’s IOU/USA, a major public artwork to be sited in Memorial Hill/Penn Valley Park.

IOU/USA will transform the ubiquitous material of cargo shipping containers into a giant, temporary public sculpture. One hundred and five containers will be stacked seven high to create a massive wall with embedded text on both sides. The containers will spell out “I O U” on one side and “U S A” on the other.

The site for the project—in close proximity to the Federal Reserve Bank, Liberty Memorial, and WWI Museum—is intended to imbue the work with many possibilities for interpretation. The project deliberately resists polarities of left and right, liberal and conservative, though, and takes no ʻsides.ʼ Instead, it inhabits an allusive poetics of the familiar, utilizing language and materials that are simple but evocative to suggest the shared weight of our individual and collective debts.

Says Salvest, “The placement of the project near a regional branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, one of the main components of national fiscal and monetary policy, comes at a time when concern about the United States’ ballooning federal budget and foreign trade deficits is a major part of the national conversation. Its location between the Fed and the Pioneer Mother Memorial is also fitting in that, whereas the permanent public monument rightfully celebrates America’s and Kansas City’s triumphant past, the temporary public sculpture may generate meaningful discussion about where we, as a nation, are heading.”

Installation in the Park will begin August 15, 2011, and IOU/USA will open to the public on Friday, September 2 at 6pm. Thereafter, the installation will be accessible to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week through October 16, 2011.

Grand Arts will convene several public programs and workshops in connection with the project. For more information, please see <<grandarts.com>>.