Once more unto the breach: The Mighty San Miguel Playwrights Winter Showcase 2017

My stepmother was a high school English teacher; and it’s probably the single biggest reason why I became a writer.  Not because she necessarily encouraged me to do so, to this day I still have serious problems with grammar and spelling, it was that from time-to-time she found what I wrote to be extremely interesting.

So, though mechanics are important, good writing needs a soul.  Mark Twain said, “I don’t give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way,” and when Shakespeare boxed himself into a writer’s dilemma he simply made words up, over 1700 in fact.  Ordinarily, writing is a chore but inspired writing is a gift; and starting on Friday January 13 at 7pm through Sunday January 15, 2017, the mighty San Miguel Playwrights offer their gifts in the form of nine original plays on the stage of the San Miguel Playhouse.

Limbo Land  by Chris Kapilla 

Since moving to San Miguel Chris has deeply enjoyed exploring improvisation (with The Improv People), studying Shakespeare, learning to be an actor, and now playwriting.  Limbo Land is his first effort to be staged.

8^th Floor by Lauren Osornio

Lauren has long acted and directed in community theaters in Florida and Massachusetts.  Always wanting to try something new, she has recently given her hand to writing plays.

California Girls by Bill Gallacher

Bill has acted in local productions of Pinter’s “Betrayal” and had the lead role in Shakespeare’s “Richard III”.  His playwriting CV also includes adapting (and directing) David Mamet’s “Glen Garry Glen Ross” for an all-female cast.

My Bench by Lia Gladstone

Lia, a prolific playwright, has penned more than 20 pieces.  Prior to this effort, her most recent theater outing was a staged reading in November 2016 of Mrs. Cheney Goes to Pretoria at the Mendocino Theater Company in Mendocino, California. 

The Doll by Tasha Paley

Spending her time between San Miguel and Brooklyn, New York, Tasha has passionately pursued her theatrical participation as an actor, writer, storyteller, improviser, and teacher of Playback Theater.  A painter and a poet, she has also worked as a creative arts therapist and has authored and illustrated children’s books.

Remember Me by Kathy Simandl

Kathy is a published fiction writer and award-winning photographer.  Now, focusing her artistic talents on playwriting, she’s produced her first effort for stage.

Dead Weight by David Temple

David has been a member of the Playwrights Unit at HB Studios in New York since 1999.  His play from last year's San Miguel Playwrights Winter Showcase, Trade Secrets, has been chosen for a full production in the 2017 Diez Minutos Festival in March.

Customer Service by Dennis Lanson

Dennis has spent most of his working life combining personal documentary filmmaking with teaching film at the college level.  He has directed and produced one Indie feature, Pitstop.  Additionally, he’s worked commercially in the film industry as a documentary editor and producer/writer of film trailers.

Doggone by Marilyn Bullivant

Perhaps better known for the satirical skits she writes for the Literary Cabaret, Marilyn has also had two full length plays produced in San Miguel and in Canada.

We have choices!

The problem with Donald Trump is that he sucks up all the attention in this race.   Granted, Orange Julius is a lot of fun but there are hundreds of other presidential candidates.  

So, in the interest of fairness and the American way, Politics1.com (http://www.politics1.com/p2016.htm) lists everyone seeking the house at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Below is just a sample of what America has to offer, literally something for everyone.

First, there’s Ricky Joe “Average Joe” Story, an Independent from Florida.

He’s a little too heavy on the Christianity angle, which will probably make it tough to pick-up the non-Christian vote (as well as the vote from most rational people).  http://www.theaveragejoeforpresident.com/

And thank you California, Zoltan Istvan the Trans-humanist candidate has thrown his hat in the ring.  Among other amazing things, his platform calls for the US to sponsor the first Trans-humanist Olympics.  I hate to break the news but you’re late on that one, Michael Phelps has been competing for years.  And one more thing Zoltan, is that your name, really?  http://zoltanistvan.com/

Then, faster than a speeding bullet, comes Paul “Superman” Falkenberg, the  Independent from Wisconsin.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a website but does he really need one? After all, he’s Superman - damn it.

Saving us from our sins is Jim Hedges representing the Prohibition Party from Pennsylvania.  Prohibition, yeah, let’s vote for something that we know doesn’t work – just like we’ve done so many times before.  http://www.hedgesandbayes2016.org/

Next up is Temperance Lance-Council representing the Anti-Hypocrisy party from California.  It appears she is all about promoting herself on twitter.  Hmm, sounds like someone else I know.  https://twitter.com/LanceCouncil

Thomas Keister from Indiana, is running for president on the US Marijuana Party platform.  Surprisingly, his “weed for the people” website actually makes some good arguments.  http://www.usmjparty.com/

Joe Exotic

Oklahoma sends its favorite son, the Independent Joseph “Joe Exotic” Maldonado.  He has unusual hair and a platform with a “thing” about animal rights people; hence the nickname, I guess.  http://www.joeexotic2016.com/

And rounding out this sample is Princess Kadijah Jocob Fambro representing the Revolutionary Party of California.  John Adams would be happy; finally, some royalty in the White House.  http://www.slaveryends2016.com/

   Can't wait until November.

The Magic is back (well, it never really leaves)

What do Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Twiggy, Tom Waits, and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival all have in common? 

They turn 65 this year; and they’re better than ever!  From 10 July through 25 August, the old city will once again be alive with Theatre, Music, and Art; and I mean “alive” literally. 

My first visit to Dubrovnik, all those years ago, was during the Festival.  At the time I was living in Croatia.  Prior to my arrival, the locals said the ancient Dalmatian seaport would enchant me with its beauty, excitement, and “magic.” That was kind of tough for a Robbery Detective (which I was a the time) to swallow.  I mean magic, really?   So, my first night there, I attended a play performed on the street behind St. Blaises Church – and the locals were right.

The stage was the city and it seemed everyone was an actor. Through windows, through shop doors, from down the street, and from the seat next to you players emerged and disappeared.  You weren’t simply watching a performance you were living it.  For an opening night, this was a tough act to follow.   But the next evening’s entertainment and all that followed proved just as worthy.  So, I’m please to announce, the beauty, the excitement, and, yes, the “magic" will all be present at the 65^th Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

The 2014 line-up will include:

• Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet directed by Jagoš Marković.  The play will be staged in the Renaissance summer residence of the Skočibuha family at Boninovo.

• Krešimir Dolenčić chose Držić Square to be the venue for his staging of Marin Držić's best-known and most frequently performed comedy, Uncle Maroje.

• Shakespeare's Timon of Athens, directed by Georgij Paro, will take place in two locations: the Dubrovnik Centre for Advanced Academic Studies Atrium and Gradac Park.

• At Bošković Square, the choreographer Valentina Turcu and theatre director Leo Mujić will stage the Neo-Baroque ballet Les Liasons Dangereuses (set to music by George F. Handel, J. S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi and other Baroque masters).

 

Photo by Michael Mischley

• The Summer Festival's closing concert, in front of St Blaise's Church, will feature the Zagreb Philharmonic conducted by Ivo Lipanović, and the world famous baritone Željko Lučić.  

• In collaboration with Zagreb's Museum of Arts and Crafts, and supported by the Sponza State Archives and the Dubrovnik Museums, the exhibition entitled Creators of Memory – Photographers and Designers at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival will be opened in two venues: Sponza Palace and Rector's Palace.

• Award winning films (both national and international) will be featured during the Summer Festival's film programme. Screenings will take place at the open-air cinemas Jadran and Slavica.

• The folklore programme will include traditional performances by the Linđo and Lado folklore ensembles.

For more information, please contact:

Karla Labaš

PR & Marketing Department

M. 00385 (0)91 323 42 56

E. karla.labas@dubrovnik-festival.hr

T. 00385 (0)20 326 111

F. 020 326 113

www.dubrovnik-festival.hr

My Favorite Places to find Old Stuff

by Elena Coates

One of my favorite shopping strips in Houston is 19^th Street in The Heights.  It’s as funky, eclectic, and fashionable as it is grungy, old-school, and fun.  Like the rest of Houston it evolves at a rapid rate, but there are some mainstay operations where I love to find Old Stuff.  Not just antiques, but a wide range of well-loved possessions waiting to find their way into my life and home.

Adding to 19^th Street’s allure for me is the fact that I live in the Heights, and it is accessible to me both as a pedestrian and a trike-rider.  For drivers, there is plenty of parking and all of it is free.

First stop traveling East to West is Chippendale Eastlake Antiques.  

This unassuming corner shop has presented me with an antique oak secretary desk and a

 to-die-for Bergere chair and ottoman that I 

saw through the window AND BOUGHT THE 

SAME DAY (although pink rose upholstery is 

currently being replaced). There are also 

brooches galore in this place, and some 

lovely antique rings.  But the thing I would 

send people here for is the silver - gobs of it, 

from flatware to serving pieces to tea & 

coffee sets, I have never seen so much in 

one place to choose from.  Even if you 

never buy a fork, you’ve already feasted 

your eyes.

A bit farther down the street on the North side is Grace Hart & Company Antiques.  This store is huge and eclectic, and it’s hard to categorize their inventory since they have so many vendors.  They have lots of dishes and furniture; memorabilia; usually some great
lamp bases; and an abundance of tabletop  

disco balls.  By the time you read this I will have acquired one.  I bought a triple-strand of Barbara Bush-style faux pearls here, in mint condition.  They were a gift for my husband, but that’s another story.  It’s such a big place, it’s likely you’ll see something that you like, or, at least, that makes you chuckle.

Moving away from Stuff and on to Clothing, I present you with the Mecca of re-sale garments & accessories: Retropolis.  So small and insignificant, the door is easy to overlook – it appears to belong to the store next door.  But when you enter you will realize you have stumbled upon a veritable clown car of vintage fashion:  a two-story treasure trove of clothing and accessories that looks like your fairy godmother’s attic.  From cowboy boots to handbags and jewelry, cabana wear to sequins, you will find it here.  I have bought vintage Caribbean shirts for my husband, a custom-made suede-fringed cowboy shirt, and a silk halter dress by Ralph Lauren.  And all for prices that will boggle your mind.  You will look fabulous!

Now that you’re outfitted, proceed westward to our final stop for Old Stuff, Gen’s Antiques.  Like the others, this store has much to offer; but the surprise is the enormous room in The Way Back, stocked with mid-century furniture: dressers, vanities, sideboards, wardrobes, and more – all at exceptional prices.  And they will give you a FAIR DEAL.  While I was there buying this flawless Avalon Yalton dresser, there was another dealer eyeballing the goods.  He buys them at Gen’s and sells them at a 500% markup at his place.  “For real.” 

So enjoy your search for Old Stuff on 19^th Street – and watch this space for my favorite places on 19^th to buy New Stuff!