A Glance Back at OSF 2009
[caption id="attachment_514" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Equivocation, photo by Jenny Graham"][/caption] Notwithstanding the gorgeous production of Death and the King's Horseman starring Derrick Lee Weeden, the hugely entertaining Music Man starring Michel Elich, the side-splittingly funny Servant of Two Masters, and a wonderfully inventive production of All's Well That Ends Well that actually made me, at least for two hours, actually like that ornery problem play, when friends visiting Ashland asked me last summer which plays to take in at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, my answer was invariably, "see Equivocation first". And this from a playgoer notorious, when limited by time or pecuniary ...
The Green Pope and Blessed Unrest
Since I forgot to bring my camera along when we attended the wonderful Blackstone Audio warehouse sale in Ashland on Saturday (the proceeds of which are going to the Jackson County Library system), so I can't share pics of the divine madness that ensued. Instead, I'll mention the Blackstone Audiobook I'm listening to right now, by way of my subscription to Audible.com. The book is Blessed Unrust by Paul Hawken. It's about what Hawken describes as the "movement of movements" happening in the world today to promote sustainability and social and economic justice, The book is of particular interest to me ...
Music Man, the OSF, and the (necessary) delights of Escapism
[caption id="attachment_418" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="photo by Jenny Graham"][/caption] by Debra Murphy Back in January, before the 2009 season got underway, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival hosted a Town Hall meeting in the Bowmer Theatre. Although the topic of conversation on everyone's lips that evening was the potential effect of the Great Recession on the Festival, another (not entirely unrelated) topic was the inclusion of Meredith Wilson's The Music Man on the 2009 docket, to be directed by none other than the new AD, Bill Rauch. When Rauch asked the largely townie audience how many were surprised by his choice, I was one of ...
A “NAFTA flu”/Agribiz connection?
For those of you concerned about where your food (and flus) come from, as well as some of the less salubrious aspects of industrial-strength agribiz, here are two sobering videos on the origin of the "Swine flu" epidemic: First, from Real News: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmlQXqtu6Hs&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.mercola.com%2Fsites%2Farticles%2Farchive%2F2009%2F04%2F29%2FSwine-Flu.aspx&feature=player_embedded[/youtube] And this from Democracy Now: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a2ptPlRUhY[/youtube]
Coraline (2009)
directed by Henry Selick reviewed by Debra Murphy Coraline held two points of interest for me: First, it is a stop-motion animated children's flick, and I like to go to the movies with my fifth grader. (We had a grand old time at Kung Fu Panda.) Second, Coraline's setting was based on Ashland. It is a stunning movie, visually, and I only saw it in 2D. (Coraline was designed to be viewed in a new souped-up 3D format, but that option wasn't available at the Ashland Street Cinema.) The look and feel of it is beautiful in many respects, particularly in its "Ashlandy" ...
Recession spurs new interest in “state of Jefferson” scenarios
This MSNBC.com article discusses a new movement afoot in California, launched by Republican Mill Maze and spurred by that state's near bankruptc. The proposal: to split California into two states along coastal/inland lines. In that context the original 1941 "state of Jefferson" idea is mentioned. Something tells me, as the economic crisis wears on and perhaps gets worse before it gets better, that this isn't the last we've heard of such movements.
Magic Hour, December 14, 2008
My son John, who is an artist, illustrator, film/book reviewer and soon-to-be indie filmmaker, is always talking about "the magic hour"--those twilight hours at dawn and dusk which are perfect for cinematographers. With that in mind, my daughter Rachel and I, after stopping by the Artisans fair at Briscoe school last Sunday, decided to take advantage of the day's lovely snow to take some "magic hour" photos of Lithia Park and the Plaza as we walked from Briscoe School down to Bloomsbury Books for a browse and a cuppa. Here's a couple of the best photos:
A Terrific S.O. Book and Author Fair
My son John and I---we are both brains and brawn, such as they are, behind Idylls Press---had a great time at the 2008 Southern Oregon Book and Author Fair, held this year at the Ashland Springs Hotel. All the authors I spoke with there agreed that the move from SOU (the previous venue) was a good one in terms of increased foot traffic. We actually made a modest profit in sales, but more importantly had the opportunity of meeting all kinds of wonderful, creative people. This has got to be Ashland's greatest draw, when all is said and done! Click here ...
Halloween in Ashland, 2008
Before the holiday season comes full blown upon us, I thought I'd share some pictures we took from this year's Halloween celebration. Halloween (like Christmas) is a very big deal here in Ashland, and the adults get into it as much as the kids. The downtown celebration usually begins shortly after school lets out with a parade of costumed kids (and adults) from the public library down to the Plaza--five or six blocks. Then all the kids go trick-or-treating. Most of the shopkeepers oblige by having someone stand outside with a bowl of treats to pass around to all the goblins ...
Southern Oregon Book and Author Fair
Your Humble Webmistress will once again be participating in the Southern Oregon Book and Author Fair, Saturday, November 15, 2008, selling and signing copies of The Mystery of Things. No doubt I will also be buying/trading books books from/with other authors as well---I am always impressed by the quality and variety of books being published by our regional writers here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Here are the event details: Title: Southern Oregon Book and Author Fair Location: Ashland Springs Hotel ballroom (2nd floor), Ashland OR Description: 2008 SOUTHERN OREGON BOOK & AUTHOR FAIR Free admission to meet Northwest regional authors who will personally autograph the books you purchase from them. This ...
T.I.A.
Magic Hour, December 14, 2008My son John, who is an artist, illustrator, film/book reviewer and soon-to-be indie...
Bruce Campbell article in the NYT
Fitting, perhaps, for our upcoming Halloween festivities, local yokel and horror...
Read more posts from T.I.A.
Theatre & the Arts
A Glance Back at OSF 2009Equivocation, photo by Jenny Graham Notwithstanding the gorgeous production of Death...
Music Man, the OSF, and the (necessary) delights of Escapism
photo by Jenny Graham by Debra Murphy Back in January, before the 2009 season got...
Coraline (2009)
directed by Henry Selick reviewed by Debra Murphy Coraline held two points of interest...
Read more posts from Theatre & the Arts
The State of Jefferson
The Green Pope and Blessed UnrestSince I forgot to bring my camera along when we attended the wonderful Blackstone Audio warehouse sale in Ashland on Saturday (the proceeds of which are going to the Jackson County Library system), so I can’t share pics of the divine madness that ensued. Instead, I’ll mention the Blackstone Audiobook I’m listening to right now, by... [Read more of this review]
A “NAFTA flu”/Agribiz connection?
For those of you concerned about where your food (and flus) come from, as well as some of the less salubrious aspects of industrial-strength agribiz, here are two sobering videos on the origin of the “Swine flu” epidemic: First, from Real News: And this from Democracy Now: SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "A “NAFTA flu”/Agribiz... [Read more of this review]
Recession spurs new interest in “state of Jefferson” scenarios
This MSNBC.com article discusses a new movement afoot in California, launched by Republican Mill Maze and spurred by that state’s near bankruptc. The proposal: to split California into two states along coastal/inland lines. In that context the original 1941 “state of Jefferson” idea is mentioned. Something tells me, as the economic... [Read more of this review]
Read more posts from The State of Jefferson
Love Shakespeare? Love thrillers?
plots from Shakespeare and the myth of St. George and the Dragon inspire this provocative mystery-thriller by Ashland author Debra Murphy.
More about the book....
T.I.A. … This is Ashland!- A Glance Back at OSF 2009
- The Green Pope and Blessed Unrest
- Music Man, the OSF, and the (necessary) delights of Escapism
- A “NAFTA flu”/Agribiz connection?
- Coraline (2009)
- Recession spurs new interest in “state of Jefferson” scenarios
- Magic Hour, December 14, 2008
- A Terrific S.O. Book and Author Fair
- Halloween in Ashland, 2008
- Southern Oregon Book and Author Fair
LOCAL ARTIST GIFTS
Want the Bard's (or Flannery's, or Tolkien's) mug on your mug (or tee shirt, or button, or tote bag)? Visit our Cafepress store, featuring literary portraits by Ashland illustrator John Murphy!
