Friday, November 02, 2007

Junior Girl Scout Oil-Up Day

There's lots of (well-earned) excitement about the first ever Venango Digital Film Association Film Festival that starts tonight (full disclosure - I am a member of the committee). While the paper spins it as an Oil City victory (and it is, I'm not disputing that) I think the truly great part is the fact that it involves Franklin and Oil City - there's not, as per usual, a different film fest in each town. I have great hope that the arts can be a vital tool for dragging us into regional thought and collaboration.

Today's screening is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin, and Saturday's screening will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Latonia Theater in Oil City. Admission is $5.

A reception will be held following Saturday's screening at the Latonia for filmmakers and anyone interested in filmmaking.
The films include:
Whitewater-Linda Henderson, director, producer
Favela Surf Dreams-Joe Wilson, videographer
A Thunderous Life-Jill Wiggins, videographer, director, producer
Heartland USA-Joe Wilson, videographer
History in our Backyard-Venango Catholic High School
Dualife-Amy Krizon, screenwriter, director
One Last Visit-Jill Wiggins, videographer, director, producer
Don’s Diner-Jill Wiggins, videogrpaher, director, producer

And while I took a lot of guff when I started including "rating" suggestions for Theatre in the Little Theatre productions, I would say this is a 16 and up sort of festival age wise. Forewarned and all that.

So, I'll be down at the Barrow this afternoon helping to set things up and hopefully I 'll see you tonight! Fell free to email me or leave a comment if you have questions, need directions, want to know what I'll be wearing....










I'm really glad that this mural (that I expressed concern about over two year ago) wasn't pitched into the trash, but I'm not sure that what this group is doing (check out the nail gun in the photo after the jump) can be called preservation. This probably should have been a job for Fiske and Sons Inc.








While I'm also happy that:
A $10,000 grant to the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism has gone a long way in familiarizing area residents with their backyard history.
perhaps some thought should have been put into titling one of the events something other than, "Junior Girl Scout 'Oil-Up Day'"








Newmen claim they're working a big surprise.








Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers Nov 9th Erie show has been canceled.







Dan Littler brings his classic country to Seneca's Brother Bean from 7-9 Saturday night. No cover.






The Library of Congress's American Folklife Center (AFC) announces the release of its online card catalog. This tool will enhance access to the most heavily used recordings in the American Folklife Center's collections -- field recordings made primarily in the 1930s and 40s.
Included among these are the seminal field recordings associated with John A. Lomax and Alan Lomax's Library of Congress collecting work (e.g., Leadbelly,Woody Guthrie, Jelly Roll Morton), and countless other treasures recorded by collectors such as Herbert Halpert, Zora Neale Hurston,Henrietta Yurchenco, Vance Randolph, and Helen Creighton.









There's a new Pittsburgh Bike Map available.







The Fiery Furnaces play Pittsburgh tonight.






Brian Neudorff is looking for fall photos.




Rufus Wainwright has announced a special solo show in Pittsburgh January 3, 2008 at the Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead.


I've added the second annual Friends of Mercyhurst College exhibit to my list of things to do in the next week. Now, actually getting there...



IODA has teamed up with Natalie Portman to compile tracks for Big Change: Songs for FINCA. The 16-song benefit compilation will be available for digital download exclusively at the >iTunes Music Store for $7.99. Net proceeds will benefit FINCA, a leading international microfinance organization that provides financial services to the world's lowest-income entrepreneurs, helping them to create jobs, build assets and improve their standard of living


Free and Legal Downloads for your weekend soundtrack:
Sean Hayes "Turnaroundturnmeon" (mp3) from Big Change: Songs for FINCA

Billie Holiday "Autumn In New York" (mp3) from The Essential Billie Holiday Collection

Ween "Your Party" (mp3) from La Cucaracha

AHMM "Sink", "Next"(mp3) from Urban Sufi Music V.1-3

Thurston "Frozen Gtr", "Fri/End"(mp3) from Trees Outside the Academy





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