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4A – Daily News – Thursday, August 12, 2010 Pastimes Oregon Shakespeare Festival By PATRICIA FELDHAUS Special to the DN Power, greed and a different look at American his- tory are the themes that dominate the final plays in the 75th Season of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The West Coast Premiere of Lynn Nottage’s “Ruined”, directed by Liesel Tommy was a very potent reminder that in the present day Democratic Republic of the Congo, the only escape for some is death. In their struggle over control of the mineral, coltan (used in cell phones and other electronics) rebel and government troops converged in the brothel run by Mama Nadi who believed, “You must always keep a part of you that war can’t touch.” As a response to the ruined (raped) women in the area, Mama created a business and safe house. After a heart-wrenching performance, there is a glimmer of hope which reinforces Mama’s feeling that “Survival is the only option.” “Throne of Blood”, an adaptation by Director Ping Chong based on the film directed by Akira Kurosawa set in 17th century feudal Japan and built upon Shake- speare’s story of Macbeth’s rise and fall from power is having its World Premiere at the festival. Stunning visual symbolisms were projected on the screen including Japanese writing, the tops of trees as the horses galloped by, rain falling, cherry blossoms in bloom and red blossoms dropping when blood was spilled. Lady Asaji (Lady Macbeth’s counterpart) told Washizu, her husband, “A man is nothing without ambition.” This writer thought that a quotation on the screen at the beginning and end of the play summarized the con- tent perfectly: “Petty greed and base desire …. Such are the ways of men.” Another World Premiere, “American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose” written by Richard Montoya and Culture Clash and directed by Jo Bonney, followed Juan Jose as a Mexican immigrant on his quest to become a legal American citizen. “American Night..” is the first play which OSF commissioned in its 10 year program dealing with moments of change in US history. According to pro- gram notes, “Culture Clash has been presenting off- beat political comedy since 1984 and has poked fun at everyone from Mexican immigrants to INS officials and has exploded stereotypes including sexuality and race.” “Ruined” and “American Night” play in the New Theatre through Oct. 31 while “Throne..” is in the Angus Bowmer through Oct. 31. Previously reviewed “Hamlet”, “Pride and Preju- dice” and “She Loves Me” also play until the end of October. “12th Night”, “Henry IV, Part One” and “The Merchant of Venice” will be in the outdoor Eliza- bethan Theatre through Oct. 8, 9 and 10. For further information and tickets phone 800 -219- 8161 or go online to www.osfashland.org. North state photogra- phers and friends will get to see which pictures made the final cut for the 2010 Images from a Glass Eye International Juried Photography Show at the exhibit’s opening recep- tion 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13. The four top winners will be announced during the free event at The Big Picture, 857 Washington St., in Red Bluff. Spon- sored by the Tehama County Photo Club, the exhibit will run through Sept. 29. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Sean Arbabi, San Fran- cisco Bay Area commer- cial photographer, author, and the show’s juror, will make the final four awards just hours before the exhibit opens. Prize money totals $1,000 for the top four. “I truly love teaching and judging,” Arbabi said. “It validates people’s cre- ativity. I like teaching people to understand their creative minds.” Arbabi also will lead a workshop on Saturday, Aug. 14, titled “The Uni- versally Tough Subject of Exposure,” which focuses on outdoor and nature photography, and begins with a 5:30 a.m. shoot at Ide Adobe State Park in Red Bluff. “Exposure is a very technical topic,” Arbabi said, “But in fact it is quite creative. It teaches how to use the tools that you have. Exposure is the basis for all great images.” The workshop is open to any photographer regardless of experience. For more information Arts & entertainment Photo exhibit opens Friday Courtesy photo By Beth Maxey Final selections for the Images from a Glass Eye Photography Show are arriving at The Big Picture in Red Bluff in preparation for the show's opening Friday. Pictured, from left, are Bob McConnell,Tehama County Photo Club president, Barbara Luzzadder and Bob Grace. about the workshop, e- mail tehamacountyphoto- club@ gmail.com or call 566-2377. Organizers of the com- petition and exhibit are Bob McConnell of Corn- ing, the group’s president, Barbara Luzzadder, and Bob Grace, both of Red Bluff. “We have been work- ing on this (show) since January,” said Luzzadder. “This is a way of bringing photography as fine art into our community. cre- ativity, composition, and design are elements of both fine art and of pho- tography.” The competition The Shasta College Arts, Communications and Social Sciences Division is proud to present the works of Frank LaPena, contem- porary Wintu artist. Born in San Francisco of Asian and Indian par- ents, LaPena spent his early youth in government- run Indian boarding schools and was later placed in a foster home in Shasta County, where he regained contact with the Native American commu- nity. His ancestors were the traditional cultural keepers and medicine people for the Wintu tribe. As he became re-involved with his heritage, La Pena began received entries from 43 photographers.Three states were represented – California, Nevada and Oregon — and 34 photos from 19 photographers were selected to be in the final show. The photos selected for the show will be displayed online at www.imagesfromaglass- eye.org, soon after the opening. The contest was under- written in part by the Tehama County Arts Council, the California Arts Council, and Art LVR License Plate pro- gram. The Tehama County Photo Club was organized in June 2005 with nine photographers meeting in a member’s living room. It has grown to include more than 75 active par- ticipants who meet monthly to share pictures, exchange ideas, and learn techniques from each other. The club, which has no dues or formal organi- zation, participates in area events to show and sell work and regularly orga- nizes photography field trips. Photographers of all levels are invited to attend. For more informa- tion, see www.meetup.com/Corn- ing-Photography-Group. Frank LaPena, Wintu artist painting and writing poetry in which he used themes related to his experiences as a traditional singer and dancer. FREE KIDS HAIR CUTS Sun. Aug. 15 2-6 pm Red Bluff River Park FREE FOOD ★ KIDS GAMES LIVE MUSIC 529-4074 Beauticians needed China Buffet CHINESE RESTAURANT Open 7 Days A Week Sunday Buffet Special $ 9.99 COUPON China Buffet Lunch Dinner $9.99 $6.99 Monday - Saturday 343 S. Main St. Red Bluff 530-529-5888 (No Checks) 10 % off COUPON on dinner only (everyday) Expires 8-31-10 COUPON Although he graduated from CSU Chico and received his MA from CSU Sacramento, where he taught for many years, he considers the teachings of his elders to be the most important education in helping him understand the joy and sacredness of life. Mark's Fitness -Private Personal Training -Public Fitness Classes (Spin & other classes TBD) Opening Sept. 1st WANTED: Fitness Instructors Call: (530) 941-2832 821 Walnut St. The exhibit is shown in the Shasta College Art Gallery building 300, Mon- day - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday - Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m., beginning Aug. 16 and concluding Sept. 24. There will be an artist lecture on Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. in room 400 on the Main Campus, 11555 Old Oregon Trail, Redding. For more information, call 242-7730. BOOK BARN Used Books Tues-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-2 THANK YOU RED BLUFF We are now celebrating our 16th Anniversary 619 Oak St., Red Bluff (530) 528-2665 We now serve beer & wine