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2B – Daily News – Thursday, September 2, 2010 Pastimes Eminem-Jay-Z production months in the making DETROIT (MCT) — You can finally accuse Eminem of understatement. "We've done things together," the Detroit rapper told interviewers when announcing his upcoming shows with Jay-Z. "But I'm not sure we've ever done anything this big." With the superstar duo set to stage a massive home-and-home series — a pair of Comerica Park shows this week (Thursday and Friday) followed by two at Yankee Stadium (Sept. 13-14) —the superlatives are coming thick and fast from those close to the event. Eminem The biggest North American concerts this year, says one Comerica Park executive. The heaviest ticket demand one Live Nation honcho has ever experienced. A "once-in-a- lifetime production" for an industry veteran who has staged Super Bowl halftime shows. There's historical significance, too. The sold-out dates aren't just testament to the enduring power of Em and Jay- Z, two of the world's biggest music acts — they also mark a milestone for hip-hop itself. "They're putting hip-hop on the same playing field as anything else," says L.A. hip-hop journalist Scott Sterling, citing rock's storied history of concert spectacle. "If I'm a 15-year-old who's getting into this music, it makes anything possible." Turning Detroit into the center of the music world for two days has been months in the making. "Marshall and Jay had the idea," says Live Nation's Rick Franks, "and from there they ran with it." Plans were shepherded via Jay-Z's relationship with Live Nation — the pioneering "360 deal" that gives the compa- ny a stake in his tours, recordings and publishing. First on the list: nailing down a window that fit the base- ball schedule, while accommodating the show's unique needs as a one-off event rather than a full-length tour. "The production is very, very complicated, a lot of mov- ing parts, because it's only the four shows," says production director Dan Parise. Work began several weeks before the May announce- ment. World-renowned lighting and scene designers were enlisted, and at Live Nation's New York office, specialists dove into 15-hour days, crafting stage renderings and con- figuring logistics. Eminem and Jay-Z were hands-on through the entire process, says Parise. "This is their vision," he says. "My job was to make it reality. But the concept, the idea, the messages they're try- ing to get across — it's all theirs." Parise won't divulge many details. But like others involved with the show, he describes it as a massive set heavy on video elements and special effects. Parise, a 22- year industry veteran, says the two artists were "intent on creating something you don't see every day." Fifty-plus semitrailers will haul the production from Detroit to New York — more than the typical continental tour by the Rolling Stones or U2. "Put it this way," he says. "It would be difficult to tour this show, and I think that tells you everything." Over six days at Comerica Park, which hosted an Eminem show in 2005, a crew of about 300 has been erect- ing the stage, building light and audio structures, and laying protective covering atop the playing field. About 40,000 people will fill the ballpark for each show, including fans from Europe and Asia. Mary Hoy and Phil Dynan open two new exhibitions with a recep- tion 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at the Red Bluff Art Gallery. Both exhibits feature bold and colorful paintings intended to evoke viewer enjoyment. The Redding band, The Magic Bus, will play at the opening reception. Dress is casual and every- one is welcome. Hoy’s exhibit, in the Main Hall of the gallery, is entitled “Get Happy.” Her show consists of more than 30 pieces rang- ing from large acrylic paintings to small table- top collages. “All of the works fol- low a general theme of appreciation and joy,” Hoy said. “Most of my paintings are meditations in spiritual enlighten- ment. I have poured good energy into them and when someone looks at them, they feel that innate sense of well being. Thus the term ‘Get Happy.’ You can't look at these and be sad.” Dynan’s exhibit in the Window Gallery is titled “The New Plein Air.” Plein air painting refers to work done outside, usual- ly on the location of the subject. Dynan’s work is highly simplified and Courtesy photo Phil Dynan’s painting of Shady Rest Church in Tehama. wildly colorful. “Mr. Dynan is a color master. He joyously paints the Earth ‘a la Dis- ney,’” said Lorena Boswer, former North Valley Art League mem- ber, in an independent review of Dynan’s work. “With colors that are per- haps as symbolic as they are beautiful, he serves up a delicious nature. And that can do no less than please the child in all of us. Phil Dynan’s work has the capacity to make us happy.” “I reject the notion that ‘technical mastery’ and ‘photo accuracy’ are the top priorities in plein air painting,” Dynan said. “Instead, I am going back to the original intent of people like Van Gogh and Cezanne, and their impressionist approach to outdoor painting. I want the ‘sense’ of the place or person to shine brightly.” Dynan’s plein air painting of Tehama’s Shady Rest Church seems to confirm his intentions. The building in this paint- ing bulges “with song, prayer, hope and faith,” he said. Both Dynan and Hoy are members of the artist- owned cooperative, Red Bluff Art Gallery, 601 Walnut St. More information at www.RedBluffArt- Gallery.com. Community Book in Common kick off The city of Chico kick off for this year’s Book in Common for Butte County — William Kamkwamba’s “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” — will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 at Chico City Plaza. The kick off will include an unveiling of a windmill made by engineering students, a reading of a city procla- mation and selections read from “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by California State University, Chico students. The book chronicles the creativity and inge- nuity of a young man in a village in Malawi who invents a windmill from cast off parts after read- ing about wind power. Chico’s engineering stu- dents will demonstrate a windmill made for Third World countries at the kick-off. Book in Common events taking place in 2010 and 2011 include a windmill building com- petition sponsored by the First Year Experi- ence program at CSU, Chico; The Valene Smith Anthropology Museum’s 26th annual Juried Pho- tography Contest, Become Winspired; the University Art Gallery exhibit, “The Global Lives Project,” a video which focuses on a 24 hour period in Malawi; The Turner exhibit “Thinking Creatively;” a lecture by Kamkwamba in Laxson Auditorium and several music events sponsored by Chico Per- formances. Check www.csuchico.edu/bic for dates and additional events. “We are hoping to hear from those in our community with ties to Africa, to alternative energy, or any other theme found in the book,” said Brooks Thorlaksson, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and publicity coor- dinator for the Book in Common. “We have a Speaker’s Bureau, forums and symposiums, music and art, all relat- ing to Africa, and we all look forward to develop- ing a network with those who have connections to Africa.” Arts & entertainment Happy art exhibits and a magic bus *RAIDERS TICKETS FOR SALE* Mon.-Fri. 10:30 to 5:30 Sat. 11-3 40 Crafters in 1 Shop! Or Rent a Space to Sell Your Crafts Gifts for family & friends Plenty of parking on Pine Street 650 Main St., Red Bluff 530 528-2723 Come & Shop Crafter’s Boutique 2390 Athens Ave. Redding CA 96001 530 244 1400 www.avantitravel.com *NO CHARGE FOR OUR CRUISE AND TOUR BOOKINGS Why Use a Travel Agent? *EXPERTISE *SAVINGS * PEACE OF MIND * BEST PRICING Wedding registry and destination weddings Remember without a Travel Agent you are on your own cst# 2007495-40 Red Bluff Jr. Spartans Football Fundraiser End Zone Tickets 3rd level $ 1st & 2nd 40.00 level $ , 45 Tickets must be ordered 30 days in advance. Contact Jenn Moniz with Red Bluff Jr. Spartans: (530) 524-0110 or jennrbyf@yahoo.com P.O. Box 8027, Red Bluff, CA 96080