ARTSBEAT and Culture 1-22-14
- PostEagle
- January 26, 2014
- Uncategorized
- 0 Comments
Looking at the Arts – Part II
Film:
Saving Mr. Banks
Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) convinces the reluctant “Mary Poppins” creator P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) into consenting to allow the studio’s adaptation of her work.
August: Osage County
If you haven’t gotten enough family dysfunction this holiday season, check out some excellent acting by Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts in this cinematic adaptation of the Pulitzer and Tony wining play. A stern warning: the verbal exchange is severe.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Ben Stiller directs and stars in this adaptation of James Thurber’s classic 1939 short story. The 1947 version starred Danny Kaye.
American Hustle
A 1970s period pizzazz with strong ensemble acting. The film flat-lines but features amazing performances by Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.
The Invisible Woman
Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in this elegant look at Charles Dickens’ secret mistress.
Inside Llewyn Davis
About a folk singer in early 1960s Greenwich Village and the perils of maintaining your integrity in a world that demands compromise and sacrifice.
Frozen
A Disney animated musical movie distinguished by a story imbued with the complications of real life. Broadway talents have given their voices to a beautiful music al score.
Her
Science fiction, romantic comedy-drama starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johannson about a man who develops a relationship with an intelligent computer operating system with a female voice and personality.
Ida
Austere black-and-white cinematography and stark images gives Pawel Pawlikowski’s film the look of being shot in the 1960s, when it takes place. Reckoning with the Holocaust in Poland and the Communist rule that followed World War II, Ida tells the story of a young religious novice and her aunt, a bitter Communist Party official. The film will receive a New York screening on Thursday, January 23 at 3:45 and 9:00 pm at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater – 165 W. 65th St. in Manhattan. Tickets: 212-875-5600.
Music
Opera: Rusalka from the MET – Live in HD
Dvorák’s sumptuously melodic Rusalka will be broadcast in movie theaters live from The Metropolitan Opera on Saturday, February 8 at 12:55 pm EST (check local theaters for dates and times). Renée Fleming sings one of her signature roles as the title character. The story of the opera, which is about a water spirit’s tragic romance with a human prince, is drawn from several folktale sources including Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” Polish-born tenor Piotr Beczala will portray the handsome Prince that Rusalka yearns to love.
CD: Polish Violin Music – Kinga Augustyn
A CD recording featuring violinist Kinga Augustyn and pianist Efi Hackmey dedicated to the Polish violin tradition in all its fascinating diversity. The album is an important contribution to the musical landscape of Poland – many of the recordings are world premieres, and much of the repertoire is virtually unknown. Ms. Augustyn speaks the language of the music and approaches the intricacies with refinement, restraint and finesse. Download online at www.naxos.com and www.classicsonline.com. CDs can be obtained through www.kingaugustyn.com; kingaaugustyn@gmail.com, or at Radio Rampa – 133 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222.
CD: Pop Music – Adele and Lea Michele
How does Adele follow up an album that sold 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and almost singlehandedly revitalized the recording industry? “21” is her follow-up to the critically acclaimed Grammy winning debut album. On March 4, the Broadway-turned television star Lea Michele is set to release her debut album of pop music – “Louder.”
Polonia News
Polonaise Ball in Miami
The 42nd International Polonaise Ball – Argentina & Poland – In Love with Tango will take place on Saturday, February 1st Eden Rock Hotel – Miami Beach, FL. Special guest will be former President Lech Walesa. For more information: 305-864-2349 or e-mail: assistant@ampolinstitute.org (In photo Blanka Rosenstiel and Lech Walesa.
Art: Vital Hues
The members of a local art group, Vital Hues – Jill Sluka, Ritika Gandhi, Joan Hain, and Diane Neglio, have teamed up with Bograd’s Fine Furniture, to bring art and home furnishings together in one place. Plan the art and furnishings in your home by seeing them presented together in an eclectic and elegant presentation. Artist’s reception on Saturday, February 1, 2014, 3:00-6:00 pm at Bograd’s Fine Furniture located at 81 Hamburg Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ. Information: www.VitialHues.Weebly.com; VitalHues@gmail.com
Winter Art at the Gallery A.R.
Gallery A.R. will host the photography exhibition – “Winter” through February 28 at 71 India Street, Greenpoint-Brooklyn, NY. Featured will be the photographic works of Hanna Kelker, Aneta Pierog-Sudol, Monika Pastuszak, Krystian Pastuszak, Wojtek Kubik, Lukasz Nowosadzki, Marian Polak-Chlabicz, Jan Mazurkiewicz, Artur Skowron and Janusz Skowron (curator).
Bookcrossing at the Kosciuszko Foundation
Drop a Book/Pick up a Book at The Kosciuszko Foundation and The Polish Library – 2025 O Street, N.W. and 1503 21st St NW, Washington, D.C. on January 25 (2:00-4:00 pm). www.thekf.org
Windows on the World
Nineteen photographers of the New Jersey Photography Forum will share their views of the world at the Overlook Hospital Main Gallery, 99 Beauvoir Avenue in Summit, NJ from January 20 through April 11. Joan Zielinski of Florham Park is among the exhibitors. The gallery space is free to visit and open to the public. For more information please visit www.njphotoforum.com.
“Warsaw Nights” Photography Exhibit
Documentary photographer Lukasz Nowosadzki will exhibit his works of street scenes and nightlife in “Warsaw
Nights” through February 2 at the Starbucks Art Gallery – 910 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint-Brooklyn, New York
Guitar Classes at the Kosciuszko Foundation
The Kosciuszko Foundation Music Program will feature Group Guitar Classes with Piotr Zielinski for 10 weeks through March 12. E-mail: bbernhardt@thekf.org for information and registration form.
