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CONTACT US MOVIES ART MUSIC WINERIES THINGS TO DO BOOKS FESTIVALS

Call for ArtTeen Spirit exhibition: A

juried visual art competitionfor high school-level artists,The Yeiser Art Center,Paducah; monetary awards,scholarships awarded to topplacing artists; deadline,10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15;http://theyeiser.org/call_for_entries.html

Call For Art: FantasticFibers, Yeiser Art Center,Paducah; sanctioned by theAmerican Quilter’sAssociation; entries acceptedthrough Jan. 25; www.fantasticfibers.theyeiser.org;270-442-2453; [email protected]

ExhibitsNew Weavings: By Richard

Cox starts Friday, Dec. 14,Weaver’s Cottage, 1904 BassLane, Carbondale; hours,1-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday;through Jan. 27; 618-4576823

Show: Featuring artistsFree Humanity and SHT!,Weaver’s Cottage, 1904 BassLane, Carbondale; hours,1-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday; 618-457-6823

Obscure Stages: GraduateAssociation of Painters andPrintmakers, The GallerySpace, Law office of JoniBeth Bailey, 1008 Walnut St.,

Murphysboro; through Dec. 14; 618-521-5713

The Spirits of Key WestCemetery: By photographersJo Kirch and Eldon Benz,Varsity Center for the Arts,418 S. Illinois Ave.,Carbondale; on displaythrough Dec. 16; printsavailable for viewing andpurchase duringperformances of Blithe Spirit,7:30 p.m. Friday-SaturdayDec. 14-15 and 2 p.m. SundayDec. 16; www.stagecompany.org; 618-549-5466;618-549-3465

Sunshine ArtistsExhibition: Sallie LoganPublic Library, 1808 WalnutSt., Murphysboro; throughDec. 17; hours, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday andSaturday.

Off the Wall Exhibit:Holiday Group ArtistExhibition, anthill gallery andvintage curiosities, inconjunction with The YellowMoon Café, both in downtownCobden; more than 60artists; through Dec. 23

Mixed Medium Pastiche:Joan Skiver-Levy, SouthernIllinois Art and Artisan Center,Rend Lake; a mini exhibitionincluding a watercolorcollage; through Dec. 31; 618-629-2220

Group du Jour art:Harrisburg District Library;

the nine artists in the groupare members of the PaducahArea Painters Alliance;through December

Harvest Time: MarionCarnegie Library, 206 S. Market St., Marion; artworkin partnership with the LittleEgypt Arts Association;through December; 618-993-5935; www.littleegyptarts.com

Art & Soul: Little EgyptArts Association, ThePavilion, Marion; more than30 pieces of artwork withsubjects ranging frompatriotic themes to wildlifeand florals; throughDecember; 618 993-2657;www.littleegyptarts.com

Holiday Extravaganza:Little Egypt Arts Centre,downtown Marion; artwork,photos, jewelry, fiber pieces;through Dec. 31;www.littleegyptarts.com

Changes: Two-Womanshow by Patty Morrison andMissy Carstens, Little EgyptArts Centre, downtownMarion; focus, fine art andfunctional pieces made fromrecycled materials; throughJan. 3; www.littleegyptarts.com.

Cedarhurst: CedarhurstCenter for the Arts, 2600Richview Road, MountVernon; The Joy Thornton-Walter and John WalterCollection of Contemporary

Glass Art, Main Gallery;Kuenz Sculpture Park PhotoContest, Beal Grand CorridorGallery; Shrode PhotographyCompetition, RegenhardtGallery at Shrode Art Centerand C. W. Roelle: At Homewith Nature, Beck FamilyCenter Gallery; through Jan.6; www.cedarhurst.org; 618-242-1236

On & Of Paper: SouthernIllinois Art & Artisans Center,Whittington; paintings,drawings, photography,digital art, prints, woodblock,lithographs and etchings andconstructed works createdout of paper; through Jan. 27;hours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 618-629-2220

When Nature Talks:Southern Illinois Art &Artisans Center, 14967 GunCreek Trail, Whittington;artists, Les Barker, LisaGoesling, Roger Grimes,Chris Main, Yuki Nyhan,Leonard Wilson; throughMarch 10; 618-629-2220www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/so-il

Salvador Dali: The Playing Cards Suite,University Museum, SIU; The Ace, King, Queen andJack of Diamonds andSpades included in eightprints by the surrealistmaster; through March 29;www.museum.siu.edu; 618-453-5388

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DanceDancing Though the

Seasons: Winter recital byTravelstead Dance, 6:30 p.m.Monday, Dec 17, MarionCultural and Civic Center;www.marionccc.org or 618-997-4030

EventsChristmas Bird Count:

Monday, Dec. 17, CypressCreek Wildlife Refuge and theCache River Wetlands; all-daycensus of early winter birdpopulations; 618-634-2231

The CarbondaleComedians: 9 p.m. Mondays,Hangar 9, Carbondale; 10p.m. Wednesdays, Station 13,Carbondale; see TheCarbondale Comedians onFacebook

FilmConfidence Man: The Hugh

DeNeal Story, 6 p.m. Sunday,Dec. 16, Longbranch CoffeeHouse, 100 E. Jackson St.,Carbondale; doors open 5:30 p.m.; $5; film featuresDeNeal, co-founder andprimary songwriter for TheWoodbox Gang; discussionafter film; watch trailer on YouTube; 618-967-5813

Holiday HappeningsLights Fair: Through

Sunday, Dec. 30, Du Quoin

State Fairground; 1 millionlights in a 2.5-mile drive-through, with 30 majorexhibits; 5:30-9:30 p.m. eachweekday; Expo Hall open 6-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23;$8 per vehicle; www.duquointourism.org

Display: Every evening nowthrough Jan. 1, Coulterville CityPark; features a million lightsand 400 Christmas figurines,animated displays, walkthrough displays, play land

Way of Lights: 5-9 p.m.through Dec. 31, NationalShrine of Our Lady in theSnows, Belleville; laser show,camel rides, children’sactivities, petting zoo; free;618-397-6700;www.wayoflights.org

Candy Cane Lane: ThroughDec. 31, Candy Cane Lane, astreet in West Frankfort that ishighly decorated eachChristmas; those drivingthrough Candy Cane Lane areasked to look for the ElvesStation at 708 Candy CaneLane, which will be used tocollect food and monetarydonations for charity

Lights Parade: 6 p.m.Thursday, Dec. 13, South MainSt. Harrisburg; theme: Homefor the Holidays

Living Nativity: Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 13-15,Immanuel Baptist Church,Benton; 6-8 p.m. Thursday, 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday;

30-minute intervals; tours ofthe Biblical cities of Nazarethand Jerusalem; cookies andhot cocoa; activities for kids;live animals including adonkey, goats, sheep, ducks,chickens, geese; palm trees,buildings

Christmas Memories ofHerrin: Herrin Area HistoricalSociety, 2 p.m. Friday Dec. 14,Herrin City Library; CarlaPagano Hays will talk aboutholiday memories; HistoricalSociety members will alsoshare personal memories;refreshments

Drive-Through Bethlehem:5-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 and5:30-8 pm. Sunday, Dec. 16,Denmark Baptist Church,2262 Pyatt-Cutler Road,Cutler; five-scene drive-through depicting theChristmas story of Jesus; free;618-497-2752

HistoryPAST Open House: Tour the

1855 Harvel Home at 102 S.Main St., Jonesboro, 2-4 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 22; free;refreshments

TheaterThe Gospel According to

Scrooge: Musical, 7 p.m.Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 13-16and 2 p.m. Saturday andSunday, Marion Cultural andCivic Center; presented byMarion’s First Baptist Church;

free; 618-997-9386Blithe Spirit: By Noel

Coward; Friday-Sunday, Dec.14-16, Varsity Center for theArts, 418 S. Illinois Ave.,Carbondale; presented by TheStage Company; 7:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m.Sunday; $15/$10; 618-549-5466; 618-549-3465;www.stagecompany.org

Yuletide Homicide: MurderMystery Dinner Theater,5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15,Pheasant Hollow Winery, 14931Illinois 37, Whittington; 618-629-2302; www.pheasanthollowwinery.com

Tchaikovsky’s NutcrackerBallet: 7:30 p.m. Saturday,Dec. 15 and 3 p.m. Sunday,Dec. 16, Shryock Auditorium,SIU; $20/$8; presented bythe Southern IllinoisSymphony Orchestra and theSouthern Illinois MusicFestival Dance Company;618-453-6000; www.

southernticketsonline.com

FLIPSIDE Thursday, December 13, 2012 Page 33

WRITTEN BY NOEL COWARDWRITTEN BY NOEL COWARDDIRECTED BY CHRISTIAN MOEDIRECTED BY CHRISTIAN MOE

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MARION — After asuccessful run presentedto thousands of SouthernIllinoisans last year, FirstBaptist Church in Marionreturns for a secondround of “The GospelAccording to Scrooge.”

The Christmas musicalis derived from CharlesDickens’ “A ChristmasCarol” and traces therelationships of themiser, Ebenezer Scrooge,through the past, present

and future. The showfeatures a score bycomposer John Worre,lavish Victorian costumesand elaborate sets.

The show will bepresented at 7 p.m. today,Dec. 13; 7 p.m. Friday,Dec. 14; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15,and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday,Dec. 16. All performancesare free, and noreservations are required.

— Adam Testa

‘Gospel According to Scrooge’running as free holiday musical

BY ADAM TESTATHE SOUTHERN

The casting notice called for an older manwith a deep, yet welcoming voice.Preferred qualities included bushy

beard, twinkling eyes, dimples, rosy cheeksand a little round belly.

Experience handling reindeer would onlybe an added benefit.

“I fit the bill, I guess,” said FredMackaman, the Minnesota-based actorplaying Kris Kringle in the national tour of“Miracle on 34th Street.”

Mackaman is no stranger to playing SantaClaus, or the many characters he hasinspired through the years. He’s donned thesuit at parties and special events, but this ishis first time doing so in a scripted role. Henoted he’s also never been a mall Santa likeKringle becomes in the stage adaptation ofthe holiday classic.

For someone embarking on their firsttouring production like the retired teacher,it’s also an easy role to step into, simplybecause everyone loves Santa.

“It’s one of those roles where the audienceis in your corner when the curtain goes up,”Mackaman said. “You don’t have to winthem over.”

The stage musical adaptation of “Miracleon 34th Street” follows the movie closely,though there are some changes. The storytells of Kringle, who finds himself concernedthat the man hired to portray Santa Claus atthe annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradeis intoxicated.

He steps into the role and impressesofficials so much they ask him to become the

store’s Santa for the remainder of the holidayseason. While his tendencies direct somecustomers away from Macy’s, drawing ire ofthe store manager, the reputation of goodwill he’s established becomes a focal pointfor the store.

Kringle then begins a new task: helping to

make everyone’s Christmas wishes cometrue. From there, he accomplishes a numberof things, including the conceivablyimpossible task of mending bridges betweentwo bitter enemies.

But before long, he finds himself on trialand has people questioning his claims thathe’s really Santa.

“It’s a different spin on a classic,”Mackaman said of the musical adaptation.“You may know how it’s going to end, butseeing it on stage with live actors and musicis a wonderful way to spend an evening.”

Mackaman said he’s honored to step intothe shoes of such an iconic character,especially on his first national tour. He andhis colleagues set of the Twin Cities onThanksgiving morning and produced thefirst show in California the next day. Thecrew has been performing almost every nightsince.

They will take the stage at The CarsonCenter at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at TheCarson Center, 100 Kentucky Ave. Ticketsare $15 and can be purchased at www.thecarsoncenter.org or by calling 270-450-4444.

The tour wraps up Dec. 23 in southernIowa and Mackaman and company will behome in time for Christmas.

Mackaman said he’ll be glad to be home forthe holiday, but he’s enjoyed his time on theroad, traveling the country and adding a bitof cheer to the lives of adults and childrenalike.

“It’s been an adventure,” he said.

[email protected]



Hikers will be able to discover old trees

MAKANDA — Naturelovers have an opportunityto discover the history ofShawnee National Forestfirsthand.

Matthew Therrell,assistant professor ofgeography andenvironmental resourcesat SIU Carbondale, willlead a “forest history hike”beginning at 11 a.m.Saturday, Dec. 15, in theforest.

Therrell will teachparticipants about thenatural and human effectson the forest and willguide them to an areapopulated with white oakssurpassing 400 years inage. The free hike hasmoderate difficulty andwill begin at theBoardwalk in Makanda.

Therrell’s researchinterests focus on thedevelopment of high-quality tree ringchronologies for use in thestudy of paleoclimatologyand human-environmental dynamics.His current researchincludes reconstructingdrought in southern Africaand studyingpaleoflooding on theMississippi River.

— Adam Testa

PROVIDEDThe national tour of ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ makesa stop at The Carson Center in Paducah onMonday, Dec. 17. The show stars Fred Mackaman ofMinnesota as Kris Kringle.

Christmas classic, ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’coming to The Carson Center in PaducahIt’s a Miracle

Amicrophone is arelatively small object,but it contains

awesome power.Performers prepare foryears to stand on stage andconvincingly sing into thesmall device. The goal is forthe crowd to go into a wildfrenzy, completely smittenby the mighty vocaldisplay.

Quickly the talk starts ofmoving to Nashville andbecoming a big singingstar.

The premise behind apopular new band in PerryCounty, We Got It Covered,is the polar opposite of anact wanting to showcaseindividual talent in aneffort to turn the heads ofMusic City talent scouts.

“We focus on how we canbest entertain the crowd,”said founding memberKeenan Rice of Du Quoin.“Everybody in the group isprofessional. We’ve allbeen musicians for a longtime. The dream of making

it big in Nashville is gone.We got it out of our system.Now, we just want to playmusic that makes thecrowd happy.”

The group was looselyformed last year and toiledmonth after month,steadily building a solidlocal fan base. Manycurious fans were attractedto 12-year-old fiddlesensation AmeliaEisenhauer of Du Quoin,who won the TexacoCountry Showdownqualifer at HerrinFestaItaliana in June.

The group received majorexposure at the 2012 Du Quoin State Fair whenJennifer Thompson ofSandoval, a good friend ofthe band, was scheduled toopen for Lee Greenwoodand her band backed out ofthe gig at the last minute.

Instead of canceling theperformance, Thompsoncalled on her We Got ItCovered allies to help bailher out, unselfishly sharingthe coveted main stage atthe major venue. The largecrowd in the grandstandrepeatedly greeted theshow with thunderousapplause.

“It couldn’t have goneany better,” Rice said of

the show.A few months ago, the

band won a Battle of theBands at Black DiamondHarley-Davidson inMarion.

We Got It Coveredactually has a dualmeaning. The band canusually play any requestthe audience throws out, solong as it’s not too obscureand stays in the countryvein. The name alsodescribes a revolving doorof cast members in theband. They routinelyinterchange lead and bassguitarists, in addition toutilizing a huge pool ofsingers.

“We have a list as long asyour arm of people thatplay with us,” Rice said. “Ido the booking. I make suredrummer Trey Ford of Du Quoin and myself areavailable. Then, it is just amatter of plugging holeswith a pretty big rotation ofplayers. It has worked reallywell for us.”

Regular members of the

group include Rice,guitar/vocals, Du Quoin;Ford, drums, Du Quoin;Eisenhauer, fiddle/vocals,Nashville, Tenn.; BobPriebe, bass, Pinckneyville;Bob Marlow, guitar,De Soto; and Kevin Piper,harmonica/vocals, Elkville.

“We have a set list and itis crammed full of popularsongs that people arefamiliar with, the kind ofsongs that make you wantto sing along or get up anddance,” Rice said.

We Got It Covered will bein concert at 8 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 15, at theKnights of Columbus hallin Pinckneyville. In aunique arrangement, theband will share the stagewith 4Play, a local bandspecialized in coveringmore of a mainstream popsound.

There is a $5 cover chargeat the door.

VINCE HOFFARD can bereached at 618-658-9095 [email protected].


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Perry County group keeps emphasis on the band ConcertsSouthern Illinois

Cinque Elementi: A windquintet from Padova, Italy,performs in Southern Illinois,today-Sunday, Dec. 16;performances include,11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13,Morris Library Atrium, SIU;free; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14,Walker’s Bluff Winery,Carterville; call 863-398-8104 for tickets and 10 a.m.Saturday, Dec. 15, AltgeldHall, Room 112, SIU in aKlassics for Kids performance;www.i5elementi.info

Nathan Clark George:Christmas Concert, 7:30 p.m.Friday, Dec. 14, LibertyTheater, downtownMurphysboro; also, MarkStoffel and Ross Sermons;proceeds support restorationof theater; $10; younger than12, free; concessionsavailable; tickets at the dooronly; 618-684-5880

An Old Timey Christmas:By the Smoky Hollow StringBand, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec.15, John A. Logan Museum,Murphysboro, and 5:30 p.m.Friday, Dec. 21, The AnnexCoffee & Deli, Herrin; carols

and fiddle tunes; $10; kidsfree. 618-684-4397.

A Doo Wop Christmas:Presented by Blend, 7 p.m.Thursday and Friday, Dec. 20-21, Varsity Center for theArts, 411 S. Illinois Ave.,Carbondale; special tribute tothe late Mr. Food with the 12Days of Christmas portion ofthe show; free autographedphoto of the group withSanta; also, Santa andRudolph will be available forphotos after the show; $15;618-713-0641

Blend: A cappela group, 7p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, HerrinCivic Center; 618-713-0641

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Christmas Show: 7:30 p.m.Friday, Dec. 14, KentuckyOpry, 88 Chilton Lane,Benton, Ky.;$17/$16/$10/$7.50;www.kentuckyopry.com;888-459-8704

A Country ChristmasShow: 7:30 p.m. Saturday,Dec. 15, Kentucky Opry, 88Chilton Lane, Benton, Ky.;$17/$16/$10/$7.50;www.kentuckyopry.com;888-459-8704


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The Southern IllinoisSymphony Orchestra willpresent the holiday classicballet, “The Nutcracker,”at 7:30 p.m. Saturday,Dec. 15, and 3 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 16.

The Southern IllinoisMusic Festival DanceCompany, the SouthernIllinois Children’s Choirand Italian wind quintet ICinque Elementi will alsobe involved in the biennialproduction. More than100 local dancers will befeatured, as well asprinciple dancers from theLos Angeles ballet,performing under thedirection of Sydelle Fulk.SI Symphony Orchestra

conductor Edward Benyaswill direct the music.

“The Nutcracker Ballet”is one of Tchaikovsky’sthree famous works andtells of a young girl whodreams a nutcrackerprince comes to life tobattle the Mouse King andintroduce her to thefantastic world of SugarPlum Fairies, dancingsnowflakes and dancesfrom different regions ofthe world.

Tickets are $20 foradults and $8 for childrenand can be purchased atwww.southernticketsonline.com or by calling618-453-6000.

— Adam Testa

‘Nutcracker Ballet’ returns to CarbondaleMURPHYSBORO — A

popular musician willreturn to the historicLiberty Theater for hisannual holiday concertFriday, Dec. 14.

Nathan Clark Georgewill be joined bymandolinist Mark Stoffeland bassist Ross Sermonsfor this year’sperformance. The trio aretouring and presentingacoustic renditions ofholiday carols.

Their repertoireincludes both belovedChristmas tunes andlesser-known works thatdisplay the wonder of theIncarnation. Described asold world, classical folk,the trio’s musicalinterpretations reachacross the ages and aim tocapture that sorrowfuljoy, which gives way to

exuberant hope.Clark has performed

annually at the Libertysince 2005. The showbegins at 7:30 p.m., withdoors opening at 6 p.m.Tickets are $10, andchildren younger than 12will be admitted free withan adult. Proceeds benefitongoing restorationefforts at the venue.

— Adam Testa

PROVIDEDNathan Clark George returnsto Liberty Theater with MarkStoffel and Ross Sermons onFriday, Dec. 14.

Nathan Clark George returning for concertCARBONDALE —

Blend’s a cappellaChristmas concert hasbecome a staple ofSouthern Illinois’ holidayseason.

Now, the men behindthe region’s most populara cappella group arepreparing for another runof yuletide shows,complete with comedy,choreography, timelessclassics from the 1950sand ’60s and holidaymemories jam-packedinto a two-hour show.

The show features tunesfrom the Beach Boys, theDrifters and many otherfavorites of the era. Theshow will appeal toaudiences of all ages, withfun and a message foreveryone.

Special guests includingFrosty, Rudolph, Santaand Elvis are all slated toappear.

This is the third year forthe “Doo Wop Christmas”show, and Blend continuesto add new elements eachyear.

This time, they haveadded a tribute to the lateMr. Food with the “12 Days

of Christmas” portion ofthe show. It has been wellreceived at otherperformances earlier thismonth.

The show runs at 7 p.m.Thursday and Friday, Dec.20-21, at the VarsityCenter for the Arts, 411 S.Illinois Ave. Tickets are$15 and are available at thedoor or in advance bycalling 618-713-0641.Blend will also perform at7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22,at the Herrin Civic Center.

While supplies last,attendees will receive afree autographed photo ofthe group with Santa.Santa and Rudolph will beavailable for photos afterthe show.

— Adam Testa

A cappella Christmas returns to Carbondale

PROVIDEDBlend will perform shows inSouthern Illinois this month.

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Valley Road, CobdenRustle Hill Winery, U.S. 51, CobdenStarView Vineyards, 5100 Wing Hill

Road, CobdenVon Jakob Vineyard, 230 Illinois 127,

Alto PassWalker’s Bluff, 326 Vermont Road,

Carterville

Eli Tellor: 5-8 p.m. Friday,Trail of Tears Lodge & Resort,1575 Fair City Road,Jonesboro; 618-833-8697

Small Potatoes: 8 p.m.Friday, Yellow Moon Café,110 N. Front St., Cobden;www.yellowmooncafe.com;

618-893-2233.Shawn Harmon:

5-8 p.m. Saturday, Trail ofTears Lodge & Resort,Jonesboro

Ol Moose: 2-5 p.m. Sunday,Trail of Tears Lodge & Resort,Jonesboro

Wineries Coffeehouses, Cafés

2200’’ss HHiiddeeoouutt RReessttaauurraanntt:: 2602Wanda Drive, Marion 618-997-8325

CCoorrnneerr DDaannccee HHaallll:: 200 Franklin St.,Whittington 618-303-5266

DDuunnccaann DDaannccee BBaarrnn:: 13545 SpringPond Road, Benton 618-435-6161

EEllkkvviillllee:: Elkville Civic Center, 405 S.6th St., Elkville 618-201-1753

TThhee GGrroottttoo LLoouunnggee//NNeewweellll HHoouussee::201 E. Main St., Carbondale 618-649-6400

HHaannggaarr 99:: 511 S. Illinois Ave.,Carbondale 618-549-0511

JJoohhnn BBrroowwnn’’ss oonn tthhee SSqquuaarree:: 1000Tower Square, Marion 618-997-2909

LLiioonn’’ss CCaavvee:: South Street,Thompsonville 618-218-4888

MMaarriioonn AAmmeerriiccaann LLeeggiioonn:: LongstreetRoad, Marion 618-997-6168

MMaarriioonn EEaagglleess:: Russell andLongstreet Roads, Marion 618-993-6300

MMaarriioonn YYoouutthh CCeenntteerr:: 211 E.

Boulevard St., Marion 618-922-7853NN--KKaahhoooottzz NNiigghhtt CClluubb:: 115 W. Cherry

St., Herrin 618-942-9345OOlldd CCoouunnttrryy SSttoorree DDaannccee BBaarrnn:: Main

Street, Thompsonville 618-218-4676PPiinncchh PPeennnnyy PPuubb//CCooppppeerr DDrraaggoonn::

700 E. Grand Ave., Carbondale 618-549-3348

PPKK’’ss:: 308 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale618-529-1124

SSccaarrlleetttt’’ss MMuussiicc BBaarrnn:: 207 Potter St.,White Ash 618-997-4979

SStteeeelleevviillllee AAmmeerriiccaann LLeeggiioonn:: 303 S.Chester St., Steeleville 618-965-3362

TTrraacckkssiiddee DDaannccee BBaarrnn:: 104 Rock St.,Spillertown 618-993-3035

TTrreess HHoommbbrreess:: 119 N. Washington St.,Carbondale 618-457-3308

WWBB RRaanncchh BBaarrnn:: 1586 Pershing Road,West Frankfort 618-937-3718

WWiilllliiaammssoonn CCoouunnttyy FFaaiirrggrroouunndd HHaannnnaaBBuuiillddiinngg:: Fair and Main streets,Marion 618-917-5230

Directions & Digits

THURSDAYBENTONDuncan Dance Barn:: Spring Pond Opry

Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m.CARBONDALEPPKK’’ss:: Justin Torres Loop ProjectTThhee GGrroottttoo LLoouunnggee//NNeewweellll HHoouussee:: Coulter,

Goot and Wall, 7-10 p.m.TTrreess HHoommbbrreess:: AD/CB, 10 p.m.MARIONWWiilllliiaammssoonn CCoo.. FFaaiirrggrroouunndd HHaannnnaa BBuuiillddiinngg::

Big Lake Country Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

FRIDAYCARBONDALEHHaannggaarr 99:: Aaron Kamm & The One Drops,

10 p.m.PPKK’’ss: Manx/StillineTTrreess HHoommbbrreess:: Bob Reuter’s Alley Ghost

w/Moonshine CrooksINAIInnaa CCoommmmuunniittyy BBuuiillddiinngg:: Friday Night Jam

Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m.MARIONJJoohhnn BBrroowwnn’’ss oonn tthhee SSqquuaarree:: Kentucky Knife

Fight, 8:30-11:30 p.m.MMaarriioonn YYoouutthh CCeenntteerr:: Craig’s Country Band,

6:30-9:30 p.m.SPILLERTOWNTTrraacckk SSiiddee DDaannccee BBaarrnn:: Bobby Orr and

Friends w/Roger Black, Terry Russel andTerry McClin, 7-10 p.m.

THOMPSONVILLEOOlldd CCoouunnttrryy SSttoorree DDaannccee BBaarrnn:: Jeanita

Spillman & The Sentimental Swing Band,7-10 p.m.

WHITTINGTONCCoorrnneerr DDaannccee HHaallll:: Battle Creek Band,7:30-10:30 p.m.

SATURDAYCARBONDALEPPKK’’ss:: South of 70TThhee GGrroottttoo LLoouunnggee//NNeewweellll HHoouussee:: Casey

James, 9 p.m.TTrreess HHoommbbrreess:: Tim Whiteford Band, 10 p.m.HERRINNN--KKaahhoooottzz NNiigghhtt CClluubb:: Killer Pimps, 9 p.m.-

1 a.m.

MARIONAAmmeerriiccaann LLeeggiioonn:: Dave Caputo, 7:30 p.m.HHiiddeeoouutt RReessttaauurraanntt:: Bob Pina, piano

5:30-9:30 p.m.EEaagglleess:: Steve Kesler & Wing It, 7-11 p.m.RRaammeesssseess:: Mixed CompanySPILLERTOWNTTrraacckk SSiiddee DDaannccee BBaarrnn:: Danny & Country

Sounds, 7-10 p.m.THOMPSONVILLEOOlldd CCoouunnttrryy SSttoorree DDaannccee BBaarrnn:: Lil’ Boot &

Classic Country, 7-10 p.m.WHITE ASHSSccaarrlleetttt’’ss MMuussiicc BBaarrnn:: Dennis

Stroughmatt/Swing N. Country Band,7-9:30 p.m.

SUNDAYMARIONMMaarriioonn EEaagglleess:: Steve Kesler & Wing It,

6-10 p.m.

MONDAYCARBONDALEPPKK’’ss:: Whistle PigsELKVILLEEEllkkvviillllee CCiivviicc CCeenntteerr:: Jerry’s Jammers,

7-9 p.m.MARIONMMaarriioonn YYoouutthh CCeenntteerr:: Craig’s Country Band,

6:30-9:30 p.m.

TUESDAYCARBONDALEPPKK’’ss:: Blarney StonersMARIONHHiiddeeoouutt RReessttaauurraanntt:: Bob Pina, piano

5:30-8:30 p.m.THOMPSONVILLELLiioonn’’ss CCaavvee:: Mike’s Band, 7-10 p.m.WEST FRANKFORTWWBB RRaanncchh BBaarrnn:: WB Ranch Band,

6:30-9:30 p.m.

WANT TO BE LISTED?Call 618-351-5089 or email

[email protected].

The Hobbit **1/2

Rated PG-13 for extendedsequences of intensefantasy action violence andfrightening images;starring Martin Freeman,Ian McKellen, CateBlanchett, RichardArmitage and JamesNesbitt; directed by PeterJackson; opening Friday atShowPlace 8 in Carbondaleand AMC Centre 8 inMarion

BY ROGER MOOREMCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS

For those who simplycannot get enough ofMiddle Earth, PeterJackson’s “The Hobbit”promises to be the ultimateTravel New Zealandminiseries. He and his“Lord of the Rings” teamhave taken J.R.R. Tolkien’sdense but slight and morecomical “Rings” prelude, a

simple quest to rob adragon, and blown it upinto a trilogy.

And since the firstinstallment, “AnUnexpected Journey,”clocks in at almost threehours … well, you see whatlies ahead of us.

The settings aregorgeous. The effects arespectacular. (Well, most ofthem.) Gollum looks morereal than ever.

But in adding a prologue,in transposing charactersfrom the “Rings” films intothe narrative, and in havingthe luxury of including“Hobbit” minutia by thebushel basketful, I have tosay the bloat shows. Thehardcore faithful won’tadmit it, but less cynicalstudios could have told this entire tale in threehours.

Ian Holm, in the daysbefore the party that set“The Lord of the Rings” inmotion, narrates his first

great adventure to hisnephew Frodo (yes, ElijahWood). In his youth, hewas rousted from hiscomfy hobbit hole by thegreat wizard Gandalf (IanMcKellen).

And in his youth, helooked an awful lot likeMartin Freeman, a bit ofinspired casting that paysoff right away. Not onlydoes Freeman resemble ayounger Holm, the actor’squirky Dr. Watson toBenedict Cumberbatch’sSherlock Holmessensibility (in the latestBritish TV version ofHolmes and Watson)shines through here. Noone is better suited to bethis “reluctant hero.”

All the dwarfs want Bilbofor, of course, is his burglarskills. Not that he has any.But Gandalf told thedwarfs, Middle Earth’shomeless diaspora, thatthis bookish homebodyBilbo Baggins was just thesneaky fellow to take withthem as they try to recoverthe treasure that thedragon Smaug stole fromthem when he destroyedand occupied their cavern-city ages ago.

To Bilbo, Gandalfcounsels “The world is notin your books and maps. Itis — out there.”

So out there Bilbo goes,on “An UnexpectedJourney” to the land ofelves, and into a MiddleEarth made increasinglydangerous by theincursions of trolls andgoblins. He’s a hobbit(“halfling”) who acquiresan elvish sword, a magicalring, an enemy for life (thefellow whose ring he stole)and the respect of acompany of dwarfs alongthe way.

Jackson has the time tosettle on details — themoths who fly out of theliterally moth-eaten beardof the dwarfs. He can showus, in detail, Radagast theBrown (Sylvester McCoy),Gandalf’s nature-lovingbrother wizard, with ateam of rabbits driving hissledge, even if he’s barelymentioned in “TheHobbit.”

Some of this is welcome,but one struggles to find aperformance that standsout in this openingexposition-packed chapter,aside from Freeman and

the reliably grandioseMcKellen. RichardArmitage is properly heroicas Thorin, the heir to thedwarf throne. But frankly,he’s no Sean Bean.

It’s a lighter film, the waythe book is a lighter novel.But it’s quite violent. Onevillain (voiced by Barry“Dame Edna” Humphries)even jokes about hismanner of death. Andthere’s singing.

Scenes and sequences arerich, but they go on toolong, which turns this“Hobbit” from a briskstroll into a bit of a slog.

Jackson hasn’t forgottenhis lessons in forcedperspective — using thecamera, doubles, and thelike to make Gandalf, menand elves tower over thehobbits and dwarfs in the“Rings” movies. But thecontrast is lesspronounced, lessemphasized here.

And that lessonscreenwriters learn whenstudying the mastersseems utterly forgotten inthe headlong march intomaking this book into atrilogy: Even Shakespeareneeds editing.


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This bloated ‘Hobbit’ needs to go on a diet

PROVIDEDDirector Peter Jackson returns with ‘The Hobbit,’ the prequel to his highly successful filmadaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. The movie opens Friday at ShowPlace 8in Carbondale and AMC Centre 8 in Marion.

A new, extendededition of the documen-tary “Confidence Man”will be screened at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16,at Longbranch CoffeeHouse, 100 E. JacksonSt.

The film details thestory of Woodbox Gangfrontman Hugh DeNeal,whose dark path in lifeled him to prison. Thisextended versionfeatures footage ofDeNeal’s first interviewafter his release. TheDVD also contains morethan an hour of never-before-seen specialfeatures and bonusmaterial.

New content,including DeNeal’sinterview, was addedafter a highly successful,sold-out screen in June2011. Tickets are $5. Aquestion-and-answersession will follow.DVDs available for $15.

— Adam Testa

Extended DeNealdoc being screened

Documents

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