A2-4U: Local Entertainment, Topics, and Happenings

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

SpRiNg

"Ides of March" Film Set Outside of Michigan League

Monday, February 28, 2011

HaPpY BiRtHdaY To MiStY LyN .... & Me

I went to hear Misty Lyn and the Big Beautiful play Lyn's birthday show at Woodruff's in Ypsi on Saturday, February 19th – incidentally one day after my own birthday. I did a triple take when I noticed the huge 'Happy Birthday' sign plastered to the stage backdrop. The celebration, of course, wouldn't have been complete without a piñata, candy, and other 'goodies,' right?

Misty Lyn and the Big Beautiful embodies a striking fusion of acoustic and electric guitar driven folk rock, which also features violin . Lyn's throaty, raw vocals drive her compositions' uplifting and dramatic melodies. Songs often commence with tranquil acoustic guitars and feature interludes of electric, heartfelt jams. The lineup features Misty Lyn (guitar and lead vocals,) Jim Roll (bass,) Carol Gray (fiddle, background vocals, vox, and tambourine,) Ryan Gimpert (pedal steel and electric guitar,) and Matt Jones (drums.)

Lyn's album, For the Dead, debuted in 2009.

Black Jake and the Carnies and Danny Kline also played that night.

Below are some photographic highlights of the evening.

Ryan Gimpert, Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, Carol Gray, & Jim Roll

Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, and Jim Roll

Misty Lyn

Misty Lyn & Carol Gray

Carol Gray & Jim Roll

Danny Kline & Crowd

Danny Kline

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Sundance the Night Away

Last Week, I attended the Sundance Film Festival screenings at the historic Michigan Theater along with Liz Parker of of Yes/ No Films. Headquartered in Park City Utah, the Sundance Institute (founded by Robert Redford) has notoriously nurtured and showcased quality independent films since 1981. Little Miss Sunshin e and An Inconvenient Truth are two prominent films that premiered at past Sundance Film Festivals. Ann Arbor is one of nine US 'Sundance cities' this year to host screenings and is the only such locale to show not one, but two films.

I viewed the presentation of Win Win on Thursday, January 27th. Producer and U of M alum Mary Jane Skalski hosted a 'Q & A' session at the work's conclusion. Win Win chronicles a middle aged,, somewhat burnt out, lawyer who moonlights as a high school wrestling coach. The coach stumbles upon a troubled yet talented high school aged wrestler through his practice, then adds him to the team. An interesting tidbit is that all the high school actors are real life wrestlers. "We thought it would be easier to teach wrestlers to act than to teach actors to wrestle," said Skalski. While I'm not authorized to reveal a ton about the actual plot (due to the flick being officially released in March,) I'll divulge it was much more dramatic and theme-laden than I first imagined. Watching the performance of Amy Ryan, who I best know as 'Holly' on The Office, in a lead role in Win Win undoubtedly proved to be a fun kick to my viewing experience.

Below are some of my favorite photos from the evening (some of which are not included on FORMzine.) Check out more of my photos on the Sundance FORMzine Album below Liz Parker's enticing article.