"Bullets and Bustles: Costumes of Lonesome Dove" exhibit at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME

On a cool, dreary, rainy day, the Travelling Toe and 3 friends drove to the West Side of Fort Worth to visit the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.  The primary reason for our visit was to see a special exhibit  titled "Bullets and Bustles: Costumes of Lonesome Dove".

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

Many of you may not know but a six months celebration is taking place in Fort Worth to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the television series "Lonesome Dove".  The celebration titled "The Lonesome Dove Reunion and Trail", will have special exhibits at several Fort Worth venues, including a free showing of the series at Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth.  Additionally, a panel discussion with cast and crew is scheduled for March 30th and 31st..

This article from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram details more of the celebration plans:

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Newspaper Article

This web site also have interesting information as well:

Lonesome Dove Reunion


The exhibit at the Cowgirl Museum is described on the museum's web site as follows:

Movies about Cowboys and Cowgirls have always made for great entertainment.  Part fact, part fiction - and almost always heroic in some way be it through quest or character. The making of those characters is often it's own story - a different yet equally engaging tale.  "Bullets and Bustles" will feature costumes of Captain August "Gus" McCrae, Captain Woodrow F. Call (former Ranger), Joshua Deets and a woman we are proud to claim as a cowgirl, Clara Allen.  All costumes were carefully conceived by 

award-winning costume designer Van Ramsey.

The movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book, written by Larry McMurtry, a native Texan.

Larry McMurtry

                                                                   
The only negative observation that we have to report is that the exhibit is rather small.  It shows only a few costumes.  The exhibit case for Woodrow F Call (Tommy Lee Jones), included boots, a gun, a branding iron, and a Texas Ranger badge.  Another case had the costume worn by Robert Duvall as Gus, with pants, shirt and hat.  Then there was a case showing the costume worn by Danny Glover as Joshua Deets.  If you remember he wore patchwork pants and those were on display as well. There was also a costume worn by Anjelica Huston as Clara Allen.  A hat worn by Robert Urich as Jake Spoon was also featured.  There is a short video with clips of the movie and interviews of the cast available in an area where you can a spell and rest your weary bones.  A couple of saddle stools are available for the kiddos to sit on and pretend to be a real cowgirl or cowboy.

Robert Duvall
Gus McCrae

Danny Glover
Joshua Deets

Tommy Lee Jones
Woodrow Call

Anjelica Huston
Clara Allen

Robert Urich
Jake Spoon

After we finished the exhibit, we wandered through the rest of the museum and saw wonderful displays honoring cowgirls from all walks of life. 

There are quotes posted thorough the exhibit hall, but this one really grabbed my eye:

Little boys have their idols.  Why not give the girls a Western Star of their own?

Gene Autry:  Producer of Annie Oakley

Gene Autry

Texas State Symbols

One of the many important things that State Legislators do is vote on numerous bills and laws.  Another equally interesting bit of business that they attend to is to designate state symbols.  

In the March 2016, issue of Texas Highways Magazine, they listed about 22 or so of the State Symbols that Texas has adopted.  But the legislature has designated 72 of them in total.

So, here are just a few of the ones near and dear to the Texas way of life:


State Flower                                     

                                                                      Bluebonnet



State Gem                                         

                                                                   Texas Blue Topaz


State Musical Instrument                                    

                                                                   Guitar


State Hat                                          

                                                                      Cowboy Hat


State Footwear                                    

                                                                      Cowboy Boots


State Food                                

                                                                            Chili


State Pepper                      

                                                                     Jalapeno


State Insect                                      

                                                                  Monarch Butterfly


State Reptile                                 

                                                               Texas Horned Frog


State Large Mammal                    

                                                                      Longhorn


State Small Mammal                 

                                                                         Armadillo

 State Bird                              

                                                                   Mockingbird


State Tree                                 

                                                                   Pecan Tree
                                    (well, we have to have pecans to make our pecan pies after all)


There are other ones such as the State Fruit, State Flying Mammal, State Plant, State Domino Game, State Music and even a State Shell.  In looking at the list, The Travelling Toe is concerned that the State has designated a large mammal and a small mammal...now we need a medium size mammal to add to the list.  Any suggestions?

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission keeps a full list of the Legislature designated State symbols on it's website.  


Texas State Library and Archives Commission

So go check it out and find out what our State Plant and State Fish are if you don't already know!

Makes one wonder, do other States have designated symbols????

"Risen" (movie critique)

RISEN
movie poster

The Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe decided to see the new movie titled "Risen". Most movies in the past that were taken from the Bible and focused on Jesus and his life, usually ended at the crucifix scene.  However, this movie pretty much starts at that point.

The movie tells the story of a Roman military Tribune, named Clavis, who has served in the army for 25 years.  The opening scene shows his squad fighting a band of locals who are using sling shots and arrows against the Roman soldiers.  Clavis rallies his men and finally wins the battle.  But at what cost to him.  You can see the weariness of war and death in in his eyes. He returns to Jerusalem and even before Clavis can wash the blood and grime off his body and uniform, Pontius immediately summons him.  Pontius, along with the Jewish leaders, want Clavis to ensure that the supposedly Messiah, who is still alive on the Cross, make the ending come quicker. Clavis is not thrilled with the task but goes to do what is required.  Pontius tells him to take a young officer, Lucius, with him.  

At this point of the story, we know Jesus (Yeshua as he is called in the movie) has died.  But his body is claimed by Joseph of Arimathea to be placed in a private tomb.  However, the Jewish leaders are not satisfied with the end result.  They want assurances that Yeshua will not rise after death as was foretold.  Clavis is once again tasked with going to the tomb to ensure that the body of Jesus is still there and to seal the tomb.  Clavis enters the tomb and sees the linen wrappings that envelopes the body.  With the aid of several soldiers, Clavis 
re-seals the tomb with a large boulder.  It is tied with ropes and Clavis places his own personal seal on top of it.  He leaves 2 guards there to watch the tomb throughout the night.

The next  morning, Clavis is called to the tomb to find the guards gone, the stone rolled away from the tomb, the ropes broken (not cut) and of  course Yeshua is gone. He finds the linen wrappings bearing the image of a man on them.  (Shroud of Turin, perhaps?)

Pontius tells Clavis, he has to find Yeshua and end it once and for all.  As Clavis begins his investigation, he eventually finds himself at a crossroads questioning his own beliefs, 

He locates the Disciples and there he finds Yeshua.  Clavis can not believe his eyes as he saw Yeshua on the Cross died.  When Clavis does not return, Pontius sends Lucius to find Clavis. Does Lucius find Clavis and the Disciples?  Does he take Clavis back to face Pontius? What does Clavis do with his life now?  How can he go back to the life he had before?  Well, Dear Readers, you will just have to see this movie to have all your questions answered.

CAST

Joseph Fiennes
Clavis

Tom Felton
Lucius

Peter Firth
Pontius

Cliff Curtis
Yeshua

The group agreed it was a very good movie, some parts a little draggy but over all a good viewing experience.  Also the ascension scene where Yeshua is with Clavis and the Disciples and returns to Heaven, was extremely well done. Additionally, Joseph Fiennes, who plays Clavis, was excellent in his role. Cliff Curtis who plays Yeshua has more of a Mediterranean look similar to what many think Jesus really looked like rather than blonde hair and blue eyes.

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a  Easter Lily plant to celebrate the Easter season.

Disclaimer:  The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and ny opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.

"Blue Man Group" presented by the Performing Arts Fort Worth

BLUE MAN GROUP

The Travelling Toe and 2 Dear Friends attended the Sunday matinee performance of the "Blue Man Group" at Bass Hall.

Bass Hall

The original Blue Men that started the group are Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink. They began performing on the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side and then in small clubs around the city. Eventually they started receiving media attention and a "franchise" was born.   They were even used in award winning advertisements.  Currently there are several theatrical productions performing at several venues including Las Vegas and Orlando. Plus of course, the traveling tours, such as we attended.

Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group Twitter

Blue Man Group You Tube

Dear Readers, have you ever seen the Blue Men Group?  If not, then as it is hard to describe their show. Of course it involves Blue Men, 3 to be exact, along with a kick-out back-up band and stage extras.  The three main Blue Men, are out front working and interacting with audience members and each other.  They are often banging on PVC pipes to obtain amazing and unusual sounds.  When they begin to play the drums, colored paint goes everywhere.  And let's not forget the fun with marshmallows and Twinkies.  The Travelling Toe is not exactly sure which 3 Blue Men we saw at our show as there are several listed in the program and with all that blue paint who would know anyway!!  Whoever it was, they were funny, enjoyable and entertaining.  They know how to get the audience involved using different techniques and that just upped the energy level even higher throughout the performance.

BLUE MEN GROUP
PLAYING PVC

Towards the end of the show, several large spheres (balls) were rolled out on stage and the guys played them as musical instruments for a while. Then they sent them out into the audience. The balls kept changing colors while audience members kept them aloft going from front to back and in between.  Alas, the Blue Men did ask for their balls back!!

BLUE MEN GROUP AND THEIR BALLS

It was 95 minutes of total fun and wonderment.

BLUE MEN GROUP
DRUMMING

"Jane Eyre" presented by National Theatre Live at the Magnolia Theater

The Travelling Toe and 3 friends attended the matinee performance of the National Theatre's production of "Jane Eyre".  Amphibian Stage productions sponsors these  events at the Magnolia Theater located in the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Amphibian Stage Productions

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

The Travelling Toe must confuse an early and ongoing obsession of the Gothic Romantic story of Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester.  Charlotte Bronte wrote the book that is full of intrigue and lost love.  The book was published in 1847 under one of her pen names, Currer Bell.

Charlotte Bronte
1816-1855

Many movies and television productions have been made of the Jane Eyre story.  However, this is the first time The Travelling Toe and Companions have ever seen a stage play of it. Only the Nation Theatre in London could pull it off.  The play was first conceived at the Bristol Old Vic and required 2 back-to-back nights for the complete story to be told.  The National Theatre wanted to present the play but requested that the play be told in one performance.  The play was reworked and is now performed in one production of 3 hours and 20 minutes. 

Bristol Old Vic

The main story line of the book is about Jane Eyre who is orphaned as a young child.  She is put into the safe keeping of her Uncle Reed but he also passes and her Aunt Reed is saddled with raising her along with her own 3 children.  Aunt Reed takes an immediate dislike to Jane and eventually sends her off to a charity school, Lowood.  Jane makes a new friend there, Helen but she dies as well.  Jane is cruelly treated at the school but perseveres to complete her education and eventually becoming a teacher at Lowood.  But yet Jane yearns for something better.  She advertises and  finds a situation as a governess at Thronfield.  She is to teach the young ward, Adele, of a certain Mr. Rochester.  One day while out walking in the fog, Jane causes a rider to fall from his horse and it is Mr. Rochester - he has come home.  As they become better acquainted Edward and Jane's attraction to each other blooms.  But there is evil lurking in the shadows, as of course there would have to be since it is a romantic story. There must be drama!

The stage setting for this play was very different. It will be hard to explain as it consisted of ladders going up and over to different platforms.  There are about 8 actors in the cast and they play various roles though out the play.  Men may play little girls, women may be a man.  And one actor even plays Pilot the dog, to much delight of the audience members..  Also at the back of the stage is a small orchestra that provides musical accompaniment to the action taking place on stage.  The music and the singer add another layer to this amazing production.


This was one of the most interesting, fantastic and enjoyable play ever! 

CAST:

Madeleine Worrall
      Jane Eyre

Felix Hayes
     Edward Rochester


Craig Edwards
Laura Elphinstone
Melanie Marshall
Simone Saunders
Maggie Tagney


Musicians

Benji Bower
Will Bower
Phil King


Here is a "You Tube" video about the play, which gives a quick peek into the costumes, stage setting and story line.

You Tube - Jane Eyre trailer