The Travelling Toe: February 2017

Monday, February 13, 2017

January 2017 Westmont Garden Meeting

WESTMONT GARDEN CLUB

JANUARY 28, 2017

The Westmont Garden Club was scheduled to have the first monthly meeting of the new year on Saturday, January 28, 2017. However, the meeting was cancelled due to the speaker’s sudden illness. The program was to be about Seasonal Gardening Prep.

In the absence of a speaker, a few members did meet for lunch and had an enjoyable time.

The Program Director had purchased several seasonal plants for door prizes.

FWSO Symphonic Series at Bass Hall

The second symphonic production of the year was recently performed at beautiful Bass Hall in downtown Fort Worth.

Bass Hall

Fort Worth Symphony

The Travelling Toe and 2 Dear Friends attended the Sunday matinee performance.

The program was led by guest conductor, Christoph Konig.

Christoph Konig
guest conductor

The first selection was Symphony No 7 in C Major composed by Jean Sibelius. The program notes that this was the last symphony that Sibelius wrote.

Jean Sibelius
1845-1957

Following the first work, a brief pause was taken in order to re-arrange the orchestra chairs and roll the grand piano out on to the stage.

Inon Barnatan
featured pianist

Guest soloist Inon Barnatan sat at the beautiful piano and played an interesting piece composed by Bela Bartok. It was Concerto No.3 for Piano and Orchestra. Bartok finished the piece in 1945 while living in New York City. He and his wife had left their homeland of Hungry in 1940 escaping the Nazis.

Bela Bartok
1881-1945

Following a 20 minute intermission, Maestro Konig once again led the orchestra in the final selection of the program. The featured symphony was by Johannes Brahms, Symphony No. 1 in C Minor.

Johannes Brahms
1883-1897

What a glorious number with which end the concert.

Pablo Picasso: Ceramics at the Arlington Museum of Art

A Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe spent a hour visiting the latest exhibit at the Arlington Museum of Art. The Museum's exhibit was "Pablo Picasso:Ceramics".

Pablo Picasso

Normally one does not relate Picasso to works of ceramics. But around 1946, he visited the Madoura Pottery works,which was located in Southern France and owned by Georges and Suzanne Ramies. During the tour, Picasso took an avid interest in the production of ceramics and pottery. The owners of the company set up space dedicated for Picasso to create his own works of art. Out of that partnership approximately 633 pieces of plates, bowls,vases and pitchers were created.

Picasso created the designs and often the models. Each piece created had a limited number re-created by the Madoura potters from Picasso's molds. The limited editions ranged from as few as 25 to as many of 500 of a particular piece.

The exhibit we saw had over 40 ceramics on display. We found them all to be interesting and actually more enjoyable than his paintings. Some we compared to Grecian or Etruscan pottery and some featured various animals and a few were human faces motif.

Due to the Picasso name and the limited number produced of each piece of work, interest in them has increased, as well as their value. Recently on the Antiques Roadshow, several have been brought in to be appraised. Depending on condition, limited number created, subject matter, and other factors, they have been appraised in value from $10,000 to $20,000.

Check the site below to find out more information.

PBS Antiques Roadshow

So when you are out junkin' be on the lookout for them!. Here is an example of one found on the internet.

Photographs of the exhibit were not allowed in the museum, but The Travelling Toe was able to photograph some of the display cards.

This is a photo that was on display of Picasso showing his Doxie a plate he had made featuring the doggie (so cute)

Display cards that provided additional information on Picasso and his ceramics phase are shown

Arlington Art Museum
Arlington Museum of Art

Saturday, February 11, 2017

"LION" (movie critique)

LION
movie poster

The Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe were excited to see that the movie "Lion" was being shown at the local multiplex. The movie has been nominated for an Oscar. After seeing the movie we all understood why.

This is such a compelling movie of finding what you have lost and who you really are. Below is a description of the movie via the internet.

Five year old Saroo gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of miles across India, away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive alone in Kolkata, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty five years later, armed with only a handful of memories, his unwavering determination, and a revolutionary technology known as Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family and finally return to his first home

The movie is based on a real story and a book titled "A Long Way Home" written by Saroo Brierley and Larry Buttrose.

A Long Way Home
book

You will need a few tissues as you see this young boy alone in India and trying to find his way home when he does not know how to get back there. The poverty of India is sad and overwhelming in this movie. It is indeed worthy of the Oscar honor! Oh and do stay a minute as the credits begin to roll as the real Sarool is shown along with his reunion with his Mum.

CAST:

Dev Patel
Sarool Bierley

Sunny Pawar
Young Saroo

Nicole Kidman
Sue Bierley

David Wenham
John Brierley

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 2 big toes up with a box of tissues.

THURGOOD presented by the Jubilee Theatre

THURGOOD
play program

The Jubilee Theatre presented the one man play "Thurgood" from January 27th through February 26th. A Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe attended one of the Saturday matinee shows of this stirring production.

Selmore Haines III, was the inspiring and talented actor who played the role of Thurgood Marshal. He was mesmerizing in his performance of the acclaimed civil right activist and lawyer. How he remembered all those lines is astounding!

Mr. Haines begins the narrative of Mr. Marshall's life story with his lineage and how he worked to earn money to attend college and law school. He became active in the civil rights movement by helping people in the Deep South register to vote. He eventually was called upon to argue the Brown vs.The School of Education in front of the Supreme Court. It took over a year and another round of presentations but the verdict was given. He won the case and segregation in schools was struck down. President Johnson then selected him to be appointed to the US Supreme Court and he took office on June 13, 1967. He served on the bench for 50 years.

What a wonderful production. The Jubilee Theater never fails to create an excellent day at the theater.

Jubilee Theatre

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

DRIVING MISS DAISY
play program

On a Friday evening, The Travelling Toe with 2 Dear Friends, attended the evening performance of "Driving Miss Daisy" at the Artisan Center Theater.

Artisan Center Theater

Artisan Center Theater

The play was written by Alfred Uhry. The first performance off Broadway, was
April 15, 1987. The cast was Dana Ivey, Morgan Freeman and Ray Gill.

Alfred Uhry
playwright

A synopsis of the play courtesy of Wikipedia is as follows:

Driving Miss Daisy is a play by American playwright Alfred Uhry, about the relationship of an elderly white Southern Jewish woman, Daisy Werthan, and her African-American chauffeur, Hoke Colburn, from 1948 to 1973.

The time: 1948, the place: Atlanta, Georgia. A crash is heard, and Daisy Werthan, age 72, is in her living room, with her son Boolie, age 40. They are Jewish, with Atlanta accents. She has crashed her car, and Boolie insists that she have a driver. Boolie is in his office and interviews Hoke Coleburn who is a black man of around 60. He is unemployed. Over the next 25 years Hoke drives "Miss Daisy". They are initially wary of each other, and Hoke puts up with the somewhat crotchety Miss Daisy with dignity. She teaches Hoke to read, having been a teacher. Ultimately, they form a friendly bond, with Miss Daisy inviting Hoke to accompany her to a dinner for Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hoke visits Miss Daisy, now age 97, in a nursing home, seeing her for one final time.

CAST:

Dorothy Sanders

Daisy Werthan

Sean Massey

Hoke Coleburn

Gary E Payne

Boolie Werthan

What a wonderful play this was to see in a small theater setting. All three of the actors were exceptional in their respective roles.. Yes, The Travelling Toe did see the the movie way back in 1989, but the stage play is so much more enjoyable. The one liners are so funny but also heartbreaking at times such as when Daisey tells Hoke he is her best friend.

If the stage play comes your way do go see it, you won't be disappointed!

FWSO Pops Concert - "Ray Charles, Motown and Beyond!"

Recently The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend attended the Sunday matinee of the FWSO Pops series at beautiful Bass Hall in downtown Fort Worth. The program was titled,"Ray Charles, Motown and Beyond!"

The orchestra was conducted by Ron Spigelman.

Ron Spigelman

The program began with Mr. Spigelman leading the orchestra in a rousing rendition of "Fifth of Beethoven.

Ellis Hall

Then the star of the show, Ellis Hall came on stage and started off with "How Sweet It is". He went on to sing many audience favorites such as "My Cherie Armour", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", and closed the first half of the program with "I Heard It Through The Grapevine". Mr. Hall sang that song in the California Raisin commercials. Do you remember those commercials Dear Readers?

The second part of the programs started off with "Let The Good Times Roll". Of course for the Ray Charles tribute, he sang several of Mr. Charles' signatures songs such as "Hit The Road Jack" and "Georgia On My Mind". He also sang "You Don't Know Me" and "I Can't Stop Loving You". The program ended with "What'd I Say?".

Mr.Hall lost his eyesight at a young age. He was lead singer of the Tower Of Power group from 1984 -1988. He can sing 5 octaves and plays several instruments including guitar and piano.

What a wonderful program! The audience was most appreciative of Mr. Hall's performance and talent

After the show Mr. Hall made his way to the lobby area to sign CD's and meet with fans.

Ellis Hall

Bass Hall

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Annie at Bass Hall presented by the Performing Arts of Fort Worth

ANNIE
play program

Leaping Lizards, Little Orphan Annie was in town recently with the touring production of "Annie". A Dear Friend accompanied The Travelling Toe to the Sunday afternoon matinee show which was presented at Bass Hall.

Bass Hall

Dear Readers you probably know the story of Annie who was orphaned at a young age. This was during the time of the Great Depression. She is housed with several other young girls at an orphanage run of the unsavory Miss Hannigan. As the girls sing "It's a Hard Knock Life" for being in the orphanage. But Annie is an optimist no matter what and eventually is picked to spend the holidays with the mega-rich billionaire Oliver Warbucks. But Miss Hannigan and her brother and his wife decide to bilk Warbucks out of some money using Annie as the bait. But curses, the plot is foiled. Some in part due to President Franklin Roosevelt who just happens to have J.Edger Hoover on speed dial.

Being dog lovers, both Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe thought that Sandy's role was way too small. However she was perfect in her enunciate of woof, woof, woof, never missing a cue.

This was a fun and enjoyable production. All the ensemble actors had double duty and were first-rate in their roles. The young ladies who played the orphans were great singers and dancers and so cute.The young actress who played Annie did an excellent job singing the signature song "Tomorrow'' So if the touring show comes your way Dear Readers do go see it as it was very enjoyable and you will leave the show happier than you came in!

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

THE FOUNDER
movie poster

The Friday Movie Mavens along with The Travelling Toe were out and about to see the new flick "The Founder". This movie is about how McDonalds started the fast food craze for busy people allover the world. The gentleman (and that word is loosely used) Ray Kroc was at the forefront of building the business into what it is today.

An overview of the movie taken from the internet is as follows:

This drama tells the true story of how Ray Kroc, a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers' speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull

the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.

Michael Keaton plays Ray Kroc extremely well. Kroc was hard drinking and ruthless when it came to business or seeing something he wanted, like another man's wife!

This is an excellent movie so do see if you can.

CAST:

Michael Keaton
Ray Kroc

Laura Dern
Ethel Kroc
first wife

Nick Offerman
Dick McDonald

John Carroll Lynch
Mac McDonald

Linda Cardellini
Joan Smith
second wife

Patrick Wilson
Rollie Smith

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe and 1 pinky toe up with a Big Mac.

"Patriots Day" (movie critique)

PATRIOTS DAY
movie poster

Recently, a Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe went to the local Movie Tavern to see "Patriots Day".

The movie is "based on actual events" of the bombing that took place during the 2013 Boston Marathon. The main character, (which is either a composite figure or a fictional figure), Boston Police Officer, Sergeant Tommy Saunders, is played by Mark Wahlberg. Tommy was on suspension and was ordered to work the marathon finish line. He then became part of the hunt for the terrorists. His expertise was paramount to the manhunt as he was very familiar with the area where the bombs exploded and could name the numerous business up and down the blocks. This information enabled the FBI to pull video footage which greatly assisted them in identifying the two suspects, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who were brothers.

One part of the story centers on a real life young couple Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensy. They both suffered severe lower body injuries and their legs had to be amputated.

Do stay to the end of the movie as the real Patrick and Jessica talk about the aftermath they suffered because of the bombing Pictures of the real task force members are shown. Additional, a poignant picture tribute to the fallen bombing victims is also shown.

A word of caution - this movie is rampant with the F-word.

CAST: