Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner and not one moment too soon. I could really use a three-day weekend, couldn't you? There's nothing like some sunshine (hopefully), barbecue food, beer and relaxation.
Thank goodness the Rapture was rescheduled so that we may enjoy this upcoming holiday! Apparently, the "authority" on this Rapture, Harold Camping, said it has been pushed back from May 21 to Oct. 21. Oops! I guess we should start living it up now; for those of us who already have a strong suspicion about what side we might end up on post-Judgment Day, five extra months isn't nearly enough time to acquire some wings and halos. However, it's ill-advised to do anything too crazy in the coming months - such as contributing to a million-dollar campaign to spread word of a bunk Rapture - lest it be rescheduled again.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The Dockside Cafe and Bar at the Clarion Hotel will be holding its grand opening celebration tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. Mayor Frey will be cooking up hot dogs and hamburgers available for free! - in addition to some special drink prices and light entertainment. Dockside will have live music throughout the weekend.
Also opening this weekend is the Sunset Bay Beach Club, with the kick-off party starting at 7 p.m. Friday.
Dom Polski is celebrating its 100th birthday on Saturday, with music by Breakaway (formerly Hit & Run) from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The party is open to members and eligible guests.
The Groove will be performing at the Acquavia Post in Dunkirk on Memorial Day proper, May 30, from 3 to 7 p.m. for their annual Memorial Day event. It will be held rain or shine.
The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail Open Studio Tour will be held Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with artists along the trail welcoming patrons into their studios.
Just look for the red Art Trail sign. Visit www.chautauquaarttrail.com for maps and more details on participating artists.
Crossroads in Westfield is open Saturday and Monday this weekend, with the semi-annual Countywide Yard Sale being held. There is free set-up for anyone; all are welcome to buy or sell. Call 326-6278 for details. Also on Saturday, there will be a chicken barbecue presented by American Legion Post 434 and Seneca Junction Barbershoppers will serenade with patriotic songs from noon to 3 p.m.
GET OUT OF TOWN
If you've still got some energy left, you can wrap up your Memorial Day weekend with some heavy duty stoner metal at the Mohawk Place in Buffalo on Monday night. Headlining the evening is Neurot Recordings' Across Tundras. They bring psychedelic doom rock riffage all the way from Nashville on their current tour. Local acts Sonorous Gale and Dirt Eyes blast out the jams to kick off the show. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the cover is $8. The Mohawk Place is located at 47 E. Mohawk St.
REEL TALK
A couple of quick reviews for you this week one currently in theaters and one newly-released on DVD.
"Water for Elephants"
Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz shine in this romantic period film about a circus in 1931. Oh, how I long for the days when starting over and creating a new identity was as easy as hopping aboard a train. Unfortunately for Jacob Jankowski (Pattinson), he had no other choice he receives word of his parents' death just before he could take his final exam to get his veterinary license at Cornell University, and finds out that he is left with no home and no money. As fate would have it, the train he hops aboard happens to be one carrying a traveling circus, where he is lucky enough to find work during the Depression. The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth is fraught with drama, which Jacob quickly becomes entangled in after he takes a liking to the boss's wife, the circus's star attraction. "Water for Elephants" is a by-the-book nostalgia piece that may prove forgettable, but is a mostly satisfying movie with occasional moments of enchantment.
"The Other Woman"
Last year must have been a busy one for Natalie Portman. She managed to make a multitude of films in all different genres - including, but not limited to, a big-budget action blockbuster, an Oscar-winning indie and a stoner comedy - snag a suitor and start a family. In the under-the-radar drama "The Other Woman," Portman plays one of her most challenging characters among her recent roles: an unapologetic protagonist whose choices aren't easy to support. Emilia has an affair with a married man, leading to his divorce; marries him after finding out she is pregnant, and then struggles to get along with his young son after their newborn daughter dies. Don't worry, I'm not spoiling the story this all happens at the beginning of the film. It's all about Emilia's battle with her shattering grief and dealing with the consequences of her actions. If you're in the mood to bawl your eyes out inconsolably, this is one to rent. I strongly recommend that you watch it armed with several boxes of tissues and perhaps some lighter fare to follow it with.
In Other Movie News...
"Bridesmaids" will finally arrive at the Movieplex today and "The Hangover 2" hits theaters this weekend, with a midnight showing at the Movieplex tonight. Its Memorial Day weekend release was nearly thwarted by an "intellectual property" lawsuit filed by Mike Tyson's tattoo artist due to the film's use of a replica of Tyson's famous face tattoo on Ed Helms' character. I'm less concerned about the originality of the tattoo than I am about the originality of the sequel's plot, which appears to be exactly the same as the first one.
The board game Candy Land is being made into an action movie. According to reports, one of the script writers, Glenn Berger, said "We envision [Candy Land] as 'Lord of the Rings,' ... But set in a world of candy." I have but one question: Why?
WATCH THIS
In honor of Memorial Day weekend, Turner Classic Movies will be showing some great classic war films from Friday through Monday. Some of the movies scheduled to air include "From Here to Eternity," "Sergeant York," "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo." Go to www.tcm.com for the complete schedule.
April Diodato is the OBSERVER Lifestyles editor. Send comments and events to adiodato@observertoday.com
