In early September, we printed an entire column, made up of short announcements of what's happening in the area and how to participate in them.
Because the column is named ''The Critical Eye,'' we call these shorts ''Winks,'' and we hope they help our readers to know what is going on in Chautauqua County, or within an easy drive of our area.
As I've written recently, I've been out of town, and my mail - both post office and electronic - has backed up. My desk is so covered that the only way to share with you the riches which are available to any of us with a little initiative, is to give the information another full page. I hope you'll use them to see and experience some of these artistic opportunities, but even if that's not possible to you, at least realize the wide variety of riches, available to us all. It gets easy, sometimes, to get discouraged.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo
Westfield resident James Goertel will read from and discuss his new book “Carry Each His Burden,” this afternoon at the James Prendergast Public Library.
Since this is the last Saturday in October, we'll start with our typical end-of-the-month announcement of our policies, and then we'll take a toboggan ride through the arts in our area:
WINKS
From time to time we print our policies for your information. Any organization wanting a performance or exhibition reviewed should request, preferably in writing, that The Post-Journal review. In the case of conflicting performances, the sponsor requesting first will be reviewed.
No organization will be reviewed which doesn't request to be reviewed. Telling us that a performance will happen will get you an announcement. You have to ask for a review to get one.
Performances whose intent is religious rather than artistic cannot be appropriately reviewed.
Children and youth through high school will not be reviewed, and if they appear in a performance with adults will be named, but not evaluated.
Material intended for publication in The Critical Eye and its ''Winks,'' must be received at least 10 days before the Saturday on which you wish the information to appear. Exceptions are impossible.
Drop announcements in our night mailbox, or mail them to The Post-Journal, P.O. Box 190, Jamestown, NY 14702-0190. Make certain that my name or the name of the column is marked clearly on the outside of the envelope.
You may e-mail them to this address: pjcritic@yahoo.com. Please note, I cannot be reached through the Post-Journal virtual newsroom.
Suggestions for the subjects of full columns are welcome, but please be aware, they are usually booked very far in advance.
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Today at 1 p.m., there will be a presentation and book signing at the James Prendergast Public Library, in Jamestown, by Westfield resident, author James Goertel. It will take place in the Fireplace Room.
Copies of Goertel's book, ''Carry Each His Burden,'' will be available for sale, at $9. He will autograph copies of the book, if requested.
The book is a collection of short fiction.
The library occupies the block of Cherry St., between Fifth and Sixth Streets.
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Through Nov. 13, there is an exhibition of artworks by members of the faculty of the State University of New York at Fredonia, joined by alumni of the Visual Arts and New Media program, in the Cathy and Jesse Marion Art Gallery, in the University's Rockefeller Arts Center. The exhibit is titled ''Then and Now.''
I recently was able to attend the dedication of the beautifully restored gallery space, and its naming for the Marions, who have created an endowment for its maintenance and operation.
Cathy Marion is the former Cathy Calannio, originally of Jamestown and an alumna of the Fredonia university. She and her husband have become generous donors to a number of this area's arts organizations. They live in Houston.
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The choir of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and soloists, will perform Vivaldi's ''Gloria,'' on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. Conducting will be Andrew Schmidt. Accompanying will be Ronald McEntire.
Also on the program will be ''Canticle I (for Organ)'' by Daniel Gawthrop and ''Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac,'' by Benjamin Britten, featuring tenor James Beal and soprano Michelle Buhite.
There is no admission charge, although a freewill offering will be collected. A reception will follow in the church's undercroft.
St. Luke's is located at the intersection of Fourth and Main streets, in downtown Jamestown.
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Nothing brings back warm memories like the holiday season.
The Fenton History Center invites the community to its 32nd annual holiday exhibit. The exhibit will feature well-known, traditions, such as the upside-down Christmas tree, which hangs, suspended from the ceiling, the Italian ''Bufana,'' who rivals Santa Claus in some parts or the world, and many more. There will also be new exhibits and displays. The house's tall, glassed-in tower is a great place for viewing our community, in holiday finery.
Enjoy holiday trees, celebrations of holidays in other traditions, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, holiday music, and at certain times, local storytelling.
The history center exists in the mansion of former New York State Governor and Member of Congress Reuben Fenton, which is located at 67 Washington St., near Brooklyn Square.
The mansion is open for touring, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. The holiday display will be available for viewing from Nov. 26 to Jan. 21. Phone them at 664-6256 or visit them on line at www.fentonhistorycenter.org.
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The Metropolitan Opera will offer a live broadcast of Mozart's opera ''Don Giovanni,'' this afternoon at 12:55 p.m. Both sight and sound are broadcast in high definition with astonishing fidelity.
The only place to view the performance in Chautauqua County is the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, located in the Fredonia Municipal Building, on Barker Plaza, in Fredonia.
The opera is the story of the Spanish lover, Don Juan, whose goal is to make love to every beautiful woman in the world, and whose excess of hubris leads to infernal punishment. Singing the title role will be Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien.
Admission is $20 for the general public.
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Today, from 9 a.m. until noon, the State University of New York at Fredonia invites community young people to a safe Halloween event, in Mason Hall, on the university's campus. The event features crafts, dancing, shows, games, refreshments, live music, haunted happenings, and more than 40 rooms where children may ''Trick or Treat'' safely.
Today at 4 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall, the public is invited without charge to enjoy the concluding concert of the university's ''String Experience,'' featuring faculty and student performances.
Today at 6 p.m. also in Rosch Recital Hall and free of charge, a recital by soprano Mary Hangley.
Today at 8 p.m., in the same place and price, a performance by pianist Nathan Hess.
Also at 8 p.m. in the Marvel Theatre, a performance of ''The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,'' by the Department of Theatre and Dance. Admission is $22 for the general public and $20 for students of the university, with I.D.
Tomorrow at 4 p.m. in King Concert Hall, a performance by the Western New York Chamber Orchestra, joined by the Fredonia College Choir, performing Schubert's ''Mass in C Major,'' with voice faculty soloists. Admission is $20 for the general public and free for Fredonia State students, with I.D.
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Tickets are on sale now for the next production by a professional Broadway touring company of the hit show ''Mamma Mia,'' at Erie's beautiful Warner Theatre. The show will be performed Nov. 29 through Dec. 1.
Tickets range in price from $35.50 to $58.50 purchase them by phone at (814) 452-4857, or by computer at www.ErieBroadwaySeries..com.
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The Center for the Arts at the University of New York at Buffalo is filled with upcoming events. Here are a few of their offerings:
Tickets range in price from $34.50 to $57.50. See contact information, below.
Tickets are $25 for the general public and $10 for students.
Miller has been performing his curious marriage of Bard and Bart since 1994. Tickets are $19.50 for the general public and $14.50 for students.
Shire is best known as a composer for Hollywood films, including ''All the President's Men,'' ''Saturday Night Fever,'' and ''Big.''
Tickets are $24 for the general public and $10 for students and senior citizens.
The House is a facility intended so that families of children who are hospitalized can stay in comfortable situations near the patients, without paying hotel bills on top of medical bills, or sleeping in chairs or on floors.
Tickets range in price from $69.50 to $49.50.
Tickets for any or all of these events may be purchased in person at the Center for the Arts Box office during their opening hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They may also be purchased in person from any Ticketmaster locations.
Purchase them by phone at (800) 745-3000. Purchase them by computer at www.ticketmaster.com..
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Nov. 10-20, Niagara University combines the classical story of ''Faust'' with the music of Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, in a production of the popular Broadway hit ''Damn Yankees.''
The plot centers around a baseball fan who wants his team to win so much that he sells his soul to the devil in return for being turned into a brilliantly talented player who can cinch the series for his team. Hit songs from the show include ''You Gotta Have Heart,'' and ''Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets.''
Performances vary in curtain times, throughout the dates of performance, including two matinees, so make certain you know when your performance will begin.
Tickets are $12 for the general public, $8 for senior citizens and members of the Friends of NU, and $8 for youth, age 21 or younger, who are not students at NU. Prices go up by $2 on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Purchase them in person at the box office, in Clune Hall, by phone at 286-8685, or by computer at theatre.niagara,edu/boxoffice/.
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The city of Toronto will hold their annual Swedish Christmas Festival, Nov. 19 and 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The event takes place at Harbourfront Center, at York Quay Centre. Events include two shows, featuring a Lucia Bride Pageant. Children are invited to learn folk dances, to enjoy a pageant of children singing traditional Swedish carols, and to take part in the traditional Christmas workshop, where children may make handmade Swedish crafts.
Visitors may purchase traditional Swedish clogs, textiles, crafts, food items, glogg, and more. The Little Cafe will be serving Swedish delicacies. For recorded information, you may phone (416) 973-4000 or visit their web site at www.harbourfrontcentre. com.
Remember, a passport or other approved document is now required to re-enter the United States, from Canada.
