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A Stormy Night In The Gables

by Roger Martin on September 06, 2010

I'll be the first to admit it: When I'm getting Shakespeared in a theatre I tend to get

beaten back into my seat by the inundation of Will's words, my eyes glazing and my brain struggling to comprehend the story before me. Unless of course, someone is doing Shakespeare right, rather than doing him wrong. (There's a song in there somewhere.) On opening night at New Theatre's The Tempest, there was both right and wrong and fortunately more of the former.

If you were paying attention in high school you'll remember the plot: brother (Antonio) screws (euphemistically speaking) brother (Prospero) who gets revenge and all live happily ever after. Of course there a few subplots: Prospero's daughter (Miranda) loves King Alonzo's son (Ferdinand); Antonio plots with the King's brother (Sebastian) to kill the King; a couple of drunken sailors (Stephano and Trinculo) plan with Prospero's pet monster (Caliban) to kill Prospero and there's a spirit (Ariel) doing magical things on Prospero's behalf. Toss in a raging storm (get it?) that is raised by Prospero (no dab hand himself at the old black or rather white magic) to drive the ship containing all who wronged him onto the white sands of the island where he and Miranda were marooned twelve years previously.

I knew you'd remember.

So in director John Manzelli's adaptation, the show opens in the dark, the theatre filled with the shrieks and groans and crashes of a ship wrecking on the far off shore of Prospero's island. Lights up and the pristine sands are covered with the scattered still-breathing bodies of the unfortunate travelers. There is a rudimentary hut and from this appears Stephen Neal as Prospero and his fifteen-year-old daughter Miranda (Alexandra Adomaitis) and for the next two hours we get the right and the wrong.

Stephen Neal's Prospero is strong right out of the hut. No problem here with Shakespeare. Ronald Mangravite shows a dour Antonio, and Kevin Reilley seems made for Sebastian. Just watch him. Patrice DeGraff-Arenas as Ariel is more painted cannibal than free spirit and Robert Strain's Caliban could hardly be called a monster. Angry, yes, monstrous no.

And then here comes Avi Hoffman as the drunken sailor Stephano and suddenly we're watching a new TEMPEST, all we've seen before forgotten as we delight in an actor who simply owns the theatre. Such fun.

Four of the actors in the twelve person cast are members of the New Theatre Apprentice Program and two of them fare well: Andrew Wind as King Alonzo's son, Ferdinand, and Sam Sherburne as Trinculo, a sailor.

John Manzelli has directed well, but the show is constrained by the small space and the unevenness of the cast. The cramped set is by Elaine Bryan, with Matt Corey's imaginative sound, Travis Neff's dark lights and K. Blair Brown's whimsical costumes.

See The Tempest at the New Theatre through Sept. 19. New Theatre, 4120 Laguna Street, Coral Gables. Call 305.443.5909 or visit www.new-theatre.org.

Photo by Roger Martin.

"Artists of Distress" Unveiling at Terminal J of Miami International Airport.

by Harvey J. Burstein on September 03, 2010

The Miami International Airport gallery opening (September 2) showed more than 60 major works by " Artists of Distress." These are works of Haitian artists affected by the devastating earthquake in January. Traditional Haitian food was served and archival footage was provided by the Green Family Foundation.

The show will be up until March 2011 and they predict that millions of people will see this wonderful art while traveling in and out of Miami. This is a must see if you have time and happen to be in terminal J of Miami International Airport.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Harvey J. Burstein

 

MAZ Arts Calendar

September 1-14

by James Cubby on September 01, 2010

THEATRE

Thru September 5

The Comfort of Darkness

A WORLD PREMIERE BY JOEL GROSS

Based on a fictionalized version of the true life, Dr. Anton Mesmer and the beautiful blind pianist Maria-Theresa von Paradis, The Comfort of Darkness is the highly emotional romantic story of the pioneer of hypnosis. Joel Gross has brilliantly blended the sophisticated thought process of choices we all make and its effect on our relationships. Caldwell Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Call 561.241.7432 or visit www.caldwelltheatre.com.

Thru September 12

Fifty Words

GableStage, known for producing top-notch theatre, brings us another explosive play with Fifty Words, a play that the New York Times described as “Smart, muscular writing!” A married couple spends their first night alone together in years when their young son is away on a sleepover. GableStage at the Biltmore, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Miami. Call 305.4451119 or visit www.gablestage.org.

September 1-26

The Male/Female Thing

The African American Performing Arts Community Theatre presents this play about the struggles both genders experience in the search for love. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 NW 22nd Ave., Miami. Call 305.456.0287.

September 2-19

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Stranded on a deserted island with his daughter, a usurped duke is granted his chance at revenge. By invoking a storm, he shipwrecks the man who ruined him. Also among the passengers is the young man who awakens his daughter's first stirrings of love. New Theatre, 4120 Laguna St., Coral Gables. Call 305.443.5909 or visit www.new-theatre.org.

September 9-18

BARE

The Off-Broadway musical Bare touches on themes addressed in musicals like Rent and Spring Awakening. Bare is the story of a group of high school seniors at a Catholic boarding school who are struggling with sexual identity. This tragic love story of Jason and Peter tells the story of their struggle to be gay against a backdrop of modern society and the church. Bare runs from September 9-18 at the Broward Center Abdo New River Room. Broward Center of Performing Arts, Abdo New River Room, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Ft. Lauderdale. Call 954.462.0222 or visit www.browardcenter.org.

 

DANCE

September 3-12

XV International Ballet Festival of Miami

The International Ballet Festival of Miami is in its 15th year and the only one of its kind in the state of Florida. To celebrate the anniversary, principal dancers from 15 of the world’s most admired ballet companies will perform in the City of Miami Beach. The festival will feature the works of over 120 talented artists and choreographers from more than 25 international and national ballet companies. In Miami Beach, the festival will feature a contemporary ballet performance, the Festival Closing Gala of the Stars, dance film series, and ballet master classes. Various locations throughout Miami-Dade County. Call 305.358.5885 or visit www.internationalballetfestival.com.

September 11

Dancin in the District

Dancin in the District is a cultural medley of dances that features the world-renowned Haitian dancer Alexandra Prophete at the Haitian Heritage Museum on September 11 at 8 p.m. Haitian Heritage Museum, 4141 NE 2nd Ave., Miami. For more information visit www.haitianheritagemuseum.org.

 

COMEDY

September 5

Best of the South Comedy

Comedy performances featuring Marvin Dixon, Lil Duval, Benji Brown, Tyler Craig, Malik, J J, Larry Dogg, Henry Welch, Rayzor & Doo Doo Brown. 8 p.m. James L. Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd Ave., Miami. Call 305.416.5977 or visit www.jlkc.com.

MUSIC

 

SEPTEMBER 2010

Van Dyke Cafe's

September Schedule

1- MARYEL EPPS

Diva of song & love

2- NICOLE HENRY

Internationally acclaimed Jazz vocalist

3- THE NUCKLEBUSTERS

One of South Florida's most popular blues bands since 1988

4- RHYTHM & BLUES SERIES

IKE & VAL WOODS REVUE

Soul & Blues Revue

5- LA NUEVA ONDA LATINA POP MUSIC SERIES

Hosted by ADRIAN GUERRA and RANDY SINGER featuring ODAS. One of the biggest uo and coming Rock/Pop band and special guests.

6- JOSHUA STEDMAN.

Original compositions influences of Sting, Stevie Wonder, Jamiroquai and Seal.

7- THE AGENT-K QUARTET

Performing in an impressionistic style and explores the limits of improvisation-avant-garde Jazz

8- Comedy and music night with FREDDY STEBBINS and Miami's Best Comics!

9- KCC JAZZ NIGHT SERIES

KCC Productions Presents BIG POPPA E AND THE E BAND

Best of the Blues

10- MARIA RIVAS

Fusion of hispanic and American songs with Jazz and world music

11- BOBBY STRINGER

Extraordinary Soul and R&B

12- LATIN JAZZ SERIES

ORIENTE

Afro-Cuban Fusion

13- IKO IKO

Blues & acoustic funk

14- TURK MAURO

Super sax legend performs with Dolph Castellano, Jamie Ousley and Danny Burger

15- RODOLFO ZUNIGA

Original contemporary Jazz

16- KCC JAZZ NIGHT SERIES

KCC Productions Presents SILVANO MONASTERIOS and the Fourth World Ensemble

"Best Jazz musician in Miami" 2009 by the Miami New Times

17- LATIN JAZZ & PERCUSSION SERIES

SAMMY FIGUEROA & LATIN JAZZ EXPLOSION

18- HOT HAVANA SALSA NIGHT SERIES

KCC Productions Presents Deskarga Jam Band.

Timba meets latin Jazz

19- ARTIST OF THE MONTH

NU SOUL SUNDAY SERIES

LEESA RICHARDS

Soulful ballads, Rock & R&B. Recorded with Lenny Kravitz, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston...

20- ROSCO MARTINEZ

Upside down & backwards. searing rock & blues guitar & vocals

21- RANDY SINGER'S "AIRPLAY"

New visions in Jazz and Pop

22- MATT FARR

Throw-back vintage, billy Joel-like sounds, funky yet very easy to listen

23- KCC JAZZ NIGHT SERIES

KCC productions presents ERNESTO SIMPSON QUARTET

with special guest Felipe Lamoglia: In from the UK, his incendiary riffs ignite everyone's imagination

24- LANZALLAMAS!

Afro-Latin-America world beat mezcla

25- CUBAN MUSIC SERIES

CONJUNTO PROGRESO

Grammy nominated Cuban son & descargas cubanas

26- SONGWRITER NIGHTS SERIES

Sponsored by UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING, hosted by Randy Singer with Nicolle Chirino and special guests

27- UNDER THE COVERS TRIBUTE SERIES

A tribute to GEORGE HARRISON presented by Electric Piano

28- UM NIGHT AT THE VAN DYKE

Featuring many award-winning students from The Frost School of Music, including The Stamps Jazz Quintet

29- KINGSLEY and PERDOMO

Forward Motion Records artists Kingsley and Perdomo. Debut album "Fake Smiles" out now

30- Cat Shell

A seductive Jazz/Pop sound songstress

Van Dyke Cafe, 846 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Call 305.534.3600 or visit www.thevandykecafe.com.

September 1 - April 30

MDC's Jazz at Wolfson Presents

DC's Jazz at Wolfson Presents features free live performances that run monthly from September through April. The concerts are free and open to the public. Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, Chapman Conference Center, Room 3210, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Miami. Visit www.mdc.edu/Wolfson/Arts/Jazz for festival schedule.

September 4

Honda Civic Tour

The Honda Civic Tour winds up its summer tour with a stop in Miami on September 4 at Bayfront Park Amphitheater. The Honda Civic Tour, famous for rocking audiences across the U.S. with bands like Incubus, Good Charlotte and Black Eyed Peas, brings an impressive lineup to Miami that includes the alternative rock group Paramore with Tegan & Sara, New Found Glory, and Kadawatha. 8 p.m. Bayfront Park Amphitheater, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Visit www.livenation.com.

September 8

Live in Concert: Deva Premal & Miten with Manose

An evening of song, mantra and meditation. 7:30 p.m. Gusman Center for the Performing Arts – Olympia Theater, 174 Flagler St., Miami. Call 305.374.2444 or visit www.gusmancenter.org.

September 9

Jazz, Cool Nights

Friday night live jazz concert at the Bass Museum. Tonight's featured artist is the Mike Gerber Trio. 7 to 9 p.m. Bass Museum, 2121 Park Ave., Miami Beach. Call 305.673.7530 or visit www.bassmuseum.org.

September 10

Homay & Mastan Ensemble: The Sarbazan Tour

One of the most prominent traditional Persian music ensembles in the world performs. 7 p.m. Gusman Center for the Performing Arts – Olympia Theater, 174 Flagler St., Miami. Call 305.374.2444 or visit www.gusmancenter.org.

September 11

The Spam Allstars

The Spam Allstars, one of Miami's hottest groups, returns to Jazid with their unique blend of Afro-Cuban funk incorporating the sounds of imbales, conga, saxophone, trombone, guitar, and flute mixed with the turntable sampling of Latin funk, hip hop and dub. Don't miss this hot local's favorite. Spam Allstars plays at Jazid, 1342 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Call 305.673.9372 or visit www.jazid.net.

September 12

Bluegrass Festival at Greynolds Park

Bluegrass Festival every 1^st Sunday of the month. Bring a lawn chair. 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Greynolds Park, Miami Gardens Dr. and NE 22 Ave., N. Miami Beach. Visit www.miamidade.gov/parks

September 12

Juan de Alba en "Yo Soy Asi"

Juan de Alba performs. 8 p.m. Manuel Artime Theater, 900 SW 1^st St., Miami. Call 305.220.2863.

ART

September 1 – October 3

After History

Silhouettes of toy like planes and zeppelins anxiously hover over the ghostly balsa ruins of an industrial metropolis shrouded by a sense of nostalgia for an irrevocably lost fantasy is the central stage of Jacek J. Kolasinski's multimedia installation. Frost Art Museum at Florida International University, 10975 SW 17th St., Miami. Call 305.348.2890 or visit www.thefrost.fiu.edu.

September 1- October 3

Demons: Nurture/Nature

The exhibition references Dostoyevsky's novel, Demons, in the context of classical ceramics. Kathy Dambach's work explores demons as personal and political, humorous and lethal, and how one negotiates self doubt, one's place in the world and the political ramifications. Frost Art Museum at Florida International University, 10975 SW 17th St., Miami. Call 305.348.2890 or visit www.thefrost.fiu.edu.

September 2

New Work Miami 2010 Afterhours

Celebrate Miami’s rich crossover of art and music, as local bands Beings and Jacuzzi Boys headline a night of rock at the museum. In the gallery, experience a special interactive performance by Bert Rodriguez, plus Talking Head Transmitters (segment on 80’s rock). 6-9 p.m. Miami Art Museum, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami. Call 305.375.1000 or visit www.miamiartmuseum.org.

September 3

Gables Gallery Night

Monthly open house on the first Friday of each month showcases local galleries. Enjoy outstanding exhibitions, free refreshments and complimentary continuous shuttle buses between galleries. Downtown Coral Gables. Call 305.444.4493 or visit www.artcircuits.com.

September 3 – November 7

In Transition: 2010 CIFO Grants & Commission Exhibition

CIFO is proud to announce the recipients of the 2010 Grants and Commissions awards. The projects produced with these grants will be presented in a group exhibition at the CIFO Art Space. CIFO Art Space, 1018 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Call 305.455.3380 or visit www.cifo.org.

September 4

Lincoln Road Arts Walk

The Lincoln Road Art Walk takes place the first Saturday of every month. View works by more than 40 local artists in ArtCenter/South Florida's 800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Road buildings. Artists will open their doors to share photography, painting, installation, video and mixed media works. 6 -10 p.m. Along Lincoln Rd. between Washington Ave. and Alton Rd., Miami Beach. Call 305.674.8278 or visit www.artcentersf.org.

September 4

Coconut Grove First Saturday Gallery Stroll

Every 1st Saturday of the month, explore the galleries of Coconut Grove from 7 - 11 p.m. Downtown Coconut Grove. Call 305.445.3864 or visit www.artcircuits.com.

September 4

Artists On the Promenade at Mayfair

This local artists' cooperative has an opening every first saturday of the month in conjunction with the Coconut Grove First Saturday Gallery Stroll. 7 -10 p.m. Promenade at Mayfair in Coconut Grove. GroveHouse Artists On the Promenade at Mayfair, 3390 Mary St., #162, Coconout Grove. Call 305.569.3097 or visit http://grovehouseartists.net.

September 9 – November 19

Shinique Smith: Menagerie

This is New York-based artist Shinique Smith’s first large-scale U.S. museum exhibition. Since bursting onto the scene in 2002, Smith has produced works that combine complex social and cultural references with a broad array of art historical sources, including Abstract Expressionism, color field painting, minimal sculpture and Japanese calligraphy. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), 770 NE 125th St., N. Miami. Call 305.893.6211 or visit www.mocanomi.org.

September 11

Design District Gallery Walk

Stroll the galleries and showrooms of the Design District every second Saturday of the month from 7 -11 p.m. Miami Design District, NE 2^nd Ave. & NE 40^th St., Miami. Call 305.470.8005 or visit www.artcircuits.com.

September 11

Second Saturdays at ArtSouth

Enjoy artwork by resident artists, refreshments and live music while you browse four galleries and open artist studios. 3 – 7 p.m. ArtSouth of Homestead, 240 N. Krome Ave., Homestead. Call 305.247.9408 or visit www.artsouthhomestead.org.

September 11

Wynwood Gallery Walk

Stroll and explore the galleries of the Wynwood Art District on the second Saturday of each month, from 7- 11 p.m. Wynwood District, NW 37^th St. to NW 22^nd St. between N. Miami Ave. & NW 5^th Ave. Call 305.573.4949 or visit www.artcircuits.com.

September 11 – November 17

Miami Poster Project

Miami Poster Project is a community initiative founded by veteran artist and illustrator Phillip Brooker with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. In celebration of Miami Poster Project’s inaugural year, Brooker has created a series of five super-sized posters that reflect Miami’s complex and fascinating cultural microcosm. ArtCenter/South Florida, 800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Call 305.674.8278 or visit www.artcentersf.org.

Thru September 5

MAM Staff Show

A show that highlights the talents behind the scenes at the Miami Art Museum. Artcenter/South Florida, 800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach. Call 305.674.2728 or visit www.artcentersf.org.

Thru October 4

Spiritual Healing - Shamans of the Northwest Coast: Art and the Cultural Approach to Healing

This exhibit is designed to illuminate the art associated with the Northwest Coast Native peoples' healing practices. For countless centuries, tribes such as the Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida believed that all nature is endowed with spirits which could manifest in the form of illness and disease. The shaman drives away illness using objects, such as masks, rattles and amulets. Represented on the objects are spirits which aid the shamans in healing. They embody the respect and fear generated by the shaman. Both historic and new objects representing those used in shamanic healing will be displayed. The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, 10975 SW 17th St., Miami. Call 305.348.2890 or visit www.thefrost.fiu.edu.

Thru October 17

New Work Miami 2010

See new works acquired by Miami Art Museum at the Plaza-level gallery. Miami Art Museum (MAM), 101 W. Flagler St., Miami. Call 305.375.3000 or visit www.miamiartmuseum.org.

Thru September 26

Lox with Black Beans and Rice

Exhibition featuring 30 large format candid photographs by Randi Sidman-Moore include brief oral histories. Jewish Museum of Florida, 301 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Call 305.672.5044 or visit www.jewishmuseum.com.

Thru March 3, 2013

Egyptian Gallery at the Bass Museum of Art

The new Egyptian Gallery will become a permanent display at the Museum and will showcase their prized Egyptian Painted Sycamore Fig Wood Sarcophagus and mummy within a dedicated gallery space. Bass Museum of Art, 2121 Park Ave., Miami Beach. Call 305.673.7530 or visit www.bassmuseum.org.

Thru September 26

+5: Recent Acquisitions from the Wolfsonian Collection

The Wolfsonian presents this exhibition showcasing the dynamic growth of its collection over the past five years. The objects on view, acquired through donation or purchase since 2006, include decorative arts, architectural elements, books, posters, and printed ephemera. Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Call 305.531.1001 or visit www.wolfsonian.org.

Thru September 6

Cabaret Mechanical Theatre

This temporary exhibit features a collection of over 40 mechanical sculptures, called automata, which are intricately designed and full of humor. Their humor is brought to life by tiny cranks, pulleys and gears that allow the sculptures to move and take action. Miami Science Museum, 3280 S. Miami Ave., Miami. 305.646.4200 or www.miamisci.org.

Thru February 28, 2013

Between Here and There: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection

The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to see the strides MAM has made in building a "Miami point of view" of developments in modern and contemporary art, while preparing for the collection's permanent installation at Museum Park. Miami Art Museum, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami. 305.375.3000 or www.maimiartmuseum.org.

Thru September 12

FLORIDA JEWS IN THE MILITARY

See war overviews, maps, photos, artifacts, medals and documents that show the courage and patriotism and even sacrifice of lives in defense of our freedoms and democracy. Jewish Museum of Florida, 301 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Call 305.672.5044 or visit www.jewishmuseum.com.

FILM

September 11

 Elusive Soundscape

Elusive Garden, a video installation by artist Dinorah de Jesús Rodriguez, will be projected on the Great Lawn at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden for one night only. Elusive Garden has been producing art installations at various parks all over Miami this summer. The work consists of multiple hand-crafted 16mm films depicting the forms and colors of natural landscapes projected directly into the landscapes themselves. Unique soundscapes have been specially designed for each site by composer and sound designer Ricardo Lastre. This project won the 2009 FAN Knight New Work Award, an initiative of Funding Arts Network funded by the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation. Elusive Garden makes its fifth Miami appearance at Miami Beach Botanical Garden on Saturday, September 11 from 8-10 p.m. For more information on Elusive Landscape visit http://elusivelandscape.blogspot.com/ Miami Beach Botanical Garden is located at 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach. For more information visit www.mbgarden.org.

EVENTS

September 12

Fall for the Arts Festival

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts presents Fall for the Arts Festival, a free festival that transforms the Adrienne Arsht Center into Miami’s town square and creates an opportunity to experience some of the best of Miami’s arts organizations and community service agencies, on September 12 from noon to 6 p.m. The festival will feature two performance stages, food and vendor booths (including a Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau booth), street food vendors, children’s activities, and community service seminars. Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Call 305.949.6722 or visit www.arshtcenter.org.

Submissions for the MAZ Arts Calendar should be sent to Cubby@miamiartzine.com. (Please put MAZ Arts Calendar listing in subject line).

The Art Of Compromise

Guest Writers

by Kathleen & Jason on September 01, 2010

Kathleen Kerry Kerrigan and Jason Eli Weinstein were married for 20 years, divorced for two, and are now dating – each other. After many years together, they have figured out some secrets to a happy relationship. In an effort to try to save other couples some of the mistakes they’ve made, Kathleen and Jason now share their witticisms and wisdom through The Art of Compromise, offering couples compromises for everyday dilemmas.

The “What Movie-to-See” Dilemma

Q: Whenever my husband and I decide to see a movie, invariably we have an argument. He claims all I’m interested in is “chick flicks.” I think all he ever wants to see are violent action movies! Help! – Mimi F., Miami

Kathleen: Ah, Mimi, why is it men can’t open up and let some heartfelt emotions in without having to actually see someone get shot in the heart? I remember dragging Jason to see The Notebook. All his complaining through the movie could have filled a notebook. And a few Post-its. I just wanted to slap him – but I was too busy feeling compassion for the characters. The thing is Mimi, you will not change your man’s taste. Repeat: You will not change his taste!

You’ll be dying to see Eat Pray Love and he, in his masculine, unabashedly Neanderthal way, would much rather see something with Bruce Willis knocking off bad guys with Ninja stars or blasting them away with Volkswagen-sized guns. Granted, I might pay a few bucks to see Brucie slam Demi’s dope, Ashton Kutcher's head into a wall – but short of that – give me romance, adventure, love stories! Once when I asked Jason if he would consider Under the Tuscan Sun – he readily agreed, thinking it was a dish at Olive Garden. During the whole movie he kept looking for breadsticks.

See, the reason men prefer violent action-packed films is probably triggered by some primal need to relate to a dominant alpha male figure. Yawn. And by projecting themselves into the role of the dominant alpha male figure, they get pleasure. Double yawn. So as tedious and vapid as that seems to us ladies– it means everything to men. (Refer back to Neanderthal reference.)

But Mimi, as hopeless as it appears, there IS a solution to this movie-choosing dilemma – Jason and I use this method all the time. But before we tell you what it is – Jason will tell his side of the story. Ah, there’s always a catch!

Jason: Thank you Kathleen, and the only “catch” is the readers will now be exposed to an erudite, insightful male view.

You pose an excellent question Mimi, and the people in Hollywood making movies need to pay attention. There’s movies full of testosterone aimed primarily at the male sector and there’s chick flicks that are made just for the female population. And never the pain…er, twain… shall meet.

What we need is a movie starring Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis. A Die Hard sequel with Bruce courting Julia, and while he is falling in love with her charm, beauty, and inhumanly huge, toothy smile – he could be saving New York City from a band of African diamond industrialist terrorists from bankrupting the city’s diamond trade. There would be romance, car chases, lovemaking, helicopter chases, and the obligatory mindless explosions. This type of movie would appeal to both sexes would solve the “what movie to see” dilemma.

Since this is not going to happen in the near future, I’ll tell you that Kathleen did convince me to see Eat Pray Love. She did this by dangling the sex card in front of me and with that on the table, I could not say no. Eat Pray Love should have been called Slept Bored Snored.

After the movie, all Kathleen wanted to do was talk about the movie. Since I was asleep through most of the film, I couldn’t participate in the conversation. I don’t have to tell you that Kathleen’s offer of sex was now off the table. I should have insisted that we see Piranha in 3D. Since I wasn’t going to get any sex anyway, at least I could have seen a movie with blood, boobs, and flying body parts. A trifecta guy flick!

Men, we need to put our foot down or we are going to be stuck watching chick flicks for a long time and the only way that we’ll ever see an action flick is waiting until she goes to sleep and catching a Die Hard movie on TBS.

The Compromise:

So now that you’ve heard both sides, which arguably seem hopeless – here’s the magic pill…..Go to separate movies!

That’s right – simple, yet effective. On movie night, find a movie-plex showing movies you’ll both want to see. Give each other a big kiss, wave a fond adieu, and resolve to meet back in the lobby after the flick. Afterwards, the two of you can enjoy a nice romantic dinner with no resentment or anger – those two lovely emotions that seem to pepper every committed relationship.

You’ll each be allowed to tell your mate a synopsis of the movie you saw – in 25 words or less – and that’s all! The reason for the synopsized version is because clearly, neither of you were interested in the other’s movie – so why ruin a nice night with useless yammering?

The rest of the night’s conversation should be romantic and centered on each other. Then it’s back home for a night of torrid lovemaking or sleeping, depending on your age and energy level and how many Twizzlers you ate during the movie.

BONUS: The beauty of this Compromise is that you can also do it with other couples! The ladies go to their movie, while the gents go to theirs. Later, at the restaurant, the synopsis rule is suspended because the ladies can gab endlessly about the film and the men can talk sports, oil changes, and what not. Win-win.

Happy Movie Going!

Kathleen & Jason

Send your questions to Kathleen & Jason at RFMC2010@gmail.com.

This is the first in the miamiartzine.com guest writers' fiction series. Fiction submissions are welcomed from Miami writers wishing to have their fiction published on miamiartzine.com. Send your fiction (1000 words or less in a word document) to cubby@miamiartzine.com. Please put miamiartzine fiction submission in the subject line.

 

Xavier Cortada

by James Cubby on September 01, 2010

Name: Xavier Cortada

City: Miami

Birthplace: Albany, New York

Artistic Medium: Installations, Paintings, Works on Paper, Digital Art, Eco-art

 How did you get started?

As a child, I watched my father paint in our home studio. In time, I, too, began mixing paints and creating art. That childhood passion for painting came in handy when I was in Soweto, South Africa back in 1994, five months after apartheid was lifted. I was an attorney and UM faculty member sent by the State Department to teach homeless children. The kids couldn’t communicate with me, and I couldn’t communicate with them. So I started doing what my father taught me, which is sketching and drawing. And that’s what they did. Before you knew it, there was this powerful communication going on back and forth. And I realized, art was a powerful, universal language. I used art as a vehicle to have these kids open up and express themselves in ways that they would not otherwise.

Who or what are your influences?

Joseph Beuys.

What inspires your work?

Science is my muse.

How does Miami/South Florida influence your work?

My parents left chilly upstate New York when I was three. Miami is the only place I've ever called home. All I am and create has been influenced by my community.

How would you describe your work?

My work aims to challenge us to find deeper meaning in our present lives by exploring the paths of those who came before us and our relationship to the natural world. In 2006, I created Absence of Place, a photo installation at the Miami Art Museum. In it, 180 present-day images of absent Miami structures were printed on yellow-card stock and hung in plastic bags. On the wall, beneath each photo I wrote a caption of a memory generated at that site. I did so to give context to the new building at the site -- and to give the now absent building life in our collective memory.

Other works have explored our ability to coexist with nature: In 2007, as an Antarctic Artist and Writers program award recipient, I used the moving ice sheet that blankets the South Pole as an instrument to mark time: Juxtaposing Antarctica’s geological time frames ("The 150,000-year Journey” of a mangrove seedling I planted on the moving ice 1500 Km from the shoreline) with human time frames ("The Markers,” which uses flags along 500 meters to mark the past 50 years, when humans first inhabited the South Pole), the work reaffirms the notion that we are simply custodians of the planet who should learn to live in harmony with nature.

I am currently focused on creating an evolving body of work that uses genetic data to explore how nature influenced human migration and history. The interdisciplinary work explores the ancestral journeys of this Hemisphere's current inhabitants. In their blood they capture evidence of the routes their deep ancestors took from their original journey out of Africa 60,000 years ago. By marking the appearance and frequency of genetic markers in modern humans, we can determine when and where ancient humans moved around the world.

As in earlier work, I am engaged in the process of mapping and chronicling to make a point. In this case it has sociological importance: Perceived differences among people has often allowed for exploitation, marginalization, segregation and alienation. Inside our DNA we carry genetic markers that prove that we share the same ancestors and are one human family. Today, the biggest threat we face is a lack of connection to one another and to our natural world. We have the capacity to liberate ourselves from this alienation. All humans have the capacity to free their minds of prejudices and practices that are destroying our societies and our planet. Factions, whether based on nationalism, race, class or ethnicity, have created distance between people who are genetically the same. Using DNA from a diverse group of individuals, I am creating work that will challenge the way we see one another and to liberate ourselves from false notions of who we are-- or aren’t.

Moreover, by depicting the migrations of our ancestors over the past 60,000 years, we can see how they settled the planet in response to changes in environmental conditions: For our ancestors, the natural world was the only world. They navigated through it —slowly moving where nature provided them with better opportunities to hunt and gather.

Our early ancestors found a way to become a part of natural balance as they populated the planet. Today, we are destroying that balance by overpopulation and by our attempt to use and control nature for our benefit.

What has been the most unusual reaction to your work from the public?

The planting of 8 acres of mangrove seedlings on Biscayne Bay (since 2006). Obviously, this is unusual in a very good way. More at www.reclamationproject.net.

What would you like to achieve as an artist?

To engage audiences, remain relevant.

Current shows:

80.15 W

Xavier Cortada's current exhibit at his ArtCenter/South Florida studio is 80.15 W, which refers to the longitude of Biscayne National Park where numerous species are fighting for survival. It is a dramatic spotlight on 17 threatened and endangered animals seeking shelter in the Miami Beach area. In 80.15 W, drawings are shown on carbon paper to emphasize the importance of decreasing mankind's carbon footprint.

Xavier Cortada's Studio

ArtCenter/South Florida

924 Lincoln Road, Studio #201

Miami Beach, FL 33139

(through September 30, 2010)

Additionally:

Biennial of the Americas

Museo de las Americas

Denver, CO

(through 9/26/2010)

 

North and South Pole

(90 N /90 S) Installations

Miami Science Museum

Miami, FL

(through 12/31/2010)

 

Upcoming shows:

"Ancestral Journeys"

5th New Media Festival

Hardcore Art Contemporary Space

Wynwood Arts District

Miami, FL

(opens 9/11/2010)

 

"Sequentia"

a solo exhibit at

Frost Art Museum

Miami, FL

(opens 10/13/2010)

 

Where is your work available?

 

Xavier Cortada Studio

ArtCenter/South Florida

924 Lincoln Road, Suite 201

Miami Beach, FL 33139

305.858.1323

www.cortada.com | www.artcentersf.org

 

HARDCORE ART CONTEMPORARY SPACE

3326 N. MIAMI AVE.

MIAMI, FLORIDA 33127

Contact: Rochi Llaneza

Rochi@hardcoreartmiami.com

305.576.1645

Fax: 305-576-1645

http://www.hardcoreartmiami.com

 

 

Cortada

"80.15 W: Hawksbill Sea Turtle"

archival ink on paper

 

signed, numbered, limited edition (edition of 5)

 

44” x 36”

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Tiled1:

Xavier Cortada

"80.15 W"

archival ink on paper

signed, numbered, limited edition (edition of 5)

44” x 72”

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Acropora1:

Xavier Cortada

"80.15 W: Elkhorn Coral"

archival ink on paper

signed, numbered, limited edition (edition of 5)

44” x 36”

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These came about from carbon paper drawings that Cortada made featuring the 17 threatened and endangered animals that make Biscayne Bay their home. You can see them in the image of the flowing sheets of carbon paper. Like the works, they are fading away as a consequence of our collective carbon footprint.

 

 

 

Cortada created the 17 "fading carbon drawings" on free flowing stands of carbon paper (see five of them hanging in his studio in the attached photo). He then scanned these drawings to create the digital prints (including the "tiled" one.)

Hot Tips From the Editor

by James Cubby on September 01, 2010

Elusive Landscape at MB Botanical Garden

Elusive Garden, a video installation by artist Dinorah de Jesús Rodriguez, will be projected on the Great Lawn at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden for one night only. Elusive Garden has been producing art installations at various parks all over Miami this summer. The work consists of multiple hand-crafted 16mm films depicting the forms and colors of natural landscapes projected directly into the landscapes themselves. Unique soundscapes have been specially designed for each site by composer and sound designer Ricardo Lastre. This project won the 2009 FAN Knight New Work Award, an initiative of Funding Arts Network funded by the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation. Elusive Garden makes its fifth Miami appearance at Miami Beach Botanical Garden on Saturday, September 11 from 8-10 p.m. For more information on Elusive Landscape visit http://elusivelandscape.blogspot.com/ Miami Beach Botanical Garden is located at 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach. For more information visit www.mbgarden.org.

Great Performances: Dance in America to spotlight Edward Villella

THIRTEEN'S Great Performances: Dance in America will spotlight Edward Villella and the Miami City Ballet in a program to be taped mid-September in Miami. The program will showcase the Miami City Ballet's critically acclaimed performances of Balanchine's “Square Dance” and “Western Symphony” and Twyla Tharp's “The Golden Section.” Miami City Ballet, one of America's finest dance companies, celebrates its 5th Anniversary Season in 2010-11. Edward Villella, who enjoyed a long career with New York City Ballet, is known as America's most celebrated male ballet dancer. Company Director Villella founded the Miami City Ballet Company in 1985 and the company has since won worldwide acclaim under his direction. For more information on the Miami City Ballet visit www.MiamiCityBallet.org.

Fashion’s Night Out

Fashionistas will be swarming the Miami Design District for Fashion's Night Out on Friday September 10 from 6 – 10 p.m. Fashion's Night Out is a global fashion event held in cities all over the world. In Miami the series of shopping events will be at Neiman Marcus Village of Merrick Park, Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour and shops in the Miami Design District. Miami Design District shops and boutique like Y-3, Marni, En Avance, Duncan Quinn, Kiliwatch Miami, Genius Jones, Tomas Maier, Turchin Love & Light, I on the District and Marimekko will open their doors to shoppers for this event. The evening's festivities includes couture cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka, live music and bites compliments of the Miami Design District Shops. Fashion's Night Out will be in the Miami Design District: 8^th to 40^th Streets between NE 2^nd Ave. & N. Miami Ave. For more information visit www.miamidesigndistrict.net or http://www.fashionsnightout.com/

 

PANDEMONIUM COMES TO ARSHT CENTER

The creators of STOMP, Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, now bring us another wild and wacky show called Pandemonium. Aptly named, Pandemonium is an adventure of the imagination. The cast recreates each section of a traditional symphony orchestra with unusual and everyday objects like musical saws, whirly toys and traffic cones to play complete scores. Pandemonium features a cast of 25 performers, the Lost and Found Orchestra, and a 30-member choir. Pandemonium runs at the Arsht Center from September 16-26. The Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is located at 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. For more information call 305.949.6722 or visit www.arshtcenter.org.

 

The Beautiful, Affordable World of Art.com

by Anna Collins on August 31, 2010

Let’s face it; most people can’t afford an authentic Renoir, Caravaggio or Jack Vettriano. Or can they? Well, it just so happens that I, a person of formerly formidable means, have a wonderful Tamara De Lempicka in my bedroom. The piece is called “The Sleeper” and I acquired it after my real estate career went into the crapper. My De Lempicka is a full 24 x 36 inches. On canvas. Is it real? Of course. Is it authentic? Hardly. It’s from my favorite affordable art gallery – art.com. It’s amazing how many people don’t know of this little treasure trove of art. So let’s zoom in.

What’s so cool about art.com is that you can find virtually any famous, and some not-so-famous, artists' work there. And they are always having sales. There’s always something that can be squeezed into just about any budget or lifestyle, no matter what you’re looking for.

For instance, say you want to feel thin but don’t necessarily want to starve yourself on a diet. Click on over to art.com and buy yourself a few paintings by Fernando Botero. Hang those rotund babies up in every room and before you know it – you’ll start thinking you look like Kate Moss after a TicTac diet. And with all the money you save, you’ll be able to buy a few extra muffins at Whole Paycheck Foods.

You can learn a lot from art.com too. Perhaps you were absent that day in Art History class when they discussed “Impressionism.” Heck, you may even have skipped the whole course - but now you need some impressionist artwork for your second bathroom – to match the candlesticks you bought at Tuesday Morning – and it’s Thursday and you have family visiting next Friday! Not to worry. Just type in “Impressionism” in the search field located on the home page and voila! You’ll be able to choose from artists like Benson, Monet, Degas and other Impressionist artists.

Not sure what you want? You can click the tab that says “art styles” and peruse by Movement, Era, Nationality, Decorative Art, Vintage Art or Photography. There are other tabs too, that display the art by Subject, Artist, Project Type, Collections and Best Sellers. You could spend a whole afternoon just looking at art! Sure beats the hell out of paying attention to the boring day job. Make sure you have another window open though, so you can “alt tab” over to the TPS reports or the XL spread (the boredom) sheet when the boss man walks by.

Art.com even offers a little educational bonus. Each piece of art features a little blurb about the artist – just enough for you to sound like you know what you’re talking about – which you will after you memorize your lines.

And here’s what I really love about art.com – you have choice of how you want to receive your artwork. They don’t just send it to you one way – nay, nay! You can get your Renoir on a giclee print (says art.com: “The Giclee printing process delivers a fine stream of ink resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for museum or gallery display.”) Or you can get it “wood mounted.” Using this process, your selection is mounted to a 3/8" solid backing board, then laminated with a UV filtering film. This protects your artwork from fingerprints, dirt, moisture and other undesirable elements. Or, you can get it to look like an authentic canvas. Or you can simply have it framed the traditional way.

So, if you’re looking for a cost-conscious way to make your own home or workspace perk up with some great art – believe me when I say you can afford it on art.com. And keep in mind art.com is always having sales – usually 25% off. So sign up for their mailing list and wait for your coupon – then let the Starry, Starry Night be your limit.

And that’s the View from this Art Aware Broad.

Jamie Ousley: A Sonic Soul

by Manny Meland on August 31, 2010

Jamie Ousley is one of the most in-demand bassists in the South Florida music scene. I always enjoy his creative solos and I love to hear his big bass rumble at the bottom of a jazz piece. Ousley follows the tradition of “the good teach.” He teaches full time in the jazz department at Florida International University. Internationally, he has given clinics, taught master classes and provided private lessons in Japan, Switzerland, Germany and Costa Rica.

I saw Jamie at Churchill’s Pub the other day and I asked him at what age did he start to play. He replied, that as a child of five, he was so smitten by the musical score of Star Wars, he was able to tinkle out that piece on the piano without any assistance. That was when his parents realized that he possessed a musical gift and lost no time in enrolling him in Suzuki violin lessons. Fortunately, at that time, his school had an orchestral program and he was able to practice violin throughout his public school years. Then, at the age of twelve, in middle school, he switched to the double bass. That all happened in Johnson City, Tennessee where he was born.

I was curious why he switched from violin to bass. He told me, “I switched because in our middle school class new students were just beginning to learn the violin while I had been doing it since I was five. So by switching to bass, I was learning something new. Plus, it was real cool to play the biggest instrument in the class.”

Jamie went on to earn his B.A. in Music at Virginia Tech. He continued his education after arriving in Florida in 1998 by enrolling in the prestigious Jazz Program of the University of Miami. There he gained a Master of Music (M.M.) degree in Jazz Bass Performance which was followed by a Doctorate of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Jazz Bass Performance.

Ousley has performed in many festivals such Ballydehob International Jazz Festival in Ireland, the Montego Bay Jazz Festival in Jamaica, Festival Mizik Jakmel in Haiti, Marian’s Jazz Room in Bern, Switzerland, the Burlington Jazz Festival in Vermont, Jazz in June in Lincoln, Nebraska, Festival Miami, and at the Associations of Jazz Educators in New York, Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan.

The list of heavy duty musicians that have invited Jamie Ousley to back up their performances sounds like ‘who’s who’ in the jazz world. It includes Ira Sullivan, Eddie Higgins, Arturo Sandoval, Benny Golson, George Sheering, James Moody, Dave Liebman, John Fedchuk, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Jim McNeeley, Nestor Torres, Bucky & John Pizzarelli, Carmen Lundy, Harry Allen, Chip McNeill, Bob Berg, Greg Abate, Royce Campbell, Duffy Jackson, Steve Davis, Adam Nussbaum, and Vic Damone.

You are in luck if you would like to see him, as he is a prolific performer. For example, just look at his August schedule: Friday the 13th at Blue Jean Blues with Turk Mauro, the next day on Saturday (Aug. 14) at the Globe with Mike Gerber and Rodolfo Zuniga, which he followed on Monday (Aug. 16) at the Palm Beach Steak House with SAMM. The next Saturday (Aug. 21), he repeated his gig with Gerber at the Globe. Then on Monday (Aug. 23), he and Jim Gasior played Churchills Pub. This same pair took their act the following Friday (Aug. 27) to the Bass Museum of Art for the museum’s ‘Hot Nights, Cool Jazz’ series.

And it was fun seeing him at Churchill's Pub on Monday, August the 23rd. The scene there reminded me of the old New York loft scene, which was a testing ground for creative young musicians. Several bands showed up that night to strut their stuff. I felt that the Jamie Ousley Trio, with Jamie on bass, Jim Gasior on keyboard, and John Yarling on drums, stole the show.

See Jamie Ousley's performance schedule at www.jamieousley.com.

Check out the Jamie Ousley Trio (one incarnation) on this video of "If I Were A Bell."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oD6qZrgVS0

Jackson Pollock

by A Collins & Chris DeMaria on August 30, 2010

The American & Mao’s Last Dancer

Film Reviews

by Alyn Darnay on August 30, 2010

The American

Directed by Anton Corbijn

Starring: George Clooney (Jack), Violante Placido (Clara), Paolo Bonacelli (Father Benedetto), Johan Levsen (Pavel), Thekla Reuten (Mathilde)

From Sexiest Man Alive to Deadliest Man Alive, Academy Award winner George Clooney stars as “Jack”, a professional assassin and master gunsmith, in this exceptional character-based suspense thriller seeped in traditional European Style filmmaking.

“Jack” is a complex man, an ex-pat American, burned out by all the death he has wrought and forced to live by himself, always looking over his shoulder to see who’s coming after him to even a score. He desires nothing more than to lay low between assignments, to recede into the background and not call any attention to himself, and for the most part he has been very successful at it.

As the film opens on a desolate snow-covered Swedish countryside, Jack has taken refuge before a roaring fireplace in a secluded cabin with a beautiful female companion. His idyllic existence is soon interrupted by the very people he hopes to avoid and that event sets the whole story in motion.

Fleeing to a remote Italian village to hide out, he begins what he hopes will be his last assignment, the creation of a special order weapon needed by another assassin, Mathilde, a mysterious yet attractive female.

Finding the peace and quiet of village life in the mountains of Abruzzo to his liking, Jack is lured into letting his guard slip a little. The local priest, Father Beneditto, offers his friendship and uncustomary Jack accepts it. He also finds himself romantically involved with a beautiful local prostitute, Clara. He knows he must be tempting fate, but he’s unable to stop himself.

The American is reminiscent of films by the late great director Michelangelo Antonioni. Something we don’t see here often, a very European film, so perfectly tuned in its execution, it becomes a real treat for American audiences. It is superbly character-driven, with sparse dialog, meticulously detailed, well-paced and painstakingly evolved. Director Anton Corbijn’s Dutch sensibilities are front and center here and to his everlasting credit, he treats his audience with respect and allows them to use their brain to follow the story line. Credit is also due screenwriter Rowan Joffe who expertly adapted the script from Martin Booth’s 1990 novel A Very Private Gentleman.

As for Clooney, he’s never been better, his performance is flawless. This is not Danny Ocean. This man is non-distinct, anonymous, smart, withdrawn, he can sit on a bench with old men drinking cappuccinos and fit right in or attract a world-weary beauty by just being elusive. This is definitely Mr. Clooney’s film and he is totally believable in the role, as are all the European actors surrounding him in the movie. Most notable are the beautiful Violante Placido as Clara, and Paolo Bonacelli as Father Benedetto.

I liked the film for everything it offers. The story grabs your attention, the visuals and action were a real treat, and as I said, the acting by the whole cast was impressive. I believe audiences will find The American a film to watch, enjoy and savor.

Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)

Opens Nationwide Wednesday, September 1.

Mao's Last Dancer

Directed by Bruce Beresford

Staring: Chi Cao as Li Cunxin, Bruce Greenwood as Lance Fender, Kyle MacLachlan as Charles Foster, and Joan Chen as Niang.

Mao’s Last Dancer is a true rags-to-riches story with a controversial theme based in the world of international ballet. Based upon his book, it portends to be the autobiography of 1980s Chinese Ballet sensation Li Cunxin, who gained international fame with the Houston Ballet Academy.

Unfortunately, despite several outstanding dance sequences, the story itself falls short, drifting into melodrama and resorting to clichés instead of trying to actually tell its compelling story. The film does, however, manage to redeem itself through an emotionally powerful conclusion.

Portraying Mr. Cunxin, is the remarkable Chi Cao, a gifted dancer and principal with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, making an impressive screen debut. To watch him is to enjoy the art of dance; his style is flawless and reminiscent of the very best male dancers of years past. Here he gets the opportunity to perform in several different ballet excerpts, the most impressive and memorable is his short interpretation of Don Quixote. If you love Ballet, the movement and richness on display here will not disappoint you, though I wish there had been more, it would have made for a better film.

 

Li Cunxin’s story begins when he is an eleven-year-old schoolboy, the sixth son of poverty stricken parents in rural China during its Cultural Revolution. He is tested and chosen for his physique to be sent to Beijing for rigorous dance training. The story relates his fears, challenges, struggles, and adventures until at eighteen years of age he begins his climb to stardom.

In the hands of Australian director Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy) the film’s pace tends to walk instead of run and the attempt at emotional romantic drama fails miserably.

There are, however, wonderful moments delivered by the excellent supporting cast, Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek), Kyle MacLachlan (Sex and the City), and Joan Chen (The Last Emperor) all deliver beautifully underplayed performances.

I liked the film for the dance sequences but wanted to see more of them. The musical score was another highlight with a wonderful mix of Oriental and Classic styles. Eventually, I did get swept up in the whole story when it turned into a showdown with the Chinese Government over Li Cunxin’s desired defection to the West, however, don’t look for a heavyweight story here, you won’t find it.

Rating: 3 Stars (out of 5)

Mao’s Last Dancer is rated PG.

It is currently playing at these local theatres:

Miami: South Beach 18 Miami Beach and Intracoastal 8 North Miami

Fort Lauderdale: Sunrise Cinemas - Sunrise Cinema 11 

Boca Raton: Sunrise Cinemas Mizner Park 8 & Regal Shadowood 

Delray Beach: Regal Cinemas Delray Beach 18  

Palm Beach Gardens: Gardens Cinamax 6