Entertainment briefs
‘Duck Amuck’ makes big splash
BURBANK -- Chuck Jones, the legendary Warner Bros. animation director,
has become the only director to have two animated shorts added to the
United States National Film Registry.
“Duck Amuck” was named by the registry as one of 275 films that are
“culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” and should be
preserved for all time. “Duck Amuck” joins Jones’ animated short, “What’s
Opera Doc?” which was added to the registry in 1992.
In the classic “Duck Amuck,” Jones pits Daffy Duck against an
off-screen animator who keeps changing the cartoon solely to frustrate
Daffy. The finale shot reveals the troublemaking animator to be none
other than Bugs Bunny.
Jones has won four Academy Awards, including an Honorary Award in
1996, acknowledging the impact of his work on several generations of
animators and fans alike. Jones has created more than 300 animated films
in his career spanning more than 60 years.
Van Bloem Singers Celebrate Third Year
BURBANK -- The Van Bloem Singers, an all-volunteer group, performs for
service clubs, volunteer organizations, senior residences and charitable
organizations. All of the singers were formerly with the Burbank Civic
Light Opera, but have banded together to pay tribute to the great show
tunes of Broadway.
One of the featured performers in the group is 16-year-old Katrina
Roth, who started with the Light Opera when she was 9. She recently won
the Spotlight Award at the Los Angeles Music Center in the Musical
Theater category.
The group’s repertoire includes: “The Music of Broadway,”
“Showstoppers 99,” “Music Americana,” and “Music for the Holidays.”
The singers are directed by Elaine Paonessa and accompanied by
pianist, Bill Marles. For availability or to audition, call 845-6851.
All Fired Up for the holidays LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Whether you’re
looking for a functional ceramic piece or one that’s purely decorative,
you can find it at the Roger Barkley Community Center Holiday Sale. The
show opens on Friday, Dec. 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. with a reception for the
artists. Refreshments will be served. The show continues Saturday from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More than 50 potters have created a diverse array of handcrafted
pieces in stoneware, porcelain, and earthenware. There will be many
unusual works, which have been saggar-fired, pit-fired or fired by the
raku process. Proceeds from the sale go to the center’s ceramics
department, headed by H. Jean Taylor. The Roger Barkley Community Center
is at 4469 Chevy Chase Drive, La Canada Flintridge. For more information,
call 790-4353.
Towne Singers rekindle memories of Christmas
LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- The Towne Singers of La Canada Flintridge are
putting the finishing touches on their upcoming Christmas program,
“Memories of Christmas,” a nostalgic reprise of audience favorites from
the group’s concerts over the last decade.
Guest conductor is Paul Mayo. The performance is staged by Paula
Montgomery and Jill McCullough.
Each concert season, instead of filing into a sedate atmosphere and
standing in orderly rows on risers, the group enters a more theatrical
realm requiring staging, costuming, choreography and lighting. The group
will be joined by The Ballet Petit Dancers who were a big hit at the 1998
Christmas performance.
“Memories of Christmas” will be performed on Dec. 5 at 4:30 p.m. at
the Lanterman Auditorium, 4490 Cornishon Blvd. Proceeds will benefit The
Roger Barkley Foundation. Tickets are $10, with a special rate for groups
of 10 or more. They are available in La Canada at Cal Med East (next to
Ralphs Fresh Fare) and The Roger Barkley Community Center, 1169 Chevy
Chase Drive. For more information, call (800) 518-7214.