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.