Paper sculptures earn artist consecutive awards
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JOYCE RUDOLPH
Artist Leo Monahan attributes his sense of becoming one with nature
to growing up in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
From age 12 to 17, he lived on his grandfather’s ranch surrounded
by miners, cowboys and loggers.
“Everybody had a job that could kill them,” he said.
Life for a teenager was quite the opposite.
“It was a Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn life,” said the former
Burbank resident. “We had a trout stream in the backyard and
mountains all around.”
The Sioux Indians also inhabited the land and Monahan formed a
special bond with Ben Black Elk, who used to set up his tepee on his
grandfather’s property.
His job was to pose for the tourists at Mount Rushmore, Monahan
said, which earned him pretty good tips.
“He would share Indian lore and taught me how to look at things in
nature,” he said. “He was my mentor.”
Those experiences continue to inspire Monahan in his art form of
dimensional collages. He cuts acid-free art papers into shapes,
paints them in different ways and puts them together into a picture.
His paper sculpture, “Mist and Wind,” received the top prize in
the Fine Arts Federation of Burbank’s membership show continuing at
the Creative Arts Center Gallery in Burbank.
To create the piece, he interpreted the wind’s characteristics.
“You can see the wind, you can see how it affects leaves or
clothes on clotheslines, which they had when I was growing up,” he
said.
Monahan received the Brand Library Award of Excellence, which is
the best of show in this mixed-media exhibit. It was the second year
in a row he received the honor.
“I think that’s marvelous,” he said.
Five others received awards in the show.
Burbank resident Frank Fujita received the Robert Sandmeyer
Memorial Award, which is given to a student of the Creative Arts
Center. His winning watercolor is called “Baptistry of Pisa.”
The four Juror Awards went to Ruth Banarer’s collage “Windows,”
Cliff Barnes’ oil painting “That Was a Nice Dip,” Nina Kellogg’s clay
piece “Fire Magic,” and Susanne Belcher’s mixed-media “Enigma.”
The exhibit continues through March 25. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. today; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. Friday. The gallery is at 1100 W. Clark Ave., Burbank. For more
information, call 238-5397.
SPECIAL EVENTS
FASHION SHOW TEA FOR LITTLE DOLLS
A tea and fashion show just for little girls and their dolls is
being organized this weekend by the Flintridge Guild of Childrens
Hospital.
Forty little girls will wear historic or modern fashions as they
carry dolls wearing matching clothing.
The theme is “California Dreamin” and this year’s American Girl
doll is Kailey.
Proceeds go to the Endowment for Neuroscience and Imaging Research
for neurological diseases.
The shows are $30 per person today and Sunday at Brookside Country
Club, 1133 N. Rosemont in Pasadena. For available show times, call
952-7978.
CIVITANS HAVE ST. PATRICK’S DAY BRUNCH
Irish entertainment and food is planned for the Burbank Civitan
Club’s St. Patrick’s Day Brunch fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sunday at The Castaway in Burbank.
The O’Connor School of Irish Dance, featuring girls from 6 to 18,
will perform jigs and reels, while Karen Ellinwood and Patt Davis
team up as Sentimental Journey, singing music from the 1940s to
1970s.
Corned beef and cabbage are offered along with the traditional
brunch fare.
Tickets are $40, $18 for ages 5 to 12 and free for children
younger than 5. For reservations, call 848-7189. The Castaway is at
1250 Harvard Road, Burbank.
WEST POINT GLEE CLUB GIVES CONCERT
The cadets of the West Point Glee Club will perform at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday at the Burbank First United Methodist Church.
Selections range from the religious “Ave Maria,” to the patriotic
“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and traditional West Point songs like
“Army Blue.”
The church is at 700 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank. The suggested
donation is $20 per person. For more information, call (805)
382-0086.
RAGTIME JAZZES UP FAMILY CONCERT
The music of Scott Joplin, considered by many as the King of
Ragtime, will be introduced to youngsters and their families during
the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s Family Concert Sunday at the Alex
Theatre in Glendale.
The program also features “Dizzy Fingers” by Zef Confrey with
conductor Jeffrey Kahane at the piano.
Pre-concert activities at 1 p.m. include a visit by international
recording artist Rasheed Ali and the California African American
Museum. The concert follows at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $7.50 and $12.50 and can be purchased at the door. The
theater is at 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
‘MAGIC FLUTE’ OPENS AT FALCON THEATRE
“The Magic Flute,” adapted from Mozart’s comedic opera, opens at 1
p.m. today at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
This musical is a new production for youngsters with book, lyrics,
musical adaptation and direction by Dimitri Toscas.
In an enchanted land of spells and dragons, the Queen of the Night
has locked the Sun away. The musical takes an adventurous young man,
a mysterious maiden and a Phoenix on a magical musical quest to
rescue the Sun.
Performances are at 1 p.m. Saturdays and 1 and 3 p.m. Sundays
through May 22. Tickets are $12, $10 for 12 and younger. The theater
is at 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. For reservations, call 955-8101.
DOLL CLUB HAS ANNUAL SHOW AND SALE
The Jewel City Doll Club’s 26th annual Doll Show and Sale will be
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Glendale Civic Auditorium.
There will be antique and collectible dolls, accessories, paper
dolls, old toys, bears, miniatures and related books.
Patrons can have their picture taken with their favorite doll for
free.
Admission is $5, free for children younger than 12. Food will be sold in the lunch room. Parking is $5. The auditorium is at 1401 N.
Verdugo Road, Glendale.
SESSION QUARTET
PLAYS JAZZ
The Michael Session Quartet is the featured group for the Jazz
Celebrations at 5 p.m. Sunday at the First Lutheran Church in
Glendale.
The church is at 1300 E. Colorado St., Glendale. For more
information, call 240-9000. A freewill offering will be accepted.
LINDA HOPKINS QUINTET AT CLANCY’S CRAB SHACK
Blues singer Linda Hopkins and her quintet will perform at 8
tonight at Clancy’s Crab Shack in Glendale.
Hopkins has performed with Louis Armstrong and Sammy Davis Jr. She
holds the record for appearances on “The Tonight Show.”
Cover charge is $15. The restaurant is at 219 N. Central Ave.,
Glendale. For more information, call 242-CRAB.
JIMMY SPENCER APPEARS AT SMOKE HOUSE
Familiar songs, both old and new, will be performed by Jimmy
Spencer when he appears with jazz group Karen Hernandez Trio at 8:30
tonight at the Smoke House in Burbank.
The restaurant is at 4420 Lakeside Drive in Burbank. For more
information, call 845-3731.
ON STAGE
‘GUYS AND DOLLS’ ROLLS INTO CENTRE THEATRE
The musical “Guys and Dolls” is a sure bet for those in search of
an entertaining afternoon or evening at Glendale Centre Theatre.
Gambler Sky Masterson makes a bet with Nathan Detroit that he can
coerce Sarah Brown, who runs a street mission, to go to Havana with
him. Detroit has been stalling marrying his fiancee, Adelaide.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 3 p.m.
Saturdays and 3 p.m. March 28. The play continues through April 3.
Tickets range from $18 to $21. There is a $1 processing fee per
ticket. Group rates are available.
For children, the theater is producing “Sleeping Beauty” at 11
a.m. Saturdays through June 26. There are talking dragons, silly
fairies and special effects in this musical. Tickets are $12, $10 for
children.
For reservations, call 244-8481. The theater is at 324 N. Orange
St., Glendale.
‘ONE SLIGHT HITCH’ ENDS AT THE FALCON
Four-time Emmy Award- winner Michael Learned (“The Waltons”) leads
an ensemble cast in “One Slight Hitch,” ending this weekend at The
Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
Joining Learned are veteran stage actors Granville Van Dusen,
Sherri Parker Lee, Todd Babcock, Brendan Ford, Justine Brandy and
Senta Moses.
On the day of their daughter’s wedding, Doc and Delia Coleman find
themselves in all sorts of hilarious predicaments, from the
alcohol-gulping sister to the neurotic bride.
The play is by writer/comedian Lewis Black, a regular on Comedy
Central’s “The Daily Show,” and directed by Daniel DeRaey.
Performances are 8 tonight and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from
$35 to $37.50. For reservations, call 955-8101. The theater is at
4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank.
‘EVERYTHING DIES IN WINTER’ CONTINUES AT ACTION/REACTION
The Action/Reaction Theater Company is presenting the drama
“Everything Dies in Winter” by Dennis Pratt. The story line centers
on a family consisting of an aging couple, a schizophrenic Vietnam
veteran, his girlfriend, and their baby trying to break free of the
hereditary cycle of abuse.
Director Michael Holmes and his company have produced plays that
confront difficult, contemporary issues at the North Hollywood
playhouse. Original productions of “Infinite Cages” by Mike Stutz,
which examined mental illness, and “The Cleaning Man,” dealing with
the rise and aftermath of the AIDS crisis, have received high
acclaim.
Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sundays
through March 28.
Tickets are $15 with student and senior discounts. For
reservations, call 786-1045. The Action/Reaction Theater Company
makes it home at the Verdugo Woodlands Dad’s Club, 1728 Canada Blvd.,
Glendale.
A NOISE WITHIN
PRODUCES CLASSIC PLAYS
Preview performances begin this weekend for A Noise Within’s
production of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night or What You Will.”
Show times are 8 tonight and 7 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Wednesday
and Thursday. The play opens at 8 p.m. Friday.
Shipwrecked and in search of her twin brother, Viola disguises
herself as a young page, Cesario, who falls in love with Lord Orsino,
who falls in love with Olivia, who falls in love with Cesario.
“Twelfth Night” is directed by Kristoffer Tabori and plays in
repertory with the tragedy “Electra” by Greek dramatist Euripides
(written 420-410 BC). It is translated by Elizabeth Seydel Morgan.
Electra and her exiled brother, Orestes, thirst to avenge the
brutal murder of their father, the great King Agamemnon, murdered by
his wife -- their mother -- Queen Clytemnestra. Sabin Epstein directs
the play.
“Electra” ends May 15. “Twelfth Night” ends May 16. Tickets range
from $20 to $40. For reservations, call 240-0910. A Noise Within
makes its home at 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
RESIDENT PLAYS GOLDILOCKS IN AREA PRODUCTION
Kelly Stables of Burbank is portraying Goldilocks in the world
premiere engagement of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” a new
musical for children presented by Storybook Theatre at Theatre West
in Los Angeles.
Created especially for children 3 to 9 and their families, the
play offers plenty of audience participation as the children help
Goldilocks in the comical forest adventure with the three bears.
Goldilocks learns that bears can be people too. Birthday parties and
school field trips are accommodated by the theater company.
Performances are 1 p.m. Saturdays through June 12. Tickets are
$10, $8 for children. For reservations, call 761-2203. The theater is
at 3333 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. Parking is free across the
street.
ART EXHIBITS
LOTS OF FUN IN BRAND GALLERIES
Fun, color and lightness of spirit define the two exhibits at the
Brand Library Art Galleries in Glendale.
Carolyn Applegate creates chairs, wall plaques and large hangings
from various colors of pantyhose, clipped and stuffed with filling
into hundreds of round balls. The first impression is one of awe,
wonder and amusement, as her art explores a new medium well outside
traditional paint or clay. The works are life-sized and beyond, as
the viewer becomes surrounded by her playful world of installation
art.
J.J. L’Heureux’s works in the Atrium Gallery are collages
incorporating colorful European cheese wrappers and thread. Her use
of found (but not often in this country) paper products with more
traditional “women’s work” thread and sewing designs also presses the
limits of what constitutes artists’ materials and art itself.
Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 1 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday and 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The exhibit continues
until April 17. Admission is free. Brand Art Galleries are in Brand
Park at 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale.
MUSEUMS
THE DOCTORS’ HOUSE FEATURES GLENDALE HISTORY
The Doctors’ House, tucked inside Brand Park in Glendale, is a
Victorian home in Queen Anne Eastlake-style open to the public from 2
to 4 p.m. Sundays. Built in the 1880s by real-estate entrepreneur
E.T. Byram, the house has been restored. Brand Park is at 1601 W.
Mountain St., Glendale.
* If you have news releases for the 48 Hours column, please call
JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241 or e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes. com or fax
them to 241-1975.