Ted Kooser. Photo credit: UNL Publications and Photography. I was very sorry to read that the literary journal Field, with a long history of publishing the finest of American poetry, was ceasing publication. All good things must come to an end.
Here's a poem full of mystery from the final issue. It's by Mark Irwin, who divides his time between California and Colorado, and whose most recent book is “A Passion According to Green” (2017).
Open
When they entered the house, which was a very large house the way a cloud is large, the pages of their story seemed like cracks in the earth, a man's shirt, or a woman's blouse, and the stranger in the house told them to make themselves at home in the house that was not their house, and told them to write down the three most important gifts in each of their lives, and then continued to explain how there were three doors in the house and at each door they must forfeit one of these gifts, and how the real story always begins at the third door, where each of them will pause and begin to crawl, leaving the field of time, where now you pause, touching the door of this page, wiping away each word, waiting to enter.
There’s a real challenge to reviewing “Avengers: Endgame,” not just to avoid spoilers but doing justice to what looks inevitably like the biggest film of the year even before the summer season delivers its share of blockbusters.
“Endgame” sets a new threshold for the culmination of a superhero franchise that proves to be an overall satisfying cinematic experience even if disappointment sets in occasionally on the fate of certain characters.
At the press screening, Disney cautioned the assembled critics to not spoil the ending, as if that was a necessary admonition for any rational being entrusted to a review. There’s much more than the ending that should not be revealed and for many good reasons.
A delicate balance must be pursued in any review, but anyone familiar with the franchise would take cues from “Avengers: Infinity War” knowing that this last chapter for the Avenger superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is slated for the deadliest showdown with Thanos.
The Marvel superhero adventure began with “Iron Man” in 2008 and in twenty-two films later, notably with storylines that include the Hulk, Thor, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Ant-Man, Captain Marvel and countless others, it concludes with the last stop of an ultimate Armageddon.
“Endgame” picks up where the Avengers have been soundly defeated by Thanos (Josh Brolin), the universe’s most powerful and deadliest villain, who after collecting the six Infinity Stones, wiped out half of the world’s population, including many of the Avengers.
This last chapter, jumping off the clues provided in the end credits of “Captain Marvel,” requires the remaining Avengers to pull themselves out of their depths of a blue funk to regroup for the decisive battle with Thanos.
Possessing the Infinity Stones and with the snap of his fingers, Thanos previously reduced the still-standing superheroes to various states of despair or alienation.
At his farmhouse far removed from the center of action, Jeremy Renner’s arrow-wielding Hawkeye is profoundly impacted by the disappearance of his family.
Adrift in space, Tony Stark aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Nebula (Karen Gillan) are faced not only with no food and water but a dwindling supply of oxygen, while Stark’s beloved Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) frets back at home.
While Stark is trying to find a way back to Earth, Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Chris Evans) is holding down the fort at the Avengers compound and trying to wrap his head around and make sense of what has happened.
The superheroes may be broken in spirit, but Captain America’s strong moral code as a noble mythological icon thrusts him to the forefront of the battle to come, which is in contrast to how he took a back seat to other characters in “Infinity War.”
As a World War II-era U.S. Army soldier given enhanced physical and mental abilities and then frozen for 70 years, Steve Rogers still pines for the love of his life from wartime that he will never see again unless some fluke on the space time continuum materializes.
Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow lives a lonely existence munching on peanut butter sandwiches. The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), self-assured in his green skin and wearing cardigan sweaters, poses for selfies with fans.
The planet Asgard, home to Thor (Chris Hemsworth), destroyed before “Infinity War,” has a new place in a Scandinavian fishing village where, for the sake of not revealing too much, Thor may be described as taking a more relaxed view of his superhero obligations.
An interesting arc to the story takes place with Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) not having been affected by the wrath of Thanos because in the time period of “Infinity War” he was stuck in the Quantum Realm. His return allows for some good-natured levity.
Humor abounds in good measure throughout the story. The presence of talking raccoon Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is a welcome presence given his comic one-liners. His sarcasm always adds a nice touch of flippancy.
Unexpectedly, there is even a parallel to “The Big Lebowski” when one of the main characters has let himself go to seed, looking and acting a lot like an overweight version of Jeff Bridges’ The Dude and thirsting too much for indulgence in alcoholic beverages.
The Avengers are flawed characters, some more so than others, and the vulnerability of the Avengers is a significant element to understanding how the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the cultural phenomenon that tops any other movie franchise.
Even the casual follower of the series, a category into which this reviewer mostly likely falls, will come away with an appreciation of the humanity of the characters, struggling with the weight of responsibility to set things right.
It should almost go without saying that the climactic showdown with Thanos offers plenty of gratification with its well-orchestrated battle scenes.
“Avengers: Endgame” concludes an emotional journey that the ardent fan base is likely to embrace with a range of emotions from excitement to regret that a bold adventure has run its course.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with toe-tapping music at the Fiddlers’ Jam at the Ely Stage Stop Barn on Sunday, May 5, from noon to 2 p.m.
The May raffle basket features an array of Cinco de Mayo-themed gifts, including a gift certificate from Angel’s in Finley.
A beautiful bouquet of flowers is again donated by Traci of Flowers by Traci, located in downtown Kelseyville. Many thanks to the businesses who continue to support the Ely.
With the warmer weather, the barbecue will be fired up again. Hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, strawberry shortcake and beverages will be available for sale.
Come early to find your seat in the barn. Take the time to enjoy the sunshine, food and the antique wagons.
The gates are open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
The Ely Stage Stop is located at 9921 Soda Bay Road, between Kelseyville and Lower Lake.
Ami Verhey and Colleen Schimansky review their prints with studio assistant Darina Simeonova at the Middletown Art Center in Middletown, Calif. Courtesy photo. MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center invites the public to its final Restore printmaking class featuring drypoint etching and monotype with artist Nicholas Hay, assisted by Darina Simeonova.
The class will take place this Saturday, May 4, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Adults and children age 11 and up of all levels of art making experience, from newbies to professionals, can attend this fun and inspiring class for just $5.
“We’ll be working with both drypoint and monotype this time,” explained Hay. “For drypoint, we’ll draw into a plastic plate with a metal etching pen. Participants can make changes and refinements to their image and run their plate through the press several times during class. We‘ll also flip the plate to work in free hand monotype with the same image, or with a new image on a separate plate. In monotype one draws with printing ink directly onto the plate, then runs the plate through the press, which lends itself more easily to working with color! The process of printmaking is quite magical, and anyone who likes to draw can create compelling images.”
Please register in advance for all Restore classes at http://www.middletownartcenter.org/restore, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-8118. Space is limited and reservations are required.
Work from printmaking and writing classes will contribute to MAC’s second chapbook of writings and images, as well as Restore exhibitions.
The final writers’ workshop with Georgina Marie and Casey Carney will be held May 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. MAC’s first chapbook, Resilience – a community reframes disaster through art, is available for purchase at MAC or on the MAC Web site. You can preview the book at www.middletownartcenter.org/chapbook .
Installation of Vertical Pathways on Rabbit Hill, a collaborative art work by Restore sculpture workshop participants, begins Sunday, May 5, at 10 a.m. Folks wishing be a part the project by assisting with installation can meet at MAC at 10 a.m. or stop by Rabbit Hill to help between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
A festive opening reception in partnership with the Lake County Land Trust, stewards of Rabbit Hill, will take place May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Call the art center to learn more at 707-809-8118.
The Restore project was made possible with support from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support from the Lake County Land Trust and other local organizations, businesses, and individuals.
Visit www.arts.ca.gov to learn more about the California Arts Council’s work in communities and schools throughout California. Learn more about the Lake County Land Trust at www.lakecountylandtrust.org.
Be a part of the growing arts and cultural scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by participating in Restore classes, or by attending one of the many events or classes at MAC.
Be sure to catch the first First Fridays Art Walk of the season this Friday, May 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring a fashion show by Lake County makers.
The MAC Gallery currently features “Living Color,” a vibrant exhibit open to the public Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Paul Robeson in “Show Boat.” Courtesy photo. LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 1951 musical, “Show Boat,” starring Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel and Ava Gardner, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre on Tuesday, May 14, at 1 and 6 p.m.
Entry to the film is by donation.
Based on an Edna Ferber novel, with score by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, “Show Boat” abounds with wonderful songs that are staples of musical theater including “Make Believe,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” “Why Do I Love You?” and, best of all, “Ol’ Man River.”
Musicals made in Hollywood before “Show Boat” were frilly, simple boy-meets-girl scenarios with a string of unrelated songs, but “Show Boat” changed all that, adding drama and complexity by giving audiences a cohesive story, songs that are linked to the plot, and a theme that touches on serious subjects such as slavery and intermarriage.
The movie is sponsored by Arlene Hanson. Not rated. Run time is 1 hour and 48 minutes.
The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com.
Dancer Clara Carstensen. Photo by Thomas Delgado. UKIAH, Calif. – Every spring, for the past 16 years, the Mendocino College Spring Dance Festival has provided entertainment for the entire family.
This year is no exception.
Mendocino College dancers and local guest performers will take to the Mendocino College Center Theatre stage on Thursday, May 2, Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. to share what they have to say, through movement.
Dance styles such as hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, ballet, and Middle Eastern dance will be performed.
Illuminating the stage with their passions, concerns, and ideas, Mendocino College student chorographers Jasmine Byerley, Clara Carstensen, Yves Charles, Rickie Emilie Farah, Traci Hunt, Oscar Montelongo Medina, Carolina Torres, Ari Sunbeam, and Megan Youell will share their original works.
Jasmine Byerley speaks about her riveting duet Solitude, which she performs with Oscar Montelongo Medina: “Anxiety, failure, pride, fear – what if we did not have to face our demons alone? This piece contemplates the isolation that comes from the fear of admitting the need for help.”
Choreographer Carolina Torres explores the subtle struggles of living with a mother who suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a power solo titled, Part of Me.
In contrast, Clara Carstensen’s dance 21, 13, 8, 5, 3, 2, 1, 1 melds her love of life with her interest in science.
“The name of the dance comes from the Fibonacci sequence, which is shown in the dancers’ steps and which represents the processes of how people accomplish their goals in life,” Carstensen said.
Rickie Farah, who will be graduating with an AA from Mendocino College this spring and attending school in Southern California to complete her BFA in Theater, debuts her first piece of choreography this spring, “Aferrándonos.”
Farah’s title reflects the passion she puts into her work: “Afferrándos means to hang on or hold on to each other,” she says, “and in this case, it is about the struggles of holding on to one another in a world full of diversions pulling one in different directions.”
First time choreographer Megan Youell brings her creative imagination to a group of nine dancers in her dynamic work When We Break. Youell said, “When We Break imagines people made of glass, who break under the stress brought on by anxiety.”
Veteran choreographers Traci Hunt, Yves Charles, Ari Sunbeam, and Oscar Montelongo Medina will also present new works that explore themes such as magnetism, the surrealism of scrawling text, the humor behind swimming with sharks, and what happens when someone continually asks you, “how are you doing?”
Mendocino College dancers. Photo by Thomas Delgado. Dances choreographed by college dance instructors Rachel Young and Eryn Schon-Brunner will also be presented, with special appearances by Middle-Eastern dancer Juliana Castillo and Mendocino Ballet Co.
Mendocino Ballet will share original works by Trudy McCreaner and Piper Faulk, as well as a restaging of Ivanov and Petipa’s Swan Lake Pas de Deux, with Yves Charles (Mendocino College Dance) and Hannah Woolfenden (Mendocino Ballet Co.).
Mendocino College singers and musicians will share the stage with the dancers, and the Mendocino College Art Gallery, featuring student art works, will be open before the show and during intermission. It will be a multimedia event.
Additionally, Dance Club scholarships will be awarded during the evening to Traci Hunt and Jasmine Byerley, and the Kayla Grace Chesser Scholarship Awards will be presented to Rickie Farah and Margarita Diaz.
The Spring Dance Festival is a family-friendly event. Tickets are $10 for everyone and can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Mendocino College Bookstore, the Mendocino Book Company, in Ukiah or online.
Tickets may also be ordered over the phone by calling 707-468-3079. The Mendocino College Center Theatre is located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.
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