Popster Picks for Oct. 21 (And More)

Popster Picks for Oct. 21 (And More)

By Lynn Venhaus

Local Spotlight: Legends and Lanterns

A fun weekend can be had on Main Street in St. Charles.

Legends & Lanterns® is a “spirited” journey through Halloween History is an annual event that finds its inspiration from the past.

“From the vintage charm of Halloween in the 1910s-1930s, to the historical rituals and customs brought to the holiday by the Druids and Victorians, to the ethereal atmosphere depicted in American ghost stories and Brothers Grimm fairy tales; this event will offer treats and tricks for guests of all ages. A little bit silly. A little bit macabre. But all in fun,” so it states on the website.

Dates and Times
Sat, 10/22:     11am to 6pm

Sun, 10/23:    Noon to 5pm

Fri, 10/28:      5pm to 8pm

Sat, 10/29:     11am to 8pm

Sun, 10/30:    Noon to 5pm

https://www.discoverstcharles.com/events/legends-lanterns/

Stage: Personal Transformation and Triumph

The Black Mirror Theatre Company presents “Roll With It!” at Kranzberg Arts Center black box theater

Katie Rodriguez Banister

Katie Rodriguez Bannister was paralyzed from the chest down in an SUV rollover accident in 1990. She was 25. This is her story. Only three more performances left – Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Here’s my review: https://www.poplifestl.com/roll-with-it-shares-a-challenging-path-with-warmth-and-humor/?fbclid=IwAR2ycAmBil46xXR7dhw5iRvwmEDxRKeBr9yLgOlIl5h5mNkIRDsh2hWG2eM

For more about Katie, read the Webster-Kirkwood Times article by Julie Brown Patton:
https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/roll-with-it/article_b6cb1ef8-4591-11ed-aced-37baaa30c353.html

Movie: Julia and George Together Again

Megastars Julia Roberts and George Clooney, who’ve made five movies together, reunite in “Ticket to Paradise,” for a formulaic rom-com that is pure escapism, the kind of “Mom movie” that women of a certain age will enjoy. Here’s my review:

https://www.poplifestl.com/star-power-propels-light-hearted-escape-ticket-to-paradise/


New Year’s Eve Plans: Nikki Glaser tickets on sale

Tickets went on sale this morning, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster for Nikki Glaser: One Night with Nikki Glaser at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Stifel Theatre.

Ticket Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06005D4ECF257338

Spooktacular Movies at the Drive-In

“Jamie Lee Curtis is Laurie Strode in “Halloween Ends

Drive-In Time: Slashfest is Oct. 28-29 at the Skyview Drive-In in Belleville, officially ending the season. However, this weekend, you can enjoy Pre-Slashfest with a combo of new and old movies.

Here is the schedule for, October 21 & 22…

Screen 1 – Halloween Ends R 8:00 and Frankenstein 1931 NR 10:00

Screen 2 – Poltergeist PG 8:00 and The Lost Boys R 10:10

The box office opens at 6:30 p.m. Ads and previews start at 7:50. Good idea to arrive early.

If you want to request a reserved spot for an additional $10, send an email to skyviewdrivein@att.net. Tell us which movie you want to see, which night you want to attend, and the year/make/model of your vehicle. Be sure to include all information or your request will be returned to you.

Trailer: The Crown Season 5

Season 5 will drop on Nov. 9 on Netflix, with Elizabeth Debecki as Princess Diana, Dominic West as Prince Charles, Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth and Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip.

Playlist:


Taylor Swift Dropped “Midnights” — here’s a tract:
https://youtu.be/kWFJni0H774

‘Roll With It!’ Shares a Challenging Path with Warmth and Humor

‘Roll With It!’ Shares a Challenging Path with Warmth and Humor

By Lynn Venhaus

With the best of intentions and a powerful personal story of transformation to tell, the Black Mirror Theatre Company fully commits to a world premiere that can make a difference in the region and beyond.

Scratch the ‘can’ and insert ‘will,’ for you will be convinced that sparkplug Katie Rodriguez Banister will change the world after you share this unforgettable journey featuring her friends, family, caregiver, and allies.

In collaboration with the Banisters’ Access-4-All, Black Mirror has produced “Roll With It!”, an original work that sheds light on disabilities and creates more acceptance and inclusion by using the tools of live theater to connect.

Artistic Director J. Michelle Rebollo adroitly staged this well-constructed exercise, which makes an impact through its realistic vignettes and heart-tugging account of a young woman’s odyssey from able-bodied at 25 to being paralyzed from the chest down in an SUV rollover accident in 1990.

Banister is a speaker, author, poet, playwright, and disability educator. She has lived independently since 1992, and with her husband, Steve, founded Access-4-All in 1997. Their mission is to educate and empower their audiences through their publications, programs, and trainings.

Rebollo has known Katie for more than 20 years, and that familiarity guides this passion project. Both were in sync on making social statements.

A natural performer, Banister has theatrical experience with Joan Lipkin’s That Uppity Theatre Company and her DisAbility Project, which she was a part of for six years.

Katie Rodriguez Banister and Tyler Gotsis. Photo by Bradley J. Rohlf

This play sprang from a piece co-authored with Lipkin called “Go Figure,” and Banister, whose autobiography is titled “On a Roll,” teamed with local playwright Michelle Zielinski to shape the story into what is now being performed.

“Roll With It!” not only educates but entertains, in an interesting way, departing from a standard formula. Katie’s candor, honesty, and humor is apparent as she and her former self struggle with physical, emotional, psychological, and financial challenges during her recovery.

The playwrights present intimate details, anticipating questions people may not want to ask aloud. They’ve ensured that this play, above all, highlights human connection.

The actress portraying Katie is none other than the woman who lived the story – and her hard-fought truths and valuable life lessons resonate as she ultimately finds purpose, beauty, and love in everyday living.

She is aided by fellow live-wire Hannah Geisz, whose affection and enthusiasm for this material is matched by the indefatigable O.G. Geisz embodies her former 25-year-old self, the voice within who encourages, and sort of a spiritual whisperer reminding her of who she was and still is.

And there are daunting obstacles, no sugar-coating those frustrations, and the inner voice prevents her from giving up, no matter how dark it gets.

As a devoted activist, Katie sincerely embraces her role as the production’s flag bearer. With an unwavering fervor, she lets us in – yes, it’s difficult, but behold an ‘influencer’ with a considerable ‘B.S.’ detector.

The play includes flashbacks, visuals, and music to aid the storytelling. Rebollo took care of the projection design, she and Rodriguez Bannister collaborated on the sound design, Ryan Luedloff designed the lighting and the tech, Erin Schwob took care of wigs, and Rachel DeNoyer was the stage manager.

An earnest eight-person ensemble portrayed different roles – mainly health care professionals, family, friends, and lawyers: Kelly Ballard, Dennis Calvin, Tyler Gotsis, Kristen Hays, Hannah (Mo) Moellering, Claire Sackman, Luke Steffen, and Rob Tierney. Gotsis played Katie’s future husband Steve.

With its positive attitude and indelible heroine, “Roll With It!” delivers insight – and warmth. It must be a call to action, for it’s not enough to describe it as inspiring.

Photo by Bradley J. Rolf

The Black Mirror Theatre Company presents “Roll With It!” as a one-act without an intermission on Oct. 13-14 and 19-21 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 15-16 and 22-23 at 3 p.m. at the Kranzberg Arts Center Black Box Theatre, 501 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Tickets are available through MetroTix. For more information: www.blackmirrortheatre.org

To learn more, visit Katie Rodriguez Bannister’s website, www.awomanonwheels.com

Dance the Vote STL Presents ‘Midterms Matter’ on Sept. 24

Dance the Vote STL Presents ‘Midterms Matter’ on Sept. 24

On Saturday, Sept 24 from 12:30-3 pm, Dance the Vote STL will present Midterms Matter, a free, nonpartisan, family friendly, all-inclusive event in front of the Missouri History Museum to promote voter awareness in advance of the general election on Tuesday, November 8.  When DTV first performed for midterms at the museum in 2018, they attracted over 1000 attendees before pivoting to virtual performances during the pandemic. This is their first return to large scale outdoor events.

A highlight of the event will be taking “Missouri’s largest photo to promote the midterms”. People of all ages and political affiliations are invited to participate in this nonpartisan photo.

U.S. Presidential elections are big news worldwide every four years. But what happens in the midterm elections can have just as big an impact on the direction of the country.

“At Midterms Matter, we will energize attendees to participate in the midterms elections and exercise their precious right. Our event also honors National Disability Voter Registration Week and will feature an all-inclusive short community dance to be taught for people of all ages and abilities, including people with disabilities. Everyone is welcome,” said Joan Lipkin, producing artistic director of Dance the Vote.

Confirmed dance companies include St. Louis Academy of Dance, Ashleyliane Dance Company, Grupo Atlantico, Amara Arts, Skystone Dance Ensemble, Resilience Dance Company and others. Local singers including Carmen Garcia and Katie Dunne McGrath and Friends will perform. Speakers include Denise Lieberman of Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, Rev. Darryl Gray of Missouri Faith Voices, Katie Rodriguez Banister of Access-4-All with more to be announced.

Choreographer and co-producer Ashley L. Tate explains, “We will begin with some familiar dances including the Electric Slide and the Wobble and then teach an original, short, inclusive and accessible community dance that can be enjoyed by everyone.  This dance is for all levels and abilities!”

Additional activities will include voter registration and education, information fair with local nonprofits and community groups, kids’ activities, the Bubble Lady, food trucks, a DJ, and more.

“I am passionate about finding ways the Missouri Historical Society can help drive civic engagement,” said Dr. Jody Sowell, President and CEO of the Missouri Historical Society. “We believe public history has the power to strengthen communities. The goal of our exhibits, community tours, and public programming — like the Midterms Matter event — is to help the public make connections between past, present and future. We believe the more you appreciate a place’s past, the more invested you will be in its present and future. MHS is fortunate to play a part in helping the public make these connections and is proud to support Dance the Vote and civic engagement.”

Presented by Dance the Vote St. Louis, a program of That Uppity Theatre Company, and co-sponsored by the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis University, St. Louis ARC, Missouri Faith Voices, NAACP-St Louis County, League of Women Voters – St. Louis, Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council, National Council of Jewish Women STL, Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, National Women’s Political Caucus of St Louis, ProgressWomen, Access-MO, Paraquad, Access-4-All LLC, Equity Action Collective LLC, Immigrant Song, Missouri Centers for Independent Living, Missouri Equity Education Partnership, 350 STL, A. Philip Randolph Institute St. Louis Chapter, American Association of University Women St Louis (AAUW),Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, empower: abilities, The Link, Metropolitan Congregations United, and Conversations for Political Change.

Founded in 2016, Dance the Vote (DTV) is a nonpartisan arts organization that uses the arts to promote voter registration, education and advocacy. Performances have been featured on CBS, the Black Entertainment Network, the Higher Education Channel, American Theatre Magazine, St. Louis Magazine, the St Louis Post-Dispatch and Dance Magazine and seen by several million people.

DTV has received the IDEA Award from MindsEye, What’s Right with the Region from Focus St. Louis and the Moving Democracy Award from St. Louis Magazine as part of the 2021 A-List.

Midterms Matter is funded in part by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, the Scarlet Feather Fund, and Rev Up!

National Voter Registration Day 9/20 https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org

National Voter Education Week 10/3-10/7    https://votereducationweek.org/

Disability Voting Rights Week 9/16/-22 https://www.aapd.com/advocacy/voting/dvrw/

DancetheVoteStl.org

Facebook.com/DancetheVoteStl