The King's Speech Revisited

Just finished watching The King's Speech again. What a contrast between this film and the myriad superhero flicks that have run amok through theaters in recent years.

I wrote about the film in 2010 when it first came out, more or less citing the significance of the story it was based on.  A few additional features of the film caught my attention this time around.

The film centers on two main characters; "Bertie" (Colin Firth), the Prince of York who ultimately assumes the throne when his brother abdicates, and Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), the speech therapist who ultimately helps Bertie find his voice.

SPOILER ALERT

The Prince of York has a speech impediment that shames him and the film begins with his giving a speech, quite badly. It ends with his first radio speech to the nation as king in an effort to inform his people of the impending war.

One of my favorite pieces of classical music is the second movement of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. It broils with tension and has been used effectively in the climactic scene of this film. It was served up with equal power in Immortal Beloved during a scene in which Gary Oldman as Beethoven has his carriage stuck in the mud while on the way to an important tryst. There are few pieces of music that so effectively convey anguish.

But King George prevails, and he delivers his lines with authority.

The second thing that struck me was the parallel to my new children's book A RemarkableTale from the Land of Podd. Just as England was on the threshold of war, so also the king in my story is in trouble, with enemy troops on his country's border. He needs a hero to save the land, but everyone he asks to help is more aware of his or her shortcomings and refuses. The king in my story also has an issue to overcome. Instead of a speech impediment, he doesn't like his feet. Either way, the important thing is to take action.

We all have shortcomings that we're often painfully aware of. This should not disqualify us from doing our part when called upon.

"and even though he didn't like his own feet..."

Read more about The King's Speech.
A Remarkable Tale is available online here.

Live courageously. The world needs your voice.

Local Art Scene: A Few Images from Yesterday's Action

Interesting configuration of the numbers yesterday. Saturday the 13th, which turned out to be 12-13-14. I don't think anything like that can occur for nearly a hundred years, can it? (On August 9, 2110 it will be 8-9-10. I don't think January 2, 2103 counts, unless you accept the abbreviated 03 and called it 1-2-3, but I am going to rule that out.)

There was a lot happening yesterday. In addition to numerous collections of artists in various locations (Lakeside, Superior, London Road) Chris Monroe had a book signing at the Bookstore at Fitgers, and I had two book signings accompanied by Ian Welshons, the young illustrator from Stillwater who brought my story to life.

Festive booths constructed by Steve McDonald.

Ian and I began at the Red Mug Coffehouse in the Board of Trade Building in Superior. But before carrying things in I ran across the street to the ChristkindlMarket, the art-centric "peoples' square" kitty-corner from the Historic Board of Trade (and former police station here). Each Saturday they gather to sell their wares, with a bonfire to keep customers warmed and fresh.

The space has a scenic Christmas card feel, with bright colors and all the trimmings you might find on an old-fashioned Christmas carnival. There were familiar faces in several of the booths, including Heike and Steve McDonald of Heike's Creations.

Brian and Rebecca Minor had a tent there as well, with the North Shore-Opoly game displayed, along with other cool gift ideas.

From here it was over to the Red Mug to set up our event. Thank you to Suzanne Johnson for the invitation, and so I could read A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd to the friends and patrons gathered there.

In addition to the book itself, Ian had made several enlargements of illustrations from the books, which we displayed as well. It was fun listening to Ian share stories about the process he used to produce each illustration. I had no idea that at least one of the pictures was re-worked 9 times in order to get a satisfying outcome. Ian did a masterful job throughout, and we're both thrilled with the final product.

From there we slipped across the bridge to the Armory Annex to be part of the Holiday Celebration there which included music, art and more. The Forging Community blacksmiths make their home here as does (at this time) Pierce & Piszczek Fine Pianos. It is also the office space/HQ for the Armory Arts and Music Center, which continues to labor on behalf of the future restoration of the Historic Armory.

All in all, a good day.... and home in time for a yummy late supper.  

Tonya Borgeson shows how to work the wheel.

Aurora Baer sang from the heart.

Twin Ports Arts Scene: Openings and Events This Coming Weekend

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." ~Roy L. Smith

Christmas is closing in fast, and with it the last three performances of The Nutcracker by the Duluth Symphony at the DECC, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's a rundown of other things to consider for the weekend ahead as alternatives to the mall.

Grand Opening of Studio 15

Friday December 12, 7:00 p.m.
Billed as "Food, Drinks, Art, and Fun", Studio 15 is celebrating its opening just in time for friends to find locally made arts and gifts. The gallery, located at part-way up the block on 3rd Avenue West, features work by Lydia Walker, Nina Holz, Richard Rosvall, Todd Olson, Joseph Thoennes, Steven R. Mangan, Janet Billig, Heidi LeWren, Joanna Hanson, Kathy Holz, Robert Adams, Sean MacManus, Heather Leopold, Lisa KC, and Terri Spenser.

AICHO's Second Annual Biiboon Bimaadizimin 
This is the second year for this event, which starts Friday from 3-6 p.m. and continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. This event is organized to help support Native and Local Artists and Entrepreneurs. You can shop, eat or just simply visit.

"Support" at The PROVE

This student curated show also serves as a fund-raiser.
UMD graduating seniors of Jen Deitrich’s senior seminar course have collaborated with Prøve Gallery to open the exhibition “Support.” They have spent the semester working hands on with Prøve to develop concepts, learn the daily operations of running the gallery, and the process of developing an art exhibition in a professional setting. Opening reception is this Friday from 7 till 11 p.m.

A Remarkable Tale Book Signing

Saturday December 13, 2:00 p.m.
The Red Mug Coffeehouse in the Historic Board of Trade Building in Superior will be hosting a book signing with a reading by Ed Newman (that's me) from his newly published children’s picture book, A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd. Here's your chance to meet illustrator and UMD graduate Ian Welshons of Stillwater who will also be present.

A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd uses wry Seussian humor, rhyme, and captivating illustrations to teach an important lesson about self-awareness and self-worth. No matter how we perceive ourselves, we can make the most of what we’ve got—and others probably won’t even notice what we don’t like about ourselves anyway.

Holiday Celebration at the Armory Annex
Saturday December 13, 2:00-8:00 p.m.

The Armory Annex is located at 1325 London Road in the former Perkins Restaurant building.
This Holiday Celebration is hosted by the Armory Arts & Music Center, Snoodle Ceramic Studio & Gallery, and our local Forging Community. There will be music, games, art for sale by multiple artists, demonstrations and information on how you can become involved in everything happening there. This is a Free, family-friendly event. Artists include-Aurora Baer/ performing music, Tonya Borgeson, Kitty Jacquot, Mike Joens, Ed Newman, Esther Piszczek, Brian Rauvola, Sharon Rogers, Richard Rosvall, Melanie Sternberg, Adam Swanson, Claire Witt, Unicornucopia’s Handmade Ornaments, Pierce & Piszczek Fine Pianos, and Forging Community blacksmiths.

At 5:00 p.m. Ian and I will be on hand to sign copies of A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd

* * * *

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Celebrate it.

Wordless Wednesday (Almost): Seven Illlustrations from A Remarkable Tale

Illustrations by Ian Welshons.

Story by Ed Newman

Now available from Createspace.

https://www.createspace.com/4947013