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Page 8 - February 27, 1985 f] TUTIfiTjf. THE GAMECOCK : . - . ,4* y * 4* '%&"" - rnmmmmmm Future star Cornelius Steton was one of the Black History Month celebration. Ringling Brotl By Robert O'Connor What can be said to further glorify an event that has transcended the years? The Ringling Brothers and Barnumand Bailey Circus cast their magnificent but sometimes unnerving anchor .jnto Columbia last ... 1. - l 1 it WCCK.CHU, uuu me rcsuu was an unforgettable one. Running last Friday through Sunday, the famous troupe's annual visit to Columbia was as elaborate and at times as garish as recent memory would serve. So embellished with lavish production is the circus that this reviewer finds it difficult to recall single details and events. CAROLINA COLISEUM was three-fourths full Su^fay afternoon as the circus gave its final performance in Columbia. The crowd was excited and^esponsive to an almost three-hour show that' included clowns, daredevil acts North Can emphasize: Marisa Porto Unbroken spirit, intensity and lr displayed by the North Carolina Dan< Township Auditorium Monday night i ne periormance impressed many with its spontaneity and originality. The 17-member cast, directed by F began with "Guiliani: Variations on sprightly dance featured Lauri Wor Prewitt. THE ATMOSPHERE of a count trayed by dance members with skill ; quaint old-fashioned costumes, comb colors and ribbons, added much to tl "Fragile Trophies" followed a 15sion. The cast members returned < greens and blacks. These drab col< significant and spiritual piece, with winning music by Karel Husa. Dancer Pearl Potts beautifully \ Dove." a svmhnl of linhmlcn cr freedom. The Hussite war song from the 1! Warriors of God and His Law" began symbolized man's resistance to confii strong, passionate nature of "Fragile 1 a symbol of the prison that encompas tain nations. THE CONTINUAL SOUND of ch bined with the chanting of the cast m< of victory as well as distress. The piec portrayed by the ensemble an< choreographed by Helen Douglas. Though many of the audience meml piece strange, it displayed the talen Carolina Dance Theater in a way the not. Pearl Potts' wildness and intei with the structured rigidity of "The C perfect piece for the troupe. "Pentimento," choreographed by > with music by Bach, allowed individ the cast to showcase their talents. The perfection and timing in "Pe masterful. The cast members took th< one peak moment to the next. The me uniquely individual and intense, despi ment in the whole "painting." THE DANCE THEATER is a profi of the North Carolina School of the A - : Bj^ t 11111:1?^??%^ ?i nnrfnrmprc in Qnnrtnu'g "Col..?~ ?i? y-w. IW> ?* w III WMiiuuy 0 UUIU (D IU (11(7 lers circus off and disturbing animal exhibitions. Perhaps the most appealing detail of the circus were the clowns. Although the simplest aspect of a tiring show are the clown acts, the Ringling Brother clown ensemble was pleasant and refreshing. Comedy was obnoxius, but one cannot help but think the clowns are the most actively entertaining vehicle in the performance. Clowns seem more enjoyable oecause tney seem to try the hardest. This year's show was a lengthy and sometimes tiring one (or perhaps this critic is feeling his age). Regardless, a capacity of happiness and obvious energy was missing. Smiles on performers' faces seemed glued on, animals were ready to 1^.1 over and nap, and the darede^r acts were short and unsatisfying, Much of the cifckis this year was spent on elegantly tacky costumes and dawvc routines that were borilina RqIIqI .sin i vi uy iku I s thematic which worked wi /ely dance were pieces, made its m :e Theater at the "Fragile Trophies Director Robcr in the audience Salvatore Aiello sh formance and a fi Lobert Lindgren, occurred - a dan a Theme." This troupe recovered rill and Richard audience. Cast members ry fair was por- David Bushman, I and beauty. The bell, Beverly Cha lined with bright Crevier, Robin Fr; le festive piece. Traci Owens, Mel minute intermis- Prewitt, Lauri Wo iressed in dark also be congratulal Drs made for a cident into a posii Pulitzer Prize- their production st portrayed "The The lighting anc >irit, pride and excellent, although outshone the othc simplicity of drab 5th-century "Ye background portrj the piece, which emptiness of life r nine idpslc Th*> barouue cnstnmpc frophies" is also ses all Iron Cur- . IHL USC Cultui interesting shows v urch bells, com- wa^ definitely ;mbers, is a sign trouPe d?P?ay?l Pr :e was magically modern dance that J passionately f !*e dance t of the year gave ki Theater and Care >ers thought this Series Com">ittec. t of the North other pieces did The North Caro isity, combined South Carolina's B iuard," was the close. The North < practice and skill, v /icente Nebrada seeing, ual members of So the next time them. Thev offer timed, emotional | ntimento" were within the next few s audience from at The Township o mbers remained Their strength ir te their involve- ticket money for a really don't enjoy t this for you too. / essional affiliate group of young pe ,rts. The troupe, won't fail. i m - -j 4 -,""-"iv.^* -.1 m * v ~ RAY GRONBERG I Ths Gamecock Stars" talent show, part of USC's ers elaborate ing at tim$: Upsetting were the smiles that had no real emotion behind them. A huge cast and ; troupe dancing ?ll together in the more classical ain impression in the more abstract ? t Lindgren and associate director lould be congratulated on a fine perine cast. Though one small mishap cer fell during the first piece ? the and overwhelmed the Township William Bartlett, Jeffery Bullock, uarieen callaghan, Edward Campimbers, Christye Chantal, Jeffrey anklin, Ralph Hewitt, Paul Maley, issa Pittman, Pearl Potts, Richard rrill and Terri Lynn Wright should ed. They turned an unfortunate intive experience for themselves and aff. 1 costuming for all the pieces were i, once again, "Fragile Trophies" :rs in designs and costumes. The green and black against a barren ayed the harshness and spiritual nuch more so than the beautifully in "Pentimento." ral Series Committee presents many /ith many talented individuals, but one of the better productions. The ofessionalism, passion and flair for most groups seem incapable of. heater of this semester and maybe ados to the North Carolina Dance )lina Program Union's Cultural lina Dance Theater may not rival allet Theater but it certainly comes Carolina troupe, with a bit more vill mature into a group well-worth this group is in town, don't miss a variety of well-practiced, wellDeices which may come to bloom w?orc o... .u~ ?ce .1 ;vuu. uui me liiuii nicy put iurm n Monday was not overlooked. ? modern dance will be worth the ny ballet fan. And for those who he ballet, there's a bit of culture in \t least you can watch a talented ople try for the stars ? and they Music's fine By Robert O'Connor The Grammy awards, telecast live little surprise for many establishe* 1984. Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Lauper triumphed in the generally ti awards presentation with accepta mances. This year's Grammy Aware most unsurprising in recent memor Tina Turner, who host John Den having the most successful comeba< dominated the awards ceremony, huge hit "What's Love Got To 1 47-year-old Turner was awarded wit the year and best pop and rock fern, received a standing ovation by th audience. THE ONLY surprise last night wt out cold as far as awards went, awarded the best new artist. Lauj senseless choices as Corey Hart and Hollywood. Sporting blindingly i melodramatically sang "Time Aftei Bruce Springsteen, the hero of 198 standard "Born In The USA" LP, 1 male vocalist. Springsteen, who e: Julianne Phillips to the festivies, Richie for the prestigious award. Ric the year for last year's "Can't Slow Phil Collins received the best pop ' his "Against All Odds" single, nominated in two other categories, although not present, won a Gram production, s dozens of choreographed moves failed to make a big or entertaining dent. THE MAIN REASON this critic was turned off is because of the animal treatment. Naturally, most of the animals were well-trained and groomed, but how much enjoyment can an animal have under these circumstances? Particularly noticeable were the bears and elephants in outlandish costumes and forced moods of complacency. Animal tricks are stupid, as emphasized by David Letterman, and some are downright inhumane. Thoueh the animnk wptp rewarded with food for doing "a good job," they were punished on more occasions. On other and more positive hand, then*, were some very pleasant aspects to the circus. Besides The flfcrsG'ivil acts were not as plentiful as in recent years, nor were they as daring. The three v;. y; y Itthak Perlman, one of the world's Township Auditoriu Itzhak Perlm From Staff Reports The Columbia Music Festival / celebrate its Golden Anniversary highlight performance by internatic violinist ItzhakPerlmanon Thursdi p.m. at the Township Auditorium. Perlman, in his second Columbia CMFA, joins a distinguished list ol performed for Columbia audiences years under the association's auspi< Perlman holds many Grammy i ist honored a album "Making last night, offered beat out The Ei r\ miicar* ninvWr f Mnrln Uonrvn* ^ iiiujiv ^uun,-) ui IVAVIIV nag^ai his heart-felt "1 Prince and Cyndi resome three-hour PRINCE, W1 nces and perfor- winning conten Is seemed to be the deservedly so. H y. won as best alb ver attributed with the award for be :k in rock history, his performanc After singing her Prince's third < Do With It," the rhythm and blue h the best single of For You." ale singers. Turner ie entire Grammy Chaka Khan, eback, was awai tist. She sane " is that'Lauper was The Pointer S although she was on Automatic )cr beat out such smash hit Jum I Frankie Goes To Pr9^uccr red hair, Lauper tfwo nominees. . ?? James Anthony 4 for the generally BEST GOSPi won the best rock for her single "A scorted girlfriend ment Award wa beat out Lionel Nearly 6,000 I hie won album of last night's cerei Down." The results were vocalist award for expected. Certai while he was teen exemplify tl I M! 1 * ? iviicncai jacKSon, 1984 was an my for his video awards cmphasi; enseless anim rii were full of of talented and polished acts, but key elements seemed to be missing. One performer was shot out of a cannon, while three families performed on the trapeze and tightrope. THE TRAPEZE acts were shortened versions of what one would expect and would hardly evoke a sense of suspense.Somersaults and swinging ruled that element of the circus performance.The body contortionists were interesting enough, especially a male duo who exhibited an exorU!a - " " imam amount oi strength. The spotlighted performer who was shot out of a cannon was perhaps the single most stupid moment of the show. he tightrope walkers also^?ve a short display of their innovative talents. The suspense level was om4f*resent for the most part, bi^he performers were tired and ready to end seemingly before they started. foremost violinists, is disking his sac m performance an coming to t recordings. His i \ssociation will the standard vio Season with a new composers, nally acclaimed Perlman's acc< ly, Feb. 28 at 8 Sanders, a nativ Sanders has serv< appearance for 20 years, is supei F star3 that have ment and gives n during the past Tickets are $ :es. available at the < awards for his information, call t Grammys [ Micheal Jackson's Thriller," which jrythmics and The Cars. d won best country male vocalist for hat's The Way Love Goes." HO was touted as the night's biggest der, won in many categories, and is superior soundtrack "Purple Rain" um soundtrack. Prince also collected st rock performance by a rock duo for C with his hnnH Th*? Hid unexpected award was for best s songwriter for Chaka Khan's "I Feel who also made somewhat of a comded best female rhythm and blues arI Feel For You" to an excited crowd, isters won for best vocal arrangement ' and best pop performance for their P." of the year catagory was shared by Lionel Richie won the award with Carmicheal and David Foster. CL vocalist was Amy Grant, who won mgels." The annual Lifetime Achieve s awarded to Leonard Bernstein. Recording Academy members voted in nonies in seven chapters nation wide, not so much dismaying as they were nly, Tina Turner, Prince and Springshe past year. important year for music, and the jed that. lal treatment the wonderful comedy from the Ringling Brothers clowns, the outlandish costuming was hilarious and intriguing enough to keep a dozing attention. Also, Tom Thumb and his wife were tru ly enigmatic and seemed to enjoy what they were doing. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey circus can not be criticized for trying, because it is apparent that they did in many spots. Exhaustion was the main problem this year. AND PERHAPS that is the simple explanation to this critic's disillusionment. And maybe there relly isn't anyone to blame. There is no denying that the circus had many enjoyable points. ! r However, this reviewer cannot' help but feel that that feertainment shnillH nr>t hp fr\rr#?H rtr at t ho expense of defenseless animals. jgj| ".-"-" X fflS???1 W v: n .gg pip 'r-Z Tir^y^^sIz7. ;5":~n?Z and Columbia appearance. own tomorrow epertoire is vast, encompassing all lin literature and many works by whose efforts he has championed. 3mpanist for the concert is Samuel c New Yorker and avid educator. :d as a Juillard faculty member for visor of the accompanying departnaster classes all over the country. 25, $20, SI5 and $10 and are CMFA office at 1132 Bull St. For I 771-6303. i