Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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l^c) m presents j use to be encore editor RUTH NETTLES This Tuesday, Aug. 25, in the Russell House ballroom, it won't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. Carolina Productions and WUSC are working together to bring swing to USC. The free program will star Seven Foot Politic, an on-the-rise swing band, and dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Michelle Graham and the other dancers from the Fred Astaire studio plan not only to demonstrate swing, but also to teach basic steps, turns and spins, and kicks, as well. "Seven Foot Politic is the best up-and-coming swing band around," said Vance- McNabb, production manager of The Elbow Room. "People litUGHTS! CAMEM! REACTION! RETURN TO PARADISE out of five stars Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Anne Heche, Vince Vaughn and David Conrad. Directed by Joseph Ruben. Sheriff (Vaughn), Lewis (Phoenix) and Tony (Conrad) became close friends after spending a monthlong vacation in Penang, Malaysia. The vacation was a reckless spree that two years later would test the bounds of their friendship and tragically alter their lives. Sheriff and Tony would be pressed to return to paradise to save an imprisoned Lewis's life-a decision that would imperil their own lives. gamecock critic JENNIFER STANLEY "Return to Paradise" left me feeling confused and angry. I'm a sucker for happy endings and this didn't do it for me. The story is about friendship in its purest form. It makes the audience ask themselves if they would be able to sacrifice their liberty and maybe even their lurno fn ooim flin lifo nf anmnnnn oloo Pi ikon cfnnrro IIYCO iaj oavc uic mc ui ouuicvuc cioc. ivuutu ouuigo together this story with beautiful scenery of Malaysia and an in-depth look at characters. While Heche and Vaughn both turn in good performances, I had trouble with the romantic relationship between Vaughn and Heche's characters. While the end product was sweet, the only thing keeping the end from being completely depressing, there was no transition between an acquaintance-type relationship and a romantic one. People don't have dinner once, an argument or two and all of the sudden fall in love. It wasn't believable. Phoenix, however, steals the show. His speech from behind his cell evoked sympathy and sadness. "Return to Paradise," while it tended to be a bit slow, was a thinking movie, raising questions about society, imprisonment and friendship. USC tneafc features editor KRISTIN FREESTATE ci When Jim O'Connor tries to describe the si theater, the first word that comes to his mind is "beer." 11 "[Theater is] constantly like you're in a brewery, and there are ideas and emotions and groups ti of people," said O'Connor, the chair of the De- ri partment of Theatre, Speech and Dance. g "Parts you can control, and parts are always a surprise." a It's the reason he loves theater, and it's the reason he's looking forward to the upcom- ol ing season of plays put on by the department, d This is the second year the department has R been working under the theme, "At the Millenium's Edge," and this year, O'Connor hopes to ft continue to explore that theme in terms of so- ir ciological issues and the idea of civilization, a See i We offer full or part 1 schedule friendly", with a schedule that looking for friendly, work on one of the f teams in the countr) All Positions availal 115 Afton Court Colu _En a swingin erally get up and dance on the tables when they play for us." .TnnofVion Pallinnt rinffln PomnKnll onrl uuiiuiduui vumwut, vji unii vcuupuuu, cuiu JL/a*iu Parker recently added trumpet player Jason Sneath to the band. The name of their band came from the James Joyce novel, Ulysses. Their music has been described in many ways, from swing, to alternative, to a combination of jazz and ska. "They're really a swing-rockabilly combination kind of band," said McNabb. The Athens, Ga.-based group has a reputation for highly spirited shows. They enjoy relaxed crowds who make it even more fun for them. in the last few years, swing has come forward in time from the Swing Era of the thirties and forgamecock critic ROB UNDSEY Vince Vaughn, primarily known for his work in Swingers and Lost World, is the center of this film. The action follows him as he grapples with a moral dilemma: to take responsibility for his past actions and lose three to six years of his freedom. or to hide from his past and let his friend die. While this seems to be a compelling situation, Vaughn's performance lacks the proper gravity, the proper tortured quality, needed to pull off a convincing characterization. Perhaps he is ultimately limited to superficial roles, posing and preening for the camera. The supporting cast is a little better, however. Anne Heche and especially Joaquin Phoenix turn in fine performances. The last 30 minutes, centering on Phoenix's imprisoned character, are the film's saving grace. If you're looking for a thought-provoking drama, this is not it, though it could have been. Its unused potential is the biggest problem with the movie. But at least you get to see Vince Vaughn a lot. gamecock critic EMILIE GREENE After the most disappointing summer movie season in recent memory, "Return to Paradise" nffiprs a wplrnmp psranp frnm thp nrnsair artinn ~ r ~ ~ jr- w ? adventure - an intriguing, subtle film that leaves the audience with little to complain about. A good film must be both well-written and well-acted, and "Return to Paradise" succeeds at both. Wesley Strick and Bill Robinson's screenplay is clever, but rarely cliched, and realistic without being too predictable. However, it was the acting that impressed me most. Vince Vaughn's break-out performance in "Swingers" was impressive and amusing, but it is his portrayal of Sheriff that raises him into a higher caste of talented young actors. This role is the first of the year that can truly be termed Oscar-worthy. ;r's new se "We think that whole idea of civilization and ulture-building is very important," O'Connor Loi aid. she "How do we learn to live with each other? due t's a very big question the theater is asking." O'Connor intends to try to answer that ques- s jn on by staging plays set in different time pe- ^ rt/ln nn/1 *1 .?i-i r> n /-J k?r mtnliri/v tvtAWA mua aiiu Luituiai settings anu uy inviting iuuic uest directors to work with the shows. "We're bringing a lot of outside professionIs into this theater," he said. The first of those guest artists is Susan Gregg a f The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, who will irect Tennessee Williams's "Cat on a Hot Tin oof." Although Gregg and O'Connor have been Enj iends for at least 30 years, O'Connor said he of c ivited Gregg to direct because of her interest anc nd expertise in Williams. act EARN CAS FULL OR PART T] EIGHTS AND WEEKE time positions that are "c You can earn great mone : suits your needs. We ar highly motivated people astest growing restauran r. Me. Call or apply in pers mbia, SC 29212 (803) 4( ICOR i' campus' ties, when the Harlem Lindy Hop was popular. Early swing was derived from many styles of mu- i sic and evolved into many styles. The Jitterbug and Shag are related to swing, and there are now East and West Cost styles of swing. Now the dance has come into the nineties with ( the popularity of bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Cherry Poppin' Daddys. Songs like "Zoot Suit Riot" are always on the radio, and Hollywood has chimed in with movies like "Swing Kids" and "Swingers." On television, there are are khakiclad youth swinging through Gap commercials. Carolina Production Performing Arts Commissioner Kara Jones predicts attendance around 200; however, the ballroom can accommodate 600. Sheriff (Vince Vaughn) and Beth (Anne Hech Paradise" is the story of three men, their vac: life and death. Heche's character, a lawyer American. Meanwhile, she falls in love with th At times, the audience may disagree with Sheriffs actions, but the character is always sympathetic and appealing. Another actor might have overplayed the role, but Vaughn is effortless and thoroughly convincing. Anne Heche also performs well and is easy to watch, but she is overshadowed by both Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix, whose prison scenes are especially powerful. Though I suspected the outcome of the movie just from seeing the previews, the good dialogue and well-developed characters prevented any boredom I might have experienced. Even if ason begir Gregg, who flew in Wednesday from St. An _ . r 1_ i.l_ J _ 1 j_1 1. A uis, is oi mucn we same minu, aunuugn weie a ! calls the play "fiendishly difficult" to pro- be in t :e correctly. agencj The story line, as familiar as it is deceptively lple, examines the tensions that exist be- We cai jen members of a Southern family. ^ ' fprpnt "I think there's a misperception about what s play is about," Gregg said. *"Cat< "It's really not about Brick [the main char- direct er's] sexuality. It's about denial, mendacity, Longsl ise human things we do to exist or survive." ty? me Like "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," each of the exjsj. ^ er four plays, whether set in Elizabethan , gland or 1930s Harlem, explores the concept "Our onflict within the plays' individual cultures baker, I the effects those conflicts have on the char- 22, Dr ers. metho Tnn Jh 5H wc ME Th?r 10. You don1 '\mc 9- Find a11 'IN Uj. 8. You can leave th 7. Paycheck lass Your stu 5. No libra J< 4. Ample fr P 3. Book dus j_ i . tn?n ?P? - t0 2. Exciting 1 X. Don't ha L t to tho X OK, so maybe we'r? location, and you positions offer f3 Oil. at Thomas Cooper I o.. Administrative Ofi 37-3004 (777-3145) pf LL? ruesday According to Jones, a successful night on Tuesday may mean a bigger name swing band, such as Cherry Poppin' Daddys next semester. The event will cost approximately $2,600. CP and WUSC are sharing the costs. Proceeds from drinks sold at the event will go to benefit juvenile diabetes. The event is free. The dancers will begin instruction at 8 p.m. and the band will play from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. to allow participants to practice what they've learned. After Tuesday's program, those interested in learning more about swing can contact the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. The studio offers both private and group lessons. v;Sit#x 1 f SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK ie) share an intimate moment. "Return to ation in Malaysia and decisions that mean , is fighting to save the life of a young ie man who can save his life. the outcome is known, the prowess of Sheriffs struggle is compelling - due in part, I am sure, to Vaughn's compelling stage presence. An ironic billboard advertising Malaysian paradise was a shade too transparent, and the obligatory romance was a bit unnecessary, but overall, "Return to Paradise" is one of the few worthwhile filn\s of this year. Vince Vaughn and the sincere and well-writ ten script combine to create a movie that engages the audience in a way few films can. is with Wi d, according to O'Connor, if ever there ucating place to stage a conflict, that place would penal c< he theater, "the world's greatest travel *"Ah, V edbyJi leater is kind of a great rehearsal for life, a light i look at different conflicts. They look re- O'Neill they're make-believe, so we can tiy dif- ys onj^ options out," O'Connor said. 4 *"Blues lys for the 1998-99 season include: directed m a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams, T ed by Susan Gregg, Sept. 25 - Oct. 4, i^ftreet Theatre. Find out what "mendaci- *s. 11 ans in this play about the tensions that ^ ^1 >etween brother and father, parent and to ^ran vife and husband. Romeo Country's Good" by Timberlake Werten- guest di directed by Robert Richmond, Nov. 13 - speare's ayton Hall. Guards take two different broughl ds~kind and brutal~of treating and ed- ing. Ten Reasons to ( >rk-Study C sit nas Cooper Lil I I p 1% | C t have to wear a hairnet. the "interesting" sites go through people's book! e library. ! dy carrel1 or mine? ry fines. ee parking. (In West Colu t is easier to get out of cial sauce, library staff parties! 4- 1 4 a a*vrrwvi v a vo vw jlxo wv jwuj. yajkvuufl ibrary. i stretching it a bit here. But w can develop computer and library exible scheduling. Applications library for work-study positions. !ice, Mezzanine Level in the Thoni CONCERT CALENDAR Root Doctors, The Elbow Room, Aug. 20,11 pm SKWZBXX, Magnolia St. Pub (Spartanburg, SC), Aug. 20 Creed with Fuel, Finger Eleven, Spilling Poetry, Marvelous 3, King Slender, Greenville Fairgrounds (Greenville, SC), Aug. 21 Dave Matthews Band, Blockbuster Pavilion (Charlotte, NC), Aug. 21 Hall & Oates, House of Blues (Myrtle Beach, SC), Aug. 21 Snapcase, H20, Boy Sets Fire, Tremont Music Hall (Charlotte, NC), Aug. 21 Mystic Vibrations, Finlay Park Summer Concert Series, Aug. 22 Punk Rock Benefit, New Clear Days. Aug. 22 Punk/Oi Festival, The Masquerade (Atlanta, GA), Aug. 22-23 Rod Stewart, Blockbuster Pavilion (Charlotte, NC), Aug. 25 Thrill Kill Cult, The Masquerade (Atlanta, GA), Aug. 25 Smokin' Grooves (Cypress Hill, Public Enemy, Busta Rhymes, Black Eyed Peas, more), Blockbuster Pavilion (Charlotte, NC), Aug. 26 Come on Thunderchild, Magnolia St. Pub (Spartanburg, SC), Aug. 27 Stuck Mojo, Tremont Music Hall (Charlotte, NC), Aug. 28 Blues Festival (Etta Baker, Drink Small, Magic Slim, John Mookey, Skeeter Brandon), Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Aug. 29 The O'Kaysions, Finlay Park Summer Concert Series, Aug. 29 Janet Jackson, Usher, Blockbuster Pavilion (Charlotte, NC), Sept. 4 Massive Attack, The Ritz (Raleigh, NC), Sept 9 Joe Cocker, House of Blues (Myrtle Beach, SC), Sept. 12 lliams a people, as a culture is built out of the ilony in Australia. Wilderness!" by Eugene O'Neill, directm O'Connor, Feb. 12 -21, Drayton Hall, look at early 20th century America as celebrates the country and its people in ' comedy. > for an Alabama Sky" by Pearl Cleage, d by David Wiles, March 26 - April 3, eet Theatre. Another look at America, ne during the Harlem Renaissance, unsatisfied citizens who look to emigrate ce. i and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, rector, April 16 - 25, Drayton Hall. Shake5 timeless tale of love, hatred and deceit t to life on-stage with live sword fightSet a rob Drary on the web. iags when they inbia) ! your clothes i about going e are in a great skills. Many o? our are being accepted Apply at the Las Cooper Library