S.P.A.C.E. for Classical Music:
Dempster St Pro Musica Debuts With Extraordinary Concert

By Mary Mumrbue

The musicians of Dempster St Pro Musica - Michael Henoch, oboe; Nathan Cole, violin; Brant Taylor, cello; and Lawrence Neuman, viola - performed on July 25 at S.P.A.C.E., the Society for Preservation of Arts and Culture in Evanston.
Photo courtesy of Dempster St Pro Musica

The debut of the Dempster St Pro Musica on July 25 was a coup for those residents of Evanston who took the opportunity to hear this extraordinary concert.

Michael Henoch, assistant principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, founded the Dempster St Pro Musica earlier this year.

The group - Mr. Henoch, oboe; Nathan Cole, violin; Lawrence Neuman, viola; and Brant Taylor, cello - will have no fixed personnel or repertoire for its 2008-09 season. DSPM was established specifically to present concerts in residence at S.P.A.C.E (Society for the Preservation of Arts and Culture in Evanston), a new concert space at 1245 Chicago Ave.

The musicians who performed at the July 25 debut concert are all members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Musicians who play with DSPM at its Nov. 2 and March 29 concerts will be drawn from other outstanding chamber music ensembles of both local and national repute.

Musicians who are members of world-class orchestras such as the CSO, often participate in projects such as DSPM that challenge their abilities and broaden their artistic horizons.

Mr. Henoch told the audience on July 25 that the majority of serenades by Mozart were background music for social occasions. Popular understanding of the serenade is based almost entirely on the works of Mozart, he said. The majority of Mozart's serenades were composed in Salzburg for local patrons - entertainment music performed for affluent Salzburg families on a regular basis.

The July 25 performance of Serenade in C major (K.439), was an unforgettable and spirited interpretation of this work in a more intimate setting. The first thing that stood out about this group was their beautiful overall tone. The changes in tempi, subtly matched dynamics and phrasing, and lively short solos kept listeners riveted. The DSPM blended seamlessly.

The Beethoven String Trio in G major, written early in Beethoven's career, was sensitively played by Nathan Cole; violin, Lawrence Neuman; viola, and Brant Taylor; cello. The richness of each instrument complemented the others as one string player took over the melodic line from one another.

Last on the program was Haydn's Divertimento in B flat (Hob.11:4), which integrated the oboe into the chamber concept. A divertimento is almost always performed with one player per part, and DSPM performed this piece as intended, with a small ensemble.

In both the Mozart and the Haydn pieces, Mr. Henoch demonstrated fluid technique and played with clean and accurate articulations while making the most complex passages flow, apparantly without effort. His interpretations are characterized by their subtlety and richness of nuance; and his tone was beautiful - full, changing and intense.

The serenade, a lively and lyrical musical form of the Classical period, is full of elaborate exchanges and technical demands that are especially appealing for the strings.

From the outset the considerable poise and virtuosity of the brilliant players of the Dempster St Pro Musica engaged the listeners in a sound world of elegant melodic line and rich texture.

S.P.A.C.E.'s "Serenade for a Summer's Evening," was an energetic beginning to the DSPM season and a wonderful introduction to anyone who has not heard a performance there. The two concerts on Nov. 2 and March 29 promise to be equally fine evenings.

Free Tibet

Led by a 77- year-old Tibetan monk who spent 33 years in prison and by Jig Me Norbu, the Dalai Lama's nephew, approximately 40 Tibetans marched from the library on Church Street around the downtown area of Evanston on Aug. 7, carrying signs urging freedom for Tibet. Many passersby shouted their support; passing cars honked.

Mr. Norbu told the RoundTable that a core group of about 10 persons marched from Madison, Wis., starting on July 25 and were to complete their march for Tibet's independence at the Water Tower on Michigan Avenue in Chicago on Aug. 8, the day the Summer Olympics began in China.

China invaded Tibet in 1949 and fully occupied the country in 1959. In the 1960s, the UN declared Tibet an illegally occupied nation. The Dalai Lama has led the Tibetan Government in exile from Dharamsala, India, since 1959.

'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society'

A Book Review By Sue Brooke

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" is a delightful new novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and her niece, Annie Barrows. Written as a series of letters from 1946, when England was just digging out from World War II, the book's style is reminiscent of Helen Hampf's "84 Charing Cross Road."

Juliet, now 32, is on tour for a recently published collection of columns she wrote during the War. She is not sure this is what she wants to be doing, and her letters to editors and friends will make readers smile.

The novel explores, among other things, some of the ways reading can change lives. Guernsey, a British island located just off the coast of France, was occupied by the Nazis during the War. Despite the deprivations they endured there, a small group survived by meeting to discuss books. They are a wonderful mixture of characters who, for one reason or another, are stuck on the island. When Dawsey Adams finds Juliet's name on the dust jacket of one of his books, he contacts her. Eventually everyone in the group is writing to her, revealing a great deal about the years of occupation through their letters.

This is a thoughtful and poignant story, told with great charm, about how humor, friendship and loyalty -- along with reading -- helped these characters endure horrible times.

As for the title of the book, the Potato Peel Pie was concocted by one of the islanders in a time when sugar, salt and flour were rationed or impossible to find. Using "mashed potatoes for filling, strained beets for sweetness, and potato peelings for crust," the group created the pie they served at their book discussions.

Filled with colorful and charming characters, the book transports the reader to a time and place well worth exploring.

'Mamma Mia'

A Film Review By Dan Helt

This movie is best described as a Shakespearian comedy set to ABBA. It stars Meryl Streep as a single mom raising a daughter on a Greek island. Her daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) has never known the identity of her father - nor does her mother - and takes her forthcoming wedding as an opportunity to find out. She invites all three men who might be her father to the wedding.

The thin plot - story by Catherine Johnson - is just an excuse for singing, and music by the Swedish rock group ABBA makes everyone want to sing.

This movie is fun. The actors are having fun, and the fun is infectious. I cannot remember another movie where I laughed out loud so often.

The film has been panned, its critics complaining that the movie does not have the feel of a big Hollywood musical. Even those who have panned the movie agree it is fun and many, this reviewer among them, feel it was charming. The choreography is oscar-worthy.

ABBA, a rock group in the 80s, was composed Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad, Agnetha Åse Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. After the group split, Mr. Ulvaeus and Mr. Andersson went on to write the musical "Chess" - a hit in London but a Broadway flop. Their newest creation, "Mamma Mia," is still a hit on Broadway. The movie is rated PG and runs just less than two hours. I give it five Greek salads (five being the best) and a double scoop of popcorn, because few will see this movie just once.

School Supplies for Budding Environmentalists

By Mayre Press

Dear Eco Gal,
It's time to shop for back-to-school supplies. I'm concerned about the environment and bring my lunch in reusable containers and recycle as much as possible. Where can I shop for Earth-friendly school supplies?
- Green Student

Dear Green Student,

Sounds as though you're a budding environmentalist. Kudos for your commitment to buying green school supplies. Even big-box retailers carry a selection of green products. Be aware though, that not all items carried online are available at retail stores. Some savvy retailers let you order products online for pickup at your local store, so check out this possibility.

Pentel, a well-known maker of writing instruments, has introduced a new product line they call Recycology, which employs "the science of reduce, reuse and recycle." The line includes refillable highlighters with a plastic case made of 54 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. There are two kinds of liquid gel pens, one made of 50 percent and the other of 57 percent recycled material. Several styles of automatic pencils are made from recycled content ranging from 16 percent up to 72 percent plastic. Visit www.pentel.com to see the complete product line.

If you use a pen or pencil made from recycled material, shouldn't the paper you're writing on be equal to the task? Ampad sells a variety of wirebound notebooks made from 50 percent recycled fiber with 30 percent post-consumer content. Their line of legal pads come in three sizes and is made with up to 100 percent recycled paper. Ampad products are sold locally at Staples, but check their website first (www.staples.com).

Give vinyl three-ring binders the heave-ho with a Presstex round-ring binder from Acco. Made with moisture-resistant pressboard that contains 50 percent recycled content using 19 percent post-consumer waste, these Earth-friendly binders keep homework organized. To create even more order in your binders, Avery makes recycled content protectors. Both items are sold online at www.logsdonofficesupply.com.

Students and teachers will give high marks to AusPen Markers. They are made from 100 percent recyclable material, use non-toxic ink and are both refillable and recyclable. Designed for use with whiteboards, one refillable AusPen Marker can keep approximately 20 pounds of toxic waste out of the landfill. Go to www.auspenmarkers.com for details.

Music, streaming videos, photos and homework assignments can eat up storage space on your computer. If an upgrade is in your future, try Western Digital's "Caviar Green" with 500GB storage. Green drives from WD yield average drive power savings of 4-5 watts over competitors' drives while maintaining solid performance. That power savings equates to reducing CO2 emission by up to 60 kilograms per drive per year, which is the equivalent of taking your car off the road for 14 days each year. WD products are sold locally at Staples, Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Depot and CompUSA. Remember to check whether the product is available in-store or online before you shop.

When recording videos or saving text and photos, look for rewritable CDs and DVDs. Maxell and Verbatim make media storage disks specifically designed to be reusable. These products are sold at office supply and electronics retail stores.

If you're planning ahead for 2009, be sure to find calendars or planners printed on recycled paper. Some are even printed using non-toxic ink. Brands to look for include At-A-Glance and Visual Organizer and can be found at office-supply vendors.

A good thing to remember when shopping is to look for the chasing arrows that symbolize "Reduce-Reuse-Recycle" and you'll earn a green star.

Contact Eco Gal at info@evanstonroundtable.com or ecogal247@yahoo.com.

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Nominees Sought For Environmental Service Awards

The Evanston Environment Board is seeking nominees for its annual Environmental Service Award, which honors the efforts of Evanstonians who have demonstrated exemplary stewardship of the environment.

The Board will announce winners at this fall's Green Living Festival, which takes place at the Ecology Center 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 4. The community is invited to submit nominations for this award by Sept. 8 to Karen Taira, Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston, IL 60201 or ktaira@cityofevanston.org.

Each nomination should provide name, title or organization, and a brief description of the candidate's accomplishments. Call Karen Taira at 847-448-8256 with questions.

'Pineapple Express'

A Film Review By Brian Murphy

"Pineapple Express" is many things. It is a stoner comedy. It is a stoner romance. It is perhaps the first stoner action film, replete with gangsters, car chases, shootouts and gratuitous violence.

When this mixed bag of genres threatens to derail the plot, "Pineapple Express" falls back on its greatest asset and the true heart of the film, the stoner buddy comedy.

Hearkening back to Cheech and Chong's classic, "Up in Smoke," Seth Rogen ("Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin") and James Franco ("The Spider-Man" trilogy) shine as a dynamic, deluded duo who embark on an excellent, drug-addled adventure.

Mr. Rogen's Dale Denton, an employed process server, spends his days smoking pot and issuing subpoenas while donning a vast array of costumes. Dale calls up daytime talk radio shows and dreams of becoming a talk show host. When his supply runs out, he visits his dealer, Saul (Mr. Franco), who lets Denton sample a rare type of herb called Pineapple Express.

At the outset, the two do not seem to have much in common other than their habit, but after Dale tries to serve Saul's supplier (Gary Cole) with a subpoena, he witnesses a murder that puts the two on the run from both cops and gangsters.

The resulting chaos and subsequent violence almost dilutes the comedy from this very funny film, but farcical action scenes, ludicrous fist-fights and the improvisational chemistry between best buds Mr. Rogen and Mr. Franco hold the film together.

While "Pineapple Express" might appear to be suited for a specific, smoked-out audience, fans of funnyman Mr. Rogen, who wrote the screenplay with childhood buddy Evan Goldberg (the pair also collaborated on "Superbad" and episodes of "Da Ali G Show"), will appreciate their adolescent, random humor. The two mine every ounce of humor imaginable from inane conversations and slapstick comedy.

Further, Hollywood's current comedy king, writer/director/producer Judd Apatow, who has had his hands on a string of box-office hits ("Knocked Up," "Anchorman..." "Talladega Nights"), dedicates himself to projects that usually revolve around men who refuse to grow up.

The film nails the drug subculture, as does Richard Linklater's "Dazed and Confused," and yet it also reaches beyond the drugs, as does Showtime's family "dramady" "Weeds."

The looseness of the production, from a random soundtrack of stoner classics by Eddie Grant, Cypress Hill and Peter Tosh, with songs by Bel Biv Devoe and Robert Palmer, to the inclusion of scenes that can best be described as outtakes (such as Rosie Perez breaking character as Gary Cole clearly invents dialogue off the top of his head) seems to be Mr. Rogen, Mr. Goldberg, Mr. Apatow and director David Gordon Green's way of screaming, "Yes, we know our characters are doing illegal drugs. Yes, we know there is blood and people are getting shot. No, Dale and Saul are not positive role models for your kids. It's only a movie! Chill, please."

Conservative and anti-drug groups will likely have a field day condemning the film for glamorizing its druggy action heroes. I find it hard to take a film too seriously in which a man is shot several times and is blown up, and who then walks out unscathed at the end. Besides, our stoners end up still dreaming at the film's end, their goals unmet.

Mr. Rogen, an admitted pot-smoker, throws his two cents in the debate at the film's beginning, where a 1937 government experiment shows a soldier (SNL's Bill Hader) smoking marijuana to test the effects on humans. He lets his superiors know what he really thinks of them. Like the rest of the film, it is a random moment of comic green.

Rated R

Thursday Is Dance Time In Downtown Evanston

There is still time to dance under the stars to a live band on Thursday night in downtown Evanston at the 909 Davis Plaza, Maple Avenue and Church Street (next to the Davis el stop).

On Aug. 21, Cesar Salinas will teach dance steps from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m., followed by dancing to live music by One Foot in the Groove which plays classic rock of the 1980s classic rock of the 1980s. The event, sponsored by EVMark is free and open to all ages.