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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2016)
22 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Have a laugh with live radio theater KALA hosts performance of ‘Fibber McGee and Molly’ and ‘The Goon Show’ ASTORIA — Do you yearn for the live radio programs of yesteryear? Indulge your nostalgia Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19 and 20 when “Station KBS 780” presents Live Radio Theater at KALA. If the station doesn’t ring a bell, for longtime coastal theater goers the names Ken Chapman and Kay Bredleau will. In 1979, the two lo- cal actors portrayed “The Odd Couple” in an Astoria theater space (now Fulio’s Restaurant) and remained inspired friends, performing in many local theater pro- ductions. Chapman was the longtime theater instructor at Astoria High School, and soon his wife, Ardi Urell, a dancer and choreographer, as well as one-time Knappa High School drama teacher and professional actor Arnie Hummasti joined the thespi- an group. Now, Chapman and Urell want to bring old-time radio from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s back to life. They fore- see an on-stage radio theater company that will take au- diences back to the days of radio waves, live recordings and sound effects. Produced by Urell, the project is an homage to Kay and his wife Evelyn Bred- leau, who have both passed, and may serve as a fundrais- ing tool for local charities and nonproits. To kickoff the project Aug. 19 and 20, Hummasti will direct the iconic “Fibber McGee and Molly” in “The Piano Lesson.” From1935 to 1959, millions tuned their radios every Tuesday night to NBC’s “Fibber McGee and Molly” radio comedy series to chuckle over the adventures of radio’s most beloved couple. It became the country’s top-rated show, beating out the likes of Bob Hope and Jack Benny. The cast for this KALA performance of the episode “The Piano Lesson” includes Walt Trumbull, Dinah Urell, Soie Kline, Slab Slabinski, Jane Hill and Dexter Greg- ory — replete with sound effects. Then, in another blast from the past, longtime coastal director Sheila Schaffer will direct “The Affair of the Loan Banana” episode from the early ’50s British radio comedy “The Sign up for September writing workshops Nick Jaina to lead workshops at Sou’Wester Lodge SEAVIEW, Wash. — Port- land musician and author Nick Jaina will lead a set of writing workshops at the Sou’Wester Lodge this September. Set for Monday through Thursday, Sept. 12 to 15, the workshops focus on all the good things that writing can do for your mental and emotional state, how it can bring you closer to people, and how it can help you understand the world. Rather than just trying to make something marketable, work- shop attendees will work on discovering the interesting, funny and wonderful ideas that are sitting inside of them. Workshops will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 2 to 5 p.m. Students can sign SUBMITTED PHOTO Nick Jaina will lead creative writing workshops this Sep- tember in Seaview. up for the workshop and then pick the time slot they prefer. You can sign up for one day or all four. Cost is $100 for all four days or $30 per day. A musician and writer, Jaina has toured the world during the last decade, releas- ing several albums on HUSH Records and Fluff & Gravy Records. His irst book, “Get It While You Can,” is a mem- oir about a love of music and the world. The book was a inalist for the 2016 Oregon Book Award for creative noniction. He has also taught writ- ing workshops for 10 years at Pendleton Rock Camp. Students should bring a laptop or pen and paper and a sack lunch or snack. Hot tea and coffee will be provided. The workshops are for students ages 15 and older. All skill levels are welcome. Each workshop session will cap at ive students. Students do not have to stay at the Sou’Wester Lodge to take the work- shops, though the lodge will offer winter retreat prices: $150 for any suite for the week or $50 per night. Sign up for the work- shops by emailing souwest- erfrontdesk@gmail.com or calling 360-642-2542. The lodge is located at 3728 J Place. Goon Show.” Considered a radio precursor of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” the show produced scripts that mixed ludicrous plots with surreal humor, puns, catchphrases and an array of bizarre sound effects that were used to satirize con- temporary life in Britain. The cast for this perfor- mance at KALA includes actors Bill Ham, Bill Honl and Slab Slabinski. KALA sound tech Les Kanekuni will supply additional sound effects. Doors open for the performances at 8 p.m., and the shows start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door. A full bar will be available; all ages are welcome to attend. KALA is located at 1017 Marine Drive. For more information, call 503-338- 4878. SUBMITTED PHOTO From left, Slab Slabinski, Jane Hill, Dinah Urell, Walt Trumbull, Arnie Hummasti and Soie Kline will bring to life “The Piano Lesson,” an episode from the 1935-1959 radio comedy series “Fibber McGee and Molly.” Not pictured is Dex Gregory. The live stage performance will take place at KALA on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19 and 20. T he Find ine art, crats at lin Westport Art Festival A Frank partm ents WESTPORT, Wash. — The 19th annual Westport Art Festival is this weekend: Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. Over 70 local and regional artists from the Paciic Northwest will offer their best works in glass, wood, metal and ceramics at this outdoor art festival. Find items for the home and garden, paintings, jewelry, handcrafted children’s toys and gifts. The festival features a relaxed atmosphere, set against a backdrop of the marina and Westport Mar- itime Museum, located at 2201 Westhaven Drive. There will be street food vendors as well as a beer garden serving local micro- SUBMITTED PHOTO The festival takes place out- side the Westport Maritime Museum, which occupies a historic U.S. Coast Guard building. brews. Live music will add to the festivities from two stages all weekend, includ- ing All In, Greg Parke and the bluegrass band The Old Sidekicks. For more information, visit westportartfestival.org or ind Westport Art Festival on Facebook. Providing Elegance & Efficiency to D ow ntow n Astoria for O ver 100 Years 1432 Franklin Avenue Easom Property Management, Inc. 503-325-5678
