Dancing With Athens Stars
Sunday, March 2 @ Classic Center Theatre
originally published February 27, 2008
Pete McCommons
Local notables will shake and shimmy to vie for the top prize in the first annual Dancing with Athens Stars competition on Mar. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Classic Center. Proceeds from the event will benefit Project Safe and its ongoing work to combat violence against women.
Modeled on the ABC series, dancers from local studios including DanceFX, Freedom of Movement, Con Cache Salsa and Dancer’s Studio have been paired with the newbies to groom them into lean, mean dancing machines. Flagpole’s own Pete McCommons, for example, will be busting a move alongside his partner Tiffany Williams of the UGA Ballroom Performance Group.
The other 11 competitors (with coaches) are: Oconee County Commissioner Chuck Horton (with Kathy Cole); restaurateur Dexter Weaver (Emily Padgett); former ACC Mayor Doc Eldridge (Molly Myagui); UGA Associate Dean Paige Carmichael (Gonzolo Myagui); WGAU talk show host Liz Dalton (Ron Putman); attorney Bill Overend (Barbara Putman); singer Wilma (Aaron Talbert); physician Kip Hicks (Natalie Cox); Athens Banner-Herald editor Jason Winders (Tamara Tye); teacher Barbara Taylor (Dustin Whitlock); and Athens Grow Green cofounder Beth Gavrilles (Derrek Walters).
A panel of judges (also well-known locals) will evaluate the performances, but the results are in the public’s hands. You’ll have an opportunity to let your voice be heard the night of the event, but you can go ahead and get your early votes in now at www.project-safe.org. Each dollar donated counts as one vote.
Support your favorite dancer and, most importantly, Project Safe with your attendance. Tickets are available for $15 at the Classic Center box office or online at www.classiccenter.com.
The Misadventures of Uncle McBuck
February 26–29 & March 1–2 @ UGA Cellar Theatre
originally published February 27, 2008
Augusto Boal
UGA’s University Theatre is wrapping up a two-week run of a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience: Augusto Boal’s The Misadventures of Uncle McBuck. Not only the world premiere of a new English translation of McBuck by UGA romance languages Professor Robert Moser, this production also marks the first time an English translation of Boal’s work has been performed in the United States.
A native Brazilian, Boal is the founder of a unique brand of participatory theatre, designed to spur social change, known as “Theatre of the Oppressed.” Boal’s dramaturgical techniques take Brechtian methods a step further through such revolutionary concepts as Invisible Theatre, Image Theatre and Forum Theatre. In the hope of raising public awareness of social injustices, Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed transforms audience members into spect-actors who help shape the direction of the narrative. It also relies on improvisation to overturn scripted endings, and enacts scenarios in the public sphere that observers are not able to identify as performances.
The politically charged McBuck uses humor to tell the story of a third-world country facing an influx of imperialistic forces attempting to breed democracy. Though written by Boal in 1968, in response to conflicts in Brazil, the play is as timely and relevant as ever, considering current international turmoil.
Tickets are $12 for students and seniors, and $15 for general admission; they can be purchased in advance at the University Theatre box office or by calling 706-542-2838. McBuck performances are Feb. 26–29 and Mar. 1 at 8 p.m., and Mar. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
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