Tags
"Sully", "Survival Expo & Gun Show, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time", "The Trump Card", The National Book Festival
A bit of a hodgepodge of activities that might be of interest, both in DC and beyond this beltway.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time*****
This outstanding play, based on a wonderful book, is about to open in DC at the Kennedy Center (Oct.5-23). We saw the original production in London and then a second one in NYC. Though there were some differences, both were terrific theater, and I suspect the DC production will be worth your time. It not only tells an engaging story, it also gives you an understanding of what it can mean to be autistic. The NY production won five Tony Awards in 2015 including Best Play.
The National Book Festival*****
Another event in DC. I wrote about this earlier (see Save the Date). It’s a one-day celebration of reading and writing, with events for everyone in the family and anyone who enjoys books and authors from the young to the old. It’s only here for one day, Saturday, September 24. Over the years this festival has grown, been moved indoors from the Mall, and now covers several floors of the DC Convention Center.
Sully****
This film is now in major movie theaters around the country. It’s the story of Chesley Sullenberger’s “Miracle on the Hudson.” ‘Sully’ was the pilot who landed the USAirways Flight 1549 in and on the Hudson River in 2009 with no loss of life to the 155 passengers and crew. What’s best about the film is Tom Hanks’ performance as Sullenberger. (Aaron Eckhart’s’ portrayal of Sully’s co-pilot Jeff Skiles is also quite good, as is the re-enactment of the emergency landing and the rescue of all on board). What’s not so good is director Clint Eastwood’s exaggeration of the role of the National Transportation Safety Board. In an attempt to create tension and add to Sullivan’s role, Eastwood plays up a conflict that was not really as central as its made out to be (dramatic license gone awry?). Still, a film worthy of being seen at a time when there’s not much else out to see. See the contrasting reviews of the film for yourself.
The Trump Card
This one man show by Mike Daisey (of The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs) is returning to DC’s Woolly Mammoth Theater for the third time, Oct. 25-30th. (Disclosure: The Trump Card is directed by Isaac Butler, the son of good friends.) It will be at this DC theater from October 25-30, and tickets go on sale to the public on September 26th. See A Dark Theory of Trump from One Performer to Another and Mike Daisey Plays the Trump Card.
Survival Expo & Gun Show:On a morning ‘walk’ with our seven-month old granddaughter today in Kansas City, I noticed a large billboard touting “Survival Expo & Gun Show, Oct. 1-2 at the KCI Expo Center.” Googling it reveals this is only one of a number of Prepper Shows on this theme around the US. The Expo includes “100s of booths of survival and preparedness gear” and seminars on these topics.
Land Wayland said:
I saw an article last week that claimed that 50% of the guns in America are owned by 3% of the people with such “collectors” often owning 15, 20 or 30 weapons (plus ammunition).
Some people collect stamps or toy trains or orchids or movie posters. What is so fascinating about collecting equipment that is expressly designed to kill?
Chris McCleary said:
National Book Festival*
I’m going to disagree with you on the National Book Festival, at least from the perspective of someone from the suburbs with young children. We went on Saturday around lunch time and were very disappointed, albeit we only visited the Children’s Book Halls on the lower level. Long lines and pushy crowds for everything and a very disappointing selection of books in the Sale Corral (or perhaps we’re just spoiled by Amazon). The only ‘story time’ was a thinly veiled marketing and acquisition campaign from Wells Fargo; the lines for the Scholastic area had at least 200 people in it, so we didn’t even bother. Ultimately we only stayed the length of our parking meter before heading home.
Perhaps it’s more worthwhile for adult readers with the desire to wait in long lines for book signings or to attend discussions or panels. As such, it will likely be years before we give this another chance.
Richard said:
Chris,
You hit on something that I began to feel last year at the Festival: large crowds that lead to much waiting for almost everything. I never attended the children’s activities, tho last year I just passed by and saw what looked like kids having fun. (I was away this year, and it appears the crowds were even larger.)
I fear the Book Festival has become a victim of its own success.
Thanx for the Comments.
R