By: Pruett Norris
Loyal listeners know I like to keep you all informed about all the arts and culture happenings around Appalachian State, and this week is no different. The Schaefer Center is offering a buy-one-get-one ticket deal for two of their shows this March: the Philadelphia-based contemporary ballet troupe BalletX and their performance of “The Little Prince,” and Nobuntu, a female Zimbabwean acapella quintet. For us students, both shows are only $10, which is an absolute steal; if you take a date, a buddy, or hey, maybe Yosef himself to these shows, it shakes out to around $5 for both of you! BalletX’s “The Little Prince '' will be performed on Saturday, March 19th at 7pm, while Nobuntu will be performing on Tuesday, March 22nd, also at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased at the SchaeferCenter.org, that’s the SchaferCenter.org. I hope to see you all there!
Last month I covered the introduction of the Watauga County Historical Preservation Society’s Hall of Fame, where the Society inducts, to quote the Watauga Democrat’s article on the matter, “individuals, living or dead, who made significant and lasting contributions to Watauga County's history and/or literature.” This month marks the second-ever inductee in Reverend Ronda David Horton, who lived from 1895 to 1986, and made a number of developmental contributions to Watauga County during his time on the planet. My favorite piece of history The Watauga Democrat article shared about the reverend was his nickname: “Moses of the Mountains.” Reverend Horton baptized dozens of folks in the Junaluska region, and is remembered for his role modeling for the community’s youth during mid-century segregation and other racially unjust practices. I aspire to have a nickname as cool as that one bestowed on me, but in the meantime, I’m happy to remember Reverend Horton.
Finally, nationwide, I return to the Oscar Nomination fray with a report on the nominations themselves! As I mentioned a few news breaks ago, we have ten films up for the big prize this year. In no particular order, I suggest you all add “Belfast,” “Licorice Pizza,” “Nightmare Alley,” “West Side Story,” “Don’t Look Up,” “CODA,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Dune,” “King Richard,” and “Drive My Car” to your immediate watchlists! But where can I watch them, you ask? I have answers, courtesy of businessinsider.com! Netflix is the host of “The Power of the Dog,” my personal favorite of the films, and “Don’t Look Up,” while HBO Max boasts no fewer than five of the nominees… or, at least, they will by sometime in March! Be sure to look for “Drive My Car” and “West Side Story” on the service beginning March 2nd, while you can queue up “Nightmare Alley” today. “King Richard” and “Dune” should be rejoining those ranks sometime very soon after their original introduction on the platform in 2021. On the Video On Demand front, “Belfast” can be rented, while “CODA” is exclusive to Apple TV Plus. “Licorice Pizza” is the only nominee that can’t yet be streamed, but I highly recommend y’all track it down in a movie theater if you can!
Finally, the weather, with thanks as always to booneweather.com. Folks, it may be a rainy one today, but never fear! At least it’s warm! The forecast calls for a high of 58 degrees, fantastic, and a mere low of 50 degrees, which feels like the warmest day of February we’ve gotten yet! That temp only goes up by Wednesday, even as rain persists, and we’re looking at highs of at least 54 degrees for the duration of the week. I, for one, am looking forward to singin’ in the rain.