Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 11, 2011

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, June 11, 2011 


SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: 

FRIENDLY FIRES 

Acting classes for REAL people, at the...
Join the “FOR THE LOVE OF ACTING” class.
Saturdays 2:00 to 5:00pm on our STAGE. No experience necessary! 
NEW BEGINNERS class starts APRIL 02. 
For reservations and class info, call June Chandler (626) 355-4572
If you’re 
looking for 
the ultimate 
estival album 
to guide you 
through road 
trips, summer 
love, (mis)
adventures and anything in between, then look 
no further. Pala is the sophomore record from 
Friendly Fires, the sitting-by-poolside-during-
the-day-and-dancing-the-night-away driven 
band hailing from St. Albans. They made quite 
the buzz with their 2008 self-titled debut album 
and return to reclaim the throne of the premier 
summer band. Pala is drenched with beautiful 
electo-pop melodies that would make any 
mainstream pop artist envious. Friendly Fires 
aren’t revolutionizing music, but simply put their 
signature stamp on the indie-dance-pop genre. 
These UK boys know exactly how to gravitate the 
shyest kid in town toward the dance floor. Simply 
put, they’re creating pop-laden tunes that would 
even make Justin Timberlake jealous. 

Ed Macfarlane’s vocals are a breath of fresh 
air. The dude can really belt out the lyrics. 
He embodies such a breezy falsetto that falls 
somewhere into early 90s pop. You can easily hear 
the uncanny resemblance to the R&B references 
from that bygone era. Pala is a fully charged, in 
your face, 24/7 dance party anthem. However, 
even the most diehard, full-time partier needs a 
breather to recharge and that comes in the form of 
the title track, “Pala”. A smooth, slowdance tune 
that will still have you bumping and grinding on 
your girl (or boy). It would have been the ideal 
closing cap to an album that’s like a rush of blood 
straight to your head. Instead, the track is only 
at the halfway point. After that relatively quick 
breather, you’ll be revitalized to kick-start the 
second half of this boisterous album. 

This is by far, the best pop album of the year. 
Unfortunately, Pala probably won’t even register 
with the most ideal conventional listener. Forget 
any mainstream “entertainer” poisoning this 
oversaturated genre. This is the one and only 
hustle & flow, jaunty, and full of life record you’ll 
need this summer. With memorable tracks like 
“Blue Cassette”, “Hawaiian Air”, “True Love”, and 
“Pull Me Back To Earth”, you’ll realize just how 
much better and more alive Friendly Fires are 
than any other artist making this type of music. 
If you want to get down and dirty this summer 
(and who doesn’t?), then skip over the lameness 
of Bieber and Gaga and head straight to the dance 
floor that’s occupied by Friendly Fires. There’s 
more fire than friendly in this dance rock opera 
to last you through the final days of summer. 

Sean Kayden


The Book Report

By Jeff Brown

FOLK AND COUNTRY CONCERT AT SIERRA 
MADRE PLAYHOUSE ON JUNE 19

 

 Musicians Tim Tedrow and Terry Vreeland return to the stage of Sierra Madre Playhouse 
and welcome musical guests Severin Browne, Women on the Move, and Bill Mesnik (creator 
of the hit show “Three Songs”) in a concert of folk and country music.

 At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample fee 
parking behind theatre. Sunday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. Admission: $15. Father’s Day special!: 
Dads get in for $10. Reservations: (626) 355-4318. Online ticketing: www.sierramadreplayhouse.
org


A Game of Character: A Family Journey 
from Chicago’s Southside to the Ivy League 
and Beyond by Craig Robinson 

When he stepped into history’s spotlight at the National 
Democratic Convention, Craig Robinson recalls that nothing 
could have been more gratifying than introducing his sister, 
Michelle Obama, to millions of Americans. Within minutes, he 
won the hearts of the nation by sharing highlights of growing 
up in the modest Robinson household, where he and his sister 
were raised by devoted parents who taught them the values of 
education, and hard work, and the importance of reaching far 
beyond what even seemed possible. Those lessons of character 
were fundamental in shaping Craig Robinson’s own remarkable 
journey: from his days playing street basketball on Chicago’s 
Southside while excelling academically, to admission at Princeton 
University, where he was later named Ivy League Player of the 
Year, twice. After playing professionally in Europe, he entered the 
field of finance. But another dream beckoned, and Craig became 
a basketball coach. He soon helped transform three struggling 
teams. In his first season at Oregon State Univ., he navigated what was declared to be one of the nation’s 
best single season turnarounds. Robinson takes readers behind the scenes to meet his most important 
influences in his understanding of the winning traits that are part of his playbook for success. His parents, 
two individuals who showed their children how to believe in themselves & live their lives with conviction 
through love, discipline, and respect. We see how Craig and Michelle strengthened their bond as they 
journeyed out of the Southside to Princeton University and then to the national stage. Heartwarming, 
inspiring, and even transformational, A Game of Character reminds readers of the opportunity to work 
together and embrace the character of our nation, to make a difference 
in the lives of others, and to pave the way for the next generation.
The Magic Thief 

by Sarah Prineas (Author), Antonio Javier Caparo (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 9-12. A very entertaining series for the kids. 
In a city that runs on a dwindling supply of magic, a young boy 
is drawn into a life of wizardry and adventure. Conn should have 
dropped dead the day he picked Nevery’s pocket and touched the 
wizard’s locus magicalicus, a stone used to focus magic & work 
spells. But for some reason he did not. Nevery finds that interesting, 
and he takes Conn as his apprentice on the provision that the boy 
find a locus stone of his own. But Conn has little time to search 
for his stone between wizard lessons and helping Nevery discover 
who—or what—is stealing the city of Wellmet’s magic. Fantasy and 
adventure lovers alike will groan when they get to the tantalizingly 
mischievous ending, and will want to read the great sequels. 

Due to the high demand for her tutoring and education services, bookstore 
owner, Sally Morrison, is opening a new learning center here in Sierra Madre. 
Mindspring Education Center will cater to students (children and adults) 
interested in furthering their reading, writing, math, spelling, and 
comprehension skills. In addition, Sally offers assistance in study skills, 
homework, and test preparation. She also specializes in helping students 
with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Those interested in summer 
sessions should contact Mindspring soon because space is limited.
As a result of this business expansion, Sally Morrison and Jeffrey Ingwalson, 
owners of Sierra Madre Books, will be closing the bookstore in June 2011. 
“We appreciate all the support we’ve received from our customers over the 
past few years, but are excited about our new venture. We look forward to 
continuing to be part of this community.”
For questions about Mindspring Education Center, please call (626) 355-1972.
For questions about Sierra Madre Books, please call (626) 836-3200.
Announcing:
The Opening of...
Mindspring Education CenterOne-to-One Instruction for All Ages37 Auburn Ave., Suite 7ASierra Madre, CA 91024(626) 355-1972www.mindspringEDC.com
“LOVE LETTERS” AT SIERRA MADRE 
PLAYHOUSE ON AUGUST 21

Bob Hakman and Sandra Hakman are a real-life theatre couple. Bob is a director. 
Sandra is an actor. Both have worked on multiple productions at Sierra 
Madre Playhouse, sometimes together. “Love Letters” brings them on stage together 
as performers.

“Love Letters” is A.R. Gurney’s very popular play about Andy and Melissa. 
Both born to wealth and position, they become emotionally attached while 
growing up, yet nonetheless find and marry others. Andy becomes a Senator. 
Melissa’s life is much less successful. Throughout their lives, they remained connected 
to each other through their correspondence in a series of letters, revealing 
a connection to each other that defies the distance of miles and commitments 
to others.

“Love Letters.” At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024. Ample free parking behind theatre. Sunday, August 21, 2011 
at 7:30 p.m. Admission: $20. Seniors (65+) and students (13-17), $17. Children 
12 and under, $12. Reservations: (626) 355-4318. Online ticketing: www.sierramadreplayhouse.
org