Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 22, 2014

THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 22, 2014 
8 THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 22, 2014 
8 
SEAN’S SHAMELESS 
REVIEWS: 


By Sean Kayden 

SNOWMINE 

Taking the alternative route of self-releasing their sophomore album, 

“Dialects,” Snowmine’s follow-up to their underrated debut record “Laminate 

Pet Animal” is a different kind of an animal entirely. This new perspective 
has the band entering into a brooding territory. In fact, with these eleven brand new tracks, the 
band feels more comfortable and determined than 
There is sort of an experimental element to the 
talents of the band are put forth on this record. 
displays Snowmine in a different light. The many 
a debut record. A little bit misguided. “Dialects” 
place. It was really good, but felt very much like 
unique in its own right, it was a bit all over the 
ever before. While the first album was completely 
album, which was recorded in a church. A lot of 
ambience is presented and weird quirks/sounds to give it a unique experience unlike other indie acts 
in the same arena. While “Dialects” is far from the perfect indie rock album, it’s still a solid, if a bit 
uneven entry that shouldn’t be ignored or missed. 


 One of the best tracks of the year is to be found here. “Plans” is an absolute delight. It has such a 
distinctive sound that makes it totally original from the band. When it breaks into the chorus, it just 
explodes into sheer beauty. For the most part, this is a slow tempo album. It combines interesting 
sounds along with Grayson Sanders’ sometimes crooning vocals. While the record doesn’t quite have 
that alluring element of being listend to over and over again, it’s the kind of record you come back to 
after a period of time away from it. Not every track is golden and some songs can be simply passed on. 
However, the tracks that do work, Plans,” “Columbus,” “You Want Everything,” ”Courts,” and “Dollar 
Divided” make the experience a memorable one for at least the time those tracks are playing. The 
other half the album is acceptable, but they take some chances that don’t always pay off accordingly. 
“Safety in an Open Mind” is purely instrumental. It can be considered an intermission track as we 
approach the second half of the album. It has these washed out effects. It’s a peaceful tune, but doesn’t 
push the album any forward. 

“Dialects,” for the most part, has a laid-back sound. The instruments are eclectic and despite some 
less than stellar tunes, Snowmine aren’t trying to mimic anyone. They’re completely original. Perhaps, 
the tunes that don’t resonate first or second time need some more listens before you can actually 
appreciate them. The problem with music today is how one might not want to give songs a chance 
when there’s just too much music to hold onto from the moment you hear it. At any rate, Snowmine 
is an underrated band that is trying to press forward and make a name for themselves. While the path 
they may be on seems a bit crowded, they definitely have the aptitude to find a way around in order 
to finally find that open road. Once there, there’s no telling what Snowmine can do, but I know I’ll be 
carefully watching to see where it ultimately leads them. 

Key Tracks: “Columbus,” “You Want Everything.” “Plans,” “Courts” 
Grade: 7.2 out of 10 

NEWS FROM THE SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE 

News Flash: On February 16 @ 7:00 pm Les Sauvages Americains returns to the Playhouse for a duet of 
late 18th Century violin and viola music! 


The Sierra Madre Playhouse is currently presenting the play, 
An Ideal Husband, by Irish playwright, Oscar Wilde. The play 
runs through February 23rd on Friday and Saturday nights at 
8pm as well as 2:30 on Sunday afternoon. This play was Wilde’s 
second favorite play, next to The Importance of Being Earnest. 
It displays Wilde’s biting wit which made him enormously 
popular as a prominent social critic of the upper classes in late 
Victorian England. It’s easy to see parallels with the political and 
sexual intrigues being played out today in our nation’s capitol. 
We have had excellent reviews for this one! 

March 7, 2014 will see the opening 
of our next play, Battledrum. 
This musical follows the frontline 
experience of three young drummer 
boys who become unlikely comrades 
as they find themselves part of 
our nation’s most tragic conflict. 
Battledrum will not only be presented 
in the evenings to our regular patrons, 

but will play to public and private school audiences now studying the Civil 

War as part of their regular curriculum. School kids will experience theater 

in our intimate 99 seat playhouse, talk with members of the cast and staff

after the play and listen to 

Civil War historians provide supplemental information. 


MUSIC AT THE PLAYHOUSE 

 
Our Sunday Music Series continues 
this month with a program of 
violin and viola duets from the 
late 18th Century. Members of the 
performance group Les Sauvages 
Americains (The Savage Americans). 
JP Tobin, Viola/Artistic Director 
and Lindsey Strand-Polyak, Violino, 
will appear this February 16, 2014 at 
7:00pm. The music comes to us from 
Revolutionary France with works by 
Lorenziti, Pleyel, Boulougne, and 

Mozart. Please contact the Playhouse for tickets. 

Next up will be the return of performers from the Colburn School with an offering of a “Tribute to 

Astor Piazzolla.” Look for them on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 7pm. 

FUNraising EVENT 

Join us at California Pizza Kitchen in Pasadena for a flavorful FUNraising event on February 19, 
2014 in support of the Sierra Madre Playhouse. All day long 20% of your check will be donated 
to our organization. Purchases include dine-in, take-out, catering and all beverages! Print out the 
event flyer available on our website at http://sierramadreplayhouse.org/playhouse/california-pizzakitchen-
fundraiser/ and present it to your server to make sure we get the funds. Click where it says 
For Details Click Here. 
The Pasadena Pizza Kitchen is located at 99 N. Los Robles on the corner of Los Robles and Union. 
They will be open from 11am to 10pm. 


FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION 

The Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 West Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, Reservations can be made 
online http://sierramadreplayhouse.org or by calling (626) 355-4318. 


Jeff’s Book Picks By Jeff Brown 

ONE SUMMER: AMERICA, 1927 by Bill Bryson 

The title of the book sums up his task: to document the “most extraordinary 
summer” of 1927, beginning with Charles Lindbergh’s fantastic 
flight across the Atlantic. Even though we know many of these stories; 
Lindbergh’s flight, , the Mississippi River flood, Babe Ruth’s 60-homerun 
season, Al Capone’s bullet-ridden reign over Chicago, in Bryson’s hands, 
they feel fresh, and just plain fun. The book is jammed with nuggets and 
fascinating origin stories (the opening of the Holland Tunnel, the first 
Mickey Mouse prototype, the source of the term “hot dog”), the effect 
is like sitting beside a brilliant story teller, who knows a little bit about 
everything. From a tabloid murder trial to a flagpole sitting record to the secret origins of the Great 
Depression, One Summer offers a wonderful look at a transitional period in history, re-introducing 
us to such characters as Capone, , Al Jolson, Jack Dempsey, Charles Ponzi, and Herbert Hoover. Ultimately, 
this is a book about the moment when important things, for good or bad, began happening 
in the US. With an easy to read narrative and keen eye for unusual details, best selling author Bryson 
has written a clever historical tale of America’s coming of age. 


EXTREME MEDICINE: HOW EXPLORATION TRANSFORMED MEDICINE IN 
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY by Kevin Fong M.D. 

Drawing on his own experience as an anesthesiologist, intensive care expert, and NASA adviser, Dr. 
Kevin Fong examines how cutting edge medicine pushes the envelope of human survival by studying 
the human body’s response when tested by physical extremes. The challenges of Arctic exploration 
created opportunities for breakthroughs in open heart surgery; battlefield doctors pioneered techniques 
for skin grafts, trauma care and heart surgery; outer space and underwater exploration have 
revolutionized our understanding of breathing, gravity, and much more. Through astonishing accounts 
of extraordinary events and pioneering medicine, Fong illustrates the sheer audacity of medical 
practice in extreme situations. Kevin Fong includes stories of some remarkable people and some 
photos. 


2014 HUCK FINN FISHING DERBY AND CAMPOUT 

Campout Registration begins Monday, February 24th 

The annual Huck 
Finn Fishing Derby 
and Campout will be 
here before you know 
it: Friday, March 28,2014 – Sunday, March 
30, 2014. The weekend 
long event is held at the 
Sierra Madre Holding 
Basins next to Dapper 
Field and behind the 
Public Works Yard. 
The event is sponsored 
by the Community 
Services Department, 
Sierra Madre Volunteer 
Firefighters Association, 
Sierra Madre Civic 
Club, Sierra Madre 
Kiwanis Club, and Sierra 
Madre Rotary 
Club, Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post 
3208. 


Camp Out 
The Campout 
is held Friday, 
March 28 to 
Saturday, March 
29 and includes a 
campfire, s’mores, 
and star gazing. 
Participants must 
sign up in advance 
for campsites 
which are available 
on a first come, 
first serve basis. 
Campsites can 
accommodate 
six persons; the 
registration fee is 
$56.00 and includes fishing derby entry for up to 4 youths and re-entry to Saturday Family Fishing. 
Camping registration begins February 24 and must be done in person at the Community Services 
Office, located at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024, open Monday through Thursday 
11:00am – 5:30pm. 


Fishing Derby – Saturday, March 29
The fishing derby is open to youth ages 3-15 years. The event runs from 7:00am – 11:30am and costs 
$10 per youth. Registration is accepted the morning of the event only, and the entrance is located next 
to Dapper Field in Sierra Vista Park. All skill leaves are welcome and experienced Fishing Guides will 
be on hand to assist all participants. The Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club will provide food available for 
purchase. 


Family Fishing – March 29 and March 30
Family Fishing is from 12:30-4:00pm on Saturday, March 29 and from 7:00am-4:00pm on Sunday, 
March 30. Admission is $20 for a family of four or $10 per individual; no fishing license is required. 
Entrance is located next to Dapper Field in Sierra Vista Park. 


For more information please contact the Community Services Department at 626-355-5278.