Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 15, 2014

Mountain Views News Saturday, March 15, 2014 
B5THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 
SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

Jeff’s Book Picks By Jeff Brown 

By Sean Kayden

REVIEWS: 

SPRING PLAYLIST 

Pure X – “Starlight” - The one on repeat. While not as lyrically powerful as 

first single, “Starlight” the first two songs on this list, the simplicity is 

off Pure X’s forthcoming welcoming, if a bit underwhelming. I’ve already 

third album, “Angel” is a had the pleasure to preview “Forcefield” and 

hazy, tender, incredibly this one is a great addition to kick off the spring 

intimate jam. It was only season. “Forcefield” is your winning ticket out of 
a year ago, they released “Crawling Up The those gloom and doom sort of afternoons. 
Stairs.” For their latest endeavor, Pure X recorded 

The Mary Onettes – “Naïve Dream” - It was 

the new album live-to-tape in a century-old 

only a year ago when dream-pop Swedish band 

dancehall in rural Texas. It’s an achingly beautiful 

The Mary Onettes released “Hit The Waves.” The 

song with unparallel harmonies and a guitar line 

band is back with what they describe as a mini-

reminiscent of 70s rock. With falsetto vocals, 

album entitled “Portico.” The seven-track album 

romantic lyrics, and a refreshingly old school 

is filled with dreamy, 80s soaked tunes. One of the 

approach to song crafting, “Starlight” will put 

singles, “Naïve Dream” is a song for any fans of 

you in a daydream you’ll not want to snap out 

The Cure. This shoegazey tune is nostalgic too the 

of. “Angel” is out on April 1st via Fat Possum 

max. Blissful melodies, spaced out arrangements 

Records. 

and yearning for love type of lyrics is ideal 
Small Black – “Downtown Lights” - One of combination for this indie-pop gem. If you dig 
my favorite albums of 2013 was “Limits of the 80s, “Naïve Dream” is one you can’t afford 
Desire” from Small Black. The chillwave, synth-to pass up. “Portico” is out now on Labrador 
pop band is back with a brand new EP entitled Records. 
“Real People.” In the same vein of their previous 

Future Islands – “A Dream Of You and Me” 

effort, the band has crafted five new dreamy, 

- One of my favorite bands is Future Islands. 
electronic induced songs worth your attention. 

The unique synthpop band from Baltimore, 

“Downtown Lights” is an ultra sleek, danceable, 

Maryland features the raspy vocals for singer/

lowtempo jam that captures the craziness of a 

songwriter Samuel T Herring. His vocals are 

fun filled night. It’s exceptionally enchanting with 

unlike anyone in the game and while it may take 

soft vocals, passionate lyrics and cool vibes. It 

some time to adjusting to, you can find the sheer 

cuts a little deeper than previous songs have in 

beauty in his songs. Future Islands craft poetry in 

the past, but the growth this band has shown of 

their deeply profound, but occasional danceable 

the course of their last two records is positively 

material. “A Dream Of You and Me” is off their 

admirable. “Real People EP” hits shelves April 1st 

third LP, “Singles” out on March 25th via 4AD. 

on Jagjaguwar. 

This harrowing gem has the signature snythpop 
Tokyo Police Club – “Feel The Effect” - It’s been style of Future Islands, but the lyrics will pull 
four years since Tokyo Police Club’s sophomore you in. The words are reflective and exceedingly 
LP, “Champ.” On March 25th, the band is set pondering that you must carefully take in. Future 
to release “Forcefield.” Closing track, “Feel The Islands once again doesn’t disappoint with one 
Effect,” is indie pop at it’s finest. It’s a slower one of the most stunning songs of 2014. Like I said 
from this band, but the power-pop tendencies before, the vocals may not be for everyone, but 
come into effect in the final stages of the tune. for those seeking something unconventional and 
It’s unbelievably catchy, super smooth and so intensely rewarding, look no further than the 
irresistible that you’ll most definitely have this sheer splendor that lies within this powerful song. 

“THE PLAYER KING” AT SIERRA MADRE 
PLAYHOUSE ON MARCH 28 

WHAT: 
“The Player King.” The acclaimed show moves to Sierra Madre Playhouse for 
one performance. 

WHO: 
Written and performed by Darin Dahms. Presented by Spurred Productions in 
association with Sierra Madre Playhouse. 

WHERE: 
Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. 
Ample free parking behind theatre. 

WHEN: Friday, March 28, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. 
ADMISSION: $25. Seniors (65+) $22. Youth (13-21) $15. Children 12 and under, $12. 


RESERVATIONS: (626) 355-4318. 
ONLINE TICKETING: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org 


* * * * * *

 Darin Dahms, in his solo performance, portrays the three famous men of 19th Century 
America’s most important acting family: patriarch Junius Brutus Booth; Edwin Booth, perhaps the 
greatest Shakespearean actor in American history; and his brother, John Wilkes Booth, best known 
as “the most handsome man in America” until one fateful evening when he pulled out a derringer 
and changed the history of the country forever.

 After John Wilkes Booth assassinates President Lincoln, Edwin is forced off the stage for 
a year. Will he ever be able to return to the stage? During this enforced hiatus, Edwin has time to 
explore the question “What does it mean to be an actor/”

“The Player King” depicts Edwin Booth not as a wax historical figure, but as a fully dimensional 
human being: Not just an actor, but an attentive son, loving husband and devoted father. He will be 
called upon to rise from the depths of tragedy to pursue a great destiny.

 Darin Dahms is highly regarded for his many stage roles in shows including “A House With 
No Walls,” “A Tale Told by an Idiot,” and “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.” He is also a director, 
producer and writer, winning awards for “Butterflies of Uganda,” which he co-wrote with friend 
Sonke Weiss. Dahms received an MFA from the University of South Carolina and is a lifetime 
member of the Actors Studio. 

“The Player King” will be enjoyed by anyone fascinated by the history of the theatre, the 
history of America, or the art of performance. See what the early audiences of “The Player King” 
already know: It’s an extraordinary entertainment. 

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.

THE OH SHE GLOWS COOKBOOK: OVER 100 
VEGAN RECIPES TO GLOW FROM THE INSIDE OUT 

by Angela Liddon 

Liddon vowed to get healthy once and for all. Done with feeling sick 
and tired, she threw out her fat free butter spray and low calorie frozen 
dinners. Instead, Angela embraced whole foods that made her glow 
from the inside out. But first, she had to learn to cook and eat right. 
Five years ago, Angela started a blog, ohsheglows.com, to spread the 
word about her journey to health and the powerful transformation 
that food can make in our lives. Today, Oh She Glows is one of the 
most popular vegan recipe blogs on the Internet. The Cookbook is 
packed with more than 100 delicious recipes such as g -to breakfasts, 
protein packed snacks, hearty entrées, and tasty desserts. From entrées 
like the Crowd Pleasing Tex Mex Casserole and Empowered Noodle Bowl to sweet treats like the 
Chilled Chocolate Espresso Torte with Hazelnut Crust and Angela’s famous Glo Bakery Glo Bars, 
there is something for everyone. The Cookbook is also allergy friendly, with many gluten free and 
soy free options. Angela's recipes are for anyone who longs to eat well, feel great, and simply glow! 

THE IMPROBABILITY PRINCIPLE: WHY COINCIDENCES, MIRACLES, AND 
RARE EVENTS HAPPEN EVERY by David J. Hand 

This renowned statistician argues that extraordinarily rare events are anything but. In fact, they’re 
commonplace. Not only that, we should all expect to experience a miracle roughly once every month. 
But Hand is no believer in superstitions, prophecies, or the paranormal. His definition of “miracle” 
is thoroughly rational. No mystical or supernatural explanation is necessary to understand why 
someone is lucky enough to win the lottery twice, or is destined to be hit by lightning three times 
and still survive. All we need is a firm grounding in a powerful set of laws: the laws of inevitability, 
of truly large numbers, of selection, of the probability lever, and of near enough. They explain why 
we should not be so surprised to bump into a friend in a foreign country, or come across the same 
unfamiliar word four times in one day. He teaches us how to use the Improbability Principle in our 
own lives. An irresistible adventure into the laws behind “chance” moments and a trusty guide for 
understanding the world and universe we live in. David Hand is Senior Research Investigator and 
Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Imperial College, London. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com