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Telling Hampstead’s story as rom-com an odd choice

According to Wikipedia, Hampstead Heath is a popular public space in London; covering nearly 800 acres, the tract is filled with forests, hills, ponds and meadows — along with a training track, playgrounds and three swimming pools. Its popular history includes one Harry Hallowes, a.k.a. “Harry the Hermit,” who in the 1980s set up a makeshift shack on the land, where he lived quietly for the next 20 years — until developers tried to evict him for a planned set of luxury apartments. This obscure story serves as the genesis of “Hampstead,” an amiable, late-in-life love ...

The Oscars: Who should win, who will

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down, my crystal ball was very foggy. Now almost a year after movie houses, concert halls and theatres went shuttered, Hollywood is offering is a glimmer of hope with the Academy Awards ceremony. But it is obvious that the Oscars will look a lot different this year. But at least the red-carpeted ceremony will be held this year on April 25 with the ABC telecast beginning at 8 p.m. But caution and social distancing remain foremost concerns as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present the annual awards ceremony from ...

‘Beane’ saved by judges, makes it into top 12

After a unanimous decision by the judges, Loyalsock Township’s very own “Beane,” or Brennan Hepler, has secured a spot in the top 12. This week’s American Idol was a two-night event. On Sunday the top 16 artists were revealed and sang for America’s vote to then see if they made it ...

‘SpongeBob’ auditions open in April

The Community Arts Center is holding auditions for the 2021 Student Summer Stock production of the SpongeBob Musical directed by Dr. C. Austin Hill, with music direction by Diana Welshans, and choreography by Allison Wells Hill. Auditions will take place by video submission, a news release ...

1971 a big year for blockbusters, directors

With such classics as “Chinatown,” “Network,” “Jaws,” “Manhattan,” both “Godfather” films and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the 1970s is often regarded as a miniature Golden Age at the movies. With that in mind, your local critic took a look back at 1971 to see what was happening onscreen exactly 50 years ago. Quite a lot, as it turns out. While “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Summer of ’42” were among the top box-office hits, 1971 also marked the directorial debut of three figures who would go on to colossal cinematic careers: First came ...

Williamsport grad speaks about ‘fuller experience’ in music

STATE COLLEGE — In a recent virtual lecture part of the “Meeting the Moment with Michael Mwenso,” Dashon Burton, two time Grammy winner and Williamsport High School alumnus, talks about new projects and answers questions regarding the black experience in music and his music history. As a black artist who was listening and learning in classic European spaces, Burton was encouraged by fellow black students and teachers, who then all helped represent. “My whole mission is to make sure that people know that we are not just welcomed, but also required to be in these spaces to tell ...