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Friday, September 9,1977
University Daily Kansan
Students horn in on fun
You say you used to fool around on the trombone wave back when, but now that you're a political science major you've
let it slide? Pick up those horns if you're itching to play. KU Varsity Bark is open to all. It meets at 6:30 p.m. every Mon.
Jazz-rock virtuoso to play two shows
Jan Hammer, one of the leading exponents of the jazz-rock fusion, will appear for two concerts at Loyola University Opera house tonight.
hammer, who plays a variety of instruments on stage, has led a long and varied career in the field of jazz. In addition to stings with Cannonbald Adderly, John Bartholomew, Orchestra and power guitarist Beck, he has released several solo albums.
Appearing with Hammer will be the same performers who joined him on his album "Oh, Yeah!" - Fernando Saunders on bass vocals and works by Steven Kinder on acoustic and electric violins.
Hammer is well known for his ability to "bend" notes on his synthesizer to produce exciting and unearthy sounds.
day in 102 Murphy. Nonmusic majors can receive one hour of elective credit. Contact the band office at 4730 or conductor David Bushouse at 4265.
According to promoters,
there are still tickets for both
the $p.m. and 11 p.m. shows.
Square dancing kicks off
Hashinger Hall's Guest Artist
Series this year. Students from
all KU residence halls can
dance free of charge from 7 to 9 p.
m. Tuesday, September 13 in the
Hashinger Theatre. Karl Eck-
wards, professor of curriculum
and teacher, will call the
Folk dancing sessions
will be from 8 to 10 p. month.
14, 15, 20 and 22, and 27 in the
taeure.
Canoeists from KU and KState meet this Saturday at theKaw River bridge in Manhattan for the annual race toLawrence. Paddle-off time is 8 a.m.but team captains should be
there to register at 7 a.m.
Because the race is sponsored by AUHR, only residence hall teams are eligible to receive the race. However, independent teams are encouraged to race.
Maps are available to residence hall students from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the AUHR office, 210 McColum. KAHK will be held in race areas race standing as the race progresses Saturday and Sunday.
'because the Kaw is up this fall, some new rules on safety have been made. For example, canoes must reach the Perry River Sunday to continue the race. If team captains haven't picked up the list of rules and procedures yet, they are to see Jess President, in the AUH office before heading to Manhattan.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Arts & Leisure
By TIM PURCELL
Lists offer light, amusing reading
Entertainment Editor
THE BOOK OF LISTS
By David Wallechinsky,
Irving Wallace and Amy
Wallace
William Morrow. $22 pp.. $10.95
Remember John Gunther's "inside" series and Jack Lae and Lee Mortimer's "U.S.A. Confidential?" Their themes were corruption, and the authors made lists of the corruption that existed in American cities. He also flip the pages to his favorite city for a sensational rundown on local muck.
The clash between servants and the aristocracy may no longer seem revolutionary, but it doesn't matter. The satire and irony of the spirited, complicated plot as well as the music—operatic hit tunes since 1787—still delight the modern audience, regardless of how familiar the plot is.
A glorious classic...
"Figaro" is one of the most beloved operas in the repertoire and one of the most revolutionary, although these overtues today are diluted, perhaps nonexistent.
Mozart's opera, "The Marriage of Figaro," ushers in this season's University of Kansas Concert Series. The theatre's own Theater's fully equipped auditorium of the opera will be occupied at 8 tomorrow night in the University Theatre.
The enlightened Count Almaviva has revoked his feudal right to claim a servant girl the night before he had been accused of being soon to be married to Figaro, the count's valet, suspects that the count will revoke the revocation order.
—just for her. The countess is angry of her husband's actions and invites, the disgusted company complains completely.
The Lyric is striving to make opera accessible. For "Figaro" it has designed lavish, yet easily transportable sets, eliminated the chorus on the road and presents the opera in English.
The KU performance is sold out. However, "Pigar" tickets are still available for the Lyric Theater performances in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 8, 12, 14 and 20.
'Marriage of Figaro'
These books weren't reform documents; they were high-falutin pot boilers. Despite the sensational cast of the books, they were light reading and, were of their cast, they were fun.
It is in this spirit that the "Book of Lists" was written.
IN THE introduction, the authors, David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace and Amy Wallace, give a lofty reason for lists: they are the stuff of life. But their statement that lists are easy to read and digest most subtly captures the book's spirit.
The authors made this book fascinating and surprising—but, above all, fun.
Wallace and Wallechinky,
his son, coauthored "The People's Almanac" in 1975. The
People's Almanac presents "The People's Almanac"
presents the lists book. They hope that, by associating that
best seller with the lists book, the latter's success will be in-
tense.
KANSAN Off the Shelf
lists, such as the world's longest rivers, the highest waterfalls and the seven wonders of the ancient world, there are the more interesting lists—for example, drinks named after people. We all know where scotch came from, but what about a Harvey Wallbanger? A well-known persons who became well-known words. We know how braille was named, but what about mosaichism?
THE SURPRISEGLY brief section of sports lists is complemented by the lengthy section entitled "Guess What's Dinner" from Famous writers, such as William Manchester and John Toland, as well as the not-so-famous names of the dinner guests from history. Only Art Buchwald's table, which includes Cain, Judas, Lizzie Borden, Jack the Ripper, Michael Kors, makes palatable reading.
(the safest and deadliest cigarettes), some are outdated (a 1950 poll of the greatest athletes and events) and some are spurious. One oddball list, the authors would have us believe that Dapolon lost at Waterloo because of a neurological pain.
Some lists are incomplete
Other odd lists are the preserved anatomical parts of famous people, men who posed as women and women who popped up among them. Among the circus frenzy there are giants, dwarfs and mutants.
The utter trivia of the shoe sizes and diets of famous people and the recent winners of the Pillsbury Bake-Off supports the criticism that the authors could have devoted more space to give background to the Who Could've Won the Noble Pride-But Didn't" is a list that hides many interesting stories.
but or a book that is meant to entertain, the quick, simple manner in which the diverse lists are presented ought to suffice for the reader. Have fun with it.
The phosphorous dot
Television survives mainly on the art of imitation. When a new format appears and becomes successful, the next season is sure to hold numerous variations of the profitable parent. This has happened to westerns, cop shows, doctor shows, lawyers, movie stars and Jabbi's "Emergency," Remember "Sierra," "Firehouse" and even the animated cartoon "Emergency Plus Four!"
The next logical step in the process is to resurrect a winner from the graveyard of past successes. At its best, a new imitation of an old show is risky business. A winning program fits into the mainstream of society. It strikes a response Stated simply, a winner is a product of its time.
A remake of a memorable past series must fulfill two opposing goals. The new show must be faithful to the old, yet adjust to the demands of the present. Like the sequel to a good movie, the remake must fit today's standards and survive a comparison with its parent. And compare we will. Ask Monte Markham, who was the "new" Perry Mason.
THE WEEK an old favorite was resurrected on the phosphorous tube. Monday evening "Laugh-In" reappeared in the first of several monthly specials. The only genetic connection between the new "Laugh-in" and its ancestor of the late 1890s is the producer and some remnants of the original format.
Gone are Dan Rowan and Dick Martin. Gone are Gold Hawn, Judy Carne, Arte Johnson, Dennis Allen, Richie Williams, Anne Worley, Burt Ruth Burke Lily Tomkinson Beaileen Brown, Larry Hovis and Pigmentate Moseley.
It would not be fair to criticize the new "Laugh-In" for the absence of Goldie, Lily et al. The original cast was composed of mostly unknown talent. It was the exposure on the program that made each one appreciated. Given some time, the new "Laugh-In" may produce another generation of stars. Yes, there is talent in the new "Laugh-In."
Where are the Fickle Finger of Fate, Sock It to Me, Here come the Judge, the Freak of the Week, the Beautiful Downtown Beauties, the Boom Room of the Chi Chi Club, the Funk and Wagnails, the Dirty Old Man, the Farkle family and "verry interreefring?"
by Dale Gadd
1
THE SAME THING can be said for the sketches in the new version. Given some time, maybe these, too, can develop the audience appeal of Arte Johnson's Dirty Old Man.
However, when a show is being promoted as the NEW "Laugh-In," one cannot help comparing the version with the old. If that comparison is the only difference, the series is headed for the graveyard once again.
Often the audience was bombed by three unrelated messages simultaneously: the action of the actors, the soundtrack and one-line puns floating across the screen. While all these were all somehow made sense, all the unreared pieces joined to make a harmonious whole.
The original "laugh-hi-n" was a first for television. It obliterated forever the linear structure that an audience had been conditioned to expect from a television program. Through the editing of film and videodap, we were presented with a stream of visuals that communicated more information than anyone had ever expected an audience to consume and comprehend.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THIS DID NOT HAPPEN easily. As viewers, we had to learn how to watch "Laugh-In." This may be the biggest issue I see in the new show. While it contains most of the original elements, it cannot be expected to deliver the flair, pacing and apparent recklessness of the 1968 version.
The difference is one of imagination and cannot be blamed on a lack of experience in the show's creative staff. These new people are trying to recreate what came naturally to the original writers, actors and production crews. Although the result might be close, the remake is actually different from the original. That does not mean worse — just different.
So take the new "Laugh-In" for what it has to offer. Let the new actors grow on you. Let the new sketches become familiar friends. Resist the new art. Keep the new work from the new Artie Johnson would have handled that line?"
TRIVIA CORNER: The answer to last week's question is the Hotel Carlton. This week's question is for the old-timers. Who was the original Riley (before William Bendix) in the early series,
Dale Gadd is an associate professor of journalism and speech and drama. He teaches a course on television programming in the department of radio, television and film.
This Week's
Highlights
THEATER
THE KANSAS CITY LYRIC THEATER will present "The Marriage of Figoar" at 8 p.m. tomorrow in Murphy Hall in Murphy Hall.
THE SEEM-TO-BE PLAYERS will present "The Adventures of Nymf the Sprite, Part 40" at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lawn, Ninth and Vermont streets.
THE KANSAS CITY PHILHARMONIC, conducted by the University of Kansas harpsichordist Elijah Hijashi, will present "Mozart, Love You Madly" 'tongue and lyre' plays at the Theatre in Kansas City, Mo.
MARIBETH KIRCHHOFF will present a faculty recital of vocal music at 8 p.m. Monday in Swarthout Recital Hall in Murphy Hall.
CONCERTS
RECITALS
MAX MORATH, "The Ragtime Years," will appear tomorrow night at McCain Auditorium in Manhattan.
NIGHTCLUBS
AT OFF-WALL HALL,
737 New Hampshire St. The Jerry Wood Band at 9 tonight and tomorrow night. A jam session for acoustic instruments is held every Wednesday.
At J. WATSON'S, Ninth and Iowa streets; Harvest will perform at 9 tonight and tomorrow night.
AT PAUL GRAY'S JAZZ
PLACE, 926 Massachusetts
St.: The Kansas City Jazz
Quintet tonight and toon
night. A J.A. Seesum is
scheduled for next saturday
night.
"FIRESIGN FUNNIES" at midnight tonight and tomorrow night.
FILMS
"ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN" at 3:30 p.m. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. today and tomorrow.
"THE WIZARD OF OZ"
and Walt Disney's "NATURE'S STRANGEST CREATURES" at 3:00 SUNDAY.
"NIGHT TIDE" and "CAR-
NIVAL OF SOULS" at 7:30
p.m. Monday.
"BLOW FOR BLOW" at 7:30 Tuesday in the Forum of the Kansas Union.
"HOW TASTY WAS MY
LITTLE FRENCHMAN"
at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Thursday.
"BUS STOP" at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday.
At the LAWRENCE ARTS
CENTER, NINETH and Vermont
streets, a show by the Kaw
leavers' Guild opens
Sunday.
Unless otherwise noted,
all films are shown in
Woodruff Auditorium of
the Kansas Union.
EXHIBITS
AT SISTER KETTLE CAFE,
1347 Massachusetts St.,
Lawrence Morgan's photographs
of Kansas.
At the LAWRENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Seventh and eighth floors of the Barbara Meador in the lobby, drawings by Julie Hodges
Peterson in the gallery, pottery by Jay Stiles in the showcase, paintings by Fern Kieffer in the auditorium.
AT VALLEY WEST GALLERIES, 25th and Iowa streets, the Kansas Traveling Textile Exhibit.
AT the MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY in Dyche Hall, "Ever-Changing Fashion," "Basketry Techniques," "Basketry: Mother of Wearing," "Don't Tread On Me," and exhibits of live Kansas snakes and fish.
At the ELIZABETH M. WATKINS COMUNUITY MUSEUM, 1047 Massachusetts St., Architecture of the Great American Desert." by the KU School of Architecture.
At the 7E7 GALLERY, 7 E
Seventh St, William Wetle-
ship sculpture,"Large Series,
Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.
At the GALLERY, 747 New Hampshire St., "Everyday Clay" by Jay Stiles and paintings by Kathy Koch.
Skyline Drive displays panorama of Flint Hills
By DAVID ALFORD
by driving 35 miles west of Lawrence on I-70 a person can enjoy the panorama and solitude of the Flint Hills.
Staff Writer
Rolling hills, sunflowers and limestone buildings along Mill Creek Skyline. Drive offer life for college or college college the KU student.
The drive, which begins at the Snokomo exit and winds westward toward Alma, offers a view of Kansas' beauty and history of Kansas.
Numerous limestone churches, schools and farmhouses dot the hillsides along the 25-mile route. Many of the buildings are restorations, some are shells, but all illustrate the industry of Kansas' pioneers.
Many people, when they hear Kansas mentioned, visualize a barren place.
Alma, where the Skyline Drive ends, is a well preserved
HOWEVER, the Flint Hills feature plateaus, bluffs, abundant wildlife and are close for a student on a tight budget.
For those who can afford a gourmet meal, the Alma Hotel serves such delicacies as peasant. Reservations are a must.
the dominance of limestone in early Kansas is evident in Alma. Main Street is constructed almost entirely of stone.
early prairie town. Its Wabunsee County Historical Museum has numerous displays from the pioneer era. The museum's collection of native American artifacts is one of the finest in the country, according to the curator.
THE HILLS along the drive are punctuated with wooded draws and farm ponds. White-tailed deer, prairie chickens and red-tailed hawks are visible to visitors who look hard
enough. Binoculars are a good way to look at the scenery and wildlife.
The ecology of the area is threatened by farming technique which will call for grasses to draw the draws to open more land for grazing.
Historical references compliment the lessons in natural history that are found on the Skyline Drive.
The wooded draws provide vital cover for the wildlife in the area. Many fur-bearing bears climb into the Mill Creek for protection from their enemies and to rear their young. Raccoon, fox, coyote and black-footed ferret are predators. Dog footprints can be found in the mud.
Huge limestone fence posts are evidence of the open prairie's demise. Faced with a shortage of suitable soil, post bogs to string their fences on. The fences made it possible for the farmers to control the movement of cattle and protect their crops from free-ranging herds of cattle. Barbed wire was the deciding
advantage for the farmers in their confrontation with the big cattle interests over the question of an open range.
AFTER TOURING Skyline Drive and inspecting Alma, the next stop is Paxico, about five miles west of downtown on I70 back to Lawrence goes right past this pictureuse Kansas town. Paxico sports an old-fashioned wooden sidewalk, a wide-lined silver bar and an antique shop.
Several young people have made the area surrounding Paxico their home. Funk Paxico has been run a well-stocked antique shop that specializes in wood-burning stoves. Country rock and bluegrass bands usually play on Friday and Saturday nights.
For those who enjoy camping, Cliff n' Creek Campground is on the edge of Paxico and borders the fish-filled Mill Creek.
A jaunt along the Skyline Drive, followed with an exploration of Alma and a night on the town in Paxico make for an interesting weekend—at a price most can afford.