PHOTOJOURNALIST'S FILM WILL PLAY AT FESTIVAL

Photojournalist's filmwill play at festival
YOUNGSTOWN -- A short film directed and edited by a photojournalist for WFMJ-TV, channel 21, will be shown at the Ohio Independent Film Festival Nov. 6-13. The festival will be held at Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Road, Cleveland. In "Eyes Wide Open," an 11-minute documentary, photojournalist Art Byrd and WFMJ reporter Janet Rogers examine the 2004 Memorial Day visit of the "Boots of U.S. Soldiers" exhibit. The exhibit of 800 pairs of boots represented U.S. soldiers killed in the Iraq conflict. The traveling exhibit was displayed at the Nathaniel R. Jones Federal Building and U.S Courthouse in downtown Youngstown. Byrd and Rogers talked with local residents, ranging from a World War veteran to two young people, about their feelings about the Iraq conflict and the soldiers who gave their lives. "As a TV photojournalist, I can only present short snippets of soundbites and pictures for a news story, but in a film, I can extend the story," said Byrd in a press release. "I thought the people at the exhibit had more to say about the war and believed that their voices should be heard." "Eyes Wide Open" will be shown at the film festival on Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. as part of Ohio Day, which focuses on films written, directed, photographed and starring Ohioans. For a complete OIFF schedule, go to www.ohiofilms.com. "Eyes Wide Open" is Byrd's fourth film in the OIFF in the past 10 years. Byrd, who also teaches at Youngstown State University, is currently finishing production on his next film, "Emotional Reload," with local actors. It was shot in the Youngstown and Columbiana areas.
TubaChristmas returnsto Eastwood Mall
NILES -- TubaChristmas 2005 will be held at Eastwood Mall on Nov. 26, with performances at noon and 2 p.m. Created by Harvey Phillips, Merry TubaChristmas 2005 concerts will be presented in more than 180 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Harvey Phillips, who created TubaChristmas in 1974, made it annual event to honor his teacher, the late great tubist William J. Bell. The warm, rich organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of audiences in many cities. For more information or to participate, please call Teresa Kirkland, coordinator at (330) 219-2998, or e-mail her at teresakirkland05@aol.com.
Marvin Hamlischin solo performance
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Marvin Hamlisch, the internationally known composer and conductor who wrote the music for "A Chorus Line" and 40 motion picture scores, will share his life's story and music during a solo performance Dec. 1 at Slippery Rock University. Hamlisch is the principal pops conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and children, and are available at www.sru.edu or by calling (724) 738-2091.
'Nashville Star' auditions
Local "Froggy" country radio stations and USA Network are searching for the next great country music artist. Open auditions for "Nashville Star," the top-rated country music television show, are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Rhythm House Cafe, off I-79, Bridgeville, Pa. The grand prize winner will win a recording contract with a major label, joining the ranks of Buddy Jewell, Miranda Lambert and others whose careers were launched by the show. The fourth season of "Nashville Star" premieres in March on USA Network. Contestants 18 years or older will be required to sing up to 60 seconds of a cover song from an approved song list and bring a completed short form application and two forms of identification to the auditions. Official application forms and a list of approved songs are available at usanetwork.com/nashvillestar, nashvillestar.yahoo.com, or froggyland.com.
'Footloose' bus trip
HOWLAND --Travel Bugs have scheduled a bus trip to the Carousel Dinner Theater in Akron on Nov. 9 to see the musical "Footloose." The bus will depart at 10:45 a.m. Lunch is included at the Carousel. Show time is 2 p.m. The bus will return to Howland around 6 p.m. The cost is $60 per person. Call Howland Scope at (330) 609-7806 to reserve a seat.
Japanese dance at SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- "Big and Small Lion Dance," a centuries-old folk tradition from Japan, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Slippery Rock Univeristy's Swope Recital Hall. The free-admission event showcases the spring planting folk festival dance by a troupe from Aichi-ken, Japan. It is performed by 25 dancers, musicians, clowns and a narrator.