Twist and Shout • Dec 2023

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DECEMBER 2023

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ENTERTAINMENT MONTHLY

Sounds of the

Season STORY PAGE 4

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DECEMBER 2023

WHAT’S INSIDE

PUBLISHER terry christensen tchristensen@messengernews.net

4-5: Sounds of the Season

HR/ACCOUNTING melissa wendland mwendland@messengernews.net

6. Bike for Tykes 7. Lights at Kennedy

DESIGN COORDINATOR nick manwarren nmanwarren@messengernews.net

8-9. Holidays at the Blanden

SALES DIRECTOR leanne darr ldarr@messengernews.net jody kayser jkayser@messengernews.net brittney benson bbenson@messengernews.net EDITOR bill shea bshea@messengernews.net

EVERY ISSUE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS tom tourville lori berglund hailey brueschke brandon brueschke

10-11: Local Calendar 12: Good Eats

COPYRIGHT 2023

14: Artist Spotlight: Mike Schoon

Twist & Shout is published monthly by ogden newspapers inc. All content and opinions expressed

& Mark Schoon

may not be those of the publishers. *All photos submitted to Twist & Shout become property of Twist & Shout.

16: Shining Star: Ty Williamson

We are not responsible for their return.

18: A look back:

/twistshout 2

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Sounds of the Season by brandon brueschke

Iowa Central bands, singers to celebrate the season. Holiday instrumental, vocal concerts scheduled.

On Dec. 8 -9, Iowa Central Community College will be holding its “Sounds of the Season” concerts in the Bioscience and Health Sciences Building auditorium.

Paul Bloomquist, the director of instrumental music, and Will Lopes, the director of vocal music, discussed the setting for these concerts and why they split them into two separate shows.

Bloomquist said “We were hoping to be back in Decker Auditorium, but it’s not ready quite yet and we don’t want to launch that place if it’s not quite done yet. So, we’re still in the Bio Health Sciences building. It is a bit limiting in space for staging, setting up, and all the logistics of moving equipment, but we make it work.”

“That’s partly why we have a separate instrumental night and a separate vocal night because putting them together is just too much moving of people and equipment and everything to make it work,” he added. “We don’t want to bore the audience having to watch us set up and tear down when we can just run music. I lovingly call it the BHS auditorium kind of like our campground.

We’ve been camping for about a year and a half now, and like any camping experience, there’s a point where you’re ready to go home.

I can assure you, I’m ready to go. I’d like to go back to our grid of facilities, but I’m being very patient. It will be awesome when it’s ready, and the students are resilient.”

The instrumental concert will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 8..

“On Friday, Dec. 8, will be the instrumental component of the Iowa Central Music Department, which includes the concert band, the jazz band, the percussion ensemble, and the brass ensemble,” Bloomquist said. .”All four groups will be at the concert. It will be a festive occasion, and it’s a culmination of the semester of what we’ve been working on. I’ve kind of got a theme of going home for the holidays, so for example the jazz band is going to play a great blues tune, ‘Sweet Home Chicago’. So because of the title having home in it, we decided to work that in there. It’ll be nice, cookies are offered and punch and everything before the concert, a little

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reception that our administration hosts.”

Bloomquist continued talking about the concert’s theme by saying “the jazz band is gonna play, ‘I’ll be Home for Christmas’.

And then we just read through ‘There’s no Place Like Home for the Holidays’, and like I said ‘Sweet Home Chicago’, which is just a fun tune. I even tried to work in a Steely Dan tune ‘Ricky Don’t Lose That Number’, which is more about a phone number, but I like to relate it to a house number and it’s just a fun tune. The concert band is playing a ‘delivering your packages’ theme. So we’re going to do a little bit of music from “Polar Express” and then we go into “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, but then we’re gonna go back in time to how presents were delivered before trains. There’s a song called ‘On the Overland Stage to El Paso’. Then we’ve completed that little montage with “Polar Express” again.”

Bloomquist also stated that the different bands will feature other traditional seasonal songs.

“So whether it’s cartoon, commercial or just holiday and festive, I think it’s more fun to read a lot of music then just narrow it down and say OK, we’re playing this,” he said. “We’re trying to read a lot of different styles” The vocal concert will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.Dec. 9.

“For the vocal concert, we will be featuring four ensembles,” Lopes said. “So we have Triton Singers, which is the main choir, then we have Encore Singers, which is our show choir, Then we have Pop Voices, which is one of our newer ensembles. Then we have Vocal Jazz. And then we’ll be also featuring a male vocal ensemble called Triton Eight. We try to perform pieces that will give the audience a little bit of a feel of what our students can do as far as talent. We just try to bring a little bit of everything, so we’re going to have a little d e c e m b e r

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more traditional pieces, we have jazz pieces, we will have of course pop music, and I wrote a couple pieces so we’re gonna have a couple of pieces in Latin. So it’s just like a little bit of everything. Some of our favorite Christmas tunes and that you know, in different new clothing. And all just trying to expand a little bit as far as style to give everybody a little bit of what they would expect in a variety show like this.”

Lopes went on to reveal a few of the songs that will be performed, saying “We’ll be performing some of our favorite Christmas songs like the Triton Eight will do an arrangement of ‘Mary Did You Know?’, the Triton Singers will be doing an arrangement of the traditional carol ‘ O’ Come all Ye Faithful’, Vocal Jazz will be doing Peanuts Christmas special theme ‘Christmas Time is Here’, and Pop Voices will be performing the Pentatonix hit ‘Up on The Housetop’’.

Lopes also shared that a matinee performance of just the vocal concert will happen at 2 p.m.Dec. 6.

“Originally that performance was catered purely for seniors from Friendship Haven and a couple of others,” he said. “We decided to open it up and have that available for the community as well.

So families and friends and the community are welcome to join.”

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Holiday instrumental, vocal concerts scheduled On Dec. 8 -9, Iowa Central Community College will be holding its “Sounds of the Season” concerts in the Bioscience and Health Sciences Building auditorium.

Paul Bloomquist, the director of instrumental music, and Will Lopes, the director of vocal music, discussed the setting for these concerts and why they split them into two separate shows.

Bloomquist said “We were hoping to be back in Decker Auditorium, but it’s not ready quite yet and we don’t want to launch that place if it’s not quite done yet. So, we’re still in the Bio Health Sciences building. It is a bit limiting in space for staging, setting up, and all the logistics of moving equipment, but we make it work.”

“That’s partly why we have a separate instrumental night and a separate vocal night because putting them together is just too much moving of people and equipment and everything to make it work,” he added. “We don’t want to bore the audience having to watch us set up and tear down when we can just run music. I lovingly call it the BHS auditorium kind of like our campground. We’ve been camping for about a year and a half now, and like any camping experience, there’s a point where you’re ready to go home. I can assure you, I’m ready to go. I’d like to go back to our grid of facilities, but I’m being very patient. It will be awesome when it’s ready, and the students are resilient.”

The instrumental concert will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 8..

“On Friday, Dec. 8, will be the instrumental component of the Iowa Central Music Department, which includes the concert band, the jazz band, the percussion ensemble, and the brass ensemble,” Bloomquist said. .”All four groups will be at the concert. It will be a festive occasion, and it’s a culmination of the semester of what we’ve been working on. I’ve kind of got a theme of going home for the holidays, so for example the jazz band is going to play a great blues tune, ‘Sweet Home Chicago’. So because of the title having home in it, we decided to work that in there. It’ll be nice, cookies are offered and punch and everything before the concert, a little reception that our administration hosts.”

The vocal concert will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.Dec. 9.

“For the vocal concert, we will be featuring four ensembles,” Lopes said. “So we have Triton Singers, which is the main choir, then we have Encore Singers, which is our show choir, Then we have Pop Voices, which is one of our newer ensembles. Then we have Vocal Jazz. And then we’ll be also featuring a male vocal ensemble called Triton Eight. We try to perform pieces that will give the audience a little bit of a feel of what our students can do as far as talent. We just try to bring a little bit of everything, so we’re going to have a little more traditional pieces, we have jazz pieces, we will have of course pop music, and I wrote a couple pieces so we’re gonna have a couple of pieces in Latin.

So it’s just like a little bit of everything. Some of our favorite Christmas tunes and that you know, in different new clothing. And all just trying to expand a little bit as far as style to give everybody a little bit of what they would expect in a variety show like this.”

Lopes went on to reveal a few of the songs that will be performed, saying “We’ll be performing some of our favorite Christmas songs like the Triton Eight will do an arrangement of ‘Mary Did You Know?’, the Triton Singers will be doing an arrangement of the traditional carol ‘ O’ Come all Ye Faithful’, Vocal Jazz will be doing Peanuts Christmas special theme ‘Christmas Time is Here’, and Pop Voices will be performing the Pentatonix hit ‘Up on The Housetop’’.

Lopes also shared that a matinee performance of just the vocal concert will happen at 2 p.m.Dec. 6.

“Originally that performance was catered purely for seniors from Friendship Haven and a couple of others,” he said. “We decided to open it up and have that available for the community as well. So families and friends and the community are welcome to join.”

Bloomquist continued talking about the concert’s theme by saying “the jazz band is gonna play, ‘I’ll be Home for Christmas’. And then we just read through ‘There’s no Place Like Home for the Holidays’, and like I said ‘Sweet Home Chicago’, which is just a fun tune. I even tried to work in a Steely Dan tune ‘Ricky Don’t Lose That Number’, which is more about a phone number, but I like to relate it to a house number and it’s just a fun tune. The concert band is playing a ‘delivering your packages’ theme. So we’re going to do a little bit of music from “Polar Express” and then we go into “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, but then we’re gonna go back in time to how presents were delivered before trains. There’s a song called ‘On the Overland Stage to El Paso’. Then we’ve completed that little montage with “Polar Express” again.”

Bloomquist also stated that the different bands will feature other traditional seasonal songs.“So whether it’s cartoon, commercial or just holiday and festive, I think it’s more fun to read a lot of music then just narrow it down and say OK, we’re playing this,” he said. “We’re trying to read a lot of different styles”

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Bikes for Tykes makes Christmas wishes come true Who wouldn’t love something on wheels for Christmas? “I love anything with wheels,” said Matt Johnson, director of happiness at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota.

“The spirit of giving and gratitude that our community demonstrates is just fantastic,” Johnson said.

Sometimes the old gentleman from the north, Santa himself, needs a little help this time of year. That’s where a partnership with Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota, Alpha Media, and Upper Des Moines Opportunity (UDMO), springs into action faster than a sleigh taking off from a rooftop on Christmas Eve. It’s the annual Bikes for Tykes program, with additional sponsors including W&H Co-op and R&J Material Handling.

As a family-owned and operated business, Johnson said Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota puts a priority on projects that make life a little better for families within the community.

With help from UDMO, families in need are identified and matched with a bike appropriate for each child. The program serves families in five counties, including Webster, Hamilton, Humboldt, Wright and Pocahontas.

Bikes for Tykes first rolled into central Iowa in 2010 and over the years has provided thousands of bikes for kids from preschoolers on up to young teenagers.

“We get about 400 bikes a year,” Johnson said. “When we started this, people asked ‘How long are you going to keep doing this?’ We said, ‘As long as there is a need.’ Unfortunately, the need is still there.”

The auto dealer’s showroom in Fort Dodge looks a little different this time of year, as bicycles take over the gleaming marble floor. From little pink bikes with white baskets, to bigger bicycles that will take a teenager safely to school in the morning, Bikes for Tykes is all about putting a smile on the faces of kids (and their parents) at Christmas.

There are even stacks and stacks of more bikes waiting to be put together by volunteers.

“To think that some children might not otherwise get a gift, or maybe have never had a bicycle, is very hard,” Johnson said. “Personally, I remember how exciting your first bike can be for a kid. It helps kids socialize with friends and gets them active outside.”

A bicycle is truly a gift that never seems to go out of style. It gets kids moving, engaging their bodies and minds, and can help build friendships and neighborliness.

or even gifts, and brought those funds in with his mother the following year to pay his gift forward and buy a bike for another child in need.

Johnson emphasizes that it’s a partnership within the community — a quality of being good neighbors — that helps the program succeed every year.

“His mom said he did this all on his own,” Johnson recalled.

“It was such an impactful moment to meet with a child who showed that much gratitude and wanted to create that same experience for someone else.”

“Some people bring in a new bike, some people make donations, some people give helmets or bike accessories,” he said. “There are even businesses that challenge competing businesses to match or exceed donations.”

Clubs and different organizations also team up to donate bikes or funds, or even help put all those bikes together.

Over the years, Johnson said he has been deeply touched by the generosity of so many within the community.

“One family, over the last three years, has donated 115 bicycles,” he said.

Johnson also recalls a child who was the recipient of a bike at the age of about 6 or 7. That child was so overwhelmed with the gift that, in the next year he saved all the money he received from household chores,

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Children like that give everyone a reminder of what it means to be a community.

“We live in such a great area, and people are so giving,” Johnson said. “It’s very humbling to be a part of this and see so many people coming together for the collective good and to help each other.”

Donations of new bicycles, helmets, accessories, and money will be accepted at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota through Dec. 13. Checks can be made payable to Bikes for Tykes and mailed to the dealership at 2723 Fifth Ave. S., Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

As of press time, there was a need for both boys’ and girls’ bikes, 18 and 20-inch sizes.

In cooperation with a lively group of elves, UDMO will collect the bikes and begin distribution to parents on Dec. 14. Final delivery will be made by Santa himself as families celebrate the holiday. t w i s t

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Light up your night with holiday magic by hailey brueschke

The magic of the holidays comes alive during the 20th annual drive-thru Christmas lights show, Lights at Kennedy. North central Iowa’s premier holiday lighting event allows families to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season.

Historically, Lights at Kennedy used to donate directly to Backpack Buddies. However due to how large the event has become some of the free will donations go back to Lights at Kennedy to help with the upkeep and improvement to the displays and lights..

The lights will be turned on from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 8-10, Dec. 15-17 and Dec. 22-23.

“We still do donate funds back to the community though,” Reed said.

There will be a beautiful archway at the entrance, bright holiday lights, a 30 foot tree, and much more to see at Lights at Kennedy this Christmas.

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This year we have the most amount of displays we have ever had and right now we have about 35 different ones

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The drive-thru light show is choreographed to music and includes bright, beautiful light displays sponsored by local businesses.

“This year we have the most amount of displays we have ever had and right now we have about 35 different ones,” said Andy Reed, Lights at Kennedy organizer.

Since Reed took over Lights at Kennedy 10 years ago, the event has grown significantly.

They donate some of the funds to the Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma and the Fort Dodge Young Professionals.

Reed added, “The first year I did it, we had about 1,500 vehicles attend, but in the last three years we have had over 4,000 vehicles come drive through to look at the beautiful holiday displays.”

“The Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma is in charge of the Backpack Buddies program so the donations are still going to that charity, which is why Lights at Kennedy was started in the first place,” Reed said.

Admission to Lights at Kennedy is a freewill donation, but a suggested donation is $5 per vehicle. The free will donations help with the upkeep and improvements to the display and lights so they can continue to hold Lights at Kennedy each year.

For updates due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, check out their Facebook page at www. facebook.com/LightsatKennedy/

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-Andy Reed

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holidays at the blanden by lori berglund

Tucked away on a tree-lined street in Fort Dodge’s Oak Hill Historic District, the Blanden Memorial Art Museum is a gem for Fort Dodge and the surrounding area. Home to the works of world-renowned artists, it’s a place dedicated to inspiring creativity even among those who have barely held a paint brush.

“What we try to create here is an environment that is welcoming,” said Director Eric Anderson. “You don’t have to have a vast knowledge of art and design. We want you to come in, take a look around, and come out of here having a better understanding of what art is, to have an appreciation of the arts.”

From classes for the whole family, to the notable Andy Warhol print that hangs here, to pieces that have been collected and donated to the museum over the decades, the Blanden seeks to have a little something to enliven Fort Dodge artist Mary Jo Hinds in her home studio with one of the landscape pieces for which she has become known.

the artistic nature within every soul. “i get people who come in the door and say, `I’ve lived here all my life, and I’ve never been inside,” Anderson said.

The coming collection for the holiday season will give first-timers, and even old friends of the Blanden, great reason to come inside.

Fort Dodge resident Mary Jo Hinds will be the featured artist in the Blanden’s East Gallery beginning Nov. 2 and continuing throughout the months of November, December and January.

The inspiration for her work comes largely from nature, from friends, and from places she has gone, or would perhaps like to visit.

“I like to capture the beauty of the world,” Hinds said.

She paints a lot for her family, friends, and does commission work. Many of her paintings are available as notecards. Her work can be seen, and even purchased, on her website at josartwork.com

With an abundance of color and light, her landscapes and floral paintings are sure to be very popular with visitors.

For those with a long history in Hamilton County, her work is reminiscent of the natural scenes that were often the subject of paintings by Webster City native Penny Dermand.

Visitors to the Blanden can meet her in person and learn more about her work at an upcoming reception.

“She does a lot of nature scenes, some florals, and some religious-based paintings,” Anderson said.

The reception for Hinds is set for 2 to 4:30 p.m Nov. 18.

The reception starts off with a social time, followed by a talk from the artist usually at about 3 p.m., and then wraps up with more time to see the collection or visit the other galleries throughout the Blanden.

Hinds is well known for her work at the Blanden’s summer art festival, and is also a regular at Art in the Park at Okoboji and other locations.

“For the most part, she is a self-taught painter,” Anderson said. “She has taken classes and workshops by other artists, but I would say she is mostly self-taught.”

Born in Wyoming, Hinds and her husband, Hal, have lived in Fort Dodge for many years and raised their family here. She really only took up painting after retirement, and has worked with three different teachers, but said she really needed to learn by picking up a brush and simply doing it herself.

“I just had to paint in order to learn to paint,” Hinds said.

She enjoys working in oil colors because of their depth and flexibility. Because the oil remains pliable for some

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time, she can come back to a painting even days later and make adjustments. Hinds is often refining her work. Her husband offers suggestions and names the paintings.

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“We always do an artist reception for our artists to meet with the public,” Anderson said. “It’s free for people to come in and talk with the artist a bit.”

NEW PERMANENT EXHIBIT COMING IN 2024 The West Gallery of the Blanden is always devoted to pieces from the museum’s permanent collection. Each exhibit remains up for about two years, with a new display set to debut in early 2024, so there is limited time left to see the current exhibit, which is themed “The Grid, Architecture and Perspective.” In late December, these pieces will be tucked away at the museum and remain as part of the permanent collection, but not on public display.

Anderson expects the new exhibit to open by midJanuary. The working theme for this exhibit is titled “Motion, Time and Space.”

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Blanden Museum Director Eric Anderson loves to welcome first-time visitors to the local museum. New exhibits are set to debut in November and again early next year, making it a great time to stop in.

It’s his hope that, as the years go by and the ornaments are hung on the tree each holiday season, that parents and children will be able to reflect on something they did together.

While the open house had traditionally been linked with fundraising, that went on hiatus during the pandemic. This year, the open house is back, but the fundraising remains on hiatus, at least for the time being.

“We always try to make it a festive occasion,” Anderson said of the holiday classes. “Usually we provide some hot cocoa and some holiday treats.”

“This year we are just focusing on getting people reacquainted with the experience, coming to the museum, and socializing with others,” Anderson said. “Maybe next year we may incorporate some fundraising.”

All materials, from the ornaments to the paint and glaze, are provided. A family pack of four ornaments is just $25. Additional ornaments are available at $5 each.

Once completed, the ornaments will be left behind to dry and will be available for pick-up the following week at the Blanden’s annual holiday open house.

This will be the first year that the holiday class will be held at the Blanden’s new Art Education Center, located at 224 S. Eighth St. “The new center allows us to accommodate more people, more families, and allows us to do a lot more in terms of programming,” Anderson said.

The centerpiece for the new permanent exhibit is “Thirty-One Discs in Three Directions,” created by Alexander Calder in 1952. A three-dimensional mobile of painted aluminum, it stands nearly 76 inches high and 27 inches in diameter. The piece was a gift of the late Ann Ringland Smeltzer.

FAMILY ORNAMENTS, FAMILY MEMORIES Families are invited to come together and paint their own holiday ornaments from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Blanden Art Education Center. Munch on Christmas cookies, and sip a little hot cocoa as family members paint their own ornaments to hang on their Christmas trees.

“It’s really a chance for families to have some fun together,” Anderson said. “It’s a great time to make some memories that last.”

The family ornament class is always a seasonal favorite, but it’s just one of many classes offered throughout the year. Other upcoming classes include: • Black Out Poetry and Illustrations, ages 12 to 18, on Nov. 11 • Kids Ceramic Class featuring clay monsters, ages 6 to 11, on Nov. 25 •Art Memes, ages 12 to 16; on Dec. 16.

As a final reminder, the Blanden is also a unique place to do a little holiday shopping, and keep it local.

“We support local artists in the gift shop,” Anderson said.

“Everything is made by artists within about 60 miles. We have a mixture of pottery, metal work, some pressed flowers, silk scarves, post cards and cards. It’s a good mixture, and a good variety of price points.”

Members of the Blanden receive a 10 percent discount in the gift shop.

“It’s a good way to save some money and support the museum,” Anderson said. “The money helps support our programming, exhibits and outreach efforts, and other things at the museum.”

Check the Blanden’s website at blanden.org for ongoing classes throughout the year. Pre-registration is needed for all classes.

Register on-line, in-person at the Blanden or by calling 515 573-2316.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE RETURNS The annual holiday open house returns to the Blanden from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9.

“This is a great community get-together with live music, a chance to socialize, and enjoy some goodies to eat,” Anderson said.

photo courtesy of eventbrite.com

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Pulse LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR

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DECEMBER 7

DECEMBER 9

Art and Photography Reception w/ Chad Elliott

Hawkeye Community Theatre Presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Iowa Central Community College 1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Hawkeye Community Theatre Presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hawkeye Community Theatre 521 North 12th Street • Fort Dodge, Iowa

Fort Dodge Middle School 800 N. 32nd Street • Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Iowa Central Artof andFort Dodge,Leading Ladies South IA 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Photography Student Show

Best Western Starlite Iowa CentralDec. Community Speaker Line-Up Sponsored By: Village Friday, 8 College Saturday, Dec. 9 Chad Elliott LIVE 1518 3rd Ave NW • Fort Dodge, IA 50501

SHOW HOURS

11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

DECEMBER 2 1:00 PM

3:00 PM

5:00 PM

Family Ceramic Ornament

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Blanden Art Education Center David South Kruse Goethe Mark•Licht 224 8th Street Fort Dodge,Alysa Iowa 50501 President of Miss Iowa 2023 Associate Professor

Commstock Farm News Columnist “Treading Water while waiting for another wave to catch: Biofuel /Carbon opportunities”

& Extension Cropping Systems Specialist

DECEMBER 3

“Out of the box Soybean management”

“Not your typical Miss Iowa”

7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Farm News Ag Show

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

7:30 AM - 3:00 PM Webster County Fairgrounds Free Pancake Breakfast 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Fort Dodge Middle School 6-8 Band Concert

DECEMBER 8

DECEMBER 10

Matt Johnson

Fort Dodge Ford Director of Happiness “Ford F-150 EV “ Live Demonstration Truck at show

Kelvin Leibold

Chad Hart

Farm & Ag Bus Mgt Specialist ISU Ext & Outreach

Professor of Economics Iowa State University

“Strategic & Tactical planning For your Farm”

“Markets, Mischief, and Mayhem For 2024”

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Fort Dodge Middle School 800 N. 32nd Street • Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Sponsored By:

DECEMBER 6

Hawkeye Community Theatre 9th 7:30am - 9:30am Charles Dickens’ Presents “The Best Christmas Catered by: Chris Cakes “A Christmas Carol” presented Pageant Ever” 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM by the FD Area Symphony DRAWING Hawkeye Community Theatre 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 521 North 12th Street • Fort Dodge, Iowa Fort Dodge Middle School 800 N. 32nd Street • Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501Stay For Two 3 Night

10 VALUE $980

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Blanden Memorial Art Museum 920 3rd Ave s. • Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

Meet our new CEO, Astra Ferris, and learn 8:30 AM 10:30 AM 1:00 PM about her career, her leadership philosophy, and her vision for our organization and region.

TrollsFREE Dance Camp Pancake Breakfast

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Saturday VDA Powerstars 721 S 25th st • Fort Dodge, IA December

Blanden Art Museum Holiday Open House

Fort Dodge Senior High Yuletide Matt Woods Band LIVE Choir Concert 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Shiny Top Brewing

DECEMBER 122770 Old Hwy 169 DECEMBER 5

1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge, IA 50501 SHOW HOURS

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hawkeye Community Theatre 521 North 12th Street • Fort Dodge, Iowa

SHOWS!

Hawkeye Community Theatre Presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hawkeye Community Theatre 521 North 12th Street • Fort Dodge, Iowa

Farm News Ag Show 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Webster County Fairgrounds

d e c eDATES m b e r PICK 3 SHOWS FROM THIS LIST: Clay Cooper, The Hughs Brothers, MUST BE Pierce Arrow, #1 Hits From the 60’s, or Dublin Tenors. Admission to BOOKED BY JAN 10, 2024 one of the Following: The Titanic Museum or the Butter Fly Palace

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Fort Dodge Senior High Instrumental Winter Concert 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Fort Dodge Middle School 800 N. 32nd Street • Fort Dodge, IA 50501

DECEMBER 12

Fort Dodge Middle School Winter Orchestra Concert 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Fort Dodge Middle School 800 N. 32nd Street • Fort Dodge, IA 50501 t w i s t

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DEC DECEMBER 14

DECEMBER 16

DECEMBER 17

DECEMBER 23

Brittany Sword LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

The Blanden Collective

FD Choral Society Presents: Christmas ‘Round the World

Renegade Soul LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM First United Methodist Church 127 N. 10th Street • Fort Dodge, IA 50501

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Blanden Art Education Center 224 South 8th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

Jason Kincel LIVE at Koozies

DECEMBER 28

Art Memes

DECEMBER 19

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA 50501

DECEMBER 15

515 Big Band Concert 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Historic Phillips Auditorium 1015 5th Ave N • Fort Dodge, IA

Jason Reed LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

Brady O’Brien presents An Enchanted Evening at the Laramar Ballroom 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 710 1st Avenue North Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Blanden Memorial Art Museum 920 3rd Ave s. • Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

Free Saturday Class Ages 6-11

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Blanden Art Education Center 224 South 8th Street • Fort Dodge, Iowa

Solo Grunge Unplugged Featuring Mark Willard - LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, Iowa

307 S. 12th Street Fort Dodge

515-576-3156

www.laufersweilerfuneralhome.com t w i s t

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4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Koozies • 16 N. 7th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

Fort Dodge Middle School 6-8 Choir Concert 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Fort Dodge Middle School 800 N. 32nd Street • Fort Dodge, IA

DECEMBER 21

Solo Acoustic Republic LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, Iowa

DECEMBER 30

Salty View LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

Jordan Reuter LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, Iowa

All funeral providers are not the same.

Although some have tried, there is no true way to compare with just price.

Our families only select what they need and want for their loved ones while receiving the utmost care and respect.

Serving families since 1856 d e c e m b e r

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s t a E d Goo s k n i r &D dining:

716 Main...................................Humboldt Amigos.................................. 280 N. 1st St. Applebee’s.......................... 2810 5th Ave. S Bloomers on Central.......... 900 Central Ave. Buffalo Wild Wings......................2909 5th Ave. S. CasaBlanca Steak House........................ Hwy 169 Ardys Mae Coffee and Dessert....... 14 S. 14th St. Community Tap & Pizza..............2026 5th Ave. S. Peking Garden...............................510 5th Ave. S. Hacienda Vieja.........................1518 3rd Ave. NW Ja-Mar Drive-In.............................. 329 S. 25th St. Lizard Creek Ranch..................1762 Johnson Ave The Stadium...............................2001 2nd Ave. N. Lomitas Mexican Restaurant.......2223 5th Ave. S.

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Mineral City................................2621 5th Ave. So. Ninja Sushi Steak House............... 407 S. 25th St. Perkins...........................................511 S. 32nd St. Pizza Ranch................................ 3311 5th Ave. S. Sneakers...................................1317 Central Ave. A Pinch of Love Cafe..................... 850 S. 18th St. Shiny Top Brewing........ 520 Central Ave. Tea Thyme...................................2021 6th Ave. S. The Sports Page.......................... 2707 N. 15th St. Tom Thumb Drive Inn.......................... 1412 A. St. Tres Amigos.................................3521 5th Ave. S. Tropical Smoothie..................2813 1/2 5th Ave. S. Village Inn.................................... 2002 N. 15th St. Zakeer’s Family Restaurant.........425 2nd Ave. S.

FAST-FOOD: Burger King....................... 2814 5th Ave. S. Casey’s Carry-Out Pizza..........2007 N.15th St. 2206 2nd Ave. N. 1133 S. 22nd St. 1308 3rd Ave. N. W. 235 Ave. O 1230 3rd Ave. NW 3327 5th Ave. S. Culver’s............................. 3048 5th Ave. S. Domino’s Pizza................... 1430 5th Ave S. Dunkin’ Donuts.................. 2520 5th Ave. S.

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Hardee’s..................................6 S. 15th St. Jimmy Johns..................... 3023 5th Ave. S. KFC....................................3057 1st Ave. S. McDonald’s........................ 2509 5th Ave. S. ............................................. 107 Ave. O W. Pancheros......................... 3022 5th Ave. S. Papa Murphy’s Pizza......... 2813 5th Ave. S. Pizza Hut........................... 2940 5th Ave. S. Scooter’s Coffee................. 2949 5th Ave S. Starbucks - Target..............2910 1st Ave. S. Starbucks - Hy-Vee............... 115 S 29th St Subway..................................... 109 Ave. O .......................................... 2323 5th Ave. S. Taco Bell.............................3057 1st Ave. S. Taco Tico............................. 319 S. 29th St. Wendy’s............................. 2313 5th Ave. S.

drinks: 4th Street Depot................ 300 S. 4th St. Brass Monkey.................... 15 N. 10th St. Buck’s Fireside Lounge..... 16 N. 11th St. Bootleggers.................. 1239 S. 22nd St. Crickets Lounge........... 512 Central Ave. Dodge City Bar............. 915 Central Ave. Dodger Tap........................ 22 N. 12th St. River Hops.................. 1014 Central Ave. Shiny Top Brewing........ 520 Central Ave.

15 Years In A Row! 1911 First Avenue North Fort Dodge

515-576-5095

Craft Beer • Gourmet Pizza • Live Music

520 CENTRAL AVE. FORT DODGE

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Advertise your restaurant on good eats • 573-2141 EXT. 445 t w i s t

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artistspot Mike Schoon Mark Schoon Hometown: Manson, IA Instrument: Vocal, Guitar, Keyboard

Hometown: Manson, IA Instrument: Vocal, Guitar

How long have you been performing? mike: 19 Years mark: 17 Years Tell us about a couple of your most memorable performances or musical experiences. mike: A. Definitely playing prom my senior year. Pretty cool since no one does that kind of stuff anymore.

Even back then it was kind of old school when we did it. Playing at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood is always a trip and all those Whisky shows collectively would be a memorable moment. Such a legendary establishment and so much history there. On top of that they have a great stage/sound/lights/crew etc.....

Shellabration 2023 was also super memorable. Coming back home to play such a big show. So many more memorable shows but that’s what comes to mind at the moment.

How did you first become interested in making music? mike: Just listening to my favorite bands and my dad was in a band so it was a normal part of life and just made it natural to start playing. Then finding an outlet outside of school aside from sports. Just a natural transition. The 90s and early 2000s pop punk scene really sparked it too.

mark: I became interested in trying out guitar, because a lot of my family plays. So that’s how I started, and I was getting better and learning more. But I kinda fell out of it with going to school. Meaning I wasn’t really playing that much. Eventually though, I saw my brother Mike’s first high school band play live, and that’s what helped motivate me to really get back into playing, and also sparked my interest in playing in a band.

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mark: Playing at Wooly’s in Des Moines, when we got into the top 5 bands for Lazerfests battle of the bands. Our first time playing at the Whisky A Go Go, in LA. And playing Shellabration, where we opened for Collective Soul.

Who has the greatest influence on you musically? mike: So many at different periods…. Again starting out it was the 90s/2000s pop punk scene and also the Nu Metal Scene. Bands like Sum 41, Green Day, Linkin Park, Creed, etc. then came Classic rock such as Queen, The Beatles & Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica etc. The typical entry level kind of bands…. Was always a big Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne’s first guitarist) fan in terms of guitar. At this point I’ve had so many different phases I just love everything from Classic rock to Hardcore Metal…. to Rap… to Country. There is no Greatest….just multiple influences. Lately I’ve even tapped into some EDM….every day I feel a different influence haha

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mark: When I was younger I grew up around a lot of Rock and Country. The first actual band CD I got when I was a kid, was Matchbox 20 haha. But before I got into playing music, I was more into football and I kinda listened to whatever was popular on the radio. Like all the radio hits. But when I started learning guitar. Green Day, Metallica, Ozzy, to name a few.

Those bands really became big influences to me. Especially in the early learning phases. I have a lot of modern influences too. But those bands layed the groundwork for me.

If you had a chance to meet any performer/musician, alive or dead, whom would you choose? mike: Dead, I’d say Elvis or Randy Rhoads. Alive, I’d say James Hetfield of Metallica or Post Malone. Definitely want to meet some living legends …..but there are a lot of musicians I want to meet and I’m sure most readers wouldn’t know half of them since a lot aren’t known as well.

mark: Close to what Mike said. First would be Randy Rhoads, then Elvis.

What are some of your musical accomplishments? mike: I’m proud of the recordings we have on different streaming services …7 Music Videos recorded…in the past there were a good handful of Battle of the Bands 1st place awards…Playing in Multiple legendary venues in California…I don’t feel anywhere near done but I would say the fact we made something out of Twenty 2 Salute (although it’s small in some people’s eyes)...I feel we’ve broken out of the beginners or local tier for sure at least…still climbing but we’ve worked very hard and to see some fruits of our labor is the biggest accomplishment. Also making music that other people sincerely enjoy objectively is a big accomplishment and feeling.

mark: Having our first recording, to now having multiple ones. Our music videos, to getting played on the radio, to opening for big acts. It keeps progressing. I’d call those accomplishments.

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What is the most unusual thing to have happened to you during a show/performance? mike: Fell into the drum kit at a show in front of everyone and knocked things over. So embarrassing….but I collected myself in time to hit the next chorus perfectly on time so it worked!

mark: We won this one battle of the bands, and we were supposed to open for this bigger name band in Las Vegas.

Well, the promoter of the battle of the bands, took off with the money raised from the competition, and the headliner band that we opened for, hardly had anyone there to support them. Just a whole weird experience.

In 2024, where will we be able to see you playing throughout the year? mike: A. We will be playing with Twenty 2 Salute and our Acoustic Duo “The Schoon Brothers” in California AND in Iowa. There will be several Iowa dates and Southern California dates. People just need to keep an eye on our facebook pages and Instagram pages and all the news will be there!

mark: We’ll be playing shows in Iowa, California, and other states with our band Twenty 2 Salute. Also our acoustic duo “The Schoon Brothers” around the state of Iowa.

What groups are you both currently involved in and how would you describe those groups? mike: Twenty 2 Salute- It’s been our main project since 2011. It’s a high energy Hard Rock/Metal act in which we write all the songs. We moved to California with it and have big plans to continue it.

mark:

Schoon Brothers Acoustic Show - This is our side project but is beginning to become bigger and bigger.

It’s basically our 2 man duo show in which we play acoustic guitars and both sing equally in. We play for 4 hours usually and play 90s/2000s/ Modern Acoustic Alternative and Country hits…. we will probably begin to add our own written songs in an alternative/ Country manner eventually with the duo act here.

What has been the hardest lesson to learn when it comes to music and performing? mike: A. To just fight through the hard times of life and keep the passion of your music project alive when times are tough and especially for such a long period of time…been going nonstop since 2005…life happens and it can take the wind out of yours sails so you have to keep finding ways to keep your mind motivated to keep the machine moving.

Also for a performing lesson it would be to engage the crowd and remain energetic and entertaining regardless of the audience energy in the room…you have to create the energy yourself and not base it off crowd energy or reaction.

What are your hobbies? mike: Movies, sports, fantasy football, gym/running and spending time with friends. I love to socialize, have some drinks and especially go out with friends to hangout.

Nothing crazy….pretty simple hobbies outside of music at least for now.

mark: Other than music. Just hanging out with friends, going to the gym, running, movies, watching football, going out on the town in general. I love going to the beach/ mountains when I’m able to. Karaoke, fantasy football, video games….. very sparingly lol.

mark: Persistence is key. A lot of bands phase out because things aren’t going the way they want after a short time, or they get kinda jaded. If you really are into playing in a band.

You have to persist through those times.

Go to www.fineartsassociation.com for a list of upcoming events and our members…..

Over 60 events each month!

To become a member or let us know about an event contact: Shelly Bottorff, Executive Director • fdfinearts@gmail.com t w i s t

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shiningstar Ty Williamson

Age: 22 • Hometown: Fort Dodge • Professional Aspirations: Editorial Photographer

want to seek out an agency that would support my creative direction. My images don’t necessarily follow any trends which helps my work stay unique to me. I can’t predict what my future photography style may be but I want to continue to explore new methods and techniques in order to continually grow as an artist and individual.

Who inspires you and why?

I would say other photographers are my biggest inspiration. In a way, I see them as competition in the friendliest way possible. When I see others grow, I want to grow. I try to surround myself with creatives in order to keep inspired and motivated in order to keep working towards my goals.

Describe yourself in one word:

Growing up, was your family interested in arts and creativity? If so, how?

Yes, my grandparents owned their own photography business. Growing up I remember my grandfather, Al Williamson, would take me to his studio and take pictures with me. Photography and art in general have always been a major part of my life even before I knew it was something I wanted to do.

As a student, what are some of the activities you have been involved in?

I have been part of the University of Northern Iowa’s newspaper “The Northern Iowan,” and was a photographer for the campus magazine, “Uprising Magazine.” I took part in both of these for about a semester but now I pretty much just focus on school and my own freelance work.

What type of photography work do you hope to do after college?

My goal is to focus on more editorial imagery with a combination of mixed media techniques. I also really 16

Free. I believe that one factor that has made my work what it is today is the freedom of exploration. When I first started my photography, specifically my fine art photography, I never posted it on social media. I didn’t want anybody’s opinion on the work at all and in fact I only really let a few people see what I had created.

I feel as if this helped me explore new ideas without others trying to opinionate the work. Although I always see value in other people’s perception of my artwork, I don’t let it direct my flow. This freedom to create and explore new ideas early on really helped push my images out of the box as I continued to explore new methods of creating.

Favorite type of music to listen to and why?

I can’t say that I have a favorite type of music to listen to, really I just go off of what my mood is. My goal is to always create with the intention of delivering an experience for the viewer and sometimes these messages can be simple or on the other hand, chaotic. Depending on my intended message, it could be psychedelic rock, rap, or even smooth jazz. It really just depends on the vibe of the work itself.

What’s one thing you’d like to try that you never have? Why? Photograph with color film in a studio space. Something that I truly admire in a photographer’s arsenal is when they can shoot with film but especially colored film.

The process of developing color film is quite difficult and sometimes you can be left without a product if the process of development doesn’t go as planned. While I want to master the art of film photography, I also want to master the studio. Combining these two elements could truly create work that I have never seen before and is something that I feel could push my ideas even further.

Where do you see yourself in 25 years?

When I’m 47, I’d like to have my own studio. I love photographing in a studio setting and I am hoping when I’m at that age, I’ll be able to have one of my own.

Being at Iowa Central, my favorite part of the program were the times we had to use the studio. The feeling of capturing an image that has perfect lighting and posing in a great studio space really blew me away. This is also where my favorite images that I’ve created were photographed.

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moviespot

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

‘DUMB MONEY’ RECALLS GAMESTOP SQUEEZE, WHEN REGULAR FOLK PUT THE SCREWS ON WALL STREET historical epics have traditionally leaned toward aggrandizement, not the undressing of fragile, deluded male egos who exclaim over dinner: “Destiny has brought me here! Destiny has brought me this lamb chop!”

Here is a sweeping historical tapestry — no one does it better today than Scott — with a damning, almost satirical portrait at its center.

That mix — Scott’s spectacle and Phoenix’s the-emperor-has-no-clothes performance — makes “Napoleon” a rivetingly off-kilter experience.

It’s not always a smooth mix. Phoenix’s characterization may at times have more in common with some of his past depictions of melancholy loners (“The Master,” “The Joker”) than any factual record of Napoleon.

A quality like ambition, you’d think, would be prominent in depicting Napoleon. He was a notorious workaholic, meticulously organized and an energetic intellectual — little of which is present here, making Napoleon’s rise to power sometimes hard to fathom.

But that’s also part of the point of “Napoleon,” which surely has some contemporary echoes. There are plenty of enablers along the way (a highlight of the supporting cast is Paul Rhys as the scheming diplomat Talleyrand) as the film marches through major events like the fall of Robespierre, the 1799 coup, Napoleon making himself Emperor in 1804 and the triumphant Battle of Austerlitz. The last is Scott’s finest set piece in the film, ending in a rout of the Russian forces as they flee over a frozen pond while the bombardment of cannons plunges them into an icy grave.

But in David Scarpa’s screenplay, the real through line in “Napoleon” isn’t the string of battles leading up to the downfall we all know is coming at Waterloo. (There, Rupert Everett’s sneering Duke of Wellington enlivens the military tactics.) It’s Napoleon’s relationship with Joséphine that makes the main thread.

This image released by Apple TV+ shows a scene from “Napoleon.” (Apple TV+ via AP) For such a famed historical figure, Napoleon has made only fleeting appearances in movies since Abel Gance’s 1927 silent film.

Stanley Kubrick had grand designs for a Napoleon epic that went unmade. (Steven Spielberg is attempting to revive those plans as a series ).

Napoleon and his bicorne hat — more icon of history than a real character — mostly only pops up in time-traveling odysseys like “Time Bandits” or “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

The party, though, is finally on in Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” starring Joaquin Phoenix. Scott doesn’t do anything small, not even famously diminutive French emperors. And his two-hour-38-minute big-screen biopic serves up a heaping historical spectacle complete with bloody European battles and massive military maneuvers.

But don’t mistake “Napoleon” for your average historical epic. Our first sense that this may not be a grand glorification of a Great Man of history comes early in the film, when a 24-year-old Bonaparte leads the siege on the British troops controlling the port city of Toulon. When Napoleon, then a major, charges forward in the fight, he’s visibly terrified, even panting. He looks more like Phoenix’s anxious protagonist in “Beau Is Afraid” than the man who would become France’s Caesar. Napoleon doesn’t storm the gates so much as lurch desperately at them.

And for the rest of Scott’s film and Phoenix’s riveting performance, Napoleon’s actions are never much more complicated than that. He

assumes power cavalierly. His coup d’état against the French Directory in 1799 is a ramshackle farce. He flings his armies around the continent without the slightest concern. He’s prone to petulant rages, screaming at the British: “You think you’re so great because you have boats!”

“Napoleon” subscribes more to the Not-So-Great Man theory of history. This Napoleon isn’t extraordinary nor is he much of a man. He’s a boyishly impulsive, thin-skinned brute, careening his way through Europe and leaving battlefields of dead soldiers in his wake. When he, while on a campaign in Egypt, is informed over lunch that his wife, Joséphine (Vanessa Kirby), is having an affair back in Paris, he responds curtly to the messenger: “No dessert for you.”

For more than 200 years, characterizations of Napoleon have ranged from genius reformer born out of the French Revolution to marauding tyrant whose wars left three million dead. Napoleon, himself, helped shape his legacy while exiled on St. Helena with a self-serving memoir. Some of the titans of 19th century literature reckoned with him. Victor Hugo wrote Napoleon lost at Waterloo because he had grown “troublesome to God.” Tolstoy, in “War and Peace,” was less impressed, calling him, “that most insignificant instrument of history.”

In “Napoleon,” which begins with Marie Antoinette at the guillotine and ends with Napoleon on St. Helena where he died at age 51 in 1821, it’s startling how much disregard the movie has for its protagonist. Hollywood

★★★

Napoleon

3 out of 4 stars

Running time: 158 minutes

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When he first sees her across a crowded party, he stands transfixed.

Anyone would be. The slinky Kirby, sporting a pixie cut, rivals Phoenix for most potent presence in “Napoleon.” She has a complete hold on Napoleon, who turns out to be no more suave in the bedroom than he is among society. When he returns from Egypt furious from the wellpublicized rumors of her infidelity, they have a prolonged fight that ends with her turning the tables. “You are nothing without me,” she tells him, as he cowers, happily. “Say it.”

There’s a version of the film that could be wholly focused on their dynamic. Joséphine is omnipresent for a long stretch — he writes her constantly from the battlefront in letters narrated to us — but “Napoleon” never quite finds its balance in cutting between their life together and the military exploits. Scott is expected to release a four-hour director’s cut on Apple TV+ after the film’s theatrical run, which may offer a more calibrated version.

But the 85-year-old Scott — himself a symbol of ceaseless ambition — has made a film that, like his previous “The Last Duel,” is a provocative takedown of male power. Scott has made plenty of brawny, swaggering epics in his time — including “Gladiator,” with an Oscar-nominated Phoenix as the Roman emperor Commodus. But even though not everything in “Napoleon” coheres, it’s appealing destabilizing. In one of the film’s final images, Napoleon and his hat are in silhouette as he slumps to his death like a keeling ship, going down.

Apple Studios release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and brief language.

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a look back

By Tom Tourville

THE STORY & THE COAT

”IF THAT COAT COULD ONLY TALK” Roarin’ Red Dogs, the Rising Suns, John Brown himself and his Mid-Continent Productions and now the Young Raiders. This was all done in Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association’s “Out Of State” category. This special moment did not slip by me.

Then into our life came this little red tux coat and it was not just any red tux coat. It was gifted to the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association as a permanent donation to its collection and archives. The musician that had the vision to make this donation of the little red tux coat was the Young Raider’s, Steve Clark.

As the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association took ownership of the little red tux coat on September 29, 2023, I smiled some, I might have shed a small tear and only wished this little red tux coat could tell some stories. Maddi Tesch with the IRRMA, who took the little red tux coat into the museum, smiled with me and respected me enough to let me shed that small tear. I could not help but think, here was an old soul (me) and a young soul with Maddi, both realizing what the Iowa R’ n R Music Association was truly all about. As the Young Raiders Steve Clark shared the story with us, let me use his words to tell this story.

“I know your museum would like to know the history of this red tux coat. I believe the coat that I’m donating to the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association and Museum, was purchased at Penner Men’s Wear in Kansas City, MO. (So many of the top Plains bands got their show attire at Penners.) This and the seven other coats were bought by the Red Dogs for their new stage wear.

Something I have not done before is share any of my content from my Facebook posts as a part of any of the “A Look Back” columns I do in Twist & Shout. I just never cross over between the two, until now. A simply amazing donation came into the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association and their museum in Arnolds Park, Iowa.

I knew this donation was coming before it arrived, which gave me a chance to prepare the museums staff as to what was really coming in the door. I am going to share my post, as Lawrence, Kansas’s Roarin’ Red Dogs & Young Raiders had such close ties with Fort Dodge. These two groups, were two of the most popular bands at the Laramar/Plamor Ballrooms. Thanks for letting me share this story.

THE STORY & THE COAT.........”IF THAT COAT COULD ONLY TALK” I have spent over 26 years of my life loving the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association and it’s Hall of Fame. Every now and then something special happens, or maybe it is once in a lifetime. Either way a coat and a story came into my life or really into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association’s life.

This past Labor Day weekend the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association inducted the legendary Young Raiders into its Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame and past inductee, John Brown and I had worked on this nomination together and it made for a very special moment for me. I had the honor of nominating into IRRMA’s Hall of Fame, the Fabulous Flippers, the

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In the early Summer of 1968, the Young Raiders were playing a couple of weeks at the Mocamba Club in Sioux Falls, SD. At the same time, the Red Dogs played a concert for Ray Ford and KISD radio and came into the club to see us. We went out to eat after the show and the Red Dogs offered to sell us their old red tux coats. We looked at the Young Raiders blue tuxes and the Red Dogs old red tux coats and they were a step up from our old blue coats.

The next day we went to their hotel room and for $5 each we bought all 8 of the Red Dogs old red tux coats and had them fit as best we could on our guys. I remember the Red Dog’s Steve Elliot saying “Welcome to The Red Dogs Rummage Sale.” The Red Dogs line-up that day included: Steve Elliot, Kent Leopold, Randal Grundy, Butch Neese, Steve Dahl, and Evan Johnson.”

“The Young Raiders taking ownership of the red tux coats included: Steve Clark, John Neal, John Murray, David Newman, Ken Weidenback & Larry Lingle.” Clark got Kent Leopold’s red tux coat which was only fitting as these two were the closest of friends. So much so, when Steve & Nancy Clark’s oldest son Tommy was born, the first two people the Clark’s saw as we exited the delivery room was Kent Leopold and his wife, Jane.

Kent’s name was still sewn in his jacket, so Steve Clark had his mom sew his name tag alongside Leopold’s. Their two names still share the little red tux coat to this very day. The coats were used by the Young Raiders for about

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another year and a half. Clark shared, “I guess I kept the red tux coat all these years because “Leo” was such a good friend.” Now Steve has shared the red tux coat with his all-new family, his Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association family!

What an amazing story. If you like this type of post, follow and friend me on Facebook. I invite you all up to Okoboji to spend a little time with the red coat.

It is times like this that remind why over 26 years ago. something as meaningful as the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association was created.

If this coat could only talk. It would tell us about being on the road for thousands of miles with the Red Dogs, being on stage at the Red Dog Inn in Lawrence, KS and the Plamor Ballroom in Ft Dodge IA and recording for Atco Records. Traveling even more miles with Lawrence’s Kansas’s Young Raiders, being on stage at the Clay County Fair in Spencer, IA and again at our Plamor Ballroom or recording at Audio House Studios.

Let me say such a heartfelt thank you to my friend Steve Clark for sharing a personal piece of his life with us. Steve you are so special and a real rock n roll brother!

Until Next Month Take Care & Remember The Music t w i s t

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S

22770 Old Hwy 169 South of Fort Dodge, IA 20

Friday, Dec. 8

Speaker Line-Up Sponsored By: Saturday, Dec. 9 d e c e m b e r

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