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Tim Burton loves '70s music

2012-05-16T22:24:51Z

One of the best things about Tim Burton's "Dark Shadows" is all of the great music in the film. I'm not just talking about the soundtrack by Danny Elfman but there also are tunes from such great performers as The Moody Blues and Iggy Pop.

My enjoyment of the music might come from the fact Burton and I are about the same age. In talking about the music of early '70s -- when the film is set -- Burton points out about what an interesting time it was musically and how he became a fan.

"I must have been quite ill that year because I just remember that music on the AM radio. Being sick and having a fever and hearing all of that kind of music on the AM radio over and over again," Burton says.

It was a time when radio stations would play the mind-blowing work of Alice Cooper and the pop tunes of The Carpenters.

"It felt strange at the time and still feels strange. The quality of music went from cheesy pop to hard core stuff. I remember Alice Cooper being a strong influence on me at the time. And he still looks the same which is very scary," Burton says.

Burton got to thank Cooper as the rockstar makes an appearance in the movie.

Thursday: North Fresno ArtHop

2012-05-16T21:51:19Z

The North Fresno ArtHop doesn't usually get as much love as its much bigger southern cousin, so here's a plug for two venues:

Mixed media artist Myrna Axt will hold an artist's reception 5 p.m. Thursday for her new exhibition, "Existence & Materialism: A Voyage of My Imagination," at Boling Fine Arts Gallery. Axt says her work in the show focuses on "our modern-day materialism where objects are thrown away, and where consumption represents the 'good life, ' focusing more on money, image, and fame than ever before." The show, which opened May 1, runs through May 25.

Tonight: Rachel Platten at Fulton 55

2012-05-16T21:19:55Z

Fulton 55 gets a visit from on-the-rise pop singer Rachel Platten tonight, best known for her hit single "1,000 Ships." Platten sings, plays piano and even beatboxes sometimes. She's a sort of female Jason Mraz. I interview Platten last week -- you can read it here -- and she talked her recent success, her love for hip-hop and how she uses Instagram. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10-$12.

It's farmers market season and that means lots of local tasty food

2012-05-16T18:50:52Z

The seasonal farmers markets are opening, which give local food lovers many more opportunities to pick up fresh, fabulous food. I thought I would share a few links to help you explore the local food scene.

Where to go?
Check out this map/list of local markets, including brief descriptions.

What to eat?
Cherries are just hitting the stand. The season is expected to be shorter for cherries because of some bad weather damaging the crop, but farmers say the fruit is sweet this year. It's also prime strawberry season, so here's a really great map/list of all the local strawberry stands so you can find one close to home. Other berries, including blackberries and blueberries, should be arriving in the next couple weeks. And there are lots of great veggies, herbs and specialty foods, including snow peas, onions, basil, fresh-squeezed juice, etc. available.

CBS orders four new shows

2012-05-16T17:31:01Z

CBS has such a strong lineup the network has ordered only four new series for the 2012-2013 season. They include three dramas -- "Elementary," "Vegas," "Made in Jersey" -- and the comedy "Partners. The new shows join 19 returning series.

The biggest change is the cancelation of "CSI: Miami." Network executives have been talking for months about losing one or more of the shows from the "CSI" franchise. Keep an eye on "CSI:NY" as it probably will be one of the next shows to go.

CBS is moving "Two and a Half Men" from its longtime home on Mondays to air behind "Big Bang Theory" on Thursdays. Considering the failures that have been in that 8:30 p.m. time slot, this is a strong move.

Other CBS shows getting the ax were the freshman series "How To Be a Gentleman," "Unforgettable" and "A Gifted Man." "Rob" and "NYC 22" also got booted. There's no word on the fate of "Rules of Engagement."

As for the new shows, "Elementary" is a contemporary look at detective Sherlock Holmes in New York City starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu while "Vegas" has Dennis Quaid playing a Las Vegas sheriff who battled the mob in the '60s.

Janet Montgomery plays a first-year lawyer in "Made in Jersey." And, "Partners" is a comedy about two very different life-long best friends and business partners and their significant others. It stars David Krumholtz and Michael Urie.

"Undercover Boss" will return later in the year.

The new 2012-2013 schedule is as follows:

CAPTION THIS: Scribble No. 077

2012-05-16T16:18:46Z

"The Scream was good. But, this piece really speaks to me."

FresTube: 'I Am Fresno State'

2012-05-16T00:01:20Z

Check out the winning entry in the sixth annual "I Am Fresno State" competition:

Rigoberto Moran of Farmersville, a junior majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism with a digital media option, won the first place $400 cash award plus $200 as the "viewers' choice" selection.

Downtown revitalization -- Spiderman style

2012-05-15T22:08:43Z

Downtown Fresno has a new leader and a new logo/marketing campaign, so you might be expecting some big things down there. Well, how's this for big? The Downtown Fresno Partnership is raising money by offering people the chance to rappel down the city's best known and tallest building, the Pacific Southwest Building.

Downtown revitalization from the Spiderman playbook? Sweet.

"Where else are you going to see people rappelling down a 15-story building besides downtown Fresno?" says Kate Borders, who was imported late last year from Milwaukee to take over president/CEO of what is now the Downtown Fresno Partnership.

This will happen at a June 16 event called Over the Edge. People who want to climb down the building need to raise $1,000 through pledges from friends/family/etc -- kinda like Kickstarter.

Money raised will be used to fund future projects from the Fresno Downtown Partnership, specifically an outdoor ice rink that's being eyed for the 2012 holiday season. (That sounds cool too, doesn't it?)

Because you're probably wondering: Yes, an outside company that specifically handles building-scaling is behind this, making sure everything is safe and proper. If you want to sign up to potentially to go Over the Edge, go here. If you want to sponsor someone, then go here.

Elijah Wood speaks for 'Tron: Uprising'

2012-05-15T21:10:47Z

One of the interesting things about animation is how often there are no physical similarities between the voice talent and their on-screen character. Take a look at Ray Winstone who voiced Beowulf in the CGI film of the same name if you want to see a big difference.

That kind of contrast struck me when Elijah Wood walked into the small conference room at the DisneyToon Studios. The actor - best known for his role in all three of the "Lord of the Rings" films - stands only 5-feet-6. He might be scrappy, but Wood doesn't have enough weight on him to make it appear that he would be a physical threat.

And yet, Wood is the voice of one of the tallest, sleekest and toughest characters to come along in years with the new Disney XD series "Tron: Uprising." The series, that takes place between the first and second "Tron" features, has Wood's character, Beck, trying to show all the programs who live on the grid that the legacy of Tron lives. He wants to inspire them to fight against the new tyrant taking over their CG world.

A sneak preview of the animated series will air at 9:30 p.m. May 18 before settling into its regular time slot of 9 p.m. Thursdays starting June 7.

"The heart of Beck is that while they are all programs, there's something very human about him," Wood says. "There's something pure about his intent."

Wood was only 1 when the first "Tron" was released. What made the original film stand out was the unique computer animation used to create the computer world where the characters lived and fought. This new version also uses a new animation style that is an Anime Deco - a mix of Art Deco and Japanese Anime. All of the characters appear to be pencil-thin giants.

Tonight: Weekly concert series watch

2012-05-15T20:44:11Z

We often gives shouts to the headliners that come in and play a one-night only show. But we can't forget about the musicians who playing week in and week out, building followings at local venues. Like tonight, for instance.

DB & The Struggle play reggae/ska at Bobby Salazar's in the Tower: