The Pioneer A&E Thursday, August 13, 2009 4 A Journey Through Evolution BY ROB VALDEZ Staff Writer ourney fans rocked out in Danville’s upscale Black- hawkJ Plaza as the city continued its 2009 Summer Concert Series Aug. 7 with the San Francisco- based Journey tribute band, Evo- lution. As Danville residents poured into the plaza in huge numbers, they filled the aquatic-land- scaped seating area and over- flowed into walkways. They took seats on rocks and brush areas while others crowded staircas- es and storefronts as the band played in the only non-walkable area—on a stage above the pond. Their unique blend of talent lived up to their predecessor with charismatic stage presence and a true understanding for entertain- Romeo and Juliet: The two lovers share a passionate kiss. ing the crowd. With mic-stand air-guitaring and flashy dance Photo/Melanie Crawford moves from the bassist and gui- tarist, Evolution emphasized the energy and professionalism that Journey has brought to their sold-out crowds for decades. Modern Shakespeare “Although they don’t look like Journey, they sound dead-on,” BY KATHRYN BUKER said Gregg Dearden, 53, as he re- Staff Writer twist. membered Journey concerts he The show had intriguing omeo and Juliet” hit had attended as a young adult. fight scenes and interesting Although the outdoor concert the stage this week at stage movement, never leaving “Rthe Cal State East Bay theatre only lasted an hour, Evolution the audience bored. was still able to pound-out sig- under the direction of Melissa The fight scenes, instructed Hillman, coming to life in mod- nature Journey ballads such as by fight director Dave Maier, “Wheel in the Sky,” “Faithfully,” ern day society with all actors not only contained intense com- dressed in 2009 fashions. “Any Way You Want It,” and Evolution: Bassist Myron Edwins of Evolution, a Journey tribute band, performs in Danville. bat but also gave the illusion of “Lovin,’ Touchin,’ Squeezin’,” as The actors took on the roles blood, making different charac- that Shakespeare developed so their encore. ters’ deaths more believable. However, to many people’s Courtesy/Evolution many years ago. The lines were The scenery, while simple, not delivered in iambic pentam- surprise they did not play one and vocalist John Siino, accord- they would be a little more popu- was not overlooked. Basic stairs classic—‘Don’t Stop Believing.’ ing to the band’s website. lar.” eter, but in the speech cadenc- led to Juliet’s balcony and used es of today’s society. “How do you not play ‘Don’t Voted back-to-back 2006 and The Summer Concert Series, a rotating wall to make differ- Stop Believing?’” said Jake 2007 Top Tribute Band in North- which takes place in Blackhawk Romeo, played by UCLA stu- ent sets (including the back- dent Jack Sale, wore a flannel Croghan, 25. “It is such an epic ern California on 98.5 KFOX’s Plaza, features free performances ground to Juliet’s room) added song and everyone knows and Greg Kihn Show, it’s no wonder every Friday night from July to shirt and jeans and gave a pas- an interesting element. sionate rendition of the hope- loves it. It is a must for a cover why this cover band is a must- August and showcases diverse The cast exerted a laid back band.” have for any summer festival or music from R&B, Motown and less romantic, wanting nothing talent, not too overbearing but more than to find his love. The band, which derives their street fair across the Bay Area; Retro Pop, according to their also keeping the audience in- name from Journey’s multi-plat- however, some fans wondered website. Juliet, played by Bay Area trigued. resident Luisa Frasconi, always inum fifth studio album, was why they had never heard of Performances start at 7 p.m. One of the most exciting formed in late 2004 by lead gui- them before. with seating beginning promptly wore light-hearted sundresses, parts of this production was the giving the character a much tarist Jerrol Reavis, alongside “These guys are really good,” at 5 p.m. For more information music between scenes—each Myron Edwins on Bass, Greg Mc- said Christina Nicora, 25. “But I and performance line-ups check more childlike feel. song goes with what is taking Most unexpected was the Culley on keyboards, Don “the have never heard of them or seen out shopblackhawkplaza.com. place on stage at that time and rocket” Stephenson on drums, them perform before. You think part of Mercutio, which was keeps the audience glued to played by CSUEB graduate the show even when no one is and theater major Roberta In- on stage. scho. Mercutio, who is nor- Shakespeare can be hard to mally played by a male, was understand, but with help from A Film With Joie De Vivre portrayed by a female in Hill- Hillman and the CSUEB cast, Personally, I would have been man’s production and with Shakespeare is enjoyable and BY BRIANNA HEADSTEN great success. Inscho stole the more interested in seeing Streep accessible. Staff Writer portray Child’s life in a biopic, as show with her crazy antics and Additional performances will enthusiastic line delivery, por- oodies and fans of Julia Child the movie ended with Julia finally be August 14, 15 and 16, and lined up Aug. 7 to see “Ju- getting her book published. The traying the character of Mercu- tickets are only $5 for students. F tio with a new and compelling lie & Julia,” a film based on- Ju years that Julia Child spent cook- lie Powell’s blog and book of the ing on her own television show same name, and Julia Child’s were just barely touched upon. memoir, “My Life in France.” Child’s relationship with her “Julie & Julia” follows Julie husband, Paul Child, played by Powell (Amy Adams), a woman Stanley Tucci, was a nice addi- who sets out to complete every tion to the movie, though it could recipe from Julia Child’s “Master- have been developed more fully. ing the Art of French Cooking” in Their bond and continuous sup- 365 days. port was endearing. She blogs about both her suc- Amy Adams did a nice job of cesses and struggles as she tries portraying Powell as a sweet, to complete the 524 recipes in the slightly lost woman turning 30. classic cookbook. Photo/Courtesy of Columbia Pictures The audience wasn’t emotionally Over the course of the movie invested enough in her story to each woman discovers her pas- care too much though. When she not think the story was explored sion for cooking and works to- broke down out of frustration or as fully as it could have possibly ward turning it into a career. had an argument with her hus- been. With the support of loving hus- band, it was uncomfortable, but Meryl Streep, who completely bands—and with family and not so much so that we felt bad captured Julia Child in every friends encouraging them along for the character. way, did an excellent job. Her the way—they are able to experi- I think the movie is worth see- voice perfectly mimicked Child’s Back to School Issue ence success. ing for Streep’s portrayal of Julia unique tone as well as her man- The movie seamlessly inter- Child alone. At the very least, it nerisms and off-beat charm. weaves the two women’s lives. will inspire you to go home and Through special sets and camera Powell’s story was set in Queens, cook a nice meal, or for those of Sept. 24th angles, Streep also appeared to New York in 2002 and Child’s in us not inclined to Child’s culinary tower over her fellow actors in 1950s Paris. Both lives ran paral- abilities, go out and enjoy one. order to replicate Child’s six foot lel to each other. However, I did Bon Appétit! order early! two inch frame.

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