#tisha bradford

[thewomanwhowatchedchristmas]

Christmas in the Heartland (2017)

I'm gonna give this one props for not being as predictable as I predicted it would be.

So, we have fifteen year old Kara Gentry (Sierra McCormick) getting on a plane from Vermont to Stillwater, OK to visit her grandparents in Guthrie that she has never met to spend Christmas with them by herself. Her father Jeff Gentry (Christian Kane) owns a fortune 500 company, so they are loaded, and she has it all. Don't hate her though, she's not the villain.

We also have fifteen year old Jessie Wilkins (Brighton Sharbino) getting on a plane from Vermont to Stillwater, OK to visit her grandma in Guthrie that she has never met to spend Christmas with her by herself. Jessie is of the working class and has never met her father. Also not the villain.

These girls are seated next to each other on the plane (how CRAZY), and quickly find they have much more in common. They both would rather have stayed home, both lost their mothers, both like to sing, and (not mentioned) neither of them have sent school pictures to their grandparents. At first I thought they were gonna be long lost sisters Parent Trap style, but that didn't pan out. So once they get off the plane, they swap outfits and suitcases and find each other's rides. Jessie gets picked up by a driver in a fancy car, while Kara gets picked up by Grandma Judy Wilkins (Shelley Long) in a rusty green pick up (who the fuck calls it a pick em up truck? I'm too Midwest for this). Now, the movie swaps back and forth between storylines, but to simplify things, I will not.

Jessie (but remember everyone thinks she's Kara) gets let into the house (Manor? Estate?) by June (Tisha Bradford), the housekeeper. June shows her in to meet Elsa Gentry (Bo Derek) and Bob Gentry (Christopher Rich). It immediately becomes clear that Bob wants a relationship with his grandchild in whatever way he can, but Elsa wants to mold her into a true "southern Belle," complete with an entitled, holier than thou attitude, and deep-seeded classism. They even throw a coming out party to introduce Jessie to everyone, where Elsa's bitchy friend Ida Beth (Paula Trickey) mentions that she should be entered into the Christmas beauty pageant. Elsa agrees, forces Jessie to sing in front of everyone, and decides for Jessie that she's going to be in this pageant. Bob is pissed, but Jessie keeps acting like it's all fine, so Bob doesn't stop her. Jessie is a freaking wet noodle. Elsa spends all of her energy training Jessie and preparing for the pageant.

Meanwhile, Kara (but remember, everyone thinks she's Jessie) is riding with Grandma Judy, who says she has a surprise for her. Turns out, it's the real Jessie's father, Jimmy Wilkins (JoeDon Rooney), country singer! I really thought that would be enough to get the girls to switch back, but it wasn't. They go meet the rest of the family who they're going to be staying with. It's Jimmy's cousin-brother Roy Wilkins (Bryan Whorton) and his three sons. Roy's wife is deployed overseas. They have that real barbeque that Kara was hoping for. Then Jimmy starts playing his guitar, and Kara asks him to teach her. Then she ends up singing, and they're all blown away! Kara is actually the better singer in my opinion. Jessie isn't bad, but she doesn't have the power or the presence for performing. Then it's brought up (I think by Roy?) that Kara should enter the beauty pageant, too. Judy was a beauty queen in her younger years, so she trains Kara right up.

During the lead up to the pageant we find out that Jeff misses Kara and wants to spend Christmas with her, so he and his fiancée Sherry (Tiffany Fallon) fly down to Guthrie. Of course, they show up at the pageant, but don't find out about the switch at that point. But the girls are in hot water now. I kind of judge Kara for taking so long to break because Jessie doesn't have much for family left in Vermont and Kara is building all these amazing relationships with Jessie's family here while Jessie is both spoiled amd tortured by Elsa. But Kara is the one who breaks. And when the Wilkins family (the whole thing) goes over to the Gentry house to take Kara back and meet the real Jessie, we find out that there is a pair of long lost siblings- just not the girls (and still not quite in the way I expected).

The whole movie was very small town Oklahoma, and the music was pretty good until that last song at the end that the whole cast sings together. I think it's called "A Southern Christmas" but it is BAD. Other than that, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie.

Overall, I give it 3 stars.

[victoriahousetx]

Things Just Got Surreal Up In Here!

BY Marilyn Alyse Morrell

An outreach of sparkling gold hands from floating ivy bushes falls upon visitors as guests walk into the Surrealist Beaux Ball. Televisions watch as models parade in formation through deserts and oceans. Yeah, it all sounds kind of crazy, but that is what went down Saturday night and the Surrealist Beaux Ball. Everywhere one looked there was art, even on the attendance. The creativity delivered through clothing and face paint was a feast for the eyes, and thanks to the donations of Anna’s Bakery, Catherine and Co., For The Love Of Food, Gathering, Tacos La Bomba, and many more, there was a feast for the belly too.

The biggest show stopper of the night has to go to Wal-Mart, or rather, the Avatar Archetypes by Maurice Abelman. This citadel of consumerism is graced with the elegance and power of its human model, Taylor Vandevender. “It almost felt like a social experiment,” says Vandevender on her experience “A few people came up to try to talk me, but it was mostly people who knew me. Everyone else saw the power and authority and separation, and they stood and observed for a moment or took pictures, but they didn’t try to approach me.”

From her perch, Vandevender was able to obtain the best view for the drag show, featuring Tisha Flowers, Ravenikka Knix, and Olivia Gardner, dancing to a reimagined rendition of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

Artist such as KJ Bradford, Kevin Clay, Caitlin Duerler, Terri Fox, Scott Massey, Betty Pruitt, and Ramona Young, displayed their inner Iris Apel with their fashion innovations, assisted by models like Nia Williams, who gushes on about the experience; “I loved how each designer had their own significant taste, which they brought to life through their models.” Event Chair Olivia Busceme goes on to add, “It was great to have the chance to display an art form that doesn't always get its moment in the sun, aside from everyday wearable fashion.”

Dancing ensued post fashion show on the main floor, followed by a special surprise video made by Maurice Abelman and his Archetypes.  His creatures came to life from screen to person, and gave an unforgettable performance. As the spell-bounding enactments continued, around the corner, guests were invited to take stunning photos by John Fulbright, or create their own photogram with the assistance of Frida Kahlo, reincarnated.

Money was burning a hole in the pantaloons of bidders for the 40 different art pieces on sale. The highest bid went out to Paul Manes’ piece for $600. 40 pieces were up for auction, from a cute tiny elephant sculpture, to a massive two-piece geometric dream of a painting.

Headless goddesses, crying clowns, and personified shopping centers gathered for the love of the Art Studio. Although there was plenty of food, drink, music, and conversation, there just didn’t seem like enough hours in the night. Time slipped away from us, like clocks melting in the dessert.

Photos: John Fulbright

[victoriahousetx]

TASI Surrealist Beaux Arts Ball

Devise your disguise! You are cordially invited to... The Art Studio, Inc.'s ~:~:~: SURREALIST :~:~:~ Beaux Arts Ball! join us for a night of exquisite fashion and performances to reflect your wildest dreams. :FASHION: Terri Fox Tack Somers Scott Massey KJ Bradford Kevin Clay Jamie Barclay Caitlin Duerler Betty Pruitt :DRAG: Olivia Gardner Tisha Flowers Ravenikka Knix :AND: Avatar Archetypes Space Capsule silent auction drinks food dancing and costumes however you please tickets $60 at the door $50 in advance ( tasisurrealistball.brownpapertickets.com ) Make plans to attend this outrageous party to help raise funds for TASI's education programs. Call 409-838-5393 or email info@artstudio.org if you would like to volunteer or sponsor this event!

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