Two Comedians Set the Stage - Jason Hosier and Scott Vento
Midknights re-opens with the season's first two comedian acts

Video Review: Rosewood - Christopher Yager
A true story of decept and it's aftermath makes for a very powerful performance

Pendragon Theatre company comes to SUNY Potsdam
Local theatre groups brings their stage to the campus of SUNY Potsdam Sept. 12 & 13

Boo Bash & Dash Mountain Bike Race
Saranac Lake team bike race to be held Oct. 25 & 26

Your Weekly Horoscope - Miss Anna

Dinosaur Activities afoot: Pink Floyd Tour in 1998
Frank Bock
Staff Writer

What does Pink Floyd and the Loch Ness Monster have in common? First of all, both are supposedly extremely ancient dinosaurs whom many question to even exist. When either of them choose to make a public appearance, it is usually followed by rumors and disbelief. The only difference is, Nessy lives in a lake, while Pink Floyd (which is mostly David Gilmour) lives in a houseboat floating on top of the water.

So which one has made an appearance? It is said that both these dinosaurs are indistinguishable to the untrained eye, but some experts now say that it is indeed Pink Floyd who is or will be lumbering around town. It appears that The Floyd is preparing for a tour in the spring of 1998.

It all started about a month or so ago when it was reported that Dave Gilmour, Nick Mason, Rick Wright, along with several backing band members obtained working visas first for Australia, then for a myriad of other countries. Around the same time, a worker in England told the press that recently, he and others had revamped Dave Gilmours houseboat, which is where all Floydian recordings occur.

This all comes with Sony records announcing a re-release of several classic Pink Floyd albums such as "Wish You Were Here," and "The Wall," all digitally remastered and repackaged. Besides this, Floyd's first album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" is also being re-released, this time in mono as the first captain of Pink Floyd, Syd Barret had engineered it! It will include a second disk with Floyd's first three singles and b-sides on it as well! The third is yet another box set (a live album is undoubtedly in the future!). This box will include seven early albums on record. These include, of course, "Darkside of the Moon," "Wish You Were Here" etc. However, it is priced at a steep $179.99, and available with quite a risqué cover!

The recent flux of Floyd re-releases are not the first instance of dinosaur activity in recent history. Keyboard player Rick Wright completed a solo album called "Broken China" last year. Unfortunately, it had a limited release in The US which is sad, because many reviewers have called it the best solo Pink Floyd album ever. And of course there are still the infinite amount of rumors that Roger Waters and Dave Gilmour, Pink Floyd's second and third leaders respectively (Syd Barret being the first) have made up. We'll have to wait and see, but it is doubtful.

Whether or not Roger Waters, or even Syd Barret has rejoined the band, Floyd has their work cut out for them. Their only remaining touring rivals are oddly enough, U2. The recent "Pop Mart" tour put on by U2 has been the biggest ever. However, knowing Pink Floyd, they will inadvertently lumber along, and step on U2. Pink Floyd, the most extreme dinosaurs of Rock and Roll will be topped by no one!

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Midknights opened the year with two comedians that had very different styles. Mark Moran, who appeared on Friday night, seemed to be struggling for jokes during his forty-five minute show. The College Comedian of the Year (1996) referred to the stage and the backdrop as a voting booth, poking fun at the black curtain hanging along the back wall. He played off the camera flashes by wittingly remarking, "That wasn't a good picture."

Although Moran struggled for jokes, he managed to keep the audience captivated. His subject matter varied throughout the show making it possible to please all of the audience some of the time.

David Michaels, previously appearing on A&E's Evening at the Improv, and appearing Saturday night at MidKnights, had no trouble coming up with jokes, however, he was repetitive and dry.

He began with asking the audience a series of questions dealing with the local bars, drinking, where people were from, etc. at which point the audience was asked to respond by clapping. Finding that the most popular jokes dealt with drinking, Michaels focused on that for nearly the entire show. Though humorous at first, the jokes became very old and boring in a short time.

Of course everyone can make their own decision over which of these was the better comedian. Two entertainers with very different styles-- you decide.

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True stories are often the most impressive. Unfortunately, they can also be the scariest; they can let us see just how hateful the human heart can really be.

Rosewood is the story of a lie and the consequences that follow. Set in 1923, a white woman trying to cover up an affair in which her lover beat her, screams for help. Claiming it was a black man who beat and raped her, she began a series of events that resulted in over fifty deaths and the burning of an entire community.

Performances by Jon Voight and Ving Rhames are what truly bring this film to life. The power and emotion of this film definitely make it worth seeing, but be prepared. Rosewood will not leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. It is a true story of a subject that we can only wish was make-believe.

If you thought Glory or Schindler's List were boring historical films, you won't like this movie any better. Those of you who value a good story and strong acting will appreciate Rosewood, but not be uplifted by it.

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The Pendragon Company will perofrm "The Puppetmaster of Lodz," the story of one man's struggle with the horrors of war, at SUNY Potsdam's College Theater in Satterlee Hall Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. each night.

The Saranac Lake-based Pendragon company includes Bob Pettee as the puppetmaster. Other actors will include Jason Crowl, Doug Lansing, and Barbara Touby. Karen Lordi is the director.

The play revolves around Samuel Finkelbaum, who is an escapee from a Nazi concentration camp. He came to Berlin in the closing weeks of World War II and was hidden by a concierge there. When the play opens he has been hiding for five years refusing to believe the war has ended.

Tickets for the production will be available at the door. All performances are free and open to the public.

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The Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce Boo Bash & Dash Mountain Bike Race has a 'team' feature to appeal to college athletes. The race taking place in Saranac Lake (October 25) and Tupper Lake (October 26), is one of the few races where each member of a mountain bike team can earn points.

The Boo Bash & Dash is a National Off-Road Bicycle Association sanctioned race and will take place in the scenic Adirondack Mountain region of Upstate New York. The races -- open to all -are being aimed at scholastic teams, with awards for the top teams (men and women).

Racers in each level (Beginner, Sport, and Expert/Elite) will score points for their team in three disciplines (Cross Country, Dual Slalom, and Downhill). The team competition will offer not only cycling teams, but soccer, skiing, and other sports teams and opportunity to test their fitmess, as well as the one last hurrah of the summer.

On October 25 there will be a cross country race at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center in Saranac Lake, New York. The course will be on the challenging cross country ski trails.

On October 26 the race will move to Tupper Lake, New York with downhill and dual slalom races at the Big Tupper Ski Center.

The entry fee is $25 for one day and $35 for both. Racers who register before October 15 will receive a post-race barbecue dinner on Saturday at Dewey Mountain. Registration and course inspection begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday and at 8 p.m. on Sunday. Racing will start at 11 a.m. each day. Course inspection is also being arranged on Saturday for the downhill course at Big Tupper.

This race is sponsored by Stewart's Shops, Coca~Cola of Tupper Lake and World Cup Ski, Board and Bike. Additional assistance for this race is being provided by Placid Planet, Authority and the New York Army National Guard.

Race and accommodation information can be obtained by calling 800-347-1992.

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ARIES: (March 21-April 20)
Have confidence in your hunches or intuitive flashes this week and follow through on them when the timing is right. Keep your eyes set on your ultimate goals and it will be easier to achieve them if you take it all just one step at a time.

TAURUS: (April 21 - May 21)
Try not to become involved in another's financial dealings - the outcome may be much worse than you could have ever thought. Taking stock of yourself and how you intend to achieve specific goals should be part of your self-analysis - quiet time will help.

GEMINI: (May 22 - June 21)
Your week is a bit hectic with problems arising with a family member. Harsh words may be exchanged over future plans - let things cool down a bit before you start the discussions back up again. Be alert for an educational opportunity within your reach.

CANCER: (June 22 - July 23)
A new romance is just around the corner, if you are looking for it. Work is really the name of the game this week, and if you try to get out of it, you'll no doubt land in an even more restrictive setting. Make the best of a rather dreary day.

LEO: (July 24- August 23)
Your love life, pleasurable or creative interests, and fun matters involving children will be featured this week, providing you discard negative thoughts and feelings. Your charm and powers of persuasion will help you win an important business deal.

VIRGO: (August 24 - September 23)
A number of diverse interests will be highlighted this week. Domestic matters, possibly concerning children, improvement of property and innovative career concepts may keep you busy. It's time to turn on the charm if you are seeking progress at work.

LIBRA: (September 24 - October 23)
There are some romantic developments in the works for this week. A partnership may work nicely for you, and money dealings should be sound if you put your trust in reports from experts. Any close alliances are now in a positive mode, work with them.

SCORPIO: (October 24 - November 22)
You will probably take the initiative in a business-financial situation early in the week, however, this could be a time of win some and lose some. A new chapter will open soon in your life concerning a family member or property interest. Don't act impulsively.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23 - December 21)
Both your interests at home and monetary gain are linked this week. Personal plans may cut into work time, but you are currently pretty organized and will be able to cope with a number of interests. Travel plans for later in the year arouse deep interest in you.

CAPRICORN: (December 22 - January 20)
You will no doubt need to strive very hard to keep your head above water this week - try to look at it as a positive learning experience, a lesson to be learned. Communication between you and a special person will become more meaningful in the near future.

AQUARIUS: (January 21 - February 19)
This week will start a moderate trend in which your best traits and talents will be intensified, and your self-confidence will soar. Give renewed consideration to a financial matter involving others. This may be a case where diplomacy pays off.

PISCES: (February 20 - March 20)
You are feeling attractive this week and that feeling is communicated to everyone around you. Naturally, you will get your share of attention as a result. Although you enjoy romance, it is more likely that you are presently being pursued, instead of doing the pursuing.

IF THIS WEEK IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You are in tune with the sexual potential all around you. People will notice a new vibrancy about you and want to be with you more. If you are looking for love, you could quite easily connect with someone, probably a very passionate partner.

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