Winged Ox Actors Edward Cloverdale and Danica Olson-Walter rehearse for their upcoming performance in Henrik Ibsen’s classic A Doll’s House to be presented at the Willow Bay Theatre on October 12 and 13 along with 19 and 20.

JAMESTOWN – The Winged Ox Players will present Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” in a version by Zinnie Harris at the Willow Bay Theater, 21 E. Third St, Jamestown, on Fridays and Saturdays, Oct 12 and 13 as well as Oct. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.

• RELATED: WINGED OX PLAYERS DISCUSS ‘A DOLL’S HOUSE’ ON ARTS ON FIRE

A Doll’s House centers around the character of Nora Helmer and her family. Nora appears to be an upper middle-class lady with all comforts of her position, but she gradually realizes she is imprisoned by her role in society and the inequality of her marriage. In order to help her husband, she must illegally borrow money and then keep the repayment of the loan from her husband who would be unable to accept that his wife had helped in such a way. Her struggle gradually leads her to seek her own empowerment and humanity. Nora declares, ‘I am a human being before anything else. I don’t care what other people say. I need to think for myself.’

Directed by Winged Ox Veteran Steven Michael Cobb, the performance will feature several well-known local actors as well as a few new faces.

Cobb notes that he feels that A Doll’s House is the first true modern feminist drama, yet the central dilemma the play presents; how to be true to oneself while being married and being a parent, is not exclusive to women.

“In the central character of Nora, Ibsen epitomized the human struggle against the humiliating constraints of social conformity.” Cobb explains. “Nora’s ultimate rejection of a smothering marriage and life in ‘a doll’s house’ should be a familiar theme to most audiences.”

Before the show’s October 12 performance, the Winged Ox Players will host a Creativity and Connection Reception from 6:30-7:30 p.m. featuring Local Artists and Community Organizations such as the YWCA, AAUW, Zonta, and many more. The public is invited to come and meet women who are changing the local community. Light refreshments will be served.

Admission to all shows is free. All proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army’s ANEW Center.

The Winged Ox Players is a ministry of St. Luke’s that engages the theatrical talents of the greater Jamestown area to present plays that inspire conversations about our community. The non-profit group depends the generosity of friends and sponsors. Contributions received by the group help to offset their costs and enable them to donate back into the community. The group is currently looking for local businesses and individuals to sponsor one of the following expenses for their 2018-2019 season: $10/one script, $25/a can of paint, $50/some props, $100/licensing for one show night, $250/materials for set, $300/theatre rental for one night. All sponsors will be recognized in both the fall and spring playbill and on the Winged Ox Facebook page (Donations received after October 1^st will be listed in the spring playbill only). Sponsors of $300 or more will also have their logo or business name printed on posters and other promotional materials. Potential sponsors are asked to contact Willow Fodor, wfodor@gmail.com.

CIRCO COMEDIA AT THE REG

Highlighting the weekend is the final Reg Presents Series for the 2017-18 Season at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

The unique circus-style performance of Quebec-based comedy duo Circo Comedia takes place Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Reg Lenna. Following in the tradition of the Quebec Circus, the duo will perform amazing stunts and hilarious antics for the audience.

Tickets start at $5 for children aged 18 and under and $10 for adults and may be purchased at the Reg box office, over the phone at 716.484.7070 or online at RegLenna.com.

In addition to the show, Len Barry from the Reg Lenna will also announce the 2018-19 season lineup.

WEEKEND AT THE MUSEUM

The owner and developer of two historic downtown buildings will be displaying several pieces of artwork that had previously been owned by the Prendergast Library.

Developer Arnold Duke recently purchased the Old Marine Midland Bank  (most recently known as The Forum)at the northwest corner of Main and Second Streets. To celebrate the purchase and raise awareness about future plans for the building, Duke will be showcasing items he purchased at auction from the Prendergast Art Collection both tonight and tomorrow at the former bank location.

The “Weekend at the Museum” theme will also feature various memorabilia, including items that belonged to first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, and Pat Garrett – the lawman who shot and killed Billy the Kid. On Saturday, free fossils will also be given out to children.

The “Weekend at the Museum” is taking place at 201 N. Main St. (northwest corner of Main and Second Streets) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday for adults only and then from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for people of all ages.

The event is free and open to the public.

In addition to the Marine Midland Bank purchase, Duke also purchased the former Key Bank building directly across the street in 2017.

‘IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE’ AT WILLOW BAY THEATER

The Winged Ox Players will present the thought-provoking play “It Can’t Happen Here” starting Friday as well as two shows on Saturday at the Willow Bay Theater.

The play is based on the novel by American author Sinclair Lewis and has been described as a “cautionary dark satire about the fragility of democracy and how fascism can take hold even in the land of liberty.”

• RELATED: LISTEN TO WRFA’S INTERVIEW WITH WINGED OX PLAYERS

Friday and Saturday evening performances will begin at 7 p.m. and there will also be a matinee performance Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by a panel discussion with several community members, high school and college teachers and members of the cast.

Admission to the show is free, but free will donations are encouraged.

The show will also be shown next Friday and Saturday, May 18 an 19 at 7 p.m.

SPRING GRAPES AND HOPS FEST AT NORTHWEST ARENA

Also on Saturday The 4th Annual Spring Grapes & Hops Festival will take place at the Northwest Arena from 3 to 7 p.m.

The event will feature beer samplings and wine tasting from local breweries and wineries, as well as business vendors from around the area.

Visit NorthwestArena.com for more information.

PRENDERGAST RUN FOR LITERACY

Also on Saturday morning, Prendergast Library continues its fundraising efforts with the 12th annual Run for Literacy.

The 5K race starts at the library with registration running from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The race starts at 9 a.m. with walkers starting shortly after. Free T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 100 registrants.

Registration costs $20, and can be completed online, at the library, or on the day of the race.

To learn more or to register online, visit PrendergastLibrary.org.

ANGELA CALEY’S ‘MEET THE ARTIST RECEPTION’ AT DYKEMAN YOUNG

A Meet the Artist Reception for the new exhibit “Free: New works by Angela Caley” will be taking place Saturday night at the Dykeman Young Gallery on 2^nd St. in Jamestown. The event is free and open to the public.

LIVE MUSIC

In addition to the events listed above, there’s also a variety of live music events to choose from both Saturday and Sunday in the Jamestown area. For a complete listing, visit our Rock and Roll Rundown for this weekend.

• Originally airing Friday, April 21, 2017

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with director Steven Cobb and playwright Richard Olson-Walter about the upcoming play ‘Least Resistance’ – which focuses on local stories of addiction and recovery. The play is presented by Winged Ox Players, and will be shown Friday, April 28 and Saturday April 29, along with Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6 at the Willow Bay Theater in Jamestown, NY.

• More details at the Winged Ox Players Facebook Page

The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Community Room at the Prendergast library.

The program will focus specifically on the epidemic’s impact of women, how women can lead positive change, and action steps that can be taken in the community to address the epidemic.

The keynote speaker of the event is Kia Briggs, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association. Other panelists will include Lillian Ney, Julie Apperson, Leanna Luka-Conley, Lori Keller, and Heather Brown.

The event will also include scenes from the local play, Least Resistance, performed by the Winged Ox Players an outreach theater group of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will also be served. For more information call 490-2616.

• 

  Caladh Nua

  Highlighting the weekend is an appearance by Irish music group, Caladh Nua, who will perform at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts on Sunday at 7 p.m. Coming from southern Ireland, the quintet performs traditional Irish music with a contemporary flair.

• Meanwhile, Jamestown Community College’s production of All My Sons opens Friday night at 8 p.m. in the Scharmann Theatre on JCC’s Jamestown Campus. Performances will also be held March 7, 13, and 14 at 8 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m.

• The two-man play Mass Appeal, by Bill C. Davis, will be presented by the Winged Ox Players starting Friday Night at 7:30 p.m. and continuing Saturday night and also next weekend at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in downtown Jamestown. Directed by Steven Michael Cobb and featuring Daniel Pierce and Lars Benson in the lead roles, the comedy-drama focuses on the conflict between a complacent Roman Catholic pastor and the idealistic young deacon who is assigned to his affluent, suburban parish. The play invites us to question the status quo and addresses issues around women’s rights, homosexuality, and alcoholism.

• The Southern Tier Xpress hockey team will host a playoff hockey game on Saturday. The team clinched a spot in the playoffs after wrapping up their season 26-20-1 in the NA3HL’s East Division. The Southern Tier Xpress is playing the top-seeded Metro Jets in a best two-out-of-three series. Game 1 took place Thursday in Waterford Michigan with the Xpress losing 4 to 3. Game 2 brings the teams to Jamestown and will take place at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena on Saturday, Starting at 5 p.m.

For a complete rundown of live entertainment in Jamestown, including the local music scene, check out this week’s WRFA Rock and Roll rundown.