“One hit wonder” (one night only) movie at the Loft Theater on December 30: “Afghan Star“, at 7:30 p.m. The Loft is at 3233 E. Speedway, east of Country Club. Tucson Metromix had a blog review yesterday, but I am repeating it for you readers as it is an amazing movie.

“In Afghanistan you risk your life to sing. After thirty years of war and five devastating years of Taliban rule, pop culture is beginning to return to the country. Since 2005, millions have been tuning in to Tolo TV’s wildly popular American Idol-style series AFGHAN STAR. Like its Western predecessors, people compete for a cash prize and record deal. More surprisingly, the contest is open to everyone across the country despite gender, ethnicity or age. Two thousand people audition, including three extremely brave women. And when viewers vote for their favorites via cell phone, it is, for many, their first encounter with the democratic process.”

movie poster

If you think we can change the way men view women in Afghanistan (by winning the “war” there), go see this movie, filmed in various cities. I was shocked and horrified by this movie, and it’s not a horror film, but a documentary about an American Idol like singing competition.
Only 3 (yes, three!) Afghan women are brave enough to audition for this competition, out of thousands of men.

A movie like this is a real eye-opener for us in the western world who take these types of activities, open equally to both men and women here, for granted.

Since I grew up hearing “Mele Kalikimaka” (Hawaiian) meaning the same thing as “Merry Christmas”, I didn’t realize it wasn’t mainstream till I came to the U.S. Mainland for law school.

If you want to hear the popular Hawaiian song with this title, google it to hear various versions online. The first few lines go:

“Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day”…

But there’s many other ways to express Christmas greetings in some of the languages I’ve studied: Frohe Weihnachten (German), or Feliz Navidad (Spanish), or “Merii Kurisumasu” (Japanese version of Merry Christmas).

Whether you celebrate Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa (or none of these like my Muslim nephew) it’s that time of the year to extend a secular “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” to all.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

For 12 years prior to 2001 Doc and Pat Salens had been hosting a rooftop Christmas pageant near N. Columbus and E. Fifth Street. David and Susan Modisett took over eight years ago (due to Doc Salens’ poor health and subsequent death) to continue the tradition of the pageant, and urged neighbors to put up lights in their neighborhood (Poets’ Square Neighborhood, which is bounded by North Columbus Boulevard, North Swan Road, East Fifth Street, and East Broadway.) It’s been a great community building activity for those neighbors, with children and elderly participating yearly.

This year the event has been renamed Poets’ Square Rooftop Christmas Pageant.

The free outdoor pageant (including children acting as angels and elves, and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas”) is coming up at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday December 23, at 4352 E. Bryn Mawr St., which is one block south of E. Fifth Street and N. Columbus. You can follow the signs to get there.

Two 30-minute shows will be presented. Kids can also sit on Santa’s lap, so bring your camera for a special photo opportunity. Here’s a jolly photo of “Santa” Larry Pieper, his wife Charlene, and their pet beagle.

Santa and friends

And please also bring canned or packaged food for the Community Food Bank, which really needs help this holiday season.

This year Rincon High School co-host freshman Collin Mumme will be stepping in to assist his father Robert (recovering from back surgery) with the lights, and David Modisett (recovering from burns on his hands) with the pageant. Now that’s the true holiday spirit.

Happy Holidays courtesy of the Poets’ Square Neighborhood!