Scott Tady: Beaver filmmaker to screen films; Freedom singer headlines Jergel's
Every aspiring filmmaker dreams of seeing his or her art on the big screen, captivating a full-sized audience.
Lydia Zagorski, a Beaver resident, will experience that gratifying feeling March 9, when four of her locally made short films get screened at the Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley.
Theatergoers will see world premieres of her sci-fi/fantasy/action films "Affinity" and "Aromis: The Beginning," from her production company LivCre8 Productions; plus "Eos Six," her collaboration with fellow indie filmmakers Carpio Pictures, and "The Darkest Hour," her collab with Goat Milk Fudge Productions.
"Being able to screen mine and my friends whom I co-produced these films with is an incredible opportunity," Zagorski said. "The theater is so beautiful and pristine, and they said they will be rolling out the red carpet for us. I am incredibly excited and grateful to be able to premiere these films we have worked so hard on the past few years. We all are so excited."
The longest of her selected films measures 11 minutes. Each film showcases the cinematic art of concise, compelling storytelling.
Her films:
●."Affinity," the 10-minute story of an extra-terrestrial (Halios) who comes to Earth to help spread empathy throughout humankind.
●."Aromis: The Beginning" where the title character gets thrust into a battle to overcome cursed beings who threaten to take over the souls of the innocent.
●. "Eos Six" centers on a rogue agent, captured by mob lords during her investigation into their undercover program, who now must fight her way out.
●."The Darkest Hour," starring Zagorski as a woman visited by darkness who must choose to give up on her dreams or fight for the light within. Filmed at the Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton, "The Darkest Hour" earned accolades upon its release last year, including a screening at the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks.
More:Beaver County filmmaker & actress inspires with impressive short film
Interested in acting since her Beaver Falls schools' stage debut as the Wicked Witch of The West, Leanne built her stage repertoire with the Cellar Dwellers improv group's Friday night F'n Improv shows in the Beaver Valley Bowl building in Rochester. She went on to earn several nominations for best female lead actress for the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project. As a director, she thrives on pushing the boundaries of indie filmmaking and enjoys collaborating with other filmmakers to bring inspirational stories to life.
“I started writing screenplays in 2020 to create more opportunities for others and myself in film,” the communication, liberal and fine arts graduate of Community College of Beaver County said.
Her motto: “Where there seems to be no opportunities, create some.”
“Creating films takes a village,” she added. “Everyone has a place and there's a place for everyone. Teamwork is the way any of us become successful.”
Her "Eros Six" collaborator Franklin Carpio, a native of Cuena, Ecuador, and Pittsburgh resident for two years, has worked as a grip (setting up rigging for cameras and lighting) for features and TV shows like "Yellowstone," "American Rust," and the Ambridge-featured "The Pale Blue Eye" and "A League of Their Own." A member of the local International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, he holds a degree in entertainment design, has directed six shorts and is advancing his first feature film.
The 7 p.m. Lindsay screenings include four other short films by Pittsburgh area filmmakers. Admission is free, but the theater recommends reservations at lindsaytheater.org as space may be limited.
It's all part of the Emerging Filmmakers Showcase series at The Lindsay (formerly The Tull Family Theater) designed to encourage exchanges between local filmmakers and the public.
The hourlong screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers.
More:Donnie Iris talks about his Moon concert celebrating the big 8-0
Beck & Gruber on the big stage
Beaver County's on-the-rise country singer Christian Beck and his band headline Jergel's Rhythm Grille on March 3.
The Freedom High grad has new music coming out soon.
Though along with his nationally released single "Country as Dirt," and soulfully rendered modern country covers, there's no telling what else Beck will perform on the Marshall Township venue's 32-foot stage.
Last weekend at Mario's Dockside in Bridgewater, he heeded a fan's request and sang “You Got It Bad” by Usher.
The Jergel's show begins at 8 p.m., with a warmup set from Riverside High grad Morgan Gruber, who finished in the Top 30 in 2022's "American Idol."
Tickets are $10, though $15 gets you early entry at 5 p.m. to grab a good table or barstool. It is a 21-and-older show.
More:Classic rockers Kansas to carry on with tour launch in Pittsburgh
KISS tribute to rock Zelie
In the midst of its absolutely, positively last final tour ever (we'll see about that), KISS lists one last U.S. show, May 27 at the Columbus, Ohio, soccer stadium, as co-headliners of the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival.
When the face-painted rock 'n' roll legends finally call it quits from touring, that will leave a void that KISS tribute bands will be eager to fill.
One such tribute act, KISSNATION, will perform at 2 and 7:30 p.m. March 11 at The Strand Theater in Zelienople. Besides knowing all the licks, KISSNATION uses special effects tricks, like fog and sparklers and a fire-breathing Gene Simmons impersonator.
“We appreciate the fact that there are plenty of KISS tribute acts, so we choose to separate ourselves by performing songs, not only from Klassic '70s KISS, but also, KISS music of the '80s, '90s and 2000s," the band's website says.
Reserved seats are $38. For the VIP meet-and-greet package it's $58 at the strandtheater.org
I recommend keeping tabs on what The Strand offers.
I saw people on Twitter flummoxed they missed "Homeland" actor Mandy Patinkin's musical concert Feb. 7 at the downtown Zelienople theater.
Star of stage and screen, Ben Vereen, performs at The Strand on Nov. 11 in his tour's only Pittsburgh area experience. Tickets are $145 at thestrandtheater.org
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver filmmaker to screen films; Freedom singer headlines Jergel's
