Cesar Chavez: History is Made One Step at a Time
This docu-drama focuses on the creation of the modern labor movement by Cesar Chavez, while splitting the focus between that and his life as a husband and father. His creation of the United Farm Workers Union secured his place in history and his work in civil rights changed the landscape of the country to this day. The film has received criticism that it is too in awe of its subject to present him as an actual human being instead of a living saint, but as long as the film does not take liberties with the facts, then Chavez deserves as much awe as the country can muster. Yes, he had some weird positions on undocumented immigrants, but the amount of good he did for farm workers is staggering. The film is not only timely, but also 30 years too late, as our children and children's children should know this man's name before they know Kanye's.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 4 pm. COCC, 2600 NW College Way. Free.
The Royal Ballet Presents: A Winter's Tale
The last collaboration between director Christopher Wheeldon, designer Bob Crowley and composer Joby Talbot brought us 2011's incredible Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which was the first original piece commissioned by The Royal Ballet since the 1980s. With A Winter's Tale, Wheeldon and The Royal are taking one of Shakespeare's most underrated gems and transcribing it into a lyrical piece that will transcend critical opinion of the play. A Winter's Tale has always been considered on of Shakespeare's "problem plays" because of its wild tonal shifting in the last couple of acts, going from psychological drama to fun and whimsical in the space of moments. Shakespeare is Shakespeare, though, and he can do whatever the hell he wants. Maybe he was cranky when he started the show and then had a string of good luck by the time he finished writing it. Whatever the reason, A Winter's Tale is better than you think it is, I promise.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 pm. Old Mill Stadium, 680 SW Powerhouse. $18.
