Local Entertainment

The Canadian Country Music Awards festivities from Sept. 8 to 12 is packed with a broad spectrum of activities from a charity hockey tourney, a new artist showcase and a songwriters' showcase to a tribute ceremony, a Fanfest and several awards galas.

When the leaves turn colour it’s a good time to reflect on change, the beauty of the world and the importance of art. It’s a great way to accomplish all three then to revel and rejoice in the spoken words of two award-winning poets.

Today and tomorrow the Beaumont Blues Festival swings into high gear with two days of rockin’ heartfelt tunes. Gates open at noon with more than 26 provincial and national acts making the scene.

With so much in common from style to technical details, The Last Exorcism is not so much the unwitting sequel as the adoptive brother to The Blair Witch Project. Both rely heavily on the fake documentary scenario. Both have fairly believable acting.

The American (14A) As an assassin, Jack (George Clooney) is constantly on the move and always alone. After a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, Jack retreats to the Italian countryside.

It’s tough not to get the message of a painting showing a bar scene of many faceless people with the clear images seen on the ubiquitous TVs above their heads.

With a fall line-up of serious courtroom dramas, medical catastrophes, police procedurals and reality programs, Caution: May Contain Nuts drives home the point that sketch comedy is time well wasted.

Country bass player Wally McDonald celebrates his 95th birthday this month, and he’s being given a special birthday present. Bill Cameron of Golden Memories Film Club is throwing the country gent a tribute party today from 3 to 8 p.m.

There’s a joyous, energetic rhythm in Bob Bernhardt’s voice, the sound of a man eager to dive into the next project.

Working as a music teacher is a bit like being a prospector. You sift through loads of pretty rocks before discovering one of those precious diamonds in the rough. One of those rough cuts is Sean Doherty, 17.