A team tackles one of cycling’s toughest races in “Chasing Legends”
The most winning team in professional cycling tackles the 2009 Tour de France in “Chasing Legends,” screening tonight at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts.
Directed by Jason Berry (“Off Road to Athens”), the documentary follows the triumphs and travails of Team HTC-Columbia, an international team of 39 men and women that has chalked up 320 wins since 2008.
“Chasing Legends” uses historical race footage, stunning views of the European countryside and high definition cameras mounted on bikes, motorcycles, helicopters and team cars to immerse viewers in the action.
Cycling commentators Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen serve as narrators. We also hear from some of the sport’s biggest names, including Eddy Merckx, Jens Voigt, Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie and Mark Cavendish.
“Chasing Legends” screens at 8 p.m. tonight at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave. in Arroyo Grande. Tickets are $20.
The event includes a question-and-answer session with director Jason Berry and a exhibit promoting local bicycle-related businesses.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 489-9444 or visit the Clark Center online.
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“American Idol” finalist Matt Giraud appears Friday at Villa San-Juliette’s annual Wine Festival Dinner is Paso Robles.
Known as “The Piano Guy,” the Kalamazoo, Mich., musician garnered comparisons to Michael Buble and Justin Timberlake when he appeared on the eighth season of Fox’s popular talent show in 2009. He finished fifth overall.
Giraud has released two albums: “Perspective” in 2003 and “Mind Body and Soul” in 2006.
Event highlights include a four-course dinner prepared by chef James Porter from Petite Maison in Scottsdale, Ariz. Each course will be paired with wines selected by “American Idol” producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, whose struggles to open their own vineyard were chronicled in the Fox reality show “Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes.”
Today, the pair own a 168-acre vineyard in Paso Robles specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Syrah, Syrah, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. They have released five wines under the Villa San-Juliette label.
The event, a benefit for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center, starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Park Ballroom, 1232 Park Street in downtown Paso Robles. It’s located right above F. McLintocks Saloon.
Tickets are $125.
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A Houston doctor searches for a cancer cure in the documentary “Burzynski,” opening Friday the Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo.
Directed by Eric Merola, the documentary centers on Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski and his decades-long battle to obtain clinical trials for his gene-targeted cancer medication despite fierce opposition from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Texas Medical Board.
Burzynski began treating cancer patients with antineoplastons back in the 1970s.
He credits the drugs with curing some of the toughest forms of terminal cancer, including a type of childhood brain tumor. And his patients — cancer surivors who chose Burzynski’s treatment instead of more traditional surgery, chemotherapy or radiation — agree.
Rather than widespread celebration, however, Burzynski’s claims have prompted numerous investigations by the Texas Medical Board and federal grand juries.
According to Merola, the convoluted legal battle chronicled in “Burzynski” “makes the ‘Watergate scandal’ look like a kindergarten pottery class in comparison.”
Starting Friday, “Burzynski” will enjoy a week-long run at the Palm Theatre. Tickets are $8, or $5 for seniors and children. Showtimes vary.
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Sophisticated silliness ensues in the classic screwball comedy “Bringing Up Baby,” screening Saturday afternoon at the San Luis Obispo library.
Dr. David Huxley (Cary Grant) is a staid, stuffy paleontologist with one all-consuming dream: finishing the brontosaurus skeleton he’s been painstakingly reconstructing for the past four years.
Then David meets free-spirited heiress Susan Vance (Katherine Hepburn), and his life is turned upside down. Complicating matters are a missing brontosaurus bone, a mischievous terrier and a pet leopard named Baby.
“Bringing Up Baby” screens at 3 p.m. Saturday at the library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. The free showing includes water and snacks.
It’s the first film in “Cary Grant: Smooth Operator,” a new screening series dedicated to the suave, handsome actor running for three consecutive Saturdays.
“Notorious” screens May 29, and “Charade” screens June 5.
She Likes to Watch 
The Burzysnki Movie will be premiering in AUSTIN TEXAS at THE LONG CENTER on June the 6th 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30. Tickets available through the Long Center box office online. This is a must see movie for those affected by cancer, advocates for health freedom, and libertarians.
Interesting timing on this blog post. It comes the same day Floyd Landis admits to doping and accuses every other cyclist he knows of doing it, too.
Burzynski is THE most powerful documentary film of the year IMO. If you’ve been impacted by cancer (who hasn’t?), don’t miss it. It’s a must see movie for every American who cares about our health care system. Five more shows at the Palm: Tu @ 4; Wed @ 4/7; Thu @ 4/7. Go see it!