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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

All content by Kristen Moran
Betty Haynes (Elisabeth Schirmers) performs "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" with dancers Tristan Gunderson, left, and Sean Rush, right, for her first solo act in New York during Chico Theater Company's "White Christmas." Photo credit: Brandon Foster

Christmas musical brings holiday cheer to Chico

Kristen Moran
December 11, 2014
Though there is a slim chance snow falling in Chico, the magic of a white Christmas can still be found in the form of the classic holiday musical, performed through Dec. 21 at Chico Theater Company.
Sofia Allmon dazzles as a Spanish dancer in Chico Community Ballet's "The Nutcracker," staged until Dec. 7 in Laxson Auditorium. Photo credit: John Domogma

Q&A: Dancer Sofia Allmon gets on point for ‘The Nutcracker’

Kristen Moran
December 6, 2014
Ballet dancer Sofia Allmon, local high school junior, sat down with The Orion to discuss the complexities of playing multiple roles and being on pointe in this year's Chico Community Ballet production of "The Nutcracker."
Dancers from a past production of Chico Performances and Chico Community Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" partnering during a scene. This year's show opens 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Laxson Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Chico Performances.

Partnering in ‘The Nutcracker:’ leads on finding balance, cohesion

Kristen Moran
November 30, 2014
Though ballet dancers often make partnering seem easy, gracefully maneuvering across the stage, the technique takes time, patience and trust. The leads of this year's Chico Community Ballet performance of "The Nutcracker" told The Orion what partnering is like and what it takes.
Jenna Large, center, dances in a previous Chico Community Ballet performance of "The Nutcracker" at Laxson Auditorium. Large returns for this year's performances of the holiday classic Dec. 4-7. Photo courtesy of Chico Performances.

Q&A: Dancer Jenna Large on ‘The Nutcracker’

Kristen Moran
November 28, 2014
The Orion spoke with Jenna Large, who will portray Clara from "The Nutcracker" Dec. 4-7, about the show, snowflakes and physical therapy.
Paradise author Ken Young signs a copy of his first novel for a fan at the book's presentation Tuesday at Lyon Books. Photo credit: Veronica Hodur

Q&A: Local author pens first novel, inspired by daughter

Kristen Moran
November 21, 2014
Ken Young walked The Orion though the creative process behind his debut novel, "The King's Frog Hunter" after presenting it Tuesday at Lyon Books.
Chico Performances presents California Guitar Trio and Montreal Guitar Trio Nov. 9 at Laxson Auditorium. Photo by Pierre Larue courtesy of Chico Performances

Guitar trios set to bring lush melodies to Laxson

Kristen Moran
November 2, 2014
California Guitar Trio and Montreal Guitar Trio, which feature musicians from around the globe, will bring intricate, stunning songs to Laxson Auditorium Nov. 9.
Professor Callahan (Robert Hart) and Elle Woods (Rebecca Allen) on stage at Chico Theater Company during the musical "Legally Blonde," which runs until Nov. 9. Photo credit: Brandon Foster

Peppy, wacky musical offers laughs, plenty of pink

Kristen Moran
October 25, 2014
Chico Theater Company's "Legally Blonde" will have audience members teetering off their chairs in laughter in this quirky, contemporary musical, which runs through Nov 9.
Chico Performances presents MUMMENSCHANZ, a miming troupe that transforms ordinary objects into extraordinary acts, Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Laxson Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Chico Performances

Mime troupe to literally give Chico audience giant thumbs up

Kristen Moran
October 23, 2014
World-renowned theater troupe MUMMENSCHANZ transforms everyday objects into masterpieces of mime expressionism. Catch its latest performance Tuesday at Laxson Auditorium.
Chico State alumnus Jake Early stands next to some of the prints he created for his 'My Hometown" collection on display at Chico Paper Company. Photo credit: Kristen Moran

Jake Early: printmaker, proud Chicoan

Kristen Moran
October 14, 2014
The Chico State alumnus and printmaker released the final piece of his "My Hometown" series Friday. In honor of the artist's remarkable creative contributions to Chico, Mayor Scott Gruendl declared Friday Jake Early Day at the unveiling.
Little Lulu Mae adjusts her wig in the outdoor dressing room on the back patio of The Maltese before her performance as a '50s housewife on Sunday. Photo credit: Annie Paige

Burlesque dancers get ‘unconventionally sexy’ at Malteazers’ performance

Kristen Moran
October 6, 2014
The Maltese’s monthly burlesque show tantalizes, titillates audiences
Downtown's new glass shop, Chico Valley Gallery, has a map with pins stuck in each location where it gets its art from, according to Mike Calnan, owner and Chico State senior business management major, pictured left. Photo credit: Veronica Hodur

Student opens glass shop, hopes community members will ‘get hooked’

Kristen Moran
September 28, 2014
Chico Valley Gallery, which will have its grand opening and raffle Friday, features pipes, inverted paintings, pendants and other intricate glass work.
Photo courtesy of Chico Performances

Acclaimed acrobats amaze Laxson audience

Kristen Moran
September 17, 2014
The acclaimed National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China contorted, tumbled and danced on Laxson Auditorium's stage on Tuesday.
Chico Performances presents The National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China's show "Cirque Peking." Photo courtesy Chico Performances

Acrobats to twist, tumble into Laxson Auditorium

Kristen Moran
September 10, 2014
Chico Performances presents The National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China, who will perform "silk" and trapeze acts, juggle and dance Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the Laxson Auditorium.
Funkadesi will kick off the 21st annual Chico World Music Festival Friday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Laxson Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Chico Performances.

Funkadesi bringing funk fusion for Chico World Music Festival

Kristen Moran
September 5, 2014
Funkadesi, a 10-member multicultural group of musicians, will be the toe-tapping, uplifting opening act of the 21st annual Chico World Music Festival.
Marie Hubbard, a local artist, poses with artwork from her collection of 3D collages at 100th Monkey Cafe & Books. Proceeds will benefit 100th Monkey's movement toward a nonprofit, pay-what-you-can community cafe. Photo credit: Kristen Moran

Local activist, artist creates for survival

Kristen Moran
August 26, 2014
Chico artist Marie Hubbard's passion for art helped her after years of domestic abuse, and now she uses her artwork to help others.