Entertainers have recycled their predecessors' content - like yesterday's newsprint - in popular literature, music and film for decades or even longer in some cases. Now, instead of ripping off others' ideas, national entertainers can reap the benefits of their past labors thanks to the changing industry landscape.
Movie makers can simply take classic films, such as 1991's "Beauty and the Beast" or 1999's "Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace," and send them back to theaters for 3D screenings.
Who can blame them? With higher-priced tickets for 3D films, the re-releases will bring in boatloads of cash at the box office.
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Highlights And Happenings With Scott Shelters
The changing landscape hasn't hurt everyone in the music industry either. The iPod era has helped some longtime recording artists. Songs initially released on records have been purchased by fans on cassettes, CDs and digitally in the following decades.
Take a look at the most downloaded rock song on the iTunes Store: "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, from the 1981 album "Escape."
I'm sure some kids and young adults who hadn't previously owned the song in any form have downloaded "Don't Stop Believin'." However, a hefty portion of the sales that brought the track to the top of the heap have definitely come from adults who owned "Escape" on vinyl in the 1980s and again on cassette years later.
These are just a couple of examples, but with piracy crackdowns, the entertainment industry will do just fine in the long run, particularly when the next big technological thing comes along.
Who loses from the use of recycled entertainment content? We do.
If long-established entertainers can make a living off what they did decades ago, they'll have no good reason to strive for creativity, and we'll see the same works in shiny new ways.
I'd rather watch a new film in 2D than see one from the 1990s again with some stuff popping out of the screen once in a while.
Here's what's happening in the area this week:
UAA TO PRESENT 'KALEIDOSCOPE'
The United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County will launch its 2012 fund drive with ''Kaleidoscope'' Friday at the Fredonia Opera House and again on Friday, Feb. 17, at Jamestown's Reg Lenna Civic Center. Beginning at 7 p.m. and emceed by Jamestown's comedy improv troupe, The Unexpected Guests, both evenings will feature samplings of performances including folk music, ballet, theater, chamber players and singers.
All eight UAA member organizations - the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, Community Music Project, 1891 Fredonia Opera House, Infinity Visual & Performing Arts, Jamestown Concert Association, Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, Reg Lenna Civic Center and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra - will contribute to the evening.
Admission for either performance is $5. Tickets for the Friday night performance in Fredonia can be reserved by calling 679-1891, and tickets for Feb. 17 in Jamestown can be reserved by calling 484-7070. Tickets will also be available at the door.
JUNIOR GUILDERS AUDITIONS TO BE HELD SUNDAY
Auditions for Lucille Ball Little Theatre's Junior Guilders will be held Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Boys and girls ages 8-16 may try out. Each auditioner will be asked to sing a song of his or her choice. An accompanist will be provided, but those planning to sing "unfamiliar" songs should bring music with them. Auditioners should wear comfortable clothing for easy movement and jazz shoes if possible. For more information, call 665-5750.
CHAUTAUQUA'S GOT TALENT CONTESTANTS TO BE ANNOUNCED TUESDAY
The contestants for the third annual Chautauqua's Got Talent competition will be announced in Tuesday's edition of The Post-Journal. With evenly matched prospective contestants across the board, judges have yet to determine the final lineup. Big Time Productions, in conjunction with The Post-Journal, will present Chautauqua's Got Talent, beginning Monday, Feb. 27, at The Spire of Jamestown.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
As always, venues are listed chronologically by first event.
SOUTHERN TIER BREWERY - Cindy Haight will play tonight from 6-9 at The Empty Pint. There won't be a cover. Southern Tier Brewing Company is at 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood. For more, visit southerntierbrewing.com or call 763-5479.
CELORON LEGION - The Blue Grass Jam will be held tonight from 7-10. All area bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play. On Friday, Erie country dance musicians American Ride Band will play from 8 to midnight. There will also be a quarterback passing contest and a Red Solo Cup contest. On Saturday, Planet Fred will perform from 8 until midnight. Herman Kent American Legion Post 777 is located at 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
THE SPIRE - The Forgotten Classics movie series will continue tonight with "The Little Shop of Horrors." On Tuesday, the series will feature "The Bronze Venus." The price of admission for either night will be $2, and each film will follow a 30-minute short, which will begin at 7. The Spire of Jamestown is at 317 E. Third St. For more, visit spiretheater.org or call 450-7357.
LABYRINTH PRESS COMPANY - There will be an open mic comedy night tonight, beginning at 9. The Labyrinth is located at 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown. For more, call 708-2471.
BELLINI LOUNGE - Derek Davis will play an acoustic show from 4-6 p.m. Friday. The Bellini Lounge is located at the Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Road (Route 394) in Mayville. For more, call 269-7829.
THE DOCKS - There will be live piano music from 6-9 Friday night. The Docks is located at 7 Water St. in Mayville. For more, call 753-2525.
THE LAKEVIEW - Bill Ward will play from 6-9 Friday night. Cloud Called 9 will follow, playing rock and more from 10-1. The Lakeview is at 13 Water St. in Mayville. For more, call 753-2813.
SENECA ALLEGANY CASINO - Pocket Change will play a variety of music Friday night from 6-10, while Only Humen will play classic rock from 10:30-2:30. On Saturday, blues and rock musician Warren Skye will play from 1:30-5:30 p.m., while country band Coyote will perform from 6-10. Pappy Johns Band will end the Saturday night Casino Bar entertainment, playing blues from 10:30-2:30. For more information about the Casino Bar, visit senecaalleganycasino.com.
REG LENNA CIVIC CENTER - The Movies at the Reg series will continue Friday and Saturday nights at 8 with "50/50," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen. The film is rated R. Reg Lenna Civic Center is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown. Call 484-7070 for more information.
LITTLE THEATRE - Show times for "Ring of Fire" will begin this weekend, taking place Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20. Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown is at 18 E. Second St. Call 483-1095 for more information.
MOJO'S - Jeff Bujak will play electronica and dance music Friday night from 10-1. Mojo's is located at 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 720-4621.
RENAISSANCE CENTER - Jamestown Thunder will host a Community Drum Circle on Saturday from noon until 2:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in, and extra drums will be available. The Lillian Ney Renaissance Center is at 119 W. Third St., Jamestown. For more information, call Rich Schuler at 484-8121.
CORRY LEGION - Face Down in High Water will perform Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight. Elmer C. Carrier Post No. 365 is at 1460 Scotia Road in Corry, Pa. Call 814-663-1790 for more information.
RASCALS TAVERN - Rockers Pressure Sensitive will play from 9:30-1:30 Saturday night. Rascals Tavern is at 28 W. Main St. in Corry, Pa. Call 814-964-4200 for more information.
THE BULLFROG - The Allergic Reaction Band will play classic rock from 10-2 Saturday night. The Bullfrog Hotel is at 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 665-9043.
FOUNTAIN BOWL - Head Bangers will perform tonight. Fountain Bowl is at 3316 Fluvanna Ave. Ext. in Jamestown. For more, call 664-7404.
SHAWBUCKS - DJ Fish will provide live music Saturday night. Shawbucks is at 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 487-2201.
The Weekend Entertainment Events Preview highlights concerts, festivals and other happenings in the region in each Thursday's paper. Suggestions for submission can be sent to Scott Shelters by emailing sshelters@post-journal.com or by calling 487-1111, ext. 253.