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Show Friday. Aus. 31. 2007 WeekendDiversions Page 9 Arts • Entertainment • Outdoors • Culture ernies Steppin' Out This Weekend Friday, Aug. 31 • 80s Dance Party, 9 p.m at the TSC. • Singled Out, 7 p.m. at the TSC. • USU Big Band Swing Club, 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. HPER Room 102. FREE for first two weeks and then a $15 club membership fee for the entire semester. • Local Lambs at the Slaughter, 6:30 p.m. at the Avalon in SLC. Tickets available on SmithsTIX.com. $10 • Summit ET Series, 4:30 p.m at Rocky Mountain Raceways. Tickets available at SmithTIX.com. Adults $10, children (5-12) $5. • Historic Downtown Logan Walking Tour, 10:30 -11:45 a.m. FREE. Contact the Visitor's Bureau, 755-1890 for more information. Saturday, Sept. 1 • USAC Western States Sprints & Focus Midgets, 4 p.m., Rocky Mountain Raceways. Adults $20, children (5-12) $10. • Elite Hall lessons and dancing, 7:30 p.m. -11:45 p.m. Located at 98 W. Main in Hyrum. $4 for lessons, $3 for dancing only. • Latino Night at Club NVO, 339 N. Main, Logan. Hip hop, salsa and reaggeton, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Want something posted on VENUES? Send to statesman(a)cc.usu.edu Go ahead -just say you're sorry BY JESSICA YADEGARAN Contra Costa Times (MCT) WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - For some, they are the two hardest words to say. But learning how to make a sincere apology is not only a necessary skill, it's an art. Just look at the headlines. Recently, singer Kelly Clarkson lashed out at record mogul and star-maker Give Davis after they clashed over the content of her new album. But last month Clarkson released a statement on her Web site taking back her words. "I'm well aware that Give is one of the great record men of all time," Clarkson said. "I really regret how this has turned out and I apologize to those whom I have done disservice." Sounds sincere. But is it? Celebrities are told when and how to apologize, usually when their careers are on the line. Meanwhile, politicians are masters of the unapology, showing remorse largely because they got caught and often without uttering those two magic words. Even for regular folks, the state of saying "sorry" is a sorrowful one. Why is it so hard to show contrition? "We tend to not apologize because we think it's a sign of weakness and vulnerability," said Sheila Quinn Simpson, the Michiganbased author of "Apology: The Importance and Power of Saying "I'm Sorry'" (Balcony, $12.95). "We tend to not take responsibility for our actions. It's always somebody else's fault, and if they apologize first, maybe you will, too." We are also a highly litigious society, Simpson explained, so to not own our behavior is often recommended, at least legally. In other words, yes, you caused the accident. But don't apologize, or you'll be culpable. Ironically, Simpson pointed out, we are obsessed with the importance of forgiveness, but nobody talks about the other side of it, which is apology. There are few apology cards in the greeting card aisle, and we rarely acknowledge how powerful and healing an apology is - for the apologizer. "Apologizing means acting with integrity and being aware of how our behavior affects people for the good or the bad," Simpson said. "It is our choice to avoid or to face the music." As a rule, Lindsay Newsom tries to avoid conflict. She describes herself as a moderate person who always sees both sides. But if she does hurt someone, she's the first to offer up an apology. "I want the situation to be as normal as possible as soon as possible," she said. Recently, Newsom took the side of one of two friends involved in a conflict. Upon reflection, she realized she'd taken the wrong side. "I went back to the other friend and said I ' m sorry, I handled it wrong, and it was the wrong side to take," she explained. The friend accepted. Sarah Gorback of San Francisco is a fan of the silent apology, especially when it comes to petty arguments. Think back to the times you exchanged hurtful words with mom, only to show up half an hour later, helping to wash dishes at her side. "A verbal apology can mean so much less anyway," Gorback said. "Besides, without saying the words, you can maintain a bit of pride and still passively admit you were wrong." Action apologies are very much acceptable, Simpson said. But in general, a verbal or written apology is most effective. They convey emotion and remorse best. Timing, of course, is paramount. "Do it as soon as you have that gut feeling," Simpson said. "That minimizes the rage, resentments or judgments that can escalate a situation. It's not time that heals, it's what you do with the time." That said, it's never too late for an apology. Wes Allnutt learned PATRONS ARE E N C O U R A G E D to purchase tickets early because of demands and also because many of the tickets have been reserved a year in advance. Photo courtesy of BRENDA ANTHONY, Production Designer for Celebrate America. the sophomore said. It's a good thing the cast gets along well, because they have to practice 20 hours a week and rehearse all through the summer for the one-weekend performance. The cast first meets at the beginning of the summer, when they are given a CD of the music to practice on their own, and then they meet up again for 30 rehearsals throughout July and August. Once the performances draw near, the rehearsals are held more often and take more time. A singer in the show, Katie Freeman, said they practice three times on weekdays for four hours and on Saturdays for eight hours. "It s a huge time commitment," said Freeman, sophomore in vocal performance and choral education. And due to the time spent with each other. Freeman said the cast has become close. "I think the cast itself has grown into a family, and I think you can see that on stage," she said. Anthony agrees. "They are so ready by the time performance comes around, and there's such a camaraderie that develops between the cast. It's a very strong group of friends," Anthony said. REHEARSALS Once the initial stress of learning the dances and songs is over, the group rehearsals begin, and the detailed costumes are tried on. "Some of (the costumes) are really flashy, and you really feel like you are a rocket in Radio City Music Hall," Finch said. It's her first year in the production, and she said it's definitely a different experience from the other shows she has done. For one of the songs, "Pennsylvania 65,000," she said the performers dress up like telephone operators with polka dotted dresses, white gloves, blond wigs and headsets. "It really just adds to the dances," Finch said. "With wearing the blond wigs and everything, we really feel silly out there, but it's just a lot of fun. It just really adds to the show." In her 15 years of experience, Finch originally studied ballet dance but has since learned others. Although her major in political science is far from dancing, her dream in the dancing world would be to dance on Broadway. From the musical side Freeman, 19, said she loves what the music says about the people and the history behind it. "The music is designed in such a way that it shows different types of music people listened to (and how) it affected them throughout (that time)," she said INFO The program starts Wednesday night with a college night for all students for $7 per person. No food is included on thai night, but following the performance there will be an open floor dance. Thursday through Saturday will feature a buffet dinner, a performance and dancing afterwards for $42.50 per person. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets early because of the demand and also because many of the tickets have been reserved a year in advance. All productions are held in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom and only 420 seats are available. Tickets can be purchased at the TSC Ticket Office or the Spectrum Ticket Office. Freeman encourages all students to attend even if they are not familiar with the music of the era. "Jazz music was not only entertaining at the time, but it was also a way that people were able to kind of express (emotion) and lighten their moods for hard times when we were at war," Freeman said. \MSee SORRY, page 10 Western Wats Western Wats has increased wages, and we are still willing to work around your schedule. We still offer weekly pay. a fiin work environ merit, and we'll give you time off for sriiool events, tests, and holidays. Call Cody 753-1303 or apply online at surveyrKtwurk.com/applicatiori. Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm The Diamond Engagement Sing Store, ^since 1896 141 North Main • 752-7149 www.seneedham.co7n Mlddlt •ftht block at tk* iign of tht •JL |