Okay, so I'm not a fan of singing songs about "good ol' Alabam" but I think this dance sequence from Easter Parade(1948) is the tops:
I'm watching this clip on youtube and in the sidebar menu there's a video of Judy singing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" in blackface...I mean WTF. That's messed up, Judy! Racism is so whack. (That's an understatement, I know.)
It's still an issue, folks. It's still something that drives a lot of craziness in the world.
It may not look like it did back in Judy's day, but it's thriving.
6.27.2008
6.26.2008
So You Think You Can Dance
As you may or may not know I LOVE this show. It's been a big thing in my life for three summers now.
Season 4 started a few weeks ago. We're down to eight couples. Another pair will be eliminated tonight. Time flies, yo.
I'm not feeling any of the girls this season. But the three Black boys are KILLING it.
[joshua, will, twitch]
It's clear that the show has gotten attention in the under 30 dance world as a legitimate place to showcase your skill and talent in a straight-forward way to a large audience.
Unlike American Idol, the winner isn't groomed for mass consumption. (There have been countless articles about the record sale slumps and how Idol finalists aren't bringing 'em in like they used to.)
The good thing about S.Y.T.Y.C.D is the fan has to hunt for their favorite after the show is over. If you really and truly need to keep in touch with Benji (Season 2 winner), Sabre (Season 3), or Danny (finalist Season 3). You need to get to googling. You gotsta get up and go find them.
If the show decides to up the consumption in the next few seasons, I hope they consider interesting ways to engage the audience--not use it simply as a venue to see the cute dude from season 2. I hope they find a way to get the audience hip to all kinds of dance. That'd be cool.
Season 4 started a few weeks ago. We're down to eight couples. Another pair will be eliminated tonight. Time flies, yo.
I'm not feeling any of the girls this season. But the three Black boys are KILLING it.
[joshua, will, twitch]
It's clear that the show has gotten attention in the under 30 dance world as a legitimate place to showcase your skill and talent in a straight-forward way to a large audience.
Unlike American Idol, the winner isn't groomed for mass consumption. (There have been countless articles about the record sale slumps and how Idol finalists aren't bringing 'em in like they used to.)
The good thing about S.Y.T.Y.C.D is the fan has to hunt for their favorite after the show is over. If you really and truly need to keep in touch with Benji (Season 2 winner), Sabre (Season 3), or Danny (finalist Season 3). You need to get to googling. You gotsta get up and go find them.
If the show decides to up the consumption in the next few seasons, I hope they consider interesting ways to engage the audience--not use it simply as a venue to see the cute dude from season 2. I hope they find a way to get the audience hip to all kinds of dance. That'd be cool.
6.25.2008
Songs I Hum -- updated
Scroll along the left column and you'll discover a new play list. A tribute to Ashford & Simpson:
Struck by the good time feeling of their 1979 disco hit "Found a Cure", I decided to gather a bundle of their greatest hits as songwriters / singers/ performers. They've written A LOT of songs, folks.
Struck by the good time feeling of their 1979 disco hit "Found a Cure", I decided to gather a bundle of their greatest hits as songwriters / singers/ performers. They've written A LOT of songs, folks.
Say Cheese...
The season brochure has dropped and it looks mighty damn good:
We look like some kind of art house band, huh?
Inked Baby on the inside:
We look like some kind of art house band, huh?
Inked Baby on the inside:
6.23.2008
Big Apple Chew
I can't take any real responsibility for that title.
I'm in Park Slope, BK typing on my friend's busted pc laptop (busted because it's old, not because it's a pc).
This evening I attended a Season Launch Party at a swanky apartment on 5th avenue. Playwrights Horizons invited patrons and board members to meet the six playwrights whose work is a part of the 08-09 season. Everyone was very cool and excited about the work. I had a gosh, darn good time. Yay.
I'm in Park Slope, BK typing on my friend's busted pc laptop (busted because it's old, not because it's a pc).
This evening I attended a Season Launch Party at a swanky apartment on 5th avenue. Playwrights Horizons invited patrons and board members to meet the six playwrights whose work is a part of the 08-09 season. Everyone was very cool and excited about the work. I had a gosh, darn good time. Yay.
6.20.2008
Post Clot
You know when you have all these things you meant to talk about, but you can't remember any of 'em??
That's the problem I'm having with my posts.
I had three or four things I wanted to write about but now I can't think of anything...
Poop.
That's the problem I'm having with my posts.
I had three or four things I wanted to write about but now I can't think of anything...
Poop.
6.18.2008
I ain't forgot about you....
My posting streak is broken. Boo! I was doing pretty well for awhile.
I went to DC this weekend to carry boxes and take pictures. Can't share the pics because I can't locate the white usb cord I need to upload everything onto my computer...ugh.
But I can say "yay" for the Celtics who spanked Kobe & the Supremes last night to win the NBA Finals. The phrase "total domination" popped up again & again as the Celtics' lead grew to 30+ points. The stadium cheered and celebrated as the final minutes ticked away in the fourth quarter.
People say Kobe is the best player in the world but he's proof that such a title doesn't translate into team victories. Jordan was great AND he has rings to prove it. Kobe is a good player, but he's also a big bully. Did you notice how he hit and chastised his teammates when mistakes happened?! Pierce, KG and Allen respect and support each other during good times and bad. I don't recall them yelling at each other when a ball was stolen or a shot missed.
Teams win rings, not individual players.
CUT TO: the Tony's.
Can we say "good show!"?
I flipped between this and game 5 so I cried as the Lakers forced a game 6 and cheered when Lin-Manuel Miranda busted out with some freestylin' as he held his win for best original score.
Patti LuPone gave the best performance of the night then basically pimp slapped the orchestra when they started vamping during her acceptance speech for her win as Mama in Gypsy.
And did you catch Quiara Hudes' dress?? It was two-snaps-and-a-twist FIERCE.
I went to DC this weekend to carry boxes and take pictures. Can't share the pics because I can't locate the white usb cord I need to upload everything onto my computer...ugh.
But I can say "yay" for the Celtics who spanked Kobe & the Supremes last night to win the NBA Finals. The phrase "total domination" popped up again & again as the Celtics' lead grew to 30+ points. The stadium cheered and celebrated as the final minutes ticked away in the fourth quarter.
People say Kobe is the best player in the world but he's proof that such a title doesn't translate into team victories. Jordan was great AND he has rings to prove it. Kobe is a good player, but he's also a big bully. Did you notice how he hit and chastised his teammates when mistakes happened?! Pierce, KG and Allen respect and support each other during good times and bad. I don't recall them yelling at each other when a ball was stolen or a shot missed.
Teams win rings, not individual players.
CUT TO: the Tony's.
Can we say "good show!"?
I flipped between this and game 5 so I cried as the Lakers forced a game 6 and cheered when Lin-Manuel Miranda busted out with some freestylin' as he held his win for best original score.
Patti LuPone gave the best performance of the night then basically pimp slapped the orchestra when they started vamping during her acceptance speech for her win as Mama in Gypsy.
And did you catch Quiara Hudes' dress?? It was two-snaps-and-a-twist FIERCE.
6.12.2008
Dem Kicks
I know this is old news to some of you, but I just discovered this gem while searching for random things on Google:
Boombox sneakers! Can you imagine the noise on the NYC subways if these became available to the public?
Ugh.
I'm sure it's very possible these shoes could become reality with today's technology. These concept kicks have a cd player, but I bet you someone could figure out how to get MP3 players or flash drives in the mix. It would definitely have to be waterproof...and some kind of bluetooth hook up so that the other shoe could pump music, too. And, and, then you could have a wireless mic input and turn it into a PA system, OR a portable karaoke machine!!!
Ohhhhhh snap!
[Click the pic for more]
Boombox sneakers! Can you imagine the noise on the NYC subways if these became available to the public?
Ugh.
I'm sure it's very possible these shoes could become reality with today's technology. These concept kicks have a cd player, but I bet you someone could figure out how to get MP3 players or flash drives in the mix. It would definitely have to be waterproof...and some kind of bluetooth hook up so that the other shoe could pump music, too. And, and, then you could have a wireless mic input and turn it into a PA system, OR a portable karaoke machine!!!
Ohhhhhh snap!
[Click the pic for more]
6.09.2008
Af. Tril. weekend in NYC
This past weekend I chilled out with Africa Trilogy writers Binyavanga & Roland in NYC:
We spent all day discussing our play outlines, swapped resources and ideas. Let me tell you now, three good plays will enter the world soon. I think we're developing some exciting work. At the end of a long session, we decided to have dinner.
Then off to Brooklyn Museum's First Saturdays event:
And capped the night off with a trip to Grand Dakar:
The next afternoon, exhausted and dehydrated, I was stuck at Penn Station waiting for my train that was an hour late:
We spent all day discussing our play outlines, swapped resources and ideas. Let me tell you now, three good plays will enter the world soon. I think we're developing some exciting work. At the end of a long session, we decided to have dinner.
Then off to Brooklyn Museum's First Saturdays event:
And capped the night off with a trip to Grand Dakar:
The next afternoon, exhausted and dehydrated, I was stuck at Penn Station waiting for my train that was an hour late:
Spiffy
It's hot. I'm hot. Everything's hot.
I stayed in the house and spruced up the blog.
You may have noticed the new banner.
If you scroll down the left column, you'll find links to posts from the Uganda; Rwanda trip.
There's also a nod to the production.
I removed some things, too. They may or may not return.
The weather will be icky for the next few days. Expect new updates on my site, too.
I stayed in the house and spruced up the blog.
You may have noticed the new banner.
If you scroll down the left column, you'll find links to posts from the Uganda; Rwanda trip.
There's also a nod to the production.
I removed some things, too. They may or may not return.
The weather will be icky for the next few days. Expect new updates on my site, too.
6.06.2008
Inked Baby + Playwrights Horizons
My play will be a part of the 2008-2009 season at Playwrights Horizons.
Whoa.
Okay, go here, here and here to know more about it.
Whoa.
Okay, go here, here and here to know more about it.
Family Guy + Lil Shop of Horrors
I DO NOT condone pedophile love songs but this is pretty damn funny. Herbert from "Family Guy" dreams up a Lil Shop of Horrors style fantasy:
6.05.2008
Marlena Shaw
If you told me two weeks ago that a Docker's commercial would provide my new favorite song, I woulda called ya crazy:
6.02.2008
6.01.2008
Bean town hoops
Yea, so the Celtics are going to the NBA finals and they're up against the ever-so smug Kobe Bryant and his back-up dancers a.k.a the Lakers.
After the Suns got the boot in the first round, I leaned towards the Celtics to receive a dose of celebration juice as the series inched towards the final round. (As you can see I'm a loyal sports fan, basically rooting for the team with the prettiest smiles and sportsman like behavior.)
Enter Paul Pierce. He's an alum of the Kansas University basketball team and he seems like a good guy. Nytimes has an article about him here.
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