Rotten Neighbors - Ho Ho Ho

This hardly seems like a holiday blog posting, and is also not meant to stir discord in what should be a season of joy. But sometimes it seems our house is surrounded by the worst of neighbors. Luckily, across the street are the family with cute kids who play with Waylon, rake their leaves, decorate with carved pumpkins and even offer the occasional cold beer in the summer. But on our side of the block - not so much!

We are blessed with not ONE, but TWO lumps of coal. One beside us with a rickety wood fence and the other abutting our kitchen in the rear. The first is a young couple that have been handed down the house for 2 generations since I have lived here - so they are obviously not going anywhere soon. I feel sorry for him, for he is certainly pussy-whipped by her. She is not a quiet one and her constant tirades are always an earful for all the rest of us to hear. She is a not a happy camper and when momma isn't happy, no one is apparently happy. I want to smack him like Cher in Moonstruck and say "Snap Out of It!"

Behind us is Party City. Drug deals constantly happening in the back alley - why does no one use the front door? Fire pits, loud guitar jams, firework displays and tons of loud cackling. The smoke; cigarettes, pot and bonfires is so bad we have to seal up the windows. This wouldn't be bad if the parties were within normal confines. But they usually begin around the midnight hour and continue on into the next morning. And season does not seem to matter - they are there for New Year's, Summer Solstice, Labor Day, Arbor Day.....

I bring this up because 911 has now been added to my speed dial. I have tried with polite MN notes in the mailbox or on the car windshield. But when that does not work, and daddy is not a happy camper - 911 gets the job done. I'm not even shy about it! Yesterday was the car horn alarm. It had been going off continually for the last 2 days and NIGHTS, every hour. Am I the only one that can hear it within a single block radius? So I left yet another note on the dashboard and sure enough, just like a moth to a flame, it was gone within an hour. But the horn continued to blast on cue. Funny how a squad car took care of the problem very easily. I feel like a Gladys Kravitz, but come on! We live in an dense urban neighborhood where we have to live together despite our differences. That being said, I am not afraid to put my city tax dollars to work with a simple phone call. Ho Ho Ho!

Mike Hot Pence

This little tidbit in my morning news gave me a chuckle. Some needed satire and humor amidst the political climate. Turning things on its head for the common good.

The character in play is Glen Pannell, a handsome man of middle age from NYC. Who also bears a mild resemblance to Mr. Mike Pence - Vice President elect. The saga began when he chose to dress up as his alter-ego for Halloween; prior to the election results. Fast forward to the current outcome and his choice to make a difference.

In all honesty, Glen is a bit more dashing than his actual counterpart. Especially in the physique department. So part of his persona is to wear sexy shorts aside the corporate attire on his torso. Also being a gay man, he chooses to walk the streets of New York in "costume" with a bucket raising funds for civil causes that are directly affected by the political repercussions of Mr. Pence. Organizations like Planned Parenthood or the Trevor Project. How cool is that!

Holiday Shopping

I used to enjoy shopping for gifts. I would itemize a list of  special names and give thought to each and every one to find something perfect and unique. Even my wrappings became a work of art and creativity with yearly themes. But for the last decade, the mere mention of a Mall brings on anxiety attacks for me. I'm not sure when things took a turn for the worse. But I get overwhelmed and start shutting down. Perhaps in the new era of BIG, it all becomes sensory overload for me, and with my OCD I can't find a point of entry. The idea of waiting in line in the wee hours to grab a bargain on #BlackFriday baffles me.

But I was doing some reflecting of vintage shopping from my childhood and memories that I still cling to. Certainly at the holidays. Our version of Black Friday was going over to the Murphy's in North East to scour their penny candy bins so that we would use things on our gingerbread village decorations. One year I built a small theater with a marquee and Candy Corn light bulbs. There was always the palatial Boston Store downtown with grand holiday decorations and Santa. I fondly remember Grants for their sales on 45RPMs where I had a membership card and would get punches for every new single that I purchased. And of course the Kresge's on State where my grandmother Mary worked. My cousin Frank and I would sometimes pull up a counter stool and she would offer us up a free cup of soup in the deli. As I got older the MilcreekMall became the go-to destination where I fondly recall the early chains of Hickory Farms where we got samples, Spencer Gifts for blacklight posters in the bedroom, or Chess King when I was wanting that really cool polyester shirt for homecoming dance.

Occasionally a book store gives me pleasure. Or even grocery shopping! But I need to get back in touch with that spirit of giving and find a way to make Holiday Shopping still be that exciting experience that it once was!

The One Moment

This viral music video seemed a good fit to share for this holiday about being grateful. I know I am a huge fan of OK Go and have shared their incredible work prior. I am sure I am drawn to them because of they way they are able to balance creativity in both music and visual art all while making a statement as well as expression. To me it becomes a total package.

Technology is always at the forefront of their videos - to the point of amazement! In this one they employ a series of chain reactions that result in explosions of color - from tubes, balloons and even guitars. And even more stunning is that the sequence itself takes place over a mere 5 seconds from act to act. The art comes from slowing it down to sync up with the meter and lyrics of the song. I'm sure some extensive editing is involved, but the end product is seamless. And I cannot even fathom the precision of the performers to ensure that all marks are hit on the single shot of the sequence!

The profoundness of the piece is also represented in the lyrics to the song. "The song 'The One Moment' is a celebration of (and a prayer for) those moments in life when we are most alive," the band says in the video's credits. "Humans are not equipped to understand our own temporariness; it will never stop being deeply beautiful, deeply confusing, and deeply sad that our lives and our world are so fleeting. We have only these few moments. Luckily, among them there are a few that really matter, and it's our job to find them. (We had no idea when we wrote the song that we'd be releasing its video in such a critical moment for our nation and the world. It's one of those moments when everything changes, whether we like it or not, so the song feels particularly relevant)."

Happy Thanksgiving with gratitude.

All the World's a Stage

This post originated almost 6 months back - honoring the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. That is a monumental number celebrating a monumental figure. It called for a celebration and the Globe Theater, original site where many of his works premiered, took the helm. It is also fitting that this recently renovated theater sits only 750 feet from where the original was constructed back in 1599!

The project is called the Complete Walk and ambitiously sets all of his works as short films of 10 minutes, utilizing some of Great Britain's most esteemed actors. Even more astounding is the attempt to set many of these films at sites around the world where the original scenes were set. Dominic West portrays Coriolanus at Ostia Antica, the harbor city of ancient Rome; Jonathan Pryce as Shylock in the Merchant of Venice at Banco Rosso in the Jewish ghetto of Venice and David Harewood as Othello in Famagusta in north Cyprus. They also filmed at the Red Pyramid in Egypt for Antony and Cleopatra, the Tomba di Giulietta in Verona for Romeo and Juliet, Glamis Castle in Scotland for Macbeth and the Acropolis in Greece for Timon of Athens. How monumental is that? The intent was for them to play as a looped walking exhibit at stations along the Thames where pedestrians could stroll from one on to the next.

The traveling Fest played both Liverpool and London, as well as cities in Spain and even Poland and Egypt. But no plans of a US installation. There are a few scattered clips on YouTube of Timon of Athens, King Lear and Richard II shown here. But sadly, there is currently not a vehicle to expose this great project to other masses eager to see them.

Dogs in Drag

This is a catch up post from Halloween. I still celebrate the creative side of this holiday where everyone can play dress up and live out their alter-ego for the day. Less and less do I take the effort to do so myself and find I get caught up more in the carving of the pumpkins or brewing a hot cauldron of cider.

Pets of the Season seem to really have taken off as well. There is no shortage of costumes for dogs and the creative quotient has ignited in the last few years. This is obvious by the shelves at Target to Chuck & Don's. We have tried with Waylon, but he is reluctant to a leash, much less a cape and a pair of dog booties! But we did venture out to the great #SidewalkDog event at the #Freehouse in the warehouse district. It was perfect weather for patio play. It is just too bad that there wasn't more space to be found and I pitied the poor waitstaff that was overwhelmed by trying to accommodate us all.

But at the center of the attention were the canines decked out in everything imaginable. Here are a few shots from their feed as well as a link to the whole feature.
Sidewalk Dog Blog

Finding Your Inner Voice

As with many friends and colleagues, I have been very carefully trying to find clarity in my thoughts as of late. And for me, I have learned that scratching thoughts on a piece of paper in B&W gives them focus. This can be a shopping list for the grocery store or my patter for a cabaret set. It starts with a basic concept and then with editing becomes clearer to me, as I add more and scrap what does not sound authentic or true.

I use several outlets in my life and have found the value in What goes Where. I wouldn't write my shopping list on the back of a resume draft. Or my Google Playlist in a column beside my Christmas list... I will never be a novelist or a poet. But I do think that I certainly have a "unique voice." I was made aware of that from old cards and letters sent to family and friends. And this was further pointed out to me in early travelogues that were sent via emails from abroad. Others let me know they got a keen sense of the journey I had taken and felt it was shared personally with them. Fast Forward 10+ years.

I now have a Blog and have become a Twitter fanatic. But today I was mindful of how each is a different channel and how I have used them each to further a cause. I think there are plenty of misconceptions in the concept of Social Media and what is literally "thrown out to the world." Just like Music - one needs to find the right outlet for that Voice. Are you going to be a Pop Star and invest in American Idol or the Voice? Are you going to be a classical diva and study for a degree in Vocal Performance? Maybe the acoustic world is your milieu where you can share political beliefs by raising your voice in song. But the realization needs to be that each is a different voice nonetheless. Find Your Audience!

I believe that Facebook has become the ground zero for voices. From the miles of diatribe there, one can easily descend down that rabbit hole into a void that only infuses but does not usually pacify or even unify. For me, my Blog is a glimpse into my very personal life. It can be a small token of baking, a fascination with a current trend or like this, something that is profound to me. It is an opinion that is mine alone to share. Although not by invitation only, it is a choice to share in those thoughts. Facebook to me is a broadcast network. Mine is huge - high school friends, distant cousins, acquaintances from years back from every career I have pursued. It is a varied pool and allows me a glimpse into their lives and them into mine - with a photo or a keepsake. I don't pretend to use it as a platform to convert or vent. It is not therapy. Twitter has become my most recent outlet. And to me this is where I make myself heard. Often a political statement or a product endorsement. Occasionally a witty comment. But I feel like these short outbursts are meant to connect only with the few that choose to listen or hit directly to those I am trying to oppose. I do not kid myself that this is a platform to carry out a conversation. I have no real connection to these people I converge with. That is the wonder of 140 characters - I need to be concise and accurate. This has been a great lesson in editing for me. I am not the kind who appreciates long chains of Text Messages or even email threads. If I have something that important to share, let's talk at the table over a cup of coffee.

So give this a read - if you are one of those who chooses to peruse a bit deeper into who I am and what I'm trying to say. But please! Decide what it is you truly want to say and then think about who is your audience and get your message out. Otherwise we are merely howling at the moon to people who have no intention of truly listening to us.

Dogs in the House

In trying to find some joy in the frenzy of the election outcome, I am drawn to seemingly trivial things like baking, yoga & meditation, remaining flowers in the garden or of course animals. Things that bring me joy instead of stress.

#SidewalkDog always manages to send me feeds that are a distraction and a joy on their Twitter page. This recent article looked back over a century of pets in the White House while their families served in the Presidency. Not only is it the wonder of the animals, but it also gives a glimpse into the person that makes them just a bit more human as well. Bill Clinton with his adorable chocolate lab Buddy.

A normally stoic Lyndon Johnson howling with his Yuki.

Herbert Hoover with his handsome shepherd King Tut.

And of course the Kennedy clan with an entourage of misfits and mutts at hand. I wonder if Donald Trump has had dogs in his life....? Howard Taft even had a pet cow named Pauline! For a sweet diversion check out the entire link to the library.
Sidewalk Dogs: Presidential Pups 

Moving Forward

I am always being forwarded "inspiration" pieces from friends of mine. Most notably Mike Andrle. I tend to be a do-it-yourself kind of guy, so self-help books rarely hold my interest. I'll admit that it is my own arrogance that figures "I can do this all by myself!" But this is not to say that there aren't both peers and genius that continue to inspire me.

One was a review of a conversation between both Martha Graham and Agnes deMille. Both were true visionaries, miles ahead of their era who burst more than enough glass ceilings. The story goes that deMille had opened doors of opportunity with her landmark staging of Oklahoma! - which redefined American Musical Theater. All this despite a legacy of such works as Rodeo that had failed to find approval. She found the instant fame "unexpected, flamboyant and bewildering." This sent her into a cycle of doubt - "I had a burning desire to be excellent, but no faith that I could be."

Graham responded back with this profound statement. “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”

Because of both my Virgo tendencies and my perfection nature as an artist, I find myself with some of these very same conflicts. Granted on a much smaller scale than these two! But often torn between reinventing myself, staying true to myself; and knowing the fine line between the two. Moving forward to new work at this point in my age - some of the same old demons will naturally resurface. But I must remind myself to rely on my gut feeling and instinct which are genuine and have gotten me to where I am today. It's just a matter of trust with determination.

Taking a Time Out from Non Profit work

Most have heard by now that tomorrow is my last day working at YPC. Many mixed feelings and the type of "change" that breeds trepidation but will likely yield some freedom and new possibilities. I have been to numerous conferences and panels about the downward spiral of the nonprofit world and I have to say I feel the pain of it mightily. All these great arts organizations that planted seeds in the 70s and 80s are now hitting their mid-life crises and the path to success has been far less frequent than hoped.

This excellent article in the Atlantic by Jonathan Timm sums it up far better than I am able. It is called the Plight of the Overworked Nonprofit Employee. Just as in the 1%, there is a huge disparity gap between the arts organizations that have become "institutions" and the other 90% who run on grunt work, will power and a worker bee hive of employees. It also alludes to an ironic gap between the core values of these groups vs. the way their own staffs are treated. It then points to how this leads to bizarre and unproductive decisions. This will be my 2nd job that has left me with mixed feelings. It becomes about treading water than actually moving forward. And it is ALWAYS at the sacrifice of the very manpower that is at the front of said organization. One conference last year called it the Hunger Games of Non Profits.

Atlantic article 

Give the article a read if you so desire. For me it is nothing that surprises or enlightens. Just that once you get OFF the merry-go-round and acclimate from the dizziness, your vision becomes a bit clearer with hindsight. I'm going to think very wisely before I jump back on board that ride.

the Rio Olympic Torch

Summer is always a time of both full days and nights. Much planned and even more that will be missed. The Olympics are on my radar but I have not given them much thought as they loom upon us. I do know they are being hosted in Brazil. And I am also aware of some of the chaos that is precluding them. Political impeachments. Building and transit infrastructures that are not complete or on track to be finished in time.

As I see each Olympic event dazzle and impress more than the last, I wonder if maybe we have set the bar so high that it becomes impossible to achieve. I am not sure if this is just the result of technology and culture. Or an unnecessary competition from one country to the next to out-do the former host. I know Minneapolis is gearing up for a Super Bowl in 2 years and already the buzz of hotel and event construction is at a fever pitch. And this for a single Day event. So I have no idea how Rio 2016 will stack up.

BUT, I have seen plans for the Torch and what they are calling the Solar City Tower. It is built on an island overlooking the city and is a beacon much like the Statue of Liberty in the harbor. 

• It is over 100 meters tall.
• It is a waterfall.
• It is an observation tower.
• It is solar powered and will generate electricity for the entire Olympic Village.
• It is a bungee jumping tower.
• It has an amphitheater and an auditorium.

It is also beyond amazing. Just the views itself practically make it the next world wonder. Look at the pictures yourself.

Mystery Boxes

Evryone should be well aware that I am person intrigued by problem solving. of course the usual crossword, but even more so geocaching, treasure hunts, jigsaw puzzles and anything inquisitive. The mystery becomes almost an addiction to solve.

So I was tipped off to this new crowdfunding for a new item called Mystery Cases by a company called Armchair Detective. I myself like something that is physical. But this is for those that like to sit and ponder a solver. It is kind of like a Russian doll with a box inside a box inside a box. And you keep using clues and riddles that will eventually take you further into the Pandora's Box. No idea how much they would cost, but sounds like they could be a winter diversion.

 

 

Drum Corps teaser trailer

This is the time of year when us loyal drum corps fans of all ages anxiously await the start of the current season. All winter we are fed both crumbs and rumors. Who has jumped ship re: staff. New mergers. Year of hiatus. New uniforms. Winter camp videos. But it is not until right around now that the buzz really leaks and we get a glimpse of how summer will unfold; Both DCA & DCI - World & Open. I continue to get excited about Soundsport and the cycle of new influx that seems to be taking wave.

Just like in a new relationship; this is the period of "limerance" where the shows are revealed, your heart tugs and you start to choose your wild cards.... Until scores start coming in or a disappointing viewing on the FanNetwork and you realize it sounded good on paper but somehow did not make the translation to the field.

I'm sort intrigued by bizarre tangents like the Academy's Corpse Bride or Boston Crusader's Quixotic based on La Mancha. Scout's Judas is garnering a lot of hype. I would also buy into Blue Devil's version of the Tempest with As Dreams Are Made On, SCV's Force of Nature or Carolina Crown's take on a spaghetti Westerns with Relentless. I'm even curious about Pioneer with Joan of Arc or Genesis Hell Hath No Fury. Then there are the esoteric one's like Blue Knights the Great Event or Cadet's the Awakening that sound pretty generic in print. Some will surprise I'm sure. I'm waiting for more of the All-ages to represent as well.

From the Junior Corps circle - here is the update list of 2016 Programs.
DCI Corps Programs 
From corpsreps - others that have been announced.
http://www.corpsreps.com/corpsreps.cfm?view=currentyear 

Drop Dead

I am an avid geocacher and have noted this on more than one blog post over as many years. It was an adventure introduced to me by my brother. Although I don't log the visits like I once did, it is still a treasure hunt that I enjoy.



Presenting Dead Drop, which is a new phenomenon in a similar vein. The term itself has roots in espionage as a blind trade of information. They started in BROOKLYN BACK IN 2010. It uses global coordinates to track postings. But instead of a cache with chotchkies, you now arrive at a flash drive that is buried or hidden in a tree trunk, a stone wall, or a park bench. The treasure has now become a digital download that can be grabbed from the drive by plugging in your laptop or other device. The "find" might be a historical podcast, music files that pertain to the site, a photo file. I think it sounds like a gas.

 

However, after looking on line for source material - they are light years behind the geocaching clique. All you get is a world map and trying to search or isolate is a difficult task. It also has not caught on with as much fervor. I did a search of the Twin Cities and there are only two locally; one in Shakopee and another far outside the metro area. So at this point, it is shortlived and needs to grow in popularity. I think I need to scout one out and report back. 

 

the Beautiful Dancer's Body

I know back in my prime of dancing days, I always wanted the perfect dancer's body. The kind that was lithe but not beefcake. The perfect combination of muscle tone with line. I can't say I ever got there, but I did have a few assets that I was proud of for all the time at the gym and on stage. Over years, I was always fascinated by those coffee table books that brought dance to the forefront. They were different than the normal male erotica publications that leaned more towards the gay rags! It wasn't objectification that I liked, but the convergence of both art and the beauty of the human condition.

So it is with a tinge of joy that I see this new photo exhibit by Nir Arieli and entitled Flocks. Instead of motion and artistry, it looks at these same bodies in a sense of rest. A still life of sorts. He notes that "dancers are like a special species" in the way they work as a community in a company with a shared vocabulary as well as a kinetic grace. It looks at dancers from Nederlands Dans Theater II, Batsheva Dance Company, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Shen Wei Dance Arts, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, Ballet Hispanico, Pontus Lidberg Dance, Ailey II, and Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Check out a link to the images below. On display in New York at the Daniel Cooney Fine Arts Ctr.

Nir Ariele 
 

Batdance Like You've Never Seen Him Before

 

I always knew the Batman craze from the 1960's television series was a bit wonky. Even as a young kid I found the antics somewhere between amusing and insipid. Adam West with Burt Ward as Robin were quite the dynamic duo with their cheeky humor and lame attempts at stunt work amidst a tale of weekly shenanigans. Compared to the superheroes we see now on the big screen, they are certainly small potatoes. 



I just found this video meme that had been making the rounds. I guess it makes sense that the networks were trying to capitalize on the craze. But who knew that Bruce Wayne had a knack for a musical number with backup dancers? I give him a 3 for talent but a big 10 for moxie. Here it is in it's entirety. Orange Colored Sky! I could only get the link to attach not the embedded video - click!

Batman - Orange Colored Sky

the Eternal Return

I have always been an Adventure Seeker whether it is parasailing, geocaching or my car rallys. Theme Parks were a big thing to me until I got older. I still enjoy some of the rush of the rides, but my body is not as tolerant of spinning and hurling anymore. So this new "thing" in Santa Fe has piqued my interest with curiosity.

I am just reading about it and not quite sure where to even launch in. There are several avenues. But the base foundation is a group of artists called the Meow Wolf and it is owned by George RR Martin who is the author of Game of Thrones. So we guess at the onset it is some sort of world where culture and fantasy clash! The place itself is a former strip mall bowling alley that has been transformed into a Daliesque interactive museum. Eventually it will entail concerts, installations, a makespace area and films much like our Walker in the Twin Cities. All curated by this collective of artists.



But the first phase of the endeavor is what is called the Eternal Return. Inside the complex, they have painstakingly built a functioning Victorian house with fictional inhabitants, the Selig family. They are a family of artists and inventor types with peculiar powers and some sort of interdimensional event has taken over the house starting in the dining room where every surface is now warped. Venturing out from here, the entire house is a virtual experience of touching and exploring to unmask a myriad of clues as to what has happened. Thus it becomes a cerebral amusement park experience that is unique to each and every participant. None of the articles seems to state how it all plays out in the essence of a spoiler alert. There are portals under stairs and through refrigerators that unearth galleries of enchanted forests or space ships from Star Trek. Whispering lasers, androgynous droids, fossilized mastodons! How fun is that! At $18, it is cheaper than Valleyfair. Sign me up! I'm impressed.

Who is Meow Wolf

 

How About That Basket?

I can't even believe that I am buying into this and perpetuating this gratuitous nonsense. But here it is - tis the season.

When you think of this Easter season, what do you see? Cute little bunnies? Chocolate treats? Bright colored eggs? I'm betting that none of you came up with hot male asses painted in pretty pastel Mac cosmetics! I'll give you the curiosity factor. A room full of sexy men with their pants down. But I find it a bit odd to be staring at their cracks with a rainbow of tempura paints and some artistic whimsy. I get the current adult coloring book craze. But this takes it one step too far. They are all smiling and laughing in the pics. But I am having a hard time finding the point of access and tieing it into the season. At least face painting serves a purpose. What do you do with this when the "egg's" are finished? Pull up your pants and make a smeared mess in your tidy-white Calvin Kleins.

They are about as equivalent as a woman getting a crayola drawing of colored balloons on her breasts. What do you think - yeah or nay?

Timeless Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren is at least a generation before me. I am aware of her legacy even though I don't know the catalog of her films. Especially because so many are native to her Italia. I am just familiar with her ageless beauty that has spanned nearly 75 years. To me she has always had that magical chemistry. From modest roots in a small town in a shelter during the war, and then later being plucked from a soundstage of extras - she continues to make an impact. She was given an honorary OSCAR as "a treasure of world cinema."


She still has the glamour without all the fixings and traps of a plastic exterior. Here is a new promo campaign for a Dolce & Gabbana perfume line which mirrors her grace in the renovation of a luxurious Italian villa. We see her in work clothes and plaster. At first I thought it outlandish, but on reflection thought that maybe it was at least a remote possibility from somewhere in her life. Of course she is surrounded by hunky male models, alabaster ceilings and courtyards of roses. But when it comes to the final climax of the short film, all eyes go to her and a single red rose.