-
More cowbell!
I’d forgotten you could groove on a triangle, too. Check out this video of possibly my first network TV appearance at 17 years old. Unloading trucks (nothing’s changed), very serious about performing (somewhat changed), and tapping my foot (totally changed!!!) Thanks to Tommy Pearson for sharing on Facebook (BTW, my page was cancelled. Apparently my NOT talking politics was too much for them. And it looks like my profile has limited functioning, too). Other performers of the Kent Youth Percussion Ensemble (or “On-sawm-Bluh” according to the presenter) included: Jim Carmichael, Julie Dyer, Anna Emeraud, Graham Mann, Tommy Pearson, and Jonathan Vincent. Sean Hooper was our director, and the Head of…
-
Les Miserables the movie
I’m a fan of “Les Mis” the show. Overall assessment of the movie is good – I liked it and I liked that so many of the audience were directly affected (meaning, audibly sobbing or laughing). Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) – bravo! Anne Hathaway (Fantine) – well done. Russell Crowe (Javert) – completely ruined the film. (Sorry Russell!) Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) – she hit the high notes! Samantha Barks (Eponine) – terrific. Really. Isabelle Allen (Young Cosette) – really good singing and acting. A pleasant surprise. Daniel Huttlestone (Gavroche) – brilliant. Helena Bonham Carter (Madame Thénardier) – acting brilliance shone through the terrible interpretation. Borat (Thénardier) – should stick to what he…
-
Another Absolutely Best Of!
I’m working on some project documents and listening to Classic FM’s David Mellor (ex-Member of Parliament and even Cabinet member) enthusiastically share his top 20 classical music recordings of 2012 – both new and re-released. Sometimes it’s quite fascinating, especially Max Richter’s rewriting of Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons violin concertos, two very different versions of Rachmaninoff’s beautiful Symphony No.2 even though the different albums won in different categories, and even Cole Porter’s “Let’s Do It” by Alexandre Tharaud. Yes, I’m just as confused as you. (Amazon affiliate links) Well, I’ve never been much of a fan of “Top” or “Best of” lists, even though it is clearly a marketing gem and seems…
-
Churches and Arts
How many artists does it take to change a light bulb? How many churches can you fit into one square mile? It didn’t take long to get overwhelmed by both the sheer number of churches in Tampa Bay as well as the incredible arts scene. There are artists everywhere, from muralists to house sculptures, street musicians to ballet, four opera companies to symphony orchestras, three regional performing arts centers and seven local ones. You’ll have no problem finding a church in Tampa Bay As for churches, there is barely a single block without one. Every denomination is represented and quite a few independent ones, too. And it’s not as though…
