In the last couple of years, I have done a significant amount of airplane travel—for work and pleasure—and if you’re like me, flying, in general, seems a whole lot more like work than pleasure.
I found the column to be both tactful and very informative. His reference to “cracking knees” when reclining one’s seat really rang true for this 6’2” homo. Maybe you will find some truth and humor in this piece as well.
"A hired assassin. A pious and vulnerable girl. A predatory duke. A father’s curse. Terrible things are bound to happen in Verdi’s masterful tragedy, set in a 16th century court."
That's Rigoletto, and it is currently onstage at Vancouver Opera in an intriguing new production directed by Glynis Leyshon. The production runs from March 7 -17, and word on the street is it's wild. I wish I were visiting my family right now so that I could drive-up and see it, especially since it boasts a stellar cast, including Donnie Ray Albert. I had the pleasure of performing with Donnie when he made special appearances with my high school All-Region choir as well as my university choir in Texas. I'll never forget his solos on "Danuel"--goosebump inducing! He was also a good friend of my very first voice teacher in college.
I have to really hand it to Christopher Libby, Managing Director of Vancouver Opera, who is doing everything in his power to make sure that new audiences continue to discover the wonder of opera. Apparently, opening night of Rigoletto was Blogger Night! Does the Queen bestow awards for stuff like that? If so, Christopher should get one.
Oh, yeah...they also have manga! Check out the latest for Rigoletto--it's part of a new series that began this year at Vancouver opera. Ingenious!
Today was a perfect day in New York City to take in art. That's why I went to the National Black Fine Art Show, which started this past Friday and ended today. I was first introduced to the organization by a lovely young woman with whom I work whose father Robert Carter is one of the featured artists at the show. His studio always has a booth at the show, and the quality of the work he displays is top-notch. I am particularly drawn to Robert's 3-D sculptures that celebrate the nostalgia of the American Black experience.
One of the most exciting parts of this show was the energy that has been generated by the election of President Obama, and a great deal of the art captured the energy and hope that this new President has brought to the African-American community. I overheard conversations of art lovers foreshadowing good things coming forth from the White House.
For me, a standout at the show was the work of Haitian born, Brooklyn resident Francks Francois Décéus, who is represented by Avisca Fine Art. His work caught my eye from booths away, and this sociologist by trade, brings his strong sense of the human condition to the canvas in a unique and captivating way. Since one of my favorite books is Ellison's The Invisible Man, his work, directly inspired by the work really touched me.
Other standouts from the show were the wonderful realism in the pastel portraiture of Richard Lewis as well as the black and white works of Joyce Owens. Owens' work was prominently displayed by the Parish Gallery of Georgetown, which always features the best in contemporary Black artists.
The astounding block prints on linen by Yashua Klos has me in awe of the time involved in creating these gorgeous 6 foot pieces of art that overshadowed many pieces in the show.
Klos's pieces were complemented by the wonderful small bronze sculpture to be had at the Memphis-based Joysmith Gallery booth.
If you can make it out next year for this artistic feast, please do. It's well worth the $15!
In times like these, we should be even more appreciative of the people and things we have around us. A friend sent me this little movie, and it is a wonderful reminder of how we never know how much we touch others' lives--a good reason we should just go on being ourselves!
Thought for day: No matter how impersonal world become, text message with Valentine wish should alway come in form of written communication. In case one you love let time get away, at least, damn phone should pickup!
Happy Valentine's Day! To all you who don't have a Valentine this year, just pretend that I'm all yours. There's lots of me to go around. You won't have to worry that you will or won't get a box of chocolates, and if you're not really interested in getting a big wet kiss, well you DEFINITELY won't have to fret about that because it's not likely to happen with me...unless you're Nathan Fillion or Jason O'Mara or Hugh Jackman!
Okay, I'm the first person to put it out there that I am not much of a painter. That's why I do folk art. Since my 5 x 7 piece finally sold up in Woodstock, I've somehow decided that I'm an artist and am now in the process of transferring would-be character subjects for wirescreen and papier mache masks onto canvas. These are a few of my new creations. I guess they are what they are. The good news is that they are much better than what I could have done in the second grade! Enjoy.
Big news! My mother wrote away for my nonidentifying birth records (the court documents that were prepared surrounding my adoption that have all the important details like names, addresses, etc. blacked out). They arrived in the mail last week.
Hearing my mother read them to me over the phone was a surreal experience. As I have told many a friend, I learned more about myself in thirty minutes than I have in 39 years. I also discovered that I likely look just like my birth father, whose description described me in every detail, though I think he was shorter than I. My biological mother, God bless her, had five kids before me (talk about stretch marks!), and when I came along she was twenty-two and divorced. Everyone always thinks that I seem like an only child, but that's merely because I'm spoiled.
In all seriousness, it sounds like she had a pretty difficult life, although in today’s world having 14 kids is apparently no big deal, so what’s six, right? My birth mother was quoted in the court documents as wanting to give me up “so it will have a chance”—pretty unselfish. I know my parents and I are all grateful to her.
Since the Universe has put all this into motion for me, I think I am about to embark on the most challenging journey of my life. I'm glad I don't have to do it alone! Wish me luck.
I was on "vacation" last week. I use that term lightly since it was far from a vacation with phone calls, crazy emails and having to be on a plane every two days. Here is a short video of my travels to Bellingham, Washington and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The woman is my dear friend Jamie with whom I starred in OKLAHOMA! at the Bellingham Theatre Guild. Her words almost fit the lyrics to the song so had to match 'em up. Enjoy!
In the last couple of years, I have done a significant amount of airplane travel—for work and pleasure—and if you’re like me, flying, in general, seems a whole lot more like work than pleasure.
