Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Back in the Bay Area!
Well X-Mas break was short but sweet. I had a nice time with my folks just have to watch that German Chocolate Cake. The excluding shopping the only other activity we had was checking out the Phantom of the Opera. Ok I have to admit enjoying Andrew Lloyd Webber plays. They're superlite eye popping septacular productions. The songs lyrics can be pretty suspect, Cole Porter he ain't but it's fun stuff. I think the film is going to become a cult movie
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Well X-Mas break was short but sweet. I had a nice time with my folks just have to watch that German Chocolate Cake. The excluding shopping the only other activity we had was checking out the Phantom of the Opera. Ok I have to admit enjoying Andrew Lloyd Webber plays. They're superlite eye popping septacular productions. The songs lyrics can be pretty suspect, Cole Porter he ain't but it's fun stuff. I think the film is going to become a cult movie
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Back in the Bay Area!
Well X-Mas break was short but sweet. I had a nice time with my folks just have to watch that German Chocolate Cake. The excluding shopping the only other activity we had was checking out the Phantom of the Opera. Ok I have to admit enjoying Andrew Lloyd Webber plays. They're superlite eye popping septacular productions. The songs lyrics can be pretty suspect, Cole Porter he ain't but it's fun stuff. I think the film is going to become a cult movie
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Well X-Mas break was short but sweet. I had a nice time with my folks just have to watch that German Chocolate Cake. The excluding shopping the only other activity we had was checking out the Phantom of the Opera. Ok I have to admit enjoying Andrew Lloyd Webber plays. They're superlite eye popping septacular productions. The songs lyrics can be pretty suspect, Cole Porter he ain't but it's fun stuff. I think the film is going to become a cult movie
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Sunday, December 26, 2004
MERRY CHRISTMAS FOLKS,
I'm in Las Vegas enjoying the holidays with my family. The day after X-Mass was spent shopping, it was a shop til you drop activity. Now at home I'll surf in the internet, watch the tube and retire to an interesting book.
Hope you're holidays are as mellow.
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I'm in Las Vegas enjoying the holidays with my family. The day after X-Mass was spent shopping, it was a shop til you drop activity. Now at home I'll surf in the internet, watch the tube and retire to an interesting book.
Hope you're holidays are as mellow.
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Sunday, December 19, 2004
Saturday one week before Christmas, well I spent the day working on my Jazz assignment. I can't believe (yes I can) how difficult it is for me to write this term paper. Oh well, I have until Tuesday so I have to get it together ASAP.
Saturday night I met some friend in the Western Addition for dinner and show. We were going to The Independent to see the band Kinky. If you live in San Francisco and partake in clubbing it's impossible not to know the Independent however you probably know the club under another name. The Kennel Club, Crash Palace or the Justice League.
We met in Herbivore a vegan restaurant for dinner. I'm not sure who own Herbivore but I'm always impressed by the diversity of the staff.
The environment was pleasant, price are reasonable and the food was good. Herbivore is only about a block from The Independent so it was a short walk to the club. I'm hadn't been in the "New Independent" so I was curious to see if there were any changes to the club. Well I can say yes!
They moved the bar, added a sitting area and the walls were redone. Previously they were just black. The Justice League had this nasty habit of late, late shows. The main act coming on at midnight. The new management started on time and the main act came on after a 30 minutes stage setup- great. Bye-Bye Justice League long live The Independent. The opening band Bat Makumba came on at 9:00 they were a fun dance band with good musicians. A Brazilian Funk band, I'll keep my eyes open to see when they perform again it isn't everyday I see the clarinet being played at a dance concert.
Kinky came on afterward, Latin Rock seems more funky than American rock these guys were rapping, mixing, using electronica and playing an energetic rock guitar. A lot was happening on stage, it was fun I danced through the whole set. I've wanted to see Kinky for at least a year glad I had some friends to enjoy them with.
Below are a few KINKY PICS
KINKY ROCKING OUT
The Cowboy was really cool - dude with black hat
They kept the club jumping
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Saturday night I met some friend in the Western Addition for dinner and show. We were going to The Independent to see the band Kinky. If you live in San Francisco and partake in clubbing it's impossible not to know the Independent however you probably know the club under another name. The Kennel Club, Crash Palace or the Justice League.
We met in Herbivore a vegan restaurant for dinner. I'm not sure who own Herbivore but I'm always impressed by the diversity of the staff.
The environment was pleasant, price are reasonable and the food was good. Herbivore is only about a block from The Independent so it was a short walk to the club. I'm hadn't been in the "New Independent" so I was curious to see if there were any changes to the club. Well I can say yes!
They moved the bar, added a sitting area and the walls were redone. Previously they were just black. The Justice League had this nasty habit of late, late shows. The main act coming on at midnight. The new management started on time and the main act came on after a 30 minutes stage setup- great. Bye-Bye Justice League long live The Independent. The opening band Bat Makumba came on at 9:00 they were a fun dance band with good musicians. A Brazilian Funk band, I'll keep my eyes open to see when they perform again it isn't everyday I see the clarinet being played at a dance concert.
Kinky came on afterward, Latin Rock seems more funky than American rock these guys were rapping, mixing, using electronica and playing an energetic rock guitar. A lot was happening on stage, it was fun I danced through the whole set. I've wanted to see Kinky for at least a year glad I had some friends to enjoy them with.
Below are a few KINKY PICS
KINKY ROCKING OUT
The Cowboy was really cool - dude with black hat
They kept the club jumping
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Saturday, December 18, 2004
I'm not sure if it's the elections, the suicide of Gary Webb, the hectic pace of our times or I'm suffering from a bad case of the grumps but I haven't been in the holiday spirit this year. The energy has felt flat this season and I haven't seen anything to give me a little seasonal cheer. Something wrong when the heart tugging story of the season is Scott Petterson getting the death penalty.
Well one way to get the spirit of the season is to give- maybe I need to look beyond myself and see what I can find.
Friday evening I went to the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts to see the third and final film in the series Nigerian Cinema Revolution presents The Video films of Tunde Kelani. The featured film was Agogo Eewo (Gong of Taboo). I have to admit this series was a kick, seeing Nigerian videos made for an African audience was fascinating. Tunde Kelani works are a good introduction to the genre. His films are low budget but he knows cinema; there are wonderful visual touches throughout his films. His films show concern about problems in Africa yet bring out the beauty of the people and their culture.
While on my search for a Merry X-Mass I'm checking how we decorate this City for the holidays. First stop, in praise of X-Mass capitalism Union Square
A Snow flake covered SAKS Fifth Ave
Union Square ok it's really flakey
Monolith Cheer from Macys with a touch
of imperfection
Just in case you desired a closeup
A shot from Union Square with X-Mass tree
for your viewing pleasure.
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Well one way to get the spirit of the season is to give- maybe I need to look beyond myself and see what I can find.
Friday evening I went to the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts to see the third and final film in the series Nigerian Cinema Revolution presents The Video films of Tunde Kelani. The featured film was Agogo Eewo (Gong of Taboo). I have to admit this series was a kick, seeing Nigerian videos made for an African audience was fascinating. Tunde Kelani works are a good introduction to the genre. His films are low budget but he knows cinema; there are wonderful visual touches throughout his films. His films show concern about problems in Africa yet bring out the beauty of the people and their culture.
While on my search for a Merry X-Mass I'm checking how we decorate this City for the holidays. First stop, in praise of X-Mass capitalism Union Square
A Snow flake covered SAKS Fifth Ave
Union Square ok it's really flakey
Monolith Cheer from Macys with a touch
of imperfection
Just in case you desired a closeup
A shot from Union Square with X-Mass tree
for your viewing pleasure.
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Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Today was a quiet day for me externally, I worked on a few server problems at work chatted with the boss. Went shopping after work for the office x-mass party and came home for dinner and to study for my Jazz History final tomorrow.
But internally I had this nagging feeling of dread all day, Gary Webb was found dead this weekend apparently from Suicide. Webb was the investigative journalist who reported in the San Jose Mercury how drugs were being sold in African-American communities in Los Angeles to help fund the war against the Contras in Nicaragua with CIA involvement-Dark Alliance.
I though about Webb, a white guy who didn't go along with the status quo. An individual who reported a story that created the national outrage for the wrong reasons.His career as a journalist was destroyed. His brethren trivialized and undermined his reporting....I haven't forgot the so-called liberal press with their caustic remarks.
Thank-you Gary Webb, your reporting a story our country didn't want to hear. If this place has any potential it's because of individuals like you.
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But internally I had this nagging feeling of dread all day, Gary Webb was found dead this weekend apparently from Suicide. Webb was the investigative journalist who reported in the San Jose Mercury how drugs were being sold in African-American communities in Los Angeles to help fund the war against the Contras in Nicaragua with CIA involvement-Dark Alliance.
I though about Webb, a white guy who didn't go along with the status quo. An individual who reported a story that created the national outrage for the wrong reasons.His career as a journalist was destroyed. His brethren trivialized and undermined his reporting....I haven't forgot the so-called liberal press with their caustic remarks.
Thank-you Gary Webb, your reporting a story our country didn't want to hear. If this place has any potential it's because of individuals like you.
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Monday, December 06, 2004
It was supposed to rain this Sunday but the weather is stayed dry, great I was able to get a few chores done even with my 11:00 AM wakeup call. I'm biologically challenged this weekend so I'm lagging what can I say????
Sunday evening I went to the Lorriane Hansberry Theatre to see Black Nativity and afterward dined with friends. I've seen Black Nativity for the last few years and after seeing the same holiday production things can get a little stale. Fortunately the production was upgraded this season and the show was very enjoyable. The singing was fantastic; Robin Hodge Williams who's the feature singer was right on it.
Written by Langston Hughes in 1961, Black Nativity is a retelling of the birth of Christ within a gospel musical format. I highly recommend seeing the play. Support the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre and enjoy a joyful musical night of theatre.
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Sunday evening I went to the Lorriane Hansberry Theatre to see Black Nativity and afterward dined with friends. I've seen Black Nativity for the last few years and after seeing the same holiday production things can get a little stale. Fortunately the production was upgraded this season and the show was very enjoyable. The singing was fantastic; Robin Hodge Williams who's the feature singer was right on it.
Written by Langston Hughes in 1961, Black Nativity is a retelling of the birth of Christ within a gospel musical format. I highly recommend seeing the play. Support the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre and enjoy a joyful musical night of theatre.
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Sunday, December 05, 2004
This week after Thanksgiving just zoomed on by, oh well it's Friday and I haven't finish unpacking my single bag from Las Vegas. But the luggage can wait that's not going to stop me from checking out some cinema this evening.
Something has to get back in balance, I hopped on the bus (38 Geary) and headed downtown to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts for the next three Fridays they are showing Tunde Kelani films. Kelani is a Nigerian Filmmaker whose films are created for the Nigerian local film markets. Shot of video these films are shown in small video theatres in West Africa. I had heard of this film industry in Nigeria but I have never seen any of films. i was expected a light-weight but fun film.
I was late for the movie the bus was moving slowly and a course a Coo-Coo for Koko Puffs Soul brother got on the bus. It's strange to watch someone yelling and people continue to have conversations like nothing usual is happening. ....Anyway I ran to the museum/screening room and I wasn't too late 10 minutes.
The film I saw was Campus Queen, which was described as School Daze -ish the film is based on a campus and it's a musical but after that the similarities ended. The soap opera-ish film dealt with two competing school groups a gang of rich kids and a do-gooders group who uses blackmail is really a different piece.
The film is light weight but I enjoyed the pace and visually the video looks very good. Campus Queen is really a soap opera with a nice political hip hop musical pieces and I'll be back next week to see Thunderbolt.
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Something has to get back in balance, I hopped on the bus (38 Geary) and headed downtown to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts for the next three Fridays they are showing Tunde Kelani films. Kelani is a Nigerian Filmmaker whose films are created for the Nigerian local film markets. Shot of video these films are shown in small video theatres in West Africa. I had heard of this film industry in Nigeria but I have never seen any of films. i was expected a light-weight but fun film.
I was late for the movie the bus was moving slowly and a course a Coo-Coo for Koko Puffs Soul brother got on the bus. It's strange to watch someone yelling and people continue to have conversations like nothing usual is happening. ....Anyway I ran to the museum/screening room and I wasn't too late 10 minutes.
The film I saw was Campus Queen, which was described as School Daze -ish the film is based on a campus and it's a musical but after that the similarities ended. The soap opera-ish film dealt with two competing school groups a gang of rich kids and a do-gooders group who uses blackmail is really a different piece.
The film is light weight but I enjoyed the pace and visually the video looks very good. Campus Queen is really a soap opera with a nice political hip hop musical pieces and I'll be back next week to see Thunderbolt.
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