The Arts

AILEY
I'm very disappointed with the new Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre 2008-2009 performance schedule at City Center. I usually go a few times each season but this year, it's looking like 1 time will suffice. Each year, I look forward to the classic Revelations but also newer pieces like Grace by Ronald K. Brown and Caught (usually danced brilliantly by Clifton Brown) by David Parsons. Neither of these two are being performed this time around. And no Cry [the incredible tour de force female solo created by Alvin Ailey as a tribute to Black women originally danced by Judith Jamison]?!!! What were they thinking? In any case, it would be great to send some students to see a Wednesday matinee but that would be extremely pricey.

RENT
I hope you got to see RENT before it left Broadway. I saw it twice with several years in between and it was equally awesome each time. The music and lyrics are poignant and timeless and the soundtrack is always in heavy rotation on my iPod. By the way, the movie was horrible and can't compare with the live show.

IN THE HEIGHTS
I hope to see this runaway Broadway hit before the year is out. They just won about a million Tony's. The buzz is out of control on this one.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Budget permitting, that's the musical we're going to put on here at I.S. 68 in June, 2009. This will make 4 in a row. Hopefully we will be the recipients of some much needed audio equipment for the auditorium in the near future. New curtains would be great, too. I'm still trying to figure out why they were butchered the way they were.

LUPE FIASCO
I've lost a lot of love for hip hop in the past few years. I've spent that time rediscovering who I think is the greatest rapper alive, NaS. Almost everyone else right now just doesn't score high against the bar that was set in the 80's and early 90's. There are about 800 rappers these days who are all spouting lots of the same nonsense. They've cheapened the genre significantly. Kids today wouldn't know excellent hip hop unless their parents exposed them to it. However, Lupe Fiasco is a breath of fresh air, a welcomed exception. I'm a little late getting into his current album, but better late than never. Although I hear definite Jay-Z influences (and I'm no one's Jay-Z fan, like say, um, Mr. Williams), Lupe's wordplay and general flow are impressive, weaving social consciousness and culturally relevant issues with just the right amount of street significance.

I WANT TO WORK FOR DIDDY
I don't care for Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. I won't get into all the reasons why right now but I will talk about the show currently on VH-1. My best friend and I have had heated discussions as to what's been going on with the show, which ends (thank goodness) next week. On Monday's show, the interns had to prepare a showcase for the artist Janelle Monae. I found it completely contrived and over the top. There were tasks being thrown at them left and right at top (unrealistic) speed. Now I have never worked at a music label or for a mogul, but I'm sure it's not quite that urgent and hectic. I have, however, put on my share of shows. The episode was ridiculous...all done for the sensationalism of TV. I found it silly. How are you supposed to put on a major production in 2 days with 1,000 guests? Long story short, I'm sure the showcase was 99% planned and in the bag before the intern contestants were given these hurculean tasks to "make it happen."

MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA
I saw it last night. My next post will be a full review.