Stop! Action!

Certainly there are many mediums to use to create art--- though jelly beans were not on my radar. This sweet stop-action video changes that.  The 'making of' proves the artistic merit of this animated short.  I can't help, however, but reference this Peter Gabriel video, which not only used stop-action filming, but also riffs on the great Italian Renaissance artist Arcimboldo.

Life Out of Balance

In the late 1950's, biologist and author of Silent Spring Rachel Carson warned of how man, in his quest for profit, disrupts the harmony of nature which had been developed over eons. The result, the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems. In 1983, the film Koyaanisqatsi used visual imagery and Philip Glass's music to tell the epic story of man versus nature.
But this year, a group of artists at the Noguchi Museum in Queens decided use their imaginations to offer their own suggestions to help nature adapt to urbanization and habitat loss. The exhibition, Civic Action: A Vision for Long Island City, looks at ways to improve environmental health by using an urban farming system for railings, double-hung windows; greening “no parking zones”; building bridges for butterflies and superhighways for salamanders; and repaving Broadway from the N/Q subway station to Socrates Sculpture Park with drivable grass.
Perhaps it's the artists who will lead an environmental renaissance after all.

WLIR and APB: A Reunion

Fortunately there was a break in Bouler action, allowing me the time to go to tonight's WLIR/APB reunion event at My Father's Place. Former radio station WLIR was perhaps Long Island's best contribution to music history (eat that, Billy Joel). Bringing punk rock and new wave to New York's airwaves, it was a 1980's mainstay for the disenfranchised, angst ridden teen that I was. One of its best musical finds was Scottish band APB, a punk/funk band from Aberdeenshire, Scotland who developed a substantial fan base in the Tri-State area. Though you may not know any of their songs, you'll recognize their sound, now appropriated by bands like The Killers and Franz Ferdinand. In listening to their music again, I'm impressed with how much it holds together-- a modern fusion that was definitely before its time-- not unlike WLIR itself.

Adele 21

I can't stop listening.

Musicworks: Fundraising Event

Musicworks founder and jazz trumpet player Jesse Neuman is preparing for a third trip to teach music to underprivileged children in Latin America. To raise money for the event, Olivia and Jackson will be joining him on stage for a jazz concert at The Living Room in NYC on January 22nd, at 4:00 pm. It's a very child-friendly event, with audience participation for everyone.

Meet the Sea Tuckers!

What a day for a fundraiser! The Seatuck event yesterday was a sunny affair, with families of all ages turning out to support this local nature preserve. The postcard exhibition grew as the day progressed as artists added to the display, and author Paul Rodriguez was on hand to read from his book, Goldysocks and the Five Bayous. A portion of sales of Rodriguez's book go straight to helping the bayous of Louisiana. The highlight for us was the performance of the Sea Tuckers, who, under the direction of Jon Pereira and Jesse Neuman, played a series of songs inspired by New Orleans jazz. Thanks to all who volunteered, donated artwork, and attended this event.

Meet the Sea Tuckers!

Plans for the Seatuck fundraiser on September 4th are moving right along with bird postcards arriving and the press releases being sent out. Don't worry though, there's still a week to participate in the open call for artwork. Send your postcard-sized bird images to Seatuck, PO Box 31, Islip, NY 11751.
Meanwhile, the jazz band, aptly named the Sea Tuckers, has been holding weekly rehearsals in my living room-- love that! Every living room should be able to host a nine man band at least once in its life. With musicians Jesse Neuman and Jon Pierra directing, it's been amazing to see how quickly the group pulled itself together and worked through their playlist.
Looking forward to a fun event and to raising money for a great conservation organization.

So Special

When I heard the Specials were reuniting and coming to NYC, I didn't hesitate in buying tickets for the show. Sandwiched between punk and new wave eras, their progressive ska sound and politically charged message remains as fresh today as it did in the early 1980s. With Terry Hall on lead vocals, the music energized the crowd, and before the first notes even dissipated, everyone was ready to dance. As they left they stage, they said they'll see us again in another 26 years. Hopefully I'll be there, ready to dance again. Thanks to photographer Barbara Strnadova for the suggestion, and for also showing up in zebra!

Winter Concerts

This past week was full of music. Jackson rocked out at his winter concert and Olivia had a blast playing sax with jazz trumpet player and educator Jesse Neuman at his fundraising concert this Saturday at the Bowery Poetry Club.

Looking to volunteer in Equador to teach his second seminar in music to underprivledged children, Jesse created a fantastic afternoon in his efforts to raise money. With an impressive enemble of seasoned and successful musicians, Jesse brought his student crew of Olivia, Eve, Jordan, and Pauline to the stage. From solos to songstresses, everyone had a hand in making great music and making the dreams of children in Equador possible. If you'd like to support Jesse's program, please check out his site.

At the show I picked up the new CD by trombonist Ryan Keberle called Heavy Dreaming. I have loved Keberle's trombone since the night at Barbes in Brooklyn when my head was a mere inches away from his horn at that very petite venue. Although few jazz bands are led by the trombonist, this CD is a conversation in sound that might change that.