Tap Jam In A Barn

Building rhythms,
Feet moving with precision,
Surgeon like execution!
The barn was alive with jazz music, tap percussionists, food, and wine.
Dancers United to share their stories.

Random Observation: Music

That moment you realize that a song from high school makes you feel young, so much so, that you log onto iTunes and download the entire album.
...the one you through away in your mid-twenties because you were so ready to move on!

Sometimes- What Happens In Vegas, Shouldn't Happen!

It's not that I don't love themed brass bands;
It's just that I'd rather not hear them at 3 AM while I'm trying to sleep...
#Vegas
#StreetFair
#GoToBed!

Remember When:

You used to buy an album from your favorite artist, and listen to the entire record in order and learn all the lyrics? #Vinyl #CassetteTape #CDs #ThoseWereTheDays #LostArt  

Act Your Age!

I'm not sure which makes me sound older:
That I sat in cushy box seats during a rock concert last night,
Or
The fact that I just referenced a Paul Simon / Sting concert as "rock!"
P.S. No fancy special effects or lip syncing... they were both BRILLIANT.

Sad Day for the Music Industry

Whitney Houston passed away today.
Sadly, for me it comes as no surprise.  Still, it is heartbreaking.
Talk about a tragedy~ 
Her talent was enormous.  Unfortunately, so was her fame.
I'm not a celebrity, but I can only imagine how easy it is to get lost in "YesLand."
Anyone that watched the Oprah interview last year could see that Whitney was still in pain and most likely on drugs.  It was a cry for help on national television, and not even Oprah called her out on it.
Talent. Ego. Fame. Money.
It can be a lethal combination.
I'm devastated that Whitney had so many people who loved her, but clearly not enough to convince her to get help, so that she might love herself.
Sad day in music.

A Cool Night Out With Brookie!

I had the coolest adventure with my amazing friend Brookie last night...
Brooke is that friend that EVERYONE wants to know- She is a beautiful woman on the inside and out. Witty, intelligent and creative all wrapped up in a cool, chill, bohemian vibe. Her energy is magnetic. Her knowledge of music and art is eclectic and extensive. She can hang with an A-List celebrity or kick it with someone she's just met, and either person feels special.
I love having her in my life!
Last night Brooke invited me to join her at an art opening for an artist named Juan Carlos Munoz. He is known for his brass sculpture work, however I'm not sure if it was because I was with Brookie, or feeling the cool beach breeze in Venice, or just because it's been a while since I've been so inspired visually but I wanted to dive into this magnificent floor to ceiling painting that was a whirling sea of bright fiery colors.

(The untitled painting above is the one I reference by Juan Carlos Munoz.)

The night was perfect. Brooke has a brilliant eye for all things stunning. Which is why I'm pleased to share a link to a benefit that is very near to Brooke's heart-

Art Mere / Art Pere.

She works year round to collect the best art from the most innovative artists for a silent auction and live performance benefiting LiveStrong.

Please check it out!

Lame!

I can't help but think, what's up with the music industry? Though I have a feeling it started slowly several years ago... I first took notice a few months back while watching the MTV Music Awards...
But tonight, after watching the Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center on NBC, it was abundantly clear that the Jonas Brothers suck!  How on earth do people enjoy hearing or watching them perform.  A.) They can't sing. B.) They're huge nerds... and not the cool kind!  C.) They are so lame- ass boring to watch... 

You have these amazing musical artist like; Tony Bennett, Beyonce, Harry Connick Jr. and (by far the best performance of the night...) David Cook performing his rendition of Happy Christmas by the great, late John Lennon.  Obviously the Jonas Brothers have a ton of fans. I just don't understand how and why?  

To add insult to injury, I changed the channel and found yet another music industry theme show... The Grammy Nomination Concert.  Okay first, GROSS! Do we REALLY need a televised musical show announcing the Grammy nominations before we see the EXACT SAME PERFORMANCES two months from now!?!?

What's worse? Having to hear Taylor Swift sing I'm Sorry... Believe me, I was!  Of course her voice is fine, and that's the problem.  She's just this safe, generic pretty blonde- Nothing special.  And therein lies the predicament.   Too many TV shows with the exact same formula...  they're tired, uninspired and predictable.  Just like all the new uber cheesy pop/rock star / wannabe actor's performing on them.

Video Music Awards... Really???

Is it just me, or was watching the 2008 VMAs an experience you hope you can forget!
I can't believe I wasted valuable DVR space recording the crap MTV called an award show.

For those of you old enough to remember...

Watching tonight's broadcast was liking watching and episode of Beverly Hills 90210 (old cast) "Brandon Tries Drugs at a Rave."

Season 2, Episode 15: U4EA

The idea to host an awards show on the backlot of Paramount was probably the first mistake. It was bad enough to hear Riahnnon sing in that space that was designed to control sound, and not amplify it. Then they would cut to shots of a lackluster clump of "guests" sitting in what looked like metal folding chairs that we use at our family reunions each summer in my grandmas backyard!

The highlight for me however, was experiencing the Jonas Brothers for the first time. I honestly thought it was a joke... The three tweens sat on a fake stoop in 1940s style garb. The super cheezzzzzzzeeeeee facade was supposed to look like NYC (I think...) and instead looked like a busted version of "Sesame Street." No offense to "Sesame Street" even they would have pulled the plug on that idea!

Even OSCAR winner Jamie Foxx couldn't get the audience motivated to get up on their feet.

The only glimmer of hope was a performance by Pink. Proving that an artist can overcome one bad idea after another. And all the campy schtick if you just sing your guts out and show some T and A.

Oh yes, and we should not forget Britney. She won her first VMA, thanked God, and was out of there... EVEN SHE realized how busted the night was going to be!

Practically the only thing worse than watching the VMAs, would be watching a bunch of dumb-ass people jumping through cardboard cut-outs for an hour long game show...

Oh thank heavens, Fox is more than just fair and balanced news...
tomorrow night they will be enriching the great American audience with the premier of "Hole in the Wall!"

Now that is TV worth watching.