Merry Christmas! Right now I am sitting in the Denver International Airport getting ready to board a plane to visit my sister in New York. It is very much needed as The Nutcracker has been going on the past four weeks, making for some long weeks at work. I went to almost every performance because I help run a program with the Auxiliary called The Sugarplum Alums, along with doing backstage tours here and there. Every show has sold really well...better than other seasons, in fact. It is quite a sight to see so many excited people at every show. My favorite part is seeing the little kids all dressed up, uncomfortably tugging at the hems of their dresses or the belt on their trousers.
In case, none of you have attended a CB performance before, you don't know what you are missing! Here is a video of one of my favorite numbers in The Nutcracker. Here is "Arabian" danced by Luis Valdes and Shelby Dyer.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Prop 8: The Musical...and other amusing things
I found a couple amusing media peices today. One addresses a rather serious topic in our country right now in a comical manner. The other one is just plain funny and I can't wait to check out the real thing when it releases
'Emo Boy' headed to big screen
Vanguard Films picks up rights to comic book series
By Borys Kit
Dec 5, 2008, 12:00 AM ET
John H. Williams and his Vanguard Films have picked up rights to the cult comic book series "Emo Boy," setting Kyle Newman to direct the adaptation. Stephen Edmond, the comic's writer-artist, is penning the screenplay. Emo is a fashion and music style as well as emotional description of someone who is overly sensitive or angst-ridden. Published by Slave Labor Graphics, the satirical comic followed the travails of the most self-dramatizing young man in the history of the world, whose emotions were so intense he even had "emo powers."Vanguard discovered the book at Comic-Con. Vanguard's Rob Moreland is overseeing. The company hopes to make music a key component of the project, which has been described as being in the tone of "Napoleon Dynamite," "Harold and Maude" and "Zoolander." Newman, repped by UTA and the Collective, is the helmer behind "Fanboys," the long-delayed comedy about "Star Wars" fans. The movie is due to open Feb. 6.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Twilight
Last night, I attended the midnight showing of the much-anticpated film adaptation of Twilight with three girlfriends. For those of you that live under a rock, Twilight is the story of 17-year old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, WA and falls in love with a mysterious, good-looking classmate named Edward Cullen. Edward and his family turn out to be vampires and Bella and Edward begin a relationship that is laced with love and danger, as Edward could kill her at any minute. I came along, more or less for the company, but I was also anxious to see how this film would translate onscreen from the book. After seeing the movie, I felt that I had just watched a story that didn't really engage me and left me a little disappointed, but after more thought, I can appreciate some elements and the daunting task it must've been to bring this beloved book by millions alive on the big-screen.
Since I am not a die-hard fan of the books (so far, at least as I've only read the first one), I need more than just the satisfaction of seeing the characters and setting come to life; I need a story and characters that has three-dimensional qualities. Since there was so much to cover in the story, a lot of the points were breezed over. There was a backstory about vampires and werewolves that hardly got any discussion. I didn't feel the relationships between all the characters were developed fully. Even with Bella and Edward I was hoping for more angsty, fluttery moments. There a couple swoon-worthy scenes between them and it would have been nice to get more of those to really understand their emotional distress.
However, I can certainly understand how it is difficult to bring the same emotional turmoil that you experience in a book to a big screen that only allows 
for two hours of material. The director followed the plot pretty closely from the book and I thought the film was rather well cast. Kristen Stewart did a good job of playing an awkward and vulnerable teenager, who could easily fall in love with a specimen as stunning as Edward. Rob Pattinson is the only
for two hours of material. The director followed the plot pretty closely from the book and I thought the film was rather well cast. Kristen Stewart did a good job of playing an awkward and vulnerable teenager, who could easily fall in love with a specimen as stunning as Edward. Rob Pattinson is the only young actor I can picture in this role, as he is a good age and has the sexy yet dangerous quality that Edward needs to have. I didn't agree with the choices for some of the supporting characters but that will make this review way too long!
There are some sociological points that some feminists and realists can argue and I will say that while those ideas can absolutely be supported, it's important to remember that this film is not for the purpose of advancing society. Maybe once in a while, we need to believe that people are "meant to be" and that they will do absolutely anything to be with the one they love.
So, in conclusion, you must be in the correct mindset when watching this movie. If anything, try to enjoy some of the Oregon coast scenery that is the setting for this movie. There are some beautiful scenes between the two leads, including one that features this song called "Bella's Lullaby." I would love to hear what other people thought about this movie so feel free to leave your comments! In fact, please do!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Creative Conversations
Today, I attended an event called Creative Conversations at an art studio called The Lab in Lakewood. These events are designed for young professionals in the beginning stages of their careers that want to enhance their leadership capacity. The event consisted of an afternoon of speakers from the Denver community that are finding ways to serve through art. Some of the presenters definitely left an impression on me.
One of the speakers discussed the trends occurring in the art world. One of her main points is that our society is shifting into an immediate gratification mindset. The attendance rate of live performances are going down. Some arts organizations like the Metroplitan Opera in New York are attempting to remedey this by providing the option of streaming their operas online. People have the power and ability to choose their own timing to "attend." While this concept definitely speaks to my generation it somewhat worries me. To me, there is nothing like seeing something live and in person. Nothing can substitute for that emotional connection between your role as an audience member and the performer onstage. If experiencing art starts to become only digital, I just can't imagine what this will mean for our society. Will people start having digital relationships? For some reason I get this picture in my head of people having family reunions over webcams- eek! Thoughts?
On another note, A great couple named the Birky's came and discussed their brainchild: a restaurant called SAME Cafe. The restaurant serves organic, healthy food and is contained in a space that is only 19 by 30 feet. The kitchen is open-air so that there is absolutely no division between anyone. But what really makes the restaurant unique is the concept: It is a community-space where all is welcome, meaning that anyone is able to eat regardless of financial status. They ask that you give back in some way, meaning that you can donate your time in the kitchen or you can just make a donation of whatever you can in a donation box they keep in the restaurant. Somehow the donations in the box always cover their costs. Their concept has resulted in a space that is truly a community- they have people from all walks of life from business people, homeless people, single parents, students. I have yet to eat there but I am very excited about checking it out soon!
A dance company called Sweet Edge also performed. They are a modern dance group, founded by a dancer named Kim Olson. The piece was performed to Radiohead by five dancers. Her perspective of dance is that it doesn't need to be presented in a space that strictly separates the performers and audience. It should be presented in a space that is accessible to everyone. In fact, she was commissioned to create a piece that was performed in a parking garage. The dance they performed was very abstract and left a few people in the audience in tears because of their personal interpretations.
Overall, it was a great afternoon and I felt rejuvenated after the presenters. I think it's easy for me to forget to take time away to let myself be inspired. I hope to do things like this more often.
One of the speakers discussed the trends occurring in the art world. One of her main points is that our society is shifting into an immediate gratification mindset. The attendance rate of live performances are going down. Some arts organizations like the Metroplitan Opera in New York are attempting to remedey this by providing the option of streaming their operas online. People have the power and ability to choose their own timing to "attend." While this concept definitely speaks to my generation it somewhat worries me. To me, there is nothing like seeing something live and in person. Nothing can substitute for that emotional connection between your role as an audience member and the performer onstage. If experiencing art starts to become only digital, I just can't imagine what this will mean for our society. Will people start having digital relationships? For some reason I get this picture in my head of people having family reunions over webcams- eek! Thoughts?
On another note, A great couple named the Birky's came and discussed their brainchild: a restaurant called SAME Cafe. The restaurant serves organic, healthy food and is contained in a space that is only 19 by 30 feet. The kitchen is open-air so that there is absolutely no division between anyone. But what really makes the restaurant unique is the concept: It is a community-space where all is welcome, meaning that anyone is able to eat regardless of financial status. They ask that you give back in some way, meaning that you can donate your time in the kitchen or you can just make a donation of whatever you can in a donation box they keep in the restaurant. Somehow the donations in the box always cover their costs. Their concept has resulted in a space that is truly a community- they have people from all walks of life from business people, homeless people, single parents, students. I have yet to eat there but I am very excited about checking it out soon!
A dance company called Sweet Edge also performed. They are a modern dance group, founded by a dancer named Kim Olson. The piece was performed to Radiohead by five dancers. Her perspective of dance is that it doesn't need to be presented in a space that strictly separates the performers and audience. It should be presented in a space that is accessible to everyone. In fact, she was commissioned to create a piece that was performed in a parking garage. The dance they performed was very abstract and left a few people in the audience in tears because of their personal interpretations.
Overall, it was a great afternoon and I felt rejuvenated after the presenters. I think it's easy for me to forget to take time away to let myself be inspired. I hope to do things like this more often.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Swan Lake reviews are in!
Colorado Ballet's second show of their 48th season, Swan Lake, opened last weekend. The local Denver media is buzzing about this amazing production! I have seen the show three times, mainly because I have to work, but I have never been disappointed. Swan Lake runs through October 26 so check it out if you can! Here are some media pieces about the production:
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sigur Ros
Last week I got last- minute tickets to see the Sigur Ros show at Red Rocks. They played on Saturday night and it was INCREDIBLE. If you are one of the few people that have never heard of Sigur Ros before, they are an Icelandic post-modern rock band with classical and ethereal qualities (as described by Wikipedia...=)). The lyrics are a mixture of Icelandic, English and their own made-up language called Volenska. I drove up with my good friends, Chance, Tyler and James but when we arrived Chance and Tyler discovered that they had lost their tickets. So James and I went and they had to drive back home to look for their tickets. They ended up finding them at the ground of the gas station they had stopped at on the way. What a nightmare for them!
Anyway, the show was amazing. It was pretty full and the crowd was very enthusiastic with people ranging in their 20's to 60's. The music was sweeping and epic. The stars were shining and the the breeze fluttered lightly through everyone's hair. Video projections and lights reflected off the red rock formations behind the stage. Amazing in every sense of the word.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bump and Grind
Last weekend Beth and I decided we needed a date. It's funny how little you see the person you live with. We decided on a breakfast date and I brought us to a little place I heard from one of the dancers called Bump and Grind. It's a hipster hang out in uptown Denver with AMAZING food. The amazing thing is on weekends all the male servers dress in drag. Not only are they all wearing wigs, short skirts/booty shorts, they totally play the part by sitting on the side of your chair when taking your order, bending over to talk to you, etc. It's amazing! I asked one of our servers "Hey...what's your name?" He/she replies dutifully with a stoic expression "Nasty." Oh the joys of big city living! If you are in Denver, check it out!
Bump and Grind
439 E. 17th Ave
Denver, CO 80203
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