Some people say that what’s the point of going to a concert? Buy the Album and listen to it at home or on their I-pod. Why does going there make a difference? The difference is one word, emotion. If someone would go to a Yellowcard concert they’d understand what this means. It has been five years since Yellowcard last came to New York Continue reading
Writer/ Actor, Dave Mills breathes new life into the numerous works by Langston Hughes in his tribute performance to the renowned poet. Emphasizing the many voices expressed by the late poet, Mills also incorporates his own style into the well-known pieces. More than your average poetry reading, this presentation of works takes you into Hughes’ world and plays back his poems and narratives in a continuous flow to create a vivid story uniting the artist’s life’s work. David Mills does so in a constant stream of distinct character depictions, powering through dialogue after dialogue as a means of representing a general overview of Langston Hughes’ major pieces.
The Phantom of the Opera 25th anniversary concert is very simply, a spectacle. Andrew Lloyd Webber has personally chosen veteran Phantom actors Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo, to star in the Royal Albert Hall birthday bash. Receiving personal instruction from the composer himself, Sierra’s bell-like soprano and Ramin’s booming baritone compliment each other with nary an off-note. Hardly one to stop with just his dream cast, the original creative team has been reassembled to adapt the show for an auditorium that would leave thousands awestruck. You don’t appreciate the difference that fifty extra chorus members until you’ve seen three separate choruses come together at the start of the second act. If the show was immersive before, it will certainly leave you speechless once you’ve seen it at its best.
It can be said that art is a form of expression, which records various emotions that people feel; David Ellis takes this concept one step further. Ellis expresses emotions and moods through his larger than life paintings, which take mold on to entire floors, buses, and buildings. Ellis tries to write with his paintings, one of his exhibitions records the concept of music and put it into art form. Ellis is a gifted artist who repeatedly paints areas and shows his art developing from different stages; much can be admired about this artist whether it is his skill or dedication.
What is more refreshing than a performance from a string quartet in the middle of the school day? The high and low pitches harmonizing with one another prove to be more relaxing than one may expect. At the Engleman Recital Hall, the audience can embrace every note played by each instrument and revel in the fact that the different octaves and tones complement each other, creating beauty in the form of music. A string quartet consists of two violins, one viola and one cello. Although the group has similar components from each corner, each provides its own taste and contributes to the larger scheme of musicality. Without a doubt, string instruments hold their own in creating a unique art form.
The Museum of Sex located at 233 Fifth Avenue
Repulsive, obscene, disturbing, educational, and informative. These are but a mere few adjective to describe the Museum of Sex located at 233 Fifth Avenue.The museum pays homage to all forms and expressions of sexuality in both humans and the animal world abroad. The museum goes into great lengths covering the history of sex including how people have perceived the act throughout the ages. From its demonization during the Middle Ages to the sexual revolution of the sixties, sex has always been a controversial and intriguing phenomena, which has piqued the interest of scientists and layman for centuries. Many exhibits explore taboo and ambiguous subject matters such as the biological basis for homosexuality. Before I advice anyway to take a visit to the museum I must warn that the it is replete with vividly graphic images and clips of sexual intercourse, which may be shocking to some and unbearable to others. In addition, the age requirement for entry is eighteen years and above so this not a museum meant for the whole family. Overall, the museum provides an academic and fascinating exposé on the subject of sex and sexuality, in all of its magnificent glory.
One of the most typically American pastimes is enjoying a game of football. Despite being an avid fan, I had never attended a football game of any level before Sunday night. Lucky for me, my first experience was at the MetLife Stadium, which is the future home of the 2014 Superbowl. The experience was unforgettable, and not just because of the Jets vs. Patriots rivalry I was witnessing. By wearing my lucky #24 Revis jersey, the Jets fans in section 315 knew I was a friend. Because of this, they treated me as family, offering me their food (and drink) as well as acting as if I were a lifelong friend. Attending the game proved to be much than just witnessing a amazing game unfold, but also an experience that has now turned into an extremely happy memory.
The “Art in Renaissance Venice” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art takes a close look at Venetian art from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries. The art showcased in the exhibit describes a culture that is similar yet different to the rest of Renaissance Italy, but it is still considered an important part of Renaissance history. After viewing the exhibit, it is clear that Venetian art is very sensuous and emotionally appealing. The cultural significance and uniqueness of the artwork can be appealing to any person. One must visit the exhibit to capture an exclusive glimpse into the culture and history of Renaissance Venice.
In the midst of all the New York chaos, as seemingly millions of people rushed in and out of the subway station, stood a man in a painted mask. Dressed up in black, his grey painted face contrasted starkly with the rest of his appearance. His blank eyes, visible through the holes of the mask, seem to betray no traces of emotion. He stood on top of a small platform, his body changing positions every two minutes, as he imitated the movements and expressions similar to the manikins from shopping malls. He held positions without moving, his stillness evoking a sense of peace within the audience. As the rest of the world moved rapidly around him, at the moment, he seemed to have the supernatural ability to transcend time itself.
Huge faces smile, grimace, and glare at you as you walk by St. Mark’s place. Plastered on anywhere from wooden blue scaffolding to barren concrete walls around the East Village, these magnified portraits serve to intrigue and perplex the viewer. These are not the recognizable visages of celebrities and political figures, but the faces of “average” men and women. The photos are all part of the growing Inside Out Project, “a large-scale participatory art project that transforms messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work” (insideoutproject.net). People from all around the world are encouraged to upload their personal portraits on the project’s website. They would then receive a poster of their image, and have the choice of posting it wherever they want for the world to see and admire. From what I saw in St. Marks and from the online gallery, none of the photos are particularly provocative, as modern art is often stereotyped to be, but more evocative and mysterious. Who are these people really, and what can we learn from their smiles, grimaces, and glares?
Source: http://www.insideoutproject.net/
Those who know the sport best will tell you hockey has a certain rhythm to it. Every shift, every game, every season is inevitably packed with ups and downs. The very best clubs then must be not just talented, but resilient; not just hungry, but focused. Their sport demands it. The New York Rangers are currently on a six game winning streak, making them the hottest team in the NHL. On November 6th2011, the Rangers faced off against the struggling Winnipeg Jets at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. Yet, go to the Garden for a Ranger’s home game, and the last thing you’ll see is an empty arena. Hockey fans from all over flood the Garden, dressed in Rangers garb, and cheer for their True Blue. As you walk up the Garden steps, you’re surrounded by the familiar red, white, and royal blue. There is no feeling like walking through the tunnel and the arena opens up in front of you. People everywhere, just like you, are hoping to perhaps catch a puck, get a broken stick, or somehow manage to high-five one of their favorite players. Camera flashes abound as fans snap pictures of the team and send those pictures to their friends to make them jealous (at least that’s what I do). The game starts and the mood quickly changes. All in attendance gaze upon the frozen pond with undivided attention. Sticks clash, bodies bump, pucks fly, and skates dig into the ice. Every time the puck nears the opposing net, the crowd sighs in unison. Every time the referee calls a penalty on the home team, the proverbial “BOO!” reverberates throughout the building. The Rangers beat Winnipeg goaltender Ondrej Pavelec three times, winning the game 3-0, and earning a shut-out for back-up Rangers goalie, Martin Biron.
Hockey won’t hold still to give you a better look. It’s the action that makes the possibilities endless. The next practice, the next city, and the next game await.
The Cloisters Museum branch of the Metropolitan Museum is sure to give you a taste of life in Medieval Europe. The moment visitors step foot on the grounds of the Cloister Museum, they will feel as though they have arrived in another country. Located at 190th street in Manhattan, the Cloisters Museum displays genuine medieval European art, enclosed by authentic medieval architecture. Parts of the museum building have been transported from various places throughout Europe, incorporating a plethora of architectural styles and coming together to form a truly unique building. One aspect of the Cloisters Museum that is a “must-see” is the unicorn exhibit. Floor to ceiling tapestries cover the walls, telling the story of a unicorn. Although the tapestries might appear to simply be paintings of a unicorn in various settings, they come together tell an unexpectedly complex and detailed story of the journey and life of a unicorn. The museum is embellished with traditional medieval fountains along with plant-filled gardens, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. Water falls from the fountain, contributing a relaxed sound, further enhancing the mood of the museum. Not only is the Cloisters Museum very informative and engaging, but it is the ideal place to go to relax in one of the serene gardens.
HBO screen writer Lollis Eric Ellie was in Baruch this past September. Ellie was interviewed on how he wrote for the show “Treme.” He spoke of how he works with a small creative team of 6 in order to capture the essence of New Orleans in the show. He said that the writers first come up with a culminating final event or season finale. After coming up with an ending (the example he used was two characters getting married), the writers would then sequence episodes building the character’s relationships and leading up to the climatic event. It intrigued me that writers have a specific ending in mind even before the various events in the series take place. For anyone that is an avid fan of TV, its intriguing to know that some writers don’t just make up the storyline as they go along. It made me wonder, when coming up with a story, should you have a clear ending in mind? OR should it happen spontaneously as your characters come to life?
There aren’t enough trees in New York City. Maybe you’re lucky enough to live next to the somewhat crowded, tourist filled Central Park (don’t get me wrong the place is magical). But you probably still crave that pristine nature many New Yorkers grew up with and are now deprived of. The New York Botanical Gardens is a diverse body made up of living, breathing, and aesthetically pure foliage. The myriad of gardens, greenhouses, and plain ol’ trees provide a heaping amount of fresh air for us oxygen deprived city folk. The fifty-acre plot of terrain is one to remember, one to be breathed in and out…and not just once.
It’s no secret that in the East Village, Halloween night is the most anticipated night of the year. As the Halloween Parade rolls in, everyone’s inner child comes out to play, roaming the streets until dawn. Masked figures, Disney princesses, and pop culture icons all blend together on the one night a year where reality takes a backseat, and fantasy takes the wheel. Walking through the parade is like walking through a different dimension, a parallel universe where anything is possible and a surprise is lurking around every corner and art literally comes to life. In a place where each costume is more eccentric than the last, perhaps the best way to stand out is to wear a t-shirt and jeans.
Quietly behind Gramercy Park is the former residence of Edwin Booth. Yes, Booth, as in John Wilkes Booth’s brother. While most famously known as the assassin of Lincoln, John came from a family of actors and patrons of the arts. His brother, Edwin, created The Players Club in his home, a gathering place for professionals of the arts and business worlds. Between having the most extensive 19th c. theatre library in the world and portraits of every member of the the Club (living and deceased), the Club is packed full of things to admire. Come here on Fridays at noon for a bonus of jazz performances over lunch, led by Les Leiber, a 99 year old who’s been leading his band of lawyers and businessmen for 45 years.
As you begin to see the “Wonder of the Age: Master Painters of India” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it becomes clear the differences in culture that is brought out in the artwork. These paintings done by various Indian artists appear to be very different from most of the other art in the museum. As one continues to ponder through the culturally exhilarating exhibit, it also becomes clear that the paintings are ordered chronologically, which makes it seem as if they are telling the history of India. The artwork portrays the anonymity found in most forms of Indian art. One would have to go to the MET museum in order to completely experience this eastern culture through the paintings it has produced.
Within a short walk from Central Park, is the uniquely designed Guggenheim museum. I was in awe the moment I stepped into the museum. Hanging from the ceiling are various sculptures ranging from a life size cow to the sculpture of a young boy playing the drums. The statues are held in place by a thick white cloth; they are aligned so that some are closer to the ceiling than others. Architecturally speaking, the museum is designed to have a seamless ramp rather than stairs so that the further the museumgoers walk, the more sculptures they are able to see. The museum integrates both traditional and modern art perfectly. On each floor there is an arts exhibit showcasing various artwork from French, German and American artists. On the third floor you can find French inspired art by well-esteemed artists such as Paul Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso; the art consists of broad strokes and nature themes. On the fourth and fifth floors you can find the art by Kandinsky, which is more abstract but precise. Lastly, on the sixth floor is the pop art gallery with American art from post world war two.
It might even be a bit depressing – cant’s say if it’s paintings or the story. But big bright white room of Brooklyn museum such thoughts go away those of strokes of paintbrush and technique are getting their welcome.
Eva Hesse’s works are simplistic oil paintings but they makes one peer into each one even more than into a detailed one.. Looking at these works one sees the world as if through some strange spectre – Eva Hesse’s specter.
Eva Hesse Spectres 1960 is put together long after the artist’s death. Which might have been reflected in a not-so-optimistic tone of it: Hesse died in her 34th year from the brain tumor. One can’t skip the question in which way could it have affected her work. Want to find out about it? The exhibition is held till January 8, 2012. Seriously, don’t miss it.
