Category — Reviews

Who would’ve ever thought such a great musical could be made from such an unpopular and simple topic—golf? When the word “golf” comes to mind, I immediately think of the elderly taking about twenty minutes preparing to tee off. So when I heard that “Golf the Musical” was playing at Mason Hall at Baruch College, I was not very excited to attend. However, it proves itself a splendid show.  Four actors and one pianist were performing that night, all with breathtaking vocal abilities. Together, they help Golf the Musical demonstrate innovative ideas through music and comedy, with a hint of social and political involvement. [Read more →]

A Church has set up a talent show for the audience, to show each person’s distinctive skill. When I walked into the auditorium inside the church, I did not expect anything more than a couple of students who were going to show off their own talents. My instincts told me, “It is just fun to watch, but I doubt I will see anyone execute an extraordinary act.” Never was I proven so wrong. My expectations were very low, but as I saw each act after another, my eyes grew bigger and bigger; each and every performance was shocking to a degree where my eyes did not want to close shut. So, I will tell you what was so great about these performances: the passion, the uplifting of spirits, and the message that each performance was able to portray. A perfect name given to this type of talent show: “The Vision Festival 2008.”

The “Sa Mool No Li” followed by the “Slam Poetry” started the night. The “Sa Mool No Li” is the playing of Korean drums. This specific performance consisted of seven children: two playing a bass sounding drum, two playing small high-pitched gongs, one playing the big gong, and two playing higher-pitched drums. The synchronized playing of these young children, where the smaller gongs led the group, made striking and beautiful sounds where there was a crescendo in the music sound. A piano sound leading into a forte sound is a task easy to accomplish; however, to execute this task with six other people with different instruments is difficult. Listening to the “perfection” of sounds and notes being played without err was not only lovely, but also lively.

“Poetry sucks,” was the first thing I thought when I had heard that someone was performing a “Slam Poetry.” If there is one thing about poetry I learned after this slam, it is not the “poetry” itself that should be despised by me, but it is the way that people dictate poetry that I should abhor. Poetry is a way to express one’s emotions. Although a regular way of speech can be used to articulate one’s feelings, a rant helps you to get rid of that anger, that rage, that annoyance; in this case, the detestation of the deterioration of life, and the world. Her words seemed to have no complexity, but the utterance she made was deep. Money deteriorates us. The dilapidated places in the world because of war need peace. Because war causes deterioration, we will eventually destroy our own world causing it to fall into ruin. Peace is the only thing that will not corrupt this world. “Life runs on more than motivation.” She conveyed a message that silenced the audience; they were overwhelmed by her words. Her poetry. Her “Slam” poetry.

Following several performances was the “Life-house skit.” I, however, would not use the word “Life-house” to define this performance. This was something more. The act had nine students–one represented Jesus; one a human; and the other seven, the seven deadly sins. The human had a life of happiness, one with spiritual strength. However, when being tempted by sins, she finds herself fallen into darkness, into a place where all hope seems lost. Is she happy? Is this the life she wants? No, it isn’t. Not a single sign of happiness was shown when being tempted. Later, the person signifying Jesus comes and pulls the human back, and shields the girl from the sins. She is finally without sin. Now you ask yourself the same question, “Is she happy? Is this the life she wants?” This time, however, it is apparent that she is happy and that she is living the life she wants. The happiness that flowed through her was unexplainable. With her spirit overflowing, her life was complemented by Jesus’ love. You are probably wondering all this whole time what I think this “Life-house skit” should be renamed as. To be able to describe this skit in one word is impossible. However, if I were forced to name it, it would be called “Everlasting.” God did not leave the girl alone when she had fallen into sin. His love was with her from the start and until the “end” (There is no end to “everlasting”). Everything He has to offer is “Everlasting.”

I can learn a lot from all these young children. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is definitely a saying that will not only apply to books, but also to people. Judging the performers by their age, I had low expectations, however, not only were the performances spectacular, but they were also educating for those who study theology. Being a show that is played only once a year, it will be missed. “Youth Vision Festival” put on performances that blew my mind away. I will be looking forward to next year’s performances with high expectations.

“Testing one…two…three.  Testing one…two…three.  Please give a round of applause for Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas!”  The roof of Hunter College’s Kaye Theater was on fire Thursday night, and it would’ve taken the entire New York City fire department to put it out. With Apl.de.ap’s surprise performance from The Black Eyed Peas’ new album, the bar was set extraordinarily high for the event’s main attraction: Jo Koy.  The anticipation, excitement, culture, sincerity, and⎯not to mention⎯hilarity present at Jo Koy’s special TV taping easily made Thursday night’s comedy show the best show of my life. [Read more →]

Inconspicuously designed, the façade of The Asia Society and Museum blended in with the rest of 70th street. With its revolving door and collected gatherers sitting around the “PRIVATE EVENT” area consuming Western food and sipping fine wine, I thought perhaps I had entered the wrong building. Upon presenting my Cultural Passport, I was given a circular token with a lion’s white silhouette resting against a dark blue background (not exactly the crimson Commie red I had been hoping for). Ascending the stairs in hopes of exploring the Eastern arts that I had never seen up close, I noticed a painting of several gleeful Chinese men (each modeled after the painter) sitting in a bowl who insisted that I would not be disappointed. [Read more →]

The main theme of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum is “to help the public understand the many roles design plays in everyday life.” One of its latest exhibit, “Solos: Tulou/Affordable Housing for China,” most definitely outlines the museum’s fundamental theme. I first learned about this exhibit from an article entitled, “In Modern China, ‘Little Kingdoms’ for the People,” in the New York Times. Upon reading the article, I already had an idea of how the newly designed tulous, traditional communal residences in China, are great examples of how art and design interact. As I stepped into the exhibit, I began to experience the impact of design in improving people’s lives. [Read more →]