Its not too late to make it to the FUSE-IN Electronic Music Festival in downtown Detroit. The first day was an incredible success. I got to see a lot of great music, but the highlight had to be Green Velvet live. There was some concern that including a fee for entry would reduce the turnout, but as near as I can tell there were *more* people this year. Don't believe me? Take a look.
Today should be a good show, but I think Monday is going to be the champ. In a 3 hour period you can see Ken Ishii, UR (live), Richie Hawtin, and Mos Def. Also playing on monday are Blake Baxter, Kenny Larkin, Carl Craig, and a ton more. Entry is $10 a day.
Here's the site.
Just a thought. This is an interesting idea, requiring those seeking an abortion to see ultrasound images. Its important that we consider the impact of our decisions. But I'd say it doesn't go far enough. There should be another law requiring federal legislators (and executive branch members) to watch children dying from severe diabetes and leukemia, to watch people with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and ALS, requiring them to sit with their family members dying.
Then, when they vote to preserve a concept instead of actual people in need of help, they will be fully informed at just how crooked and empty their "morality" really is.
Notes:
And major kudos to the many house members brave enough to vote in favor of research despite the "anti-life" veto threat from our President.
With the premiere of Star Wars: Episode III tonight (or last night at midnight for the hardcore), an era for motion pictures comes to a close. I'm just dumb enough to be hopeful.
I think it will all turn out OK. I've read a few reviews, but mostly its just a feeling I have. I think Episode 3 will finally deliver on the promise that the prequels held, before we'd seen any of them, and that, by delivering on that promise, will redeem the first two with it.
Because E3 is the payoff, its what this whole prequel exercise was all about. I'm still of the opinion that E1 and E2 were not *bad* movies, but they did make me nervous. And I think for many, that nervous feeling made them feel like bad movies. Because they weren't up to the standards that Star Wars fans demanded from E3.
But looking back at it, how could they be? It's like expecting "The Comedy of Errors" to be as good as "King Lear". We're stuck with the material ultimately and even had Lucas (wisely) eliminated Jar Jar entirely, E1 would still be short on drama and long on setup. Which is OK if you know that Episode 3 will deliver, but makes you nervous if you don't.
Episode 2 was a major advance, with far less troubles and only a few seriously annoying sections. (Yes, of course you know what I'm talking about. The pear, rolling down the hill, the sand speech. Pretty much anytime Portman and Christiansen are on screen alone. Why do the Han and Leia scenes work so much better? Why can't he manage what is really a pretty straightforward love story, done a million times by now?) But those are easier to take if you know the payoff is coming.
Its sort of like a comment from a great improv teacher about the difference between long form and short form improv. Short form is all about getting in and out quick and scoring big, whereas long form gives you the time to do what you need. In this way, the long form is like going on a date when you know you're going to get laid. Which means you don't have to spend time impressing or showing off or charming, you can just be yourself and enjoy it as it happens. Which is more impressive and charming in the long run. (Perhaps Chuck will wander back here and tell me who it was that made the comparison, I can't remember.)
If Episode 3 can deliver, then watching the first two will be that much easier. Because, in the end, you know it will all be worth it.
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While I'm on the topic, if any of you start to go into withdrawal, I've got a recommendation to carry you through. Firefly is a show I was just introduced to by Lenny. I was ready to be bored. Typically modern sci-fi series bore me (and yes, apologies all around but the last three Star Trek series very much apply). The only exception in recent memory is the SciFi channel adaptations of Dune, but to call that modern is a bit of a stretch.
And yes, Andy, to be fair, FireFly is much more in the tradition of Star Wars than Star Trek, which is to say much bigger on action adventure than science fiction in the original sense of the word. Its ultimately a space western, like many before it, and doesn't have that much to offer that is ultimately different. The best thing I can say is just that it is very well done.
Written and Produced (and ocassionally directed) by Buffy creator Joss Whedon, it has very good character depth and dialogue. He's created an interesting future, marked by space colonisation (thus the western frontier motif). It is also a future in which Chinese influence is notably as strong as Western, which Whedon uses inventively to allow frequent cursing (in Chinese). It is a little disturbing that given this influence there are no primarily Asian characters of the 9 (!) fully developed main characters in the show. But Whedon gets credit anyway for recognizing the power of the acending Chinese culture (and you've already been warned in this space to start learning the language now).
Perhaps most striking about the show thus far is that it isn't driven by a classic good vs. evil struggle. The Empire has already won, and the captain of Serenity (their firefly class spaceship) was on the losing side. He doesn't much mind, as the Empire (here called the Alliance) is just another problem to be avoided. The characters here (on ship and off) are just trying to get by. While there is a hint of a larger struggle involving their two stowaways, it rarely takes over. And the characters here aren't always virtuous or good or even nice. Often, you see the characters banding together because, well, this is the frontier and you're better off part of a group than on your own. Which doesn't mean that you won't bail if a better opportunity comes along. Its all part of the deal.
The show wasn't really given a chance when it was first broadcast by FOX. As yet another in a long line of excellent programs doomed to failure Fridays at 10 (sharing that doomed slot with another of my favorites, Millennium) it was cancelled after only 11 episodes, despite great fan complaint.
"WHAT!?" you say. "You're trying to suck me into another show that's already canceled but this one only has 14 episodes?" Well, yes. But this one has a slightly good ending, in that all the fan requests have allowed Whedon to get the money to make a Firefly movie. "Serenity" is actually already finished, but its release has been held until September to avoid the suicidal attempt to compete with Episode 3. While I suspect that a motion picture means it will be difficult for them to avoid upping the ante (and letting the Simon and River subplot take center stage), it should still be worth watching. And with luck, perhaps they can maintain the quality and maybe get enough to get back on air or make a sequel. In any case, if you get the chance try to watch a few episodes or head to the movie in the fall. And I'd welcome any Star Wars reviews you'd like to offer.
Notes:
Whedon has also created a comic to bridge the gap between the tv series and the movie. Originally the story was designed to be animated feature (a la The Animatrix), but Universal backed out on funding. Published by Dark Horse it should be available June 6th.
Going to a party at Lenny's this weekend, but for any of you still in town, Miranda Lambert is playing at the downtown hoedown this Saturday in Hart Plaza. Its pretty cool, I can see them setting up from my desk at work, and could wander over to see the Kentucky Headhunters as I'm leaving work. That's definitely a cool perk of working here.
Anyway, some pretty good country acts coming, if ya can dig it. You can view the schedule here. Also featured is Bret Michaels trying to be country (Sunday Night). And, as always, it's free.
And don't forget, coming up for Memorial day weekend is FUSE-IN (the newest incarnation of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.) The lineup looks really good. There will be a charge this year, unfortunately, due largely to the city backing out of the money it had pledged last year, which caused the festival in 2004 to lose a lot of money (that year it had been run by Derrick May). Kevin Saunderson has taken over the reigns this year, and wants to be sure to pay back all the debts incurred to avoid letting the festival get a bad name. The intent I've heard so far is for the festival to continue being free after this year, but who knows if it will stay that way. In any case, its only $10 / day or $25 for the whole weekend (three days), which is really cheap for what you're getting, considering most of these artists can command $25 entrance fees for a couple hour show, as opposed to some of the biggest names in the scene on 4 stages for 36 hours.
The history of the festival thus far (4 years) has been filled with intrigue and poor management, but for something built ground-up in a nearly bankrupt city by artists rather than promoters I think its done remarkably well. And the music has always been great.
I'll provide a more detailed report as it gets closer (including a guide for what to see, with help from Shawn). If you'll be in town and want to join me, let me know, I'll be there most of the weekend.
Notes:
Freep article on the Hoedown
Freep interview with Miranda Lambert (who I just seem to like more and more)
50 years ago today, Kermit the Frog debuted on Jim Henson's show "Sam and Friends", first broadcast on May 9th, 1955 in Washington DC.
The show was only 5 minutes long, but launched a global puppet empire and touched lives across the globe.
Happy Birthday, Frog.
The last time I visited San Francisco, I was only here for one night on my way to Hawaii. However, in that one night I managed to have the best meal of my life. Now, on this next trip I have managed to repeat that feat.
EOS is an incredible dining experience in San Francisco's Cole Valley area. While our 8 o'clock reservation was delayed a bit by a table before us who just didn't want to leave, we were able to wait in the impressively stocked wine bar. (BTW, I'd say the wine bar is worth a trip by itself. They organize their "by the glass" choices into convenient and well-described flights that could provide an easy evening of fun, without a trip up into wine country.)
Here's the current menu. It seems to change pretty regularly (a good sign for my taste, as variety is the spice of life), but a few of the things we had are still on there. The restaurant itself is of a "small plates" style. If you aren't hip to that, the basic idea is that every one orders a few of the items (which are about appetizer sized) and then shares around the table. Its a method I've always been enamored of, as it allows for lots of different tastes, although it is better suited to a large party rather than a couple. Lucky enough we had six, and so it was a feast like no other.
The cuisine is sort of pan-Asian meets European. At once the meals can be delightfully subtle or completely ridiculous, but rarely in between. Also dining in the restaurant while we did was Jesse Martin (perhaps best known for his role in Law and Order, serving as Lenny's partner for many years now.) The rumors around the restaurant had it that he was in Frisco to film the upcoming movie version of "Rent" (he was an original Broadway cast member, so no big surprise there.) (Save your Jonathan Larson editorials Andy, this is about the food.)
Food moved in and out with such rapidity that no sooner had you swallowed the latest masterpiece before you looked up to discover a new delicacy waiting. The staff moved with an efficiency that was disarming, suspiciously eyeing water glasses and wine glasses for any hint of less than full capacity, and the food coming in a nonstop carousel of Epicurean abandon.
And what food it was. As a reward for waiting patiently past our reservation time, they provided us with the house specialty, the shitake mushroom dumplings. Physical violence nearly erupted over who could claim custody over the sauce left at the bottom of the bowl when all the dumplings had been consumed. Also sampled were fried long beans (spicy and lovely and perfectly cooked), the rare Ahi Tuna Tower (very fresh and just enough seasoning), Chorizo stuffed Calimari (weird yet very tasty), Seared scallops (very good with a nice sauce), Lemongrass Edamame Risotto (a slight dissappointment, but only cause it didn't hold up against the rest), Chinese pork ribs (tangy and tasty), roasted chicken with carmelized onions (I can hardly take it, please stop), hanger steak (dear god does it ever end?), and a daily special salad made with duckmeat Prosciutto (!). I'm certain I forgot something.
But refusing to give in, we pushed forward for dessert. EOS has a regularly rotating, exquisitely beautiful, multiple orgasm inducing dessert menu, and always aiming to please, even offer the "Dessert Platter" selection which allows you to choose three to share around the table. Oh yes, we did.
Ours consisted of the bananamisu (a recurring specialty of tiramisu made with fresh banana, featuring a whole banana coated with with carmelized sugar on the side. They manage to keep it delicate and extravagant at the same time.), a chocolate creme brulee' (to save on adverbs, just think of the best tasting chocolate you've ever had and then imagine something better), and a lime-coconut rice pudding (I don't know how its possible to incorporate creamy and citrus this well and I don't care, when you add in the fresh fruit you have near perfection.) (Picture to be inserted here soon, when it is sent to me).
EOS was not cheap. But then, why scrimp on the best meal of your life? And all told, the cost was under $40 a person for an enormous feast, with some wine (though we waited to do most of our drinking where it was more in our budget). Besides, Shawn paid for it. So just make sure you go with Shawn.
Amazingly enough, just a few days later I had another meal that qualifies in the top 5 ever, from a great Vietnamese Seafood place called Thanh Long (on the other side of town in Sunset). I'll save the full review and leave it with just this: Roasted Crab, extra spices, and Garlic Noodles. You can't go wrong, unless you accidently eat one of your fingers while licking the incredible sauce.
San Fran is a wonderful city where magical things happen. One of the most magical is the way money just seems to evaporate from your pockets and bank account and credit lines. But what a time. It was well worth the extra running I'll have to do this week, but its probably best I don't live there. Too much of a good thing and you lose your touch with reality.
I'm sitting in "Vesuvio", a little bar in the Columbus area of San Francisco, across the street from the famous City Lights Bookstore, which published the orginal releases of Ginsberg and Burroughs and Ferlinghetti. While enjoying a pint I see a sign that sums things up nicely. In a simple definition format, it says, "San Francisco: A city of 49 square miles, surrounded entirely by reality."
Its been a lovely trip so far. Shawn's place is in the west part of town, just north of the incredible Golden Gate park. It's comfortable and in easy reach to the number 5 bus, but having recently bought a car for the first time since living in San Fran, Shawn has become seduced by driving everywhere, which is also fairly convenient. Well, so long as you don't have to park.
We've done several of the things absolutely required by a trip to Frisco, including drinking too much, eating incredible meals, walking 5 miles a day up and down ridiculous hills, and enjoying the city's incredible parks, greenspaces, and vistas. Friday night we went to see a show at the University of San Francisco.
Those who know me know the soft spot I have for student theatre. Which isn't to say University Sponsored theatre groups, but rather theatre groups at Universities run entirely by students. USF has had such a group for over 140 years, called the College Players, who were sponsoring the production.
Of course, nothing in San Francisco can happen without protest. The concern for the College Players at the moment is their loss of the Gill Theater, which has been their home for the last 50 plus years. It seems that someone in the administration decided that administrative offices would be a better use for the space than an old theater, which leaves the College Players homeless, after this, their final show in the Gill.
As a matter of reference, the University of San Francisco is a Jesuit University. It also happens to be incredibly beautiful, particularly the enormous Saint Ignatius church, which is an easily visible landmark through much of the city. And to be fair, a Jesuit University in San Francisco can't be like a Jesuit University anywhere else. But I suspect there has always been a bit of creativ tension existing with a theatre group in a Jesuit University in the most ridiculously liberal city on earth. But I also suspect that a bit of tension has been good for both the Players and the University.
But, with a sense of ironic subtlety refined in the Bay Area, the College Players presented their last show in the Gill theater with style. Of course, the show was Cabaret. If you're not familiar with the show, its a musical set in Germany in the mid-30s (read: before World War II begins) and about the free-wheeling cultural hedonism of the period fighting against the repressive and authoritarian force of the newly elected Nazi Party.
The show itself was quite well done, in all the ways college productions frequently are (innovative performances and set design as well as an experiemental spirit) and poor in the ways college productions frequently are (inconsistent acting, very poor sound). Joe Ledbetter had a very good performance as the MC, playing it in a spastic, twisted, marrionnette style. The rest of the cast did well also, although it was very difficult to make out the lines to most of the songs as the house PA could not overpower the live orchestra in a room that size.
Afterwards was a short "gala" party with food and meet and greet. In any case it was nice to get the chance to see college theatre again, warts and all.