Voodoo Jive

Ani DiFranco and Widespread Panic Coming to NYC

2010-05-04T10:36:00.003-04:00

Very stoked - just found out that both Widespread Panic and Ani DiFranco are coming to NYC - Panic hits Radio City on July 22 (tix go on sale on 5/8) and Ani plays Town Hall on Nov 20th - tickets are supposedly on sale NOW, but I can't log in...so you may have to call.

Hope to see you there!

Grateful Dead "Crimson, White and Indigo" at City Winery

2010-04-15T11:22:00.003-04:00

If you'd love to catch a great '89 show of The Dead at JFK Stadium in Philly, go a fun viewing party at City Winery tonight. Tickets are only $10 and it is to ring in the "...release on April 20th, 'Crimson, White and Indigo' (which)is a 3 CD and 1 DVD set that chronicles the landmark 1989 Grateful Dead concert at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, and features entirely unreleased material from the Grateful Dead’s Archives."

Can you dig it?

Again, from the site: "The 3 hour concert will be shown in its entirety for two nights only, on City Winery’s main 150in. Projection Screen and played over the award winning Meyer Sound System. Immerse yourself in the full Grateful Dead experience for this special presentation."

Who's bringing the green rice krispie treats?

City Winery
155 Varick Street (between Spring and Vandam Streets)

By Subway: 1 Train to Houston Street or Canal Street; C / E Trains to Spring Street

By Bus: M20 downtown or uptown, M6 uptown, M21 crosstown

Parking: Parking garage on Spring Street between Hudson and Varick, 1 block South of City Winery. Street parking on Vandam available after 7 p.m.

The Happiest Medium - Retro Look; Intuitive, Creative Insight

2010-01-12T11:16:00.004-05:00

There's a new site in town - and it's got a lot of promise! The Happiest Medium is a review site dedicated to the Arts (with an emphasis on Theatre and Film) that also includes features, information, and creative snippets (Antonio Miniño's :Wo(Man) in the Window is a creative, entertaining spin on photography and fashion).

Editor Karen Tortora-Lee (formerly editor of Neighborbee), her husband Stephen (who brilliantly designed the site), Antonio (Editor of the currently dormant The Fab Marquee), K.B. Abele, and yours truly are staff contributors, with a few others joining this fall, and some others like playwright David Stallings as guest writers.

I suggest you make your way over to the site and check it out...it's what I really wanted to do a long time ago with a blog (either Voodoo Jive or Ornery Woman) but just never had the time/ability. Ever since I've gotten back into the theatre scene and began putting a lot of time into acting, directing and teaching, being able to regularly post on and develop websites have just not been a priority for me. I loved being on the staff of The Fab Marquee, and an thrilled to be a part of The Happiest Medium (as in finding the happiest medium between all of our favorite arts).

Go check it out!

Going to See Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) Tonight at the Nokia!

2009-11-28T11:57:00.003-05:00

Looking forward to it...since I have surgery coming up next week, it's a nice way to enjoy myself a bit and not think about it. I am bad about writing set lists and such - I get into the show and forget. That's what I want to do: enjoy myself and forget.

Chico and Spud are also sick, and I have been running around with them all weekend to the vet - so having some fun for myself is in order.

Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement - At the Museum of Natural History! Awesome!

2009-11-13T13:18:00.000-05:00

Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement is a wonderful film that is part of the Love Against the Odds series. It is the love story of two women, now in their 80's, talking about their relationship through the years which began in the 1960's. Definitely something to catch - and think about.

It is being shown today at The American Museum of Natural History, as part of the Margaret Meade Film and Video Festival, that runs through the 15th.

All you need is love, man.

Reno 911! Canceled...Yet Another Fav Show Bites the Dust

2009-08-25T02:17:00.006-04:00

Of course this is belated news as well, but some of you may not know: Reno 911! has been canceled - and we aren't even going to get a farewell episode. Now, the cast change for season 6 probably had something to do with it - getting rid of three of the original cast members (especially Clementine and Garcia) was a mistake; they were totally fucking hilarious. But who can resist cracking up to Dangle in his shorts? If you miss Dangle, don't worry - you can keep up with him (Thomas Lennon) on Twitter.

Although it will most likely be ineffective, there is a "Save Reno911" group where you can sign a petition, etc etc...and hell, why not? They even have a little logo to embed on your site.

Adios, Reno - I'll be doing a post soon about my fav episode - Reading Ron - with Brian Unger.

Adam Yauch - a.k.a. MCA of The Beastie Boys...a lil' note.

2009-08-23T14:51:00.005-04:00

This is belated news, but since I've just been belated on everything in relation to my blogs (except my postings at The Fab Marquee as a theatre reviewer - and even then, my editor has a few things to say about my *cough* punctuality), but I'd like to belatedly make note of how devastated I am that MCA of The Beastie Boys, aka Adam Yauch, has a cancerous tumor in his salivary glad - and subsequently had to cancel their All Points West gig - which, I was only thinking of going to see them, for I try to not miss them when they are anywhere near the Tri-State area. My mother worked with playwright Israel Horowitz - King Ad Rock's (Adam Horowitz) father many times, and I was always pissed I never got to meet Ad Rock - but MCA was always my favorite (I love all three of them, but maybe it's my penchant for older men, whatever).

He has come out of surgery, bless his heart, and had a note for fans that you can see here at the NY Times - however, he sent it to the B-Boys fan group (yes, I'm in that email blast, thank you very fucking much) and it was so precious. He's had the surgery, but the poor thing has to undergo all the chemo, radiation, etc that one would have to post-op to make sure the damn thing stays gone.

I'm sure many of you have seen Jay-Z perform "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn" at All Points West in honor of the Beasties - there are several recordings out there - my pal Chris Gordon picked this one out - it's the best I can find. Amazing. I saw them w/ Dale two years ago when they played their first show in Brooklyn ever - and when they played it, it had UBER significance.

Well, when I got the email from Yauch, it's from a "no-reply" address...which, I'm hip; dude probably would blow a server from all the emails. So I simply have this to say:

Adam -

I adore you and have loved you for years. My prayers, or whatever good gris-gris that you want to take, is with you. You have always been a source of love and musical pleasure for so many - and an inspiration, from your Tibet work to the simple love of your family, music, and your fans.

Just know that so many of us are breathing a collective sigh of relief that you are better, and that many of us (I am not an atheist, obviously) have you in our prayers.

You're a tough mofo - I've seen you on stage only a few feet away, playing your bass and being the musical genius that you are...a lil' cancer ain't gonna take you out anytime soon, man. You have a long life ahead of you.

Get better! Get rid of that cancer! And then rest....and THEN - get your fuckin' ass back on stage, yo.

Love, Strength, and Peace (of Mind) -

Billychic

Robot Cats and Electric Sheep

2009-08-23T13:47:00.004-04:00

I thought this article was fascinating this week...and one of my favorite parts is that they actually talk about the correlation of a robotic cat to Phillip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - the story behind the cult classic (and one of my favorites of all time) Blade Runner.

The simple idea of having a robotic pet - and one that can assist the elderly, for instance - is entertaining, fascinating...and a little scary, still. However, for those who are older, who just can't make the commitment to a live animal for fear that they may not outlive the pet - but yet are still lonely and need something besides the sounds of their tv or radio to keep them company (I can totally fucking relate), then perhaps it's a good idea. Especially if it has devices that can alert medics, etc to help assist said elderly individual. Yet...it still ain't the real thing.

Although it's not as disturbing as a possible I, Robot, scenario, with someone running for their lives when the humanoid electronic buddy decides it's payback time to the strains of Won't You Be My Girl, Sally by The Police in the background, it still gives me pause.

Hey, I'm a tech geek, a sci-fi nut, and interested in all of this very much; but I'm also an animal activist. I just hope that something like this doesn't give the planet earth incentive to say it's okay to continue doing lab experiments and euthanize animals if their response is "well, hell...we can always make one out of a tonka toy kit." Hopefully that won't happen in my lifetime, or our children's...but if things keep going the way they are, more than just polar bears and bengal tigers are going to be extinct.

Song of the Day Is Back: Led Zeppelin - Sick Again

2009-08-21T17:08:00.003-04:00

Led Zeppelin - Sick Again

From the album Physical Graffiti

Possibly one of the sexiest songs by one of the sexiest bands...again, pulling from it's blues roots..."...ya said you dug me since you were 13..." - always with the love, sex, sweat, and that amazing unit that was the band of Led Zeppelin. Not a wasted drum beat or guitar riff.

Glad to be back. Don't know how regularly...but more so than for the last year, I can bet your ass on that.

Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick - Bozo The Hippie

2009-08-20T15:10:00.002-04:00

My new pal Jack at work...being a nutcase. He's gold, man - gold.

RIP Robert Novak

2009-08-18T14:17:00.003-04:00

Although he more often than not differed with my politics, I have always had respect for Robert Novak. He stuck to his guns, and didn't waver. I remember hanging out at my parent's place and watching Crossfire, my Dad (ever the conservative) would always hoot n' holler when Novak did his thing.

He died of brain cancer today.

What I dug about him was that he was a wee bit o' a maverick; he disagreed with Republicans almost as much as he did the democrats.

And regardless, he was a helluva journalist.

Michael, You Will Be Missed - RIP

2009-06-30T15:56:00.005-04:00

Photo: www.soulspectrum.blogspot.com

Michael Jackson.

The name, since I was young enough to appreciate music to the point where I was memorizing names, stuck in my head throughout the Jackson 5; and I was one of the first in line to get my Thriller album, which is still in vinyl, sitting in my closet, where it is a tribute to 27 years of history. I can think of very few who did not attempt to do the Moon Walk as I grew up - hell, I can recall a few weeks before hearing about his death, someone at work tried to do it here and we all laughed as his sneakers got caught on the carpet. A bunch of 30 and 40-somethings all laughing and remembering the childhood awe that we felt about him, his music, his glittered glove!

Regardless of news reports his sex life, or his growing eccentric behavior...his ruining his relationship with Paul McCartney by trying to buy the Beatles songs... I think most people, although they would joke about him and his possible sexual desires for pre-teen boys, all felt in their hearts that it was more about a man who was torn from his childhood and wanted playmates...and could only relate to children; and who had major mental problems. There are priests and such who have raped boys, but I don't think that Michael Jackson ever raped anyone - and I have rarely, despite jokes - met anyone who really thinks he did either.

On the day of his recent death, and the day after, an ex-boyfriend began texting me all of these jokes about MJ and his penchant for young boys; then the texts escalated into making fun of his face and his surgeries. I had to write him back and tell him to please STOP - it wasn't funny. The man was DEAD. Three children are without a father, and a world who grew up with him as the center of their musical universe as a child had that man taken away...a man who had become a shell of what he once was. My ex's curt response was "I love the way he was hated by Paul McCartney who issued a press release he loved him and for a decade he was called a child molester but now he's a saint...No one I know is upset (that he is dead) at all."

Well, for starters, this explains why this person and I are no longer dating...but what really gets me is that although some might call him a child molester, I would have to say: look at his interviews. When asked if kids were sleeping in his bed with him and having sleep-overs, he would reply enthusiastically, "Yes!" and talk about all the fun they had. He went to bed watching cartoons. A person I know, who worked in shwanky hotel that MJ stayed at one night said that he called room service. When she asked what he wanted, thinking he wanted food, he asked her to tell him a bedtime story because he couldn't sleep.

I ask you: who can't look at the man and see that he was just trying to re-live his childhood, one that he never was allowed to really have? He was troubled, yes; had mental problems, yes; but although some of us had a good laugh at some of the issues that were going on and his odd behavior, we need to look at the brilliant boy, the brilliant young man, who did indeed become the King of Pop and created a legacy that will go into history for all the good he did.

And what my darling, empathy-filled (I hope the sarcasm is dripping as I type) ex seems to forget is that even people who are seen as twisted at times, and even when there is anger in relationships involved, people will still mourn the untimely death of such a brilliant star who was so troubled that he only weighed 112 at his death. I mean, hell - I will actually mourn when Robert dies...which, I cannot say he would do for me, or anyone for that matter. But that is a whole other post.

Michael - thank you for the good times. I'm so sorry that you were so unhappy. I wish you could have been happier...and hopefully the Neverland you were seeking is now in your hands and around you. Rest peacefully.

MTWorks: The Oath - Now through May 10th!!!

2009-05-01T16:13:00.002-04:00

Hello, Everyone!
Sorry to have been MIA, but I have been in another play lately - The Oath, produced by MTWorks, directed by Cristina Alicea.

I'm working with some wonderful actors: Anthony Crep, Sarah Chaney, Louise Flory, Maureen O'Boyle, and Robin Madel...oh, yeah, and me.

Jacqueline Goldfingers' The Oath is a Southern Gothic tragedy set in the midst of the Great Depression. A wandering preacher is ensnared in the political and social games of a rural Southern town ruled with a macabre sense of justice by two rival families.

What it's really focused on, and why it's so relevant even now, is how difficult it was for women during The Great Depression. Women could not be preachers or reverends back then (and the attitudes have changed very little since then, as we heard from our talk back speaker on Sunday) and two daughters of an ailing reverend are struggling to find a MAN to replace him...but at what cost? It's a play full of the lies that have to be told in order to actually get by and live.

It's a great show, and I'm so happy to be a part of it. If you are in NYC, please go to www.MTWorks.org and get your ticket and come see the show! Only $18 to see the show...and if you read BUST magazine or their website, look up The Oath on their blog and see what kind of discount you can get! 'Cause the BUST chicks know a good play when they hear about one!

Please leave them a comment and let them know you came by to say howdy - and I hope you come to see the show!

Beastie Boys: 20th Anniversary of Paul's Boutique Remaster

2009-02-04T12:07:00.003-05:00

Hey Kids!

It's the 20th Anniversary of Paul's Boutique - and that means that The Beastie Boys are hooking you UP!

Go to their special site to get the special 20th Anniversary Commemorative Package - which includes a poster, a t-shirt, cd, vinyl, and digital downloads.

And if you don't want the whole package (it is a little pricey, but to true diehard Beastie Fans it ain't nothin' but a thang) you can get them separately. The t-shirt you can only get on the site, though.

Rock on and Shake Your Rump-ahhh!

Oberon Theatre Ensemble - Winter Rep 2009 - Much Ado About Nothing and American Rapture

2009-01-29T13:47:00.004-05:00

OBERON THEATRE ENSEMBLE‘S WINTER REP 2009
12th Anniversary Season: Shakespeare, Saroyan & Dinelaris

OBERON THEATRE ENSEMBLE is pleased to announce Winter Rep 2009, celebrating the company’s 12th Anniversary Repertory Season. The company will be presenting William Shakespeare’s Much About Nothing in conjunction with the series called, American Rapture, which includes Hello Out There by William Saroyan and world premiere plays by Alex Dinelaris (nominated Lucile Lortel/Drama Desks).

Brad Fryman, Oberon Theatre Ensemble Artistic Director, believes, "Although written over 400 years ago, the primal, the Machiavellian, the sultry and the romantic desires captured by The Bard, prevail in modern society. The two plays present contrasting looks at similar themes. In Much Ado, we see two true romantics on the road to marriage and another couple quite opposed to marriage who finally fight their way into each other's arms. In American Rapture the characters are also fighting to find their way, whether it's through relationships, self examination, or violence.”

Winter Rep 2009 will play a three-week engagement at The Beckett Theater at Theater Row (410 W 42nd St). Performances begin Thursday, February 12th, and continue through Sunday, March 1st. Tickets are $20.00 and $13.75 students/seniors. For reservations, please call 212-279-4200 or visit www.ticketcentral.com to purchase tickets online. Tickets may also be purchased in person at Theater Row’s box office, open daily from 12pm-8pm.

Much Ado About Nothing
by William Shakespeare
directed by Mark Karafin

Benedick and Beatrice have vowed to remain single and appear to enjoy their battle of wits too much to ever call a truce. Young lovers Hero and Claudio conspire to change their minds. A romantic comedy about winning the one you didn’t know you wanted most.

Thursday, Feb 12 at 8pm
Friday Feb 13 at 8pm
Monday, Feb 16 at 7pm
Tuesday, Feb 17 at 8pm
Wednesday, Feb 18 at 2pm
Saturday, Feb 21 at 8pm
Sunday, Feb 22 at 3pm
Wednesday, Feb 25 at 8pm
Thursday, Feb 26 at 8pm
Friday, Feb 27 at 8pm
Saturday, Feb 28 at 2pm

American Rapture
Hello Out There by William Saroyan and world-premiere plays by Alex Dinelaris
directed by Alex Dinelaris

An evening of short plays, some humorous, some tragic, explore the unique mixture of loneliness and hope, which make up the American Experience. Playwright/director Alex Dinelaris, who was nominated for a Lucille Lortel (Best Musical) and two Drama Desk Awards (Book & Lyrics) for his work on the off-Broadway hit, ZANNA DON’T!, weaves his way through modern relationships, religious hypocrisy, love, loss and the endless cycle of violence that threatens to swallow our society whole. The evening culminates with William Saroyan’s Hello Out There, the powerful tale of two outcasts who find love at the most unlikely of times, in the most unlikely of places.

Saturday, Feb 14 at 8pm
Sunday, Feb 15 at 3pm
Wednesday, Feb 18 at 8pm
Thursday, Feb 19 at 8pm
Friday, Feb 20 at 8pm
Saturday, Feb 21 at 2pm
Monday, Feb 23 at 7pm
Tuesday, Feb 24 at 8pm
Wednesday, Feb 25 at 2pm
Saturday, Feb 28 at 8pm
Sunday, Mar 1 at 3pm

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Visit www.oberontheatre.org for more information.

Please check out The Fab Marquee as well as Kampfire Films PR for information as well.

Song of the Day: Is It Over? I Just Had a Post Removed on Here by the DMCA

2009-01-23T13:38:00.004-05:00

So I pop on over to check the stats on my site and lo and behold! My recent Song of the Day post, which featured U2's Vertigo and a nice pic and the usual link to songs, was removed.

I found an email from Blogger telling me my ass was in trouble with the DMCA and I had to remove the song...but they just went and took the whole post down.

So...unfortunately, because people SUCK...and because the music industry is so worried that one little song being given away for free will cause issues (even when the link is provided to buy the album and a little history is given about the artists)...I've had to hide my server with the tunes. So...the next time I post a tune it will be up for a day or so - if that; it might have to be truncated. I have to talk to my lawyer and check out what my right are on here.

Although I haven't been posting a Song of the Day for a while, I was just getting back into it again...and then BOOM. They dropped the curtain on me.

Oh well...I'll figure something out.

Thanks to all of you who listen and check out the blog - and who still send emails regarding posts from even two years ago. Sorry the mp3 had to be moved...but I can't afford a lawsuit right now. I'll have to play it by ear...blogger hinted at taking down Voodoo Jive if I continue.

How much does THAT suck?

Happy Holidays to All

2008-12-26T12:02:00.000-05:00

In favored tradition, I would like to share one of my favorite clips for the holidays and the coming New Year:

Southpark's The Spirit of Christmas

Please note: there is serious profanity and religious slurs for all kinds of people. It's SOUTHPARK, people, so don't say I didn't warn you if you click are shocked at Cartman calling Kyle a "pigfucker", and Jesus trying to kill Santa Claus.

If the vid below doesn't come up, just click the link above.

Happy Holidays to all. And thank you for reading and sharing our lives, tortures, and aspirations that we share on here. Let's hope 2009 is even better.

Love,
Billychic

Greenpoint Has Pissed Me Off This Holiday Season: New Tacky Holiday Light Fixtures on Manhattan Avenue Are Anything But Holiday

2008-12-16T14:50:00.008-05:00

Trust, I'll add a photo to this post this weekend - or in the next few days to illustrate the sheer lameness of these lights; considering that Voodoo Jive has become my bastard child blog, unfortunately, with my posting theatre reviews on The Fab Marquee and trying to maintain Ornery Woman and the gang of fabulous women on there, my own blog that I originally started over 4 years ago has declined into hardly anything. I hope to get the music back...soon...for that is what a main part of this site was for quite a while.

My Song of the Day was something that I looked forward to every day. Then, as work got more hectic and my time to do things outside of said Clark Kent gig became shorter, things like picking my tunes, uploading the mp3 to my server via an FTP that wouldn't crash my archaic fucking computer, searching for and adding photos and bio info as well as purchasing info (I must always show where to buy the album if I'm going to put up an mp3) as well as photo credits, etc - all seemed to take forever...and eat time I didn't have.

But anyway...I digress - as usual. Today's bitch? The fact that Greenpoint has decided to chinch it out this year and instead of putting up the regular green and red light wreaths that extend across every intersection down Manhattan Avenue, making the holiday season awesome (it makes Greenpoint look like some cool Bedford Falls, literally, with the Xmas lights aglow) - instead of that, they are putting up these cheesy blue lights that just wrap around the individual lampposts. It barely registers as "holiday" anything. The fact that the lights were also like a month late is also kind of a horror show.

The Greenpoint Gazette seems to disagree with me. I'm wondering who, if they really live in the neighborhood and know what they are talking about, would write so cheerfully:
"...holiday lights will include green garlands and sparkling white lights wrapped around the street light poles...In keeping with green values, Town square arranged for LED lights to be used this year, which will save almost 90% in energy costs compared to the older incandescent lights."
(you can almost hear the exclamation point at the end of that sentence).

First of all, the lights are blue, not white. So it looks like one huge very lame and cheaply-thrown together Hannukah celebration up and down Manhattan Avenue, which if anyone who lives there knows is hilarious, because the majority of the native Polish population of the hood (we're talking pre-hipster move-in) are...how can I say this? Anti-semitic is too harsh (and not altogether accurate), however the vibe is definitely Catholic or Polish Christian Orthodox, and I have heard many of the Polish people make a point to say "this person is a Jew, etc..." in THAT way. Whatever - the older generation haven't even learned English and leave it to their adult children and youthful grandchildren, who are bilingual now, to translate what's going on outside.

So, we've established the lights are blue...and apparently it almost didn't happen at all (if you read the article). I mean...wtf? I've been here 7 years, we've had them every year, and it wasn't going to happen? We should be happy to have some tacky-ass looking lights that don't look like they have anything to do with Christmas or the "holiday season" anyway? I know economic times are hard, but this has always been a poor neighborhood before all the trust fund kids/artists/hipsters (see trust fund kids)/Manhattan refugees moved in. It was rough and it wasn't pretty. But during the holidays, they had these lovely lights that would go up around Thanksgiving, and would line the streets of Manhattan Avenue, making you not look at the trash and the belligerent drunks on the corner, and enjoy the beauty of the Holiday spirit.

This year, we get lights that look like they came from the lobby of a used car dealership.

My first thought was: is this some PC thing? Have enough hipsters and atheists moved into the neighborhood that they wanted to take away Christmas and simply throw up some lame lights and call it a night? I hate to sound like one of those whackjob rabid Hard Right bloggers, but there is something to that "Anti-Christmas" thing; my nephews can't even celebrate Xmas in their school anymore (but Muslim kids can leave class to go pray). I think it's lovely to do both - but not pick one and discriminate against Christianity...or Christmas. It's not fair, honestly. And I blame two groups: the Hard Left, who are as bad as the Hard Right, and the current administration for attaching Church and State and pissing everyone off so that anything having to do with Christmas and/or Christianity is looked down upon.

But that's a whole other rant. I'm talking about these fucking lights.

So, then I thought "well...economic times are hard..." -- but to be honest, this neighborhood has more money flowing into it now than the last 20 years put together, and they couldn't come up with the beautiful Xmas lights they have every year? Those lights make this an actual neighborhood instead of just another area in the big city. And now...we're stuck with these tragically pathetic lights that don't speak Christmas at ALL (next thing you know, they'll stop selling trees). What I find hard to swallow is the horseshit that the Greenpoint Gazette is shoveling in the article; as if we're supposed to be happy about it? I mean, I'm paying 1540 in Greenpoint now for a tiny one-bedroom in a neighborhood that used to be considered too scary to walk through. They couldn't afford the lights?

All I have to say is that it sucks...and I miss the Bedford Falls (no relation to Bedford Avenue, people) look; the feeling of Christmas in Greenpoint, and being able to invite my folks over and show them how beautiful the neighborhood can be. Now, it's just another neighborhood in Brooklyn that couldn't cut the mustard.

RIP Bettie Page

2008-12-12T10:49:00.002-05:00

Bettie Page, one of the most beautiful and sexy icons of the 20th century, who also mainstreamed the BDSM movement to some degree - has died.

Right alongside Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich (who we all know was gay, but only later on), Lana Turner - Page was just as important of a sexual icon, but she also embodied the alternative sexual lifestyle, to the point that her visage has remained a constant source of joy - and cash flow - for people who wish to embody not just the raw and lovely sexuality and fun she shared in her photos, but also the brazen underground culture of the BDSM movement that was going on at that time - and has become more mainstream today. I even own my own Bettie Page necklace/bracelet set (given as a gift by Roisin) and several other merchandise that makes me happy to display her proudly as one of my own icons.

I daresay if it were not for people like Bettie Page, the BDSM movement and even some of the fashion that is loosely associated with it would not be what it is today.

She, like Marylin, was a natural, someone who loved the camera and the camera loved her. And regarding her extra step into nudity? According to the referenced article, Bettie said, ""God approves of nudity. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they were naked as jaybirds."

RIP, Bettie. You will live on like Marilyn - but not like Marilyn, because you are your own beautiful - and intensely different person...and icon.

Get Out There and Vote! Special Incentive: Free Sex Toys from Babeland

2008-11-04T08:06:00.003-05:00

Babeland, which offers "sex toys for a passionate world", is giving away free sex toys - specifically "sleeves" for men and vibrators for women - if they present their "I Voted" sticker or ballot stub or even on your word of honor, apparently.

So go check out Babeland - if you're in NYC or Seattle. We've got three locations here in NYC I think.

Because voting feels good!

Indeed.

The Fab Marquee: A Theatre Site With Class and Pizazz!

2008-10-27T13:09:00.004-04:00

Just to let you know, I've been asked to be a contributor for The Fab Marquee and I'm very excited about this opportunity. I sometimes do reviews of various entertainment venues on here on Voodoo Jive - usually it's music or sometimes places to go/eat or in NYC; I haven't done a theatre review on Voodoo Jive in...well, hell, I don't know when. Which is ironic since I'm immersed in the NYC theatre world it seems now...and have been immersed in the entertainment industry to some extent my whole life through my family.

Please stop by The Fab Marquee - it is run by amazing people, one of whom is an incredible whirlwind of energy in the PR industry, Antonio Miniño; another is a fabulous playwright who recently wrote the smash hit "Anaïs Nin Goes to Hell" produced by their theatre company, MTWorks. It includes several talented writers.

I'm so very thrilled to be asked to come on board as a theatre reviewer for their site, which is already considered to be an important place to see works reviewed and latest news on the pulse of NYC Theatre Scene. Please stop by, and check it out! I have just started, so as of this post, I only have one review on there, but will be reviewing two shows I saw this past week that will be coming up this week. I hope you'll come by and make comments (like how AWESOME I am) and enjoy the site as a whole.

:)
Dianna
aka Billychic

I Present My New Kitten...Miss Laretta Kincaid

2008-10-25T15:28:00.000-04:00

Photo: Dale Harris

Well, I didn't go with little Rain, the kitty I mentioned that was available for adoption from www.zanisfurryfriends.org that I found on Petfinder.com - that I mentioned in a previous post; things didn't work out that way. The lady who was fostering her was in Long Island, they were going to have to come over and do a "house check" - which I don't fault them for, that's understandable; but I have been adopting and owning pets for 16 years and I just don't have time to wait for them to bring her over just to see if I liked her...and then have a complete stranger come into my house and tell me "your place is a shithole and not good enough for our pet" - because, to be honest, my place is not the epitome of Better Homes & Gardens.

However, my pets seem to dig it, and they seem to dig having a Mom who loves them and makes sure that they get to eat before she does. Considering that I saved all these critters (I have four, now including Miss Laretta)from either death or living in a cage, and that they get the best food and health care...well, that speaks for itself. I was not responsible for Nina getting cancer and dying. I have to accept that...and move on. Did she have symptoms? Sure, but I am not a vet and I didn't see them. I did drop 6k on her two years ago to save her from diabetes and got two extra years of life out of her and gave her shots religiously twice a day for two years...so I think I'm a good pet owner.

Anyhoo, I hope that Rain finds a home - she looks really precious and please click on the link above and check her out for yourself or someone you know.

Here's the story on Miss Laretta: I was, after a weekend in which I was despondent over things in my life, leaving for work and heading toward the train at Union Square. On one side is the subway station, where I was intending to go. On the other side, is a Petco that has a KittyKind adopting station, where you'll find anywhere up to 25 cats in cages, many kittens, waiting for a new home. As I started walking towards the train, my feet suddenly seemed to have a life of their own and I headed in the opposite direction - toward the Petco.

An hour later, I emerged, beaming, with a small little girl kitten in a carrier...headed for home with me.

She is four months and two weeks. I have named her Laretta in honor of my old friend Larry C. Sullivan, a.k.a. Laretta Kincaid to his close friends. Her name in the shelter was "Loretta" and it seemed like a perfect idea to me.

She is a spunky little critter and I adore her...and the other pets are taking to her just fine. Spud is starting to groom her.

I think all is right with the world.

Royal Pink: A Chick Band for All Seasons - New Monthly NYC Gig in LES

2008-10-15T13:43:00.001-04:00

Royal Pink, one of my fav chick bands in NYC, (they are so nice and so naughty) is playing a regular monthly gig on the Lower East Side at Mehanata (a.k.a. the bulgarian bar) - 113 Ludlow Street between Delancey & Rivington. There's one this Sunday, the 19th; doors open at 8.

From the email:
Are you ready for the queer punk dance party of your dreams? Because this Sunday night your pinks are playing at the first ever anonymous, the new and extremely fabulous monthly party at mehanata. Yes, it's a school night, but we know you will risk being a little sleepy on Monday morning in exchange for some quality debauchery. Here are the details:

please join us for the first night of a new monthly party:

a dance party for queerpunx and our friends.
bands. djs. plenty of dark corners.
wear something you can get dirty in.

sunday, october 19, 2008 – doors at 8 pm
and the third sunday of the month from now on

october 19 - MIX Festival closing night afterparty

featuring
Inner Princess (genderfuck/genrefuck punks)
Royal Pink (dirty-girl feminist rockers)
and more...

plus projections by the MIX Festival crew!

just $5

at mehanata (a.k.a. the bulgarian bar)
113 ludlow street between delancey & rivington
F/J/M/Z to delancey/essex; B/D/Q to grand; V to 2nd avenue

[inspired by - and we hope in the spirit of - Homocorps, the Clit Club, Rock n Roll Fag Bar, and all the other parties where the dance floor and the dark room are both alive and well]

NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PAR-TAY.

:)

Oberon Theatre Ensemble's Fall Frolic: A Fabulous Fundraiser!

2008-10-08T14:03:00.003-04:00

Try saying "Fall Frolic Fabulous Fundraiser" six times. Now add some awesome wine, gourmet cheese, and really scrumptious dessert chocolates; throw in mingling with a great theatre crowd, and you have the recipe for a wonderful evening.

A little from the website (which I just started helping with):

An Evening of Mingling, Wine, Gourmet Cheeses, & Decadent Dessert Samplings!

All to benefit Oberon Theatre Ensemble and our upcoming 2009 Season!

Purchase your ticket today!

When:Tuesday October 21, 7-10 pm
Where:Professor Thom's
219 2nd Ave, between 13th & 14th Streets

Tickets will be *$35* if purchased before Oct. 14
and *$45* if purchased after.

Please go to www.OberonTheatre.org/Fall-Frolic/ to use the PayPal link. I couldn't get it to look groovy on my site here.

Gourmet foods generously sponsored by:

Ideal Cheese Gourmet Cheese Shop (www.IdealCheese.com): Ideal Cheese offers the finest cheeses of the world. Our cheeses are available per lb, per full wheel, or even in specialty cheese baskets for gifts or great treats. Ideal Cheese also offer specialty products, such as fine Cooking Oils, Vinegars and specialty meats.

Our Cheese and Specialty Products are of the highest quality and we pride ourselves on offering our customers the very best cheeses of the world and specialty foods, online today. The Ideal Taste...The Ideal Choice.

and

Sweet Muse (www.SweetMuse.com): Sweet Muse celebrates the creative, playful spirit in all of us with handmade treats to indulge the senses and inspire. The fudgy, gourmet brownies are freshly baked from scratch using only the finest ingredients and then carefully hand-packaged into gift tins and gift boxes perfect for both personal and corporate gifts.

Swirl Events will be at the party to provide information about the wine and wine pairings.

Swirl Events (www.SwirlEvents.com): A SWIRL EVENTS WINE TASTING is a festive and elegant idea for Holiday Parties. In this tough financial climate, we are an affordable option, allowing you to still celebrate with style while maintaining your budget. Swirl makes your entertaining effortless. We provide EVERYTHING for your event including a selection of amazing wine, gourmet chocolate and cheese pairings, elegant stemware, and our professionally-trained team of Swirl wine experts.

Cash bar will also be available.

It just keeps getting better: you don't want to miss out on our RAFFLE, so be sure to get your tickets early when you arrive!

There will be raffle prizes donated by our headlining sponsors, Ideal Cheese and Sweet Muse, as well as other fabulous and generous raffle donors including:

Maieutic Theatre Works (MTWorks),

Hotsy Totsy Burlesque,

Barnes & Noble,

Lansdowne Road Sports Bar

and many more!

It's going to be a lot of fun, and for a good cause: Oberon Theatre Ensemble is a great theatre company, who has gone out on a limb to put me in productions and work with me...and has 12 years worth of incredible plays and staged readings - two of which I will be in coming up this Fall, I think...

So if you can, come on out! The raffle gifts are going to ROCK and the cheese, wine, and desserts will be amazing.

xo
D

MT Works - Into The Underworld

2008-10-01T02:40:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite theatre companies (besides my own, Oberon, of course! LOL) is Maieutic Theatre Works(MT Works), which has put out amazing productions like the recent Anais Nin Goes to Hell - one of the best productions I've seen in NYC OB/OOB theatre in a long while. I have a post I started about it and didn't finish; I have to put it up, but since its already past, let me talk a bit about what they have coming up: Into the Underworld.

I suppose what would do it justice is to take from the TicketMaster synopsis, for proceeds from the event will not only go to raise funds for MT Works; it will go for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (which Mom was a part of about four years ago signing autographs).

A Broadway Understudy Tell All...With Music. MAIEUTIC THEATRE WORKS (MTWorks) is pleased to announce their one-night only benefit event, Into the Underworld: A Broadway Understudy Tell All...With Music, once again under the musical direction of Matt Doebler (Wicked). Last Spring's Underworld included performances by David Garry (Company, Sweeney Todd Tour), Carly Hughes (The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Chelsea Krombach (Wicked), Lindsay Northen (Wicked), Jacqui Polk (Hairspray, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Heather Spore (Wicked), Andrew Varela (Sunday in the Park with George), Katrina Yaukey (Company, Cabaret) and Catherine Walker (Mary Poppins). The proceeds from this event will go to funding MTWorks Season 08-09, including The Third Annual National NewBorn Festival in January 2009, and the production of Jacqueline Goldfinger's The Oath in April 2009 at The Arclight Theater. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

Please try to check it out.

Keep your eyes open for another benefit coming up that I will be posting: Oberon Theatre Ensemble will be having a "Fall Frolic" on October 21st...a benefit including wine, cheese, scrumptious desserts, and awesome raffles as we get ready to announce our upcoming season at the Beckett Theatre on Theatre Row.

More to come...

RIP Paul Newman

2008-09-27T11:45:00.006-04:00

The only time I ever met Paul Newman was very brief, although I had seen him walking around a million times. It was in the OLD building of the Actors Studio NYC (the real one, back when it was a real place to be revered, and not the joke that it kind of is now) over on...I believe it was 45th street. There was a time I spent a lot of time there as a kid. My mom was in several shows there, and once in a show put together by the folks who did Best Little Whorehouse; my dad directed several plays, and then dad directed Mom and a bunch of other people (including Thomas G. Waites, Francis Fisher, in Tennessee Williams' Orpheus Descending. And it was during this time, that I was hanging out there a lot again...a 15-year-old, bored out of my mind because I wasn't always allowed to watch rehearsal (I think some of the actors complained) and other times I would sneak into an area where they couldn't see me and watch anyway.

Mr. Paul Newman was the Artistic Director, I believe, at that time; and I would see him walking around here and there and think to myself, "Wow, Paul Newman!" even though by that point I'd met so many actors...He came up to me one time and was like "who are you?" and when I explained, he just said, "oh, okay" and took off. He seemed to be an intense man who was concerned about the Actors Studio, and he should have been. Most certainly he should have been. I wonder what was going through his mind over the last 20 years since it went from being a beacon of honor among actors, where so many of our greatest actors used to participate and it was an honor to be a member (hundreds would audition every year and only a handful, literally, IF THAT, would get in) because it meant something; to the way it is now, where one doesn't necessarily have to have any kind of acting gift, they can just either sleep with the right person, drop a name, or take a series of classes and at graduation - even if you suck - you can become a member, thanks to their collaboration with both the New School and now Pace. I wonder what Mr. Newman was thinking...watching all these young faces disembark into what had once been a place with dignity and honor among the acting community.

I didn't know him, just met him, but I had respect for him. And hell, I sure do love that Peach Salsa. The following was sent to me by my friend Nathan who used to be the original drummer for the Flaming Lips and has an awesome wife, my dear friend Jamie, and two lovely kids.

Paul Newman was a wonderful, brilliant actor and he will always be remembered by those of us who are well aware that we have just lost another great one - as three "celebrities" spring up every day...and it's a shame because there are fewer and fewer actors out there who really know what's going on in The Work.

I'm Seeing Willie Nelson Tonight!!!

2008-09-25T16:23:00.003-04:00

And I'm eternally stoked. He's playing at Radio City Music Hall, and Jakob Dylan is opening up for him. When I first started playing guitar at age 9 (long story for another post) the book of tunes my folks got me was "Kris Kristofferson's Sunlight and Shadows. The also included a record for my turntable of "Willie Nelson Sings Kris Kristofferson."

Needless to say, Willie's (and Kris') music has been an important part of my life growing up...and you gotta hand it to a guy touring in his mid-70's with a beat-up guitar, who promotes marijuana use and just seems to be about the kindest cat you'd ever want to meet.

With all the crap: my cat dying, my relationship ending, and my feeling really like the the earth is about to swallow me whole, I can't think of anything better to do than pay way too much for a bottle of Bud and sit and listen to Willie. Jakob is a cutie and that should be fun, too.

I'm going by myself, which shouldn't be a surprise to those who really know me...

I shall start doing the Voodoo Jive Song of the Day again very soon - and Willie will be the first one. I made this as much of a music/mp3 blog as it is a NYC blog...as it is just a blog about my life. I have let it go, but I think I have to grab my strength back through writing and sharing what I love: music, goings on in NYC, and just the general bullshit that I find myself going through every day. I gotta say: my life is interesting, to say the least.

I can't WAIT to see Willie.

:)

RIP Nina Mouse

2008-09-24T15:29:00.001-04:00

Nina passed away Saturday, 9/20, around 12:30 or so. I had to take her in to put her to sleep because the malignant tumor that was in her ear had made its way into her brain and was causing seizures and she was unable to walk or lift herself up. As we waited for the doctor's appointment at my apartment, we sat in the window propped on pillows so she could see outside, with a "Mozart for Cats" cd that I got that she seemed to like...and I brought out two ice cream sandwiches which she licked and gobbled. I kissed her and told her how much I loved her.

At the doctor's office, wouldn't you know it, she was able to walk (oh, the healing power of ice cream!) but the doctor told me that these episodes would happen again and more frequently. He assured me that what I was doing was for the best...and the look in her eyes when she couldn't move and was having a seizure was of terror and was so pitiful. I did NOT want her to go like that while I was away from home at work or whatever.

Even at the very end, she made a few little huffs and snarls of annoyance as we layed her down and the needle went in. I looked into her beautiful eyes and told her I loved her again and that she would be seeing God soon...and then they added the drug that put her to sleep.

I miss her so much...and I am a better person for having had the 9 years I did have with her, when she showed up on my doorstep in the rain one night in St. Louis. I thank God for giving me the time I had with her.

If you have a pet, please give it a hug. I have three other pets that need my love, and I have to be here for them...so I need to be strong. Hard, though. Really hard.

A Moving Episode About Alzheimer’s and a Trip Down Memory Lane Thanks to Stargate Atlantis

2008-09-14T01:28:00.005-04:00

Photo by Mark Perez

Back when I was about 10, my Grandfather died. He had been in a nursing home for a while, and I remember running up and down the halls, not wanting to stay in that sterile room, its cold and bland-colored tiles smelling like disinfectant and the urine that the disinfectant was supposed to have cleaned up. I think one reason why I didn’t want to stay in the room was because he didn’t know who I was.

Looking back now, we know that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s and the dementia had started much earlier. I remember when they moved him from his apartment in Dallas, TX, into a limited care home, where he was able to bring a lot of his furniture and it was almost like a new apartment except that it was smaller, and there were nurses who would check on him if he needed them, and there were common eating areas, etc… It was kind of like somewhere between a bachelor pad and a nursing home.

Then, somewhere along the way, in what must have been a relatively short amount of time, I think my mother was informed that he needed more help than they could offer; and that when we went over there I remember Mom saying things like “Dad, you already asked me that,” or “you know who that is, that’s Ernie, my husband.”

Funny, the things you think about just from watching an episode of something on TV. I just happened to download an episode of Stargate Atlantis (one of my favorite shows) because I don’t have cable right now, and in their current season, about two or three episodes back someone suffers from a similar illness. It was heart-wrenching; not your average sci-fi show. It brought me back to Paw Paw and that final place he was brought to: a nursing home where the patients either screamed obscenities or drooled or sat quietly. There was one man who couldn’t have been more than 40; he was handsome but his hair was very grey. He has suffered some kind of condition that left him practically in a vegetative state. There was also a woman whose room I would creep into and try to talk to; she would suddenly start yelling at me, calling me all kinds of names. That only made me go back and sneak in her room again. I delighted in bothering her. I think I did so because I knew that I just didn’t want to be in that room with Paw Paw and Mom and Dad and Esther…as they watched over him.

I was never close with my Grandfather, from what I remember. Not that the man wasn’t kind or loving; I see pictures of me as a baby and little girl sitting on his lap. I remember his apartment, how I loved to go there; it was a place of secret hiding places and cornbread. I called my Grandfather Paw Paw. Paw Paw had a marvelous bedroom; I think what I remember most was his grooming area. He always kept himself looking great (the man was married twice and apparently a ladies man). What I remember the most from his apartment are the makeup kit and brush that he used to brush his moustache with dark dye, his lava lap (which I inherited at my request), and these two glass roosters that sat on top of his TV. I always thought the roosters were going to bite me, even after I got older and knew that they were just glass. I also remember almost drowning in his pool (actually, I was only underwater for a few seconds, but it was enough to make me never take up swimming until I was 13).

His was the first death human death that I experienced in the family – or at all, actually. The only one besides that was the death of Cuchi Frita, our Yorkshire Terrier, who I adored and who was taken from Mom and Dad way too soon.

I wish I had spent more time with him, but I don’t think Mom and Dad wanted me to see him too much…he was a very intelligent man who, I imagine, was outraged that he was unable towards the end to remember things that he once knew…who, in the end, didn’t even know Esther, my grandmother, or my Mom, his daughter.

I have been so sad over the past month, with my breakup and what’s going on with Nina. But I think that losing one’s mind – or watching a loved one go like that - might be the saddest thing that anyone has to go through – a schoolmate has a mother who developed Alzheimer’s in her early 50’s, and I remember when Erica told me I couldn’t come stay at her house anymore because it had just gotten too difficult and they were eventually going to put her in a home. And that was when we were in high school.

Life’s hardships always never cease to amaze you – in the ways that something that seems so difficult and impossible to deal with is something that seems so unimportant when placed next to something else.

Interesting.

My Cat Nina Has Cancer...And I'm Devastated

2008-09-06T21:07:00.002-04:00

Thank you to all who wrote in to me about my being happy that she got through her tooth surgery, etc...and we were waiting to hear back about her ear infection/eye infection...and why it wasn't going away.

Turns out it is cancer.

I am getting xrays to see if it has spread, for it is the kind that does...but I think the battle may be coming to a close for my little girl. Diabetics don't fight infections very easily...and this illness she has is apparently very tricky.

Please pray. If you don't pray, then send good thoughts.
If anything, please send her warmth and no pain...and I just hope at this point to have another month or so with her...or as long as I can until she is in pain and there is nothing I can do. For if it's spread to her lungs and lymph nodes, which the doctors say may be the case...then I have to let my little girl go.

I got two extra years with her, and I am so grateful! So grateful! But I'm so damned angry - there is no reason at all...why creatures who give us so much love, who already have a life span that is so much less than ours (depending on who we are, I guess) have to get diseases like this.

So please send your love and warmth to a little girlie kittie who every night puts her paws on her Mommie's forehead and makes biscuits...and who scratches on the bathroom door until I let her in...who hisses at the cats but will rub noses with Chico, my dog...and who is my little baby girl.

Thank you for listening to me ramble, but I can't do much else right now except just cry, and that's bothering the pets, lol, for they're like, "Mom, wtf, you need to chill, yo..."

Certainly puts things into perspective...like my recent breakup, life questions, all kinds of things. All I know is that one of my "kids" is ill...and I don't know if I'll be able to bring her back from the brink this time. And I'm furious that I can't.

Billychic

Long Weekends Are Longer When You're Sad

2008-08-31T14:17:00.001-04:00

I am surrounded by things that are either his, or things we did together, or things that remind me of him.

And I reach out to people that I met through him during the last year, and I hope that they have not decided to stop talking to me. He wants me to be an integral part of the theatre company now. He says that we are still friends, and there is no reason why the others can't be.

One of them, one of my favorites, who I would gladly consider a dear friend even though I never see him; whose company I enjoyed so much for he reminded me of my friends back in Mississippi mixed with the urban intelligence (we've lived in similar parts of the country) of the big cities of being bi-coastal, and whose take on acting I respect very, very much said to me: "Please don't ever break up with him. I want us to always be friends, and if you break up, we can't anymore."

My therapist says that the loss of this relationship is the loss of not just Brad, but the potential loss of all the friends I made over the past year, of a company that has taken me in from the cold when my other one fell apart.

I try to be strong (Brad is so strong, he is! You have to be strong like me!)...and I'm just sad. Very sad.

And then...I get a little angry. I have moments of anger. And I have to embrace those. I can still try to be a part of the company and I want to be friends with these people who I have come to care about, and I guess I will; but I am not a robot and can't compartmentalize my feelings (as Brad as done).

Through tears and anger and sadness, I look at a songbook...and I laugh...for it reminds me of my ex-husband as well (the songbook itself) and I think of what song or verse would I sing right now, as I sit in my apartment, surrounded by the remnants of what Brad left behind (which includes me, even though it was just a matter of who wanted to say 'we're broken up' first out loud) and I have to hand it to Bob Dylan: he really knows his stuff.

So long honey, babe
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
Goodbye's too good a word, babe
So I'll just say fare thee well
I ain't saying you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right.

There. That just about says it...for now.

The BUST Magazine 15-Year Party Was AWESOME

2008-08-15T00:19:00.001-04:00

BUST magazine had its 15-Year anniversary party two nights ago, and it was SO much fun. I went with Tonja, and we got to mingle with staff members, eat awesome cupcakes, and see sexy acrobat dancers.

They were giving away, with the price of the tickets that we bought (that ended up being sold out; I got about four emails from friends who I had told to come and waited too late to get their ticket and were unable to get in) a subscription to BUST (which is awesome) and the first 200 or so people got a goodie bag full of all kinds of yum yum...well, the bag itself was a super cool zipper bag, and probably a handmade item by a member of BUST's Boobtique. I was just happy about that. But inside were everything from free cds, to cute earbuds covers for your iPod headphones, a superchick coloring book, body oils...coupons for 25% of Dr. Martens...and an assortment of thingies...and a VIBRATOR. I was really happy about that.

BIG GRIN

Dr. Marten had a photo booth set up so we could take pics whenever we wanted, and we could just go to the BUST website and download our pics. Oh, and did I mention that Amy Sedaris was headlining as the MC, and there were so many wonderful acts it would make your head spin?

Thank you, BUST, for a great time. I went to the Union Pool party last year with Rosie, and although that was fun, this was just even more so. You all do it with such style - and I know that there are only a few of you doing the whole thing, so how you actually spin Gold like that is incredible.

BTW...the band Royal Pink, some of whose members are ladies who work for/with BUST magazine, is a great fun chick band who played last year at the BUST party and who my roommate, Burlesque performer Dizzy Swank, has asked to play at his birthday party/burlesque show this coming weekend. It should be a rockin' weekend!!!

Break-Ups: Using Hancock to Help Me Deal With It

2008-08-12T12:13:00.004-04:00

NOTE: THIS ENTRY MENTIONS THE MOVIE HANCOCK AND CONTAINS SPOILERS. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT OR DON'T KNOW THE SURPRISE ENDING, DON'T READ ON.

So, it looks like my boyfriend and I are breaking up. Not like it's coming as a shock; the handwriting was on the wall several months ago, really, and since we are now only coming upon our one-year anniversary, I guess that it all means that perhaps it just wasn't meant to be, eh?

However, I'm having a much tougher time with it than I had thought I would. I callously said to friends a few months ago that by...August, actually, we'd probably break up, because we would no longer have three things keeping us together: tickets to a cruise, tickets to see Joe Cocker and Steve Miller, and - most importantly - the fact that he was directing me in a play for his theatre company and he couldn't break up with the actress during the run or before the run, right? It would fuck up the show.

Well, it seems that my premonition was correct. Or was it simply a self-fulfilling prophecy? I used to accuse him of doing that: he talked about the end of our relationship on our first few dates - and I told him to stop or there would be no more dates. Then I ended up doing the same thing after we were already six months into the relationship. So now, it's August, we went on the cruise, we saw the show, and we did the play with success. Now, all we have left is a couple who loves each other very much but who has difficulty just being together. During the cruise and even during some moments after it, before it got stressful with the play, we had some really lovely moments together. I had started thinking maybe, just maybe, this might work out!!! And then, that hope died "like a blade of grass", coining a phrase that Anthony Hopkins says in the movie The World's Fastest Indian. The grass grew in spring, thrived in summer, it was beautiful while it lasted, but faded away in the end of fall.

Some friends of mine, a couple that have been together a while, and knew that I had been really happy about my boyfriend when the times where good - hell, that I was glad to have someone as wonderful as he had the potential to be in my life - asked me if I had seen the new movie Hancock, with Will Smith. I had seen it, and I really enjoyed it - my boyfriend and I went; although I was really bummed out at the end when I realized it was more of a love story about two people who couldn't be happy together than an action movie -- only because I was sitting next to the man that I loved but knew that in a month or so we would no longer be together. I had originally gone to get away from reality and just relax. Hell, the Chainsaw Massacre would have been relaxing.

But I digress.

So I told my friends, I said that yes, I had seen it and really loved it - despite what reviewers had said. The husband of the couple said this to me (and I'll paraphrase Rob's talk to me): that the movie showed you how two people who really loved each other so much...could still not be right for each other. At all. And no matter what you try to do, no matter how much that love consumes you - you can't be together because you don't bring out the best in each other, or you unintentionally hurt each other, or...well - you simply aren't meant to be together. And no amount of love you have for one another will every change that. And eventually, you'll just hurt each other...keep one another from their dreams/desires...or drive them mad. Or, as in the case of Hancock, get into such huge fights that you cause earth-shattering destruction.

So what does this mean for our hero, kids? Am I going to become a crime-fighting, booze-guzzling, wreck who can't get along with others? Some might say I'm halfway there (minus the crime-fighting), but that's another story...

No. I'm just really, really sad. This is the longest relationship I've had since my divorce...I almost feel like I'm getting divorced again. It hurts very much, but all of us have an inner strength that we try to find - and when we find it, we can move mountains. Hancock did. Why can't I?

Dizzy Swank Celebrates 40 The Old Fashioned Way: With a BURLESQUE SHOW!!!

2008-08-03T17:12:00.002-04:00

My Roommate and illustrious (perhaps notorious) pal, Dizzy Swank, will be celebrating his 40th Bday party with pure class - a GREAT burlesque show, complete with a performance by stage Rockstar Divas Royal Pink - whom some of you may have seen at the BUST party out at Union Pool last summer.

Anyway, please come - I will be helping out my pal and the show will be fantastic. There really is no better way to celebrate someone's bday party than with booze, music, and pasties. I'm serious. (And these chicks are HOT)

Also, to those of you who didn't make it out to my show, here is a chance to redeem yourself: the tix are only $5 at the door, and it will be in honor of a fun bday party.

So...come one, come all!

See you there,
Dianna

A Thousand Variations on a Lie Told Once - Opens July 19th in NYC

2008-07-16T00:36:00.002-04:00

Hi, Gang!

Well, it's the time you've been hearing about, I've alluded to, and now I'm asking you to come and see: Dianna is in a play again, for the first time in over three years. I've done other things during that time, from teaching teen acting to independent acting/directing/stage managing projects, but in terms of being back on a NYC stage in front of an audience...well, let's just say lil' Dianna is a wee bit nervous (VERY)...but elated, delighted, and trying not to pass out from shock.I have been fortunate enough to be cast by the Oberon Theatre Ensemble in a really great original play, with four other actors who are amazing to work with, and a fantastic director, in a great space. It has been a bit unsettling not being involved in something with EMST; but now that my father has retired officially, I am trying to get back in the acting game.

Please come out and see me in this show (which is going to be at the fantastic Abingdon Theatre! how awesome is that?) and support your family member/friend/acquaintance/fellow actor/person you met on the sidewalk looking for spare change. In all honesty, I could use the rah-rah-rah...and if I drag in enough folks to the show, maybe these folks will cast me in something in the future! This is for a theatre festival, so it's a bit of guerilla theatre so to speak...spartan set, etc - hopefully the work will speak for itself.

There are only 6 shows. We open July 19th and over a period of two weeks the shows are performed at the Abingdon Theatre (312 W. 36th St) for the Midtown International Theatre Festival. Tix are $18 (a lot less than lots of o-o-bdwy theatre shows out there!)

Check out the info from the forwarded email below for some info about the show and where to get tickets; you can also go to www.OberonTheatre.org for all the info you need. You'll see some really...um, interesting pics of me with my fellow castmates. You can try to use the code VARI - when they ask for a discount code online...it might still work, and you'll get $3 off the ticket (I dunno if the discount is still working....shhhh...) Sorry I can't get comps for anyone - it's a festival and they don't give those to us. I had to buy tickets for my parents!

I hope you are well and promise to come back to the land of one-on-one hanging out once the show is over. Please forgive the mass emails - sometimes it seems to be the only way to communicate when you're working, rehearsing, and running around. At least you're not getting a spam text message - that would cost you!

Much Love, Respect and Appreciation,
Diánna

A THOUSAND VARIATIONS ON A LIE TOLD ONCE

By Stacey Lane

Directed by Brad Fryman

Starring
Jane Cortney+
William Laney+
Diánna Martin
Linda S. Nelson+
Laura Siner+
+Appearing courtesy of the Actor's Equity Association

Part of MITF at

Dorothy Strelsin Theatre in the Abingdon Theatre Complex
312 W 36th St. b/w 8th and 9th Ave

Sat, July 19th -- 6:45 pm
Sun, July 20th -- 2:30 pm
Wed, July 23rd -- 6:30 pm
Thurs, July 24th -- 8:30
Sun, July 27th -- Noon
Wed, July 30th -- 8:30pm

Tickets available at Ticketcentral.com
GET THEM NOW!!!

A Thousand Variations on a Lie Told Once By Stacey Lane

How many times do you have to tell a lie before it becomes the truth? Three daughters return to their childhood home on Christmas Eve to meet their mother's new beau, with hopes of finally resolving an issue involving their deceased father. In this serio-comic family drama, memories are hazy, truth is often a matter of convenience, and trying to mend fences could finally bring the family down, room full of frogs and all!

Lost Chi: The Screening

2008-07-02T10:59:00.002-04:00

Lost Chi, a film written, produced, and directed by my dear pal Robert Michaels (who also stars in it) is premiering tonight at the New Filmmakers Series at Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave., corner of 2nd Street in NYC.

The film stars a myriad of fun actors, including my pal David Robinette, who has an improvised part of the film that literally made me almost wet my pants in laughter when it was being filmed. I was hired by Robert to be an acting coach and second pair of eyes on the set - I'll be interested to see if I get any billing (I'm such a narcissistic chick).

The film is really brilliant; it's the day in the lives of a group of friends who are trying to find themselves. It's full of male humor, but very accurate - like you're sitting in someone's living room. It's poignant, about the dissolution of relationships, the lies we tell ourselves and others, and why we 30-and 40-somethings sometimes just don't want to grow up because nobody told us that we wouldn't be able to play anymore if we had to.

The screening is at 9:45pm - $5 at the door. Come on and check it out; you'll be glad you did.

RIP George Carlin

2008-06-23T23:15:00.003-04:00

Rat shit, bat shit, dirty old twat;
69 Assholes tied in a knot;
Hooray...
Lizard shit...
FUCK!

Some might find that the fact that that quote is the most important memory I have of Carlin growing up might be aghast. Others would find it delightful and very appropriate.

All I know is that in many ways George Carlin shaped my views on sex "what about Roller-Fucking? That's a sport!", freedom of speech (I think I don't even have to give an example here) and just the hilarity of the stupidity of people that you are surrounded with...he was an important part of my growing up - as a youngin'; as a college student; and as a 30-something neurotic divorcee trying to get her shit together down this weird road we call life.

George, I'm so fucking sorry about your passing; you will be missed terribly. Thank you for opening our eyes to the bullshit, for allowing us to laugh at the bullshit, and call infinite bullshit on the bullshit.

Yours was a ride that we will never forget. I hope you are smoking a big fat joint, your hair tide back in a short short ponytail, and giving your best impression of a really stupid redneck in such a way that God and Jesus will throw their heads back and howl with laughter.

Love you, man.

Ann Wedgeworth's Tony Award Acceptance Speech (a.k.a. Mommy)

2008-06-14T21:32:00.001-04:00

Some of you may know that my Mom won the Tony Award in 1978 for Best Supporting Actress in Chapter Two. My pal Mike at work got a his hands on a copy and after giving me a dvd of it (recording it off a Betamax tape) he put it on YouTube.

It's so awesome. She's adorable. Check out her hair...lol

Macbeth and Ghost on Fire at Theatre Row: Produced by Oberon Theatre Ensemble

2008-03-02T02:15:00.006-05:00

Oberon Theatre Ensemble has just one week more of our Winter 2008 Rep Season!

Our plays this season are Macbeth directed by Phil Atlakson, and Michael Weller's Ghost on Fire directed by Eric Parness. Both are at The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row - 410 West 42nd Street, west of 9th Ave.

Purchase Tickets from Ticket Central
by phone (212) 279-4200 or online or at the box office.

The price of a ticket is $20 - what many of us spend for a couple of cocktails. Come on out and support a great theatre company that's been around for 11 years...and you get a chance to see some great showcase theatre!!!

Please check out www.oberontheatre.org/calendar for dates/times

MIA - In a Big Way...

2008-02-27T15:46:00.003-05:00

First of all, I'd like to thank some of the regular readers of this blog who have been checking in to see if I'm still alive. I appreciate it...there were a few months that I wasn't too sure, actually...lol

I went from having Mono (earlier post) to having to have surgery done on my uterus (ick - same old shit I have had to have done three times before) to getting swept up in a new theatre company (yay!) whereupon I was hired to be the Stage Manager and Assistant Director for a production of Macbeth...a very challenging job, to say the least. This is on top of my regular job - the one I get paid for, that is, my Clark Kent gig if you will. So, I would work 10-6 or therabouts and then head over to rehearsal from 7-11 and then into production...for the past two or two 1/2 months. Needless to say, the Mono never really went away, my cramps got really bad with the surgery, and I've been tired as hell.

On the BRIGHT side, I am now involved with a new theatre company, since my father decided to shut down our school - the one I was so happy about? Daddy realized after 6 months (or, not even that long, really) that he was too tired to teach after all, and David decided to move to California (long story) so I was left without a school to teach at (NYFA only seems to hire me during the summers) and no theatre company any more - since my group had withered and died like the potted plant in my apartment that I just noticed is looking really tired...

Oh, wait - the bright side, right, sorry...so ANYWAY...I'm involved in this new theatre company, the Oberon Theatre Ensemble...and I have a great new boyfriend. We just celebrated our six-month anniversary...which is a really cool thing, considering that I was starting to wonder if I had it in me to even have a "relationship" anymore.

What happened, though, is that my blogs suffered tremendously. I would come home after working all day and then rehearsing (and now, for three weeks in production) totally whacked out and unable to even log on to blogger, much less think of something to write. I've had so much to say...so many things I've wanted to share, but I've been battling WEIRD health issues with trying to conquer this new position.

I've been an actor and director of theatre; I've floor-directed, directed, produced, hosted, etc LIVE television; I've even assistant stage-managed theatre here in NYC once. I thought this would be difficult but not that big a deal.

I was SO wrong. This has been one of the most difficult things I've had to do in my life. Then again, I've said that same thing many times...so perhaps simply growing as an individual is the hard part?

Oh, and what else: this month within a week of my show closing (March 8th) I start a new job in my company on the 12th - pretty damn cool, happy about it, since I'll be doing something different and making more money...and in a position to rock-climb that damn corporate ladder; AND I'll be getting a roommate - which is weird because I only have a one-bedroom...but he's my friend and I'm going to live in my living room.

So...there is an update - sorry I've been MIA - again. I'm going to try to get back on track, because I was really starting to get a lot of readers, both on here and Ornery Woman - and then I just got sick and had WAY too much on my plate.

But you have been in my thoughts...often. Thank for reading.

xo
Billychic

Whoa! Is This A Blogsite Or A Graveyard? Sorry, I Had Mono

2007-12-05T12:55:00.000-05:00

Dude.

Can you dig it? I have had mono for the last month and a half. Sorry - I literally was too out of it to write. Can you believe it? Me? Ms. Motormouth Music Maniac With Too Many Opinions?

Anyhoo, I also had a lot of Songs of the Day in queue that I started to upload...and then just didn't make it back. I've been really sick, and also dealing with some bizarre family problems...let's just say that I've had to have a family member as a roommate in a one-bedroom apartment during this time, so while I've been dealing with Mono, I've also been stuck without a living room.

Anyway, I am here...so those of you who thought I died (thanks for the emails, some of them were really funny) and to those who have been checking in to see if anything is happening (like Maritza) I appreciate it.

I've got other sites linking here and haven't even been pulling pud, so I need to get it rolling...and will do so ASAP....

Now...where did I leave that mp3 collection?

xo
d

Global Warming: Column A or Column B?

2007-10-24T20:21:00.000-04:00

My friend just posted this up on my Facebook profile funwall and it totally blew me away.

Like I have maintained many times before on here, I am very independent and moderate in my politics. This is not because I'm a pussy and can't make up my mind; it's because I find aspects of both main parties to be completely full of shit, and I also see some wisdom in some of the ideas of both parties. Unfortunately, we only have two to really choose from when it comes down to it, and those two are so radically different from each other and from what they were supposed to be 40 years ago. And not in a good way, either.

But I digress.

One thing that upsets me about some people's opinions on Global Warming is that they link it immediately to a specific political party or agenda. So, no matter what is said about the subject, they assume that it's coming from "a bunch of leftist whackos" and don't want to discuss it. Or, that every argument is valid because of the other extreme. I wish people would just put aside their politics for just a second and think about the fact that there is scientific evidence - even by the scientists who work for our own government - that proves that the climate is fucked and we're fucking it up; and the rate of fuck-upage is steadily increasing to a point where it won't just be our great-grandchildren that will be fucked, but it will be US that are floating on a rock in the middle of Noah's second flood.

No matter what your stance is on global warming and the problems that are going on with our climate and its effect on our planet, I think anyone watching this video above will have to admit that if you look at it from the video-maker's point of view, which is really taking politics and everything else out of the equation and just showing a numbers game of possibility, even the most anti-save-the-world/climate person might say "You know what? those odds are interesting."

It's like a 7 minute video, but very educational. I don't know the guy's name, but he made me think. So, thanks, Dude; and thank you Dale, for forwarding it to me.

Song of the Day: L7 - Shitlist

2007-10-20T19:20:00.000-04:00

L7 - Shitlist
One album it's on is Bricks Are Heavy

I swear...this is one song that I adore, if for no other reason than whenever I get really pissed off at someone I can just play it - and it seems to say everything that I want/ed to say to that person in question...and perhaps I didn't. Like the 50-something year-old sax musician in CT. who was supposed to be my friend, but whom I found out was lying to me for 3 years about his life...to an angry, catty, mean little man who enjoys talking about me behind my back to others and seems shocked when I bring it to his attention that yes, I know what you said! why on earth would you talk about me that way?

So, to all the folks whom, as of late especially, have really put a thumbtack in my ass, this one goes out to you. With interest.

Song of the Day: The Beatles and Aerosmith - Come Together

2007-10-12T21:06:00.000-04:00

The Beatles - Come Together
from the album Abbey Road

Aerosmith - Come Together
this cut was from the soundtrack album Armageddon, but I suggest getting the AWESOME collection Pandora's Box

I was inspired recently to compare music that was either covered or sampled by more than one band or performer from a couple of sources. One such source was myself, actually *stops to flash cheesy smile* when I made mention of Sweet Jane and Sharon as recent Songs of the Day. I talk about this a lot with people - the effect that one musician will have on another and the differences between covers of songs. I thought about it again the other night when I was out seeing Chris Bergson and he did a rendition of both a Jimi Hendrix tune and a Bob Dylan song that had such a unique spin - and totally worked, beautifully.

Even more recently, however, was when I started checking out the blog Soul Sides on a daily basis, and grooving to Oliver Wang's "Who Flipped It Better?" series. He's putting into music blog what I sit over cocktails and talk about with a myriad of people...and I love his choices. He'll put up two hip-hop bands that both sampled an acid jazz/funk tune - and he'll put up for grabs the question: Who Flipped It Better? He'll put out the tunes for both songs PLUS the original cut that they're sampling - a recent post he had up was concerning a Lou Donaldson sample. Awesomeness. What gets me is that THAT was the kind of shit I was playing when I had my actual radio show in St. Louis named Voodoo Jive - hence, the name of this blog (for those who have scratched their heads and been like "What's this chick's trip with the Hawkins' name?"). I need to get back to that...and I will. But I have such a wide array of musical tastes that I have music blog ADD.

But for now, I want to focus on our Song of the Day, which is what I've been listening to a lot, especially at work.

I'm going to throw this out there...and some people are going to flip out...but I my opinion is that it's a really tough call as to which version is better of this song. Is that like the ultimate "I can't make up my damn mind" answer, or what?

Not really. Here's why.

You have The Beatles version, which is the original, of course, and there is this laid-back quality to it that makes it so amazing. Being their last recorded album (and, arguably, their best - there, I said it) they had reached a point in their craft where they didn't have too work to hard to get the sound that they wanted. The song is a minimalist song in and of itself, but it's something that hits you hard because of just that. I feel stoned when I listen to it. Maybe that's just from association, but I digress...

Then there's the Aerosmith version. Now, dig this: this was the first version that I ever heard. My sister, Danae, took me to see the Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band movie with The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton when I was a kid in '78. It wasn't until after I had seen the movie in the theater that I heard the Beatles' original version. In the movie, Aerosmith did the cover of this song - they were "the bad guys" (and they were so hot). So, to say that I have an affinity towards their version is an understatement, but I'm not enough of a moron to not realize that The Beatles' version is a genius. I do think, though, that Aerosmith's version is sexier - and to me...something has to be said for sexier. They did a great job covering the song, bottom line.

I'd be interested to hear what anybody else thinks about this...

Here's a bizarre thought: if we have to compare the sexiness of the two songs (maybe I'll start my own gig "Who Sexed It Better?" - just kidding) - because they both are, actually, I think I'd look at it this way:

The Beatles' version - I'm on top ('cause those cats are so laid back)

Aerosmith's version - They're on top, and they just took my virginity.

Either way, it's a win-win. Heh.

Topamax Update: I'm Not A Drooling Retard Yet

2007-10-11T23:10:00.000-04:00

Howdy. Due to the number of folks that seem to hit this site because of a previous post or two that I made concerning my troubles with Benign Positional Vertigo last year and then being prescribed Topamax (lots and lots of Topamax and Vertigo google search words, apparently, bringing folks to Voodoo Jive like flies to sugar), I thought I'd give y'all an update on how Ol' Billychic was doing.

Fine, thanks.

Originally, I was wary because Topamax is normally prescribed for folks suffering from epilepsy. However, in low doses, it is given for migraines - which is what the doctors thought was part of my problem: that I had vestibular migraines that were adding to the BPV. 25 mg of Topamax at night was suggested to keep the nasties away.

My concern, however, was that it would make me...stupid - which is what so many sites were warning me about. I had read that it would make me duller than a bag of rocks and decrease my word association skills - or, basically, instead of saying "Hi, Roger!" I would say "Hi, Chair!" because my brain had been morphed and I had become retarded overnight.

This is not the case. I have been taking this stuff for about 8 or 9 months now, and it has made no negative noticeable difference - well, except for the fact that I have an insatiable urge to call people strange names, but they are always people I don't like, and the names are usually things like syphyllitic cunt and fucktard, so this is probably not indicative of any neurological change due to the drug...more just that I'm an ornery bitch with a potty mouth. (wink)

My BPV is about 90% gone (it's always there a little tiny bit...some days more than others) and the migraines are mostly gone. I have noticed that if I go for several days without taking the Topamax, the chances of having a migraine, as well as a heightened experience of vertigo increase exponentially almost.

The one big drawback is that this shit is expensive, yo. Even with my prima-dima healthcare plan, the prescription costs me, AFTER my insurance has taken care of their share, about $40 a month. Not a lot compared to what some folks pay for their meds, I'm lucky; but a lot more than I thought I would have to shell out.

So there you have it, to all those interested: the topamax seems to work for me and I'm not a drooling idiot. Or, at least, not any more than I already was.

Chris Bergson Band - Tomorrow Night!

2007-10-10T17:27:00.000-04:00

I had mentioned, incorrectly, that the Chris Bergson Band was playing on the 13th, but no, they are playing on the 11th - a.k.a. tomorrow night.

Here are the details:

Chris Bergson w/ Matt Clohesy (bass) & Russ Meissner (drums)
Rockwood Music Hall
Thursday, October 11
10 PM
No Cover
196 Allen Street, NYC

I have to be at a dinner elsewhere, but try to go - it's a gig not to be missed!

Jessamin.com: Rock n' Roll Memory Game

2007-10-10T15:47:00.000-04:00

My pal Jessamin, who I have mentioned in previous posts as a music and Rock Authority, is also a Mad Code Wizard. Her latest project is creating games using flash and actionscript (two things that I want to learn more how to do); one game she has on her recently revived site, Jessamin.com, is a Rock n' Roll memory game using album covers of AWESOME bands as the "memory cards."

WAY more fun than triangles, x's and o's.

Song of the Day: Chris Bergson Band - Rain Beatin' Down

2007-10-07T19:18:00.000-04:00

Chris Bergson Band - Rain Beatin' Down
from the album Fall Changes

I turn your attention, if you will, to the Chris Bergson Band -
this cat has an amazing voice and is smokin' on the blues/rock guitar. He's got a great band backing him up (including Jay Collins on tenor sax and backup vocals) and has a new album out now - Fall Changes. I caught him the other night at the Rodeo Bar for his CD Release Party and he was amazing. I enjoy the album very much, but I must say that it doesn't do his live shows justice - which, like many bands such as The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, and some of the best blues artists like Junior Kimbrough (who I used to see in Oxford, MS at his Juke Joint from time to time) you'll find more the norm than not. For how does a studio capture the live essence, that spark, that can happen when an amazingly talented artist takes control of the stage? Or a band that jams out on a tune that is only partially caught on CD?

This is not to say anything negative about the album; on the contrary, besides his own songs being beautiful (co-written with his wife, actress Kate Ross), and a slide guitar that would make you think you were back in Memphis somewhere, he does one of the best and most unique covers of Hendrix's Are You Experienced and live the other night, Dylan's Standing In the Doorway (dude, I was in tears by the end of the song) that I have EVER heard. And yes - before you ask - I have heard covers of both songs done many times in like three different states live; and the essence of them are captured on the album with enough groove to make you want to play it over and over. This cat has shared the bill with Etta James and has played with characters such as Levon Helm and Norah Jones.

He's got some gigs coming up soon - one of the 13th at Rockwood Music Hall; check out his calendar for more info.

Song of the Day : Pixies - Planet of Sound

2007-10-05T12:05:00.000-04:00

Photo: www.PixiesMusic.com

Pixies - Planet of Sound
from the album Trompe le Monde
another great album it's on, that is a little harder to find, is Death to the Pixies, 1987-1991

Speaking of bands such as Dazzling Killmen (on this page alone you will see two separate posts about two artists who were in that band) that were produced by Steve Albini, the Pixies are a band that has created the sound that so many bands since the mid 80's have been (some more successfully than others) trying to re-create: that raw, uninhibited beauty of sometimes angry - sometimes funny, sexy grunge. Music you can thrash to or sit in a dark corner with your cigarette. That's the way I see it, any way...

Others like Kurt Cobain found themselves wrapped in the embrace of That Which Is the Pixies; I was reading as such over at an amazing article by a fantastic fucking blogger - over at Your Moment of Zen - another fellow college DJ who has to continue playing their personal music collection and share their fantastic diatribes on the medium with the world.

Anyway...this song has found its way into my groove these past two weeks, so I thought I'd share. You gotta love a song about martians coming to Earth and freaking out about the medium of music, man.

Song of the Day: Quartette Tres Bien - Boss Tres Bien, Pt.

2007-10-04T12:47:00.000-04:00

Quartette Tres Bien - Boss Tres Bien, Pt. 1
this cut is from a GREAT compilation of latino jazz-funk groove, Supa Latino, an incredible must-have for any funk/jazz lover's collection.
There are other albums, such as Boss Tres Bien that also have great cuts and versions of this tune.

I'm having trouble finding more information about the band, other than that they were considered the top of their game in the mid-late 60's...and I believe they broke up and and then three of the remaining members later reuinted to form the Trio Tres Bien. Sorry I'm not up to date on my info - please feel free to post a comment and let me know any info about a band or musician that I may either have wrong, or that would be interesting to add as a footnote to what I have. I'm ravenous for more music knowledge.

Blake Fleming - Gigs in NYC This Week

2007-10-03T18:49:00.000-04:00

Check out my pal Blake Fleming in three gigs coming up in the next week; there's a good chance I'll be at at least one of them. He's an amazing drummer - one of the best I've ever ever seen live in my life. I'm proud to say that I know the dude. He used to be in the Dazzling Killmen with Tim Garrigan.

From a MySpace bulletin I received:

Hey Everybody,

I have 3 cool shows coming up. Two with The Ropes, and one the debut show of The Rollo Treadway (David Sandholm's Brian Wilsonesque children's nightmare songs).

It's all happening this Saturday & Monday, here are the details:

-Sat, 10/6, The Ropes @ Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street (at Stanton St), 9:30 p.m.

-Mon, 10/8, The Rollo Treadway @ Trash Bar, 256 Grand Street (btwn Driggs and Roebling), 9 p.m.

Same night! Just a few blocks away...
-Mon, 10/8, The Ropes @ Spike Hill, 184 Bedford Avenue (btwn N. 6th & N. 7th), 11 p.m.

Song of the Day: Amy Winehouse - Rehab

2007-10-03T16:33:00.000-04:00

Amy Winehouse - Rehab
from the album Back to Black

I know that she's getting hot right now, and some would bitch that I'm putting her up - or at least, this song, since it's hot and getting a lot of play right now - as my Song of the Day...but what are ya gonna do, kids, tell on me? Besides, its fuckers like myself - but the disc jockeys like I used to be, who have actual radio shows, not the bloggers who I am now, that got the song hot in the first place...I'm just doing the same thing, in written form.

All I know is that I love this song and...well...if I say it's poignant, for me as a person, does that make me sound like I have some issues to address?

You can make that call yourself.

Woman's got a smokin' voice and a strong heart. And balls.

If only they all sounded like that...not that American Idol bullshit. Jesus Christ, I put the TV on and see these pathetic bastards who are supposed to be representing what is The Music of Today...and I see Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul snorting lines of what's left of some performer's pride and My Patience off Ryan Seacrest's and Randy Jackson's collective untalented asses and I want to put a fucking bullet in my head.

Because this is a "hot" song right now, this song will be up for a limited time...because I don't want Republic coming down on my ass...but as I have posted off to the left side nav bar, and I can say it again: IF ANY ARTIST DOESN'T WANT ME USING THEIR MP3 AS A SONG OF THE DAY, JUST EMAIL ME.

I'm a nice gal. I'll take it down.

Song of the Day: The Velvet Underground - After Hours

2007-10-02T13:10:00.001-04:00

The Velvet Underground - After Hours
from the album The Velvet Underground

I know that I recently did a Velvet's song, but this has been on my mind...I've been playing it at home...and there's something about Maureen "Moe" Tucker's voice that is so haunting - and it seems to fit my mood this week.

I found an interesting little site that discusses song lyric meanings that has this song up for discussion. Although several have made good points, I always thought the song was about a girl that wants to commit suicide, and is trying to get the person to leave. A few others touched upon that interpretation; most said "Oh, it's about an After Hours bar."

Uh, okay.

Song of the Day: George Michael - Freedom (Bonus Video As Well!)

2007-09-28T12:20:00.000-04:00

George Michael - Freedom
from the album Listen Without Prejudice

I have also included the music video, HERE,
a juicy bit of yum yum that an old pal sent me. I love it.

I was having a conversation with Rosie the other day about George Michael.

He is, without a doubt, an interesting character - but also an influential character for so many. Think about it: he was one of the first Pop stars to come Out - and that's what this song is all about...the Freedom to be who you want to be without the chains of the industry binding you. Think about all the teens and adults he affected, who he encouraged to be who they needed to be? He's considered so complex to his own circle; they all adore him, but all shake their heads...I think part of this stems from the fact that he is actually a brilliant singer, songwriter and composer - gifted, actually; and that he is also considered to be a Bad Boy of the music industry.

We're talking about a man who was picked up in men's restrooms having sex with strangers - a Pop Star who just said "Fuck it. I wanna get laid!" and did whatever he wanted to do. He's had DUI's. He's gotten high.

Basically, he's done what many other rock stars have done except that he was saying "Oh, and by they way - I'm GAY." -- And that really does make a difference, doesn't it? In today's society, still? Even in the music industry, amongst its own circles?

I have a lot of respect for him - and I could care less about what sex and drugs he does because they ALL have done them, he just admits it - and is open about the fact that he's not straight.

All I know is this: when I am down, I listen to this song. When I have needed to get over relationships, I listen to this song. While I have been trying to lose the 35 pounds that I recently lost over the past 6 months, I listened to this song every time at the gym as I hit the last bit of my cardio.

So my hat's off to you, George.

Song of the Day: David Bromberg - Sharon (With An Appearance By the Beastie Boys)

2007-09-26T12:28:00.000-04:00

Photo: Jim McGuire

David Bromberg - Sharon

this cut is from a small, but effective, collection - The Player: A Retrospective

So here we have a tune, a fav that I had forgotten about until my pal Jimmy (that sonofabitch is introducing and re-introducing me to music all the time, thank God I met him) laid it on me not too long ago. Bromberg, considered to be a "musician's musician" was the cat that played with all the other dudes that we have come to know and love so well, like Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and many, many more - all of whom would come out to jam on his own projects. This song's got Jerry and Phil jamming along with him - which is one of the many reasons why it's so damn awesome (that and the fact that the song is amazing).

Not only was he respected in his own circles and by people of the folk/blues/older rock genre; the respect traveled down and he's influenced people like my sweethearts, The Beastie Boys.

They sample this song in the song Johnny Ryall, which is the first thing I thought of when I was listening to this over at Jim's crib. They sample various parts of it. Considering that Paul's Boutique is considered by many to be the quintessential breakthrough album for the B-Boys in terms of their their ascension to new musical boundaries, I'd say they picked a winner to work with.

David Bromberg has a new album that came out in February called Try Me One More Time, which I have to admit I have yet to pick up - but I will. Not only is it good to support a musician that is coming out to share his roses with the world after a while, but I hear it's a damn good effort. One fellow blogger has posted something about it over at These Things Too, I suggest you check it out.

Sorry I Was Offline....What's Happened to Blogmad????

2007-09-24T14:07:00.000-04:00

Some of you may have been trying to get to this site (or, the fact could be that I have no readers and it's all in my mind and I just hit "refresh" like 300 times a week) today and were re-directed to a "website down" site for Blogmad.net.

I was posting the post below about Royal Pink, went to check the site to see how it looked, and to my fucking HORROR was re-directed to Never Never Land - without even getting the opportunity of getting boozed and felt up by Michael Jackson.

Photo: Defamer.com

I realized that something horrible had happened to Blogmad...and that the links on my page that brought some folks here from over yonder were suddenly, like a black hole in space, dragging my ass out to the cyber-fuck-all.

So, I removed them from my html code. Once they figure their shit out, I'll put them back...but until then, I'm Blogmad free, I guess. Sucks, but I'm not going to get re-directed to some blank page for THEIR sake.

If anyone knows what happened, please let me know...I've googled it, but can't find any answers.

Got Sexy?: Royal Pink at Piano's Tonight!

2007-09-24T13:35:00.000-04:00

Royal Pink, a chick band that is all about being naughty girls. They ROCK OUT - and like to embrace their sexuality...these chicks put their Pussy where their mouth is. Er...wait a minute...did that come out right????

LMAO

The first time I saw them was at a BUST party in Brooklyn, and they were a hoot. I bought a T-Shirt for chrissake. That's love.

So go on out to Piano's tonight and catch some Girl Sex Power!

Pianos'
11pm $8
Corner of Ludlow and Stanton, take the F/J/M/Z to Delancy/Essex

From the email/flyer I got:
And of course, we do so love our fans coming out and giving a big ol' F.U. to the working world in favour of getting naughty with us that we
are offering FREE CUPCAKES! In addition, we have a door prize: PORN!
We're giving away two naw-tee DVDs: Kama-Sutra: The Secrets to the Art
of Love (including 3D glasses!) and Trial Run: Adventures in Romance
(Baroness von Pink gave Trial Run a trial run and votes it two basses
up!). Pop-punk, pastry and porn: how could you say no?

Lasciviously,
Royal Pink

Song of the Day: Tim Garrigan - Maybe I'll See You Tomorrow

2007-09-22T16:59:00.000-04:00

Photo: Dianna Martin

Tim Garrigan - Maybe I'll See You Tomorrow

from the EP Looking Around the Garden

The Village Voice has claimed that "...Garrigan has found hearfelt expression in Dylanesque Americana folk." -- and it's absolutely true. I just wish more people knew. Tim Garrigan is an amazing singer/songwriter/guitarist who has been instrumental in the creative process as a guitarist and co-composer for influential cult favorite bands such as Dazzling Killmen and You Fantastic! of the Skin Graft Records label.

Photo: Dianna Martin

Although Tim would probably kick my ass for not pushing a cut from his latest album Beyond the Ruins of My Mind (which is an amazing album; I have inserted a link to purchase a copy of it over at CD Baby), I always come back to this song from his EP (which you can buy a copy of by going to his website www.TimGarrigan.com and contacting him). There is a very simple, rawness to this EP as well as the sadness of two going down separate paths that really is so, so moving. I remember hearing Tim practice this and play it in clubs and I would always enjoy it, never get tired of hearing it.

It has always been my personal favorite of his tunes (followed closely by Rock n' Roll Shuffle off of his latest album), as well as Oh Baby, It's You.

Political/Environment Roundup: Yes, I'm Still Bitching About the Polar Bears

2007-09-21T12:30:00.000-04:00

Photo: www.ClimateProgress.org

Some of you may remember, or notice by looking down a few posts, that I went on a rant (following Suburban Guerilla's lead) about the fact that the Polar Bears are facing their extinction possibly by 2050, or at least by the end of the century.

Interesting, that although it just really came out in the media about this, ClimateProgress.org wrote a great post about it back in December of 2006.

I'm making another little ditty about this horrific problem, however, because Care2.com, the "Save the (fill in the blank)" site that often puts together petitions about the environment and other issues and then sends them off to people in congress has put one together concerning this issue...

You can check it out HERE.

Although many of us think that signing our name to something doesn't mean a damn, especially in light of elections that seem weird and voting machines that find their way in people's trunks...but everyone's opinion matters - if they make it heard.

If I'm going to sit here and bitch about the Polar Bears, at least I feel like I'm doing something about it. Anyway, go check out Care2's site; they have everything from Save a Critter to Breast Cancer. They fill up my inbox with tons of mail, and to be honest, a lot of it I don't have time to read - but this one, I did.

Song of the Day: Supertramp - The Logical Song

2007-09-20T18:59:00.000-04:00

Photo: www.TheLogicalWeb.com

Supertramp - The Logical Song

from the album Breakfast in America

I remember that even as a 7 year old, I had questions about life that lots of other seven-year-olds did not fancy about. I was a precocious child, overweight, who spent more time alone reading and listening to music and talking to imaginary friends and dolls than other children. I remember listening to this on the radio - and since this was out in '79, and it was playing a lot, I must have been seven when I started listening to it. However, at least in NYC, there was a station I listened to when I was 10-12 that also played it frequently; perhaps the DJ was being indulgent and really dug on Supertramp or this song. I dunno.

I DO know this: this song resonated with me. I would record it off the radio onto my tape deck and then play it over and over, singing along in the mirror. The words "I know it sounds absurd...but please tell me who I am! Who I am! Who I am!" were so important to me...for they lay at the foundation of all my questions: why I felt I was different than so many of the other kids; why I had so many questions about life; why I felt like I was on a different path out in the Twilight Zone with only Rod Serling for a guide.

The only difference between then and now is that I have many friends and acquaintances, and my imaginary friends I use in my acting. I am no longer fat (thank you, Nutrisystem), and I enjoy the company of people as much as being alone.
But my questions about who I am? and what the fuck am I doing here? remain the same - and always will, I assume; and going back to the journey I'm on right now, that I have been discussing as of late while I try to wax philosophical on numerous amounts of bullshit on this blog (and lately it is during the Song of the Day, go figure) I think this song is as poignant for me today as it was when I was standing in front of a mirror, belting my heart out to my stereo, a young kid who never thought she'd be asking the same questions 25 years later.

O.J. : If I Stole It

2007-09-20T11:21:00.000-04:00

Let me start off by saying that this past week circus-act entertainment provided by O.J. "Motherfucker, you're going to steal my shit?" Simpson has been, for me, absolutely glorious. Any way that that crazy asswipe who got away with murdering two people can get into any kind of difficulty with the police is just another day in amusing paradise for me.

One GREAT place to get your voyeuristic "Watch Simpson Sink Like the Fucking Titanic" groove on is at Defamer.com, of course; Seth Abramovitch is keeping us apprised on all of the Joy.

UPDATE, 9/21:
Just for the record, as anyone who reads my blog knows that I am a rabid fan of Mark Lisanti, I missed the yum yum that he posted earlier about the initial TMZ video - even though I assumed that they had it up somewhere on their site, because those two watchdogs don't miss a fucking thing. All he does is really just post links to the TMZ vids of the O.J. confrontation, but of course adds a little Lisanti groove that made me snort my morning coffee through my nose because I was laughing so hard. As usual.

Song of the Day: Blind Melon - No Rain

2007-09-19T16:52:00.000-04:00

Photos: Mark Seliger

Blind Melon - No Rain
from the album Blind Melon

This song has meant so much to me over the years ever since it came out - perhaps because in '92 there was so much going on in my life. Sure: being very young (21 and under) and all that it entails - I was in college at Ole Miss at the time, so I was partying a lot and involved with a young man who pushed my emotional envelope to the limit to say the least. I remember that because several of us were very much into The Dead (I still am, I just don't have a lot of the shows I love so much on cd because they've been lost over the years; I need to start hitting tape traders) and when you combine some of the simple beautiful sounds of Blind Melon with the fact that several of their band came from Mississippi, it's no surprise that this blogger was oftentimes hanging with friends and enjoying this album.

I also found that during the times when I was sad, which happened often during '92, listening to this song gave me some kind of hope to hang my hat on. A joy in the simplicity of being myself - whatever strange creature that was - and is. The late lead singer/songwriter, Shannon Hoon, found a way in his lyrics to bring a natural quality to music when so many bands were trying to go over the top; he made a gentle commentary on the medium of being a fucking human being, plain and simple.

The irony is that listening to his music often made me happier, yet this poor young man had a tempest brewing in his life - which ultimately led to his death by overdose. Like many musicians and artists who lost their lives to their addictions, he was taken for granted by the media (despite Blind Melon going multi-platinum). I suppose I also identified with them - and him - to a degree, for my friends and I were young hippies in the 90's in Oxford, Mississippi...sometimes doing too many substances and also being taken for granted as wastoids when we were really fiercely intelligent and creative individuals.

I suppose, like all of my Songs of the Day, there is a reason why I'm posting this right now; I've wanted to for a week and a half, but didn't get a chance. Change is all around us - and it's not just all around me; I'm inhaling and exhaling it, imbibing its medium. Something about this song helps me make the next steps in life, and so, I hope it does for you...

Then again - and I don't know about you - but I often feel like my life is one big music video of my own making...I just fill in the soundtrack.

This is One band from the 90's that should not not not be forgotten. One really great article on them is the bio above (linked to their name from the B&N website); another is an interview with the band by The Rice Thresher in 1997, part of Rice University. It interviews guitarist Christopher Thorn about their third album, Nico, named after Hoon's daughter, more of a tribute to Hoon than anything else. Thorn has a lot to say about the media's attack on Hoon's character and the band in general: and heartily tells them to go fuck themselves.

I concur.

Check Out This Blog: Overheard Lines

2007-09-12T18:00:00.000-04:00

Overheard Lines is absolutely delightful. I have a list of these kinds of things that I save for stories or plays that never get written (okay, let's be more positive: they haven't been written yet). It's basically a site of...well, of overheard lines - of things overheard in passing. You can email them to the blogger and they'll quote you.

Check this site out, it's a hoot.

Jon Stewart to Host Oscars? I Want Ellen Back!!!

2007-09-12T12:56:00.001-04:00

Hey. I'm not knocking Jon Stewart - dude's a funny guy. But he just got named as the host for the 2008 Oscars.

I want ELLEN back. If I can't have Billy Crystal, I want Ellen DeGeneres. Bottom line. She's just...funnier and cooler to me. Besides, she's absolutely adorable.

According to Mark Caro's blog, the industry says she rocked, but was too....NICE.

Makes sense. In a town full of sharks, they want someone who's a bit more of a bastard.

Eh, fuck that. I want Ellen. I absolutely adore her.

Song of the Day: Tears for Fears - Head Over Heels

2007-09-12T11:40:00.000-04:00

Tears for Fears - Head Over Heels

One great album this is on is Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits 82-92)

Another fabulous album to catch this cut on is the Donnie Darko Sountrack

I always loved this band. What is it with the 80's nostalgia that I've been grooving on in my Song of the Day for a while? Well, it's really not just recently...I'm a product OF the 80's, man - and although I have extremely diverse musical tastes, I have a lotta love for that decade - the good tunes, anyway, LOL.

After Curt Smith left the band after their third album, they kind of fell off the radar a bit - at least for me - and I know for many others as well.

Then came the movie Donnie Darko in 2001, which brought about a surge of interest in Tears for Fears again, due to the use of the song Head Over Heels (during a really great montage) and a re-make of Mad World. If you haven't seen that flick - SEE IT. It's intense, bizarre, and worthy of its Cult status.

The band got back together in 2004 to record Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, more of a Beatles-esque endeavor that was enjoyable, but somehow missing the angst of what made their previous work together so beautiful. Something about love, depression, emotional upheaval, and the insecurities of the human medium - I think that's what made this band so popular. Their lyrics went beyond sexual pop (not that I'm knocking sexual pop - I'm all about it); and took the listener into murkier, yet more sensually delightful lyrical ballads.

This song is also rather poignant for my life right now...hmm.

Polar Bears Will Be Nearly Extinct By 2050?

2007-09-10T10:40:00.001-04:00

I was reading Suburban Guerrilla today (great blog, go read her), and she pointed to an article about the very possible extinction of Polar Bears by the end of the century, with two thirds of them gone by 2050.

The reason? Global Warming burning away the sea ice that the Polar Bears LIVE and CATCH THEIR FUCKING FOOD on. This isn't coming from some radical environmentalist group, either, folks (for those who think that Global Warming doesn't really exist - which I find to be insane); it's coming from the government's geological scientists.

Great job, folks. Polar Bears have been around for about 40,000 years and in a matter of about 500 we managed to kill them off. Aren't we just the über-smart species?

Oh, and while I'm ranting: this is neither a liberal nor conservative argument any more. Although we hear a lot of conservatives ranting that it's not going on and a lot of liberals screaming that it is, truth be told there are plenty of numbers of both parties that are complete assholes when it comes to this topic. Example in point? One of my favorite comedians, George Carlin, will stand there and rant for an hour about how the conservatives are such assholes...and then he'll go into a rant about how Global Warming is a bunch of bullshit. I've seen him do it.

That's why I'm an independent.

KNF - Katherine and Friends: Theatre Worth Seeing

2007-09-08T17:08:00.000-04:00

My pal Kelly's NYC theatre company, KNF (Katherine and Friends) has shows running all through the month of September, and they're only $10!!! Go check them out!

They also have a KNF MySpace page.

Support an up-and-coming NYC theatre company that I can guarantee will be a hit in the years to come, as they support playwrights and actors by showcasing great material. I can guarantee that they will take us on a journey!

See you there!

The Dansettes Are Breaking Up? Say It Ain't So!

2007-09-05T22:01:00.000-04:00

Photos: Dizzy Swank

One of my newly-named "favorite" bands, The Dansettes recently announced that they are breaking up, much to the horror of their fans (like yours truly). Their manager, Dead Flowers Productions posted the bulletin with the sad news the other day, and my jaw dropped.

I first got turned on to these cats (n' kittens) when Southern Culture on the Skids came into town; The Dansettes opened up for them and really did a great show. So, when they played an extra gig in NYC at the Bowery Ballroom a week or two later, I brought out a small possee to see them:Dizzy Swank, Sha'ron, April and her roommate. I thought their music was awesome; something very much like what I would have played on my old radio show - a blend of R&B, Soul, and bonified groove accentuated by the lovely voices of the ladies, bringing the lyrics of organist/songwriter J.B. Flatt to life.

As you can see, Dizzy took some great pics and you can see the rest of his Dansette Set HERE. There are like two pics on there that I took, but those are just of him, I think...lol

Members of The Dansettes, however, all have side projects and their own musical endeavors that they are grooving on. I know that at least two of the gal singers are also DJ's who spin around town (NYC) on a regular basis, so I recommend adding the The Dansettes and Dead Flowers Productions on MySpace so that you can keep tabs with where they're playing...

Hopefully, we'll hear more from these guys, even if it means it's in a different form. Good luck!

Song of the Day: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Pt. 1: Acknowledgement

2007-09-03T19:30:00.000-04:00

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Pt. 1: Acknowledgement
this cut is from the album Red Hot On Impulse, one of my favorite jazz compilation albums ever. And yes, I've used it before for other songs...

I recommend also picking up the Impulse! album A Love Supreme. This song, as all three songs from the A Love Supreme album include the quartet of Jim Garrison, McCoy Tyner, and Elvin Jones - and both albums deserve a spot in any music-lover's collection. Particularly, if they dig on Jazz.

Check Out Backstage For Our Acting Ad

2007-09-02T02:11:00.000-04:00

Flip through a copy of Backstage and you'll find the ad that I posted a few entries below...just a gentle reminder that if you or anyone you know needs acting classes...send 'em our way. That includes teenagers - and that's who I'll be teaching. If you want to check us out, just go to The Ernie Martin Studio Theatre for class info.

And thanks to Churchsign Generator for making such a cool site to whip up such cool shiznit.

Song of the Day: The Strokes - What Ever Happened?

2007-08-30T18:52:00.000-04:00

The Strokes - What Ever Happened?
from the album Room on Fire

I remember when The Strokes first got hot, and reviewers were comparing them to older bands, saying stuff like "they were the next Velvet Underground" and such nonsense. I was annoyed, and went out of my way to avoid listening to them, determined to avoid hopping on the musical bandwagon that seems to be more the norm these days when people veer towards music selection. I referred to them as the "Beat-offs" because I had forced them out of my brain to such an extent that I couldn't remember their name when they came up in conversation.

I remember the first time I heard this album, I was working at B&N, early in the morning, shelving books; someone had put this on and I thought it was totally awesome. I asked someone, "Who the hell is this? I have to get this album!"

When I was told it was The Strokes, I choked on my coffee - and my words. So much for being a proud music listener. I had to admit that maybe - just maybe - these cats were really fucking great. And although I'll never agree that they are the next Velvets, I will say that their music deserves a lot of acclaim. Even though me and musician pals bitch about the fact that they're all hipsters with rich parents - nowadays, who isn't?

But that's a whole other rant for a whole other day.

Song of the Day: Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science

2007-08-25T11:27:00.000-04:00

Photo: Dominik Fusina

Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science
from the album The Golden Age of Wireless

This is a song that always inspires three things in me: fond memories of The 80's and the music that came out of that decade, a desire to get up and dance, and a delight in all things techno and electronic.

One great moment this song had for me growing up was when my family would take me and my brother Michael up to our country house near Woodstock, NY. Up there, we had no television; so Mike and I would play tunes from the radio and dance our asses off. I remember this song specifically as one where he really showed me a lot of the dance moves that I use when I go to clubs now and boogie...it was one of our bonding moments for me growing up as a child and pre-teen because we lived in separate homes (shared the same father, but were half-siblings) so these weekends or weeks up in the summer house were such a treat for me to be around Big Brother Michael.

The song itself is awesome to me on other levels, too; it's sexy as all hell; even within it's 80's/Dolby synthesized self is a funky grooviness that makes one's hips want to move - either on the dance floor or in bed. The whole "science" thing is great, too; Dolby championed that throughout his career, being a tech geek who had a good ear for music. This has continued; it was only a year ago that Gizmodo.com made mention of his music-gear geekiness that was so ultimately awesome.

A stop-over at Dolby's site shows that he is currently on tour - he's coming to NY in September - and will be at BB King's. I have tickets to many shows already, so I doubt I will go, but I'm sure that it will be a great gig...

If anyone goes, let me know how it is!

Song of the Day: The Velvet Underground AND Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane

2007-08-21T15:39:00.000-04:00

The Velvet Underground - Sweet Jane

from the album Loaded

Photo: Susan King

Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane

from the album The Trinity Session

Yeah, so I decided to give you a two-for-one today; I was watching an episode of CSI the other night and they had both versions of this song on the show...and it reminded me how amazing both were. They've been stuck in my head (well, let's face it, I'm always walking around with a soundtrack going on for my own movie of life) so I thought I'd put them both out there for y'all to groove on.

Lou Reed's hypnotic lyrics combined with the amazing performance styles of both bands lends to music that will be around for a long time to come; something to withstand the test of time and the nearly ADD-like attitude of the general population who set their iPods to shuffle and use music to block out the noise around them and don't necessarily take the time to indulge.

Song of the Day: Lenny Kravitz - Butterfly

2007-08-15T23:05:00.000-04:00

Lenny Kravitz - Butterfly
from the album Mama Said

One of the few songs that makes me cry every time I hear it, no matter what mood I'm in - and they can be happy tears as well as sad. Today, they are sad. I stroke a silver necklace around my neck and think of a certain butterfly that I know.

Truly one of the most beautiful love songs written - brevity can be a gift, both in song and in life. It's appreciating the quality of these things that is the greatest gift we can take, and hopefully, give.

Song of the Day: Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up to Boston

2007-08-14T18:11:00.000-04:00

Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up to Boston
from the album The Warrior's Code
another great album this song is on is the The Departed soundtrack

These guys are a GREAT Irish band - and they totally kick some ass with their songs. There's a reason why Scorsese decided to use this song in The Departed; it stayed with me after the film was over - and I had to go out and get it.

The Dropkick Murphys are on tour and will be playing New York on Saturday, September 15, at Roseland Ballroom. I have tickets already... SO GO GET YOURS!!!!

Ernie Martin Studio Theatre: The Resurrection

2007-08-14T17:38:00.000-04:00

That's right, folks, check out the image up there. That's what's coming out in Backstage next week (hell, is it this week?) - an ad for The Ernie Martin Studio Theatre as it used to be when Dad has his school in the 80's: a school of teachers with Dad (Ernie) as the Master Teacher. Kind of like how Lee Strasberg used to run his school...he would have his class, and then have his disciples teaching under him as well for the beginner and intermediate classes.

So, who do we have on the bill? Dad, a.k.a. Ernie Martin, of course, of whom I have expounded upon in depth (if you are a new reader to this blog, then please go through the archives) who has taught actors such as Sean Penn and Harvey Keitel - who has been around teaching acting for over 35 years. Lee Strasberg had some disciples who then went on to do their own thing and establish a name for themselves - and Dad is one of those people. Dad is one of the most respected acting teachers to have been handed the torch, so to speak, by Lee. He has then taken the acting craft and combined the teachings of Sandy Meisner and his own interpretations to become one of the best acting teachers since Lee and Sandy and Stella. That's all there is to it. Go to his website to see a little history about him. He will of course be teaching a Master Class, for advanced students, only.

Next, we have my buddy David Robinette, who is teaching for NYFA, and who got me MY gig at NYFA. Let me just say that David is an amazing actor to work with and I know for a fact he's an amazing teacher - he's got a great eye. I've sat in on his classes and had the opportunity to see him work. Of course I'm inspired by my father, but David has been a greater inspiration to me than I could ever give him credit for - because as a fellow student he has shown me how a knowledge of the work that we have learned from Dad and wherever else mixed with a desire to teach (when we ourselves aren't doing an acting gig! lol) can lead to becoming a teacher of acting. David never ceases to amaze me with his desire to learn more about acting so he can use it as an acting craft and as a teacher. He will be teaching beginning and intermediate classes.

Michael Hajek is also a former student of Dad's, and has years and years of acting, performing, opera, and Shakespearian technique under his belt. He has become a revered Shakespearian actor in his field and brings to his work the theories that Ernie Martin has for acting - which is why his work is so well done. Michael is a fabulous teacher and will be starting in January.

And then, there is lil' ol' me. I'm going to be teaching teens on Saturdays from 11a-1pm. I'm eternally stoked, because I have a niche with the kids. It keeps me from getting more pets at home...what can I say? I love kids - and if I can help shape a young actor at an early stage, then rock on! Jack Black, eat your heart out.

So...if you are interested in acting classes - please check out the flyer above - and call the number for an appointment.

In other news...classes at NYFA are going well. I have great kids and although they think I'm an alien, they like me. Kind of like most people I know.

Stay tuned...

Fare Thee Well, Sweet Yah Supreme

2007-08-13T18:47:00.001-04:00

Friday night was Yah Supreme's last show, his "Retirement Party Gig". The sweet dude that I have known since college (yes, some of you on here who went to school with us at Washington University - THAT Ya Ya!) has decided to hang up his microphone and become a "member of the audience" as he so put it. It was amazing (as his shows always are) and we danced that night away to the smooth sounds of his voice backed by his band Brohemian, and with musical breaks by D.J. Concerned.

Let me start out by saying (too late, I've already started) that YaYa Jefferies-El (a.k.a. Yah Supreme) is one of the most talented individuals on the planet - and definitely one of the most unique and amazing people that I have had the privilege of knowing personally as a friend. This Dude is not just an amazing Hip-Hop artist, musician, singer, maestro (because that is what he does with his band, Brohemian, he conducts those brilliant bastards) and performer; oh, no. He's also an amazing actor.

I introduced him to Dale and Dale's new woman at the show (Dale was all pimped out in his suit from the Beastie Boys concert we hand just come from, but that's a whole other tale) and Yah was introducing us to this guy he'd known since High School, Daniel (I think that's dude's name). It was cool because when Daniel and I met, we were both coming from a place of having known Yah for over a decade - and formative years, at that. So we both drunkenly stroked our chins and smiled as Yah was talking about his plans. We were laughing about how Yah was SUCH a "people-person" and then telling him he was an asshole so that we wouldn't all start crying from getting too mushy.

Then I mentioned that Yah and I had been in a play together - and Yah cut me off "D, what are you talking about, we were in like NINE shows together - remember the movie, remember this...that...?" and all of the sudden I was transported back to college again, and remembered all the things that Yah has accomplished, and some of which I was a part of.

He's written and directed both plays and films (some of which I had the pleasure of being in - although Yah, I'll never forgive you for the costume I had to wear in one play you wrote/directed, I looked like Ms. Piggy; but getting to play a drunken stoner in the film made up for it). He's an amazing performer that can improv on the spot with the best of them. With his ability to think on his feet, his dashing charm, and his warmth that extends beyond the stage - as well as a great imagination that is always in overdrive working on the next project to conquer, Yah Supreme is that: Supreme.

One of the most fun times I ever had in college was staying up late with Yah the night before the Senior Party and making the music tape for the party - and we sat around and talked about life, where we were going, what were were doing, acting, getting wasted, and making sure that James Brown's Sex Machine was on the tape so everyone would drop from exhaustion from dancing at the party the next day.

Yah has decided to retire, for personal reasons - mainly, because he feels he doesn't have time to enjoy family and friends, and has always been on the go. Whatever his need to leave the music scene, if that is what makes him happy and what he feels he needs to do for his health and sanity, then God bless him. I wish him continued success in whatever he wants to do - I just hope that he doesn't stay away from the creative arts for too long - because the world needs more creative people like Yah like we need air to breathe.

LOVE YOU, YAH. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, SWEETHEART.

XO
D

Thursday, 8/16 - Music, Spoken Word, Naked People

2007-08-12T18:50:00.000-04:00

Okay, well, I don't know about the Naked People bit - I threw that in to get your attention, but there is a fantastic music, performance art and spoken word show being put together by Ushshi, so please get your asses over there!!!

NYFA, MIA, OMG: Any More Acronyms I Can Fit in Here?

2007-08-05T22:22:00.000-04:00

Howdy.

Sorry to have been gone all week, I meant to post something about that fact that I GOT HIRED BY NYFA TO TEACH ACTING AGAIN THIS SUMMER!!!! last week, and then the week was upon me and all I've had time for was working with these kids and then coming home and drooling on myself. I had two separate groups of teenagers, so 36 kids; and I taught three different classes that met several times each per week: Acting Technique, Monologue, and Acting for Film and TV.

Needless to say, I was eternally stoked at being able to do something and make some bread - and have it be something I love love love.

I had to work at B&N on Saturday, though, so today was my only day off; and I was exhausted. I just hung out, with cramps, and my brain was turned off.

In other news, I saw The Police concert on Friday night and it was amazing. Perhaps Stewart Copeland was correct in his assessment of their tour on the first leg of it in his blog, which I mentioned a few weeks ago - but on Friday, at Madison Square Garden - they played like they were on the top of their game. I was flipping out, crying like a Beatles/Elvis groupie like you see from 50's/60's footage. I can't tell you what the first song was on the set list because I was in such shock at seeing them on stage for the first time. I think it was Synchronicity, either I or II, I'm not sure.

One would think that a music blogger would have her shit together a little better - but not when her icons are on stage whom she has waited to see 25 years...I felt like I had an outer-body experience, for Chrissake.

Anyway, I'll go into more detail soon - including a few half-ass shots I got off with my cell phone, but I have to get some sleep. What else is going on? I am seeing Beastie Boys this week, Willie Nelson at the end of the month; Dropkick Murphys and Lucinda Williams in September; Drive-By Truckers in October.

I will be teaching at NYFA for the next two weeks, so the gig was a three-week deal, but the next two weeks will be more like last year - I will be the scene study instructor for one group.

The kids I had this past week were wonderful, and I will expound more on that later - but I'll leave you with the fact that I had a Japanese girl in my class who couldn't hardly speak or understand English, and I wrote a scene for her to do with another student (that focused on language barrier) as well as a monologue. She was so thrilled! They all seemed to dig on what I had to say...

Jah, I rock. Heh.

Song of the Day: Drive-By Truckers - Women Without Whiskey

2007-07-27T13:10:00.000-04:00

Drive-By Truckers - Women Without Whiskey

from the album Southern Rock Opera

Photo: www.TheFader.com

I got turned onto these cats over the last week by my new friend Jimmy, who I met the night he came back from a Trucker show. Dude was ecstatic; he had a camera full of pictures and a perma-grin from being so thrilled at seeing such a fantastic band. I was still on a high from seeing Panic the night before, so we started talking about music until the wee hours in an after-hour club with friends (LONG story) - and in the end, dear old Jim has now recruited a new DBT fan. These guys are great. If you dig Southern rock, and bands that enjoy a good jam, check them out.

Being the music nut that I am, I'm really surprised that I was unfamiliar with these guys. Thank God we have the opportunity to learn something new every day.

Thanks, Jimmy! :)

Widespread Panic Was AWESOME

2007-07-24T14:48:00.000-04:00

A couple of posts below, you'll note the Song of the Day was Widespread Panic's Coconut, in honor of the fact that I saw them at Radio City Friday night.

First I had a cocktail with my pal Eileen, who snapped a couple of pics of me before I went in. I look like a goober, but I suppose any woman in her 30's who is like a kid at Christmas about seeing a fav band looks like a goober.

Man-o-fucking-man was that show good. I hadn't seen them since the early 90's; it was such a pleasure. I was able to snap off one pic on my phone, but I wish I could have gotten more.

The seats were great (the pic makes it look like I was further away than I was) and I was sitting in front of this folks from Georgia who I started talking to. The show was like four and a half hours long, two sets, and of course they did an encore jam. I danced my ass off with my new pals from GA and re-lived my Mississippi music joy.

First of all, it was my first rock concert at Radio City - dude, I didn't know you could drink beer inside the venue? And the moment the band came on the stage people started smoking and passing around joints and I was like "where the hell am I?" because I would have worn my old faded Panic shirt instead of the little spiffier thingie...I mean, I thought I needed to spiff up for Radio City.

One thing that was cool - the beer bottles were plastic. Can you dig it? I almost laughed.

Later on, over the weekend, I emailed back and forth with an old college buddy about the show, and he reminded me that I probably at some point hung out with Panic because we used to see them in Oxford; the keyboard player is from Oxford, and was in the band Beanland and several of my old party buddies were pals with these cats - so oftentimes you would go to someone's house and there would be a jam session going on out of nowhere...and the guys from Panic would be hanging out as well...that was when I was there - and when Mike started talking about Beanland, I started remembering the places and times...

I honestly don't remember hanging with these guys, but apparently I did at some point. This is back when they were first really getting into the groove.

It's just such a great thing to see them as they are now - a great jam band that can bring out the Dead Head in all of us.

This weekend I also was introduced to the Drive-By Truckers by a new friend, and I can't believe I didn't know about these cats; but now that I do, I'm going to get on the groove. Another great Southern rock/jam band that has a great following.

Music is a wonderful thing, yes?

Song of the Day: Cracker - Low

2007-07-24T12:20:00.000-04:00

Photo: www.crackersoul.org

Cracker - Low

from the album Kerosene Hat

I always loved this song for a myriad of reasons. I think it's very sexy...there's a raw sexiness to it that I think is one of it's strongest points combined with the fact that it's a great rock song. Of course, when it came out everyone was like "Yeah, that cool song about being stoned!" -- which seems to be the one line everyone remembers:
Being with you girl, is like being low, hey, hey, hey, it's like bein' stoned!

Of COURSE that was a fun part of the song...but I always dug the part about how the guy wants to get the girl...and how he's comparing being with her to being a euphoric high. For a hippie chick, that's like quoting Byron. LOL.

Ultimately, though, it's simply a well-put-together rock song that has all these elements. The fact that all the members of the band (those that have come and gone) are hotties is always a bonus...lol...

Check out Cracker's website for touring dates. The pic above is from a nice fan site with a similar name.

Björk Tickets Go On Sale Today!

2007-07-20T13:01:00.000-04:00

Tickets for Björk at Madison Square Garden, Sept. 24th go on sale today, so get 'em while they're hot. I'm probably going to go; but I'm seeing The Police and the Beastie Boys this month (seeing the B-Boys twice, actually), and money is tight...so, I may wait.

Go get some tickets!

;)

If I don't go, I shall live vicariously through you, dear reader.

Song of the Day: Widespread Panic - Coconut

2007-07-20T12:27:00.000-04:00

In honor of the fact that I'm going to see them at Radio City Music Hall tonight and if you try, you might be able to get a ticket to see them tomorrow night, I'd like to share one of my favorite songs since college, Coconut, as the Song of the Day on Voodoo Jive.

Photo: www.onstagechattanooga.com

Widespread Panic - Coconut

This cut is a from a live show - New Year's Vacation Shows (Live) [Dec 31st, 2003] that I have only been able to find on iTunes, but I'm sure some faithful PanicHead has a show recorded somewhere on TapeTrader.com or something....

Originally, this song came out on their first album, Space Wrangler.

If you are into the Grateful Dead and Phish, and have not gotten down with Widespread Panic, then you don't know what you're missing - there might still be seats available for tonight's or tomorrow night's shows!

Enjoy!

Multiple Musicians Against Multiple Myeloma, This Sunday, 7/15

2007-07-13T01:12:00.000-04:00

"Myeloma is one of the least understood cancers, and music is the universal language, so it's a perfect combination"
-- Lee Grayson

My late mentor/guitar teacher, a Long Island musician named Lee Grayson passed away from Multiple Myeloma in 2002 and Multiple Musicians Against Multiple Myeloma has a musical event (a non-profit which he started the year prior to his death) every year to raise money for the International Myeloma Foundation. Myeloma is a cancer similar to Leukemia, and they have yet to find a cure - hopefully stem cell research will prove useful, it seems like every day they are finding new things. I wish Lee was still around to see how far they have come.

Below I am posting the flyer and info about the event, which is held in Long Island, this Sunday, 7/15. It is an all-day event of music and raffles and merriment in the name of raising money to work towards a cure for this disease...a disease that took the life of one of the most amazing humans that I ever had the joy of knowing, and who helped create the person that I am today.

I will not be there - I have a family obligation that happens to fall on the same day, but anyone out in Long Island or who feels like making a trip out there for a good cause, I recommend it; you can also just go to their websites, listed below (both MMAMM and the Internation Myeloma Foundation) and you can just DONATE even a few dollars towards a wonderful cause.

Please help.

Sunday July 15 2007
The 6th Annual A Lee Grayson Production, Multiple Musicians against Multiple Myeloma
an event to benefit the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF).

Make a donation on line today! Go to: MMAMM's page on the IMF site

Where: Tupelo Honey Restaurant
39 Roslyn Avenue, Sea Cliff NY
(516) 671-8300 or www.tupelohoneyrestaurant.com
When: Sunday July 15th, 2007 RAIN OR SHINE!
12:00 am - 6:00 pm
How: $20 minimum donation at the door
children 12 and under get in for free!
Who: Contact: Naomi Margolin mmamm@aol.com or (516) 671-8300 for more info visit www.myeloma.org or www.mmamm.org
Why: Because Myeloma Sucks! A rare and incurable blood cancer counting for 1% of all cancers and 2% of all cancer deaths, all proceeds go to the International Myeloma Foundation â?" dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients, their loved ones and caregivers through education, research, support and advocacy.

This is the same cancer that has been brought to the publics attention with the diagnosis of Geraldine Ferraro, Mel Stottlemyre, Don Baylor, Ann Landers, Louis Rukeyser and Long Islands very own Roy Scheider, and Peter Boyle. The second most prevalent blood cancer in the United States, Multiple Myeloma is a rare and incurable cancer counting for only 1% of all cancers yet 2% of all cancer deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, There will be about 19,900 new diagnoses this year in the United States, almost a 25% increase since 2005.

The IMF is a non-profit public corporation, a tax-exempt 501 (c )(3) organization in the state of California and is the oldest and largest myeloma organization in existence, reaching members in more than 100 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients, their loved ones, and caregivers through education, research, support and advocacy.

Lee Grayson, a Long Island musician and founder of this event, produced the first Multiple Musicians against Multiple Myeloma (MMAMM) several months before his death in 2002. His vision was to create an event that would not only raise money for the IMF but also create an environment where patients and caregivers could come together to share information and offer support to one another.

MMAMM is an all day-music festival perfect for the whole family featuring a line-up of some of Long Islands finest musicians. With at least 8 bands performing there is something for everyone including raffles, auction items, face painters and great food!

The IMF is able to achieve its mission thanks to the compassionate concern and generous support of private individuals, corporations, foundations and community events.

To date, MMAMM has raised over $100,000 for the IMF. We still need your help to make this years event a success.

**Please mail all donated items or checks to:
MMAMM c/o Tupelo Honey Restaurant 39 Roslyn Avenue, Sea Cliff NY 11579
**Please make all checks payable to: The International Myeloma Foundation www.myeloma.org
**Your support is tax deductible according to the non-profit 501(c)(3) code. The IMF's Federal Tax ID number is 95-4296919.

Oscar Wilde Knows More About My Life Than I Do.

2007-06-29T17:23:00.000-04:00

Why did you make us thus?
Why does this body crave
pleasure to such a painful limit?
We seduce ourselves by what
you made us desire.

— Oscar Wilde

I ask myself this, perhaps not this eloquently, day to day as I fumble for my way along whatever path it is that I seem to be on. It is a path that has so many forks in the road that the forks have forks; I seem to be eternally confused and in my confusion I give in to my body's cravings and desires, hoping that they might sate the eternal throb of loss - the knowledge that something is missing, that I am not able to travel down each and every fork in each and every road, and so in that knowledge I visualize all that I have not accomplished, all that I've lost, all that I've yet to realize.

And so, I desire. I desire it all.

This rather morbid and somber interlude was brought to you by our elusive writer, Billychic, who has just returned from vacation - one that made her do a lot of thinking...drinking...and imbibing of said pleasures that Mr. Wilde may or may not have been referring to...and not enough writing. I quoted this bit once about two and a half years ago but it really seems most poignant for me now.

Did You Get Your NYC Beastie Boys Tickets Yet?

2007-06-22T18:09:00.000-04:00

GO GET 'EM.

Oh, you did? Okay, just checking.

;)

Song of the Day: Kinky - Minotauro

2007-06-22T13:36:00.000-04:00

Photo: pablozacarias.blogspot.com

Kinky - Minotauro
from the album Atlas

I dig this band a lot - from Mexico, they aren't playing your "typical Mexican music" - whatever the hell that means... These guys are taking the ball and running with it - and having fun, they play. They add all kinds of latino funk, rock, pop, electronica...and some of their songs are really, really sexy (like them - DEAR GOD)...they are so CUTE. When they sing in Spanish, I just melt...hehe

Song of the Day: Me'Shell NdegéOcello - Pocketbook

2007-06-19T12:13:00.000-04:00

Me'Shell NdegéOcello - Pocketbook
from the album Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape

This is a SEXY song. Makes me want to go strum a bass and have sex. Ayuh, ayuh.

Talk Radio: A Brilliant Play That Is Worth the Hype

2007-06-19T12:11:00.000-04:00

Father's Day was a great day this year: we took Daddy to see Talk Radio on Broadway, starring Liev Schreiber. To say that Schreiber was incredible is simply an understatement. Here's an example: my father, who has taught acting to Sean Penn, Harvey Keitel, Lorraine Bracco, and Calvin Levels (among many others) stood up and gave him a standing ovation (we all did) at the end of the play. Dad never does that unless the persons is truly exceptional...I mean, c'mon...he's seen more theatre and been around/taught/directed more name actors than a lot of people walking around, so for him to be impressed, it has to be a big deal.

Same thing with Mom, but since she's an actress, she's a bit more sympathetic to the actor - but she and I were standing to our feet, like happy puppies. Of course I'm totally in love with Schreiber (he's on my top 3 list of celebrity crushes, being number 2; Johnny Depp and Daniel Craig are the others) so that added to it; but now I'm not just in awe - I'm almost envious. I want to be as good an actor as that. He was so...right on. His work has steadily gotten more an more developed over the years (I've been watching) and now...he's the next Deniro/Duvall/Hoffman...in fact, screw that. He's the next...Schreiber. He does The Work. How the hell he does it, I don't know, but it inspires me to keep up with what I'm trying to do. My beloved pal Bitchy Actress agrees with me; she had just seen it, and her family is in the same industry as mine; they all loved it, and their reaction was the same. She and I are both scratching our chins as we plan how we're going to become the next female Schreibers.

He was amazing. The supporting cast (including Stephanie March, Peter Hermann, Michael Laurence, and Sebastian Stan along with a cast of callers, some of whom were really great) was amazing. The script, by Eric Bogosian, was amazing. The set design was amazing.

The show goes on for another couple of weeks - so get your ass over there and drop $100 and get a seat. If you see nothing else the rest of the year, see this.

Song of the Day: Beastie Boys - Sneakin' Out the Hospital

2007-06-15T21:55:00.000-04:00

Beastie Boys - Sneakin' Out the Hospital

from the album Hello Nasty

This song, a pure intrumental, I thought appropriate because the Beastie's latest album, The Mix Up, which comes out June 26th, is an all-instrumental love child on which Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield says "...the Beasties play their old grooves like they realize how bad people miss them and how high their stock remains despite so many years away."

I suggest, if you want this new album on pre-order, to do what I did and go to their website and buy the album with the special t-shirt package.

ALSO....
The Beastie Boys are going to be playing NYC at Central Park Summerstage on 8/8 and Brooklyn at McCarren Pool on 8/9. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at Ticketmaster (they are on pre-sale now and the password is MIXUP, but on sale to the general public tomorrow - I could tell you this information, but then I'd have to shoot you.)

A New Word I Learned Today

2007-06-12T15:47:00.000-04:00

During my weekly excursion of Defamer.com I was reading their post about the Sopranos Show Finale. As usual, it was hilarious and entertaining. What I am coming to appreciate more and more, though, are the commenters, some of whom are as amusing as Lisanti and Abramovitch.

One of the commenters, Everybody Likes Pandas used the word Craptastico.

I love that word. I laughed out loud. I think that's going to be a new word for me. That and maybe it's mate, craptastic. Yeah...I think I'll start using them to describe a few of the new people and things that I'm experiencing in my life lately.

Yeah. To quote the commercial for the new Ani Mondays Animation on Scifi: It's Just a Steaming Pile of Awesome!

My New Favorite Blog: Creed Thoughts

2007-06-10T11:59:00.000-04:00

Photo: http://blog.nbc.com/CreedThoughts/

It's no secret to anyone who knows me: I have a few tv shows that I'm nuts about and will even cancel a hot date to make sure I'm home to see (unless that date's really really hot). To answer your question before you even ask it - yes, I am a loser.

One of these shows is NBC's The Office, starring Steve Carrel, (Thursday nights, NBC) which started out as a funny and somewhat passable facsimile of the original British version of this show and eventually found its own voice and developed into an amazing program that could completely stand alone on it's own. The actors, the script, the characters - everything is awesome and I laugh, cry, and spew dinner all over the place when I watch it (the latter not a regular thing, but it has been known to happen).

Recently, during a particularly boring day at work (we'll say during lunch in case someone from work reads this...so...) DURING LUNCH...I was checking out the NBC website to see if any new developments had happened in the plot because I had missed last week's episode (and there's ALL kinds of yummy things going on - including Jim and Pam's relationship and Ryan being the new boss)...and I found Creed's Blog - Creed Thoughts.

Creed is a supporting character on the show that is...probably a sociopath. LOL...he's definitely got a few screws loose to say the least, and they have a "blog" for his character on the NBC site. It only has four entries - but it's totally freaking hilarious.

Even if you don't watch the show, I suggest you check this blog out.

Song of the Day: Underworld - Born Slippy (.Nuxx Mix)

2007-06-08T15:33:00.001-04:00

Underworld - Born Slippy (.Nuxx Mix)

originally a b-side to the single Born Slippy, this was made very popular as a track on the Trainspotting soundtrack, a goldmine of amazing music and arguably one of the best soundtracks and best films of the 90's. There's a nice bit of yum yum about it over at Wikipedia.

Gettin' My Diet Groove On

2007-06-07T12:29:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been 3 months since I started and I've lost 22 pounds. To be honest, I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to do it. Now that I've hit that weird world of "The Mid Thirties" (yes, please note the capital letters) I've come to realize that it really IS a wee bit more difficult to lose the weight; rigorous exercise DOES make me a little more tired; the pounds just don't melt off like they once did.

This has been an ongoing thing in my life. I remember having a big life-altering change in my mid 20's: I divorced my first (gasp!) husband and got on a health program; became a vegan vegetarian who ate 50% raw and lost like 40 pounds. I would smile smugly when people would tell me I was "almost too thin" and dated and wore clothes that I had never been able to fit into as a teenager...and have never been able to fit into since.

I think the last time I was actually petite and not really aware or neurotic about what I was eating was when I was about...five. Maybe even earlier. Two or three. That's kinda sad, when I think about it. I mean...I wonder...is there ever going to be a time in my life when I don't have to plan meals ahead of time or put thought into caloric intake at every meal? Or if I decide to splurge and eat out with friends or a companion, and eat like they do, not kill myself at the gym later?

I have to answer honestly: probably not. My body is just not made to eat like everyone else. I was out with someone a week ago and we were having dinner at a really nice restaurant and I was going to order a salad and an appetizer as my entree. He insisted that I order a full entree "It's the weekend! You're relaxing!" and split dessert with him. It was nice, but later I thought about it and was really annoyed the next few days because HE wasn't going to have to deal with the repercussions of eating a full meal like that in the way I would - nor would he understand.

I see girls eating pizza, really skinny girls, with a regular coke, and I wonder: Where was I when God was handing out the rapid metabolism genes?

My mother was thin all her life. She was a sex symbol all throughout her adulthood. Even now, at the age she's at, I would DIE to have a figure like hers - as would most of my friends (including the thin ones). How come I didn't get to wade into that end of the gene pool? Don't get me wrong...I'm relatively happy with the cards I was dealt; I'm attractive, I have a "youthful" looking face (from both of my parents) and I've done okay...but in the "look at food and gain weight" department, I ended up with the shit end of the stick.

So...at the age of 35, I am finding that I can't do it on my own anymore like I thought I could. I have yo-yo'd so much that I think I broke my string. But I have been using Nutrisystem and the gym, and for now, that is doing the trick. The food is wonderful and I've been very happy on it.

I just get a little unhappy sometimes when I think about the fact that I have to always always keep in mind WHAT I'm going to eat BEFORE I even eat it...like a day before, sometimes. So much for spontaneity...or bread...or wine. I really miss booze. LOL

Oh well, I guess my aspirations to be a gutter lush will have to wait.

Song of the Day: Björk - Possibly Maybe

2007-06-03T12:16:00.000-04:00

Björk - Possibly Maybe

This cut is from the album Telegram

Stewart Copeland: "Police Tour Totally Lame"

2007-06-01T16:25:00.000-04:00

Dude...I paid $417 for 1 ticket...this is a horror show. They better not break up before they hit MSG...

Great article; I need to check out Copeland's blog on his site.

Police drummer rips band's "lame" concert

06/01/2007 2:00 AM, Reuters
Dean Goodman

The singer in the Police jumps like a "petulant pansy," the drummer is making a "complete hash," and who knows what the guitarist is doing?

Notes from a bitter critic? Actually, it's a disarmingly frank concert review from the aforementioned drummer of the newly reunited rock trio.

A philosophical Stewart Copeland unleashed his vitriol in a posting on his Web site on Thursday, a day after the band played its second show in Vancouver, the Canadian city where it began its first world tour in more than 20 years on Monday.

"This is unbelievably lame," Copeland wrote of Wednesday's show at the GM Place arena. "We are the mighty Police and we are totally at sea."

Most of the 20,000 fans at the venue might not have noticed a series of small flubs, but Copeland, singer/bassist Sting, and guitarist were painfully aware of them.

Copeland started the show off on the wrong foot, literally. He tripped as he took to the stage, and then banged his gong at the wrong time so that "the big pompous opening to the show is a damp squib."

He did not hear Summers' opening riff to "Message In a Bottle," and Sting in turn misheard Copeland's drum intro -- "so we are half a bar out of sync with each other. Andy is in Idaho."

They quickly recovered, but then Sting got his footwork wrong as he leapt into the air to signal the end to a shambolic version of their rat-race rant "Synchronicity II."

"The mighty Sting momentarily looks like a petulant pansy instead of the god of rock," Copeland reported.

"And so it goes, for song after song," he wrote, with tunes such as "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" and "Don't Stand So Close To Me" reduced to ruin.

"It usually takes about four or five shows in a tour before you get to the disaster gig. But we're The Police so we are a little ahead of schedule," he said.

Fortunately, no fists flew backstage as they did back in the Police's heyday. The threesome fell into each other's arms laughing hysterically, Copeland said.

"Screw it, it's only music. What are you gonna do? But maybe it's time to get out of Vancouver."

The band's next show is set for Saturday in Edmonton.

One good sign is that they didn't fight afterwards...I mean, at the end of their run in the 80's, they had to show up to gigs in separarate limos...so I guess this is a good sign...Copeland is awesome...he doesn't give a fuck. He's like "This is the what happened...and how much we sucked!" -- I have a lot of respect for the guy already, but I'm just wowed by this.

J was like "yeah, it amazes me."

LOL

I paid $417...and I want to see them. I don't care if they just stand on the stage and have a farting contest...That will still rock.

Song of the Day: Van Halen - Hot for Teacher

2007-06-01T13:04:00.000-04:00

Van Halen - Hot for Teacher

from the album 1984, arguably one of the best rock albums of the century, and certainly one of the most definitive albums of 80's rock.

I love love love this song...it reminds me of a few teachers I've had (hehe...yes, I was always the Lolita in the class; a precocious girl who gave her teachers a run for their money and the hot ones an even...harder time)

One that comes to mind was my Spanish teacher in 11th and 12th grade...because he flirted with me right back. He was a single man in his late 30's, handsome, very eccentric. It was AP Spanish, and we used to go to the park and eat lunch and talk in Spanish the whole time...One day I was totally flirting with him and we were sitting on the wall at Riverside Park. He had announced that he was not returning the following year. I was in 12th grade, and had already turned 18...and would be going off to college. I said something like, "Well, now we can start our affair," and he spread out on the wall, laid down with his head in my lap, looking into my face. He had to look past my breasts to do so. I was a bit shocked, especially since a group of students were not that far away.

"You look good from this angle...you want to repeat what you just said?"

It was an interesting end of the year...lol...he was a nutjob, but I miss Andrew.

I found out later when asked by other male students if he and I were having an affair, he said "Yes!"...even though we never really did. Well...not really...lol...details, details...

Song of the Day: War & Eric Burdon - Spill the Wine

2007-05-31T12:27:00.000-04:00

War & Eric Burdon - Spill the Wine

This song is on so many albums...one great one is the collection War: Anthology (1970-1994)

Song of the Day: Taj Mahal - Candy Man

2007-05-22T13:38:00.000-04:00

Taj Mahal - Candy Man
from the album Songs of the South: Farther Along

I just LOVE this little ditty...Taj Mahal is one of my favs, no doubt about it.