"On the Tube" Reviews - Mad Men

On the Tube Reviews
by Mark Loewenstern

Television – Mad Men (**spoilers!**)

episode: “Respect Betty”

Don Draper’s ex-wife Betty has generated so much hatred since the new season of “Mad Men” started, you’d think she shoved a cat into a trashcan. But those who cringe every time she comes on the screen are missing a simple and elegant truth that lies at the core of this excellent show, which is this: Betty was the ultimate victim of Don’s genius for advertising; he ruined her life.

Just as Don has temporarily escaped from New York to California, where he could drop his false identity and as Dick Whitman literally “be himself,” Betty was at her most authentic when she was in Italy…both in last season’s vacation episode and, more importantly, in her previous life as an artist’s model and starlet. But Don convinced her to give all that up to be a housewife in Ossining… literally selling her on the same version of the American Dream that he sells every day at the office, a dream that Betty didn’t know that she didn’t want until it was too late. If she is a terrible mother now, consider that she didn’t want to be one, or at least, not while she was still in her early 20s.

Worse still, Don didn’t actually give her what he was selling. When Betty married him, she thought she was getting a stable provider. Now she knows the truth: her ex-husband and the father of her children may be a master of the world in some quarters, but as an army deserter he is also one phone call away from a long prison term.

And this brings us to the heart of the matter: Betty’s role going forward.

“Mad Men’s” famous title sequence, with a man falling from a disintegrating skyscraper, clues us in that a great fall is coming for Don Draper. And Betty, who both knows Don’s sordid past and also has the motive to do him harm, is uniquely placed to bring about this fall. She is Don’s nemesis, the avenging fury who will one day call him to account for all his past sins.

Prisoner of Tehran

"Prisoner of Tehran" - Review

by M. Tomycz

Marina Nemat's gripping memoir, Prisoner of Tehran, is an extraordinary, riveting and heartbreaking read. It tells of her extraordinary survival in Tehran's notorious Evin prison during the Iranian revolution.

Born during the time of the Shah, Marina was in her teens when the revolution occurred and the Ayatollah Khomeini took power. Her life as an innocent, idealistic youth changed drastically under the new regime. Suddenly everything she loved - books, music, even the color pink - was considered Satanic and against the law.

Her former teachers were replaced by young, inexperienced revolutionary guards - an elite, idealogical military force, established by the Ayatollah. When she asked her new calculus teacher to please teach the subject at hand (rather than government propaganda), she was asked to leave the class. Most of her classmates stood up and left with her. This immediately labeled them as anti-revolutionaries and enemies of Islam.

Before long she was arrested, like thousands of other Iranian teens, and sent to Evin prison - a place synonymous with injustice, torture and death. After being interrogated, lashed, and put on trial - she was sentenced to death at the tender age of 16. Moments before the firing squad ended her life, a guard who had fallen in love with her, was able to save her.

Decades later, after she had left Iran and built a new life in Canada, Marina was plagued by nightmares, despair and survivors guilt. She couldn't make peace with the fact that she had been spared, while her friends had lost their lives. "Closure is a myth. It does not exist." she said in an interview. But by bearing witness to what had transpired behind those walls, she hoped to find healing and forgiveness.

"Imagine if Anne Frank had never written her diary. The human side of history would be lost, " Nemat says. Her memoir does just that - gives a human face to the revolution in Iran. It is both a testament to the spirit of survival, as well as a loving tribute to those young men and women who didn't survive Evin.

Get your festival on...

Get Your Festival On....

by K.Beil

It's summertime good people and that means it's the season of festivals. Whether they be music, theater, jazz, comedy - it doesn't matter. It's a chance for you to experience multiple acts in one place and in most cases, somewhere outside and beautiful.

We've been very fortunate this summer to experience festival-life in and around England. From Glastonbury to Hard Rock, iTunes to the wireless festival - it's been a feast for the ears (and eyes - festivals are a GREAT place to people watch if nothing else!). I mean, hearing Stevie Wonder rock it out while the sun sets...not a bad night. Not a bad night at all.

I urge you to grab your sunglasses, a blanket, a loved one and whatever else you need and seek out a festival near you. It's guaranteed to be a good time. I've taken the care to search out a few, far and wide, to highlight - check them out!


Tanglewood Festival
Lenox, Massachusettes, USA

BBC Proms
London, England, UK

July 16 - September 11, 2010

Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Fringe 2010 features 40,254 performances of 2,453 shows in 259 venues

New York Fringe Festival
New York, New York, USA

The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) is the largest multi-arts festival in North America, with more than 200 companies from all over the world performing for 16 days in more than 20 venues.FringeNYC will celebrate its 14th Anniversary August 13th - 29th, 2010.

Umbria Jazz Festival
Perugia, Italy

Great jazz 9 July - 18 July

Helsinki Festival
Helsinki, Finland

20 August - 5 September

Helsinki Festival in a nutshell The Helsinki Festival is the largest arts festival in Finland, organised annually in late summer. The festival's aim is to make art accessible for all.

The Buzz about Banksy

The Buzz about Banksy

by M.Tomycz

Know what the hottest ticket at Sundance was this year? It's probably not what you think. Fans and festival goers waited for hours in the cold, cold rain to see the film "Exit Through the Gift Shop", a last minute addition to the festival line-up. "Why all the buzz?", you ask. Because of one two-syllable word: Banksy.

If you haven't heard of Banksy, you probably soon will. But even once you know of him, you still won't know about him. No one really does. And that's exactly how this anonymous British graffiti artist wants it.

What is known: Banksy is from the UK. Possibly born in Bristol around 1974. His work began mysteriously popping up on city walls and on trains in the late 90's. His distinctive images are created using a stenciling technique, similar to that of Blek le Rat (who is known as the pioneer of stencil graffiti art). Themes of his work tend to be political: anti-war, anti-establishment, pro-freedom. He has achieved cult status and has a celebrity following, yet there are many who still view his work as nothing more than vandalism.

Banksy, whose real name may be either Rob Banks or Robin Gunningham, seems to enjoy all the controversy. In 2005, on a trip to the Middle East, he created several images on the Palestinian side of the West Bank barrier wall, ruffling many feathers.

A year earlier, he walked into the Louvre and hung a picture resembling the Mona Lisa, but with a smiley face for the head. He has, in fact, smuggled his work into many of the top museums in the world.

As Banksy's popularity grows, so does his mystique, and "Exit Through the Gift Shop" just adds another piece to the puzzle.

The movie is about French guy named Thierry Guetta who's making a documentary about anonymous graffiti artists. When he meets the secretive Banksy, the tables are turned, and all of a sudden Guetta is the one being documented. In the film, which he also directs, Banksy speaks to the camera - though he's cloaked in a hoodie and his voice is disguised.

As with all things "Banksy", controversy surrounds the film and reactions are divided. Is it really Banksy? Does this "documentary" have any truth to it at all? Does it even matter? By all accounts the film is entertaining and provides a glimpse into an underground art world most of us don't get a chance to see. "Who Needs Truth? This is art", reads one enthusiastic review - and we're inclined to agree.

Million Dollar Quartet

This spring a new musical is opening on Broadway called 'Million Dollar Quartet'. While it contains songs that you already know and love, it's far from the stereotype of that new breed of 'jukebox' musicals. Unlike those other jukebox musicals - in which a thin plot is contrived around an artist's catalog of songs - this 'Million Dollar Quartet' is based on a true event - no need to create any plot or any added drama. It's about artists you already know and love - with their music you already know and love - and about a day that you may not know about, but most certainly have to love.



Million Dollar Quartet is the name given to recordings made on Tuesday December 4, 1956 in the Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. The recordings were of an impromptu jam session between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

'The jam session seems to have happened by pure chance. Perkins, who by this time had already met success with "Blue Suede Shoes", had come into the studios that day, accompanied by his brothers Clayton and Jay and by drummer W.S. Holland, their aim being to cut some new material, including a revamped version of an old blues song, "Matchbox". Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, who wished to try to fatten this sparse rockabilly instrumentation, had brought in his latest acquisition, singer and piano man extraordinaire, Jerry Lee Lewis, still unknown outside Memphis, to play the piano on the Perkins session.

Sometime in the early afternoon, Elvis Presley, a former Sun artist himself, but now at RCA, dropped in to pay a casual visit accompanied by a girlfriend, Marilyn Evans.[1] He was, at the time, the biggest name in show business, having hit the top of the singles charts five times, and topping the album charts twice in the preceding 12 month period. Less than four months earlier, he had appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, pulling an unheard-of 83% of the television audience, which was estimated at 55 million, the largest in history, up to that time. After chatting with Philips in the control room, Presley listened to the playback of the Perkins’ session, which he pronounced to be good. Then he went into the studio and some time later the jam session began. Phillips left the tapes running in order to "capture the moment" as a souvenir and for posterity. At some point during the session, Sun artist Johnny Cash, who had also enjoyed a few hits on the country charts, popped in (Cash noted in his autobiography Cash that it was he who was the first to arrive at Sun Studio that day). As Jerry Lee pounded away on the piano, Elvis and his girlfriend at some point slipped out. Cash claims in Cash that "no one wanted to follow Jerry Lee, not even Elvis."

As the session continued, Phillips spotted an opportunity for some publicity and called a local newspaper, the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Bob Johnson, the newspaper’s entertainment editor came over to the studios accompanied by a UPI representative named Leo Soroca, and a photographer.

The following day, an article, written by Johnson about the session, was published in the Memphis Press-Scimitar under the title, "Million Dollar Quartet". The article contained the now well known photograph of Presley seated at the piano surrounded by Lewis, Perkins and Cash.' *from Wikipedia

If not for the actual recordings of that day - it seems too good to be true. Four musical legends in the same room, no agenda but to jam out and play with each other. One can only dream of being a fly on the wall in that room. And what of the musicians themselves? There is proven psychology behind playing with other experts - you become a better musician when you play with people who are better than you. Although forgive me for not wanting to say who was better than who on that day. And who's to say? Four masters like that in a room...nothing less than inspired.

It makes you wonder - in this day in age...the age of Facebook, Myspace, Garage Band, and I'm sure many other programs that I-of-close-to-middle-age know nothing about, are there still musicians out there, playing with the door open? Open to collaboration and jamming with their peers. My gut says - yes of course. But again, I wonder if Elvis, Jerry Lee, Carl and Johnny had lived now...if that day would happen, and if their careers for that matter would have looked different.

On another note - it just goes to show that when you are open to opportunity and new ideas - you never know what kind of amazing things will unfold.

Twilight Theatre Company presents: PALESTINE

Najla Said is many things: a New Yorker, a Palestinian-Lebanese-Christian-American, a writer, an actress, a Princeton graduate and the daughter of Palestinian activist and scholar Dr. Edward Said. But one thing she insists she really is not, is "political".

Growing up on the upper west side of Manhattan, she attended a private prep school where the majority of her closest friends were Jewish. Like many young girls, her most fervent desire at the time was to fit in. And that meant distancing herself from her complicated Middle Eastern roots and the emotions that they stirred within her. She lived a life of privilege and comfort, and wasn't particularly interested in concerning herself with the causes and creeds of her highly politicized family. However, a trip to Palestine in her teenage years changed all that.

Her one-woman show "Palestine" is about this journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with what it really means to be Arab-American. It comes as no surprise that it's getting quite a lot of buzz, and has been extended to April 3rd. We hope to check it out early next week.

Najla Said reads an excerpt from her play "Palestine"

studio sessions

Whether you are a musician or not, you can appreciate when great musicians come together and perform live. There is something so magical about the energy of a studio jam session or an impromptu performance somewhere.
This video of the Morning Benders performing their single 'Excuses' with a bunch of their San Francisco musician friends just came to my attention from a friend on Facebook. Christopher, the lead singer, says he was inspired by Phil Spector and his 'wall of sound' for this recording session. Whatever inspired it, I think it's...well, inspiring.


Here are some other great performances brought to you by the wonder that is YouTube. Seriously - a new appreciation for YouTube in that it provides a platform to discover such treasures. Oh and by the way - did you know that Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates) has a new web series call 'Live from Daryl's House'? It's great - he invites over various artists, cooks for them, chats with them, then they jam out in his home studio. Well played Daryl.

Miles Davis & Louis Malle Recording Session


Cheap Thrills Recording Session of Janis Joplin singing 'Summertime'


Diane Birch & Daryl Hall singing her song 'Don't Wait Up' in his home studio.


Live at Abbey Road - Paul Simon singing 'Slip Slidin' Away'

1st Annual Harlem Fine Arts Show

One World One Art member and painter Greg C. attended the Harlem art show last month and was kind enough to send us some pics and thoughts. Of the show Greg said, "The armory is a huge open space, as armories go. Great space for such a show, and it's surprising that it's the first of it's kind in Harlem. Should be the start of many more to come."

He went on to say "The first pic is a piece titled "See you in 5 minutes" by Sterling Brown. It's clearly a painting but i didn't ask him whether it was oil, acrylic etc. i just liked the image, so much so that i bought a poster print of it, which he was selling for $25. Now it hangs in my kitchen..."


"See you in 5 minutes" - S.Brown

"The next three pieces are by Robert Carter (robertcarterstudio.com), an older stylish, refined gentleman who now lives on Long Island. Much of his work is multi-media, incorporating wood, ceramic and paint, some 2-D, some 3-D. Very skilled draftsman."




"The final piece is by an artist named Corey. His last name escapes me but he's a younger southern gentleman who provided this website:
visions@swbell.net. What's interesting about this drawing is the use of both ink and shoe polish to create the image on paper. His work recalls the days of segregation and overt racism in the south. You can't make it out in the photo but there's a sign in the upper right corner that reads 'No colored'."

Subway Musicians

One of the things we love about New York is that it's one of the few places in the world where you can hear music wafting up from grates below your feet. Here's a sampling of what's going on underground.

Beatboxing flute player Greg Pattillo and Cello player Eric Stephenson at Union Square subway station


A taste of Mexico on the train


The Elianto Quintet, Times Square Station

How To Make It In America

The newest addition to the HBO family is the series How to Make it in America - a portrait of struggling Brooklynites trying to make a name for themselves in the competitive New York fashion world. The show was created by first time writer Ian Edelman and stars Bryan Greenberg, Victor Rasuk and the always entertaining Luis Guzman. Shot in and around NYC, one really gets a feel for the city that never sleeps. The dialogue is smart and fun, and the characters are engaging. That said, it all seems a bit stylized at times... lots of hipsters, lots of hipness. It would be nice to see a little more grit and soul. New York is packed full of immigrants who came here with nothing more than the hope of making a better life for themselves and their families. They certainly have had to figure out how to "make it in America", and it would be interesting (and compelling) to see some of those stories get woven in as well.

Black Art Comes Back to Harlem

1st Annual Harlem Fine Art Show, Feb 20 & 21

An exciting, interactive exposition showcasing contemporary works created by Afro-American artists in a variety of mediums. Displaying the best pieces by globally celebrated and emerging talents, the show will illustrate the compelling nature of Black art, as well as the tremendous contributions Afro-American artists are making to the world’s cultural landscape.

Historic Harlem's 369th Armory

2366 Fifth Ave (btwn 142nd and 143rd sts)

NY, NY 10037

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT
TICKET ANNEX
AND ALL TICKET ANNEX OUTLETS
BY PHONE CALL (866) 388-4-TIX (866)-388-4849)

www.harlemfineartsshow.com

This inaugural film festival in the East Village celebrates independent cinema from Ukraine and other post-Soviet bloc countries. The festival is a new voice in the New York cinema community that features films and filmmakers emerging from the memory of the Iron Curtain. Opening night guests include Jonas Mekas, founder of Anthology Film Archives, who will present his autobiographical filmReminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania, and Annette Michelson, Prof. Emeritus of NYU Cinema Studies. The four-day, 6-session event will include feature documentaries, shorts and animations with presentations by filmmakers and guest speakers. All films are in English or contain English subtitles.

Feb 25 to 28, 2010 (opening night reception)

Screenings: Thurs 7pm, Fri 7pm, Sat 5pm & 8pm, Sun 2pm & 5pm

$10 admission ($8 advance purchase), $24 festival pass

Tickets: www.kinofestNYC.com or www.ukrainianmuseum.org

The Ukrainian Museum

222 East 6th Street (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.), New York, NY 10003, 212-228-0110

Subway: 6 to Astor Pl., R to 8th St.

The Ukrainian Museum's film series and programs are funded in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

One Love

Art and Music get it on and make ‘One Love’ at a monthly installation curated by Kilford The Music Painter. The installation launches Monday 15th Feb at http://www.thesocial.com

“One Love brings together Art & Music like never before, it’s the only place where great musicians come to have their live music painted, its going to be rocking”.

Only 150 max capacity with £5 tickets available on the door. Every penny from One Love goes to The Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust (http://www.cancertherapies.org.uk)

CONFIRMED ACTS

John & Jehn (on at 10)
http://www.myspace.com/johnjehn
http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Jehn/8434179087?ref=ts

Speak & The Spells (on at 9)
http://www.myspace.com/speakandthespells

Siskin (on at 8)
http://www.myspace.com/siskinmusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Siskin/8786368059

Kilford talks about the Acts on his blog http://www.therealmusicpainter.blogspot.com/

Hands on a Hard Body

Hands on A Hard Body - Review

by M.Tomycz

Hands on a Hard Body is a documentary from the 80's about a contest in Texas where locals compete for a pick-up truck by seeing who can keep their hand on it the longest. Seem easy? It's not. This promotional event turns into a grueling journey of sweat, tears, hope and determination. People drop from sheer exhaustion. Families and friends rally around. Church groups show up and sing praises (this is Texas, after all).


The contestants themselves are a fascinating bunch. A young man, just out of the Marines. Kerri Parker, who bicycles six miles to work every day because she can't afford a car. A couple who talks about being down on their luck and you can't help but notice they are missing a mouthful of teeth. Another couple who claim they've been "praying for a truck" and this contest is God's answer to their prayers. Although this film has it's share of comedic moments, it is also quite moving. One can't help but get emotionally invested in these folks and find a renewed respect for the human spirit.




Sadly, the contest was marked by tragedy a few years ago. A young contestant named Ricky Vega walked away from the truck during the competition, headed into a K-mart, grabbed a shotgun and killed himself. The contest was discontinued out of respect for the loss to his family.


I begrudgingly watched this film years ago with an old friend (i didn't think a film about a Texas truck competition would be all that compelling - i was wrong) and ended up loving it. It's hard to find these days, but if you can, give it a look. The trailer is posted below, although it really doesn't do it justice. Rumor is that Robert Altman is making it into a movie. We also hear that a musical theater version is in the works. Wow. If that happens, rest assured we'll be there with (cow) bells on.

Beat Procrastination in 2010

If you find yourself getting stuck in the vicious cycle of "i'll get to it later", you might want to try and implement this little trick. It's called the ten-minute rule, and from what we've heard, it seems to work.

10 Minute Rule'Acknowledge, "I don't feel like doing that," but do it for 10 minutes anyway. That gets you over the hard work of initiation. After being involved in the activity for 10 minutes, then decide whether to continue. Once you're involved, it's easier to stay with a task. Succeeding at a task does not require that you like doing it.' - Gina Trapani