Out On The Stoop is my exploration about things to know, talk about or experience these amazing times. The Stoop mantra is Think, think, it ain't illegal yet.
Yeah, the dance. Not talking about the Rumpshaker or the Electric Slide.
This is a video created by two people (not the dancers in the video) about what they got out of a song by the band Alabama Shakes.
They were inspired by the song and created a video. Apparently there was a contest by the band that fans could participate by creating an official video.
This didn't win.
Hold on.
What do you do when you create something good, with good intent?
That could be considered to violate copyright?
You hold your breath and hope for the best. I don't know how long this video will be up.
Can you have an official and permitted unofficial version of a work?
When I was young all I needed was a thumping bass and percussion. And some guitar, and a lyric I could mangle.
I knew that Eric Burdon sang with a group called The Animals but I never saw the man. I certainly knew about the group War but never laid eyes on them either.
This is the group War and Eric Burdon on vocals riffing on Spill The Wine.
If it wasn't raining I go get some. It is raining outside and inside. I came home to 72 and counting e-mails. I know stuff has hit the fan when it crosses 40.
I'm working my way through them. I don't want to talk about the topics now. My views will be apparent soon enough. Just need the time to write. And calm down.
For this day I am thankful that I get to vent at myself instead of another person. I've been angry at hurtful men this week. Not all men, just the really nasty, toxic, Lawd Jeebus come take these fools off the planet type men.
I don't know how Gandhi did it. Meditation my ass; where is the licking stick! And that is where I fail in my goal to transmute the anger into positive energy. It is a chasm that is still too wide.
Which is why I need to dance to the video and send anger on its way. I'm no good to anybody when I am this angry about the attacks on women, emotional, physical and sexual this week and every week. But especially this week.
It is so bad I might have to voluntarily clean something.
I might have mentioned that I buy healing and meditative recording from SoundsTrue.
For those like myself that need to be reminded that there are better people that are seeking ways to deal with internal pain and suffering.
You can listen at the computer, download mp3 audio to your media/mobile device or subscribe on iTunes.
After I finish singing a couple of times I'll head over their and see if I can get a glimmer of understanding about taking my anger and using it for a higher purpose than to want to whack somebody upside the head.
I have Kool Aid - the kind that needs sugar. I might have some fruit. Kool Aid Smoothies? I suppose it is possible. I guess that will have to do.
Michael Jeter was an extraordinary talent. He could do comedy, dance, theater anything the part called for so long as they called him.
Jeter should be remembered for what he did on stage and screen but more than that he was the kind of performer that when you saw him you knew he was going to treat you to an experience.
This is a scene from the Broadway play Grand Hotel. For you newbies, Mr. Jeter is the thin balding gentleman. Every once in a while keep an eye on his dancing feet. The man gave 100% and then some.
Most of all he helps me to take a moment to smile and to remember there are good things worth holding on as we seek better days to come.
Ah Lou, where have you been? Lou Bega is from the "I'm a lover, not a fighter school" of pop music. Special props for celebrating the all around girls.
This is a little something that you can kick up on for a bit of palpitation called Sweet Like Cola.
I am not a Bollywood musical fan. I've seen clips of some films but a Bollywood musical film is a cultural specific art form. I am a fan of hot men dancing. This, my friends, transcends culture and speaks directly to my central nervous system.
The gentleman who is getting folks all hot and bothered is Shah Rukh Khan. He is an actor/producer with a worldwide fan base in the billions. I never heard of him until I stumbled into this clip.
This is a segment from the 2007 movie Om Shanti Om in which Mr. Khan is flipping that six pack. He is reminding all of us of the healing properties of water and dance.
The music isn't bad but truth be told that wasn't what I was most focusing on. It was the words in the captions. Honest. They really don't have much to do with the melody but they are kinda trippy.
I might have to re-evaluate my feelings about Bollywood films. I do appreciate half naked men. Singing, dancing or talking it works for me. They don't have to as sculpted as Mr. Khan but you gotta start somewhere.
There are times when you are funky and there are times when you need the power of The Funk to lift you to a higher space.
I don't know Aaron Vest because his wife twitters 72.8 times more than he does. I have met him once or twice but not a day goes by without Mrs. Vest throwing a tweet or two in his direction.
This is for his birthday and since I don't know what to get a man who has everything, even in the mist of a hell, high water and is that a tsunami about to break? kind of year.
This is the full get up off that thing version of Mr. Rufus Thomas and the Funky Chicken. Grab a thigh bone and do what you can. Those with wing trouble can sway and cluck, same thing but don't over do it.
Pace yourself. These are professional dancing cluckers.
No ten dollar words today. I have met the challenge of the day by not spending any money or participating in any way toward Black Friday. It is time to dance, make silly and drop any pretense of maturity.
From the dust bin of time, I give you Mr. Soupy Sales and the Hullabaloo dancers doing The Mouse. For those that protest I remind you that a few months later we were all doing The Batman.
Wait, I can't find my ruby slipper! Oh, wait - I don't have one. My bad. I am learning to appreciate Twitter because the people know stuff. Liz Henry's tweet pointed me to this video by Maria and the Diamonds.
Yes. There is dancing and singing and merrymaking with menfolks on our terms.
Yo, what's not to like?
Still cranking away for days 18 and 19 of Vlomo. I fell asleep. I was tired of real life and needed to visit my dreams. Oh, well back to the sprint.
A few months back I wrote a post for BlogHer about the theater. This is a version of that post but I thought it would be timely to look again. The movie For Colored Girls opened this week. My heart isn't into rushing to the movie.
There has been a lot of discussions about the movie, the play, re-interpretation and so forth. My BlogHer colleague Nordette Adams wrote an excellent perspective from various stake holders.
Here is my two cents.
I attended a performance of For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf play many years ago. It was the must see play and folks packed the theater. It was the first time that I witness black women performing, poetry as stage craft and words as power.
I had the stage album and the book. So yes, I was a fan.
The movie is something else. It is another persons creation. Tyler Perry has put his imprint on certain sections of the text, removed others and placed it in a cinematic context.
I can't judge it based on my memories of 30 years ago. It has to stand as its own work. When I am ready I may or may not view the movie. A new generation of young women will find what is valuable and what is not.
But is is not Shange's play. And the play is the thing. Speaking of which good theater is like heartbreak. There is a space missing that needs to be healed. The sad thing is that I have learned to live without live theater. I have been away from it for too long.
Part of the problem is the financial accessibility of buying a ticket. No one really wants to pay money to see a stinker of a play. Not at $80 to $150 or more a seat.
Broadway made a $1 billion in gross sales for the 2009-2010 season. They don’t need me to tell them what draws the crowd.
Producers and audiences have made decisions on the kind of theater that will be supported. A visit to The Broadway Musical blog confirmed my suspicions. Many of the plays are revivals or converted movies and television shows.
I do like entertaining plays or musicals. There are times when you need to get away and just step into an experience that isn’t going to do anything to you but give you pleasure.
I know there is a place for Technicolor dazzlers like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
It looks like a great production. However, I won’t be seeing it when it comes to town. You see, I’ve already seen the movie. When the original movie came out I took a chance and bought a ticket. I was rewarded by stepped into a different world. I want that same element of risk in a theater production.
The Importance of Revivals
You can get that kind of experience if you’ve never seen the play or the source material before.
Revivals of classic theater plays are necessary. Unless the play has been recorded you can’t really pass along what made the play special. Even when you do record a theatrical performance an element gets lost – the actual connection between the play and the audience.
Yvonne Korshak of Let’s Talk Off-Broadway wants you to know that there is a theater world beyond Broadway that are producing classics, revivals and contemporary plays in search of an audience.
For those plays that I haven’t seen or experienced in another form this could by a path of exploration. Kat at Painted Air is excited about a possible Lily Allen project. For me, this would be a compromise but I don’t know about me and Bridget Jones.
Still, I need something more.
In Search Of – The Unknown
I’m willing to step beyond the sure thing. Theater is about engagement but it is also about risk and taking chances. It is watching an actor stepping out on stage and giving 100% and the audience either accepts it or rejects it.
What do you do when you like the theater but your needs are not mainstream? When in doubt, find a theater blogger.
The Metal Children won't leave you with easy answers about the power of art and the responsibility of the artist, but at least it raises the questions.
Silver Stars is a community-based, devised theatre piece by an Irish theatre company called Broken Talkers, who create work by mining people’s stories about their lives and knitting it into coherent evenings of theatre. The play, which I saw performed at the Under the Radar Festival at the Public Theater on January 16, collects narratives from middle-aged Irish gay men who, because of homophobia in their native country, had to flea elsewhere to live honestly and comfortably.
Marisabidilla is a theater/culture blog from Marisa Skudlarek in San Francisco who enjoyed Giant Bones:
I know, there are a lot of plays about plays out there, and sometimes it can seem like an overdone topic. But not when it is really well done--written, staged and performed by people who truly do know and love the power of theater--the way that Giant Bones is.
Still On the Other Side of the Ticket Box
If theater means that hit movies and television shows are going to be converted to the stage then count me out. It would have to be an exceptional production to get me in the seat.
If theater means a range of plays and productions that cater to a variety of interest I could be tempted if I was properly wooed. I haven’t been lately. I will say that being able to sample a play via web video or audio podcasts would be a good way to start.
It might take those of us in new media to find ways to help communicate about theatrical productions of interest beyond the tried and true. One of the thing theater lovers could do is help out the unofficial Internet Theater Database with contributions and citations of plays seen and experienced.
Portions of this post were originally published at BlogHer where I am a Contributing Editor.
We take a pause for the videoblogging cause on account I'm editing and trying to upload before midnight. This is the week that the republicans and tea party participants are celebrating.
Phase 1 on taking the country back. I never can get a straight answer as to where or back to. My guess is limited government. Limited social engagement and services. Less controls over the oppressed and downtrodden business class. Let me not forget the establishment of a Christian nation codified in some governmental documentation.
Even though the founding fathers said, "No." Yep. They were happy.
I was happy too because I live in California and almost everybody that was a Democrat got elected or re-elected. I don't think Carly has conceded the election to Barbara Boxer yet.
Twisting.
Anyway, this video is for those that want to go back in time and twist away any bi-partisan or communication ideas. I say twist and work that leg something crazy.
It is also an opportunity to observe one culture emulating creativity from another culture and making it their own.
For those of you on the TP tip twist and pretend that complicated issues can be solved with a red pen, no votes and a bible.
Go on, twist and make believe that establishing a stripped down government will make you all warm and fuzzy. We'll see how much you believe when your senator has a pork barrel project for your community and you will call for him to not push it through?
I don't think so.
Other Voices
The rest of y'all might want to check out Tim Wise post on the election and the long historical view.
It really is strong stuff. If you are tenderhearted person don't read it. If your spirit demands a loving and centered place do not read it.
If you however need to know what various people are talking about this is one of the items of conversation. I'm not condemning or endorsing.
I have to say that Tim's words had me all twisted up. For another perspective check out Mark Morfold's Letter to a Whiny Democrat at the SF Chronicle.
You know what the biggest surprise is about the Bell city council story? That the Los Angeles Times actually investigated and created a news story worth reading. The reports about fiscal mischief is what newspapers are supposed to do.
To pay attention to the local community. This story has resonated with everybody cuz if tiny Bell is on the scoop and dupe then we might have a solution to the budget crises. This is what you need a bean counter for; not to run television shows but to do the government numbers like taking a lice comb through school kids hair.
You are going to come up with something. So in honor of the L.A. Times not running another story about Lindsey or Mel, for allowing non-AP content on the front page and in full recognition that they are gonna milking this story for all it is worth and then some, I give you Ring My Bell by Ann Lee.
I would have linked to the Anita Ward version but Warner is not fooling about yanking stuff down, if you catch my drift. Anyway this is a fun, dance inspired version. Very respectable.
Unlike those rascals in the city government of Bell,California.
Damn. I see multiple investigations. I see people booking a flight to a non-reciprocating country. I see someone looking for the guy in MacArthur Park who specializes in reconfigured identities.
The day was even longer than I thought it was. Whew! All I want to do is nothing. That is not in the game plan at the moment. What I can do it take a moment to, you know, Shout!
This is the Isley Brothers form 1959:
Yes, that will un-rust the mental lock step bucket. What is really trippy is cover versions made by other performers at that time. This video was an unexpected find but the girl did alright.
This is Lulu:
Her body was moving but her hair stayed in place. Gotta give props to the industrial hair spray of the day. In any case there is something about that song that can bust up the internal cloak of doom.
Just as a reminder for the holiday weekend: clean underwear, have a spare condom, think before speaking after a few beers and don't drink and drive, text, sex or ignore the living person next to you and your iPhone.
Sometimes you have to sit back and let life happen. There was the Make Music Festival 2010 and the Pasadena Chalk Festival in Pasadena. I had a camcorder and a bit of time.
The sun was warm. The music was hot.
This is a little mash-up of the two events. The musicians are Jose Espinosa and his Umbalaye.
I have been doing more exercising because I don't want to internally rust up. I've been a chair jockey for too long. You really do have to move that thing but with a desk job that is hard to do.
Damned if you do and damned if you don't. Seeing as how I don't want to have anything replaced or tinkered with I think it is in my best interest to make time, even if it mean waking up a little earlier than I want to.
Believe me, I'm not a natural early riser. Yet I have to say that I can feel something is good is happening. My body is telling me you should keep doing this moving stuff.
I wish there were more public places where we could swing out and dance when we needed to bust a move. Maybe in a post-venom society. Until then, this is Earth, Wind and Fire from 1987 with System of Survival directed by Bob Giraldi.
I fought the stupid and kept it at bay. I kept my eyes on the goal and the goal was to get to Friday. Time for something new.
To me at least. I am so out of the music loop it ain't funny. I gave up when robotics replaced singing. Robotic lyrics, robotic gyrations and nothing really important to say but it goes on and on. Only a good DJ re-mix can save most of what is called popular music today. The poor DJs must be tuckered out trying to make music out of garbage.
Anyway, I'm flipping the e-mail pile and I come cross a link to a video by this group called Frances and the Lights.
I'm not expecting anything but I give it a go. The name of the tune is Darling, It's Alright:
I do love black and white film and videos. Let's see, I believe the correct response is I like the video. It had a beat and I could dance to it. (Ancient American Bandstand meme.)
But can they perform in color? Let's find out. the name of the song is Lime at a performance at Diesel in New York.
Much to do and 62 hours left to do it in and I don't know where to start. Darling, it's alright.
Let me set the scene for you. You are in a movie theater on a Saturday afternoon. After a couple of cartoons and a movie short feature and just before the main attraction you get to watch a recording of The T.A.M.I. Show.
It just so happens that every time I couldn't scrounge up fifty cents was the very time the movie house would show the flick.
Yeah, I've never seen it. I had to listen to people tell me about second hand. No VHS of it that I know of, not even bootleg.
Not that I condone that kinda thing. I don't. Really.
Just saying. No bootleg action. The real reason it took so long was to work out the rights and ownership issues. Um, this translates into who was gonna get paid and how much if anything at all. Not just the on-screen performers but the producers, backers and anybody else that had a piece of paper saying "pay me."
It took them 40+ years but they finally worked it out. This is a glorious time. The DVD is out and if you have any affection for James Brown singing Night Train or Please, Please, Please you might want to check it out.
If your bones find themselves twitching to Chuck Berry's Maybellene or even some dudes from across the creek singing Time is On My Side then you might want to pick-up on this until now impossible recording of the T.A.M.I. Show.
If you check out the Wikipedia page you can get the full line up of pop, rock, R&B and Soul acts. One of those is performers is Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.
In this particular clip folks get a chance to see Claudette Robinson match the fellas step by step in heels. It is a great example of what these performers did on the road and in theaters across the country. (Update: This clip is not from The T.A.M.I Show but an example of what people experienced when they went to places like The Apollo.)
The photo links to the Turner Movie Classics store but Amazon has it as well. On the Amazon page there is a video clip of the Beach Boys, for those of that persuasion. I don't judge, live and let live I say.
I don't get a flat nickle for plugging it either way. This is more of a public service announcement that this is a memory we want to pass along.
It is funny how things turn out. A post about a message that I wasn't acceptable to a guy because I was older was syndicated by BlogHer. If you haven't already you should check out the 30 minute movie by Spike Jonze that he did for Absolute Vodka.
The movie was shot in Eagle Rock which is in the northeastern section of Los Angeles with known landmarks between the Eagle Rock Plaza and Pasadena. I liked it because in our rush to become cyborgs there is still a spark of need and for touch.
If robots and automatons can find love maybe there is hope for the organics.
Now I'm not saying you totally have to suspend you thinking skills here. There are plot holes and questions that when you think about it don't make sense.
You don't have to be African American to visit the California African American Museum. In fact, if you are not African American I definitely think you should go for a visit. If you are African American and haven't been what the heck are you waiting for, an invitation?
Ok. I invite you to visit the museum. It is free, by the way.
There are a bunch of events that folks should know about so here is a quick run down:
An Idea Called Tomorrow - 1 , a collaboration with the Skirball Museum - according to the web site it is "intended to inspire visitors to reflect upon the active role we must all play in bringing about a more just, equitable, and peaceful future."
In addition to the exhibits there are art workshops. As soon as my secret inside source mails me the flyer (um, she is retro old school) I'll post the freebie art event.
So if you home school or looking for something to do with the kids on your weekend and, you don't have cash for Disneyland, this might be an option for you and the little darlings/devils.
The address of the California African American Museum is 600 State Drive, Exposition Park Los Angeles, CA 90037. The museum is open Tuesday - Sunday. They are closed on Mondays.
It was a rough Friday. It was the kind of Friday where you go to the Salt Mine sick as a dog and then everybody who has questions pick that day to ask you questions.
It was a day when other people's lunch has you looking for a nose plug to stop the stench. It was a day when being non-chemically disorientated is not fun.
It was also a day when mercy is shown to you by a friend who brings you home to a 15 hour nap.
So yes, I need to watch Christopher Walken dance and strip. I need a bit of fun. Cracks me up and reminds me of Jimmy Cagney, who was another so-called tough guy who could hoof it. This is from the movie Pennies From Heaven.
I would have also like to shown you the Fatboy Slim video with Mr. Walken, Weapons of Choice.
Maybe that is the answer, make the men folk dance to release the pressure. Dance slams instead of war.
Yes a shout out to all the fakes, distorters and opportunists everywhere. It has been a while but rattling on the edge of musical memory is Alexander O'Neal.
He wasn't a pretty boy singer, no this was a manly man on the mike. Alexander O'Neal's music videos came across as man power in a suit. O'Neal is still performing and has a web site up to support his latest album.
This is just a gentle reminder about being careful with the stories that you tell yourself. There are repercussions and possible concussions if you confuse yourself with the wrong truth to the right person.
