Book of Love

Free verse. Photographs. Graph paper. Duct tape.

Book of Love
for Tom

A few sample pages. 12 total.

Raves, Reviews, and Recommendations

Blau and Baptism

Last Thursday night, I went to DiverseWorks to see Blau and Baptism, a dance performance by Vault and 6°.

Blau, presented by Amy Ell’s Vault, was billed as a dance pictorial of the stratus self. I thought it was marvelous. Amy began the performance with a video – an addition that I thought added to the piece (although without it the performance is equally as strong) and can be found here. The performance filled the stage from top to floor, particularly with its aerial nature. View the videos on her site and get a sense of work. She’s one to follow and see. I wish her success with the formation of this new venture.

Baptism, presented by Toni Valle’s 6°, was presented as a collage of the fears and inertia that keep people from attaining the life they dream of. I’m a fan of Toni’s and wish her success with her new venture as well; but, I didn’t think the choreography came together. While there were some powerful movements and imagery, it seemed disjointed. And the water was too much. One of the dancers slipped and then almost did so again. The symbolism of the water, while essential to the piece, could have been used more sparingly.

Olympia

On Friday afternoon, we went for a drive to Galveston. No reason. Just ‘cuz. Olympia at Pier 21 is a Greek grill run by the Kriticos family. The restaurant has a great logo that caught my eye on a billboard on the way down 45. We chose to sit outside. I mention it here because the food was really good. They have two locations – one on the pier and the other on the seawall. Next time you’re in Galveston, drop by for a bite.

Art and Literature at MFAH

The MFAH does an incredible job of providing lectures and special events to take art further than the exhibition hall. Last Saturday, we attended a talk by Dr. Michael Barry titled Rumi and the Imagery of the Sufis. It’s part of lecture series on art and literature, and it ties in to the exhibit titled The Light of the Sufi’s: The Mystical Arts of Islam, which is on view until August 8^th.  There are three more lectures in this series, the next on Shakespeare and art. The public programs at the MFAH are not to be missed and an updated listing can be found here.

Bobby Bare

Anyone who sings about being a winner and Marie Laveau must have a great sense of humor, and Bobby Bare certainly does. His humor and wit were on display last Saturday night at Dosey Doe, one of the greatest live music venues in the nation. Tequila Sheila, Streets of Baltimore, he sang many of them. Beautiful voice. Nothing lost over time.

No Stopping Stoppard

Main Street Theater outdid itself with its latest production of Arcadia, one of Tom Stoppard’s masterpieces. I can’t convey how superb the production was – not one loose thread, no weak link. Staged well. Moved quickly. Acted without fail. It’s runs into June and is a ‘must see.’ Buy your tickets. Don’t miss it.

I read this play many years ago but have never seen it presented. I must admit that I didn’t ‘get it’ until I saw it. It’s layered with so many issues and beliefs and ideas, and they bat back and forth. It’s in this verbal tossing about that they gain depth and meaning. One last time, go see it.

April 1^st Volume Three

Hard to believe, but the April 1^st Project is now in its third volume. It happened halfway through May 24^th. Here are a few images:

Busy May, Still April 1st

May has been a busy, busy month. I've had my head down -- writing. Nothing to share...yet.

To keep the site from going stale, I've included some new images from the April 1st Project below. I'll be on a regular schedule soon with lots to share. Anyone out there? Do let me know. Thanks.

New Discoveries

I’ve been all over the cyber map over the past two days and – Wow! – I’ve made some cool discoveries. Sharing them here.

Pictures of your favorite artists as emoticons -- http://bit.ly/czNctK -- discovered on Flavorpill via a tweet. And while I was there, I hit on the Daily Dose and discovered a new album (showing my age) by Mike Patton formerly of Faith No More. It’s a collection of 60s and 70s Italian music titled Mondo Cane. You hear it at http://bit.ly/bTX7pn. Enjoy!

Poetry 180

I’m never quite sure where a path will lead me, and I found myself on Poetry 180. It’s a project on the Library of Congress website with a tagline that says ‘a poem a day for american high schools.’ I clicked through and read #170 by Linda Gregg. It made me smile. I had to move on, so I added the RSS and will slowly make my way through the list. It will be a nice treat each day. Explore these poems at http://bit.ly/9pFYRl.

A Capella Zoo – a web and print journal of magic realism and slipstream -- http://bit.ly/dwAzGP. Just go there and see for yourself.

‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’

 -- Martin Luther King Jr

Here we are in the digital age, and I want a camera with film. That’s right. It’s between the Diana Mini and the Fisheye One Orange. At least to start. What am I talking about you ask? Lomography, of course. Check it out – http://bit.ly/9ofxJV and check out their LA shop at http://bit.ly/dDxw0U. Can’t say how I missed this, but I’m glad I found it and have to thank my pals at Poketo. Unfamiliar with Poketo? Give them a look too. They have fun products. http://bit.ly/da0i70.

Drunken Boat – a literary and art publication. The editor’s statement can be found at http://bit.ly/cdzmow.  Ravi Shankar is the founding editor. Their links page will remind you that there’s a lot of creative work in the world and that you’re missing some really good stuff.

Buy Apple stock. iTunes is getting rich off of me, particularly after my recent exposure to some ‘sing at the top of your lungs’ music. Fun stuff like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros singing ‘Home.’ Also currently in love with Gin Wigmore’s ‘Oh My’ and The Avett Brothers’ “Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise.’

Apparently Sound Awake with the King of Grief is on KPFT 90.1 on Tuesday afternoons. Who knew? I do now, and you count me as a listener from now on. Anyone who plays Echo has my ear. Add other favorites from the 80s, and I’ve penciled the show into my schedule. If you’re in earshot, give it a listen. http://bit.ly/aO00nI