The Filtered Excellence: July 19, 2012
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are this weeks picks of what to WATCH, what to DO what to TRY what to READ what to LISTEN TO and more:
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WATCH THIS:
Family Portrait in Black and White In theaters now, limited. Olga Nenya, is a bucolic Ukrainian woman; very loving, but also a bit of a tyrant. She herself was raised during the Soviet regime, and rules her family with an iron fist, enforcing the doctrine of communal responsibility over individual freedom. This passionate single foster mother is the only that her large group of unwanted, outcast kids have ever known. They are the children of African student immigrants and Ukrainian mothers. These offspring are not treated as “real” Ukrainians, by the locals and so therefore face a myriad of prejudices. The documentary by Julia Ivanova follows Olga and her kids through three tumultuous years, as the children grow into teenagers. This is a complex and heart-tugging story with the concepts of racial identity and what it means to be a family at its core. This is one compelling documentary.
Todd Barry – Super Crazy. Catch the veteran New York comics new standup special on Comedy Central on Saturday, July 21st at 11:00 pm ET. We haven’t seen it yet, but based on his previous material it’s sure to be smart, thought-provoking and very funny.
Marina Abramovic, The Artist is Present. She is known for her extreme performance-art installations, many involving nudity and punishing bodily deprivation. If you love her, you’ll love this documentary about her art and specifically her preparation for a major exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. If you don’t understand performance art in general or hers specifically, then you really would benefit from watching the award-winning documentary.
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LISTEN TO THIS:
Frank Ocean: Channel Orange (Just released 7/17/2012) Many reviewers are calling Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, “a return to true R&B.’ Touted as sounding both classic and contemporary all at once, this album is really pretty captivating, start to finish. Ocean has been well known for his behind-the-scenes songwriting for many an artist, but on Channel Orange, these songs are all his; written and performed. At 24 years old, he’s an R&B singer, and a member of the LA-based hip-hop collective Odd Future Wolfgang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA). He’s also a terribly gifted songwriter, and storyteller. Check out Channel Orange. Great tracks include Thinking Bout You, Sweet Life, Monks, and Pink Matter (where he’s joined with Andre 3000).
Transmissions by Mark Lesseraux. Mark Lesseraux has been one of the best kept secrets in music for the better part of a decade. An outstanding singer, lyricist and musician, Mark’s off-kilter blend of pop, rock, blues and everything in between has made him a mainstay on the New York independent music scene. His latest CD, Transmissions (2003-2012) is unique in that half the album is a collection of songs/singles that he’s put out of the last few years as a solo artist, even though he’s never really made an official solo album. The other half features highlights from the band that he fronts, The Citizens. It has something for everyone: Lennonesque pop (‘Everyone Here Is Going To Die’), blistering power pop (‘Piggy Went’), social commentary (the Occupy Wall Street anthem ‘Occupy’), historical reinvention (‘September 30th, 1955, and ‘Guiseppe Desa’s Blues’) and a startling ode to Ol’ Blue Eyes (‘I’m Frank Sinatra). Transmissions is a perfect entry in the brilliant mind of Mark Lesseraux.
Mutatis Mutandis by Nona Hendryx. Nona Hendryx may not be as famous as her LaBelle bandmate Patti LaBelle, but she is no less than an icon. As the group’s chief songwriter, she helped LaBelle make the transition from 60’s girl group to pop/rock/R&B divas. As a solo artist, Nona deftly blended the lines between rock, R&B, dance, New Wave and even New Age. For her first album in nearly 20 years, Nona’s political edge comes to the fore. Songs like ‘The Tea Party’, ‘The Ballad Of Rush Limbaugh’ and ‘Oil In The Water’, Nona does mince words as far where she stands. She also addresses religion (‘When Love Comes To War’) and does a haunting reworking of ‘Strange Fruit’. It’s a much welcomed return to form for one of the great women of rock.
Rebirth by Jimmy Cliff. Welcome back, Jimmy Cliff! The reggae legend’s latest album (his first in seven years) is given a boost by the production of Rancid’s Tim Armstrong. The album combines original with some well-selected covers and was recorded live in the studio. The result is the most vital and propulsive work Cliff has made since his 70s heyday. Highlights are the song Reggae Music and inspired covers of The Clash’s Guns of Brixton and Rancid’s Ruby Soho.
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DO THIS:
Lincoln Center Out of Doors. For the Fourth year in a row, Lincoln Center is offering up three weeks of music, dance and spoken word in it’s beautiful plazas. The best part is that it’s all completely free. The event kicks off on Wednesday, July 25th and extends through August 12th. Pack a picnic for one the weekend days and spend the entire day exposing to some of the best that the arts have to offer.
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SUMMER FESTIVAL ROUND UP: MORE TO CHECK OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THIS WEEK
- California, Old Miner’s Carnival and Outhouse Races, July 20th-22nd, Celebrate California’s old tradition of gold mining by attending the Old Miner’s Carnival. The Carnival features parades, concerts, spaghetti Western Dinner theatre and their annual outhouse race! That’s right, build an outhouse put it on wheels, and race to the finish line!
- Delaware, Delaware Shakespeare Festival, July 20th- 21st, Romeo, Romeo, Where for art thou Romeo? Well, He is at the Delaware Shakespeare Festival this weekend! Join them for an Orienation to learn about the history of Shakespeare and meaning behind his plays and then watch a performance of one of his most famous comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Hawaii, Ukulele Festival, July 22nd, If you are fortunate enough to be in Hawaii this weekend, you have to check out the Ukulele Festival. Celebrate one of the Island’s oldest forms of music listen to music by professionals or get a tutorial! The proceeds of the festival go to benefit a non profit organization that provides free Ukulele Lessons and College Scholarships to children.
- Utah, Days of ’47 Pioneer Festival, July 21st to 24th, Celebrate those in the past that brought American’s out to Utah in the first place at the days of ’47 Pioneer Festival. Celebrate in activities at the Carnival, attend the Brother Brigham’s Ball or the Union Pacific Anniversary Celebration, and go to services commemorating those who lost their lives on the way out to Utah.
- Indiana, Peru Circus Festival, July 14th-21st, Visit the home of the circus- Peru, Indiana- where they will be celebrating and American tradition this town is famous for. Come watch some of the best young circus performers in the country, be sure to get a good seat for the grand finale circus parade, and spend some of the weekend learning about the great circus history at the Circus City Museum.
- Minneapolis, Bearded Lady Mototcycle Freak Show, July 21st What could be better then a good old fashioned motorcycle show, how about a motorcycle show with good old fashioned freaks of nature like the Bearded Lady? Well, their aren’t real freaks but this motorcycle show doubles as a second halloween so don’t forget your costume!
- Oregon, da Vinci Days, July 20th-22nd, This festival has a little bit of everything that da Vinci had to offer- and sicne he had a little bit of everything to offer this festival has something for everyone! Watch films that celebrate the great da Vinci’s life, participate in one of the many science and technical contests, and of course look at many of the art created in his honor- including sidewalk chalk art!
- Virginia Beach, Mid- Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge, July 21st, Of course they are every child’s favorite pet, and every parent’s worst nightmare- the hermit crab. but, this weekend is to celebrate everything they are great for, their is a hermit crab race to see which one is the biggest and fastest and then the beauty pageant to see who has the prettiest shell. Come to Virginia beach to join in the festivities.
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