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| lissa |
 Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:27 am |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 2148
Location: my computer
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In the spirit of always wanting to show the right people the right appreciation, I have bought my son's drum teacher/band teacher his end-of-year gifts to thank him for the effort and guidance he's shown my son. Jamison not only taught him in school, and in private lessons here, he coached my son in an audition for the Arts Etudes program at the high school he will begin attending next year, and the professional demeanor my son showed in his audition, as well as presenting the auditioners with individual folders containing copies of his audition pieces, gave him more than a fighting chance of acceptance into this advanced music program.
So I bought what I feel is an appropos gift for the teacher: The Visitor and Young@Heart; not only for their musical themes, but we visited 2 senior citizens' homes 2 weeks ago, and the band played for the residents. At the second home, more of a condo-type thing for more mobile, alert seniors, they were accompanied by the African Drummers (a group formed this year, made up of kids in grades 4-6) and African Dancers (kids from ages 6-11) who were simply outstanding in their spot-on capturing of the spirit. Like Walter, in The Visitor, it made me want to learn the African drums! The two films combine the elements of those trips, and will appeal to a musical mind.
Makes me want to watch them all over again! |
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| billyweeds |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:27 am |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
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| Lissa--Fantastic gift choices. |
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| lissa |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:32 am |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 2148
Location: my computer
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Thanks, billy. I'm pretty sure he'll love them (how can he NOT?) - the guy is multi-dimensional and decent enough to let me know his reaction.
It did make me yearn for more films of that caliber, though...they seem few and far between. Or is it just me? Recommendations, anyone? |
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Statistically, 6 out of 7 dwarfs aren't happy. |
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| yambu |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:10 am |
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Joined: 23 May 2004
Posts: 6441
Location: SF Bay Area
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What a fascinating discussion, Lissa. As you all have heard before, I began playing Afro-Cuban and West African drums sixteen years ago, at age forty-nine. I've been to Cuba twice for lessons, and once was fortunate there to witness a true lucumi toque (santeria sacred drum ceremony). At present, I play in a large, ungainly drum circle in Berkeley every Saturday and Sunday.
First, congratulations to you for encouraging and guiding your son in his pursuit. You seem to recognize that this is about more than just learning to play an instrument, but connecting to the world through music. (Quite accidentally, I made two such connections recently, first in Galway, and then in Dublin.)
Second, congratulations to your son for his dedication and innovation in landing himself a position in what sounds like the best possible school for him. His life is about to change forever.
Thirdly, if you find a film for him, I would like to know about it. Only one stands out with me. It's called "Miel Para Oshun" (Honey for Oshun). It's not about drumming, really, but about a man from Miami looking for his roots. Hilarious and profound. (The traditional symbol for the Orisha goddess Oshun, BTW, is honey, the source of all spiritual nourishment.) |
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| lissa |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:46 am |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
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Location: my computer
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Thanks, yambu, on all counts! My son is really dedicated, and he's not only good at his instrument, he's versatile. I told him I'd like him to watch both the films I'd bought his teacher (I already owned them) because he now has a newfound appreciation for what music can do for others. The seniors we visited were incredible in their reactions.
Thank you for the film recommendation - I'd heard of it, but hadn't seen it, so I'll look for it.
If I can, I'll try to get video of the kids' groups, the drummers and dancers. They'd made their own costumes, top and bottom, and just made my heart swell with how they branched out in their knowledge of other cultures. That's one reason I love watching international films, because I learn as well as get entertained. But the kids were unbelievable, talented and spirited, and tomorrow when I help the other teacher put music on the powerpoint (I'd done the photography for the trip), I'm going to borrow a few of the CDs she's bringing in, and load them on my iPod. I fell in love with African drumming from The Visitor (even though you, yambu, mentioned that it isn't as genuine as it could have been) and want to be able to listen to other groups.
Going to check with Blockbuster to see if they have that movie - my library might too! Thanks again!  |
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Statistically, 6 out of 7 dwarfs aren't happy. |
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| Befade |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:10 pm |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
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Location: AZ
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Quote: It's called "Miel Para Oshun" (Honey for Oshun). It's not about drumming, really, but about a man from Miami looking for his roots. Hilarious and profound.
Yam........I think I'm the only other one here to have seen that film. I'm glad you keep reminding me of it. |
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Lost in my own private I dunno. |
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| marantzo |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:53 pm |
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| Betsy, what's that painting in your avatar? It's a little too small for me to identify, but it looks familiar. |
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| Befade |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:47 pm |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 3784
Location: AZ
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| It's not a painting, Gary.......it's a photo I took of a Dale Chihuly glass scupture at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. I will switch it to another one soon. |
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Lost in my own private I dunno. |
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| marantzo |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:01 pm |
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| Marj |
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:14 pm |
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Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 10497
Location: Manhattan
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| Betsy -- any possibility of posting it in a larger size. I'd really love to get a good look at it. But from what I can see, it looks beautiful. |
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| whiskeypriest |
| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:57 am |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 6916
Location: "It's a Dry Heat."
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Marj wrote: Betsy -- any possibility of posting it in a larger size. I'd really love to get a good look at it. But from what I can see, it looks beautiful.
http://www.dbg.org/index.php/chihuly
Sadly, I note the exhibit's no longer there. We were all set to go with friends Easter weekend, when suddenly... water... started coming... from the sky! What the Hell was that all about? |
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| Befade |
| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 2:07 pm |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
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Location: AZ
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Quote: We were all set to go with friends Easter weekend
Whiskey.......Didn't you see the Chihulys in Columbus? When I lived there he had a show of chandeliers at the museum and other works at the Franklin Park Conservatory. I've also seen his things in Seattle.
I'd say the Botanical Garden was the most awe-inspiring. By the way.....great link you posted. Sorry you didn't make it.
Marj......I'll give it a try. |
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Lost in my own private I dunno. |
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| billyweeds |
| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 2:15 pm |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
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| Saw a one-man Chihuly show in Providence last fall at the institute where he taught for a long time. He's a wild talent. |
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| Befade |
| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:45 pm |
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Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 3784
Location: AZ
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| He went to RISD (in Providence). and he's wildly successful and popular. |
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Lost in my own private I dunno. |
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| Marc |
| Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:24 am |
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Joined: 19 May 2004
Posts: 8424
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| Watched Peter Yates THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE. with Robert Mitchum. It's a tight, no frills crime flick with sturdy performances by a cast of relative unknowns (excepting Peter Boyle), most of whom are dead now. Based on a novel by George V. Higgens, FOEC has a nitty gritty authenticity that comes off like Scorsese-lite. Mitchum is soulful as a mid-level criminal who gets caught between his gangster buddies and a cop who offers him a way out. A fine film finally available on DVD thanks to Criterion. My only complaint, the pseudo funk score by Dave Gruisin is intrusive at times. As composer of music scores, Gruisin is about as subtle a pair of brass knuckles upside yer head. |
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