Michael Jackson Tribute Dance Party

I’ve really been unable to shake MJ’s death. I never thought it would affect me the way it has. I think my mom is getting worried after days and days of hearing nothing but Michael streaming from my iMac. I just can’t get enough.  I haven’t watched TV since Thursday, but I still feel like soon, a report will come on saying it was all a hoax. But I know better.

There was something about Michael that was so immortal. He was the biggest personality on the planet.  Moreso than any political leader. Any actor or actress.  Even music superstars like Madonna, Britney and Justin, PALE in comparison.

So what was it about Michael that made people so damn happy? Smile with they sing along? Giddy when they dance? Nostalgia? I think it was magic.

Just caught wind of this on Twitter:

In honor of Michael Jackson and his unforgettable dance moves that inspired us all AND EMPLOYED DANCERS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS INTO NEW CAREER PATHS!

recent rehearsal photos (TMZ.com)

Lauren Perrone of Sandra Organ Dance Company along with the Houston Dance Community and their friends will be teaching the Thriller dance to anyone and everyone at Discovery Green Park on Thursday. WE want to commemorate the man who inspired so many of us to moonwalk and sing our hearts out. ROCK WITH US! Bring the kids, sneakers, and soul.

Thursday, July 2, 2009
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney, Houston, TX 77010
FREE!

Sponsored by Discovery Green and Spearheaded by Sandra Organ Dance Company, Dance Source Houston, and Dance Houston.

Tags: dance, michael jackson

You Rock My World

Of all the faces of Michael Jackson, above has always been, and always will be, the way I remember him.

As the world reacts to the death of an icon, I reflect on the memories I have of the King of Pop.

Like him or not, it’s undeniable the effect Michael Jackson has had on the past 30 years of music.

Without Michael, there’d be no Justin. No Britney. No American Idol. It’s hard to say what fate pop music would have had without him.

More importantly, to me, Michael was Dance. A passion that had stayed with me for 30 years. I still remember choreographing to my Thriller vinyl in the house I grew up in, using my sister and best friend as back up dancers. Of course, I was always lead. I owe this love of mine to him, and him alone. I now admire contemporaries like Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Britney Spears, and see many of his original moves in their steps.  Wondering what would be of these contemporaries had there not been a Michael Jackson.

Growing up in the 80’s to escape his presence was impossible.  My nostalgia for MJ trumps any controversies and dramatic events that occurred in his life.  I have only fond memories of this amazing musician, performer and trend setter.

I’m saddened today by the great loss the world has witnessed, but grateful for the many memories of him that have helped to make up my first 30 years. Thanks, Michael.  You Rock My World.

Tags: dance, michael jackson

i’m sew not crafty

I’ve always so admired crafty people like Katie, Sarah, Michelle, and Melissa.  People who can take a piece of felt and a glue stick and create a masterpiece.

I’m not a crafter. In any sense of the word. I can’t sew myself out of a corner.  The only time I’d ever use craft to describe me, would be followed by the words mac’n'cheese.

I subscribe to no less than 50 craft, design, and fashion blogs, wide-eyed gazing at the posts in my Google Reader like a little girl would tear through a Tiger Beat issue. It’s sad, yes. But I am an admirer of crafty design, not a possessor of the skills required.

I usually find that when I get something in my head, it won’t get out ’til I satisfy it. And for months I’ve been determined to find a stress relieving hobby that does not require me staring at a computer for 20 hours a day. However, I never expected to summon my crafting desire at midnight on a Tuesday in a 24 hour Kinko’s in Katy, TX.

If you are a reader of this blog, you’ll recall that this year I am attending 15 weddings. Four of those which I am either in or helping to plan.   Over the next 10 weeks alone I will be hosting 2 bridal showers, organizing 1 couples shower, planning 2 bachelorette parties and attending 3, 2 bridal luncheons, 4 rehearsal dinners, and attending 5 weddings.  And that only takes us up to August 31st. Then begins fall wedding season. I’ll spare you the details. Plus, I’ve gotta leave something for you to read in the book I’m writing about all of it!

So takes me to Monday night. Sitting at dinner with Amber talking about the upcoming 3 weeks of wedding festivities upon me. I had searched all day for bridal shower invites for a shower I am hosting in a few weeks.  I really needed to get the invites out stat, and couldn’t find anything I was looking for. Amber suggested Michael’s and I immediately perked up. I had been searching at every stationery store I could find in Houston. (Actually have a later post planned on this, found some great places!) But nothing had what I was looking for color and budget-wise.

The thought of going to Michael’s always intrigues me. Much like things normal people do, like grocery shopping, when I am in Michael’s, I feel like part of a society of crafty people. “Ah, yes, can  you point me in the direction of the paper mache aisle,” I could hear myself casually say. Or exchange jovial beading tips with whoever happened to be standing on the bead aisle. (Did you know there is a whole aisle of beads?!). Dreams, all dreams.

Read more…

Tags: arts, bridal shower, craftiness, invitations, shower, weddings

On Guard.

On Guard., originally uploaded by CosmoPolitician.

I spent the day at the beach with my sister, her BF, Matt, and his boys, Matthew and Jacob.
Matthew spent the day capturing jellyfish.
Jill spent the day getting stung.
Jacob spent the day peeing in a bucket and pouring it on Jill’s stings.
We all spent the day laughing.

Tags: beach, family, galveston

Dance, Dance, Dance

It true.  So You Think You Can Dance is back for Season 5 and I can’t get enough. Natch.

Need your dance fix this weekend? Check out these 3 dance events this weekend. Natch.

Joy, Dance and Giving Animals a Chance

Benefiting
Dominic Walsh Dance Theater
and
Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, Inc.

Come enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, an exclusive silent auction, and an

intimate performance by the DWDT Dancers
Saturday, May 30, 2009
6:00 to 8:00 PM

Joy Yoga Center
4500 Washington Ave., Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77007

$15 suggested donation at the door

Please let us know if you can join us!
RSVP to info@dwdt.org or 713-652-3938
The Big Range Dance Festival

Please visit www.bigrange.org for more information or to buy tickets.

Tags: arts + events, Barnevelder, dance, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater

A/V Swap Post Contest: Entries Due Wednesday

Got design skillz? Show us whatcha got.

I’m helping jury the Poster Contest for this year’s A/V Swap, an excellent mixed media (pun totally intended) event that matches filmmakers with musicians to create a mashup of sorts. Read below for all the deets.

This year, organizers are putting the poster design in the hands of the public.  Enter your design for a chance to be the face of the A/V Swap, a film/audio collaborative swap during the summer of 2009.

Due Date May 27th, 2009.  Yep, that’s Wednesday. Get crackin.

Images should be 11 x 17 and vector based. Don’t hold anything back; we want to see forward thinking graphic design!

Submit your design by Wednesday, May 27th to sean [at] theavswap.com. Please attach a 10 KB image.

Win free tickets to A/V Swap events, entrance for 2 to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and 2 free passes to a film at the River Oaks Theatre.

————————————-

About the A/V Swap 2009

Creative filmmakers submit a short movie without a soundtrack and musicians submit a soundtrack without a movie.

We’ll play matchmaker and trade each film and soundtrack.

Each musician will receive a film and every filmmaker a soundtrack.

Then you make a new composition to go with your movie or song. It’s that easy!

Info Session: Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Spacetaker, Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter St. Houston, TX 77007
Come hear about the A/V Swap, learn about digital filmmaking and recording with Sharad Patel

First deadline: Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Antidote Coffee, 729 Studewood St. Houston, TX 77007
Turn in your original film or soundtrack; you will receive your assignment within four days

Second Deadline: Monday, July 20th, 2009
Final collaborative films due

Format for the first deadline: Films and music should be at least 1 minute in duration and less than 7 minutes.

For video please provide at least 640 X 480 pixel size on a data DVD in Quicktime PNG or Quicktime photo JPEG. Please try to avoid NTSC DVD or MPEGs.

For audio please provide WAV or AIF files, please avoid MP3s to ensure best quality.

Format for the second deadline: Please drop off films formatted to play on any DVD player.

Every film in the A/V Swap will be played on the big screen in August and the Best Of screening will be held in September 2009

Tags: a/v swap, arts + events, contest, graphic design, poster design

GTD: work space

new work area, originally uploaded by CosmoPolitician.

So I set out this morning to find a new desk for my new iMac that I received yesterday. for the last 2 months I’ve been working on mom and dad’s kitchen bar height table, hovering over my tiny 13 inch macbook. it was time for an upgrade.

my mission:

• cheapo. under $200.
• had to match decor in mom’s red and black “Paris Room”
• needed it today. (i’m impatient).
• minimal assembly.

On recommendations via twitter, I checked out target, IKEA, cost plus, and back to IKEA where i settled on a simple desk top and 2 legs. cheapo. classy. functional. the whole desk cost me $100. FTW! (Visit the photo on flickr for more info on each piece)

I had to take apart my sister’s boys’ racetrack to put the desk up. they are gonna be livid, seeing as though they are already pissed i “took over their room”

So I’ll be working from mom and dad’s for a few more months, and very excited about the new work area.

“Mom, can you send up a sandwich?”

Tags: IKEA, work space

I said Viiiibrate!

Ever since 2006’s ACL performance, when thousands of people literally dropped their chicken in a cone and craned their necks to see what was happening on the Austin Ventures stage, I’ve pretty much traveled far and wide to see this band play.

Easily one of the most entertaining and unique acts in music of the last 5 years, Ghostland Observatory’s high energy, intoxicating beats, and wicked light show have been making fanatics out of fans since their second album release Paparazzi Lightning in early 2006.

GLO hits the bayou city this weekend at the Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park. Deets below.  If you haven’t seen them don’t miss this chance.  If you have, don’t miss this chance. Holler!

Tags: concerts, ghostland observatory, music, sam houston race park, the showgrounds

Have a seat with me on the Casting Couch

It’s comfy. Join me.

The last Casting Couch of this season’s Dominc Walsh Dance Theater is this Friday, May 1st. If you haven’t read my post on my first DWDT experience, get on it.  You’ll see why I’m desperately in love with this modern dance troupe.

Casting Couch is the unique opportunity to experience the latest DWDT performance, followed by a chance to join the dancers on the stage for conversation, music, drinks and food.  This weekend’s Casting Couch will feature pizza from Angelo’s downtown, and wine from SoVino.  After the Casting Couch, we’ll be headed to SoVino for POP! a party with Pop Rocks, pop music, popcorn and we will be poppin’ the top off of Pommeroy Pops.  Party goes from 9:30p – close and the special drink of the night will be Pop Rock-rimmed Pommeroy champagne.

Click here for your Casting Couch Tickets

Read more below about this weekend’s performance.

The Trilogy: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
April 30-May 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall

Dominic Walsh and the DWDT company members were in Sarasota for the Florida premiere of Walsh’s Mozart Trilogy this past weekend. The Trilogy features Wolfgang for Webb performed by Sarasota Ballet, Amadeus for Anita performed by DWDT, and Mozart performed by dancers from both companies. The two companies are travelling to Houston for our presentation of this thrilling homage, with stunning scenic design by Houston artist Libbie Masterson and distinctive costumes by Domenico Luciano.

Sarasota Ballet has enjoyed much success since Iain Webb took over as Artistic Director in 2007, including glowing critical and public reviews. Last year, Webb graciously invited Walsh to choreograph a new work for the company and the result was Wolfgang for Webb. Now, Sarasota Ballet and Dominic Walsh Dance Theater join forces to bring Walsh’s complete Mozart Trilogy to audiences in Sarasota and Houston.

To read more about The Trilogy, please click on the links below.

Herald Tribune | Pelican Press | Bradenton Herald

Do not miss this opportunity to see these award-winning contemporary ballets set to the celebrated piano sonatas, operatic works, and symphonies of Mozart.

Mozart
2008 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship

Amadeus for Anita
2007 Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography

Click here for tickets or call the Box Office at 713-315-2525.

Tags: ballet, contemporary ballet, dance, dominic walsh, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, DWDT, parties

Dine Out For Life this Thursday

Peeps,

Please join myself and Chris Valdez this Thursday, April 30th, from 6-9pm as we excitedly host this year’s Dining Out For Life event at t’afia, benefiting AIDS Foundation Houston.

Dining Out For Life is an annual fundraising event where Houston restaurants donate a portion of proceeds to local area AIDS agencies for all lunch and dinner sales. The event takes place all across the country on this night, and Houston is a proud supporter of this cause for the 3rd year.

Each year, Chris and I participate in the event, and this year we are so very excited to have been asked to host a venue, and not just any venue, Monica Pope’s award-winning t’afia in Midtown. If you have not yet been to t’afia, what a great excuse to try out one of Houston’s best restaurants.

If you cannot make it out to t’afia, please consider dining for lunch or dinner at any of the other participating restaurants.  All participating restaurants will be donating a portion of their proceeds to AIDS Foundation Houston.

Chris and I will be at t’afia all night to welcome you, offer some awesome specials from Azur Salon, and enter you for chances to win some awesome raffle prizes. Last year we had a huge group at t’afia and it was a blast! We recommend you make a reservation by calling 713.524.6922

We sincerely hope you will consider spending your Thursday night with us at t’afia for this great cause.

Hope to see you there!

Thursday, April 30 | 6-9pm
t’afia in midtown  | 3701 travis
RSVP 713.524.6922
www.tafia.com

Tags: AIDS Foundation Houston, dining out for life, food, monica pope, t'afia