by Cybel Martin | May 6, 2009 | Art, Creativity, Culture, Directors, Movies
I went to my friend, & fellow Tisch alumnus, Rod Gailes’ New York Premier of his feature film “Camouflage” last week. It’s a very intriguing, thought provoking visual journey/film shot during the pre-gentrification of Harlem. I believe Rod began production on “Camouflage” close to 15 years ago. One of the many thoughts the film will leave you with is just how much potential, desire and hope was being suffocated in the impoverished circumstances of Harlem.
St. John The Divine, Harlem, NYC by Ronnie Ginnever
Flash forward many years later and we have that potential expressed. One excellent blog, worthy of a RSS feed, is “Harlem World”. Its a pretty content rich blog/magazine centered on Harlem. What caught my attention was just how much is focused on the arts. I just happened on the blog today (late to the party, I know) but greatly enjoyed this article on the “Negritude” exhibit at the Exit Art Gallery.
A taste:
“Harlem resident Greg Tate presents a three-room “Black Mystery Anti-Panopticon,” envisioning Négritude as a “place” for mystery and funk, music and soul. A DJ shrine, created by Tate and the artists Xaviera Simmons and Arthur Jafa, will provide a site for weekly performances; a raised stage outfitted with a drum kit, microphones, and amps will be used for occasional live music; and an exhibition of visionary black artists – including Thornton Dial, Jr., Thornton Dial, Sr., and Lonnie Holley – coupled with laminated pages from the books Souls Grown Deep: African American Vernacular Art, Vols. 1 and 2, will create a “conjuration room where willing spirits can come to get toasted, roasted, and lit the fuck up.”
Harlem World Blog also encourages “citizen journalists” to send interviews, photographs, news stories etc to: hwcontact@yahoo.com
Photo is of course James VanDerZee’s “Couple in Raccoon Coats”, which I believe is at the Studio Museum of Harlem.
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by Cybel Martin | Jul 25, 2008 | Art, Artist, Culture, Exhibits, Galleries, Museums
(Reprint from Auntie Carrie’s Speak Easy blog)
Why I Love NYC (For Art’s Sake)
Walking through NYC today was much like wading through a bowl of luke warm, New England clam chowder. Nasty. Still, I left the comforts of AC, inspired by my friend, Michelle Haimoff’s mention of a Keith Haring “exhibit downtown”. One of the greatest aspects of living in New York, is even when you spend every waking hour seeing, experiencing, hearing art, you will still miss out on some great shows. The Haring piece has been up since April and I had no idea. (more…)
by Cybel Martin | Feb 2, 2008 | Art, Art Travel, Artist, Concerts, Culture, Events, Film, Galleries, Live Performance, Movies
I have to say a glimpse because I was in Belize for only one week and wasn’t even aware of the trip until two days before (not much time for researching). So, this past week, I had the pleasure and honor of working on Nyasha Liang’s documentary “Punta Rock”, about the musical culture in Belize. We went down this week because one of the musical greats of this gorgeous country, Andy Palacio had passed away. He was a young 47 and at the cusp of major international stardom. Funerals and memorials in Belize reminded me of New Orleans: lingering sadness but HUGE celebration. There was lots and lots of music. Happy, joyous music.
Although my introduction to Garifuna culture, Belizean Art and Andy is still so recent and limited, I did want to share its splendor with my readers. If you are like me and have a serious addiction to Samba, Calypso or Roots Reggae, then you’ll enjoy Andy’s music. Some other artists to look into (remember this is a glimpse, so very far from complete, just what I’ve heard so far and adored) are Garifuna Collective, Aurelio Martinez (he has charisma for days), Mr Peters & Lela Vernon.
For context: The New York Times Obituary for Andy Palacio.
Nyasha’s blog and also her website on producing “Punta Rock” (check out the trailer).
And this site I found online: “Watina: A Look Behind the Music of Andy Palacio”
Enjoy!
Side note: I also had a chance to check out some local artists. Two of my favorites were Michael Gordon and Gilvano Swasey. A definite place to go in Belize City is Image Factory.
by Cybel Martin | Oct 27, 2007 | Live Performance
I wanted to bring light to one of the greatest opportunities: thanks to the generosity of Agnes Varis and Karl Leichtman, New Yorkers can enjoy $20 Orchestra seats at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. 200 tickets are made available each day for every performance. Most people are aware of the $20 Standing Room tickets. However, if you are like me, and would appreciate a reserved seat, you can also do that for $20.
This past Tuesday, I went to see my favorite opera, “Madama Butterfly”, designed by famed film director, Anthony Minghella ( “Talented Mr Ripley”, “The English Patient”.) Distilling the experience into words is difficult. It was the most dynamic, evocative and emotive rendition that I have ever experience. It lasted about 3 1/2 hours but felt about half of that. Next, my friends and I will take advantage of the upcoming performances of “Aida” and “Carmen”.
The trick to the $20 Rush tickets is to arrive at the MET around 2pm and wait for the tickets to be available at 6pm. It’s well worth the wait. After purchasing your ticket, treat yourself to an unforgettable dinning experience at Cafe Fiorello’s across the street. If you can, grab a seat at the bar, where you will be face-to-face with all of their delectable Antipasto and have easy access to some of the most incredible wines and charming waitstaff.
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by Cybel Martin | Mar 29, 2007 | Concerts, Culture, Events
The best part about going to college was being introduced to a whole new crowd of people. Just as smart & fun as friends back home but with an entirely different background. When I was in college, I lived in a great big house with 6 other house-mates. One day, a bunch of us came home and heard this absolutely divine music emanating from our house-mate Annie’s room. It was the clearest, purest sound. Annie was the resident classical music afficiando, so we thought it was a CD of Yo Yo Ma or someone similar. When we barged in (privacy wasn’t a luxury back then) we were all amazed to see Annie practicing on her cello. I have never forgotten that moment. We all thought we were smart. But there was a genius in our midst.
I am so thrilled to say that this May is her album release party.
May 4th. 730pm – 930pm.
San Francisco Musicians Union
116 9th Street
