by Bob Martin | May 8, 2007 | Culture, Events
Saturday, May 19th from 4PM – 7PM at the Arizona Culinary Institute
10585 N 116th Street (at Shea Blvd) in Scottsdale.
Tickets are $50 ($65 at the door)
More info: 602-863-9744 or www.azwp.org to register
Men are most welcome to attend.
Enjoy sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, delicious desserts, fine wine and great jazz.
YOU deserve it.
Valley Jazz Divas Margo Reed, Delphine Cortez and Blaise Lantana, 
will provide lively entertainment at this popular FUNdraiser which also features a silent auction.
Chefs Jennifer Sedig, Jacqueline Kerrigan and Spomenka McKinney will prepare sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and desserts … along with selected wines.
This year’s event is hosted and underwritten by the Arizona Culinary Institute.
All proceeds generated from this event will benefit the selected charities of the
Arizona Women’s Partnership, Inc., an all volunteer 501 (C) 3 non-profit. www.azwp.org
Arizona Blankets 4 Kids (Metro Phoenix), Arizona Coalition for Tomorrow (Metro Phoenix), Camp Verde Adult Literacy Program, Haven Family Resource Center (Lake Havasu), Payson Community Kids, Power Paws Assistance Dogs for the Disabled (Metro Phoenix),Southwest Valley Literacy Association (Avondale), Timber Trails Children’s Project (for Valley Youth), Tucson International Alliance of Refugee Communities, and United People Who Care (Winslow).
by Sandy | Apr 15, 2007 | Concerts, Culture, Dance, Film
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific†was running on PBS during their pledge weeks. It wasn’t the Mary Martin film of 1950’s, but a musical done “in concertâ€, all in character and full voice w/o sets, at Carnegie Hall. He starred as Emile the estate owner. The cast was great, but as always, Brian Stokes Mitchell stood out.
As he sings “This Nearly Was Mineâ€, he uses his voice to paint a picture of a man lamenting about a “paradise†he has always wanted and dreamt about, and just missed reaching. Beautiful and heartbreaking. (He got a standing “O†for that one.) Mr. Mitchell elevates all that he graces with his presence. From his non singing comedy turn as Trevor the weatherman on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, to performing with the Boston Pops. Always intense, always present, he is always excellent. Known best for Broadway musical theater – I was fortunate to see him twice as the dapper & tragic “Coalhouse Walker †in “Ragtimeâ€, (1998). His other credits include Jelly’s Last Jam (1992), Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993), a revival of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” (1999), for which he won a Tony, and August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” (2001) His newest venture is an album – “Brian Stokes Mitchellâ€. He does Jazz, show tunes and pop standards with his own special style. He is a baritone with great feeling. I like him.
by Sandy | Apr 8, 2007 | Culture, Film
Just got a CD! (I wore my old tape out).
I love “West Side Story†and I love that I can revisit the ‘61 film on DVD, on CD and at the occasional theater revival. Based on Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet”, it was transplanted to the 50’s west side of Manhattan with music by Bernstein, lyrics by Sondheim, choreography and direction by Robbins.
On its Broadway opening night, Sept. 26, 1957, there was a question as to whether this musical was a hit or a miss. Neither the critics nor the audience were sure of what they had just seen. But in its existing 50 years, it has proven itself to be the perfect meld of dialogue, music and dance. A supreme example of the Broadway musical, “West Side Story†is a successful vehicle for a much used, tragic scenario.
Some of the songs, “Something’s Coming”, “Maria”, “America”, “Somewhere”,
“Tonight” are still being heard at weddings, song recitals and Jazz venues. Some are universal love songs, but others are just fun – “Dear Sgt. Krupkeâ€, “I Feel Pretty”. Love it!
(“When you’re a Jet you’re a Jet all the way – from your 1st cigarette til your last dying dayâ€)
by Bob Martin | Mar 30, 2007 | Artist, Culture, Photograhy
There is old school grittiness in Dee Dee’s photographs. I am reminded of Brassaï, and possibly Gordon Parks, a blunt truthfulness about the way that things are. It’s genuinely real and beautiful. Her work will be featured in two exhibits in Phoenix Arizona. April 6 to June 27 at the Herberger Theater Center and the entire month of June at the Burton Barr Library. 
Dee Dee says
Photography is magic!
It captures moments in time and connects the viewer with the experience. My work explores and examines the life of a people: their past, their present and their future. My photographs are simply about creating, connecting and sharing. They tell stories of people, places and things. The images capture the wit and immortalize the legacy of the strength, struggle and the eternal spirit of my people.
They illustrate the impact of our complex commonality and universal kinship. My work represents the triumphantly enduring faith and pride of Black People! My passion is to share my people’s journey through photography; and because we’re not monolithic, the viewer will experience a myriad of expressions.
Dee Dee Did It Photography
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
by Sandy | Mar 25, 2007 | Art, Culture
Henri Cartier-Bresson is widely recognized as one of the greatest photographers of the Twentieth Century.
Over 300 of his photographs, from 1932 -1946, will be on view at the International Center of Photography in New York City until the end of April.
1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036 | www.icp.org
**Found a site with some of his images:
http://www.afterimagegallery.com/bresson.htm
