December 24, 2009 • Khari Williams
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is Terry Gilliam's latest film but will forever be known as Heath Ledger's last. The Academy Award-winning Australian actor died during production, necessitating a trio of A-listers to complete the project in his stead. And while Ledger likely won't receive another posthumous Oscar nod, as he did for 2008's The Dark Knight, Imaginarium nonetheless succeeds as a swansong.
The plot revolves around the traveling freak show led by Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), a 1,000-year-old wizard blessed (cursed?) with the gift of manipulating the imaginations of those who walk through his mystical mirror. Once transported into the fantasy world that lies beyond, guests must choose between the wide, easy path that promises pleasure or the difficult, narrow and often steep way that could lead them to redemption - if only it were more attractively packaged.
The plot revolves around the traveling freak show led by Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), a 1,000-year-old wizard blessed (cursed?) with the gift of manipulating the imaginations of those who walk through his mystical mirror. Once transported into the fantasy world that lies beyond, guests must choose between the wide, easy path that promises pleasure or the difficult, narrow and often steep way that could lead them to redemption - if only it were more attractively packaged.
November 26, 2009 • Tiffani Knowles
Color bursts accentuate images connoting passion, fame and fury as audience members are invited to an intimate performance by Fela Kuti, the Nigerian musician credited with the creation of funk, in the Broadway production of FELA!
FELA!, which has just opened on Broadway, applies stirring Afrobeat (a musical blend of jazz, funk, highlife and Yoruba rhythms) and inspired dancing akin to the period and region in West Africa, to tell the story of the controversial Nigerian musician who rose to fame in the '70s and '80s for his artistic innovations joined with political activism.
Fela Kuti, who died over 10 years ago, would have been flushed with delight to see the captivating power of "Zombie" and "Water No Get Enemy," sung in his Pidgin English, on audiences at the Eugene O'Neil Theater.
FELA!, which has just opened on Broadway, applies stirring Afrobeat (a musical blend of jazz, funk, highlife and Yoruba rhythms) and inspired dancing akin to the period and region in West Africa, to tell the story of the controversial Nigerian musician who rose to fame in the '70s and '80s for his artistic innovations joined with political activism.
Fela Kuti, who died over 10 years ago, would have been flushed with delight to see the captivating power of "Zombie" and "Water No Get Enemy," sung in his Pidgin English, on audiences at the Eugene O'Neil Theater.
November 25, 2009 • Tiffani Knowles
TobyMac, Grammy-winning urban hip rock fusion artist, rocked the stage during his musical gumbo concert at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
November 11, 2009 • Chrisnatha Derosier
Nas. The Roots. Guru. These hip-hop artists and their music are very distinctly connected for they have all been shaped by a musical genre that was birthed about 50 years before their time.
From its traded improvisations to its origins in youthful rebellion, the modern musical expression of hip-hop is very heavily influenced by and, indeed, patterns the social climate of the old world genre of jazz.
Will Isma, a member of the South Florida Christian hip-hop quartet Trinity Boyz Movement, believes that jazz adds a soulful element to hip-hop.
From its traded improvisations to its origins in youthful rebellion, the modern musical expression of hip-hop is very heavily influenced by and, indeed, patterns the social climate of the old world genre of jazz.
Will Isma, a member of the South Florida Christian hip-hop quartet Trinity Boyz Movement, believes that jazz adds a soulful element to hip-hop.
October 27, 2009 • Chrisnatha Derosier
UNTITLED, a satirical movie dedicated melding noise and art, opens in theatres.
September 3, 2009 • Tiffani Knowles
Boasting the mini dresses and butterfly-collared shirts of the disco era and the seamlessly-delivered revolutionary rhythms of its gun-toting lead, the live staged version of the cult Jamaican film The Harder They Come moved audiences to roaring applause and a spirited sing-a-long on August 29 at Downtown Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center.
Nearly filled to capacity, the Arsht's 2-400-seat Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House housed a diverse audience of multiple nationalities - not just Jamaican - to witness the U.S. premiere of the musical adaptation of the film written and directed by Perry Henzell nearly 40 years ago.
Nearly filled to capacity, the Arsht's 2-400-seat Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House housed a diverse audience of multiple nationalities - not just Jamaican - to witness the U.S. premiere of the musical adaptation of the film written and directed by Perry Henzell nearly 40 years ago.
August 19, 2009 • Chrisnatha Derosier
Devin T. Robinson X, a young poet, uses his poetry and a new film to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Florida.
August 9, 2009 • Tiffani Knowles
With a new album, a soulful new vocalist, and a new vibe - to boot - the Grammy-nominated rock band, Newsboys, set audiences ablaze at Rock The Sound New York on July 31.
On the strength of hits like "Shine," "Spirit Thing," and "Beautiful Sound," the boys possessed an uncommon effervescence as the Australian-born band graced the stage of The Hammerstein Ballroom with their new lead vocalist, Michael Tait. Silver-tongued as though he'd been singing the band's tunes for more than a mere year, Tait not only belted out new hits like "In The Hands of God" and "The Way We Roll," but also delivered nuanced performances of classics like "Not Ashamed."Backstage, NEWD was "taken to their leader" - the fearless Tait, former vocalist with Grammy-winning trio dc Talk.
On the strength of hits like "Shine," "Spirit Thing," and "Beautiful Sound," the boys possessed an uncommon effervescence as the Australian-born band graced the stage of The Hammerstein Ballroom with their new lead vocalist, Michael Tait. Silver-tongued as though he'd been singing the band's tunes for more than a mere year, Tait not only belted out new hits like "In The Hands of God" and "The Way We Roll," but also delivered nuanced performances of classics like "Not Ashamed."Backstage, NEWD was "taken to their leader" - the fearless Tait, former vocalist with Grammy-winning trio dc Talk.
August 4, 2009 • Eyiwunmi Salako
One word. Brilliant. Entering the Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, one was not quite sure what to expect.
At the entrance, people robed in white, representing the back-to-Africa movement pounded incessantly on African drums while reenacting what seemed like a traditional African ceremony.
On the other side of the park, the stage was set for the witty, fantasy-like Essential Shakespeare - Dream A Little Dream.
Love, betrayal, magic, and friendship. All are themes that run through this family-friendly work put on by the Tisch School of the Arts, NYU Continuum Company.
At the entrance, people robed in white, representing the back-to-Africa movement pounded incessantly on African drums while reenacting what seemed like a traditional African ceremony.
On the other side of the park, the stage was set for the witty, fantasy-like Essential Shakespeare - Dream A Little Dream.
Love, betrayal, magic, and friendship. All are themes that run through this family-friendly work put on by the Tisch School of the Arts, NYU Continuum Company.
August 3, 2009 • Farah Louis
New Yorkers were recently treated to a triple bill with three of R&B music's legendary heartthrobs: Chico DeBarge, Ginuwine and Joe.
Men, women and children from all backgrounds came together on July 26 for the Summer Stage concert series at Central Park. Sultry R&B crooner Chico DeBarge, opened up the concert with a jazz groovy rendition of "I like it," a hit song from the famed 1980's R&B group The Debarges, of which Chico was a former member. DeBarge also sang his new single "Oh No," a man's mission to win a woman's heart, from his album Addiction. It was his first album after a six-year hiatus.