Half the Sky

Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn are not only committed journalist but serve as a brilliant prop for Obama's vision as a high powered grassroots movement.  Honored to have met them last night. Sheryl's face lit up when I mentioned "Half the Sky" was our book club selection this month!  

During the whole feminist hoopla, Camille Paglia very wisely raised the point that the majority of women partner and raise children with men...leaving men behind doesn't serve society any better than having them in the position to simply abuse power...A point Nicolas and Sheryl also bring up...Equality needs to be the empowerment of both genders...Having a world of Amazonian women and Weenie men wouldn't be an egalitarian ideal of any sort...although in the case of the Pakistani woman who slipped sleeping pills into two of her brother's-captor's chapati in order to escape, had me in the penny seats of the Globe Theatre...laughing heartily.

For what's equivalent to a few pennies a day we can send a child to school. Please join Nicholas and Sheryl's movement by sponsoring a child or a pair of children, one female and one male, in any one of the many organizations supporting women listed in the appendix of  "Half the Sky."

Meredith Monk. 'Songs of Ascension' at BAM.

Consistently stellar. Meredith Monk in collaboration with video artist Ann Hamilton goes surround sound at BAM's Harvey Theatre. A spiritual highlight of her discipline and many voices.  As always a favorite artisit to make time for...                      October 21-October 25.

http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=1261

Mr. Penn

Definitely one of my gods...Irving Penn is just a man who returned to a six day work week after being widowed back in 1992, at the age of 75. The mathematical genius in his composition is rarely rivaled and his high profile subjects always met their match when they stepped into his studio. Here's to never lowering the bar on your accepted dharma.

ART 4 VETS

ART 4 VETS. Brooklyn artists step up in support of the activities at the Brooklyn Vet Center. Sept.25-Nov.15 Brooklyn Vet Center, 25 Chapel St., #604 A,C,F to Jay St/Borough Hall M-F, 10am-3pm BVC is a community based center for returning combat veterans and their families. Support local veterans and artists! *Sales are directly with artist and their representatives. Percentage of proceeds donated to the BVC. 

Raindrops on Skin

Elspeth Duncan and Irukandji's exquisite expression of love.

Choreographing in the Rain

Well the weather did seem to reflect Merce Cunningham's ascent into the heavens on Sunday...There was a constant questioning of what kind of rain gear would be needed, if any, throughout the day... complete with magnificent sunshine, winds with racing clouds, torrential downpour, and a beautiful calm and clarity when it all ended. Will leave it to Alastair Macaulay to fill you in on my favorite master of the New York School.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/merce-cunningham-dies/

Savion Glover shares baton with Jason Samuel Smith

On the Hoofer front: As Gregory Hines before him, Savion Glover, the man I indignantly defended to a dance critic in the Green Room at the Met many years ago and remain fervently loyal to has done his share as colleague-mentor extraordinaire. Jason Samuel Smith appears to be the next generation's tap guru. Glover is on tour in Vail and Birmingham this month and Smith's company A.C.G.I. will be doing their thing at Jacob's Pillow. July 22-Aug 2.