Original Hair Band Boy

Hanoi Rocks’ Michael Monroe was such a beauty queen! My goodness.

He and his band are credited with creating the Los Angeles hair band “look”, at least that’s what I found on wikipedia when I woke up wondering who the first hair band was. (Don’t you wake up with similar queries?)

I have to say, and no disrespect to Mr. Monroe, but like most, maybe even all hair bands, I am far more interested in the style than the music. It’s always surprisingly lite and wussy.

See more: Hunks Musicians

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Posted on November 18, 2011

530 West 27th Street

Sleep No More at the McKittrick Hotel is a remarkable, singular theater going experience. It’s often compared to a haunted house, which I suppose it is in format.

You enter and are left to explore several floors of darkened hallways and creepy stuff but this Macbeth performance is far more complex than your run of the mill scare tactics.

Everyone’s experience will differ. I personally spent a lot of time with the scenery – all of which you can interact with and in my case, accidentally thieve. (I was ushered out of a room with a prayer card on my hand).

There’s action happening all around but rather than closely follow this fellow masked audience members I kind of drifted in and out if the action. Sometimes I’d have neat moments alone with an actor but I also missed some things, but everyone does which is why if I had money I’d be going back for more.

Aside from impeccable, intriguing set design (the witches den, old hotel, and detective agency are particularly enthralling) the performance itself, consisting of a lot of interpretive dance can be amazing like a number featuring a pregnant woman on the top shelf of a book case and the big ballroom.

While one of the more intense scenes (trust me you’ll know it when you see it) would be most impressive to a 19 year old who’s really into David Lynch. If that sounds snarky, I once was a 19 year old really into David Lynch and it was  a pretty great thing to be. I guess just different things affect me now (the first long dark hallway alone gave me the willies more than the sight of blood).

Since we needed to trade off babysitting duties Jim and I went alone the same night several hours apart. I think solo is a great way to experience this and the makers seem to agree as there are several attempts by them to break you apart from friends.

There’s so much to say about Sleep No More but it’s better to find out for yourself and then we will chat.

I’ll just say that it’s really fantastic and inventive so if anything I’ve written intregued you I highly suggest you buy a ticket today, right now! You might regret it if you miss this one!

See more: Spend a Couple Hours Chelsea Theater

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Posted on November 16, 2011

directed by Michael Winterbottom (2011)

It’s a compliment to Michael Winterbottom’s The Trip that it reminds me of one of my most favorite movies of all time, Withnail and I – and not just because it features two long time friends from the city headed into England’s more rural areas.

There’s a very bittersweet poignancy that both films reveal about friendship, being stuck as the person you are and the simple pains that come with being alive. (Even if it gets a touch heavy handed at the end).

Steve Coogan is particularly and hilariously self effacing as himself (?) traveling on a wine and food tour that was originally meant to be taken with his young girlfriend.

Instead, after being told they are “taking a break” he reluctantly brings along Rob Brydon who, unlike Coogan seems perfectly content with his place in the world even if his goofy impersonations and happiness make him an annoyance to those around him.

The two bicker, joke, insult and chat through gourmet meals. At first, I couldn’t imagine how anyone that was not already a fan of these actors could take any interest in the film, but the beautifully photographed and well put together film transcends its seemingly dull plot to evoke a quiet swelling of emotions while also making you laugh out loud.

You’ve seen one of the funniest clips if you’ve watched “This is How Michael Caine Speaks” but there’s more to this gem of a movie.

It’s on Netflix instant, so do enjoy!

See more: Movies 2010s Comedy

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Posted on November 14, 2011

Textile Artist

Marimekko still inspires with their bold but simple designs. But who was behind those bright big poppies? A talented unique textile artist named Maija Isola.

The Finnish textile artist actually rebelled against a Marrimeko ban on florals to create her most lasting pieces and sacrificed quite a bit for her art. In order to travel for artistic inspiration, her daughter was mostly raised by her grandmother.

Her iconic designs can still be bought and might well be the most universally recognizable textiles ever made.

She passed away in 2001.

See more: Style Icons: Female Artists Designers

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Posted on November 10, 2011

Smooth Moves

OK, so you’ve probably already seen this viral video of an awesome kid caught dancing to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal while doing the dishes.

But that doesn’t make it any less lovable.

See more: Laughs Dancers Viral Videos

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Posted on November 8, 2011