Madonna's Full Acceptance Speech at Billboard Women In Music 2016 (Video)

And yes, it's that Madonna, and before you fluff it off, give this a listen. It'll take about 10 minutes of your day, and if you are not in tears let me know. Don't make the mistake of watching it right before bed as I did though. Rock on Material Girl. Rock on.

Madonna delivers heartfelt acceptance speech addressing sexism, misogyny, and feminism in the music industry at Billboard Women In Music 2016.

If the embedded video does not work, click here.

Cinemascope: Great Performances | Hamilton's America

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.

Released in 2016.

Plot line: Hamilton’s America, the documentary film that brings history to vivid life through the lens of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pop culture Broadway phenomenon Hamilton – winner of 11 Tony Awards® and the Pulitzer Prize – explodes onto thirteen Great Performances, as the season premiere of the PBS Arts Fall Festival.

This is a behind the scenes look at the art and people responsible for this award wining musical. I loved it.

You can see the show here. If you have yet to see it, this is a TV show worth watching.

Sergei Polunin, "Take Me to Church" by Hozier, Directed by David LaChapelle

What happens when you combine the talents of Russian ballet bad boy Sergei Polunin, Irish gospel luminary Hozier and photography pop wizard David LaChapelle? Apparently, a whole lot of angsty, sexy, beautiful dancing ensues. (via Huffingtonpost)

 

Manon @ the Royal Opera House

Have you heard of Live Cinema Season? Well, if you haven't you are in for a treat. It is the time of year when you can watch world class ballet, plays, and musicals at a theater near you. 

Last night The Royal Ballet’s Manon was relayed live to cinemas across the world. Well, it was not exactly live for us in the Boston area, but this Kenneth MacMillan’s 40th-anniversary staging stars Marianela Nuñez and Federico Bonelli. And it was simply fantastic. If you are at all interested in the arts, check out what is playing in theaters near you.

Lowell Folk Festival (#LowellFolk)

Tonight was the opening night for the 28th annual Lowell Folk Festival.

We are lucking out with fantastic weather, so decided to go check it out. 

Thrilled that this year features Japanese taiko drumming by Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka's San Francisco Taiko Dojo. They were really good.

Cannot wait to check out the other musicans over the weekend. If you are in the area, come on over. 

Bach's Christmas Oratorio

Since we are home for the holidays, we are doing holiday things about town. Recently we attended the Handel and Haydn Society's Bach Christmas Oratorio at Jordan Hall.

Program notes: "Embrace the holidays with H&H’s annual Bach Christmas celebration, featuring three cantatas from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Audience favorite John Finney, Associate Conductor and Chorusmaster, leads the Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus in a moving rendition of this holiday treasure."

The acoustics at NEC's Jordan Hall are superb. I didn't even realize how muddy sound from most events were until I heard this concert. And because it was not a huge orchestra, I could hear the notes from each period instrument clearly. Such a wonderful way to ring in the holiday season.

Check this out

You know me, you know that I'm a huge Depp fan. And I like Portman. So was delighted to find this My Valentine video.

Music and Sketches

After I picked up my WBN books (see earlier post), decided to hang out and listen to a performance by The International String Trio, who were quite good. All I had with me was a teeny journal and a ball point pen. Quickly sketched some of the audience. Sometimes the simplest supplies are the best.

Amy Winehouse

So sad to hear that Amy Winehouse is dead at 27. She had such talent and I love her music. I remember hearing Rehab for the first time while sitting in an outdoor cafe in Thailand.

Summer Music

It finally feels like summer. I love the Lowell Summer Music Festival - a fantastic non-profit that brings some really great music to town. Last night we were joined by our pal Kathie to listen to Catie Curtis and Melissa Ferrick. It's a little hard to understand why they are both considered folk artists - their music is so different - though I hear it's all about whether you use an acoustic guitar (even if plugged in), as opposed to an electric one. Maybe someone who knows more can enlighten me. Either way, had a fab time - was a perfect night to be outside under the stars listening to good music.

I was able to capture some shots of Catie (she's the one in the green shirt) and gang while they were setting up before the concert. And yes, the woman at the far right is holding the cello like a guitar - she rocked too.

MJ

Micheal Jackson is dead, and it surely the end of an era. Spent most of my life captivated by this extremely talented guy. Remember watching him as a little tyke in the Jackson 5? He had a style all of his own. Am having a MJ retrospective listening to his music and watching some of his music videos on YouTube. Takes me back to a place and time.

Play Dates

It's a common misconception that only kids have play dates. Not true. As a matter of fact, I think adults need them more than kids do. Yesterday was one such day. Babes and I explored the MFA (ah.. Japanese woodblocks, love the new Herb Ritts gallery) , had lunch at Betty's (not as good as the last time), and took in a concert at the BSO (Mozart, Haydn and Handel - wow). We lucked into rush tickets, sat in the 2nd row and got a close up view of the guys who played the base cellos.

It was a frigid day out here - temps barely made it up to 15 degrees (F), but I came home all aglow. If you cannot remember your last play date, make one for next week.




































Additional pics from the BSO can be seen here.

Bluegrass

This past weekend, we attended a benefit for the Nashua River Watershed Assoc. The evening started out with dinner with fun folks and then a concert by the The Steep Canyon Rangers Bluegrass Band.

I must admit that I was not sure that I would like the music. After all, the last time I heard bluegrass it sounded liked cats on violins - way too screechy for my taste. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed the music - though their lyrics could use some work. It turned out to be a very pleasant way to spend an evening, and help out a good cause.

Christmas Revels

Another first.

Friends A&M invited us to go see the Christmas Revels at the Sanders Theater. I love this theater - if you have never been in, go check it out. I had never been to a Revels before and was not sure what to expect. I hear that they have Revels from different regions each year, and have had them for a couple of decades. Very cool. Loved the audience participation aspect of the show.

Here's the show blurb:

* Winter Solstice Celebration Returns to Cambridge – Balkan-style!*

Celebrate the holidays with family and friends at the 37th annual Christmas Revels! This winter, travel with us from Harvard’s historic Sanders Theatre to the exotic region known as the Balkans, where we’ll celebrate the season with beautiful singing, spectacular dancing and many colorful folk traditions Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia.

This year’s production features a talented ensemble of more than 80 performers. Joining the Revels Chorus of adults and children will be Boston’s celebrated world music ensemble, Libana, Bulgarian dancer and choreographer Petre Petrov performing with the young Balkan dance ensemble Mladost, gaida (bagpipe) player Patrick Yacono, musician extraordinaire David Coffin, and old friends the Pinewoods Morris Men and Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble. Actress Debra Wise joins us again this year as Narrator.

Sing 3-part carols and rounds with the cast, thrill to exotic Balkan singing, enjoy a seriously funny Mummers Play featuring mythological Balkan characters and, before Intermission, join hands and dance out of the theater for the joyous Lord of the Dance, Revels’ signature piece and a high point of every Christmas Revels.

Things that make you go hmmm.....

Got this link from Susan - she got it from a technology podcast - check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ860P4iTaM

Summer Music

The Summer Music Series in Lowell is one of the gems of the town.
It's a perfect way to have a picnic, enjoy lovely summer evenings and listen to awesome music.

We recently checked out 2 concerts:
One of them was my first Indigo Girls concert. The place was packed with people of all ages, and I liked their music - turns out I know some of their songs. Melissa Ferrick opened for them - she was good, but not as great as when she is in her angry/rocking mode. Met up with friends A&M for a fun picnic and a great night under the stars.











I discovered Koko Taylor several years ago - a chance encounter with an NPR show. I love her music. What a voice. Koko's concert left me feeling a little strange. I guess I had no idea that she was 77 and it felt uncomfortable to sit and expect her to entertain us. It's funny how people don't age in your mind when you don't get regular updated. Her band really rocked, though it was strange that her manager gave false information about her. Shemeika Copeland opened - a young woman with an incredible voice that will only get better.