Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Orlando Orlando Orlando

For months now, my family and I have been planning to head down to happy happy Orlando later this summer to have a mini reunion. While planning this trip, it has been absolutely shocking and horrible to watch the tragedies that have occurred in Orlando in recent weeks. 

A 22 year old former Voice singer was shot and killed while signing autographs after a show. 


A Nebraskan toddler was dragged and killed by an alligator in a Disney lagoon. 

And the deadliest mass shooting occurred at a gay Orlando nightclub, killing 49 victims and fracturing countless lives. 

Absolutely horrible! Absolutely senseless!

Love though will always prevail over evil and there has been an outpouring of love from ALL around the world. 

Broadway's best responded with their touching tribute -  What The World Needs Now Is Love. 

Here it is...

Monday, June 27, 2016

Three Concerts I Saw Outside of Manhattan


Lately, I have been traveling through tunnels and across bridges to attend concerts. Here are three worthwhile concerts I attended outside of Manhattan.  

My first stop was Gregory Porter at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown NJ. After seeing Patti at Mayo a few years ago, I have been itching to return to not only see a show but also check out another of the dining experiences in Jockey Hollow at the Vail Mansion. Grammy award winning Gregory Porter was my opportunity to do so. Gregory Porter did not disappoint and all I can say right now is drop everything and listen to the title track from his most recent album - Take Me to the Alley.  




Next up was Valerie June at Sopac in South Orange NJ. With Valerie June, I think that you either get or don't get her "organic moonshine roots music." Her voice creeps up on me and screams American heartland all the way. It is fun to watch her development. 


  

Third was my first trip to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. I finally had the opportunity to see Florence and the Machine. Don't know what it is about English lead Florence Welch but I just dig her voice and admire her energy. Well worth it on a school night. 



These concerts remind me that the music world does not begin and end in Manhattan. All venues were easily accessible by public transportation and were well worth the trip.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Quote from Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart"

Ned Weeks in Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart:
Felix, weakness terrifies me. It scares the shit out of me. My father was weak and I'm afraid I'll be like him. His life didn't stand for anything, and then it was over. So I fight. Constantly. And if I can do it, I can't understand why everybody else can't do it, too. Okay?

Friday, June 10, 2016

Quote from Jennifer Haley's "The Nether"

Sims in Jennifer Haley's The Nether:
What are you afraid of? Violence? Porn? Did you know porn drives technology? The first photographs? Porn. The first movies? Porn. The most popular content when the Nether was called the Internet? Porn. The urge, Detective - the urge - as long as we are sentient, you will never stamp that out. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Broadway Carpool Karaoke

Watching this was the best part of the my day. I'm such a theater geek!