Sufjan Stevens is ACTUALLY, FINALLY making an album about my state!

I was sitting at my kitchen counter Monday afternoon skimming the pages of New York Magazine, (which earns the number one spot on my list of the greatest things to ever come out of mailboxes) and I don't know how i missed it. I must have been distracted, or perhaps fell to a temporary fit of relative insanity. Either way, it took me until about 4:17pm today to realize that my life was about to change. I report:

After having completed already Michigan and Illinois, melodic mastermind Sufjan Stevens is ready on his way to achieve his goal of recording an album inspired by every state in the United States.

Being a massive fan of the pure glory that is his being, I am sooooo excited that...

oh my goodness...

Sufjan Stevens is currently working on an album for none other than...

NEW JERSEY!!!

whoo-hoo!!!

I absolutely cannot wait. Sufjan is a personal favorite. His sweet, almost lofty voice backed by an acoustic guitar, a horn or two and the more than just occasional banjo (all played by him) feels like a calming breeze in the shade. (listen to "Chicago [acoustic]" or "That Dress Looks Nice On You")

New York explains his fascination with the New Jersey Turnpike, and the beginnings of his inspirations.

New Jersey loves you, Sufjan!
Check out the article here

"Getting a text from Bono is the biggest thing that can happen to an Irishman."

Oh the Academy Awards...

Whether boredom had the best of me, or I convinced myself to be interested, I somehow landed myself in front of my television yet again to watch another entire Hollywood award show. I hadn't planned on watching the 8oth Anniversary Academy Awards, but after my recent Grammy experience I suppose I thought "why not?" and tuned in all the way from the Gary Busey/Jennifer Garner surprise attack hug to the final credits. Expecting to be left with the generic guilty satisfaction of having viewed such a program, I was surprised to find that what I ended up with was a different product all together. I'm hopeful.

Being an actress, an artist and a prospective filmmaker myself, I have alot of respect for the film industry. Whether it be feature dramas, comedies, documentaries, whatever, i indulge in watching. Unfortunately (maybe) for me however, I guess I missed most of the front runners this year. "No Country for Old Men" - missed it. "There Will Be Blood" - missed it. "Michael Clayton" - missed it. "Atonement" - it's on my list. "La Vie en Rose" - can't wait.

Although they were the big winners of the evening, I think this year's Oscar celebration was the year of the lesser known. That part kind of excited me. Indie films are on the rise. "Juno" was nominated for best picture, had star Ellen Page up for best actress, and even won best original screenplay! Months ago, it wasn't even intended for viewings beyond a few stops at theaters who specialize in indpendant film.

Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose” won best actress. The surprise and excitement on her face was thrilling. She's young, French, and you never see her or hear about her in people magazine. To win such a prestigious award for her first big role in an American acclaimed film you could tell was truely an honor.

On front closer to home, best documentary or short subject film was taken by a little movie called "Freeheld" which is about an infamous court case that took place involving a homosexual couple of female police officers from Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Cynthia Wade and Vanessa Roth took home the prize.

My favorite small star moment was when Glen Hansard (to whom I quote for the title of this blog) and Marketa Irglova accepted their award for best original song for "Falling Slowly" in the movie "Once." What an incredible moment for independant artists! Not only was it an absolutely fantastic movie, (that I highly reccomend) but it was shot on a budget of i believe less than $100,000. (which makes "Little Miss Sunshine" look like "Pirates of the Carribean") It beat out three nominations for the colorful and commercial movie "Enchanted," as well as "August Rush."
Glen and "Mar" are best friends in real life and wrote all the songs for "Once," which they also starred in as the nameless lead roles of "guy" and "girl." They weren't originally even going to act, but they decided to as a favor of their director/friend, John Carney. (who was a member of the band The Frames, with Glen Hansard) They are artists who stay true to their craft and have and incorporated such honesty into their work. I was awed by their genuine delight in receiving the academy's recognition. I think everyone else must have been too.

The startled Glen Hansard took up most of their time allotted for their accepatnce speech and they "played the music" before Marketa Irglova got a chance to get a word in. Thankfully she was given special permission to come back out on to the stage to finish. (which is rarely done for award recipients) When she skipped back to the microphone, she sweetly delivered a speech expressing her immense grattitude for being able to recieve the award and its meaning to her as a truely struggling artist. You could really feel her sincerity in her encouraging tone, and she didn't waste a second of her oppertunity by saying "thank you" to every person she's ever become aquainted with.

With the writer's strike this year that put a cork in the bottle of big business blockbusters, the world of indie film saw a serious boom. The competition for companies to buy smaller, low budget, independant films at festivals like Sundance in Park City, Utah was more feirce this January than ever before. So what does this mean, really? Perhaps nothing, although I'm optimistically pondering that it means a turn around from the popular and ordinary to a realm of something a little more left of center. Entertaiment is growing from every angle.

Perhaps next year, the little gold man will be presented with his arms unfolded. I'm very optimistic. Martin Scorsese could be up against Lance Hammer for best direction. Maybe George Clooney will face the competition of Lou Taylor Pucci. Best actrice - Natalie Portman vs. your aunt Sally from Wall, New Jersey. It's a stretch - but hey, It might just be anybodys game.

"Every artist was first an amateur."

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a great American writer said once that every artist was first an amateur.
This is true in many respects and I think thats why its so important for young people to get involved in the arts.

Every year, the Monmouth County Arts Council hosts the Teens Arts Festival, a two-day arts festival held at Brookdale Community College that is open to the public in order to celebrate and encourage young artists. They've scheduled the event to take place this year on Tues., March 18th, and Weds., March 19th!

I can't wait to check it out!
I'll follow up.

info @
http://www.monmouthartscouncil.org/taf.php

I watched the Grammys in my Jammys

I'm not one for chewing into celebrity gossip and award shows, so events like the Grammys are normally ones that I watch in and out of my living room, between trips to my fridge and during commercial breaks on other channels (mainly because media tends to focus more on outfits, and a popular product more than the artisticly valuable acts the artists are being awarded on, if even it's appropraite to rate artists and award them in categories at all - album of the year stuff just kills me, but anyway...) This year, I was sitting in a hotel room in Boston with a good friend and we decided to watch the whole thing.

I was surprised. Most of it wasn't terrible. I enjoyed alot of the performances actually.

I can't exactly call myself a fan of hiphop music, but honestly I dig Kanye West. Come on now, who doesn't? He's a pretty cool guy, and not going to lie, his performance totally pumped me up. His astro-worthy apparel (light up glasses - that, i must add i still haven't quite figured out yet - and blazer) were a nice touch to the space-ship stage setting where he performed "Stronger" and followed up with a touching tribute to his mamma who passed away earlier this year.

Another favorite of mine was Tina Turner performing with Beyonce Knowles. It was tons of fun and I danced and sang into my minty pink toothbrush through "Proud Mary." Not only are the two incredible voices and personalities (I believe we call them divas) it was pretty cool to see them together. How old is Tina Turner anyway? Geeeez! Gramdma's doin' good!

It was also nice to see Feist perform. Even though most of America only knows who she is because one of her songs was in an iPod commercial, she's got a very pretty, refreshing voice. I suggest listening to more of her music to those who aren't familiar with it.

As for the performance done by the aging "rock legends," all I got out of it is that Little Richard still scares me.

whoa. (still thinking about it)

Kid Rock's performance with the older woman who's identity is currently blocked from my brainwaves due to the previously stated, was also good. I don't really know why they would have chosen Kid Rock, but I thought it was well done none the less.

However the ending had me a little confused. They chose to finish the 50th anniversary show with a performer who wasn't actually there...? I don't have a problem with Amy Winehouse, and rather admire her artistic talent and movement towards a more oldfashioned sound, and would have enjoyed seeing her perform the Grammys had she actually been in the United States that night. However, she was off in the UK and they imported her performance in from there via satelite. Even if she hadn't looked as bedraggled as she had, and had made an effort to at least make herself appear that she wanted to be there, it still would have been a werid ending.

In sum, the 2008 Grammys were eh... good. Perhaps it would be better to leave it at interesting.

Brookdale Guitar Show 2008

Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey held its 11th annual guitar show Sun.,Feb. 17th. I planned on going to the event, but could not make it much to my dissapointment.

The Brookdale Guitar Show is an event where people who like guitars, like guitar music, and this year even play the popular Guitar Hero video game can go to buy, sell, trade, listen, play, compete and take workshops with established musicians and others familiar with the music industry.

The event drew massive crowds this year. "Guitar people" from all over New Jersey came out to share their love of the instrument. When they weren't shopping and admiring venders' booths stocked with new and vintage guitars, enthusiasts gathered around the fireplace or hung out downstairs to listen to local acts including Jo Wymer & The Itty Bitty Band and Jeremy Korpas and The Green Tag Sale.

Also, the event was host to a new attraction this year. Game Stop sponsored a special video game tournament where contestants battled it out playing Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock.

Girl Power!!

If it was still 1998, I would probably still be dressed up as Baby Spice, playing with my Spice dolls, and having a dance party in my sister's bedroom to "Spice Up Your Life," jumping from bed to bed in platform Sketchers, while trying not to fall on the 23423-peice spice puzzle i would have done while I was rewinding my Spice World VHS tape between my 3pm and 6pm viewing of the film. Oh yes, obsession would not even close to cover it. The Spice Girls were more than that to my six-year-old self. I had girl power. Girl power had me - from the hair, to the lollipop, to the pink mini-dress - to mom and dad's wallet. I wasn't alone either.

A decade ago, the Spice Girls were a pop phenomenon. This winter, the long separated Ginger, Posh, Scary, Sporty and Baby re-banded for a sold-out reunion tour that landed itself at Izod Center (formerly Continental Arena) in New Jersey Weds., Feb. 13. I was there to witness all the glory.

Being the disgustingly avid Spice junkie that I am, I showed up to the show fully ready to royally rock it out. My friends and I dressed up as the band. We went all out. While most were in flourescent leggings and sequins thinking they looked pretty sweet, I was there fully decked out in a snake skin print get up complete with Scary Spice signature afro, six-inch platform boots and rediculous floor length fur coat. We looked awesome. I've never been stared at that much in my entire life - nor been treated like such a celebrity. We posed for at least 357 random pictures, (it literally took us an hour to get from the door to our seats because people stopped us at perpetuem) and we even got our picture taken by an editor in Ellegirl Magazine! check it out in her blog > http://blog.ellegirl.com/blog/2008/02/if-you-wannabe.html
(4th picture down at the bottom - clearly we look the best!)

My personal accomplishments aside, the concert was actually very good. They sounded great and put on quite the show. I sobbed and shivvered in my Spice boots uncontrolably for at least the first 25 minutes of the performance, but once I regained composeur and ended my pre-teen display of emotion, i joined the rest of the crowd in relative sanity and jumped along to my favorite oldies.

My ONLY complaint about the show (which accounts for viturally nothing) was the songs the girls sang solo, or the lesser known songs they sang without Geri Hallowell (Ginger Spice) that were written during the band's falling out that were performed in the middle of the show. I'm all about the unity and girl power, and sat down for some of that. (mainly because I couldn't feel my feet - but I was also making a statement)

The Spice Girls pulled it together at the end big time though, covering "Celebrate Good Times" and "We Are Family" and singing to the crowd that "that's the way uhh-huh uhh-huh we like it."

They left the crowd screaming in the dark arena for an encore, and after about five minutes (which seemed like an hour the way I was crying again) they jumped back on stage to perform a final goodbye with their mega-hit "Wannabe."

I can't speak for everyone, but personally, it was the single greatest night of my human existence.

Nicole Atkins and the Sea

This Valentine's Day, Nicole Atkins and her band the Sea graced the stage of the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Managquan, NJ to play an intimate local show to prefix their upcoming six week tour. Atkins is a local singer-songwriter from Neptune.



Finding out about the show itself back in late January was harder than scoring my front row center tickets, however the crowd seemed more than decent as the 540 seat theatre was cozy with friends and fans. Regardless, whether audience members showed up with their sweetheart or went dateless with their mom (like me) a good time was enjoyed by all.

The stage was set up in an almost erie, but still very cool ornamentation of broken antique picture frames and colored stage lights made pictures of hearts on the black velvet curtain that hung as a background to the dimly lit stage.



Opening for Atkins, the mood was set by an awkwardly carismatic Michael Leviton, who sang and played the barritone ukelele. His songs were mostly about an almost familiar loveless, lonliness that was endearingly dorky. (His album is appropraitely called "My Favorite Place to Drown" and it has a Beach Boys-esque sound - if they were singing to a deflated beach ball in December)

He certainly came off shy and made some nervous at first, but had everyone laughing along with him by the end. Maybe I'm being partial, but I think the whole crowd wanted to go home, cut him out a little paper heart, and give him a big Valentine's hug. He continually appologized for his lack of happier love songs on the holiday, but tracks like "Summer's The Worst" made all the singles in the crowd feel a little less alone, and the couples greatful to be there together, and happy they weren't in his shoes.
My favorite track of his performance was a little ditty called "If Sense Were Really Common"



Nicole Atkins, who follwed shortly after is gallons more than just a pretty face who can sing a little. This girl can belt it out. Fond of elongated notes with a particular bellow, she opens her mouth and an incredible sound just pours out and pleasantly rolls through the air like soft, heavy velvet. (it makes sense when you hear it in tracks like "Neptune City" and "The Way It Is")

Her music gets alot of play on Brookdale Public Radio (90.5) and is popular amongst coffee house kids. However, Akins' music is taking off quickly. She has an American Express commercial on television and was recently named one of Rolling Stone's top 10 artists to watch. (My mom, who was paralyzed with her jaw open in awe the entire show, exclaimed nemerous times that "that girl will be singing at the Grammys in two years tops!")


Overall, Atkins put on a stellar performance. To lighten up the room and bring some Valentine's cheer to her usual set list that has a semi-dark, "love-sucks"- she joked - feeling, she whistled and sang a pretty version of "Dream A Little Dream Of Me." She finished with an encore and a standing ovation.

After I bought Leviton's CD in the lobby, I went back through the theatre so I wouldn't have to elbow through the crowd to get out the door. Just as I was walking back in, Atkins was just jumping off the stage in her bright red tights and vintage-looking red velvet heels and was more than happy to jump in a picture with me. (and my mom) She was so sweet! She thanked me in her tired, post-show voice three times for coming - as if I had been the one singing to her all night.

http://www.nicoleatkins.com/
http://www.michaelleviton.com/news.php

feature

http://www.prefixmag.com/features/nicole-atkins-amp-the-sea/bowery-ballroom/17016/

This feature is about local singer/songwriter Nicole Atkins, from Neptune, NJ.
Atkins will perform a show at Manasquan's Algonquin Arts Theatre next Thurs., Feb. 14

scenes from super tuesday

Tuesday night, history classes belonging to Mr. Joe Martin and Ms. Nacarlo gathered in the Wall High School Library to hold out the results of the Super Tuesday presidential primary elections. There was a surprisingly large turnout of students who have been following the cut throat 2008 election process and the room was filled with enthusiasm. Students even got creative with their interest. Mr. Martin and Ms. Nacarlo were decked out in Super Tuesday "fight night" T-shirts, and political themed desserts were a theme.

Overall, the teachers (and even the students) were impressed with the interest and turnout in the event, which was a complete success.

When Mr. Martin was able to take a breath and control his excitement, he said that he was proud to be amongst such intersted young people, and thanked everyone for coming.