Here's my latest article from The Times-News. It's a story about a sonatina festival that was held at the College of Southern Idaho last weekend. I got to spend a couple hours doing interviews and taking pictures of the students and parents, and I really enjoyed myself.
In other news, I just got back from seeing Twilight. Expect a blog about it later. Can't. type. right. now. Still. too. twitchy.
My good friend and fellow theater buff Linda let me know about this amazing eBay auction, and I just about had a conniption. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is auctioning off a one-time, walk-on appearance in Wicked. You get a day of rehearsal, make-up and hair consultations, a costume fitting, photos with the cast, the works. What I wouldn't give to win that auction... Like I told Linda, if I wasn't so practical (and financially responsible) I would sign up for a bunch of credit cards and max them all out so I could have the winning bid. Oh well. Maybe Santa will put it under my tree. I've been a good girl this year!
There were two articles in today’s New York Times that reminded me why I like that paper so much. NCIS has been one of my favorite shows for a couple years now, and I never feel like it gets the credit it deserves. Well, that seems to be changing this season. There have been several articles and features about it over the last month or so, including this one from today’s New York Times. It put the show’s success in context, and talks a little bit about what makes it so great.
And with “Twilight” opening on Friday, it’s a perfect time for an article about my favorite vampire, Robert Pattinson. The article talks about the chaos that ensues as he makes mall appearances to promote the film. My favorite part of the article is when the author talks about a t-shirt one of the fans was wearing:
“I never got my letter from Hogwarts,” the front said, and on the back it continued, “So I am moving to Forks to live with the Cullens.”
Brilliant. I think I may have to steal that and put it on a shirt to wear to opening night.
I just spent the last 45 minutes watching clips from the Broadway show “Wicked” on YouTube. I have the show's original Broadway cast recording memorized, and I feel like I could step in and play Elphaba anytime you need me to. Unfortunately, I’ve never actually seen the show. Thanks to YouTube, people can experience the show (or at least parts of it) without actually being there. Without leaving my house, I was able to watch clips from the Broadway and London productions and see some of my favorite actors on stage in the show, including Idina Menzel, Norbert Leo Butz and even Taye Diggs. One of my favorite clips was this one from the London production with Kerry Ellis and Oliver Thompsett as Elephaba and Fiyero singing “As Long As You’re Mine.” Their chemistry together really drew me into their story.
I honestly don’t know how I feel about this phenomenon… One on hand, I love that YouTube and other sites like it offer people who don’t live anywhere near New York City (like me) the opportunity to experience shows we wouldn’t get to see otherwise. The downside is that most of the clips I found were from audience members who managed to sneak their cameras into the theater and record part of the show, and I know that’s wrong. I think it all comes out even in the end because the clips on YouTube are bringing theater to more people, and they aren’t necessarily taking any business away from the theaters. I can’t speak for the other thousands of people who watched the “Wicked” clips on YouTube, but I’m still planning on seeing the show live and in person— hopefully when I come to NYC in January!
Remember making paper snowflakes back in elementary school? You’d fold up the crisp, white paper into a triangle and take your time carefully cutting out the intricate designs and patterns. Well, think of that, then times about 100, and you’ve got “Snowflakes for All Seasons” by Cindy Higham.
“Snowflakes for All Seasons” is a craft book I came across while I was at work today. When I saw it, it immediately took me back to my childhood. It has patterns for 72 different holiday and seasonal snowflakes, and they are all beautiful. There’s a kissy lips pattern for Valentine’s Day, pots of gold for St. Patrick’s Day, and even profiles of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for President's Day. One of the most detailed designs is a girl swinging from two trees to represent summer. (I haven’t attempted it yet, but I’m planning on it. If I’m successful, I’ll post pictures.)
The book is incredibly easy to use. It starts by explaining how to fold your paper, then gives you one pattern per page. Each page has the pattern you need to create your snowflake and shows what the completed snowflake should look like. The patterns are the exact size you need for snowflakes made from regular 8 1/2x11 paper, but they can easily be copied and resized for smaller or larger snowflakes.
Of course, I had to try a few of the patterns. (I’m always on the lookout for new programs and crafts to do with the teens at the library.) I did the stars for the 4th of July, the butterflies and tulips for spring, and the Nutcracker ballerinas for Christmas, and they all turned out surprisingly well. (Hopefully, I’ll have pictures of my creations posted here soon.) I showed the snowflakes to some teens who were there at the time, and they loved them. I had a lot of fun doing it, and I think I found my next teen program!
I was so sad to read this AP article about Tin Pan Alley in New York City. According to the article, the six historic buildings on West 28th were put up for sale this fall, but (thankfully) the sale fell through. They wanted to tear them down and replace them with a high rise, which would have been an absolute travesty. That site is so important to early American music, and to Broadway music in particular. I would hate to see it go, so I’m glad to hear there are people fighting to keep it around and give it the respect it deserves!
In happier news, I just bought plane tickets to come visit NYC in January! (I hope Tin Pan Alley is still around when I get there…) I’ll be staying with some friends from grad school, seeing the sights, and going to as many Broadway shows as I can. (“Spring Awakening,” “Equus,” and “Wicked” are at the top of my list.) I couldn’t be more excited! I'm already starting to count down the days, and you can definitely expect lots of photos and updates from my adventure!
Here's my latest article from The Times-News. It's a story about a sonatina festival that was held at the College of Southern Idaho last weekend. I got to spend a couple hours doing interviews and taking pictures of the students and parents, and I really enjoyed myself.
is a walk-on appearance in Wicked!!!
I was so sad to read this AP article about Tin Pan Alley in New York City. According to the article, the six historic buildings on West 28th were put up for sale this fall, but (thankfully) the sale fell through. They wanted to tear them down and replace them with a high rise, which would have been an absolute travesty. That site is so important to early American music, and to Broadway music in particular. I would hate to see it go, so I’m glad to hear there are people fighting to keep it around and give it the respect it deserves!
