Undercurrents

For those of you who know me, you know that my wife (I will call her Susan) is a Dominican U.S. citizen.  You also know we have an 8 year old son (whom I will call Jeffrey), though technically he’s my stepson.  Our son’s biological dad is an African American man whom my wife met while attending college.  Susan is in her final year of Ph.D. study at the University of Connecticut where she’s excelling in the graduate program.   (more…)

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I just saw Dessa Rose, the main stage production of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. It’s not your run-of-the-mill high school play. These kids kick ass and take no prisoners. Public education at its finest. Students come from participating towns in central Connecticut. Great acting, singing, dancing, live music by students and a few ringers. Call 860-757-6388 for tickets. The theater is at 359 Washington St., Hartford. Parking garage adjacent to the theater or park on the mean streets of Hartford. We did. Show times Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

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But they, so perfect is their misery
Do not their foul disfigurement perceive’
Milton, Comus

I propose herein, a modest proposal to the American people in light of the economic and political disaster about to befall us. In 1729 Jonathan Swift wrote an essay wherein he advocated that the Irish, in order to alleviate the dire living conditions of British rule, breed and slaughter and then devour their own children. He alludes to an American friend who extols the tasty nutrition of year old milk-fed youngsters. This drastic satirical essay was written in reaction to a killing campaign waged by the Protestant/Anglican English against the Catholic papist Irish who were viewed as subhuman beings reproducing like rabbits out of control. I propose no such excess, as we already devour and destroy our young for the corporate Wall Street vampires and cannibals with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here is my modest proposal.

Firstly, no business or public entity shall operate buildings or equipment 24/7 except for essential services, such as Police, Fire and Medical. (more…)

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I had a brainstorming session Wednesday with a couple of independent TV producers who were recently liberated from long-term assignments. (more…)

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Don’t miss out on Mat Callahan and Yvonne Moore in an intimate studio concert this Saturday, March 1 , 7:30 p.m. at 555 Asylum Ave., Hartford. Callahan is a veteran of the San Francisco music/political theater scene now living in Switzerland. Besides being a member of the Looters, a West Coast anarcho-rock group, he has written an in-depth critique of the music business. He also penned the war resister’s anthem, “Johnny Refused”. Call 860-548-9144 for tix and info.

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I put together some video from last night’s Hope Out Loud Coffeehouse at La Paloma Sabanera. Some of the A/V quality is not the greatest, but I think it’s still a nice testimonial to the musicians who have helped make La Paloma the best venue of the Coffeehouse yet.

Eric Paradine:

(more…)

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Word just came in that La Paloma Sabanera is closing.

The last day is Friday, December 28.

This is a huge loss for this community. Please spend some time (and money$$$) there before the 28th.

There is supposed to be new management in the spring, but I don’t have details.

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Hard times lie ahead. We blew everything we had on diversions, including two wars, and now the tab is coming due.

(more…)

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Frank Rizzo gave HartBeat Ensemble’s “Ebeneeza” a glowing review in today’s Courant.

The show is Dickens’ Christmas Carol set in modern day Hartford. According to Rizzo, the show is able to “melt hearts as it illuminates minds.”

“Ebeneeza” opened last weekend and will run through December 30.

To purchase tickets for “Ebeneeza” visit the Charter Oak Cultural Center box office at 21 Charter Oak Ave. between 9am -5pm Monday through Friday or call Charter Oak at 860-249-1207. For group sales call HartBeat Ensemble at 548-9144. Ebeneeza – A Hartford Holiday Carol will run Thursday – Saturday at 7:30PM for the month of December. Sunday @ 2pm on the 16th & 30th.

*Full disclosure: One of the playwrights is my partner (Julia B. Rosenblatt).

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J. Stan McCauley, longtime manager of Hartford Public Access TV, was discharged today after he refused to sign a letter of resignation.  Although the station gave no explicit reason for his termination, he had been warned that his engagement and marriage to a staffer at the station was considered grounds for dismissal.  In fact, the station has no formal rule against fraternization, and McCauley says he proposed marriage on his own time. 

Besides the warnings about fraternization, McCauley had received veiled threats over his run for mayor of Hartford as a Republican against a host of Democrats, including the incumbent Eddie Perez.  Political connections to one or more of the Democrats are common among members of the station’s board of directors, and the timing of his discharge suggests that his candidacy played a decisive role in his dismissal.

Certainly, the lesson, whether or not intended, won’t be lost on his successor, city retiree Linda Bayer, who has political connections of her own.  The likelihood with her appointment is that Hartford Public Access will become an arm of city government and a mouthpiece for city officials. 

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