Undercurrents

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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As part of the mission to sell Hartford to people who need a lot of bells-and-whistles, a number of nightclubs and restaurants have popped up that seem so swank that they are almost gimmicky.

What I have enjoyed about the Hope Out Loud Coffeehouse, no matter where it has been located, is that it does not have that pretense. The open mic tonight at Alchemy felt like musicians and spoken word artists descended upon my living room.

This month there were a few new performers to add to the mix of blues, folk, ukulele, original poetry, story telling, and an ongoing interpretation of James Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake. (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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HARTFORD: On Monday, February 25th Professor Jeff Ogbar (UConn) will be speaking at Capital Community College at noon in the Community Room (second floor) about his book Hip-Hop Revolution. The hour-long talk is part of CCC’s Black History Month Events. Their press release says:

In this groundbreaking book, Jeffrey O. G. Ogbar celebrates hip-hop and confronts the cult of authenticity that defines its essential character-that dictates how performers walk, talk, and express themselves artistically and also influences the consumer market. Hip-Hop Revolutionis a balanced cultural history that looks past negative stereotypes of hip-hop as a monolith of hedonistic, unthinking noise to reveal its evolving positive role within American society. (more…)

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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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Tonight’s Hope Out Loud Coffeehouse will be the final one hosted at La Paloma Sabanera. The open mike begins around 7:30 and anybody wanting to speak out or perform is invited to participate. It’s not yet known where the open mike will be housed next, but we’ll keep you posted.

If you can’t make Hope Out Loud but still wish to say goodbye to La Paloma, you can stop by after 7pm on Saturday.

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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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