September 25, 2010
Tomorrow brings me to the screening of "God Went Surfing with the Devil," a documentary of Surfing for Peace/Explore Corps' project to bring surfboards to Gaza and teach young people there how to surf. I had sat next to the director of Explore Corps- Matt Olsen- on my flight back from Israel in August, and he told me a little about his program and some of the challenges he's encountered over the last two years in trying to get the surfboards through security and into Gaza. Once again, I feel so inspired by people like him who are going out and trying to make life a little better for people by providing stimulating and enriching learning opportunities.
Check out Matt's work here: http://www.explorecorps.org/Home.html
Saturday, September 25, 2010
September in New York: New Music Bake Sale Brooklyn
September 25, 2010
Tonight is the New Music Bake Sale in Brooklyn, featuring several cutting-edge new music groups such as Newspeak and Ensemble de Sade. Should be fun, with booths and performances by many of New York's leading contemporary music ensembles.
Tonight is the New Music Bake Sale in Brooklyn, featuring several cutting-edge new music groups such as Newspeak and Ensemble de Sade. Should be fun, with booths and performances by many of New York's leading contemporary music ensembles.
September in New York: From Cocktails to Contemporary Classical Music to Gaza Surfing Documentary
September 25, 2010
This has been the most beautiful month in New York City. The sun is shining, there's an energy in the air as people immerse themselves in work and school, and a sense of urgency to enjoy these last gorgeous days before the weather turns and the sun goes down earlier and earlier.
Last weekend in September. Next weekend is October already, when I'll be off to learn all about yoga in my teacher training course at Finding Sukha!
This has been the most beautiful month in New York City. The sun is shining, there's an energy in the air as people immerse themselves in work and school, and a sense of urgency to enjoy these last gorgeous days before the weather turns and the sun goes down earlier and earlier.
Last weekend in September. Next weekend is October already, when I'll be off to learn all about yoga in my teacher training course at Finding Sukha!
Friday, September 24, 2010
September in New York: Out on the town, a cocktail heaven
September 24, 2010 Early autumn New York nights are the most magical of all, and New York is a playground of activities for all tastes and interests. Last night, I ventured out with a friend to the West Village and took her to Little Branch, the gem of a cocktail bar on 7th Avenue. We didn't even have to wait more than a few minutes to get in (unheard of). Here's what I highly recommend for next time you're there (can't remember the drink names):
Mint, fresh muddled ginger, lime, gin, soda
A sazerac with apple brandy
Anything with blackberries
We walked by a party where Kevin Spacey was standing outside in black tie, and my friend (who looks like Julia Roberts) tried to cajole the security guard to let us in, to no avail. So we ended up at the Blue Note for a night-cap, where a charming Cuban bass player invited us for tequila shots. And, oddly, I feel just fine today...
Mint, fresh muddled ginger, lime, gin, soda
A sazerac with apple brandy
Anything with blackberries
We walked by a party where Kevin Spacey was standing outside in black tie, and my friend (who looks like Julia Roberts) tried to cajole the security guard to let us in, to no avail. So we ended up at the Blue Note for a night-cap, where a charming Cuban bass player invited us for tequila shots. And, oddly, I feel just fine today...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Palma de Mallorca, Deutschland?
Written on July 14, 2010
I have just entered the Palma de Mallorca airport and am instantly reminded of the film "Man Spricht Deutsch," about a West German family that goes on holiday to an Italian beach town, which hosts only German restaurants, German tourists, and German street signs. The family becomes irritated with Italian tourists who don't speak any German. So when I was greeted in German and asked if I spoke Spanish, I began to second-guess myself: Did I miss some important bit of history? Is Palma de Mallorca somehow governed by Germany? Well, at least there's the Bier Garden in the main terminal case I get hungry for a Currywurst.
I have just entered the Palma de Mallorca airport and am instantly reminded of the film "Man Spricht Deutsch," about a West German family that goes on holiday to an Italian beach town, which hosts only German restaurants, German tourists, and German street signs. The family becomes irritated with Italian tourists who don't speak any German. So when I was greeted in German and asked if I spoke Spanish, I began to second-guess myself: Did I miss some important bit of history? Is Palma de Mallorca somehow governed by Germany? Well, at least there's the Bier Garden in the main terminal case I get hungry for a Currywurst.
On publishing writing to the web...
July 18, 2010
It occurred to me in a Spanish airport a couple of days ago that perhaps it's time to jump on the social media bandwagon and start a blog. I've never really read blogs, and those that I have read struck me as self-indulgent, poorly-edited ramblings. So in the spirit of global, new-media sharing in an efficient, hopefully meaningful way, I am starting "If On a Winter's Night, A Traveler" (the title of an Italo Calvino book) to share:
1. a few remarkable/evocative/resonant moments from my travels
2. information on interesting projects I'm learning about or working on
3. music and cultural events that inspire me
My goal is to keep each post as concise as possible, and to keep the entries focused on the thoughts that seem only to be inspired by the wonders of travel.
Enjoy!
It occurred to me in a Spanish airport a couple of days ago that perhaps it's time to jump on the social media bandwagon and start a blog. I've never really read blogs, and those that I have read struck me as self-indulgent, poorly-edited ramblings. So in the spirit of global, new-media sharing in an efficient, hopefully meaningful way, I am starting "If On a Winter's Night, A Traveler" (the title of an Italo Calvino book) to share:
1. a few remarkable/evocative/resonant moments from my travels
2. information on interesting projects I'm learning about or working on
3. music and cultural events that inspire me
My goal is to keep each post as concise as possible, and to keep the entries focused on the thoughts that seem only to be inspired by the wonders of travel.
Enjoy!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
On the road with Joshua Redman in Spain: Guggenheim, paella, Dianne Reeves
There is truly nothing better than experiencing a city through a musical lens. Eating paella on the Mediterranean coast of Valencia, Spain by day, hearing Joshua Redman's band and Richard Bona by night.
The highlight of the trip was Vitoria in the Basque country. After enjoying a stellar performance of Joshua Redman's double trio (or, technically speaking, quintet) with Matt Penman and Reuben Rogers on bass, and Gregory Hutchinson and Bill Stewart on drums, I had the pleasure to experience the transcendent voice of the jazz vocal goddess Dianne Reeves.
And all the musical adrenaline that carried the audience and band members late into the evening lasted through the next day, when I visited the breathtaking Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. I was greeted by Jeff Koons' playful, enormous puppy, before entering into a maze of astonishing installations. Anish Kapoor's exhibition was scintillating, and drew me into an almost dream-like state of contemplating how a void is created through color and shape.
I fell in love with Spain and look forward to learning Spanish and returning again to explore more of this delightful country. Not that Spanish will help me navigate the Basque country...
The highlight of the trip was Vitoria in the Basque country. After enjoying a stellar performance of Joshua Redman's double trio (or, technically speaking, quintet) with Matt Penman and Reuben Rogers on bass, and Gregory Hutchinson and Bill Stewart on drums, I had the pleasure to experience the transcendent voice of the jazz vocal goddess Dianne Reeves.
And all the musical adrenaline that carried the audience and band members late into the evening lasted through the next day, when I visited the breathtaking Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. I was greeted by Jeff Koons' playful, enormous puppy, before entering into a maze of astonishing installations. Anish Kapoor's exhibition was scintillating, and drew me into an almost dream-like state of contemplating how a void is created through color and shape.
I fell in love with Spain and look forward to learning Spanish and returning again to explore more of this delightful country. Not that Spanish will help me navigate the Basque country...
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