It's been quite some time since I last wrote, and I realize that a blog needs to be regularly updated. I really wanted to share a little about the extraordinary events surrounding the TEDxEast conference on November 11 at the Times Center. I had the good fortune to help coordinate the event and work the event itself, and to spend some time with the speakers.
The theme was Inter-connectivity, which was a very relevant subject matter in this time when the Western world (and beyond) seems in a race to get as connected as possible. What struck me was the diversity of speakers: Jason Johnson of Re-think Books, Dennis Crowley of FourSquare, Gavin Starks of AMEE, chef Thomas Keller, artist Raghava KK, and more.
There was so much take-away from this afternoon, and I'm still wondering how all of the ideas around "inter-connectivity" bring us to a greater awareness about making change in the world. The event itself was certainly an opportunity for great thinkers and leaders from diverse fields to connect and share about big ideas, an inter-connective think-tank with video cameras and fancy cupcakes.
Because I am a glutton for inspiration, I'd like to share some quotes and thoughts that resonated most from the day. Do they have anything to do specifically with inter-connectivity? Maybe, or maybe not. Regardless, I'm hoping that by sharing them, you'll find a small connection, perhaps to something that inspires you to make one little change for the better in the world...
Sunny Bates: "We're looking for magic all of the time."
"Great men feel what good men merely know."
Chef Thomas Keller: "Success is... the memories we collect."
Gavin Starks, CEO of AMEE, an organization that collects data to determine our carbon footprint: Gavin spoke about looking at hard data to realize what we-- from individuals to organizations to governments- can do to make a sustainable change on the environment. We can measure how much energy we're using in order to determine how we can make simple steps to change. It's not all or nothing; it's making a contribution. And if enough people make a small contribution, we can make a major impact.
Raghava KK: "To unlearn, you have to be vulnerable." The idea of "unlearning" what we know, playing and exploring and putting everything we've learned aside to take new risks.
To enjoy the videos from TEDxEast, click here: http://www.tedxeast.com/pastevents.shtml
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Blonde Redhead at Webster Hall
You know those shows in which you completely surrender to the music? In which all criticism, praise, and other worldly concerns seem to utterly disappear and you develop this perfect synergy with the music and the musicians who are performing it? That was the Blonde Redhead show for me tonight at Webster Hall.
I realize that this music isn't for everyone, but I've been listening to this band for years now, and I'm always moved by their surprising chord progressions, their ethereal voices, even their bizarre lyrics that I can't quite understand. This was the first time I saw them live, and their performance was just as gratifying, if not more so, as their recordings.
The two lead singers are married-- a Japanese woman and an Italian man-- and the man's twin brother plays drums. There's also a keyboard player. The Japanese woman started the set wearing a very unusual mask, with tight sequin pants. Why do I love this band so much? Maybe because they strike the right balance: provocative-yet-accessible harmonies, sexy without trying to be, and simple lyrics that are both profound and completely inane (like "Allow me to show you!!! The way which I adore you!!! Sometimes I think I must, Just let you be, let you be a horse, All I want is to be a rider...")
Such a blessing, to be taken out of oneself for a couple of hours and drawn into music. Which concerts have you experienced this with lately?
I realize that this music isn't for everyone, but I've been listening to this band for years now, and I'm always moved by their surprising chord progressions, their ethereal voices, even their bizarre lyrics that I can't quite understand. This was the first time I saw them live, and their performance was just as gratifying, if not more so, as their recordings.
The two lead singers are married-- a Japanese woman and an Italian man-- and the man's twin brother plays drums. There's also a keyboard player. The Japanese woman started the set wearing a very unusual mask, with tight sequin pants. Why do I love this band so much? Maybe because they strike the right balance: provocative-yet-accessible harmonies, sexy without trying to be, and simple lyrics that are both profound and completely inane (like "Allow me to show you!!! The way which I adore you!!! Sometimes I think I must, Just let you be, let you be a horse, All I want is to be a rider...")
Such a blessing, to be taken out of oneself for a couple of hours and drawn into music. Which concerts have you experienced this with lately?
Friday, October 15, 2010
From von Bingen to Gaga: lasting musical divas
If there are boundaries between musical genres, then I'm quite blind to them. Bob Dylan, Mozart, Stereolab, Aaron Parks, and The Roots are currently holding equal space on my IPod. If the music moves me, I'll probably explore it further. As for women in music, my taste ranges from Maria Callas to Joni Mitchell to Blossom Dearie to Catpower to Emeline Michel to Maria Joao Pires to Jacqueline du Pre to Betty Carter, and the list goes on and on. So I was pleasantly surprised last night when I found myself seduced into the universe of Lady Gaga. After watching her videos repeatedly on YouTube for an hour and marveling at the production, the music, and the odd sensation that she might be pulling the public's leg with videos that are perhaps a parody of traditional pop-music videos, I began to wonder, "What makes a musician last?" In Gaga's case, I'm certain that it will be a winning blend of excellent song-writing, a good voice, sense of humor, die-hard individualism, a team of extraordinary people, and risk-taking. I loved her music, and can't wait to see how she evolves over time.
Which of course led me to look up Madonna and her videos. Is she ever going to grow old? How does she still look so hot? What will she do when she's 70?
Quite accidentally, the next morning I had the pleasure to be taken back to my university days in music history, when the transcendent Hildegard von Bingen came on the radio. Talk about longevity: her glorious liturgical songs have been around since the 12th Century!
Which of course led me to look up Madonna and her videos. Is she ever going to grow old? How does she still look so hot? What will she do when she's 70?
Quite accidentally, the next morning I had the pleasure to be taken back to my university days in music history, when the transcendent Hildegard von Bingen came on the radio. Talk about longevity: her glorious liturgical songs have been around since the 12th Century!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Yoga Teacher Training
October 8, 2010
I have been practicing yoga for many years. It began with Sivananda, until I discovered Iyengar with my teacher and dear friend Elizabeth Smullens in Berlin (check out her classes at Yoga Studio if you're there).
I started teaching friends a couple of years ago, and loved bringing what I had learned from Iyengar about alignment to people who had never been taught how to do poses correctly. I wanted to get a teacher certification so I could share this practice that has benefited me so much in my life with others.
I found a gem of a studio in the East Village called Finding Sukha Yoga School, and I can't speak about it highly enough. I'm now immersed in a weekend teacher training, with a small group led by the studio's wonderful, nurturing owners Sarah and Shaun, and it has been such a blessing. I'm learning again how to be a good listener, learner, sharer, and teacher. I come back from class teaching friends little things I learned that day, and I can't wait to get my hands on a full class!
Please come take a class at this perfect community studio (mostly Vinyasa style, but so nurturing and conscious of individuals' needs). Read my reviews on Yelp and Citysearch.
I have been practicing yoga for many years. It began with Sivananda, until I discovered Iyengar with my teacher and dear friend Elizabeth Smullens in Berlin (check out her classes at Yoga Studio if you're there).
I started teaching friends a couple of years ago, and loved bringing what I had learned from Iyengar about alignment to people who had never been taught how to do poses correctly. I wanted to get a teacher certification so I could share this practice that has benefited me so much in my life with others.
I found a gem of a studio in the East Village called Finding Sukha Yoga School, and I can't speak about it highly enough. I'm now immersed in a weekend teacher training, with a small group led by the studio's wonderful, nurturing owners Sarah and Shaun, and it has been such a blessing. I'm learning again how to be a good listener, learner, sharer, and teacher. I come back from class teaching friends little things I learned that day, and I can't wait to get my hands on a full class!
Please come take a class at this perfect community studio (mostly Vinyasa style, but so nurturing and conscious of individuals' needs). Read my reviews on Yelp and Citysearch.
October Fests: Inspiring networking events
Friday, October 1
TEDxNY at Grey Group
No better way to welcome October than to join a group of great thinkers and leaders at the TEDxNY meeting. Watched Ellen Gustafson's TED talk about FEED, her organization with Lauren Bush to reach children around the world through the sale of their FEED bags. Immensely inspiring, with a riveting conversation that followed about how we can change what our children are eating around the world.
http://www.feedprojects.com/our-mission
Monday, October 4
All for Africa International Palm Out Poverty party at Slate: A wonderful event to benefit All for Africa, which supports economic sustainability in Africa by developing business models for non-profits. John Legend, ?uestlove, Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew and many others were there to sing for and celebrate this important cause.
http://www.allforafrica.org/about/missionhistory/
Wednesday, October 6
Frank's Chop Shop cocktail gathering for a group of many "good brains." Met some fascinating people, including one guy who designed a bartending piano. Check out his website, it's amazing!
http://www.blubee.com/
TEDxNY at Grey Group
No better way to welcome October than to join a group of great thinkers and leaders at the TEDxNY meeting. Watched Ellen Gustafson's TED talk about FEED, her organization with Lauren Bush to reach children around the world through the sale of their FEED bags. Immensely inspiring, with a riveting conversation that followed about how we can change what our children are eating around the world.
http://www.feedprojects.com/our-mission
Monday, October 4
All for Africa International Palm Out Poverty party at Slate: A wonderful event to benefit All for Africa, which supports economic sustainability in Africa by developing business models for non-profits. John Legend, ?uestlove, Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew and many others were there to sing for and celebrate this important cause.
http://www.allforafrica.org/about/missionhistory/
Wednesday, October 6
Frank's Chop Shop cocktail gathering for a group of many "good brains." Met some fascinating people, including one guy who designed a bartending piano. Check out his website, it's amazing!
http://www.blubee.com/
October Fests: Inspiring Music Events
Last week was a true inspiration of extraordinary music.
Jazz: Nightly shows at the Jazz Standard with Joshua Redman, Matt Penman, and Gregory Hutchinson. A marathon of groove.
Classical, October 2: Heard the second half of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by everyone's friend, Gustavo Dudamel. I'd never connected the word "seductive" to Ravel's Bolero ever, until that performance.
Jazz, October 3: Village Vanguard, Anat Cohen quartet. So beautiful, soulful, honest. First time I heard Jason Linder on piano and decided I'd like to be a fly on the wall of his practice room.
Wednesday, October 6: Sphinx Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. I loved the string sound of this lovely young chamber orchestra.
Jazz: Nightly shows at the Jazz Standard with Joshua Redman, Matt Penman, and Gregory Hutchinson. A marathon of groove.
Classical, October 2: Heard the second half of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by everyone's friend, Gustavo Dudamel. I'd never connected the word "seductive" to Ravel's Bolero ever, until that performance.
Jazz, October 3: Village Vanguard, Anat Cohen quartet. So beautiful, soulful, honest. First time I heard Jason Linder on piano and decided I'd like to be a fly on the wall of his practice room.
Wednesday, October 6: Sphinx Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. I loved the string sound of this lovely young chamber orchestra.
October Fests (Minus the Lederhosen and Dirndel)
So far, October has been a thrill and a panoply of great music and fascinating people. I'm separating my entries into music, networking, and other experiences. Yes, it is truly Oktoberfest over here in New York City. For those of you who have been to the real thing in Munich, you may remember this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD2-aSbcW0s
Saturday, September 25, 2010
September in New York: Surfing for Peace Documentary
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
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
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!
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