First there was the 2-hour dance pre-performance rehearsal. Have to say, the room was getting pretty zombie ripe at the top of the 2nd hour.
Here are a few photos of the Auto Zone parking lot scene:
Also caught a Halloween matinee of THIS IS IT, the behind-the-scenes documentary of what would’ve been Michael Jackson’s “come back” concert event in London. The theater wasn’t full; there was no scene at the box office. But people were taking pictures in front of the THIS IS IT poster after the film.
The new and improved “Thriller” effects for the concert that never was were impressive courtesy of Kenny Ortega and company. I tip my hat or take my glove off to Ortega not just for stitching together the bits and pieces of video footage to pull off what would’ve, could’ve or should’ve been, but for working as an equal partner with MJ on an over-the-top production; and you can’t do anything less with a Michael Jackson product especially after a 10 year hiatus. I’ve met Kenny Ortega. I was impressed by his energy. He loves his work. He loves dance. He loves music. It’s too bad how this turned out; but we’ll see how bad once the cash is counted.
I feel for the dancers who were so excited to be part of this experience – live that is. The dance auditions in THIS IS IT remind you of the opening scene of Bob Fosse’s “All That Jazz.” A strange kind of irony as [SPOILER ALERT] Joe Gideon (Fosse’s alter ego) dies of heart failure before the show opens; and the real Fosse died of heart failure while on tour with his show here in Washington, DC. In THIS IS IT, teardrops are already falling from the dancers’ eyes, and Michael was still alive and kickin’ at the time these interviews were videotaped.
I was also happy the film acknowledged all the people Michael collaborated with including Michael Peters the original choreographer for “Thriller.” The dance steps were still part of the performance for Michael’s “This Is It” concert. Be sure to stay for the entire credit roll.
Apparently, whatever substances MJ was on, they didn’t affect his ability to create and fine tune his work. As far as the work was concerned, Michael was definitely in control. My impression of the MJ team is that you not only have to be on top of your craft, you also have to be a fan. A Michael Jackson tour isn’t about getting your sheet music, learning your cues and your steps and collecting the check at the end of the day. It’s a Michael Jackson thing, and you have to be on board with that 200%. At the top of THIS IS IT, the film says it all – “for the fans.”
Update: Nikki Finke does some numbers crunching for THIS IS IT on her Hollywood Deadline blog. I mean, come on! Did we really think Sony was going to pull the plug after two weeks? The film should have the same 50-day run as the concert would’ve, could’ve should’ve.
I used to be really into Halloween to the point of planning my costume well in advance. That meant taking out the sewing machine and actually making something to wear. Maybe because in those days I had somewhere to go and show off.
This may be hard to believe, but Halloween has always been a big deal in DC. My mom has stories about people dressing up and down to walk along U Street. In the late 70s, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was playing at a small movie theater in Georgetown. Georgetown is still the scene for the rambunctious young adult trick or treater. I didn’t do Georgetown. I saved it for a small town campus.
I did trick or treat up until age 8 or until we moved to a new neighborhood where we knew no one. This photo of one of my childhood friends was taken at the White House Halloween party thrown by President Richard Nixon in 1969. Tricia Nixon acted as hostess camping it up with “Dark Shadows” star Jonathan Frid who played the vampire hero Barnabas Collins. “Dark Shadows” was a 60s horror flick inspired soap opera on NBC. It ran for 5 years. Who’da thought?
Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush threw Halloween parties during their presidencies.
The White House Historical Association has an on-line exhibit in the spirit of Halloween: “Ghosts and Hosts of the White House at Halloween” [Note: The WHHA is a private non-profit organization]
At this point it’s unclear if the Obamas will host a White House Halloween party after such a long hiatus and with so many other items on the “To Do” list. We’ve seen more than enough masks and costumes Photoshopped on the President during the summer courtesy of the loyal opposition.
In a sermon I heard this Sunday, the Rev. Jackie Lewis, senior minister of Middle Collegiate Church in NYC, described a wacky faction of the American Christian community that is playing Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech backwards in anticipation of hearing his declaration of being the anti-Christ.
If they knew anything, they would know, any audio played backwards says “Paul Is Dead.” In fact last week was the 40th anniversary of the infamous Beatles rumor.
Years ago, in an effort to put a more Christian spin on Halloween, there was an introduction of “Holy-ween.” The twist was to come dressed as bible characters vs. witches, ghosts, vampires, and Satan. The irony was, among bible characters, one could make a strong case for Satan to be at the Holy-ween party.
The origins of Halloween, steeped in pagan traditions, seem to walk side-by-side with the holy and spirit life. It’s the night the two worlds – living and dead — are supposed to collide. If you bump into someone you knew, ask for a lottery number.
Here are some opportunities to get into the spirit at least in DC:
THE ANNUAL DC DRAG QUEEN RACE
I have to admit, this was a lot more fun when it wasn’t legal (meaning permits, corporate sponsors, and the Mayor showing up) and word of mouth brought out the crowds. The race has been a tradition of the LGBTQ community though most of the contestants are men. The Drag Races are the Tuesday before Halloween (October 27). The street is blocked off at 6 PM – gotta get there early because it’s packed. Race begins at 9 PM. Gather on 17th Street between P and S Streets near Dupont Circle.
THRILLER DANCING
There are two street dances to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” soundtrack and music video. The original dance was choreographed by Michael Peters. I had to put that out there because he’s been so neglected over the past months since MJ’s death. Peters, who choreographed “Thriller,” “Beat It” and other movies, music videos and Broadway shows, died from complications due to AIDS in 1994.
This Saturday, October 24, Thrill the World DC will start rehearsing Thriller at 11 AM on Freedom Plaza (Downtown, Pennsylvania Ave.). The real dancing will start at 8:30 PM. Will they beat Mexico’s record for the most people dancing with Michael Jackson’s Thriller simultaneously? We’ll see. The event is also a fundraiser for Paralyzed American Veterans and Spinal Cord Research Foundation. Find out more here.
Friday, October 30 Joy of Motion is doing a “Thriller on H Street” from 7 – 9 PM
There’s a fee: $20 for adults (18 and up); $10 for ages 8 and up. No zombie rate. The fee includes a workshop rehearsal. Then the dancing begins at 9:30 in front of the Atlas Performing Arts Center. You have to pre-register. Go to Joy of Motion’s website here. It costs nothing to watch.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY HOMECOMING
Don’t read too much into this as a Halloween thread, but hey, it’s on the same day as the Thrill the World DC Dance. Howard is known to have one of the best Homecoming celebrations in the country. People actually travel to DC for this. The parade, big game and step show are Saturday, October 24. Good luck getting tickets. More information here.
Me? I’m making a caramel layer cake, and I’ve got tickets for the 2 week run of the Michael Jackson rehearsal doc “This Is It” for October 31st. I’m feeling the spirt.
SYMPOSIUM: Cuba in the World: Literature, Politics, Performance
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Ariel Fernandez at the Future of Music Policy Summit. Ariel’s working on a new documentary “Hip-Hop in Cuba: a Revolution Within the Revolution.” He sent me an email to let me know that he’s in DC this week for a very interesting event at George Washington University presented by the department of English. Ariel will present his project on Friday. Check it out!
Cuba in the World: Literature, Politics, Performance
October 8 and 9, 2009
George Washington University
Thursday, October 8, 8 p.m.: Reading and Discussion with Novelist Mayra Montero
Marvin Center, 3rd-Floor Amphitheater, 21st Street N.W. between H and Eye Streets
Mayra Montero, an award-winning novelist and renowned journalist, is the author of Dancing to “Almendra,” The Last Night I Spent with You, and many other works.
Moderator: H.G. Carrillo, George Washington University
Friday, October 9: Symposium
Marvin Center, Room 405, 21st Street N.W. between H and Eye Streets
10:30 a.m. to noon: Political Presents
“‘Justice and Humanity Before the Nation’: Is a Post-Bellum and Post-National Cuban Republic Possible?” José Buscaglia-Salgado, SUNY-Buffalo
“Pánfilo, Ojama: Reflexiones Sobre Raza y Nación en la Cuba Contemporanea/Reflections on Race and Nation in Contemporary Cuba.” Yesenia Selier, Writer and Performer, NYC
“Washington and Havana: Prospects for Normal Relations in the Obama/Raúl Era.” Peter Kornbluh, National Security Archive
Moderator: Antonio López, George Washington University
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Cultural Conditions
“Staging the Racial Past.” Jill Lane, New York University
“Hip-Hop in Cuba: A Revolution Within the Revolution.” Ariel Fernández, Writer and Producer, NYC
“Love in the Temporarily of Diaspora: The Post-Cuban Mode in Cristina García’s A Handbook to Luck.” Ricardo Ortiz, Georgetown University
Moderator: José Esteban Muñoz, New York University, and Wang Visiting Professor in Contemporary English Literature, George Washington University
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Documentary Screening, La Lupe: Queen of Latin Soul (Filmmaker Ela Troyano Present for Discussion)
Ela Troyano is a Cuban-American filmmaker and documentary artist living in New York.
SO YOU KNOW YOU CAN DANCE? MAURICE HINES IN TOWN FOR WORKSHOPS AND AUDITIONS
Dancer, choreographer, and Broadway legend Maurice Hines is in DC next week to give two master classes and hold open auditions for the Arena Stage production of Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” (opening in April 2010).
The master classes are for advanced dancers with background in jazz, hip-hop and tap. The classes are FREE and will be in two locations on Tuesday, October 13: 12:15 to 1:30pm – Howard University (2455 Sixth Street, NW); 3:30 to 4:45pm – the Duke Ellington School for the Arts (3500 R Street, NW).
The OPEN dance audition for “Sophisticated Ladies” is Wednesday, October 14 at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street, NW). Men and women of all ethnicities with strong jazz, ballet and tap background are welcomed to audition. Registration for men begins at noon with auditions from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, and registration for women starts at 2:00p.m. followed by auditions from 3:00 to 5:00pm. Individuals interested in pre-registration may e-mail résumé and headshot Jamil Jude at jjude@arenastage.org or call (202) 554-9066, ext. 284. [Serious] Walk-ins welcome. (Note: I added “serious.”)
THE DAY AFTER COLUMBUS DAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE – FIESTA LATINA
I’m sure it’s no accident that Columbus Day falls within Hispanic Heritage month. Without Columbus, let’s face it, there would be no Hispanic Heritage. Afterall, he was on an errand for Spain. How you interpret the outcomes depends on where you are now 500+ years after the encounter.
WETA is taping a special concert at the White House Tuesday, “Fiesta Latina” for “In Performance at the White House.” Another quick turn-around for WETA as the concert will air nationally on PBS October 15. Guest artists include George Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Los Lobos, Jimmy Smits, Sheila E, Marc Anthony, and others. There’s also a guest chef: Maricel Presilla who specializes in Latin American foods. Her restaurants, Zafra and Cucharamama are located in Hoboken, NJ. Love the music on her restaurant sites. For an historical assessment of how the Columbus’ voyage changed the way we encounter and are encountered by our environment including food, a good book is The Columbian Exchange by Alfred W. Cosby originally published in 1972.
REV. PETER MORALES, FIRST HISPANIC PRESIDENT OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION
Sunday, October 11 Rev. Peter Morales will be in the pulpit at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC (16th & Harvard Streets, NW). Rev. Morales is the first Hispanic president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Unitarian Universalism combines two denominations–Unitarianism and Universalism–with a history that goes back several hundreds years in Europe and its emergence in the U.S. in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Rev. Morales will join the National Equality March with UUA congregations and the Standing On the Side of Love campaign. You can read Rev. Morales’ endorsement of the march here.
BEN ALI, Founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl No true blue Washingtonian doesn’t know about Ben’s Chili Bowl or hasn’t met one of the Ali’s. The now world-famous carryout restaurant’s founder, namesake and owner Ben Ali joined the ancestors last night. He died of natural causes in his home. He was 82. Ben’s Chili Bowl was founded in 1958 by Ben and Virginia Ali in a former silent movie theater. Ben immigrated to the U.S. from Trinidad and attended Howard University.
The Chili Bowl is known for it’s famous chili dog and half smoke. It also had a reputation for being a gathering place for local punditry from all walks of life and as an after-hours spot for musicians and Howard University students. I don’t think they would take offense in being called a “neighborhood joint.” Ben’s Chili Bowl survived when U Street went into urban decline from white and black flight to the suburbs and after the 1968 riots. When the lights of “Black Broadway” went out, Ben’s were still bright and the chili dogs and fries were still being served up. Ben Ali was a constant neighbor and made the Chili Bowl community space. His most famous customer and friend is comedian Bill Cosby who started frequenting Ben’s while courting a young DC woman named Camille. Though this year a President Elect’s visit may have topped a Cosby siting.
Since Ben Ali’s illness, Ben’s Chili Bowl has been managed by his family including his wife Virginia, and sons Kamal and Nizam. They recently opened a sit down restaurant next door, simply called, “Next Door.” This blogger extends sympathies to the entire Ali family –our good neighbors.
An opportunity to see the artistic process that was Michael Jackson — how he worked, the vision in putting together a major show? I’ll take that over a “Behind the Music” or “A&E” biography anytime.
I suppose THIS IS IT is intended to be a posthumous last dance for MJ? “Or Is It?” might be the sequel. I’m not talking MJ sightings, following on the heals of a break in at the mausoleum, but stay tuned for more and more content Michael held back; casualties of his quest for perfection.
Nevertheless I’m setting my speed dial September 27. That’s the date tickets go on sale for the film THIS IS IT featuring the final rehearsal(s) for Michael Jackson’s major tour cancelled by his unexpected death. Here’s a link to the Sony site. The film will be in theaters for only two weeks starting October 28. A limited release is a recipe for mass frenzy which Michael would’ve loved. As I predicted in June, the show can and will go on.
PATRICK SWAYZE (1952 – 2009)
I’m going to add Patrick Swayzeto this post who died yesterday after an 8 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Patrick Swayze studied ballet with his mom, Patsy Swayze who also taught sisters Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad back in Houston, TX. Dance seemed to always be in Patrick’s blood, and he was pretty good at it. Patrick was the not so perfect hero in the long-shot films that would become 80s classics and even box office successes – “Dirty Dancing,” “Ghost,” “The Outsiders.”
His “Dirty Dancing” co-star Jennifer Gray released a heart warming statement:
Gorgeous and strong, he was a real cowboy with a tender heart. He was fearless and insisted on always doing his own stunts, so it was not surprising to me that the war he waged on his cancer was so courageous and dignified.
When I think of him, I think of being in his arms when we were kids, dancing, practicing the lift in the freezing lake, having a blast doing this tiny little movie we thought no one would ever see.
Patrick Swayze was 57. He was married to Lisa Niemi (since 1975). He also leaves behind his monther, Patsy Swayse, two brothers (including actor Don Swayze), and a sister. He told Barbara Walters, like in the film “Ghost,” he will take the love with him.
DC has a weird relationship with its artists. It balances on amusement and indifference. You’re considered not-good-enough for the big time if you stay; forgotten as home town talent if you leave. Even our own Mayor Fenty was getting kudos for scoring Chicago’s Kanye West during the inaugural festivities; not for hometown or even home-born talent.
In the last 20 or so years the city has been claiming DC artists like Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye; and those who passed through like Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman. The goal is to become famous to the point of iconic, take some really cool pictures while you’re living, and then you can be immortalized royalty free by developers when you’re dead.
A few living artists make the recognition cut like comedian Dave Chappelle and Opera singer Denyce Graves. And others, like Washington Ballet’s Septime Webre have established their DC celebrity in magazines like “Washington Life” and “Washingtonian.” Political pundits are still more desired at cocktail parties. DC just doesn’t have the same vibe regarding pride in their own that other cities have for their hometown artists.
For years I have tried to convince someone with an interest in DC home growns to honor Chita Rivera.
Chita Rivera was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero in Washington, D.C., on January 23, 1933. She attended Dunbar Senior High School in its hey day, and took dance classes at the Jones-Hayward School of Ballet run by two Black women, Doris Jones and Claire Haywood. It was there that she was invited to audition by a teacher from the American School of Ballet in New York (choregrapher George Ballanchine’s academy). In her autobiographical show “Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life,” she recalls the advice Doris Jones gave to her before she set off for New York:
“Don’t worry about the long bodies and blond ponytails lining up next to you for the auditions; be who you are!”
Apparently the White House is ahead of any home town recognition for Chita Rivera’s artistry. This week she was one of 16 honorees to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian achievement award in the United States.
A little funny factoid — Chita Rivera played Anita in the Broadway production of “West Side Story” in 1957. She married fellow cast member, Tony Mordente who played Action in the Jets gang. Does life imitate art or the other way around? They divorced in 1966.
In 2008, Rivera came home to the Washington area to perform in a new musical production of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s “The Visit” with music by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and book by Terrence McNally at Signature Theatre. Again, I remember no ticker tape parade.
Perhaps Chita’s roots are more firmly planted on the stage and in the legacies of teachers like Doris Jones who nurtured Chita’s future stardom. The Kennedy Center has honored her as a national treasure, but again, no ticker-tape parade from the hometown crowd.
If I documented her impressive CV of performances, this post would go on forever. I’ll link to the IMDB page for her.
Or maybe I’m over-reacting. Maybe I just didn’t get the invite to the banquet. But I’m not waiting for an obiturary to claim this DC hermana.
Note: Below is the complete list of the 2009 Medal of Freedom Award recipients. Quite impressive in its diversity. More information is available at WhiteHouse.gov.
Nancy Goodman Brinker is the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s leading breast cancer grassroots organization.
Pedro José Greer, Jr. is the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Florida International University School of Medicine. He is also the founder of Camillus Health Concern, an agency that provides medical care to over 10,000 homeless and low-income patients each year in Miami.
Stephen Hawking is an internationally-recognized theoretical physicist, and is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University.
Jack Kemp was a U.S. Congressman, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Republican Nominee for Vice President in 1996. He died in May, 2009
Sen. Edward Kennedy is one of the longest-serving and greatest Senators of all time. He has worked tirelessly for health care reform over the last five decades.
Billie Jean King is known for winning the famous “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, and championing gender equality issues not only in sports, but in all aspects of life.
Rev. Joseph Lowery has been a leader of the civil rights movement since the 1950s, and co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King.
Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow is the last living Plains Indian war chief, and author of works on Native American history and culture who has served as an inspiration to young Native Americans across the country.
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official from a major city in the United States. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, and encouraged LGBT citizens to live their lives openly.
Sandra Day O’Connor was a Supreme Court Justice from 1981 until her retirement in 2006. She was the first woman ever to sit on the Supreme Court, and has received numerous awards for her outstanding achievements.
Sidney Poitier is an actor known for breaking racial barriers. He is the first African American to be nominated and win a Best Actor Academy Award.
Chita Rivera is an actress, singer and dancer, who has broken barriers and inspired a generation of women. In 2002, she was the first Hispanic to receive the Kennedy Center Honor.
Mary Robinson was the first female President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since 2002, she has been the President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative.
Janet Davison Rowley, M.D., is the Blum Riese Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine, Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology and Human Genetics at the University of Chicago. She discovered the first consistent chromosome translocation in a human cancer.
Desmond Tutu is widely regarded as “South Africa’s moral conscience,” and was a leading anti-apartheid activist in South Africa.
Muhammad Yunus is a global leader in anti-poverty efforts, and pioneered the use of “micro-loans” to provide credit to poor individuals.