Scenes from Chicago (PICS)

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would you believe THIS was the 

warmest day of my 8-day visit!

Lincoln Park Zoo

Shakespeare in the park

  an odd theme for a warehouse but whatever. 

and now it's a historical landmark! 

he'll guard your stuff

  live blues at Kingston Mines

 wall mosaic at DuSable Museum 

 keeping warm on CTA

A star in the making (HOLLYWOOD)

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Ah the world famous Hollywood Blvd of Stars! 

 music producer and singer Babyface getting his propers

 Ring-a-ding-ding it's Capitol Records

here's something you don't see everyday: a phone booth!

(spotted at LAX)

Hungarian pianist in Vallarta

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One does not often find high culture in Puerto Vallarta for the simple reason that high culture isn't in Puerto Vallarta. Sure, there are oodles and oodles of time-share condominiums and fancy schmancy 'fine dining'. But those don't fall under the category of art. Not really. Only a retarded person eats paints or canvases.

But last week a slice of European fine art was in town. Hungarian award-winning pianist, Gergely Bogányi, performed Liszt and Chopin works for one-night only. I aimed to go.

The posters informed that tickets were available at TicketMaster inside Liverpool, a popular department store chain in Mexico, as well as at the box office. Since I was spending a day-trip to Sayulita that day I thought to buy my ticket at Liverpool before getting on the bus that morning. That way I had but to get home, shower, dress and head to the theatre. Well!

Turns out the department store had no TicketMaster and no longer sold tickets...and that this change took effect just "four days ago." Are you shitting me? Really?! I might've been really perturbed were I in any other land BUT being familiar with Mexico one becomes, oh, jaded, with their typical shoddiness. It is typical that the cash register rings up a price higher than what's labled on the shelf and since the cash register is a computer it must be correct (I have no qualms about putting the item back which means she has to call the manager who has a secret key for cancelling items.) But I digress.

After a day at the beach plus the loooong uncomfortable ride back to Vallarta I was a little pooped. And since I did not already have a ticket to attend the piano concert I was suddenly in no mood to be bothered with it. Had I had the ticket I would have looked forward to the show and downed an espresso for fortification; but since I didn't, I didn't.

A few of my favorite things

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 books, pipe, whiskey

 

King of Pop

sports

 American style breakfast

 moolah, dinero, geld aka money honey!

more whiskey...

hand knotted bow tie (and ballet)

  crunchy, buttery salted popcorn

  Wabash

  beach

more beach and sports....

 good health & strong muscles

Tanz Der Vampire (Das Musical)

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Tanz Der Vampire is playing in Berlin at Stage Theater Des Westens in Charlottenburg. I'm not big on musicals but three things finally peaked my curiosity for wanting to see this show:

1. A buddy performs in it
2. It's a musical remake of Roman Polanski's film, Dance of the Vampires
3. It's the most successful German-language music -- ever 

The show was really, really entertaining and funny (and, thankfully, owing to the German lyrics none of the songs were stuck in my head afterward). During the first half, I admit, I had my doubts about electing to sit through this show - I found it was a bit slow going and amazingly campy - but by the second half (and after an espresso!) the story took off with the vampires taking center stage. Oh, and the campiness, by this point, grew on me. Part of its audience appeal is the schlocky heavy-handedness and garish make-up and costumes: One is supposed to laugh out loud and not forget he is watching a spoof about dancing vampires. (Just for the record I haven't seen Polanski's original movie yet.) Even though I didn't follow the dialogue - remember, it's in German - I still understood what the characters must have been saying to one another.

The set design changing from the foot of the moutain to the Vampire's mansion high atop it and several rooms within and back outside in the barren snow field is exciting to watch. The only downside to this production was the immensely loud orchestra which much of the time drowned out the actors.

by the second half (and after an espresso!) the story took off and the campiness grew on me

And, for once, the German audience actually reacted enthusiastically after each number even - amazingly! - giving a standing ovation at the end! I could barely believe my eyes and ears, y'all. 

As for the theatre, Des Westens is a veritable institution with remarkable eclectic architecture that's housed such legendary performers as Josephine Baker, Marlene Dietrich, and, since the '60s, musicals among other cast performances. The inside looks every bit old world charm with red plush carpeting and drapery, chandeliers suspended from high ceilings, polished brass railings, and masks and motifs carved around the high looking-glasses and pillars.  

www.stage-entertainment.de

Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour (Berlin)

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Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil came to Berlin on December 19 & 20th. I went to see it last night and, man, the O2 World Stadium's seating capacity of 12,000 was packed! Stands to reason: the travelling show typically runs only two nights per city -- and I got my ticket two months ago!

I was on the supposedly more exclusive ground level but, truth be told, it was hard to see (over people's heads) the whole stage so, ex priori, bleacher seats would've been better. But the show was nothing short of a spectacular.

acrobats and contortionists, and dance numbers rivaled the lighting and video effects

Amazing transitions from one pop hit to the next with tunes ranging from The Jackson 5 to "Blood On the Dance Floor" and, of course, it wouldn't be a Cirque du Soleil production sans fantastic impossible costumes, soaring, flipping, twisting acrobats and contortionists, and dance numbers that rivaled the lighting and video effects.

The Berlin audience - as is typical - seemed to sit on their hands for most of the production; allowing themselves to give polite applause after each number rather the raucous cheering you'd hear at a soccer match -- and which these talented performers greatly warranted. But that all changed when, near the show's finale, the percussion dominated "They Don't Really Care About Us" was  marshaled out to a military arrangement with ominous futuristic foot soldiers in gleaming black armor. At that the Germans didn't need any prompting to stand and clap along -- and they kept beat, too! I kid you not.

I love Michael Jackson music; and I am so thankful to have managed a ticket to see this jaw-dropping tribute to this century's greatest entertainer.

post scriptum: I respected the show's policy; the first pic was snapped before the production began.

A band called Trike (Berlin)

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Whilst riding the typically quiet U-Bahn subway two days ago passengers were entertained by a shamelessly ridiculous pair of Canadian musicians called Trike. Their brand of music is electro-art-pop. That's the normal part. Their appearance is another matter.

He, the electric keyboardist, is a tall, lanky blond who looks every bit the starving artist. She, the tap dancer/front man, is a be-striped, polka-dot wearing performer of so many bright and uncomplimentary colors that one might've disbelieved his own eyes! The show opened with his barker's voice announcement of their "Bubble" song and her added effect of blowing soap bubbles. They both sang (and, yes, homegirl actually tap danced a diddy) poptistically loud and upbeat -- about soap bubbles. 

amusing, yet utterly ridiculous, song-and-dance

Ever stare at someone's audacity to make utter fools of themselves in the spirit of Now-or-never? That's what this was like. We were so shocked and embarrassed for them that we just had to watch their amusing, yet utterly ridiculous, song-and-dance. It was fun. And guess what. In the end we all applauded and laughed. I even overheard one guy invite them to play at his next party! Those Canucks made pretty good tips, too. Not bad! So that's what it takes to make Germans crack a smile: a Canadian band called Trike.
www.trikeaband.com
trikefangroup@gmail.com    

Tripup LA

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Last month's Tripup LA, organized by Triptrotting.com, was a new one on me and I had a really good time. Thanks to the explosion of Internet social sites I've been put off by the automation of "networking" and, more deservedly of quotation marks, "friends" and I just don't dig these meet-and-greet functions. My impression is that everyone is a walking CV and none too subtle about it. Grace, dear one: Never leave home without it (and enough bus fare to get back).

The finger food spread of gourmet fries and burgers and cheese plates was cool - and spot on! - and who can complain about free wine?

Heard about Tripup LA via a post on Couchsurfing.com. It sounded too awesome to be real and I quickly clicked my RSVP. The social was held the same Sunday evening as the MTV VMA Awards Show (also in Hollywood) and at the very swank W Hotel on Hollywood Blvd. Niiiice. I wore my new double-breasted suit and cuff links and met some other engaging young people. Many foreigners and exchange students were present. The finger food spread of gourmet fries and burgers and cheese plates was cool - and spot on! - and who can complain about free wine? (Well I did; but that was only because the first glass was 80% vinegar - just my luck to start the evening off with the one bad bottle in the crate - but the rest - and I had many more glasses - were crisp delicious!)   


I also got to meet the two young ladies who started Triptrotting.com. I tip my hat to them. The party was so organized and professional and upscale you wouldn't imagine it was all brought off by two co-eds...one half expected to see a banner with a slew of sponsorships. Paid for by Pepsi, Motorola, Nike, Dell, Powerade, Axe, Diesel jeans....

I like jazz. I like Michael Jackson. This was a perfect combination!

After our outdoor wine social we headed inside the lobby, with its plush deep red carpeted stage, to enjoy a live jazz tribute to Michael Jackson. I like jazz. I like Michael Jackson. This was a perfect combination! The music wasn't all that jazz but it was good. Live musicians and dancers are always an entertaining treat. The one celebrity I spotted in attendance was Spike Lee. He really is very short...and, true to image, wore a sport jersey instead of a suit.

triptrotting.com

Back in the saddle

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I've been in the mind to cease this web log since before last November. Hence the lack of new posts...but I just couldn't right bring myself to squash it altogether. Have not travelled any the less but, well, now I'm feeling good!

My first Oktoberfest (Munich)

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Was going through my writings when I discovered the following post was sitting in the Draft folder still un-published! On top of that it's a "timely" piece: about my first trip to Munich two years ago last week:


I visited Munich only because I was travelling up from Austria. It was mere coincidence that my arrival was during the famous Oktoberfest (which is actually held in late September. Go figure) and I thought, Oh this should be something!

stupid shit seen at Oktoberfest

stupid shit not seen at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is great -- if you like your drunks alive, loud and sausaged in lederhosens. Me? I prefer drunks quiet, dead, and maturely dressed. Everywhere the head swiveled the eyes - and ears and nose - encountered merry drunkards who looked like rosy cheeked escapees from a woodcutting work camp. And where there were gaps there were plenty of equally bad dressed American and Australian tourists who gladly acted fools. As I sat in Burger King soaking up the free wi-fi some New Jersey assholes shouted AND sang cheers for the New Jersey Jets. Classless.


Their girlfriends just laughed along. Any social studies course that posits females are selective about their mates for the logical reasons of protection, stability, breeding prowess is full of shit; namely because females dig jerks (lifelong projects) and, therefore, are not logical creatures.

I was in Munich for less than one day and was 'randomly' stopped by two pairs of pigs on the grounds of "border control"

Onwards. My impression of Munich is also smeared by the racism of its detectives. At least, they posed as undercover agents. (This presented a real problem to me for how am I supposed to know an undercover pig from a con man posing as an undercover pig? A very popular scam in Latin America and there is no reason to think it does not happen here.)
I was in Munich for less than one day and was 'randomly' stopped by two pairs of pigs on the grounds of border control. The EU has no borders.
But as all the white and liberal and educated, homosexual-friendly people tell me: There is no more racism.

Porky & Bess 75th Anniversary (Berlin)

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The New York Harlem theatre company is performing The Gershwins' Porky and Bess at the Komische Oper here in Berlin. I would love to go and see the production but at the low cost of fifty odd euros, well, old man river is going to have to roll on without me.

Komische Oper Berlin

The Doors When You're Strange

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Went to the cinema, or "kino" in German, and saw Tom Dicillo's film When You're Strange. It is narrated by Johnny Depp and was the official selection of six film festivals last year, including the Sundance and London Film Festivals. Whoa! Ticket only cost 5.50€, which made me happy, and, thank goodness, it was in English.

Really enjoyed the film. Might go see it again. I've long found The Doors' music and biography of Jim Morrison inspiring. 


Tom Dicillo website

36 Rooms (Berlin - Kreuzberg)

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36 Rooms Hostel is a cute, catchy name but I think the place has way more than thirty six rooms. The hostel is located

in the Kreuzberg section of the city, which has a hip, funky, and heavily Arabic demographic, and is about two long blocks from the Gölitzer Bahnhof metro stop (U1). But it's not hard to find.

The hostel is one of those old buildings with high ceilings, tall doors, and wood everything but the owners have fixed it up nicely with modern fixtures like contemporary lighting, bright white tiling and bathroom ware, and motion sensor lights. Most of the furniture is mix-match, adding a nice eclectic charm to compliment some of the squeaky floor boards and backpacker personalities.

I've stayed here about four times now after first coming last year. It is a really sociable hostel where people laugh and mingle. The owners/managers are the same (nice, funny guys) and so are the rates (14€ 8-bed dorm but the price is jacked up to 18€ on weekends). One very new addition, though, is the house disco underneath run by a group of foreign DJs. The place is a groovy subterranean dive with plenty of basement furniture and about four different natural lairs plus a large dance floor. The walls and ceiling are naked and, well, lower level authentic. Drink prices are reasonable but the cover, at five euros, I think is a tad steep.

One criticism of the hostel is that it obligates guests to rent bed sheets and pillow case (no refund). C'mon, if I can't use my own linen because I'm obviously not sleeping in my own bed, then don't require me to pay extra for something I can't have without the basics. Another is water buildup on the bathroom floors after guests step from the showers. It's really something. I spoke to the manager guy about this unsightly wetness -- someone forgot to install drains -- and they're looking into a couple of workable solutions, so that's a good thing. 

Spreewaldplatz 8

Berlin - Kreuzberg, 10999
info@36rooms.com 

+49 (0) 30 5308 63 98

website

Prince came to Berlin & now Internet dead

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The artist still known as Prince performed a concert two nights ago. Didn't go. I wanted to but tickets weren't...cheap to come by. This morning I read OnTheRedCarpet.com that he won't be getting giggy with iTunes and the whole clickable Internet thingy anymore, regarding the Internet as "completely over." Over as in dead, yesterday's news, unprofitable. So how will the music man release his new album 20Ten? Why as surprise CD inserts in some European newspapers. Just like a surprise in the cereal box! I can dig it. Booyah!

One year tribute to Michael Jackson

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I had just left Concordia University--- yes, this time last year I WAS in Montreal contrary to the lies of those Quebecois border patrol cunts ---and was walking pass a coffee shop when I saw footage of the Jackson 5 looping amidst commentary from Cher on Larry King Live. I thought to myself, Why is there 2009 beside Michael Jackson's birth year? Then the back of my neck chilled and my head tingled: No! Michael Jackson can't be dead...? I pressed closer to the glass and followed the closed caption; and Larry King reiterated the unbelievable fact: Michael Jackson--is--dead. 

Wow, it has been a whole year since his passing. It's hard to believe it's been that long...and it's almost as hard to believe he is gone.  

I slept in MGM Grand last night

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Last night my bed

was not a park bench

or a subway going to and fro

but, by reversal of fortune,

a plush hotel casino

I slept the sleep of a happy man

I slept the sleep of choice

& in my blessed state of Up

from Down is something

I just have to rejoice

The pillows were soft

the bedding was pillowy

my stress & anger, gone!

But when will strike next

my reversal of fortune

to reclaim me from Up 

to Down?

--

JOURNAL: OCTOBER 12, 2009

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Oct 12

   The two Indians have left [to another hostel room]. Nice fellows but that prayer music and sleeping with the lamp lighted was much; and worst of all was the freight train snoring. My sleep will be a good one tonight. No ear plugs.

JOURNAL: OCTOBER 1, 2009

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Oct 1

   Finally attended a show: Qi; at the Friedrichstadt Palast was so fantastic. I was smiling and in awe through most of the show. The numbers did not do much for the male dancers except to show why they preferred theatre to, say, sports or the military. One number in particular was too homoerotic to be taken seriously. The players were supposed to be fighting but battling men do not caress each other. Outside of that I was blown away by the acrobats, comedic duo, and musical numbers. Very glad to have gone to the show.

I felt no earthquake (Vallarta)

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No, no earthquake rumbled my little slice of paradise here in Pto Vallarta. Only Mexican tourists from Guadalajara and loud Banda music with bands in awful, clownish uniforms!

On Saturday night, though, I was called "Nigger!" by a truckload of (drunk) Mexicans. I gather they were drunk because getting smashed is the only apparent goal for every national who flocks here for Semana Santa (Holy Week); that and getting laid, I suppose.  At any rate, no translation was necessary. They shouted it in English.


Pto Vallarta: still free of earthquakes but not racism.

Carmen ballet (Hamburg)

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I went to see the Ballet Teatro Espanol's flamenco production of Carmen playing at the Hamburgische Staatsoper. I expected to enjoy a Spanish take on the famous opera with whims of castanets and passionate boot stomps interspersed throughout singing. Well. There was no singing and no shortage of stomping (and clapping and angry whooping) to punctuate the non-existent singing. Flamenco, flamenco, flamenco...and only two minutes of castanets in the first act.

What transpired on stage in the second half of the show I do not know. I left at Intermission. Maybe if I'd stuffed aspirin tablets in my jacket pocket instead of crunchy almonds to snack on I might have had the nerves to stand the rest of that bull fighting bangy yelping cacophony. I didn't so I didn't.

The dancers were superb. I, however, did not anticipate nor desire to see a non-stop stomping production. They stomped my ass right out of there.