For the past three years, month of May has been Recital Month in plezWorld as the SugarPlum spends successive weeks performing in either piano (last weekend) or ballet (this past weekend). This is the 7-year old's fourth year in ballet with the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education (Atlanta Ballet Company) and this is her first year in "B" level dance.
As you will see in the following clip, she has really made great strides in the mastery of her performance. This year's performances represent a leap in maturity, focus, and technical ability on both the piano and the dance floor.
This year's ballet performance was held at the Georgia Tech Ferst Center for Arts in Atlanta. Unfortunately, there was significant degradation of the video as it was moved from camera to memory card to YouTube.
The SugarPlum's Ballet Recital
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plez sez: the SugarPlum never ceases to amaze with her stage presence... after her standout performance she was given a big bouquet of roses and was treated to her favorite dessert at the cheesecake factory in buckhead.
On Tuesday, March 31, Halle Berry visited the "Ellen" show... and did the "Halle Berry" dance with Ellen to the song "She's Fine (Halle Berry)" by Hurricane Chris.
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"She Fine (Halle Berry)" by Hurricane Chris (Feat. Superstar)
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plez sez: hmmmm... she's fine! that's for sure.
the actual song doesn't do much for plezWorld, though.
The African American Dance Review will perform at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday of this week (Feb 5, Feb 6, and Feb 8).
The history of African American dance is expansive and dates as far back as the 1600s with the arrival of African slaves to America. Distinct variations of dance in these communities were a result of traditions from different African ethnic groups, the culture of slave owners and other groups within the immediate society, as responses to the musical and social lives of individuals in that community, and in response to different experiences under slavery.
Even today’s African American Dance movements have inherited the culturally rich, innovative and distinct blends of rhythmic techniques of its predecessors.
Dance, as with the folktales of that time, had become the primary means of preserving history, morals, and other cultural information. The result oftentimes is a generational story effectively expressed through movement.
The African American Dance Review (AADR) production (The Progressive Realization of Dreams) has been established to illustrate this story from beginning to end and everything in between. The production is designed to be a thought-provoking, conscious shifting, entertaining and educational event. The audience will take a visual journey of the origin of dance from its African roots through the high-energy genre that it currently represents! It is dually purposed to incite further awareness to the arts of dance and spoken word, initially in the Atlanta area school system and eventually in other regions of the nation that would benefit from its existence.
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plez sez: the SugarPlum and i had occasion to get a "sneak preview" of this show a few nights ago. there is only word to describe it: AWESOME!
the passion and artistry of the young dancers is unparalleled... and the musical and movement journey from the shores of Africa, through the Diaspora, on the plantation, in the dancehalls, to the street corner, in the Black Church, on "Soul Train," to breakdancing, and rhythms that provide the soundtrack for today... the "African American Dance Review" is a soulful and moving experience.
do yourself a favor, head into downtown Atlanta later this week and check out this show... you'll be glad you did!
tickets are an affordable $40 and the proceeds go to a number of great causes. tickets are also available on-line through Rialto Center for the Arts Box Office.
Most people familiar with plezWorld know about my passion for good music. So in a brief departure from the gut-wrenching political season and stress of kick starting a business, it is time to mellow out with some good music.
One of the more enduring playlists on my iPod is "Soulful Groups." With groups from the 1960's and as recent as the new millenium, I'm going with a more old school look for this edition of In Rotation ... enjoy!:
"One of a Kind" by The Spinners from The Anthology LP (3:36) Old school, smooth, and soulful... no one could create a mood like the late Phillipe Wynne!
"Dukey Stick (12" Special Disco Version)" by George Duke from The Essential George Duke LP (8:05) George Duke bites hard on the Funkadelic sound!
"Silly Ho" by TLC from Fanmail LP (4:15) The post-modern definition of a "girl group"... channeling the grace and cool of The Supremes.
"Nathan Jones" by The Supremes from Greatest Hits LP (3:02) The original "girl group" from the early 60's...
"Groove Me" by Guy from Guy LP (4:34) Original New Jack Swing... where Teddy Riley cut his teeth on his sound... got that high top fade!
"Strawberry Letter 23" by The Brothers Johnson from The Very Best of... LP (4:59) Fell in love with this song the first time I heard it... as I understand it, his girlfriend sends him letters written on strawberry scented stationary. The song describes the feelings evoked by "Strawberry Letter 22," the title indicating the hopes of another letter.
Hello, my love I heard a kiss from you Red magic satin playing near, too
All through the morning rain I gaze - the sun doesn't shine - Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
In the garden - I see west Purple shower, bells and tea Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green
Pretty music I hear - so happy And loud - blue flower echo From a cherry cloud
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue Playgrounds will laugh if you try to ask Is it cool?, is it cool?
If you arrive and don't see me I'm going to be with my baby I am free - flying in her arms, over the sea
Stained window, yellow candy screen See speakers of kite - with velvet roses diggin' freedom flight
A present from you - Strawberry letter 22 The music plays, I sit in for a few
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
A present from you - Strawberry letter 22 The music plays, I sit in for a few
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
"The Rubberband Man" by The Spinners from The Anthology LP (3:37) Much more than a jingle for an office products store! *smile*
"(Keep Feeling) Fascination" by Human League from The Very Best of... LP (3:45) This could almost be seen as the sound of the '80's: Remnants of Disco. A sprinkling of Punk Rock. Part R&B. And a little Euro funk!
"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" by The Jacksons from Jacksons Live! LP (8:31) Vintage Jacksons... performing one of their baddest grooves live!
"Once You Get Started" by Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan from The Very Best of... LP (4:31) DAMN that girl can blow! Love that 70's groove and full sounding instrumentation.
"Southern Girl" by Maze feat. Frankie Beverly from The Greatest Hits of Maze... LP (6:54) Southern Fried Soul... hot, delicious, greasy!
"Bop Gun (Endangered Species)" by Parliament from Tear the Roof Off 1974-1980 LP (8:32) The eternal battle with Sir Nose D'Void of Funk continues...
"For the Love of Money" by The O'Jays from Collector's Item LP (7:18) More than a jingle for opening of a hit reality-based tv show starring Donald Trump!
"5 Steps" by Dru Hill from Dru Hill LP (5:54) Standouts in the crowded boy group of the late 90's with their TIGHT harmonies... this moving ballad is about a friend who gives his life to save others (check out the video here).
~ ~ ~ BONUS CUTS ~ ~ ~
"The Walk" by The Time from What Time Is It? LP (9:32) Standouts in the crowded funk bands of the mid-80's with their TIGHT grooves... they should've stayed together.
"We're gonna walk 'til the song's over, In other words, meet me at the bar in 32 measures, cool?"
"Fire" by The Ohio Players from Gold LP (4:27) The horns really bring this home... funky!
"Outstanding" by The Gap Band from The 12" Collection And More LP (6:15) Quite possibly the smoothest dance hit ever... a ballad that plays for the dance floor: dance to it without breaking a sweat!
plez sez: even though, i abhor the thought of another Electric Slide-type dance routine, i gotta admit that this group is definitely working it out... they're doing "just fine!"
the link was sent to me in an e-mail message. i would love to find out who this group is and do they have customized dances for different songs. if you know, leave a comment.
And the best rendition of Crank Dat Soulja Boy found on YouTube.com:
plez sez: this has got to be the funniest *ish* i've seen in a LONG time... a rock drummer, three white boys, three black boys, and the next James Brown all doing their thing to Crank Dat Soulja Boy!
if you didn't know, as i am just coming to realize, "The Superman" was THE DANCE move of this past summer. i recall seeing all of the teenagers trying to do "The Superman" at the pool in my subdivision. what i didn't know was the broadbased and crossover appeal of the song with its annoyingly monotonous music[?] and chorus (even though Travis Barker does a remarkable upgrade of the song).
i have absolutely no idea what Soulja Boy Tellem is saying during a majority of the song, except "Superman dat hoe". this has to be the first time since the Pee Wee Herman, that a dance was this much better than its accompanying song (The Electric Slide doesn't count).
"...i did not Superman dat hoe, that woman - err, i mean - monica lewinsky."
~ husband ~ father ~ son ~ brother ~ mentor ~ subdivision dweller ~ northern by birth ~ southern by choice ~ raised a black baptist, now guided by the spiritual ~ raised a kennedy democrat, now politically dead center (moderate) ~ raised in a Cadillac Coupe Deville, now hooked on an SUV ~ college educated and still a student of life ~ wild college frat boy and now a settled alumnus ~ intellectual yet fun-loving geek ~ technical and leading edge ~ corporate cog ~ consultant ~ college football saturday devotee ~ and a ramblin' gamblin' helluva engineer (GO JACKETS!) ~
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