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Syndicate Monthly Archives The Neon Man and Me
Andrew Cothern
March 31, 2008 7:02 AM
Slash Coleman becomes as many as 30 characters who tell an expressive, touching, and very funny story of his struggle to come to terms with the death of his best friend Mark, who died after being blown into a power line. Stories of almost rescuing beach balls, sleeping outside Waffle House, calling collect and talking about elephants leave the crowd laughing and many moved to tears. I was expecting a comedic tribute to his friend - I got that and much more. Slash was jumping around stage, moving this way and that, and the next minute was very sincere and soft spoken. He definitely had a good way of mixing humor and the seriousness of the subject. Slash will be performing “The Neon Man and Me” at the Barksdale Theatre on April 13 and the Children’s Hospital Auditorium on April 26. “Lebron James, you don’t know how to Vogue”
J.C. Polk
March 26, 2008 2:32 PM
OK, first of all let me begin by saying/dismissing anyone who believes that this is not a racial issue. This has everything to do with and regarding race, undertones of culture, ignorance, and exploitation. If you will give me a couple lines, I will follow the advice of my brethren, Mr. Chuck D (he was at U of R if you haven’t read) who challenged all of us to call stupidity, “Stupid”. Again, we have the great fortune of being the witness to ‘dumb-assification’. Parties involved: There is a young man that has matriculated from high school to become a professional in an industry marked by fame, fortune, marketing, and idolization. For the sake of this blog we will call him, Lebron James. For a matter of years now he has lived in and lead the city of Cleveland and a multi-million dollar business, known as the Cleveland Cavaliers in the billion dollar empire known as the National Basketball Association. Worth noting - he has had an agent since his inception into the professional ranks which would intimate a PR person or just entourage of friends; Jay-Z is his official mentor. Party 2 - Voguemag., let’s say it speaks for it self. International literary publication. Believe it or not, aside from age they may have more in common on influence (i.e. fashion, style, icons, etc.) just on different socio-economic tier. Issue : Lebron became the first African American male, since Vogue’s creation in 1892 (http://www.bookrags.com/history/vogue-sjpc-05/) to grace the cover - yeah an entire separate issue -. Great milestone, right? Breakdown those racial barriers and ceilings like Barack speaks of, huh? Initially one would believe that would be the case. Unfortunately (cue mag cover) not. When I look at this cover, without prompt, I can’t help but to understand what the angle is here. Lebron, aka King James, is depicted as King Kong. Surface level, and not mention on the nieve side, there’s nothing wrong with picturing Lebron as a beastly icon of the cinema past. King Kong as I understood it was a ‘ape-like gorilla’ that caused destruction and chaos. Granted that Lebron destroys team defenses in the league and causes chaos for defensive coordinators but for those of you who don’t know, MONKEY was a racial slur in the Jim Crow era. In the Grand Wizard dictionary it can be found in the ‘M’-s. You know following ‘lynch’ and just before ‘noose’ . Some would argue that this a stretch and another attempt to make something a racial issue and others would say that Lebron voluntarily decided to pose, so what’s the problem? I submit that both parties deserve a “What the hell are you are thinking?“. On one hand one of the many editors, board of directors, or even the damn mail room dudes should have said, “You guys might not want to run this”. (Chuck D would also say that the is one sign that major companies like this lack diversity or the cultural training to know how to respect culture, but I digress) The other side of the coin says, where is Lebron’s stylist, agent, or simple minded publicist that signed off or accepted commission on this mistake. How does this cross so many desktops and layout meetings that everyone says, “Hotness!“? I bring this issue not as a radical, or as the militant Wizard of the Weejun-ites, but just to re-encourage us to be true referees. We should blow the whistle when there is a play infraction or just plain stupidity. Not only that, but let us not act so oblivious to when we are prohibiting and perpetuating stagnation and regression of a culture, and I mean as Americans, not individual races. Those of us in the adult world have to be aware that there is a regrettable history and past of this society and country. As soon as we all acknowledge the elephant in the room, the sooner we become an evolving people. This event and misjudgement is a microcosm of the world we live in. Believing that its ok to be numb to silly, insensitive international publications (broadcast included) takes us to a very dangerous place in time. Lebron you are just as much at fault for playing a gorilla as those you hire to advise and advocate for you. Grown (professional) man you are, take responsibility to apply your own common sense to a situation that immediately affects you and the potential ramifications that it may pose for the ‘frowning upon’ of a culture you unfortunately have been forcibly chosen torepresent - due to the lack of racial dialogue. And on that note, I believe I have provided enough dialogue for the masses. To Vogue, I say, really. I mean, really. This was solely a good hearted mistake made in the name of incredible art and pop culture? If so, then it might reflect the demographic you all are seeking which educates and excludes myself…if that is the case. For real, if we all go ahead and stop acting like everything is everything and acknowledge the elephant in the room we stand to avoid these mistakes. Better luck in the playoffs, King…James! Coaster Brake Props
Karen Newton
March 24, 2008 1:46 PM
Proof positive that in fixed gear rva, we coaster brakers have a voice. Don’t laugh. Okay, laugh.
Don’t Tell Me You’re Bored!
Karen Newton
March 24, 2008 1:20 PM
I’ve said it before, but the only reason to be bored in this town is if you choose to be. Here’s how the past week stacked up for me (not that I’m any sort of barometer for the masses): Chuck D. at UR: Opinionated, well-spoken and very topical. Irreverent, well thought out and completely engaging. DJ Spooky’s Rebirth of a Nation: an audio and visual remix of a racist classic with a whole new mesage and feel. And, amazingly, all done LIVE as you watch! Letters to the World: Readings from an Anthology of Women’s Poetry at VMFA: poetry from women from every color, every corner of the world and every point of view. Marionette at Poe’s Pub: Another stellar performance by an unbelievably talented local group. Repeat: SEE THEM NOW! Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism: Gems from the Brooklyn Museum visit RVA. A smallish exhibit with some true standouts, both French and American. The Band’s Visit: A funny and sad Israeli film about as far from a pat Hollywood film as it could possibly be. Brilliant and understated. I’m just saying…
Won’t you wear a sweater today?
Andrew Cothern
March 20, 2008 9:32 AM
Today is Sweater Day in honor of what would have been Mr. Rogers’ 80th birthday. That man had a lot of sweaters. So go out and wear your sweater with pride. And maybe hang out with puppets in magical kingdom as well. Corey went out in the streets to find fans of Mr. Rogers in Tuesday’s MashUp. Chuck D at The University of Richmond? - Who the Hell Left the Gate Open!
J.C. Polk
March 19, 2008 3:17 PM
It would be misleading of me to let you believe that I was about to fully comprise the conversation I had with legendary member of Public Enemy - no not Flav! The most insightful, provoking Chuck D infiltrated the iconic University of Richmond on Tuesday leaving some awestruck, some motivated, but mostly ‘rocked’. Again, I would do a disservice to try and capture the 3+ hours of ‘not a lecture’. So I will bring to you the conversation that I would have had back with Chuck had the line not been so long afterwards: “I’m B.O.B., aka Bastard Of the Bowtie,from MashUp. Dude - I want to thank you for bringing the much needed public service announcement to this group. You laid it down. Hearing you refer to the sad state of affairs in education when it is ‘cooler’ to demonstrate stupidity than exercise your intellect made me almost stand up and shout - but I was already on my feet. When you said that Bill Cosby had reached the point in his life to voice his discontent with fervor and freedom regardless of backlash, I thought you were right on. And ya know, I had never thought about the value of the Canadian dollar vs ours, moreless the resources that exist there. I know you had to see the jaws drop when you brought up the notion about hip-hop glorfying the not word known as Negro. Oh, oh, oh, and when you talked about cracker I saw so much blushing going on I thought you had gotten naked. But I guess in a way…you did. You brought out a naked truth that I don’t know everyone expected. Yeah, they’ve seen your web interviews and know that you are still controversial but I really think some were expecting you to tone it down for U of R. You got em though. It’s a shame that you had to get shut down off the mic, but I guess you are used to that. I was hoping you were going to expound deeper in the history of the music - who doesn’t need to know more? How ironic is it that on the day that Barack made his historic address you made one too! I don’t know that anyone could reference ESPN and idiot prohibition so eloquently! Too bad that after all you said, some were still looking for a quick fix - know whada I’m talking about? The lady that asked you how could those ‘not in that situation’ do ‘something’. Hopefully through your response she realized that unless you are willing to do something as radical as taking all black fifth grade boys to prison for a 2 week jamboree, then there is no ‘make it all better’. But look, i know you are ready to go so, i just wanted to get at you and say ‘Prochate Ya’ for what you do and after almost twenty years its good to see you still trying to make a ‘revolutionary generation’...come back now ya here!“ Party Past
Karen Newton
March 17, 2008 12:42 PM
Ever been to one of those parties where every other person is connected to you by a few degrees of separation? That was me the other night and it was kind of strange because I didn’t expect to know more than half a dozen people and I ended up running into an awful lot of people I have known peripherally for something like a dozen years. You know how this goes, at least in Richmond (because I’m from Washington, DC and it never happened there). You run into a girl you sort of recognize and then realize the only reason you know her is because she used to date your ex-boyfriend. Or you sort of recognize another girl and it’s because you know she used to date a different girl that another boyfriend dated. Or you see a guy who asked you out repeatedly in the mid 90s but you always made excuses to and hoped to never lay eyes on again. And then you see the guy who always used to show up when bands played in Fan alleys and plant himself next to you…and despite him having told you his name probably 10 times, you have no idea what it is (not that you care). It’s a cliche to say Richmond is a small city/big town, but cliches are cliches for a reason. Here, you never really get away from your past…even a decade later. Every decent-sized party has the potential to be a trip down memory lane…like it or not. Irish Beer Troubleshooting Guide
Andrew Cothern
March 17, 2008 8:38 AM
Here’s your guide to be able to master drinking on St. Patrick’s Day: SYMPTOM: Feet cold and wet SYMPTOM: Feet warm and wet SYMPTOM: Beer unusually pale and tasteless SYMPTOM: Opposite wall covered with fluorescent lights SYMPTOM: Mouth contains cigarette butts, back of head covered with ashes SYMPTOM: Beer tasteless, front of your shirt is wet SYMPTOM: Floor Blurred SYMPTOM: Floor moving SYMPTOM: Room seems unusually dark SYMPTOM: Taxi suddenly takes on colorful aspect and textures SYMPTOM: Everyone looks up to you and smiles SYMPTOM: Beer is crystal-clear SYMPTOM: People are standing around urinals, talking or putting on makeup SYMPTOM: Hands hurt, nose hurts, mind unusually clear SYMPTOM: Don’t recognize anyone, don’t recognize the room you’re in SYMPTOM: Your bedroom is painted gray, has a concrete floor and an interesting steel door. Toilet may be conveniently located next to your bunk SYMPTOM: You are dancing to a Village People song, and your partner is wearing leather chaps SYMPTOM: Your singing sounds distorted SYMPTOM: Don’t remember the words to the song Pi Day at RVAnews
Andrew Cothern
March 14, 2008 10:21 AM
RVAnews is offering free pizza at their offices all day to celebrate Pi Day. Pi. You know, it’s that never ending number 3.1415926535… I hear some guy tried figuring it out up to the millionth digit and went insane. Beautiful Losers
Corey Amado
March 14, 2008 9:57 AM
Another reason to be bummed about not being at SXSW this year. Beautiful Losers was shown. |
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