Thursday Night Live #1,263

I find myself, yet again, at Thursday Night Live.  This time, I felt it was necessary to do it the right way.  As serious alumni of the event, it seemed appropriate to be as official as humanly possible.  In order to achieve this level of desired intensity, my roommate and I started our trek to Art Street out early, in order to obtain the best seats in the house.  Having out choice of seating, we had the ability to the official tall coffee house table, giving the allusion that we knew exactly what we were doing, a very rare occasion.  Once the table was sufficiently saved, it was off to the café for a Chai Tea Latte.  Looking even more professional than before with coffee cup in hand, we marched back to our computer filled table to listen to some folk music in ambiance filled room.  I must admit, I am quite content, writing my blog and sipping tea surrounded by a room full of people in flannel button downs. 

            While I might be very content with my current state, it seems as though people did not feel the need to find themselves listening to acoustic guitar on a Thursday night.  Having been to many of these events, I am quite upset by the turn out tonight.  As I sit here listening to my favorite song from junior year of high school with the after taste of a good cup of chai in my mouth, I cannot seem to understand why more people do not attend this event.  I must admit, I have begun to look forward to this event more and more through the progressing weeks.  I think supporting the arts, whether it’s the art students or the music and theater groups on campus is a very important part of the college experience. 

            Just like successful football teams attract the entire student body to the game against their biggest rivals, I believe that the arts should attract just the same amount of audience members.  I understand that athletics may attract a larger segment of the student body than folk concert in a café or a musical production put on by the theater majors, they still deserve the same amount of recognition as the basketball games.  Maybe I am biased what with my love and appreciation for the art, as well as my understanding for the amount of time and effort put into making productions and compositions come together, but I believe that they necessitate the same amount of time and consideration as the rival football game.       

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Living so close to New York City, I have been to a few plays in my day.  From the big Broadway productions to small, independent theaters and a multitude of high school plays, I would consider myself quite the theater junkie.  While this may be true, nothing could have prepared me for what was to come at last night’s performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  Having seen the movie a few years ago, I was aware of the strange nature of the show, but the production brought it to a whole new level. 

              The evening began with the act of getting in spirit.  This entailed compiling every black article of clothing and accessory in my closet into one coherent outfit.  Applying as much black makeup as humanly possible followed this as well as making my hair look like it had not been brushed in months.  The photos from this event should probably be burned.  While our outfits may have been ridiculous, no one was to be outdone by the cast members.

            For those who had not seen the film previous to the show, (whom were marked with a read lipstick ‘V’ to make sure all were aware of their Rocky Horror virginity) the scene was probably quite shocking!  Upon entering stood a student covered in fishnets and makeup, towering over the crowd in heels even I could not manage to walk in.  If you could sum up the show in one moment, it was the look on the Rocky virgin’s faces.  This state of shock was only to be amplified as the ‘rules’ for the show were set forth, read by men in lingerie and sprinkled with swears and innuendoes. 

            I am not even going to attempt to explain the basis of the film, as it will probably cost me any amount of sanity you believe me to have; let us just say it is quite the acquired taste.  Once the initial shock had worn off, the remainder of the night was filled with scantily clad college students reenacting the movie while it played in the background, adding an entire new element to the evening.  Although this may seem to be riding the line of sanity as it is, I must admit that I was prepared for the cast to really step it up.  I was ready to have to wash rice out of my hair, get hit in the head with toast, and not be able to move in a small, dark room.  While it was a very good effort, and was a night I will probably not forget for a long time, I hope that the entire audience knows all of the dances by next October.  I have high hopes for the show in years to come.  I will definitely be pulling out the black ensemble again next year.                    

Women's Rights Night

            I found myself, yet again, attending Thursday Nigh Live.  While no week is exactly like the last, this week was given the theme of women’s rights.  This meant that all of the performers were women in an attempt to heighten women empowerment in a month dedicated to women’s rights.  October is notorious for being dedicated to all sorts of organizations attempting to help women gain and maintain a high standing in society.  Between working to gain equality for women in the Middle East, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention and Breast Cancer Awareness, October is the month for women.  It only seems fitting that the female musicians of UD should be celebrated along with the other women of the world. 

            Filled with songs written by and about some very powerful, empowered women of our time, the musicians proved that they are just as talented as their male counterparts when it comes to belting out the tunes.  While the songs dedicated to strong women were a focal point of the evening, fabulous women both past and present were honored.  From Princess Diana to Lady Gaga, women who have impacted society were highlighted on each of the café tables with a brief history of them and how they managed to be such empowering figures for women today.  Every week Thursday Night Live I attend makes me want to pick up a guitar and learn how to play, but sitting at a table with Princess Diana makes you want to find a way to improve the world for all women and perhaps one day have you picture on the art street café tables. 

            More than anything else, this week’s Thursday Nigh Live made me miss high school where I was the president of Teen PeaceWorks, a club dedicated to the awareness and prevention of domestic and teen dating violence.  My experience with the club has made women’s rights and empowerment an issue of utmost importance to me.  Working with women who have been displaced from their homes as a result of the abuse from their male counterparts is the most powerful way to fully understand many women’s life situation and inequality.  In my opinion, women in general still do not get the amount of respect that they deserve.  While society has taken strides to create equality between the sexes, women still face some obstacles.  Events like Thursday Night Live can only help to ensure that women are just as well respected as men.  From the college guitar players to high-powered company CEO’s all women should be considered and treated the same as men.     

So Percussion

Who would have thought that a cactus would have the ability to entertain an auditorium full of people for hours?  I must say, after attending So Percussion’s performance I believe it is possible.  Walking in to the performance, I felt like I knew what to expect yet had no idea what I had gotten myself in to.  Having the opportunity to talk to some of the members of the group before the performance had a world of impact on the show.  While we got very few specifics on the show that we were seeing later that night, the performers gave us insights into what they believe they accomplish during a show.  It provided me with a bit more knowledge to help me not lose my footing in a show full of old coffee cans, seashells, leaves, and, yes, a cactus. 

 Each person views art in a different way, projecting what they feel they know and understand onto the work.  Just like with viewing a painting, people will have different understandings of the thing that they hear.  Different people have very different tastes in music, and I’m sure many could argue for hours over why one genre is better than another.  The members of So Percussion realize this and understand that they can’t please everyone.  Not everyone can like a group that uses a video of someone brushing their teeth as a source of a beat.  When listening to them talk before the show I was sure it was going to be right up my alley.  Being a self-proclaimed music enthusiast with a love for quirky things I was convinced this was the show for me.  While enthusiast I may be, I know very little about music itself which may have decreased my adoration for the show that I was so convinced would rock my world.

For a group of graduates from Yale music school who play with found objects all day, I was not prepared for the show to be so serious.  While there were parts I really enjoyed, such as the use of the videos along with the music and the interesting use of every day objects in the show, I was not ready for such serious undertones to the pieces.  When discussing their craft, they said that they had to find the perfect medium to that a person with no musical knowledge and someone with a PhD in music theory could enjoy the show so perhaps the seriousness was necessary.  I felt the need to dissect everything they were doing and why they decided to use what instruments for what piece although I went in ready to enjoy myself.  Perhaps if I had entered the show with a different mindset I would have enjoyed it more.  While it was fascinating to hear the performers take on their craft before the show I think I would have preferred to go in with an open mind and no preconceived notions.