Can Sleepy Hollow get back on track?

The mid-season finale summed up a middling first half of the season by killing off Captain Frank Irving. To the consternation of self-proclaimed 'Sleepyheads' and casual fans alike, the death of Irving was another betrayal. Katrina, the world's most boring witch was still alive spreading corseted Goth malaise. Jenny Mills, treasure hunter and mercenary was reduced to waiting for the phone to ring. And Hawley of the majestic white teeth and golden mane. Good gravy. He and Katrina were allowed to sidetrack the entire show. Our witnesses, the pulchritudinous, raven-haired, and honor-bound Abigail Mills and Ichabod Crane were left in a state of flux.

In the 2015 mid-season premiere, Sleepy Hollow may have redeemed itself by returning to its core narrative: the battle to save humanity from unquenchable evil. Thanks to Henry, the Horseman of War and Peter Pan of the apocalypse, Moloch has been defeated. As a result, purgatory has been torn open freeing those trapped inside. This event will henceforth be known as “Purgatory Blowout 2015.” What a relief for Ichabod. He was just telling Abigail that he would rather "fight the threat of the apocalypse," than get a job and sign up for health insurance at healthcare.gov. Purgatory's first escapees seem to be the angel Orion and an assortment of lesser demons looking for a Moloch replacement. Orion is God's most judgmental angel. His biggest turn-ons are hastening epidemics and natural disasters. His turn-offs are indifference and Goth witches. Orion lays out the stakes for Abigail and the viewer: Headless is now the top demon, there are countless evil souls on the loose thanks to Purgatory Blowout 2015, and FYI: angels are crazy. This is great news since Katrina just set Headless free from captivity while she works on a spell to make him human again. He won't be lonely. Purgatory Blowout 2015 has provided him with his own gang of useless minions. Headless, minions and souls on the loose? That is a lot to work with. How many episodes until the season finale? In other news, Jenny and Hawley have teamed up to recreate scenes from the highly anticipated, but never released 1986 romance-adventure, "Is This Love or Treasure?" starring Rae Dawn Chong and Gary Busey.

All of these developments could become satisfying story lines. A touch of Type A romance between Abby and Orion could also provide real sexual tension and another layer of comic relief. One of the greatest indicators of the show’s potential redemption is the return of Captain Irving. What are the effects of selling his soul to Henry and hanging out in purgatory? Who has he become? Will he play his return a la Denzel in Training Day with a "purgatory aint got nothin’ on me" aplomb or will he be cool like Isiah Whitlock, Jr. as Maryland State Senator Clay Davis on The Wire: "Purgatory, shiiiiiiiit."

I am excited to find out.

 

Grown Folks Dancing

“As a baby you wiggled, as a toddler you rocked, as a teenager you threw down, and now you make it do what it do.” These words open every episode of Grown Folks Dancing, the public access show for those who love to watch grown folks dance. Hosted by the sanctified Bob Thomas, dancers Mississippi cha cha, Chicago style step, and freestyle to Hip Hop, Soul and smooth R and B hits. Watch and learn.

http://youtu.be/zQrqoiy2PKk

 

Awkward, black and enterprising

Issa Rae is a multitalented artist with a distinct comic vision. As the creator of the funny and beloved "Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" web series, she introduced an unlikely heroine to the world, an awkward and neurotic black woman. In "Ratchetpiece Theater," she casts the appraising eye of a high culture aficionado on translating the rhyme and reason of 'ratchet' music videos. 

Issa Rae is curious and inspired. She is creating opportunities for herself and others to develop shows that speak to diverse audiences. Watch Rae discuss the origin story of the "Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" and what's next for her in part three of The New York Times "Off Color" comedy video series.

Sugar and the Black Body

Kara Walker uses her unimpeachable artistic skills to create horrific, yet beautiful tableaus. The terror of the black experience in America informs her deeply researched and precisely crafted pieces. Ms. Walker's  work acts as a visual counterpoint to the myth making essential to the notion of America.

A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby,  Ms. Walker's first public art piece tackles the complex and brutal history of sugar production in the Americas. The sculpture, at least 30 feet tall is a mammy/sphinx hybrid,  implacable in expression and regal in bearing. The sculpture, made of at least 80 tons of white sugar is housed in the now decommissioned Domino sugar factory in Williamsburg. The sphinx is surrounded by sculptures of black boys cast in molasses and resin carrying baskets. These figures are modeled after subtleties-- sometimes edible, intricately designed food sculptures-- displayed between courses during feasts of the elite in medieval Europe. They were often brightly colored and flavored with the exotic spices from the Near and Far East. Are these subtleties figures the sphynx's acolytes, her protectors, or fellow travelers who toiled and bled in the cane fields?

A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby, will be on display until July 6. The factory will be demolished after the show for the construction of condominiums.

Here is a small slice of the plethora of the commentary, criticism and addenda about the piece online.

Watch a short video about the production of the piece with Ms. Walker

http://www.art21.org/videos/short-kara-walker-a-subtlety-or-the-marvelous-sugar-baby


Kara Walker shares her ideas for the piece on Creative Time, the arts organization sponsoring the show.

http://creativetime.org/projects/karawalker/inspiration/

The Washington Post offers a brief history lesson and primer for those interested in the context of the piece.

http://m.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/05/27/going-to-see-kara-walkers-subtlety-read-these-first/


Hilton Als has written a comprehensive review in The New Yorker.

http://m.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2014/05/kara-walker-domino-sugar-factory-sphinx-sculpture.html

Toni Morrison in conversation with Junot Diaz at the New York Public Library

Toni Morrison has written harrowing, elegant, gut wrenching books for over thirty years. Her skill as a master storyteller is heralded by readers and critics all over the world. Last December,  Ms. Morrison was interviewed by her self-professed biggest fan Junot Diaz at the New York Public Library. Their conversation was wide ranging. In addition to discussing the art and process of writing, Ms. Morrison talked extensively about her work editing some of the seminal works of the post-Civil Rights Movement /1960's African American Letters.

Junot Diaz lays out his ardor throughout their conversation, but I believe this rumination on Ms. Morrison’s influence on his existence speaks loudest:

“Besides the fact that you can out-write any motherfucker on the planet sentence by sentence…. that little fact always puts me to bed comfortable, no matter what the hell is going on in the world. I always lay in bed and I’m like, the best writer in the world is of African descent. Peace.”

Belated Birthday Wishes

Philly’s finest, Patti La Belle celebrated her 70^th birthday on May 24. Her outstanding voice- smooth and pitch perfect- is a thing of wonder. Miss Patti can still out sing anyone on the planet.

Patti La Belle- Over the Rainbow, Live at The White House 2014

 

 

From Patti La Belle and The Bluebelles to her work as a solo artist, Ms. Patti’s a vocal style cannot be duplicated. Her proto glam disco sartorial choices as part of LaBelle and her Mohawk coiffure of the 1980’s are indelible elements of the pop music universe.

 

Patti La Belle- Never Walk Alone with special guests Little Richard, Mavis Staples and Al Green

 

 

 

Patti La Belle and Michael McDonald- On My Own

 

 



LaBelle- Four Women

 

 

 

All Hail Grace Jones!

The incomparable chanteuse and provocateur is the ambassador of ‘Cool’ to a world that has not yet caught up to her genius. There can be only one and she is it. Happy Birthday, Miss Jones.

 

Grace Jones- I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)

 

 

 

 

Grace Jones- William's Blood

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Jones- Vie en Rose

 

 

 

 





Playlist

Feel like dancing. Here’s a Sunday night dance party mix. Big Freedia rocks it so nice, she is on the list twice.

Janelle Monae- Q.U.E.E.N. featuring Erykah Badu

Big Freedia- Excuse

Santigold- Disparate Youth

Ru Paul- Peanut Butter featuring Big Freedia

Fela Kuti and Afrika 70- Zombie