Alvin Ailey Dance Company

The Alvin Ailey Dance Company is one of my favorites.  The founder, Alvin Ailey had a rough childhood during the time of segregation and there were few opportunities for young African Americans.  He sought comfort through dancing and began his own company inspired by Horton, another dance company.  Alvin Ailey Dance Company is now famous all over the world for their modern-style dancing.  I have seen two shows done by the company and I loved the lively music and colorful costumes.  To me, Alvin Ailey Dance Company is among the best in the country, which is why I chose to showcase it for this project.  

http://www.alvinailey.org/

This is the official website of Alvin Ailey Dance.  Here you can learn more about what the company does, when the tours take place and how you can support them.  It also has great pictures that give you an idea of what the company is about.

http://www.notablebiographies.com/A-An/Ailey-Alvin.html

This webpage is a biography of Alvin Ailey himself.  It gives a full background of his personal story and how everything in his life added up to turn into the company that we know today.  It is interesting and detailed.

http://www.alvinailey.org/aileyextension/dance-fitness-classes-adults

This webpage is part of the official Alvin Ailey website, but I thought it would be worth highlighting because it is where you can find out how to take classes.  I think this is neat because if you go to a show and love it, then you can take classes to learn similar routines and techniques from the company itself.  Not all dance companies do offer this, so I think it makes Alvin Ailey even more special.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

"And I, didn't know what I was doing you whispered, 'Don't you love music it's such a gift and I'll give it to ya but you gotta use it.'" These lyrics are from one of the few of Macklemore's songs featured on iTunes. Macklemore is an emcee from Seattle and Ryan Lewis is his producer but unlike a lot of producers Lewis is given credit as another artist and you rarely seen a song by Macklemore without Lewis's name associated right in the title. Both of these men are incredibly talented and have significantly changed my life. 


I first heard one of their biggest hits And We Danced when my friend showed it to me during one of our weekly dance parties. I immediately memorized the lyrics and was singing along by the end of the day. Months later, and my first weekend as a Western student, I heard that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were doing a concert. Despite the tickets selling out I managed to attain one for free from a friend of mine. In line for the concert I noticed a guy who lived in my dorm and friends of his that he had introduced me to earlier that day who had come from his hometown to see the show. 


Being one of the first in line, my friends and I got right up to the stage and behind me were two of my dormmate's friends. One of them had been catching my eye all night. I smiled back at him as the opening act came on stage. All of us were dancing having a good time but antsy to the main show. 
Finally Ryan Lewis enters the stage with a lap top and waves to the crowd as cheers boom through the room and shortly after they shake the building as Macklemore walks on stage. He plays his most popular songs to get the crowd pumped. Well the audience got excited alright as I am shoved left and right in a sea of people. Suddenly I lose my balance and I fall straight into the eye-catcher. We are 6 inches apart as I feel my cheeks getting red. Casually the guy breaks the ice, "This would have been awkward if we hadn't met before." I laugh and we part. For the rest of the concert I would look behind me and smile as I saw him dancing along with the beats of Ryan Lewis and rapping along with Macklemore.


This man is now my boyfriend of almost half a year now whom I never would have met if it hadn't been for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Almost exactly 5 months after the night we met, just the two of us went to another one of his shows at the Showbox in Seattle. I met Macklemore for the first time and my boyfriend told him our story. Quite opposite from his energetic and charismatic presence on stage was very calm and relaxed as he conveyed his genuine gratitude. Our song, though not a Macklemore song, is a song produced by Ryan Lewis. For Christmas I gave my boyfriend a customized hat with the title of the song and the album logo written on it. He wore it to the concert and showed it to Ryan Lewis himself. Ryan was so excited he had his professional photographer take a picture which is now posted on their Facebook page.


Macklemore writes his own lyrics, in collaboration with others, about his life and his city, Seattle. His more recent song, My Oh My, is dedicated to Dave Niehaus sports announcer for the Mariners who died last year. His other songs themes range from drug abuse of other rappers to wanting to be a stay home dad. He says his music is his therapy now being 2 years sober and with the help of Ryan Lewis and real instruments like trumpet, trombone, violin, cello and piano, and inspiration from other artists, his music is therapy for his listeners as well.




http://ryanlewis.bandcamp.com/ ~ This website is advertising mainly Ryan Lewis but Macklemore is part of it as well because of their work together. I just thought it was interesting because he sells his music on the website and I have not seen any other artist do so much of their own advertising. I am talking about how they have blogs and facebook and a myspace for their fans to feel connected to them.


http://www.bengalyucky.com/ ~ This is the official Macklemore blog. Macklemore puts out most of the comments to his fans rather than an agent but what I love about this website is there is a video of Macklemore promoting something in a Snuggie on his couch.


http://www.npr.org/2011/04/05/135145001/macklemore-and-ryan-lewis-the-joy-of-rap~
This is an article about Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and their session live on NPR along with the radio segment to listen to. They put so much so heart and thought and care into their music and performing its refreshing. Macklemore talks about how important it is to get their music out there, not the money which is why they offer free downloads on their blog.


I will forever be a die-hard Macklemore and Ryan Lewis fan. Thank you for making real hip hop and changing my life. 

Taylor Swift Singer/Song Writer/Actress

I had never been a fan of country music, in fact I despised it until I heard Taylor Swifts first single Tim McGraw. Instantly I was drawn into her amazing vocals, and I enjoyed the lyrics of the song because I could easily relate to them. Taylor Swift changed how I view country music, and for that I am so thankful for because now it is no longer despised, but rather it is loved. At such a young age Taylor Swift portrays a variety of amazing talents. Not to mention she is beautiful. Taylor not only sings, but she writes ALL of her own music. She tends to write about past experiences, and because of the age she is at her target audience of 13-25 year olds can relate to her music. This is what hooked me on Swift. Her lyrics allow you to put your own story into the song, which makes singing along feel much more meaningful. Taylor swift also has recently added acting to one of her many talents. Swift's first movie Valentines Day debuted in 2010 and featured swift as a very in love high school student with tons of spunk. Swift worked along side extremely experienced and well know actors such as Jessica Biel and Ashton Kutcher, and she did a fine job. Her scenes in the film not only made me laugh but once again I was able to connect with her character, sharing similar experiences and feelings. I believe Taylor Swift is one of the most multidimensional artists to come along, she has only just begun and she will continue to be great.

This is Taylor Swifts official website which allows you to view things such as her journal, music, pictures, tour schedules and much more. This website gives you an insight to who Swift is as an artist and as a person.

http://www.taylorswift.com/

This site is based off of CMT's official website, it tells you all about Taylor swifts albums, tours, but what I liked the most about it was her biography.

www.cmt.com/artists/az/swift__taylor/bio.jhtml

This site is Swift's official YouTube channel. There are numerous music videos, interviews, and fan base videos directly linked to the site. This site also allows you to comment and meet other Taylor Swift fans.

www.youtube.com/user/taylorswift?blend=3&ob=4

I hope you all enjoy!

Norman Rockwel

A painting Rockwell achieved great glory for. The setting is in the American 
south, fifty years ago. Ruby bridges being escorted to an all white school,
 one of the first accounts of school integrations in America.




Norman Rockwell initially considered himself nothing but a commercial illustrator. Although, he burdens much insecurity, he taped into a realm
 of art that was of a unique nature. His paintings and portraits not only portrayed the beauties in the world but told stories of struggle, and joy. 
 What initial reeled me into Norman Rockwell’s art was his painting of
 Ruby Bridges. I was first introduced to the piece in high school and fell 
in love with his art ever since.  

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/norman-rockwell
/about-norman-rockwell/689/

PBS did an episode on Norman Rockwell. This is the follow up article
 on his patriotism and how he impacted the world through his art work.

http://normanrockwellbronze.us/norman_rockwell.php

this site is a detailed timeline of Norman Rockwell’s life. It gives the
reader a greater understanding of who Rockwell was as a person, which
 in turn allows one to have a greater understanding of his work.

http://www.americanartarchives.com/rockwell,n.htm

A brief introduction of the man Norman Rockwell grew to be. The theme
 of the website being “American pride”, the site is also filled with a
number of his world renowned pieces.

 

Claude Monet (The impressionest)

 

For 70 years Claude Monet painted relentlessly creating one master piece after
the next. I chose Monet as my focus because I found a common ground with
his work. The colors and textures used in his paintings came together in such
harmony and projected real life sceneries. I praise the simplicity in his paintings.
The merging of colors in such a beautiful way, the detail in each portrait, and
sense of reality that seeps through each painting.   

http://www.famouspainter.com/claude.htm

This is a very detailed website on the bringing up of this aspiring artist. It
delicately unravels the path Claude Monet took to get to where he stands
today. As one roams the site they will also come across a few of Monet’s
magnificent works of art.

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/M/monet.html

This site glorifies Monet’s primary attribute, his ability to impersonate real
life sceneries in such a way they seep through the pigmented parchments
he created them on. The focus is more on his paintings and his growth as
an artist.

http://www.intermonet.com/biograph/autobigb.htm

Here is a more in depth site of Monet’s biography. It also has links that lead
to all his art works, his exhibits, and museums.

Marsha Ambrosius- Singer/Song Writer

Marshas Ambrosius, born April 8th, 1977 in England a talented singer songwriter and producer, once a part of the duo Floetry brought her fame to the states, writing hits for some of the best artist in the game, she is now establishing her career as solo artist. Her R&B yet uniques music style is what gives her so much attention. Some of her inspiration include Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Prince. She continues to challenge her listeners, with her amazing vocal range and strength. Marsha is a truly talented artist and whom I believe in years to come will conquer the R&B charts and well be truly recongnized as the fine aritst she is.

Links
http://www.marshaambrosiusmusic.com

Her page, shares her biography, a great site that shows latest events and news in Marsha's life. The site also shows upcoming performances and new music by Marsha Ambrosius. There is also her twitter page so you can stay connected with the artist.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_sZMZd7lY

A breath taking performance by Marsha Ambrosius and 3 other African American artist, on the BET special Black Women Rock. This performance explained african american women's strength and beauty. Marsha's soothing voice stole the performance,her along wtih each of the artist had solos each playing a character. Marsha whose second in the performance, uses her vocal pitch and soothing range to portray her part.one of her best live performances if you ask me. Check it out on the youtube link above.

www.youtube.com/wathc?v=Q0qd3qeC3Ms&featu

This link shares one of Marsha's latest songs yet titled "I Hope She Cheats On You" an up beat song. Expressing the female struggle in relationships hence the title. The song is filled with a variety of instruments, the dynamics change from high to low. A catchy hit, that you can listen to anywhere you go. This along with many of her new hits you can find on her solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings coming out March 1st, 2011.

Kevin Carter (1960-1994)

Wanting a Meal, Kevin Carter, 1993

Though I have only seen a single photo from Kevin Carter’s collection, his name and that work will stay with me forever. The picture above depicts an emaciated Sudanese toddler trying to make her way to a feeding table; as she rested, a vulture landed and seemingly waited for her to die. The photo was first published by the New York Times in 1993 and won the 1994 Pulitzer Prize. Shortly after receiving the prize, Kevin Carter committed suicide by carbon-monoxide poisoning in his car stating reasons related to depression caused by the horrific and expansive cases of war, death and famine he had witnessed in his career.

In today’s media, famine is a common subject – so common that it can be hard to remember that the people depicted do indeed exist and are fighting everyday simply to survive. This piece of Carter’s collection was so moving to me, that I felt almost snapped out of that numb mindset. I chose to post it today with a hope that it may do the same for others.

For more information on Kevin Carter’s story and career, please see:

http://www.fotoflock.com/index.php/learn-photography/history-of-photography/54-history/3406-kevin-carter-a-retrospective - An interesting collection of peer reviews and questions for a reader to consider while viewing Carter’s work.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981431,00.html – a well respected resource for a published article outlining career highlights and lowlights, and the death of Kevin Carter.

http://www.flatrock.org.nz/topics/odds_and_oddities/ultimate_in_unfair.htm - A more extensive and personal biography of Kevin Carter.

http://www.kevincarterfilm.com/ - the official website for a documentary inspired by Kevin Carter’s suicide.