Hip Hop comes to Carnegie Hall

(Photocredit: Gossiponthis.com)

It’s been a busy year for Jay-Z: He released a joint album with Kanye West, Watch The Throne, that became the first post-Napster highly anticipated album to resist a leak(it was released digitally before physical copies). He released the very same album(complete with Ricardo Tisci cover art and $300 Givenchy T- shirts) in the midst of a worldwide recession, managing to make even the 1% feel poor. He sold(and pulled) ill conceived 99% solidarity attempts in the form of ‘Occupy All Streets’ t shirts. He announced he and wife Beyonce are expecting a child. He had classes taught about him at Georgetown.  He re-released his book ‘Decoded’, which even won him praises from notoriously icy NYT book critic Michiko Kakutani and once earned him a sit-down with Cornel West and others at the NYPL. He was likened, by Mr. West(Cornel, that is), to Aristotle and Shakespeare.

Yet when asked at a press conference just days ago at about his feelings on becoming the first solo hip-hop act to play Carnegie Hall(his two performances scheduled for February 2012), Jay-Z, normally confident cool and collected, demurred: “I feel like they bent the rules so it could make sense for me right now, but I’ll take it!”

Proceeds from the concert will go toward the Shawn Carter Foundation and United Way of New York City. These proceeds are expected to benefit low-income students throughout New York City’s public school system. Private sale tickets for the concert will range from $500 to $2500 before going on sale on January 30th to the public for, as of now, undetermined amounts. The goal, according to the foundation, is to raise as much money as possible.

The benefits for the concert go beyond charitable ones. The meeting of two world famous New York institutions arrives on a moment of intense transition for both. Jay-Z is not the first hip hop artist period to perform at Carnegie Hall, but he is the most visible and challenging to Carnegie Hall’s classically leaned status . Although hip hop has been accepted into Carnegie Hall before, the artists appealed to the classic tenants of hip hop: Soul loops, Boom Bap, and ‘conscious’ rhymes.


 Previous artists to perform at the space include MC Lyte, The Roots, Mos Def, and Lauryn Hill. MC Lyte is a product of Hip Hop’s Golden Age, while The Roots, Mos Def, and Lauryn Hill are artists from the same SoulQuarians collective. The rules have indeed, as Jay-Z remarked, been bent: Jay-Z will be the first hip hop artist in Carnegie Hall who is not an openly considered ‘Conscious Lyricist’ nor an openly considered devotee of jazz and soul inspired production. 


For Jay-Z, it is a chance to legitimize hip-hop on a scale previously unknown: Speaking at the press conference, Jay-Z said "Any time that I get a chance to expand and broaden the reach of hip-hop is a great thing for me on a personal level. But music is music. I believe all sort of music plays in all sort of venues, I’ve always believed that — from Yankee Stadium to Royal Albert Hall to Carnegie Hall.  I think if music is great, it works in great venues.”  He added: “And I have great music!”

Recent records of Jay-Z have shown him a more personally insular lyricist, and a more sonically adventuorous rapper. His last two releases, 2009’s Blueprint 3 and 2011’s Watch The Throne, are littered with samples rarely seen in a hip hop release: Dubstep, Oboe interludes, samples from Germn synthpop groups, prog rock peppered throughout, James Brown behind Eastern Flutes,  and auto-tuning, of all voices, Nina Simone. As for lyrics, after 2006’s coolly received record Kingdom Come, Jay-Z has subscribed to the ‘write what you know’ adage, writing verses celebrating his exceptional wealth, alternatively lamenting and attacking lost friendships, and extending his brand partnernships.

It is unknown how Jay-Z’s lyrical and sonic progression will play in the seats of Carnegir Hall, but Carnegie representatives are hoping splendidly. In 2007-2008,Carnegie Hall had an operating shortfall of $40.2 million. A 2009 breakdown reveals

$48, 483, 776 in Revenue, and & $73, 241, 325 in Total Functional Expenses. It is hoped that the star power of Jay-Z will attract new visitors, and that news of his appearance will encourage listeners to check out Carnegie’s storied programs. Classical music, the form of music most associated with Carnegie Hall, has seen a severe dip in record sales. In 2010, classical music record sales dropped 25%. The only genre that did not experience any drop-off was the genre that Jay-Z calls home-Hip Hop.

In February, two New York institutions will collide, hoping, in their own way, for a little help from an unexpected friend.

Tony Bennett's Nude Sketch of Lady GaGa Up For Auction On Ebay

To many, Tony Bennett is first a foremost a singer. However, since childhood Bennett has harnessed a talent and passion for the fine art, particularly painting and sketching. His latest work is a sketch of fellow songstress and collaborator, Lady Gaga, shown nude, holding a cigarette. The portrait was done as part of a shoot conducted by famous photographer, Annie Leibovitz, for Vanity Fair's January 2012 issue. The sketch, a collector's item by nature, is currently up for grabs on online auction site, Ebay until December 19th, with all proceeds benefitting charity.  The portrait was also done shortly after the two singers recorded their duet "Lady Is a Tramp", for Bennett's newest album Duets II.

"I was in Tony's studio and I walked in, and she was like, 'I want you to be naked,' so I took my robe off and layed down and poor Tony was standing there, looking at me, like, 'Oh, this f--king girl.'" explained Gaga, to E! news, on her studio session with Bennett and Leibovitz.

Charcoal being the medium of choice, Bennett's sketched Gaga stark naked but posed considerately with her arm over her bosom, and tactful dark shadows leaving the rest to the imagination. Smoke pouring from the cigarette held in her long-fingernailed hand, Gaga's face reveals a poker-face expression. The no-frills portrait depicts a more understated sensuality from GaGa, which is a far cry from her typical uniform of eccentric, body-baring ensembles.

"Lady Gaga has the mark of true genius in which she makes what is difficult appear effortless," Bennett told E!. "Fred Astaire, Cary Grant, Ella Fitzgerald—they all shared that quality and it's what I refer to as the 'It Factor.'" 

The work was created with Prismacolor Premier Art vine charcoal sticks on Fabriano Artistico heavyweight watercolor paper, and the measures at 18 inches by 24 inches. Not to mention, is signed by Bennett in the bottom right corner.

As for Bennett's career as an artist, he produces under the title, 'Benedetto' which is his real family name. In 1999, Bennett launched 'Benedetto Arts LLC' based out of New York City, which oversee his artworks commissions, exhibitions, and other promotions. According to the Benedetto Arts website, "The painter is an alter ego to the performer, living out a passion that is personal and introspective."  

Proceeds of the auction will be given to a "Duet of Charities"  consisting of Bennett's 'Exploring the Arts'  and Gaga's 'Born This Way' foundation. 'Exploring the Arts' was founded in 1999 by Bennett and his wife, Susan Benedetto, to strengthen the role of the arts in public high school education. Also empowering the youth, "Born This Way' launched in 2012 and supports programs which lead youth into a braver new society- where each individual is accepted and loved as the person they were born to be - practicing self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, and development. 

At the time of press, the going price of piece began at $5, 400 with nearly 6 days to go. According to Good Housekeeping, Bennett's work has been known to sell for up to 80,000 a pop. His Gaga portrait is sure to garner many thousands more than the original asking price, given it features arguably the biggest, and one of the most controversial, pop stars of our time, in the buff.

Is the Cupcake Era Over in NYC?

Cupcake display at Magnolia Bakery
(photo credits: http://culturemob.com/get-your-sweet-fix- milk-magnolia-bakery-and-simplethings-open-late)

Rarely does a day go by in New York City where, walking down the streets or riding the subway, one does not see someone carrying a bag full of cupcakes.

Type in the word “cupcakes” in the Yelp search bar, and 1,698 results will appear for the area of New York. A feature article in New York Magazine written by Adam Sternbergh attributes the rise of cupcake culture to the combination of “a post-diet-fad craving for sugary indulgence, the girly-girl culture that spun up around Sex and the City, and a regressive nostalgia that spurs adults to seek out the comfort foods of some idealized, vanilla-scented childhood.”

Nicole Chu, 19, bought a Red Velvet Cupcake for $3.75 at the Crumbs Bake Shop at Union Square. “It’s a way for people to get their sweet fix on,” she said when asked about what she thinks attracts people to cupcakes, “it also has a nostalgic feeling.” Cupcakes remind her of the birthday parties of her childhood where her mother would bake homemade cupcakes. “When I am having a bad day, cupcakes remind me of those good days,” she said.

The portability of cupcakes is also a reason for their popularity. Chu mentioned that cupcakes are not actually her favorite dessert, she prefers frozen yogurt. “You can’t take a dozen frozen yogurts to someone’s house,” she joked. Her favorite cupcake bakery in Manhattan is Magnolia Bakery, because their frosting is “very buttery but not too sweet.”

Chu believes that cupcakes are overpriced and that people are in fact buying the experience of going to the bakery, looking at the display, choosing one flavor, and watching the cupcake get wrapped up. “The build up is very comforting,” she said, “nothing can go wrong except for gaining a couple pounds.”

Some foodies trace the beginning of the cupcake craze to July 9, 2000, when the fifth episode of season 3 of Sex and the City aired. The audience saw Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) eating pink frosted cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. More than a decade later, foodies are spotting a new dessert trend on their radar—macaroons.

Macrons from Laudrée
(photo credits: http://www.flickriver.com/ photos/chachahavana/popular-interesting/)

The dainty French cookies are “more sophisticated than cupcakes,” said Sarah Tenaglia, senior food editor and resident macaroon expert at Bon Appetit in an online article. Many foodies agree that macaroons are harder to make than cupcakes. Prices for these elegant cookies range from $2-$3 for one macaroon. In the November 1 New York Times article, “Airy Macarons,” Ligaya Mishan wrote about the eight best macarooniers in New York. “The macaron is the anti-cupcake,” she wrote, “a cupcake comforts. A macaron teases.”

When asked if she would rather have a cupcake or a macaroon, Chu answered, “That’s like asking the ‘Are you a Marilyn or Jackie O’ question!” 

Blue and White Meet Stars and Stripes

A traditional national costume at
the Finnish Independence Day celebration

In a city like New York, the self-proclaimed cultural melting pot, trying to stay true to one’s roots can feel like a futile effort. For residents of a country the size of Finland - with only a little five million residents - finding countrymen abroad is a challenge of its own. On December 6th, Finns gathered to celebrate their country’s 94th Independence Day at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Manhattan. The annual event is a celebration truly reflective of its origins; a distinctly introverted and peaceful country. Finns choose to pay tribute to their homeland in a quiet and reflective manner, traditionally lighting two candles in every window of their houses at 6PM and watching the annual president’s reception on television - habits that may seem strange and somber to those who are not familiar with the secluded Northern country.

For some of the over 3,000 first and second generation Finns living in the Greater New York area, the celebrations at the Park Avenue Methodist Church serve as a vital connection to their roots - even when home is half a world away. This year’s attendees, many of them in traditional national costumes, quietly listened to speeches held by Ambassador Liisa Jolkkonen and Lieutenant Colonel Esa Valonen. The afternoon came to an appropriate end as pianist Kalle Toivio performed the brooding Finlandia by Jean Sibelius.

Park Avenue Methodist Church

For one of New York’s Finns, bringing a piece of home to the city is more than just an attempt to stay in touch with one’s origins. Jaana Rehnström moved to New York from Helsinki in 1982 for a common reason - love. Dr. Rehnström, a practicing gynecologist who has two children with her American husband, is also the president of the Finland Center Foundation. The foundation describes itself as “the meeting point of Finnish and American culture, commerce and community”. “Our goal is to advance Finnish values and culture in New York City,” Rehnström says. “There is a lot of activity within the community, but no clear meeting point.” The past few decades have seen a change in Finnish immigrants; instead of blue collar workers who used to travel to America for jobs, these days the ones who take the leap across the pond are often students or newlyweds. “In a lot of cases, a Finn marries an American and it’s very important for them to raise their children to speak Finnish as well as English - which can be a challenge,” Rehnström says. “Families like that often seek out Finnish schools and some sort of network to keep their Finnish side alive.”


The Finland Center Foundation host various events throughout the year and, while currently located at the Salmagundi Club on Fifth Avenue, wish to get their own space soon. “Finnish activity in the city is scattered,” Jaana Rehnström says, “and we attempt to gather everyone under the same roof, both figuratively and physically speaking.” At the Independence Day celebrations, the attempt was successful in both ways. As the imposing notes of the national anthem filled the Upper East Side church, the attendees belted them out proudly in unison.

links

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/officer-shot-and-critically-wounded-in-brooklyn/?hp

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203430404577092921915124572.html

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/a-word-to-the-wise-and-honest-on-washington-sq-park/

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/skating-rink-spurs-residents-latest-fight-with-management/

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/12/06/blogs/20111206_CLIFFS_SLIDESHOW.html

junk made ill

JMI, or “Junk Made Ill,” performed live on Sunday at The Highline Ballroom for a crowd of over 500 people.  JMI was invited to play by a venue representative who had seen JMI perform at The Bowery Poetry Project on November 19^th. 

JMI at The Highline Ballroom 12/12/2011

For Jaime Lynn, lead singer and songwriter, the performance marked a beginning, but it also marked the end of a near decade-long struggle for recognition.

Lynn moved to Queens in the winter of 2002 from Connecticut determined to pursue music.  She moved from band to band in search of artists who shared in her taste in sound, genre, and aesthetic; bands like: Crucial, Spin Low, and Forminster Because.  None of these still exist.

“I was anxious.  No.  I was desperate to find the right band,” said Lynn. “I got excited and jumped into every situation that I thought could have worked.”

After six months in New York, Lynn had run out of money: her savings spent, and no job.  But Lynn had a knack for people, and she sustained herself financially by working five nights a week as a server at [bar here] on 14^th street.  At times, Lynn considered forfeiting her music career for a more reliable one.  She even enrolled in classes at Hunter College to pursue writing.  Lynn continued to allot time every week to practice her music. 

“I was pretty distraught after four years of nothing musically,” said Lynn. “Even when I told myself I was done trying I would still sneak in a few sessions to practice and write music.”

This roughly three-year period of trepidation ended when Lynn met Spencer Gabor, her current boyfriend.  In the spring of 2007, Lynn met Gabor at one of Gabor’s shows.  Gabor had been playing shows around the city as DJ.  Lynn felt that they were compatibly musically, and so they began working together to produce what has evolved into JMI.

In between bartending shifts, Lynn would travel to Long Island City in Queens to see Gabor. 

“Our first practice together was all I needed,” said Lynn. “I knew we were going to be a match musically.  He complemented my sound.”

Initially their relationship was strictly professional, but as they continued collaborating the line between platonic and romantic was confused.  For Lynn, Gabor’s erratic behavior was keeping her from pursuing a relationship.  Gabor was constantly without a job and used drugs to cope with his manic depression.  Lynn was determined to build a band, however, and stuck by Gabor during this particularly turbulent time in his life.

“I tried to get him out of it: the drugs,” said Lynn. “But that how it goes with people like Spencer.  It’s hard for them to stop abusing drugs once they get back into it.”

Gabor entered rehabilitation in 2009.  When he was finished, he and Lynn decided to move in with each other.

“I don’t think I would have gone to rehab if it wasn’t for Jamie,” said Gabor.  “It’s been two years now and things are starting to happen for us.”

The Highline Ballroom has certainly been fuller: a space with a capacity of over 1000 persons, the room was far from packed.  But for JMI, it was a major step towards recognition.  The attendees did not consist of solely family and friends, but of fans who had made the trip to Chelsea to listen to live music they liked.

“We were so nervous all week,” said Lynn. “We may have messed up a few times during our set but no one noticed right?”

“I love their sound.  Its funky, a bit jazzy, and definitely electronic,” said Ryan Tawilian, who began managing the band in September.  “I can’t wait to see where they go from here.” 

Project FEED

 In an effort to further her work with the United Nation’s World Food Program, Lauren Bush launched Feed Projects in 2007. At first it was intended as a fundraiser for the UN World Food Program, but with the rapid growth of FEED Projects, Bush co-founded, along with Ellen Gustafson, the FEED Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit with the mission of raising awareness and funds to ensure nutritious school meals for all children as a first step toward improving the global food system. The nonprofit sells eco-friendly totes, the sale of which provides a meal to a child in school for a year.

“I really wanted to support that specific food aid program because it not only gives kids that nutritious meal a day,” says Bush, “but also gives them the incentive they need to go to school in the first place⎯ for their parents to send them to school. A lot of countries are so poor that education isn’t the priority.”

             The bags are surprisingly moderately priced most under $50, a choice Bush made deliberately to give young people an opportunity to do their part. “Young people don’t have massive amounts of money to write a huge check but still want to do their part. I felt that the bag was a tangible way to give back and it’s become a trendy item,” she says. FEED Projects recently expanded their products to include accessories and apperal and have teamed up with many major companies from GAP to Kenneth Cole and most recently Clarins.

Photo: Clemens Kois

Bush’s interest in doing her part to improve the problems of the world doesn’t stop with her involvement in Project Feed. She's a vegetarian and an environmentalist. “It’s about trying to do the small things,” she says. “I recycle and I buy environmentally safe cleaning products. I think in this day and age it’s good to be mindful. It’s funny, once you start paying attention to certain things, you can’t let go.”