Until the mid-term elections on November 6, 2018.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla
On January 18th, the Twitter account for a new political organization posted its first tweet: a link to swingleft.org—a neatly designed Web site where you can plug in your Zip Code to find the nearest U.S. House district whose seat was, in the most recent election, decided by a small margin—along with the message “Let’s get to work.” …
After the instant classic and record store rare find “SKIFFLIN’” (2015), The Skiffle Players are ready to release two new works. On July 20th, the “PIFFLE SAYERS” EP. The “PIFFLE SAYERS” EP is made up of a few gems from the SKIFFLIN’ sessions, a can be considered a companion piece to their debut LP. This foreshadows the release of a new full length album scheduled for this fall.
STORY OF THE SKIFFLE PLAYERS.
Once upon a time, Mollusk Surf shop asked Farmer Dave Scher to put together a band for a concert in Big Sur. Thus the Skiffle Players were born, selected from both Californias – Northern (Cass, Dan) and Southern (Dave and Aaron) plus a New Jersey transplant to Ventura County (Neal) – each meeting at the metaphorical heart of the state, the mythical SUR. The origin concept of the band was to create a new folk fabric from the ashes of tradition – whatever the ashes of tradition means to you.
WHAT IS SKIFFLE?
A matter of debate. Although The Skiffle Players approach the definition as, broadly, ‘street music’. Busking. Singing for one’s supper. Entertaining the passers-by. Make em dance all the way home. The term may have its origin in Memphis jug band music of the 20s. It seems to have emigrated to England with the US soldiers during WW2, and was taken up by a new generation, beginning with Lonnie Donegan, ending with The Quarrymen aka The Beatles. The term then somewhat disappeared.
SO, THEN, WHAT IS WEST COAST SKIFFLE?
The Skiffle Players are the very ash to explore that question. From the beginning, no rules. No song off-limits. Everybody sings. No idea is silly enough, for sometimes the absurd is the very device for a cataclysmic rift in the fabric of sound. Of course, it can also end in hilarious catastrophe, and often does – a necessary, cosmic comedic consequence to this fearless approach. Like Kurt Vonnegut and Bo Diddley sharing a surfboard, something interesting is going to happen.
Personnel:
Neal Casal
Dan Horne
Cass McCombs
Farmer Dave Scher
Aaron Sperske
This is the second year of Bill Cunningham’s passing. The New-York Historical Society pays tribute to this hero in the exhibition, Celebrating Bill Cunningham. It features a selection from Cunningham’s Facades project, his signature blue jacket, Nikon camera, William J hats and other ephemera.
June 8–September 9, 2018
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY 10024
Final Weekend to catch Liz Magic Laser’s Poignée piece as part of MOVE Festival at Centre Pompidou in Paris.
with Costumes by Slow and Steady Wins the Race
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
“This past year we have seen the rise of the outsider politician and a role reversal in the personality type of our new leaders. Whereas the politician has traditionally played the role of a mature parent, he or she now takes on the role of the child. Expanding my political therapy work into kinesthetic territory, I will collaborate with a movement therapist and a group of six dancers to develop a nonverbal personality test which we will offer selected museum visitors. The choreographic process will draw on personality tests developed by Carl Jung and more recent ones that apply psychological criteria to predict a politician success. Using Authentic Movement, an approach to dance therapy developed by Mary Starks
Whitehouse in the 1950s, and other movement therapy techniques, we will work with the dancers to explore four different archetypes: the disciplinary parent, the nurturing parent, the obedient child and the rebellious child. These archetypes are based on cognitive linguist George Lakoff’s Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think (1996) in which he uses a model of the family to analyze dynamics between politicians and citizens. My development process will use a range of movement therapy practices from Body Mind Centering to techniques based on tribal and shamanic dance. The choreography will also draw
on specific references such as Trump and Macron’s prolonged handshake (Paris, 2017). Our nonverbal personality test will be informed by the psychological analysis and strategizing that took place before this encounter between the two world leaders, as well as by the common practice of assessing character via the handshake.Just as an astrologer uses a horoscope, my performers will act as somatic therapists offering movement as a vehicle toward self-realization and betterment.” – Liz Magic Laser
More than sustainability, we in the studio believe tremendously in longevity. Longevity means durability, long-lasting consistency and is inclusive of quality and integrity. Now more than ever we must uphold memory as a responsibility and ensure the longevity of our practices and the impact of their outcomes. Read the Journal periodically as we share ideas, solutions, and better practices.
Punk rocker and chef Brooks Headley has spent the last few years perfecting his recipes for fresh, vegetarian, vegan, and delicious burgers for his cozy counter hangout, Superiority Burger, located in New York City’s East Village. Brooks’ burgers are known for being affordable and innovative, and now cooks of any level can use his cookbook to create something delicious, new, and imminently within their reach. The book is divided into six flavorful sections?Sandwiches, Cool Salads, Warm Vegetables, Soups and Stews, Sweets, and Pantry Recipes?and reveals the recipes for some of the restaurant’s favorites: the Sloppy Dave, Burnt Broccoli Salad, Russet Potato–Coconut Soup, Tahini Ranch Romaine Salad, and, of course, the now legendary Superiority Burger.
Joining Brooks as he talks about his beloved burgers is fellow rock lifer and tv/radio host Ian Svenonius.