From now on when I think of the boy in the bubble, I will think of David Blaine and his latest stunt. He has sealed himself in a giant ball filled with water in front of Lincoln Center in his latest attempt at fame and fortune. Fancying himself a modern day Houdini, Blaine has previously been buried alive for seven days, frozen himself in ice, stood on a small platform at the top of a 100 foot high pole for 35 hours, and lived in a Plexiglas box for 44 days without food.
This newest endurance test has him living in the water-filled sphere for a week at the end of which he will hold his breath for 9 minutes, hoping to beat the world record.
Upon first glance, one can’t help but think of Daryl Hannah in Splash; you know, that scene where she’s been captured and she’s stuck in the tiny tank in the lab. But I’ll admit that there is something magical in walking up to a giant blue bubble with a person floating in it. This sort of ‘hurry hurry hurry, step-right-up-and-see-it’ carnival atmosphere — for free — is unusual and fun. It’s because of these crowd gathering, large scale spectacles that Blaine often gets compared to Houdini. But the similarities stop there. Houdini would escape from a straight jacket while suspended upside down. Blane is sitting in water, and later, he’s gonna hold his breath.
The choice of location seems really odd to me as well. This is Lincoln Center, a cultural institution — home of the Metropolitan Opera House and Julliard. It speaks volumes to the dumbing down of America that it is also now the site of ABC’s newest ratings stunt.
I can spend 6 hours in my bathtub. Can I have a TV show?
I understand the need to push the limits of human endurance. It’s what allows mankind to climb mountains, explore the deepest oceans, even venture into space. But the way Blane is doing it isn’t clever or useful. A two-year-old could come up with this idea, “Oh yeah, well I’m gonna hold my breath til I turn blue”. I would be much more impressed if Blane continued to work on his illusions– an art form I hold in high respect — and stayed away from the stupid human tricks.
It’s been burning since 5:30 this morning and my clothes still stink of smoke even though I was across the river. The 10-Alarm fire in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is being called the worst fire since 9/11. The flames seem to be contained and mostly it’s just smoke at this point, but firefighters still say it’ll be another 24-hours before it’s out completely. No one is quite sure how it started, although there is talk of arson.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is this weekend, and in an attempt to beat the crowds I decided to try and sneak a peek early.
What I discovered is that I love the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. It’s beautiful and peaceful and a perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon. (Although I hear that when it’s busy — free days — the experience is not as pleasant. So stop being cheap and pay $5 to enjoy the serenity).
You can also become a member for $40, which doesn’t seem like a great deal unless you plan on going a lot, but it really does change constantly, and you almost have to go once a week to see everything. (I’m not that into flowers myself, but some of you might be).
AND with membership you also get access to members-only events: first pick at the annual plant sale, extended hours for summer sunset picnics and a wine-and-cheese reception in the rose garden. How civilized of you.
AND you can impress your mom when you go home to visit, because membership at the Brooklyn Botanic gardens is also valid at almost any botanic garden in the country.
Is it really bad that every time I see a preview of United 93 I get really excited because I think it’s going to be a preview of Snakes on a Plane? And then I get really dissapointed when it’s not.
It was announced yesterday in the NY times that Jan Maxwell, the female lead of Entertaining Mr Sloane is leaving the show because she’s scared of Alec Baldwin’s temper. But there’s still one great reason to go see it:
Alec Baldwin
It’s a strange play about a violent, but good looking, drifter who rents a room from an middle-aged woman and becomes the object of her affection — and of her brother’s.
Baldwin is a caricature of the wealthy, closeted, Englishman; he plays it over the top and full of bravado. He couldn’t be more cliche if he added a lisp. But, this is the Alec we’ve grown to love; the Alec from Glengarry Glen Ross, Working Girl and Married to the Mob (well, maybe not quite as light on his feet as he was then. . . )
I don’t care if he did throw things, punch a hole in the wall, or write demands to the stage manager on his dressing room mirror in permanent marker (that last one’s not in the Times article, but it’s true . . . I know things). He’s crazy and he’s a Broadway diva and I love him for it.
My only disappointment with the play? Not enough Alec Baldwin.
So go ahead and leave, Jan Maxwell. You were good, but you weren’t the reason I was there.
As long as Alec’s in, I’m in.
Oh, and Chris Carmack (of The O.C.) walks around for half the play with his shirt off. That’s a good reason to go see it, too.
“Winner gets a trip to vegas, the chance to perform at our big Rock Honors show, and a spot in the US Air Guitar Championships in NYC. (we have some hott Gibson guitars up for grabs, too. kinky mirrored Gibsons, i might add.)”
Check the site for all the details and some funny videos.
Last night I went by The Slipper Room where Jack Kukoda was hosting I Like Your Style: A Variety Show. Despite being packed, I was able to find seats up front. Usually at events like these only one or two acts are good, but last night every single act was hilarious. Performers included: Roger Hailes, Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal (of Hot Tub), Trophey Dad, Elephant Larry, Jessica Delfino (singing about her magical pussy) and Seth Herzog dancing to the Wonder Woman theme:
In between acts Kukoda handed out raffle prizes including a Comedy Central prize package and two Coach bags. All proceeds went to the James F. Keppel Scholarship Foundation, so besides being an incredible line-up it all went to a good cause.
On Saturday night The Shark Show hosted the finals for their Battle of the Funny Bands.
After an introduction of the “celebrity” judges, God’s Pottery kicked it off. I heard they killed the week before, but they didn’t leave much of an impression this time. I knew Cock Lorge wasn’t going to take it because they just sang the phrase ‘cock in the pussy’ over and over and over again (which actually does sound pretty funny when I write it). The judges must’ve agreed with me, because Shayna Ferm and her band The Shayna Forevers, and The Rob and Mark Show made it to the top two spots.
L to R: Katherine Bryant and Jack Kukoda (of the Shayna Forevers), Shayna Ferm, Mark and Rob (of The Mark and Rob Show) moments before the heated finals
Rob and Mark put up a good fight, with songs like “I Don’t Want to Read your Blog” (ahem). But everyone knows that sex sells, and Shayna took the lead by pulling a guitar pick out of her crotch, singing “Come on Me” and “Thanks for Sticking it in Me” and making her band wear nothing but their bathing suits for the final round.
Although the quality is bad, you can get an idea of their sound from the video. They are trip-hop, with overlaying guitar and violin and the haunting voice of lead singer Ali Rogers. Arlene’s Grocery is always a great venue, and it was packed for this show. Rogers obviously had some friends in crowd based on the friendly heckling, but overall it was a tight and professional show.
They’re playing again at Tonic on May 3rd, and I would definitely recommend going.
Photo by Jen Maler
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From now on when I think of the boy in the bubble, I will think of David Blaine and his latest stunt. He has sealed himself in a giant ball filled with water in front of Lincoln Center in his latest attempt at fame and fortune. Fancying himself a modern day Houdini, Blaine has previously been buried alive for seven days, frozen himself in ice, stood on a small platform at the top of a 100 foot high pole for 35 hours, and lived in a Plexiglas box for 44 days without food.
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