#Independent Birmingham Festival

[justforbooks]

Bournville by Jonathan Coe

Coe is a compassionate witness to key moments in the life of a family and a nation

Jonathan Coe’s 14th novel opens with a snapshot of recent history that will stir fresh and uncomfortable memories. As the Covid pandemic is descending on Europe in early 2020, thirtysomething Lorna, a struggling jazz musician, is on tour in Austria and Germany. Lorna’s exhilaration at gigging overseas for the first time is tempered by a growing sense that the world is menaced by something extraordinary. It is both ominous and comic. Arriving in Vienna, Lorna can barely squeeze into her host’s car beside the stockpiled toilet rolls. For the reader, there’s an additional and more worrying dramatic irony: we can see that Lorna’s overweight musical partner, Mark, will be particularly vulnerable to the virus.

In Vienna, Lorna and Mark are taken to dinner by Ludwig, the owner of a small independent record label. A jazz fan and passionate anglophile, Ludwig is struggling to figure out what has happened to a nation he once admired for its tolerance, humour and self-awareness. “And now this same generation is doing … what? Voting for Brexit and for Boris Johnson? What happened to them? … What’s going on?”

Events since 2020 have only sharpened the urgency of Ludwig’s questions. And the loving, funny, clear-sighted and ruminative examination of recent British history that follows might be considered an attempt to answer them. Bournville travels back in time from March 2020 to stage a series of tableaux in which we witness key moments in the lives of the nation and Lorna’s extended family. The successive set-piece events show this family – and Britain – changing.

Our first stop is 1945, where we meet Lorna’s grandmother, Mary, as a child, on the eve of the VE Day celebrations. Mary’s parents, Doll and Sam, live in the chocolate-manufacturing suburb of Birmingham that gives the book its title. There is warmth and humour in the portrait of lower middle-class life presented, but it’s not sanitised. A strain of xenophobia bubbles up throughout the episode and climaxes in an act of violence that will echo throughout the book.

This sets the pattern of the novel, which tracks Doll, Sam, Mary and other members of the family through six further landmarks: the 1953 coronation, the 1966 World Cup final, the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales, the 1981 royal wedding, the death of Princess Diana, and the scaled-down anniversary of VE Day in 2020.

As ever, prizing clarity over verbal fireworks, Coe’s writing draws the reader into the family dramas as they unfold over the decades. He has the great gift of combining plausible and engaging human stories with a deeper structural pattern that gives the book its heft.

We see young Mary as child and then return eight years later to find her a young woman, struggling with a romantic dilemma and then settling into motherhood. We then join her children on family holidays in Wales, follow them into adulthood and watch all their lives intersect with the larger national events. Beat by beat, we’re invested in their stories: which of her suitors will Mary choose? How will her own offspring fare? And although we know it’s going to happen all along, it’s still poignant and strange to watch young Mary gradually becoming Lorna’s elderly Gran.

Bittersweet as the eponymous bar of plain chocolate, the book ranges over a huge span of time, includes a large cast of characters, yet never flags nor confuses. It manages to squeeze in, among other things, the history of Bournville, European disputes over the labelling over chocolate, Welsh nationalism, the Festival of Britain, the launch of the Austin Metro and tensions over the European Union. As we leaf through the family album, there are touching jolts of recognition. It’s hard not to be stirred by your own memories of the events portrayed and thoughts of your own family.

Like the moving images in a zoetrope, Coe’s snapshots invite us to notice changes and continuities, track growth and decay; the strengthening of some relationships, the failure of others. There are striking reverberations along the book’s long passageways: unregarded turning points whose importance only becomes clear much later, echoes of behaviour, incidents that recur in a world that is the same but different.

As the nation changes and the racial makeup of the family alters, it’s not so much that bigotry gives way to tolerance, but that the ambiguities deepen. All along, we are reminded of the contradictory facets of the nation and of each individual character: the snobbishness that coexists with kindness, humour and narrow-mindedness, rationality and unexamined prejudices.

When one of Mary’s son’s starts dating a non-white girlfriend, his grandmother Doll is disquieted. “‘Do you treat her the same?’ Doll wanted to know. ‘I mean … do you treat her the same as you would any other girl?’” This striking line is an unsettling and plausible combination of compassion and racism.

The book also builds a deeper integrity out of echoes and motifs, like a piece of music. The phrase “all that caper”, a particular corner of a Birmingham pub, a yellow cravat, a line of Latin verse, the sound of laughter in a school playground – all set off chains of associations that ripple throughout the novel. A piece of casual homophobia will be recalled decades later by a son trying to come to terms with his sexual orientation.

Subtle, considered, but not programmatic, Coe doesn’t stick to any consistent aesthetic principle. He uses omniscient narration for some sections, first-person narration for others. There are bits in the past tense, bits in the present tense, chunks of news reports, extracts from a diary, a long reminiscence by a recurring character from one of his other novels. None of this sophistication makes the book less pleasurable – quite the reverse. It combines a welcoming accessibility with a box of clever narrative tricks.

It struck me that there is something hopefully British about the book’s flexible approach to narrative. There’s no theoretical doctrine underlying it. The decisions are made, moment by moment, on the basis of what works, what is clear, what is engaging, and what best serves the story. In the end, while the novel can’t explicitly allay Ludwig’s disquiet, its compassionate and undogmatic approach to its characters and craft embodies a set of values that give some grounds for optimism.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[pinewoodpipit]

slàinte, mo ghràdh - Fic Meta

A meta post for my fluff fic, slàinte, mo ghràdh! I'll put the meta thoughts in after a cut, as usual.

-

The Fic's Title

The title, "slàinte, mo ghràdh", is Gaidhlig / Scottish Gaelic for "cheers, my love". I'm not a fluent Gaidhlig speaker but I am learning, and I'm really fond of it as a language. Gaidhlig is really incredibly important to our culture, especially because speaking our native Scottish languages was actually illegal here for a long time as part of an assimilation effort to "civilise" the Highlands. Very few people speak our languages here, now, but we're working hard to try and keep our languages alive. I thought this would be a nice way to include it.

-

Real Places

Lots of the places in this fic are real places in Edinburgh! The museum, of course, is real.

The hotel they stayed in is also real, and I even looked ahead of time to see what their rooms would look like.

The restaurant they went to get the cranachan is the Abbotsford Bar and Restaurant, since I'd read that their cranachan is good and gets recommended by Edinburgh locals. The main street is, of course, real, and the park they went to when it was snowing is The Meadows, the same place where the torch procession started.

The horse statues at the end are The Kelpies, giant horse head statues which light up at night and look incredible in the snow. They're bigger than you might think just from looking at pictures!

-

Foods Mentioned

Most food mentioned in this fic is real.

Rumbledethump is a real cabbage dish here, made with cabbage, potato, swede, and cheese, and you can get it in little pastries sometimes.

Cranachans are a real dessert here, and a very historical one, originally made to celebrate the autumn harvests :) they're great, although usually better when made at home rather than eaten at a restaurant.

Sticky toffee pudding is INCREDIBLE and one of the best things we've got. That sauce could heal any wounds. It's meant to come with hot sauce to drench the cake, and the ice cream melts into it. UGH I could die.

Curry stuffed naan is a real thing you can get at our Christmas markets in Edinburgh - curry is also pretty widely loved in the UK. Tikka Masala was invented here by a Bangladeshi-Scottish man, Ali Ahmed Aslam, back in the 1970s! Phall was also invented in Birmingham. The UK really likes curry.

Cock-a-leekie is a real soup here. It's just chicken and leek soup. Cullen skink is also a real meal here, and it's a thick haddock soup. Seafood and fish is very commonly eaten here, and salmon is especially good in Scotland. We do seafood right.

I disagree fundamentally with "British food sucks" jokes because honestly, I feel like people who say that haven't tried actual British food. British is not synonymous with English; Britain is a collection of several countries which includes England, and just using Scotland as an example, we have some really fantastic foods. It's sad to me to see it get written off when so much of Scottish culture has had to fight tooth and nail just to exist after centuries of assimilation efforts. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are all countries in our own right and our cultures - and tastes in food - exist independently from England.

-

Hogmanay

New Year is focused on a little more in this fic, and there's a reason for that - generally, New Year is a bigger holiday in Scotland than Christmas, and there's historical context for it. Christmas was actually made illegal here back in the 1600s, and as a result, Hogmanay (or New Year) became a large celebration in its own right. The Scots LOVE Hogmanay, and New Year celebrations in Edinburgh is a festival which lasts several days, including the torch procession (a LOT of our celebrations include fire), ceilidh, live music festivals, drinking pub nights, and fireworks etc.

The ban on Christmas was lifted about seventy years later, but Hogmanay was still a huge celebration, and it's an important part of our lives, now.

-

Clothes

The ugly sweaters mentioned in the fic are real.

The nicer ones are also real, and I really like them! Truly though, they're not warm enough to keep you cosy in the snow. You need a thick coat, winter boots, and probably also a hat/gloves/scarf for that. The cold here is no joke; even though the temperatures don't look that cold, Scotland is so humid and wet that it's really impossible to escape and it burrows deep. I know people who live through -20C Canadian winters with no problem but HATE wintering in Scotland because it's miserable, even if it's not that cold on paper.

-

Other

The reindeer plush is a reference to my freckle fic!

It's him, but reindeer flavoured.

[brookston]

Holidays 5.24

Holidays

Aviation Maintenance Technician Day

Battle of Pichincha Day (Ecuador)

Bermuda Day [if weekend, nearest weekday]

Blink 182 Day

Brooklyn Bridge Day

Brother's Day

Camping with Barry White Day (David Letterman)

Carb Day

Culture and Literacy Day (Bulgaria)

Cuti Bersama (Indonesia)

Day for the Naming of Rocks and Planets

Duck Day (French Republic)

Dylan Day (a.k.a. Bob Dylan Day)

Empire Day (British Empire; Pre-1930s)

European Day of Parks

Eurovision Song Contest Day

First Responders Appreciation Day (Ohio)

International Clown Day

International Day Against Epilepsy

International Tiara Day

International Women’s Day for Peace & Disarmament

Little Lamb Day

Long Snapper Appreciation Day

Lubiri Memorial Day (Uganda)

Morse Code Day

National Aviation Maintenance Tech Day

National Beautiful Girls Day

National Blue Badge ay of Action (UK)

National Caterers Appreciation Day

National DevOps Day

National DILF Day

National Emergency Medical Services Recognition Day

National Mike Day

National Poppy Day

National Road Trip Day

National Schizophrenia & Psychosis Awareness Day (Canada)

National Telegram Day (Utrean Empire)

National Work From Home Day

National Wyoming Day

Night Baseball Day

Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day

Parking Meter Day

Play Kick the Can With A Kid Day

Public Garage Day

Sara the Black's Day (Gypsy)

Scavenger Hunt Day

Sinking of the Bismarck Day

Slavonic Enlighteners' Day (Macedonia)

Slavonic Literature and Culture Day (Russia)

Vala Asteroid Day

What Hath God Wrought Day (Morse Code)

World Product Day

World Schizophrenia Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Asparagus Day

Endless Breakfast Day (Denny’s)

Judgment of Paris Day

National Coffee Day (Brazil)

National Escargot Day

National Lamb Day (New Zealand)

National Schlumpia Day

Yucatan Shrimp Day

Independence & Related Days

Commonwealth Day (Belize, Lesotho)

Ecuador (from Spain, 1822)

Eritrea (from Ethiopia, 1993)

Nueva Vizcaya Day (Philippines)

Orange Free State (Annexed by UK; 1900)

4th Friday in May

Ascension Friday (Belgium)

Don't Fry Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Heat Safety Awareness Day [4th Friday]

National Cooler Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

National Death Busters Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

National Polka Festival begins [Friday before Memorial Day]

National Road Trip Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

National Wig Out Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

Title Track Day [4th Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 24 (3rd Full Week)

National Polka Weekend (Ennis, Texas) [thru 5.26] (Memorial Day Weekend)

Old Time Player Piano Weekend (thru 5.26) [Memorial Day Weekend]

Festivals Beginning May 24, 2024

Arcadia Broiler Dairy Days (Arcadia, Wisconsin) [thru 5.26]

Bath Fringe Festival (Bath, UK) [thru 6.9]

Nattjazz [Bergen International Jazz Festival] (Bergen, Norway) [thru 6.1]

Blue Crab Festival (Palatka, Florida) [thru 5.26]

Blues, Brews, and BBQ (Beaver Creek, Colorado) [thru 5.26]

BottleRock Napa Valley Music & Food Festival (Napa, California) [thru 5.26]

California Roots Music and Arts Festival (Monterey, California) [thru 5.26]

Cannon River Rendezvous (Cannon Falls, Minnesota) [thru 5.27]

Carassauga Festival (Mississauga, Canada) [thru 5.26]

Comicpalooza (Houston, Texas) [thru 5.26]

ConFuzzled (Birmingham, United Kingdom) [thru 5.26]

Feast of the Flowering Moon (Chillicothe, Ohio) [thru 5.26]

Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival (Fredericksburg, Texas) [thru 5.26]

Garden Grove Strawberry Festival (Garden Grove, California) [thru 5.27]

Jambalaya Festival (Gonzales, Louisiana) [thru 5.26]

Marcon [Multiple Alternative Realities Convention] (Columbus, Ohio) [thru 5.26

MCM London Comic Con (London, United Kingdom) [thru 5.26]

Moonshine Festival (New Straitsville, Ohio) [thru 5.27]

Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival (Morgan Hill, California) [thru 5.26]

Mudbug Madness 39 (Shreveport, Louisiana) [thru 5.26]

Newport Beach Wine Festival (Newport Beach, California) [thru 5.26]

Northwest Folklife Festival (Seattle, Washington) [thru 5.27]

Orlando Carnival Downtown (Orlando, Florida) [thru 5.26]

Phoenix Fan Fusion (Phoenix, Arizona) [thru 5.26]

Portland Rose Festival (Portland, Oregon) [thru 6.9]

Scandinavian Heritage Festival (Ephraim, Utah) [thru 5.25]

Vivid Sydney (Sydney, Australia) [thru 6.15]

Worlds Largest Brat Fest (Madison, Wisconsin) [thru 5.26]

ZestFest (Fort Worth, Texas) [thru 5.26]

Feast Days

Aldersgate Day (a.k.a. Wesley Day; Methodism)

Alexei Savrasov (Artology)

Anna Pak Agi (Christian; One of The Korean Martyrs)

Barinthus (Celtic Book of Days)

Brigantia Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Carmine Infantino (Artology)

David I of Scotland (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Horae (Pagan)

Donatian and Rogatian (Christian; Saint)

Emanuel Leutze (Artology)

Feast of Artemis (Ancient Greece)

Feast of Hermes Trismegistus (Patron of Alchemy)

Henri Michaux (Artology)

Jackson Kemper (Episcopal Church)

St. Jerome (Positivist; Saint)

Joanna (Christian; Saint)

John de Prado (Christian; Saint)

Joseph Brodsky (Writerism)

Mary, Help of Christians (Christian; Saint)

Michael Chabon (Writerism)

Mollusc Day (Pastafarian)

The Mothers (Celtic Prosperity Festival)

Nicetas of Pereaslav (Christian; Martyr)

Philip Pearlstein (Artology)

Pontormo (a.k.a. Jacopo da Pontormo; Artology)

Sacred Furrow Day (Cambodia; Everyday Wicca)

Saints Cyril and Methodius’ Day (Macedonia)

Sam the Robot (Muppetism)

Sarah the Black (celebrated by the Romani people of Camargue; Christian; Saint)

Victory Over the U.S. Day (Church of the SubGenius; Canada)

Vincent of Lérins (Christian; Saint)

William Trevor (Writerism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

A Good Day for Love (The Book of Days)

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because I danced ‘cause I wanted to. I left my friends behind, because my friends didn't dance and since they didn't dance, they were no friends of mine.)

Premieres

Backdraft (Film; 1991)

Beep, Beep (WB MM Cartoon; 1952)

Before Midnight (Film; 2013)

Bluebeard’s Castle, by Bela Bartok (Opera; 1918)

Booksmart (Film; 2019)

Braveheart (Film; 1995)

The Day After Tomorrow (Film; 2004)

Diamond Dogs, by David Bowie (Album; 1974)

Drop Dead Fred (Film; 1991)

Epic (Animated Film; 2013)

Fast & Furious 6 (Film; 2013) [F&F #6]

Faust, selected scenes, by Goethe (Play; 1819)

The Golden Hen (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1946)

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn (Novel; 2012)

Gravity’s Rainbow, by Pat Benatar (Album; 1993)

Hollywood Steps Out (WB MM Cartoon; 1941)

Hudson Hawk (Film; 1991)

An Inconvenient Truth (Documentary Film; 2006)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Film; 1989)

Jumpin’ Jack Flash, by The Rolling Stones (Song; 1968)

Le Pig-Al Patrol (The Inspector; 1967)

Mission: Impossible 2 (Film; 2000)

Onion Pacific (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1940)

The Riddle-Master of Hed, by Patricia A. McKillip (Novel; 1976)

1776, by David McCullough (Book; 2005)

The Source, by James A. Michener (Historical Novel; 1965)

Spirit (Animated Film; 2002)

Spy Hard (Film; 1996)

Sugar, Sugar, by The Archies (Song; 1969)

Symphony No. 2 in Eb Major, by Edward Elgar (Symphony; 1911)

Thelma & Louise (Film; 1991)

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (Film; 1974)

Truth or Dare (Documentary Film; 1991)

A View to a Kill (Film; 1985) [James Bond #14]

Welcome to the Dollhouse (Film; 1996)

Today’s Name Days

Dagmar, Esther (Austria)

Filip, Ivana, Šimun (Croatia)

Jana (Czech Republic)

Esther (Denmark)

Alar, Alari, Allar, Aller (Estonia)

Touko, Tuukka (Finland)

Donatien (France)

Dagmar, Esther (Germany)

Markiani, Palladia, Photini (Greece)

Eliza, Eszter (Hungary)

Amalia, Maria (Italy)

Agate, Anšlavs, Estere, Ilvija, Marlena, Ziedone (Latvia)

Gerardas, Gina, Vilmantas (Lithuania)

Ester, Iris (Norway)

Cieszysława, Estera, Jan, Joanna, Maria, Mokij, Wincenty, Zula, Zuzanna (Poland)

Simeon (România)

Ela (Slovakia)

Auxiliadora, Auxilio, María, Susana (Spain)

Ivan, Vanja (Sweden)

Christian (Ukraine)

Chelsea, Chelsey, Chelsie, Landon (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 145 of 2024; 221 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 21 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 13 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 17 (Wu-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 16 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 16 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 25 Magenta; Foursday [25 of 30]

Julian: 11 May 2024

Moon: 99%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 4 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Jerome]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 67 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 4 of 31)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.24

Holidays

Aviation Maintenance Technician Day

Battle of Pichincha Day (Ecuador)

Bermuda Day [if weekend, nearest weekday]

Blink 182 Day

Brooklyn Bridge Day

Brother's Day

Camping with Barry White Day (David Letterman)

Carb Day

Culture and Literacy Day (Bulgaria)

Cuti Bersama (Indonesia)

Day for the Naming of Rocks and Planets

Duck Day (French Republic)

Dylan Day (a.k.a. Bob Dylan Day)

Empire Day (British Empire; Pre-1930s)

European Day of Parks

Eurovision Song Contest Day

First Responders Appreciation Day (Ohio)

International Clown Day

International Day Against Epilepsy

International Tiara Day

International Women’s Day for Peace & Disarmament

Little Lamb Day

Long Snapper Appreciation Day

Lubiri Memorial Day (Uganda)

Morse Code Day

National Aviation Maintenance Tech Day

National Beautiful Girls Day

National Blue Badge ay of Action (UK)

National Caterers Appreciation Day

National DevOps Day

National DILF Day

National Emergency Medical Services Recognition Day

National Mike Day

National Poppy Day

National Road Trip Day

National Schizophrenia & Psychosis Awareness Day (Canada)

National Telegram Day (Utrean Empire)

National Work From Home Day

National Wyoming Day

Night Baseball Day

Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day

Parking Meter Day

Play Kick the Can With A Kid Day

Public Garage Day

Sara the Black's Day (Gypsy)

Scavenger Hunt Day

Sinking of the Bismarck Day

Slavonic Enlighteners' Day (Macedonia)

Slavonic Literature and Culture Day (Russia)

Vala Asteroid Day

What Hath God Wrought Day (Morse Code)

World Product Day

World Schizophrenia Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Asparagus Day

Endless Breakfast Day (Denny’s)

Judgment of Paris Day

National Coffee Day (Brazil)

National Escargot Day

National Lamb Day (New Zealand)

National Schlumpia Day

Yucatan Shrimp Day

Independence & Related Days

Commonwealth Day (Belize, Lesotho)

Ecuador (from Spain, 1822)

Eritrea (from Ethiopia, 1993)

Nueva Vizcaya Day (Philippines)

Orange Free State (Annexed by UK; 1900)

4th Friday in May

Ascension Friday (Belgium)

Don't Fry Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Heat Safety Awareness Day [4th Friday]

National Cooler Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

National Death Busters Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

National Polka Festival begins [Friday before Memorial Day]

National Road Trip Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

National Wig Out Day [Friday before Memorial Day]

Title Track Day [4th Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 24 (3rd Full Week)

National Polka Weekend (Ennis, Texas) [thru 5.26] (Memorial Day Weekend)

Old Time Player Piano Weekend (thru 5.26) [Memorial Day Weekend]

Festivals Beginning May 24, 2024

Arcadia Broiler Dairy Days (Arcadia, Wisconsin) [thru 5.26]

Bath Fringe Festival (Bath, UK) [thru 6.9]

Nattjazz [Bergen International Jazz Festival] (Bergen, Norway) [thru 6.1]

Blue Crab Festival (Palatka, Florida) [thru 5.26]

Blues, Brews, and BBQ (Beaver Creek, Colorado) [thru 5.26]

BottleRock Napa Valley Music & Food Festival (Napa, California) [thru 5.26]

California Roots Music and Arts Festival (Monterey, California) [thru 5.26]

Cannon River Rendezvous (Cannon Falls, Minnesota) [thru 5.27]

Carassauga Festival (Mississauga, Canada) [thru 5.26]

Comicpalooza (Houston, Texas) [thru 5.26]

ConFuzzled (Birmingham, United Kingdom) [thru 5.26]

Feast of the Flowering Moon (Chillicothe, Ohio) [thru 5.26]

Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival (Fredericksburg, Texas) [thru 5.26]

Garden Grove Strawberry Festival (Garden Grove, California) [thru 5.27]

Jambalaya Festival (Gonzales, Louisiana) [thru 5.26]

Marcon [Multiple Alternative Realities Convention] (Columbus, Ohio) [thru 5.26

MCM London Comic Con (London, United Kingdom) [thru 5.26]

Moonshine Festival (New Straitsville, Ohio) [thru 5.27]

Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival (Morgan Hill, California) [thru 5.26]

Mudbug Madness 39 (Shreveport, Louisiana) [thru 5.26]

Newport Beach Wine Festival (Newport Beach, California) [thru 5.26]

Northwest Folklife Festival (Seattle, Washington) [thru 5.27]

Orlando Carnival Downtown (Orlando, Florida) [thru 5.26]

Phoenix Fan Fusion (Phoenix, Arizona) [thru 5.26]

Portland Rose Festival (Portland, Oregon) [thru 6.9]

Scandinavian Heritage Festival (Ephraim, Utah) [thru 5.25]

Vivid Sydney (Sydney, Australia) [thru 6.15]

Worlds Largest Brat Fest (Madison, Wisconsin) [thru 5.26]

ZestFest (Fort Worth, Texas) [thru 5.26]

Feast Days

Aldersgate Day (a.k.a. Wesley Day; Methodism)

Alexei Savrasov (Artology)

Anna Pak Agi (Christian; One of The Korean Martyrs)

Barinthus (Celtic Book of Days)

Brigantia Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Carmine Infantino (Artology)

David I of Scotland (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Horae (Pagan)

Donatian and Rogatian (Christian; Saint)

Emanuel Leutze (Artology)

Feast of Artemis (Ancient Greece)

Feast of Hermes Trismegistus (Patron of Alchemy)

Henri Michaux (Artology)

Jackson Kemper (Episcopal Church)

St. Jerome (Positivist; Saint)

Joanna (Christian; Saint)

John de Prado (Christian; Saint)

Joseph Brodsky (Writerism)

Mary, Help of Christians (Christian; Saint)

Michael Chabon (Writerism)

Mollusc Day (Pastafarian)

The Mothers (Celtic Prosperity Festival)

Nicetas of Pereaslav (Christian; Martyr)

Philip Pearlstein (Artology)

Pontormo (a.k.a. Jacopo da Pontormo; Artology)

Sacred Furrow Day (Cambodia; Everyday Wicca)

Saints Cyril and Methodius’ Day (Macedonia)

Sam the Robot (Muppetism)

Sarah the Black (celebrated by the Romani people of Camargue; Christian; Saint)

Victory Over the U.S. Day (Church of the SubGenius; Canada)

Vincent of Lérins (Christian; Saint)

William Trevor (Writerism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

A Good Day for Love (The Book of Days)

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because I danced ‘cause I wanted to. I left my friends behind, because my friends didn't dance and since they didn't dance, they were no friends of mine.)

Premieres

Backdraft (Film; 1991)

Beep, Beep (WB MM Cartoon; 1952)

Before Midnight (Film; 2013)

Bluebeard’s Castle, by Bela Bartok (Opera; 1918)

Booksmart (Film; 2019)

Braveheart (Film; 1995)

The Day After Tomorrow (Film; 2004)

Diamond Dogs, by David Bowie (Album; 1974)

Drop Dead Fred (Film; 1991)

Epic (Animated Film; 2013)

Fast & Furious 6 (Film; 2013) [F&F #6]

Faust, selected scenes, by Goethe (Play; 1819)

The Golden Hen (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1946)

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn (Novel; 2012)

Gravity’s Rainbow, by Pat Benatar (Album; 1993)

Hollywood Steps Out (WB MM Cartoon; 1941)

Hudson Hawk (Film; 1991)

An Inconvenient Truth (Documentary Film; 2006)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Film; 1989)

Jumpin’ Jack Flash, by The Rolling Stones (Song; 1968)

Le Pig-Al Patrol (The Inspector; 1967)

Mission: Impossible 2 (Film; 2000)

Onion Pacific (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1940)

The Riddle-Master of Hed, by Patricia A. McKillip (Novel; 1976)

1776, by David McCullough (Book; 2005)

The Source, by James A. Michener (Historical Novel; 1965)

Spirit (Animated Film; 2002)

Spy Hard (Film; 1996)

Sugar, Sugar, by The Archies (Song; 1969)

Symphony No. 2 in Eb Major, by Edward Elgar (Symphony; 1911)

Thelma & Louise (Film; 1991)

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (Film; 1974)

Truth or Dare (Documentary Film; 1991)

A View to a Kill (Film; 1985) [James Bond #14]

Welcome to the Dollhouse (Film; 1996)

Today’s Name Days

Dagmar, Esther (Austria)

Filip, Ivana, Šimun (Croatia)

Jana (Czech Republic)

Esther (Denmark)

Alar, Alari, Allar, Aller (Estonia)

Touko, Tuukka (Finland)

Donatien (France)

Dagmar, Esther (Germany)

Markiani, Palladia, Photini (Greece)

Eliza, Eszter (Hungary)

Amalia, Maria (Italy)

Agate, Anšlavs, Estere, Ilvija, Marlena, Ziedone (Latvia)

Gerardas, Gina, Vilmantas (Lithuania)

Ester, Iris (Norway)

Cieszysława, Estera, Jan, Joanna, Maria, Mokij, Wincenty, Zula, Zuzanna (Poland)

Simeon (România)

Ela (Slovakia)

Auxiliadora, Auxilio, María, Susana (Spain)

Ivan, Vanja (Sweden)

Christian (Ukraine)

Chelsea, Chelsey, Chelsie, Landon (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 145 of 2024; 221 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 21 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 13 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 17 (Wu-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 16 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 16 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 25 Magenta; Foursday [25 of 30]

Julian: 11 May 2024

Moon: 99%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 4 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Jerome]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 67 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 4 of 31)

[xrayman2k4]

The Loneliness of the Short Distance Runner from Holly Jacobson on Vimeo.

This was a film that I originally shot back in 2014, but it has taken a long time to get it through the editing process (perhaps because there was never a script!). At Stockport Film Festival I was really inspired by a talk by Mark Herbert (producer of “Four Lions”, “Submarine” and “This Is England” and loads more). I wanted to make a film that was really more of a character exploration and so was born a girl named Zoe. I came up with hundreds of facts and character traits and little idiosyncrasies for this character, most of which never came to light and started filming. It began as a stream of consciousness but ended up as an inevitable journey for this girl that I came to love.

Awards: Challenging Reality Award for Age 9-12, Seoul International Youth Film Festival, 2016 Best Young Director, Birmingham Film Festival 2016 Best Short Film, Youth 6-12, Albany Film Festival 2017 Best Young Filmmaker, High Peak Independent Film Festival 2017

Film Festival Selections: Cardiff Mini Film Festival 2016 Seoul International Youth Film Festival 2016 Birmingham Film Festival 2106 Marcellus Movie Madness Family Film Festival 2016 KIDS First! Film Festival 2016-17 George Lindsey UNA Film Festival 2017 Albany Film Festival 2017 Fresh Film Festival 2017 Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival 2017 Scout Film Festival 2017 High Peak Independent Film Festival 2017

[screen1ne]

Darkly comic sci-fi thriller series CHASER - available from today on Prime Video

Zero Gravity Media Films is delighted to announce that the world premiere of their new Sci-fi series CHASER will be available from today; available on Prime Video. CHASER is distributed by Buffalo 8. It will be available on a pay-per-view basis from today.  A hit on the independent festival circuit, CHASER won Best Series at both the Birmingham Film & TV Festival and Star International Film…

[ahz-associates]

The 10 Best Cities to Study Abroad in the UK!

Studying abroad in the UK is familiar with a wide choice of educational institutions, from historic establishments that led the way in university education to cutting-edge centers of technology, spiritual studies, and more. Among the hundreds of universities in the UK are Russell Group names like Oxford, Cambridge, Queen's University Belfast, Warrick University, London Metropolitan University, and Canterbury Christ Church University. Students from the UK and elsewhere are drawn to this school for reasons other than just the quality of education.

Living close to several colleges and UK institutions offers a unique perspective on life, a unique milieu for studying abroad in the UK, and a variety of life experiences. For this reason, the top UK cities for international students are a constant curiosity for all overseas students. Opportunities to live a new life and pursue newfound independence in a different country are once in a lifetime, whether they are located on the canals surrounding Birmingham, the cobblestone roads throughout Scotland, or in metropolitan London.

The Top 10 UK Cities for Students

International students have been drawn to various UK cities ever since the country's universities were established. Every city and every university is distinct in its own right. Selecting the best one can be challenging for people who are unfamiliar with the subtle differences between each UK city and nation. As a result, we've created a brief overview featuring the top 10 UK cities for students. Choose the virtual tour of each to choose which is the best option for your study abroad experience in the UK.

1. London

There's a reason London tops a lot of lists. There are lots of options for employment, education, and a vibrant social life. More than fifteen prestigious educational institutions, including those ranked in the QS World University Rankings, The Guardian Rankings, Times Higher Education Rankings, and other publications, are located there. In quest of a top-notch education, individuals seeking graduate degrees, first-time university attendees, and even working professionals travel to London. More than 400,000 students call London home, and they attest to its prospects.

London offers excellent institutions, a vibrant social scene, and excellent employment prospects. Pubs, taverns, theaters, movie theaters, eateries serving sports food, festivals, parks, libraries, and more abound. Applying to UK universities in London that are deeply ingrained in the culture is possible at places like King's College, Queen Mary University of London, and the London School of Economics and Political Sciences.

2. The Manchester

Manchester, which is still in England, is a fantastic university city in the United Kingdom. There are lots of job options, excellent living conditions, and university amenities available. It's conveniently located close to London, making it a popular weekend destination for students. One of the most respected universities in the globe, as well as in the UK, is the University of Manchester, which belongs to the Russell Group.

It offers students access to fantastic social and other possibilities and is ranked in the top 20 on several lists. For those interested in the arts, music, sports, history, and other subjects, there are many venues and locations. In addition to the University of Manchester, excellent institutions offering many chances for academic and research objectives include Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Salford, and the Royal Northern College of Music.

3. The Coventry

With more than 40% of international students calling Coventry home, it's one of the most student-friendly cities in the UK. As a result, the city offers exposure to a wide range of cultures, languages, and social situations and is extremely diversified. The University of Warwick is among the top academic institutions in the UK, offering opportunities for both academic and research excellence across a range of subjects. Opportunities are abundant at Coventry University as well. Students can also pursue interests in poetry, literature, dance, music, and other forms of culture.

4. Edinburgh

Travel to Edinburgh in Scotland to see the most breathtaking abundance of nature, a rich history, and excellent academic prospects. Edinburgh is a fantastic city for students, with lots of green space and historic buildings like Edinburgh Castle. Numerous universities may be found in the city, such as Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh Napier University, University of Edinburgh, and Royal College of Surgeons. There are many modern theaters, galleries, museums, and other establishments outside of colleges, in addition to more social venues including clubs, conventional pubs, retail malls, dining establishments, and so forth.

5. Glasgow

Glasgow ranks fourth among UK cities that are great for students. The city is also among the top 50 for university rankings and student prospects, with a diversified student body that attracts both domestic and foreign students. Prestigious academic institutions include Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow School of Art, and the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde. Students can explore the history and culture of the city after school at a variety of locations, including museums, theaters, pubs, fine dining restaurants, and live music venues.

6. Birmingham

Birmingham ranks seventh among UK cities that are friendly to students. Situated in the nation's center, it is the second-biggest city in the United Kingdom. It is frequently ranked in the top 100 and is the 49th most student-friendly city globally. You can submit applications to a number of universities, including Newman University, Birmingham City University, Aston University, and the University of Birmingham. Along with fantastic dining options, the city boasts excellent retail malls, marketplaces, pubs, historic sites, canals, and other natural areas. In addition, there are other festivals held all year round.

7. Brighton

Returning to England, Brighton is a bustling student city in the UK and is encircled by beaches. There are students from all across the UK and the world attending, making for a very diverse student body. Numerous more universities that score highly in QS and other school rankings exist in addition to the University of Sussex. Students can engage in a wide range of activities in Brighton's vibrant community outside of academic institutions.

8. Aberdeen

Aberdeen is ranked ninth out of the finest institutions in the United Kingdom by QS World Rankings. The city is home to several universities, including Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen, and also has miles of coastline and rural areas. The city is ideal for students due to its reduced cost of living, particularly for international students on a tight budget. The area is fantastic for those who love the outdoors.

9. Newcastle

Newcastle is ranked eighth on this list. There is a lot of diversity to interact with due to the high student-to-teacher ratio. More significantly, it is home to some of the most esteemed universities in the UK, such as Northumbria, Durham, and Newcastle. Newcastle has a bustling nightlife in addition to excellent schools. In addition to live music, sports, theaters, galleries, and cultural events, you may go partying, dancing, drinking, and more.

10. Nottingham

Excellent academic and research opportunities are provided by Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. As the "Home of English Sport," the city is particularly wonderful for sports fans.

[whatsonmedia]

Thursday Thrill: 6 Unmissable Summer Fest Frenzy!

In July's embrace, the world awakens to a kaleidoscope of life's wonders. Music festivals weave their melodies, while tantalizing gastronomic delights tempt our taste buds. Cultural fiestas bloom, revealing the rich tapestry of humanity. Let's dance to July's tune and paint eternal memories on life's canvas. Embrace the magic, for this month promises a symphony of experiences like no other. Made Festival 28 - 30 July The highly anticipated annual Birmingham sell-out Urban dance music festival gets under-way this weekend.  After notching up impressive success story’s Made festival lovers are in for a treat across this two-day music mash up. Its where festival expectations are catered for on every level. With a choice of music genres that includes a roller-coaster of heart pumping House, Drum & Bass, Bass Music, Hip Hop, Disco, Garage and much more Each year the festival organisers go all out, bigger is better.  Showcasing impressive stage productions and a world-class line-up which is the talk of the Midlands.  In Its 9th year, Made has built a fierce reputation becoming a highlight during the festival season. Attendees can look forward to 11 music stages all hosting one of the momentous stellar 2023 line-ups of over 100 DJs & live artists and headline acts including Eva Lazarus, Flowdan, Girl Grind UK, Girls Don't Sync, Shy FX, Alex Bowen, Dan Schofield, Lewis Carroll, BKLAVA, Gentlemens Club, Holy Goof, Tom Shorterz, Dj Mini, HP3, Nathan Pinder, Reeshy, Born On The Road, Rage Twins Crew and many more. Featuring special guests like Sean Paul at Luna Springs on Sunday.  Furthermore, the festival also features art displays and the some of the best Birmingham’s Street food offerings to tickle your taste buds. Taking place in the Digbeth Triangle, Made will surely go down as one of the unforgettable summer festival to be at in 2023 More Info> made-festival.co.uk Y Not Festival 29 - 31 July Y Not Festival is an independent UK music festival with a lineup of rock, indie, and alternative music. There's also a dance tent for evening entertainment. Promoters work tirelessly to create an exceptional atmosphere with a high bar for back-to-back entertainment. The lineup includes Kasabian, The Wombats, Bombay Bicycle Club, Royal Blood, KT Tunstall, Kate Nash, James, Paul Weller, Beabadoobee, Everything Everything, and more. Located in the beautiful Peak District, Derbyshire, this award-winning festival is a hit-list event. Enjoy comedy shows at Flamingo Jacks and movies at the Night Hawk Cinema. Families have their share of fun with dedicated camping and various activities for the little festival-goers. Plan your weekend or go with the flow, either way, Y Not Festival promises to create the best festival memories. Tickets & More Info> ynotfestival.com Camp Bestival 27 – 30 July Winner of the UK Best Family Festival, Camp Bestival is a must-attend event for all the family who love music, food, and fun in the outdoors. This four-day festival is held annually at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, and it never disappoints. With a diverse line-up of musicians and performers, there is something for everyone at Camp Bestival.This festival has live music for everyone, with incredible performances from various artists, headline acts, and DJ sets by Grace Jones, The Kooks, Craig David Presents TS5, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and many others. It's a diverse lineup that will cater to all music lovers' tastes! Its festivals that cover all the basis for having the best experience and with the essentials including an array of fabulous food stalls. From gourmet burgers to vegan options, there is no shortage of delicious food to enjoy. You can also take part in cooking workshops and learn how to create your own culinary masterpieces.In addition to the music and food, there are plenty of activities for all ages. Kids can enjoy the Kids' Garden, where they can take part in arts and crafts, storytelling, and games. Adults can take part in yoga classes, talks, and workshops.Overall, Camp Bestival is a fantastic festival which goes all out on creating a family atmosphere which offers something for everyone. Not forgetting its annual festival theme that encourages festival-goers to get their best dressed attire on. This year’s theme is 'Animal Snap' Whether you are a music lover, a foodie, or just up for a fun weekend away, this festival is not to be missed. Tickets & More Info> campbestival.net Kendal Calling 27 - 30 July Each summer Kendal Calling curates a diverse line up that span across the genres, taking in rock, indie and dance music.  Growing each year in its idyllic surroundings of Hackthorpe Cumbria.  The festival has extended to a four-day musical extravaganza which draws in a 25,000-capacity crowd all eager to get dancing in a field of dreams seeing their favourite music artists & DJs right up close and across its various stages and instillation productions. This year's festival brings an exciting lineup of DJs and music artists, offering festival-goers a diverse range of musical delights. The talented performers include A.Skillz, Annie Mac, Example, Black Honey, Blossoms, DJ Jools, Krafty Kuts, Frank Turner, DJ Yoda, Deja Vega, Happy Mondays, Jaguar Skills, Mike Skinner, Natalie Imbruglia, We Are Scientists, Kasabian, KT Tunstall, Kaiser Chiefs, Nile Rodgers, Reverend And The Makers, and Scouting For Girls. We hope for sunny weather, but it's always good to be prepared with your wellies, wet wipes, and mackintoshes. Let's make it an unforgettable weekend filled with incredible music and great experiences! Tickets & More Info> kendalcalling.co.uk Hospitality In The Harbour 29 July Hospitality In The Harbour, one of Bristol's electrifying festivals, returns after a sold-out event last year. The high-energy festival promises non-stop music at its finest, with a stellar lineup of DJs and performers. This year's festival features an incredible lineup, including Wilkinson, A.M.C, DJ Marky, The Ragga Twins, Flava D, and more. Get ready for an unforgettable experience as elite DJs play the best D'n'B and Jungle music at the beautiful Lloyds Amphitheatre on a perfect Saturday daytime party. In addition to exceptional music, the festival offers captivating art installations, interactive workshops, and various fun activities to enjoy. Fuel yourself with a wide selection of food and drinks available on-site during this celebration of music and creativity. D'n'B fans, don't miss this unmissable dance music event! Be a part of the amazing festival experience. Tickets & More Info> hospitalitydnb.com Womad 27 – 31 July Womad festival is happening this weekend, and it's a place where people can let loose and enjoy music, arts, and culture. The festival keeps getting better each year, with a fantastic lineup of artists from all over the world. From African drums to Indian classical music, Womad offers a variety of mesmerizing sounds for everyone. The colorful parade is a highlight, showcasing traditional costumes and dances from different cultures. Beyond music and dance, Womad offers workshops and talks on culture, sustainability, and this year, a focus on environmental issues and climate change. Experts and activists will be there to make a positive impact on the planet. Get ready for an unforgettable festival experience! Whether you love music, culture, or just want to have fun, this festival has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this celebration of diversity and creativity! The festival lineup includes top acts like Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, Bombay Bicycle, Kate Rusby, Mariza, Horace Andy with Dub Asante Band, The Comet Is Coming, Dakh Daughters, Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, Isaac Birituro and The Rail Abandon, Israel Fernández, Kathryn Joseph, and King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys. It's going to be an incredible mix of music and performances! Tickets & More Info> womad.co.uk Read the full article

[swanlake1998]

Article: Black in Ballet: Coming Together After Trying to ‘Blend Into the Corps’

Date: August 17, 2021

By: Brian Seibert

A rare gathering of Black dancers from different companies meet to discuss a new production on Little Island, curated by Misty Copeland and Robert Garland.

Last year, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the protests that followed, American ballet companies started talking a lot more about race. About the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion that organizations of all kinds were addressing, but also aesthetic assumptions, implicit biases and longstanding practices particular to ballet and its history.

“There were innumerable panel discussions,” said Robert Garland, the resident choreographer of Dance Theater of Harlem. “But I felt that for the younger Black dancers, it was a heavy burden to be responsible for all of that.”

Garland wanted to help them, and in the way that he knows best: by making a dance for them. That work, “Stare Decisis (To Stand by Things Decided),” has its debut on Wednesday (August 18, 2021) as part of “NYC Free,” a monthlong festival at Little Island, the new public park on the Hudson River.

The most significant feature of “Stare Decisis” is its eight-member cast: an extraordinarily rare gathering of Black dancers from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater and Dance Theater of Harlem. Misty Copeland — Ballet Theater’s first Black female principal dancer and one of the most famous ballerinas in the United States — is among them. (Little Island asked her to present a program.)

She isn’t dancing, though. Instead, she is a narrator, reciting a collection of quotations about democracy and the effort of defending the common good, drawn from the Declaration of Independence and the likes of Thurgood Marshall, John Lewis and Barbara Jordan.

“I’m at a point in my career when I feel the opportunity to pass the torch,” Copeland said after a rehearsal in a Dance Theater of Harlem studio on Sunday. “Anytime I can give a Black dancer an opportunity and bring Black dancers together, that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Recalling her own experience of being the only Black dancer during her first years with Ballet Theater, she added: “Anytime I got the chance to be around people who looked like me, I jumped at it. It’s important for us to be around each other, supporting one another.”

That’s what the cast seemed to be doing at the Sunday rehearsal — relaxing in one another’s company, trading stories. Rachel Hutsell, a City Ballet corps member, likened the whole experience to therapy. Kennard Henson, also with City Ballet, called the environment “crazy,” because this kind of cross-company collaboration “doesn’t happen” and “just being around people you can relate to makes a big difference.”

But it isn’t only the people who make a difference. It’s also Garland’s choreography, which deftly mixes classical ballet steps with moves and attitude from at least a century of Black popular dance.

Keeping the classical vocabulary high in the mix is important to Garland, who said that classically trained Black dancers are too often seen as suited only for contemporary works. But it’s also important to Garland that the young dancers know their Black history, which is why he asked Preston Dugger, a Dance Theater of Harlem alumnus who is serving as D.J., to layer some Gil Scott-Heron and Aretha Franklin over more up-to-date hip-hop beats.

“In Mr. Garland’s work, we get to show who we are through our movement,” said Alexandra Hutchinson, a Dance Theater of Harlem member. “It’s so freeing to be able to do that onstage, because oftentimes we’re told to tone it down.”

Because of the pandemic, the dancers have been rehearsing mainly with members of the same company. That’s reflected in the work’s structure, with representatives of each troupe performing as separate units before everyone mingles in the finale. Then, as the Ballet Theater corps member Erica Lall put it, “We get to groove together.”

On Sunday, that grooving was glorious — joyful, buoyant, liberated. Afterward, Garland, Copeland,Hutsell, Lall, Hutchinson, Henson, Kouadio Davis (Dance Theater of Harlem) and India Bradley (New York City Ballet) all sat down to discuss the experience of making “Stare Decisis” and the meaning of dancing together. (Another cast member, Melvin Lawovi of Ballet Theater, was absent.) It was a conversation that quickly became a wide-ranging discussion of being Black in ballet. Here are edited excerpts.

Kouadio Davis: I feel like maybe we’re entering a new era as Black dancers. I’ve often felt competitive with the other Black people in the room, because there’s so little space [for us]. But this has been an opportunity for me to get it into my body and mind that I need to root for the other Black and brown people in my community.

India Bradley: Growing up, I was always in a class that was completely white. And I never really thought about it. I feel like you go through that phase where you don’t really think about it, and then you have a moment where you realize it. And it’s usually not because of you realizing it. It’s somebody showing you.

Rachel Hutsell: Working with Mr. Garland has been especially fun because he’s trying to draw more out of me. I’ve been told before — even fairly recently — that my excitement takes away from my technique.

Misty Copeland: A lot to unpack there.

Rachel Hutsell: It has to do with literally looking different onstage and “try not to draw too much attention to yourself because you look different.” So it’s taking me a mental minute to realize that I can actually go for it, because my excitement adds to my technique and it’s being asked for and it’s needed.

Misty Copeland: There’s so much disguised language that we’re left to decipher. Nowadays we’re in a place where we can step back from ourselves and see that we don’t have to take it personally. But it’s about something you can’t control: your skin, your personality, “excitement.” To me, it’s like they’re saying, “Don’t be you.”

India Bradley: You look different, but we’ll put you in the brochure.

Rachel Hutsell: Oh my gosh, yes. They won’t cast you in anything, but you can be on the billboard.

India Bradley: For a lot of people in charge of ballet companies, white is the classical beauty standard.

Rachel Hutsell: My sister, who just got into the Birmingham Royal Ballet, sent me a meme that said, “When did you realize you weren’t ugly, you just weren’t white?” That explains it perfectly.

Alexandra Hutchinson: I feel we had a lot of time this year to reflect because we were stuck at home. I had time to think, “Oh, it was because I was Black that I had that experience in the studio.” I’m not the type of person that says it was because of the color of my skin. But sometimes you have to realize, no, it was because I’m Black that I was treated that way, and it’s not OK.

Rachel Hutsell: And nobody comes up to you when you are 14 and says: “At a certain point, you’re going to be every little Black girl’s idol. Get ready. You now have to carry the weight of all that on your shoulders.” You have to take the responsibility of making sure people coming up after you are OK, and you’re not OK.

India Bradley: We could talk about this topic for weeks and still not get to the bottom of it.

Erica Lall: But I think it’s important for audience members to see all of us onstage together, in the spotlight, and not just trying to quote-unquote blend into the corps.

Alexandra Hutchinson: It’s definitely nice just to be yourself.

[helloyoucreatives]

Queer East Film Festival (15 - 26 September) is delighted to unveil its full programme centred on queer storytelling and activism from East and Southeast Asia. This year’s programme includes a selection of 37 features, short films and artists’ moving image works from 15 countries, ranging from new releases to classic retrospectives, mainstream box office hits to radical independent works, accompanied by pre-screening introductions and filmmaker Q&As. A series of online panel discussions with international guests will run throughout the festival period, covering topics such as women in the film industry, queer film festivals, and the development of Asian LGBTQ+ movements.

Launched in 2020, Queer East is a new film festival that aims to amplify the voices of Asian communities in the UK, who have often been excluded from mainstream discourse, despite Asians being one of the country’s fastest-growing ethnic groups. Queer East seeks to facilitate a better understanding of the richness of queer Asian heritage, and to bridge the cultural distance between the UK public and the region. Featuring works made by international filmmakers and Asian diaspora communities, and looking to foster authentic voices, the festival explores a wide range of perspectives, showcasing stories that intersect with personal experiences, cultural norms, and socio-political transitions.

The second edition of Queer East opens with the UK premiere of Daughters (2020), the directorial debut of Hajime Tsuda from Japan; and will close with the multi award-winning Dear Tenant (2020), directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Yu-Chieh Cheng.

This year, the world’s spotlight shone on Japan as the host country for the Summer Olympics. This drew the programmer’s attention to Japan’s history of iconoclastic, inventive and unapologetic queer filmmaking, and its growing strength in advancing LGBTQ+ rights. To mark this, the festival presents Focus Japan, a ten-film programme that looks back on queer representations in Japanese films from the 1980s until today. It features a double bill from the Japanese maestro Nagisa Oshima; Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) and a rare 35mm presentation of Gohatto (1999); a queer revisiting of the 1995 animation Ghost in the Shell (dir. Mamoru Oshii) and the 20th anniversary screening of Ryosuke Hashiguchi’s Hush! (2001), alongside recent releases like Queer Japan (dir. Graham Kolbeins, 2019) and Close-Knit (dir. Naoko Ogigami, 2017).

Building on the success of last year, the festival’s Focus Taiwan strand continues with Days (2020) by the internationally acclaimed auteur Tsai Ming-Liang, the UK premiere of Teddy-award winning director Zero Chou’s Secrets of 1979 (2021), and a special presentation of The End of the Track (dir. Tun-Fei Mou), a rediscovered classic made in 1970. The series also includes an exciting line-up of short films and experimental works that showcase Taiwan’s vibrant queer culture.

Other highlights include a 20th anniversary screening of Lan Yu (dir. Stanley Kwan, 2001), one of the most iconic gay films in the Mandarin-speaking world, presented here in its newly restored version; South Korea’s award-winning drama Moonlit Winter (dir. Daehyung Lim, 2019); and drag comedy Number 1 (dir. Kuo-Sin Ong, 2020) from Singapore.

Significant progress and landmark rulings have been made across Asia in recent years, from India's decriminalisation of homosexuality to Taiwan’s recognition of same-sex marriage. However, challenges and obstacles remain, and are faced by many people. It is within this context that Queer East explores the various forces that have shaped the current queer landscape in East and Southeast Asia, reflecting on what it means to be Asian and queer today through its curatorial approach.

The pursuit of legal protection for, and recognition of, marriage equality and same-sex families has been one of the focal points in campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia. Hence, the programme this year has a particular focus on ‘family’, a noun that conveys strong cultural traditions and ideologies.

Yi Wang, Festival Director and Programmer for Queer East, discusses his approach:

“By showcasing films that challenge conventional understandings of family kinship, I hope to provoke a conversation about how we understand and interpret the meaning and formation of family, through an alternative queer lens, even when the films do not include obvious LGBT storylines.”

Wang continues,

“Global events in the past year, from Covid-19-related anti-Asian attacks to the Black Lives Matter movement, have once again reminded us how vital fair and authentic racial and sexual representation is for our society. LGBTQ+ people have had labels, stereotypes and stigmas imposed on them for a long time. For me, queer is a word without consistent meaning, and we should not settle on a one-note definition. I believe that film is one of the most direct and accessible mediums that allows us to address issues and situations that people simply weren’t aware of before. Films enable us to construct a more positive, inclusive and dynamic LGBTQ+ narrative both outside and within the LGBTQ+ communities.”

Queer East Film Festival is supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery. The Focus Japan programme is organised in partnership with the Japan Foundation, with support from Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and Japan Society. The Focus Taiwan programme is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan and Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute. This year’s artists' moving image programme is supported by Arts Council England.

Coming soon – in autumn this year, highlights of the Queer East Film Festival will tour to a number of UK cities including Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Sheffield and more. Full details and dates to be announced.

https://queereast.org.uk/festival-2021/

[shreveportinfo]

Famous Residents of Shreveport-Strasburg, Louisiana

Okay, so you have probably already heard about Shreveport, Louisiana. And you may also know that it is the largest city in southeast Louisiana, right beside New Orleans. If you do not live in Shreveport, you may be wondering how you can visit. Well, there are many ways to do just that.

First of all, visit Shreveport whether it is for a weekend or a month. See it up close and personal. Remember, even if it is not your home town, you will be able to recognize the major tourist attractions and local hotspots in Shreveport-Bossier. Now, if you have never lived in Shreveport before, know if this town has what you are looking for. Believe it or not, Shreveport-Bossier has everything from historic cobblestone streets to state park sites, fountains, historical landmarks, parks and museums, historic architecture, food festivals, and much more.

For those who are from the area and want to go back to a bygone era, Shreveport-Bossier has some great attractions that will give you that nostalgic feel. First of all, you should visit the Louis Armstrong House and Museum. Built in 1931 and originally called the Louis Armstrong State Park, the house and museum is now called, The Museum of Shreveport. Louis Armstrong was born in Shreveport. You will learn more about his life and times there.

Also in Shreveport, you will find the Louis B. Frick and Mary E. Frick Homestead. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Louisiana and has been featured on the national TV show Oprah. The Homestead is also known as the "Candy Apple Farm." It was established in 1924 and features over two hundred apple orchards. You can buy fresh picked apples at the farm and then take a ride on the Shreveport Highline train to Shreveport City.

Out of all the attractions, Shreveport-Bossier has one that is truly unforgettable, The Shreveport Guitar Festival. This festival is held every year in mid-July and features top local guitarists and bands, along with a few celebrity guests. Every year, dozens of players gather to play and compete for the championship trophy.

As if this weren't enough, Shreveport-Bossier is home to Joe Bennett, a professional football player for the New Orleans Saints. Joe is currently residing with his wife, Beth, and they have a son, Ryan, and a daughter-in-law named Kayla. He is an active member of a community called the Shreveport Impact Academy and serves as the director of youth development. He is also involved in many recreational sports such as football, basketball, softball, and golf. Bennett was born in Shreveport and grew up in the northern part of the city.

Out of all the notable residents in Shreveport-Bossier, maybe none is more famous than blues musician Robert Johnson. Robert Johnson was born in Shreveport and grew up learning to play the acoustic guitar from his grandmother. After high school, he attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham and played football there for two years. After that he signed with Blue's franchises in New Orleans and Chicago before signing with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. He is widely considered the greatest blues guitarist of all time.

Blues musician Junior Parker is another famous resident of Shreveport-Bossier. This former professional basketball player was born in Shreveport. He started playing basketball at an early age and joined the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force he had a chance to pursue music and play in several recording studios. Parker is currently performing with the R&B band Twiddle along with singer-songwriter Jack Scott.

An interesting connection between Shreveport and Louisiana is the fact that professional football player, Terry Bradshaw, was born in Shreveport. Bradshaw is currently the coach of the Houston Texans. Terry Bradshaw is currently the only active professional athlete in the National Football League, who was born in Shreveport-Bossier.

One of the most famous residents of Shreveport-Bossier is professional golfer John Daley. John Daley is currently the Senior Associate Golf Course Professional of the World Independent Golf Association. He is also the Senior Associate Professional of the United States Golf Association. Before he retired from professional golf, Daley was also a professional golfer and he is currently ranked number seventeenth in the world according to Golf Digest. As a result of his achievements, Daley is currently residing in San Diego.

John Daley and John Edwards are just two of the many famous residents of Shreveport-Bossier. If you have never visited Shreveport-Bossier, you should definitely make it a point to do so. The locals are incredibly friendly and you will easily be able to meet people that you would likely never otherwise. In fact, if you happen to find yourself in downtown Shreveport at night, you may well want to attend a concert or show by one of the local celebrities. Regardless of what you happen to be looking for, there is more to do in Shreveport-Bossier than most people realize.

[kabillieu]

I continue to be pressed about the promotional / book production side of releasing a book. There’s weird production stuff happening right now with my press that I don’t want to go into, but it’s stressful and making me sad. I’m still trying to schedule more readings for the summer, and that’s going okay but it’s also so, so, so difficult to put myself out there--cold-calling and emailing venues--and even though I know better, lately I have been using social media for evil, comparing the events my other poet friends with new books are participating in (hint: all better and fancier and more visible) with mine. I have been so, so good at not comparing myself to other writers. It’s been honestly one of my super powers, but this first book stuff is foregrounding a lot of my insecurities of not belonging, not being talented enough, not knowing the “right” people (which is bullshit; I know lots of extremely talented and successful poets, which is partly why I’m having trouble separating my experience from my perception of their experiences). Anyway, I’m still working on a New Orleans reading, and then hopefully a Birmingham reading, and then hopefully, hopefully, maybe a Pensacola reading. Also, I’m trying to set up a Columbus, Ohio reading too.

But what I have done so far is worthy of taking a moment to note: I’ve scheduled a book release party in Omaha (on my birthday!); a reading at my hometown library; a reading at an independent bookstore in Athens, GA; and, in April, a reading in Joplin, Missouri. Because I cold-emailed lit journals I’ve been published in, I was invited to read at an offsite event at AWP next month. These are all things that exist because I’ve been working to make them exist! I still have a lot more work to do on them all, but the hard part--setting the date and time and booking the venue--is done!

As far as kind things that people have done for me, I’ve been invited to read at a reading series here in April, and I’m going to be a featured reader at Omaha’s literary festival in August. I’m going to read at my press’s offsite AWP event, and I might also be reading at another offsite event too. I get to do some, frankly, amazing things in the coming months, some of it by the kind invitation of others, but most of it by my own hand. And it’s difficult now--I am having lots and lots of terrible imposture syndrome--but I will be so proud of and grateful to myself when I get to share my book with other people this spring and summer because I had the courage to believe that I am worthy of being read.

[brookston]

Holidays 3.17

Holidays

Buy Women Owned Day

Camp Fire Girls Day

Children’s Day (Bangladesh)

Day of Comics & Comic Books (Spain)

Doctor-Patient Trust Day

Ennensaii (Kyoto, Japan)

Evacuation Day (Suffolk County, MA)

Glider Day

Kustonu Diena (No Planting Day; Ancient Latvia)

Mobilization Employee Day (Ukraine)

National Children Day (Bangladesh)

National Muay Thai Day

National SBCD Day

National Slime Day

Patrick Star Day (SpongeBob)

Psyche Asteroid Day

Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Day (Philippines)

Rubber Band Day

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Day (Bangladesh)

Social Care Day of Remembrance & Reflection (UK)

St. Carl’s Day (Sacrilege Brewing)

St. Patrick's Day (a.k.a. ... 

Corned Beef & Cabbage Day

Green Ribbon Day

Irish Coffee Day

Irish Stout Day

Lá Fhéile Pádraig

St. Catrick’s Day

Submarine Day [also 4.11]

317 Day (Indiana)

Vanguard I Day

Violet Day

Wood Anemone Day (French Republic)

World Maritime Day

World Shale Energy Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Irish Coffee Day

Irish Stout Day

National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day

National Irish Beer Day

National Irish Food Day

3rd Sunday in March

American Chocolate Week begins [3rd Sunday]

Buzzard Sunday (a.k.a. National Buzzard Day) [Sunday after 15th]

Root Canal Awareness Week begins [3rd Sunday]

Silly Sunday [3rd Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning March 17 (3rd Week)

American Chocolate Week [3rd Full Week]

Clutter Awareness Week [3rd Full Week]

Consider Christianity Week [begins 2nd Sunday before Easter]

International Goof Off Week [3rd Full Week]

Jobs for Teens Week [3rd Full Week]

National Agriculture Week [3rd Full Week]

National Animal Poison Prevention Week [3rd Full Week]

National Anonymous Giving Week [3rd Full Week]

National Bubble Week [1st Week of Spring]

National Button Week [3rd Full Week]

National Clean Out Your Closet Week [3rd Full Week]

National Fix a Leak Week [3rd Full Week]

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week [3rd Full Week]

National Introverts Week [3rd Full Week]

National Poison Prevention Week [3rd Full Week]

National Surveyors Week [begins 3rd Sunday]

Passion Week (thru 3.23) [Week before Holy Week; Christianity]

Passiontide (thru 3.30) [Passion Week + Holy Week]

Schools Library Media Center Week [3rd Full Week]

World Folktales & Fables Week [3rd Full Week]

Independence & Related Days

North Albania (Declared; 2009) [unrecognized]

Republic of Abrus (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Venice Republic (Declared; 1848)

Festivals Beginning March 17, 2024

Austin Fringe Festival (Austin, Texas) [thru 3.24]

Kegs & Eggs Bar Brunch Block Party (Atlanta, Georgia)

NIOP Convention (Palm Springs, California) [thru 3.19]

St. Patrick’s Day Festival (Dublin, Ireland)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Birmingham, UK)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (New Orleans, Louisiana)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Feast Days

Agricola (Christian; Saint)

Alexius of Rome (Eastern Church)

All Snakes’ Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Damballah’s Day (a.k.a. Damballay Weddo; primordial snake of life Iwa; Vodou)

Dave the Dog (Muppetism)

Feast of the Blessed Leprechaun (Church of the SubGenius)

Gertrude of Nivelles (Christian; Saint)

Hans Namuth (Artology)

Jean Baptiste Oudry (Artology)

John Sarkander (Christian; Saint)

Joseph of Arimathea (Western Church)

Kate Greenaway (Artology)

Liberalia (Ancient Roman festival of Liber Pater)

The Martyrs of Serapeum (Christian; Martyrs)

Mikhail Vrubel (Artology)

Noah Entered the Ark Day (Middle Ages Christianity)

Patrick of Ireland (Christian; Saint) [Ireland] *

Paul of Cypress (Christian; Saint)

Shabbat HaChodesh (שַׁבָּת הַחֹדֶשׁ) [25 Adar]

St. Patrick’s Day Excuse (Pastafarian)

Tacitus (Positivist; Saint)

Trefuilnid Treochair (Feast of Triple Bearer of the Triple Key; Ireland)

Orthodox Christian Liturgical Calendar Holidays

Forgiveness Sunday (Orthodox Christian) [Last Sunday before Lent]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [16 of 60]

Premieres

The Agony and the Ecstasy, by Irving Stone (Novel; 1958)

American Hot Wax (Film; 1978)

Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero (WB Animated Film; 1998)

Beezus and Ramona, by Beverly Cleary (Novel; 1955)

Bound for Glory, by Woody Guthrie (Autobiography; 1943)

Bowery Bimbos (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

Break Like the Wind, by Spinal Tap (Album; 1992)

Breathless (Film; 1960)

The Champion of Justice (Might Mouse Cartoon; 1944)

Circle of Friends (Film; 1995)

Dial “P” for Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1965)

Erin Brockovich (Film; 2000)

Final Destination (Film; 2010)

Fletch Lives (Film; 1989)

Goofy and Wilbur (Disney Cartoon; 1939)

Gym Jam (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1950)

Iron Fist (TV Series; 2017)

iZombie (TV Series; 2015)

The Little Princess (Film; 1939)

The Magician’s Elephant (Animated Film; 2023)

Maiden Voyage, by Herbie Hancock (Album; 1965)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (TV Series; 2017)

Minx (TV Series; 2022)

Naughty Number Nine (Multiplication Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1973)

Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, by Frederic Chopin (Piano Concerto; 1830)

Plane Crazy (Disney Cartoon; 1929)

Purple Haze, by Jimi Hendrix (UK Song; 1967)

Shazam! Fury of the Gods (Film; 2023)

Son of a Son of a Sailor, by Jimmy Buffet (Album; 1978)

The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers, by Will Durant (Book; 1926)

Thank You for Smoking (Film; 2006)

This Year’s Model, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1978)

Traffic Troubles (Disney Cartoon; 1931)

Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky, by Patrick Hamilton (Novel; 1935)

V for Vendetta (Film; 2006)

William Gibson (Writerism)

William Tell, by Friedrich Schiller (Play; 1804)

Yakety Yak, recorded by The Coasters (Song; 1958)

Today’s Name Days

Gertraud, Gertrud, Patrick (Austria)

Domagoj, Gertruda, Hrvatin, Patricija, Patrik (Croatia)

Vlastimil (Czech Republic)

Gertrud (Denmark)

Gerda, Gertrud, Kärdi, Kärt, Kerli, Kert, Kertu, Ruta, Ruuta, Truude, Truuta (Estonia)

Kerttu, Kerttuli (Finland)

Patrice, Patrick (France)

Gertraud, Gertrud, Patrick (Germany)

Alekos, Alexios, Alexis, Gertrude (Greece)

Gertrúd, Patrik (Hungary)

Patrizio, Teodoro, Wanda, Vanda (Italy)

Gerda, Ģertrūde, Karīna (Latvia)

Gendvilas, Gertrūda, Patrikas, Varūna, Vytė (Lithuania)

Gjertrud, Trude (Norway)

Gertruda, Harasym, Jan, Patrycjusz, Patryk, Regina, Rena, Zbigniew, Zbygniew, Zbyszko (Poland)

Alexie (Romania)

Ľubica (Slovakia)

Patricio (Spain)

Gertrud (Sweden)

Oleska (Ukraine)

Paden, Pat, Patrice, Patricia, Patrick, Patsy, Patti, Patty, Trish, Trisha (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 77 of 2024; 289 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 11 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 1 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ding-Mao), Day 8 (Geng-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 7 Adair II 5784

Islamic: 7 Ramadan 1445

J Cal: 17 Green; Threesday [17 of 30]

Julian: 4 March 2024

Moon: 59%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 21 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Socrates]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 88 of 89)

Week: 3rd Week of March

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 28 of 30)

Calendar Changes

Fearn (Alder) [Celtic Tree Calendar; Month 3 of 13]

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 9.24

Holidays

aHus Awareness Day

Armed Forces Day (Peru)

Arts & Aging Day (Canada)

Banned Website Awareness Day

Bluebird of Happiness Day

Brooklyn Dodgers Memorial Day

Chestnut Day (French Republic)

Dating Day

Do Impressions of Famous People Around the Office Day

Festival of the Latest Novelties

Fête de la Citoyenneté (New Caledonia Day; New Caledonia)

Fidelity Day

Gallbladder Good Health Day

Heritage Day (South Africa)

International Doodle Dog Day

International Grab Hand Day

Jim Henson Day

José Yulo Day (Calamba, Philippines)

Kiss Day

Lady of Mercedes Day (Dominican Republic)

La Mercè (Barcelona, Spain)

Lash Stylists’ Day

Mahidol Day (Thailand)

Moose Day

National Bluebird of Happiness Day

National Braai Day (South Africa)

National Collagen Day

National Day of Arts in Care Homes (UK)

National Day of Birmingham

National Familial Hypercholesterolemia Day

National Farmers’ Day (Indonesia)

National Firefighter Suicide Awareness Day

National Monument Day

National Professional Baseball Day

National Punctuation Day

National Service Scheme Day (India)

National Youth Day (Turks and Caicos Islands)

New Caledonia Day

Porsche 924 Day

Prince Mahidol Day

Republic Day (Trinidad and Tobago)

Sanma Day (Vanuatu)

Santa Cruz Day (Bolivia)

Transatlantic Telephone Day

World Bollywood Day

World Cancer Research Day

World Day Against Software Patents

World Day of Thyroid Cancer

World Gorilla Day

World Wasp Day

Worldwide Day of Play (Nickelodeon)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Cherries Jubilee Day

National Horchata Day

National Mofongo Day

World Chutney Day

Independence & Related Days

Constitution Day (Cambodia)

Guinea-Bissau (from Portugal, 1973)

4th & Last Tuesday in September

National Voter Registration Day [4th Tuesday]

National Woman Road Warrior Day [4th Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Target Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Tater Tot Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Tell the Truth Tuesday [4th Tuesday of Each Month]

Thai Tuesday [4th Tuesday of Each Month]

Teriyaki Tuesday [Last Tuesday of Each Month]

Transformation Tuesday [Last Tuesday of Each Month]

Trivia Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Two For Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

World Interaction Day [Last Tuesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning September 24 (4th Full Week of September)

Malnutrition Awareness Week (thru 9.30)

National Fall Foliage Day (thru 9.30)

National Pickled Peppers Week (thru 9.30)

National Roller Skating Week (thru 9.30)

National Wild Rice Week (thru 9.30)

Religious Freedom Week (thru 9.30)

Festivals Beginning September 24, 2024

Odesa Classics (Bremen, Germany) [thru 9.29]

United Solo Theatre Festival (New York, New York) [thru 11.17]

Feast Days

Almarcon (Positivist; Saint)

Anathalon (in Brescia; Christian; Saint)

Antoine-Louis Barye (Artology)

Antonio Gonzalez (Christian; Saint)

Carson Van Osten (Artology)

Chuniald (a.k.a. Conald; Christian; Saint)

Cocktail Day (Pastafarian)

David Drake (Writerism)

Eleanor Catton (Writerism)

Elizabeth Blackadder (Artology)

Émilie Gamelin (Canada; Christian; Blessed)

Feast of Maiso (pre-existent Mother Goddess; Brazil)

Feast of Our Lady of Mercy

Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham (UK)

Feast of Ungathering (Medieval England)

Festival of Nafulectu Dilxiln (Black Big Spider; San Carlos Apache, Arizona)

F. Scott Fitzgerald (Writerism)

Gerard of Csanád (Christian; Saint)

Germer (a.k.a. Geremar; Christian; Saint)

Ham Fisher (Artology)

Horace Walpole (Writerism)

Ilgvars Zalāns (Artology)

Jack Gaughan (Artology)

Jim Henson Day (Muppetism)

Libra zodiac sign begins

Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Asgari (Iran)

Obatala Day (West Africa; Everyday Wicca)

Our Lady of Mercedes Day (Dominican Republic)

Our Lady of Mercy and its related observance (Christian)

Our Lady of Ransom (Mercedarians)

Our Lady of Walsingham (Church of England)

Pacificus of San Severino (Christian; Saint)

Prince Mahidol Day and Education for Humanity (Thailand)

Richard K. Morgan (Writerism)

Rowlf the Dog (Muppetism)

Rupert of Salzburg (Christian; Saint) [Austria]

Rusticus (a.k.a. Rotiri), Bishop of Auvergne (Christian; Saint)

Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving (Pennsylvania Dutch; Silesian Reformation)

Stephen Mueller (Artology)

Teddy Ruxpin Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

William Dobell (Artology)

Yemaya’s Day (Pagan)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

An Adventure in Color (Disney Animated TV Special; 1961)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV Series; 2013)

The Big Bang Theory (TV Series; 2007)

Black-ish (TV Series; 2014)

Blood Sugar Sex Magik, by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Album; 1991)

Boris Goes For Broke or A Friend in Need is a Fiend Indeed (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 216; 1963)

Boy Meets World (TV Series; 1993)

Brand New Day, by Sting (Album; 1999)

Caress of Steel, by Rush (Album; 1975)

Chuck (TV Series; 2007)

Come Sail Away, by Styx (Song; 1977)

Constantine (TV Series; 2014)

Crowin’ Pains (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1962)

Daffy Duck’s Quackbusters (WB Cartoon Compilation Film; 1988)

Dazed and Confused (Film; 1993)

Dear Evan Hansen (Film; 2021)

Dharma & Greg (TV Series; 1997)

The Dixie Fryer (WB MM Cartoon; 1960)

A Feud There Was (WB MM Cartoon; 1938)

First Daughter (Film; 2004)

Fur of Flying (WB LT Cartoon; 2010)

Growing Pains (TV Series; 1985)

Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (Animated Film; 2014)

Jailhouse Rock, by Elvis Presley (Song; 1957)

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (Animated Film; 2010)

The Long Run, by The Eagles (Album; 1979)

Mathmagicland (Disney Animated TV Special; 1961)

Mister Rock and Roll (Film; 1957)

Mumford (Film; 1999)

The Munsters (TV Series; 1964)

The Name of the Rose (Film; 1986)

Nevermind, by Nirvana (Album; 1991)

1999, by Prince (Album; 1982)

The Odd Couple (TV Show; 1970)

Peyton Place, by Grace Metalious (Novel; 1956)

Porky in Wackyland (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)

Practical Yolk (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 19626

The Razors Edge, by AC/DC (Album; 1990)

Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace (WB Animated Film; 2013)

School Boy Dreams (Phantasies Cartoon; 1940)

60 Minutes (TV Series; 1968)

Shaun of the Dead (Film; 2004)

Six O’Clock Low or Bullwinkle Gets the Point (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 215; 1963)

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, recorded by The Platters (Song; 1958)

Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series; 2017)

Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans (WB Animated Film; 2019)

Teeny Weeny Meany (Chilly Willy Cartoon; 1966)

Tears of a Clown, by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (Song; 1970)

That Thing You Do, by The Wonders (Song; 1996)

Thinking Out Loud, by Ed Sheeran (Song; 2014)

Three Days of the Condor (Film; 1975)

Underdog vs. Overcat, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S3, Eps. 3 & 4; 1966)

Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls (Novel; 1961)

Zippo Flame App (iPhone App; 2008)

Today’s Name Days

Gerhard, Hermann, Rupert, Virgil (Austria)

Anatolij, Antun, Rupert (Croatia)

Jaromír (Czech Republic)

Tecla (Denmark)

Alvar, Alver, Alvo (Estonia)

Alvar, Auno (Finland)

Thècle (France)

Gerhard, Rupert, Virgil (Germany)

Kopros, Mirsini, Mirto, Persefoni, Persis, Thekla (Greece)

Gellért, Mercédesz (Hungary)

Pacifico, Terenzio (Italy)

Agris, Agrita, Knuts (Latvia)

Gedvinas, Gedvinė, Gerardas (Lithuania)

Jan, Jens (Norway)

Gerard, Gerarda, Gerhard, Maria, Teodor, Tomir, Uniegost (Poland)

Ľubor, Ľuboš (Slovakia)

Gerardo, Mercedes (Spain)

Gerhard, Gert (Sweden)

Rostyslava, Thekla, Thecla, Volodyslav (Ukraine)

Eartha, Ertha, Herta, Hertha, Mercedes, Mercy, Scot, Scott, Scottie, Scotty (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 268 of 2024; 98 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of Week 39 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Muin (Vine) [Day 24 of 28]

Chinese: Month 8 (Guy-You), Day 22 (Xin-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 21 Elul 5784

Islamic: 20 Rabi I 1446

J Cal: 28 Gold; Sevenday [28 of 30]

Julian: 11 September 2024

Moon: 50%: 3rd Quarter

Positivist: 16 Shakespeare (10th Month) [Mme. Roland]

Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 3 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 3 of 90)

Week: 4th Full Week of September

Zodiac: Libra (Day 2 of 30)

[claritalunaluna76]

MBW’s World’s Greatest Managers series profiles the best artist managers in the global business. This time, we speak to Mark Gillespie, founder of Three Six Zero and manager to huge artists like Calvin Harris. The World’s Greatest Managers is supported by Centtrip Music, a specialist in intelligent treasury, payments and foreign exchange – created with the music industry and its needs in mind.

Mark Gillespie grew up in Redditch, just south of Birmingham, England – where, as a teenager in the mid-’90s, he developed his passion for electronic music as a record collector and amateur DJ.

From there, he met local promoter Eddie Boulton, who gave him a job handing out flyers for Birmingham’s soon-to-launch legendary superclub Godskitchen.

Within a couple of years, Gillespie – deemed something of an internet-age whizkid within Godskitchen – was becoming an increasingly influential figure within the club, helping pick out emerging DJ talent, while also building websites, launching digital marketing campaigns and acting as a talent liaison.

This was a heady lifestyle for an 18-year-old dance music fanatic, which, by Gillespie’s own admission, invited “all kinds of crazy shit” into his life. Including the fact that local gangs – particularly the notoriously violent Birmingham Zulus – liked to frequent the club.

“For quite a while, I wore a bulletproof vest to work,” says Gillespie, matter-of-factly. “That was just being sensible; there’d always be standoffs between various gangs over who was and wasn’t allowed in the club. And then one night, this guy pulled a gun out and waved it right in my face.”

Funny thing is, Gillespie (pictured) doesn’t actually count this incident as his worst ever day at work. That came a couple of years before, when he considered turning his back on the music game for a ‘proper job’, by starting an engineering apprenticeship (similar to an internship) at UK car maker Rover.

“They were good people, but I hated it,” he says. “One day, I just stood up and walked out; I realized I had to make my music stuff work, otherwise I’d be at Rover for the rest of my days.”

Getting a gun thrust in his mush for Gillespie was, relatively speaking, still living the dream.

By 2003, Gillespie had progressed to booking the DJ’s at Godskitchen and its related festivals, as well as processing payments for talent and managing project budgets.

If anyone ever tells you that learning on the job is somehow bested by an academic education, let’s just run through the skills that Gillespie acquired within a few years of joining a nightclub as the flyer kid, aged 16: promotion, artist liaison, accounting, digital marketing, coding, talent booking, self-preservation – not to mention one of the best contacts books in the world of electronic music.

The next step was inevitable, wasn’t it? Godskitchen began releasing compilation albums through Sony Music, giving Gillespie a taste of how the wider record business worked.

Inspired by the likes of UK indie labels Defected, FFRR, and Toolroom, he hatched a plan to launch his own part-time record company – while still working at Godskitchen – and began scanning MySpace “for hours and hours most days, just trying to find new music played by interesting people”.

Eventually, Gillespie landed on the MySpace page of Scottish producer/DJ, Calvin Harris, and hotfooted it up to Glasgow to meet him. Leaving the city deeply impressed, Gillespie made a life-changing decision. “I pivoted,” he says. “I decided I didn’t want to be Calvin’s label – I wanted to be his manager.”

This was the beginning of what would become globe-straddling artist management powerhouse, Three Six Zero. Via his role at Godskitchen, Gillespie had become friendly with influential UK DJ and broadcaster Pete Tong and, in mid-2006, Gillespie passed Tong a CD with a bunch of Harris’s music on it. Tong played his track, The Girls, on his Friday night show on BBC Radio 1, and Gillespie’s cell phone began lighting up.

“I made the decision, right then, to quit my job and become a manager full time,” says Gillespie. “Calvin said to me, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ Looking back now, leaving [Godskitchen] probably was a real leap of faith, but it didn’t feel like it at that moment.”

Before we come on to the status of Three Six Zero in 2019, it’s worth reiterating the enormity of Calvin Harris’s worldwide success. He has sold 12 million records globally to date, including 44 million singles, and has had 14 UK No.1s. He has also amassed over 16 billion audio and video streams.

Originally signed by Mike Pickering at Columbia in the UK, Harris is one of Sony’s bestselling, and perennially prioritized, global artists. He’s worked with everyone from Rihanna to Dua Lipa, Florence + The Machine, Sam Smith, Khalid, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande and Migos.

In tandem with Harris’s rise, Gillespie, alongside his former business partner Dean Wilson, has built Three Six Zero into a truly blockbuster player in the global music industry. Based in Los Angeles, TSZ has one of the strongest rosters in dance music globally – with Harris, Tiësto and Disciples on its books, amongst others. It also reps leading lights in other genres like Louis Tomlinson, Kacy Hill and Grammy Award-winning producer Noah Goldstein.

Gillespie has an excellent story about his first foray into the United States with Three Six Zero: A major record label was interested in hiring the British exec to run a dance music-focused subsidiary. He took the meetings, and the paid flights to New York, gladly – but while in town, he was also meeting with Roc Nation’s Jay Brown, with whom Gillespie and Three Six Zero ended up going into business with for almost a decade.

Today, after a transformational year, Three Six Zero is fully independent, and fully-owned by Gillespie. TSZ recently launched a new office in London, headed up by long-term friend of the company, Phil Sales.

Gillespie, a major movie buff, has also quietly made a name for Three Six Zero in the film world, managing the likes of feature-maker Brady Corbet, Shameik Moore – the lead actor in Academy Award-winning animated movie, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse – and bestselling author/ scriptwriter Bret Easton Ellis.

Three Six Zero’s ambitions in Hollywood moved up a couple of leagues earlier this year, when Music Business Worldwide broke the news that the firm had acquired Westbrook Entertainment. That firm’s on-screen talent – including Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jaden Smith, Willow Smith, Kenna and Crespo – are all now integrated into the TSZ family.

What’s more, Three Six Zero launched its own first feature film – the acclaimed Vox Lux, starring Natalie Portman and Jude Law – at the end of last year. The soundtrack to the movie was released on Three Six Zero’s in-house record label, headed up by Pete Tong, which Gillespie runs as a JV with Sony Music Entertainment.

MBW recently sat down with Gillespie over dinner in Los Angeles to map out Three Six Zero’s history, and to learn what the British entrepreneur has up his sleeve for the future…

YOU’RE NOW FLYING SOLO AS THE HEAD OF AN INDEPENDENT THREE SIX ZERO – HAVING ALWAYS HAD BUSINESS PARTNERS SINCE YOU LAUNCHED THE COMPANY IN 2007. WHAT’S THAT LIKE?

The idea of running this company solo used to terrify me. But now it’s different: I like the autonomy, and I like that you can craft decisions that are entirely yours.

There isn’t any interruption in what you’re doing. In some ways, it’s more difficult, but in other ways it’s more enjoyable.

WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE MUSIC BUSINESS IN THE US?

I love the professionalism; people really take pride in what they do and that resonates with me. The level of execution that you see in the US business is very impressive – some of the festivals and the live touring setups in particular. You regularly come across people that are prepared to push the envelope [in order] to be able to ensure that really great and interesting things happen.

The potential scale in America is fascinating – the business here really thinks about things on a global basis. I’m really proud of the fact that we’ve managed to handle our business over here, and I’m really grateful that we’ve been enabled to do that.

We all know that some people [from international territories] come to the US with an attitude that they’re going to tell people what to do – to me, that suggests those people believe it’s somehow easy to conduct business over here, and it’s really not.

The flow of business and the way that things are done is totally different to the UK but I love it, and I’m hugely passionate about it.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE TRANSITION FROM CALVIN HARRIS THE FRONTMAN TO CALVIN HARRIS THE SUPERSTAR DJ? SOME PEOPLE IN THE STATES MIGHT NOT KNOW THAT HE STARTED OUT AS A SINGER, VERY MUCH IN FRONT OF THE DECKS – BEFORE EMBRACING HIS KINGMAKING ROLE AS THE ARCHITECT BEHIND THE SCENES….

It’s one of the smartest decisions that he made in his career – and it was all him. He used the live touring circuit in the early stages of his career to help establish his business and hone his identity.

At that moment in time [indie/dance crossover acts with ‘frontmen’] was what was happening in the UK, but he saw what was coming and very intelligently saw that the world was turning in a slightly different direction. He also happened to write some of the greatest records ever released at the right time. That always helps.

HOW GOOD IS CALVIN?

His successes broadly speak for themselves. I may seem biased but I think he’s the best writer/producer of his generation.

I love him as an artist and a person. He’s ridiculously hard working, always has been, and he’s a huge a supporter of mine. His drive has definitely helped pushed me along over the years.

OTHER THAN JAY BROWN AND ROC NATION, WHO ELSE HAS BEEN MENTOR FIGURES IN THE US FOR YOU?

Rob Stringer. He’s really perceptive, and gave me some of the soundest advice in the early stages of my career. He’s also helped guide me, on more than one occasion, through what can sometimes be quite a complicated and political business.

Then there’s Michael Rapino – one of the smartest guys in the industry. He has a very direct, knowledge-based approach, which I respect him for. [That approach] is why, above anything else, I think he’s so tremendously successful.

On the subject of mentors, no-one comes close to my mum. She was an entrepreneur and raised three kids on her own. We didn’t have a lot, but she managed to get us into a place where we all had enough.

Redditch is a very ‘normal’ place; part of it’s really nice, part of it’s shitty, and the town center is ‘burger, fries and two black eyes’. It’s not South Central, but it’s not Kensington either. She’s been an incredibly good example to me that if you work really hard, you can achieve important things.

WHY HAVE YOU GOT SUCH A HUNGER TO MAKE MOTION PICTURES OR AUDIO/VISUAL CONTENT?

Partly because I think that the world that we live in now requires the ability to work across multiple disciplines. And partly because I love film, and always have.

Film, TV, short-form digital content, music and socials all used to be very separate, different disciplines. But over the past few years, with the massive growth in streaming, they’ve all moved closer together – and I think they’ll continue to move closer together.

A lot of people ask me whether I’m moving more towards film [at the expense of music] and I’m not. I work pretty much every moment that my eyes are open, and the film thing began as a hobby. I decided to do a few things that made us a bit more of a [Hollywood] entity, and which showed that we have reasonably good taste.

We’ve had a few successes now, and I think that all of the practical lessons that we learn from the [film] business will be hugely beneficial to the music side of our business. But, by no means, am I getting out of the music business. If anything, I’m more focused on music than I ever have been for my entire career; I think this is the most exciting time that the music business has ever seen.

WHY?

There are fewer barriers. There is opportunity for all different types of music to be able to break through.

Also, streaming is working, so there’s the revenue there, if distributed correctly, for the industry to develop and build big artists.

Interesting things are happening in the music business on a daily basis. Since the start of my career, I’ve been hugely into technology, and hugely into music, and I feel like at this moment in time, I get to do a bit of both every single day.

WHY DID YOU START A LABEL WITH SONY?

Three Six Zero has always run labels since the beginning of our business. [The company previously released albums from the likes of The Prodigy in the US via a JV deal with Warner Music Group and label-managed Mau5trap, Rising and Fly Eye Records.]

Running a label helps define your level of taste as a company. It also means you can have different levels of involvement in the careers of talent. The most enjoyable part of that is the ability to work with other managers, actually.

As for why Sony, part of it is because [via Calvin] I’ve spent eleven years getting to know everyone in that system; if I need to ask a question of somebody in Mexico, I know who to pick the phone up to. I know all the label heads in all the major markets, and there’s some really great people there.

Sony’s a really good company at the moment with a great perspective.

YOU’VE HAD SOME BIG CHARACTERS AS CLIENTS DOWN THE YEARS, INCLUDING TRAVIS SCOTT, MORRISSEY AND FRANK OCEAN. ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS MOMENTS INVOLVED FRANK AND THE RELEASE OF BLONDE, WHERE HE COMPLETED HIS ALBUM DEAL WITH UNIVERSAL WITH A VIDEO-LP, ENDLESS, THEN INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED WHAT APPEARED TO BE HIS ‘REAL’ ALBUM WITHIN DAYS. HOW DID THAT SITUATION COME ABOUT?

Frank is a private guy, and that’s part of what makes him so great. So if that story is ever to be told, he should be the one telling it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL SEA CHANGE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

The business needs to find a new format, in order to protect itself.

The biggest threat to the music business right now is decentralized networks. Thanks to Daniel [Ek] and Spotify, a new economy has been created in the business from streaming, but decentralization is a potential threat to that. Decentralization [i.e. blockchain technology] is something that was super buzzy for a year or two, and has gone away a bit, but I think it will swing back around at great pace in the next five years, and could be potentially devastating for the entire entertainment content business.

What happens after streaming is something that we need to focus on. The good news is that there are people within the major record companies and major publishers that are a hell of a lot more technologically savvy than they were when Napster hit.

One other thing is that I think other streaming platforms, from outside music, will want to get into music. That’s going to make things interesting but it’s potentially a threat as well – making sure that music is valued at the correct amount when that happens.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THREE SIX ZERO?

We’re in a place where we can largely do what we want, which is interesting. Over the last eighteen months, I’ve spent a lot of time reconnecting with my British roots, and I’ve come to the conclusion that, if everything came to an end tomorrow, I’d like to be seen as the guy who took some good British stuff to America and made it successful.

I hope for us to do more of that, which means spending a bit more time back in London, re-establishing the business there. I love seeing some of the new, young managers from the UK having a go at moving out [to L.A] and getting stuck in.

And obviously I’m really excited to see what we can achieve with Will [Smith], Miguel [Melendez] and the Westbrook guys. I’ve known them for seven or eight years, we all share a similar philosophy, and they’re very smart and innovative people. There is a real opportunity to work with them to grow our intellectual property [portfolio] while expanding our entertainment management business.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THREE SIX ZERO UK? LAST WE HEARD IT WAS BEING CLOSED BUT NOW IT’S BACK.

It would be impossible for us to be champions of British talent and not have an office in London. Phil [Sales] is our head in London; we’re partners in the UK business and we’re building it around him.

He’s very direct, he’s honest, he truly loves music, and he’s incredibly passionate about what he does. I’m seeing lots of great things happening in the UK, musically.

The British business seemed to get very locked off [outside the US] for about a year and a half, but that seems to be changing now.

WHAT SIZE DO YOU WANT THREE SIX ZERO TO BECOME AS AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY?

I’m definitely not looking for mass scale – I’m not trying to be the biggest anything ever again. That’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my career so far; being the biggest is not necessarily being the best.

Continually re-assessing what success means to you – especially after you have prolonged success – is the most difficult bit of running a business, but it’s essential.

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Music Business Worldwide - July 10, 2019

[nathanhsantos]

The Rush Fish-Eye Lens: Codes of Authenticity

The Birmingham Blitz was the heavy bombing campaign carried out by the Nazi German Luftwaffe in central England between 1940-43.  Around 1,852 tons of bombs were dropped, decimating this highly populated area. Urban renewal followed to remedy the blight left in the ruins of WWII. Just twenty-five years beyond the sounding of the final warning siren, this bleak, industrial, noisy town would bring together the group known as Black Sabbath whose aesthetic reflected the working class attitude and established the prototypical Heavy Metal sound, fashion, and ethos.  Two other English groups representing this rising culture were Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.  Collectively, codes of authenticity were established that has given identity to so many subsequent musicians seeking to flout the pervasive commercialism characterized in John Kenneth Galbraith’s Affluent Society.

Codes of authenticity established by Heavy Metal culture largely characterized a young, white, male, blue-collar demographic base. They promoted opposition to authority and separateness from the rest of society.  Performers appear both completely devoted to their music and loyal to the subculture that supports it.  The sounds they generated were aggressive, distorted, and very loud. Their uniform consisted of torn blue jeans, black T-shirts (often displaying the logo of their preferred band), boots, and black leather or denim jackets, and their long unkempt hair flowing down their back. Following these codes insured acceptance into this alienated culture. It did not take long for this culture to increase its population as intransigence implanted in the wake of Vietnam, high profile assassinations, race riots, and other signs of unraveling.  

Across the Atlantic Ocean in the Commonwealth Realm of Canada, a similar counter-culture youth movement was percolating within the booming suburban towns. The postwar elimination of racially based immigration policies brought streams of European refugees, Chinese job seekers, as well as construction laborers from places like Italy and Portugal to double the population in areas such as Toronto. Yonge Street witnessed a very influential music scene represented by such luminaries as Robbie Robertson, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot.  

In one of these suburban towns of Toronto there were a few schoolmates who discovered a mutual obsession in music and decided to begin jamming together as a group. Alex Zivojinovich, Gary Lee Weinrib, and John Rutsey, enamored with groups such as Cream and Blue Cheer likewise played as a power trio. A few months later, a new group from England, Led Zeppelin, visited Toronto for the first time in February of 1969. In August, Zeppelin returned to Toronto just days after the Woodstock Peace Festival ended, and in the audience was the young impressionable trio from Willowdale who aspired to begin their rock and roll journey as RUSH.  

Their first independently produced album contained sounds and themes deriving from the same places as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Deep Purple, Blue Cheer, and others:  a paean to the blue-collar, industrial, masculine, alienated, and anonymous laboring class reflected that their home experience.  They adopted the same codes of authenticity, and maintained them for the next 40+ years, endearing them to a loyal audience who rejoiced in the group’s unpretentious approach to musical storytelling.  It is not surprising that their initial breakthrough would occur at such rust belt cities such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. Donna Halper, the pioneering DJ at WMMS in Cleveland explains that upon first receiving a copy of Rush’s first eponymous record, she chose to play “Working Man” merely because it was a lengthy track that enabled her to run to the restroom.  But little did she know that the audience hearing about the banality and redundancy of the laborers life would immediately react to what they thought was a new Led Zeppelin song.  Now as Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, and John Rutsey, Rush would be launched.

Halper’s identity as a very early agent in breaking the glass ceiling in the male-dominated world of radio is also profoundly significant when considering codes of authenticity. The lingering inside joke about the lack of women in Rush’s audience might be traced to these codes and the Honeymooners-like paternalistic mood of the postwar era.  Second-wave feminism and the LGBTQ community were just beginning to agitate for changes in the workplace, then the home, church, and other institutions. Even with Neil Peart’s replacing of John Rutsey in the timekeeping role, the group would continue to promote an Apollonian rather than Dionysian approach to their work keeping them mainly in the masculine domain.

Perhaps the most impressive code is the total devotion that also undergirds the longevity of these groups. The commitment to maintaining values leads to a recalcitrance in both the performers and the audience, and avoids the pitfalls of commercial fickleness. Rush was a group that was in the race to stay and to make the most of the distance. They accepted who they were without compromise and became the defiant voice of the Working Man.  Now, as they return to their gardens so nurtured and protected, they can resolutely say that all is for the best.