Paint The Town

Got Hitched!!!!

Well, my dear readers, after a whirlwind romance, Stuart and I ran off to St. Lucia and got married !!  So this brings my Milwaukee arts and entertainment blogging to a close as we begin our new life together in Naugatuck, CT.  This year has really opened my eyes to the plethora of resources, outlets, venues and events Milwaukee's arts scene has to offer and I hope you continue to take advantage of these happenings as the summer begins . . . thank you so much for your readership, comments and interest in "Paint the Town" - may you enjoy my hometown as much as I have  . . .

All the best,

Sarah (a.k.a. Mrs. Stuart Farkas - tee hee!)

Sigur Ros at the Riverside

Wednesday night Susan and I got the chance to catch Sigur Ros at the Riverside Theater (116 W. Wisconsin Ave.).  Unfortunately I couldn’t get out of work early enough to see the opening band, Amiina, but boy was I glad we had the opportunity to experience this phenomenal band from Iceland (!!).  The house was PACKED and, to be honest, it was quite stifling in there.  Combine that with a 10-hour day and some low, heavy, hypnotic – almost trance-like - music and, well frankly it was hard not to let my fatigue overcome me.  So in the time I was able to stay somewhat lucid and alert, I was able to scribble down some notes from what perhaps was the most unique and compelling concert/performance I have seen in a LONG time.  Their almost romantic sound reminds me of nothing I’ve ever heard – their beautiful tones rang almost operatic – expansive and hopeful . . . the eclectic nature of their ensemble (i.e. playing electric guitar with a bow, incorporating violins/cellos into the piece, which made it sound like an angelic chorus or something,  is somewhat reminiscent of German bands in the 80’s like Einstürzende Neubauten . . . Susan said they reminded her of Tuxedo Moon in the late ‘70’s and wondered why Brian Eno hasn’t shown an interest in the band . . . the backdrop alternated between beautiful mystical blue scenery with drifting smoke, grey clouds racing across the stage, and shifting black & white shapes . . . at times the “thump thump” of the percussionist sounded like a heartbeat (or maybe it was so silent in the theater due to the audience’s complete transfixion that it was my own); the lead singer had an INCREDIBLE range – he reminded me of Bright Eyes; Susan described his tenor voice as “seeming to be crying out in the melancholic pain of April . . . he personified the lust & longing of loneliness – he became a man alone on the pinnacle of a mountain, looking at the panoramic and lonely view” - very poetic (look at the effect it had on her, waxing lyrical & all . . .) . . . the unintelligible lyrics brought back memories of trying to sing along with the Cocteau Twins, only to find out later that they made up their own words;  it really was the most mesmerizing all-encompassing event I can remember for some time.  Unfortunately, the somber, trance-like, suffocating atmosphere got the best of my staying power and we reluctantly left to get some air and energy (or what was left of it).  On the other hand, however, I really give the Riverside a LOT of credit for hosting such an amazing and innovative band like Sigur Ros and can only imagine what other great acts they have in store for us . . .    

"Swan Lake"

Saturday, after sleeping off a WONDERFUL time at the bachelor/bachelorette/engagement pub rally oorganized by my AMAZING friends, Rob and Marney, Stuart and I briefly stopped off to see our friend Sara at Prestige Portraits and picked out a few pix for posterity; then it was off to Miss Katie’s Diner (1900 W. Clybourn St.), where I got to regale my fiancé (captive audience) with the oft-told tale of the Clinton-Kohl summit that took place there . . .

We then raced back over the Hoan to meet my niece, whom I took to see Milwaukee Ballet’s production of “Swan Lake.” And, to be honest, after a late night, early morning and some greasy diner food, I was really feeling sluggish and not in the mood for what I recalled to be a three-plus hour ballet . . . once we were inside the Marcus Center (929 N. Water St.), however, and shown to our INCREDIBLE orchestra seats, I began to get excited . . . I also remembered that Michael Pink was the artistic director and, recalling his UNBELIEVABLE production of Dracula earlier this season, knew we were in good hands.  And I was not mistaken . . . from the onset, Scenic Designer, Jose Varona’s creative innovation instantly drew me in.  His use of projected images on translucent screens, for example, and fabric that simulated the murky depths from which the evil Von Rothbart (Douglas McCubbin – whose phenomenal performance in the title role of Dracula earlier this season I will NEVER forget) creates Odile (Luz San Miguel), the siren who ultimately seduces Siegfried, heir to the crown and plunges the monarchy into darkness, rendered me unable to tear my eyes from the stage action.  I was, however, slowly remembering (too late) what a dark piece this is, but again, thanks to Pink, who trimmed it down to less than two and a half hours, really made the work move along with incredibly expressive dancers and Varona’s stunning costumes. In fact, by the end of the second act, I was literally moved to tears at Siegfried’s (Ryan Martin) PATHETIC attempts to apologize to his beloved, Odette (Tatiana Jouravel) for completely screwing up everything for everyone forever; and her equally compelling response didn’t leave a dry eye in the house.  Again, I really don’t know if this is quite the most appropriate kiddie-fare (Odette gets mortally wounded and Siegfried joins her in their watery grave), but Hannah was floored, so I guess it all turned out okay in the end (except for Von Rothbart and Odile, that is). 

Milwaukee Ballet is also proud to announce their season next year, which features Pink’s Don Quixote and Romeo and Juliet, so hopefully I/you/we will be able to catch those performances as well.    

"Jazz Chorus Sings" at Caroline's

On Thursday night after work, Susan and I dove into Caroline’s Jazz & Blues Club (401 S. 2nd St.) for “Jazz Chorus Sings,” presented by the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and starring my longtime friend, Jessica Pogue.  Accompanied by Angel, Barbara and their teacher, Adekola, Jess treated us to an evening of old standards, sung both acapella (sp?) as well as backed up with the amazing Paul Spencer Jazz Band.  It was really cool – I have never been to Caroline’s before, and therefore never experienced such a warm, intimate venue for jazz performances.  There was an interesting mix of people there as well – a wide range of ages as well as ethnicities, which is somewhat difficult to find here in Milwaukee.  After they finished singing, the band continued to jam out for a while as we sipped some wine and lavished praises on our friend.  All in all, I would definitely recommend this place for a nice, relaxing evening of jazz entertainment. 

"The Birthday Party" at the Boulevard!

What a pleasure to wrap up such a strong season than with a Nobel-Prizewinning playwright’s work, The Birthday Party, featuring my long-time Milwaukee Irish Arts fellow actor, Kevin Callaghan, RSVP veteran, Cynthia Palpaczyk (whose character, after her boarder describes the breakfast fare as “succulent,” coyishly replies, “You shouldn’t say that word to a married woman”), Louisiana Purchase (Boulevard production earlier this season) stars, Joe Franzee, Liz Mistele (who ripped out an unbelievable shriek that you would never imagine could come from such an innocent looking person) and Don Devona, as well as veteran Boulevard playwright/actor, Howard Goldstein.  Fabulous cast – really strong acting/performances (in my humble opinion).  The show only ran for 9 performances due to the somewhat “absurd” nature of what Pinter dubbed, “the comedy of menace.”  Personally, I am a big Pinter fan, so this play was right up my alley, and AGAIN, attempts to push the envelope and act outside the box it seems we have built around our theatrical community against anything remotely considered to be “avante-garde.”  I’m sad to see the season come to a close, but am looking forward to 2006-07 and encourage any of you who have NOT taken in a show at the Boulevard (2250 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) to make a point and try to catch one (if you can).

"Faith Healer" in NYC!!

OK – here’s the story – my friend Susan called me up and told me that the Brian Friel play, Faith Healer that was sold out at the Gate Theater in Dublin, Ireland was coming to NYC!!!  So I frantically phoned Stuart and, a few clicks later, WE HAD TICKETS!!!  Of course, rather than spending the Thursday night before I left packing all my theater duds, I met Susan at County Clare (1234 N. Astor St.), where in-house musician Barry Dodd was playing a mélange of Irish and classic rock hits. 

Regardless, I managed to get my proverbial act together the next morning and flew out to NYC to not only pick up some wedding bling for Stuart from our friends in the Diamond District, but to catch the Friday night show at the Booth Theatre.  And, of course, it was freakin’ AMAZING!!  We were treated to TWO monologues by Ralph Fiennes, although Ian McDiarmid really stole the show.  In the immortal words of his character, Teddy, “FAABULOUS.” 

In the meantime, all you hep cats in Mil-town were rocking out with Corky Siegel, who’s played harmonica alongside Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf at the Cedarburg Cultural Center (W62 N546 Washington Ave.).  Or perhaps some others were taking in a FREE film or two at the 28th Annual Latin American Film series at the UWM Union Theatre (2200 E Kenwood Blvd.) . . . speaking of film, did any of you catch the Friday Night Freak Show at the Times Cinema ( 5906 W. Vliet St.) – A Clockwork Orange, which was the first midnight movie I ever saw at the now-defunct Paradise Theater a million years ago . . . oh yeah and it was also Gallery Night!  Jim Brozek (who took some amazing photographs of the Calatrava during construction) has a breathtaking black & white show, “Flora in Grayscale” at the Pat Hidsen Gallery (133 W. Pittsburgh #301).  The event I REALLY wanted to catch was the Luckystar Studio Face Off (207 E. Buffalo St.), which featured dueling DJ's such as Workhouse, Swizzle, Altamont Records, Firecracker Studios, Soar.  Another interesting looking opening was held at MOCT (240 E. Pittsburgh Ave.) – “Stop Intellectual Masturbation” – 3 local artists opposed to the art scene status quo; I also heard about an opening at Byte Studios/The Brain Depository (338 N. Milwaukee St. – first floor), which featured a live two-hour art battle with two artists painting each other, including my friend Milan from Tastes Like Chicken magazine . . . so either way, I hope you managed to have some fun in Brewtown without me . . . more wacky blogger hijinx to follow . . .

L8tr.