Le blog d'Anne

On the Street

A couple of times per month Bill Cunningham combines his pictures and his commentary together to form a little sketch of about 3 minutes telling you what the fashion is on the street. I just love these snapshots of New York, Manhattan or wherever he happens to be because he is able to relate the evolution of fashion to what is currently happening in modern fashion. You would think that  Mr. Cunningham would not approve of some of the styles people wear, but he is inexhaustibly positive. I find that terrific! He is just brilliant.
Here is a segment that I particularly like because everyone is wearing an older style... its called Tea Trot. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Director's Choice

Stunning performance! I was speechless by the end of PNB's beautiful repertoire. This season's Director's Choice included Jerome Robbin's Dances At A Gathering, Christopher Weeldon's After The Rain Pas de Deux and George Balanchine's Symphony in C. Superbe! It was a beautiful evening to end my two years of going to the ballet due to a generous friend. This evening truly touched the emotions that make us human. 

Jerome Robbins is probably my favorite classic choreographer because his pieces are always so much fun to watch and illustrate accurate portrayals of human relationships. Dances at a Gathering is set to the solo piano works by Frederic Chopin, my favorite composer, and is an hour long suite for ten dancers. I like that Robbins dreams up stories to Chopin, that's what I do when I play the piano! 

The most surprising piece and the most mesmerizing was After the Rain Pas de Deux. An announcement before the curtain said that the usual dancers (Carla Korbes and Bathurel Bold) would be replaced by James Moore and Rachel Foster. A general sigh of disappointment escaped from the audiences lips and were we all wrong. The music was simple, a violinist and pianist, playing the nuances of rain while two people told the story of their evolving relationship and emotions through dance. It was simply breathtaking and after the last note was played...I was speechless and really moved. It reminded Ari and I a bit of pas de deux from last year called The Kiss. 

Symphony in C was a classic Balanchine performance set to the music of Georges Bizet. Aesthetically it was really sharp and beautiful because of all these dancers in crisp white tutus and the men in midnight blue. Technically stunning. 

An excerpt description from the program: "Make more," Balanchine said when Jerome Robbins first showed him Dances at a Gathering. A major PNB acquisition, Dances has been praised as "essential Robbins, an effortless evocation of community…just music and dance create a world of sunlight and open air." (The New York Times). Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain pas de deux rendered audiences breathless at its premiere and was described as "Spare and poignant, the duet intimates a renewal of faith, the reburgeoning of love." (The Village Voice). With Symphony in C, balance, harmony and the satisfying order of classical ballet goes on virtuoso display as Balanchine's full-company pageant of technical prowess.

End of Season Rowing

Tonight was the end of the season party for crew. What can I say? It has been a great year rowing and the experience has been rewarding as well as challenging. As I'm preparing myself mentally for college I can't help but be grateful for the fantastic communities on Bainbridge and rowing is just one of my communities that I really appreciate. The hard work, dedication and fun that goes into rowing has enriched my life. I love it! It's like theatre, but on an athletic level. Thank you to Morgan, Tim, Bruce, Jackie and the Bainbridge crew team for a funtastic year!

College Deciscions

Mount Holyoke College here I come! I had an extremely difficult time deciding between Smith and Mt. Holyoke College for multiple reasons, but mostly because I didn't want to miss what each institution has to offer. I will be going to MHC in the fall and I am scared/excited witless.

NOLS Spring Trip

On April 17th, 2009 WSA's seniors and teacher arrived at school at 3:45 am to arrive at Sea Tac in time for a 7 something flight. So began my spring trip down to Salt Lake City, Utah where we would meet our NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) instructors. We were going to Grand Gulch Canyon for a week backpacking. It was hard, challenging, fun, painful, breathtaking, relaxing and a gift to be away from civilization for a week.(We had just finished our Senior Project Board Presentations). This trip solidified my shaky confidence of thriving in the wilderness for extended periods of longer than three days and made me realize how beautiful life is when there are no outside distractions to pull you away from being present in the moment.

Heaven Can Wait (1943)

This is a movie directed by Ernst Lubitsch starring Don Ameche, Gene Tierney, Marjorie Main and Charles Coburn. It's a lovely comedic movie about a deceased turn-of the 20th century playboy Henry Van Cleve (Don Ameche) who retells his life story to Satan for permission to enter into hell. Henry Van Cleve goes on to tell his tale of wooing women and his marriage to Martha (Gene Tierney). I found the film a gem of a story with plenty to laugh about, though at times the story did get a little bit slow. "Ernst Lubitsch’s Heaven Can Wait, nominated for Academy Awards for best picture and director, is an enduring classic that showcases his trademark blend of wit, urbanity, and grace."

Inspiring Piano Adjudication

This year I played Sinfonia No. 6 in E Major by Bach and Fantasie in D minor by Mozart. Both pieces that I worked really hard on. I love the feeling of adjudications or performances when I feel confident with my music. My adjudicator was Dr. Karen Savage. She is the Clinical Assistant Professor of Music, Piano and Accompanying at the School of Music for Washington State University. She was fantastic! It was amazing to see how compared to many other adjudicators she was very calm and did not seemed rushed. She summed my character up after just hearing how I play my two pieces. It was interesting to realize that music can really show the personality of a person. Each time after an adjudication all I want to do with the rest of my life is play the piano.

Joan Crawford

The Damned Don't Cry, Mildred Pierce, The Women, Grand Hotel...all with the sassy character known as Joan Crawford. Viewing the special features about her life and how she developed her persona is amazing. She really was and worked at being a star. It's strange to think that today stars are not made the same way as before. The film stars are not forced to keep up an image...

Slumdog Millionaire

Ok. I seemed to have missed the blurb that says, "Rated R for some disturbing languages". Some is a bit of an understatement since the first 30 minutes or more are pretty violent. I don't think it was a bad movie, just a hard one to digest and watch since the story was so hard. It made me think more about how people perceive violence and how much we tolerate in our media and life. I guess the PG-13 violent american films are rated that way because they only show blowing up, special effects, and not very realistic graphic action. Whereas Slumdog Millionaire was a story that depicted the life of survival in the slums of India. It's real for a lot of people in third world countries and is the horror of every nightmare. The movie showed violence/torture that we have all read in the news, but never seem to have mass protests about to end this wrong. 

Movie List

Ball of Fire--Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck 

Morocco- Marlene Dietrich 

Wuthering Heights- Laurence Olivier 

Spellbound- Alfred Hitchcock 

Wilson- 1944 Darryl Zanuck 

Greta Garbo movie fest 

The Blues Brothers

 King Kong 

The Italian Job 

Star Wars... 

The Fall 

Morning Glory 

Sylvia Scarlett

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

It was a nice long story about life. Hollywood doesn't make movies like that anymore. This was a lovely picture of a man who was born old and grows younger. Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button, who was born on the end of WWI in New Orleans. We follow Benjamin's journey through life, especially his love for Daisy, a girl he meets physically as an old man and marries when he is middle aged. The movie is nicely shot and poignant. The story is based on the 1922 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is directed by David Fincher.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

In my humanities class we are reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Mark Chabon and that has led us to the discussion and study of comic books. I can't help but observe how different American comic books are from French "bandes dessines". Comic books have a fascinating history in the States because it was an art medium/career that was mostly started by American-Jewish illustrators. Comic books illustrate a story of a hero and in the US these heroes have become synonymous with our myths. I think that heroes like Superman, Batman, Catwoman, etc. are the US' historical myths. They were (especially during WWII) and have become our national identity, of sort. Bust crime, free people, Fight EVIL, sex symbols, war, and science fantasy are all topics that have come to symbolize the US.
Whereas, France has very different heroes. Tintin, Spirou, Lucky Luke, Asterix...all of these national characters are normal average people with some help from a sidekick whether it be a person or animal. Tintin and Spirou both have partners in "good" and an animal to help solve the mysteries or problems that come to them. The illustrations themselves are more like comic strips.

A Historical Night

It was inspiring to participate as a Franco-American the momentous evening of our country's history. To realize that for the first time an African-American will become the President of the United States. It was really moving to realize what this country stands for and how much we can do as individuals if we work together.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Probably the worst movie ever made. Just horrifying! I can't even imaging how someone could have spent the money and time to make that movie. It's terrible. It's horrific and it gave me nightmares as Tim Curry filled the screen with his red lipstick and dark blue eye shadow. And yet, with all of its nigthmarish qualities, it is the ultimate halloween experience and I am sad to say it...fun.
Because it is so terrible it allows the audience to interact, meaning that you can do whatever you want if you go see it on Halloween on Bainbridge Island (and other places i am sure:). There is something unique when a whole movie theatre can throw rice, toast, and toilet paper at each other. It is hilarious when suddenly everybody has a newspaper on their heads because it starts to rain as people throw water. The act of sharing this experience makes it hilarious because everything is multiplied, so everybody is throwing rice and having a good time. Everybody is reacting and screaming insults at the screen. Of course this could be considered mob mentality but at the Rocky Horror Picture Show...? I doubt it. Happy Halloween.

Cult Classic. After becoming engaged, Brad and Janet get stranded at the strange castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter after their car breaks down. They are then initiated into the strange world of the "Transsexual Transylvanians" and their customs.
Cast: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien, Jonathan Adams

Take Back Your Time Day

Yesterday was Take Back Your Time Day:October 24th. The 70th Anniversary of the 40 hour work week and minimum wage. US laborers were supposed to get paid vacations as part of the package, but it never happened. It still hasn't for that matter. The US in the only industrialized country that does not have mandated paid vacations. A pity because I could use one right now.

The Slow Bicycle Movement

I have not written a post in so long due to the start of school and the constant things I have to do in addition to attending school! A brief update... I am currently doing fall rowing season. i started this summer and it was a blast, so I now leave early from school everyday to go run, row, and do jumpies. I then rush home sore from all the exercise and try to finish all my homework. I am a senior this year so i am also trying to start my college applications. Last week I visited Lewis and Clark and Whitman. Both were really nice campuses, but I liked Whitman better because of its architecture and the weather:)
The onset of Seattle weather began this Saturday morning. "It is overcast skies in Seattle, showers throughout the day, highs in the mid-60's and lows in the low 50s. This is NPR news, National Public Radio..."

I must say the reason perhaps I have not written in so long is Facebook. Facebook doesn't have a blog application but it gives you the feeling that you are connected with people. Honestly I completely forgot that I had a blog until this morning, when I read the blog The Slow Cycle Movement. I think Bainbridge should start one. I check these blogs religiously every day for some new picture of Cycle Chic. It gives me hope in this car dominated culture. I still use my French bike which needs to be Copenhagenized. Meaning it needs a basket, a night light and perhaps some new stickers on it.

Z

My first Costa-Gavras film and I must say it was a masterpiece. The rhythm throughout the film engages you. "Following the murder of a prominent leftist, an investigator tries to uncover the truth while government officials attempt to cover up their roles." This is a French film set in Greece. Costa-Gavras had a hard time finding support at the time for the film because of the politics tied to the story. It was a thriller movie. Winner of two Academy Awards (1970) including Best Foreign Film and Best Film Editing.

Brief Encounter

Brief Encounter on another note was extremely slow. A 1945 British film, it tells the story of a housewife slowly falling in love with another man. Their meeting was truly a brief encounter. The story is beautifully set to Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.

Zoolander

"I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking.""Earth to Mathilda" Zoolander is a ridiculously funny movie about male models and the fashion industry.

Caramel

A Lebanese film by director/actress Nadine Labaki about five women. The movie tells a simple story that is elegantly woven with music and nice cinematography. I really enjoyed the film because it was simple yet layered. It wasn't like a unrealistic romantic comedy that hollywood produces but rather something that audiences can relate to. It was funny and serious. Another international film that should not be missed.

Into The Woods

Ovation's! Into the Woods is stupendous, fantastic and humorous. I saw the show last night for the first time and was blown away by the color, music and vibrant story. The costumes...if it is at all possible Barbara Klingberg and her crew outdid themselves. Everything was interwoven together, yet each character was unique and stood out. The singing was marvelous and the cut offs were on cue:) I enjoyed myself immensely. I think this is going to be a memorable summer with Into the Wood stamped on our minds. This show is for all ages and is really funny and poignant. I thought this show wasn't suited to children at first because of dark fairy tale elements but it turned out to be perfectly appropriate for all ages.

Ovation! Musical Theatre Bainbridge is proud to present Stephen Sondheim's modern classic, Into The Woods in nine performances July 11-27, 2008. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM. All performances are at the Bainbridge High School Theatre (9330 NE High School Road on Bainbridge Island). Tickets are $13-$20.

Peeled, Kabul Beauty School, Omnivore's Dilemma

I am currently reading the Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan and it is fascinating. The fact that we have a history of excess corn and in our hopes to not waste anything we have agreed to becoming fat. We are literally breaking the biological cycle of agriculture and transforming it into an industrial system. It is kind of dense but once you get into the first couple chapters you are continually amazed by the type of food we eat i.e petroleum. These issues of food and others are the roots of our growing unsustainable society and world. It is worth reading because it really inspires you to buy locally to help local farmers and eat more sustainably.

Summer Films

The Visitor-I really like this movie. A nice story.

Mostly Martha-I liked this version so much better than No Reservations. This movie was actually not corny and I believed the actors performances. Perhaps it was because I can't understand German, but even then it was good acting.

Blame it on Fidel

Blame it on Fidel is a film that I truly enjoyed. It tells a story from the angle of a child's perspective. I think what struck me about this movie, compared to mainstream ones, was that it made you think. It engaged you in the story, it was funny and charming. It subtly made fun of adults and stereotypes because it is from a child's perspective. What bothered me the most throughout the movie was that everybody smoked non-stop.

All Robbins

Every time I go to the ballet I always leave with amazement. This Sunday I saw PNB's performance of "All Robbins", three pieces choreographed by Jerome Robbins; Fancy Free, In the Night and The Concert.

Lluvia, downpour

Showers of torrential rain has been falling from the sky since early this morning on the island of Bainbridge Island. This is quite unusual for Bainbridge is known for its "light rain and morning showers", but no downpours.
At least we get rain and it makes everything vibrate lush green.

May Day

May Day! The Day where protests happen across the world for better labor conditions. I long for the days when you're a little kid and May Day was all about putting flowers on people's doorsteps and running away as you rang the doorbell.

Spring Trip: Ashland and the Rogue River

This year's spring trip was lovely. Drove down to Ashland passing through the Willamette Valley which I found
really beautiful. In Ashland there is not much to do and the weather was terrible so we went bowling on the first day because Grizzly Peak was closed. We stayed at the Flagship Inn... I recommend renting a house instead for a week.
That night Raven, Wue Youp, Tony, Amy and I went to the Standing Stone Brewery which was excellent. A nice quiet dinner. I shared a pear, prosciutto, and pesto pizza with Amy. Very yummy:) For dessert a slice of Mud Pie split between us.

Hail in April

It's hailing in April on Bainbridge Island. The skies can't seem to make up their minds; whether to be blue or grey. One minute it is snowing then it is raining and a burst of sunlight tops it off. I don't think the seasons will ever be the same again.
Cloudy skies and sunny beams.
Blooming buds on spring trees.
White hail bounces off branches.
April showers, snow flowers.

Le Scaphandre et Le Papillion

A beautiful yet difficult film about a man, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who writes his memoir with the blinking of his left eye while he is in locked-in-syndrome. I have not yet read the book but it is on my list to do. The film was excellently shot and was very poignant. The director was Julian Schnabel and it was nominated for 4 oscars.
In 1995 at the age of 43, Elle France editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, suffered a stroke that paralyzed his entire body, except his left eye. Using that eye to blink out his memoir, Bauby eloquently described the aspects of his interior world, from the psychological torment of being trapped inside his body to his imagined stories from lands he'd only visited in his mind.

Romeo et Juliette

Today I went to go see PNB's last performance of Romeo et Juliette. It was beautiful. A really moving production, verified by the packed house. The choreography was by Jean-Christophe Maillot and was more contemporary than other Romeo and Juliets. The lighting, sets, acting and dancing all contributed to the emotion of the performance.

Caucuses

Today I atended my first caucus. I went to observe since I can't vote. Bainbridge turned out a majority of Obama delegates. It was interesting to see how many turned up and were excited to participate. This democratic race has made many people actively particpate in voting and their governments. It's taken a long time for this to happen and we are definetly ready for a change. I hope that people keep advocating for what they believe is right when Clinton or Obama are in the White House!

Madame ?

Here are some pictures of me from Fine Arts Night, IT. It was a fun show to be in. This fine arts night was about information theory. I was Madame? a crystal ball psychic. Mac the person next to me was a scottish detective. It was an interesting role to play. I also played the piano and made a movie for this show. It was an amazing production.

Stardust

A fairytale/fantasy movie about a boy who crosses the hole in the wall in his village into a magical world. He is in search of a star. Also searching for the star are princes and witches. A good fantasy movie packed with action and humor.

The More the Merrier

Another movie, this time directed by George Stevens starring Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea and Charles Coburn. Set during WWII, Connie (Jean Arthur) decides to rent half of her apartment to Mr. Dingle (Charles Coburn) in overcrowded Washington DC. Joe Carter (Joel McCrea) comes along and Dingle decides to rent half of his room to him in hopes of setting Joe up with Connie. The rest is history and is very funny. The movie was nominated in 1943 for 6 Academy Awards.

The Brouhaha over Hillary's "Tears"

Granted, I don't have a TV so I haven't seen her talk or followed what her campaign's message is, as well as Barack Obama's. But Hillary's tears, I personally believe, were a perfectly natural human emotion and should not affect her campaign or voters particularly. She's devoted her career to this country; it is obvious that she should feel attached to it in some way! These presidential canditates put a lot of effort and energy to promote themselves, whether it is manipulation of the media or not. I think its time that we concentrated on the political agendas of these candidates and vote for what we believe are the most important issues to take action on. Personally, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should join forces and both be in the White House next year.

Copenhagen Cycle Chic

If you haven't checked out this new blog, you really should. It has great pictures of bicylces and updates regularly on the Copenhagen Cycle scene with all its high heeled cyclists. Enjoy!

Hansel and Gretel

Opening this Friday November 30th, 2007 at the LGI is Ovation!'s Christmas Classic, Hansel and Gretel, by Engelbert Humperdinck. Tickets are on sale now at Winslow Drug Store and Ovation!

Enchanted

It was a good funny fairytale movie. Giselle, a princess from the kingdom of Andalasia gets transported to present day New York. She has a hard time fitting in, but she takes it all in good stride, singing away. Her Prince Edward soon follows to rescue his fair maiden, but she is quickly adapting to her life with Patrick Dempsey. It is a nice holiday movie.

Frank Capra

It Happened One Night was the first Capra movie that I ever saw. I also remember it being one of the first classic films that my father introduced me to. From then on I've just been addicted. I really like Frank Capra's movies because they are funny realistic fairy tales. Last night I just watched Lady for One Day. Sappy at some points but the rest of the time hilarious. Lady for One Day was filmed in 1933 and was nominated five times. The following year Capra made It Happened One Night and finally won the five Academy Awards.
List of Capra movies:
Lady for One Day, It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds goes to Town, Lost Horizon, You Can't Take it With You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, and the ever famous It's a Wonderful Life. Capra seemed to like to work with a team of the same actors so his movies are very ensemble like...