PHANTOM - 25 YEARS ON....

When I was invited to see the rather exclusive full dress rehearsal of the the Phantom of the Opera yesterday, I had in mind, "another musical". Now don't get me wrong I loooove musicals, more than most. But there are some productions that I somehow think, well you've run your time. 


WELL THE PHANTOM HAS SHUT ME UP!!!


The costuming is incredible in that I think the detail work on those dresses can be seen even up in the nose bleed seats.
The staging unparalleled in that you are 'effortlessly' carried from location to location with the actors as they wend their way through, tunnels, along rooftops and of course within the Phantom's theatre itself.
And the performances.....


BREATHTAKING, from the very first notes, the performers tug at your heartstrings literally reminding you why this is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's  greatest accomplishments.


you leave the performance 'weak'

....and what about the chandelier.....

uh-uh  GO SEE FOR YOURSELF

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - celebrating 25 years


NCM Fathom and Omniverse Vision are partnering to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's history-making The Phantom of the Opera with a fully staged musical celebration broadcast LIVE from London's Royal Albert Hall. Broadway's longest running show , seen by over 100 million people worldwide, comes to life on the big screen for a special event featuring over 200 cast members, orchestra musicians and luminaries involved with The Phantom of the Opera over the past 25 years. The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for viewers to experience one of the most beloved musicals of all time from their local movie theater.

Celebrating 25 years - PHANTOM of the OPERA

MICHAEL KIWANUKA in CONCERT

With just two E.P.s to his name, it’s pleasant to see that Kiwanuka 

has already captured enough hearts to sell out the charming BUSH HALL

 - CLASHMUSIC (Words by Sam Walker-Smart)

Michael Kiwanuka is a young acoustic troubadour from London.

"Lead-track ‘I’m Getting Ready’ possesses the rare sonic tranquillity of mournful acoustic guitar and strings that do sound genuinely like a Nike Drake moment.  Kiwanuka is a picture of restraint, as he prepares to surrender and accept the control of a higher power; Strings and voices in the background stir up portentous atmosphere, and a spine-tinglingly melodic bridge walks the song back into its gentle stride, then somehow reaches calm, acceptance and conclusion in an astoundingly beautiful, and emotional 2 minutes and 25 seconds. ‘I Need You By My Side’ utilises similar alluring ingredients, though makes more of the genuine soul cadences in Kiwanuka’s vocal style which have traces of Bill Withers about them."


quote taken from AMERICANAUK

Look for more from this amazing new talent.

VIDEO/ PHOTOGRAPHY © 2011 RasCONRAD PHOTOGRAPHY

CHICO and RITA

Now this isn't something I would normally be referring  to on my blog, 


but if you as I, are easily swayed by a truly haunting love story, and doubly so by animation on almost every level, then make sure you don't miss this film. And if not for any of that, then how can you NOT be absolutely floored by the music of Havana, reminiscent of the style of the Buena Vista Social Club and equally as touching.

Cuba, 1948. Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey - in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment. From Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas, two passionate individuals battle impossible odds to unite in music and love.


The story artfully weaves within it's education of the period the tale of one of the pioneers in Latin Jazz of that time, none other than Luciano "Chano" Pozo Gonzales. The hot-tempered Chano Pozo was the first in a long line of Latin percussionists to have performed with the legendary giant Dizzy Gillespie, the godfather of Latin jazz in the U.S. 


He, Pozo was killed in a fight at a bar in Harlem, New York, at the age of 33, allegedly over an argument regarding the quality of a bag of marijuana he had bought from his assassin. He and many other great performers of the era are artfully woven into the soundtrack of the tale.

See a clip of the film below and remember to check out the website of this delightful and charming love story set amidst the opposing squalor and creativity of Havana and it's music  in the 1940's 

CHICO AND RITA  website

Dig DA MUSIC, LOVE DA FILM.

HACKNEY for the FINISH.

Though I had posted a few images on facebook I think I like others are not giving the credit due to the team of individuals that are working so hard to produce this popular alternative to the Notting Hill Carnival every year. The HACKNEY ONE CARNIVAL is an event that has been growing from strength to strength over the years and 2011 was no exception. For 'true masqueraders' it's a chance a week after Notting Hill and while still in the after-glow of the UK carnival season to have ONE LAST CHANCE to don a costume and PLAY A MAS.

Here's to HACKNEY FOR THE FINISH.

 

ah wotless!

all costumes designed and produced by Ray Mahabir

for SUNSHINE INTERNATIONAL ARTS

 and used for the HACKNEY ONE CARNIVAL 2011

HOW WAS YOUR NOTTING HILL 2011 ??!!!

The Notting Hill Carnival is over , 

Thames Festival is now a thing of the past. 

and as the costumes are packed away 

for next's year's re-invention..., 

the question is posed....

HOW WAS YOUR NOTTING HILL 2011?

Yeah, I wore three different costumes throughout the

festivals this year. So you KNOW 

I had a blast.

Here are a few images from the band I played with.

MELTING POT.

if you are unable to access this page via the link above, please copy and paste the URL below into your browser.

http://gallery.me.com/rasicon#102760

designed and produced 

by Ray Mahabir

for

SUNSHINE INTERNATIONAL ARTS