Lucky Plush at Columbia Dance

We usually think--ok, Chicago company at Columbia Dance, you don't know what you are in for, but this was smart, sharp, sophisticated, and the dancers were spot on.











A really smart take on appropriation in the YouTube age:

"Led by Artistic Director Julia Rhoads, Lucky Plush Productions is a Chicago-based dance-theater company known for distinct blend of contemporary dance with physical theater and visual design. To mark their 10th Anniversary, Lucky Plush Productions will premiere Punk Yankees, a provocative evening-length work dealing with the inherent paradoxes of authenticity and ownership of dance in the digital age. Punk Yankees is composed primarily of samples and re-appropriations, combining live performance, video and the Internet for an intriguing and entertaining exploration of intellectual property and the value of dance. Visit Lucky Plush Productions’ ongoing virtual stage regarding this topic, www.StealThisDance.com."

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Great acting, and a very early script by August Wilson at the always innovating and exciting Court Theatre.

Work Trip to NYC

So, a work trip to NYC. The highlight of the trip was an appointment cancellation, which allowed me to drop in on a matinee performance of West Side Story. Producer's seats. 4 Row. Priceless. Wow, wow, wow. You know, I've never seen the show, just the movie.














There is a brilliant Robbins ballet in the second act in the stage play. Brilliant. I was constantly on the verge of sobbing. This is the musical of my growing up. I have such vivid memories of my sisters singing anything from this show. "I like that island Manhattan..."

500th Convocation and Volunteer Caucus

The U of C. We are so...special. We don't have graduations, we have gatherings called "convocations." Most are graduations. This one was just for fun. A great occasion to see Steve Melville from OSU who was a product of the Committee on Social Thought and to connect with one of my favorite Visiting Committee members in from LA for the festivities.

James Evan Harper Lecture

Work night out. James Evans, rising young star in Sociology on the effect of the internet on academic research. The news is not good.

The End of Summer, Cubs v. Brewers

L 5-2. It was a day of contradictions for Chicago starter Ryan Dempster on Sunday. The right-hander struck out 10 Diamondbacks hitters, but he lasted just five innings with the Cubs trailing, 5-0. Sam Fuld drove in both Cubs runs, the first coming on his first Major League homer.

Merce Mania

Spectacular. Moving. Wonderful. Four Merce "Events" in three days. Thursday, Friday, double bill on Saturday. Two programs, different set and costumes for each A/B program. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to Columbia College Dance for presenting this in your 200 something seat theater.

Once in a lifetime experience.

Nearly Ninety Road Trip

The whole point of this trip to central Illinois was to see Merce's Nearly Ninety, which we did, but there were other attractions: Calumet Fishery, the unexpected car show in Springfield, the whole Lincoln thing, the terrific Dana-Thomas house, and the horseshoes (burger covered in fries and cheese sauce) at D'Arcy's Pint, and our wonderful mid-century modern hotel--like being in Fiddle's living room.

Long work trip to California

I'm sure I did some work, but there was touring as well. Avedon at SFMOMA, out to North Beach, dinners at Farallon and on Belden Place.


































The beautiful "pool ceiling" at Farallon.

Book Club: Tender is the Night

Man, I hadn't read any F. Scott since college I think. This was a good pick, and there were Chicago/U of C references to boot.

Diversity and Contemporary Art at MCA

Went to a panel discussion "Diversity and Contemporary Art" at the MCA. Madeleine Grynsztejn, the MCA's new director (who is doing a great job) led the discussion with (formerly of U of C, miss you,Melissa) political scientist Melissa Harris-Lacewell, artist Glenn Ligon, and interdisciplinary artist Tania Bruguera, new on faculty at U of C.

Labor Day

It was a really fun Labor Day weekend, but all over the map: Full Moon, International Bacon Day (Canadian Bacon Sandwich for Breakfast, Rockit Bacon Burger for lunch, salmon wrapped in bacon and bacon ice cream for dinner) and for no particular reason, up to Argyle St. for lunch on the actual Labor Day Monday.

Met v Cubs with next door neighbor

Another windfall. Our percussionist next door neighboor, Mr. J, offered some great tickets for a Cubs v. Mets game. (Love my new camera: this is my shot.)















Things started promisingly as the Cubs took aim at a series sweep, with Aramis Ramirez driving in a first-inning run. However, that was all they could accomplish against Mets starter Nelson Figueroa, and Carlos Zambrano had his second successive difficult start since returning from the disabled list.

Art Institute

We finally made it down to the new wing of the Art Institute.

Book Club Movie Night: Safe

Our book club takes the summer off, but we get together to watch a movie. It was my pick: Todd Haynes's Safe. "Happy Birthday, Carol." Great movie.