03/ 26/ 2012
We’ve all witnessed a person, situation or encounter that’s made us do a double take. Some of us have even instigated such a time. These encounters catch you off guard, are often odd, sometimes unsettling and eventually become funny.
After living here for 7 months, New York City has given me a whole lot of these moments.
I love when they happen; they’re a part of the city’s culture, and truthfully, I try not to make light of these moments. I know that the people causing such events are doing so in all seriousness.
Sometimes though, when I’m feeling melancholy, I’ll re-play a few of them and instantly feel better. So today, I’ve decided to share my favorite peculiar moments with you complete with visual aids. Enjoy.
12/ 08/ 2011
If you’re in New York, and haven’t seen How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying yet, you better hurry and go before Daniel Radcliffe makes his final appearance on January 1.
Set in the big business world of the 1960s, How to Succeed captures both the fresh feel and the glamour of that time. It tells the story of an ambitious young man named J. Pierrepoint Finch – Radcliffe – who does whatever is necessary to make it in the business world.
Technically the stage is a marvel. The color palate of the costumes is visually stunning and helps establish each character. The sets are a wonderful meld of 60s mod with contemporary stage affects, making the show flow smoothly from one scene to the next. The choreography is risky, implementing intricate partnering, flashy moments and machismo movements. Somehow the combination works and the dance numbers are stunning.
10/ 20/ 2011
New Yorkers, like a good poker game, are excitingly unpredictable. Before arriving in NYC, I braced myself for a new world full of harsh interactions. To my surprise, I’m discovering that their demeanors are simply misunderstood. Below are some reflections about the people of New York City.
They are not snow Kings and Queens
They aren’t a cold people. I think standoffish fits; guarded is even better. They act tough because they have to be. Some people — like in every other place in the world — will take advantage of you or mug you if you look like a target. Putting up a barrier that reads, “mess with me and I will cut you,” is a means of protection in this city. Referring to New Yorkers as unfriendly and unwelcoming is inaccurate; they simply seek to stay safe.
They have hearts
What I’ve witnessed from the city’s residents is once that guarded barrier is down, they’re generous. In my third week here, my friend and I got lost carrying boxes through they city. We ended up asking a responsible looking man for directions. Not only did he guide us out, he carried one of our boxes and went out of his way to walk us to the closest 4-train entrance. When I offered to pay him he kindly declined, saying that it was his duty to help others. That impressed me.
10/ 05/ 2011
I admire choreographers. Really, I do. They create this piece and then show it to audiences not knowing what kind of reaction will come. I find this terrifying. Choreography is such an intimate and vulnerable act.
This semester, I’m taking my first choreography class in years. As nervous as I was, I’m really enjoying it. For our first big project, our professors, Tom Pearson and Zach Morris, assigned a site specific study. We were to go visit the High Line park in Chelsea and construct a 3-5 minute work somewhere in the space.
At first, I was pretty intimidated. Upon arrival, however, my fear subsided. I found that I was so inspired by my site, that it made the process of creating movement much easier. The focal point of my spot was the Statue of Liberty. People flocked to see her in all her glory and posed for pictures next to the water.
