Tribute

I think we'll see lots of tributes in the wake of the death of Michael Jackson, but thus far this one is my fave... David Ryan Harris is a renowned guitarist who, in addition to his own bands and solo efforts, regularly plays with John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Santana and Guy Sebastian.

I love the simplicity of this cover, and the completely new spin Harris' voice puts on the song, compared to MJ's. I do have a soft spot in my heart for acoustic covers, though...

Michael Jackson tribute

Michael Jackson dead? Say it ain't so, Jacko... I think the greatest legacy Michael Jackson left is that his music was so transcendent that even Philippine prisoners got their groove on to it.

I don't think there's anything I can say that others already have not. He was an incredibly gifted, yet incredibly troubled man who lived and died in a way the rest of us can never imagine, nor should we judge him for it - that's someone else's job, in whose presence he is right now. Unless he's still waiting in line - maybe he and Farrah are chatting over a Starbucks at the gates?

Buffy takes on Edward Cullen

In this brilliant video mashup from Rebellious Pixels, Buffy the Vampire Slayer takes on Twilight's Edward Cullen. I hate Twilight (I find the books to be very poorly written and the movie, which I was forced to watch while getting a Vietnamese mani/pedi to be an abomination of film). And as any TV viewer of the 90's knows, Buffy always wins. Go kick some Cullen ass, Buffy.

Who would ever want to be king?

Mr. B teaches music at PS22 in NYC. As you can see, he does a bang-up job of it! The PS 22 Chorus has garnered the attention and accolades of Nightline, the Bonnie Hunt Show, Tori Amos, Stevie Nicks, Crowded House, Suzanne Vega, among many others... Even Ashton Kutcher says they're his fave!

These kids are seriously amazing, and are a testament to what a good arts education program can do for kids in public schools. Beyond the people they are meeting and places they are performing, there are a multitude of benefits that come along with participation in the arts. And how excited are these kids to go to school every day, even if only for the chance to sing?

Every child should have a teacher who inspires her as much as Mr. B inspires these kids.

Australian Illustrations

Found some beautiful children's book illustrations on Bibliodyssey today... Thought I'd share some of my favorites.

These two are by Australian illustrator Margaret Clark, and were produced in the mid-1920's. I love the moon peeking over the horizon and smiling at the unseeing sprites below!

Florist Shop, Margaret Clark

The Spirit of Mischief, Margaret Clark

Makes me want to take a trip to the antique book store in Scottsdale and see what tresures they have!

Vanity Fair: The Portraits

Photo copyright Michael Thompson 2000.

My Riley Face Pussycat Head III, Esq. generously gifted me with a $30 card to Borders for my birthday. That combined with a 40% off coupon left me absolutely no excuse not to treat myself to a book I've been lusting after since its publication last autumn: Vanity Fair - The Portraits.

The photo above is of Julianne Moore, recreating Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres's masterpiece La Grande Odalisque.  There are so many lovely portraits, going back to the beginnings of the Golden Age of Hollywood to present.

Some of my favorites...

Gloria Swanson, actress and fashion icon:

Copyright Conde Nast Publications.

Hilary Swank, running on a beach in Malibu:

Copyright Norma Jean Roy 2005.

Julia Roberts reaching full career trajectory in the 90's.

Herb Ritz, 1993

So lovely, so evocative of their personalities and those specific times in their lives, and something for to which this photographer shall aspire!