Get your (fire) engines started!!! The Crucible is kicking off their Fire Arts Festival today, and it is HUGE!! Don’t sleep on this one, you will hate yourself for missing out. (If you ride the BART through the West Oakland Station, I am sure you have seen the crazy parking lot filled with metal sculptures, well thats it… only tonight, they set it all on fire. FIRE!)
Either way, we’ll see you at the show!
The Long Now Foundation held another of it’s monthly lectures last night. Their guest speaker, Iqbal Quadir, spoke about how technology (specifically cellular-based) is empowering 40 million of the poorest Bangladeshi people to communicate, and how decentralized systems such as this are good for everyone involved.
Some very radical ideas presented (especially since the entire project started in 1994). But further justifying the role of independent business in empowering the people of the world!
Here is video from the TED conference, where Mr. Quadir gives a similar lecture to what was presented last night.
LEGENDmag attended last night’s showing of Stravinsky’s Firebird ballet (”Crucible-style”) and it was nothing short of spectacular. So much so, that as I sit here typing, it is actually difficult to explain just what made it so remarkable….
Could it be the breathtaking acrobatic talent; the good vs. evil metaphoric dance interpretations featuring traditional ballet and dirty, street break-dancing; or possibly the political/social satire; or maybe the motorcycle acrobatics, flaming trans-am, and brilliant metal sculptures? Then again, it could just be the fact that everything was on fire!
Nevertheless, there is barely time left to still catch this world-class performance. It is not to be missed, and will surely spoil you—in the best way possible—for any future ballet performances you plan to attend!
And for those that didn’t know, The Crucible is a non-profit school offering classes in all the industrial arts. They had a number of disciplines on display in the lobby before the show, including: metal work, welding, kinetics, neon & light, jewelry, and glass blowing. Classes are now in session, check their website for a schedule (or to volunteer).
Hurry and get your tickets for The Crucible’s showing of Stravinsky’s Firebird “L’oiseau de feu”. Seating is going fast, and as you can see from the photos, this ain’t your typical ballet! We received word that some tickets are still available for this weekend’s performances, so if you are looking for something unique to do tonight, look no further!
UPDATE: These photos are from dressed rehersals and I am told that it’s even better than this in real life… but come on, how much better can you get than motorcycle stunts, flaming cars, and fire ballet!?
If you are in the Bay Area during the month of April, make sure to get your tickets for The Crucible’s performance of Firebird! This non-profit art community is known to put on scorching productions and this year’s event is set to keep up expectations. Check the video out for some burning eye candy!
If you are going to be anywhere near San Francisco in the next 30 days, you need to make a point of seeing Tings Dey Happen at The Marsh theater. Back in SF after a year-long stint in New York… not only is this one-man-show an amazing performance, filled with remarkable characters and impressions; but it is also a frank discussion about the war-ravaged country of Nigeria and the world’s oil addiction.
Granted, oil-politics might not be your idea of a fun night out, but trust me… the writer/performer Dan Hoyle makes the performance surprisingly compelling and fun through his impressions of the people of Nigeria.
Tings Dey Happen runs March 20 thru April 19, 2008, Thursdays & Fridays at 8:00 pm, and Saturdays at 8:30 pm at The Marsh Theater, 1062 Valencia Street (near 22nd Street) San Francisco, CA 94110. For tickets, call 800-838-3006.
Oh, and make sure you tell them that LEGENDmag sent you!
So I guess musical theater CAN break out in normal life!?
This weekend, LEGENDmag got a chance to preview a new dark comedy about Libraries, Lakes, and Lost Love. This West Coast premiere is the story of one man’s attempt to reconcile the ghosts of his past and the legacy of the Dewey Decimal Classification System after his library is tagged for destruction.
We found the 90 minute, 2 part play compelling and engaging; although the second act left us feeling a little confused. Nevertheless, an interesting tale especially in an age where libraries, books, and reference material increasingly finds its way onto the internet; and when said relics become ever so rare in the real world.
Arther and Esther runs almost the entire month of February 2008, on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8:00pm at the Phoenix Theater Annex. Go see it sooner rather than later, and support your local independent theater!
For more information or tickets, call (415) 820-1444.
