Nick Cave Performance was Stellar!

The Nick Cave performance at Ponce City Market on April 24th exceeded my expectations on every level!  The not-yet-open Ponce City Market is stunning - urban rustic and open in design.  The performance was in two parts - the first was Sound Suited dancers rocking it to a five piece drum ensemble.  (I got quite a reaction from these guys when I gave them the notorious "Whiplash" hand signal ✊🏼!)  The dancers moved freestyle around and through the crowd.  I was shocked/delighted when two dancers locked arms around me and pulled me into their movement!  I just went with it and danced with abandon instead of being self- conscious!  The second part was a slow motion dressing of eight human mannequins with all sorts of raffia, fake fur, pony beads, yarn mandalas, quilt squares, a mini silver Christmas tree, tinsel, fake hair, cheerleader pom poms, and a myriad of other craft supply bits and pieces.  The "Sound Suits" created were about 7-8 feet tall when completed and the mannequins walked slowly and cautiously around the stage to the sound of a slow, melodic keyboard.  After a short while they quietly walked down the ramps and out of sight.  After I got the congratulate the performers AND shake Nick Cave's hand, a true honor!  I can't wait to see what's next from this guy!

Superwoman!

There was a two car collision on a LA street on February 2, 2015.  One of the cars was pushed up onto the sidewalk, striking this young actress and pinning her under the car.  Both ankles were broken and she had a compound fracture of the two bones in her lower left leg.  (A compound fracture is where the broken bones protrude through the skin, greatly increasing the risk of infection.)  She was hospitalized for over two weeks while the orthopedic surgeons performed several operations to piece her ankles back together and repair her left leg.  She endured weeks of bed and wheelchair confinement while continuing to parent her 8 month old baby girl.  She posted updates on her Instagram and was deluged with love, encouragement and admiration for her brave recovery.

I was particularly saddened that she had this unfortunate freak accident as she had already battled Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma at age 17, creating serious doubt of her ability to become pregnant due to the extensive chemo required to defeat the cancer.  This all seems to me like too much for one person to have to endure at the young age of 26.  But she has chosen to focus on getting well instead of the unfairness of the accident.  While I am sure she has had private moments of pain and despair, she has publicly presented a positive outlook - saying she was motivated to recover for her little miracle baby, Aleda.  I thank you, Linsey, for teaching me the power of staying positive throughout the battle.  I hope it is your name that is announced for that Emmy so we can all see you climb those stairs on your "two working legs" and flash that infectious smile of yours! 

A girl on a swing

Farewell Laura till we meet again

Nick Cave & me!

I blogged about Nick Cave on December 5, 2010, after seeing one of his pieces at The High.  I am enthralled with his work, particularly the textural aspects.  So I am thrilled to be able to see Cave's new "Up Right Atlanta", presented by Flux Projects at Ponce City Market on April 24, 2015. Can't wait!