Rockstar Turtles

October 5, 2007

An album release party. Check. One more cool event to add to my list of New York City firsts!

Last night was an exciting night for two members of our tiny 'turtle' family. To celebrate the hard work and amazing talent of my fellow co-workers, I ventured down to the Lower East Side to show my support for starnes&shah, a trio in fact, based out of Astoria, Queens, whom yesterday released their debut album Summer in the Woodshed.

In an area that breathes a strong ethnic flavor of diversity and a unique bohemian-esque spirit, the Lower East Side features narrow lively streets lined with some of the city's best small music venues. One being 'The Living Room', the aptly appropriate host venue for this special performance event featuring a diverse band of fine musicians with a unique mellow sound. This band is definitely on their way up, and to think I have my very own (signed) copy of their limited-edition album! I'm so lucky.

What a great night of some beautifully captivating music. Starnes&shah really know how to rock it out, in a very folk-rock way that only rising star turtles can. They sure made us little turtles proud.

Check 'em out at starnesandshah.com or myspace.com/starnesandshah

Dania Abu-Shaheen - Singer, Songwriter, GuitaristVocalist Zilpha Starnes on the keyboard

Initiation Ceremony Not Necessary

September 29, 2007

At this point in time, it may be safe to say that I've survived what New Yorkers like to call one's "Initiation to The City." I've endured the pain of toonie-sized blisters on each of my heels (that have only just recently started to heal); I've fought off a terrible sinus cold thanks to nasty public transportation germs; and I've accepted the fact that no matter how much sleep you get, you're sure to wake up feeling like you've been hit by a train (no, not because you're hungover, but because this city is that exhausting). Unseasonal 30+ degree temperatures heading into October with humidity that you can shovel definitely doesn't help with the exhaustion factor either!

After this past week, I can go one step beyond the typical initiation to say that I've survived my first (exhausting) week of working on-site and hands-on in the NYC Public School system; a system that has ironically been struggling for years to provide arts education to deserving young kids in a city that rests on a vast wealth of cultural resources. Turtle Bay's major community outreach efforts got underway this past Monday and having been assisting largely in the coordination of the after-school music program of violin and cello instruction in a number of schools throughout the city, I had no choice but to jump in head first and cross my fingers I wouldn't drown.

Aside from all visitors having to sign-in with a security guard at the main entrance to the school; students having only a gated concrete courtyard to release their playful energy; gazing out of steel-barred windows passes the time when the teacher's lesson may not be all that intriguing; and a handful of different languages can be overheard within one single hallway when parents arrive to pick up their kids at the end of the school day, the list can go on and on when it comes to comparing school environments of those I've been accustomed to growing up and what I've recently experienced. One thing that may be constant no matter the school system however, is the enjoyment and excitement you can see and feel when a young child has been given the opportunity to take hold of an instrument and release all the creative energy in the world to play to their heart's content. That alone makes up for the exhausting week it's been for me in dealing with kids who are beyond a handful... I really don't know how teachers do it!

The week didn't end there however. Today, on yet another beautiful fall day, Turtle Bay was involved in an Midtown East community fair whereby vendors and businesses in the area gathered for an outdoor event showcasing their offerings. Part of our organization's promotion included violin and harmonica demonstrations, a faculty-member performance featuring the jazz guitar and saxophone, and even sing-a-long songs for the kids which was a prime opportunity for me to showcase my exceptional lip-synching skills. Trust me, I've got terrible pitch.

Dania, Zilpha and Julie (a.k.a. Turtles) leading the children's sing-a-long

"The Wheels on the Bus" was by far the audience favorite!

Monday Night Opera

September 24, 2007

One thing that is so great about this city is that no matter the month, day of the week or time of day, you can be certain that an event will be going on that is sure to please your interests and tastes, whatever they are. And as I've quickly come to learn, they rarely cost a thing! Except maybe your precious time in a city that doesn't skip a beat.

Monday nights are usually my nights to treat myself to a dance class on my way home from work, then crash in front of the TV for my weekly guilty pleasure of MTV's The Hills (It's okay, you can admit you like that mindless show too... I won't tell). Today however, I just didn't have the energy to commit to what I'm sure would have been another awesome hip hop class (like they've all been), so I decided to swing by Times Square instead.

Coming up from the subway I was surprised to find a true citywide celebration, complete with red carpet and all. At first I thought there was some famous celebrity signing autographs at the Virgin Megastore but I was wrong... Queen Latifah won't be there until Wednesday at noon. It was in fact the Metropolitan Opera literally stopping traffic in the center of New York, to broadcast on three Jumbotrons, the opening night performance of their 2007/08 season. Mary Zimmerman's new production Lucia di Lammermoor was beaming live to Times Square and Lincoln Center Plaza opera fans alike.

Broadway, normally a bustling sea of yellow taxi cabs, looked more like a theatre, with 1,500 seats set up for an audience who chose to forgo the purchase of a pricey $275 theatre ticket for a much more comfortable and exciting atmosphere. Playbill in hand, I took a seat, yes a free one, and enjoyed a little opera. Not bad for a little entertainment on a Monday night. Sure I may have missed out on my weekly dose of reality TV but I'll just check out the episode online tomorrow... er... maybe not... forgot I'm attending a (free) concert of international flavor in Central Park featuring three Grammy-nominated female artists! Man I love this city.

Live from the stage of The Met Opera couldn't be more accessible than this!Audience enjoying the Lincoln Center Plazacast

A Virtuosic Treat

September 21, 2007

The Lincoln Center is one of the premier performing arts centers in the world. Home to 12 Resident Organizations including The Juilliard School, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, and the School of American Ballet, the contribution of artistic excellence the Lincoln Center provides to New York's cultural life also includes that of the New York Philharmonic.

The oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world, the New York Philharmonic plays close to 200 concerts a year out of their home concert venue that is the Avery Fisher Hall. Apparently you haven't experienced classical music in New York until you've experienced one of the Philharmonic's tremendous breathtaking concerts in person. And last night I had the utmost pleasure in doing so. Quite the complimentary perk for being a turtle!

It was an evening of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. Musical Director Lorin Maazel commanded the podium as he conducted Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major and Tchaikovksy's Symphony No. 2 in C minor; two pieces of work I came to be quite familiar with back when I non-willingly spent my summers studying music history as part of the theoretical component of my Royal Conservatory of Music certification. At any point I was satisfied just to be able to listen to these musical masterpieces on a musical recording, so being given the chance to hear an orchestra of 106 brilliant virtuosos perform live was not an opportunity I would willingly pass up!

The night ended with me literally picking my jaw up off the floor. I was utterly speechless and had no words to describe what I had just heard... and I still don't. It was outstanding. Quite the awe-inspiring evening for me as I get ready to begin violin lessons in just a few short weeks. You won't be hearing any symphonies or concertos from me anytime soon though... I'll be happy if I can master Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Christmas time.

Lorin Maazel conducting the NY Philharmonic

Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center

You Can't Stop the Beat!

September 16, 2007

I like Broadway musicals. No, I lied. I LOVE Broadway musicals. I don't know why exactly I love them so... perhaps it's the creative ingenuity that undermines the telling of a story through lyrics, dialogue, music, performance and dance, that never ceases to amaze me. True, the storylines can be sometimes far-fetched, jazz-hand-happy choreographers may at times go overboard with the spirit fingers and glitzy sequined costumes could be razzle-dazzled down a notch, but all that aside, the truly incredible jaw-dropping talent, energy and passion that Broadway performers exude to sold out houses night after night really is inspiring. Not to mention the artistic geniuses that fully enhance the Broadway experience with their spectacular staging, brilliant set design and powerfully moving, often-live music.

Even if you're not a self-proclaimed Broadway-addict like me, a visit to The Big Apple is not complete unless you indulge your senses in one of the most prestigious performance art forms in the country, that being New York theatre. In the heart of midtown Manhattan lies the 'Theatre District', whereby close to 40 theatres playing host to the country's best and most popular theatre productions, are clustered around Times Square, the so-called "Crossroads of the World." Blazing with a burst of gigantic advertisements, megastores, Jumbotrons, electronic tickers and hordes of people night and day, the lights really are brighter on Broadway.

Today I joined about 50,000 other theatre loving fans in Times Square for a sneak preview concert of this fall's new Broadway musicals. Broadway on Broadway is the theatre community's kick-off event for the upcoming season and also featured performances from some of Broadway's longest running favorites. From Wicked to The Color Purple, A Chorus Line to Mary Poppins, Chicago to Hairspray, and Rent to Jersey Boys, I was in Broadway heaven! Now comes the tough part of choosing which to take in first... I'd have to get a rush ticket to a matinee performance though... I am just an intern on a tight budget afterall.

See you at the theatre!

"The Great White Way" that is Broadway

The heart of Times Square

Commercialism at its finest

Current star of Hairspray and former N'Sync-er, Lance Bass, played host for the show

Any event in Times Square wouldn't be complete without some confetti!

Pause... but Press On

September 11, 2007

I can still remember where I was when I heard the news. I was a second year P.E. student at the U of A and had just sat down for my 9:30 am Exercise Physiology class (yes, P.E. students do more than just play volleyball!). My friend Jackie leaned over and asked "Did you hear?" I, having just arrived on campus from my early morning piano lesson that ran a little late, was completely oblivious to what she was talking about, let alone have witnessed yet the 'standing room only' sight that was the Students' Union Building, where literally thousands of students were crammed shoulder to shoulder, eyes transfixed to CNN on the overhead TV's. A stunned silence and feeling of disbelief lingered not only on campus for that day and many to follow, but around the world as well.

Everyone has their own views, thoughts and perceptions of that days' events. And now, six years later, falling for the first time again on a Tuesday, but this time on a hazy, overcast, thunderstormy Tuesday, it appears that the pressing issue of debate for many New Yorker's lies in the question of "how much is too much?"... commemoration that is. Memorial and remembrance ceremonies again took place today at the World Trade Center site and at numerous churches throughout the city, much like they have with each passing year, along with a series of free concerts to fill the skies with music. For those who survived and endured however, but with significant pain and loss, it's possible that the feeling of a somewhat publicly scripted mourning that is attached to this day year after year, resonates an unrelenting feeling of weariness and fatigue.

It would be interesting to know whether next years' 'commemorative' events will take place at the same decibel level as they did today, or whether the idea as to how to memorialize loved ones will be left more solely in the hands of those who unfortunately may know all too well. Who knows, maybe if I'm lucky, I'll still be here to find out.

The Freedom Tower will soar 1,776 feet in the sky and will serve as an inspirational beacon on the New York City skyline. 'Reflecting Absence' will be the memorial honoring the heroes lost in the terrorist attacks. Incorporating two large pools of water residing in the footprints of the Twin Towers, it will include a wall inscribed with the names of the victims of the attacks.

An adjacent Memorial Museum will contain preserved artifacts from the attacks as well as portions of the original slurry wall. It will also convey the events of the day and the worldwide outpouring of support in the rescue and recovery efforts.

Restore: Five commercial towers of different heights are planned to encircle the memorial setting in a descending spiral.

Recognizing the heroes of September 11, 2001

FDNY Engine No.23 Memorial

Flags of Honour in Lower Manhattan's Battery Park

Tribute in Light - shining from dusk til dawn, serving as a symbol of hope

Becoming a Turtle

September 7, 2007

They call themselves turtles. Turtles who are dedicated to the belief that all people deserve to have music in their lives. This has been their passion for over eighty years.

The Turtle Bay Music School is a prominent and respected organization that fosters love, knowledge and appreciation of music; and recognizes the role that music plays in bringing together a culturally, ethnically and financially diverse community. And even after just one week, I've already witnessed how closely they stand by their mission, particularly through my learning of some of the projects I will be assisting with over the course of 9 months.

In addition to planning a number of community concerts, performance workshops and recitals, the majority of my time as an intern will be focused in the area of community outreach, particularly through our Public School Outreach program. Through this program, over 1,000 underprivileged NYC public school students from Harlem to Hells Kitchen, the Lower East Side to Brooklyn, will be provided with in-depth music education through an after-school program. It will be nothing short of an eye-opening experience I'm sure, and one challenge that I am very much looking forward to having get underway.

Instrumental and voice lessons may not begin until next week, but I've already come to notice that at any one point throughout the day, I can always hear music... and absolutely beautiful sounding music it is. For the most part, it's been any one member of the schools' incredibly talented and gifted faculty playing Chopin or Schumann on a Steinway grand piano, or Bach or Mozart on a Yamaha clarinet. I've been told as well, that anytime I want, I can take 15 minutes or an hour to use an open practice room and plunk away on some ivory keys. I definitely don't come close to the amazing performance quality and degree of musical genius that I've heard already, but I sure can play a wicked C Major scale set to a metronome beat of 96 that is sure to be the envy of someone... anyone?

So having been fortunate to have music be a large part of my life from a very early age (despite how many times I turned back the oven timer when I just had no desire to practice my sight reading, chords and triads at the piano... ooopps, I hope my parents aren't reading this), I'm excited of the position I'm now in to be able to share the important role that music can play in personal growth and discipline, particularly to some young kids who are in need of it most. It feels good to be a turtle.

The Turtle Bay Music School - A Space to Play