Jersey Boys: Oh, What a Play!

In the city that never sleeps, lives a musical show that people just can't seem to get enough of. The Tony-award winning musical, Jersey Boys, is a biography of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The play has attracted over 20 million and counting since its debut at the August Wilson Theatre on November 6th, 2005. It's one of the longest running shows on Broadway and from my research, I can see why. The musical is now an international phenomenon with shows all over the U.S. and London.  The musical was such a hit, that in 2014 it became a major motion picture directed by, none other, Clint Eastwood. The Jersey Boys play takes the audience on an unforgettable, legendary journey. It focuses on their formation, their hardships, and nonetheless, their inevitable success. It's almost hard to believe these men are from Jersey!

The musical includes hits such as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man." Their distinct and unique sound made them a worldwide sensation, they were truly remarkable. Unfortunately, like all good things, the group came to an end. As the boys started touring for their sold-out shows, conflicts within the group started to emerge. The group split up in 1977.  However, the musicals portrayal of their greatest time, cannot be overlooked; from the music to the artwork- theres just something about the ambiance that makes you forget what year you're in and makes fans go back for more! With such an impeccably organized production, there is no question as to how the play has gotten so much recognition. Decades later, the legacy lives!

After seeing the play multiple times, I came to realize that it surprisingly attracts people from all different backgrounds and ages. Which made me fall in love with the play even more! The fact that a performance that would generally lure in "an older crowd" (emphasis on the quotes)  gets a varietal demographic, is astonishing and after speaking with a couple of people, they either have visited more than once or will plan on it in the future.

In comparison to the movie, the play seems to be in favor of most and I certainly agree. The liveliness and realistic feel of the show is unsurpassable. It is absolutely no surprise that it is one of the most talked about shows on Broadway.
http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/broadway/index.html

High School Alternatives : Trade Schools

Saunders Trades and Technical High school in Yonkers, New York is not like your average high school. Along with taking regular high school classes students are given  opportunity to learn how to design a building, sew their own clothes, or even cook a three course meal! 

Saunders offers a total of 10 trade programs for students to study while continuing their studies of state mandated work. The school has three different programs -Technical, Occupational, and Vocational. The Technical program includes ECC (Electrical Computer Circuitry), CFM (Construction Facilities Management), and Architecture. This program is a bit harder to get into because it requires a minimum of an 85 GPA. The occupational program does not require a minimum GPA. This program includes Fashion Design, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design and Cosmetology. Vocational does not require a specific average. The majors in this program are HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning), Carpentry, and Automotive. 

When students enter the school as a freshman, they ballot for the major they are interested in.  When they get accepted into the major of their choice, the students begin studying for only one period in the day.  Sophomore through Senior year, the students go to their major for 3 periods a day of out 9.  The day at Saunders is a bit longer than average high schools due to the study time they need for their classes.  In order to graduate with a CTE (Career and Technical Education) degree, students must take a NOCTI exam at the end of Senior Year that includes both written and hand on parts of the test. 

I visited Saunders to interview the teachers to get their thoughts and opinions on the school, its programs and trade schools in general. I visited the Fashion department, HVAC, and Architecture to get more details on the school and programs.

The year of the goat comes to WCC

Miles away from China, a diverse group of students welcomes the Chinese New Year.  The New Year is one of the most important celebrations in China, which started on Feb. 19, 2015 marks the beginning of the year of the Goat/Sheep.

On Wednesday Feb. 25, over 100 Westchester Community College students gathered at the Technology Building lounge from 11am to 1pm to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The event hosted by the Asian Club, WEB, the Peruvian Club, the International Friendship Club and DG Media, had something for everyone.

Upon entering the event students were given a small envelope which served as a meal voucher, and it also contained a raffle ticket.

Traditional Chinese food from Golden China Restaurant was served by members of the Asian Club. The restaurant, which was also used for this event last year offered an array of foods. Some of the food options included shrimp rolls, pork rolls, chicken wings, beef skewers, BBQ Chinese style ribs, low main and others.

Three lucky students won at the raffle which consisted of three different prices. The first raffle winner took home a 50lb bag of Chinese rice. The second took home asian snacks such as Pocky and a brand new pan. Last but not least, the third raffle winner took home a $50 Ichiro - Sushi restaurant gift card.

In addition to enjoying the food, students gathered around tables to fold origami, make bracelets out of wooden beads, and also tested their chopstick skills at a chopstick game.The chopstick game consisted of two people attempting to pick up small items with chopsticks. The winner received a pair of chopsticks.

Dance performances were also present at this celebration. The Revolution Crew composed of former WCC student Michael Salem, Kiana Davalos and Kida Perez performed several break dance performances throughout the event.

Just like in China, the traditional Chinese Lion Dance was also present.  Kwan’s Kung Fu performed the powerful dance. This dance is performed at the beginning of the year because it is believed that the drums and cymbals will purify an area of negative and stale chi.

The dance is meant to scare away evil spirits, as well as being a symbol of strength and good luck.

Zeric Saudagar, president of the Asian club said “We actually started planning last semester, but we actually got everything going within two to three weeks.” Getting The Revolution Crew however, took about “about a week, because [Michael, one of the members] was in China, so we were communicating via email.” The Lion dance performance was booked “way too quicky” Saudagar said.   

Saudagar also expressed that he was very happy with the event turnout. “The plan was to make sure all of the food was gone, and the food it’s almost already gone”, he said as the event was about to end.

A Soldier's Best Friend

Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) is an organization that was founded by Gloria Gilbert Stoga in July 1997. PBB's mission is to train prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and explosive detection canines for law enforcement. The well-trained prison inmates can devout their full attention to these dogs. The raisers learn what it means to contribute to society rather than take from it as the dogs bring hope and pride to them as well as independence and security to those they serve.

Labrador Retriever puppies come into the program when they are only eight weeks old and live with their raisers for approximately twenty-four months. They are extensively trained and are taught more than eighty-five commands upon graduating. In addition to fetching things, getting the keys, or getting something off a shelf for a veteran who may have lost an arm, these dogs can perform very complex commands that reassures veterans that everything is okay.

One of these complex commands is clear. The command clear involves the dog going into a room, switching on the light, doing a full turn around to scan the whole room, and then going back to the door to reassure the veteran that the room is safe and that there is no one waiting in ambush in the room. A second complex command that these dogs are taught is how to call 911. If the veteran becomes unresponsive or if the veteran asks specifically for help, the dog knows how to call 911 on a special telephone. Another complex command that these dogs learn is to awaken veterans from nightmares.

PBB has paired about seventy-six veterans across the country with their service dogs. They have also paired more than five hundred explosive detection canines.

PBBs priority is to keep the dogs happy and healthy and to maintain a high "graduation rate." Seventy-five percent of PBBs dogs go on to lead successful and productive working lives. For the dogs that do not graduate, they are released for adoption.

Have New Yorkers turned their backs on the Knicks?

      The New York Knicks have been a storied franchise ever since its creation in 1946 and continues to resonate throughout basketball.  Although they have not been very prominent in recent years fans still cling to the hopes that they can bring back the glory days.With the acquisition of Phil Jackson last year to a five year contract and the resigning of Carmelo Anthony many thought that this would be the year to turn it around. The only thing the Knicks did accomplish however was a 13-68 record and worst in franchise history. I decided to find out for myself what New Yorkers thought about the Knicks of recent and whether or not they can bounce back.  With The current moves that have been made and a summer of free agency and having a future firsts round draft pick many around the city believe that this is their year.   I conducted a few interviews around Madison Square Garden and 34th street the heart of Knicks basketball and received some positive feedback.

In the video I got the chance to interview Eric Comrie, a native of New York and got his take on the knicks.  Although he is a Lebron James fan he did have some encouraging words for the knicks.  According to Eric  "They have what looks to be the number one pick in the draft and money for free agency so they should be good next year" but a first round draft pick will not catapault the knicks into championship conversations right away.  That is where Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony, and the summer of free agaency comes into play.  This coming July is when free agency begins and all eyes will be on the New York Knicks' franchise and to see wether or not they can be brought back to relevance.

Bull Takes Over the Streets of Downtown Stamford

  Bedford street in downtown Stamford is known for its bars, restaurants and shops. Right in the middle of the bars and restaurants there is a 7,000-pound metallic "charging" bull located right in front of the Fernando Luis Alvarez Art Gallery

  Fernando Luis Alvarez was born in Greenwich Connecticut. He was raised in Colombia from 3 months old to age 12, he came back to America and went to school in England. He quit school to become an entrepreneur, and that’s what he’s been doing since the 90’s until now. His latest project has been the gallery, which has been open since December of 2009, right in the middle of the economic meltdown.

  Fernando's logo with the word gallery upside down, was actually an accident by the sign company they noticed 15 minutes before the gallery opening back in 2009. Of course everyone was panicking and thought Fernando, the owner, was going to be very upset, but he just said "leave it like that" and they put it up. Little did he know that he was making history as the logo's gallery makes it the only art gallery in the world that has its name upside down. 

  Fernando's idea of opening a gallery was to do something more creative but mainly something that would also help him build community. His mission is "to build artists careers from the doors in and build community from the doors out". He is the chairman of the Yerwood Center and is also involved in after school programs for unprivileged children in community centers. He is part of the board of Stamford downtown and committees where he can get involved and donate his experience and expertise in areas such as branding, marketing, strategy and business development. Community has always been very important to him and he knew a gallery would help him do that. "the arts could serve us a tremendous platform to build community". 

  One of the most recognized artists from the FLA gallery is Arturo Di Modica. Di Modica shocked the worlds of art and finance when in 1989, he planted the now famous "Charging Bull" in front of the New York Stock Exchange. The once controversial sculpture; a symbol of aggressive financial optimism and prosperity, has since become a popular tourist destination, drawing thousands of people every day. He is the creator of the 7,000-pound bull in Bedford street (in downtown Stamford). The bull is a replica of the wall street charging bull that's located in NYC.  There are smaller versions of the "charging bull" and they can be purchased through the FLA art gallery or through Arturo Di Modica's  website. 

  

Every 4-5 weeks the FLA art gallery has showings for the artists that the gallery represents, which are open to the public at no charge, usually on Fridays from 3pm - 9pm. They have music, food and wine for people so they can have a great time and enjoy the art being displayed. The gallery is open Tuesdays- Saturdays from 11am to 6pm and Mondays through appointment. They are closed on Sundays. Overall, this has been a great addition to the city of Stamford and the people really seem to enjoy having a gallery in their town.

Graffiti: Vast Crime or Misunderstood Art?

When graffiti comes to your mind, depending on which generation you were born in, you might have a different opinion on this. If I can speak in technical terms, graffiti is a crime. If the police catch you, you will be arrested and charged with vandalism and defacing property. Although all of this is true, how is it that the generation of the present doesn’t view it as a crime?

            I caught up with a personal friend who is a graffiti artist for an interview and while I can’t reveal his name, he goes by “Blur” in the graffiti world. Blur firsthand knows how serious the police are about vandalism; being arrested on multiple occasions. I guess jail wasn’t an eye-opener for him as he still goes on about his graffiti business. As Blur bluntly puts it, “It’s just a different lifestyle, man”. As I dwell on his words, I come to realize that he is right.

Take a second and think: When have you ever actually seen a person commit this heinous crime? Nine times out of ten you never see them. I like to consider these artists as shadows of the night. We see graffiti everywhere and the type of graffiti really varies. On one street corner, you might see a “gang-related” graffiti art and on another, you might see a mural on a building paying tribute to a fallen brother of the neighborhood. It’s still graffiti.

Whenever I see graffiti, I always take a second and appreciate the art. I know the property is defaced but it still doesn’t take away the beauty of the spray paint on concrete wall. No one ever wonder how much the equipment costs or how much time the artist takes to perfect their skill. All the older generation wants to know is how long is it going to take to remove this painted garbage off their walls.

            Moral of all this is that graffiti or not, they are still artists who respect the craft of art in a whole. The newer generation can come to appreciate this unorthodox style of art in great praise.