Sunday, March 11, 2007

Busy Sunday

I’m not feeling well today–the cough that started directly into my bronchial tubes a week and a half ago seems finally to be doing more than making me cough: I’m a little light headed and grumpy over coming into Daylight Savings so early. WHY do they make us do this? Why can't we be encouraged to get our bodies into rhythm with the world instead of trying to remake the universe to fit our commercial imperatives?

We have Anja Moen speaking at Ethical this morning, and then we’re going to Jersey City to see Michael Basile in KING JOHN and then I have to hurry to whatever is left of the Executive Committee meeting.

Last night Andy had a last minute urge to go see the illusionists at SOPAC– The Spencers. I don’t care so much for illusionists, but I did want to see SOPAC, and it is a very pleasant size, and last night's crowd was of of kids and adults, and we saw some people we knew, Ariel Green's parents, the Anzalone-Newman adults. The show was the usual sawed in half ladies and escaping from a can of water, and a great deal of talk in between–the main guy’s engaging personality carrying it, just chatting away. This morning I discovered he has a blog, and he blogged South Orange last night-- http://www.spencersmagic.com/blog/

That’s a real sign of the times– the performer performing then telling the public about his performance, or rather, it was mostly about how much the audience loved them. I'd say I liked/was interested in them, especially his style, smallish guy with a very neat body, bleached and spiked hair, self-deprecating, but of course very full of himself-- a performer. Anyhow, I liked being there, but I guess I don’t really get the point of illusions– the disappearances etc. I figured out one trick all by myself (Andy did separately – the one where he reads minds and writes down the singer/place/card the person is thinking of). I know in general how the Houdini-in-a-bottle ones work and the sawed off ladies, so I’m actually more amazed by up close and personal stuff, the card tricks and sleight of hand. Well, it was fun to be out, and I'm always interested in Performers. Vaudeville acts, if not vaudeville, still live, I guess. I wonder what kind of a living these people make– four people who show up on stage and at least one driver for the semi they travel in.

March 9, 2007

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In the New York Times today is an obituary for Ruffina Amaya, who survived the massacre at El Mozote in El Salvador in 1981. She heard her children’s death screams. Husband beheaded. The US was supporting the side the killers were on,so we denied there had been a massacre. It took this woman and others speaking out, over and over, to tell the story. This was at the beginning of the Reagan years. So many times the U.S. has supported thugs if they claim to be for a handy sound bite called Freedom.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The problem with smug audience members at illusion shows is that if they believe they have found the correct method then in their own little brains they believe they are right, without any proof. They are the only judge as to the accuracy of their guess. This is not Spencer but he does mention you in a later blog, mostly he has positive comments but he does point out your arrogant demeaning of his illusions, some of which are quite unique. Now in your free speech & protestant spirit I will be interested to see if you allow my comment to remain or if you will censor me, an interesting question for you. Yuck to you, good day.

Anonymous said...

Interesting view on Illusionists. I'm wondering how, in a short period of time, you are able to judge a person so severely. Quote "Full of himself". I have seen his show on more than one occassion and have never had that feeling. He plays to the audience very well. It is a clean show that one can bring their family to and not worry about inapropriate attire or words. He does do some of the same illussions as others, however he has a very unique show! I for one am a big fan.

Anonymous said...

Even in your second posting you demean Mr. Spencer with your "real magic" comment among others. My review of your performance (on your slog err blog) is that YOU are amazingly full of YOURSELF. And to compare your teaching of some youngsters to the performance of one of the top touring illusionists, get real. Your husband must hate listening to you blab, you think hes listening but really he just interjects the timely uh hu and yea. Essentailly I'm saying you are really an ignorant ass. Don't worry I won't be concerning myself with your posting any longer but your shocking self importance and uninformed judgements had to be called out.

Anonymous said...

This is Kevin Spencer posting. While I appreciate the support of our show (and the personal support as well), Meredith does have the right to her opinion about magic, illusion and me. Not everyone enjoys the art of magic and some people find it very frustrating. I found her blog posting to be interesting and that's why I wrote about it. Let's give her the space to write what she believes in her blog, even if we don't agree. That's the very cool thing about blogging!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Spencer
She has all the space in the world, no one is stopping her. People are just critising her insulting posts just as she critisizes and redues the art of magic (which she no doubt doesn't even consider an art). She insults and cuts down multiple things in her blogs and a critical post in return is ONLY FAIR. As you say, that's the very cool thing about blogging indeed.

BTW
The defense isn't solely for you it is largly for magic itself.

Best wishes to all, ALL