dance | theatre | music | jeanette joy harris

Why does Tuberculosis make such good music? A deconstruction of La Boheme

November 22, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

In honor of my on-going, dramatic, hacking cough that makes me sound more like a dying opera character than a girl who is ready to go salsa dancing at a moment’s notice, I offer you a round about of Puccini’s La Boheme, whose Mimi dies of TB in one of the world’s most popular operas. La Boheme premiered in 1896 in Turin by Toscanini and has been played a zillion times around the world. Seriously. A zillion. But even after […]

Categories: dance | theatre | music • Tags: Angela Gheroghui, Ewan McGregor, La Boheme, Moulin Rouge, Nicole Kidman, Puccini, Rent, Roberto Alagna, Rosario Dawson

You’ve Ruined Me, Norah Jones! Music Monday

November 14, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

Hands down, Norah Jones’ “The Fall” is my musical soundtrack this week. Autumnal, sultry, and moody, the album’s music and lyrics reek of heartache and longing. Here is “Back to Manhattan” “You’ve Ruined Me” “I Wouldn’t Need You” And, finally, “Tell Yer Mama”

Categories: dance | theatre | music • Tags: Norah Jones

Sexy is such an elusive term: Music Monday

November 7, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

I am reading “The History of Beauty” by Umberto Eco right now and in this “more-pictures-than-words” book, he articulates what beautiful has meant in times past. From the Greeks to Renaissance Europe, I am getting example after example of what pretty has been, which leads me to wonder – how has the notion of “sexy” changed from cultural epoch to epoch? I am oftentimes shocked and dumbfounded over what is considered, sexy. With divas whose aesthetic are so disparate – Beyonce versus Lady […]

Categories: dance | theatre | music • Tags: Alejandro Sanz, Bebel Gilberto, Bjork, Black Keys, Bolero, Camille O'Sullivan, Carmen, Diana Krall, Goldfrapp, Gustavo Dudamel, Habanero, Justin Timberlake, Peggy Lee, Ravel, Shakira, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Thunderheist

Jazz in Autumn: Music Monday

October 31, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

Whenever I get the first taste of chilly air, I am reminded of NYC and all the jazz I would go see in East Village. There is something magical about autumn and being able to wear layers of clothes without sweating and donning a scarf and fashionable gloves. For me, autumn has a specific sound, a kind of quiet, sentimental music that makes me feel cozy so here are some of my quintessential autumn jazz tunes. Michael Buble singing “Me […]

Categories: dance | theatre | music • Tags: autumn music, Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau, Cassandra Wilson, Chet Baker, Diana Krall, Fall music, jazz, live jazz, Michael Buble, Nina Simone

The Ultimate Nooner: Don Giovanni at Met Opera HD

October 29, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

After a night of imbibing in the style of an 18th century Spanish aristocrat, I continued my search for amor Espana today by meeting up with the foremost Spanish Lover — Don Giovanni and his performance with MetOpera. Mariusz Kwiecie – a truly hot Polish tenor – made poet shirts and tights seem as irresistable now as they did when my high school boyfriend met up with me after theater class. Opera – not known for having the most “glamorous” […]

Categories: dance | theatre | music • Tags: Don Giovanni, Mariusz Kwiecie, Metropolitan Opera, Satygraha

The real Gaga in Austin soon: Batsheva Dance Company

October 25, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

As trite as it sounds, so much of life is about dance — the hard work, the memorization, trusting people, negotiating, getting hurt, small moments of applause. One of the most powerful dance performances I ever saw was the Batsheva Dance Company at Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2009 with GAD and DC. The dancers were incredible. This group ranks up there with my creative muse, Twyla Tharp but while Tharp is calculated and mathematical (like a choreographic Bach), Batsheva is emotionally reckless and […]

Categories: dance | theatre | music • Tags: Bass Concert Hall, Batsheva, dance in Texas, modern dance

Forlorn but not weeping: Rachael Yamagata’s Chesapeake

October 24, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

Taking a break from art and my multi-post coverage of the Texas Contemporary Art Fair, wanted to share my current soundtrack, Rachael Yamagata’s “Chesapeake.” I found Rachael about two years ago when iTunes recommended her album “Elephants … Teeth Sinking Into Heart.” This album is actually a “two in one” and includes a rock and concept section. I love it but I have to say that if you’re looking for music to pep you up, this is not it. Please […]

Categories: dance | theatre | music • Tags: Chesapeake, Elephant..Teeth Sinking Into Heart, Fitzgerald's Houston, Rachel Yamagata

Thank you for getting your orchestra on: Tori Amos — Night of Hunters

October 16, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

Not to be scary but Tori Amos has been a huge part of my growing up process. Her classical, angst-ridden sensibilities were perfect for my tragic-ballerina adolescence. Little Earthquakes taught my best friend and me how to speak up. Under the Pink made me aware that my singular voice was situated within a vaster context. Boys for Pele demanded that I consider my own southern heritage and mythology as part of my identity. And the list goes on. Later, as TA started focusing primarily on being a “rock” […]

Categories: dance | theatre | music

Latin jazz from my cool West Coast friend

August 16, 2011 by Jeanette Joy Harris

So today, want to introduce you to Jimmy Branly – jazz percussionist out in California who DC has me falling in love with. Here he is with Rebeca Mauleon. And here he is in workshop at Shepherd University performing my favorite Cuban bolero “Obsesion”

Categories: dance | theatre | music • Tags: Jimmy Branly

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