“Sex and the City 2” a temporary, tempting escape

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By Sam Koch ’11

With the recession’s “make-do” mentality, a movie about four well-off women attending red-carpet premieres and staying at $22,000 per night hotels might seem a tad out of touch. Maybe even offensive.

Despite the odds and environment, “Sex and the City 2” serves as a tenuous escape from a dismal reality. While some critics expressed concern over the appropriateness of a film about extravagance and excess in a time of coupons and classifieds, SATC2 never identifies itself as a movie about socioeconomic realities: it’s about fun, fashion, and the powerful bond between four women.

It is obvious from the start that this is a film that takes you away from the mundane, from grocery bills, dead-end relationships, mounting debt, and resume reviews. For $9 (give or take a few bucks), you have the opportunity to get away with “the girls”—if only for two hours.

In the much-anticipated sequel to 2008’s blockbuster hit, Carrie Bradshaw (played by the always fabulous Sarah Jessica Parker) reflects on her two years of marriage to Mr. Big (Chris Noth). Concerned about one too many nights spent in on the couch with take-out dinners and television, Carrie struggles to find how her relationship fits in the traditional conception of marriage.

She’s not alone in having issues on her mind.  Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) tries to deal with a sexist boss, while Charlotte (Kristin Davis) attempts to juggle children and her sanity. Samantha (Kim Cattrall), on the other hand, is more concerned with her impending battle with hot flashes and mood swings onset by menopause.

They, like so many Americans, need an escape. But the exotic location (the United Arab Emirates) isn’t just an opportunity to showcase high-end fashion (however stunning it may have been); a trip halfway around the world provided each woman a chance to breathe. And that’s something that every woman can relate to.

Sure, SATC2 has its significant flaws.

SJU celebrates Black History Month

This February, in celebration of Black History Month, SJU offers an array of on-campus events, many of which celebrate the impact African American culture has had on the arts including:

Live music by “In the Pocket,” a Southerastern regional band that blends Motown, jazz, reggae, and contemporary soul.

The SUB sponsored trip to the African American Museum of Philadelphia.

A showing of the award winning series “Eyes on the Prize” chronicling the African American experience and civil rights movement from 1954-85.

And those are just the highlights.

For more information and a detailed schedule of events visit the Hawk Eye website.

Jenn Burrini, ’10

Forgotten Foods and Something “Precious”

This Saturday the Reading Terminal Market from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. will host their Festival of Forgotten Foods.  Ever wanted to try fried Catfish and Waffles?  How about Snapper Soup?  If you and your taste buds are feeling a bit adventurous this weekend, these dishes and plenty more will be at this festival celebrating Philly’s rich and colorful culinary history.

“Precious” (based on the novel, “Push,” by Sapphire) hits movie theaters this weekend.  Directed by Philly native Lee Daniels, “Precious” tells the story of an obese, illiterate, abused teen growing up in 1987 Harlem.  Pregnant with her second child by her father, she eventually learns to read, write, and reconnect.  Gut-wrenching, raw, and genuine.

For full synopsis, cast round up, show times, and movie theater locations click here.

This past Saturday was definitely a day of firsts:

Philadelphia’s Trocadero Theatre hosted the first night of their Next Big Thing series for up and coming alternative and punk bands.

Over the years, the Troc has had a rich history.  Built in 1870, it is the only 19^th century theatre that remains in operation in the U.S. today.  And although it’s transformed from a musical comedy and minstrel venue to a burlesque and vaudeville stage to a fine arts theatre and dance club to finally the live music venue it is today, one thing hasn’t changed.  The Troc still brings to Philly some of the best, cutting edge, and fresh entertainment that any music lover could ask for.

Here’s another first: among the many bands performing Saturday was, of course, Jolly Rotten Skeletons (in case you’ve missed my last few posts, this is what it’s all been leading up to, folks) who performed here in Philly for the first time ever.

The only band asked to perform an encore, JRS was definitely a crowd pleaser.

Afterwards, I met up with the band to find out their post-show reactions.  And although I thought their performance was engaging and their talent pretty obvious, it seemed to me that the most unique thing about JRS is their genuine connection with one another.

One Girl’s Trash…

…is another’s treasure.

At least that’s how it works for Samantha Ernst, a student of Moore College of Art and Design.  Described as an urban archeologist disrupting the flow of trashmigration, Ernst seeks to inspire creativity and reduce the “garbage” that has littered the streets of Philadelphia by reusing it to create something beautiful.

Like what you see?  Ernst’s artwork will be displayed this Saturday, November 7th,  at Square Peg Artery and Salvage from 6 – 9 pm.

Square Peg Artery and Salvage, a retail store that markets handmade crafts, fine art, and salvaged oddities, is located at 108 S. 20th Street.

– Jennifer Burrini, ’10

Oh, Brother: a profile of Jolly Rotten Skeletons’ Anthony and Matt Picerno

Yesterday afternoon I had the chance to sit down with Anthony (’10) and Matt Picerno (’11) to discuss their band Jolly Rotten Skeletons.

For those of you who don’t know JRS, let me introduce you.

An 8 piece rock band based in Holmdel, NJ, they’re style blends a variety of influences including ska rhythms, poetic lyrics, and rock.  With an array of musical components and instruments, their music comes together to form original, avant-garde sounds.  Because their aesthetic derives from multiple genres, there’s something for everyone to relate to and enjoy.

Anthony, an English major, plays sax and guitar for the band while Matt, a Marketing major, plays drums.  Both brothers write lyrics for JRS.

JB: Was there a moment you realized “wow, this is something I love to do?”

Matt: My first performance on stage was in the 7th grade.  It was a middle school talent show…All of a sudden people knew my name…I realized then I wanted this band to really work…then we started writing our own songs and I knew I wanted to go as far as I could with it.

Anthony: I started playing the guitar thinking, “I’m going to be in a band someday.”

JB: How is it working with your brother?

Matt: We’re brothers; we have to like each other…We have our fights but then it’s over.

Anthony: We go back upstairs and then it’s like the [disagreement] never happened.

Matt: We understand the process a lot more now…now we can collaborate better.

Anthony: [Before] if we disagreed about a song, we’d trash it.  But now we’re going back to songs…finding pieces that work.

JB: You’re an 8 piece band.  With all these different personalities is it ever difficult to unify everyone?

Matt: Scheduling is a problem, but we’re all friends…when someone can’t make it to practice, I’m mad that they’re not there ’cause I don’t get to see them.  Not because they’re missing practice.

This Week’s Entertainment Line Up

So much to do, so little time to remember it all.  But, as luck would have it, I’ve already done half the job for you.

Take a look at this week’s roundup in all things arts and entertainment.  Now all you have to do is indulge and enjoy.

Tuesday, November 3

Unity Week is upon us (Nov. 1 – 6).

Show your support for the promotion of fair treatment and equality among all students regardless of sexual orientation.  The week long alliance fosters honest and open discussion of the issues surrounding sexual orientation and sexual minorities.  The goal of Unity Week is to replace hatred and prejudice with understanding, acceptance and respect.

This Tuesday, Transsexual author, playwright, gender theorist, and performing artist Kate Bornstein (A Queer and Pleasant Danger) discusses writing, gender, and boundary crossing.  (Farber House @ 7:30 p.m)

For the complete Unity Week schedule, click here.

Wednesday, November 4

St. Joe’s brothers, Anthony and Matt Picerno, discuss their band Jolly Rotten Skeletons.  Check out the video below for JRS original track: Don’t Come Back.

Thursday, November 5 – Sunday, November 15

Cars, poodle skirts, and globs of hair grease can mean only one thing: GREASE is coming.  The musical is presented by St. Joe’s very own Cap & Bells Dramatic Arts Society and directed by Renee Dobson.  We all know it; we all love it. Let’s go see it.  For schedule and ticket information, check out their Facebook page.

Friday, November 6

Beyond campus, Plays and Players Theater (located at 1714 Delancy St.) features playwright David Strattan White’s Simultations.  White’s play begs the question: can a girl find love in a computer game’s fictional world?  Tickets are $10 plus a complementary drink offered at Quig’s bar.

– Jennifer Burrini, ’10

Barnes Foundation architects release designs of new Philadelphia location

One view of the new Barnes Foundation building in downtown Philadelphia

See the New York Times’ slide show of the designs by Williams and Tsien here.

POST Turns 10!

Happy 10th Anniversary to POST: Philadelphia Open Studio Tours!

For the past decade, local artists have opened their studio and gallery doors to the public during this two weekend tour.  October 3 – 4 from noon to 6 pm, studios and galleries East of Broad Street will be opened to the public.   Next weekend, October 10 – 11 during the same hours, artists West of Broad will have their chance to show their work to the masses.

In other words, that’s a chance to witness the 275 Philadelphia artists, of practically every medium, show this city what they’ve got to offer.  And what they have to offer is that creative passion and artistic individuality that  pump through the Philly art scene’s veins.

Interested?  Plan your tour here.

– Jennifer Burrini, ’10

Weekly Recap

HALF WAY HOME HIGHLIGHTS

courtesy of Steve Ives

For the past couple of entries, I have been obsessed with the Live Arts and Fringe Festival. And although, sadly, the Festival is now over, Colleen Coffey’s play Half Way Home definitely deserves a mention. Coffey, a second year participant in the Fringe, presented a thought provoking play about how our society categorizes and often limits the rehabilitation of sex offenders. The play raised pertinent questions regarding the effectiveness of our legal system, humans’ ability (or inability) to trust and forgive one another, and society’s unwavering capacity to pass judgment. But what i think is especially great about Half Way Home is that Coffey, still a senior in college, took that crucial step that is both horrifying and undeniably important for any aspiring artist. She put her work on display for the public to witness, critique, and contemplate. That’s definitely something to be admired and respected for. Bravo, Colleen.

COLLEGE DAY ON THE PARKWAY

College Day on the Parkway

This past Saturday, Philadelphia’s annual College Day on the Parkway took place, featuring free food, a performance by Armor for Sleep and the Cool Kids, with motocross and skateboarding included in the day’s activities. Also, eleven museums were free to all students. Some of the museums that participated were the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, and Moore College of Art and Design.