Yesterday night I attended the Light of Day benefit concert in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Great show for a great cause (to help raise money for sufferers of Parkinson's disease). Unbilled and unsurprisingly, Bruce Springsteen played a 90-minute set. Kelly-Jane Cotter from the Asbury Park Press described Springsteen as the 'gift with the purchase' for those with tickets. And you know what to expect when Springsteen plays NJ.
The clichés: the gig was mostly attended by affluent, middle-aged men, many in gold jewellery, who would not be out of place in an episode of the Sopranos and ladies looking like New Jersey housewives. Not a typical Springsteen crowd outside of NJ. Another cliché: Springsteen stole the show. Well, he's going to isn't he? That's not to say the other performers are not stellar artistes. But Springsteen's mantle as spokesman of joy, broken dreams, hopes and romantic nostalgia has pierced the consciousness of more than one generation of fan. This means he's going to affect more listeners than those whose work hasn't been given that platform and investment. Third cliché: grown men blubbering "I love you Bruce!" and screaming in desperate joy as he begins fraught-father-son-relationship song, Adam Raised A Cain. Fourth cliché: ultra-tetchy bouncers and security trying to control over-zealous Springsteen fans' attempts to shoot to the front of the stage.
I am sure there are many others. Springsteen joined Jesse Malin, Willie Nile and others on duets before belting out his own The Promised Land, Atlantic City, Your Own Worst Enemy and more to satiate a salivating audience - and an irrepressible Springsteen! An unexpected punk highlight was photographer, Danny Clinch's harmonica on simple and fun, Pink Cadillac.
Alejandro Escovedo played a soulful, acoustic set that ran the gamut in emotion, style and rhythm. Jesse Malin and the St Marks Social's fresh chemistry buoyed the audience with songs from Malin's latest album, Love it to Life. Willie Nile horsed around yet sang with heart and conviction, including the rousing, One Guitar.
Springsteen played one of the longest sets he's ever done for a Light of Day show. Could this be any indication of a tour in 2011? Let's hope.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Rebel Queen
I wrote a piece in the New Year Eve's edition of the Guardian about the last queen of the Punjab, Jindan Kaur.
The piece highlights the life of an inspiring, gutsy and far-from-perfect heroine in Punjabi culture. But it is also is a microcosm of a wider issue that needs to be highlighted: that there is a culture of female dissent in the east. This may seem obvious. But how often are women in "the Orient" to use Edward Said's term, made to appear too eager to be dominated and often victims rather than pro-active women in charge of their destinies. Too often and this view is perpetuated in the media too.
Knowing about a historical figure like Jindan Kaur may not change the image of women or even people's minds overnight, but it shows that there are figures to look back to. Complex women who had much to contend with and showed grit and persistence in the face of odds. Highlighting such women helps us begin the process of asking: where are they? How can we continue to highlight them and raise awareness of them?
There is a argument I did not get to make about how western feminists can sometimes look down on women’s struggles in eastern countries without realizing that a history of dissent does exist and we don’t always know about the figures that instigated it. Or the figures are not always spoken about in a way that makes them recognizable as part of a social movement.
But there are figures like Jindan Kaur. Then there are others like the writer Amrita Pritam who wrote about the horrific fallout for women in the Punjab during Partition - stories not discussed enough. Also the Rokeya Hossain story mentioned in the feature - Sultana's Dream - came ten years before what is considered one of the first western feminist utopian stories, Herland, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This indicates a visionary attitude for society by women living in it at the time; not just passive women living as victims of oppression.
What history/stories are we missing while we are engaging in debates? When I went to the British Library to do research on Jindan Kaur, a search of her name yielded few results in the computerised archives. The librarian told me women were "very badly represented" in the catalogue. There needs to be radical rethinking of how we view history and one place we can start is by digging out these 'hidden heroines' and spreading awareness of them.
The piece highlights the life of an inspiring, gutsy and far-from-perfect heroine in Punjabi culture. But it is also is a microcosm of a wider issue that needs to be highlighted: that there is a culture of female dissent in the east. This may seem obvious. But how often are women in "the Orient" to use Edward Said's term, made to appear too eager to be dominated and often victims rather than pro-active women in charge of their destinies. Too often and this view is perpetuated in the media too.
Knowing about a historical figure like Jindan Kaur may not change the image of women or even people's minds overnight, but it shows that there are figures to look back to. Complex women who had much to contend with and showed grit and persistence in the face of odds. Highlighting such women helps us begin the process of asking: where are they? How can we continue to highlight them and raise awareness of them?
There is a argument I did not get to make about how western feminists can sometimes look down on women’s struggles in eastern countries without realizing that a history of dissent does exist and we don’t always know about the figures that instigated it. Or the figures are not always spoken about in a way that makes them recognizable as part of a social movement.
But there are figures like Jindan Kaur. Then there are others like the writer Amrita Pritam who wrote about the horrific fallout for women in the Punjab during Partition - stories not discussed enough. Also the Rokeya Hossain story mentioned in the feature - Sultana's Dream - came ten years before what is considered one of the first western feminist utopian stories, Herland, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This indicates a visionary attitude for society by women living in it at the time; not just passive women living as victims of oppression.
What history/stories are we missing while we are engaging in debates? When I went to the British Library to do research on Jindan Kaur, a search of her name yielded few results in the computerised archives. The librarian told me women were "very badly represented" in the catalogue. There needs to be radical rethinking of how we view history and one place we can start is by digging out these 'hidden heroines' and spreading awareness of them.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
First Brit ever wins longest-running talent show in world
Last night the first ever Briton won what is probably the oldest official talent contest in the world and the model for shows like American Idol and the X-Factor. Ayanna Witter Johnson was the joint winner along with Nathan Foley of New York's Apollo Amateur Night competition - the first time there has been a tie in its 70-year history.
Johnson, a singer, composer and cellist who is from north London, performed a self-penned number called "Ain't I A Woman". She says she decided to audition for the competition when she heard about it while studying nearby at the Manhattan School of Music on the upper west side of New York.
Her name is now on a list filled with mind-boggling talent who won past Amateur Night contests, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, James Brown and Lauryn Hill.
Billy Mitchell, the Apollo's tour director, says the Amateur Night Competition attracts a different kind of participant than shows like American Idol. "Most people on our show...their families are struggling," he says. But he rates the general talent of people who take part in the contest much higher than participants in shows like American Idol. "The talent seems to be much better - absolutely, without a doubt."
Ralph Cooper, an actor and producer, started the original Harlem Amateur Hour in April 1933 and the show is known for combining the talent show format with a distinctive, vaudeville-like atmosphere, and has depended on audience participation since the very beginning. According to the Apollo's website the "popularity contest has proven an effective measure of star potential, becoming a launch pad for some of the nation's greatest entertainers".
Johnson, a singer, composer and cellist who is from north London, performed a self-penned number called "Ain't I A Woman". She says she decided to audition for the competition when she heard about it while studying nearby at the Manhattan School of Music on the upper west side of New York.
Her name is now on a list filled with mind-boggling talent who won past Amateur Night contests, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, James Brown and Lauryn Hill.
Billy Mitchell, the Apollo's tour director, says the Amateur Night Competition attracts a different kind of participant than shows like American Idol. "Most people on our show...their families are struggling," he says. But he rates the general talent of people who take part in the contest much higher than participants in shows like American Idol. "The talent seems to be much better - absolutely, without a doubt."
Ralph Cooper, an actor and producer, started the original Harlem Amateur Hour in April 1933 and the show is known for combining the talent show format with a distinctive, vaudeville-like atmosphere, and has depended on audience participation since the very beginning. According to the Apollo's website the "popularity contest has proven an effective measure of star potential, becoming a launch pad for some of the nation's greatest entertainers".
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Ed, David and George
David Cameron and George Osbourne already look older, more weary and more portly sitting across from Ed Miliband during PMQs this week. As a reporter at Regeneration & Renewal I often interacted with Ed and his former department. I always thought he was the most genuine politician I had ever interviewed. He always granted me an interview and tried to make comments of substance, rather than the usual fearful fudging that befall many. Watching when I can from across the pond, I hope he keeps David and George on their toes on many issues.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Super-sheroes
The premier of Superman Batman: Apocalypse was satisfying enough. It had dark humor from Batman, true blue heroics from Superman, earth mother advice and slick warrior moves from Wonder Woman and a young Kryptonian girl caught in a rite of passage, Supergirl.
We have a few kick-ass female heroes out there but they are not as present in the culture as Superman, Batman or Spiderman. One of the main reasons why, is that as many women do not buy comics and the female comic book heroes do not prove to be as popular with the male fans. Even this film is based on a comic book called, 'The Girl from Krypton' but did not retain its original title because Hollywood needed a more 'action-movie' sounding name.
It's a shame that this is the case because female super heroes can be empowering. Not only because of their fantastically enhanced superhuman strength and powers, but they also serve to remind us of real female fighters from Joan of Arc to Sikh warrior women like Mai Bhago. These women need to be dragged out from the past and shown to our young girls as symbols of empowerment but also as a real part of our history.
Films like Superman Batman: Apocalypse may be carried by the male heroes but they do seek to remind us of this female warrior tradition, too. I, for one, got great satisfaction from seeing Supergirl repeatedly pound Darkseid in the film, but even more from seeing her come to a decision about who she was, by herself.
The film is out on DVD on 28th September, 2010.
We have a few kick-ass female heroes out there but they are not as present in the culture as Superman, Batman or Spiderman. One of the main reasons why, is that as many women do not buy comics and the female comic book heroes do not prove to be as popular with the male fans. Even this film is based on a comic book called, 'The Girl from Krypton' but did not retain its original title because Hollywood needed a more 'action-movie' sounding name.
It's a shame that this is the case because female super heroes can be empowering. Not only because of their fantastically enhanced superhuman strength and powers, but they also serve to remind us of real female fighters from Joan of Arc to Sikh warrior women like Mai Bhago. These women need to be dragged out from the past and shown to our young girls as symbols of empowerment but also as a real part of our history.
Films like Superman Batman: Apocalypse may be carried by the male heroes but they do seek to remind us of this female warrior tradition, too. I, for one, got great satisfaction from seeing Supergirl repeatedly pound Darkseid in the film, but even more from seeing her come to a decision about who she was, by herself.
The film is out on DVD on 28th September, 2010.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
7/7 Five years on
Anat Rosenberg was talking to her partner on the phone as she rode a London bus, when she died five years ago today. Anat was one of 52 innocent people who lost her life in a bomb blast on a day that affected many.
I was only a bystander caught up in the chaotic but also strangely calm, aftermath of events on 7 July, 2005. I was late for work and could well have been on or near the Circle line train that exploded at 8.50am. When I reached Holborn, all trains were suspended and I was seething about London Underground's typical, below par service. Yet, there was a feeling of dread on that brilliantly sunny day. Something was going on. I remember thinking that this was not just about bad service on the London Underground.
When I talked to my boss, he confirmed that it was a terrorist attack. Then all I could think of was the people crammed into a Tube carriage, on their way to work, just like me, who were now dead or injured.
It's been five years and there have been inquiries conducted, articles written, memorials erected and tributes paid. All these things go some way towards dealing with the trauma of that day. But how does one cope with the grief of losing a loved one, being psychologically traumatised or having an injury from that day? Coping is often a process experienced in private. American psychiatrist, author and trauma expert, Judith Herman, says trauma makes one feel a loss of control and a lack of connection and meaning to the world. Recovery is trying to get that back. The deeper the trauma, the more difficult the recovery. It is also unique for every individual depending on their experiences, situations, personalities and their support systems.
When marking the fifth anniversary of her death, John Falding, partner of Anat, told The Guardian: "It's pretty distressing. Everyone looks at their watches, waiting for the exact moment, like a countdown to new year in reverse, though obviously not a joyous occasion. You look, and then you see at that moment they were alive. And then they weren't."
Factually and intellectually, it's easy to grasp the cold, hard facts. But emotionally, it's the hardest part of loss for anyone, especially if it was sudden. Some pull out the old clichés, "time heals all wounds" or "time heals what reason cannot". Well, maybe it can but there's no guarantee. It also depends very much on what you do with that time. After all, for a lot of us, it can take years to even accept that dark things happen on the sunniest days.
I was only a bystander caught up in the chaotic but also strangely calm, aftermath of events on 7 July, 2005. I was late for work and could well have been on or near the Circle line train that exploded at 8.50am. When I reached Holborn, all trains were suspended and I was seething about London Underground's typical, below par service. Yet, there was a feeling of dread on that brilliantly sunny day. Something was going on. I remember thinking that this was not just about bad service on the London Underground.
When I talked to my boss, he confirmed that it was a terrorist attack. Then all I could think of was the people crammed into a Tube carriage, on their way to work, just like me, who were now dead or injured.
It's been five years and there have been inquiries conducted, articles written, memorials erected and tributes paid. All these things go some way towards dealing with the trauma of that day. But how does one cope with the grief of losing a loved one, being psychologically traumatised or having an injury from that day? Coping is often a process experienced in private. American psychiatrist, author and trauma expert, Judith Herman, says trauma makes one feel a loss of control and a lack of connection and meaning to the world. Recovery is trying to get that back. The deeper the trauma, the more difficult the recovery. It is also unique for every individual depending on their experiences, situations, personalities and their support systems.
When marking the fifth anniversary of her death, John Falding, partner of Anat, told The Guardian: "It's pretty distressing. Everyone looks at their watches, waiting for the exact moment, like a countdown to new year in reverse, though obviously not a joyous occasion. You look, and then you see at that moment they were alive. And then they weren't."
Factually and intellectually, it's easy to grasp the cold, hard facts. But emotionally, it's the hardest part of loss for anyone, especially if it was sudden. Some pull out the old clichés, "time heals all wounds" or "time heals what reason cannot". Well, maybe it can but there's no guarantee. It also depends very much on what you do with that time. After all, for a lot of us, it can take years to even accept that dark things happen on the sunniest days.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Does Facebook create more distance or closeness?
A few years ago when Facebook was beginning to become popular, a colleague in the UK office I used to work in, disparaged it on a daily basis. "I refuse to join Facebook," he said, proud to be different from the masses that had. "My wife spent three hours on it yesterday, creating a virtual garden. Why waste your time?"
I didn't say it at the time but I considered the almost dramatic display a sign of limited thinking not unlike that of a grumpy old man with a distrust of new technology. After all, the mere act of signing up to Facebook does not create addictive or procrastinating tendencies. Facebook or not, these tendencies could manifest elsewhere. There is huge potential to waste your time on Facebook and many do, but it is also be a valuable social tool. There is a pro-activism involved in the use of it.
A friend connection could lead to an opportunity or spotting a piece of news on the feed, could lead to the discovery of a good story idea (if you're a journalist), like this example. It is also obviously a place to cultivate many forms of friendship.
Does the act of adding people as Facebook friends provoke addictive behaviour? Some add people they have only known for a few minutes in a bid to drum up as many "friends" as they can. Others are more select and only click that confirm tab if they REALLY mean it.
In the U.S. it is much more common, to use it as a professional tool, as well as a personal one. Then there are those people with whom you are reconnecting with after many years. Is it easier to add someone you may have fallen out with rather than truly re-engage and inject new life into the lost friendship in other ways? Or is it a positive way to bury the hatchet, but from a distance without having to deal with the messiness of past problems? Does it create more distance or closeness to add someone as a Facebook friend?
The answer is up for grabs depending on the person adding. Like deciding whether to spend hours creating virtual gardens or not, I hope we can also be proactive about which friendships to invest in outside of the Facebook forum to create closeness if we desire it.
I didn't say it at the time but I considered the almost dramatic display a sign of limited thinking not unlike that of a grumpy old man with a distrust of new technology. After all, the mere act of signing up to Facebook does not create addictive or procrastinating tendencies. Facebook or not, these tendencies could manifest elsewhere. There is huge potential to waste your time on Facebook and many do, but it is also be a valuable social tool. There is a pro-activism involved in the use of it.
A friend connection could lead to an opportunity or spotting a piece of news on the feed, could lead to the discovery of a good story idea (if you're a journalist), like this example. It is also obviously a place to cultivate many forms of friendship.
Does the act of adding people as Facebook friends provoke addictive behaviour? Some add people they have only known for a few minutes in a bid to drum up as many "friends" as they can. Others are more select and only click that confirm tab if they REALLY mean it.
In the U.S. it is much more common, to use it as a professional tool, as well as a personal one. Then there are those people with whom you are reconnecting with after many years. Is it easier to add someone you may have fallen out with rather than truly re-engage and inject new life into the lost friendship in other ways? Or is it a positive way to bury the hatchet, but from a distance without having to deal with the messiness of past problems? Does it create more distance or closeness to add someone as a Facebook friend?
The answer is up for grabs depending on the person adding. Like deciding whether to spend hours creating virtual gardens or not, I hope we can also be proactive about which friendships to invest in outside of the Facebook forum to create closeness if we desire it.
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