The Australian Pink Floyd Show Oct 27th, 09

Last Tuesday night a cover band almost sold out the Hammerstein Ballroom. It was surprising to walk up and see a huge line outside for a tribute band, but once inside you can see why they are so popular. This is an impressive show with lasers, props, and a large display panel similar to "Mr. Screen." The Australian Pink Floyd not only look like Pink Floyd but sound incredibly close to the real thing. This year they are doing a greatest hits show with music from "Wish You Were Here," "Animals," "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall." They were Spellbinding on songs like "Comfortably Numb" and "Hey You." This stage show was so elaborate they even brought out amazing inflatables. This show was a feast for all senses with the lights, sound, and feeling of Pink Floyd.

Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156–1868 Metropolitan Museum of Art

In 1868 the Samurai culture was abolished, but for more then seven hundred years this culture flourished in Japan. Following the Bushidō, meaning "Way of the Warrior", these man were part of the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. Now one can sign up for a 4-8 year hitch, but being a Samurai was not that kind of military service. The warrior looked forward to a glorious death in the service of a military leader or the emperor. This exhibit is made up of objects from public and private collections. Most of objects date from the rise of the samurai in the late Heian period, through the early modern Edo period. The focus in this exhibit is armor, swords and sword mountings. The swords and daggers are very impressive, but the equestrian equipment and surcoats are worth some extra time. The most eye opening pieces were of the archery equipment and firearms. At one point in time the Samurai was known as "the man with a bow." Also on display are other arts of the Samurai like banners, painted scrolls and screens depicting battles. Because of the age and delicate nature of these's item The Metropolitan Museum is bringing this exhibit out in waves. The first examples will be On view October 21–November 29, then the second wave will be On view December 8–January 10.

Type O Negative Oct. 22nd

This Thursday was a New York anomaly. The trains ran on time and without stopping. This made it easy to get to the Nokia in time for Dead Men Dreaming. This local band has a guitar duo that shreds, and a impressive front man. Then Seventh Void came out on stage with Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly from Type O doing double duty on guitar, and drums. Next was Destrophy from Iowa. They had a spread out drum kit with a double bass and at least seven different cymbals. As the night went on the room filled up and then out came Type O Negative. This Gothic metal band from Brooklyn love to joke around with their home town fans. Peter Steele's voice sets the right atmosphere for the music to follow. These melodic songs focus on Relationships, and love with a hint of dark humor. In 1993 the Band had a Platinum album with Bloody Kisses, the first album on Roadrunner Records to reach Gold. After that success the band have stayed on the billboard 200 with most efforts. With their wealth of material they have lots to fill sets with, showing this by starting with "Dead Again" and getting to "Love You To Death" by mid-set. Then ending with "World Coming Down" into "Christian Woman" amped a crowd ready for more. Having already played "Halloween in Heaven" the encore was "Black No. 1" the band's other Halloween song. It's is getting close to the end of October. What are you doing for the 31st? Check out the setlist at..

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/type-o-negative/2009/nokia-theater-times-square-new-york-ny-43d7db27.html

Where The Wild Things Are Directed by Spike Jonze

This film was adapted from the beloved book from all of our childhood. A book that had little to say and a lot to show for itself. This Movie not only changes the real part of the small boys life, it also over complicates the fantasy world into a sad almost scary place. The look of the monsters is amazing. They are as furry and strange as you saw them in the covers of the book by Maurice Sendak. With this short story one feels like inside your mind is a wonderful world where you can work through your problems. In this movie the land of the Wild Things is a world with more problems then the real world. The monsters sulk around only being happy for fleeting moments. Max seems sad most of the time, not the young explorer with smiles on his face in the book. The plot is stretched out and stuff just added in. This is not that bad of a movie, it looks great. But the feeling you come out with is nothing near what ones gets when reading this children's book from the '60's.

Book Then Movie: Where the Wild Things Are

This wonderful children's picture book is from the early '60's and is loved around the world. Written by Maurice Sendak it has sold 19 million copies. Maurice came up with the "Things" when at his family's home in Brooklyn. Using his aunts and uncles for the likeness and names of the monsters. This book is about the imagination of a little boy and how it helps him understand his emotions. With little text Maurice uses mostly pictures to tell the story line. In the book Max, the young boy, is sent to his room for acting up. From there his mind takes over and he goes on an adventure to the land of the Wild Things. A book not short on critical acclaim being held high right after its original release. Even then they new that the story has a balance of complex thinking and simplicity. Manohla Dargis noted that "there are different ways to read the wild things, and probably as many ways to ruin this delicate story of a solitary child liberated by his imagination." If you have not read this book go into a bookstore and read it through once or twice. Please glance at this children's book before you see this movie.

Bob Weir at the Manhattan Grand Ballroom Oct. 19th & 20th

Up above the Hammerstein is the beautiful Manhattan Grand Ballroom. This last Monday night they opened this little venue for a Bob Weir two-day run. After the first night you could tell this was not going to be a normal run of shows, even the Empire State Building was dressed up in Tie-dye. A trim fit Bobby came out on stage with his band Ratdog. The night was full of Grateful Dead tunes with only two Ratdog songs like "Ashes in Glass." The second night was not as smooth sailing. The President was speaking downstairs and this meant the streets were blocked, cops everywhere, and lots of confused hippies. Once inside the show one was not confused any-longer. Everyone had a tear in there eye when Bob played "Mission in the Rain." This is not all the G.D Happenings going on this week. The Historical Society is opening an exhibit next year deadicated to the boys. (The Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New York Historical Society) Because of this Phil and Bobby where honored at a fundraiser on Wednesday. Thats not all! There are lots of chances to let out your inner flower child with three more shows Ratdog this weekend at the Becon Theater.

New York, I Love You

New York, I Love You is the second movie in a series of films devoted to love in the city. When you think of a city for lovers one thinks of Paris. That's why the producers started with Paris, je t'aime. Now they have moved on to a city where love means different things to different people. In the Paris movie the shorts were titled and ran in a order. This continuity is not found in the New York film. Some might think that this hurts the premise but New York is not an easy place to find love. Stories placed in Tribeca, Central Park, the back of taxi cabs, even some of Coney Island intermingle with each other much like we do as New Yorkers. The actors must have loved the story because they all got on board to play a role. Natalie Portman, the handsome Shia LaBeouf, and even Orlando Bloom come to New York to play in this movie. All in all it was a interesting take on life and love in the city.