Somewhere Over The Hudson...

Last night was the opening of Rufus Wainwright's two sold out performances at Carnegie Hall. The enitre show is a recreation of Judy Garland's 1961 show.

I am posting an ABC review of how the night went.

Should anyone come into an extra ticket and a private jet and wonders who to take, I think I can clear my schedule. I promise not to sing along.

What time shall I meet at the gate? LOL

Cheers!
Tommy

from ABC News:

Historic Judy Garland concert restaged in New York

Reuters

NEW YORK - Eclectic pop singer Rufus Wainwright bridged musical generations on Wednesday with a daring re-creation of Judy Garland's legendary 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall.

Wainwright took the stage to thunderous applause from the sellout crowd and launched straight into the first number, "When You're Smiling."

The Canadian crooner said "we're not in Kansas anymore, we're in New York," -- a play on the memorable line from the "Wizard of Oz" movie which launched Garland's career. Backed by a 40-piece orchestra, Wainwright then restaged the monumental concert often called the greatest single night in show-business history.

Garland's double album, "Judy at Carnegie Hall," won two Grammys including Album of the Year and became her best-selling record, made when she was 39.

Wednesday's show was the first of a sold-out two-night run.

Among some two dozen numbers were classics such as "Do It Again," "That's Entertainment!" and "Puttin' on the Ritz."

But it was the songs most closely associated with Garland -- "San Francisco," "The Man That Got Away," "The Trolley Song," "Swanee," "Chicago" and her signature, "Over the Rainbow," that drew the strongest response.

Wainwright's dreamy, reedy tenor marked an arresting counterpoint to Garland's throaty belting.

Wainwright, like Garland, made it a family affair. He performed with his mother, Kate McGarrigle, his sister Martha and Garland's daughter Lorna Luft, who appeared for a duet rendition of "After You've Gone."

Liza Minnelli, Garland's other daughter, did not appear on stage.

Wainwright spoke often of Garland's influence during the performance, which was filmed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes. "When I was a kid I wanted to be Dorothy," he said.

He cracked at one point, "I'm going to speak now, because on the album Judy speaks here." When a light malfunctioned, he joked "this didn't happen in the original."

Garland's Carnegie Hall concert was one of several comebacks throughout her troubled life, which ended with her death in 1969 at 47.

Not long before the show she had nearly died from hepatitis and was told her career was over. The Carnegie Hall performance defied that prognosis, and spawned a 16-city U.S. tour and years of sold-out concerts.

Stars in the audience 45 years ago included Rock Hudson, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Henry Fonda. On Wednesday, Sarah Jessica Parker, Joel Gray, director John Waters, Gina Gershon and designer Patricia Fields were among the fans who gave Wainwright several standing ovations.

"I did feel a real connection to Judy Garland and did really commune with her," Wainwright said at the show's end.

It was clear from the ecstatic response that the thousands who attended felt the same way.

Self Portrait, v.666

THE BIG SECRET IS OUT TONIGHT

There will be NO DROPPED CALLS tonight at the opening of
The Telephone Show opens at ByrneBoehm Gallery, 959 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids.

The Telephone Show translated into the visual realm. Experience what happens when art is created in a collaborative chain.

The Original artist's interpretation of the "secret message" was passed to a second artist who, in turn, created their own piece of art in response to what was given them.

The second artist handed their "secret" piece off to a third, who created their own piece. And so it passed to eight different artists - each one working in their own medium.

All the artwork remained a secret hidden even from the participating artists, to be revealed at the show opening.

June 2 Artist reception and unveiling
5:30 - 9:30 PM

Artist Q & A
7:30 - 8:30 PM

A big thanks to Kristin for her great style she brought to my piece and to this project!

Spotted: Vince appears in a GR Advertisement

I was just checking out the web site that I have written a few guides and noticed a figure I recognized immediately.

To be fair, I knew Vince was to appear in the Hillmount campaign, I just did not expect to find it today while browsing rapidgrowthmedia.com.

So "Spotted" this month has to go to Vince...even if it only features his backside.

Visit: hillmountgr.com/
The advertising campaign is being handled by plentycreative.com/

Weekend Getaway: Healthy Venting

This past weekend I left GR for Chicago and then Detroit. But before I post any pics from this trip, I decided to share a favorite activity I discovered in Chicago....Bush Bashing. LOL

No kidding, there was an arcade game where you can bop the President.

And I did it because I just love supporting sporting activites....it is a great way to spend countless calories while beign blind ot the time passing by around me....kind of like how Bush has spent our surplus...blindly passing the bill on to your grandkids.

Focus: Health Health Health

Best Dog In The World

I realized that I have not updated this site on how Madison is progressing.

After a round of new meds she has rebounded...again.

She is a lot like my Great Grandmother who when nearly gone bounces back just when one thinks this she will not.
(she finally died well into her 90's)

While Madison will never be that bouncing dog who loved to catch the frisbee for hours, she is so sharp and responsive mentally.

To all those who wrote or sent cards, I am truly touched by our throughtful actions.

Those who meet Madison know the charm she can cast over your hearts.

Again, deepest thanks!

Tommy

New Art and Finding Jesus

Over the last few days I have been doing research for a new body of work that grows out of my growing frustration with America's focus on my family and the need to regulate even further our so called freedoms.

So while pouring over many images, I decided to stumble on to You Tube and conduct some video research for my project.

It was while sifting through thousands of videos that I discovered Jesus.

And I could not find a more fitting video to lift my spirits.

So for the moment I will pause to have a good laugh...even if it is at Jesus' expense.

LINK: Jesus Christ: The Musical

Putting FUN back in to FUNdraiser

On Thursday, May 18, the Kent Democratic party held their annual gala. And what a fun night it was.

This year I was tapped to take a larger role and had the pleasure of introducing Senator Mark Shauer, Rep. Mary Waters and Lt. Governor John Cherry. Also speaking was the "Eternal" General Frank Kelly who was introduced by Scott Bowen.

For each of the three I did some homework and tried to find something off the bio page.

Shauer - it turns out he is a health nut and is very very active.....like "the Energizer Bunny of Senate."

Waters - I asked that if she can find a way for me to keep my "TRUE BLUE" Michigan Driver's license plate, then she would have my vote. (She said from the podium that I could keep it if elected.)

Cheery - This one got the biggest laugh. Besides Cherry being from Genessee County where I grew up, he is an avid hunter. I will reprint here what I had to say:

"He hails from my home, Genesee County, and is also an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

If there ever was one who deserved a “Sportsman for Cherry” bumper sticker it is this man.

But what does he hunt? It turns out wild turkeys for one.

Since it was getting late in the day, I decided not to call his office and went straight to google.

Within a few clicks of recommended links, I was able to see he was the real deal.

But then I decided to return to google and this time type John,
Cherry,
Hunting,
(Pause)
Accidents.


Nothing….but someone named Cheney kept coming up.

Ladies and Gentleman lets have a big Kent County welcome to the Lt Governor of Michigan, John Cherry!"

The real pleasure was being so close to Frank Kelly who fired up the room with his wisdom of the years.

Thank you to all who came out to support a great event.

And a big thank you to my friends, Maggie Simmons, Sue Levy and Cheryl Warner who do so much behind the scenes to make this event a reality. Great job!!!

Good Eats: Morels

It is that time of the year again when our funny faced fung-guy pops up and says, "Eat Me."

So in honor of his appearance, please drop along a note on how you would dress this fella up before popping him in your mouth.

I sauteed him in butter, onions, salt, pepper and then added him to a huge pot of risotto.

Cheers!

Telephone Show Receives First Press Story

The exciting new "telephone" art show opening in a few weeks received an advance story in today's Grand Rapids Press.

Artists play visual 'telephone' game

Sunday, May 14, 2006
By Gail Philbin
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- Area artists may feel like kicking themselves after they visit "The Telephone Show," an unusual exhibit opening June 2 at the ByrneBoehm Gallery.

The show is a visual arts version of the old children's game of passing a whispered message from person to person to see how it changes, only the "message" that mutates in this case is a piece of art.

Now that the idea for this show has come from 26-year-old artist Kelly Allen, it seems like such an obviously novel and effective way to create a chain of artistic inspiration, some artists may wonder why they didn't think of it themselves.

The initial "message" in "The Telephone Show" is a mixed-media work titled "Tummy Ache" created by Allen that has been re-imagined in succession by seven other artists, each one working only from the previous artist's piece. The exhibit is comprised of Allen's painting and its seven subsequent versions.

Each artist had up to one month to finish his or her piece and toiled in the dark in terms of the series as a whole -- each person was allowed to see only the work of the artist before him or her, and Allen didn't see any piece except her own.

As they completed their works, the artists gave the one that served as their inspiration to the gallery for safekeeping and passed their own on to the next artist.

"I wanted it to be as big a surprise for the artists as possible," said Allen, explaining the secrecy.

The artists didn't set out to copy the "message" they received but instead had free rein to "pick up on a color scheme or ... whatever they wanted to pull," Allen said.

How the resulting show will look is anyone's guess, given the diverse media the artists bring to the table and the unpredictable ways they may have interacted with each other's works. To determine where they fell in the chain of art creation, they picked numbers from a hat.

In order of participation, the artists are: Kelly Allen, mixed-media and painting; Alison Jones, mixed-media and digital photography; Andrea Lutz, photography; John Mosher, abstract oil painting; Tommy Allen, photography; Jenn Schaub, printmaking and painting; Shelly Klein, sewing; and Dan Ward, realist painting.

Kelly Allen created a "tongue-in-cheek" piece to kick off the experiment -- a confection of such images as candy, hearts and hamsters that recall the sweetness of childhood. If "Tummy Ache" were a telephone message, it would be saying something about Allen's memories as a little girl, she said.

"It's something I would have loved back then," she said of the sugary, surreal world of the painting.

It remains to be seen whether or not Allen's light-hearted message stayed intact during what turned out to be a nine-month game of Telephone beginning in September 2005 when Allen started her piece.

Whatever "The Telephone Show" ends up looking like, Allen believes it will offer a unique way of exploring interpersonal communication and interpretations of meaning in social interactions.

"The transition from one artwork to the next acts as a visual metaphor for the ways in which humans communicate their intentions, how they might be understood or misunderstand, and finally interpreted or misinterpreted as the message is passed along through time," she said.

"The Telephone Show" has proven challenging for some of the artists, because it has taken them out of their "groove" and required them to draw inspiration from something other than what they're used to, Allen said Despite that, she hopes to do the experiment again.

"Every single time, it will be a completely different show," she said. "It will never get old."


Gallery: ByrneBoehm Gallery
959 Lake Drive, SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: (616)336-0209

The River Bank Run Results Are In!!!

I have just completed my run and have improved my time from last year by about two minutes.

Now a few hours later, I feel good and must say I am glad I bumped into my friend Sally who pushed me as much as I pushed her. I was lining up when I saw her next to me and we agreed to run until the other felt the need for speed.

I have Sally to thank for telling me as we turned the last corner to go for it. This shove helped me get the time I wanted!

Honestly after a night before that included a wine tasting event and then a wedding reception, when my head hit the pillow at midnight I did not think I woudl be running in the AM.

I stepped outside at 6 AM...hmmm... no rain, no excuses this year. So I grabbed a coffee, a cliff bar and headed downtown.

The weather was a perfect temp for running. While it was in the mid-40's I did have to do a bit of a strip tease while running over the 6th Street bridge because I was sweating in my running out fit.

For fashion sake I wore a blue and bright orange Adidas jacket and pants. Underneath was my favorite new UnderArmor shirt that really helps wick away the sweat.

I even wore my iBelieve cap on my iPod shuffle for luck but the damn thing kept slapping around like a hell-bent nun in gradeschool. Next time I will go natural...I mean.... without the Divine Design element.

I had placed a collection of tunes to help me pace myself. I knew that if my soundtrack got past "I Love New York" by Madonna I was in deep trouble. But as it was Madonna was just starting her tune when I turned the Monroe Center Corner and saw the finish line ahead.

As Madonna wound up, I felt like winding down but instead I sprinted focusing my eyes on the sign as I sped down Ionia, ignoring the crowds around me.

And in those final seconds when my mind attempted one last time to get me to slow down, I said, "No." Volume high, I crossed the finish line full stride.

I may not have had the best time of the day nor won a medal or a prize, but I gained something I could not buy.

I earned the right to say I showed up and I did it.

A few notes from the road....

The event could have done a better job of signage, since I do not recall one sign that indicated mile marks. One runner remembered a person holding up one finger, the good one, but thought they were telling her they were "number one". It was only when she looked back did she see the sign.

And next year, let's fix that big pothole on the West side of the 6th Street Bridge as well.

I really liked the design of the logo this year.

The best part of this event was the free massages and a beer tent. Not that I stopped for a massage or the beer but if I had somewhere to place a soggy three dollars I just might have.

But yogurt, bananas and icy cold fresh orange slices hit the spot. And then I simply went home.

Until the next race.....

Event
Fifth Third River Bank Run 5k
Year: 2006
Bib: 808
Last name: ALLEN
First name: TOMMY
City: GRAND RAPIDS
State: MI
Overall: 1864 (out of 3797)
Chip time: 29:34

My iPod Shuffle "Cross" Soundtrack:
Demon Days - Gorillaz
Utopia - Sofia Loell
Illuminate - Latrice
Rise (ROCAsound House Mix) - Samantha James
Feel Good Inc (Single Edit) - Gorillaz
Hung Up (Bill Hamel Remix) (Edit) - Madonna
Sunrise (Jason Nevins Remix) - Duran Duran
I Love New York - Madonna

West Michigan Whitecaps JUMP THE SHARK!

It was bound to happne since they have always walked a fine line but on Sunday, May 7, the West Michigan Whitecaps officially jumped the shark when it was announced it was Dance Day.

So for your consideration I offer up these four photos.


1. Pledging to an eletronic flag.


2. A woman in a rip off of the Iconic I "Heart" N Y Shirt that reads, "I HEART JENISON VOLLEYBALL"



3. New healthier oil for fried food. What is the point of counting fat grams in your fries after 2 huge beers, a hot dog and a melting moment ice cream bar?



4. Underage (and almost entirely white) dancers bumping and grinding to hip hop tunes a bit off the beat. It was as they say on Seinfeld like watching a full body dry heave.

Congrats West Michigan, you knocked it out of the park this time.

(I will still attend because for all its faults, it is still a great place to have a good time with friends.)

SPOTLIGHT: GR Code Pink

This past weekend GR CodePink was out in full force looking for some face time with Michigan Congressman Vern Ehlers as he hosted what was billed as a Town Hall Meeting.

But ol' Vern must feel he does not need their votes must less the need to communicate with a group within the hall or he may have been more cordial with their attmepts to ask questions.

While I was out of town I could not attend the meeting, but this AM in my mailbox was a letter from one of the members of Code Pink who had trouble getting Vern Ehlers attention.

This is a reprint of Anne Gossett's letter she has sent to Vern Ehlers:

Dear Mr. Ehlers;

I recently attended your town hall meeting in Grand Rapids and I was really disappointed by what I heard. Not just with you, I was indeed disappointed with your responses, but with my fellow attendees. I was not called on, as you systematically avoided our area, but I can hardly blame you; my pink wig must have been quite disconcerting.

My problem with the tenor of the meeting was due in part to the truly self-serving nature of the questions asked. It bothered me that the general message of most questions was, "Will you fix my problem for me?" Very few seemed particularly global and , if they were, it was generally a xenophobic reaction to a perceived ethnic group destroying their way of life. Well done! I say to you. Well done! Washington has done a superb job of convincing Americans that their neighbors to the south are at the root of their every disconsolation. Well done! Keeps them off that pesky Iraq and Iran topic, doesn't it?

My question, however, did not have to do with my situation personally. I was incensed to ask a question when I heard you agree with that obviously very angry and misguided man that morals today were in a state of decline (not very original, I think when everyone turns 50 they become convinced of this fact). I've written you form emails before regarding my support of gay marriage and received your form reply. It basically said that if you don't personally support something, you won't support it in Washington. How exactly this equals representation is a bit of a conundrum for me, but I digress. . .

My question is this: You identify yourself as a Christian. Can you please explain to me (I wonder if you have a form letter for this one) exactly how it was Christ-like to authorize and continue to support a preemptive war against a sovereign nation? A war, with no end in sight, which has killed thousands of US citizens, 100,000+ Iraqis (mainly children) and has wounded numbers we will never know (not because they are not knowable but because we choose not to count). Was there a passage in the bible that said to turn the other cheek unless you have some specious intelligence information? I guess I wonder how you can hold to your self-defined Christian values so strongly on a subject as innocuous as gay marriage and yet let them fly out the window on a situation that seems to eschew every teaching of the Christ from the beginning to end of his life?

Can you sleep at night knowing the blood of the dead is on your hands? I hope that Christ shows more mercy on your soul than you have shown them.

Yours in Peace,
Anne Gossett

"And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through" - David Bowie

To join GR CodePink, Link Here

Take Spring With You

The ultimate ride along.


(driving to detroit for bravobravo!)

World's Best Dog: An Update

The past week has been a tough one. But through the good care of our vet and our abiltiy to adapt quickly, Madison is feeling better.

While I am not a doctor, I do see signs that whatever was troubling her has passed. The spells where she would shake and not be able to walk have not returned.

What remains is a very weak dog. She is not as fast as she was prior this bout so we still do not know what to expect.

We do understand she is geting older and no pill can stop or change this fact of life.

It has even been funny to watch how she will ac like an old lady who refuses to take her medicine. It actually takes two of us some days. I have given in to making chicken balls to give her at the end of her treatment.

But tonight at this very very late hour I want to take a moment to thank all those who have called, written emails, and sent notes of support. A big heartfelt thanks to those who's generous tokens offered up so freely remind me of the goodness still found in this world. I have been so fortunate to have such good people (and pets) around me.

Cheers!
Tommy

Tommy for Vendetta

I have been thinking for days how to respond to the powerful film, V for Vendetta.

In the end, I have been speechless but really torn up over this powerful film that I highly recommend seeing in the theatre.

So yesterday after reading the public pulse comment in The Grand Rapids Press I think this letter says it all. See this film!

Harmful about homosexuals

I am responding to Philip Lewis ("Pushing gay agenda," Pulse, March 24). Mr. Lewis objected to the supportive position which the movie "V for Vendetta" takes toward homosexual people. First, homosexual people were targeted by the Nazis and exterminated in the camps. Therefore, their similar depiction in the movie is legitimate -- hardly "absolutely ludicrous." I have several gay friends, all of whom knew from childhood that they were different and have had to endure the shaming and bruising of language like Mr. Lewis' for their entire lives: "deviant," "vile," "sewer water," "damaging to society," "not natural." This kind of talk is profoundly hurtful to many people, including children. Finally, regarding Mr. Lewis' concern: "Where is it going to end -- with another Sodom and Gomorrah?" I offer this: A gay male couple lives near to me. They have an incredibly beautiful garden. My elderly father and I often walk by and admire it. Whenever we catch one of the men in the yard, they are always exceedingly kind and conversational. They are an asset to the neighborhood. Mr. Lewis would be greatly relieved to hear that of all the people I have observed enjoying the garden, not one yet has become a pillar of salt.

GEORGE BARTNICK/Grand Rapids
from the Grand Rapids Press, May 1
Letter to the Editor

Only Because It Has Been On My Mind....

The way I see it, unless you are a native American, chances are someone in your blood line once was an immigrant.

Maybe as we enter into dialog these next few weeks, we really should be careful how we treat our fellow immigrants and try not to get too greedy with our freedom.

This country was founded on the backs of hard working folks who simply wanted a better way of life. I think that is what the lady of the harbor would want us to remember.

Cartoon by Paul Best

World's Best Dog Resting At Home (Day 4)

Madison had an OK day. While most of it was spent sleeping, when she was awake she enjoyed the arrival of chicken meat balls.

But we are having a hard time with the pill situation since she has figured out we are adding medicine to her chicken balls.

See, even my dog wants chem-free chicken.

Later we were sitting in the front room when she jumped up and walked to the bedroom. We just thought she was tired and wanted to go to bed but instead a few minutes later she reappeared with her favorite orange football in her mouth.

It made us have a bit of hope that she was not in too much pain if she felt the need to herd.

Things were going fine until she threw up. It was yellow which is not the color I was hoping. I actually wanted no color but the clear water she continues to drink thorughout the day.

So we all just took it easy on Sunday. Michael was able to get away for a while today to get some art completed.

When he arrived home I whispered in her ear, "Michael's home."

Her sleeping little face perked up as she jumped up and was moving at a record senior dog pace with rapid tail movement. It was a nice way to end the day. There is nothing better in this world than a smiling dog to greet you when you return home.

I am not sure if these updates will continue on a day to day basis since the work week begins tomorrow. I just thought it would be a nice format to update you on her health. I will also be posting other notes and comments as usual. I just needed a break

We are prepared for the worst but also have hope we can keep her comfortable until that time arrives.

Isn't funny how these little creatures work their way into our lives. I really cannot look in her eyes without a sense of wonder. This dog has changed my life in so many ways.

I really am who I am because of Madison.

World's Best Dog Resting At Home (Day 3)

We are on day 3 of Madison being ill. She is beginning to eat again but she has developed very expensive taste.

Since most know I gave up factory farm meat almost 4 years ago this May, I went to my butcher to get her some chicken breast (skin on).

Once home I roasted it and then had Chef Michael place it in the food processor pulsing it to a dough like consistency.

This serves two purposes.

1.) Since Madison has lost her appetite for all of her other food and this provides a good mixer to add to it
2.) She adores Chicken.

Today she is sleeping a lot, taking a senior citizen supply of drugs and finally getting her fluids & now solid food.

The latter is a good thing since appetite loss would not be a good sign at this point. We do not know how long we will have since they have given us no guarantees. But who comes with guarantees in the area of life.

As for us, we are exhausted. I feel like I am walking in a haze. You know the feeling one gets after they have completed an all-nighter working on a term paper.

But an opportunity presented itself and last night I was literally shaken out of it for a moment.

My friends Randy and Steph's son Zach was in the East Grand Rapids musical production of Beauty and the Beast. Since Michael wanted to stay home with Madison, he insisted I attend. "Zach will be happy you attended," he said, "It will mean a lot to him even if one of us shows up."

I have been around Zach since he was born and was later at the birth of his sister Anna. But I still cannot believe how fast time has flown by. The reality was sprung on me recently when attending the Tanglefoot Private Sale he said he could drive now.

"With a Parent, right," I added.

"No'" Zach exclaimed, "I am 16 and I can drive anywhere on my own."

After the show we all went back stage, Zach towering over the rest of the kids in the room spotted his family and raced over. And just as fast as he is on the football field he gave me a quick hug and then hoisted me in the air.

At first I was a bit embarrassed as I caught the eyes of many people around the room. You see all I wanted last night was to show up, say my congrats and then be on my way. I did not expect to be tossed about for all to see.

But I am glad he did. He had no idea how sad I was these past few days as I watched my dog struggle to walk while having a seizure like episode. This one act of friendship shook me out of my funk and reminded me that not all is bad in my life.

So, Zach, if you ever read this know how proud I am of your accomplishments both on the field, on the stage and most of all with those in your life you have extended the hand of friendship. Your timing was perfect.

You make your parents so proud....and me, too.

Some day Zach and I will have a chuckle or two as we talk about the time he actually danced on stage to a silly obnoxious "Be Out Guest" tune while dressed as a peppermill. It still makes me laugh the day after.

He did not know the pain of my week,

World's Best Dog Released From Hospital

Today at 3:45 PM Madison was released to come home. We decided against more testing after weighing in heavily on the pro's and con's of this next round.

What we do know is she has elevated liver functions that could be related to a past problem.

She is on a new round of pills, a restricted diet and no car rides for a while.

For all those who have seen her old lady walk, according to the X-ray this is not due to her hips which look fine, it is her arthritic back that is causing the funky walk.

So over the next few weeks we will try and keep her comfortable as we enter yet another phase of dealing with an elderly dog. We have had the big conversation that all pet owners have at some point and we know her days with us are few.

She is truly an amazing dog. (Love the fashionable bandage?)

Thank you to those who called to wish her good health including Jacqui - who even offered to fly in. A big big thanks to Linda who was there when Madison had her third spell yesterday. It really means a lot when someone cleans up after your sick dog while you are off to Kinko's for work.