Slammed by syntax. Pummeled by a poem. The world heavyweight championship of words delivered with attitude is headed for West Palm Beach in the form of the 20th annual National Poetry Slam Aug. 4 to 8. And yes, fans, this is a competition every bit as heated as baseball or boxing. "This is blood, sweat and tears poetry delivered live inches from your … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2009
Music review: Tableau Baroque elegantly demonstrates roots of Handel’s art
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759).By Greg StepanichA young four-man Baroque ensemble that was formed on the sidelines of a Seraphic Fire concert showed Saturday night that it approaches this music with the same sort of demystified engagement and crisply achieved performance of the choir that godfathered it.Tableau Baroque, formed when longtime Seraphic Fire continuo man Henry … [Read more...]
Tableau Baroque elegantly demonstrates roots of Handel’s art
A young four-man Baroque ensemble that was formed on the sidelines of a Seraphic Fire concert showed Saturday night that it approaches this music with the same sort of demystified engagement and crisply achieved performance of the choir that godfathered it. Tableau Baroque, formed when longtime Seraphic Fire continuo man Henry Lebedinsky met countertenor Ian Howell … [Read more...]
Theater review: Shakespeare fest’s ‘Midsummer’ shows company comfortable in new home
The Rude Mechanicals, in Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival's A Midsummer Night's Dream.By Hap ErsteinAs it turns 19, the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival eases into its new home, the Seabreeze Amphitheatre at Jupiter’s Carlin Park, and it also eases into a more relaxed style of performing the Bard’s work.Earlier in its history, the Festival would reflexively select an exotic … [Read more...]
Shakespeare fest’s ‘Midsummer’ shows company comfortable in new home
As it turns 19, the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival eases into its new home, the Seabreeze Amphitheatre at Jupiter’s Carlin Park, and it also eases into a more relaxed style of performing the Bard’s work. Earlier in its history, the Festival would reflexively select an exotic geographical setting or perhaps an unexpected time period in which to set its play. The … [Read more...]
Music review: Cohesion hard to come by in chamber performances
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971).By Greg StepanichTwo intimate works vied for contention with one of extrovert character Friday night as the third week of Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival concerts opened, but precious few of either kind of moment were satisfying for long stretches of time.The best performance of the concert at Palm Beach Atlantic University's Persson Hall came … [Read more...]
Cohesion hard to come by in chamber performances
Two intimate works vied for contention with one of extrovert character Friday night as the third week of Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival concerts opened, but precious few of either kind of moment were satisfying for long stretches of time. The best performance of the concert at Palm Beach Atlantic University's Persson Hall came right at the beginning, with Carlos … [Read more...]
Film review: ‘Ugly Truth’ is rom-com by the numbers
Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler in The Ugly Truth.By Hap ErsteinThe ugly truth about the new romantic comedy The Ugly Truth is that it wastes a talented cast on a formulaic story that audiences are either going to be way ahead of or shaking their heads in disbelief over.Like The Proposal, the Sandra Bullock vehicle that has proven inexplicably popular, this is another tale of … [Read more...]
‘Ugly Truth’ is rom-com by the numbers
The ugly truth about the new romantic comedy The Ugly Truth is that it wastes a talented cast on a formulaic story that audiences are either going to be way ahead of or shaking their heads in disbelief over. Like The Proposal, the Sandra Bullock vehicle that has proven inexplicably popular, this is another tale of a savvy, professionally successful woman who suddenly turns … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: July 23-26
Brian Kovachik won best of show for this ceramic vase.(Photo by Katie Deits)Art: The Gallery at Palm Beach Community College’s Eissey Campus in Palm Beach Gardens currently is featuring Earthly Delights, a multimedia exhibition of art by members of The Palm Beach County Art Teachers Association. The exhibition is composed of recent paintings, sculpture, photography, and mixed … [Read more...]