Thelonious Monk: A genius Monk or a crazy Konk...

Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

Been reading up a little about Monk. Which makes me reflect a lot about the current state of consumer attitude. Yeah yeah, it's the same ol' story. But I'm still very keen on asking, 'Why?'

Monk's unique style attracted lot'sa attention and changed many perspective. The part I don't understand is that his 'unique' style is something not many understands. The sound of it is already weird with dissonant harmonies and out-of-the-world progressions. So it's not mainstream or easily digested. But still, he received a Grammy and Pulitzer. Sadly he was awarded posthumously. On top of it all, according to reports, he was eccentric and doesn't communicate very well with others. He was even diagnosed with mental illness.

Despite the setbacks, people still applaud his works of art, up till today. Looking back at today's context, how many people actually appreciates expression of originality? Coming up most probably qualify as a sweeping statement, but it's either you're in or you're out. The typical reaction from most is the usual patronising statement, 'Oh, that's a very interesting hobby. So what exactly do you do?' I truely believe that in this era, where information is so easily available on the net everywhere and anywhere, IGNORANCE is a crime.

If Martin Luther King wasn't arrested, he wouldn't make the change he did.

If Tanya Chua wasn't signed in Taiwan, she wouldn't be famous here.

If Monk wasn't crazy, he wouldn't make the change he did.

If Beethovan didn't have bipolar disorder, he wouldn't make the change he did.

If Newton wasn't suffering from mental illness, he wouldn't make the the change he did.

If Steph Sun wasn't promoting in Taiwan, she wouldn't be famous here.

Maybe it's good to go against your society's norm afterall. Not sure how true is this, maybe my good friend who helps counselling people from suicidal intentions can help me out.

PS: Anyone interested in remixing John Cage's 4' 33 with me? It's gonna be a great hit, if we market it in Taiwan or Hongkong 1st. :)

Choon Hyang - True Love by Theatre Seoul

Thanks Ganesh for bringing them in to put up a show at TRCC. Had a great time working with koreans. I cannot forget Evan, their lighting designer. A regular korean fellow who loves Hip-Hop and RnB, but complains too much about not having a girlfriend. But he did mentioned that he's hoping to get a singaporean one. Not sure if he's desperate or a playboy tho...

The kids were great as well. Altho the lead actor can't really sing, but there's lotsa others to cover him up. Well... Just enjoy the pics! Thanks Mr Phang and Thub for the wonderful pics!

One of the backdrops

Finale!

Waiting for cue to go onstage.

Our Flyguys! They ain't no shyguys!

TRCC Show crew and Theatre Seoul Cast

I even did a show cameo with Mazlan !!! Pic below !!!

Nahh... Jus kidding. Those are hand-painted canvas backdrops mind you! And yeah, they look so real, I just get the urge... :)

Singapore Chinese Student Union's Chinese New Year Concert

Dragon Dance in UV magic!

Yeah, this is a variety concert done by the Chinese Student Union to liven up the local chinese during the Chinese New Year period. And when I mean chinese students in this context, I meant CHINA-chinese students. :)


The production is quite cool, except for the fact the one of the Diva's ego is bigger than China itself. The stage manager couldn't take it anymore, and demanded him to be taken away from the venue, just 1 hour before house opens !!! Nice one! Finally something exciting happens around here. However, it's dinner time soon...


After dinner, both the Diva and Stage manager were thrashing it out in the House!!! There were already around 15 pre-entry audience in the house, enjoying the pre-show appetiser. :) The show still went on despite all the Hoo-Haas...


Boring but exciting :)

ACS(I) LightSabers & Spitfires

This is the 1st time we squeezed around 90-strong into the orchestra shell. Pretty big, sounds big as well...

After a few symphonies, I'm still trying to grasp to beauty of it. I mean, I prefer stripped down version with Portishead, The Eels anyday...

Portishead - Glory Box

The Eels - I'm Going to Stop Pretending that I Didn't Break your Heart.

I know I know, they are not the same...

Bharathanatyam Arangetram

Apparantly, every indian dance student is suppose to put up a solo performance, and invite all friends and relatives to celebrate and mark the graduation event. A pretty big thing if you ask me. To round up a group of people to help you produce such an event, and not to mention the amount of time and money spent preparing for such. It's all cool I guess, when you parents are proud of you, and your friends/relatives get jeolous of you. Hahaha...

The setup was simple, but Haymini's production crew wasn't very professional about things. I mean, if you insist on claiming you have been doing productions for the past few years, and you have not ever heard of lighting plots or lighting plans before. The credibility of your past productions runs next in queue after the mystery of the lochness monster. However, the musicians were to greatest bunch to work with. Not only were they proficient in what they do, they understands the importance of working relationship with venue operators. Now that's professionalism. :)

Congrats Haymini!

Great musicians!





Nice shadow of the Deity.