Poseidon Outshines in the Return of Ulysses

Image Source guardian.co.uk

The Royal Ballet of Flanders's production of the Return of Ulysses in Edinburgh not only managed to beautifully balance contemporary choreography with classical ballet, but did so without taking itself it to seriously. Poseidon graces the stage in a tutu and flippers, while Athena acts as mistress of ceremonies in gold, and Penelope resists her suitors constant attention while awaiting for Odysseus to return. A familiar story in an entertaining light, not be missed.

A few from the Edinburgh Festival

Looking up the royal Mile

Upside-down on Princes Street

Bubblegum busking: Jakil [MySpace]

When I moved to Scotland, it was in September and Edinburgh was just coming down from its festival high. I have been meaning to go the festival for the last five years, and it did not disappoint. Although it had been described to me many times, the magnitude of the event was still a surprise.

Anyone who is interested in the performing arts or counts the Avant-garde amongst their guilty pleasures, should make an effort to experience the festival.

Official Sites: Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival

My Mecca

I have never seen so much cheese in one place.

Strong Sartorial Statements

Image Andy Rain

Pink protestor at the G-20 meeting in London last July

Americana: Must Read

"So the birthers, the anti-tax tea-partiers, the town hall hecklers -- these are "either" the genuine grass roots or evil conspirators staging scenes for YouTube? The quiver on the lips of the man pushing the wheelchair, the crazed risk of carrying a pistol around a president -- too heartfelt to be an act. The lockstep strangeness of the mad lies on the protesters' signs -- too uniform to be spontaneous. They are both. If you don't understand that any moment of genuine political change always produces both, you can't understand America, where the crazy tree blooms in every moment of liberal ascendancy, and where elites exploit the crazy for their own narrow interests." -Rick Perlstein, taken from:

In America, Crazy Is a Preexisting Condition

Birthers, Town Hall Hecklers and the

Return of Right-Wing Rage

New Justin (or is it Jesus?) Vernon

Download: Volcano Choir- Island, IS. [zshare]

Listen: Volcano Choir-Island, IS. [hypem]

Deep Thought: Can Justin Vernon do no wrong?

Americana: Confusing Truth

"Over the past week, congressmen have been holding town hall meetings across the country. They’ve been disrupted by angry protesters who are against Obama’s new healthcare plan. And things could have gotten violent, but nobody could afford to get hurt. So, it was very peaceful protesting." -Jimmy Fallon

Enigmatic as Ever

picture source flickr

The Mona Lisa had a worse than average week, an enraged Russian lady threw a tea cup at the painting in the Louvre. The attacker (who did not manage to damage Mona) has been placed in a psychiatric infirmary.

Something Old and Something New

A new take on an old song is a difficult thing to pull off, but here a few tracks that make it look effortless:

Sharam - She Came Along (feat. Kid Cudi) [zshare]

Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Marvin L.A. (Sacha Di Manolo edit) [zshare]

Nina Simone- Sinnerman (Felix De Housecat Mix) [hypem]

note: I am not at all implying that the FDH remix of Sinnerman is better than the original, but it's noteworthy.