Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

Special thanks to La Cieca for once again featuring The Volume on Parterre.com and creating a new tag for my review of Carmen at the Met: Le Mot du Jour.

“Though controversial, Rob Howell’s set was appropriately abstract without dissolving into inscrutability, placing emphasis on the underground and underbelly. Though fine from a distance, the ladies’ costumes (also designed by Howell) had an air of Lisa Kudrow’s character on Friends circa 1994, which means they’ll probably be au courant in a few years.”

Tin Pan Alley and DJ Jazzy Jeff

Further proof that Philly is the Sixth Borough in my interview with Eric Owens at The Volume:

Philadelphia has a hugely storied history in the music scene—from opera singers Marian Anderson and Mario Lanza to Chubby Checker and Dick Clark to Coltrane and Philly soul. How did growing up in that environment influence you musically?
Grover Washington, Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff, all those guys… It’s an amazing treasure trove of musicians that have come out of Philadelphia. Growing up around that was great, just awesome. In my pursuit of my classical career, just knowing that excellence was around, coming out of the city, the influence made me want to do my best and strive for excellence that surrounded me with this Philadelphia heritage.

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If anyone caught his show last night at (Le) Poisson Rouge, I’d love to hear your thoughts.