this friday, may 11 i will be reviewing the opening night of choreographer david zambrano’s “soul project” at the walker art center. as a collaborative effort, the project brings together seven dancers from across the world to perform to classic soul recordings. visit the link to see a short film about what to expect and look back on saturday for my review!
the rain held off, until everything was inside and my thoughts were outside and my heart some place in-between. the room, it’s really a sun porch, all windows and no walls. it will be hot on the hottest days, cold on the coldest, but tonight, it’s really something like perfect.
outside it’s raining, lighting and all five windows are open and I’m listening and breathing and listening to my breathing. I’m realizing lately, in hard ways, that maybe I can’t have all the answers, or my plan won’t always [or ever] work. at least tonight, I’m confident of one thing – that I’ve found the best new place to watch summer storms. my apartment, my sun porch, my new home [number five].
“it’s quiet company.” i’m living in a three tree town and it’s closing on me. i need to escape from lights and internet and people. i need to get out of the city, any city, and climb a tree to see outside my swimming head. i need to see stars, sleep under black skies and remember how to pitch my tent. for now, i’ll have to settle with walking to the grocery store.
today, i feel nothing but thanks and privilege. despite the many miles from my family, with new friends and in job transition — i am reminded that my life is so blessed. the flood of phone calls, texts, facebook messages have overwhelmed me [in a positive way] — my past friends, my present friends, my forever friends, mis amigos de barcelona and my best friend. i am in love with all of you. without you, i am not me. without you, my life is without meaning. without you, i would spend my life searching for you.
sometimes, i can’t shut off my thoughts. 9:30 turns 10:49 turns 1:03 and i turn over. it helps to have beautiful voices to fill chilly, quiet nights. it helps to have hot coffee, warm, high socks, a snuggly dog and books. ‘was it a snowy february?’ she asks. but, i think [for the first time] it wasn’t snowy silence — not in minnesota, not in my apartment, not in my finger tips. or maybe, snow is invisible through best friend blankets and spring is visible in her eyes.
the “american idiot” cast singing 21 guns — beautiful, energizing and anti-sleep medicine.
collisions of a developing adult — the musical “american idiot”
orpheum theatre, minneapolis, minn. — if y’re in your twenties [or were at one time], have questioned what it means to be american [or tried to escape it or tried to become it], been to war [or seen the aftermath]. if you have ever been in love [and, woke up out of love or faking it], smoked a cig [or rubber-banded yr arm and shot up], found something real [and lost it or forgot it or realized it wasn’t reality]. you must see american idiot — a collision of questions of a developing adult, a developing country and an uncertain future [with choices].
the musical journey follows the path of several protagonists who make different life choices and reconnect as more experienced versions of themselves. as they reunite in the same home town they started in, they bring back with them the scars [on skin, on hearts, on relationship strings]. they end struggling to look past each other’s battle wounds but end claiming their ground — “my city,” “my home,” “my country,” “my life.”
what makes me [katrina, keena, k, kat, kati]? woman, white, 22, single, writer, music-lover, emotional, detail obsessed, relationship driven, middle class, privileged. not american? where does patriotism piece into my whole? why is this never discussed? if we can not be proud of where we are from, are we doing something wrong? maybe, patriotism is not a bad thing. maybe, the inability to be proud of your country’s choices is a bad thing.
so, to the two women who left half way through the musical, i’d ask is love silent? love for country, love for self, love for sex, love for life, love for a partner, love for work, love for passion, love for friends. or is questioning, experiencing, trying and failing, the most loving way to truth? “i don’t want to be an american idiot.” i want to be a proud american — ask questions, disagree, take risks and love [everyone].
beautiful idea to cover a wall. #newproject (Taken with instagram)
avoid the grey fashion show! (Taken with instagram)
“avoid the grey” preview — interview with fashion designer gina marie landes of gina marie vintage
yesterday tying your shoes sat down with fashion designer gina marie landes of gina marie vintage at her studio in northeast. gina is one of ten designers featuring one look at tonight’s fashion show “avoid the grey.” the line is inspired by gina’s love for everything vintage – casual but elegant. her collection is sold in various boutiques and on her website. follow gina marie vintage on facebook and twitter.
tying your shoes: what should the audience look for at “avoid the grey?” what are you most looking forward to?
gina marie vintage: i am excited to see each designer’s look. we have been fitting our models and taking their measurements this week. in addition, i am working with a hair stylist and a makeup artist to complete my look, gypsy cocoon. at the show there will be five boxes that the models will display the looks in. because there are ten designers and only five boxes, the show will be in two parts.
tying your shoes: when did you first become interested in fashion and design?
gina marie vintage: i’ve always been interested in fashion as long as i can remember. i started sketching outfits since 3rd grade and in 4th grade i got my first sewing machine. recently i found an old childhood paper that i wrote on how i wanted to be a designer when i grew up.
tying your shoes: where do you find your inspiration?
gina marie vintage: when i look through my closet, I ask myself, what am i missing that i want to wear. i want to make clothing that i would buy. i don’t want it to be overly trendy and it should be comfortable. i try to create pieces that are simple and minimal. i want to be able to accessorize each piece to fit current trends. this way, my pieces never go out of style and you can wear them through many seasons. some of my favorite designers are ellie saab and calvin klein for their simplicity
tying your shoes: what do you see as some current fashion trends? how do you incorporate these into your line?
gina marie vintage: shear fabrics are trending everywhere. it has been in for a few seasons. i like to layer shear fabrics with slips underneath and also try to work in trending patterns. you can see this in my look gypsy cacoon. i am constantly thinking of new designs and have sketches waiting to be brought to life.
tying your shoes: what can gina marie vintage fans expect from your line after “avoid the grey?”
gina marie vintage: i will be participating in vision show next and I am continually launching new designs.
*photo credit to christopher spong. follow him on twitter or visit his blog, twin cities social scene.
