Avant-garde shorts from 20's-30's: Central Europe

I barely made it in time, but managed to get over to the The National Gallery of Art (Washington DC) to see the "avant-garde shorts" part of the series "Modernity and Tradition" in the large auditorium. I love that auditorium. And it was such a pleasure to be able to see these films there in their original format.

The program included works from Hans Richter (of course, a staple), Jerzy Gabrielsky, Jerzy Zarzycki and Tadeusz Kowalski, Stephan and Franciszka Themerson, Alexandr Hackenschmied, Elmar Klos.

Thanks to UBU, here's a little taste of what I saw:







I wish I could share with you my favorite: "The Highway Sings" by Elmar Klos! It's a four minute Czech tire commercial from 1937. It starts out with the tire-maker singing about how happy he is to have made his little baby, and that it will grow-up adn be ready to serve its master. Then he sets the tire free- it then sings while rolling over hills and bouncing and rolling through streets. The tire sings of being so excited to find and serve it's master. Then rolls right into the hands of a mechanic who proceeds to promptly put the tire on a car. Then the tire is rolling under the car and is singing about how happy it is to have finally made it. So great.

Yo Majesty

Rell and I went to see Yo Magesty at Beauty Bar. It was CRAZY AWESOME!!! These three ladies have it going on: they have the diva who goes nuts and often takes off articles of clothing, they have the smooth hypnotic rapper, and the enthusiast who keeps the vibe going and keeps the crowd pumped. They are all lesbians which makes it really interesting because they take on that "you a nasty girl" anthem- getting the girls to get it going on the dance floor. However, they seem to be somewhat mocking that male chauvinism in the same breath. The songs are fun and smart.

At first, as usual in Austin, everyone was having trouble moving. But I mean come on, these ladies were giving us all the cues on how to MOVE so finally the crowd got a little less white (metaphorically) and started shaking it. By the middle of the show, people were getting up on stage and going crazy. They got brought back to their place. Then Yo Majesty started hand-picking people (mostly hot girls) to go on stage. Rell and I got picked and basically were back-up dancers for the rest of our time on stage. It was really fucking fun. The crowd was pumped and people were getting nasty in the best way possible.

If Yo Majesty rolls by your city you best be going with your dancing shoes on and leave your attitude at the door.






They had the whole place screaming FUCK DAT SHIT

Dan Deacon

This man is amazing:



Went to see him at Emo's Austin. It was a truly unique experience where he created a very happy participating audience. He handed out the lyrics to "Wam City" and had everyone singing along. Rell got to be one of the four choir members which involved wearing a WIZARD CLOAK. He had another sing-a-long to "Silence Like The Wind." He told stories that were fantastic. And he started a dance contest instructing everyone to create a circle because we're having a dance-off. The rules were 1) dance if you get tapped 2) be sexy 3) not be a coward.

Here's a little taste. I got tapped so you can see me (barely) out of the corner of the camera's eye in the middle:



And here's part of him telling a story:



If Dan Deacon comes your way, drop everything and go!
You will be the happiest person alive.