|
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
Hmmmm...Busboys and Poet's signature Neptune (crabcakes and Benedict)!!!
Even though we are dead smack in the heat of summer, I LVook forward to what LV has in store for us in the Fall, particularly the accesories. The Columbian Beret is one such example. Sporting stripes that evokes collegiate wear, the 100% wool would be perfect to ward off autumn's blustery wind. Gris, Cassis and Red are the colour choices so take your pick! LVoe, LVoe, LVoe it!!! $325 at www.louisvuitton.com. 
Starters:
Heirloom Tomato Tart
Garlic Shrimp with Tomato Leek Relish *
Salads:
BLT Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and housemade Ranch *
Watermelon, Red Onion, and Feta on Fresh Spinach with a honey Lime Vinaigrette
Entrees:
Herb Seared Filet of local pasture raised beef with sea salt roasted new potatoes and grilled green beans
Garlic Crusted Pork Loin with Peach Habenero Glaze served over Okra Pancakes with roasted Baby Squash *
Jalapeno White Cheddar Grit Cakes over Summer Gazpacho with Grilled Japanese Eggplant
Desserts:
Plum Upsidedown Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream
Chocolate Honey Almond Tart *
A cave, I think.
I believe in Art and its free expression, but being an ardent devotee of the Blessed Mother, the Vuitton Madonna is kind of hard to take for me. Artist, Francesco De Molfetta, 31 takes an image of Our Lady of Lourdes, and interprets it with her veil being that of the iconic Monogram Canvas. He claims that he created the work "to denounce a society based on the cult of appearance through the use of a brand that represents the search for ephemeral happiness." The biennial is held at Isola del Gran Sasso in the central region of Abruzzo. I think he's just going for the shock factor...just my 2¢.
1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.
Kent, 18 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Anya for Cha Cha Cha choreographed by Jean-Marc and France. Earlier in the season, Kent was swallowed up when he tried to play the aggressive, sexy role. Not this time. He was in control of that entire dance. That was really outstanding. I was surprised at how well he handled the technique in that routine. There were some issues, such as not extending through his lines and maybe hunching his shoulders a bit. I thought his connection with Anya was spot on, and as I said, she didn't over power his "Kent-ness" with her "Anya-ness". Kent is learning how to be versatile. I enjoyed the performance.
Robert, 20 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Kathryn for contemporary choreographed by Stacey Tookey. I'm surprised by my reaction to this. It felt flat to me. I didn't feel the emotion at all. It was supposed to be about a soldier going to war, and the emotion of leaving a loved one behind. But I just didn't feel it and that's disappointing to me. The dancing was lovely. It was well performed. The movements were smooth and beautiful. The lines were elegant and classic. But the dance just missed for me. Even the twist at the end...you expect it to be the man leaving for war. But it was Kathryn who played the one leaving. Even that didn't get to me. From the dancers reactions, they felt the emotion between them. The judges felt it. But I didn't. Sorry kids.
AdeChike, 23 year old contempary dancer, is paired with All Star Courtney for jazz choreographed by Tyce Diorio. Now this dance I felt. The music was clearly jazzy...Dizzy Gillespie for Pete's sake! If you can't get into it from those Cuban rhythms, then you need to find another career. The movement was spicy. I thought AdeChike was relaxed and controlled, but also powerful. I could see how much he enjoyed what he did. The thing I missed from him was kind of a classic 1950s Bohemian quality to his dancing. In a contemporary routine, I want to see AdeChike's beautiful lines. But in jazz I don't want to notice the steps or the correctness of his posture so much as I want the movement to be fluid and kind of languid. I did enjoy the performance. I think AdeChike has untapped potential in styles other than contemporary. 
Jose, 21 year old break dancer, is paired with All Star Comfort for hip hop choreographed by Marty Kudelka and Dana Wilson. Sorry, I have no idea what Jose did. I couldn't take my eyes off Comfort. The choreography was funky and stylish, with a bit of old school hip hop in it. Really good quality in the way the dance was conceived. I'll have to summarize what the judges said about Jose. Nigel said his dancing was a little uncomfortable, while Toni was absorbed in the character. Mia thought Jose lacked swag, and he made the character bouncy and kooky rather than smooth. Adam recommended that Jose learn how to dance the intention of the character through the story, rather than dancing the steps and choreography. I think I understand what that means, and it's a very good note. I think that's what drew me to Comfort. She had the swag, and she interpreted her character's intent. Too bad she's not the one competing.
Lauren, 18 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Allison for Broadway choreographed by Tyce Diorio. They are such a wonderful contrast together. Allison is a mature female dancer. There's something complete and fully realized about the way she dances. I see Lauren developing that kind of polish and finesse each week. She already has the athleticism and attention to detail. She fills up the spaces with those little head shakes and shoulder twitches. Don't get me wrong...I don't mean to say that Lauren is less of a dancer or that Allison out-danced her. Not at all! I think Lauren held her own and brought just as much to the piece as Allison. What I'm trying to convey is that the differences between the two of them were complimentary...they succeeded in making the piece their own, instead of trying to make a copy of Fosse and Verdon, which is essentially impossible anyway.
Billy, 20 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Ade for contemporary choreographed by Stacey Tookey. Oh wow. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Powerful. Emotional. Stunningly beautiful. Billy danced with such a maturity, with less focus on lines and steps and shapes. Everything he is as a dancer was in this performance. It was movement set to music, interpreted into an emotional story. As with Lauren and Allison, we saw the incredible contrast between Billy's and Ade's styles. Billy is sinuous and smooth, whereas Ade is powerful and dramatic. The combination was amazing to watch. Stacey's choreography took the best of both styles, stretched them, wove them, and wrapped them up in a piece of art. I'm so glad we'll have this piece in the catalog of SYTYCD, whether Billy makes the finale or not.
So I have my work cut out for me. It's a Catch-22 and will happen. It's just hard to get motivated and quit being tired. Sigh! I also can't get caught up on TV shows, email, blogs, FB, and Twitter! 
Then there is this.
