Music, Books, and Movie I Found in February

Music

             

             Last summer I pretty excited to see Sheku Kanneh-Mason on the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra schedule. I've been following him since he performed at Prince Harry and Megan's wedding.
             Seeing him play in person was pretty amazing. His technique is powerful, but still his music had a sweetness and lightness is age appropriate.

              It will be great to see him again in the future to see how his music changes and matures over time.

             

 From celebrating a young, up-and-coming artist to paying tribute to an older icon...

Capathia and Darryk singing the closing number

Darryl Williams and Capathia Jenkins brought down the house as they sang songs from and inspired by Aretha Franklin.

T.V.

              On Netflix I ran into a great show called Ragnorok. No, this isn’t a Marvel movie. It's a Nordic take on the mythology that's gritty and real in a way think it pretty approachable. Thor isn’t this muscular beef cake. He (Magne) is actually a social outcast in at his high school. He also has an intellectual disability and can't read. 

              Even his hammers are down to earth. He starts out with one that belonged to his grandfather. When he looses that one, he buys a new one at a hardware store. During the final fight scene, he uses a hammer he found a construction site.

              Although the series immediately starts with Magne getting his powers, the process of him recognizing those powers and becoming the Thor we know – you know, with the lighten bolts—is very slow. So slow in fact, that you may begin question if there’s any magic at all. But it all gradually unfolds in a tale of corporate greed and green house pollution.

              I can’t wait until Season 2.

             This year’s Below Deck season seemed like it was wrapped in sexual politics. From the ship’s deck to the galley kitchen, the entire crew seemed wrapped up a one massive game of men versus women.

              Not only that, it seems like none of the men had ever heard of the #metoo movement, which would explain why they kept sticking their tongues down the women’s throats without consent; continually man-splaining about how to tie knots, or serve three-course meals; and talking down to the women in their proximity.

              As hard as it was understand how the men could be so dogged in their mistreatment, it was exciting to watch the reckoning that took place during the reunion.

Books

Uganda Be Kidding me by Chelsea Handler

           I’d hoped this travel memoir would be like going on a vacation. I had also hoped this book would be good. I mean it was a New York Times best seller after all. I was disappointed on both fronts. 

           This book is as a crass as its title implies and more.  Also, at points Handler comes off as obsessed with black people at best, or at worst, racist.

           Still the story about the comedian and her friends going on safari in the African continent held my attention and even garnered one or two laughs. But then she started going into other unrelated stories and rambling on and on about her dogs. Thank goodness I got it on a discount at Ollies. I do not recommend this book.