http://www.npr.org/2011/04/09/135240040/how-the-beatnik-riot-helped-kick-off-the-60s
http://web.me.com/dandrasin/Dansworld/FIlms/Pages/Sunday.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izzy_Young
Saturday, April 9, 2011
It was Fifty Years Ago Today-The Beatnik Riot in Washington Square Park 1961
Three links below on the Beatnik Riot. One is an NPR story which aired this morning and the other is a link to Dan Drasin's documentary of that historical event. The third is a wiki link on biographical info on Izzy Young, the former owner of the Folklore Center and a central figure is this story.
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/09/135240040/how-the-beatnik-riot-helped-kick-off-the-60s
http://web.me.com/dandrasin/Dansworld/FIlms/Pages/Sunday.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izzy_Young
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/09/135240040/how-the-beatnik-riot-helped-kick-off-the-60s
http://web.me.com/dandrasin/Dansworld/FIlms/Pages/Sunday.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izzy_Young
Guilty Pleasure. Oh Snap!
I have to confess that I am a fan of the Saturday morning program "That's So Raven". It's good comedy that's reminds me of the "I Love Lucy Show" and other ensemble t.v. comedies from yesteryear.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday Roundup
This was a busy week indeed for the Rancho Ramirez family. We started the week sketching ideas for a new character to be a Junior Aquifer Explorer working with Doc Ed and the rest of the gang. He'll be used in some animation for the website or dvd or both. Can't show the sketches until the final look is selected. Sorry. I've also been drawing various versions of a new puppet for the live show which will be a Texas Blind Salamander that will be voiced by me. Crazy, huh?
Yesterday, of course, I was on location in an apartment deep in the heart of San Antonio filming a segment for an educational website being produced by Raining Popcorn Media. I hadn't been in front of a camera in a while but I got back in the saddle pretty quick and it was fun too.
Today was all about Doc Ed. I had three shows at Driggers Elementary on the northwest side of town. I did three shows for third, fourth and fifth grade students this morning and then I collapsed at home. I'm not as young as I used to be. The teachers were very nice and made me feel welcome there. I got a school t-shirt and mug as a gift. What a life! I'm so spoiled!! One of the teachers was nice enough to take photos of some moments from the shows. I post those tomorrow. Days like these make me think about the day the Doc Ed train ends it's run. I hope what follows will be as enjoyable.
Yesterday, of course, I was on location in an apartment deep in the heart of San Antonio filming a segment for an educational website being produced by Raining Popcorn Media. I hadn't been in front of a camera in a while but I got back in the saddle pretty quick and it was fun too.
Today was all about Doc Ed. I had three shows at Driggers Elementary on the northwest side of town. I did three shows for third, fourth and fifth grade students this morning and then I collapsed at home. I'm not as young as I used to be. The teachers were very nice and made me feel welcome there. I got a school t-shirt and mug as a gift. What a life! I'm so spoiled!! One of the teachers was nice enough to take photos of some moments from the shows. I post those tomorrow. Days like these make me think about the day the Doc Ed train ends it's run. I hope what follows will be as enjoyable.
From the Grapevine of Rancho Ramirez
The good folks at Raining Popcorn Media informed me yesterday that the "The Perfect Game" movie will be released as a dvd in August of this year. The movie tells the true story of the rag tag team from Monterrey, Mexico that in 1957 was not only the first foreign team to play in the Little League World Series but also won the series by pitching a perfect game. To this day that record has yet to broken.
Our book, The Milagro de Monterrey/ The Miracle of Monterrey was our tie-in to the film and will be part of the promotions for the dvd release in the late summer. I'll keep you posted as more info becomes available.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Acting Out
Life is full of surprises. Yesterday afternoon my good friend Art Avila, co-owner of Raining Popcorn Media hired me to do some acting for a video portion to an educational website he's in charge of creating. I was in the process of cleaning out some computer files, including the one with my acting resume. I figured I needed the space and besides I wouldn't be needing the resume (Thank you Doc Ed) for another couple of years or so. I printed out a hard copy and was ready to delete the file but thanks to my smart wife I didn't. Pammy said to keep it because it would be a pain to type again and you never know when you'll need it. So I didn't then I get the call. It's like she's got e.s.p. or something! Or maybe she's just darn smart. Or all of the above. Lucky me. I love my wife.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday Morning Matinee- Father's Little Dividend
Here it is. A little late but its here at last ya'll!
Circus Memories
In the last twenty years or so I've taken quite a few pictures documenting our work in the performing and visual arts as well as our day to day lives. Unfortunately, I've only developed a small percentage of those rolls. In a box by my desk are around thirty rolls of film and disposable cameras that I've amassed over that span of time patiently awaiting my attention.
I guess there's no one reason for not getting the film processed within a reasonable amount of time. I'm glad I'm finally getting around to it now. Within the three rolls developed this afternoon was a wealth of memories. I've posted a couple today and I'll post some more throughout the week.
The photo above was taken backstage at the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in September of 2001. It's in Los Angeles but I don't recall the name of the arena. I know its L.A. because Keith Alexander (2nd from the right) (Clown College class of 1993 in Baraboo Wisconsin and Ringling Red Unit 1994-95),along with his wife and kids came to see the show and visit for a while. The one and only Francecso Villares, Master of Mirth and King of Kung Fu is standing to Keith's left.
Below is a backstage photo of my lovely wife Pammy in the "Girl Clown's Alley". She's got the look that says it was the third of a three show day which means we were all bone tired at that point. A three show day could seem very long especially if it was followed the next day by three more shows. Thank goodness for coffee!
I guess there's no one reason for not getting the film processed within a reasonable amount of time. I'm glad I'm finally getting around to it now. Within the three rolls developed this afternoon was a wealth of memories. I've posted a couple today and I'll post some more throughout the week.
The photo above was taken backstage at the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in September of 2001. It's in Los Angeles but I don't recall the name of the arena. I know its L.A. because Keith Alexander (2nd from the right) (Clown College class of 1993 in Baraboo Wisconsin and Ringling Red Unit 1994-95),along with his wife and kids came to see the show and visit for a while. The one and only Francecso Villares, Master of Mirth and King of Kung Fu is standing to Keith's left.
Below is a backstage photo of my lovely wife Pammy in the "Girl Clown's Alley". She's got the look that says it was the third of a three show day which means we were all bone tired at that point. A three show day could seem very long especially if it was followed the next day by three more shows. Thank goodness for coffee!
My Computer Woes
Sorry about the lack of postings for Sunday. My computer has been giving me some problems lately which I think we've mostly solved by way of a digital laxative. I'll be posting yesterday and today's material before the end of the day...I hope. Until then. Toodles!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
All Hail the Sundae!!
Today, it would appear, is the 119th birthday of one of our favorite treats: The Ice Cream Sundae. We'll be heading out to the nearest Dairy Queen for lunch and dessert and I hope you will too. Below are some links with some historical info on the tasty treat. Bon appetite!
http://www.icecreamsundae.com/
http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/IceCream/Sundae.htm