December 20, 2005
PR of the Year
Rockstar with a cause Bono looks so thrilled to share Time magazine's Persons Persons of the Year title with uber-capitalists Bill and Melinda Gates.
In an article that addresses balancing out the world's inequalities, all the billions that are thrown around in the story sure do make a girl feel inadequate... Although the article dutifully differentiates between pity and passion, it does more to sing the praises of the Great Gateses and the impassioned Irishman, than inspiring and informing regular folk oh how to act locally.
The issue itself is an example of socio-economic inequities: A story of brief profiles honoring everyday heroes from around the world vs. multiple pieces on the cover stars including ample wordage documenting Bill and Bono's musings about Hendrix. I guess you can buy your way into heaven.
Posted by Catherine at 03:32 AM | Comments (0)
October 02, 2005
The Buddha Prince
This Saturday, I helped out at a wonderful production about the life of the 14th Dalai Lama in Central Park. It was a rich and moving experience on several levels. The Buddha Prince is staged as a "walking play" that moved from various areas of the park, the audience followed the masked yaks and monkeys along the pathway as a white Dalai Lama narrated. Along with Lecoq-style choreography, a chorus, and musicians the play was fun and taught lessons on oppression and peace without being preachy. With puppets, gorgeous traditional Tibetan instruments, and hi-energy (albeit sometimes goofy) story-telling the kids were having a ball while learning a little about Tibetan history. The performances were donation-based; and people who passed by without staying for the show even donated. The best part was working with people who were clearly there to create a welcoming and spiritually-illuminating environment, something very rare in the city. Originally a Minneapolis production, created by Shambhala Center Sadly, the people of our fair city truly need negativity-management guidance.
Posted by Catherine at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)