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Ok, so my last post was about storytelling and so is this one...just a different medium. I had the good fortune to see the incredible Jake Shimabukuro this evening at "The Narrows" in Fall River, Massachusetts this evening. If you do not know his work, click on the link attached to his name above and be prepared to open Itunes and be amazed. Jake played for about two and a half hours and told as as many and complex stories as any feature film while only speaking briefly in between songs. He does not sing but allows his original compositions and his arrangements other artists songs to build his narrative structures with clarity and artistry that the audience of one hundred or so were absolutely silenced hanging on every note. Before he played a new piece called "five dollars unleaded" he described, in brief, the sensation of driving along and loving it on a semi full tank of gas. And then the process of looking for a gas station, fueling up, and jetting off again. A cute little story but his music told the FULL story. Windows, open, sunlight, etc. Illustrated with music. His arrangement of George Harrison's "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" is well known and tells the story as well the beloved original. Artful illustration and storytelling through choices made by an artist living in the joy of his work. Still unconvinced? Sample his version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". Its all there. He gets it. Now if film and book makers could take note and allow us to tell stories without so much exposition and talking, believe in the intelligence of their audience, we might connect with each other. In the meantime, we should all continue to tell our stories in one way or another. Tonight its storytelling through two feet of wood and some nylon strings. As Jake has said "If everyone in the world played ukulele the world would be a better place"
While we're all fretting about the proposal for a national marine monument, federalization issues, economic issues and more, at least somebody in Saipan is practicing music! Wow!
0 Comments on 222. Shin Kimura as of 5/1/2008 3:25:00 AM
I loved the concert by Jake Shimabukuro last night. He's not only extremely talented, he's genuinely nice. What a pleasant experience. Great music, tropical breezes in the outdoor arena, and funds raised for Beautify CNMI.
Love the Pew Charitable Trust banner!
0 Comments on 205. Oh pitiful pictures. as of 3/27/2008 11:26:00 PM
But in all the excitement about this up-coming concert, don't forget to catch the PLAY BUFFET. Last performances are this Friday and Saturday, March 14, and 15, at AMP. Just $5.
0 Comments on 200. Jake! as of 3/12/2008 7:46:00 PM
wad said, on 3/13/2008 11:34:00 PM
So thanks for commenting on my blog. I don't usually get visitors other than my friends, so it's nice when someone else reads it :)
Anyways, I didn't know where else to reply to your comments, so I'm gonna write them here. First off, I'd like to say that I'm insanely jealous that you get to go to the Jake Shimabukuro concert. He's like a ukulele god and I really want to see him play (Other than in YouTube vids). Secondly, I noticed your other blog which is about theater, which I think is awesome. I'm involved in a theater group here in college and I'm really enjoying it, even though I haven't acted (and am reluctant to). I'm more of a techie :P
Okay. To answer your question: I think the biggest factor is motivation. Are kids motivated enough to pursue an education off the island? However, I know that this isn't the entire reason. For many students, it's financial reasons that force them to stay on the island. Or family reasons as well. Or maybe they didn't get the grades to be accepted to other universities/colleges in the mainland. I don't exactly know what makes students decide to stay on Saipan, but I'm guessing the reasons I posed above are good possibilities.
However, I do know why people want to leave. Many of the reasons why I wanted to leave apply to many of the students leaving Saipan to pursue higher education elsewhere. For me, I didn't believe that NMC could offer me a quality education. I wanted to go to a good school, so that when I graduate, I'll be able to get a good job. I also wanted to get away from the island. Growing up on the island is nice, but there comes a point in a teenager's life when he/she gets sick of this place and wants to leave. Besides, it's not like the island offers so many opportunities. There's the entire world out there to be explored, and that's what I wanted to do. See the rest of the world. I guess what it really boils down to is if someone wants it enough. I WANTED to leave. And I know many students felt the same way.
If the daughter you're concerned about is the 13-year-old theater nerd, then I don't think there's much to worry about at the moment. She still has to go through high school, and that's four years. She probably is an intelligent girl, so she'll probably get accepted to good colleges. I think that if you want her to pursue education off the island, you have to actively encourage her to do so. If my parents hadn't encouraged me to pursue education elsewhere, I might have been more reluctant and less motivated to leave.
I hope that answers your question. Oh, and sorry for the long comment >_<
Jane said, on 3/14/2008 1:15:00 AM
Thanks for visiting back and commenting, answering my question.
I'm glad to hear you say that your parents' encouragement helped.
Believe it or not, I have fond memories despite the bad bed and the mildew. Bill thinks he got flea bites. VERY nice people, though. Lisa from Scotland, a Spanish teacher, spending her summer break working at the hostel and in Valparaiso. There was Hoss and Jamie, two American teachers, becoming sweethearts; and Roberto, the man on the midnight to dawn shift, polite and helpful, offering tea and calls to taxi cabs in the early morning hours after we'd gone to the folkloric club. We didn't want to go to sleep in case we might miss the 6 a.m. bus to La Serena.
We went back to Valparaiso and the club just before we left. After a taxi hurled us through the streets at 4 a.m. to find the bus station was closed, where else would we go to share a couch and have a blanket put over us?
Valparaiso is a small city just south of its more refined cousin, Vina Del Mar. I loved it: bohemian, artistic, a bit seedy in spots, hills to climb like in San Francisco, breathtaking views, glorious architecture, music, and murals. The helado (ice cream) in Chile are delicious everywhere, and are much like gelato, but the portions seemed to be extra big in Valpo.
See what I mean about the view?
A photographer's dream. Everywhere you look, scenes perfect for pictures.
We climbed to the top of the town, back down for lunch, then up another steep hill to Neruda's house. There are ascensores, funiculars to help with the hills. We just never came across one. Probably a good thing considering the helados.
Many street vendors, more great alpaca sweaters and hats. Families shopping on downtown every night until nine o'clock. We were warned that Valparaiso was dangerous. If we had gone down certain streets at night, it probably would have been. Well, I wouldn't walk through the Tenderloin at 2 a.m either.
On the nights we went to the club, young people were still on the street when it let out, no doubt wondering who these old farts were. Both times we came back to the Yo Yo, a charming young French woman was cooking (so sorry I haven't retained her name!). The first morning she was baking a tart; the second morning she had potatoes in a pot for gnocchi.
If you go to Valporaiso, please go to El Gato en la Ventana. It's on Simmons, up the hill just a way from the main streets, on the left. It doesn't open until ten. Music starts between midnight and twelve thirty. If you order a cubalibre, you won't get a lime. Instead your glass will be filled a third of the way with rum. Good thing, too, because it was cold until the dancing started. If you don't smoke, well . . . I kept telling myself that one night of inhaling probably wouldn't kill me. There was such joy in the room. Live for the moment!
The audience joined in traditional songs and danced euphorically as the night went on. The music is mostly acoustic and loud. The musicians are incredibly talented. Definitely, a night to remember.
0 Comments on The Yo Yo and Valparaiso as of 1/1/1900
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See what I mean about the view?
So thanks for commenting on my blog. I don't usually get visitors other than my friends, so it's nice when someone else reads it :)
Anyways, I didn't know where else to reply to your comments, so I'm gonna write them here. First off, I'd like to say that I'm insanely jealous that you get to go to the Jake Shimabukuro concert. He's like a ukulele god and I really want to see him play (Other than in YouTube vids). Secondly, I noticed your other blog which is about theater, which I think is awesome. I'm involved in a theater group here in college and I'm really enjoying it, even though I haven't acted (and am reluctant to). I'm more of a techie :P
Okay. To answer your question: I think the biggest factor is motivation. Are kids motivated enough to pursue an education off the island? However, I know that this isn't the entire reason. For many students, it's financial reasons that force them to stay on the island. Or family reasons as well. Or maybe they didn't get the grades to be accepted to other universities/colleges in the mainland. I don't exactly know what makes students decide to stay on Saipan, but I'm guessing the reasons I posed above are good possibilities.
However, I do know why people want to leave. Many of the reasons why I wanted to leave apply to many of the students leaving Saipan to pursue higher education elsewhere. For me, I didn't believe that NMC could offer me a quality education. I wanted to go to a good school, so that when I graduate, I'll be able to get a good job. I also wanted to get away from the island. Growing up on the island is nice, but there comes a point in a teenager's life when he/she gets sick of this place and wants to leave. Besides, it's not like the island offers so many opportunities. There's the entire world out there to be explored, and that's what I wanted to do. See the rest of the world. I guess what it really boils down to is if someone wants it enough. I WANTED to leave. And I know many students felt the same way.
If the daughter you're concerned about is the 13-year-old theater nerd, then I don't think there's much to worry about at the moment. She still has to go through high school, and that's four years. She probably is an intelligent girl, so she'll probably get accepted to good colleges. I think that if you want her to pursue education off the island, you have to actively encourage her to do so. If my parents hadn't encouraged me to pursue education elsewhere, I might have been more reluctant and less motivated to leave.
I hope that answers your question. Oh, and sorry for the long comment >_<
Thanks for visiting back and commenting, answering my question.
I'm glad to hear you say that your parents' encouragement helped.