If you’re a Public Radio listener, you’ve probably heard Terry Gross (64), the host and co-executive producer of “Fresh Air,” an interview format radio show produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and distributed throughout the United States by NPR. Comedian Marc Maron gives us a chance to learn what happens when the tables are turned and she is the subject of the interview. Read and listen here.
France: “It’s been 15 years in the making but the Babayagas’ House, a name taken from Slavic mythology meaning ‘witch,’ has just been inaugurated in Montreuil, on the east side of Paris. It’s a self-managed social housing project devised and run by a community of dynamic female senior citizens who want to keep their independence, but live communally. . . ‘Growing old is not an illness,’ says [85 year old Thérèse Clerc who dreamt up the project back in 1999]. ‘We want to change the way people see old age,’ and that means ‘learning to live differently.'” Read the full story here.
“They came to America from all over the world for many reasons — to make money, to marry, to live in peace. But now, as they face their retirement years, many of these longtime immigrants want to go home.” There are many reasons, both emotional and practical, that motivate such a move; there are some challenges when going home, too. Read the full story here.
“Talk to Franklin Bell, and there are three things he’ll gladly tell you: ‘I’m 80 years old, I’m legally blind, and I love to play the blues. I like all music — don’t get me wrong — but I love to play the blues.’ That’s what he’s been doing for the last 10 years, every Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m., regular as church, holding forth over Franklin Bell’s Blues Workshop in the garage behind his South Central bungalow down on East Colden Avenue.”
The average age of the players is “65 or 70” and Bell says, “You don’t have to be that great. A person comes to me saying, ‘I don’t think I can do it,’ I say, ‘Just try! We not going ride you or nothin’, just feel your way in.'” Read more here.
From Dr. Maureen Kellen-Taylor, EngAGE C.O.O:
The Metro Chinatown Inaugural Art Show in April drew a small but enthusiastic crowd who were pleased to be able to discuss each of the pieces with the artists. The artists were also glad to show their paintings, drawings, photographs, and jewelry. The public can view the work between 10 and 4 on weekdays by calling the manager’s office at (213) 840-5251 and making an appointment.
From Nancy Goodhart, EngAGE Vice President:
The residents at Metro Compton are participating in a project presented by Join Our Story. It has been introduced on site to receptive and enthusiastic participants.
Celeste Davidson, the program facilitator, explains, “Join Our Story (JOS) is a program devoted to improving the lives of seniors. Specifically, we are creating a soap opera ‘story world’ that has been developed by professional writers and will be brought to life through an ongoing live-action video series and website. Seniors will have the opportunity to enjoy the series, access writing and technology tutorials, write within the story world, and socialize both live and on the website. We are a California Benefit Corporation, meaning that we have a driving social mission to serve seniors and to improve their mental health and happiness.”
From Meloney Morse, EngAGE Regional Programs Director:
Coventry Court in Tustin had their first art show in April. It was a success! About 20 artists displayed around 40 pieces collectively. The event was well-attended, as you can see from the pictures!
Experience Talks host Dr. Connie Corley wants to share with you an invitation to a concert event and reception with the artists; there is no charge to attend this event, only suggested donations.
Presented by Orpheus For Peace Inc.
Wilshire United Methodist Church
4350 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA. 90005
7:00 P.M. May 28th, 2015
Featuring . . .
KB Solomon is one of the most prominent basso profundo singers, having performed principal roles with major opera companies worldwide for over twenty years. KB possesses a true bass voice that is a hybrid of rare ability. In 2009, KB was a recipient of the KPFK Peace Award. KB is currently touring 3 shows, which he wrote and produced; “Almost A Cappella”, his one-man musical “Speak Of Me As I Am” a drama base on the life of Paul Robeson and his most recent reality documentary, “Halos For Humanity.”
Lili Haydn is a child prodigy classical violinist/actress turned rock violinist, singer recording artist, and composer. She has collaborated with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Roger Waters, Sting, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Robert Plant and Jimi Page for whom she opened on their entire last US tour, and George Clinton, who called her “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin.”
Brooks Almy has performed On Broadway, Off Broadway and in other New York performances including Beauty and the Beast, Grand Hotel, The Little Prince, Sweeney Todd, and Nunsense. She has guest starred on numerous TV series such as CSI, Without a Trace, Everybody Loves Raymond, West Wing, ER, The Practice, Nip/Tuck, and Dexter. She is senior faculty in the Musical Theatre Department at AMDA.
Norton Wisdom is a live painter who attended Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and has performed around the world at venues as varied as the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, to the Butu Dance Company in Japan, and locally at the Walt Disney Hall. His works can be found in the permanent collections of notable museums including the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, the Milwaukee Art Center, Wisconsin, and the Orange County Museum of Art.
James Lent is an award-winning pianist and keyboardist. As a concerto soloist, Mr. Lent made his Alabama Symphony debut performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 to critical acclaim on 24 hours’ notice to replace Andre Watts. James is currently Lecturer and Coordinator in Accompanying and a vocal coach at UCLA, and a coordinator, pianist and musical director at AMDA, the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Hollywood.
Listed on Eventbrite here. Here’s a brief video.
“Worth Repeating” is a weekly feature on the EngAGE Blog that will bring you previous
posts that we think are still timely, interesting, or just plain fun! From 5/27/14:
We wrote about Theodore Bikel’s 90th birthday concert last week, so it seems appropriate to feature “The Fresh Air Interview” with Fiddler on the Roof lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who has also recently celebrated a 90th birthday. [Since his first appearance as Tevye in the musical Fiddler on the Roof in 1967, Theodore Bikel has performed the role more often than any other actor, more than 2,000 times to date.] From NPR:
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof‘s Broadway premiere. Lyricist Sheldon Harnick co-wrote the songs for Fiddler, as well as Fiorello!, She Loves Me and Tenderloin. Just in time for his 90th birthday, Harnick has released a new album, Sheldon Harnick: Hidden Treasures (1949-2013), a collection that includes Harnick singing demos of his own popular songs, rarities from early in his career, and pieces cut from Broadway shows. Many of the recordings are from his private collection.
“Any successful lyricist has to be part playwright and has to be able to put himself into the minds and the hearts and the souls of the characters he’s writing about,” he tells Fresh Air‘s Terry Gross. “That’s part of a theater lyricist’s talent.” More here.
