SUSO

Happy To Remember

"What I love is the way it explores the willingness to get out of where you are, that you can make it, no matter what."

Brittany Murphy reveals her own take on "no can't do" when discussing her most acclaimed role opposite rapper Eminem in his biopic 8 Mile.

Acting talent, ever popular costar, and undoubted screen sex symbol ... the film world is a poorer place today for the loss of Brittany Murphy at the shocking age of only 32.  Although in recent years her on-screen roles had declined, ironically for one so beautiful, her voicing of characters namely in King of the Hill and the animated movie Happy Feet, brought with it some outstanding contributions.  A singinging voice that would stand out in any company best remembered through the clip below.  Gloria, Brittany, you will be missed.

Read More (3 comments)

Categories Film Tags Art culture Music

By Juan on 21/12/09

Steel Springs

"Trampoline training like you have never seen it before."

We have a bounce pad in the garden at home ... I figure I could use the neighbours fence and the hedge as a platform... maybe I'll ask Oli Lemieux here to pop round and give me a few one on ones ...

Read More (5 comments)

Categories Sport Tags culture Art Music Endeavour

By Juan on 8/12/09

Double Tour To Arabesque

"Breakdancer, wannabee footballer, premier ballet dancer ... meet Cuba's Carlos Acosta."

The Cuban Revolution some 50 years ago brought with it a much improved state healthcare and education system.  But it also brought Fidel Castro's ambition to see Cuba loved and respected for it's cultural richness.  To some (ok me...)  that means fat cigars and strong mojitos but to others that means dance, particularly ballet.  To Carlos Acosta, an aspiring male ballet dancer, that meant opportunity.

Carlos Acosta was the eleventh and youngest son of a cuban truck driver.  There was very little to go around but like most kids he found contentment in sport and music - he loved his football and he could break dance with the best of them.  However, aged 13 his father recognised the dance talent that lay within and sent him away to a residential ballet school to keep him focused and off the streets.  Football and ballet are the most natural compliment so unsurprisingly there were plenty of times when Carlos rebelled and came home.  But his father was always there to send him back.  Tough love some might say, but his father would ultimately prove right in his actions.

At 16 something clicked.  Carlos became acutely aware of his ability, his calling and subsequently his innate and growing love of ballet.  Embracing and harnessing his talent he won the Prix de Lausanne at 17, and then joined The English National Ballet at 18 quickly rising through the ranks to dance the most principal roles. Now he is one of the most sought after guest stars at the Royal Ballet, Houston Ballet and many other prestigious companies.

He is credited for his outstanding technique and strength (the man has hang time that even Mr Jordan would die for!)  and his acting skills are seen as versatile and strong (check this out for an impromptu performance caught on an audience camera) . 

There are plenty of classical fireworks from Mr Acosta, but In ’Tocororo’ many have said that we see a different side to Carlos; we discover where he comes from, his Cuban roots. When he goes off to the Afro-Cuban beat, and really gets down and loose, you get a sense of that teenage street dancer bustin' out his moves in the 40 degree heat in downtown Havanna.  It has been said, that at this point, for the ladies in the audience the temperature invariably goes up a few degrees in any theatre (....whatever...). 

For his story of determination from the man himself check out the video below.

Read More (81 comments)

Categories Tags Art culture Dance Music Drama

By Juan on 1/12/09

Happy 40th Birthday

Read More (0 comments)

Categories Tags Art culture Design Music Fun General

By Juan on 9/11/09

Doing More With Less

"When he started learning to play the guitar at 16 in Nicaragua, people told him it couldn't be done."

History and the present is littered with men and women who quite simply do more with less.  We are talking about international athletes that find ways to get passed a lack of size or speed, film directors who grew up with no more than a kodak with which to learn their trade, and musicians some of whom have had to battle through great physical adversity.  What unites these people is a steely determination to make more of themselves and their lives.

International guitar player Tony Melendez is one such inspirational man.

Here he is performing "Let It Be" while on vacation Tuesday, July 24, 2007, in a condominium on South Padre Island.

Melendez was born without arms.

Read More (5 comments)

Categories Endeavour Tags Art Music Cutlture suso

By Juan on 22/9/09

Muppets Need Love Too

"Sesame Street uses animation, puppets, and live actors to stimulate young children's minds."

Childrens' minds eh?  ... Really?

Clearly the stimulation goes well past just children.  Another Fatty Spins Original.  Love it.

Read More (2 comments)

Categories Fun Tags Design suso Art Music culture

By Juan on 14/9/09

So Many Festivals

If you buy a ticket for Scunthorpe you should know you're in trouble.

With so many festivals now advertised in shining lights throughout the UK summer there's always the chance of getting stung by a ropey one.  There's no doubt this small piece of creativity captures the essence of how it can go wrong.  Artists at the BBC take a bow.

Read More (4 comments)

Categories Tags Art culture Music Fun Media

By Juan on 19/7/09

2 Wheeled Inspiration

If we say 'Bicycle Race' do you think Tour De France or late 70s glam rock classic?

As The Tour De France moves into its 3rd week and its final 1000k, all the talk is of Contador's brilliant hill climbing, Cavendish's sprinting prowess, Wiggins' podium prospects and Armstrong's revenge return in 2010.  For my part as I get on my bike and head out for a session I'm not actually thinking of these determined souls, but instead, I'm thinking music. Not what to play on my ipod but what music might have been inspired by the race itself in the same way that life in general inspires art...

The Tour has of course given rise to a host of popular tracks - none of any distinction until Kraftwerk had a hit with 'Tour de France' in 1983 – described as a minimalistic "melding of man and machine".  You make your own mind up.  However, the one I should have guessed I didn't ; Queen's bicycle race as inspired by the Tour passing under the window of one Freddie Mercury in 1978.  On that basis alone I can't wait to find out who or what provoked the creation of Fat Bottomed Girls, the next track on that genius Greatest Hits album...

Read More (2 comments)

Categories Tags Sport Music Endeavour General

By Juan on 9/7/09

Blog/ Give, Get Given

Rockcorps uses music to impart real social change.

Last September, Busta Rhymes, Feeder, Lethal Bizzle, The Automatics, Ludacris, John Legend and Guillemots joined forces for a gig at The Royal Albert Hall, London, in front of 5,000 adoring fans. Sounds cool, but so what?

Well, this was a show with a difference: those in attendance hadn’t paid for their tickets; they’d earned them by doing four hours of community work in the city. Four hours, one ticket. Simple. It was the UK centre piece for an idea rich in entertainment, culture and social invention: Rockcorps.

Read More (66 comments)

Categories Music Tags Rockcorps Music

By on 14/1/09

Exyzt's Boombox

The french architecture magicians strike again.

We caught wind of the brilliant Exyzt some time ago. We had hoped to see more stuff, but they had their heads down, dreaming, scheming, daring to imagine what was possible. The great thing about Pier Schneider and François Wunschel, two architecture specialists from the 22 strong Exyzt team, is that they have the skill and determination to turn their dreams into reality. This time it was at a Nuit Blanche (all-nighter) in Amiens, France, back in October.

Read More (2 comments)

Categories Music Tags Music Performance

By on 12/1/09