Ancient Art Marries Modern

More then a 150 years ago Lewis Carroll wrote his fantasy novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and the ballet adaption at Spreckels Performing Arts Center in June of Carroll’s classic was a refreshing recap of Alice’s mind adventures. 

Without a single word, the talented dancers on Tuesday, June 18 at Rohnert Park’s Spreckels Performing Arts Center conveyed the story of Alice, a young girl eager to explore the uncharted realms of her imagination via the art of dance. 

The Italian Renaissance in the late 1500s introduced the world to the art of ballet dancing. (Wikipeda) Classical and Contemporary Dance with Tamara Grose on June 18, 2019, "Alice in Wonderland" ws indeed fun and entertaining. 

Without dialogue to follow the story, this ballet of "Alice in Wonderland"  was extremely easy to follow for all those familiar with Lewis Carroll's MFE 1865 tale, "Alice's Adventure in Wonderland." MFE 

Without dialogue to follow the story, the ballet of "Alice in Wonderland" was extremely easy to follow and comprehend for all those familiar with Lewis Carroll's 1865 tale.

I'm not much of a ballet fan, but the these dancers showcased their amazing skills, and because of this production, I understand the lure of this ancient art form. Xanther Saarinen (Alice) did a fantastic job displaying her awesome abilities in fine art dance, as did the rest of the cast.   

displaying her abilities in fine art dance, as did the rest of the cast. 

 

My knowledge of ballet is extremely limited but I did admire how this show of "Alice in Wonderland" mixed the origins of ancient ballet into the modern dance of today. A resounding thumbs up for this show. Four and a half stars easy for this live show. 

Mark Izzy Schurr 

 

All pictures, Schurr Shot with my Sony DSL cyber shot camera.

Man, or mutant, human or hell spawned, the mystic vapors of time have spawned the sky born spanner of the space ways, the Silver Surfer.

The Silver Surfer soars amidst the vast regions of time and space, engulfed in a journey for justice and reciprocated love.

Once upon a time, two lovers basked in each other presence, while delicious dreams danced amid their realities. Norrin Radd and Shalla-Bal were these two lovers dwelling on the distant planet Zenn-La.

Galactus, a devious and powerful deity from unknown origins maintains his gigantic size and powers by devouring entire planets and worlds. When Galactus decided to devour Zenn-La and destroy its entire population, Radd wittingly convinced Galactus to grant him the power cosmic. Galactus spared Zenn-La from complete destruction and gifted the power cosmic to Radd. 

The power cosmic enables Radd, the Silver Surfer to soar through outer space and beyond the infinite regions of the universe and find other planets for Galactus to dominate and destroy.

The Silver Surfers betrays Galactus, yet still manages to save Zenn-La and its people from annihilation. In order to keep Zenn-La and Earth safe from Galactus, the Silver Surfer sacrifices his relationship with Shalla-Bal in order to keep billions of others alive, who too often shun and disrespect him.      

Upon gazing at the distant beckoning stars, I knew at last there is no refuge on Earth, but I persevere, and ride the eternal winds again, and none shall be my master. Seeds of smoldering violence fill human hearts with fear and dark distrust. Pitiful mortals basking in their own conceit. I am the power; they are the pawns. In every part of the globe, it’s the same, hatred, fear and unreasoning hostility have possessed human hearts. How much longer am I destined to endure a fate I cannot comprehend? (Stan Lee)

My words fall on empty air, it matters not whether I span the emptiness of space, or the watery vastness of the undersea depths. The sanctuary of satisfaction is a constant journey into the heart of time itself.  (Lee / me)

Earthlings, they yearn for peace, yet are geared for war. They seek love, but harbor hate. If man is sane, the universe itself is engulfed in madness. No matter what God they pray to or what flag they follow, they conjure to their own conceit and are consumed with greed and fear, strangers to peace and prisoners to a senseless ancient realm of rules and commandments designed to shroud individual thoughts and critical thinking. (Lee / me)  

I grow weary of the plight of Earth, and so I return to the ever-changing wonder of endless space. I would rather dream of the beauteous Shalla-Bal then consort with the humans. My heart grows numb, my soul turns ashen. Though fate has cast us a universe apart, so long as she still lives, then too must I, that we may one day be reunited. (Lee)

I have seen the death of worlds, the birth of planets, galaxies crumble and new suns aborning, yet in every star and in every sun, I see her face. Hope springs eternal, the hidden loop of destiny weaves the fabric of love and truth into the spheres of endless serenity. (Lee / me) 

I must scheme supreme, behold the realm eternal! Nothing can match the tranquility of space. Others find it empty and frigid, but I find it comforting. The sordid stench of lies, corruption and mistrust must no longer hinder my ultimate goal. Perhaps one day humanity will renounce all use of force, for only then will humankind come of age. Am I too human or not human enough? (Lee)

I will soar ever onward till time itself has lost its meaning. I stand alone and forsaken upon this hostile world. Exiled forever upon this lonely sphere of chaos, but time is long, and fate is fickle. My destiny still lies before me and where it beckons, there shall soar the Silver Surfer! (Lee)

Mark Schurr / Stan Lee

Alas, it's time to flee from the stygian depths of dead laughter & slain joy & embark upon a world where laughter is currency & love reigns supreme. Mark (Izzy) Schurr

Leann Rimes Reviewed

Her aura of confidence and joy have fed the seeds of wisdom and harmony. A vast forest abundant with originality opened my mind to a radiating reservoir of music no longer uncharted to my ears. 

Friday, May 10, the Leann Rimes concert in the ball room at Graton Resort & Casino was a much-appreciated musical experience. I went to the show in the blind, only knowing Rimes is classified as a county music singer and song writer. “Blue” was the only song I knew she preformed before I purchased my ticket in March. 

On May 10, Rimes didn’t sing “Blue,” but it was still a great show. She covered 50s legendary singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn marvelously, yet I still don’t consider Rimes as a country singer. What genre is her music then? To me, it’s music. Rimes has her own style and it works very well for her! 

The May 10 performance was a straight-ahead musical approach; drums, guitar, bass, piano and vocals, sanning a flamboyant light show and massive costume changes. Her attire never changed during the hour and a half she played. 

The first thing I noticed when I received my ticket in the mail from Ticketmaster, was ‘no cameras’ was not printed on the ticket. Right off the bat, I was hit with positive vibes by Rimes. 

To the best of my knowledge, the ball room at the casino seats approximately 2,000 people. Regardless, the ball room at Graton Resort & Casino is a great place to see a show because of its small venue setting.

My only criticism of the Rimes show was that it was too short, and I was also disappointed in the very last song she sang; a cover of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”

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Note about the word sanning. San is not found in most dictionary’s, it’s a word I acquired from the play-write William Shakespeare. San means without. All pictures; Schurr Shot with my Sony DSL 50x zoom camera. 


Mark (Izzy) Schurr

Beauties Infinate Shrine.

I relish any measure of sanity. The tranquility of beauty releases my mind from the prison of reality. Behold, one of countless images of the Hindu goddess Sita. (above) She is the ultimate male fantasy. When she walks upon waterless wastelands of the hottest deserts, the mere touch of her feet transforms barren wastelands into an oasis of paradise. The sun shines where she faces, she has brought the gift of life.

The opposing worlds of death and eternity have fueled my fascination of infinite creativity. A sub-atomic probability spiraled outward into matter, and the cooling darkness of the cosmos formed stars and quasars, then planets and worlds, and all who dwell amid the chaos of the cosmos.

I nurture my interest in the photography of beauty, and the potential for sagacious writing, ripe with creative power.     

Englehart / Mark (Izzy) Schurr with the aide of the ancient text of Mahabharata.  

Beauty Amidst America

Three hitchhikers in Oregon who graciously appeased my camera's eye on Saturday. 

Coherent confusion weaves the fabric of imagination and creativity into moments of reality. Their smiles caress my ego. Various ladies have been throned on beauties shrine. When allowed to photograph their exquisite charm, the resurrection of harmony feeds my soul.  

"This is weird," she (above) said as I took her picture in Golden Gate Park. Too weird to live to unique to die. (Hunter S. Thompson) 

For now, and ever more, I look forward to roaming the vast lands of inner space behind the eye of the camera. 

 Both pictures; Schurr Shot, April, 2020 

To be honest, when I first got the idea to roam around busy city parks and streets to ask pretty ladies if I could take their pictures, I was expecting resounding no’s and harsh rejection. Pleasantly surprised, reciprocate smiles from appealing women wasn't as rare as expected. 

Schurr Shot, April, 2020

The first day I set out to take pictures of gorgeous women, I was too shy to ask a single woman for her picture. The second day I tried, it took me almost two hours to ask the first woman for her picture and she let me take three pictures of her, thank you Kate! 

Kate, 2020

Yes, I’m weird, but innocuously strange, and the fact I’m not scary to all women is comforting.

Mark (Izzy) Schurr

The chaotic confines of society will one day become a vast ruin of decayed insanity. We yearn for peace, yet cater to war. We thirst for love, yet imbibe in hate.

The current race of humanity seems to be nothing more then compost for a glorious future world. A world void of war, hate, greed and poverty. To dwell in a place abundant with love and laughter, to live with no leaders or followers.        

A world that sans money and creativity is currency. Lands governed on peace and harmony. Delicious dreams reign in my thoughts.                                  

Mark (Izzy) Schurr