Dark was the night @ radio city

One of the best things about living in NYC is easy access to live music. Everyone comes through new york. And one of the best things about E's job is easy access to tickets. We can get in everywhere :) 

Last night we went to dark was the night at radio city music hall. 

Performers included the dirty projectors, my brightest diamond, feist, the nationals, david byrne, bon iver, sharon jones and the dap kings. I was really disappointed that grizzly bear didn't show up, because they were one of the main reasons I wanted to go...

my brightest diamond

feist

photos by natasha ryan via brooklyn vegan

I didn't know this before last night, but Dark was the night is a compilation that benefits the Red Hot Organization, a organization that raises money and awareness for HIV and AIDS. Another bonus to going.

Even though I didn't know the music of some of the performers, I was blown away. Feist was amazing live. Her recordings don't at all capture the silky smokey melancholy of her voice the same way it sounds live. Bon iver was unbelievable too.

I was sitting there, and for a while listening to the music I felt like I was floating away, lost in the indefinable magic of the moment. The whole audience dissolves and you are collectively carried to a distant shore, captured only through melody.   

Bon Iver

It's just so wrong that there's no mainstream outlet for truly innovative music like this. Seems like the only way that great artists get exposed to the masses is as the background track of a tv commercial. And of course there is the internet. But it's so easy to get lost in the vast ocean of noise online. When is this going to change?

revelations by yoko ono

I love yoko ono. Her poetry, words, art and music inspire me. The way she views the world, looks beyond what can be seen. The way she challenges the status quo and what is considered the norm. Her message of peace and love.

The poem below is from her website 100 acorns.

Revelations

Bless you for your anger.

For it is a sign of rising energy.

Direct not to your family, waste not on your enemy.

Transform the energy to versatility

And it will bring you prosperity.

Bless you for your sorrow

For it is a sign of vulnerability.

Share not with your family, direct not to yourself.

Transform the energy to sympathy

And it will bring you love.

Bless you for your greed

For it is a sign of great capacity.

Direct not to your family. Direct not to the world.

Transform the energy to giving.

Give as much as you wish to take,

And you will receive satisfaction.

Bless you for your jealousy

For it is a sign of empathy

Direct not to your family, direct not to your friends.

Transform the energy to admiration

And what you admire

Will become part of your life

Bless you for your fear

For it is a sign of wisdom.

Do not hold yourself in fear.

Transform the energy to flexibility

And you will be free

From what you fear.

Bless you for your search of direction

For it is a sign of aspiration.

Transform the energy to receptivity

And the direction will come to you.

Bless you for the times you see evil.

Evil is energy mishandled and it feeds on your support.

Feed not and it will self-destruct.

Shed light and it will cease to be.

Bless you for the times you feel no love.

Open your heart to life anyway

and in time you will find

love in you.

Bless you, bless you, bless you.

Bless you for what you are.

You are a sea of goodness, a sea of love.

Count your blessings every day for they are your protection

Which stands between you and what you wish not.

Count your curses and they will be a wall

Which stands between you and what you wish.

The world has all that you need

And you have the power

to attract what you wish.

Wish for health, wish for joy.

Remember you are loved.

ashes and snow

"Transcendental" and "otherworldly" are some words that describe the photos and film captured by Gregory Colbert. I feel like I'm looking at heaven on earth in these videos. Breathtaking...

After you take a look at the videos, make sure to visit ashes and snow, Colberts website, where you can explore and click on some of the most beautiful photos you will ever see.