BOOKS
A meeting of wit, magic, physics and a very scary cat
"Someone Dark Has Found Me," an amusing thriller by John Orr, is available on Amazon.com. Read the first six chapters for free here in Triviana. Click here.
Another Harlan Coben hero finds a lost love
"Six Years" is another in Harlan Coben's recurrent plot of guys who lose the loves of their lives (how careless!), then find them again,
then get severely punished. Some of the books are great. This one, not so much. Read John Orr's review.
Adrift in the mountain states
"Edward Adrift" by Craig Lancaster is a fine and entertaining novel
that shows Lancaster's continuing growth as a novelist. See John Orr's review.Anastasia and the Spanish flu resurface in thriller
"The Romananov Cross" by Robert Masello is a fun read that brings together some historical and modern what-ifs in a consistently entertaining page-turner. Read John Orr's review. "All I Did Was Shoot My Man," by Walter Mosley, is another brilliant and entertaining read by one of the greatest writers working today. Read John Orr's review of the Leonid McGill mystery.
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child conclude their "Helen" trilogy by sending their strange hero on an adventure to Brazil to fight the Fourth Reich in a Brazilian volcano. Read John Orr's review of "Two Graves." Blake and Jordan Crouch team up for "Eerie," a creepy good read about a cop's reunion with his hooker sister that goes very badly, in some very weird ways. Read John Orr's review. Michael Connelly, one of the most solid crime writers working today, brings back one of our favorite cops, Harry Bosch, in "The Black Box." Read Oline Gogdill's review of the new thriller.See more reviews and interviews in Books.
BLOGS
John Orr
He's a writer, he's a musician. He wants to be a goofy guy when he grows up.
See John Orr's blog.
One Classy Dame
Jasmine Joshua is one extraordinarily talented human being.
Check out Jasmine Joshua's blog.
From Rum to Roots
Lloyd G. Francis, AKA Rastadamus, is a novelist and photographer.
Take a look at Lloyd G. Francis' blog.
SCRIBBLES
None dare call it art
Wherein we all get to have some fun drawing stuff.
See Scribbles.
LETTERS
To Triviana:
People write to us.
See Letters.
USEFUL LINKS
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THEATER & DANCE
Mark Kitaoka's profiles
Mark Kitaoka photo
Image back story:
Me: "Emily I want you to tell me the most embarrassing story about your Dad that he'd never want anyone to hear!"
Billy: "Emily, do you ever want to sing in one of the school performances ever again?"
The Dog: "Photographers are bad people!"
Me: "Emily I want you to tell me the most embarrassing story about your Dad that he'd never want anyone to hear!"
Billy: "Emily, do you ever want to sing in one of the school performances ever again?"
The Dog: "Photographers are bad people!"
TheatreWorks Music Director, music professor at Gunn High, conductor of symphonies and choral groups, William Liberatore is an amazing and deeply respected fellow. Read Mark Kitaoka's profile of him. This profile is part of an ongoing series of idiosyncratic profiles written and photographed by Mark Kitaoka. See the index to these pieces.
Smuin Ballet
A. Gomez / Smuin Ballet
Jonathan Dummar and Jane Rehm rehearse Helen Pickett's "Petal" for the Smuin Ballet, part of Bouquet, the troupe's spring program than began May 10, 2013.
The Smuin Ballet is offering Bouquet for its spring program. Triviana dance writer Virginia Bock, herself a dancer, watched the troupe rehearsing "Petal," by Helen Pickett. Read Ms. Bock's story about the experience.
Palo Alto Players
Joyce Goldschmid / Palo Alto Players
The ensemble performs "The Heat is On in Saigon" in the Palo Alto Players production of "Miss Saigon," on stage at the Lucie Stern Theatre April 26 through May 12, 2013.
Palo Alto Players bit off more than they could masticate with "Miss Saigon," although there's enough good stuff to mostly make up for the problems. There is some excellent singing going on, for instance, among the principal players. Sadly, the sound system was one of the biggest problems on opening night. We hope they straighten out the kinks on this one; it might turn out to be great. Read John Orr's review.
Berkeley Rep
Alessandra Mello / Berkeley Rep
Jessica Kitchens as Thaïsa and David Barlow as Pericles head off for their spring-loaded wedding bed under the watchful eye of Anita Carey as Gower,
from left, in Mark Wing-Davey's production of "Pericles, Prince of Tyre," on the Thrust Stage at Berkeley Rep, April 12-May 26, 2013. Read John Orr's review.
Candy is dandy but incest is best, at least for one king in Shakespeare's "Pericles, Prince of Tyre," which Berkeley Rep
is staging through May 26, 2013, in an innovative production with brilliant music. Read John Orr's review.
Theater calendar
Mark Garvin / Berkeley Rep
Hershey Felder wrote the book and stars in "George Gershwin Alone," which is to run at Berkeley Rep June 8-23, 2013. Call 510-647-2949 or visit berkeleyrep.org.
See more of Triviana's Theater & Dance Calendar.
See more of Triviana's Theater & Dance Calendar.
Backstage, in the wings, in the audience
Mark Kitaoka / Mark and Tracy Photography
Amanda Folena
Mark and Tracy Photography -- that is, Mark N. Kitaoka and Tracy Martin, who are well-known to theater people around the nation, produce profiles of people they say are vital to the theater scene, but who are not seen on stage. Their latest subject is Amanda Folena, artistic director of Broadway by the Bay. Previous subjects include David Milligan, production manager at TheatreWorks on the San Francisco Peninsula, Mo Chapman of 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Susan Outlaw of Theatre ZinZanni, Leslie Martinson of TheatreWorks, John Orr of Triviana Arts & Entertainment, and Robert Sokol of BAYSTAGES.
See the profiles.
KEWL STUFF
Erector sets
Wherein we write about stuff. Ya know, things. Stuff you can buy. Here's a link to the Kewl Stuff page.
MUSIC
Courtesy of Dan Hicks
Dan Hicks always looks sharp on stage. That requires getting a good shoe shine from time to time. He's coming to Club Fox in Redwood City on Sunday, February 17, 2013, and has lots of other gigs slated. We talked with him, which is always an interesting experience. Read the story.
MUSIC VIDEOS
For ears and eyes
Lake Street Dive is a band formed by Rachael Price, who is a wonderful vocalist. I love this tune, which I heard on A Prairie Home Companion. Then I found this video.
Johnny Swim. I heard this duo perform "Home" on "A Prairie Home Companion" and was knocked out.
"Laundry Room." Another from The Avett Brothers. Here is another tune that delves deep into emotion and yearning.
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Fabulous band performs in 2004 to honor George Harrison upon his posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jeff Lynne, Steve Ferrone, Dhani Harrison and Prince. Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers does the early solo stuff. Prince shows up and takes over.
"Deportee." The Kingston Trio version, posted July 14, 2012, in honor of Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday. Thank you, Mr. Guthrie.
Tim O'Brien: "Hey, Joe," at Celtic Connections 2009, Glasgow Scotland.
Trucks & Tedeschi Band: "Midnight in Harlem," at the 2010 Guitar Festival.
Van Morrison: "Real Real Gone."
OK Go: "This Too Shall Pass." Incredible Rube Goldberg machine video.
Willie Dixon: "I'm Nervous." Funny and charming video of the great songwriter, singer and bassist.
Boxing Gandhis: "If You Love Me (Why Am I Dyin')" Hip, funky and hot in every way.
John Lee Sanders:Today, October 16, is his birthday. Fabulous musician. Give a listen to "Midnight in New Orleans".
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