ConradAskland.com

Rocky Horror Show Live – Time Warp

askland — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:52:25 +0000

I ran across this live video of the Time Warp from a 1997 production of The Rocky Horror Show. This was one of the most fun musical theater projects I ever worked on. I wouldn’t mind going on a tour with this show for a few years because the interaction with the audience is intoxicating.

Working on my own project I always go back and forth between “high art” and the just plain fun of a Rocky type experience. When it comes to art what’s more important -- having fun or giving people a more thoughtful experience? I guess we need it all for a colorful life…

RDF TV – Baloney Detection Kit – Michael Shermer

askland — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:10:26 +0000

With a sea of information coming at us from all directions, how do we sift out the misinformation and bogus claims, and get to the truth? Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine lays out a “Baloney Detection Kit,” ten questions we should ask when encountering a claim.
The 10 Questions:
1. How reliable is the source of the claim?
2.Does the source make similar claims?
3. Have the claims been verified by somebody else?
4. Does this fit with the way the world works?
5. Has anyone tried to disprove the claim?
6. Where does the preponderance of evidence point?
7. Is the claimant playing by the rules of science?
8. Is the claimant providing positive evidence?
9. Does the new theory account for as many phenomena as the old theory?
10. Are personal beliefs driving the claim?

Michael Shermer: The pattern behind self-deception

askland — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:56:17 +0000

Michael Shermer says the human tendency to believe strange things — from alien abductions to dowsing rods — boils down to two of the brain’s most basic, hard-wired survival skills. He explains what they are, and how they get us into trouble.

Shermer & Purdom Interview at Creation Museum

askland — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:41:18 +0000

Dr Michael Shermer and Dr Georgia Purdom talk at the Creation Museum.

http://www.ted.com Why do people see the Virgin Mary on cheese sandwiches or hear demonic lyrics in “Stairway to Heaven”? Using video, images and music, professional skeptic Michael Shermer explores these and other phenomena, including UFOs and alien sightings. He offers cognitive context: In the absence of sound science, incomplete information can combine with the power of suggestion (helping us hear those Satanic lyrics in Led Zeppelin). In fact, he says, humans tend to convince ourselves to believe: We overvalue the “hits” that support our beliefs, and discount the more numerous “misses.”

Seattle conductor George Shangrow killed in crash

askland — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:37:34 +0000

Handel Messiah Comfort Ye Every Valley. Stephen Wall tenor. George Shangrow conducting from the harpsichord.

J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. Orchestra Seattle -- Seattle Chamber Singers
George Shangrow, Music Director

Seattle is in mourning today and for all time on the death of George Shangrow. Seattle area conductor George Shangrow was killed in a car crash on Saturday July 31, 2010.

It’s not normal for me to publish things like this on my website. But this is just so shocking to me. I first worked with George when I was around 12 years old as a boy soprano and in 2005 had offered to relocate my record label and internet company to Seattle to solely focus on promoting his groups. I’m so sad to hear this. What a tremendous loss. He was such a great conductor, pianist and person. Condolences to his family.

When I was around 12 years old, George Shangrow was around 27 and worked as a rehearsal pianist for the Northwest Boychoir that I was in. He would also sometimes accompany me in voice lessons and later I sang in the chorus with him conducting Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.

In 2006, before I relocated to China with Cirque Du Soleil, I last saw him conduct the Bach Mass in B Minor in Seattle, WA. I spoke with him after the concert and he said “Are you still interested in that studio and internet thing?” and I said “Yes”. But that was the last we spoke and I relocated to China.

I remember a couple years before that speaking with him on the phone from California and he was getting ready to conduct Beethoven’s 5th Symphony at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon, WA. He said to me, “I’m sitting here talking to you on the phone and tonight I’ll be conducting Beethoven’s 5th -- what a trip”. Even for a great conductor like George Shangrow it was still humbling to conduct Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

In my mind, George Shangrow was the one person who really was a role model for me of what I wanted to be. He was all about Bach, Seattle, Art and sharing that love and humor. I don’t think I could have picked a better role model for me.

I remember having lunch with him in the University district in Seattle and he told me about the pain of being ousted from King FM. That story in itself is a big sore spot with many Seattle area musicians.

He was always kind with me and always generous. I cannot even imagine how many lives he has touched with his wit and musical insight.

WINTHROP, Wash. — A well-known Seattle music conductor was killed in a car crash near Winthrop Saturday.

George Shangrow, 59, was en route to the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival.

His car was hit head-on by a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction that crossed the center line during a hard rainstorm.

Shangrow founded the Seattle Chamber Singers and Orchestra and had conducted with the Seattle symphony.

WINTHROP, Wash. -- A well-known Seattle music director was killed Saturday when a car driven by a teenager crossed the centerline and slammed head-on into his car on Highway 20 during a driving rainstorm.

George Shangrow, 59, founder of the Seattle Chamber Singers and Orchestra Seattle, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

When the accident occurred, Shangrow had been enroute to deliver a pre-concert lecture on American classical music as part of an annual Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival, the Wenatchee World reported.

State troopers responded to the scene, about one mile east of Winthrop, at about 5:50 p.m. Saturday. The crash closed the highway for six hours.

An investigation found that a 2000 BMW driven by a 16-year-old Twisp boy was heading west on Highway 20 as Shangrow has driving east in a 2005 Volvo, the Washington State Patrol reported.

The BMW crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane and crashed into Shangrow’s Volvo. There was a pounding rainstorm with thunder and lightning at the time of the crash.

The 16-year-old suffered a broken collarbone and ankle in the accident.

Drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the collision, the Washington State Patrol said.

Shangrow was a well-known fixture in the Seattle classical music scene. For many years he hosted “Live, by George,” a Seattle radio show that featured live classical performances.

He also had appeared as guest conductor with the Seattle Symphony, Northwest Chamber Orchestra, Tacoma Opera, Rudolf Nureyev and Friends, East Texas University Opera, Oregon Symphony and the Sapporo (Japan) Symphony.

He was music director and conductor of Pacific Chamber Opera from 1976 to 1978 and has conducted world premieres of six operas and numerous other orchestral and choral works.

GEORGE SHANGROW BIO

George Shangrow founded the Seattle Chamber Singers in 1969 and Orchestra Seattle in 1979. Mr. Shangrow received his academic musical training at the University of Washington, where he studied conducting, baroque performance practice, harpsichord, and composition.

He began his professional conducting career at age 18 and has concentrated his musical efforts for 37 years with Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Chamber Singers. He has appeared as guest conductor with the Seattle Symphony, Northwest Chamber Orchestra, Tacoma Opera, Rudolf Nureyev and Friends, East Texas University Opera, Oregon Symphony and the Sapporo (Japan) Symphony.

Shangrow particularly relishes bringing newly composed works to the stage and has conducted world premieres of many operas, orchestral, and choral works.

Mr. Shangrow has taught music history, theory, and composition at Seattle University, Seattle Community College, and Seattle Conservatory of Music. He enjoys lecturing on musical topics and can be frequently heard at musical events and gatherings throughout the Northwest. Seattle-area music lovers also recognize Mr. Shangrow as former announcer and host of the Live! ByGeorge radio program on Classical KING-FM.

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Update August 20, 2010

Seattle Times Memorial Article. Memorial service set for August 22, 2010.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2012535854_shangrow08.html

Excerpt:

Music lovers will long remember the roaring excitement of George’s Bach performances on the harpsichord with his longtime duo partner, flutist Jeff Cohan. How often do you get to use “roaring excitement” and “Bach sonatas” in the same sentence? Not often enough, George would say. He also specialized in getting the most possible excitement out of Handel’s “Messiah,” an annual fixture on his concert schedule. As a festive postscript, he inaugurated the after-Christmas tradition of the “Sing Along, Play Along Messiah,” conducting all comers for years in a boisterous come-as-you-are version of the Handel classic in University Unitarian Church.

A Shangrow performance was less concerned about details of historical practice than about extracting the “juice” of the music and presenting it to listeners. As a conductor, he was so riveting to watch that the performers visually locked onto his face and his hands, ready to follow him anywhere. Rehearsals for the Seattle Chamber Singers (with which I sang in the 1970s, before becoming a music critic) were never a dull slog. They were usually both serious and uproarious, full of fun and jokes that sometimes were unprintable.

One reason George’s Seattle musical roots are so deep is that he started so early. He was still in high school when he founded the Seattle Chamber Singers. Back in early 1969, when Shangrow was only 17, the Roosevelt High School senior was already termed “a genius” by another legend, Seattle Times feature writer Don Duncan, who cited his talents as composer, arranger, pianist, harpsichordist, choral director, and teacher of flute, piano and organ. “One thing seems certain,” Duncan accurately predicted. “We will be hearing more about George Shangrow in the years ahead.”

Sweeney Todd Music – Behind the Scenes

askland — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:43:31 +0000

“I prefer actors that can sing rather than singers that can act” -- I thought that was a great quote from Stephen Sondheim in this video behind the scenes on the music for the movie version of the musical “Sweeney Todd”.

In another interview I read today with Stephen Sondheim he said although most musicals now are rock/pop or jukebox style -- he said the same rules apply to creating musical theater: You create what you like and then just hope that others like it too. He says to try and second guess current trends or what audiences will like is pointless. I would say that in the world of pure art this is true. Although most of us work in arenas where budgets and projects dictate expectations.

Unless of course we are brave enough to venture out and create our own visions unhampered by monetary expectations. That is a tough decision for an artist, and a very fun one!

Cirque Casting Promo – Instrumentalists & Singers

askland — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:58:53 +0000

Cirque Du Soleil casting promo video for instrumentalists and singers. Musicians and vocalists can visit http://www.CirqueDuSoleil.com for audition submission information and updates on musician job openings.

女導遊喪鬧大陸客 7分鐘　熱爆網 Hong Kong Tour Guide Pressures Tourists to Shop

askland — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:40:05 +0000

香港导游阿珍骂大陆游客购物不够多摄像录音_在线视频观看_土豆网视频香港旅游导游阿珍导游骂人大陆游客港澳游.flv

Video is in Chinese. Hong Kong tour guide says “Spend more, you’ll be happier… don’t tell me you don’t need [to buy more], next you’ll be telling me you don’t need to eat at meal time. I will lock you out of your hotel rooms because you don’t need them [either].”

The Hong Kong Travel Industry Council has received 173 complaints from mainland China tourists from January to May 15, 2010 -- an increase of 65 percent from the previous year.

Personally, I took an “Enlightenment Tour” of Hong Kong’s Lantau Island in June 2010 and I had no problems like this. But anytime I travel to other Southeast Asia countries it’s always expected that I’ll be dropped off at some scammy tourist shopping spots. The most common is to stop at art exhibits where the products are made by handicapped people. So I will tell guides up front I do not want to stop at any places like this. I don’t think there is really nothing new in this -- it’s just part of the tourism trade in pressuring money out of tourists.

Commentors note that the tour guide in this video is from the mainland, not Hong Kong.

Full article at:

http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/shop/spend-more-youll-be-happier-457060?hpt=C2

Conrad in Hong Kong piano recording session

askland — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:53:03 +0000

Finally got some pics from our recording session of the Cirque Du Soleil ZAIA soundtrack in Hong Kong – December 2008. Most of our tracks were recorded on location in Macau but we did string section and piano recordings in Hong Kong.

The piano was ok. Our main focus was the string ensemble which included members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Usher in Macau

askland — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:33:08 +0000

Usher performed in Macau at the Venetian Casino on July 13, 2010. Rumor has it he came over to our ZAIA theater to record some audio tracks for a project he’s working on.

I didn’t get to meet him and security was tight. So I posted a video with some Usher music you might enjoy. Assuming that Usher has a good sense of humor and won’t kick my butt. Did you know that many consider Usher to be the one to take the torch from Michael Jackson’s legacy? Read on for more info.

USHER, widely acclaimed as Michael Jackson’s successor and also known as “NEW KING OF POP”, will bring his “USHER Live in Macao 2010” to the CotaiArena™ at The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel on July 13, Tuesday at 8pm. It will be his ever first time to perform in Macao! Tickets will be on sale – June 22nd @ Cotai Ticketing.

Time is testament to the mark of greatness, and in this era that mark belongs to USHER (originally named as Usher Raymond IV), the consummate entertainer who transcends the boundaries of popular culture, redefining the nature of superstardom. Usher’s considerable achievements begin with over 45 million records sold world wide and a stable of five Grammy awards. Throughout the years, USHER has released 5 studio albums in total, namely “Usher”, “My Way”, “8701”, “Confessions” and “Here I Stand” in which he has topped the U.S. album chart such as “Yeah”, “Burn” and “Love In This Club”. The singer, composer, producer, actor, businessman, designer and philanthropist is the quintessential contemporary icon, celebrated for nearly two decades.

With the new release of his monumental album “RAYMOND V. RAYMOND”, Usher returns to his original medium – making songs into masterpieces that illuminate the struggle between man and legend. To meet the theme of his new album, USHER cooperates with many top-level units. On “OMG”, set off by WILL.I.AM’s crisp beats, Usher takes it to the floor, and goes hard as the seductive melody comes to a frenzied crescendo. Also, “OMG” received similar Top chart position as both US and UK. Other supporters including Jarmaine Dupri, The Runners, Ester Dean, Polow Da Don, Redone, Bangledesh and Tricky Stewart.

Tickets for “Usher Live in Macao 2010” concert are now on sale at Sands Macao Hotel Lobby and CotaiArena Box Office in 3 categories: HKD/MOP 800 (A Reserve), HKD/MOP 600 (B Reserve) and HKD/MOP 400 (C Reserve). The packages with round trip CotaiJet ferry tickets between Hong Kong and Macao will be at HKD/MOP 888, HKD/MOP 688 and HKD/MOP 488 respectively.