Michael Janairo

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Author: Michael Janairo

  • ‘Super Knocked Up’ recognized as original ‘Geekies’

    SuperKnockedUp

    “Super Knocked Up,” a web series filmed in the Capital Region, has won “Most Original Web Series” at the 1st Geekie Awards. The award ceremony will take place Aug. 18 in Hollywood and will be streamed live online.

    “Super Knocked Up” is the story of Jessica James (played by Jourdan Gibson), aka Darkstar, the toughest, most feared super-villain on Earth, who hooks up – and gets ‘knocked up’ – by her arch enemy, the amorous superhero Captain Amazing (Mark Pezzula). When she gets pregnant with his baby their lives change forever. The show can be seen across various platforms, including Youtube, JTS.tv (Just The Story), and Koldcast.tv.

    Super Knocked Up is now in its second season. The Geekie Award follows other accolades for the show. It was named an official selection of the 2013 Hollyweb Festival and the 2013 Marseille Webfest and won a visual effects award at the 2013 LA Web Fest. Next month, James and show creator Jeff Burns will speak on a web series panel at San Diego Comic Con.

    Leigh Hornbeck interviewed Burns and the stars of the show for a story that ran in September last year.

    Story link: http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=20019411

    SKU link: http://superknockedup.com/

    Geekie Awards link: http://www.thegeekieawards.com

    — Leigh Hornbeck

  • On the Town at Barrington Stage Company, 6/16/13

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    Pittsfield, Mass.

    If the Broadway original of “On the Town” was anything like the production now on stage at Barrington Stage Company, then it’s no wonder the baby boom coincided with the hit’s initial run (1944 to 1946).

    Sassy, sexy, energetic and fun — it’s a hell of a musical.

    The story is simple enough: three sailors — Ozzie, Chip and Gabey — set out on a 24-hour shore leave in 1944’s New York City looking for adventure — and dames. The stage set is simple, too, with minimal signs and scrims, and occasional tables and seats to suggest apartments, restaurants, a taxi, streets and museums.

    The rest of it, though, only seems simple. The top-notch 10-piece orchestra under the direction of Darren R. Cohen nailed Leonard Bernstein’s energetic and upbeat score. Joshua Bergasse’s choreography filled the stage with joyous movement and vitality, creating stage pictures that winked at Jerome Robbins while taking on a life of its own (the musical was based on Robbins’ ballet “Fancy Free,” after all). (more…)

  • Poll: Who do you most want to see at Farm Aid?

    Willie Nelson performs during the Farm Aid Concert event Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, in St. Louis. (KYLE ERICSON, AP)

    As you should know by now, Willie Nelson sat down with Steve Barnes Thursday to talk about the upcoming Farm Aid concert on Sept. 21 at SPAC. You can read the full article here.

    We think this is a really big deal, and great for the Capital Region. Right now, though, we want to know: Which act are you most looking forward to seeing.

    [poll id=”118″]

  • Freedom summer: The best free dance

    By Tresca Weinstein

    With film screenings and special events bulking up the Jacob’s Pillow schedule, and three contemporary companies sharing the Saratoga Performing Arts Center stage with the New York City Ballet, dance offerings in the Capital Region this summer are richer than ever. But “rich” might be the operative word here — with ticket prices ranging from around $20 to as high as $75, dance lovers may have to make some tough decisions. Luckily, there’s plenty of free dance available. Here are a few options.

    Susan Marshall & Company’s ‘Play/Pause’

    Susan Marshall & Company

    Taking a cue from YouTube, Marshall combines online music videos and live performance in her newest work, “Play/Pause,” which her company will be fine-tuning (and auto-tuning, perhaps?) while in residence at Skidmore College this month. Marshall commissioned Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang of Bang on a Can to create an original score for the piece. The company also offers open rehearsals and master classes for ages 12 to adults; visit http://www.skidmore.edu/summer/ for details. 8 p.m. June 21, Skidmore College Dance Theater, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 518-580-5596; http://www.skidmore.edu/summerdance/ (more…)

  • Freedom summer: The best free pop music

    By David Malachowski

    When it comes to music, summertime is when heavy hitters go on tour to perform at large venues for the masses.

    You can drop a whopping $353 for Thursday’s Andrea Bocelli concert at Times Union Center. That is the top ticket price. But, hey, you also get Fantasia Barrino and even the hometown singing sensations, Albany Pro Musica. Tickets for mere mortals start at $58, by the way.
    By comparison, the top price for next Wednesday’s Fleetwood Mac show (also at Times Union Center): $122 (plus fees, etc., etc.).

    Some of the most expensive tickets this summer, though, are in the special VIP packages for the Sept. 5 Maroon 5 show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. What does a VIP get? In addition to prime seating in the first 10 rows, the ticket-buyer gets goodies (such as a gift bag and T-shirt) and, on the upper end, a pre-show reception. Top ticket price? $500.

    Summertime, however, is also when a spate of free shows fill public parks across the greater Capital Region. So here, for the budget-conscious rocker, are some recommendations of the best in music you can experience for the low, low price of free.

    Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes (Times Union Archive photo)
    Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes (Times Union Archive photo)

    Southside Johnny
& The Asbury Jukes
    If Bruce Springsteen is the conscience and Bon Jovi the look, then Southside Johnny is the heart of Jersey Shore music. The lesser known of the three, Neptune, N.J., native John Lyon is considered the grandfather of the New Jersey sound. Jon Bon Jovi has said that Southside is his reason for singing. Songs like “I Don’t Want To Go Home,” “Fever” “Hearts of Stone” and “Talk To Me” helped define the scene, and though the soulful horn-driven sound was eclipsed by his more famous brethren, it still has a sense of romance and mystery that is always a joy to hear. The Troy River Street Festival headliner performs after festivities start at 10:45 a.m. with funky Jacamo, reunited Troy rockers Emerald City and one-man band Rich Ortiz, while the local stage holds chanteuse Erin Harkes, blues duo Holly & Evan and intriguing songstress Molly Durin. 4 p.m. SaturdayJune 15, River Street Festival, River Street from Fulton to Congress Street, Troy, http:.//www.downtowntroy.org

    (more…)

  • Freedom summer: The best visual arts

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    By Tim Kane

    This season’s major museum exhibitions take a decidedly American bent. New revelations about Georgia O’Keeffe’s deep connections to Lake George are at the Hyde Collection in Glens Falls. A recalibration of Winslow Homer and an interesting late period for George Innes fill the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass.

    Meanwhile, Thomas Cole, Asher Durand and Albert Bierstadt highlight the Festival of American Romantics at the Fenimore Museum in Cooperstown, while other Hudson River School artists are featured at the Albany Institute of History & Art. James McNeill Whistler’s fertile period in Venice is explored at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie.

    But if you’re on a tight budget, interested in experiencing art outside of museums or focused on contemporary art, there’s a wealth of free exhibits dotting the region all summer. The array of talent is impressive. Here’s a sampler:

    2013 Annual Summer Exhibition at Art Omi
    It’s hard to beat this lineup. Nathan Carter draws inspiration from decaying technological devices, pirated communications systems, rogue nation states and rolling blackouts. Known for her hand-blown glass terrariums, Paula Hayes interprets the Columbia County farmland with a series of planters. Always over-the-top, Erwin Wurm presents a typically acerbic portrait made with cast aluminum and enamel. Tom Doyle contributes five large-scale works cast in bronze from wood, while Allan McCollum revisits his “Perfect Vehicles” series from the ’80s. Opening reception: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday; exhibition runs through October. Art Omi, 1405 Route 22, Ghent. Sculpture park is open every day during daylight hours. Visitor center and gallery 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 392-4747; http://www.artomi.org (more…)

  • First look: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

    “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is slated for release on Friday, Dec. 13, but Warner Bros. has just released these publicity stills today. Enjoy

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  • Summer theater guide: A graphical approach to the season’s plays and musicals

    The plays mentioned in this chart and a link to each theater company:

    Classic musicals
    “On the Town” @ Barrington Stage Company, June 12-July 13, http://barringtonstageco.org/
    “Singing in the Rain” @ Mac-Haydn, July 4-21, http://www.machaydntheatre.org/
    “Oklahoma” @ Colonial Theater, July 6-20, http://www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/on-our-stages/theatre.html
    “Camelot” @ Glimmerglass Festival, July 13-August 23, starring operatic baritone Nathan Gunn!, http://glimmerglass.org/
    “Les Miserables” @ Mac-Haydn, July 25-August 4, http://www.machaydntheatre.org/
    “Gypsy” @ Mac-Haydn, August 22-September 1, http://www.machaydntheatre.org/ (more…)

  • Report from Book Expo America’s first day (5/31/13)

    New York City

    Book publishers have been amassing at the Javits Center since Wednesday for their annual trade show, Book Expo America, and I had the chance to take the pulse of the industry on Thursday.

    I found a distinct upstairs-downstairs divide. Literally.

    Up on the main conference floor, the third floor, everything looked glossy and well-lit, with exhibitor booths displaying upcoming titles, publicists handing out free ARCs (that’s advanced readers’ copies) and authors signing books. The people in line were the kind of book-industry professionals who could influence book consumers (booksellers, librarians and media types).
    (more…)