Bourbon Street Back To School Bash – Holes And Hearts

Welcome back to The Expressionist Magazine

Wednesday night at the Bourbon Street Nightclub in New Port Richey, 6 bands were to play at their “Rocker Your Way To School show.” One of the bands on the line-up for the night was our August feature artist, Holes And Hearts. We were there to watch the kids perform and cheer them on.

This was more than just a performance for the band, they were also auditioning to be a regular band at the club, so the performance was extra important. Their dad said before the show to his boys “It’s a Wednesday night show, it will probably be rough, not many people… but you go out there and perform your best like there was 20,000 people watching you and do your best.” They took that advice and did exactly that, and put on a performance that I am still blown away over.

I can sum up their entire performance with just 4 words: brilliant, exciting, amazing, and intense. If Bourbon Street Nightclub does not bring them in as a regular performing band, then they don’t know talent if it was at the end of their nose.

They start out the show with a mix of some 70s rock songs, and on the stage was a box with Holes and Hearts written on the front. Then, blaring out of the speakers comes the song, “Take Another Piece Of My Heart.” by the legendary Janis Joplin. Within a few seconds, the lights drop, the stage lights turn on and young Casey comes on the stage jamming on his guitar. Alone on the stage for about a minuet, his brother Riley busts through the box and starts singing their first song. That caught everyones interest and from that moment they had the crowd.

I stood at the front railing next to the stage and saw the other bands start to come closer to watch these two marvels, following them was the intrigued audience. I tend to observe my surroundings to get a feeling of what’s going on around me, and what I saw was jaws dropping, smiles that went from ear to ear and a crowd that was in awe over the talent and intensity of their show.

I can’t stress intensity enough, I could write it a million times and it won’t convey to you the effect I am trying to imply. Casey and Riley are so intense they make you feel every emotion. They dance, they jam, they jump, their faces will capture the moment and make you live the emotion of the story they are telling. What’s even more amazing about these two boys is their age. At 12 and 13, they perform on stage as if they were seasoned rock veterans, they write songs like they are adults, and they believe in themselves and their songs so much their confidence wins the audience over.

They ended to a standing ovation, and some one in the crowd screamed, “The Jonas Brothers have nothing on you guys, YOU ROCK.” I even over heard the crowd talking as they were breaking the stage down, and one comment I thought was interesting was this, “Those boys are decades beyond their age, their stage presence gave me chills – simply amazing.” I concur, a very entertaining and intense show, a true talent if I ever saw one. I can’t wait for when they get older to see what their music and performance will evolve into. I know it can only get better.

Holes and Hearts are on the verge of becoming a house hold name, give them just a few months or maybe a year or two.

To me, they outshined the other bands that night and gave a stellar performance. If you have the chance to see them live, do so, it will be a performance you never forget. ROCK ON LITTLE DUDES! I think Janis Joplin would be proud to know her song is what you take the stage to.

Triptico – Rock With A Spanish Twist

I love a good rock band. Triptico is not only good, but they put a fresh twist on rock music by adding Spanish influence to it. Their music still contains all the typical elements we know and love from our American rock bands, but it has an island-Spanish feel to it that really make Triptico fun to listen to. It’s a genius blend of two cultures to make for a great sound. Some of their songs are in their native Spanish tongue, but some of them are in English. Honestly, when they sang in Spanish I didn’t notice or care that I couldn’t understand the lyrics, I was enjoying the sound too much to worry about it.

Their stage performance is amazing, adding to their great songs. When they played at Bourbon Street Nightclub, the bassist played on the same guitar as the guitarist creating a jaw dropping spectacle the crowd.

Triptico can really jam out. They are very capable musicians with crystal clear vocals, who are at the start of something big. If you like the magic of Santana, this band is for you. Check them out on their MySpace page for upcoming shows and to hear some of their work,
www.myspace.com/tripticoband

Still Life – Bourbon Street Nightclub Review

Still Life is an interesting young female band fresh out of Venezuela, ready to live the American dream.  I got the pleasure to watch them live at the Bourbon Street Nightclub Sunday night and I must say I was quite intrigued with their music.

Still Life delivers a psychedelic alternative rock sound, their music is something you can drift away with.  It’s hard to put into words what they sound like unless you hear it for yourself. They are that unique, which is a welcome addition to our local music scene. I would attempt to sum it up as a mix between Enya and the Cranberries mixed with their native Spanish tongue.  When thrown all together it’s an “En-berry Margarita” that compliments anyones appetite of those alternative rock dishes!

The vocals are strong and beautifully executed, a charismic chant that will rock and soothe you at the same time, while capturing your soul.  I can say they have a very unique sound that captivated me the instant I heard it.  Their music is something I could listen to for hours and get lost in my own little world.  I love it!

Still Life will be performing at the Bourbon Street Nightclub again September 11, 2008.  If you missed them Sunday night, don’t miss them when they come back.  Until then, you can hear their music and check out their photos at www.myspace.com/stillliferockmusic

The Reasoning Behind Mourning Photos

I was in St. Augustine a few weeks ago, shopping antique stores for old photographs.  As a photographer I love the beauty in vintage photos.  While scrummaging through the piles, I came across a unique photo, something you just don’t find a lot of.  It was a mourning photo, and it had an inscription written on the back that read “Floral tribute to Frank Prine, who died Tuesday, April 26, 1898 at the early age of 6 yrs. 4 mos.”

I immediately purchased this picture, despite its morbid content.  I purchased it because of how rare they are first of all, and second because it meant a lot to some family back then.  Even though mourning photography is morbid to us now, the reasoning is quite mis-understood, but I find it beautiful in its own right.

Back in the early 1800′s when photos first came around with Ambrose Type and Tin Type photographs, this specialty cost people a fortune to have done.  In those days, it was not uncommon for a person to pay up to $25.00.  With inflation, that could run you around $2500.00 today.  Life expectancy was not great back then, if we lived to 50 we were considered old men and women.

If you notice, when you look at photos back then there were not many of kids.  In fact most of the photographs you see were of adults.  This was because it required standing very still. They used posers to keep you still since they did not use flash. It was a timed exposure, so should you move at all, the photo would be blurry and ruin the picture.  Also, children simply did not grasp how expensive the process was, so it would be a waste of money to attempt to have one made of them till they got older and understood the importance of sitting still.  Most of the time when you see a child’s photo from the early 1800′s to early 1920′s they tend to be sleeping.  I hate to break it to you, but those children are “forever” sleeping because they are deceased.

The parents always expected to one day get a photo of them when they were older. Sometimes that did not happen, because they died at a young age. The parents would decide to take a photo of them anyway, and either take a photo of the child looking like they were asleep, or would take a photo of them in their coffins.  Parents would rush to get a photo taken, because this would be the child’s only photo, despite the fact they were dead; it was better than nothing at all.

Parents would not only take photos because it would be the child’s only picture, they also did it to help them mourn the loss of their beloved child.  Sometimes they took photos of deceased adults too, who more than likely had photos of them while alive. This was a common way to help mourn the loss of a loved one.

I know about this because it happened to my great aunt Emma.  In 1920, she broke her arm and died from blood poisoning.  Our family had two known photos of her, a small 2×4 that contained her, my aunt Adela and my uncle Wally.  The other was one of her by herself when she was maybe 7 or 8, and the last one was her in her coffin.  My aunt Adela, told me that it helped her parents mourn the loss, and since she was only 10, they didn’t have many photos of her, so the coffin photo was at least one more picture of their sweet Emma.

Today, we take for granted that our loved ones live long lives, that children or infant deaths are not as common today as they were back then, and that most of us have cameras so we take loads of photos of our children and family members.  We forget that this was not the case back in the early days in America and that it was quite expensive.  So before you decide this is all just morbid, think through why they did it and how they didn’t have the conveniences we have today; the luxury of our own personal cameras and how inexpensive they are, and you will see that mourning photography really isn’t as morbid as it first appears.

One Life To Live 8-25-08

Its been a while since we updated you with One Life To Live, but there has been so many strange twists and turns, with no definative conclusions that we decided to wait till there was some foresight into the mini-dramas.

Bo – Rex – Gigi – 1968

Bo was upset that Lindsey lied to him about her sanity in the Spencer Truman death, she faked her sanity to avoid jail time, and Bo was appointed her guardian.  All this info came out at Bo and Lindsey’s wedding by Nora, Bo’s ex-wife.  Bo gets so upset he leaves Landview and goes back to the Texas ranch where his life began.

Rex, completely concerned about his friend Bo, follows him to Texas.  Trying to talk some sense into the drunk Bo, who is planning on going for a horse ride in the terrible storm, walk to the stable to get the horse out.  Bo grabs a hold of the metal fence, while Rex has his phone in hand and they get struck by lightning, opening a portal that sends them back to 1968. 

Bo, in 1968, is actually his father.  Rex, is actually Bo.  Everyone they know from 2008 are people in Bo’s past in 1968.  They try to figure out how to get back to 2008, while trying not to change history.  Rex finally tries his cell phone which is able to call 2008 and he calls none other than Gigi.

Gigi realizes that Rex is in trouble and pays Delphina for help.  They travel to Texas to open the portal and get Rex and Bo back.  Delphina talks to her “Man” charecter who is helping Bo and Rex get back to 2008.  They figure out that they must go back to the exact location, and be struck by lightning again opening the portal so they can return.  When they do so, something goes wrong and Bo goes back to 2008, Gigi goes back to 1968 where Rex is still stuck.  The reason, Rex let go of the phone.

Rex and Gigi finally rekindle their love 20 years before they were even born.  Rex, who is Bo is being shipped to Viet Nam to fight in the Viet Nam war, Gigi realizes she will be left alone back in 1968 waiting for Rex, BO, to return.  She couldn’t take Rex not knowing he is really the father of Shane, so she tells him, “Don’t fight to come back just for me, come back for Shane too.  Your fighting to stay alive because you are his father.”

Meanwhile back in 2008, Brody knows something bad has happened to Gigi, worried Shane will be taken into foster care since he is not his real father, opens the package that Adriana, Rex’s estranged wife sends to Gigi to get the DNA from Rex to officially make Brody Shane’s father through Rex’s tooth brush.  Brody takes that toothbrush to have it checked for his DNA.  Despite the procedure, the lab took the tooth brush as Brody’s DNA which will prove he is Shane’s dad using Rex’s DNA.  He doesn’t realize that Gigi and Rex will return back to 2008, which will cause some major problems for both Shane, and Gigi.

Mendora

Talia is still married to the Prince of Mendora, and Sarah, Christian and Antonio escaped with their lives.  Antonio was on his way back to get Talia out of Mendora, when Christian and Sarah arrived to help.  They realize that just getting Talia out of there won’t stop her father from bringing her back to Mendora.  Christian and Antionio know they have no choice but to eliminate him.  The inside scoop says that this famous mobster of One Life To Live does not make it out of Mendora, and his charecter finally comes to an end, meaning it looks like Antonio and Christian will succeed in their plan.

Her Revenge – Album Review

When I first saw their MySpace page, I expected something completely different from what I heard.  I was expecting head thrashing, paint your nails black death metal.  What I got was a pleasant surprise, an alternative sound with a hint of today’s modern grunge. It goes to show you, don’t judge a book (or MySpace) by its cover. 

Her Revenge will appeal to those into everything from grunge to metal to pop.  I love their sound, they don’t incorporate that “breathy” sound many grunge singers like American Idol winner, David Cook brings.  Instead Her Revenge has more of a Bo Bice sound that is energetic, poetic and raw. They will persuade you to stomp your feet rocking out with them, chill with their poetic ballads that will take you back to the 80′s, and get you up and dancing with their song Super Star.  Her Revenge successfully combines these very different genres into one album without loosing their own identity for one second.

Their singer has a great voice; powerful, soothing and crisp all at the same time. Most importantly he demonstrates excellent vocal control, which is key to leading a good rock band.  The songs have upbeat guitar riffs that will send engergy staight through your spine.

I would definately add this CD to my collection, or if you are “hip” you will get the album on MP3.   Check Her Revenge out on their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/herrevengeband

Sing-A-Long Grease Comes To Tampa Theatre

If you are a die hard Grease fan, then this is a must see event as Danny and the Ridell High School gang take the silver screen for this sing-a-long event with their classic songs like “Grease Lightning, Summer Lovin’ and You’re The One That I want.” Best part is, you get to sing-a-long with them at Tampa Theatre.

Friday, August 22 at 7:30
Saturday, Aug 23 at 2:00 & 7:30
Sunday, Aug 24 at 2:00 & 7:30
Doors open 1 hour before showtime
TICKETS:
$11.50  Adult
$10.50  Student (with ID)
$9.50   Senior, Military

*tickets available at the box office in advance or day of show John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway.

This interactive presentation of the 1978 film has been customized with on-screen lyrics for all the songs so that audiences can sing along!  1978/1:50/musical/35mm.

You’re the star in the Audience Costume Parade!  Come dressed as your favorite characteror in a costume inspired by the movie.

PG – Parental Guidance Suggested Some material may be inappropriate for younger
children.

American Idol Auditions in Florida TODAY! (Aug.13)

“American Idol” auditions will be in Florida this year, Jacksonville to be exact.  Auditions will be held on August 13th (TODAY!) at the “Veterans Memorial Arena.”  It’s said that Ceaser De La Rosa, winner of the “Tampa Bay Idol” will be on hand auditioning with the producers.

If you love “American Idol” and want to take your shot at stardom, here is your chance.  From Tampa, Jacksonville is roughly 5 hours up I-75 to I-10.  “American Idol” does not audition everywhere, so jump on this opportunity while you can!

For more information, go to the “Veterans Memorial Arena’s” official web site  http://www.jaxevents.com/veteransmemorial.php

Brooksville Heritage Museum – A Haunting Good Time

If you’re looking for something to do that’s fun for the whole family and you don’t want to spend too much money, we have a solution that is not only fun but historic and educational. It’s located right in the heart of downtown Brooksville, in Hernando County. It’s the Brooksville Heritage Museum / May-Stringer House.

This attraction has two sides, a fun side for the whole family, and a dark side fit for adults over the age of 18.  By day, the house is a representation of life back in the 1840s, and one of the first houses settled in Brooksville under the Florida Settlers Act, which gave settlers 160 acres to use as long as they reside in Florida. It’s also filled with wonderful antiques and history from around Brooksville, making it the Brooksville Heritage Museum. By night: a real haunted house for those interested in the paranormal.

Historic Museum by Day

The day tour talks about the home and all the artifacts inside. It was the former home of the Mays’. After the deaths of Mr. May’s wife and two daughters, he moved away, and the house was next inhabited by Dr. Stringer. Dr. Stringer re-designed the house in the unique fashion it now remains, with the tower, because he wanted to have the largest home in the area. Stringer also made the 7 gables to represent the “House of Seven Gables,” something he always admired. After his family moved out, the place was abandoned, and looters destroyed most of the home. The house was later restored to its current condition by the city of Brooksville. They reopened the house as a heritage museum of Brooksville’s past.

The house has a replica one-room school house, a doctor’s room containing medicines and tools typical of what Dr. Stringer would have used on his patients, a telephone/telegraph room, a war room decked with U.S. Military uniforms from the Civil War to World War II, and so much more

The museum offers a guided tour, that lasts around an hour. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children, Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. The tour will give you the history of the home as well as Brooksville’s great past. All money goes toward the upkeep up of the home.

By Night… the Hauntings

Due to its grim past with death the house is considered by one of the most haunted places in Florida; the May’s lost 3 people in the home, his two daughters and his wife giving birth.  Dr. Stringer used the house as a sanatorium during the days before hospitals were around, so many of the terminally ill patients died miserable deaths from causes like Small Pox, Yellow Fever, Scarlett Fever, and others.  The home was also the scene of the first “drive by” shooting in Hernando County (actually “ride by” because the crime was committed on horseback). It’s also said that a WWI soldier returned from war to marry his fiance, only to find that she had married another man when he was away; he then went upstairs and was said to have hung himself in the master bedroom. That claim can’t be proven so it’s only a rumor that may or may not have some truth to it. The May-Stringer house is said to have 8 spirits who reside in the dwelling.

The tour lasts 2 hours! Starting with a history tour of the house concentrating on the most active rooms, they give you more information to the secrets the house holds than you get during the day.  In the second hour, you are released into small groups to pick rooms and do seances and readings.

This tour has an age limit: nobody under is 18 allowed. It costs $20.00 per person and reservations are required. The tour starts at 6:00 P.M. and is offered Friday to Sunday only. The tours will be canceled for groups less than 6.

I personally took both of these tours, the daytime and haunted tours and found them extremely interesting and educational. The house is a work of art in itself and the EVP’s caught during the haunt were phenomenal. For the price, I highly recommend trying these tours and help support the Hernando County Preservation of old homes and history.

Lynne Koplitz at the Tampa Improv

I love to laugh, that’s one of the reasons I enjoy patronizing comedy clubs as much as I do.  Life is too serious for all the drama, sometimes you need a break to just sit back and laugh and that is exactly what I intended to do when I went to the Tampa Improv on Friday July 25th to see the headliner “Lynne Koplitz.”  Over all I had a wonderful experience, the food was great and so was the performers for the most part; meaning 2 out of the 3 shined. 

The Opening “BOMB” Act

The opening act was about 15 minuets or less and honestly it was way too long.  I could not wait for that lady to get off the stage.  I can’t even remember her name that’s how unimpressed I was with her. Throughout her act, she stood there after telling a joke waiting for some kind of laughter or response, yet all you could hear was the sweat dripping off her face splashing onto the stage, oh and maybe some crickets chirping. Can you say “awkward?” Her entire bit was about bashing Republicans, who filled most of the room, and voicing her hippy ways upon us by bashing religion, glorified same sex marriage, and war jokes all within her show. She would’ve made Pelosi proud had she been there.  I don’t know what part of California she came from but her act did not go over well here in Tampa. My advice for her, choose better topics to joke about and don’t use the comic stage to voice your radical liberal opinions, thats what a protest line is for.

The “Featured Act” – John Rathborne

The featured act of the night was John Rathborne.  He was actually amusing, a pleasure to watch on stage. His goofy looks, his sharp one liners would easily catch you off guard.  I personally loved when he would tell a joke that these two guys in the front row didn’t get, he would try to explain the joke to them sarcastically!  My favorite bit of his from the act, was his smoking jokes.  ”Ah.. You smoke Camel Lights, so that’s like… I know I’m still going to get cancer from this, but I am in no rush to obtain it.”  I love it.  The people loved him too, his act lifted the spirits of the crowd, shocked from the opener.

The “Headliner” - Lynne Koplitz

Finally the headliner took stage: Lynne Koplitz.  Here is a fantastic comedian whose gorgeous and funny at the same time.  Lynne’s act was based on the woman’s point of view with sex and the family life of today. She effectively took real life situations from the past and present and told the joke without lying; the truth is what made it so funny!  Men and women alike could easily relate to her truthful comedy and laugh. Quite honestly, with all the male comedians picking fun of the women with sex, it was a nice reprieve to hear a woman’s point of view and joke around about the men!

Another part of Lynne’s act was based on her childhood here in Florida and her mom’s carefree parenting style.  She brought to life what parents did back when she was little, like lock the kids up in the car while shopping.  If you did that today you would go to jail, back then it was not uncommon, nor illegal… Lynne made great humor of those exact type of situations.

Lynne Koplitz was a great act to watch, she made me laugh throughout the act.  The beauty of Lynne’s performance is that she effectively takes things we do everyday, and shows us how funny we actually are doing it.  She compares how simple yesterday was to today, making you laugh at how critical and complex we made our lives to be.  A brilliant act, and someone I would love to see again next time she rolls through the Tampa Bay area.

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