dj | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Company’s One’s ‘Hoops’ take on greater meaning

Posted on July 31, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Not to be mistaken for basketball, Hoops are jewelry individuals wear as a fashion piece, display cultural or ancestral significance or to make a statement as Bronx-born Puerto Rican Jennifer Lopez once fiercely remarked during a comedy sketch on The Tonight Show, ‘Don’t make me take off my Hoops!’ It served as a warning to host Jimmy Fallon that Lopez was not to be messed with.

Hoops can add subtle and delicate elegance or stand out as its own remarkable, not-to-be-missed fashion statement. I love my own hoops. Whether formal or casual, they go with everything and fit in for every occasion. Produced in all patterns, colors, and sizes, Hoops are unmistakable and certainly have a way of expressing themselves.

So it is no secret that this topic is right up my alley.

L to R Tiffany Santiago, Kaili Y. Turner, and Karimah Williams in Hoops Photo by Ken Yotsukura Photography

Hosted by DJ Brandie Blaze who is also part of the cast and enthusiastically directed by Tonasia Jones, Company One continues its 25th season with Hoops by Eliana Pipes live and in person at the historical Strand Theatre in Dorchester, MA. This semi-interactive production is free with pay-what-you-want options, contains some adult language and is a dense 90 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Brandie Blaze in Hoops Photo by KenYotsukura

Lively and pulsing rhythms greet the audience as multi-talented DJ Brandie Blaze spins tunes by local Boston artists as the production begins. This is not the kind of show where one watches and remains silent. The audience is encouraged to get up and dance, clap and show their enthusiasm as Blaze introduces this fervent cast who uniquely take the stage in their own style.

Part dance party, part testimonial and reflections, and part history lesson with a mix of comedic scenarios, the cast of Hoops share personal experiences, coming of age stories, and dig in deep into the idea that a piece of jewelry can make such an impact. Whether it is to feel closer to their family through an heirloom or to build confidence for an intimidating event, each individual has an original reflection on how their hoops made a difference in their lives. Sometimes the production gives hoops a bit too much credit, but it is effective serving as a reminder that they had the courage and power to get through these challenges within themselves.

L to R Albamarina Nahar and Tiffany Santiago in Hoops Photo by Ken Yotsukura Photography

The cheerful, hoop-inspired set design by Payton Tavares with Grace Kroeger has a bit of a ‘90s feel featuring bursts of neon green, pink, yellow and blue with dripping paint decorated on blocks. The DJ Booth is stylish and cozy featuring embellished shelves, vinyl, and flowers lining the walls. Each character decked out in their own signature pair of hoops, Erica Schoenberg’s colorful, urban and summer-inspired costumes makes each individual stand out as they portray various roles.

Elijah Brown in Hoops Photo by Ken Yotsukura-Photography

In large and sparkling hoops, affable Brandie Blaze hypes up the audience by singing and rapping to Blaze’s original music. Sharp and upbeat choreography by Jenny Oliver keeps the show exciting as Elijah Brown, Albamarina Nahar, Tiffany Santiago, Kaili Y. Turner, Karimah Williams and Beyoncé Martinez not only break out into dance, but collaborate well together onstage sharing a spectrum of stories and anecdotes about sharing hoops, breaking hoops, status, generational wealth and their own individual journeys.

L to R Brandie Blaze Kaili Y. Turner Tiffany Santiago Karimah Williams and Albamarina Nahar in Hoops Photo by Ken Yotsukura Photography

Funny, upbeat, and poignant, Hoops is a meaty exploration about feeling good about oneself while taking on the weight of the world with flourish.

Hosted by DJ Brandie Blaze who is also part of the cast and enthusiastically directed by Tonasia Jones, Company One continues its 25th season with Hoops by Eliana Pipes live and in person at the historical Strand Theatre in Dorchester, MA. This semi-interactive production is free with pay-what-you-want options and is a dense 90 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Ben Makinen offers a fresh take on Jazz history and more in new documentary ‘Echoes of Tradition’

Posted on May 1, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Mary Lou Williams, featured in the National Women’s History Museum in Virginia, mentored jazz greats such as ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie and Charlie Parker. The latter two names may have become legendary, yet the former name is not quite as familiar. However, the significant impact she had on Jazz should have put her on equal footing. Among many other topics, Ben Makinen’s Echoes of Tradition offers an explanation.

Since Jazz’s roots are about breaking the rules, Ben Makinen’s latest documentary breaks tradition by highlighting exceptional and groundbreaking musicians while calling for change.

Written, directed, and produced with remarkable reflection by Ben Makinen, Echoes of Tradition is a comprehensive and absorbing jazz documentary that runs just under an hour. Click here for more information.

In Who Killed Jazz, featured at the New York City Indie Film Festival in 2022, Makinen explored the evolution of live music and the impact of today’s surging technology, the expansion of creativity and simultaneously the lack of original ideas, the use of sampled music and jazz’s vast array of music influences. Echoes of Tradition looks back at jazz’s history and fascinating roots while also highlighting some notable talents such as Dean of Jazz Arts at the Manhattan School of Music and Canadian trumpeter Ingrid Jenson, Berklee College of Music’s Brass Department Chair and Trumpeter Tanya Darby, Indian DJ Harleen “Leen Tree” Singh, and Native American trumpeter Delbert Anderson who share their outlooks on Jazz’s lack of inclusiveness as well as their love for the genre. Both documentaries place an emphasis on music as a universal language, a source of camaraderie, and one of the most powerful forms of therapy and healing. Losing sight of music’s inherent unifying power could make for a bleak future.

Echoes of Tradition is an enlightening and optimistic film which brings thought provoking insight to a number of prevalent topics. Filmed all over the world with multilayered cinematography and a blend of modern and vintage flair of city landscapes as well as historical portraits and photos, Echoes of Tradition offers wonderful behind the scenes footage, insight from distinctive jazz musicians, some memorable jam sessions and much more. Among some of the notable performances include Delbert Anderson’s Heart Passage, a gorgeous acapella rendition of an Indian hymn sung by Harleen ‘Leen Tree’ Singh, and Julia Keefe’s lively rendition of You’d Be So Nice to Come To.

Ingrid Jansen and Julia Keefe are among the many musicians taking the stage at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival live and in person on May 10 and 11 at the Kennedy Center in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.

REVIEW: Hosted by Jordan Rich, renowned Broadcast Hall of Fame recipient, author, veteran, and Boston radio legend Ron Della Chiesa celebrated his 85th birthday with a marvelous bash

Posted on March 1, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

Ron Della Chiesa still spends his life doing the very thing that he loves best. When he is not sharing his extensive music knowledge on the air on Strictly Sinatra and Music America Sundays on Easy 99.1 FM or announcing for the Boston Symphony Orchestra or for Tanglewood under a warm summer sun, one of his biggest loves is opera. A frequent visitor to the MET, Ron’s father was an opera singer and Ron could passionately talk about opera from Giacomo Puccini to Marcello Giordani, two opera dynamos who are also the names of Ron and his wife Joyce’s beloved cats. Ron knows so much about opera that during the night of his 85^th birthday, he shared a little known fact about a famous opera singer and how the Phantom of the Opera musical really got its roots.

Raffaels in Hingham, MA Photo by Louise Lori Patricia

To the swinging sounds of Rico Barr and his Jump and Jive Band and hosted by Jordan Rich, Ron Della Chiesa’s 85^th birthday took place to a full house at Raffaels in Hingham, Massachusetts on Friday, February 17, the night before his real birthday.

Host Jordan Rich and Ron Della Chiesa Photo by Louise Lori Patricia

It seemed not so long ago that Ron was turning 70 and didn’t feel a bit like it. Still happily working in Broadcasting at 85, he still makes guest appearances to talk about Broadcast history, his popular book with bestselling author Erica Ferencik called Radio My Way and will be quick to tell anyone what still makes him fond of radio after all these years. Always good natured and positive, the theme of his birthday bash was ‘The Best is Yet to Come,’ not only named after a Sinatra song but the personal slogan of his amazing life.

Surprise appearance by Cha-Chi Loprete Photo by Jeanne Denizard

Tenor Matthew D i Battista sang the National Anthem to open this special evening. With guests invited to dress in red, people took to the dance floor to swing to an extensive list of American Standards performed by Rico’s band. The elegant evening even included a couple of songs Ron sang from Sinatra’s classic tunes.

Tenor Matthew DiBattista sings the National Anthem From L to R Ron Della Chisa Matthew DiBattista and Jordan-Rich Photo credit to Louise Lori Patricia

Music Director for the Boston Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons, renowned Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, and popular jazz musicians Bo and Bill Winiker were among the special guests that sent their birthday wishes via phone. Popular DJ and close friend Cha-Chi Loprete surprised Ron with his presence. Born in Quincy, MA, Quincy Mayor Koch proclaimed February 18 as Ron Della Chiesa Day among many of Ron’s generous gifts. The evening also included birthday cake, cocktails, table seating, and countless guests reminiscing with Ron about his blessed life. Ron called it a magical evening he won’t soon forget!

Birthday slideshow produced by Christopher Desprez

Visit Strictly Sinatra and Music-America’s Facebook fan page for more photos of this celebrated evening. Ron’s Della Chiesa’s Strictly Sinatra and Music America offer occasional dance parties at Raffaels in Hingham, Massachusetts. The next event will be Ron Della Chiesa Strictly Sinatra Tribute Dance on November 3. Email musicnotnoise@aol.com, visit musicnotnoise.com or call Executive Producer Paul Schlosberg at 617-633-5100. To learn more about Ron, click here and listen to him on Easy 99.1 FM on Sunday night on Music America and Strictly Sinatra. Be sure to check out his memoir Radio My Way by Ron Della Chiesa and Erica Ferencik.

Zumix will celebrate 25th anniversary on grand scale with ‘Boston DJs with Zumix’ benefit

Posted on March 21, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

Music lovers unite! Zumix, East Boston’s non-profit organization geared toward empowering youth through music, has saved the best for last. Featuring 20 Boston DJs past and present, live performances, special guest sets, silent auction, and much more, Zumix brings their 25^th anniversary year to a grand close with ‘Boston DJs for Zumix’ on Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m. This sensational benefit will be held at Zumix, 260 Sumner Street, East Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for tickets and more information.

New radio station 94.9 FM Zumix Radio Photo courtesy of Zumix

After streaming online for 10 years, the evening benefit will also celebrate their new, growing community station, 94.9 FM Zumix, a station that serves a bilingual audience and features a wide range of programming. All proceeds of ‘Boston DJs for Zumix’ support Zumix’s dynamic, free teen music programs in songwriting, community radio, creative technology, instrument instruction, and performance. Click here to make a donation.

Youth DJ on the mic Photo courtesy of Zumix

The featured DJs are as follows: Adam 12, Akrobatik, Baltazar, DJ Bean, Jim Braude, Julie Devereaux, Fast Freddy, Mike Gioscia, Lori Grande, Merilee Kelly, George Knight, Carolyn Kruse, John Laurenti, Dana Marshall, Jess Phaneuf, Matt Phipps, Morning Guy Tai, Nancy Quill, Neal Robert, Nomadik, and Zumix DJs.

Zumix accepting an award from Michelle Obama Photo courtesy of Zumix

Winner of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Programs Award from the White House and providing music lessons and other technology to lower income families, Zumix’s mission is to empower youth to express themselves through music and make positive changes throughout their community and the world. At first started as a songwriting program, Zumix students enjoy in-school and after school events throughout the year. Songwriting, radio, audio technology, and performance are among the renowned programs offered by Zumix for youth ages 7 through 18 and over 1,000 students attend classes.

Annual Walk for Music community event Photo courtesy of Zumix

For tickets to ‘Boston DJs for Zumix,’ click here or call (617) 568-9777. Click here for more information on their upcoming concerts, events, and festivals. Follow Zumix on Facebook and Twitter.