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Kodo
In ancient Japan, the taiko – a traditional drum – was used to determine the limits of the village. The boundaries ended when you couldn’t hear the drum anymore. Kodo was formed 20 years ago on Sado Island in the Sea of Japan by a group of people who devote themselves to the study of this Japanese performance art. It requires great virtuosity, enormous strength and stamina and is astounding to watch. Kodo’s hope is that by bringing the sound of the taiko to people all over the world, so we will be reminded that we are all part of the same community.
Glasgow 16/25
Famed for presenting people’s stories in comic-book style, international duo Simon Grennan and Christopher Sperandio have a retrospective at GOMA. The centrepiece of the show is a specially commissioned digital video animation which documents the lives of people who live, work or socialise within a one-mile radius of the gallery.
Jazz & Heritage Festival
There’s just nothing like it: two weekends of the planet’s best music in an unforgettable setting. Hundreds of musicians play on a dozen stages scattered around the Fair Grounds racetrack. Headliners such as the Neville Brothers, Van Morrison, Ziggy Marley, BB King are almost secondary to the mass of New Orleans and Louisiana artists performing everything from jazz and zydeco to gospel, R&B and Cajun. Dozens of food booths sell fabulous calorie-crammed local foods such as jambalaya and bread pudding. There are also handmade crafts, Louisiana storytellers, history exhibits and cooking demonstrations.
Marilyn Manson
California-based perv Marilyn Manson brings his Guns, God and Government tour to the godforsaken Libro Music Hall. Certainly the most intelligent and heart-felt take on devil-worship since Their Satantic Majesties, Marilyn Manson’s fifth album ‘Holy Wood’ will be the main course at this assuredly sell-out assembly of Vienna’s goths, geeks and curiosity seekers. The man described by Joe Liebermann as the greatest threat to American youth is supported by the equally threatening noise outfit, Disturbed. Grab some cheap flights to thailand and catch Marilyn Manson when he visits there next.
Teatralnaya Kiosk
The subway between the Bolshoi Theater and the Metropol hotel is the home to an English speaking film buff’s delight. The kiosk closest to the Metropol hotel is the purveyor of the finest Western movies – weeks, sometimes months before they reach the cinemas. The pirates have even been known to arrive before they premier in their home country. Be warned though as they can be of dubious quality – often filmed in the cinema with members of the audience getting up and shadowing the screen. A video should cost 190R.
Roma Aeterna
This is an experience for those who feel inspired to brush up on their history while in Rome. In just 45 minutes, ‘Roma Aeterna’ whisks you through two millennia of life in the urbs et orbis, sketching in all the upheavals to befall the city, from the assassination of Julius Caesar to the Napoleonic and second world wars. Punters have eight languages to choose from when viewing this curious, breakneck-speed docu-epic, which puts hour-long versions of the complete works of Shakespeare to shame.
Hackney Empire
291 Mare Street, E8 (020 8985 2424)
Hackney Central rail/30, 38, 242, 277 bus. Box office 10am-6pm Mon-Sat. Admission ?4-?25. Credit MC, V.
Website: http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk
The gorgeous, historic Hackney Empire, beloved of legions of comics,
actors and music-hall types, is on a perennial funding crusade: almost
every month sees a benefit of some sort or other in a bid to stave off
closure. Here’s hoping it succeeds. Though it hosts more comedy and
theatre than music, the rare gigs here are invariably a treat.
Jessica Craig-Martin
Craig-Martin is a ‘self-confessed Prada whore’ who just follows fashion in order to blend in at parties. She was recently said to be lusting after a $6,000 mink sweatshirt as ‘you can throw it on with jeans’. Her day job is photographer to the rich and famous. On the positive side, she doesn’t do them any favours and she is just as likely to catch someone having a pee as posing. Expect to see celebrity body parts but few faces as Craig-Martin has a fear of being sued.
