Modcasts (Modlin podcasts) ready for your ears

I've just posted two new podcasts to the Modlin Center Web site. With much thanks to Mike Burns in our production office, we were able to record discussions with the Hot 8 Brass Band on September 4 and eighth blackbird on September 17. Both of these Talkbacks (Q&As with the artists) were recorded live in conjunction with events at the Modlin Center.

On September 4, members of New Orleans' own Hot 8 Brass Band were on hand for the second night of a screening of Spike Lee's documentary, When the Levees Broke. Having just returned to New Orleans following evacuation due to Gustav, the timing couldn't have been more perfect to discuss the after-affects of Hurricane Katrina in 2006. Read more about Hot 8's visit to Richmond in my post from September 5.

On September 17, members of eighth blackbird, the Grammy Award-winning ensemble-in-residence, offered a post-performance discussion on the works they performed that evening with DJ/composer Dennis DeSantis. Among other things, the musicians discuss performing new works by contemporary composers, and how, sometimes, new music can be interpreted by various musicians in various ways.

You can listen to our podcasts online on our Web site, or you can subscribe to receive them automatically via iTunes. Either way, it's worth a listen!

Enjoy,
Samantha

Behind the Box Office Window (2nd Edition)

For about a full year now, I have been privileged to work for the Modlin Center at the Box Office. As with the beginning of every school year there is the excitement of new classes, new dorm rooms, and (if we're lucky) some new menu items at the Dining Hall. But all of the student employees of the Modlin Center have something else on their list, and that is a brand new season of shows to start learning about.

This year, however, you will not only just hear my voice on the phone and maybe see me at one of our box office windows, but you might also see me running around wearing a headset. I have begun training (as of last weekend) to work as a student house manager for a number of MCA's shows this year. My new job as a member of the outstanding group of house managers which you see everytime you visit for a performance is very exciting. I can now see the larger picture at our events, seeing how to most efficiently direct our audiences into their seats, how to best make use of new technologies (like last year's ticket scanning and Tickets @ Home), and how to ensure a smooth and on time start of each performance. 

I am excited, albeit overwhelmed, by the number of tasks which must be completed before, after, and during performances but realize that as long as the whole process is seamless and easy for you, the audience member, then our job has been done correctly. As always, please let us know how your experience is after each performance you attend, your comments are always  appreciated. 

Another component of each Modlin performance are the volunteer ushers -- people who are willing to donate their time to make sure everyone can find their seats in our theaters. These folks are great and, with the large number of ushers who work each year, are very flexible to differing production needs for each performance. I already enjoy working with these very special folks having volunteer ushered myself a few times (it's a great way to see a performance!)

That's all for now, I look forward to writing more about my training soon. I'll see you at the theater!

Paul

The Irish are coming...

And we’re off! The 2008-2009 season kicked off this weekend with a matinee performance full of jigs, reels and rubbery-limbed Irish dancers. “An Irish Homecoming” featuring Cherish the Ladies, Bohola, Dermot Henry and the incredible Maura O’Connell brought a healthy dose of the Emerald Isle to Richmond on Saturday afternoon. Audience members braved the threat of a tropical storm to join in on the party, and the performers did not disappoint. Two hours after the first performance, they did it again in front of a sold-out evening crowd. It was announced over radio that we even had a few returning patrons from the afternoon show, purchasing standing-room only tickets. Aside from perhaps a change in location to a crowded Dublin pub, the group did not leave much room for improvement. The jigs were tight, the ballads were strong and they even managed to dig up perhaps the only Irish love song with a happy ending, shocking all in attendance.

For a member of the MCA production staff, the start of the season marks the beginning of what I like to call “Whatdayisitagain?”-itis. Days start to bleed in to each other, dates and times dance around my head with little Google Calendar alarms going off, and all hope of telling a Wednesday from a Saturday is lost. And yet it’s a small price to pay for events like Saturday, for the opportunity to work with a seemingly endless amount of incredibly talented performers and to watch the audience enjoy the results.

But do me a favor – the next time you see me looking confused behind the sound board, kindly remind me what day it is…

Hot 8 comes to Richmond to talk and play

There was a wonderful Q&A session with members of New Orleans' own Hot 8 Brass Band last night in the Alice Jepson Theatre. It was held in conjunction with the second night of a film screening of Spike Lee's HBO documentary, When the Levee's Broke. The band members, who are featured in the film, took questions from the audience and discussed life in New Orleans before and since Hurricane Katrina. It was truly remarkable that they were here in Richmond at all, given that the band scattered all over once an evacuation of New Orleans was mandated due to Gustav. As it is, two musicians and the tour manager didn't reach Richmond for the Q&A. That didn't detract from the impact of the stories we heard. It was very touching to hear their stories, and though they all evacuated New Orleans as Katrina approached, they had much to share about the devastation the hurricane left in its path. The Modlin Center will post the Q&A as a podcast in a few days, so look for it. These guys are truly amazing.

The Hot 8 is also in town for two performances today. They will perform outdoors on the Lower Forum here on campus (lunchtime concert from 11:45 am-12:45 pm), and later head downtown to participate in the First Fridays Art Walk from 7-10 pm. We are extremely excited about these outdoor performances. Hot 8 had its beginnings as a Second Line band, leading parades through the streets of New Orleans. If the weather holds out, they will lead a parade tonight to kick off First Fridays and the 1708 Gallery's InLight Richmond festival. However, if it rains as expected, the band will be stationary, taking cover. The band will play three sets during the evening, so there are lots of opportunities to experience Hot 8 live without traveling to New Orleans. Come out and join us. We'll be there rain or shine!

Samantha