"Identity": Explored Through Song

 

Singer, songwriter and multi-talented performer, Halle Johnson, gifted her fans with a new song and music video titled "Identity". Before we get into the video let’s talk about the lyrics, from my perspective. Halle states that she wrote the song when she was 18 years old at the height of her battle with depression, and this song is about the “insecure and most honest depths of the human soul.”

In this song, Halle combines spiritual, gospel and a deep philosophical element to this song. She reveals the human experience of not feeling good enough and “knowing that life would be better” if we were someone else. Halle brings a spiritual and gospel element to that feeling by calling to be “set free” and saying I “need a new identity”. The philosophical element comes with the very fact that she touches on the “me” and “I” of humanity, which ultimately reveals the depth and journey of self-reflection and identity.

Halle and her team produced a video that combined a location blanketed in fall leaves and natural light that beamed on her throughout her passion-filled performance. She used a leather bound journal, a wooden coffee table and vase with flowers to create an artistic and free flowing environment, balanced with dark and light moods. Of course the highlight of the video was Halle and her acoustic guitar, sharing stories, inspiring and connecting with the world through music.

This song combines:

-Acoustic sonority

-Acoustic guitar riffs

-Acoustic rhythm

-Gospel and Spiritual roots

-Soulful

Review by Billy J. Harris

Check out Halle’s new video here > http://youtu.be/_qZcRMStlw4

Aileys Dance Theatre Returns To Southern California

Photos Courtesy of Examiner.com

Review by Billy J.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

 

Its beyond dance or ballet, it’s the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, who returned to southern California bringing their distinguished dance style to the stage. Bold red costumes, multiple spins and strength exemplified from a male dancer who balanced a female dancer on his knee while rotating clockwise, are some highlights from the well-executed performance.

On Sunday, Ailey’s Dancers performed at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. The show opened with a performance called River. The audience was in awe as walking dancer’s balanced statue-like dancers on their shoulders in a form that looked like moving architecture. River was followed by Lift, choreographed by Aszure Barton. Through a combination of skill and passion the dancers exuded a sense of fun and freedom from the stage, onto the audience. This was created through energetic lifts, balances and transitions on stage while the lighting magically illuminated the dancers.

The show ended with Grace, choreographed by Ronald K Brown. This was a powerful heart-pounding performance with dancers that moved to the sound of tribal drums to depict the journey to the promised land. Strategic use of lighting was vital in this performance, as one group of dancers took center stage there was another group that appeared out of the darkness with intense steps and graceful arm movements.

The three performances were packed with elements that were emotionally, physically and spiritually rich. One dancer connected to the audience by keeping his performance fresh and waving “hi” to the audience which received an immediate applause from the audience. It was no secret that the prowess of Ailey’s dancers is remarkable. The sweat that reflected off of the dancers became a radiant effect that complimented the costumes because there were no signs of lost energy as the dancers moved elegantly across the stage in sync.

The spiritual element was apparent in the final performance when the dancers looked as if they were praising to the sky. In some moments the dancers would exclaim “lord” in a merciful tone. The emotional, physical and spiritual elements were delivered through a passionate performance, impeccable movements and creative use of the stage, which included dancers emerging from every stage angle.

Overall, the show was tightly choreographed. The music score pulled the audience into each moment as the dancers projected the jazzy and modern movements that Ailey is known for. If you’re a fan you would have seen the breathtaking stretches and levels that are always delivered on point, but if you were a first time viewer of Ailey’s dancers, you would have known exactly why this company continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. They are known for their passion for dance and a commitment to teach others about the benefits of dance and creativity. This show was a true journey, although it took place on stage the audience was taken off stage mentally through thought provoking choreography and world class dancers.

Founder: Alvin Ailey

Choreographer: Aszure Barton

Choreographer: Ronald K. Brown

For more information on Segerstrom Theatre click here

The Ballots Are In: Trillion Dollar Baby/Life On Stage" Official Review

Video Courtesy of BZFilmz

The “Trillion Dollar Baby” Life on Stage, which was more like an experience that evoked emotions we seldom use, debuted Saturday, March 8 2014 at the Celebrity Center, Hollywood. Based on a real life story, the script has been in the works since 2005. The play was just a snippet of a full film that is currently in the works. I say, if that was the snippet then it’s time to put your bets in on the Director and Writer, Cornelius Wilson because I smell victory.

The edge-of-your-seat drama is about a woman who believes her son’s father is a hip hop superstar. The story is powerfully brought to life by a dynamic and explosive cast which includes three leads: Metra Dee, Deon Lucas, Cee Antoinette and supporting talent such as: Farid Zarif and Erika Flores.  A unique highlight to this production is the creative transition to each scene through live performances by vocalists such as: Jonathan Conway, Alifah Ali, Katelyn Hilario and Sean Forte.

As a whole, the entire crew struck the right balance between sorrow and love to execute a remarkable performance. The messages of family, love, pain and mental illness is driven home by a roller coaster of emotions that traveled from the stage to the audience. While some scenes are intense to watch, you will be captivated by the theatrical and artistic delivery of a mind blowing story.

Review By: Billy J

Check out photos below: Courtesy of BZFilms

 

 

 

 

For more information about the Trillion Dollar Baby click here :
To watch the Full Movie trailer click here:

The Wizard of Ads:Review By Billy J.

The Wizard of Ads: Review by Billy J. Harris 1/16/13

Turning Words into Magic and Dreamers into Millionaires

Peter Mott, the NTR Business Director for Radio Free KJLH 102.3 FM gave me a golden book to read. It challenged me to re-evaluate my goals, maximize time/opportunities and the importance of understanding others. Although it’s from a business perspective, many of the messages can be applied to relationships, work, family and more. Here is my overview of this “gem” of a book:

Roy Hollister, a marketing consultant and best selling author, provided a mind opening perspective into life, people and business in the book, Wizard of Ads. It originally began as a collection of essays and notes written by Williams to his clients and close friends about observations of life, philosophy and business.

The book is divided into three parts: “Turning Words into Magic,” “Turning Strangers into Customers,” and “Turning Dreams into Realities,” and each part includes unique stories about “history makers” such as Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander the Great and Albert Einstein.

Many of the stories include “behind the scene” information that’s rarely disclosed about people in history. In one story, Hollister revealed that Abraham Lincoln came from a struggling family and learned to read by “writing on the back of a shovel with coal” and he still managed to become president of the United States of America. The message there was, “we become what we think.”

The author Hollister uses the same approach in his career as a marketing consultant and public speaker. He has clients in more than 30 states, makes more than 20 million annually and employs individuals that are passionate about the advertising field. The support that he has indicates that his books are useful, but most of all, he actively pursue what he loves, and is genuine in his writing. “Hollister included that our pathway to success should be enjoyable and fun. In his book he said, “Do what you love and the money will come.”

McHype Media: O' Holy Glory by Tyler K. Moore Review

O' Holy Glory Review

Film Title: O' Holy Glory

Genre/ Theme:Sci-fi, 

Philosophy, Theology, 

Musical Drama

Run Time: 10min 32sec 

Director: Tyler K Moore

Distribution: McHype Media

O' Holy Glory is a visually stunning combination of fantasy sci-fi and realism expressed through choreography and animation. The short film opens up to the the image of a body in flames rising above a circle of bystanders. That moment projects a sense of an outer body experience as the film sub-genres switch from anime to fantasy and finally reality. 

Realism is introduced when Tyler K Moore (Director, Dancer) is freestyle dancing with precision style, and slow motion edits that intensifies the spiritual elements of the short film.

The music selection from Audiomachine, West One Music and others act as a powerful backdrop to the theme of battle, triumph and spiritual warfare. In ten minutes and thirty two seconds you are challenged to think and combine genres that are traditionally separated in film. 

O' Holy Glory has the premise that reality may be an illusion, however there's a kind of liberating, transforming energy that confirms humankind is mysteriously powerful.  In one word, O' Holy Glory is a cinematic EXPERIENCE! 

Watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLefQ4_FzsI

By: Billy J