What a Way To Make A Livin’

Last weekend was pretty great. I got to witness the marriage of two dear, dear friends, and the next day saw Clybourne Park at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. And then the cherry, of course, was seeing Dolly Parton with friends that night.

#winning, right?

I really, really liked the first act of Clybourne Park. It was moving and beautifully acted, funny, and heartbreaking. (There were a few moments where the audience’s laughter struck me as bizarre, though, because I was tearing up. Anyway!) The second act, however, was unpleasantly farcical at times and as one friend put it, “Gentrification 101.” We speculated the reason why we didn’t much care for it was because it didn’t really delve any deeper than black-couple-is-wary/white-couple-is-offended. I don’t know about you — and perhaps it’s because I’m part of the liberal media — but most young white folks I know are far more self-aware than the couple in the play.

Still, I’m glad I went. The acting was pretty brilliant and the post-show discussion was cross-generational and enlightening. Many thanks to Rachel Grossman at Woolly Mammoth for inviting me to participate.

Now… Can we take a moment to talk about Dolly Parton?

She sounds AMAZING for someone who’s been in the business for so long. Amanda and I were trying to figure out why she still sounds so good — compared to, for example, Mariah Carey, whose voice is a wreck (still love her) these days. She must have a strict vocal regimen. And as someone who doesn’t have a particularly deep knowledge of her songbook, I found laying out on a blanket and drinking Andre while Dolly jammed on stage extremely enjoyable.

And speaking of alcohol — I’ll be at Bar 7 tonight talking about gentrification with some awesome folks brought together by the Humanities Council of D.C. I think things get started at 6:30. Swing by if you can.

Update: Abdul Ali has a piece at City Paper that much more eloquently gets at my issues with Clybourne Park.

Amy

I came home this evening and nothing felt like how it should be
I feel like writing you a letter but that’s not me…you know me
Feel so fucking angry; don’t wanna be reminded of you
But when I left my shit in your kitchen, I said goodbye to your bedroom
It smelled of you

Mr False Pretence, you don’t make sense
I just don’t know you
But you make me cry, where’s my kiss goodbye?
I think I love you

– “Take The Box,” Frank (2003)

Bait and Switch

I expected there to be rapping at the Donald Glover / Childish Gambino show, of course. Gambino is Glover’s musical alter-ego and the IAMDONALD tour announcement made no bones about it: this was a comedy-rap show.

But I didn’t expect it to be so heavy on the rap. Glover’s comedic intro was pretty funny, but after about 15 minutes he switched over to music and didn’t quit for another hour. Which is fine, I guess, but as I haven’t really listened to the EP, it wasn’t really getting it for me. Still, it was clear he was loving what he was doing on stage, and I don’t blame him for using his fame to do what he loves.

However, it should be noted that Glover raps most frequently about having a large penis and how he uses it to have sex with women of various races.

Update: My friend Amina quickly schooled me after seeing this post: “it was a concert. not a standup routine. he has 2 eps out. that he very excitedly distributed on the innanet.” Fine.