The Clef’s, clad in trademark button and pin covered vests, opened the night with two songs. Then the young men welcomed UNC alum and former Clef Hanger Brendan James to the stage.

As James’ agile fingers swept across the black and white of the baby grand piano, his sultry voice vibrated in my eardrums.

After graduation in 2001, James traveled to New York, NY, to follow his dreams of making it big.

Dreams come true. James releases his first album The Day is Brave, June 3.

From the taste I got Monday his album will make a great “Chill” playlist. My favorite song, Green, is about a love James lost. He sings of this color not because it reminds him of blending yellow and blue, but because green reminds him of her. It was her favorite color.

After James ended, the Celf’s and he surprised the audience with a song, Crazy Love. It was James’ claim to fame in his undergrad years at UNC.

The Clef’s took over for rest of the evening and I was truly absorbed by their voices. They honored the 30^th Anniversary well.

Catch the show if you didn’t go Monday on Saturday April 19, same place same time.

Also, the Clef’s inspired me to do some youtubing, so check out these links to watch some other a capella groups, in order of funnyness! If you don’t watch them all at least check out the first one.

1. BYU – Vocal Point

2. Nintendo A Capella

3.The Killers Mr. Brightside A Capella

The show host, Nick Lewis from BET’s Comic View, was also a character. Between acts Lewis stalled by telling hilarious jokes with hard hitting punch lines.

I’m no story teller or funnyman so I won’t even try to recreate the evening’s antics. What I will say is that the more tasteful and creative jokes were made by opening acts and by Lewis the nights host.

The night began with three intro acts. After everyone had their turn, Shawty came to the stage messed up. He was high, sipping a pair of mixed drinks. Most of his jokes were funny, however his intoxication didn’t help deliver the punch lines for the rest of his racy act. The two introductory comedians and rapper were much more entertaining than Shawty’s act.

Show host Nick Lewis.

Thadd Williams performing his new single “Ringtone.”

Eli the comedian’s act was by far my favorite. He was full of energy and it was clear that his personality is naturally comical.

Shawty shouting his coin phrase “What my name is?”

What is improv?

Improv is an art from. Like any art, it is what you make of it. A lot of famous artist are known for the abstract works they create. Improv is kind of abstract. Its all about being comfortable with yourself and thinking off the top of your head.

Improv isn’t rehearsed at all. There is no script, no punch line, no specific plan.

Wikipedia says:

“Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one’s immediate environment. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or new ways to act.”

Merriam-Webster says:

1. to compose, recite, play, or sing extemporaneously

2. to make, invent, or arrange offhand

3. to make or fabricate out of what is conveniently on hand

Who can improv?

Basically, anyone can do improv. It is really something that we all do on a daily basis. For example, a casual conversation could be considered an improvised activity because what you say isn’t planned or rehearsed. However, in improvisational theatre the goal is to entertain, which can make things more complicated.

Is improv something you can teach like acting?

Yes! Kate mentioned in her interview that she and her ComedyWorx colleagues have practices. In practice they do activities to strengthen their improv skills. Activities like these are helpful in developing an improv state of mind in which you can think on the spot.

ComedyWorx also offers improv classes. For a small fee, you can attend trainings to learn more about improv and skills needed to be an improv actor or actress. Check out ComedyWorx improv training here.

Also check out “Whose Line is it Anyway?” It is an improv show that has become fairly popular, and it’s pretty funny too!!

Saturday, March 22^nd, North Carolina will host its first ever Fashion Week.

Our southern state doesn’t get much of the couture entertainment that many fashion metropolises enjoy. The idea behind the NC fashion week is to brining designers who started careers in the Carolinas back to their roots.

The event will showcase designers such as Zulema, Devikar, House of D.R.E.A.M., Deborah Cooper and many more. Designers have chosen local models from Vogue Modeling Agency to wear their clothing.

Fashion show models have been practicing for quite a few weeks.

“Everyone is walking a lot better,” Lamont Shelby said about Monday nights practice. Shelby is a male model who will strut his stuff on the runway in Saturday’s show. “I keep imagining that 60-foot runway,” he said.

The event takes place at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in downtown Durham.

Like Shelby, many of the models are excited about working with such prestigious designers in such a professional setting.

“Being in a fashion show takes talent,” said Shelby. “It’s a performance. You have to be really prepared. As a model, when you walk you have to keep a focus point because its easy to get distracted.”

At practice models learned three walks to prepare for the performance.

Ron Cooke, the fashion shows coordinator, review the “zombie walk” with models first. In this walk a model shows little or no emotion. The walk is light, smooth, graceful and even paced. Most high fashion shows ditch flair and attitude in runway walks. Flashy walks draw attention to the model, removing the audience’s focus from the most important aspect, the clothes.

“You have to sell the clothes you are wearing. It takes attention to detail, discipline, and bodily control,” said Shelby, who has been modeling for about two years.

North Carolina’s fashionistas are happy get the recognition that they deserve.

“This is going to truly be a work of art unlike anything N.C. has ever seen,” said Katherine Neal, director of Vogue Modeling Agency.

The state is finally getting its slice of the fashion pie and Neal has been there every step. She was responsible for recruiting models and for planning and organizing fashion week.

“People actually invested money in us having a show,” said Shelby with a smile. “I’m really excited.”

Among N.C. Fashion weeks sponsors are Chick-Fil-A and Mercedes Benz.

Make sure to check out the fashion show, there is nothing like a runway performance full of fast techno beats and hot models!

Allison Altman is living in exile. She calls the Forest of Ardenne her home. She wears knee length trousers, a vest and a mans blouse. She insists that her friends and family call her Rosalind.

Altman, a Junior at UNC Chapel Hill, played Rosalind the lead character in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy As You Like It. The play showed Feb. 29 through March 4 at UNC’s Elizabeth Price Kenan Theater. All the performers were members of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Lab! Theatre.

Lab! is a group of undergraduates who hone their acting, performing, directing and design skills through the presentation of shows for the community audience.

I attended the As You Like It performance on Sunday, March 2. The shows energy was impressive. This was not the first time I had seen Shakespeare performed, but this was the first time I had seen performers act with so much fire. Actors ran and jumped across the stage. Songs were sung with emotion. Every gesture was full of life, and the story required it.

In As You Like It an important noble, Sir Rowland De Bois, dies. He leaves all his land and fortune and land to his eldest son, Oliver. Oliver is expected to care for his younger brother, Orlando, but neglects his sibling refusing to care for him.

In a neighboring state Duke Senior has been kicked off his throne and succeeded by his brother, Duke Frederick. No longer having a place to call home, Duke Senior lives in the Forest of Ardenne. Duke Seniors daughter, Rosalind, is still allowed to stay in the court because of her unbinding friendship with Celia, Duke Frederick’s daughter.

Orlando decides to challenge a famous wrestler from a nearby court to fight. Oliver goes behind his brothers back and convinces the famous fighter that Orlando is a cheating man and will do whatever it takes to win. The wrestler promises Oliver that he will crush young Orlando in the battle.

The day comes for Orlando to fight the wrestler. Celia and Rosalind witness Orlando’s pitiful loss. After the fight Orlando and Rosalind catch eyes and instantly fall in love.

Returning from the fight Orlando hears a rumor that his brother is plotting to kill him. Orlando decides to flee to the Forest of Ardenne.

When Rosalind returns to Duke Frederick’s court she has been banished. Having nowhere to live Rosalind and Celia take off, along with the court jester, for the Forest of Ardenne. Rosalind disguises herself as a young man with a made up name, just to be safe. The comedy and drama that follows as the characters meet inside the forest kept me entertained the entire show. The story ends with alively four-couple wedding celebration filled with laughter, joy and dancing.

I recorded one of my favorite quotes from the play during the show. Rosalind and Celia have been searching for Orlando in the forest. Celia saw Orlando earlier and shares about seeing Rosalind’s crush.

Rosalind : But doth he know that I am in this forest and in man’s apparel? Looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled?

Celia : It is as easy to count atomies as to resolve the propositions of a lover; but take a taste of my finding him, and relish it with good observance. Play I found him under a tree like a dropped acorn.

Rosalind: It may well be called Jove’s tree, when i drops forth such fruit.

With the passing of Valentine’s Day a few weeks ago, I want to make sure that love is still in the air. On Valentine’s Day I joined Triangle locals at Durham’s Broad Street Café to celebrate memories of love with the help of Story Exchange Playback Theater.

You’ll remember Story Exchange from the post on Feb. 8.

Amy Elliot, the “conductor” for the evening, began by encouraging audience members to open up.

“The way playback works is that you give us your ideas about what love is. Throw out your ideas and we are going to play it back for you,” said Elliot. “What is love?”

“Love is like an open stillness,” one audience member said.

“Love is like grandma’s apple pie,” chimed a third warm voice.

“Love is like a fog that only one person can lead you out of,” said an affectionate male voice from audience.

James Murrell, a tall stately figure, began to interpret this depiction of love by draping an opaque sheet over his face imitating a fog effect. Two actors grasped each of his hands as if to lead him out of this fog. A third actor followed the trio across the stage making a deep groaning voice, like a ship’s horn leading them out of a dense ocean fog.

After a few warm up activities, audience members began to share personal stories about love.

One man retold sentimental story about a hike up to waterfall. It was his first date with the woman who would become his wife. After the man explained some background about his feelings and the situation, Story Exchange began to interpret.

As the actors played out the experience I saw the mans face light up. On his expression was a simultaneous look of shock and amazement.

It was incredible to watch audience reactions. The Story Exchange play makers have a unique way of touching hearts.

Click here to watch a soundslide of the event.

• February 19 – 24, 2008
• 72 acts
• 23 shows
• 400 comedians
• 1 Carrboro

Get all the details at their website. And, as always, get out there and enjoy!

Hopefully you will find these suggestions useful. Try to generate a new meaning for “night on the town” by checking out these local hot spots in exchange for the usual weekend routine. It pays to go out and explore different places. Get a feel for what you like in a performance. Support local performers. Visit as many shows as possible.

Charlie Goodnight’s

• Don’t rush through dinner to get to the movie on time, instead go to Charlie Goodnight’s Comedy Club where you get dinner and a show! This week married couple Amy Barnes and Jerry Miner bring love to the house at Goodnight’s . The couple performs on the evenings of Feb. 14-17.

Raleigh Little Theatre

• A show of Epic Proportions the bizarre story about a trip to Arizona made by two brothers in search of stardom. The show runs at the Raleigh Little Theatre Feb. 14-16, Feb. 21-23 at 8 p.m. and also Feb. 10, 17 and 24 at 3 p.m.

Dirty South Comedy Theater

• Harold Night at Dirty South Comedy Theater is an improvisation competition between two teams. If you can’t make it this week, don’t worry! Harold Night comes to DSI every third Thursday at 8 p.m.

• Take the kids out from in front of the tube and have some fun with ComedySportz at Dirty South Comedy Theater. This improvisation game, designed with kids in mind, gets the players and audience laughing with its kid-friendly comedy. Show starts at 5 p.m. on Feb. 16.

Common Ground Theatre

• Love Shakespeare? Experience one of his most emotional and dramatic tales, Othello, at the Common Ground Theatre. The play shows Feb. 14-16.

ComedyWorx

• Visit the ComedyWorx Show and experience an intense improvisation battle as two comedy teams compete to decide who has the best jokes. Catch up with the ComedyWorx teams every weekend on Friday and Saturdays at 8:30 pm.

Now, go out an experience some of the talent the Triangle has to offer! And remember, this list is in no way meant to be exhaustive. Some of these clubs and theaters have multiple shows in one night! Listed above are just a few that I found most interesting. I know that there is so much more out there that has yet to be found. If you have any ideas or other places that people should visit please feel free to leave a comment.

Origin

Story Exchange is a local improvisation group based out of Durham, N.C. Currently Story Exchange is a small group of improvisation actors who practice psychodrama therapy. The group, founded in February 2007, formed to help people visually and audibly re-experience life events. The groups first public performance was in May of 2007 at the Criminal Justice Resource Center (CJRC); the theme of the performance was Beginnings.

Mission

Everyone has hard decisions, issues, and problems that they deal with on a daily basis. The mission of Story Exchange is to foster a multicultural, multiracial, diverse theater arts community of performers and audience members dedicated to telling, interpreting, and listening to personal stories. Audience members explain life situations and watch as the improve actors play the situation out through their own interpretation. Story Exchange is committed to the tradition, carried out over 40 years by our fiscal sponsor the non-profit Women In Action (WIA) to Prevent Violence and its Causes, to be a multicultural organization that provides forums that emphasize communication, listening, and if needed, neutral mediation of conflict by listening to both sides of the story.

Several of the founding members of Story Exchange have a background in the field of psychology in addition to specialized training in psychodrama, drama therapy, multiculturalism, and mediation. The group is interested in the intersections between theater and therapy, theater and organizational development, and theater and community. Story Exchange is committed to the healing, spiritual, and therapeutic capacity of the arts to empower people to develop their human potential.

Future

One of the group’s vision of the future is that Story Exchange could perform in a range of public settings including: schools, organizations, corporations, therapeutic settings, and civic venues. The next step is to get the public involved. Story Exchange wants to expand its public profile through structuring consistent public performances and forums and providing training sessions to others.

The Troop

Currently Story Exchange consists of six members. Each member has an outside career and enjoys participating in Story Exchange as a way of expression and community service.

Events

During the month of February the Story Exchange performance will have a Valentine’s Day theme! On the 14th the group presents “The Complex & Compelling Nature of Love.” This performance takes place at the Broad Street Café in Durham. The link opens a flier I received via e-mail from Ms. Elliot for all those who would like to attend.