You've surely heard. And the tributes continue. For my money, "Smooth Criminal" is the phattest of them all. Oh, how liberated I feel when I strut down the street, asking in all seriousness, "Annie, are you okay? So Annie are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?" Watch:
What's your favorite Michael Jackson song and why?
Win Art, You Cheap Uncultured Bastards!
Blogger and artist Superbadfriend is giving away one of her paintings in the form of an archival Giclée print (that's a fancy term for museum-quality, groundlings!) worth more than $400—that's the cost of reproducing, photographing, and printing the 12" x 18" piece.All you have to do for a chance to win is look at the paintings here and vote for your favorite one in the comments section of that post (or send an e-mail). The contest ends on June 30, 2009. One name will be selected randomly from a drawing.
"Eye of the Tiger," Fifth-Grade Style; and a Bonus: "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft"
Formed in 2000, the PS22 Chorus is a continually evolving choir of fifth graders at a Staten Island elementary school in New York. These kids belt out pop and rock hits with such powerful voices and deep emotion that they've become media darlings—appearing on a slew of television news programs, getting covered in newspapers and websites around the globe, winning over celebrity fans such as Ashton Kutcher, and performing with the likes of Crowded House. Here the kids are, led by the inspirational Mr. B, doing a terrific rendition of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," with a totally excellent solo by one of their star members, Jared. Watch:
There are tons more videos available for your viewing and listening pleasure.
Here's the PS22 Chorus YouTube page.
Here's the PS22 Chrorus website and blog.
I can't help but be reminded of The Langley Schools Music Project of the 1970s, another kids choir that did contemporary music. These Canadian students could rock out, sure (they do a mean Beach Boys), but their most compelling songs are haunting (borderline creepy?) versions of such fare as David Bowie's "Space Oddity," The Eagles' "Desperado," and my favorite, Klaatu's "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft." (If you don't know the story behind "Calling Occupants," read up here.) Watch:
Check out the choir's album, Innocence & Despair, here.
Check out a documentary about the project here.
[Courtesy of Will Blank.]
There are tons more videos available for your viewing and listening pleasure.
Here's the PS22 Chorus YouTube page.
Here's the PS22 Chrorus website and blog.
I can't help but be reminded of The Langley Schools Music Project of the 1970s, another kids choir that did contemporary music. These Canadian students could rock out, sure (they do a mean Beach Boys), but their most compelling songs are haunting (borderline creepy?) versions of such fare as David Bowie's "Space Oddity," The Eagles' "Desperado," and my favorite, Klaatu's "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft." (If you don't know the story behind "Calling Occupants," read up here.) Watch:
Check out the choir's album, Innocence & Despair, here.
Check out a documentary about the project here.
[Courtesy of Will Blank.]
