January 20, 2010
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Tulane Traditions: Da Entourage – Bunny Hop

Tulane Traditions: Da Entourage – Bunny Hop

I attended Tulane University between Fall 2000 and Spring 2004. It was an evolving time in music, when the pop of the late 90s (N’Sync, Brittany Spears et al) was giving way to college acoustic (Dispatch, Guster), alt/indie sound (The Strokes, White Stripes) and alt/hip-hop (Kanye West, OutKast).

However, at our beloved Olive and Blue, there was one song in particular that cleared out the bar stools and made everyone drop it like its hot.

Witness, Da Entourage’s Bunny Hop.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3NtLug739E&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

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January 20, 2010
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Baltimore Nights: The Hampden Evening Magic

Baltimore Nights: The Hampden Evening Magic

Years from now, people will talk about Hampden, the neighborhood  where I grew up and have now returned to, the way they talk about New York’s East Village or Silver Lake in L.A., or Austin, Texas or Ashville, North Carolina or New Orleans’ Faubourg Marigny. This home of mine will be remembered fondly by the slew of artists, musicians, writers and Renaissance men who bore their original genius here. When, in the near and distant future, when they are asked about their fame and good fortune, they will look back to here, this strip of rowhouses and backstreets and music halls, where it all started, and remember a life easy and free.

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January 18, 2010
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on MLK Jr. Day – An Interview with James Baldwin

MLK Jr. Day – An Interview with James Baldwin

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I’m posting a three-part interview series with author, intellectual and Civil Rights leader, James Baldwin. Here, in an interview with Kenneth Clark, Baldwin gives his perspective on MLK, Malcolm X and the major questions concerning civil rights and Americanism.

“I can’t be a pessimist because I’m alive.” -James Baldwin

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January 18, 2010
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Man-Acting: Tim Olyphant – The Great American Hope

Man-Acting: Tim Olyphant – The Great American Hope

I’ve mentioned this point before in our Man-Acting series, but, following the pace of best theatrical writing quality, the top Man-Acting is finding its home on cable television.Think “The Shield”‘s Vic Mackey, “Sons of Anarchy”‘s Jax Teller, “The Sopranos” Tony Soprano, and almost all the male (and some of the female) stars on “The Wire.”

Now, we get a new vehicle for a potential Man-Acting star. Witness the rising talents of Tim Olyphant.

Olyphant first showcased his Man-Acting credentials in HBO’s “Deadwood,” a wonderfully poetic and violent drama highlighting the origins of the U.S. Empire and its infrastructures through the familiar milieu of the Western. It was stunningly written, and, though unknowingly, worked as a perfect companion piece to match “The Wire,” which showcased the growing cracks in the U.S.’s grand plan.

In the series, Olyphant plays Seth Bullock, the town’s reluctant sheriff who walks the line between the enforcing the law and guiding the town’s survival as enemies from all sides crash down on it.

One of the biggest lines of demarcation for Man-Actors is their ability to sell their on-screen fighting technique. Could a fifth-grader block their lame haymaker, or would I want this actor on my side when the paparazzi get too close for comfort? Continue Reading →

January 18, 2010
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Mississippi River: The Beginning and End

Mississippi River: The Beginning and End

Fun juxtaposition, especially with the Minnesota Vikings taking on my beloved New Orleans Saints next Sunday.

Always been fascinated about the Mississippi River, it’s place in American history and its connection to the center of the country. Was in St. Paul, Minnesota this weekend, at the start of the river.

A far contrast to where the river ends, down in New Orleans and the Huey P. Long Bridge, where I was hanging out last October.

Have a shot of the Mississippi River you’d like to share? Email inpraiseof@hotmail.com.

January 3, 2010
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on InPraiseOf Gallery: Daniel Krall

InPraiseOf Gallery: Daniel Krall

Daniel Krall is strong pop illustrator based out of Baltimore. I came across his work at Common Grounds, the coffee shop on Hampden’s 36th St. Since then I’ve noticed his work published multiple times in Baltimore City Paper as well as national publications (you can check out the resume here). Though I don’t know him he’s apparently a neighbor of mine and I’ve probably had a drink next to him at Golden West and didn’t know it. Though his illustrations cover multiple subjects, his pinup illustrations standout as exceptional among his work so I’ve picked those for my exhibition. More info can be found at danielkrall.com.

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December 20, 2009
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Man-Acting: The Alec Baldwin Conundrum

Man-Acting: The Alec Baldwin Conundrum

Kudos to James Schaffer for bringing up Alec Baldwin as a candidate for our Man-Actor series

Man-Acting 102: The Alec Baldwin Conundrum

Baldwin was at one time was one of the dominant forces in Hollywood, starring in blockbuster movies like “The Hunt for Red October”, “Beatlejuice” and “The Shadow.” Baldwin also had smaller, more impactful roles like this quintessential Man-Acting cameo from “Glengarry Glenn Ross”:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

A personal favorite was his turn in the James Lee Burke adaption “Heaven’s Prisoners” as the Louisiana detective and recovering drunk Dave Robicheaux. Link to the preview trailer here.

So, where did badass Man-Actor Baldwin disappear to? In the late 90s he started to drift into comedy cameos on shows like “Will & Grace” and “Friends.” Hosting gigs on Saturday Night Live started to pile up. He crossed over to full time comedy with “30 Rock.” A divorce kept him in the media’s harsh spotlight, and, in a defense mechanism similar to Orson Wells and Marlon Brando, Baldwin started to gain weight. With his glory days of Man-Acting behind him, he’s become a pure comedic phenomenon.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwbW2jETIoo&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

There is nothing inherently wrong with going full comedy. Robert De Niro crossed that Rubicon and is making Hollywood bank. And for Baldwin, he’s probably receiving more positive press than he ever did as a straight actor. But, as a Man-Acting connoisseur, there’s a tinge of disappointment with this career move, because unlike a De Niro or a Pacino, I don’t know if Baldwin could ever tap his early career mojo again. A shame.

December 14, 2009
by Geoff Shannon
1 Comment

InPraiseOf Gallery: Photographer James Schaffer

Each week InPraiseOf will highlight a local/regional/national artist whose work provides inspiration for this blog.

Many of you know James Schaffer as the Art/Creative Director for Inside Lacrosse magazine. I’m lucky enough to call James my friend. Aside from all his great work you see at Inside Lacrosse, be it our magazine covers, logo design or the occasional spread these days, James is also an accomplished Baltimore-based photographer.

James’ eye for architectural composition is the baseline for his portfolio, able to capture the starkness, texture and lines of warehouses, defunct commercial properties and public works from Baltimore to Prague. He’s continued to evolve his private portfolio to include more human studies in intimate settings (his lacrosse features have well established his work in feature photo design).

Here are a few samples of his work below, and you can check the rest of his portfolio here.

Prague, Czech Republic

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December 13, 2009
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Sad Face Tiger/Happy Face Tiger

Sad Face Tiger/Happy Face Tiger

Since Bill Simmons already wrote about my theory that Tiger Wood’s current situation parallels the entire three-season story arch of ‘Mad Men’, I just have this one critique of this entire situation. When ESPN/CNN/FOXNews/MSNBC/any other acronym media organization do the Tiger Floozy update, they all use a Sad Tiger photo. Really, of the millions of photos taken of Senor Woods over the years, how hard was it to cull through the files and pull one of him like this…

When they all should have stockpiles of Happy Tiger photos, say, like this one…

Now, there’s a man who’s scored with Las Vegas event planners, VIP waitresses and noted porn stars and knows it.

You know, just saying…

December 12, 2009
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Tulane Traditions: R.I.P. Granny Cart Lady

Tulane Traditions: R.I.P. Granny Cart Lady

Downer news from New Orleans this week. Ms. Martha Jane Crump Hardy, known by thousands of Tulane grads affectionately as Granny Cart Lady, passed away this week at the crazy old age of 91. The long established Granny Cart Lady Facebook group has the 411 on her passing and history at Tulane.

Granny Cart Lady (GCL) earned her moniker pushing a two-wheeled shopping cart around Tulane’s campus, attending classes pro bono. She also carried with her a collection of magnifying glasses and binoculars to read papers and class notes. She wore moo moos in public, and made gurgling smacks with her mouth when she talked in class. She and her cart became roving icons on the Uptown campus. Continue Reading →