Category: Reflections - Page 19

Stage Time and Juice – The Next Generation

September 15, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

stage time and juice

Passersby at the Red Room on the afternoon of August 16^th may have thought Stage Time and Wine had started unusually early that day, but the sounds of music and laughter were being generated by a new crowd. After several months of excited, happy anticipation, Stage Time and Wine had finally become a proud parent, for August 16^th saw the birth of Stage Time and Juice, an opportunity for a younger generation to perform, listen, support and connect with each other in a non-judgmental environment.

A typical Taipei downpour threatened the turnout for the inaugural event, but the organizers needn’t have worried. Despite the minimal notice given by the Taipei City Playgroup, Awesome Playgroup News and Kindermusik members the attendance was healthy, and performers and audience were pumped up and raring to go.

After an introductory poem by Mr. Mellow, to get everyone in the mood, the children took to the stage enthusiastically. Their performances began with a lively rendition of the Minecraft song, Revenge, with accompanying percussion. Bar room jokes with perfect timing followed, and a poem about King Henry the Eighth of England. A comical magic puppet show had audience members giggling when one of the puppets had to take a bathroom break. Other highlights included two gorgeous tiny tots singing the Open Chan theme song, a pre-schooler reading The Wizard of Oz, and a hilarious skit on cake baking (or not).

A brave mum sang a moving cover of What a Wonderful World, and seasoned Red Room performers entertained the children with a delightful storybook reading and led them in a happy dance. Stillness fell again during a re-telling of the Chinese legend of star-crossed lovers, Qi Xi.

The program concluded with a young lady’s beautiful rendition of Blind Melon’s No Rain.

Judging by the success of the first event, Stage Time and Juice is set to become a regular feature at the Red Room, and many more children and adults will have the opportunity to share their performances with others, and to listen and watch with open minds and hearts.

~ by Jenny Green

Photos courtesy of Alex Lee and Wesley Hsu.

Huashan Reading Festival, September 2013

September 13, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

Red Room was invited by Alleycats, a supporting sponsor of the Huashan Reading Festival, September 2013. Red Roomers Zach Touzen,  David Gentile , Holly Harrington  and Manav Mehta represented the Red Room.

Holly gives an account of the evening:

On September 9, we had the honor of representing Red Room at a special Alleycat’s-sponsored book and poetry reading at Huashan, part of the 華文朗讀節 Chinese Reading Festival. With Manav as our emcee and lead presenter, David Gentile, Zach Touzen, and I had the unique experience of sharing some of our favorite works in Chinese, English, and French. With few familiar faces in the audience comprised almost entirely of Taiwanese in all age ranges, and with the pressure of presenting mostly in Chinese, I’m sure I don’t just speak for myself when I say that the experience was a tad more nerve-wracking than a typical relaxed Saturday night at Red Room. However, it was most definitely rewarding and encouraging to hear the laughter and applause of dozens of people who perhaps have never heard of Red Room before. Hopefully, we did Red Room proud, and we will soon have some new book lovers joining our community!

在 9/9 我們很榮幸的在『華山1914文化創意產業園區』與『Alleycat 餐廳』共同贊助的個【華文朗讀節閱讀季】上分享了紅房。除了 Manav 我們的主持人，還有 David, Zach 以及我一起分享我們最喜愛的中文、英文和法文作品，這是一個很特別獨特的經驗。在分布極廣年齡層聽眾裡面我們也看到了熟悉的面孔，伴隨著用中文演說的壓力，我敢說有別以往在 Red Room 輕鬆週六夜晚，這次是即為不容易的與讓人稍微傷腦筋。但是呢！當我們聽到觀眾的回饋，他們從來不曾聽過紅房的大夥們的笑聲與掌聲，就覺得這一切非常值得了。希望我們可以讓紅房為傲，也很快的，我們將會有更多愛好書籍朋友們加入我們的紅房社群。From Holly.

Translation by Edward Chiang

: A stage. A book. Red Room and Alleycats at the Huashan Reading Festival.

: Manav Mehta. Huashan Reading Festival

: Huashan Reading Festival

: David Gentile. Huashan Reading Festival

: David Gentile. Huashan Reading Festival

: Holly Harrington. Huashan Reading Festival

: Holly Harrington. Huashan Reading Festival

: Zach with Manav in the background Huashan Reading Festival

: UDN interview with Manav. Photo by Holly Harrington.

: Huashan Reading Festival

: The happy foursome. Huashan Reading Festival

: UDN interview with Holly. Huashan Reading Festival

: UDN interview with Zach. Huashan Reading Festival

: Well done Red Room!

Red Room Radio Redux Updates for September 2013

September 12, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

Rehearsals have begun for I. Ratzkywatzky’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s ”Dracula”, but we can’t have a show without some technical assistance!

Sound Operator Urgently Needed. Must be able to follow the action on stage and run cues on a computer (click open an audio file, fade volume in/out) according to Director’s hand signals. Attend a few rehearsals and all performances. (or share the position)

Box Office Receiving & Acknowledge reservation requests via email, respond to questions regarding time, place, appropriate audience, etc. Attend performances (or find suitable substitute): greet people, take money, make change record attendance)

Liaison to Educational Institutions: Work with Producers to compose appropriate letters of introduction and inquiry. Follow up with emails, phone calls, appointments.

Carpenter (does not need to be highly skilled) We need a small free-standing door that will open and close with practical doorknob that will turn & latch, also a deadbolt & Hasp for padlock installed. The entire unit should be approximately 40 x 50 cm. Expenditures for materials will be reimbursed. Labor compensated by free tickets for life. (of the door)

Post-production is nearly done for our recording of Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Macbeth, (made at ICRT FM-100 studios last spring). Broadcast dates TBA.
The 2012 recording of “A Christmas Carol” will re-air on ICRT FM-100 in December 2013. Dates to be confirmed.
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol LIVE: casting has begun. Interested actors should send audio files to r4.radioredux@gmail.com.
Look for us in the October edition of Centered on Taipei!

Kolkata ADDA, August 2013

August 14, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

Red Room made its way to Kolkata with Manav Mehta, Disha Patel and Marina Shifrin when the three of them went for a visit to Kolkata this month.

Manav reflects, “Making this trip and entering the world of India with family & friends could not have been a better decision and Red Room’s first Kolkata-based event was filled with warm-hearted and cheerful individuals”.

Manav Mehta
Host & Co-ordinator, Red Room

It is difficult finding a synonym for “adda” (pronounced AHD-da). Some call it an agendaless gossip period, an intellectual discussion, New York City in the 1950’s, a never-ending exchange of views all rolled into one. In hindsight, it is equally as challenging to describe the essence of Stage Time and Wine. Now imagine combining these two indescribable oral cultures and blending them in a unique way that’s both stimulating and cerebral…

Disha Patel
Assistant Co-ordinator Red Room

Click here for photos from Kolkata Adda

A Nook for Rhyme Crooks in Kunming

July 17, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

As the sun dipped into the horizon at the famous Cui Hu Lake in Kunming, a group of hungry word-lovers, poets, lyricists, and beat-boxers came together to create a unique space of shadows and rhyme.

Stage Time & Wine @ The Red Room, an event dedicated to freedom of expression in a nonjudgmental space, began in 2009 in Taipei city. As more opportunities arose under the Red Room name for people to share their art, thoughts, and talents, Tai “Prosperus” Mesches met Manav Mehta, the host and head coordinator of the Red Room, A Nook for Rhyme Crooks was born.

Set beneath an ancient Chinese pavilion, this collection of avid and beat-driven lyricists sipped wine, reading original pieces aloud to each other, shared ideas. As the night came to a close, the group decided to pass around Charles Bukowski’s “Love is a Dog from Hell”. Those who had never read poetry aloud before were given the chance to feel the raw tenderness of poetic expression come from their own mouths, their voices heard. The energy of the space was palpable, and a sense of community discovered.

With poetry pumping through their veins, a new-found passion for words started to take over the group. As periwinkle clouds overlooked the sunset, a new stage for A Nook for Rhyme Crooks was established. Humanity at its finest.

A Nook for Rhyme Crooks is a weekly event, every Friday at 7pm held at Cui Hu Lake, blending different aspects of the Red Room into a space for the local poets of Kunming to enjoy. Stay tuned as A Nook for Rhyme Crooks continues to grow and flourish, videos/photos to come. Enjoy!

Reflections, Manav Mehta, June 2013

July 15, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

Re-exploring familiar yet surprising territories, many Red Roomers took a stroll down memory lane this June. With the regular party fans coming to pay us a special visit, many crossing distances from Taidung county, Tainan, and even Melbourne, Australia.
The most prominent form of expression at the start of our humid summer, was the power of voice through song.

重新探索令人熟悉又驚艷的領域，眾多紅房朋友們一同在六月份追憶往事。我們擁有來自各地（包含台東、台南、以及墨爾本澳大利亞）夥伴們及朋友們的蒞臨。
在炎熱盛夏的季節，藉由歌曲來凸顯聲音的力量，作為我們最突出的表演。

Reflections May 2013 – Ping Chu

June 10, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

Every Red Room is different with special charm and surprises.

It was a magic night indeed. So many people walked up to me and told me they simply could not believe this is happening in Taipei.

I was most gratified to see so many local young people joining us. One young college student majoring Business and Marketing shared his plans for a backpack trip with a purpose to remind people that we are so alike in so many ways so we should stop hating and start engaging.

The positive energy at Red Room is really contagious and I can see we are making Taiwan a better place to live. Now, we have 50-50 for locals and international friends. I think this is a great ratio. There are so many young friends who are eager to expand their social life and want to learn English and connect with international friends.

R4 Wrap for May 2013 – Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Macbeth

May 28, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

Having rehearsed our original adaptation on Sunday afternoons in the month of April at the Learning Kitchen, we recorded the vocal tracks for future broadcast on Saturday, May 4 at ICRT FM100 studios in XinShuang. We were finished in a reasonable amount of time (six hours) and all seemed pleased with the day’s work.

After the recording date, our cast list shifted, as there were three members who would not participate in the live performance, scheduled for May 19 at the NTU College of Medicine. The new cast met on Sunday, 5/5 at LK where we were accompanied by our “Noisemakers”, Sherry Li and Evelyn Philbrook (pictured above).

Between 5/5 and showdate, there was one Sunday: we worked in the venue at NTUCM, “The Small Round Theatre”. It was a “dress rehearsal” only roughly speaking, as we still had details to work out. But it’s often been noted that, in the world of radio drama, detailed planning and carefully noted instructions can be a more efficient means to a successful end than repetitive rehearsal.

We presented our Macbeth twice on Sunday May 19^th, the first house was nearly full, only a handful of empty seats. The second house was half-full: still a decent turn-out. We have noticed before that the Sunday evening show is not a good “seller”.

Back at the studio during the following week, Ping Liu and I edited our six-hour taping session down to approximately 45 minutes. Music and sound effects will be added when I return from my summer in the States. I’ll spend time over the summer reviewing the music selections we used for the live show and expanding on them. (More music is used in a radio rendition, overall, than a live show.) Sound effects for the broadcast rendition will be found in the ICRT sound library.

The broadcast of Macbeth has not been yet been scheduled.

I’ll be in the States from early in June until mid-August and I plan to put in time preparing for Dracula. I want to be in touch with prospective cast members, as it may be possible to make some casting decisions with the help of the internet and audio files. More about that in my next post.

We are growing fast! Our sustainability will depend on some more help behind the scenes. This month we welcomed an extremely valuable Project Manager Jen Wen and it is fortunate that she has been able to find assistance among the Red Room community members. We also attracted a young audio technician but it looks likely that he will be unavailable in the fall. Our wish list, for personnel, includes: Audio Technician & Photographer/Videographer. It’s been strongly suggested that we contact area schools as likely venues with enthusiastic audiences. This calls for a Liaison to Educational Institutions. a person dedicated to communicating with the English departments in the various area schools.

Can you help out? contact Ruth at r4.radioredux@gmail.com.

Red Room Screams!!!

April 15, 2013/in Reflections /by RRadmin

sloppy, breezy personal anecdotes of spring screamers forged into real stories
an hour in which stories were told with a musical beat
a fixed feeling of togetherness and connection
~words by disha patel

Red Room was invited by Jimi Mo, the organizer of the annual Spring Scream in Kenting to create a encouraging space where lovers of music and sound could reflect and share their stories.

This was a first for both Spring Scream and Red Room.

On Friday and Saturday night when the music stopped and it was time to wrap up the day, Manav Mehta, Disha Patel, Richard Carlyle and Rene Kamm were the torch bearers for a gathering of Red Room Screams.

www.springscream.com

Aside @ the Red Room, March 30 2013

March 31, 2013/0 Comments/in Original Writing, Reflections /by RRadmin

The recent Aside @ The Red Room was one of the best Aside events we have had. About 100 people attended, and all 15 presenters were brilliant! From the dedicated work of our volunteers to our impeccable host Manav, Aside @ The Red Room is an ever-growing wealth of exemplary talent and shared joy. We had great storytelling by Jean Loup, exploring what it is to communicate love. Stunning illustrator Tuan Tuan shared her imaginative world with us and Brendon taught us how to start a creative artist jam community. We also had Poet Rapper Tai and vocal overtone artist Mark guide us through their sounds; Lawrence Philbrook speak about building community; Jeff Uke and his beautiful team mesmerise us with a sensual hula dance; and our dear Marina incite laughter as a stand up comedienne. With musicians and singers and dancers, Tina, Charis, Jun and Mauro, sharing their hearts and their original work : this Aside was an enchanting evening.

A big thank you to Nonzero’s chefs for creating a wondrous spread of edible goodies.

Red Room is grateful to Canmeng Aveda and their team for their sponsorship and support.

The next Stage Time and Wine is on 4/20 and the next Aside 3 will be on 6/29. Please mark your calendar for these two dates.