Cafe Paris

So it finally happened, I got to see a group of musicians called Cafe Paris.  It couldn't have been a more picturesque setting. A breezy sunlit summer evening at Marina Park.  Sail boats racing in the harbor, the smell of food trucks in the air and a very pleasant capacity crowd lounging comfortably in their fold up chairs.

Cafe Paris, an ensemble of highly respectable local musicians not just playing 'jazz', but FRENCH Jazz! They have been around as a group for at least 2 years to my knowledge, often playing the Foundry on Jazzy Thursdays.  I am intrigued by all things French - be that film, art or music.  So when Blanchet and Pepe started doing Cafe Paris, I just had to see them.

There's something comforting, nostalgic and just very relaxing about this particular brand of music.  If you've ever seen the movie Chocolate there's some great period music that makes up the soundtrack.  Cafe Paris strikes a similar chord for me.

This was also my first Live on the Waterfront experience and it was fantastic.  Very well organized and the sound technicians responsible for what the crowd hears was top notch.  If you've attended Live on the Waterfront - this is of no surprise, but if you haven't yet checked out this wonderful summer long event, you just have to go!

Donnie Darko

It's been a while since I've been completely blown away by a movie.  Donnie Darko is amazing.  I count myself fortunate to have waited until now to watch it.  There has been so much fan theory and research explored in this flick and thanks to Youtube I've been able to deep dive into the stories behind the story.

The explanation that the key to this film's understanding is the Time Travel book Donnie's teacher gives him.  It is the blueprint for Donnie's self discovery that he's in fact living in a corrupted timeline that risks the existence of existence itself.  With the help of Frank he determines his destiny in this alternate timeline.

Along with the amazing Soundtrack including Tears for Fears and Joy Division, this film has had me thinking A LOT.