Synchronized Rhythm

Contact Synch Rhythm via email: [email protected]
Get In Synch with the Synchronized Rhythm ladies consistently for exclusives on indie artists; visual artists; dancers; theater; cinema; live performances; special event reviews; and info on the hottest venues in New York and abroad!

Art Exhibitions

(NYC) "SLAVERY IN NEW YORK" @ the New York Historical Society PERMANENT EXHIBITION
(NYC) "Leo Villareal: Stars" @ BAM: Brooklyn Academy of Music Ongoing
(WASHINGTON, DC) "Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture" @ The National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution Ongoing
(NYC) "Perverted by Theater" @ Apexart -- Works by Laylah Ali, Mel Bochner, Luis Camnitzer, Kabir Carter, Ele D'Artagnan, William Daniels, David Dupuis, Igor Eskinja, Jackie Gendel, Kate Gilmore, Trajal Harrell, Elana Herzog, David Humphrey, Ross Knight, Virgil Marti, Ryan McGinley, Martin McMurray, Jim Nutt, Ann Pibal, Shahzia Sikander, Jack Smith, Mickalene Thomas, and Alexi Worth Beginning October 22, 2008 thru December 6, 2008
(NYC) "Recasting the Figure in Photography - Portraits, Diversity and Identity" @ Sidney Mishkin Gallery of Baruch College Now thru October 24, 2008
(Bronx, NY) "Weekend Visitors - Photographs by Arlette Landestoy" @ Enfoco Touring Gallery Now Thru October 31, 2008
(Harlem-NYC) "East Harlem For Sale: A Youth Perspective on How Gentrification is Changing the Community" @ the Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center’s Taller Boricua Galleries Ongoing
(Queens-NYC) "Louis C. Tiffany: THE GLASS" @ the Queens Museum of Art Ongoing
(NYC) "About Face: Portraits from the Bowery Mission" @ the Christian Herald Building (132 Madison Avenue) Ongoing
(NYC) "Magic in Ancient Egypt: Image, Word and Reality" @ the Brooklyn Museum Ongoing
(NYC) "Mapping Our Heritage" @ the Museum of Chinese in the Americas Ongoing
(NYC) "African Burial Ground" @ the Ted Weiss Federal Building Ongoing
(NYC) "Behind the Screen" @ the Museum of the Moving Image Ongoing
(NYC) "PHOTOGRAPHY ON PHOTOGRAPHY: REFLECTIONS ON THE MEDIUM SINCE 1960" @ the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Joyce and Robert Menschel Hall for Modern Photography, 2nd floor Now thru October 19, 2008

(NYC) "KEHINDE WILEY: THE WORLD STAGE: AFRICA, LAGOS ~ DAKAR" @ the Studio Museum in Harlem Now thru October 26, 2008

(NYC) "EXPANDING THE WALLS: MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PHOTOGRAPHY, HISTORY AND COMMUNITY" @ the Studio Museum in Harlem Now thru October 26, 2008



Theater

CAMP LOGAN --Is a depiction by Celeste Bedford Walker of the night of August 23, 1917, after weeks of harassment from the city police and white civilians, about a hundred members of the Twenty-Fourth Infantry Regiment marched to the west end of Houston from their bivouac at the construction site of Camp Logan. October 31, 2008-November 9, 2008 @ The Kumble Theater for Performing Arts
Kindness --An ailing mother and her teenaged son flee Illinois and a crumbling marriage for the relative calm and safety of a midtown Manhattan hotel. Mom holds tickets to a popular musical about love among bohemians. Her son isn’t interested, so Mom takes the kindly cabdriver instead, while the boy entertains a visitor from down the hall, an enigmatic, potentially dangerous young woman. Kindness is a play about the possibility for sympathy in a harsh world and the meaning of mercy in the face of devastating circumstances. Now thru November 2, 2008 @ the Peter Jay Sharp Theater
LESON BEFORE DYING --When a young black man in 1940s rural Louisiana is falsely convicted of murder and sentenced to the electric chair, his grandmother pleads with the conflicted, plantation school teacher to help her “baby” face death with dignity. As the two men’s prison-bound relationship deepens in intensity and intimacy, it shines an unflinching light on injustice, oppression, and each person’s choice of response. This powerful, engrossing adaptation taps the Southern roots of both Gaines and Linney to expose the universal human condition and reveal the lesson that it is never too late to learn to live with personal integrity. October 29 – November 23, 2008 @ Theatrical Outfit
HOME --Leaving behind his family's farm in North Carolina, Cephus Miles seeks refuge and prosperity in the North. Three actors portray more than twenty-five characters over the course of Cephus's epic journey from adolescence to adulthood, spanning the 1950's through the Vietnam War and Civil Rights eras. Samm-Art Williams' critically acclaimed work is a wonderfully theatrical tale of one man's struggle to stay true to himself amidst a rapidly changing and turbulent America. November 11, 2008 - January 4, 2009 @ The Signature Theatre
ZOOMAN & the SIGN --A random act of violence leaves Reuben Tate and his family questioning their friends and neighbors, but their once caring community has been scared into helpless silence. As young Zooman terrorizes the neighborhood from the shadows, Reuben makes a dangerous appeal which may tear their world apart. This powerful drama by Charles Fuller, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Soldier's Play depicts the devastating aftermath of violence on a family and an entire community. March 3 - April 19, 2009 @ The Signature Theatre
MOUTH TO MOUTH --Frank, a gay writer living with AIDS, attends a party at his friend Laura's house to celebrate the return of her teenage son from abroad. As the story shifts back and forth through time, it's clear that Frank may have played an unscrupulous part in the unraveling of his best girlfriend's family. Nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Play, Kevin Elyot's West End smash is a haunting, twisting tale of undeclared passion and the fine line between intimacy and betrayal. October 20 - December 27, 2008 @ The New Group
Prayer for My Enemy --It’s a hell of a night for the Noones—father Austin’s watching his nature shows and trying to keep from falling off the wagon, mother Karen’s keeping an eye on Austin, son Billy’s just back from Iraq, and pregnant daughter Marianne’s upset about the state of her marriage to Tad, Billy’s childhood friend who may still harbor a crush on him. With the Red Sox battling the Yankees for the 2004 AL title, an American family’s long-held secrets are dragged to the fore in what may be its final reckoning. Prayer for My Enemy is a pæan to our age, a keenly-layered drama about the preciousness of life and the grace to share common ground—even with those we love the least. This new play by Craig Lucas makes its New York premiere. Featuring Cassie Beck, Jonathan Groff and Skip Sudduth. November 14 - December 21, 2008 @ Mainstage Theater
Plantanos & Collard Greens -- This is a story of two college students, Freeman, an African-American man and Angelita, a Latino woman, both forced to confront and overcome cultural and racial prejudices while defending their bond from the biases held by family and friends. Playing Now @ The Florence Gould Hall Theater

Cinema

"Ghosts of Cite Soleil" directed by Asger Leth "The 11th Hour" directed by Nadia Conners and Leila Conners Petersen Nina's Heavenly Delights "Miss Navajo" directed by Billy Luther "The Secret Lives of Bees" directed by Gina Prince-Blythewood "365 DAYS OF MARCHING: THE AMADOU DIALLO STORY" directed by Veronica Keitt "UP WITH ME" directed by Greg Takoudes "Daddy Hunger" directed by Ray Upchurch & Thomas Drayton "Terror's Advocate" directed by Barbet Schroeder "Saawariya" directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali "Rehearsing A Dream" directed by Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon "Darfur Now!" directed by Ted Braun "To Die in Jerusalem" directed by Hilla Medalia "Total Denial" directed by Milena Kaneva "My Kid Could Paint That" directed by Amir Bar-Lev "Meeting Resistance" directed by Steve Connors & Molly Bingham "Black White + Gray" directed by James Crump "Billy the Kid" directed by Jennifer Venditti "Steep" directed by Mark Obenhaus "Black Magic" directed by Dan Klores "The Visitor" directed by Tom McCarthy "Blame it on Fidel" directed by Julie Gavras "STRANGE CULTURE" directed by Lynn Hershman-Leeson "The Kite Runner" directed by Marc Forster "Kurt Cobain: About a Son" directed by AJ Schnack "The Other Side of the Water" directed by JEREMY ROBINS and MAGALI DAMAS "Fallen Angels" directed by Wong Kar-wal "Talk to Me" directed by Kasi Lemmons "El Cantante" directed by Leon Ichaso "DESERT BAYOU " directed by Alex LeMay "Summer '04" directed by Stefan Krohmer "My Name is Albert Ayler" directed by Kasper Collins "Honeydripper" directed by John Sayles "Constantine's Sword" directed by Oren Jacoby "The Orphanage" directed by Juan Anthonio Bayona "Before the Music Dies" directed by Andrew Shapter & Joel Rasmussen "The Great Debaters" directed by Denzel Washington "War Dance" directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix "The Devil Came on Horseback" directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern



Dance Performances

"AWAKENINGS" -- Bridging mythic narratives and modern forms, Australia's Bangarra Dance Theatre has forged an international reputation for their inimitable and imaginative dances, drawing from the rites and spirituality of Aboriginal culture to tell stories for the new century. Following the success of Bush (2004 Next Wave Festival) and Corroboree (2001 Next Wave Festival), Bangarra returns to BAM with the extraordinary, two-part Awakenings (Boomerang and Brolga). With Boomerang, Bangarra returns to the mesmerizing rituals of Aboriginal heritage, remembering through movement and song the age-old wisdom of elders and their spiritual connections to the earth. In Brolga, the dancers recount a young girl's initiation into womanhood, revisiting her vivid transformation at a sacred site where the river meets the sea. Foreign yet familiar and always deeply affecting, Awakenings offers an arresting vision of the world seen through the eyes of a vital indigenous culture. @ BAM Harvey Theater... October 21 thru 25, 2008

"STEVE REICH EVENING" -- Choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker returns to BAM with a program that celebrates her evolving relationship with the music of Steve Reich, one of our most inventive and iconic modern composers. Working from a divine logic—often expressed as exalted permutations on a single theme—they each invest their work with an emotional heart, creating pieces that transcend definition as they challenge our notions of sound and movement. Reich's globally-inclusive mix of Western vernacular, classical, and non-Western influences, performed live by Brussels' percussion ensemble Ictus, dovetails perfectly with De Keersmaeker's formal, richly expressive choreography. Two new dance works, set to Reich's Four Organs and the subtle, harmonically intriguing Eight Lines, shimmer with the choreographer's signature rigor and appetite for space. Every step, every phrase, reflects De Keersmaeker's delicate mix of minimalism and sensuality; a transfer of weight from one foot to the next feels both matter-of-fact and momentous. The effect is of great suspense, a slow build rife with drama. @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House...October 22 thru 25, 2008

"AMJAD" -- Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty—ballets at once iconic and mutable—undergo what must be their most extreme deconstructions to date with Amjad. Created by the ever-inventive Édouard Lock and performed by La La La Human Steps, a troupe of commanding, supremely disciplined dancers, Amjad flirts with the ballets' intense Romanticism even as it plays gorgeous havoc with notions of love, gender, and narrative. Set to music by Gavin Bryars, David Lang, and Blake Hargreaves that weaves Tchaikovsky's themes into another world, Amjad casts aside 19th-century decorum in favor of primal, often startling transformations. Five arm-waving ballerinas costumed in black suggest a feathery swarm; a shape-shifting prince becomes a glorious swan, dancing full-out on pointe. The stark set—projections of blood-red petals, luminous pearls, a tangled forest—emphasizes the fairy tales' exotic underpinnings. A uniquely cinematic choreographer, Lock (last at BAM with Amelia, Spring Season 2005) infuses his dances with unflagging modernity and quicksilver movement to get at the essence of why these enduring ballets, and the glorious music that propels them, have become part of our collective unconscious. @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House...November 12 thru 15, 2008

"LES ÉCAILLES DE LA MÉMOIRE(THE SCALES OF MEMORY)" -- Resistance, memory, and love—three potent words—drive Les écailles de la mémoire (The scales of memory), a penetrating movement treatise exploring the convergence of African and US history. A collaboration between two extraordinary troupes—Senegal's all-male Compagnie Jant-Bi, and the all-female, Brooklyn-based Urban Bush Women—Les écailles presents a lyrical meditation on the heritage and truths that bind us all. Drawing inspiration from creative research that began in the US Southern states rich with stories of struggle and survival, and equally resonant African sites, the dancers offer vivid testament to a collective past lived in the present tense. Bodies in kinetic conjunction with drumming, poetry, and song trace a trajectory from trauma to recovery to renewal. Reminding us to honor the past and celebrate the present and future, Compagnie Jant-Bi and Urban Bush Women give us dance at its most urgent, evocative, and unforgettable. @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House...November 19 thru 22, 2008

"BAMBOO BLUES" @ BAM -- No matter where in the world Pina Bausch goes—Istanbul, Lisbon, Brazil, Hong Kong—she captures the essence of a place and its people, coming away with impressions of colors, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures that go far beneath the surface, revealing mood, spirit, and the chaos of modern life. India is Bausch's latest port of call, and in Bamboo Blues, she transforms the stage into an amalgam of sensations. Softness prevails as does fabric, often brilliantly colored, always billowing. In one memorable sequence, thanks to Bausch's unparalleled use of metaphor, humor, and kinetic wit, the dancers send-up the intricacies of the dothin (a long cotton wrap) to mesmerizing and affectionate effect. But finally, it's movement—fascinating abstractions of the incisive and delicate gestures of Indian dance—that provides the momentum. When a lone woman describes an arc with her arm, abruptly stops, then launches into a crystalline solo—all power and light—we are there, transported to the India of our dreams. @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House...December 11 thru 20, 2008

Hot Spots Reviews of the hottest venues & restaurants in New York and abroad!
Our ratings are based on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)

NOTE: The opinions expressed in this section are just that; our opinions!
We are in no way trying to discredit a venue in any way.
Thank you from the S.R. team!

"CLUB VENUES"
(NYC) Joe's Pub --Comfy Relaxation is a perfect way to describe this secluded spot! By candlelight, you will enjoy good music and yummy cuisine but the drinks need work. (SR Rating: 2 1/2)
(NYC) Club Groove ("House of Rhythm & Blues") --Cool spot to hang out after work for good music, tasty food but it can get a bit crowded. The food menu is tasty but be sure to check your bill for additional "fees" and other surprises. (SR Rating: 4)
(NYC) Cafe Wha --Open every night of the week, but be sure to go on a Tuesday night to catch the talented house band, “disFUNKtion.” A night filled with funk that will leave you singing & dancing in the aisles; hosted by the one and only, Cheryl Pepsi Riley. Great drinks, but the food could be better. (SR Rating: 4)
(NYC) Shrine in Harlem --A cool venue nestled in the heart of Harlem where you can catch the hottest up & coming musical acts around; from rock to hip hop. Friendly atmosphere and a tasty inexpensive menu. (SR rating: 4)
(NYC) Blue Note Jazz Club --Upscale jazz venue located in the heart of the Village; showcasing not only jazz greats, but caters to the neo-soul enthusiasts as well. Good food and drinks! Be sure to bring enough cash for the evening! (SR Rating: 4)
(NYC) BB King's Bar & Grill --Wonderful venue catering to musical acts of all genres in the heart of Times Square! Good food and drinks! A must for any tourist to visit! (SR Rating: 4)

"RESTAURANTS"
(NYC-Harlem) Moca Restaurant & Lounge --Inexpensive--A stylishly cozy & intimate establishment in the heart of Harlem that surrounds you with exotic art; an earthy color palette; musical foreplay from several genres; mouthwatering cuisine & cocktails that will leave you asking for more along with a down to earth staff! Indulge yourself in this gem of a lounge! (SR rating: 5)
(NYC-The Village) Indochine --Upscale--With it's stylish ambiance; tropical decor; and attentive waitstaff, this restaurant serves up an exotic and scrumptious French-Vietnamese cusine that is sure to tantilize your taste buds! Make sure you practice eating with chopsticks before you go; and be sure to order their delicious desserts! You won't be sorry!! (SR rating: 5)
(Philadelphia) The Continental Midtown --If you're ever in the North Philly area on Chestnut Street and looking for a cool place to wind down and enjoy good eats, this restaurant is a must! You'll experience attentive service from the staff; a scrumptious inexpensive menu of appetizers/entrees/desserts; amusing drinks that would probably get you drunk because you want to try everything; and a retro decor that'll have you talking about it days after! Family friendly, as well as for the grown & sexy! (SR rating: 5)

**STAY TUNED FOR MORE REVIEWS!!**