2016 goes down in history as a truly shitty, heavy and scary year, but while the world is going bonkers, there still is definitely more to love than to hate.
POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: SAMANTHA BEE (FULL FRONTAL)
In a year where the world turned upside down and hatred somehow became normalized, the political commentators also up’d their game and Samantha Bee proved that she was a tour de force when it came down to highlighting the absurdity of mankind with its general poor judgement and behaviour. She cuts down to the very core with intelligence, wit and a refreshingly sharp tongue. There seem to be a shortage of opinions that are sprung out of humanity, decency and respect, but Ms. Bee has got that in spades. Her voice is needed in the cruel and harsh reality we’ve ended up in.
CONCERT: CECILE MCLORIN SALVANT AT JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
I literally stumbled in on her Valentine Day’s concert at Jazz At Lincoln Center, without any kind of preconceived idea of what to expect. I tell you, it was the most mesmerizing concert I’ve been to in many, many years. She only had to sing a few bars of her own composition Fog and I was in tears. Her musical sensibility is crystal clear, her choice of songs were inventive and her talk in between songs were clever and witty. And that voice. Wow. That voice blew me away. Over and over again.
LATE DISCOVERY: BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE AT LEAST FOR NOW (ALBUM, 2015)
Mr. Clementine’s debut album from last year entered my sphere this year and it totally blew my mind. The tools at his disposal are his uniquely expressive voice and his quirky and dynamic compositions, which takes you on a magnificent journey. Stunning.
MUSICAL: NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET 1812, IMPERIAL THEATRE
Yet another performance I had no idea of what I would be getting, besides the knowledge of it being adaptation of a fragment of Tolstoy’s War & Peace. What a delightful surprise it was – the music, the staging, the interactive stage design and directing. And the voices. What a joy and a treat.
MOVIE: MOONLIGHT DIRECTOR BARRY JENKINS
Once in a blue moon you get to see a movie that rocks your world by being humane and genuine, as well as being exceptionally beautifully shot. Mr. Jenkins takes you on an extraordinary and quiet journey, that breaks your heart, only to lift you up again.
STRAIGHT PLAY: BEDLAM’S SENSE & SENSIBILITY
This is how you make a Jane Austen novel dance. The beautiful words of Austen get a refreshing twirl around in the superb adaptation by Kate Hamill and excellent directing by Eric Tucker, in a production that literally rolls all over the intimate, up close stage. The physicality of the performance is organic, seamless and absolutely remarkable.
BOOK: TRACEY THORN – BEDSIT DISCO QUEEN, HOW I GREW UP AND TRIED TO BE A POP STAR (2013)
Although reading has always been one of my great escapism, I can honestly say I’ve lost touch with books in recent years. What gladly took me out of it was Ms. Thorn’s pop biography, where she with great skill, warmth and humour entails stories of starting your first band, the mix of joy and absurdity of pop stardom, everyday life as a parent and partner, only to name a few topics you encounter upon reading this excellent book. Do also look up her second book Naked At Albert Hall, an entertaining look at the art of singing. An while you read her lovely books, you might as well listen to her sing, too.
ALWAYS: BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSICAL
Every time. Every. Single. Time. I bawl like baby. And then smile from ear to ear as the tears stream down my cheeks. First two times at Victoria theatre in London in 2008 and 2009, then last year when it was live streamed to various cinemas, such as Bio Rio in Stockholm and now streaming through Amazon. This is literally the best thing I know, all categories and I could eat, sleep, breath this musical. There is something so compelling and unique that touches the very core in me. Yes, it’s about a boy living in a small town with very harsh and male dominated environment, that falls in love with dancing, when he should be doing boxing. So it’s not farfetched that I can relate, but nonetheless this show is so genuine and hopeful, so warm, graceful and inspiring that I just can’t get enough.
