Live on Broadway

Last night I hit the bright lights of NYC to watch my first Broadway musical courtesy of  some good friends.

We saw ‘In The Heights’ at the Richard Rodgers Theatre – a fantastic show. It tells the tale of the lives of Latino residents in the heart of Washington Heights, a place where you’ll find one of the largest Latin-American communities – it‘s in actual fact where I’m staying at the moment. It deals with love, death, dreams, culture and more. It gave a real insight into what most Latino communities face on a daily basis.

The set was amazing, it had so much detail and it fit much of the scenes perfectly throughout the whole show. The actors made skilful use of the sets mini apartment blocks, local convenience store and hair salon – it made me feel as though I was in the heart of the Latino community. There was one part where they were dancing in a club and I actually forgot that they were dancing on the set of the outside shops, so that gives you a pretty good idea of how well the show was performed and directed.

Vibrant, vibrant, vibrant is the best way to describe the actors, music, set – everything about it brought life to the stage. I especially liked the way they mixed the comic scenes with the more serious – even when they sang the scenes.

And the music and dancing! It was terrific to watch – it was an enthused hip hop and salsa play, with the main character lacing a rap over salsa beats in much of the scenes, and the singing was pretty good too – it was one of those shows that made you want to get up and dance.

So despite the cold outside on the streets of Broadway – and I’m telling you it was damn cold outside, the show brought back the summer for at least those few hours.

www.intheheightsthemusical.com

Hillary Clinton’s antics are tiresome

Her every effort to diminish Barack Obama’s character looks like desperation. It’s not going in her favour and I think in general a lot of Americans are tired of these antics – I know I am.

Read more: www.nydailynews.com

Okay, so Clinton’s camp denies they had any involvement in leaking the photo – there’s nothing in the picture to rant about anyway. Believe me, the running of her campaign says a lot about the kind of leader she will make – courteous to your face (have you seen the fake grin) but behind your back watch out.

Their debate last week in Texas was quite amicable despite the xerox moment, she ended saying she was honoured to be sitting next to Obama. But wait - a couple days after she’s infront of the press lambasting him. It’s not that I’m on a “Get Hillary” agenda, however the way she has carried out her campaign hasn’t sat well with me at all, it’s been fickle.

Tonight is the final debate and I don’t think it’s going to be as friendly as last time. I think Hillary intends to throw some punches, particularly on trade and foreign policy. In my opinion as long as Obama performs as well as he did in the last debate his campaign will pretty much remain intact.

And if I’m correct, what pundits are now saying is that wins in Texas and Ohio for Hillary will not guarantee her getting the nomination anyway. She will not win by wide margins because polls show that voters are equally split in Texas and the gap in Ohio is narrowing too – all it will do is keep her in the race.

An interesting blog

The Katine Chronicles is written by Richard M Kavuma, an African journalist. It’s his first blog posting about his experiences in a village called Katine in Uganda. I like the detailed accounts so far - I’ll be looking out for his future posts.

Read more: Katine Chronicles

Clinton’s xerox moment

(You may not hear it clearly in this video but it’s actually boos that are heard after her Xerox comment – I’m sure some sites have muffled the sound) 

But you know what, the debate in Texas showed me just how evenly matched both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton really are. Whatever Clinton’s intentions were in this debate it certainly didn’t knock Obama because he came across very strong. Their responses on the economy, immigration, foreign policy, George Bush and Republican John McCain were pretty much the same. The only difference to me was their approaches in achieving universal health care.

Read more:www.nydailynews.com

It was interesting to watch them portray the kind of alliance they did in Texas – towards the end of the debate they shook hands and Hillary ended by saying she was honoured to be sitting next to obama. A lot of the media are talking about some of her final comments but to me her comments are so hypocritical when throughout her campaign she’s been bashing Obama.

The perceived alliance between the two does look good to voters and I think people are generally tired of the petty slanging matches but whether the good feelings between the two is true or not is another matter. Of course they’re both maintaining that perception for their own benefits but I guess when it comes down to the final leg with John McCain whoever is in that race will need the backing of the other so I suppose it pays to keep each other sweet.

Obama deals tenth blow to Clinton

Ten wins in a row so far for Barack Obama – Wisconsin, Hawaii and Washington are now under his belt. 

Read more:www.cnn.com

So what is Hillary Clinton thinking this morning? I can tell you my guess: “What can I do to stop this man?” You know when you have something on your mind you’ll go to sleep with it and then wake up with it, well I’m sure that’s the situation she’s in at the moment. But it’s probably been like that for the past couple of weeks.

If you noticed Obama was criticised for the lack of substance in his previous speeches but last night following the results of Wisconsin political pundits believed that his speech had substance along with his usual rhetoric – they believe he’s now in a prime position. Clinton’s speech in comparison they felt lacked substance, but I think these are probably tell tale signs that she’s beginning to feel the heat.

News reports of voting figures show that Obama’s taking small but significant chomps out of Clinton’s support base- just look at who’s voting for who, he still maintains the majority black vote but he’s also increased support from female and male white voters; and low income families.

So when the primaries in Texas and Ohio take place on March 4 it’s not going to be clear cut. The thing is democrats in Texas are equally divided about who to vote for so her only other option is Ohio. But then if you think about if the trend in Obama’s past primaries is anything to go by Clinton may be in for a fight there to.

The voters, in particulary delegates, that Obama has picked up along the way in smaller states has helped him – as the controlling supermarket chain Tesco slogan says “Every little bit helps”. The key big states like Texas and California do make differences but the little extras along the way are also key.

To me Obama has won this nomination, solely by the popularity vote and if the super delegates have to give their vote I believe they should base it upon what the nation has said. 

Castro’s reign comes to an end

Read more at NY Times: here

Castro is stepping down with a plan in mind. He’s done so knowing that things will be handled as he would want them to be in his absence – he’s no fool. The fact that the trade embargo on Cuba will continue proves that the US believe this too…

Oh and I’m back in NY – I had a great time Down South, it’s given me the travel bug…

New Orleans’ legendary Dooky

I went to Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, open since 1941, its customers have included politicians from George Bush to Barack Obama. The special thing about this place is not only the food but Mrs Leah Chase, the owner and chef of the restaurant. She was prolific in her community during the Civil Rights Movement, allowing activists to meet at the restaurant to debate, strategise and arrange campaigns.

She has to be one of the warmest people I’ve met in my life, she has this inner glow about her and she recites some real interesting sayings.  She said to me that “Beauty is god given but beauty is what you build for yourself”, in terms of what you do to help others and your community. It was certainly surreal being in her presence, that’s the only way I can describe it because she has a real warmth about her and she is on the ball with politics and the community in which she lives.

But the food in New Orleans!!! For traditional Creole cooking head to Dookys. I had Okra Gumbo which is a kind of soup mixed with okras, rice and shrimp – that was my starter, then for my mains I ate fried fish, stuffed shrimp, fried oysters and fries. Dooky’s is the best place if you want a great meal.

Since I arrived in New Orleans I’ve been to a number of restaurants where I’ve tried Jambalaya, a spicy rice dish mixed with chicken and sausage. Oh and puddings – I’ve only tried one so far and that’s Bread Pudding – the thing is I’m hooked on it! The Palm Court Jazz Cafe is the best place for Bread Pudding. They dress it with raisins, cinnamon with a subtle pineapple whisky sauce – it sounds good right, but you need to try it!

No clear winner so race goes on!

This has to be one of the most spirited US primary presidential elections to date. What should have been the deciding factor about the nominations for the US presidency in both parties has now turned into an ongoing battle.

Although Obama leads with 11 states he still doesn’t have enough delegates to be a front runner. Hillary Clinton’s big wins in key states like Califonia and New York with large numbers of delegates have ensured that she is still in this race – She won nine states.
Democrats:Read more

The Republicans are shockingly now running a three man race. Mike Huckabee who was initially ruled out as a contender in the race has shocked everyone by winning 5 states. John Mccain, who I’m sure thought he was going to be declared the nominating candidate, only won nine states and now has a fight on his hands with Huckabee and also Mitt Romney who took six states.
Republicans:Read more

It’s been a historic night! Super Tuesday should have given a clear idea of the presidential nomination in both parties but this race could go on up until April.

I’m heading on to New Orleans today which should be interesting!

Super Tuesday!

Todays the big day…24 states take to the ballot box.

Heading Down South

I’m breaking away from NY for a while. At the end of this week I head Down South in preparation for Super Tuesday! – An amazing time to be in America. 

I’ll get to observe the thoughts and feelings of people Down South about the US presidential election, if they plan to vote and for who? I’m also excited because I’ll get to soak up what makes Down South – Down South, the food, music, people – the whole environment – which I hear is completely different to NY life.

So look out for some interesting takes on Down South culture…