In the 1990's, I was invited at the last moment to see a performance of a dance called "Carnations" to be performed by Pina Bausch's Tanztheater Wuppertal. I hesitated. I had seen the company's brutal peat-moss strewn interpretation of the RITES OF SPRING in the 80's in Brooklyn, and was still recovering from the experience. … Continue reading Unreal Valentine: Revisiting Carnations #1: Pina Bausch and the dance of words
Magnificent Monday Story @ Magically Real (make-up for Super Bowl Snow Day), 02/06/12
A story about 3 beings beginning with the letter "M." Appropriate for silly people of all ages. Never before appearing in public..... it's: Mongolian, Mongrel, and Mongoose Together they are the three. The holy hot heads of Monterey forest, Woodland Hills, the Schwarzwald, the Bois de Boulogne, the Cedars of Lebanon, Zambesi National Park or … Continue reading Magnificent Monday Story @ Magically Real (make-up for Super Bowl Snow Day), 02/06/12
Kathleen Alcalá explains Magical Realism!
Dear Magically Real: What the heck IS Magical Realism anyway? Please advise. An admiring but confused reader. -------------------- Dear confused: No worries! Noted Seattle-7 fiction writer and essayist Kathleen Alcalá explains the term with 6 easy-to-understand criteria. Characteristics of Magic Realism by Kathleen Alcalá There are some general ideas that I think most people will … Continue reading Kathleen Alcalá explains Magical Realism!
Storytime Sunday @ Magically Real, 01/29/12
A slightly sexy story about the power of reading, that originally appeared in the wonderful NYCBigCityLit online journal. Read on..... Cockeresque Never read Kafka when you are in love. There can be outcomes. I read In the Penal Colony with him, and The Metamorphosis with her. I shouldn't have shared the same author with the … Continue reading Storytime Sunday @ Magically Real, 01/29/12
Reading SEVEN GOTHIC TALES: Transformation, Transvestism, and “feminine” desire
Like many women writers of the 19th Century, 20tth Century author Karen Blixen decided to use a male pseudonym, when she decided to give up working her ex-husband's coffee plantation in Africa, and try being a writer instead. Her pen name, Isaac, (Laughter) signals that she wants to laugh at the masquerade she has created … Continue reading Reading SEVEN GOTHIC TALES: Transformation, Transvestism, and “feminine” desire
Storytime Sunday @ Magically Real, 01/22/12
A tiny post-holiday tale -- a version of which originally appeared in the lovely SHOULDER FRIENDS journal, edited by Lila Seidman and Lillian Behrendt. Probably not suited to kids, but who knows? Maybe. It's not "dirty" or anything. Death Comes For Presents Death comes knocking at the front door. I open but say wait. I … Continue reading Storytime Sunday @ Magically Real, 01/22/12
Storytime Sunday @MagicallyReal, 01/15/12
Here's one of my favorite stories from my archives! Bundle up with a buddy, dog, kittie, or other special being. Suitable for strange children of all ages... MEET MOOSHIE AND SMOOSHIE Mooshie and Smooshie are big furry blue monsters with large googly eyes, who live in the sewers of Beverly Hills. They eat … Continue reading Storytime Sunday @MagicallyReal, 01/15/12
Bruno Schulz and the Queer Visitation
Here's a gloriously strange and brilliant writer/graphic artist. A brief discussion of his writing follows, but you should really experience him for yourself, by click on the link at the end of the post. Reading Polish writer Bruno Schulz, we think immediately of Freud. The Father of Psychoanalysis’ notions are clearly represented in the short … Continue reading Bruno Schulz and the Queer Visitation
A to-do list for 2012 from guest blogger Mitzi Notnagel
What better way to end 2011 than with a set of recommendations from a fictional person? Heteronym Mitzi Notnagel makes her suggestions for a culturally, politically, and gastronomically active 2012. Enjoy. And Happy Sylvester! Liebe Fans of Zauberei, Irrealitaet, and so forth and so on --here is a little LISTE for was to do in … Continue reading A to-do list for 2012 from guest blogger Mitzi Notnagel
Of daughters, dads, and axes: An Invisible Sign, Dir. Marilyn Agrelo
Dear friends – Greetings! We’ve been on hiatus over at Magically Real HQ, because we have to work for a living and that work has gotten a bit overwhelming of late. But we don’t want the holiday season to go out without a little postmodern cheer brought to you by film director Marilyn Agrelo. The … Continue reading Of daughters, dads, and axes: An Invisible Sign, Dir. Marilyn Agrelo
Stephanie Barbé Hammer Writing (Un) Real 