text:
Entries tagged with: Haiti

25 result(s) displayed (1 - 25 of 29):

Last August, the Arcade Fire frontman was enjoying food and drinks with the band at Toronto's Rhum Corner. Butler decided to ask restaurant co-owner Roland Jean if he could play some rara, a type of Haitian Creole festival music. Jean loved it - right until the speakers gave out.

Almost immediately, Butler's wife and bandmate Régine Chassagne and some Arcade Fire percussionists made up for lost music, keeping the rhythm with glasses and other objects on the tables.

"It was magic," says Jen Agg, Jean's spouse and matriarch of a mini-empire of Toronto restaurants that includes Rhum Corner, the Black Hoof and Cocktail Bar.

Bonding quickly that night, the two couples eventually shared their respective dreams of creating a Haitian-influenced space in Montreal. [Globe and Mail]

Agrikol is set to open in Montreal this summer.

The above photo of Win Butler serving Haitian coffee was taken earlier this year at a coffee shop in NYC (photos by P Squared Photography).

It's a Win Wynn situation...

Arcade Fire singer Win Butler is having a pretty busy weekend in New York, doing non-Arcade Fire things. Tonight (2/13), he's playing the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at MSG with Common and others, and also DJing The Hold Steady's show at Bowery Ballroom (sold out) as DJ Windows 98. He DJs once again under that moniker late-night on Saturday (2/14) at Baby's (also sold out).

Earlier in the day on Saturday, he'll take a break from music and basketball to pursue yet another hobby... being a barista. He'll be serving at NYC's La Colombe in Hudson Square (75 Vandam St) to celebrate his new blend of RaRa Haitian Coffee that he created in partnership with La Colombe. The time he'll be serving will be announced Saturday morning, according to the coffee company. Here's what he says:

Being in the mountains of Haiti, it is hard not to think about coffee. The elevation, the sunshine, the soil, and incredible people, who have been growing the plant on tiny family plots for centuries. Haiti is buzzing with potential and possibility, and coffee can be an important part of its rebirth!

I'd heard about what La Colombe was doing with their coffee academy so I approached them to see if they'd make this coffee for me, because coffee is so important to Haiti, and Haiti is so important to me and everyone in the band.

Really happy to share this with you, especially with all the funds going to Partners in Health, The Coffee Academy and Haiti.

Win Butler.

You can also order the blend online. Proceeds will support Partners In Health and Haiti Coffee Academy.

The Hudson Square location is one of five La Colombe cafes in NYC, and they also have locations in Philly, Chicago, and DC. Though it will only be served at the Hudson Square cafe, it will be available to purchase at any location for the next 10 days/2 weeks.

Wynn Walent album cover

Speaking of "wins" helping Haiti, singer/songwriter Wynn Walent continues to do so as well, and has a recorded a new album to benefit Haiti. You can stream or download it for free at his website, but donations are encouraged. He wrote on Huffington Post:

Most of the album was recorded in Brooklyn at Lindbergh Palace Studios, and it features recordings from the chapel in Haiti as well. Half of the songs are English interpretations of the Haitian spirituals I love so deeply, and the other half I wrote. The songs are faithful, (think Tom Joad, not Pat Robertson) and speak to the need for hope and community in the way our own Americana tradition does. The songs in the chapel are sung each day by a group of people who are fully engaged in their communities and fully committed to finding faith, hope and love under every rock.

The 5th anniversary of the earthquake is approaching. That tragic day brought me to Haiti; it wasn't in my plans before then. I intended to stay for two months, and five years later here I am. The Haiti that I fell in love with is in these songs, songs that grow out of many acts of defiance.

A trailer video with some of the music can be watched below.

Continue reading "Win Butler will be a barista in NYC serving new Haitian coffee blend; Wynn Walent also raising money for Haiti with new LP"

Arcade Fire

Note: It doesn't actually say Arcade Fire will be doing anything but being in attendance and possibly doing some talking, but tickets are still available for Thursday night's event which regardless is for a good cause. More details can be found in the press release below:

Continue reading "Eat Haitian Cuisine & Watch Movies with Arcade Fire"

Wynn Walent & friends in Haiti
Wynn Walent

Singer-songwriter Wynn Walent no longer lives in NYC, so the show he's playing this Thursday night (1/10) at Littlefield with Great Elk and Matt Singer is a rarity, but it's more than that. The reason Wynn has been so scare around these parts is because he's spent most of the past three years dedicating his life to Haiti Earthquare relief, a cause that this particular show is also raising money for. Tickets are on sale, or will be at the door. Head out and show support, and learn more in an article Wynn wrote for Huffington Post, and in a video starring Wynn, below...

Continue reading "Wynn Walent helping Haiti; benefit show in NYC this week"

Arcade Fire

So, apparently Arcade Fire are in town for The 2012 Feast Conference. What is The Feast Conference?

The Feast Conference gathers remarkable entrepreneurs, radicals, doers and thinkers that bring their talents to the table to make life better. Our attendees don't just sit back. They'll be rolling up their sleeves at roundtables this October to respond to challenges issued by visionary speakers who dare to ask the question, "What does the world need now?"
One of the things the world needs is Arcade Fire's favorite Haiti-helping cause Partners in Health, and the band came down to join its director Paul Farmer to talk about it on Thursday (10/4)... and to play a song. Watch video of the whole thing below...

Continue reading "Watch Arcade Fire perform after the 'Partners in Health' panel at 'The Feast' (video)"

Bjork & Dirty Projectors @ Housing Works (more by Chris La Putt)
Bjork / DP

As you can see on the flyer below, cavernous Bushwick DIY spot Above the Auto Parts Store will be the site of a benefit for Haiti with an eclectic lineup of DJs on May 2nd. Dirty Projectors' Dave Longstreth, Battles' Tyondai Braxton, and music writers Alex Ross and Brandon Stosuy will be joined by...Bjork behind the turntables and iPods for "Rites of Spring." Ross predicts "some combination of Thai soul, death metal, Justin Bieber, and, of course, nude Stravinsky." Brandon, who writes for Stereogum, has the genesis of the event, which involves Bjork/Dirty Projectors show at Housing Works last May, laid out at that site: "Tickets go on sale this Tuesday (4/13) at 5PM at Record Grouch/Old Made Vintage, 441 Metropolitan Avenue (@ Meeker) in Brooklyn. Their hours are 1PM-7PM daily. (There will be no online tickets. Paper tickets only.)"

Speaking of Bjork...

Ólöf Arnalds [who also played that Housing Works benefit with Bjork and Dirty Projectors] was recently featured in NPR's All Things Considered last week. Host Jonathan Richman chatted to the singer songwriter about her new album, and played a snippet of a new song called "Surrender", that features Björk.

Olöf recently finished mixing her second album, Innundir Skinni, at Sundlaugin Studios with Kjartan Sveinsson producing once again. Innundir skinni features more elaborate arrangements and instrumentation than Við og við, with vocals sung both in English and Icelandic. Innundir skinni is set for worldwide release this spring. [Iceland Music]

The NPR show is here. A streaming clip of the song is below with the benefit flyer...

Continue reading "Dave Longstreth, Tyondai Braxton & others DJing Haiti benefit w/ Bjork (who recorded a song w/ Olof Arnalds) "

by BBG

Styles P at Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest (more here)
Styles P

Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Styles P will team up for a Benefit for Haiti hosted by comedian Mike Epps on 2/9 at The Studio @ Webster Hall. Tickets are $15.

The show comes seven days after Styles dropped his collabo with Green Lantern, The Green Ghost Project, out now via Invasion Music Group. Stream that LP in full. Styles P also recently played a benefit for Haiti at SOBs.

Check out the flyer and some live videos below, including one of Styles P with Juelz Santana...

Continue reading "Styles P released, streaming Green Ghost (w/ Green Lantern) - playing Haiti benefit w/ Jim Jones & Juelz Santana"

Arcade Fire, Partners in Health, the NFL, Merge Records and Bank Robber Music have collectively agreed upon a unique 100% for charity Superbowl licensing of "Wake Up" from the band's 2004 album Funeral. All proceeds from the song's airing on the live Superbowl broadcast and subsequent airings on the NFL Network will go directly to Partners In Health's Stand With Haiti relief efforts."

Continue reading "Arcade Fire licenses 'Wake Up' to Superbowl for charity"

Marc Ribot @ Maxwell's in 2008 (more by Tim Griffin)
Marc Ribot

tonight in NYC
* Lost
* Aziz Ansari @ the Apple Store
* Bushwick Book Club @ Goodbye Blue Monday
* Those Darlins @ Wonder Bar in Asbury Park
* Scrambler/Seequil, Sugarlife @ The Stone
* The London Souls, The Auctioneers @ Mercury Lounge
* Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, Skeletons @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
* Das Racist cover Beastie Boys Paul's Boutique @ The Cameo
* Oberhofer, Blair, Cabinet Of Natural Curiousities @ Pianos
* Scary Mansion, Pepi Ginsberg, Alps, The Wailing Wall @ Cake Shop
* Retribution Gospel Choir feat. Alan Sparhawk, Object @ Union Hall
* BKLYN2HAITI Benefit w/ Girls In Trouble, Air Waves, Screens, Ill Ease, DJ Jonathan Toubin @ Southpaw
* Get Off Your Knees w/ Sara Schaefer & Kim Armstrong, Kristen Schaal, Claudia Cogan, Adira Amram @ The Bell House Front Lounge

Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog and Skeletons play at (Le) Poisson Rouge as part of NY Guitar Fest. On Thursday (2/4) Chicha Libre and Gyan Riley close out the Fest when they soundtrack silent films at Merkin Concert Hall. Skeletons play with another multi-venue local fest that night, Sounds Like Brooklyn, at Zebulon with Up Died Sound.

bklyn2haiti at Southpaw tonight "is a benefit concert raising funds for Partners in Health. This organization has been actively providing health care services to the Haitian community for over 20 years." Bands are above. Flyer below.

Das Racist cover Beastie Boys at Cameo tonight. Actual Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz, a.k.a Ad-rock, has been making cameos at a monthly show at Joe's Pub called Our Hit Parade. Videos from those appearances below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Freeway - Know What I Mean (MP3)

Stimulus Package

On Feb 9th, Rhymesayers will band together a gang of notable MCs on their home turf (Minneapolis, MN at First Avenue) in honor of Rhymesayers Presents: A Benefit For Haiti. Along for the ride are Brother Ali, Sage Francis, Freeway, I Self Devine and others, with the entire event hosted by head Rhymesayer himself, Slug. Tickets are on sale.

Freeway is also on board for another charitable look at Haiti. He is one of a few notable MCs who have joined on for HipHopDX Presents... Hip Hop Helps Haiti. The mixtape features tracks from MCs like Raekwon, Skyzoo, JR Writer, Ras Kass and many others. The mixtape is free, but it's host Hip Hop DX, is accepting charitable donations towards the devastation in Haiti. Give and give big people. Cop that mixtape here.

Exactly one week after that Haiti benefit in Minneapolis (2/16), Freeway & Jake One will tear down Highline Ballroom in NYC with Joell Ortiz. Tickets are on sale. The show is one of three dates that Freeway has around the release date of his new album with Jake One, The Stimulus Package - out 2/16 on Rhymesayers. Cover art and an MP3 from the album above.

All Freeway tour dates and a few videos, including the new-ish video for the same song linked above, below....

Continue reading "new Freeway & Jake One album - MP3, video, tour dates & a Rhymesayers Haiti benefit in Minneapolis"

Sharon Jones @ Brooklyn Bowl on December 30th (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)
Sharon Jones

The release date for Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings' new album, I Learned the Hard Way, has been moved up almost a month, from the original May 4th to April 6th. Jones will be dueting on this Saturday's SNL with musical guest Michael Buble (wait, what?). They'll do the song "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" off Buble's October 2009 album Crazy Love. Sharon also sings on the album version (which I did not realize until now). That song is embedded in a video below.

Sharon's Dap-Tone labelmates Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens will play a Haiti benefit at Knitting Factory Brooklyn on Monday, February 1st. They join the Antibalas-related group Amayo's Fu-Arkist-Ra (which will be bolstered with members of Chico Mann & Fela! cast members), Ikebe Shakedown and DJ Rich Medina. Tickets are on sale. Flyer below...

Continue reading "Sharon Jones duets & playing SNL with... Michael Buble? ++ Naomi Shelton, Fela! cast & others doing Haiti benefit @ KF"

photos by Jonny Leather

'@Joslynm congrats on your pop culture trivia expertise!' - Pat Kiernan

Pat Kiernan
Bell House Haiti Benefit

Jimmy Fallon
Bell House Haiti Benefit

"Without being too cheesy, I have to say there was a really beautiful spirit at last night's concert. The venue was sold out and aside from the silent auction, Bell House raised $35,000.00 for Save the Children and Partners in Health. I missed the first hour or so because I had to stop by my place, but got there in time to see Jimmy Fallon do a Neil Young impression. Then Freelance Whales played. You all should check them out. They're getting crazy attention right now and they are based out of Queens. Now that's special! Anyway, it was good times all around. Cat Power and Pavement records and CDs were given away for trivia knowledge, Ted Leo who also has shows in town, was adorable and even though Cold War Kids pulled out of the show, the Walkmen did an amazing job closing the show." [Petunia Eats]
The long show ran from 7pm-2am with, as pointed out, the Walkmen closing out the night. Actress Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) and her band The Leisure Class were a surprise guest that Ryan Muir said were "blowing me away. Now they are covering St Vincent. 'Marry Me'". (St. Vincent herself played covers at the Haiti benefit that happened at Music Hall on Saturday). NY1's Pat Kiernan (possibly who I wanted to see the most on the bill) hosted trivia. Eugene Mirman introduced him as the guy you see every morning on TV if you don't have Fios.

All artists, including Here We Go Magic, played short sets. If you want to see more of them (HWGM), they play as a headliner at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday.

More pictures and some videos (by Tim Duffy of Pop Tarts Suck Toasted) from the Bell House (in alphabetical order), below...

Continue reading "Jimmy Fallon, Pat Kiernan, Ted Leo, Walkmen, the Wrens & others played a Haiti benefit @ the Bell House - pics & video "

Justice @ SXSW 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Surf City show coming up at Mercury Lounge.

As previously mentioned, there's a Haiti benefit at SOB's tonight (1/28) with Styles P, Immortal Technique, Mickey Factz, Cormega, ChinahBlac, Eprhyme, and more. Tickets are still on sale.

Speaking of SOB's, Lord Finesse is celebrating a birthday there with "The Legendary Rakim" on February 18th. Tickets are on sale.

Tanya Morgan (a hip hop group that has nobody named Tanya in it) plays SOB's on February 22nd. Tickets are on sale.

Roxy Cottontail hosts a Dim Mak-presented show at Santos on February 11th "featuring Ninjasonik, Japanther, Fashen, Team Facelift, The Auctioneers, Jonny Famous, Gina Turner & (Not So) Secret European Guests". Dim Mak band The Willowz play Pianos (with Delta Spirit) the same night, but they are from California. Tickets are on sale. Oh, also I think the guest is a DJ or DJs...

Ed Banger celebrates their 7th Anniversary at Terminal 5 on February 12th (Justice (DJ Set), Breakbot / DJ Mehdi / Busy P. / and Friends). Tickets are sold out.

Ed Banger will follow the Terminal 5 show with an afterparty at Webster Hall ("GIRLS&BOYS w/ED BANGER RECORDS AFTER PARTY , SEBASTIAN, SO-ME & More!"). Tickets are on sale. Flyer and new FAKE Justice track below...

Continue reading "Styles P, '(Not So) Secret European Guests', Ed Banger, Fake Justice, Japanther, Surf City, Tanya Morgan & other tickets"

Haiti flyer

tonight in NYC
* Haiti benefit @ SOB's
* Matthew Shipp @ Roulette
* Toshi Reagon @ Joe's Pub
* Hiromi @ Highline Ballroom
* Questlove (DJ) @ Brooklyn Bowl
* The Necks @ Issue Project Room
* Suzanne Vega @ Lincoln Center Allen Room
* The Felice Brothers @ Mexicali Live (Teaneck, NJ)
* Cold War Kids, Alec Ounsworth @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Dinosaur Feathers, Carnivores, Shark?, Backwords @ Cake Shop
* Monuments, Violent Soho, Glint, Majority Rules @ Mercury Lounge
* Oh No Ono, The Depreciation Guild, Hooray For Earth @ Union Hall
* The Silent League, New Numbers, Ludlow Lions, Youngman Grand @ Bruar Falls
* Deadbeat Darling, Black Taxi, The London Souls, TAB the Band @ Bowery Ballroom
* Team Robespierre, Truman Peyote, Total Slacker, Ana Lola Roman, Easter Vomit @ Don Pedro
* Jonte', Bad Brilliance, Narcissister, Roxy Cottontail (DJ), Andrew WK (DJ) @ Santos Party House
* Haiti benefit w/ Flanagan Smith, Matt Jones, Alyson Greenfield, Charlene Kaye, Outernational, Automa @ Public Assembly
* Mandy The BandiT & The iT Band, A Big Yes...and a small no, Dave Doobinin, Mieka Pauley, David Jacobs-Strain, Chris Ayer, Walter Parks @ Rockwood Music Hall

Tragedy: All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees was scheduled to play at Maxwell's, but it was canceled.

Cold War Kids & Alec Ounsworth do MHOW tonight and then Terminal 5 on Friday.

Mission of Burma kick off a two night run at Bowery Ballroom on Friday.

Les Savy Fav and Vivian Girls kick off the Sounds Like Brooklyn fest at BAM on Friday.

The Antlers also play one of those BAM shows. Check out an interview they did with Joe Walker from Breakfast at Sulimay's below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

The Blow @ SXSW 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)
The Blow

As the Bell House's Haiti benefit on Wednesday, January 27th approaches, the show's lineup keeps getting more and more interesting. Since the initial announcement a few changes have been made (The Walkmen replacing Cold War Kids for one) and more acts have been announced. The schedule below reflects the expected set times, with the disclaimers that "performers will be playing abbreviated, acoustic and/or stripped down sets" and "line up subject to change."

AC Newman (who's putting out a new New Pornographers record), Rhett Miller and Nicole Atkins are playing as a Seekers cover band (a supergroup similar to what St. Vincent & Bon Iver did at MHOW on Saturday). Zach Galifianakis was also at the BV Haiti event,

UPDATE: Despite a press release that went out, The Bell House says that Paul Rudd & Zach Galifianakis are not on this benefit (they never said they were, but the press release did). Also the venue says that the set times that were posted (including here last night) are wrong.

Freelance Whales (who have quite a few shows, NYC and otherwise, coming up) are playing, as is Ted Leo (who himself has longer shows planned).

One notable addition is The Blow, aka Kaela Maricich, who played Art Basel in Miami this December, but hasn't played NYC in quite a while (possibly since CMJ 2007).

Tickets for the benefit show are still on sale.

The Blow's last album was 2006's Paper Television, when Jona Bechtolt from YACHT was still in the group. For YACHT's upcoming tour, Bechtolt and member Claire Evans will bolster their live show (previously them and a laptop) by a band consisting of Rob Kieswetter of Bobby Birdman (who is also opening), Jeff Brodsky of Jeffrey Jerusalem, and D. Reuben Snyder of Rob Walmart. The backing band's name is 'The Straight Gaze'. A tour preview clip is posted below.

More Bell House info with full lineup & poster below...

Continue reading "Bell House Haiti benefit expands (to include The Blow & more) - WEDNESDAY NIGHT"

Wilco @ Keyspan Park in July (more by Eric Townsend)

We have just posted two shows for free download on Wilcoworld, all we ask that you do in return, is make a minimum donation of $15 to one of the organizations listed below.

Doctors Without Borders

Both organizations ask that you donate to their Emergency Relief Funds which allows them to spend the money on situations such as Haiti, but, not expressly limited to Haiti.

The shows are:
07-13-09 - Keyspan Park - Brooklyn, NY (ZIP)
11-04-09 - HMV Forum - London, UK(ZIP)

One of the shows Wilco is offering as a download-for-charity is their July show at Brooklyn's Keyspan Park (where they were joined by Feist and Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear).

Wilco's upcoming tour plans include two nights at New Jersey's Wellmont Theatre on April 2nd and 3rd. Those show are sold out.

A clip of Wilco and Feist on Letterman last year and more videos are below...

Continue reading "Wilco post live shows (Brooklyn included) for Haiti"

photos by Paul Birman

"Thanks to everyone who came to the BV Haiti benefit last night. You made it really special." - St. Vincent

"St. Vincent and Justin Vernon performing together was easily one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen/heard." - Steph Lo

Brooklyn Vegan and Bowery Presents Haiti Benefit

Wyatt Cenac was funny. Then came Britt Daniel (of Spoon) with White Rabbits frontman Stephen Patterson. They had such a good time on stage together, you can tell they were buds. Janeane Garofalo came next - she has the smartest humor and is a strong rooted New Yorker. Made a ton of jokes about the L train and hipsters which the crowd took very warmly to. Gosh she's tiny. St Vincent went on and sounded like the lovely thing she is. Someone yelled while she was setting up 'show us your bush'????', In which she replied, 'that is the strangest thing someone has ever said to me...on or off stage'. Adorable. Following her was Zach Galifianakis who everyone was undeniably waiting for. It really looked like he just rolled out of bed, picked up some papers from a table and walked on stage totally winging his whole act...hilarious. Alas came Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver). His voice sounded just as amazing it does on record. The room was at its most quiet during "Flume". Unreal. He was the last act but did say something about a special guest - I heard it was Megafaun/My Brightest Diamond (had to leave early), which I imagine rounded out the benefit nicely. Really awesome that these guys all came together"...
[Stadiums & Shrines]
Thanks for that partial recap S&S. You should have gotten there earlier and stayed later though!

The night opened with a great debut set by singer-songwriter John Shade (previously Dave Godowsky) who brought out Justin Vernon on drums for two songs. Before and after John, and between every set of the night, came comedy by our two able hosts: Bobby Tisdale and Leo Allen. St Vincent's set included a National and a Nico cover. Justin covered John Prine. Britt Daniel did three songs, which was one less than he played at Sound Fix a few hours earlier.

And yep, the special guest after/during Justin's set was in fact Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) who (after headlining Bowery Ballroom one night earlier) played two jaw dropping numbers - one with Colin Stetson on his most-insane giant saxophone, and a cover of Prince's "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore".

But it didn't end there. A supergroup called Songer Singwriter featuring Annie, Justin, drummer, and Brad from Megafaun came back to close the night off right with a set of four more covers. Neil Young's "Harvest Moon", Tom Petty's "Face in the Crowd" (with Brad on lead), Dolly Parton's "Jolene", and Annie Lennox's "Why". Each of those final covers was better than the next. To quote one of my tweets, "To quote my friend, 'Sounds like sonic youth playing a dolly parton song. Sick!' and now Annie Lennox Why! Full room Bon Iver singalong".

We ran almost non-stop for 3.5 hours straight (8-11:30), and raised over $20,000. I'm still waiting for an exact number. More pictures (one of two sets we have) and some videos from the show, below....

Continue reading "Britt Daniel, Justin Vernon, St Vincent, Zach Galifianakis, Janeane Garofalo & others raised money for Haiti @ MHOW - pics & video "

"Sing along," Thom Yorke told the audience at the Henry Fonda Theater on Sunday night, in case "I forget the words." He didn't, and he and Radiohead proceeded to give the crowd an incandescent version of "Fake Plastic Trees," the rousing second song in a show that was the hottest ticket in town -- and a noble one at the same time.

One of the most esteemed bands in the world has been in Los Angeles recording new music (their presence has been one of the worst kept "secrets" in recent music history), and after the staggering calamity in Haiti, the band was inspired to stage an impromptu benefit show.

The highlight? Pick one. Perhaps the solo piano rendition of "Everything in It's Right Place." The piano was pushed center-stage for Yorke, who seemed to be invigorated by the low-pressure forum and, perhaps, by the heartfelt ethos.

"It's like a memory exercise," Yorke said of a show that dipped into the band's seven-album catalog. [LA Times]

Radiohead's Haiti benefit on Sunday night raised a reported $573,000 for Oxfam Haiti. The band took a break from recording their eighth album to play the show. The minimum bid for tickets, which were sold via auction, was $475.

Videos and their set list are below...

Continue reading "Radiohead played a Haiti benefit in LA (videos & setlist)"

Questlove DJing

Friday night's celebrity telethon Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief has so far raised more than $57 million - a record for a disaster relief telethon, said the event's organizers.

In addition the star-studded Hope for Haiti Now album, featuring performances from the evening, is the biggest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history.

The charity event, spearheaded by George Clooney with the support of many of Hollywood's A-listers, featured two hours of musical performances and appeals for donations for earthquake relief. [People]

Friday's Hope for Haiti telethon is still collecting money online.

One of the performers in attendance was Questlove, who backed Mary J Blige and others during the broadcast. Last Thursday, Questlove kicked off a four-week Thursday night DJing residency at Brooklyn Bowl, with guest DJs Talib Kweli and Q-Tip to benefit Haiti. Tickets are on sale for the next three Thursdays (1/28, 2/4, 2/11) (which don't appear to be benefits).

Questlove and The Roots were set to headline Music Hall of Williamsburg's N. 6th for Haiti concert on Wedesday, January 27th. Also on that bill was Kaki King, Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 with John Scofield, very special guest Matisyahu and others, but... that show has been CANCELLED.

Not cancelled: The Haiti benefit happening at The Bell House on Wednesday night, and the fourth and final one at City Winery tonight (1/25). We also had a great one (with over $20,000 raised) at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Saturday.

Hopefully the current messy state of NBC late-night won't affect the Roots and Questlove and their regular stint on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Last week the show paired the Roots with Antibalas and the cast of Fela! (a show Questlove associate produced), which you can catch on Broadway. That video, clips from Friday's Haiti telethon and more Questlove videos are below...

Continue reading "Questlove DJ residency @ Brooklyn Bowl + past, future & CANCELLED Haiti benefits - dates & videos "

Britt Daniel (Spoon) @ Mercury Lounge Thursday (more by Meghan McInnis)

tonight in NYC
Nat Baldwin @ Sycamore
Britt Daniel @ Sound Fix Records
Bob Mould, Jon Auer @ City Winery
Excepter, Telecult Powers @ Zebulon
Charlotte Gainsbourg @ Hiro Ballroom
We Are Scientists, Bad Girlfriend @ Maxwell's
Serena Maneesh, ZAZA, Cruel Black Dove @ Littlefield
People Under the Stairs, Kenan Bell @ Bowery Ballroom
Nouvelle Vague, Clare and The Reasons @ Webster Hall
Heloise & The Savoir Faire, Bodega Girls @ Brooklyn Bowl
Das Racist, Old Money, Lionshare, Green Street @ Glasslands
Arms, In Cadeo, Acrylics, No Eye Contact @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
Weasel Walter Quintet, Brown Wing Overdrive, Nonhorse @ Silent Barn
Magrudergrind, Defeatist, Black Kites, Ramps, Psychic Limb at Cake Shop
Lady GaGa, Jason Derulo, Semi Precious Weapons @ Radio City Music Hall
The Tony Castles, Forest City, Tough Knuckles, Regal Degal @ Union Pool
Flower of Flesh and Blood, Twin Sister, Soft Landings, Sultan @ Monkey Town
Nick Oliveri (ex-Queens of the Stone Age), Goes Cube, Weird Owl (all acoustic) @ Pianos
Mother Earth, Jorge Martins & Margarida Garcia, Media Dreams, Zaimph, Loren Connors @ Death By Audio
Xylos, Pearl & The Beard, Team Genius, Echo Station, The Static Jacks, Valerie June @ Mercury Lounge
Christy & Emily, viBe SongMakers, DJ Marcelle with Kid Millions (of Oneida), Pterodactyl @ Issue Project Room
Haiti Benefit w/ Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel, Justin Vernon, St. Vincent, Janeane Garofalo @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Doors for the benefit at Music Hall tonight are at 6:30. John Shade goes on at 8:00. Wyatt Cenac is after him and then Britt Daniel is on before 9:00. Leo Allen and Bobby Tisdale are co-hosting. The show is sold out and a lot of tickets are will call. Get there early (or have your tickets printed) to avoid waiting on line and missing someone.

Britt Daniel also plays a set at 7pm at Sound Fix Records.

As BBG previously pointed out, "Magrudergrind will team up with Defeatist, Black Kites, and Ramps to decimate Cake Shop today as part of our first hardcore matinee. $8 will get you in the door, although you may need a stretcher to get out." The show starts at 5pm sharp.

Two more nights to go to Monkeytown.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday?"

Tickets on are on sale (@ noon) for Hot Chip at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Haiti benefit I've been going on about that now features Bobby Tisdale as host.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for both Washed Out & Small Black shows at Mercury Lounge.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Mayer Hawthorne show at Webster Hall.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Priestess show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Josh Ritter show at Town Hall.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Brian Jonestown Massacre show at Webster Hall.

Tickets went on sale earlier today for Ricky Gervais shows.

Radiohead Haiti benefit tickets are currently on auction.

I'm rushing, so I didn't check if Joanna Newsom's Town Hall show sold out yet.

Come see Dawn Landes at Mercury Lounge tonight! Bill lists some more live show options (1/22).

Two kind people donated their time and quickly whipped up flyers for Saturday's benefit. One flyer is above (by Ro). The other (by Adam Roith) is below...

Continue reading "Haiti benefit, Hot Chip, Washed Out, Mayer Hawthorne, Brian Jonestown Massacre & other tickets "

We're doing a show this Sunday (24th January) to raise funds for the relief effort in Haiti. The venue is The Music Box Theatre at The Fonda in Los Angeles, doors at 7pm. All proceeds are going to the Oxfam Haiti relief fund. We're trying to raise as much money as possible, so tickets will be sold by auction at this site from 8pm tonight until 11am Saturday (PST):

We're in the middle of recording at the moment, so you'll be catching us on the fly.... but if you're up for it, then we are too.

See you then

Tickets for the Radiohead benefit show go on auction/sale shortly.

St Vincent, Justin Vernon, Britt Daniel, Zach Galifianakis & others are playing one in NYC on Saturday.

I am very happy to announce....

Red Cross
Red Cross

A Night of Comedy and Music to Benefit Haiti
Presented By Bowery Presents and BrooklynVegan
With short sets by:
Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel (of Spoon), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), St. Vincent, Janeane Garofalo, Wyatt Cenac (of the Daily Show), the live debut of John Shade (ex Dave Godowsky) & possibly more TBA (stay tuned)

Venue: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Notes: 18+, Doors 6:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM

Tickets (on sale Friday at noon) are only going to be $35 in advance, and $40 at the door if there are any left. A more expensive VIP option will be available so we can raise as much money as possible. 100% of the proceeds will be split between an orphanage in Haiti (that Zach chose) and the Red Cross.

Note: this show is not to be confused North 6th for Haiti (1/27 @ MHOW) which will also be announced any second (and is already on Ticketmaster)

We were lucky to get Justin Vernon who was in town just long enough after tonight's appearance (1/21) for the NY Guitar Festival.

Spoon was also in town tonight for a show, and Britt Daniel will be playing a show at Sound Fix that same day at 7pm (1/23).

Zach Galifianakis speaks to Natalie Portman in the video below...

Continue reading "Haiti benefit SATURDAY NIGHT (Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel, Justin Vernon, St Vincent, Janeane Garofalo & more) "

photos by Tim Griffin

City Winery - Haiti Benefit
City Winery - Haiti Benefit

City Winery's series of Haiti benefit concerts kicked off last night (1/20) with an all-star lineup that included Patti Smith, The Swell Season (they headlined Radio City Music Hall one night earlier), The Antlers, John Wesley Harding, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Yo La Tengo, Young People's Chorus of New York City, Tiempo Libre and Joshua Bell. Everyone played short sets, especially the unannounced guest Michael Stipe who actually only read something and introduced his friend Patti Smith.

Tonight's City Winery show (1/21) features Lewis Black, Vernon Reid & Corey Glover of Living Colour, Rich Pagano & The Sugarcane Cups, Marshall Crenshaw, and David Johansen. More pictures adn some videos from last night, below...

Continue reading "Patti Smith, Michael Stipe, Swell Season, Antlers, Yo La Tengo & others played a benefit @ City Winery - pics, video"

New Pornographers

Coming on May 4: the new album from The New Pornographers, entitled Together. Their fifth full-length was produced by the band and Phil Palazzolo, and recorded in Vancouver, Brooklyn, Woodstock, and Catskill, NY. The album is comprised of 9 A.C. Newman songs and 3 Dan Bejar numbers, and features the full eight-person lineup of Carl, Dan, John Collins, Neko Case, Kurt Dahle, Kathryn Calder, Todd Fancey and Blaine Thurier. Additional musicians include Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Zach Condon (Beirut), Will Sheff (Okkervil River), and the Dap-Kings Horns, among other talents.
The artwork for the new album is posted above. There are no sounds from it available yet, but the band has posted pictures from its recording on New Pornographers' site

Lead pornographer A.C. Newman appears at The Bell House's Haiti benefit on Wednesday, January 27th. Also at the even will be The Walkmen (they replaced Cold War Kids who had to drop off), Ted Leo, The Wrens, Sondre Lerche, Eugene Mirman, Rhett Miller and Nicole Atkins. Tickets are still on sale.


Content-Type: application/http; msgtype=response

WARC-Type: response

text:
Great Heights

Brendan Mackey as Joe Simpson: The long way back
Film Four Ltd

Some acts of courage command everyone's respect: the firefighter's return to a burning house to rescue a child, the infantryman's sacrifice of self for a wounded comrade, the weary black woman's refusal to yield her seat on a segregated bus. Sometimes, though, courage can feel clouded -- especially when it's a response to voluntary risk or macho vanity. Even while they're gripped by white-knuckle suspense, viewers probably will form their own notions about the courage on display in Touching the Void, director Kevin Macdonald's harrowing film about the ill-fated 1985 attempt by two British mountain climbers to conquer a forbidding 21,000-foot peak in the Peruvian Andes.

In the end, 21-year-old Simon Yates and 25-year-old Joe Simpson got up the mountain and back down again. We know that from the start, because Yates and Simpson are the living, breathing, talking heads telling us about the ordeal on camera and because Simpson wrote a book about it. But the journey was anything but routine. No one had ever climbed Siula Grande, and for good reason. It is, it turns out, less a mountain peak than one huge, treacherous icicle with few navigable routes up or down, and the fearless young purists' resolve to scale it in the classic alpine style -- two blokes connected by one rope -- meant disaster from the start. For that, Simpson and Yates have become legends among their peers, and for a couple of other things too. First, they survived. But during their perilous descent, Simpson fell and shattered his leg, and the controversial moment eventually came when Yates, believing Simpson was dead, cut the slender thread joining him to his partner, who was dangling in the air, unseen, a hundred feet below. Many in the code-bound climbing fraternity never have forgiven Yates, although Simpson has.

Moral quandaries and the insouciance of youth aside, Void has to be the most dangerous-looking, thrill-packed mountaineering movie ever made, a relentless nail-biter that puts to shame pretenders like Vertical Limit, the Chris O'Donnell-Scott Glenn vehicle that cherry-picked Simpson's and Yates' lives in the phoniest Hollywood style imaginable. Void survived another ridiculous threat, too: Warner Bros. optioned Simpson's memoir as a project for Tom Cruise, but the plans fell through. Maybe there is a God, even though Simpson says he's an atheist.

Macdonald is best known for his Oscar winner, One Day in September, a disturbing documentary about the terrorist hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Void is a different piece of work altogether, a nearly flawless example of "docudrama," a hybrid form that seeks to combine the real and the reimagined, often with disastrous results. In this case, though, Macdonald creates high tension between his dispassionate, classically "British" talking-head interviews with the two climbers (separate interviews, it's worth noting) and his breathtaking re-creation of the climb, filmed at great risk itself in the Andes and the French Alps. Here, he uses actors -- Brendan Mackey as Simpson and Nicholas Aaron as Yates.

No swirling soap flakes or white plastic glaciers for these guys. If you suffer from vertigo or get easily chilled by visual suggestion, stay away. Because Macdonald, his intrepid crew, and the actors give us the real thing -- gorgeous aerial shots of awesome peaks festooned with elaborate mushrooms and meringues of snow, wrenching closeups of the climbers trying to sink their crampons into vertical faces of ice and rock, weather so bleak and angry (wind chills fell to minus-80) that you may feel like slipping out to the concession stand for hot coffee.

For Simpson -- alone, weak, hypothermic, and in agony from his multiple fractures -- survival is a long shot. When he falls into a chillingly beautiful crevasse, it may as well be the mouth of Hell. But, to his credit, Macdonald refrains from shoving symbols at us. Simpson's miraculous emergence from his ice-blue death trap and his painful, crab-like descent down the mountain and across a huge expanse of sharp rocks are presented so matter of factly that we must conjure up the deeper meaning of them all for ourselves, just as we are left to contemplate the nature of Simpson's courage. But neither Macdonald nor the reserved Brits retelling their story puts too fine a point on it. One of Void's great strengths is that it doesn't say much about "voids." It simply shows us, in incredibly vivid detail, heart-stopping danger and the raw will to survive.

The film's most fascinating unanswered question concerns the relationship of the two mountaineers today. "We wanted to climb the world," Simpson tells us early on. But man's fall, we come to suspect, has a way of forever changing boundless hope, ambition, and the blood bond of human beings seeking to grasp the unknown.

Sponsor Content

All-access pass to top stories, events and offers around town.

Sign Up >

No Thanks!

Remind Me Later >

warcinfo:
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-236-191-2.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)/CC WarcExport 1.0
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2015-32
operator: CommonCrawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web for August 2015
publisher: CommonCrawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf


text:
C&I Opens New Sexy Library Styled Bar Called Next Door

Outside of Next Door
Outside of Next Door
Natalya Jones

"Don't come in this way yet," said a woman closing the door to C&I Studios. "It'll ruin the surprise."

I kind of took a step back, a bit put off. "Damn, they put a lot of work into this," I thought. Wednesday night's private VIP preview of Next Door, an extension of Fat Village's favorite media company, ended up worth the wait. Not your typical 9 to 5, run of the mill business, this eclectic place features cool local art, Jack Daniels soap bottles, and crafty cocktails. C&I also gets its philanthropy on by supporting three international children's organizations monthly.

When I was finally allowed in, I had to admit: I dug it. Although I am sworn to secrecy involving intricate details of the newest addition of the studio, I can say it was done in complete C&I fashion: classy, creative, innovative. It made you think, "How did I not come up with this?"

See also: C&I Studios in Fort Lauderdale's FAT Village: Video, Photography, and Community Barbecues

I'll tell you this, think sexy library (3,000 books to be exact) with total sensory overload. There's somewhat of a Northern feel to it, which is a rare find in South Florida where high heeled cougars and steroid injected guido-esque clubs have reigned supreme. The sexy library concept extended to their featured craft cocktails inspired by famous authors such as Maya Angelou and Edgar Allan Poe. Josiah Sampson, one of the four managers of C&I, particularly likes the straight edge menu of cocktails featuring the names of hardcore artists like Ian MacKaye and Ray Cappo. "I've never been to a bar with a straight edge menu," he said.

Straight Edge Menu
Straight Edge Menu
Natalya Jones

Ptah Quammie, a fashion photographer that often shoots at C&I, was fond of the overall concept. "It's amazing," Quammie said. "It's going to bring in more clientele. It's the best of both worlds. It's peaceful. Makes you want to come back more and more."

According to Josh Miller, the owner of C&I, that's part of what he is trying to achieve with the expansion. "There's creative space, great conversations and great drinks. There are more creative options. Hopefully people will talk about projects and such... You will talk to strangers. It's safe, warm, welcoming and inviting." Miller continued, "We were only doing three to four events a month? [insert skeptical head tilt]. We needed consistency. This will be the next 'Cheers'. Everyone will know everyone's name."

Miller and his crew put their blood, sweat, and creative tears in the four and a half weeks it took to make this concept come to life by painting the walls, buying those 3,000 books, driving to Maryland to buy window panes, and so much more. Projects such as community events and photo shoots will take place at Next Door. Oh, and did we mention there is a trailer that is actually a recording studio?

Needless to say, Miller is thrilled to give something back to the community. "It's not about what C&I is doing. It's what we are doing collectively [with partners Riverside Market and Brew]. We love our town, so what else can we do for our town?"

Next Door will be open to the public November 8, at C&I Studios, 541 NW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Visit their Facebook, or call 954- 357-3934.

Use Current Location

Related Location

C&I Studios

541 NW 1st Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Sponsor Content

All-access pass to top stories, events and offers around town.

Sign Up >

No Thanks!

Remind Me Later >


WARC-Truncated: length

text:
Vigil Tonight for Nine-Year-Old Killed by SUV

A vigil for the family of the nine-year-old boy who was killed Saturday when an SUV jumped the sidewalk and hit him in Fort Greene is planned tonight at the corner of Clermont and Dekalb avenues at 7 pm. Community residents, religious leaders, and safe street advocates are invited to join. The vigil is being organized by Council Member Letitia James. “I will be working with the Department of Transportation to review the details of the incident, and specifically determine what measures can be taken to increase driver and pedestrian safety along De Kalb Avenue,” she said in a press release about the incident. The most comprehensive article on the subject is here.

2 Comment


text:
Areas of Support

Giving Opportunities Available at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine

  • Dean’s Scholarship Fund
  • Richard A. Allard Fellowship Fund
  • Endodontic Alumni Scholarship Fund
  • Anthony Westwater Jong Scholarship Fund
  • Morris Ruben Scholarship Fund in Periodontology
  • Henry M. Goldman Scholarship and Loan Fund
  • Steven R. Gordon Memorial Fund
  • Joseph Speranza Memorial Fund
  • Herbert Schilder Scholarship Fund
  • Spencer N. Frankl Scholarship Fund

Endowed Professorships

  • Anthony A. Gianelly Professorship in Orthodontics
  • Spencer N. Frankl Professorship in Dental Medicine
  • Herbert Schilder Professorship in Endodontics

Loan Funds

  • Spencer N. Frankl Student Revolving Loan Fund
  • Henry M. Goldman Scholarship and Loan Fund
  • Greater New York Student Revolving Loan Fund

Annual Funds

  • SDM Annual Fund
  • DMD Gift Fund
  • Department of Advanced Education in General Dentistry Gift Fund
  • Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Gift Fund
  • Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics Gift Fund
  • Department of Pediatric Dentistry Gift Fund
  • Department of Periodontology Gift Fund
  • Department of Restorative Sciences Gift Fund
  • Department of Endodontics Gift Fund
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Resident Support Fund

Research Support

  • Joan and Herbert Schilder Endodontic Research Center

Building and Renovation Fund

  • SDM New Building and Renovation Fund


text:
Follow Us

100% Ticket Guarantee

NFL Tickets

Otherwise known as the National Football League, the NFL was formed in 1920 with eleven teams. Today 32 NFL teams comprise the league. The league plays a 17 week schedule with 16 games per team. This gives each NFL team a bye week to recover from injuries and visit family. The head of the NFL is Roger Goodell, also known as the league Commissioner. Did you know that more fans attend NFL games than any other sport in the United States? In 2014, over 66,000 fans attended every NFL game on average. Did you know the NFL has a non-profit designation? The NFL teams are listed in alphabetical order below for your convenience. Buy NFL tickets today from Bubba!

Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills
Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers
Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints
New York Giants New York Jets Oakland Raiders Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers San Diego Chargers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Redskins
NFL Pro Bowl Super Bowl NFL Playoffs AFC Championship
Pro Football Hall of Fame Weekend Pro Football Hall of Fame Game NFL Preseason

"Bubba makes the buying experience so easy and my husband loved the U2 concert."

- Kim P, Chicago
View More Testimonials >>


text:
Girls - Miss Me Bermuda Short

SALE  $62.40  was  $78.00 Item #57032JK5820M2

Sorry, this item is currently unavailable

Select styles are available for special orders. To check for special order availability, please submit your request below. We will process your request and notify you via email with the updated status of this item. Merchandise is not guaranteed. Shipping charges will apply with special orders.

The information you provide below is for this product request only. It will not be added to our marketing database.

* * *

  • Zip fly 10" bermuda stretch short
  • Faux leather appliques and rhinestones on embroidered back pockets
  • Hand sanding and whiskering details
  • Leather Miss Me label on back
  • 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane.
  • Machine wash separately in cold water, inside out. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low, remove promptly. Warm iron if needed.
  • Made in China.


text:
About Cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies.

Morgan and Johnson among eight Wanderers to be released

Dean Morgan

Dean Morgan

Bucks Free Press: Photograph of the Author

Promoted Stories

Comments are closed on this article.

Keep in touch with local news

Sign up for email alerts

Most read stories

  • 1


text:
Swan Song

Season 5, Episode 6 -  Air Date: 11/5/2012
4 Ratings

From ABC: When the lead guitarist of a rock band is murdered, the documentary crew that were following the band turn their cameras on Castle, Beckett and the team as they try to solve the case. The result is a documentary style episode of "Castle," which offers us a unique glimpse at our characters as they navigate a world that goes far beyond the rock & roll stage.

‘Castle‘ Recap: How Many ‘Firefly‘ References Can You Fit in One Episode?

This week on Castle, the show remembers Nathan Fillion is a geek god and acts accordingly. The episode could have just been subtitled "Hey, did you hear Firefly turned ten? Anniversary episode anyone?" This episode was the most delightfully geeky thing I‘ve seen on television in a long time, and I often watch The Big Bang Theory. It was also a love letter to sci-fi fans in general, and Firefly fans in particular. It was almost impossible to count all the references to sci-fi, fantasy, and good old fashioned geekery it contained.
Read more »

News from our partners


text:
Assign Points 0pts
Top Fan:
BelleVamp 12300pts BelleVamp
Top Hater:
Skipper2 -147pts Skipper2

to unlock next level:

to unlock next level:

Talk About Celebrity Rater

Save Your Rankings
Sign in to see how your votes change the ratings!

Today's Rankings

2090 pts
2050 pts
2037 pts
2016 pts
1990 pts
1930 pts
1925 pts
320 pts
290 pts


text:
You Gave -1pts
Average 2pts
Assign Points 0pts
Top Fan:
NicoleY60 23pts NicoleY60
Top Hater:
MarkMorrison -32pts MarkMorrison

to unlock next level:

to unlock next level:

Talk About Celebrity Rater

Save Your Rankings
Sign in to see how your votes change the ratings!

Today's Rankings

Your Last Vote
0pts (last 24 hours)
1,566.00pts (alltime)
Recent Voters

News from our partners


text:
Bolt a Team Together! Register

About The Bolt

The Youngcare Budgie Bolt is back! Bolt a Team Together and get budgie ready for the biggest and best Bolt yet!

The Youngcare Budgie Bolt is an opportunity to help Youngcare create choice, independence and dignity for young Aussies with high care needs.

Go on, we dare you! Bolt in your budgies or join the fun with leggings, tutus and capes – anything goes! Think red and get creative.

Almost 1,000 participants have braved the Bolt over the past two years; raising over $395,000 for young Aussies in desperate need!

Check out all of the pictures on Youngcare’s Facebook page.

Registration is now open for the Youngcare Budgie Bolt Sydney 2015! So Bolt a Team Together to raise life changing funds and awareness with your buddies!

There’s safety in numbers…right?

Countdown to Budgie Bolt Sydney

2015/10/23 16:00:00
Do your part for the team Donate
Being an elite Water Polo player I am always in my budgie smugglers, so what better way to help out young people in need by running the Youngcare Budgie Bolt...
Rhys Howden, Elite Water Polo Player
I had so much fun in the Bolt in 2013 and 2014, I couldn't wait to get the word out for the 2015 event. Youngcare are such an amazing charity...
Kenrick Monk, Two-time Olympian
I wasn't aware of Youngcare at all or what the organisation was about. Now after proudly getting on board as an Ambassador I've learnt it's an issue that needs to be addressed...
Felicity Abram, Ambassador
Bolt a Team Together! Register


text:
BuddhaSasana Home Page
English Section

Buddhism without Beliefs: Review

Bhikkhu Bodhi

 Buddhism without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening. By Stephen Batchelor. New York: Riverhead Books, 1997. Pp. xii + 127. ISBN 1-57322-058-2, US $21.95.

Reviewed by
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
President, Buddhist Publication Society (Kandy, Sri Lanka)

It has often been said that Western Buddhism is distinguished from its Asian prototype by three innovative shifts: the replacement of the monastery by the lay community as the principal arena of Buddhist practice; the enhanced position of women; and the emergence of a grass-roots engaged Buddhism aimed at social and political transformation. These three developments, however, have been encompassed by a fourth which is so much taken for granted that it is barely noticed. This last innovation might be briefly characterized as an attempt to transplant Buddhist practice from its native soil of faith and doctrine into a new setting governed by largely secular concerns. While for Asian Buddhists, including Eastern masters teaching in the West, this shift is so incomprehensible as to be invisible, for Western Buddhists it seems so obvious that they rarely see a need to comment on it.

Stephen Batchelor, however, has clearly discerned the significance of this development and what it portends for the future. Having been trained in Asia in two monastic lineages (Tibetan Gelugpa and Korean Soen) and relinquished his monk's vows to live as a lay Buddhist teacher in the West, he is acquainted with both traditional Buddhism and its Western offshoots. His book Buddhism Without Beliefs is an intelligent and eloquent attempt to articulate the premises of the emerging secular Buddhism and to define the parameters for a style of "dharma practice" appropriate to the new situation. Batchelor is a highly gifted writer with a special talent for translating abstract explanation into concrete imagery drawn from everyday life. His book is obviously the product of serious reflection and a deep urge to make the Dhamma viable in our present sceptical age. Whether his vision is adequate to that aim is a tantalizing question which I hope to explore in the course of this review.

The book is divided into three parts, each with several short sections. In the first part, entitled "Ground," Batchelor sketches the theoretical framework of his "Buddhism without beliefs." He begins by drawing a sharp distinction between two entities that are so closely intertwined in Buddhist history as to seem inseparable, but which, he holds, must be severed for the Dhamma to discover its contemporary relevance. One is "dharma practice," the Buddha's teaching as a path of training aimed at awakening and freedom from "anguish" (his rendering of dukkha); the other is "Buddhism," a system of beliefs and observances geared towards social stability and religious consolation. For Batchelor, the religious expressions and world view in which the Dhamma has come down to us have no intrinsic connection to the Buddha's teaching at its core. They pertain solely to the Asian cultural soil within which Buddhism took root. While they may have served a purpose in earlier times, in relation to the continued transmission of the Dhamma, they are more a hindrance than a help.

According to Batchelor, if the Dhamma is to offer an effective alternative to mainstream thought and values, it has to be divested of its religious apparel and recast in a purely secular mode. What then emerges is an "agnostic" style of dharma practice aimed at personal and social liberation from the suffering created by egocentric clinging. On the great questions to which religious Buddhism provides answers—the questions concerning our place in the grand scheme of things—Batchelor's agnostic version of the Dhamma takes no stand. In his view, "the dharma is not something to believe in but something to do" (p. 17).

At first glance Batchelor's approach seems to echo the Buddha's advice in his famous simile about the man struck with the poisoned arrow (MN no. 63): "Just practice the path and don't speculate about metaphysical questions." But are the two really pointing in the same direction? I don't think so. Let us first note that Batchelor seems curiously ambivalent about how he conceives his own task relative to the historical Buddha. He starts off as if he has set out to salvage the authentic vision of the Buddha from the cultural accretions that have obscured its pristine clarity; yet, when he runs up against principles taught by the Buddha that collide with his own agenda, he has no hesitation about discarding them. This suggests that more than cultural accretions are at stake.

From the fact that the Buddha kept silent on the metaphysical questions of his day and said that he taught only suffering and its cessation, Batchelor concludes that his teaching should be viewed as "an existential, therapeutic, and liberating agnosticism" (p. 15). A look at the Paali suttas, however, will show us that while the Buddha did not answer the ten "undetermined questions," he made quite explicit pronouncements on the questions that Batchelor would wave aside. In a telling passage, Batchelor states that an agnostic Buddhist would not turn to the dharma for answers to questions about "where we came from, where we are going, what happens after death . . . [but] would seek such knowledge in the appropriate domains: astrophysics, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, etc." (p. 18). From Batchelor's point of view, this would then mean that in answering the above questions, the Buddha was stepping outside his own domain and trespassing on that of science, which is doubly ironic in that responsible scientists usually say either that such questions are unanswerable or that they come within the domain of religion rather than of science.

At one point Batchelor tries to escape this predicament by suggesting that, in speaking of rebirth, the Buddha was merely adopting "the symbols, metaphors, and imagery of his world" (p. 15). Later he admits that the Buddha "accepted" the ideas of rebirth and kamma, but he still finds it "odd that a practice concerned with anguish and the ending of anguish should be obliged to adopt ancient Indian metaphysical theories and thus accept as an article of faith that consciousness cannot be explained in terms of brain function" (p. 37). Batchelor himself cannot endorse these "metaphysical theories." It is not that he actually rejects the idea of rebirth. He claims, rather, that the most honest approach we can take to the whole issue of life after death is simply to acknowledge that we don't know. To accept the doctrines of rebirth and kamma, even on the authority of the Buddha, indicates a "failure to summon forth the courage to risk a nondogmatic and nonevasive stance on such crucial existential matters" (p. 38).

To justify his interpretation of the Dhamma, Batchelor resorts to a variety of arguments that gain their cogency through selective citation, oversimplification, and rationalization. For example, when discussing the "four ennobling truths," Batchelor points out (in accordance with the First Sermon) that these truths are "not propositions to believe [but] challenges to act" (p. 7). This, however, is only partly true, firstly because, in order to act upon the truths, one has to believe them; but even more pointedly, because Batchelor fails to mention that the tasks imposed by the truths acquire their meaning from a specific context, namely, the quest for liberation from the vicious round of rebirths (see MN no. 26; SN chap. 15). To lift the four Noble Truths out of their original context, shared by the Buddha and his auditors, and transpose them to a purely secular one is to alter their meaning in crucial ways, as Batchelor does when he interprets the first truth as "existential anguish." For the Buddha and Buddhist tradition, dukkha really means the suffering of repeated becoming in the round of rebirths, and thus, once one dismisses the idea of rebirth, the Four Truths lose their depth and scope.

The sharp dichotomy that Batchelor posits between "dharma practice" and "religious Buddhism" is also hard to endorse. Rather, we should recognize a spectrum of Buddhist practices, ranging from simple devotional and ethical observances to more advanced contemplative and philosophical ones. What makes them specifically part of the Buddhist Dhamma is that they are all enfolded in a distinctive matrix of faith and understanding, which disappears when "dharma practice" is pursued on the basis of different presuppositions. Batchelor describes the premises that underlie traditional lay Buddhist practice, such as kamma and rebirth, as mere "consolatory elements" that have crept in to the Dhamma and blunted its critical edge (pp. 18–19). But to speak thus is to forget that such principles were repeatedly taught by the Buddha himself, and not always for the sake of consolation, as a glance through the Paali Nikaayas would show.

Even the notion that Buddhist religiosity is defined by a set of beliefs seems to derive its plausibility from viewing Buddhism in terms of a Christian model. Dhamma practice as taught by the Buddha makes no demands for blind faith; the invitation to question and investigate is always extended. One first approaches the Dhamma by testing those teachings of the Buddha that come into range of one's own experience. If one finds that they stand up under scrutiny, one then places faith in the teacher and accepts on trust those points of his teaching that one cannot personally validate. Collectively, all these principles make up Right View (sammaa di.t.thi), the first factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, and thus to subject them to an insistent agnostic questioning, as Batchelor proposes, is to derail one's practice from the start. In the Buddha's version of the path, one begins with certain beliefs that one uses as guidelines to Right Understanding and Right Practice. Then, when one's practice matures, one goes beyond belief to personal realization based on insight. Once one arrives at the far shore, one can leave behind the entire raft (see MN no. 22), but one doesn't discard the compass before one has even stepped on board.

The middle portion of the book is called "Path" and provides a sketch of Batchelor's agnostic conception of dharma practice. His explanations here are clear and lively, allowing him to display the creative side of his literary gifts. Separate sections deal with mindful awareness, insight into emptiness, and the development of compassion, each introduced by a simple example: the practice of mindfulness, by showing how unmindfully we usually go about such everyday tasks as walking to the store for a carton of milk; emptiness, by the challenge of finding a ballpoint pen amidst its parts; and compassion, by reflection on the suffering common to those we consider our friends, enemies, and mere acquaintances. He also includes a section on the twelve links of dependent origination, which he interprets in an imaginative way, illustrated by the mistaken perception of a garden hose as a snake.

What is notably absent in Batchelor's conception of the path is the traditional foundation for Buddhist practice: the Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels. Of course, such an obviously religious act hardly makes sense in the framework of agnostic dharma practice. This omission, however, is quite significant, I think, for a world of difference must separate the practice of the agnostic dharma follower from that of the confirmed Buddhist who has gone for refuge. Batchelor also makes no mention of any code of moral rules, not even the Five Precepts. At several points, in fact, he speaks lightly of the codification of ethics, proposing moral integrity in its place. While his analysis of moral integrity includes some impressive insights, it remains questionable to me whether this alone, without concrete guidelines, is a sufficient basis for ethics.

In the final part, "Fruition," Batchelor explores the consequences of his conception of dharma practice as a "passionate agnosticism." He begins with an account of the meditative path that strikes me as very strange. As mindfulness develops, he explains, the process of meditation evolves into a radical, relentless questioning of every aspect of experience, until we find ourselves immersed in a profound perplexity that envelopes our whole being. For Batchelor, "this perplexed questioning is the central path itself" (p. 98), a path that does not seek any answers nor even a goal. Now for one like myself, nurtured on the Paali texts, this seems a bizarre conception of "dharma practice." Granted, the purpose of meditation is not simply to gain confirmation of one's belief system, but does this justify using the raft of the Dhamma to founder in the treacherous sea of doubt, rather than to cross to the far shore? The Buddha repeatedly emphasized that insight meditation leads to direct knowledge of the true nature of things, a knowledge that pulls up doubt by its roots. This shows once again the bearing of one's starting point on one's destination. If one starts off with the agnostic imperative, one descends ever deeper into mystery and doubt; if one places trust in the Dhamma and accedes to Right View, one's path culminates in Right Knowledge and Right Liberation (see MN no. 117).

In the last sections of the book, on "imagination" and "culture," Batchelor tackles the problem of the encounter between Buddhism and the contemporary world. He points out that throughout its history, the Dhamma has rejuvenated itself by continually altering its forms to respond to changing social and cultural conditions. This creative adjustment was an act of imagination, of creative vision, on the part of gifted Buddhist thinkers, who thereby gave birth to a fresh manifestation of the teaching. Soon afterwards, however, religious orthodoxy stepped in, placed the new forms under its authority, and thereby squelched the creative impulse imparted by the founders. Again, while I cannot deny that orthodoxy and creativity have had an uneasy relationship, I find Batchelor's version of Buddhist history too simplistic, almost as if he were viewing Buddhist orthodoxy as a mirror image of Western faiths. He also fails to provide sufficient acknowledgement of the role of orthodoxy in encouraging Dhamma practice rather than suppressing it, which accounts for its ability to turn out accomplished spiritual masters through the centuries. Orthodoxy and contemplative realization, though often at odds with each other, are by no means necessarily incompatible.

Batchelor argues that the meeting of Buddhism with the contemporary West has given rise to the need to create, from the resources of the dharma, a new "culture of awakening that addresses the specific anguish of the contemporary world" (p. 110). Such a culture must respond to the unprecedented situation we find today, when the promise of spiritual liberation has converged with a universal striving for personal and social freedom. In attempting to create such a culture of awakening, he stresses the need for dharma followers to preserve the integrity of the Buddhist tradition while at the same time fulfilling their responsibility to the present and the future. With this much I am in full agreement and acknowledge that the problem is especially acute for Theravaada Buddhism, which has historically been tied to a very particular cultural environment. Where I differ with him is on the question of what is central to the Dhamma and what is peripheral. In my view, Batchelor is ready to cast away too much that is integral to the Buddha's teaching in order to make it fit in with today's secular climate of thought. I'm afraid that the ultimate outcome of such concessions could be a psychologically oriented humanism tinged with Buddhist philosophy and a meditative mood. I certainly think that Buddhists should freely offer other religions and secular disciplines the full resources of their own tradition—philosophy and ethics, meditation and psychology—with perfect liberty, to use them for their own ends: "The Tathaagata does not have a teacher's closed fist." But we still have to draw a sharp line between what is the Buddha's Dhamma and what is not, and I would say, all such practices undertaken outside the context of Going for Refuge are still on the hither side of the Dhamma, not yet within its fold.

I would also maintain that when the secular presuppositions of modernity clash with the basic principles of Right Understanding stressed by the Buddha, there is no question which of the two must be abandoned. Sa.msaara as the beginningless round of rebirths, kamma as its regulative law, Nibbaana as a transcendent goal—surely these ideas will not get a rousing welcome from sceptical minds. A sense of refuge, renunciation, compassion based on the perception of universal suffering, a striving to break all mental bonds and fetters—surely these values are difficult in an age of easy pleasure. But these are all so fundamental to the true Dhamma, so closely woven into its fabric, that to delete them is to risk nullifying its liberative power. If this means that Buddhism retains its character as a religion, so be it. In this I see nothing to fear; the greater danger is in diluting the teaching so much that its potency is lost. The secularization of life and the widespread decline in moral values have had grave consequences throughout the world, jeopardizing our collective sanity and survival. Today a vast cloud of moral and spiritual confusion hangs over humankind, and Batchelor's agnostic dharma practice seems to me a very weak antidote indeed. In my view, what we require is a clear articulation of the essential principles taught by the Buddhahimself in all their breadth and profundity. The challenge—and it is a difficult one—is to express these principles in a living language that addresses the deep crises of our time.

(Note: In accordance with his own convention I have used "dharma" when quoting or closely paraphrasing Batchelor, and "Dhamma" when making general remarks and to express my own ideas.)

 Bhikkhu Bodhi,
Sri Lanka

Source: Journal of Buddhist Ethics (1998), http://jbe.la.psu.edu/

[Back to English Index]


text:
« Back

Formal Opening of Butts Buick, Wichita, Kansas

Exceptionally rare 8-3/4" x 10" brochure announcing the 1949 grand opening of Butts Buick in Wichita, Kansas.  Well illustrated.  Contains absolutely fabulous period photographs of the new showroom, parts department, service department, snack bar, body shop, and photos of the owners.  Also includes a floorplan depicting the entire layout of the dealership.  Wonderfully depicts the apperance of a brand new, state-of-the-art Buick dealership in 1949.  Excellent photography with detailed descriptions of each photograph.  Photos are Black & White, but this brochure contains a lot of color too.  Here at the BHA, this is one of our very favorite Buick documents!

Item Number: 00791
Author: Butts Buick, Wichita, Kansas
Type: Dealer Information
Donor or Source: David M. Landow
Cost of Reproduction: $35.00
Cost of Original Document: There are no originals of this item available.

« Back

Have a Question?

Please include your contact information if you'd like to receive a reply.


text:
Top 50 Blogs
for Fashion Sewers

Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter and get the Top 50 Best Bloggers for Sewing Enthusiasts.

This might not be the most exciting How To I’ve posted on the site, but its certainly an important one! Finishing the raw edges of seams is crucial if you want to make a garment that can last, and one that looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside. Serging the seam edges is the most obvious and easy solution, but can’t always be done, either due to a lack of machinery, or because it wouldn’t suit the garment. For higher-quality finished, you can try Binding, French Bias Binding, or even French Seams.

But if you’ve got a simple garment that you need to finish, a basic zigzag stitched edge or pinked edge might do the trick! Learn how here, and if you’ve got other tips, please share them with us!

And if you try the Sidonie Variation 1- Paper Bag Skirt, you might find one of these techniques helpful when finishing the flounce!

1 Comment

  • Purple_really_small_modified_large

    Feb 22, 2008, 08.53 PMby marinaglory

    thank you for the great post! this is just the right information i need- being without a serger or overlock foot and just finishing up a project. :) i’m a novice, and i want to make my pieces look cleaner and not so disheveled, so this will definitely help!! oh and also thanks for the button how to! i just used it a few minutes ago; it was much needed!

    • This is a question
  1. Sign in to add a post

  • Editors' Pick
  • Fashion & Trends
  • Backstage Report
  • Power Sessions
  • DIY to Try
  • Ty's Style File
  • Denise's Desk
  • Meg's Magazine Mash Up!
  • Featured Member
  • Competitions
  • Guest Columns
  • Comment to Win
  • Monthly Memo
  • BurdaStyle Sewing Vintage Modern
  • Sewing & Techniques
  • Courses
  • Videos
  • BurdaStyle Magazine US


text:
Top 50 Blogs
for Fashion Sewers

Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter and get the Top 50 Best Bloggers for Sewing Enthusiasts.

Eggplant Belcarra Blouse

Added Jul 31, 2014

by cmarrie

Battle Creek, Un...

This is my first (but not last) Belcarra Blouse from Sewaholic.

I finally finished a project using a cut of the J.Crew silk/cotton blend voile I bought earlier this spring. I successfully used french seams throughout, even on the cuffs. While it was a bit fiddly, it wasn’t difficult, and it was worth the time. My skill level with this type of fine fabric is not great. Even still, I feel it’s good enough to wear in public except for one problem: IT’S TOO SMALL.

I made a muslin in a size 8 and ended up overfitting, obessing about the way the fabric gathers at the arm/shoulder area. So when I made it for real, I sized down to a 6. What I failed to realize is that the fabric is there for ease of wearing. This is a woven pattern, and so there is no stretch ease. While it may appear in the photo that the blouse fits, the truth is that I can’t get it on my dress form at all. I can barely get in and out of it. And when I move around, it pulls in all the wrong places.

I very much like the pattern and am getting ready to retrace in the 8 to try again.

Update: I ended up wearing this yesterday and felt good in it all day. I think the 8 (which is nearly done) will be just right, and the 6 can be made up in a knit.

Material Notes

Less than 1.5 yards of J.Crew eggplant cotton-silk voil purchased at FabricMart Fabrics earlier this spring.

Spring, Summer, Fall
Garment Type
Cotton, Blends, Rayon, Silk

1 Comment Sign in to add a post

  • Wp_20141224_010_large

    Aug 8, 2014, 01.03 PMby nrobson

    nice top

    1 Reply
    • 522166_3750186560766_396743611_n_large

      Aug 8, 2014, 06.00 PMby cmarrie

      thank you!

    • This is a question
  1. Sign in to add a post

Add to Favorites 1 person added it


text:
Release of cabinet minutes

Bookmark and Share
27 February 2008

The Information Commissioner has ordered the Government under the Freedom of Information Act to release minutes of two cabinet meetings where the decision to invade Iraq was made. There is an exemption in the Act that documents about the formulation of Government policy and ministerial communications are not always released, subject to a public interest test. At these meetings, the opinion of the Attorney-General on the legality of an invasion was discussed.

The ICO said that the importance of such a decision and the need for transparency must take precedence. The Cabinet Office argued that the release of the minutes would undermine the confidentiality of Cabinet discussions and the concept of Cabinet collective responsibility. Not all of the minutes would be released. Some references in the minutes would have a detrimental effect on international relations.

Search news archive


text:
Designer Showroom: Brand New Designers Added
Women's Clearance: New Markdowns Added!
What to Wear to a Wedding
 Gift Cards   |
Darby Convertible Crib - Espresso

    Darby Convertible Crib - Espresso

    Add to cart to view price
    Compare at $349.99

    You save up to 14%

    Safety meets high style with the Darby Crib. Crafted from the finest sustainably harvested and solid hard wood, this crib will help you create the modern nursery you desire. It features a whimsical th... Read more

    Item usually ships in 3 business days. Standard shipping only.
    Item #BCF310113068    Style #244-126-0109

    Others You May Also Like

    Others Also Viewed

    Our Picks For You

    Does chest of drawers come with this bed?

    Asked by: Savannahjo
    Hello,Unfortunately this only includes the convertible crib (conversion kits are not included).Hope this helps. Thanks!
    Answered by: Burlington Staff
    Date published: 2015-07-23

    can I rise or lower the mattress?

    Asked by: Millyki

    Is it the two pieces or just the crib?

    Asked by: abby85
    • 2015-07-28T07:48CST
    • bvseo_cps, prod_bvqa, vn_cps_3.1.5
    • cp_1, bvpage1
    • co_hasquestionsanswers, tq_3
    • loc_en_US, sid_BCF310113068, PRD, sort_recentAnswersFirst
    • clientName_burlingtoncoat


text:
Designer Showroom: Brand New Designers Added
Women's Clearance: New Markdowns Added!
What to Wear to a Wedding
 Gift Cards   |

Shorts & Capris

We were unable to find results for ''''
Try another search
Search Tips:
  • Check your spelling.
  • Be less specific. (Ex. search for jeans, instead of skinny jeans)
  • Change your spelling (Ex. Try backpack or back pack).


text:
No Subject Given

Received: (from strider) by igc2.igc.apc.org (8.6.11/Revision: 1.14 ) id FAA07664; Sat, 5 Aug 1995 05:32:31 -0700
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 1995 05:32:31 -0700

>From lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  Sat Aug  5 00:59:28 1995
Received: from mozart.inet.co.th (mozart.inet.co.th []) by igc3.igc.apc.org (8.6.12/Revision: 1.6 ) with SMTP id AAA21229 for <strider@xxxxxxxxxxx>; Sat, 5 Aug 1995 00:59:18 -0700
Received: by mozart.inet.co.th; (5.65/
	id AA03427; Sat, 5 Aug 1995 14:58:28 +0700
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 1995 14:58:28 +0700 (GMT+0700)
To: strider <strider@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Thai papers on 5/8/95
Message-Id: <Pine.OSF.3.91.950805145755.3223A-100000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: R

Thai visit to Suu Kyi deemed 'moral support'

The Nation/5.8.95

DESPITE Thailand's previous refusal to recognize Burmese
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Foreign Minister M R Kasem
Kasemsri revealed yesterday that the Thai ambassador to Rangoon's
visit with her on Friday was gesture of "moral support".

The government, he added, also wanted to hear Suu Kyi's personal
views on political development in Burma. Suu Kyi was released on
July 10 after nearly six years under house arrest.

We want to hear from her mouth her views towards the future
development of Burma," Kasem said upon returning from Brunei,
where he attended a series of Asean meetings.

The minister said Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has
"noble objectives" for her country and Thai Ambassador to Rangoon
Poksak Nillubon's meeting was aimed at extending to her
Thailand's "moral support".

Poksak, bearing a bouquet of flowers, had an hour-long meeting
with Suu Kyi but later declined to comment on the subject of
their talks.

Kasem said yesterday he had not yet received a report from the

The minister revealed that the meeting at Suu Kyi lakeside
residence was initiated by Poksak, who had called to ask for his

Kasem said he gave him the green light, but told him "to do it
alone", not in a group with other Asean representatives.

He said Poksak did not give Suu Kyi any written messages because
diplomatic protocol would not allow it.

"As a good diplomat, it is best to listen and consider what, and
how far, we can do or help," he added.

Kasem's positive remarks about Suu Kyi contradicted those made by
top Thai military leaders, several of whom consider Suu Kyi
merely a Burmese citizen without political significance.

The military has strongly opposed Thammasat University's plan to
invite Suu Kyi to Bangkok to receive an honorary doctorate

Kasem said he also informed and cleared the matter with his
Burmese counterpart, U Ohn Gyaw, during the gathering in Brunei.

He reportedly told Ohn Gyaw that Thailand wants to help Burma

The minister said the meeting would to affect Thai relations with
the Burmese military junta, and added that he "never plays
against the rules".

"We only want to promote [democratic reform].

"From the experience that we Thai people have, we have never done
anything against the rules."

Thai and Burmese people are brothers and therefore they need to
talk together, he added.

Kasem, a career diplomat and former permanent secretary of the
Foreign Ministry, said a joint luncheon with Suu Kyi for Asean
ambassadors to Rangoon which had been planned was now scrapped..

The minister disagreed with the US approach of isolating and
pressuring Burma, saying "a tiny bit of progress is better than a
whole collapse".

"Slow progress is a lasting development," he added.

He urged the West not to excluded or ban academic assistance to
Burma, saying aid would help develop Burmese human resources.

Thailand supports Suu Kyi's wish for dialogue, he said, which is
better than confrontation.

Previous Thai governments and successive military leaders had
shunned Suu Kyi and other Burmese political activists for fear of
antagonizing Rangoon, which considers the political and human
rights environment in Burma an internal affair.

Karen leadership stays

The Nation/5.8.95

TAK _ Karen guerrillas have decided against changing their
leadership and will instead attempt to form a united front with
other armed ethnic groups and Burmese dissidents to oppose the
Rangoon junta.

Informed  sources in the Karen National Union said the KNU
congress had agreed on the movement's basic priorities after two
weeks of meetings.

These were to consolidate all ethnic guerrillas and dissident
groups into a single front, and to agree on the new policy
following the unexpected release on July 10 of pro-democracy
leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

BOT to reopen office in Burma
Business post/5.8.95

Tokyo, Reuters

THE Bank of Tokyo Ltd (BOT) said yesterday it would reopen its
representative office in Burma on Monday after 11 years of

It made the announcement despite an appeal by Burma's recently
freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for foreign
governments to wait to see if there were genuine moves towards
democracy in the country before resuming economic aid.

The Bank of Tokyo, one Japan's leading commercial banks, said in
a statement that it was the only Japanese bank to have had an
office in Burma in the past and would again be the only one

The office, in Rangoon, would have a staff of four and would
collect information on Burma's politics and economy for Japanese
companies wishing to do business there, it said.

The band opened its Rangoon office in 1954 but was forced to
close it in 1984 as Burma strengthened an isolationist policy, it

Now, it said, Burma was opening its door to foreign banks again,
having softened its political stance in April 1992, and
investment by foreign companies and other economic activities was

Shortly after Burma's ruling generals released Nobel Peace Prize
laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on July 10, the
Japanese government said it was thinking of resuming full-scale
economic aid to Rangoon, Japan suspended Official Development
Assistance funds to Burma when the military killed or imprisoned
thousands of people during a crackdown on pro-democracy protests
in 1988.

Japan's Foreign Minister Yohei Kono said on Thursday that Burma's
military government should seek democracy. He said unless Burma
made progress "the harsh assessment of the world will remain

Bangkok Post Saturday August 5, 1995

Border row damaging Mae Sot's economy
Bkk Post/5.8.95

Mae Sot, Tak

RANGOON'S unilateral closure of Myawaddy border opposite Mae Sot
District here has inflicted so much damage to the district's
economy that the local businessmen are demanding the government
do something to ease their plight.

A petition was recently sent by the Tak Chamber of Commerce to
Defence Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh calling for an urgent
discussion with Burma to reopen the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border after
it was closed for five months.

Suchart Trirat-vatana, secretary-general of the chamber, said the
chamber would like to see border trade resume as local people and
traders have been suffering heavily.

The Burmese Government ordered the border closed on March 4 after
alleging encroachment by the Thais into the Moei River.

Since then, trading between both sides is banned resulting in a
drastic drop of the trade volume in the district.

Residents of Myawaddy are now prohibited from even buying food
and necessities from the Thai side which could be done during the
early period of closure order.

"The trade worth almost 200 million baht a month has evaporated.
Every part of the community here is adversely affected," said Mr

Mr Suchart said the Tak Chamber of Commerce had discussed the
situation with its Myawaddy counterpart and called on the latter
to raise the issue with the Burmese Government.

Burmese on Japan trip
The Nation Monday, July 31, 1995

RANGOON-Twenty-five Burmese who studied in Japan as state
scholars during World War II left for Japan on Saturday to
participate in the 50th anniversary celebration of the end of the

Fourteen of the scholars were "Nampo Tokubetsu Ryugakusei" who
studied at various educational institutions in Japan from 1943 to
1945. The other 11 attended the Japanese Military Academy during
the same period.---Kyodo

Typed by the Research Department of the ABSDF(MTZ)