It rained. The water in the river rose, shimmering darkly at night. So quickly was the waterfront deserted; a couple of scooters were left behind in the cold. Just yesterday on my way to see Joker, I saw people still partying on private yachts, eating seafood outdoors at Tony and Joe’s, drinking on Sequoia’s stairs, and limousines in front of Fiola Mare. Police have been active, though. In the past few days, I noticed an increased number of police cars on the streets. Could it be because of Joker which has a violent riot scene? The movie was indeed dark, so dark that I got a headache. (I rarely have had headaches in my life.) The twenty five minute movie previews were also full of violence and horrors. Has the world really become so crazy? Joker asked, so did I.
The REACH was empty too. With neither stage lighting nor the glamour of visitors, it suddenly revealed its plainness. I wondered if it was deliberately designed this way to reach a wider public. By the way, I like Pink Martini: its performances at times hilarious (spiced up by the post-post-modern diva Meow Meow) inspire good feelings in people.
Pink Martini at the Kennedy Center on October 13, 2019. Jimmie Herrod and Edna Vazquez sang to your soul. The appearance of Ari Shapiro, the co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered, was a bonus.