Students Suspended for Harlem Shake Video

At least 30 students at Milford High School in a metro Detroit suburb made the news for being suspended recently, reports the Detroit Free Press. Student suspensions are rarely newsworthy, as they're pretty standard procedure in most schools. So why the uproar over this incident? The reason is somewhat sordid -- male students uploaded racy videos of themselves air-grinding to the uber-popular "Harlem Shake." What's ironic, however, is the timing. A day earlier, Reuters Health reported that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) spoke out against suspensions as a form of school discipline.

A side note: I don't like the Harlem Shake--such a simplistic, repetive dance. Now the Conga, there was an blood pressure raiser! And some of us were pretty darn good at Conga-ing if I do say so myself. But seriously, is anyone seeing anything racier than Elvis, Prince, Michael, Adam Ant, heck the Charleston? Booty-shaking and dirty dancing are nothing new. Even those brain-freezingly tedious line dances get a little too close for comfort. BTW I had to use the word racy because one of my Yahoo! boys, "Nolan" made a point that I hadn't used that word in the piece. Like that's a good thing?! Racy is too good to waste. So here ya go, buddy! I might even throw in lascivious (if I can spell it)! Such nice scintillating descriptors... Detroit-Area Students Suspended for 'Harlem Shake' Video

Music, Activities to Celebrate Purim

Jewish Purim is celebrated Feb. 24-25 in 2013 (14 Adar in the Hebrew calendar).  Hebrews commemorate the courage of Queen Esther and Mordechai during the Persian exile. Here are activities, music, megillah readings from the tanakh and the Bible Book of Esther. Music plays a big part in many religious celebrations and Purim is no exception. Here's a cute Purim song from the Maccabeats. Enjoy klezmer (Perlman style!) and Jewish games with these links. Jews and gentiles alike can explore Purim and embrace the holiday more deeply. Don't forget your graggers! There are free printable crafts to make some from paper. Mazel Tov! Activities to Celebrate Queen Esther and Purim

Edgy, Sensual Love Songs for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is devoted to romance; what better way to initiate a romantic mood than with music? Here's a playlist of edgy, sensual music to warm the soul and ignite passion. These love songs and arias come from an array of genres. You can listen to them on Youtube. * "Memory"--From Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Cats," this song expresses youth and love gone by. Dame Elaine Page or Britain's Got Talent Susan Boyle sing it best.  Romantic Songs for Valentine's Day

Edgy, Romantic Love Songs for Valentine's Day

Like no other stimulus, music touches our deepest soul responses. Music is sensual and provocative. Music spurs strong emotions and reactions. I'm a realist in practice but a romantic at heart. I'm often moved to tears by a particular piece of music. Love songs soothe my spirit. Need some romantic songs for Valentine's Day? Here's my romance music playlist. I taken songs from different genres and countries. I've also included my favorite versions of the songs. Some of these are kinda edgy and may surprise you. I've added a couple since writing this: "Memory" (from "Cats"), "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" (from Evita), "What is a Youth?" (Nino Rota), "Sigh no More" (from "Much Ado about Nothing") "Selah" (Lauryn Hill), "La Vie en Rose" (the "Sabrina" or Louis Armstrong version is good), "Plasir d' Amour" (Nana Mouskouri sings it beautifully, but I first fell in love it on "The Affair of the Necklace" when Marie Antoinette sings it) and "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess. Any of the jazz divas sing it well, but I guess if I had to pick it would be Ella Fitzgerald. Romantic Love Songs for Valentine's Day

What to Do in Detroit This Weekend: Jan. 11-13, 2013

Looking for some hot entertainment to warm you this chilly January weekend? From theater to metal bands, there's something for everyone in Detroit. Don't let the short, dark days keep you cooped up. Here's a list of must-see, must-do activities in the Motor City for this weekend, January 11-13.  Detroit Events for Jan. 11-13, 2013

Top 10 Classic Christmas Cartoons, Christmas Songs

Some of the best music on holiday playlist comes from classic Christmas cartoons. The Rankin-Bass ones were my favorite. Remember "The Island of Misfit Toys" and what about "Da Who Dores" from the Grinch (not a Rankin-Bass, but old and well-loved)? Or the Harry Simeone Choir doing "The Little Drummer Boy." Seems like every country/rock/rap/pop singer does a (typically horrible) rendition of that one. Bob Seger's was okay, but even he said "little baby" when it should be "Baby Jesus" or better still "Baby Jesu." And none come close to the old choral one.

Old folks like me will also remember when we could see holiday cartoons only when they came on TV once a year. In my youth (circa 1964), most kids had televisons and some even had color TV (woo-hoo, high tech!) My parents were of the "TV stunts kids' imagination" mentality. We didn't get TV till I was eight. Fortunately Grandma and Grandpa had a plug-in drug so I could get my TV fix. I remember the rumor would go through the classroom if a Christmas classic was coming on that night. 'Cause in those pre-cable TV, pre-VHS days, if you missed the program when it aired, too bad for you until next year. The Christmas holiday classics took on something of a religious ritual for us. Here are the creme de la creme, along with companion musical selections. read more

Best Christmas Movie Music Soundtracks and CDs

Christmas is a sensual experience: Christmas smells like pine and cinnamon. Christmas tastes like smoked ham and marzipan. Christmas music lifts us out of the dreary and into the divine. Here are Christmas holiday movie soundtracks that will delight your senses. I don't think that it would be possible for me to list all my favorite Christmas songs. But I can direct you to some glorious Christmas movie soundtracks. For my suggestion of "A Christmas Carol," I'll just add that when I wrote this, I couldn't find the soundtrack. The composer Nick Bicat responded, saying it was available from his website http://www.nickbicat.com/, as is his "Scarlet Pimpernel" CD and other scores he's composed. Best Christmas Movie Music Soundtracks and CDs