EXPLOSION IN THE CATHEDRAL The Fire’s Journey: Part III: The Cathedral’s Work By Eunice Odio Translated by Keith Ekiss with Sonia P. Ticas and Mauricio Espinoza Tavern Books A review by Christopher Bernard Eunice Odio, considered by many to be Costa Rica’s greatest twentieth-century poet, spent most of her life […]
Read MoreScene from 17c, by Big Dance Theater BURNING DIARIES A review by Christopher Bernard 17c Big Dance Theater Zellerbach Playhouse Berkeley, California Diaries: those curious amalgams of introspection, examination of conscience, honesty (or the lack of it), performance of the self in the mirror of the mind, costumery of the soul, writing […]
Read MoreTHE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER A review by Christopher Bernard For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror . . . —Rilke Custodians of Beauty Pavel Zuštiak and Palissimo Company Zellerbach Playhouse Berkeley, California One of the many peculiarities of our post-postmodern age (though a clearer term for it would be “hypermodern”) […]
Read MoreOLD JOY A review by Christopher Bernard New Work Etel Adnan San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Until January 6, 2019 It is tempting to call Etel Adnan a contemporary instance of the “late bloomer”: someone whose work came into its own after most people’s lives have begun winding down. But […]
Read MoreW. E. S. Owen: Sambre-Oise Canal, November 4, 1918 Afterward—little spring become prattling rill grown rushing stream through the Shropshire meadows, flower-dappled, by damp shade trees and fragrant fields littered with picnic laughter, brotherly sniping, early loves, later loving, faith won, and lost, then won again, and then […]
Read MoreTHE PERILS OF THE FLESH Körper Sasha Waltz & Guests Zellerbach Hall Berkeley, California As part of their much-welcome “Women’s Work” series, Cal Performances recently brought Sasha Waltz & Guests’ provocative dance “Körper” to Berkeley. “Women’s Work,” the latest instalment (titled with definite tongue in cheek) in the “Berkeley RADICAL” series, brings […]
Read MoreIN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS Pepperland Mark Morris Dance Group Zellerbach Hall Berkeley, California A review by Christopher Bernard Eat your heart out, atheists: there is a god, and his name is Mark Morris. To prove his divinity once again (though what god needs to prove his divinity? I should say: to display it to […]
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