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On the Scene: At the Pre-Party and Screening of National Geographic’s “The Space Race”

by Julia Mazza
written by Julia Mazza

The Central Park Conservancy, in partnership with National Geographic, kicked off their 20th Annual Central Park Conservancy Film Festival on Tuesday, August 15th with a screening of National Geographic’s The Space Race.

A pre-screening reception took place across the street at Central Park’s premier restaurant, The Tavern Green, just right across the street where the screening would later take place in Sheep Meadow. Among the guests in attendance were directors Lisa Cortés and Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, along with NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, who not only shared his insights and experiences in the film, but also served as one of the doc’s producers. Enjoying a selection of charcuterie and small bites, along with a pasta bar and a wine bar, guests mingled as a jazz band played in the back.

Attendees were then directed to head over to Sheep Meadow to a private viewing area to watch The Space Race on an inflatable screen. Each guest received a National Geographic swag bag with a waterproof blanket and a selection of sustainable and plant-based snacks to enjoy during the film.

The Space Race, which made its official premiere at the Tribeca Festival back in June, was an eye-opening deep-dive into the history of Black Americans in NASA, and the unjust barriers they had to overcome that, ultimately, prevented some trailblazers, such as Captain Ed Dwight, from taking part in our country’s earliest space missions. Yet, it came with much satisfaction to hear everyone cheer for Nichelle Nichols (who passed away in July of last year) as the film featured a PSA in which the Star Trek star spoke to everyone, including “minorities and women alike,” to apply to NASA. “Now is YOUR time,” she said, giving the brilliant minds she had already inspired as Lt. Nyota Uhura the push they needed to shoot for their dreams.

Thanks to a documentary like The Space Race, every Black astronaut who answered that call, and those who paved the way for them to find their place in NASA, now have their legacy cemented in the stars—where future astronauts can look up to them in awe.

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Sirius XM & Pandora Present, “For The Love: 50 Years of Hip-Hop” Featuring Wu-Tang

by Danielle Niecey
written by Danielle Niecey

August 10, 2023, The Knockdown Center, Queens New York.— Sirius XM, the broadcasting company that provides satellite and online radio services; along with Pandora, their subscription-based music streaming service; Presents, “For The Love: 50 Years of Hip-Hop” Featuring Wu-Tang with Martell Cognac at The Knockdown Center in Queens, New York. 

 

On August 10th, 2023 the Knockdown Center along with Sirius XM,

QUEENS, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: A view of the audience as Wu-Tang Clan headlines SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration at Knockdown Center on August 10, 2023 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Pandora, Martell Cognac and additional brand sponsors: Clorox, Volkswagen and Cricket Wireless shut down Queens, New York in killah-bee fashion. The loyal fans of the famed Hip Hop group, WuTang, wrapped the sidewalks of the popular venue in hopes to make entry through the waitlist. The group has influenced more than 30 years of the genre and continues to solidify the permanence of their impact and their brand through merchandising, music and much more. 

Prior to the evening portion of the event, Sirius XM and Pandora hosted the “For The Love: A Community Giveback” event for the kids and teens that included a concert, a “back to school” backpack giveaway and an opportunity to celebrate and support the performance culture of the emerging local talents in the area; in the same vein early Hip Hop artists emerged in the community. Sirius XM and Pandora also gifted a $20,000 check to The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens.  

Later that evening, the doors re-opened at 8:00 pm with the general admission of an audience of 21+ only guests. Martell Cognac, the leading international prestige cognac, with 300 years of history in its existence, tipped its glass to the tenacity that is the genre of Hip-Hop. Martell Cognac, known for using a high percentage of eaux-de-vie (a traditional double distillation process), aromatic blends, distinct taste and richness in flavor, served their beverages at an open bar in the Premiere seating section for their VIP clients and that of Sirius XM and Pandora; which included brand influencers, designers, media press and Sirius XM’s popular radio show host, Marisol “El Bombon”,  of Sirius XM channel, Caliente; a red-hot sonic blend of salsa, bachata, reggaeton and tropical Latin music. 

QUEENS, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: Lola Brooke performs onstage ahead of Wu-Tang Clan headlining SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration at Knockdown Center on August 10, 2023 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Upon entry into the venue, a Volkswagen car sweepstakes is posted in royale fashion and immediately ahead of it, a hip-hop themed ‘step-and-repeat’ booth, reminiscent of an urban city building, brought to the venue by Clorox®. The step-and-repeat consisted of 2, 10-second-long video segments, shot by a live cameraman; props that included 4-Subwoofer and 2-Tweeter Speakers and costume jewelry, mimicking the late 80’s to early 90’s fashion. The “Faux 20 mm Cuban Link” Chains paid homage to an essential iconic accessory of the Hip Hop, Rapper fashion movement. Synonymous with the culture, Venetian (shutter) shades, huge diamond encrusted square signet rings and at last, a microphone. Guests had the opportunity to record a clip, in front of a backdrop that mimicked a brick wall with graffiti and the Clorox® emblem on the backdrop. The recorded clips were uploaded to a digital processing bank and participants were able to have the clips sent directly to their phones with a live link for download and share. Clorox®, the long-standing trusted brand has solidified itself with the “ultra fresh” culture, who prides themselves in a “crisp white tee” and “clean kicks”. Its trusted brands, which also include Brita®, Burt’s Bees®, Glad®, Kingsford® (for the summer barbecues), and Pine-Sol® have been trusted household names for every hip hop generation. 

QUEENS, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: Wu-Tang Clan headlines SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration at Knockdown Center on August 10, 2023 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

The Wu-Tang show opened with a giveaway of high-end fashion brand name sneakers and was followed up with a set, by emerging Brooklyn Artist, Lola Brooke, who performed her hit single, “Don’t Play With It”. Brooke gained notoriety after the release of her breakout single “Don’t Play with It” in 2021 that gained momentum on (formerly) Twitter and TikTok, opening doors for the artist to sign to Arista Records in 2023. Additional guest appearances included  American journalist, radio personality, executive producer and former rapper, Sway Calloway. Sway now hosts “Sway in the Morning” on SiriusXM, “Shade45”. Also in the building, American Rapper and the original Hypeman, Flavor Flav of Public Enemy. The Wu-Tang clan took to the stage with a venue packed wall to wall of screaming fans throwing up the “WU” as they performed their classic hits, “C.R.E.A.M”, “Protect Ya Neck” and a crowd favorite, “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing to F’ With”. The performances, which included a solo performance from Method Man, rocked on into the late hours of the night until the close of the venue at dawn.

QUEENS, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, and Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan headlines SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration at Knockdown Center on August 10, 2023 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

To ensure the safety and encourage responsible consumption of their Cognac, Martell offered complimentary designated travel via Uber to its VIP Premiere guests who also enjoyed the luxury of exclusive views of the band’s live performances on stage.


Stay tuned to The Knockturnal as we continue to bring you more exclusive stories on the 50 Year Celebration of Hip Hop!

 

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Great Scott! Back To The Future The Musical Review (A Very Futuristic Production)

by Melissa Edelblum
written by Melissa Edelblum

Set your time machines to 2023, McFly.

Great Scott! It may not be October 26, 1985. Or November 12, 1955. Or October 21, 2015. However, the year is 2023 and Back To The Future: The Musical has time traveled its way onto Broadway.

The production flies across the pond from its 2022 Olivier Award Winning run on the West End in London, where it took home Best New Musical as well as multiple nominations across various categories.

Don’t worry, the John Rando directed musical comedy is still running in London on plutonium and positive vibes, but it’s two major stars –  Tony Award Winner Roger Bart (Doc Brown) and Olivier Award Nominee Hugh Coles (George McFly) – transferred to New York with it.

And thank goodness they did because the show is worth seeing for many a reason, but those performances alone would be a compelling enough reason to buy a ticket. Bart’s Doc is a clear homage to Christopher Lloyd’s iconic character, but is played with an almost meta self awareness and sensitivity that affords Bart the ability to lean into slapstick comedy that translates well on stage and differentiates him from Lloyd. Hugh Coles’ McFly is a masterclass in the art of imitation – the physicality and vocal work is almost identical to Crispin Glover’s original character. It’s truly uncanny. Notable shout out to Liana Hunt, who showcased her range as Lorraine McFly. Casey Likes was a charming Marty McFly, Nathaniel Hackmann was a hate-able and aloof Biff, and the ensemble overall was delightful and full of energy.

Fans of the movie flock to the theatre from near and far – as seen by the sea of Marty McFly audience members dressed in an orange puffer vest, cap, and jeans – and many skeptical, or rather, curious about how true to the source material the musical adaptation would be. Like with any adaptation, there some noticeable changes to the story (book by Bob Gale, one of the creators/co-writers of the original film with Robert Zemeckis) – which made it more modern and digestible for a 2023 family audience (without giving anything away) – a lot of the subtle darkness of the film(s) disappeared – as if it was in the McFly family photo – and one could argue that those changes not only worked, but were necessary for this piece to work as a musical comedy. Musically (Music & Lyrics by Alan Silvestri) the show remains upbeat and high energy and is its own form of storytelling in the sense that the musical style for each song is telling of the timeframe we’re in. For 1985, the audience is treated to a number that sounds like an 80s pop song or a ballad with a hint of early electronica. Time travel to to 1955, we’re treated to a 50’s style number similar to the sounds of Doo-Wop or modern day, where the sound could be best described as futuristic. One thing remains for certain, the Back To The Future musical motif – the iconic one, that when you hear it, you hear mystery and adventure – weaves its way in and out throughout the duration of the 2 hour and 30 minute show.  Don’t worry, The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode make notable appearances. One of the most notable highlights was the extremely dynamic choreography (Chris Bailey), which was a vessel for physical storytelling throughout the duration of the entire show. All in all, I’m a firm believer that the changes made make sense, we may not be using hoverboards as a primary mode of transportation, but no one can deny that the world has changed a lot in nearly 40 years.

We all knew that this production was going to arrive in style (a la a 1981 DeLorean), but the design (Tim Hatley & Chris Fisher), sound (Gareth Owen), video (Finn Ross), and lighting (Tim Lutkin & Hugh Vanstone) teams on this show really worked hard to make this production immersive on a grand scale, and that is no easy task. You really have to see it for yourself, but the moment you step into the Winter Garden theatre and into your seat, you are now a passenger on what can only be described as a massive DeLorean – which means one thing – the audience is about to time travel together and becomes part of the story. Super meta, I know. That’s just the start the immersive experiences and I don’t want to give too much away, but fans of the movie will feel like they are in that barn in 1955 and in the parking lot of the Twin Pines mall in 1985, and then some. While the production is grand in scale, it’s clear that the team was also meticulous and diligent regarding details, wanting to respect the original story and honor the fans. One of the coolest elements of this production are the easter eggs they threw in from the two sequels (which, I will argue were two of the best sequels in cinematic history) which subtly tip their hats to the beloved film franchise.

My recommendation would be to get in your DeLorean and drive 88 straight to the Winter Garden Theatre for a night full of fun and nostalgia. Visit https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com/new-york/ to learn more and get tickets.

 

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