Posted by Alex on January 31, 2010
School Shows
Hi, the internet. I’m Alex. You might have met my fellow blogger for Columbia Explorers Academy, Alan. He’s great.
To piggy back on Alan’s last post, today ROCKED for exactly that reason!! During one of the days at CEA the students wrote raps. Today, Philip brought in some sweet beats and we broke off into a few groups and adapted 6 raps from some of the classes, we then got into a rap battle of epic proportions!!!!
There were raps about:
Skateboarding
Recycling
Beef Sandwiches
and
PUFFINS!!!!!!!!
Trust me. You can’t wait to see this.
Posted by Alan on January 29, 2010
School Shows
Hi, the internet. This is Alan. I’m one of TWO official show bloggers for the Columbia Explorers show. The other blogger is Alex, who plays the banjo, also.
Here’s something I’ve always admired about my fellow monkeys. (I saw a lot of it today, at our first rehearsal, is why I’m bringing it up.) My fellow monkeys do such a consistently brilliant job of taking an incredible story, by an incredible kid; reading it over once or twice; and immediately, instinctively figuring out what makes the story tick. These stories, as we get them, are these crazy little blobs of awesome, but to figure out who says what, and when, and more importantly, where the pivotal points in the story sit - that takes some serious talent, folks. I can write a pretty good song, but this stuff, man - I marvel at this company of people who just know how to draw out the essence of a story like a delicious, delicious strand of spaghetti.
Speaking of: time for lunch.
Can’t wait to see what other stories we do!
Thanks for listening, the internet.
Posted by Alex on January 28, 2010
School Shows
One of my favorite things about performing at the schools is the look on the authors face when we announce that “This NEXT story is by ______ in Ms. _________’s class”. The reactions generally fall into a a few categories: from Complete Embarassment to Shy But Excited and finally (the most fun to watch) Totally Pumped.
I have to let you know that the Kohn school offered me perhaps the single best response to a story from any child I’ve seen.
I was particularly excited to see the audience reaction during this particular story so I joined Brennan out in the audience to watch the magic unfold.
You see, one of the boys in the class had written a story called “One Day At My House”. This was a story from “Stretching the Truth” day. It was about how, one day at his house, he smelled smoke. He investigates the source of the smoke, finds that the oven was on and turns it off. Then Beyonce comes into his living room and starts dancing! He faints and realizes it was all just a “very very good good good dream”.
Now, in our adaptation, Ricky was our Beyonce. He had on a beautiful long black wig and some elbow length white satin gloves. Rachel and Christina were his/her back up dancers. Donnell choreographed a great 15-20 second version of the Single Ladies routine that hit all the highlights.
When that song started playing the auditorium ERUPTED! And when Ricky came out from behind the curtain and struck a killer pose, Malik, the author, STOOD UP AND YELLED AND GAVE THREE FIST PUMPS IN THE AIR and was then SWALLOWED by his friends pulling him down while HOWLING with laughter!!!!
It was my favorite reaction to a story I’ve ever seen!
Kohn, you were great!
From the pig song, to the presidents arguement, to explaining what a ball is, to Super Agent Max Jones, to the grandma who hates cats. We had so much fun with your stories.
I know we’ll be friends FOR A LONG TIME… For A Long Time…... for a long time….
Posted by Amanda Farrar on January 25, 2010
Company Members
As you may have heard, the Monkeys are aiming to save the world one karaoke song at a time! Here are four karaoke performances that will take place at Monkey-O-Kee this coming Sunday, January 31, 2010 (8pm-11pm at Mad River Bar & Grille, 2909 N. Sheffield Ave.) that you do NOT want to miss.
Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson
Starring Dixie and Elizabeth
Jumpin’ Jack Flash by Rolling Stones
Starring Brad Stevens
Featuring Zeke
U+Me=Us (Calculus) by 2gether
Starring Philip Markle
Featuring Geoff, Curtis, Tai and Tom
Paranoid Android by Radiohead
Starring Donnell Williams
Featuring Tai and Kurt , and Monkey friends Brad, Jessica, and Dean
Amazing and unforgettable? Indeed. But, it gets even better. You may or may not know that the Monkeys, they like their friendly competition. Therefore, you – yes YOU – will determine the winning performance of the night. One of these four performances will win the awesomely coveted grand prize of bragging rights for the entire year. That’s right – bragging rights. And a condo! Okay – no condo. Just bragging rights, but still! Awesome.
How do you vote? With sponsorship dollars! Sponsor your most favorite Monkeys by voting online now for whatever performance you think is going to totally rock. Voting will continue through Monkey-O-Kee, and the winner will be named at the conclusion of the evening. It will be a night to remember, folks, so make sure you are there! Buy tickets and/or sponsor one of these brilliant performances, and in turn, save this world!
Thank you for your attention and support. In the words of the Magical Place, you are wonderful.
Wanna preview the originals before you see them improved upon by Monkeys? Look-y here…
Man in the Mirror
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
U+Me=Us (Calculus)
Paranoid Android
Posted by Alex on January 24, 2010
School Shows
Hey guys. I’m Alex. This is my first time blogging, so be nice. But I just had to tell someone…...
This is it.
This is the last rehearsal before we blow the doors off of Kohn school.
I. Kohn’t. Wait.
Each new school show I help create with the other monkeys always feels like this is the best one yet. That’s one of my favorite things about this company of people.
But this might be the best one yet.
We’ve got an EPIC SNOWBALL SHOWDOWN!
There’s a SUPER AGENT song with BOOBY TRAPS!
A “Little Ditty” about the LIFE CYCLE OF PIGS! (“Little Ditty” is a bit of an inside joke that will only be explained if you come see the KOHN SHOW)
I’ll say it again:
I. Kohn’t. WAIT!!!!!!!!
See you tomorrow Kohn!!
