Monday, March 14, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

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MAGICIAN TIM WISE IN LAS VEGAS AND ON THE NET!

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 06:25 PM PDT


Magicians Tim Wise and Doug Henning

Got a nice phone call tonight from my dear friend Tim Wise in Las Vegas... He is always busy with many shows and even working in burlesque! Go Timmy! He and I are very old friends from back in the day. Tim used to pop into the Alibi bar and do coin tricks whenever I ran into him. Of course I would ask him to do magic whenever I saw him.


Tim and pals in Vegas

When I was managing the Super Sale show Tim worked our exhibitor party and did the flaming sword swallowing act... OMG that looked so scary. He was just so smooth...

Tim is teaching at the Magic School in Vegas and is featured every Monday (Monday Magic) on Virtual Magic and Mystery School The show starts at 10 pm Eastern Time so check out the show and meet my friend Tim Wise.


Tim and Doug

Years later when my daughter Lesley was having her little friends over for her birthday, Timmy popped over to my house. Happy to see him always but hoping like crazy that his magic case was in his van... It was... Tim brought the bag inside and did like 90 minutes of magic and animal balloons for the overjoyed kindergartners. Lesley watched Tim make those balloon animals and now 14 years later she can still make them. THANKS TIM! XXOOK

[New post] Doctor Who Big Finish- The Juggernauts

Doctor Who Big Finish- The Juggernauts

"Of course, Daleks... I should have known."

The 23rd series of Doctor Who was a turbulent time for the program as The Doctor was literally and fictionally on trial for his life. It also introduced a new companion, Melanie Bush, played by stage actress Bonnie Langford. Bonnie acted opposite Colin Baker in the final two adventures of the year and continued on for the following year, seeing in the seventh actor to play the Doctor on screen, Sylvester McCoy, in Time and the Rani. A computer programmer at a time when the audience had a less-informed knowledge of such a thing, Mel was meant to be an addition to the lighter approach demanded by the BBC Controller Michael Grade. She certainly was bubbly and spritely, appearing downright diminutive in contrast to Baker, but to be honest I never really took to her. In this adventure, however, she is positively sparkling! I have heard that Mel is also quite good in her other audio adventures such as Bang-a-Bang-Boom! with Sylvester McCoy and I look forward to that. Aside from her personality working well in this script, Mel's computer skills are also put to use in this story. One wonders if there had been additional time on screen to develop Mel and the 6th Doctor if they would not have been more successful.

While his incarnation of the Doctor was disliked by many fans, it has been said even by his detractors that Colin Baker got robbed by only appearing in two year's worth of adventures (the second of which was both abbreviated and of questionable quality). He has enjoyed something of a revival in the Big Finish audio adventures. On screen, he may have been a bit too jarring for some, but in the Big Finish productions his verbose and egocentric personality comes across as perfectly charismatic and eccentric, in short 'Doctor-ish.' Personally, I always liked Colin Baker's brash and maniacal 6th Doctor. I didn't really take to what I perceived as a 'watering down' of his performance in series 23's Trial of a Time Lord, as I felt that it removed the performance's edge. I was expecting more of that gentler version of the Doctor in the Big Finish audios and to a large extent I was correct, but it works so well with higher quality scripts (something each classic Doctor Who actor has remarked on as being a major improvement regarding the audios compared to the classic serialized adventures.).

In The Juggernauts, we also have Terry Molloy, who played Davros on screen in Resurrection, Revelation and Remembrance of the Daleks. Following his capture by the Daleks on the planet Necros, Davros crash-lands on the planet Lethe where he starts his life over again with one aim, to wipe out his inferior creations, the Daleks. Renaming himself Dr Vaso, he is heading a project on the planet Lethe where a new race of robotic servants based on the discarded Mechanoids (last seen in The Chase) is being developed for private enterprise. I greatly enjoyed Molloy's version of Davros on screen, finding that it at least met the level set by Michael Wisher in Genesis of the Daleks. A conniving and brilliant mind, Davros' persona humanized the Dalek's alien sense of morality that often failed to come across in some of their appearances.

This story shares a few similarities with the 1966missing story Power of the Daleks by David Whittaker. Both stories are set on alien worlds colonized by the Earth Empire and both involve outside parties attempting to use Dalek technology to their own ends. I'm not sure if the similarities are intentional, but I find it interesting enough to note.  The three 80's Dalek stories strove to bring back the menace of the creatures that had gotten far too cuddly and familiar over the years. The Juggernauts re-introduces the brilliant tactical minds of the monsters and their creators who play with the humans as a chess player would move pieces across the board. The story is one of survival at any cost which is of course horrifying to the human characters in the tale who are much more concerned with their own lives, relationships and needs. Even the Doctor comes across as alien as he works with the Daleks to undo Davros' scheme. The Juggernauts is a wonderful exploration of alien morality as it relates to the human condition.

Written by Scott Alan Woodard (who also wrote the Eight Doctor Audio adventure Absolution), the Juggernauts is a taut and well-written adventure in which the main cast are given room to move and develop, the villains enough space to be truly menacing and old ideas made new by inspired decisions. In short, it's a damned shame that this story was not produced for TV transmission, but given the dubious production values of classic Doctor Who, maybe it's for the best. As an audio tale, the Juggernauts is fantastic and comes highly recommended.

Doctor Who - The Juggernauts can be purchased at local retailers and online from Big Finish.

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Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

Link to Retro: Kimmer

RETRO KIMMER: MARK SISTO STOPS BY....

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 04:25 PM PDT


Kimmer with pal singer Mark Sisto

My friend Mark Sisto of the band The Visitors and The Manifestations happened to be in town tonight on a whirl wind visit. Haven't seen Mark since he was here in February 2010. We had alot of fun when he was here last year. Worked with Ivan Kral, Al King, Chris Taylor and SRC guitarist Gary Quackenbush.


Mark Sisto

We filmed 2 songs with Mark singing and I love these videos. They were spontaneous and I just got the Handycam so I was a newbie. Here is Hand of Law:



So much fun to shoot.


Mark Sisto

Mark loves the band SRC (Scot Richard Case) so we picked up Gary Quackenbush and put together a quickie session and I filmed it.




Mark Sisto and his friend from elementary school Jan


Always on the phone or computer that boy!

Read More on RK
48 Hours With Mark Sisto
Kimmer and Mark Visit Coachville Trailer Park
Ann Arbor Rock n Roll Revival 2009

RETRO KIMMER: MORE MASONIC TEMPLE PHOTOS

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 03:55 AM PDT


Kimmer behind the Commandery Parlor Piano

The Masonic Temple in Detroit is one of the most fantastic venues I have toured and I have toured so many... I walked around this building for over 2 hours and still did not see every room inside.


Crystal Ballroom

The Crystal Ballroom was my favorite room. What a gorgeous room to hold a dinner party or reception. Haven't seen anything this beautiful since I was in Europe.


Paul Buono playing piano

My tour guide Paul Buono is also a musician and comes from a musical family. Paul's father is Joe Buono extraordinary French Horn player with the Detroit Symphony. Paul played piano and sang a couple of tunes for fun.

Here are the rest of my batch of Masonic photos. Thanks again Paul! xxooK



Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


eBay watch: 1960s space age round television

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 01:43 PM PDT

Round

I'm not sure if this is a variation of the Keracolor Sphere, so let's just say this is a 1960s space age round television. It's also on eBay right now.

Does it work? Probably not, not least because of the advent of the digital era. The seller bought it for display purposes and it has been in storage, with no guarantee of it being functional. Note that, but note also that you can probably replace the actual TV in the shell, which has apparently already been done for this unit.

That shell is in white fibreglass, with a tulip-style base. Some minor damage, but not a lot. So a striking design piece or a project. It's currently on eBay at £100. Lots more images on the seller's page.

Find out more at the eBay website

Citroen DS3 by Orla Kiely

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 01:17 PM PDT

Citroen_orla2

Interesting that Citroen was running an 'anti-retro' campaign recently, Obviously didn't tick too many boxes, as the company has now gone retro, specifically with the Citroen DS3 by Orla Kiely.

But it's not gone too retro. The selling point here is the same Citroen DStyle HDi 90 model that's been around for a while, only this time it comes with a choice of four Orla Kiely designs for the exterior. There's also plenty of interior detail, including stem print rear window graphics, a colour contrasting dashboard, themed door handle inserts, Orla Kiely embossed multi-coloured headrests on the leather seats and stem or acorn print carpet mats for the interior detail.

Citroen_orla1

The DStyle HDi 90 manual here includes Bluetooth and USB connectivity, with a fuel and CO2-efficient powerplant. You can get the full breakdown at the dedicated Citroen Orla Kiely website, or by downloading the brochure online.

Only 500 will be made, £16,000 is the price. If you want one, get in quick. Check out the promotional video below too. Note that we've also seen an all-over design online too, but we haven't seen this model for sale.

Citroen Orla Kiely website

 

Early 60s-style Sailor Collar Belted Waist Shift Dress at Dressrail

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 11:25 AM PDT

Dressrail

If you are after a touch of Mad Men-like style without breaking the bank, this Sailor Collar Belted Waist Shift Dress could fit the bill.

Inspired by that early '60s era, this figure-hugging number has that eye-catching collar with button detailing, cap sleeves, a leather look belt and  a black and white colour scheme.

£25 is the asking price.

Find out more at the Dressrail website

Roberts Revival iStream internet DAB radio

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 11:01 AM PDT

Istream

Not just a Roberts Revival radio, the Roberts Revival iStream internet DAB radio mixes that 50s styling with the power of the net.

By that, we mean the original DAB radio functionality is joined by Wi-Fi internet radio, so the many digital radio stations you can access with this portable retro-styled radio are joined by thousands of internet radio stations and shows. You can also use it to stream your personal music collection directly from your laptop or to access Last.fm.

Find the stations via the digital interface on top, one of the few concessions to the modern era in the design. Powered by mains or battery, the Roberts Revival iStream sells for £199.95.

Find out more at the John Lewis website

Ritual by David Pinner - the book that inspired the Wicker Man movie reprinted

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 05:15 AM PDT

Ritual

Not an exact template for the movie, Ritual by David Pinner was, however, the book that inspired the movie - and it is getting a reprint in the very near future.

Rather than being set in the Scottish highlands, this 1967 novel is set in Cornwall, with police officer, David Hanlin asked to investigate the murder of a local child. Whilst there, he's subjected to mental trickery, seduction, ancient religious practices and sacrificial rituals. Sound familiar?

The rights to the book were obtained for the Wicker Man movie a few years later, with a fairly minimal rewrite creating the ultimate movie cult classic. Original copies go for silly money, so the £6.39 price tag for the new version, which comes with original cover artwork and a new forward by Saint Etienne's Bob Stanley, looks a serious bargain. Alternatively, a hardback version sells for £9.09.

Find out more at the Amazon website

For sale: 1970s four-bedroomed house in Crowborough, East Sussex

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 05:02 AM PDT

Crow1

When we feature houses, we try and work a fine line between the high-end designs (out of reach for most of us) and more affordable properties with an interesting retro twist. This 1970s four-bedroomed house in Crowborough, East Sussex is an example of the latter.

'Pine Trees' (as it is known) was actually built in 1970 and still has the same owner, which also means plenty of period features and the same distinctive shape of the era. Whether that remains is open to question - we can see someone loving this or completely gutting it, building something new that takes advantage of the land's fine views.

Crow2

For your money, you get an entrance hall, cloakroom, living room, kitchen/brakfast room and dining room downstairs, with four bedrooms, bathroom, shower room and study upstairs. Outside, there are gardens front and back, plus a garage. Love that kitchen seating area, as well as the large windows and wood panelling on the walls. Some work needed for sure, but this is an ideal canvas for a stylish 70s-style home.

Offers around £450,000 will secure the house.

Find out more at the Rightmove website

Crow3

Lego-inspired Spaceman print set by Ame72

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 04:44 AM PDT

Lego

One for the kids or your inner child - this Lego-inspired Spaceman print set by Ame72.

It's pop art, with a child-like twist. That being the use of our Lego spaceman Minifigures in different shades, which you can hang separately or as a quartet on a large wall. Yes, you get all four for your money.

Each one is 18 x 18 inches, with the silkscreen sets limited to just 98. £380 secures you a set.

Find out more at the Art Republic website

Don't Be So Quick to Overlook the Maserati Grecale Folgore

If the GranTurismo Folgore is a guide, this Grecale Folgore could be surprisingly competitive. The EV GT was one of the year's best surp...