The Powderhouse

A night with Ian Thal

by Amanda F. Fitzpatrick

At Willoughby and Baltic, on Feb. 9th, Ian Thal performed an evening of mime, poetry, and masks.

“People should come for the Don Quote experience” said Ian Thal, an actor, poet, and mime performer.

Performing is Thal’s passion, which makes interacting with the audience fun he said. “Why wouldn’t anybody want to do this, it is internally gratifying.”

Audience member, Shannon B. O’ Connor said she “enjoyed the show because it was different.” 

Thal said his journey becoming a performer started with poetry, as he developed his voice and began attending open-mics.  Later, Thal was introduced to William J. Barnum, who taught him the art of mime.

“That is when I started to incorporate acting, poetry and mime in my performances,” he said.   

After learning from Barnum, Thal worked with another teacher of mime, James Von Looy.  Together they collaborated to create the Cosmic Splunker, which Thal said is still an ongoing concern.

Ian Thal

Thal’s last performance was several months ago, in which time he has taken classes, refined his skills, and create new material, he said.

Thal said the time he puts into the performances are well worth the effort.

“He fits in well,” said Meredith L. Garniss, the owner of Willoughby and Baltic.

Martin Luther King Jr. celebrated Jan. 21

by Amanda F. Fitzpatrick

On Jan. 21 the Human Rights Commission and the Early Childhood Advisory Council celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. for the sixth year at the Somerville High School.

“Somerville embodies Dr. King’s values.” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

This year the celebration was entitled ‘Striving for Equality, A Celebration of Dr. King’s Legacy.’

“Instead of just tolerating our differences, the city realizes the potential greatness in our differences,” said Curtatone.

Each year, the Human Rights Commission and Early Childhood Advisory Council honor one individual and one organization for their dedication to promoting Dr. King’s values in and around Somerville during the previous year, he said.

The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), which advocates for opportunities and resources for low-income residents in the city, was chosen as the organizational recipient, he said.

“CAAS helps people in poverty with housing and education,”  said Jack Hamilton the executive Director of CAAS. “We try to give them what they need to escape poverty.”

The individual award went to Somerville resident Danny McLaughlin, who works for Teen Empowerment in Somerville as a youth advocate.

“Why do I go to work,” questioned McLuaghlin. “Because we are all human, we all make mistakes.”

Also included in the celebration was a keynote address from Representative Byron Rushing, Suffolk County Ninth District.

“We are commemorating the whole movement that was not led by just one man,” said Rushing.

“The FBI thought Dr. King was dangerous, and he was dangerous to people who wanted others to be put down.  We need to become that kind of dangerous,” he said.

High school senior Jessica Dias  also spoke about the inspirations that Martin Luther King Jr. left as his legacy.

“Love and expectance is what binds us. Not religion or age or ethnicity.  All anyone needs is heart,” she said.

“Dr. King’s lasting legacy of hope and equality remains directly relevant to life in our  diverse and multicultural community,” said Curtatone.

The event was co-sponsored by the HRC and Advisory Council, in partnership with the Somerville Public Health Department and the Somerville Public Schools.

Aesthetics and elites: What accounts for good taste?

by Amanda F. Fitzpatrick

On Jan. 15 the Philo café met at McIntyre and Moore Booksellers to discuss the topic of ‘Aesthetics and Elites’ that revolves around the art world.

“Art is supposed to create an effect through a style,” said Thomas W. Clark the founder and mediator of the Philo Café. “So what makes a great piece of art?”

“Do elitists have rhyme to their reason or are they just trying to propel themselves to bigger and better things,” questioned Clark. “And if so, do we need elitists?”

“Elites have misjudged the greatness of artists for years,” said Reginald F. Mckeen, a regular at the Philo Cafe. 

“90 percent of artists are forgotten after their dead” said Mckeen. “The test of time is what makes a great artist.”

Daniel T. Gewertz, another Philo participant and free lance writer, said the style of art has changed, but the format that reports the artistic issues has not.

“The format needs to change with the style of art,” Gewertz said.

“Elitist serve a temporary purpose in our society,” said Carolyn M. Muskat, a new member at the Philo Café.

“I don’t want to wait until I am dead to find out what I missed.  They expose us to the art and then we come with our own expectations and opinions,” said Muskat.

“The elitists are tuned up on their aesthetics and can see a certain beauty that the majority of people might not understand,” said Clark.

“Elitists are onto something,” he said. “They do have rhyme to their reason, but people should take into account their own opinion.”

The Philo Café meets again on the third Tuesday, Feb. 19th.

Outcomes and Opportunities: What justifies inequality?

by Amanda F. Fitzpatrick

       

The Philosophy Café met Nov. 20 at Davis Square's McIntyre & Moore Booksellers to debate the issue of economic inequality in our nation.

    

"What is more important to us, liberty or equality?" asked Thomas W. Clark, who is the founder and mediator of the Philosophy Cafe series.  "In a self sufficient nation people are encouraged to work hard, but there are still many people in this nation that are struggling to survive."
   

Clark said conservatives admit poverty has increased over the past three decades.  Presently, 20 percent of people in this nation are below the poverty line, he said.

 

"The people who are raised in low income families are sometimes not encouraged to do well," he said.

Clark asked, "So how can Americans fix this problem?"   Since poverty is difficult to get out of, funding must be provided to aid families, he said.

   

The next question Clark asked was, "Where do we take this money from?"

       

"Convincing the public to do the right thing and donating money would be one way of dealing with economy equality," said Philo Cafe participant Ken Milne.

       

Another Philo Cafe participant, Reg F. McKain responded to Milne by asking, "How would the donators know their money is going to the greater good and not filling the pockets of greedy individuals?"

      

Another way to alter economic equality would be to change our perceptions of what is important, said Clark.

 

"The need for material possessions should not rein supreme over the good of mankind," he said.

       

Without the support of the public corporations would be nothing, he said.

            

Another issue discussed was the "me first" attitude that many Americans have, said Clark.

             

McKain said he felt the trickle down effect is not working as well as at it should, and that both the trickle down effect and the trickle up effect should be used.

         

"The trickle up and down effect would support the poor and the rich", McKain said.

            

"Our reality is far from our idealistic values," said Haskel Straus, a Philo Cafe participant.

          

At the end of the discussion there was no set in stone solution, said Clark.

         

The Philosophy Cafe is held the third Tuesday of every month at McIntyre & Moore Booksellers located at 255 Elm St., Davis Square.