Tosh Berman's Blog, page 159

Boze Hadleigh Conversations With My Elders on Tea With Tosh

Boze Hadleigh is an author who specializes in writing books about cinema history and LGBT culture and film.  Here we chat about his book "Conversations With My Elders" (later republished under the title "Celluloid Gaze").  The book is a series of interviews with gay film artists and individuals such as Rock Hudson, George Cukor, Sal Mineo, Luchino Visconti, British great Quentin Crisp, and a man of all trades, Cecil Beaton.  I especially enjoyed the chapter and interview with German filmmaking genius Rainer Werner Fassbinder.  From the year 1987.

SIGN FOR NET NEUTRALITY!!!!

FOR NET NEUTRALITY-- I just did this and it really takes less than a minute.
1. Go to gofccyourself.com
(the shortcut John Oliver made to the hard-to-find FCC comment page)
2. Click on the 17-108 link (Restoring Internet Freedom)
2. Click on "+Express" (in the left column)
3. Be sure to hit "ENTER" after you put in your name (your name will then feature a Yellow box. Then put in the rest of your info.)
4. In the comment section write, "I strongly support net neutrality backed by Title 2 oversight of ISPs."
5. Click to Review, then Submit, done. - Make sure you hit submit at the end!
FCC.GOV-Tosh Berman

George Herms Artist on Tea With Tosh

George Herms has been in my life forever. A close friend of the family, here I did an interview with him for my "Tea With Tosh" show. It's amazing to think that we lived in two different locations, and both places were walking distance from our home. One in Larkspur California and the other in Topanga Canyon. When I hear the term 'assemblage artist" I immediately think of George. Even more so than say someone like Ed Kienholz. He is also probably one of the most entertaining chaps I have ever come upon. A man of remarkable charm. - Tosh

Carmaig de Forest Singer Songwriter on Tea With Tosh

Carmaig de Forest, to me, is a unique singer-songwriter.  For one, his main instrument is the Ukulele,  and the majority of his performances at the time (the 1980s) was just him, voice, and ukulele. The beauty of his work is partly charm, but he is also a very good pop songwriter, with a political stance - but it's not one-dimensional.   The interview here is still fascinating.  He has good points on the craft and art of songwriting.  I love this episode, speaking as the host!  - Tosh Berman.

The Dark Bob Performance Artist on Tea With Tosh

"Ask The Parrot: A Parker Novel" by Richard Stark (The University of Chicago Press)

ISBN: 978-0-226-48565-2 University of Chicago Press
Richard Stark (Donald Westlake) should be studied at all writing schools. To write a Parker novel is more of a math problem than a series of moments inspired by passion. The ultimate anti-hero, Parker represents a professional who will do what he has to do, to survive or excel in his line of the profession - which is being a professional criminal. Parker is in a pickle, somewhere in the backwaters of a small community, avoiding an arrest, he teams up with a hermit of sorts, who is still sore about being fired from a horse racetrack. Parker, who is quick with psychological profiles on everyone he comes upon, he acts on not emotion, but intellect. Stark is just as great as a writer as Patricia Highsmith, another narrative writer who plots with the skill of a surgeon under tense conditions. Recommending the best Richard Stark "Parker" novel is pointless. All are equally readable and addictive.

Alex Chilton Like Flies on Sherbert on Tosh Talks

I wrote a review/commentary on Alex Chilton's "Like Flies on Sherbert" as well.  You can read it here:



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Auralynn Nguyen Ikebana Artist on Tosh Talks

Once in a while I want to go into a world I know nothing about. I met Auralynn Nguyen a few years ago, and she does incredible sculptures with living plants called Ikebana. Like anything else from Japan or Asian culture, it has a fascinating history as well as a strong presence in contemporary times. Auralynn here shows her work but also explains Ikebana as an art form as well as a traditional craft and art. Also excuse the sound quality of yours truly. A faulty mic, but you can hear what I'm saying. - Tosh Berman.

Auralyn Nguyen Ikebana Artist on Tosh Talks

Once in a while I want to go into a world I know nothing about. I met Auralyn Nguyen a few years ago, and she does incredible sculptures with living plants called Ikebana. Like anything else from Japan or Asian culture, it has a fascinating history as well as a strong presence in contemporary times. Auralynn here shows her work but also explains Ikebana as an art form as well as a traditional craft and art.

Jonas Mekas A Dance With Fred Astaire on Tosh Talks

Tosh Berman of "Tosh Talks" chats about the wonderful book by Jonas Mekas "A Dance With Fred Astaire" published by Anthology Editions. In great detail, Mekas talks about working with Yoko Ono/John Lennon, Andy Warhol, Jack Smith and other greats in the independent underground film world.