* A theatre show about American history is making history…
The production Hamilton already has the thumbs up from President Barack Obama, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Susan Sarandon, SJP, Samuel L Jackson, and now me, haha. Hamilton comes from a book and songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the mind behind another successful Tony-winning stage show, In the Heights. It had a sold-out extended run off-Broadway, before opening last week to sterling reviews from celebs and loyal Broadway-goers alike. It’s based on a best-selling bio by historian Ron Chernow turned into a book and stage show by Lin-Manuel, and uses hip hop to tell the story of his role in the American Revolution. The show already earned $30 million in ticket sales before it opened on Broadway. Lin-Manuel melds hop hop with show tunes and he plays the lead character. You’ll no doubt be hearing more about this – and if you have a trip planned to NYC anytime soon, make sure you try get tickets.
* One of Hollywood’s most beloved dogs has died…
Uggie – the star of the 5-time Oscar-winning movie The Artist – has gone to heaven. His owner and trainer Omar von Muller, confirmed the news after TMZ reported Uggie was put to sleep Friday in LA. The 13-year-old Jack Russell had a cancerous tumour in the prostate. Uggie starred as The Dog alongside Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo in The Artist, which also won Best Picture in 2012. He received the Palm Dog award for his work in the film at the Cannes Film Festival and also became the first dog to put his paw prints in cement outside Grumman’s Chinese There at a ceremony marking his retirement in 2012. He also acted in films like Water for Elephants with Reese Witherspoon. He truly captured our hearts so it is surely worth remembering the joy he brought to the big screen and off it.
* African artist Petite Noir released his striking new music video…
Cape Town-based, half-Angolan, half-Congolese new-wave pop producer Yannick Iluga is following up the release of his debut EP The King of Anxiety, with a full-length album called La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful. The lead single for his new album is called Best, and the video that accompanies it is full of splendid imagery that will cause a few shifts in perspectives about the African continent. He performs at Afropunk Fest next weekend.
The Route
It’s an easy 3-4 miles starting out in the centre of Times Square to see the giant Seward Johnson sculpture based on the famous Life picture commemorating the end of WWII. I would advise you do this when it’s not so busy (before dawn, after midnight, haha) or use the bobbing-and-weaving to practice for race day. Head towards 46th and past the Richard Rodgers Theatre (where you’ll hopefully be picking up tickets to the show), loop back around to get back onto Broadway, which you’ll take all the way down, past the Flatiron Building, through Washington Square Park and onto West Broadway, past the JR/Os Gemeos/ Mr Andre street art collaboration. Head south towards Canal St, and turn right onto Church. Three blocks over, you’ll find JR’s 75-foot tall ballerina, based on his art film. Turn around and loop back up West Broadway until you reach Houston St. Run towards the east side, until you hit Bowery and make a left at the Bowery mural. You’ll soon see the bright colours of Jamie xx’s pop-up shop, which is in NYC until Sunday the 16th of August.
