Friday, December 21, 2012

Nirvana's Concert in Spokane, WA, Jan. 6, 1994 Cobain, Novoselic, Grohl Play on The Feast of the Epiphany

Kurt Cobain, Spokane, WA Jan.6, 1994 - Photo by Dan Pelle, Spokesman-Review

Nirvana's Concert in Spokane, WA, Jan. 6, 1994
Cobain, Novoselic, and Grohl Play on the Feast of the Epiphany

Nirvana, the three piece band that put Seattle on the world map and grunge on the airwaves, played one of the group's last concerts in Spokane's Coliseum.

Nirvana is the band that became famous world-wide, leading the grunge, or alternative, music scene, especially after the band released its album Nevermind in 1991, and In Utero in 1993. On January 6, 1994, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl appeared as Nirvana for the first and last time in Spokane, Washington, at the old Coliseum.

Line Up of Bands

The poster for the concert gave the following information:

"Nirvana with Special Guests, BH Surfers & Chokebore & M.C. Bobcat Goldthwait, Thursday, Jan. 6, 7 PM, Spokane Coliseum."

Nirvana in Spokane, January 6, 1994

Of all types of musicians, grunge musicians in particular were notorious for drug and alcohol use, and Cobain specifically had been known to use heroin. Yet there was no evidence of these issues in Spokane, where the band played with energy and wit. Some audience members had expected to see musicians slogging through sets, but instead heard the band play in top form. According to the Nirvana Live Guide 1994, "The band was in a great mood and talked to the audience quite a bit."

During the concert, band members actively engaged and addressed the Spokane audience. Cobain noticed that some members of the audience were aggressively pushing their way to the front of the stage. Cobain spoke directly to the people being pushed around by saying, "Just don't let them through."

Cobain also noticed that a small group sitting in the balcony were the only people not dancing to the songs. Speaking into the microphone, he directly addressed the group, saying, "Why don't you people in the balcony get up off your asses and dance?"

What Cobain did not realize was that the group in the balcony were parents of kids in the audience, and that while the group certainly were fans of Nirvana, many of the parents had promised to sit quietly so as not to embarass their kids. Thus, though the older group wanted to dance, they had been forbidden to dance by their kids, who would have been mortified to see their parents "rocking" to Nirvana.

Krist Novoselic also spoke directly to the audience on several occasions. One example is his greeting of the audience in a self-parody of a zoned-out, confused rock star. Though clearly the band was playing on the east side of the state in Spokane, Washington, Novoselic yelled out "Hello Ellensburg!" as if he thought he was on the west side of the state in Ellensburg, Washington.

Nirvana in Seattle, January 7, 1994

The next evening after the concert in Spokane, Nirvana played a concert at the Arena in Seattle. This concert was recorded and issued as a bootleg under the title Rape Me, a reference to one of the band's songs.

On this bootleg CD recording, Krist Novoselic again repeats his satire of a zoned-out rock star, yelling to the Seattle audience, "Hello Spokane!"

Thus, many people who have listened to the bootleg CD believe, apparently incorrectly, that at least some of the CD was recorded in Spokane.

Nirvana: The Blowing Out of the Candle

These two concerts in Spokane and Seattle were among the last performed by Nirvana, before the loss of Cobain in April 1994, only a few months later. Like the original meaning of the word "nirvana," a blowing out of a candle, the band Nirvana ended in the year 1994. Nevertheless, these concerts show all the reasons that Nirvana became famous: the catchy music, and the engaging, talented musicians.

Nirvana playing in Spokane, WA Jan.6, 1994 - Photo by Dan Pelle, Spokesman-Review

References

Bootleg Recording of Nirvana appearing at the Arena, Seattle, WA, January 7, 1994. Alley Kat.
http://bootlegdownloads.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/nirvana-1994-01-07-seattle-center-arena-seattle-wa-us-aud/

Nirvana Live Guide.

Nirvana Live Guide Discussion Forums.

Pelle, Dan. Photo of Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl. Jan. 6, 1994, Spokane, Washington. Spokesman-Review. [Note: While the photographer took additional photos of the band, including Krist Novolselic, the Spokesman-Review editorial policy only allows those photos actually published to be reprinted. Thus, the additional photo by photographer P.B.Rage, of a 1991 or 1992 concert, is also included.]

Rage, P.B. Photo. Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. circa 1991. Update info from reader, January 07, 2011, the photo is from the September 09, 1992 MTV Awards. with "Lithium."

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Ballet Dancers, Pointe Shoes and Dancing on Toes. Written by Teresa Knudsen, republished November 10, 2012 on Sweet Suite Writings, originally published on Suite 101 April 10, 2009.

Written by Teresa Knudsen, republished November 10, 2012 on Sweet Suite Writings, originally published on Suite 101 April 10, 2009.

Ballet Dancers, Pointe Shoes and Dancing on Toes Preparing Toe Shoes for Ballet Performances is Hard Work.

The image of a graceful ballet dancer, gliding across the stage on her toes makes dancing in pointe shoes look easy. Yet, dancers must spend time to prepare their shoes.

Almost every ballet production requires that its female dancers wear pointe shoes, or toe shoes. These dancing shoes are a complicated mixture of pretty satin covering, glue, nails, canvas, cloth, and leather. Brand new pointe shoes are rock-hard and nearly impossible to dance in without causing the dancer much pain through sore feet and bleeding toes. In order to make the shoes usable, dancers soften the shoe through a variety of techniques that approach a pre-performance ritual.

Hammering Pointe Shoes

Many dancers swear by the hammer. After taking the pink satin shoe from its box, a dancer will hold the shoe against a hard surface such as a floor, and beging hammering the toe of the shoe until it begins to acquire the necessary flexibility for a dancer's foot. This process often requires that the dancer hammer, try the shoes on, take the shoes off, hammer more, then test the shoes again, until all the stiffness is hammered out. Dancers test various hammers, and often carry a favorite hammer with them as they travel for performances.

Slamming Doors on Pointe Shoes

Another method is to slam doors on brand new pointe shoes. In this case, the dancer will hold the toe of a pointe shoe in an open doorway, and then slam the door as if to close it. The momentum of the door hitting the pointe shoe is what begins to knock the stiffness from the toe section. As with hammering, dancers often laugh about slamming doors, as people in the vicinity tend to complain about the noise of doors hitting pointe shoes.

Watering Pointe Shoes

A third, and less noisy way of dealing with stiff pointe shoes is to water them. In this method, a dancer will simply turn on a faucet and place the hard toe shoe under the running water. A variation is for the dancer to put on the shoes, and then place her foot under the running water. Some dancers prefer warm water that also helps to warm up their feet. Others prefer cold water, to help take pain from their toes.

Softening Will Lessen the Life of a Pointe Shoe

No matter which method is used, softening does tend to make the life of a pointe shoe short. This aspect often is immaterial for the professional dancer who is wearing a shoe designed only for one performance. In addtion, professional dancers are often provided with pointe shoes by the dance company. However for new dancers, especially those worried about the high cost of pointe shoes, the expense of buying new ones often leads dancers to avoid the softening process, or else reverse it by painting a stiffening glue inside the toe box after dance classes or performances.

The Ritual of Wearing Pointe Shoes

Whichever method a dancer selects, softening pointe shoes remains an interesting topic of discussion among dancers. The ritual of preparing for a soft, floating effect will always include hammering, slamming doors, or the sound of running water.

Here are some guidelines about the proper age to begin pointe work (Link is coming)
References

Rouse, Bess. "The Hidden Tribulations Behind Ballet Shoes. The Tech. Online Edition. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Volume 121, Issue 49. 5 Oct. 2001

Zanda, Brett. "The Modern Twist on an Ancient Shoe." Popular Science.

Copyright Teresa Knudsen. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

Teresa Knudsen- Teresa's writing appears in the British Library, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Online she has written for USA Today and E How.
Comments

Jun 6, 2009 12:04 AM

Guest :

this is a nightmare for a dancer who does not know what they are doing.. I am predicting a lot of wasted shoes and angry parents...

Jun 9, 2009 11:49 AM

Guest :

as a dancer, I must say that this ritual of softening your pointe shoes is very common. I prefer the hammer method, and if that doesn't work as well as i'd like, I suffer through it. My favorite brand of pointe shoes is Capezio Plie II. They are beautiful and offer great support. I have come to prefer them over other brands. I like to get my pointe shoes from online retailers like http://www.childrensdanceshoes.net since I buy them so frequently, I get tired of running to the local dance store. Interesting post! Thanks for the other ideas, i'll have to try them.

Aug 29, 2009 10:50 AM

Guest :

i also prefer the hammering technique,,..,,.. its easy fast and successful!!!! i had to soften my freeds... ,, .. . the box was way to hard and it would cause blisters and bleeding toes!!!! thank god that nightmare is over!!!!!!!

Mar 18, 2010 1:10 PM
Guest :

i have a hnd and hnc in ballet and as a danser have tried all of thease methods but i just baugt gel pads or fome pads and plase then in and it works like a treat no pain and it make your shoes rellie comfy :D

May 17, 2010 1:20 PM

Guest :

I've tried some of these methods, but I still prefer to break them in the old fashion way. Yeah, it's painful but I find the shoe fits my arch better than any other way.

Jun 23, 2010 5:14 AM

Guest :

I like breaking my shoes in with my feet. It takes a while but it makes them more comfortable. It also really strengthens your feet in the process.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Qualchan the Yakama Warrior of the Mist. Article written by Teresa Knudsen. Originally published on Suite 101 April 08, 2009. Republished June 2012 on Sweet Suite Writings

Qualchan the Yakama Warrior of the Mist. Article written by Teresa Knudsen. Article was originally published on Suite 101 April 08, 2009. Article was republished June 2012 on Sweet Suite Writings.

Qualchan the Yakama Warrior of the Mist. The 1858 Execution of Qualchan, by Colonel George Wright.

Qualchan, a Yakama warrior, defended tribal lands, in the tradition of Geronimo, Cochise, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse. Yet, Qualchan's story was lost in the mists of time.

Qualchan was a leading warrior in Washington Territory, defeating gold prospectors, civilian militias, and the U. S. Army troops.

Cattle Ranchers Record the Story of Qualchan

Lucullus Virgil McWhorter, (1848-1945) a cattle rancher, met Qualchan’s relatives. His writings are in the McWhorter Papers.

Qualchan was born into a charmed life. His father, Owhi, was War Chief . His uncle Ka-Mi-Akin was a renowned warrior. Qualchan underwent a quest., with his spirit power one of the strongest: The mist changed the weather, defeated enemies, and healed the sick and wounded.

Warrior and Medicine Man

Qualchan was handsome, strong, and loved. He relieved trespassing miners of their gold, and of their lives, and then traveled to the pioneer towns of Portland or Seattle to purchase presents for the tribe, and also guns and powder.

Another early cattle rancher was Andrew Jackson Splawn (1845-1917). In Ka-Mi-Akin, Splawn says Qualchan was also hated. “When he was recognized, some of the weaker men took to cover, in fear for their lives. Qualchan had been known to kill an ordinary Indian as mere pastime, to whet his appetite for blood.”

Qualchan and His Wife Whist-alks

Whist-alks, or Walks in a Dress, was beautiful and fearless.Judge William Compton Brown (1869-1963) explains, “Certain it is that Qualchan was very fond of her and very proud of her and took her with him everywhere he went as much as possible.”

Battles of 1855 to 1858

In 1855, Qualchan killed a party of miners who had assaulted Yakama women. In 1856, 50 Yakama warriors with Qualchan snow-shoed over the Cascade Mountains, canoed across Lake Washington, and joined Leschi in the Battle of Seattle. From 1855 to 1858, Qualchan and other warriors defeated the civilian militia and the U.S. Army in one humiliating defeat after another.

Responding to Colonel Edward Steptoe’s May 1858 defeat, the U.S. Army sent 1,000 troops, led by Colonel George Wright, into Eastern Washington. During the Battles of Four Lakes and Spokane Plains, the troops used Sharps rifles and howitzers to defeat the confederacy of tribes: Spokanes, Coeur d’Alenes, Yakamas, Pend Oreille, and Palouse.

The Hanging at Latah Creek

After taking Qualchan’s father prisoner, Colonel Wright sent messengers to invite Qualchan to the camp on Latah Creek to sign a treaty. Qualchan rode into the camp with his wife, brother Lokout, and little brother Seven Mountains. Wright ordered Qualchan’s immediate hanging.

Six men held Qualchan down for the noose. Qualchan’s younger brother saw the rope break twice before the soldiers hanged Qualchan. Whist-alks stood her ground, defiantly threw Qualchan’s staff into the ground, and escaped with Qualchan’s brothers.

After Qualchan’s execution, Latah Creek was called Hangman Creek. As the Civil War began, Qualchan and his bravery vanished in the mist.

Sources:

Brown, William Compton. The Indian Side of the Story. Spokane, WA: C. W. Hill Printing Co., 1961.

“Hangman Creek.” Spokane Outdoors.

McWhorter, Lucullus Virgil. Manuscripts. Washington State University.

Guide to the Lucullus Virgil McWhorter Papers 1848-1945

Splawn, A. J. Ka-Mi-Akin. Caldwell, ID: Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1917 First Edition, 1980 Fourth Printing.

Friday, February 3, 2012

How to Begin a Writing Project: Writing Strategies to Overcome Writer's Block by Teresa Knudsen, March 17, 2009

Does Your Writing Space Look like This?, Teresa Knudsen

How to Begin a Writing Project: Writing Strategies to Overcome Writer's Block
Written by Teresa Knudsen. Published on Suite 101 March 17, 2009.
Republished February 3, 2012 on Sweet Suite Writings

How to Begin a Writing Project:
Writing Strategies to Overcome Writer's Block

Gone are the days of the cliché-ridden image of a writer sitting huddled over a desk, surrounded by crumpled pieces of paper that had been thrown on the floor in despair.

Researchers have found that there are writing strategies including prewriting, writing, and revising. Prewriting often can begin with freewriting, where a writer just begins writing and putting words down on the page.

Freewriting and Brainstorming Writing Ideas

Some writers prefer to just make a list. At this stage, the “editor” inside a writer should remain mute. The writer writes without judging the writing, and the goal is to just get some writing onto the paper. Making sense of the writing will come in a later stage of writing and editing.

Some writers prefer something called the “non-stop” where they set a timer and keep writing even if they don’t know what to write. In the case of coming up with no ideas, a writer would simple keep writing, “I don’t have any ideas, I wish I had some, oh no, I forgot to feed the cat…” or similar types of writing. Again, the goal is to get words onto the page, and this act alone will give the writer some sense of accomplishment. Besides, there might be the kernel of an idea in the freewrite, or non-stop.

Strategies for Writers' Block

What about the dreaded and mythical “writer’s block”? Again, educational research has taken the mystique from this condition. In his book, Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective, Dale H. Schunk explained that “Block may be caused by inadequate knowledge of the topic or lack of interest. Rose (1980) found that adopting rigid rules for writing can cause block. Writers who believe that they must begin with a quote or make four important points may get stuck because they cannot follow these rules” (216).

Thus, a writer suffering from writer’s block might consider returning to the brainstorming and researching phase of writing, getting more information, and then returning to the task of writing.

Regarding writer’s block, Spokane author Jess Walter has worked as a journalist, and written highly regarded non-fiction and fiction. His writing includes the non-fiction Ruby Ridge, as well as novels, Over Tumbled Graves, Land of the Blind, Citizen Vince, and The Zero. Jess tells this joke about writer's block: “Do you know what they call a writer with writer’s block? Unemployed.” If nothing else, a writer can become motivated by knowing that writing can equal money.

The Role of Ritual in the Writing Process

Jess Walter advises writers to develop simple rituals to help begin their writing tasks: “Ritual can be really important for getting started writing, how I have a cup of coffee, write a page in my journal and then start in. Of course, the ritual can be anything, but keep it simple so that if--for instance--you didn't do tai chi that day, you can't use it as an excuse for not writing.”

So, no matter which strategy a writer selects, it's good to know that there can be a method to the madness, and that getting ready to write can be a pleasure.

References

Schunk, Dale H. Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective. New York: Merrill, 1991.

Walter, Jess.

Sweet Suite Writings