Concert Review: Jack White

Merriweather Post Pavilion in all its glory. The grounds are fantastic.

Opener: Olivia Jean

Main Act/Big Boss: Jack White

Encore: 8 songs! I can’t believe I missed it!

As you can tell, I was pretty busy last weekend. After partying with Enrique and Pitbull on Saturday, I went out to see Jack White on Sunday at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. This was my first trip out to Merriweather Post. The venue reels in a lot of my favorite acts, so I had been wanting to make the trip out there for ages. The only thing that really kept me from going before was my transportation dilemma. I don’t have a car, so this trip was made possible by Car2Go. That’s right. We rode on the highway in a tiny Smart car and parked it on the improvised lawn lot at the venue. It was quite the adventure.

Sailor Moon Crystal Recap: Act 4 - Masquerade

Sailor Moon Crystal is a new adaptation of the beloved graphic novel series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi. The first animated adaptation of the property aired in its home country of Japan from 1992 to 1997 spanning a total of five seasons. As Sailor Moon, it was partially broadcasted in the United States from 1995 to 2000. The new series is being broadcast all over the world online through sites like Hulu, Crunchyroll, Nico Nico, and Neon Alley. New episodes are being released every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. The Lunafix will faithfully recap the episodes on Sunday as long as I don’t sleep through my post deadlines.

Naoko Takeuchi, PNP, Kodansha, Toei Animation, Viz, Hulu

Act 4 is the last of the repeat plots. Thank goodness! To be fair, this one feels a little more fresh than the others. Two years ago, when I picked up volume 1 of the comic reprint, I could have sworn I didn’t know the story at all. It turns out the masquerade ball is the plot of episode 22 of the first animated series. It’s titled “Romance Under the Moon: Usagi’s First Kiss” and it’s on Hulu, if you want to compare the episodes.

In a lot of ways, it feels like a filler story. The Kingdom of D stops by Tokyo to unveil their most coveted treasure. Luna and the sailor guardians use the power of deduction to conclude this treasure could be the Legendary Silver Crystal. (It’s not.) Shenanigans ensue as the sailor guardians, the Dark Kingdom, and Tuxedo Mask all flock to the party to get their hands on the treasure.

Sailor Moon Crystal Recap: Act 3

Sailor Moon Crystal is a new adaptation of the beloved graphic novel series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi. The first animated adaptation of the property aired in its home country of Japan from 1992 to 1997 spanning a total of five seasons. As Sailor Moon, it was partially broadcasted in the United States from 1995 to 2000. The new series is being broadcast all over the world online through sites like Hulu, Crunchyroll, Nico Nico, and Neon Alley. New episodes are being released every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. The Lunafix will faithfully recap the episodes on Sunday as long as I don’t sleep through my post deadlines.

Naoko Takeuchi/PNP, Kodansha, Toei Animation, Viz, Hulu

So, I’ve fallen behind on my Sailor Moon Crystal Recaps. Act 3 was another repeat plot, so I probably wasn’t totally excited about covering it. This episode marks the debut of Sailor Mars in Sailor Moon Crystal. SMC was marketed as being a more faithful adaptation of the comic, so episode is a pretty big deal. Sailor Moon fans have been pretty vocal about what they think is an unsatisfying portrayal of Rei in the first animated series. In the comic, Rei is mature and aloof. If she seems abrasive, it’s because she is often put off by her friends’ childishness. This personality trait was twisted in the first animated series where they made her a loud, hotheaded nag. They also made her a bit boy crazy to add some extra drama to the mix. A lot of fans see this as the most unforgivable misstep. The real Rei has a lot of unresolved issues with the male figures in her life and has forsaken dating. She’s pretty hardcore for a shrine maiden. That was the point of her character. The question is, did SMC deliver on their promise of a true Rei?

Concert Review: Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull

Opener: J Balvin

First Act: Pitbull

Second Act: Enrique Iglesias

Encore: I Like It- Enrique Iglesias (ft. Pitbull)

Having been to one other true pop concert, I wasn’t sure what to expect of Enrique and Pitbull’s show. The night was full of welcome surprises. I laughed. I cried. I had a good time. Here’s a rundown of what went down at the Verizon Center in DC last Saturday.

J Balvin

I showed up a little tardy for the party, so I missed J’s set. It was probably good. I’ll say it was.

Pitbull

At this show, I realized that Armando Perez has been a constant in my life. His music has been playing in the background for the last ten years. He’s been there at school dances and tense car rides with my parents. I got strangely nostalgic going down memory lane with Mr. Worldwide. . Who knew Culo and Give Me Everything could awaken such feelings in me?

Mr. Worldwide spent a generous amount of his time on stage flanked by two dancers/models. Some of the camera shots had me thinking of Sabado Gigante. He paid tribute to all three pop divas that have shed their golden light on his discography. Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, and Kesha were present on screen when their songs came on. As far as I remember, their vocals were taken from the original recordings, so it wasn’t weird when he sang about JLo being like a tonka truck without her being physically present.

Biggest Surprise: For whatever reason, his backing band was playing musical cues from big rock anthems in between his songs. Too bad Armando didn’t actually cover Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Enrique

The nostalgia hit me harder during the second set. Enrique and I go way back. I have his first album on cassette. My love for him is real, okay? He did Bailamos and Be with You. I am set for life.

As anticipated, he showed up in a baseball cap and distressed jeans like he hadn’t had time to change before the show. He was shades more casual than Armando who was in a white jacket and dress pants. Enrique doesn’t need to dress up anymore. The audience is in a 20 year relationship with him. I got the feeling he could have been reading from the phonebook and they would have eaten it up. He’s really that powerful.

His act is too big for one stage. He has a much smaller, intimate stage at the end of the general admission section. There, he strips down and delivers a soulful acoustic set. It was at this moment that all 10,000 attendees reached for their cell phones and lit up the Verizon Center like that Owl City song about fireflies. It was great.

The encore was rather abrupt and short. It started a few minutes after Enrique finished his set and only consisted of one song. It was the shortest encore I’ve ever witnessed, but maybe big pop endings can be short and sweet.

Biggest Surprise: Enrique did a cover of Stand by Me during which he handpicked a fan to join him. He plucked a grown man from obscurity and liquored him up on stage. It was great. I have no idea why this transpired. I was up in the 400s and couldn’t hear any of their witty banter.

Windy City Fall Bucket List

When living in Chicago you learn that fall unofficially begins the moment the weather take it’s first plunge. This year it happened last Thursday. Chicago went from gorgeous summer weather to being knee deep in fall. Everyone I know was desperately hoping to cling onto summer, but not me. I love the thought of having crisp nights and a wardrobe filled with chestnut, plum and forest green colors. Being so excited for this shift in seasons I decided to make a list of all the adventures I am hoping to have in the next two months. Some are as simple as sipping some cider while others are things I've never done before such as attending Lincoln Square’s popular Apple Fest! I hoping this list will keep me on track and that by the end of October everything will be crossed off. (Here’s hoping!) Let me know if my list is missing any Chicago Fall staples! I'd love to add them!:)

As a baking enthusiast (in-training), I will also be making a bucket list of all the fall goodies I’m planning on making. Keep an eye out for that next week!Best, Kat

Concert Preview: Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull Tour

via enriqueiglesias.com

Today’s the big day. I have tickets to Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull’s show at the Verizon Center tonight. Now, I’m not what you would call a diehard fan. This will be my first time going to one of their shows, so I have no idea what to expect. Going into this, I have a lot of questions.

For starters, what would a Pitbull concert setlist even look like? Half of his songs are features! Out of those features, probably 15% of them are JLo features. Can he sing about JLo being like a Tonka truck without her actually being present? Is there going to be a hologram of Jenny from the Block in the show?

Enrique falls on the other end of spectrum. Twenty years into his career as a recording artist, he has a pretty sizable discography. I’m concerned I won’t get the hits I grew up with like Experiencia Religiosa and No Llores Por Mi. Seriously, I don’t know if I can handle an Enrique concert without Bailamos or Rhythm Divine.

I guess it makes sense for them to tour together. Enrique has the songs. Pitbull has the moves. I wonder if Enrique has the stage presence to command a large scale venue like the Verizon Center. I’ve only ever seen him perform on TV where moving isn’t really required. In this regard, I’m not really worried about Pitbull. The man can dance and wear a mean suit. As far as I can tell, Enrique’s standard attire consists of distressed jeans and fitted t-shirts. They should merge together and be one person. 

Stay tuned for my follow up concert review. Dale.

Sailor Moon Crystal Recap: Act 2 - Ami - Sailor Mercury

Sailor Moon Crystal is a new adaptation of the beloved graphic novel series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi. The first animated adaptation of the property aired in its home country of Japan from 1992 to 1997 spanning a total of five seasons. As Sailor Moon, it was partially broadcasted in the United States from 1995 to 2000.  The new series is being broadcast all over the world online through sites like Hulu, Crunchyroll, Nico Nico, and Neon Alley. New episodes are being released every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. The Lunafix will faithfully recap the episodes on Sunday as long as I don’t sleep through my post deadlines.

Naoko Takeuchi, PNP, Kodansha, Toei Animation, Hulu

Word around Juban Public Middle School is that Ami Mizuno from Class 2-5 is perfect. She has an IQ of 300, gets perfect scores on every test, and studies during breaks. The funny thing is, she doesn’t seem to have any friends. On paper, she’s the spiritual opposite of our slacker heroine, Usagi Tsukino.

The show is set in Tokyo, so the scenes that take place in Juban Public Middle School give you a glimpse at the academic life of Japanese students. Students’ test scores are posted in public spaces, sort of how cast lists for plays would be in an American school. It’s a tool that contributes to the rigorous and competitive academic culture in Japanese schools. Imagine how this public scoring system would affect your self-esteem and your social status. Everyone at JPMS is painfully aware of the fact that Ami is the school’s top student. She’s achieved the position that they are all dying to have. Most students see Ami sitting by herself all the time and interpret that as her way of saying that no one is good enough to be her friend. Her classmates automatically distance themselves from her without question. Usagi is the only one that reaches out to her.

Sailor Moon Crystal Recap: Act 1- Usagi- Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon Crystal is a new adaptation of the beloved graphic novel series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi. The first animated adaptation of the property aired in its home country of Japan from 1992 to 1997, spanning a total of five seasons. As Sailor Moon, it was partially broadcasted in the United States from 1995 to 2000. The new series is being broadcast all over the world online through sites like Hulu, Crunchyroll, Nico Nico, and Neon Alley. New episodes are being released every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. The Lunafix will faithfully recap the episodes on Sunday as long as I don’t sleep through my post deadlines.

Naoko Takeuchi/PNP, Kodansha, Toei Animation, Hulu

In Act 1- Usagi-Sailor Moon, we are introduced to fourteen year-old Usagi Tsukino. Arriving late to class and earning a failing grade all within her first few minutes on screen, our heroine is quickly shown to have a bit of an underachieving streak. It’s not hard to question Luna’s judgement, then, when she gives Usagi a magic compact and the magic words that transform her into Sailor Moon. In case you didn't know, Luna is a talking cat with a crescent moon patch on her forehead. She’s on a mission to assemble a team of guardians that will help her find and protect a missing moon princess. In this first episode, Luna doesn't reveal much information about the moon princess or herself really. We just have to go with it like Usagi who has reluctantly accepted her role as a sailor-suited guardian.