Black Mariah Film and Video Festival

West Hartford, CT - Once again the University of Hartford hosts the Black Mariah Film and Video festival.

Black Mariah is a traveling festival, screening at many locations throughout the USA, plus a few choice international showings.

The screening take place tonight, Tuesday 2/21/2012 and tomorrow Wednesday 2/22/2012. The films are showing in Wilde auditorium at 7:30pm. Different films are shown each night, so consider coming to both.

Special props go to Prof Gene Gort who has kept this festival coming back to Uha for longer than he probably cares to admit.

This has been DH Scenic reporting.

How'dya like him now?

Waaaayyyyy back in August 2010, this blog endorsed Ned Lamont in the Democratic primary that would determine who would battle to become the next guv'nor of CT. We all know how well that worked out, although we found the several comments from Malloy's blog police somewhat entertaining.

And so it went, back to the daily grind for us at Scenic HQ. And then it started.

To be honest, whoever was unlucky enough to land in the governors seat would not have an easy job, due to chronic mismanagement by the previous occupants Rell and Rowland.

First it was some easily ignored news articles (I think we were hung over). Then facebook posts about how it was a shame the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry was going to be closed (a last minute deal averted the shutdown of the oldest operating ferry in the USA). Once again, after a momentary sigh, I told myself, well, tough times, we can't be so sentimental, stiff upper lip old chap.

Unfortunately as time has gone on, the chorus against Malloy has gotten louder. And not just the right side wingnutz you'd expect to oppose any Democrat. For example, competing (you did vote for us in the Hartford Advocate reader's poll, didn't you) blogger Colin McEnroe wrote this column calling out Malloy on his recent state of the state address (the end of the column points out the hypocrisy in the potential teachers salary negotiations after giving eyebrow rising concessions to state workers).

But what I read a couple of hours ago really takes the cake.

Malloy is ZEROING OUT all arts organization funding (about $11 million) as of July 1!!!! That is right in the middle of the year, in case you didn't notice. Arts organizations, who carefully considered their budgets this year counting on the funds, are now left high and dry (well maybe not so high). The administration claims the organizations can "compete" for funding, although no details on any aspect of this competition can currently be provided.

Strangest part is the announcement of $10 million to be dumped into advertising the state in order to attract more tourists. Which leaves me to wonder what are those tourists going to do when they get here?

More importantly what are the Scenics going to do without a robust arts scene? Sex, drugs and rock n roll gets kinda boring after a time (actually, total lie, it never gets old).

After taking all the above into careful consideration, I have decided to do the only thing I can at this time:

This blog officially endorses Ned Lamont for Governor. If he decides to run again (it wouldn't surprise me if wanted to be done with elected office here).

Per his Facebook page Ned just returned from Egypt and Tunis, and will be giving a talk at CCSU on February 28 in Vance 105. Topics will include the Arab Spring uprisings and the situation in Syria.

Burlesque-Paris Style

We all know the French are renown as the worlds best lovers, but what about their burlesque chops? They claim to be the best, although CT has Dot Mitzvah and Kitty Katastrophe (two of CT Scenic's faves). Who's right? We're about to find out, our friends at RAW are bringing the documentary Crazy Horse to us, screening on March 2. Check out this too sexy for youtube trailer while you still can.

By the way...

In case you've been wondering "What's going on with the blog?"

It's not you, it's us.

Sincerely,

The Scenics

The Onion Strikes Again

The Scenics tend to like everything dark and sarcastic. So, we were delighted a few months back with this gem from our favorite news source.

Well it turns out that a certain someone (Rep. John Fleming, R-La., of course) thought it was real, posting it on his facebook page in order to stir up the rage of his constituents.