Drink of the Week: Aperol Spritz

It’s the summer. I am isolated in the UAE and I am dreaming of a carefree summer. There isn’t a better drink to help you relax and feel happy than the Aperol Spritz. You don’t have to have any special equipment to get this drink “right”. This is the perfect drink to unwind once you spent some time working on your documentary.

Mix it as you like it. I prefer to include a squeeze of fish orange juice for a touch of sweetness since I use brut prosecco. This is the mix:

1) Aperol

2) Prosecco

3) Club soda

4) Slice of fresh orange

What is your summer fun drink? I’ll add it to my list.

Alserkal Avenue – Dubai – UAE

Don’t be confused by the name: Alserkal Avenue. It’s not an avenue in the typical sense of the word but rather a conglomerate of art warehouses in one walkable space.  It is amazing.  This was my first trip to the galleries in the warehouse district of Dubai but, it will not be my last.

The space includes established studios, artists residences, places to eat, and pop up shops.  It’s in a constant state of evolution. There are young people here interested in supporting and promoting the arts.  Everyone I visited in the galleries are friendly and talkative.  To make me even happier, there weren’t many people around on Friday midday (holy day here).

Check out their website for more information and to keep up with all the happenings … nearly everyday is something new and every month is a new topic. https://alserkalavenue.ae/en/index.php

Oh yeah, it is free and it is hip.

 

Art Week – Abu Dhabi – UAE

Last week was Abu Dhabi Art Week.  I was fortunate enough to snag a seat on a bus heading from Alserkal Avenue in Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back.  They offered this amazing experience, with a ticket into the event and tour, for free!  Keep your eyes peeled for these kinds of experiences at : http://alserkalavenue.ae/en/index.php.  (No, I do not work for them.  I just appreciate their community outreach that much.)

As you can see, the art was inspiring. I just want to start creating when I am surrounded by all this art.  Some pieces I though were more successful than others but, it was a good time all around.  Since I haven’t credited each artist individually, please see the website for more information about the galleries and artist participating: https://www.abudhabiart.ae/en/default.aspx

I can’t wait until Art Week – Dubai – UAE March 14-24 2018. Mark your calendars now and check out their website for more information: http://www.artweek.ae.

Live It : Follow Doco Peeps on Twitter

These are fun people to follow on twitter …

THE DAILY NOTEBOOK @thedailyMUBI

> Film news and tips throughout the day, every day.

ERROL MORRIS @errolmorris

> documentary filmmaker

ROTTEN TOMATOES @rottentomatoes

> Unite the critics, inform the world.

KevinSmith

@ThatKevinSmith Body? L.A. Mind? N.J.

It begins with me covered in sperm, trapped in my old man’s balls. Then, suddenly… ESCAPE!

4. Judd Apatow

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/06/4-filmmakers-use-social-media-to-crowdsource-their-stories166.html

Twitter has become an immediate, collaborative tool for many filmmakers on and off the set. To help write jokes for his speech at the Producers Guild Awards, Judd Apatow hit up his community of followers. Apatow (“Bridesmaids,” 2011, “Knocked Up,” 2007) included this joke from @omitofo: “Inception is really about Hollywood. Everyone’s constantly trying to ruin your dreams so they can make a buck.” Follow Apatow on Twitter (@JuddApatow) and tell him a joke. If you’re lucky, he may just use your creation to amuse and entertain others.

Live It: More Freedom on PBS

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom Riders | PBS

The story behind a courageous band of civil rights activists called Freedom Riders who in 1961 challenged segregation in the American South.

* This documentary recently played to a sold out crowd in DC * Now, Everyone can watch and enjoy.  PBS has a great interactive website and WATCH entire film online FREE ! *

Click link for more info:

 

WGBH American Experience . Freedom Riders | PBS.

 

What are you doing this weekend?

Doc & a Drink is going to the “Our City Film Festival”.  Our first stop is the opening night party tomorrow (Saturday). It’s open to the public — Join us!

It’s at RFD’s (810 7th St, NW) and everyone knows RFD’s has an excellent beer selection.  Katy and I will be interviewing some of the local documentary filmmakers.  It’s going to be a blast.  It’s only 12.00 and all the money from the festival goes back into the organization.  Buy your tickets online – they will sell out! See you there (8-11pm).

**** Celebrate the opening of the film festival with filmmakers and VIPs.

Enjoy beer specials, great raffle give-aways, and performances by

Grammy nominee, Arts and Humanities Council of Washington grantee

and subject of past OCFF film, Blue Line…

Then – this Sunday – is the main event.  The films are all about D.C. The festival is only on Sunday, at The Goethe Institute (812 7th St, NW).  For ticket information and a full schedule check the website:  http://www.yachad-dc.org/Home.shtml

AND – just added — is the closing event with the D.C Cupcake Girls…

Georgetown Cupcakes’ Sophie and Katherine will be special guests,

screening TLC’s Second Season of DC Cupcakes,Our City

hosting a Q&A, and cupcake decorating contest at the finale.

ONLY 10.00 to attend.  Buy tickets here.

 

5 out of 5 Cheers.

-becky beamer

(belated) OKTOBERFEST!!!!!!!!

I celebrated Oktoberfest in Sydney,Australia.  I ordered a traditional Hoffbrau House Dunkle (.5 liters) and some traditional grub.  I sat outside – in 72 degree weather – in a beer garden.  What more could I ask for? Yummy!

5 out of 5 Cheers (for Sydney)

4 out of 5 Cheers (for the food and beer) The beer was good and the mug was special.  The food was traditional but, not exceptional.  I had to combined those reviews with an overall experience score to get the 4/5.

 

Teen Angst Survives in American Teen Movie

Last weekend I was on Grease overload – the soundtrack, the movie, a pizza night sleepover party with more singing.  The teenage angst rolled into this weekend with the documentary selection…..

FILM: American Teen (2008)

DIRECTOR & WRITER:Nanette Burstein

REVIEWER: Becky Beamer

The documentary was exactly what I remember of highschool rolled into all of my favorite movies from the same time.

I don’t mean to give anything away but yes there was the faithful school announcements (Grease), followed by the introduction of the stereotypical characters (breakfast club), and their peer pressured ways (Pretty in PInk).  It’s an easy to watch documentary.  I liked it.  I don’t think it was exceptional or revolutionary but, dependable and liable in all its clichéd glory.

Don’t be thrown off by the animation appearing randomly about an hour into the film.  I think it smoothes itself into a purposeful normalcy – like the super dork – in the end.

If you were worried there wouldn’t be a final basketball dual (Teen Wolf), Prom NIght (Pretty in PInk) or Graduation Speech (Say Anything) – don’t worry they are all in there too.

Rock on!

I feel the need to end this posting with a cheer – from none other than Shaker Heights High School’s Field Hockey Team to another rival Field Hocky Team.

U

L

G

Y

You ain’t got no alibi – you ulgy – Aye – Aye – You Ugly- (clap clap clap) GOOOOOOO Raiders!

4 out of 5 Cheers — b.b.

Silverdocs is NEXT WEEK ….. hollllllla

The D.C area’s best documentary Film Festival and arguably one of the most anticipated events of the year invades Silver Spring next week.

Everyone should take advantage of the access to the hippest – hottest and hard to find docs.  Check out the long – the short and the conferences.

And, as if that wasn’t exciting enough, Doc & a Drink will be giving the weekly play by play as official bloggers of the festival.

Bookmark these blogs for the inside scoop:

http://silverdocs.wordpress.com/

http://www.docandadrink.com/

Inside Scoop of the Week: Many of the evening shows are selling out. Buy your tickets today online!

Highlighted Doc of the Week: MEN WHO SWIM

I’m really looking forward to a doc that features Men Synchronize Swimming.  To learn more check out my blog for SilverDocs.

Cheers and Beers — becky

Doc News > Joaquin Phoenix’s doc a HOAX!

The premise for the new Joaquin Phoenix doc entitled I’m Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix, has leaked to the press.  The verdict: It’s a hoax!  Last spring – he ran around town like a crazy person.  His actions only be explained as “bizarre”.  To top off the weirdness was the cameras following him around – headed by his brother-in-law Casey Afflack.

Plot Points : The film shows Phoenix snorting cocaine, having sex with prostitutes and simply falling apart in his quest to land a record deal. It shows him meeting with Sean Combs in a desperate plea to get him to produce his record album.

Best Review in One Sentence:

“According to the Los Angeles Times, those present at the screening were baffled by the on-screen weirdness (including a bizarre scene involving human feces and lots of male frontal nudity).”

2nd Best Review in One Sentence:

“This thing is starting to sound less like a Joaquin Pheonix mockumentary and more like a Nick Cannon biopic.”
Articles:

http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/the-joaquin-phoenix-documentary-is-obviously-a-hoax/18609

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2010/05/joaquin-phoenixs-rap-documentary-shocks-at-screeni.html

COCAINE – RAP STARS – PROSTITUTES – AND FECES – WHO DOESN’T WANT TO SEE THAT?

4 out of 5 Cheers – Live it Up!

– becky beamer