Since 1962, Burma has been under the control of a military junta and has been one of the most isolated nations in the world. During an uprising in fall 2007, foreign press was expelled from the country. A group of ad hoc journalists filmed the turmoil and smuggled footage out of the country, some of it via the Internet and some of it over the border to Thailand. It was then transmitted to Norway and released to media outlets around the world. The riveting Oscar-nominated film Burma VJ follows the protests from the compiled footage of the group, known as Democratic Voice of Burma. Reporters caught with handcams were jailed as political instigators. But many continued to risk their lives (one Japanese photographer was shot by the Burmese military) and freedom. (A pro-democracy protest movement in 1988 was met with a violent crackdown, and government troops killed an estimated 3,000 demonstrators.) This film zeroes in on the decision of Burmese monks to take to the streets in peaceful protest. The government immediately deployed troops to stop the marches. The tension builds as the monks and the government each weigh how far they will push the other side. And the reporters weigh what risks they will take to film it. The film screens at Zeitgeist at 7 p.m. Tuesday as part of the Patois International Human Rights Film Fest.

The Louisiana State Museum in partnership with the Ponderosa Stomp presents “Cocktails and Conversations with the Unsung Heroes of Rock ‘n’ Roll” on the second Friday of each month. The inaugural event tonight features an interview with legendary arranger and composer Harold Battiste by WWOZ DJ and documentarian (and Gambit contributor) David Kunian. Battiste founded the record label A.F.O. (All For One), and he arranged Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me,” Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe,” Joe Jones’ “You Talk Too Much,” and Lee Dorsey’s “Ya Ya.” He also produced Dr. John’s early albums (Gris Gris, Babylon and Gumbo). And he was instrumental in the Jazz Studies program at UNO. Admission to the event (5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.) is free, and the Ponderosa Stomp curated “Secret History of Rock ‘n’ Roll” is open. There is a cash bar.

The popular NPR news quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me recorded this week’s episode at the Mahalia Jackson Theater last night in front of a packed house. The episode will air at 10 a.m. Saturday on WWNO 89.9 FM.

Host Peter Sagal and judge/scorekeeper Carl Kasell (pictured) were joined by panelists Mo Rocca, Roy Blount Jr. (author of Feet on the Street: Rambles Around New Orleans) and Amy Dickinson. George Porter Jr. was the celebrity guest tested on an area of knowledge totally unrelated to his expertise. He also was quizzed about the meaning of Mardi Gras Indian and Meter song titles (but it seemed no one briefed Sagal on how amicable the Meters breakup was). Tune in to hear the secret of a professional musician staying married for 43 years; what Dickinson thinks Houston is for; thoughts on the tickling and nudist habits of congressional members; and Mo Rocca’s bold prediction about Drew Brees’ greatest secret.

The opening of Fantastic Mr. Fox, featured in this week’s Gambit, has been postponed until March 26.

Among the performers headed to Austin’s South By Southwest conference is a contingent of New Orleans bounce rappers. Former Gambit columnist Alison Fensterstock organized a benefit show at the Saint (961 St. Mary St.) tonight (10 p.m. Wednesday) to support the group of artists. The show features DJ Rusty Lazer and raffle prizes, including a limited-edition Defend New Orleans T-shirt signed by Katey Red, DJ Jubilee, 10th Ward Buck, Wild Wayne and others. There are rare cassettes for sale and a DVD with rare bounce songs, mostly ripped from Fensterstock’s collection of vinyl.

The Austin bounce showcase will feature Partners-N-Crime, DJ Jubilee, Katey Red, Big Freedia, Vockah Redu, Magnolia Shorty and Ms Tee. Anyone unable to attend the show tonight may be interested in the Kickstarter page for the entourage, which features further information and prizes for different levels of support. Fensterstock and photographer Aubrey Edwards also are working on a documentary project about New Orleans bouncers called “Where They At” which will be on display at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

Google is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’ll get. David Simon’s “Treme” trailer after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Your day job is safe - unless you collect balls tossed into a miniature hockey rink for a living.

Those curious about robot sports and the engineering prospects of area high schoolers may want to catch the competition at the Alario Center this weekend. NASA staff from the John C. Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis provide mentors, coaches and referees to teams from 36 schools in Louisiana and Mississippi. Local competitors include New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School, Lusher Charter School, McMain Secondary High School, Sarah T. Reed High School, John Ehret High School in Marrero, Mandeville High School and St. Paul’s High School in Covington.

This year’s competition is more like a soccer game involving teamwork. We’re not sure if the robots have become self-aware and learned how to take a dive yet, but keep a sharp eye on them. The finals of the Bayou Regional are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Watch highlights from last year’s regional set to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” after the jump. Or highlights set to Cascada’s “Every Time We Touch.” Your call.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you plan on joining any Oscar pools before or during the awards (March 7), don’t give away an easy pick on live-action shorts. The New Orleans Film Society screens the live action shorts today through Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the Prytania Theatre. The five nominees come from India, Australia, Sweden, Ireland and the U.S. All are well-made, though I found Kavi (about poverty and child labor) predictable and Miracle Fish (about a bullied young boy) pointless. The Door (sort of about the degradation Russian people experienced at the hands of the Communist regime), from an Irish director but filmed in Russia, was exquisitely well done. I would bet the winner will come down to either the humorous Swedish film about a not-so-talented magician who lives with his parents and The New Tenants (above), a darkly comic, claustrophobic bit of pathos reminiscent of David Lynch’s best work. It alone makes the showcase well worth the ticket.

NOPD has announced the cancellation of all Thursday night parades.

Knights of Babylon will  reschedule to parade Sunday, Feb. 14, before Okeanos.

Krewe of Muses will reschedule to parade Friday, Feb. 12, following Morpheus.

Knights of Chaos have cancelled their parade.

It would be nice to think you might get these shoes at the Muses parade on Thursday. Terence Blanchard and Robin Burgess already have the shoe on the right, which they received yesterday, before second-lining on St. Charles Avenue after the Super Bowl. The original picture of Fats Domino and Drew Brees from last year’s Domino Effect concert is after the jump. Photos and shoes by Erika Goldring.

Read the rest of this entry »