BIG IDEAS

Read the post below for context. Barack Obama, just moments ago, made his clean break with Jeremiah Wright public. According to all inside who know, the private break happened quite a while ago (again see Jesse below).

The key line ” That Rev. Wright would find it appropriate to take the stage for three or four days in the middle of all this, makes me angry and also saddens me.”

Japan is known around the world as Trend Central. Whatever is influencing this particular hipster needs to be stopped immediately.

The folks from Microcinema International, a distributor of independent docs, compilations and artistic videos from around the globe just released Tokyo Streets, an innovative documentary designed to mimic a video game style navigation through the fashion, music, trends and street culture of modern Japan. As a documentary, don’t expect Ken Burns or anything like context. It’s a visual travelogue, pure and simple, designed no doubt for people to develop their own conclusions. Worth a look.

View the trailer here.

Speaking of Tokyo , what’s up with the state of contemporary Japanese dentistry? You mean all that unsold stock of Darkie toothpaste isn’t being put to good use?

Hailed by some as the “African alternative to Cirque du Soleil”, Afrika! Afrika! premiered in London recently to what’s being called a stunning success.

Organized by Viennese multimedia artist Andre Heller, the show is a culmination of several years of scouting the continent’s circus schools for recruits, with the final result being over 100 dancers, performing acts, gymnasts and acrobats.

Like Ringling Brothers, the show is performed in two distinct touring companies. Tour 1 stays in the UK through 2008 and hits the U.S. (no dates announced yet) in 2009. Tour 2 moves from Hannover to Vienna, Barcelona, Milan and Paris through 08, heading for Asia in 2009.

Given what will surely be a huge reception in the US for Afrika! Afrika!, promoters and investors should already be talking about a permanent home theater. But it remains to be seen if Afrika! Afrika! could break the virtual monopoly Cirque du Soleil seems to have in the States, at this point becoming almost synonymous with the alternative circus concept. Though let’s be honest, once you’ve seen one Canadian strongman act, you’ve seen them all. But are the Vegas hotels ready for an Afrika! Afrika!?

Then again, maybe a permanent home at The Apollo.

Hat tip to Timbuku Chronicles.