The word "Calligraphy", is derived from the Greek language, "kallos", which translates to "beauty" while "graphe"/"writing", and is one of the most romantic and expressive ways to portray a language on paper. Some of the earliest writings were recorded on papyrus with reed pens, while medieval manuscripts were written on vellum. These formal characters and writings have been exhibited in museums, galleries, libraries, and private collections throughout the ages. The varied styles range from Roman Rustic, used in the 1st to 6th Century, Uncial-from the 3rd to 6th Century, Artificial Uncial-from the 6th to the 10th Century, and Early Gothic to Gothic Littera Bastarda from 11th to 13th Century and on.

Cooper Union College of Art graduate, medieval scholar, lecturer, painter, and internationally acclaimed calligrapher and stationer, Bernard Maisner, has been published in a myriad of well respected magazines worldwide, has created invitations for upper echelon functions, has made appearances in major television programs, as well as, starred in major Hollywood blockbusters, standing in for Johnny Depp, in "Sleepy Hollow", writing for Sean Connery in "Finding Forrester", played Daniel Day Lewis's hand in "The Age of Innocence", and most recently made the hand written props for "PS-I Love You".

Q- "Can handwriting and calligraphy be attributed to one another?"
A- "Handwriting and calligraphy are different things, and, by the way, my own handwriting is actually quite atrocious. Calligraphy is learning specific historical hands, the various lettering styles throughout history. My skills skills permit me to do any kind of lettering and writing, from medieval illuminations to graffiti." "From monk to punk".

"Italian Renaissance and Italic styles were written with a certain type of pen, while Roman Square capitals were letters inscribed using brushes and then carved into the Trajan's Stone Columns. Italic is widely used by Calligraphers today. Copperplate style was developed in the 1800's in Europe, while Spencerian is an American style created in the 1900's. I used to teach medieval illumination techniques and use of gold leaf in illuminated manuscripts at 'The Cloisters Museum of Art". "There are many different writing styles, you can tell by looking at the writing what century it was written in and what country it was from." "Most people were illiterate and writing was done by professional scribes. Later on, the general population began to learn to write, when commerce really started to grow, and people were no longer slaves to the king."

Q- "What tools were used?"
A- "Medieval and Renaissance books were written with quills."

Aside: A nib is the part of a quill which comes in contact with the writing surface in order to deposit ink. Its origin dates back to ancient Egyptian times, and were made of metals like copper and bronze."

Q-"What mediums were used to write on?"
A-"Before paper, writing was done on animal skin, also known as parchment. A quill works really well on parchment. When paper was perfected during the Renaissance, other tools worked well, like a metal pen nib."
"When paper was invented in the Renaissance times, other tools worked well, like a metal pen. With the invention of printing presses in the 1400's, books were able to be mass produced. Before then, authors like Dante, had to hire scribes to calligraph his works page by page, letter by letter."

Q-"What do you think of modern day times of typing, texting, and emailing?"
A-"I think there is very little emotion in them, and physical documents, like postcards, and hand written letters will disappear completely."

Q-"What type of (...)

Written and Produced by MADONNA!!! In a slightly nervous tone, and down to earth, non-eloquent manner, THE Madonna thanked everyone who attended and "The Tribeca Film Festival" for allowing her to present the film, as "it was distributed to other festivals, however, due to it's content, was not looked highly upon. I thank Jane Rosenthal and her risk taking behaviour. She's my kind of girl!!! I believe that the film is rewarding, creative and spiritual. I am grateful just to be standing up here and saying that." She went on to thank her crew that worked on the film, as they "tirelessly worked throughout the night sleeping on her couch, and admired the fact that they had worked on a lot of projects, and they were not there for the paycheck, they were there for the love of the film." Madonna thanked Michael Green, her agent, and the Director, Nathan Rissman. Nathan started off as Madonna's gardener, but as he put it, "Yes, I was the gardener, but look at me now! I thank Madonna as she believed in my abilities. She knew I could only be my best if she was her best, and I am grateful for the opportunity!"

The film is extremely well done and very moving. Madonna shared why she chose Malawi, "the warm heart of Africa", and how she actually didn't choose it, it chose her." She stated she received a call from a woman named Victoria from Malawi, who told her that there are 1 million children orphaned by AIDS, and that Madonna is a person with valuable resources who can make a difference, raise awarenesss, and make medications more available. Madonna honestly stated, "I was embarrassed, I didn't even know where Malawi was on a map, but learned a lot about it, myself and humanity."

Desmond Tutu stated, "those who ran away from persecution, they came to Africa". Bill Clinton mentioned that he loves Malawi, the second poorest nation in the world where most live on less than $1.00 a day, "because the people sing through their pain". In 1964, Malawi became independant from Britan, after 31 years of brutal dictatorship. Many, living in desperate conditions, who don't have the productivity or tools, often feel like victims, blaming everything else, often feeling a sense of entitlement, often feeling like their futures have been robbed, failing to do what they wanted to do in life, in a world that promised to help, but has not yet helped, however, always leaving everything in the hands of the lord.

Messages: "Know how interconnected we all are, empower people, go to the root of the problem, prevent the cycle, break the silence, don't judge and focus on change, don't do the same things over and over and get the same result, you can not change what you don't accept, you can only change what you accept, give hope and determination, you don't have to be rich to be good. I am responsible for my actions, the cause and effect principle, the world that spins out of control, technology is supposed to bring us closer, instead we are living lonelier lives, do we as New Yorker's or as a country have it wrong? They live with a sense of community and extended family, while if someone on your street had a loss, would you even know? Give jobs to people with HIV, stop the epidemic, the disease is taking the lives of the young men and women who are supposed to be developing Malawi. Invest, Help, Partnership, Create Jobs"!!!

The afterparty was held at "The Bowery Hotel", where "The Wallflowers" performed.

Remember you don't have to travel too far to help those in need. Although the poor in this nation often tend to be obese, poverty exist (...)

If you are in town for the "Tribeca Film Festival", try "Benoit".

Many may remember the space located at 60 West 55th Street as the former French brasserie, "La Cote Basque", however, the restaurant has changed ownership and reopened this evening as the third member of Alain Ducasse's, "Benoit" family, third to "Benoit Paris" 20, rue St Martin 75004 Paris, and "Benoit Tokyo" La Porte Aoyama 10F 4.41.8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ky, Tokyo.

This busy class act, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 7 days a week, between the hours of 7:30a to 1am. The executive chef is Sebastien Rondier, Sommelier: Arnaud Demas, General Manager: Estelle Lamotte, and Director of Private Dining, Gwendal Goulet.

Private dining areas, located on the second floor are entitled "Saint Martin", "Hotel de Ville", and "Rivoli", and for those looking for an extraordinary culinary experience for 9 to 12 guests, opt for "The Officine", set in an antique 19th century pharmacy from Bordeaux.

The wine list includes 300 selections of white and red, and of course, champagne.

Culinary choices vary from classic breakfast platters including Le Steak Frite, Benoit Egg White omelet with tofu, spinach, and tomato, Lunch platters including Grilled Salmon, and Lobster Ravioli, Prix Fix Luncheons, and Dinner choices including Duck a l'orange, braised halibut, and roasted chicken. Prices remain reasonable, ranging anywhere from $15 to $30.00 and $28.00 for a prix fix luncheon. Bon appetit!!!

The true story of Philippe Petit, the Frenchman who on August, 7, 1974, tightrope walked across the top of the world, on the 110th story of the Twin Towers. Philippe adored the challenge of plotting to do the impossible, like a bank robbery, "against the law without being wicked or mean".

He describes the challenge of creating I.D. badges, casing the top floors and stairwells, avoiding security guards, encouraging friends and "Inside Men" to help him carry out his plot, his dream and "tangible proof to do the impossible".

Film showing at "The Tribeca Film Festival" on Saturday April 26, at 5:30pm at TISH and Sunday April 27, at 3:15pm at VEC-01.

Light hearted documentary about one man's dream turned into reality.
Fun

Okay, so music videos are out, and concert films like "U2, 3-D", "Shine a Light", and "Lou Reed's Berlin", are in. There are actually a lot of pro's and con's to live concerts, the pro's being, 1. The cost. It is definitely a lot cheaper than paying "Ticketmaster" prices, 2. if it is shot in a documentary style, you may see and learn from new and old, never seen before footage and interviews, and 3. you don't have to worry about a tall person standing in front of you. :) The only con I could think of is that you can not stand up and dance. There should be a dance floor in the movie theater, so that if the viewer is so inclined, they can feel free to get up during the movie/concert. It would be kind of like playing tennis or golf on the wii. :)

"Lou Reed's Berlin", directed by Julian Schnabel, once again stars the female lead actress from "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", Emmanuelle Seigner, who this time around, depicts Caroline, a strung out depressed, "miserable rotten slut, who couldn't turn anyone away", in this imaginative, 81 minute long, depressing, dramatic rockumentary about the throes of a couple in conflict, while Lou Reed, Fernando Saunders, Sharon Jones, and Antony, play themselves. The never performed live coverage of Lou Reed's third solo album from 1973, "Berlin", was finally captured live over five nights, in December, 2006, at St. Ann's Warehouse, located at 38 Water Street in Brooklyn. This concert film is unique, as the album tracks are played in order, there is a nice blend of live stage performances mixed with scenes based on the lyrics depicting Caroline and the tragedy of her daughter being taken away from her. At one point during "The Kids", there is a faint child screaming, crying, "mommy" in the background, while in the stage performances, an older man with his back to the camera dons a light blue coat with the words BERLIN written vertically down the back. Tracks: 1. Berlin, 2. Lady Day, 3. Men of Good Fortune, 4. Caroline Says, 5. How Do You Think It Feels, 6. Oh, Jim, 7. Caroline Says (II), 8. The Kids, 9. The Bed, and 10. Sad Song, and during the rolling credits, 11. Sweet Jane. Sung with the assistance from a Brooklyn children's choir, and funded by "The New York State music fund".

"Men of good fortunes very often can't do a thing, while men of poor beginnings often can do anything." "Men of good fortune often want to die, while men of poor beggings want what they have, and to get it they'll die." "Caroline says I'm just a toy, she wants a man, not just a boy." "Life's meant to be more than this bum trip." "They are taking her children away, because she..." "Miserable rotten slut who couldn't turn anyone away, and I'm the waterboy." "This is the place where she cut her wrists."

Showing at "The Tribeca Film Festival" on Thursday May 1st, at 8:30pm at Pace University, and again on Friday, May 2, at 11:30PM AMC Village VII Theater 5.

This documentary about the history and camaraderie about breakdancers and footage of formed teams, including, "Ichigeki", "Gamblerz", "Phase-T", and "Knucklehead Zoo", that compete worldwide throughout various nations, including Korea, Japan, France, and the US, is probably one of the best films I've seen this year, along, with "The Year My Parents Went on Vacation". Directed by Benson Lee, "Planet B-Boy" is only playing at "The Landmark Sunshine Cinema" on Houston Street. The birth of breakdancing started in the streets of NYC as a freedom of expression from the repression of the 1960's and 70's economy, and became exploited in the 1980's with movies like, "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo". The artform received it's influence from gymnastics, acrobatics, yoga, and even dance moves from artists including the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown. As it grew in popularity and gained a worldwide recognition, the Koreans wanted to become more advanced than the rest of the world, learning tricks that would take a regular B-Boy 2-3 years to learn, and are proud of having the best head spinner in the world.

For most of the performers, there is nothing better than dancing, as it provides "an outlet to satisfy their thirst for creativity, allows one to release emotions, gives a reason for them to explode and feel free", a chance to show the whole world that guys who come from a minimum, can accomplish a maximum, without limits, allowing a chance to discover oneself, feeling more self confident, addicted, what they train their entire lives for, offering a chance to discover oneself, allowing them to feel unified, as ONE in spirit, their only joy in life, and offers respect and spirituality". As one dancer, nicknamed, "Crazy Monkey" put it, "if I don't dance for 3 days, I get crazy. Most keep their priorities straight, and have good hearts, as another dancer informed us that, "there is nothing stronger than my family bond, it's not about the competition, but about being together, unifying, peace and love, and how when we leave this Earth, we don't have our wealth, but we DO have our honor", and although the drive to improve moves you, and how it's the "guy that provokes you, who gives you the power to do better, there are more important things out there than winning".

Other comments from the dancers family members and views on the generational gap, "I feel like my parents think I am I am cleaning the floor or something", while a dancer shared his grief how his father died a few years ago from a carotenoid tumor in his liver. A mother of a French dancer from Chelles, 25 km outside of Paris, shared with the audience how, "at first his father and I were opposed to him learning how to breakdance, because most of the other dancers were 6 feet, tall and black, black, black, and my son is small, Caucasian, and blonde, blonde, blonde". A father of a Korean dancer confessed his guilt as he worked as a social worker and was unable to support his son's interest in dancing and how he felt bad about that.", another father stated, "I am very proud of my son", while his son stated, "I want to win for my father", and lastly, another father who told his son to go out there and, "rip that sh!t".

Here is the basic briefing for now, more to come tomorrow:
1. Best First Film: Presenter: Olympia Dukakis,
Winner: "Away From Her"/Sarah Polley.

2. Best Animated Film: Presenter: Jonathan Demme,
Winner: "Persepolis",

3. Best Foreign-Language Film: Presenter: Charlie Rose,
Winner: "The Lives of Others" Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck,

4. Best Non-Fiction Film: Presenter: Campbell Scott,
Winner: "No End in Sight"

5. Best Cinematographer: Presenter: Maggie Gyllenhaal,
Winner: "Robert Elswit" for "There Will Be Blood",

6. Special Citation: Presenter: Ruby Dee,
Winner: "Killer of Sheep",

7. Best Supporting Actor: Presenter, Daniel Day-Lewis,
Winner: Javier Bardem,

8. Best Supporting Actress: Presenter: Patricia Clarkson,
Winner: Amy Ryan for "Gone Baby Gone".

9. Best Screenplay: Presenter: Robert Benton,
Winner: Joel and Ethan Coen for "No Country For Old Men",

10. Special Citation: Presenter: Ellen Barkan,
Winner: Sidney Lumet "Lifetime Achievement Award"

11. Best Actress:
Winner, Julie Christie, unable to attend, Sarah Polley accepted the award on her behalf,

12. Best Actor: Presenter: Thelma Stumaker,
Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis.

13. Best Director: Presenter: Steve Buscemi,
Winner: Joel and Ethan Coen for "No Country For Old Men",

14. Best Picture: Presenter: Amy Adams,
Winner: "No Country For Old Men" by Joel and Ethan Coen

Guillermo Del Toro, the Oscar award winning director for "El Laberinto del Fauno" or "Pan's Labyrinth", produced this new spine-chilling dramatic thriller, "El Orfanato", or "The Orphanage", directed by Juan Antonio Bayona. Belen Rueda, who plays the leading female role, Laura, and Fernando Cayo, in the role of Carlos, her counterpart, return to the house Laura grew up in, to raise their chronically ill, orphaned son, Simon, played by Roger Princep. Disturbed by her son's constant playing with imaginary friends, it isn't until he turns up missing that Laura learns their dream home by the sea is haunted, and that the ghosts of five other sick children are present in the house. Laura continues to follow clues and instructions in the hopes she will be lead to her missing child. CHILLING!!! My entire body had the chills for about 15 minutes at various parts throughout the film. GO WITH A DATE!!! :)

Questions for the director Juan Antonio Bayona:

Q #1-"Tell us a little bit about the casting process:"

A-"Balen Rueda was the first person I thought of for the role of Laura. She comes from a Spanish television/comedy background, and I decided to put someone unusual in the role, someone that has never been seen before."

Q #2- What is your favorite scene in the film?

A-"The grieving group therapy scene."

Q-#3-"What can you recommend to the viewer that they may not know?"

A- "DON'T GO to the theater ALONE, as the movie provokes debate."

Question directed to Arthur from "Picturehouse":

Q #1- "What is your favorite scene in the film?"

A- "When the truck hits the old woman."

Question directed to Balen Rueda: (actress who portrays Laura)

Q #1:"What challenges did you face in the role?"

A- "I realized I could do a scary movie, it was my childhood dream. The script is amazing."

Question to Bob, distributor from "Picture House":

Q #1: "What was your favorite scene?"

A- "When the truck hits the woman and her arm raises up."

Guillermo Del Toro, director/producer stated to the audience, "this film was extremely important for me, this is the first movie I presented at. I believe in Juan Antonio. He is a very small man with a huge talent. When I first met him in 1993, he said he was a journalist, and I don't know if he really was, or if he was lying, but we went out to lunch, and spoke for a few hours, (I always paid the bill/by the way). I was moved by the screenplay. I had a few ideas, and four were accepted and 6 were rejected.

Guillermo continued to share that "this movie will scare the hell out of you, and then you're going to cry. The film opened in Spain a few weeks ago and is the #1 film and highest grossing film in Spain. It is seriously scary."

Finally, Juan Antonio Bayona greeted the audience stating, "I apologize for my English, Guillermo tells me I speak English like an Egyptian prostitute." Juan thanked Guillermo, Belen, Sergio Sanchez, and the cast as for most of them it w (...)