Author: dj dragonfly

Alt rock and grunge lover.

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Concert Review

A Review of “Arts NOW Series: Joshua Brinkman, Saxophone”

Man in glasses playing saxophone
Joshua Brinkman, Ph.D. on the Saxophone. Image provided by Dr. Brinkman, image by Spirit Nyx Photography

The Arts NOW Series lecture recital on Joshua Brinkman was one I attended for a class but ended up enjoying a lot more than I had expected.  I know very little about the saxophone and the music genres that evolved alongside it.  Dr. Brinkman’s lecture recital was a presentation on the technological and cultural backgrounds and evolutions of the saxophone. This presentation included slides on the origins of the saxophone, the differences between different saxophones, the historical significance of the saxophone in different genres and even live performances of two different saxophones and a clarinet, all performed by Dr. Brinkman himself.  

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Playlists

DJ Dragonfly’s January Favorites

Snowman with stick arms and rocks for eyes, a nose, and buttons
Snowman. Image licensed CC0 1.0 Public Domain Universal

The first DJ Dragonfly’s Favorites for 2026 is here.  It’s time to see if anything’s changed from last year to this year.  

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Playlists

DJ Dragonfly’s December Favorites

Snow covered trees and a snow banks
A winter scene. Image by Claudette Gallant, licensed CC0 1.0 Universal.

It might be a new year, but some old things keep carrying on.  A prime example would be the next edition of “DJ Dragonfly’s Favorites.”

I know this post comes a little late but these were my picks for December, I promise.  

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Music News and Interviews

What It’s Like to Be a Woman in a Band

Five young adults posed together in a graffitied brick alley
The band Ajena. Image provided by Ajena, image by Nyshita Ramadugu.

Many of my regular readers know that I am a woman and that I play in a band here in Raleigh.  If you are someone who regularly attends shows, small or large, you know that there is a distinct shortage of women.  I have decided to call upon some of the women in the community to help me describe what it’s like on the other side of the microphone for us.  

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Miscellaneous

DJ Dragonfly’s 2025 Favorites

Sea lion laying together on a barge
The Sea Lions of San Francisco. Image by Sophia Dutton-Rodkin

It is officially that time of year: Spotify Wrapped has been released.  This event is a much anticipated one by many a Spotify listener and I have decided to share my wrapped, unedited.  Some of these songs have explicit content, so fair warning to everyone.

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Playlists

DJ Dragonfly’s November Favorites

Snow covered canyon
Snowy Grand Canyon National Park. Image by Grand Canyon National Park, licensed CC BY 2.0 Generic.

** Image license **

Another day, another dollar, another “DJ Dragonfly’s Favorites.”  

The end of the semester is upon us but that isn’t stopping me from keeping this series going.  This month, my tastes seem all over the place.  As the temperature cools and the days grow shorter, my music tastes usually grow more distorted.  I move away from the upbeat indie beachy Summer-y feel to a more alternative rock, grungey, nu metal feel.  Despite this, I have quite a few choices in this playlist that do not fit into that box.  So without further ado, the playlist.  Some of these songs have explicit content, so fair warning to everyone.

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Categories
Playlists

Guilty Pleasures

A set table at a restaurant with two drinks
A couple of drinks. Image by Sophia Dutton-Rodkin

When it comes to anything in life, we tend to have our patterns.  Whether it is our favorite foods, movies, activities or music, no matter how broad our tastes, there are patterns.  That being said, we often have things we enjoy that are outside of our usual patterns.  At times, there are things we enjoy for which we might be ashamed.  

Some examples of this might be horror movie fans being into wholesome Disney films, science fiction fans liking chick flicks, quiet and calm people loving adrenaline inducing activities and so on.

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Movie Review

“Chicago” (2002) – A Review

Two women in 1920s stage attire with a man in a suit standing in front of a large red neon letter C
"Chicago" 2002 movie poster

CONTENT WARNING: This review, film and/or soundtrack contains themes of sex, murder and infidelity.

I am back with another musical review.  This one has a very strong basis on jazz and tells a story of fear of missing out.  Let’s get into it.

Background

“Chicago” was originally a play written by Maurine Dallas Watkins in the 1920s.  The play was meant to be a satirical interpretation of a pair of unrelated murder cases at the time involving two women who were eventually acquitted.  The play was brought to Broadway in 1926 but is now referred to as “Play Ball,” so as to avoid confusion with the more modern musical.  About 50 years later, the play was picked up and reimagined for a Broadway musical in 1975.  In 2002, the story came to the screens starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah and Richard Gere. 

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Categories
Music Education

Preparing for a Vocal Performance

Modern microphone on a stand with warm lighting in a blurry background
Microphone. Image by Studio 7042, licensed CC0 1.0 Universal.

I was recently asked how I prepare for a vocal performance.  I realized that there are probably other people who are also looking for tips and tricks to prepare for a vocal performance so here you go.  

As my regular readers know, I play in a band in Raleigh.  I play rhythm guitar and lead vocals in an alternative rock and grunge band.  That being said, I have a variety of vocal styles I have to incorporate.  Some noteworthy artists would be Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave, Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries and most recently Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer.  As you can see, these four people have vastly different styles.  It is also worth noting that I am an alto with a smoother voice but I like to incorporate vocal fries, flips and I’m even learning to scream.  

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Miscellaneous

Service Animals: What They Are and How to Interact with Them

Large black dog in service vest on hind legs in the snow
Service dog, Percy, wearing his vest in the snow. Image provided by M.R. and M.D.

Ever been out in public and see an adorable dog jauntily bounding beside their owner in a snazzy vest with the words “Do Not Pet” on the side?  That, my friend, is a service animal.

As someone with a service animal, I thought I’d explain what service animals are, their various purposes and talk about how to properly approach a situation with a service animal.  

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