May 26, 2004

• The Daily News

  
  

  1   Wow, what an emotional night last night! To most
        of you, a Spring Concert just happens every
        Spring, like baseball and happy hearts. Well, to
        an Old Brown Shoe who has watched the Per-
        forming Arts literally re-define itself, I loved 
        nearly everything about last night's concert.
  

  
  

  2    I sat and watched the Band and Choir struggle
        to hang on in 2001. It was an agonizing struggle,
        and I would often look to happier days just to
        cope. Never mind about orchestra or jazz band,
        just keeping any sort of music around here was
        an enormous struggle. I did everything in my
        power to keep the candle lit, but it was fierce
        winds, and it all took its toll.

  
  

  3    Then came Heidi Hooper, and the world changed
        around here. Birds started singing; crickets
        started chirping, and the world began coming
        alive again.

  
  

  4    Last night the the Spring Concert had moments
        that reminded me of the good days, and there
        were moments with the Choir and Band that
        gave a tremendous peek at what we have here,
        and a good indication of where we might be 
        headed, and it all looks GOOD!
  

  
  

  5   The Performing Arts department has held toget-
       her through an almost perfect storm, and has
       safely made it back to harbor. I'm not even
       convinced that the analogy holds any water, but
       somehow, we are home once more, and ready to
       celebrate, perhaps with a banner year next year.
  

  
  

  6   Thanks for everything, Ms. Hooper!  Too bad a lot
       of the kids can't put this in perspective, but to me,
       I was moved last night, and I think Mr. Moser and
       Ms. Robledo were equally as moved. We saw the
       obvious progress, and all envisioned where this is
       all headed, and it all looks like full speed ahead!

  
  

  7   We really need to begin training audiences how to
       behave. This is a huge task. Simple common court-
       esies such as staying seated while people are
       performing, not shouting <it's not a football
       game!>, and realizing that these performers have
       worked months on their material and need
       class and support are simple rules of audience
       manners. Talking on cell phones during a perform-
       ance, and even performers themselves running on
       and off stage are areas in need of improvement.
  

  
  

  8   These things take time. Students are used to going
        to rallies, football games, and movies, and aren't
        yet schooled in the intricacies of rehearsed live
        performances, which require appreciation and
        encouragement.
  

  
  

  9   Meanwhile, last night was certainly a move in the
       right direction. We were able to put the rest of the
       world away for a short little while, and just enjoy
       the wonders of our small Theatre over on this
       tiny edge of the planet, safe, and home.
  

  
  

  10  We are very lucky that we have this place, and
        that we can still look forward to even more.
  

  
  

  11  Speaking of which, the Pigeon Players' Silent 
        Auction and Short Film Festival goes up this
        Saturday night, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are
        only $5, so come on out and enjoy an evening
        of fun.
  

  
  

  12  That's it for today. Have a good one, everyone.
         It won't be long now...

  
  

  13   Bye.
  

  • 3:45 am
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