Russians love their culture...

...and apparently their really cheesy lounge singers. (Since I minored in Russian, I feel relatively safe saying this! haha)
 
This is just too hilarious not to post. Our Artistic Director, Bruce Miller, had this on his Facebook page this morning, with the caption: "Perhaps this is what all those delegates who voted to eliminate the Virginia Commission for the Arts yesterday think about when they contemplate who we are and what we do."

The Russian title in the clip translates to, "I am very glad, that at long last, I am coming back home. Vocalize." 

An inspiring day. Brahms would be proud.

 

arts peeps in the gallery of the House chamber

Quick update.

The House passed their budget, as expected. Now the bills go to conference committee where Senators and Delegates will hash out their differences and try to reach some sort of compromise.

The turnout today at the capitol was inspiring. Around 200 arts advocates lined the stairwell and lobby spaces leading to the gallery of the House chamber and dozens of us early birds were able to meet with Senators and Delegates (or their aides) in the morning. Del. Manoli Loupassi's aide told us that his office had received more phone calls from arts advocates in the last few days than from any other advocacy group so far the entire session.

We need to keep up the momentum until March 5th when the gavel drops on the final budget. In the meantime, a little levity. :)

Darkest before the Dawn?

It's been a rough day.

Demoralized. Discouraged. Disgruntled. And other "d" adjectives.

In case you haven't been following my rants on Facebook and Twitter, Virginia's arts agency, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, is slated for a 50% cut in 2011 and total elimination in 2012. The General Assembly votes tomorrow. We'd be the first state in the union to eliminate its arts agency. This is an instance when being a pioneer is not a good thing.

I am tired. Being an advocate for the arts is not easy. I've been trying my best to write rational, compelling arguments in an attempt to persuade some fence-riders to hop over to the side of the arts. Rather than feeling energized, however, I feel like I've been banging my head against a wall.

This whole situation reminds me of my stint as a community organizer about ten years ago, trying to effect affordable housing legislation for immigrants in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Even in that relatively liberal climate, we came up against obstacle after obstacle. We met with lawmakers. We rallied at the capitol. We were defeated. We started over.

It was -- and is -- exhausting.

But, even so, I feel that I can't drop this torch, because it affects me personally, both as an artist and as an employee of two amazing arts organizations. So, I will press on.

*cracks knuckles*

*inhales deeply*

"The arts" (artists, art teachers, arts organizations, etc.) are used to being the first to go when times get tough. As I read from one arts opponent, "Food, or a play? I choose food." Ok. Food. What about food for the soul? What about all the studies that show the positive impact of the arts in employee productivity, student learning rates, helping children with mental and physical disabilities, improving the quality of life of the aged, etc. etc. etc.  Do die-hard opponents of the arts really not believe the results of these studies? How can people be so rigid?

I keep hearing people say things like,

"No one is immune. We all have to make sacrifices."
"Everyone wants to keep their dollar and take it away from someone else."
"We have to prioritize. Jobs are more important than arts."
"Let the private sector support the arts. I don't want my tax dollars going for arts. I pay for my entertainment. Why should arts groups get special treatment?"

To the first and second comments, I say this: Arts advocates are aware that sacrifices need to be made. But consider that the budget of the Virginia Commission for the Arts in its heyday was $6 million. In its heyday. Over the last two years VCA's budget has been decreased to around $4 million. That's a 30% cut to an already relatively small agency (with 5 employees). Yet arts organizations continue to make it work, pumping $7 into the economy for every $1 invested by the Commission. So no, the arts are not immune, and the arts have made sacrifices. Other agencies could take a lesson from how well an arts organization can stretch a dollar and still yield a 700% return on investment.

To the third comment regarding jobs, I say this: The arts employ about 20,000 people in Virginia. Those employees pay taxes, purchase goods and services and organize 1.4 million hours of volunteer time, improving the quality of life for all Virginians. I am one of those 20,000. Without VCA funding, many arts organizations will have to downsize their staffs or close their doors altogether. Where will those former employees go? Straight to the line at the unemployment office to collect a government check. Eliminating VCA eliminates jobs and places a greater strain on the economy.

To the fourth comment regarding the private sector, I say this: Arts organizations receive funding from the state because they are non-profit companies. In order to be a non-profit, an organization can't just put a show on a stage and call it a day. They have to offer additional programs and services that meet a need (or needs) in the community, otherwise they would be a for-profit company, like many of the Broadway venues in New York and various touring companies (the one that is touring Wicked to Richmond, for example). By having non-profit status and receiving funding from the state, arts organizations are able to price their productions and programs at an affordable rate in order to make culture accessible, not an exclusive activity reserved for the upper echelon of society. Some Virginians say they don't want their tax dollars to go toward funding the arts. But I think those people would be shocked to know that a measly $0.51 of their taxes goes toward VCA a year. No, that is not a typo... $0.51, which is shameful, as the national standard is $1.00 per capita. The toll on the Richmond Downtown Expressway now costs $0.70. I think $0.51 A YEAR is more than fair to support the arts, regardless if one takes advantage of it.

A coworker pointed out that the arts touch every part of our lives, whether we realize it or not -- whether we like it or not. The cars we drive, the keyboard we type on, the jeans we wear, the house we live in, the songs we hum along to, the must-see-TV we watch, the movies we enjoy..... an artist is behind every single one.

I don't know how tomorrow's vote will pan out. I'll be at the capitol in the morning with some colleagues to show support for VCA and to pray that legislators will see the light.

I'm really hoping that tomorrow, I can indeed say that today was "darkest before the dawn," and that VCA -- and the hundreds of arts organizations and thousands of employees -- will be safe... at least for awhile.

In their own words

I've been ranting a lot on Facebook and Twitter about the importance of supporting the arts since the Virginia House budget appropriations committee put forth their recommendation to cut funding for the Virginia Commission for the Arts by half in 2011 and completely eliminate it in 2012. If they succeed in passing this legislation, Virginia will become the first and only state in the country to not have a state arts agency.

The quotes below are all in reference to Theatre IV's programs and perfectly illustrate why the arts are important---AND why the Virginia Commission for the Arts is worth saving. Have a read.

“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to see the performance of ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ through Tickets for Kids. For most of our students, it was the first time they had seen a theatre production. Many were excited to see children performing with adults. Thank you for your assistance in providing this enriching experience for our students.” – School Social Worker, Thirteen Acres Elementary (a school-within-a-school serving low-income K-5 students with emotional & behavioral challenges)

“I wanted to let you know how amazing, professional, and flawless the performance was. Many of the students and teachers were in tears and my students learned a great deal about the life of this important man. Bravo!” - 5th grade teacher in Prince George County, VA whose students saw “I Have A Dream: The Life and Times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

“I want to extend my appreciation for the outstanding play that Theatre IV presented. It was not only entertaining and educational but raised an awareness of a key piece of American history that is not commonly known. It is our goal to promote awareness and understanding of the value of diversity, and your presentation enabled us to further that goal.” - Director of a Federal agency in Chantilly, VA, whose employees saw a performance of “Buffalo Soldier” in observance of Black History Month

“As a recent new arrival to this country who is learning to speak English, I want to say thank you for your wonderful show you gave us today. Coming from a country that has not had true peace in so many years, and now the government forces their ideas on you. Your show meant a lot to me being a minority. The play shows people to stop and truly learn about one another. If we all work together we can do so much and be so happy. All of us have so much too offer to one another all races and people can share so much of their culture with one another. Once again, thank you for your beautiful show and all the hard work and your time.” - Hanover County, VA middle school student who saw “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad”

“You performed 'Walking the Line' to my high school. You cannot believe how much you people touched me. When you guys talked about how teens drink to escape other problems I felt like that was my problem. I have already written a letter asking for help to an adult friend who helps kids. You guys changed my life and I owe you so much for it. I am sorry I didn't run up there at that time and thank you right there, but at that time I had a lot to soak in. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!” - Chesterfield County, VA High school student who saw "Walking the Line"

“My class included kids with some of the school's most severe discipline problems. One boy in particular had been having trouble in his classes and getting in fights. But, every day he loved to come to [After-School Arts]. He was really interested in theater and was a great contribution to our class. I even let him serve as a ‘director,’ helping out and letting me know if scenes could be heard from the back of the room. Theater was a way he could harness his energy for something positive and feel like he was smart and productive. By the end of the eight weeks he had shown great improvement.” - Theatre IV instructor of After-School Arts for 4th and 5th grade students at St. Andrew's School

“Thank you for the 'Hugs and Kisses' program. I attended the evening public performance and talk-back at my son’s school, and he saw it in school the next day. He came home asking all kinds of questions and we were able to have a very open conversation about the play and the topic. It is a valuable program and I hope it continues.” – Petersburg, VA parent of a 4th grade student who saw “Hugs and Kisses”

“As a result of your program, a previous sex offender has been found guilty of abusing two girls – our students – and is awaiting sentencing. The girls came forward after seeing ‘Hugs and Kisses,’ which helped them understand there was an adult in their life engaging in inappropriate behavior. Had it not been for your program, it’s hard to say how much longer this would have continued, or even worse. Thanks for your efforts. You are making a difference in the lives of children.” - School counselor in Waynesboro, VA about “Hugs and Kisses”

A wrinkle in time...

I had a horrifying thought this morning.

What if anti-wrinkle creams, actually, in fact, CAUSE wrinkles?

Think about it. What could it possibly benefit a company to create a product that removes wrinkles? Aside from the up-front profit from the initial purchase, how could a company convince a consumer buy it again if the product did what it was supposed to? In other words, if my wrinkles are gone, why the heck would I need to buy anti-wrinkle cream?

Which makes me wonder if it's all a bunch of false advertising.

I have used anti-wrinkle cream since my freshman year of college. I often credit said cream with the fact that I still get carded. But what if the cream has nothing to do with my minimal crow's feet? What if I just have good genes?

Or... what if the real reason my skin has held up so well is because I also have used liquid make-up with sunscreen on my face since my freshman year of college?

Another hypothesis: If the anti-wrinkle cream is actually wrinkle-inducing cream, could the SPF 20 have been canceling out the effects of the cream all this time? And if that is the case, would that mean I wouldn't look any different if I hadn't used either one all these years?

I wonder. 

Currently, I am using Lancôme High Résolution Refill-3X Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream and Nutrogena Healthy Skin liquid makeup SPF 20.

However, I'm not brave enough to make an experiment of myself and stop using either one of these to see what would happen. So I guess I will just maintain the status quo... and keep wondering.

10/10

Not talking about the Olympics.

My mom was recently going through some of my brothers' and my "junk" at home, and she came across an old writing assignment of mine from Mrs. Paradis' English class in 11th grade. The assignment was to write a short paragraph that conveyed a mood.

Here's what I wrote:

The melancholy tapping of the colorless rain against the windowpanes made the rest of the mansion sigh with mournful recollection of the earlier years that brought with them such life and vibrance. Those things seemed to be only vast memories, swallowed up by the looming tapestries in the hall and the worn rug in the foyer. Time had greedily taken its toll and the swaying pendulum of the grandfather clock added with each movement another second, minute, and hour to remember. The dusty books on the shelf had been audience to many children's laughter but now hear only the echoes of the clouds' tearful goodbyes to their soulmates who had once danced in their puddles and sang songs under their mist. Inevitably, the last generation was gone, and with them many treasured secrets found their long-awaited resting places.

My paragraph got a 10/10 and a "Wow!" Funny how reading that immediately brought me back to the classroom on the second floor of my old high school that is now just a patch of grass next to Cottonwood Lake. I can practically smell the air and feel the heat coming off the radiators.

It has almost become cliché for adults to thank our primary and secondary teachers for the role they played in helping mold who we are today. "When Mrs. Jones taught me how to fold a paper airplane in first grade, that's when I knew I would one day become a pilot." 

But really, who's to say there wasn't some truth in that? A seed of curiosity could have been planted in that first grade classroom, which would one day germinate, grow and bloom. 

I had a lot of great teachers growing up, and Mrs. Anne Paradis was one of them. There was no "easy A" in her classes. But working hard translated into real learning. Thinking back, I am sure her classes were the foundation for my writing aptitude today. I now earn my living by writing compellingly. 

Mrs. Paradis also directed all-school plays. The spark that was ignited during my role as Donna Lucia d'Alvadorez in Charley's Aunt was reignited eleven years later when I got my first professional acting gig for Barksdale Theatre as Denise in Smoke
on the Mountain.

So, thank you, Mrs. Paradis. Cliché or not, you played no small role in the life and livlihood of this grateful student. 

I give YOU a 10/10!

Kid art

I love kid art, especially when given to me. Any of these could be framed, hung in a gallery, and sold for a million dollars. However, I'm perfectly content letting these masterpieces adorn my home.

 

fish ink print from neighbor Dameon (age 10), on the refrigerator

abstract painting by niece Gabbi (age 3), on the back of my front door 

[I think it looks like a mushroom on a blue & red background]

  

marker drawings by Katherine (age 3), in the living room

[the left one is my name, and the right one is a picture of her family's house in Idaho,
because I've never been there and she wanted me to see what it looks like.]

What I love about them: no inhibition, no fretting over composition, technique, medium, or whether or not it's any good. Pure and selfless creative expression in the moment, intended as a gift for someone else. 

We adults could take a lesson.

Six Traits

I snagged the article below from Yahoo. Good stuff.

Six Personality Traits to Admire and Acquire
by Brett Blumenthal

Let’s face it: In life, we come across all kinds! As humans, we often focus on those who are negative or toxic leaving it difficult to appreciate those who are positive and healthy. Seeking out individuals with healthy, positive traits, however, may do a lot of good. The more we can surround ourselves with those who are positive and healthy, the more we may model those positive behaviors.

If you really think about it, once in awhile you come across a person who knocks you off your socks…legitimately. Maybe they have a fantastic outlook on life, even during difficult times. Maybe they are really humble, although they are extremely gifted. Maybe they make you feel special. All of these are good.

Below, I've listed some of the traits I admire most in people. Although I could probably list a dozen characteristics, I thought I’d list those that seem to be the rarest or most difficult to find.

Selflessness: In a world where many people don’t have the time or the interest in others, selflessness is a quality that seems to be less and less common. People can be selfless in the time they give, the ability to listen, their level of patience and the love that they give. Those who are giving and generous in nature have the power to make others feel loved, appreciated and special. While those who are self-absorbed tend to do the exact opposite.

Tolerance: Those people who are tolerant make us feel comfortable with who we are and special as individuals. All of us are different, and many of us have quirks and idiosyncrasies. After all, these differences make the world go round. Having the ability to accept people for who they are and not expect them to be who we want them to be is important in life, happiness and in the health of our relationships.

Genuineness: Having the ability to be real, authentic and honest is unique in a world where we put so much emphasis on the superficial. Feeling comfortable in one’s skin and being true to one’s self is one of the most beautiful traits one can possess. To have a REAL relationship with someone requires honesty…it requires hearing and giving input or feedback that may not always be popular…it means having the strength to tell it like it is and to not be afraid to face the consequences for doing so…it means loving people for who they really are…deep down…and not for what they appear to be.

Sensitivity: So often we are focused on what is important to ourselves that we can forget about those around us. Those who are sensitive are often thoughtful, appreciative and loving, in a way that makes you feel understood, valued and respected. Often, sensitive people are also self-aware, making them mindful of how they impact others with what they do and say.

Integrity: Call me cynical, but I think this characteristic is especially difficult to find. In a time when people will do things that are underhanded to make an extra buck (Bernie Madoff…can you hear me?), expose their personal lives to the public so they can be famous (balloon boy’s dad and any other reality TV mongers) and do what feels good in the moment without necessarily thinking of the consequences (Tiger Woods), integrity is a characteristic that is especially unique today.

Humility: Whether someone is super-smart, extremely talented or drop-dead gorgeous, there is something extra special about them if they don’t come across as though they know it all the time. Humility in those that possess extraordinary traits make others feel special too.

Oh boy the list could go on! What characteristics do you admire in others? Are there any that you want to cultivate?

on-time taxivan

welcome to my dream world...

I had a dream that some of the cast of Heroes and I were living/working in this Big Brother-esque futuristic compound. And everyone had these little (as in, 2mm tall), colorful glass elf-like creatures that lived in our mouths. Kind of like Gummi Bears but smaller and glass. This meant we never had to go to the dentist. But every morning the elves would clamor to escape our mouths and dive into a big hole in the floor in one of the "special" rooms of the compound where the Common Tree grew. None of us knew what was down there but the elves seemed to enjoy it, whatever "it" was. So every morning, everyone who lived and worked there would go to the edge of the big cavern in the floor in the room, open their mouths, and the little green and orange and red and yellow and blue glass elves would jump out and into the hole to play all day until we were done working for The Company in the evening. And if one happened to oversleep one morning, like Noah Bennett and I did, and one didn't have time to make it to the Room of the Common Tree to drop off one's mouth elves before lining up for roll call, they pitched a fit inside one's mouth all day long in protest. Typical elves. [This all happened before Noah injected himself with W-D 40 and turned into a puffy dragon creature and before he removed his own head and put it in a wheelbarrow, which I then carted away. He did this so he could spy on the other dragon creature and warn us when it woke up, which was supposed to happen when the hieroglyphs appeared on the wall in another secret room.]

How many snowflakes does it take to build a snowman?

As a Minnesota-native, I'll not-so-reluctantly admit that I love all the recent snow. It reminds me of home. But the difference between Minneapolis and Richmond is that there, residents are ready for and equipped to handle large amounts of snow. Richmonders are not. 

It's no one's fault. If I had grown up in a temperate climate, I'd be terrified to drive in snow and ice. If I worked for the City of Richmond, I probably wouldn't think investing thousands of dollars in snow removal preparations "just in case" would be a wise use of taxpayer funds. But regardless, here we are, stuck in the aftermath of "Snowmageddon" (gag) with more white stuff in the forecast.

While the snow is pretty and the kiddos are loving the string of days off from school, nonprofit arts organizations' opinions of dear Mother Nature aren't quite as rosy. Show cancellations mean dollars lost. It's that simple. And when several shows are budgeted to simply break even... well... I'm not very good at math but even I can figure that out.

Even before the snow hit, the arts were in a precarious spot. Barksdale and Theatre IV are in the same boat (or sled, as it were) as many of our fellow arts organizations. No one wants to see the arts go away. But that said, it means we all need to do our part. 

Several theatre advocates in the community have been buzzing about the concept of "virtual tickets" -- meaning, sending a donation to a theatre for the same amount as a ticket to a show you might have attended, but was canceled due to snow. For example, a ticket to The Song of Mulan is $22, so my donation to Theatre IV would be $22. (All four of the scheduled performances of Mulan this weekend were canceled.)

I think this is a great idea. Every little bit helps. And if everyone helps a little....... we can build a happy little snowman.

(Snowman courtesy of my 11-year-old neighbor, Dameon .)

Super Sunday

Ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed? I did today. It all started with a situation very similar to the one above.

I'm trying to laugh about it.

Five other things that are annoying me today:

1. GoDaddy.com's crappy site-builder. Consternation!

2. Superbowl hype. Dang American football.

3. My neighbor's droning popular-music vocal stylings vibrating through the wall into my apartment and making my ears hurt. It's also hurting my feelings.

4. Weather forecasters. And "snowmageddon."

5. Dirty dishes.

The silver lining is, Robbie did the dishes and is currently working on a delicious brunch. The sky is sunny. I have an iPod to plug into my ears to drown out the droning. I have a TV to turn off. And, I know that somewhere out there is a web designer (Fievel?) who can create me a kickin' flash website to promote my art. Someday.

A super Sunday it WILL be!

p.s. The cats are fed. :)

Thanks, Mom.

I have a follower!

Thanks, Mom.

Bloggeriffic

Here it is, my inaugural post. 

I have resisted the urge to start a blog for quite awhile. Years in fact. The main reason I have not started one until now is because I perceived many of them to be self-centered and dull. Basicaly, blah blah blah. (This does not apply to any of the blogs I'm currently following, which are all written by amazingly brilliant and talented people.) Thus, I did not want to risk falling into the same trap, only to have some know-it-all casual blog browser judge and label my blogging ability without first getting to know me personally. *Ahem.*

But, I couldn't resist any longer. The main reason I did decide to hop the train to Bloggersville is because I think about things. And as I'm thinking about things, I wonder, "Does anyone else think about this? And if so, what do they think?" (Sorry for getting all Dr. Seussical and for pretty much ripping off Robin Harris-Jones' entire blog theme.) My hope is that this can be a fun and interesting forum to share some thoughts, ideas and laughs. We shall see........! Or read, as the case may be.

As I was on the fence debating whether to worsen my carpal tunnel, I asked my boyfriend Robb if he could help me come up with a clever name for my maybe-blog. That was great fun. Here are the candidates. It was a joint effort:

Hot Diggity Blog

Wizard of Blog

Blog Cabin

Blog-a-Bing

Bloglorious
Blogburger
Blogical
Blogarithm 
Monoblogue
The Rattlin' Blog
Blogology

Bloggery

Bloggocks

Bloody, Buggery, Bollocky Blog (we were on a roll)
Good Bloggie

Water Blogged

Blogilicious

Tobloggin

Blahg

The last one was the winner (at least for now... I'm notoriously fickle with such decisions). Robbie ribs me about my Minnesota accent, which I have deliberately attempted to dampen but is just too deeply ingrained in such words as "pahpcorn" and "bayg" and, well, "blahg." 

So there you have it. Time will tell whether the name of this blog ever connotes the obvious alternative meaning.

Blahgs away!