Random Free Floating Thoughts

Thoughts, randomly strewn about below, on some recent events and things in the works...

• Last night's John Gorka concert was magnificent. First of all, we had a full house. Despite my obvious bias of working here, I maintain that the theatre at the Coconino Center for the Arts is the finest music venue in town when it's full with people. The acoustics are great and there's no bad seat in the house. You feel as if you're in someone's living room seeing a great musical act. Add to that a charming, funny, and quality performer like John Gorka, and it makes for a magical evening. I hope you were there! If not, I'm guessing we'll have more magic for our next two concerts, specifically: Gabriel Bianco on January 29, and Anne & Pete Sibley on Valentine's Day.
  
  
• Landscape Interrupted was very well received by those in attendance Saturday night. The show provides beauty, challenging statements, and new perspective on the changing landscape of the world around us. Kudos to our own Joe Cornett for his vision and careful work in bringing the show together.
  
  
• Tickets for the Viola Awards will be going on sale at some point tomorrow online. Check back here. We're sure to sell out, so consider this your advance notice to get them early.
  
  
• I'm excited to announce that The Noise, a great local monthly publication covering news, arts and culture in Northern Arizona, has asked me to write a regular "letter." The concept will be a letter from the Director of the local arts agency (that's me), with a glance into the world of the arts from behind the scenes. I'm flirting with this title: "Letters from the Creative Bureaucrat." Being an administrator in the creative world of the arts, and finding that administration is an artform in itself, I think I really like the title. First issue I'm writing for will be published in February. As long as I actually get to writing by deadline.
  
  
• One last note about John Gorka. As a quality performer with a pretty strong following, I was amazed by his simple and home-grown approach to his own management. He brought no manager or staff with him, he sold his own CD's on stage after the show, and he told the crowd that when they order his CD's off his website, he is the one who ships them (so he'll sign them, too). Before the concert, rather than hang in the green room alone, he patrolled the back of the audience, talking with patrons and taking photos with them. Just a really cool, down-to-earth guy. I hope we can bring him back again.

Cheers,
JT