It has been waaaay to long since I've written. You know when people used to go on vacation, their mothers would say "Don't forget to write!" Well even though this is 2013 and no one forgets to write because we live on our iPhones, it appears I have forgotten to write you for many many months. I hope this letter finds you well.
The truth is, back when I started this blog I was trying to just keep up writing and exercise that muscle of writing for an audience. Well, my practice (and revival of connections with my former editors) paid off. For those who don't know, I officially freelance for Backstage magazine—a publication about theater and film for industry professionals (actors, directors etc.). I write theater news regularly enough to have a two-page list on Backstage.com when you search my name. But enough about me.
Two very important business items (and the fact that I missed you) bring me back to The A Train. I also want to get back to focusing on living an A+ life in this city—since I think that central motivation went dormant with this blog. Alas, a Fall Awakening.
An important date is approaching. On October 1, Congress is set to decide upon the federal budget. This past summer, the House appropriations subcommittee put forth a bill that would cut the funding for the National Endowment of the Arts nearly in half (49%, but who's counting?). While investigating budgets, and House representatives, and arts organizations across the country for the article I wrote about this potential catastrophe, I came upon an important story that did not fit into my 500-word count.
The Cleveland Public Theater is an organization I found in my research that would be direly affected by budget cuts. Aside from producing shows regionally, this theater partnered to create the Gordon Square Arts District in Cleveland—an area that once had a lone bar that you would not want to blink at that is now a thriving haven of restaurants, bars and overall hipness. Aside from the District, CPT sponsors a program called the Y-Haven Theatre Project to help rehabilitate some of Cleveland's homeless through theater arts and performance. Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan proves through his work with CPT that the arts cross all sorts of boundaries to improve our society.
You have from now until October 1 to call, write, Tweet, shout from your building rooftop to your local representative to tell them what you think about such a cut in NEA funding. I hope you'll say that it's unacceptable for these reasons:
1) For those of you who are not "arts people,"I first urge you to reconsider if you ever enjoyed a concert, a movie, a show. If you have never enjoyed any of these things (well I wonder if you have a soul) but seriously, just know this: nationwide the arts generates over $130 billion in annual economic activity, supports over 4 million jobs and returns over $9 billion in tax revenue. So even though you may think the arts are sucking us dry, the numbers say otherwise.
2) It is my personal belief that it is the arts that make us human. I am a child of the arts. I would not be who I am if music had never enriched my soul; if dance had never stretched my imagination; if theater had never made me burst into laughter or made my heart ache in places I didn't know it could; if rehearsal had never taught me the discipline to improve myself every single day; if my director hadn't pushed me to raise my expectations for myself every single night; if I had not been taught to connect to an audience. The arts made me who I am. The arts make us better.
But if you cannot support the arts politically, at least go out and experience them! If you're in New York, I just checked out a new spot for you. Marc and Steven Kaplan, West
SubCulture aims to bring the highest caliber of craftsmanship to its stage, spanning the gamut of musical genres. It's not a jazz club. It's not a blues lounge. It's not a cabaret. It is a home for music of the utmost quality. That is its only requirement to fit in.
Monday night I heard from jazz pianist Gregg Kallor, acclaimed singer Jo Lawry, Grammy-nominated pianist Fred Hersch, internationally renowned choral quartet New York Polyphony, and string quartet Ensemble ACJW. But by far, my favorite performances were from emerging artist Laila Biali and her accompanying jazz trio (shout out to Hall High alum Joel Frahm), and Richard Bona. Holy crap. If you have the chance to see Richard Bona perform, RUN TO HIM. Bona combines the best of funk, jazz, and African soul in his band's music, smacking you in the face with its unbelievable ability to make you groove. Think of a Cameroonian Stevie Wonder type. Just click on his page on listen. I dare you not to bob your head and dig into that beat...at your desk. I. Dare. You.
While the forward-facing concert-esque seating may strike as a bit uptight, it's only because the brothers Kaplan mean to remind you oh so subtly: You are here for the music. SubCulture's bronzed basement setting and prime location on Bleecker and Lafayette put you at the center of trendy, but if the talent they host is like the billing on opening night, these artists will be here for the ages. Choose your concerts wisely and venture into the arts underground.
