David Parker and The Bang Group  - photo by Nicholas Burnham

Are you willing to spend half a C note at a restaurant or theater on an untried commodity, about which you know little or nothing? Are you more prone to go to the same item on a menu, or the same dance company? 
In these economically challenging times, more and more people are becoming conservative in their expenditures. How then do new, exciting or off-beat companies attract an audience? How do they get themselves known when they have limited promotional budgets?
The best way, it seems to me, is a program of dances by several different companies at a low price.
Such as a matinee or evening of Stam-Pede. Like a Chinese PooPoo Platter, or an appetizer of several small bits of different appetizer choices, it gives you a chance to “sample” the works of 7 or 8 different companies to decide which you wish to see again.  (See essay)

Some of the 81 newly elected members of the National Association of Women Artists

… In November, 81 newly elected members of the National Association of Women Artists (est. 1889) were inducted into the organization at a general meeting held at the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC. Currently, more than 800 artist members are located in 42 of the 50 States with members working in a variety of mediums within the visual arts. The heads of the various committees spoke and new members were then able to sign up for specific volunteer work for the organization. … (See Essay)

I’VE BEEN TOLD that it is written in the Koran: “If you want to speak to God, go to the mosque; but if you want to hear His answer, go to the desert.” I’ve always liked that concept of going where no one else is to “hear” the voice of God — you know, “far from the madding crowd” and all. Having no nearby desert, I choose to go to my woods — to meditate, to let my mind wander, sometimes to paint..……(See essay)

AMAZING GRACE   There are some songs that persist in fascinating its hearers over the centuries. Take “Greensleeves,” for instance, with its multiple sets of lyrics that celebrate love, the New Year, and the Nativity. Or consider “Simple Gifts,” that shows up in so many song recitals and even in a Copland ballet score, or indeed any other tune that persists through the ages. But the one song with the most active longevity, if I may put it that way, is the subject of this report.
The Athena DVD titled “Amazing Grace” is unique in two ways. Never, to my knowledge, has a video been devoted to the history of a single song. And among the Bill Moyers televised programs, never (I believe) have so many been interviewed in a single episode.(see essay)