19th century French artist, the eccentric and then relatively unknown,  Henri de Toulouse -Lautrec would sit for hours in Pari's famed Moulin Rouge, absorbing atmosphere and drawing; attempting to capture all of the vitality and melancholy, all of the pain and drama; attempting to portray a sense of the city life swirling around him.

An impressionist at heart, I often sit in a coffee bar (in Wyandotte, Michigan) absorbing material and writing; attempting to capture similar images, sketching  word pictures of the sights and sounds of  21st century Main Street USA.  Never satisfied I'm doing justice to any subject, I hear - in the back ground - the timeless voice of Edith Piaf, sagely reminding me "Je' Ne Regrette  Rien" - no regrets - and so I write on, attempting to portray a sense of the cities where we all live, work and play; attempting to make some sense of the wider issues and events that affect us all daily. 


Commentary -

They are hailed as a welcome part of the local arts scene.  They entertain you, they enrich, even ennoble you; they create laughter, cause tears, they bring pleasure, even joy.  They are the many men, women, and children of Southern Wayne County involved in a myriad of live performance activities.  Yet sadly, support for live performance and recognition of their positive cultural and educational influence does not always go hand in hand with the abundance of entertainment resources available to the region.

Sooner or later we all do it -- some all too frequently  --  we indulge in "cocooning:" staying at home and chilling out.  In fact, modern technology makes it not only readily accessible, but temptingly attractive.  Why leave home if you don't have to?  No drive time or parking costs, no baby-sitting fees, dinner can be delivered, and no dressing up.  Everything you could ask to hear has been recorded; everything you could ask to see is on video, DVD, or pay-per-view.  The home-based entertainment industry of today offers fierce and continuous competition to live entertainment.  What is missing in the cocoon equation, however, is the prevailing mood, the whole environment that surrounds any live performance.  What is missing is the ability to participate, to step outside oneself.  an audience communicates with one another through shared images and creative experiences.  The production becomes a cohesive agent bringing everyone together, through personal involvement.

Nothing is comparable to the sparkle of recognition in a performer's eye when an obvious connection is made with a receptive audience.  When an audience starts to feel the intended emotions and actually experience a performance - that is when the magic begins.  The wonder and joy of LIVE performance is in the almost undefinable yet electric communication between stage and house; when an audience allows itself to become the final yet very necessary part of the creative process, the appreciators.

Southern Wayne County has so much in the performing arts arena of which to be proud.  And these organizations and community groups are continuously working to promote and sustain the love of music, dance and theatre.  Affordability and availability help keep viable a segment of our culture that has enormous potential for growth.  Yet, too many people today are still missing that personal involvement that can evolve during a live performance.  There is, however, a simple solution.  Wherever, whenever the occasion arises, think twice before rejecting the opportunity to attend  --  and support  --  a live performance!