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Just Do.

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Last week, Gary Viebranz said something striking. Now, anybody who actually knows Gary will find that statement amusing; indeed, he says something memorable every time he exhales air. The man is a comic legend.

But, beyond that. We were walking out of the Reed Union concert space, Penn State/Behrend following a wonderful performance by the Canellakis Brown Duo at his acclaimed “Music At Noon” Series last week (I missed today’s guests), and he said something to this effect: ” It’s nice when audiences appreciate performers, and performers appreciate audiences.”

I, of course, let being struck by that nestle in my ruminating lobe.

It’s funny. Have been almost embarrassed, as a fairly recent public blogger (just over a year and a half, this month) to admit how little I read published authors. Of equally awkward admission, having spent the past thirty years as a professional musician, I listen to far fewer fellow musicians than my colleagues. This is likely quite anomalous among performing professionals and writers. I do support them, and try to attend, but admit to finding what I need elsewhere.

Yes, I am devoted audience to two other art forms: drama, and dance.

Great acting absolutely fascinates me. I live for the story. Dance, equally so. Why? Oh, I love to dance, and had a blast taking some swing and salsa lessons; but, this scoliotic body, with these feet? Come on. I was definitely born to be audience in their room. And, when I am, nearly every moving image populates my imagination thereafter.

As for acting, well, I do dream. Would love to take a stab at a bit character. But, the sheer volume of memorized utterance is flummoxing; how they do it escapes me. Yet, what they do informs both how I think and what I create. To every single second of their offering, I am completely committed.

So, let’s just all relax. Stop the infernal, internal judging. If there’s a show, and you are busy creating, then you are where you belong. Be audience to just exactly whatever it is that feeds your fuel center. Take in what you need; then, go, and do. Please, do. Make something beautiful.

But, when you are the audience, immerse yourself. And, remember to appreciate your fellows, earnestly, even if it is in recording after the show. Locals, if you’ve never caught “Music at Noon” over at Behrend Campus, the quality is unsurpassed. Yes; even though some were born to write rather than read, to play rather than attend, just keep looking and listening.

And, then, like Yoda said: Just do.

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p.s. While we’re at it: Actors and dancers: check out live music, in a genre unfamiliar. You might get some unexpected nourishment!

© Ruth Ann Scanzillo  3/1/16  All rights, please, to the author; however, sharing by ReBlogging and permission. Thanks so much.

littlebarefeetblog.com

The Climate of Corruption.

 

Yeah. Okay. Weak title. (How can corruption have a climate?) The grammarians will get me, right out of the gate.

But, kids, we live in one.

I’m letting Donald Trump pontificate while I practice Bach. Now, there’s a dichotomy.

Are we getting the frantic atmosphere, anymore?

The Gee Oh Pee boys are in full on playground recess rumble. The crowd goes wild. The crowd. Where’s the beer? Oh, there. Fill me up, buddy. Ya got bikers, with an assault weapon collection sitting in their den, standing next to the fresh frosh from Liberty U. Ya got the new monied real estate acquisitionists (mark that) spread trading on their iPhones, next to the women who just came out of the kitchen (know it.) Yeah, yeah. Stereotyping? I don’t have to. It’s the Mega Church meets MAAD Magazine.

When I hear that Washington will be completely upheaved, figuratively burned to the ground, OF COURSE I DREAM. But, then, I w.a.k.e. u.p.  Because, the President doesn’t make a.l.l. the decisions. The President must collaborate. And, last time I checked, collaboration isn’t a bully’s strong suit.

But, actually, at this point, I even wonder if a single vote will ultimately count. That’s where I fall on this Friday afternoon. The technological revolution has taken over, and the drivers at the helm, bought and paid for to tweak the machines……I can’t decide if the Democrats will dictate, or the GOP, or Donald Trump, who could effectively buy anything(BUT WITH HIS OWN MONEY)……. I only know that the most cunning, the most stealthy, the most aggressive, and the most determined crook will likely pull the last lever.

God, bless America. Wherever you are, please remember us. We just woke up one morning to a glorious country, and grew up believing in it. Our parents did, too. They provided for our future, sure that this was the only place where we could hope to have one. How were we to know that the truth would be taken from us, and never given back?

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© Ruth Ann Scanzillo  2/26/16  All rights, you know the rest. Liars and thieves, the only thing you ever produce is your own excrement. Take; eat. You know you want it.

Thanks.

littlebarefeetblog.com