Parlor and ReVision

Last night my daughter and I saw the Garden State Phil perform the Eroica and I'll be writing a review of that for the Asbury Park Press at some point today or tomorrow morning. (Probably it will run in Tuesday's paper.)

Afterward, we stopped by Parlor Gallery for a quick look at the show "Rare Pleasures" and to say hi. It's a nice, tidy show, some great artwork. Definitely worth a visit.

This evening I'll hopefully be heading over to the VFW theater to see ReVision's "Kingdom".

Meantime, I have to get back to my yard work. Can't let spring slip by.

--C.

Philanthropist! Heal Thyself

It's moments like these that test our convictions. We know that supporting the arts is vital to our society's well-being. Yet, how much are we prepared to sacrifice for that culture? Now, when money-to-burn has become charred toast; when each fundraising letter echoes like screams from the Titantic; when your accountant holds the stick, sheepishly unsure of how low your drunken assets can possibly go; now, when the U.S. government holds a majority stake in the bank that holds your money and nobody can tell you what that means--is it different, now? Our convictions were true, like universal laws ... once. Are they true now? The ground was firm then, like concrete. Now it is not firm--do we let go of those we supported?

It's not quite so transparent as that, I know. Fact is, I don't have any kind of money and probably will never know what it's like to be in your shoes. You'll have to make up your own mind.

If you decide to help out, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will certainly do its part to make your decision easier to bear. This weekend, they're holding a black-tie fund-raising event Saturday, April 18, at 6 p.m. at Gladstone's Hamilton Farm Golf Club. Called "Spring Into Music: Getting Back to Our Roots," the event includes cocktails and dinner, a performance by the NJSO and its Greater Newark Youth Orchestra, and a silent auction. It's going to be a great shindig. You'll enjoy yourself while your there, and you can savor the memory as a balm. Visit the group's site for details.

--C.