"Cabin Fever Cures" from the Intranet:

The Copley Society of Boston's (158 Newbury St., Boston) new show, "Landmarks & Icons: New
Views of Old Places," is for anyone who has ever gazed at a neon-drenched drive-in or a penny
arcade and has quietly admired its kitschy beauty. The exhibit takes viewers on a nostalgic trip
through the suburban landscapes of our dreams and nightmares. The show will remain on view
through March 9. Call 617-536-5049 for more information and for ticket prices.

I'd REALLY like to see this :)

***

It's a petting zoo of another kind. The Northeastern University Concert Band and Orchestra will
perform a free children's concert this Sunday, February 10 at 2 p.m. in the Blackman Auditorium
(360 Huntington Ave., Boston). An "instrument petting zoo" will immediately follow the performance.
Call 617-373-2442 for more information.

***

Creativity meets commerce in The Institute of Contemporary Art's (959 Boylston St., Boston)
new exhibit "Chic Clicks". The fashion photography show, up through May 5, explores the often
tangled relationships between culture and commerce. Admission is $6 adults and $4 for students and seniors. Call for times and details at 617-266-5152.

THIS sounds interesting too, group trip anyone?

***

While the Big Dig is an infrastructure project worthy of its own opera -- it's fantasy that takes center stage at the Boston Conservatory Theater's (31 Hemenway Street) production of "The
Construction of Boston" this weekend. This one-act opera follows the antics of three visual artists building the fantasy city onstage. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for alumni, and $5 for students and seniors. Call 617-912-9142 for reservations and more information.

***

The Somerville Theater (55 Davis Square) presents a "Festival of Women Songwriters" Saturday, February 9 at 7 p.m. The 10th annual showcase features Carla Ryder, Diane Zeigler, Colleen Sexton, Jennie Reynolds, Rachel Davis and Rachel McCartney performing folk-pop, blues and high-octane rock. Tickets are $16.50-$18.50 in advance. Add $1 for the day of the show purchases. Call 617-628-3390 or 617-931-2000 for reservations or more details.

Has anyone heard of any of these women before?

***

The resurgence of klezmer has made its way to Boston. The Jewish Theatre of New England,
(333 Nahanton St, Newton) and the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, presents four
pioneers of the klezmer revival, performing old and new Yiddish songs this weekend. Performances are Saturday, February 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for children. Call 617-965-5226 for information and reservations.

Heh, my old boss' husband is a Klezmer player :)

Artsy-fartsy

I was so proud last night.

I stood in the back of the auditorium and watched the first half of the show near the choreographers and in front of the light booth room. It hasn't changed a bit - similar music, similar dancing, similar smiles and laughter and sweat and tears and bonding. The only thing that's different are the bodies. I was chatting with an old friend outside of one of the music rooms (which has been converted to a dressing room for this show, the current dressing rooms can't accommodate the 100+ cast). I heard Deb's popular cry of "GO GET THEM" as the kids started to chant "GO GO GO GO!" and ended it all with cheering (heh, you would think that you were at that silly Patriot's parade in Boston). They burst out of the doors and headed to the wings, most with huge smiles on their faces.

That's the thing that I miss about performing, the camaraderie and the passion. I hope once school is done and life is more settled I can get involved with a group again for regular lessons and shows (and not just join in with random things here and there). I miss when the curtain comes down at the end, the lights come up and everyone cheers and runs around hugging each other. As my friend Tina and I discussed last night its not HIGH SCHOOL we miss per say but the experiences that we all had at that auditorium . . .

My city has always been really big on the arts and I'm fortunate to have grown up here. Oh of course they have the requisite Metrowest sports fanaticism (I think our football team was one of the better ones in the state and played in the most skilled High School division, not that I really cared about those kinds of things). But there were also wonderful opportunities for musicians, singers, dancers and actresses/actors. You had your choice between Stage & Body, Stagecraft & Design, the orchestra, the jazz band and 5 different singing groups. Each year there was one play, one musical, one dance show (Dance Theater) and Senior Review (variety show for the seniors) in addition to outside-school activities like 5-6 dance studios to choose from, lots of musicians offering lessons and many theater groups giving opportunity to perform.

And there was not only opportunity but the kids are GOOD too! I've dragged B to more than one production (be it dance, music or musical comedy) and he's still amazed each time (in fact I think he actually may want to stick around and see the rest of my show tonight after I'm all done dancing). Unfortunately not much of its on-line but a few good products of the city include:

http://www.reagleplayers.org/
http://www.thebestintown.com/WHS/showchoir.html
http://www.walthamtheband.com/
http://www.psychoticlarry.com/
http://noelletheband.com/

*****

So that's it, just rambling sentimental :)

From the Intranet:

Quote of the Day "Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself." - Thomas Jefferson