This post is also available on the podcast! To the singers and musicians who have been working incredibly hard this season: You’ve been stitching together gigs like an elite sport, memorizing repertoire on the run, running choir folders and juggling costumes on too little sleep, and singing concerts that exist only because you showed up … Read more
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! In past years, I’ve posted various manifestations of philosophical Turkey Day thinking, in an expression of gratitude for all of you and for the artistic life we get to lead. This year is a very different Thanksgiving for me, so let’s try this: I’d like to share a recipe with you that … Read more
It’s just after 11:00 p.m. on January 1st, at least in this time zone. Technically it’s still New Year’s Day, although that is rapidly drawing to a close. I’ve been puttering around the house all day, working on home projects and thinking about how to proceed with the List and with this blog, after a … Read more
The official first day of spring is coming up this week, and California has felt like it’s experiencing a huge growth spurt. With so much rain (thank goodness) and more arts happenings taking place everywhere, the world seems to be charged with excitement, even as we continue to learn to live cautiously with COVID. Spring … Read more
For some, it’s that week. Let’s face it, Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone. But there are lots of reasons to love it, and these musical events are a very, very good start. There’s also chocolate, and teddy bears, and wine, and ridiculous movies, and just reveling in someone or something you love. Find that focus … Read more
Veterans Day is about service, and in a very specific way. But that service looks very different from person to person, because every experience, every deployment, every war, every locale, every job is a different bundle of things that make each story unique. This year, try to connect with at least one person who has … Read more
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Those who came before finally have a day of their own, and arts organizations are thankfully putting more consistent commitment into honoring those whose land is now occupied by performing arts centers, offices, churches and wherever you’re doing your stuff. You’ve probably heard people recognize the original inhabitants of the … Read more
Yesterday was Patriot Day, and of course the Jewish High Holidays are coming up later this month. While most of this month’s big holidays are not necessarily intended as fun-loving days off, they are moments to acknowledge what’s meaningful and profound in our lives. I hope you’ll get to take advantage (or at least take … Read more
It’s Labor Day! This is a holiday that is “celebrated”, most often with burgers, hotdogs, sales on patio furniture and beating-the-heat summer fun, but is actually little acknowledged for its true purpose: it was established in the 19th century, to recognize the contributions of workers, and mark an awareness of the simple fact that some … Read more
This is a big holiday weekend, celebrating one of our nation’s biggest holidays. Independence Day is taking a beating this year, however, as our country is wrapped in controversy and conflict. So, I’m approaching it as a sort of “Thankspendence”. Here are a few good things to be grateful for, regardless of your other views: Music and … Read more