Through younger eyes

Unexpectedly--and luckily (and probably undeservedly)--we got an intern for the summer. Her name is Claire Zalawa, and she come to us from Mazamet, a small city in the south of France (not far from Toulouse) where Claire has been working in festival organization and radio promotion/advertising. What in the world, I wondered, can she possibly learn from us here in Hagerstown? Oh hell, I thought, if she specifically requested a Washington, DC experience and she's landed in Hagerstown, she might be one very disappointed woman. Sure, we're only 70 miles from the Capitol, but our other-side-of-the-mountain traditions make that more like 700 miles (and countless years). Not that that's a bad thing. But could we make the best of an awkward situation?

The satisfying answer is that Claire had a lot to chew on here in Washington County. She cut her teeth on the Western Maryland Blues Fest, then went on to absorb all the data and processes and methods she could from the likes of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Maryland Theatre, and Hagerstown Magazine. Her assessment is that here we not only produce a remarkable amount of cultural promotion, but also it generally is of superior quality. She claims that our energy, creativity, and production values are in many ways better than she's used to, and that our commitment to making a plan and working a program have been instructive for her. And now that she's pointed it out, I have to agree that we do produce a surprising amount of postcards, websites, brochures, emails, TV ads, radio spots, billboards, t-shirts. When she saw the multiple huge binders full of Blues Fest plans in Karen Giffin's office at City Hall, and then saw that they were for one year, with shelves and shelves of similar binders from previous years on the shelves behind her, her eyes got wide for a moment.

Don't worry about Claire getting a lopsided impression of American life. She got away for several days (al by herself, solo, alone!) to Manhattan and in Boston. She's astute enough to know that there's more to life in the USA than steamers and pizza and cable television (but seriously, I've pointed out there are as many versions of American cuisine and American entertainment as there are Americans, which is one of the things that makes America America; ain't it glorious to live in a pluralistic society!). But perhaps the most generous thing she's accomplished in her time in Maryland is reminding us that we are doing a pretty good job for the arts in Hagerstown.

Oh, and I must point out that Claire's conversational English was laborious when she got here. After ten weeks, it's improved to the point that you'd assume she's lived here for a long time. If you get to meet her before she leaves for home, ask her to tell you about her bus trip to NYC.

Uncle John's Band (or, we are family)

Was it wildly innappropriate that during a memorial service for our friend Bonita Bush today I couldn't get a Grateful Dead song out of my head? You see, Bonita was famed for her exquisite musicianship. Her ability to communicate her love of music served the Maryland State Arts Council well. So, while a soaring Bach cantata filled the sanctuary, was it sacriligious of me to be singing to myself "well the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry any more..." and "anybody's choice, I can hear your voice, what I want to know is how does the song go." I suspect Bonita didn't mind.

Another thing that was on my mind was what a close family we arts administrators can be. Several of us from around the state of Maryland were in that church in Baltimore today, and it was clear that we share a strong bond. The common characteristic is that we don't accept the perception that community arts development is dull drudgery, but rather take it on willingly so that our painters and potters and musicians and actors and writers can soar, like that Bach cantata. No one did a better job of helping me understand what an arts council is all about than Bonita Bush. No one believed in the power of art more fiercely. She packed quite a wallop for a little lady who was almost five feet tall. And I reckon that's why she might appreciate a little Grateful Dead in her honor.

Go with God, Bonita. See you 'round.

Pretty.

Here's a view of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts on a picture-perfect June morning. There's something pleasing about seeing this treasure across the lake in Hagerstown's City Park, even if you don't go inside very often. And there's something reassuring in the realization that the WCMFA has been a repository of fine art since sometime in the Hoover Administration. Do yourself a favor and take a look at what's in there. Do it soon, repeat often.

For my fellow data-junkies, note that WCMFA is one of only four art museums in Maryland accredited by the American Association of Museums, and two of those are in Baltimore. (For you rocket scientists who are keeping track, the other one is the Academy Art Museum in Easton.)

So, I ask you: when visitors discover this lovely place in Hagerstown, many of them are startled to find it here. In Hagerstown. Does that offend you a little, or are you amused that we can keep a secret so well? I find it rewarding to surprise people with how much we have accomplished here in our great little city. Most people in the region know us for our outlet malls, the state prison, and a bunch of long-closed factories. Yes, that's part of what we are, but we have art, we have music, we have education, and we have baseball. Now if we can work on our self-esteem and then get some good-paying jobs in the community, we'll be all set.

Embiggen for ducks, swans, strollers. Pretty.

Hot and cold running Blues

Thousands of Blues fans attended the 12th Annual Western Maryland Blues Fest over four days, starting at Hagerstown's University Plaza last Thursday, then two scorchingly hot days at the downtown festival grounds, and concluding today in steady rain at City Park. Verdict? Best yet! Of course, it was a sort of endurance test for fans and volunteers alike, with that much great music and that many changes in the weather. See the photos: thousands of fans pouring into the festival grounds; Nora Jean Baruso left the stage to sing to the crowd; event manager Karen Giffin smiled through the rain; a little water didn't deter the audience from coming to hear the Mary Ann Redmond Band in City Park. (Credit the first two photos to the Herald-Mail.)

What I find interesting about this is that the Blues Fest delivers an excellent musical experience to thousands of people. It gets better every year, with higher and higher artistic merit in every aspect of the festival. How does that happen? Well, it's gained a reputation as one of the best-planned music festivals around. Everything, from musicians to marketing to merchandise, children's activities to weather contingencies, educational workshops, fundraising, beer, lighting, sound, portable toilets, medical services. Every conceivable detail is painstakingly mapped out (literally) by a committee of 20-some ordinary people who are passionate about this music festival. Every year they challenge themselves to do it better than the year before. Then hundreds (and hundreds) of volunteers throw themselves into executing the plan. It's why Blues Revue calls this the best city-sponsored blues fest they know.

Lest we forget, none of this would happen without the complete and unswerving support of public officials in Hagerstown. That means everyone. Mayor and Council, city management and staff, the Washington County Public Schools, the the local Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Maryland State Arts Council, the Washington County Arts Council. As someone from Blues Revue commented, it's an instance of government really working for you.

Not everyone likes the Blues Fest. There are locals who call it a nuisance. Others say it's a waste of money. Some dismiss it as "Booze Fest." Obviously, I don't agree. But what do you think? Blues Fest: good thing, or bad thing?

I've logged about a kerjillion miles on foot (okay, maybe about 15 or 20 miles, but it was 90-some degrees) managing the gallery exhibition and the beverage (i.e. lots of beer) sales over the weekend, so I'm calling it quits for now. Until tomorrow, when we start really refining plans for the 13th Annual Western Maryland Blues Fest.