Getting ready.

It’s fair to say that we have a lot of arts and entertainment opportunities here, whether your tastes run toward the symphony or toward a minor league baseball came, or toward a retro “Summer of Love” concert. Or, as in my case, toward all three and more.


Before any of those excellent experiences comes our way, a lot of work is done behind the scenes to make it happen. There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears in making art, but also there’s a ton of labor in bringing the art as well.


Here are scenes from two events tonight in the Hub City. First, there’s Lindsay, gallery manager for the Arts Council, putting the finishing touches on an artists’ reception this evening. Before she got to the little black dress and the canapés, there were a few days of slinging a paint roller, patching walls, wielding a tape measure to make sure all those beautiful paintings are hung just so. Then she made the canapés. And I wouldn’t be surprised if she had something to do with the little black dress, too. And kudos to her boyfriend Kelly, who really knows his way around with a vacuum cleaner.


Meanwhile, across town, the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition was setting up at City Park. Lots of schlepping of speakers and monitors and other various heavy stuff in 80+ degrees. And they had just come from a four-set gig at a Harley dealership halfway across the state. By the time they went on, they had every appearance of having nothing on their minds but having a good time in Hagerstown.


That’s something I’ve loved about my career in arts/entertainment/event planning. After lots of work--which sometimes goes smoothly and according to plan, but more often does not--in the end you just brush the debris under the rug, wash your hands, lay out the wine and cheese, put on a clean shirt and a sincere smile. It’s showtime!