Real art doesn't get covered by styrofoam plates

You may remember my ire-filled rant at the FCC's rules bringing America to it's proverbial knees in fear, i.e. an anatomically-correct sock puppet was "blurred" on TV. I still scratch my head over how the FCC allows the TV show ER to show a breast that has been blown off by gunfire, i.e. no nipple, yet obligates a production studio to blur a sock puppet breast.

Well, imagine my abject horror to read this article in the Virginian-Pilot about offensive artwork being covered by styrofoam plates at Waterside's Mayer Fine Art. The photo shared by the V-P was sans decoration, so I had to see personally how the art-loving public would decorate the plate pasties. The gallery was closed so pardon the glare from the plate glass. The tasteful tassles are clearly visible as was the table of art supplies (to the left) provided by the gallery.


Thanks to gallery owner, Sheila Giolitti, for sharing the drawing by Erika Risko, Moore College of Art & Design in Philly. Both received bad press coverage over this incident which, ironically in America today, means GOOD press (ANY press is GOOD press).

While on one hand I think I can understand the reason for the covering (the gallery is next to the 2nd floor entrance of Jillian's), but I agree with one recent poster on the Urban Planet forum in a thread about the Virginia Arts Festival:

"We need more edge, more variety and a greater appreciation for what is going on in the rest of the world. Real art confronts--isn't always nice."

Read the comments after the V-P article. Thankfully, the overwhelming majority thinks this reaction was overkill and a bit ridiculous.

It's art. Maybe not your taste, but it's art.

Port Folio Weekly's Best ofs...

Port Folio Weekly is one of my favorite sources for culture and events in Hampton Roads. A recent series featured “Best of” solicitations from various public figures. These were some of my favorite responses:

“Best Radio Station for Talk. Cathy Lewis. She turns a listening area into a community” says Chris Hanna, Artistic Director for the Virginia Stage Company (VSC).

My note: If Cathy isn’t already using that tagline, she should consider it. What an enviable designation!


“Best Radio Station for Music. WHRV-FM. I love Out of the Box with Paul Shugrue. And the Friday Night Fish Fry. Really all the music they play is great,” according to Michael Khandelwal, Director of the Muse Writer’s Center.

“Best Radio Station for Music. WHRO and WHRV-FM. Particularly because of their diversity of programming and their commitment to local arts organizations,” adds Rob Cross, Director of Virginia Arts Festival and Principal Percussionist of the Virginia Symphony.

And, another vote goes to WHRO/WHRV for Best Radio Station for Music from Jeanne Bollendorf, Chrysler Museum of Art’s Historic Houses Manager who says “I don’t often listen to music on the radio, but love Out of the Box with Paul Shugrue. His program keeps me young and hip so I don’t embarrass myself.”

My note: yes, gotta love Paul! He keeps us all current and gives us a tapas of new music. Listen to Paul Mon-Thu 7-9pm, Sat 1-5pm on WHRV 89.5FM, and on-demand at www.WHRV.org

Wait Wait revisited...

My favorite NPR radio show "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!" was here in Hampton Roads in early June. No, make that my favorite radio show. Period.

Anyway, thanks to WHRO's wonderful freelance photographer, I was able to grab some of these great pictures:



Stars of the show Peter Sagal and Carl Kassel get the audience warmed up before taping.

Bert and I after the show with Peter Sagal, host of "Wait Wait", and Virginia Beach mayor, Meyera Oberndorf.


Bert and I with Mal Branch of the Virginia Ship Repair Association and his lovely wife, Nancy.


Bert and I with Carl Kassel, the "Wait Wait" co-host and official prize (at least his voice).


Rob Cross of the Virginia Arts Festival, his very talented wife Deb (Virginia Symphony principal flute), me and Bert.


Margaret Blackwell of Northrop Grumman and I share wine and stories at the "Wait Wait" pre-party.


An avid (or is that rabid) Carl Kassel fan. Yes, her shirt says "I Have Carl's Voice".

Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me! Naw, just kidding...PLEASE TELL ME!

WHRO and the VA Arts Festival did it again. They brought a NPR radio show to Hampton Roads. This time it was the magnificently wicked and intelligent Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! This is NPR's weekly hour-long quiz show, and it came to life for me on the stage of the Sandler Center in VA Beach this week. I can't wait to hear the podcast and the version edited for radio (no, it's not aired live and now I know why! lol)

Each week on the radio I test my knowledge with real news and some that's just made up. I must say, I like the mixture!

WHRO and VAF had a joint event afterward to meet/greet the stars of the show. So, who did we meet?

Peter Sagal -- the show's host who, according to his bio, has had a varied career including stints as a playwright, screenwriter, stage director, actor, extra in a Michael Jackson video, travel writer, essayist, ghostwriter and staff writer for a motorcycle magazine. I was lucky enough to have him sign his new book The Big Book of Vices: Very Naughty Things (and How to Do Them). Thanks, Peter!

Carl Kasell -- is the "Official Judge and Scorekeeper". He's been on NPR's Morning Edition since 1979. If you're not familiar with the show, Carl's voice on your home answering machine or other voicemail device is the PRIZE for winning callers. What started as a lark (come on, they had little to no budget) has become a prized possession! One audience member and avid fan who had earned Carl's voice years ago sported a t-shirt espousing her success!

This week's panelists included Roxanne Roberts, a writer for The Washington Post's Style section; P.J. O'Rourke, a correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly and sometimes commentator on HBO's Real Time with Bill Mahr; and, last but certainly not least, Tom Bodett, an author and commentator, yet he will be forever immortailized by Motel 6 commercials for saying "We'll leave the light on for you".

What fun! Hope to SEE them again soon!

Black Watch

As part of the wonderful 2008 season of the VA Arts Festival, we had the pleasure of seeing the moving play "Black Watch" at Norfolk's Scope Arena this afternoon. In a word: it was intense. The play was action from beginning to end! This is a production of the National Theatre of Scotland and is touring internationally. Norfolk is the better for their stop here.

What is the Black Watch?

In the autumn of 2004, 800 members of the storied Scots regiment, the Black Watch, shipped out for Iraq. Their mission: to replace 4,000 American Marines. The story of their experience is told in this shattering play, inspired by interviews with members of the regiment upon their return to Scotland. Brilliantly utilizing sound, lighting, and video, spoken word, tightly choreographed movement, and searing stagecraft, Black Watch engulfs the audience in the experience of the war—and ushers us into the hearts of the young men who willingly went, valiantly fought, and returned to sort out the aftermath of the war on terror.

Here is a trailer....

Hampton Roads = Arts...in one word = wow!

Bert and I were honored to be invited this week by the Executive Director of the Virginia Arts Festival for the pre-show reception and performance at the performing arts center of the Scope, Chrysler Hall, of Itzhak Perlman, one of the most famous violinists in the world, in collaboration with Rohan DeSilva on piano. While not typically my genre of music, the masterful performance was amazing. I can certainly appreciate the artistry.