I just got back from a week in New York at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference. It's the big conference for presenters of the arts all over the country and many international presenters. This is where the field discusses the business of the arts and get to experience new work in theater, music and dance. It is quite the amazing set-up, but also very tiring. A million meetings, sessions and showcases later --- I am tired AND I caught a cold. "Ah-
choo" .... excuse me.
Illness aside I did get to hang with folks I have not seen in a while like bassist Lonnie Plaxico, Marcus Printup, Eric Reed, Wycliffe Gordon, Kaissa, Marc Cary, Hip Hop Theatre Troupe - Universes, Kahlil Kwame Bell and Marc Bamuthi Joseph. I met artists who I had not met --- Vijay Iyer, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Danny Glover, Don Byron and my new favorite -- Gino Sitson.
However, clearly the highlight of the week was Stephanie Hughley, NBAF Executive Producer, being the recipient of the very prestigious Dawson Award for Programming Excellence. She got a standing o and moved many to tears with her short speech. I am sure there would have been sobbing in the aisles had she really been able to do her thing (LOL). It was well deserved... a wonderful recognition of 20 + years of service and such a broad scope of work in the arts. Plus, not a bad way for the National Black Arts Festival to kick off it's 20th Anniversary Year.
Going to shoot another round of ginger, wheatgrass and cranberry shooters. Yuck... Nasty yes, but I am figuring if I shock the system I will beat this thing which is nastier. I hate being sick!!
Peace,
Leatrice