Did you catch a play or concert? Were you art-walking or bar-hopping (to hear live music)? How were the arts part of your weekend? Please share.
Were the arts part of your weekend?
October 4, 2010 — Barb Van Atta2 Responses to “Were the arts part of your weekend?”
Contributors
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broomecountyarts
Barb Van Atta
Sharon Ball
Broome Arts Mirror 
October 4, 2010 at 9:43 am
“Totally Rude & Bold” totally is … and I mean that in the best possible way. How could you not love an art and performance exhibition that features bagpipes? Really, is there a ruder and bolder sound even as well played as it was? The art at the Rude and Bold Women’s 10th annual show ranged from whimsical to polemical with nearly everything in between. As one expects in a non-juried show, the quality of the work varied widely. However, that a non-juried show could be this good is a tribute to the talented women of the Southern Tier. OK, it may have been a bit heavy on vulvar metaphors, but I suppose that was part of the point. In any event, it was a great show. And it was great to see the entire fifth-floor gallery in use at Stephens Square, 81 State St., Binghamton. (Editor’s note: Rude & Bold was on display Oct. 1 and 2 only.)
October 4, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I went to see “Kennedy’s Children” at the KNOW Theatre in downtown Binghamton, a play that was all monologues performed by five characters who spend Valentine’s Day of 1974 in a seedy bar.
The show started off with a video from the playwright, Robert Patrick. He explained his inspiration for the piece, his NYC hangout bar and his interesting yet troubled friends. This play has garnered much praise and travel for the prolific writer who, I believe, can boast a catalog of almost 60 pieces. Personally I found him adorable, and the glimpse into his process and what I assume was his home (where he was taped) was kind of cool. I immediately went home and “befriended” him on Facebook.
My husband and I went to the “pay-what-you-can” night, which was on Thursday (Sept. 30), the night of biblical proportions of rain. We actually were worried that maybe the production would be canceled but, no, more than a dozen people braved the elements and got a few chuckles when the characters (in the show) complained that it was raining.
The casting was very strong. It is not easy to hold an audience’s interest when one has a monologue. And when one is sitting there listening to the “speeches,” you easily can tune out if you don’t immediately care about the characters. A rapport needs to be established between the actors and their audience. The strong cast at Know grabbed us right away, and we were riveted. I also enjoyed the spunky bartender who was mute the whole time but still added his presence doing the duties of a barkeep. The set was funky as were the costumes and the sound effects.
Congratulations to director Tim and his cast: Amanda, Brian, Caitlin, Gabe, Kellie and Marty. If you have not been to KNOW yet, please go. It is the home of Binghamton’s off-Broadway theater. (Editor’s note: “Kennedy’s Children” has ended its run; visit http://www.knowtheatre.org for information about upcoming productions at Know Theatre.)