NickydocDocs

SummerFest has come and gone and the rain has come.  We had only one rainout, the opening night of 'Once On This Island'.  All three shows were just beautiful.  It was a bit of a risk putting up shows that were perhaps a little less well-known than the usual fare, but the audiences were receptive and the attendance was spectacular.  There's a lot to be said about not underestimating the audience.  As it turns out, my family was up from Russell, Kentucky (the old homestead) on the night I was surprised with an award from the KCTC Board of Directors.  Through a mouth full of pretzels, the only thing I remember is thanking my mother.  I thanked her for teaching me to dream and imagine; for giving me the courage to risk failure; and for showing me that the only way we elevate our own lives is to elevate the lives of those around us.  That's pretty much all I remember.  I prattled on a bit, but my mom sure enjoyed it--she cried all the way through intermission.  I'm pretty sure I secured the meal of my choice when I visit her for, oh, forever.  I see meatloaf in my near (and far) future.  It was special--for the both of us.  On the closing night of the festival, I got a call out at the park from Washington--as it turns out, I've been selected to sit on the national board for the Society for Art in Healthcare.  I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to find the time, but one thing's for certain--I will.

Life is slowing down a bit.  I have had some great conversations with Jennifer Miller (a dear personal friend of mine and the newly elected president of Actor's Guild of Lexington.  She is an incredibly dynamic and intelligent leader, and the organization is already benefitting from her savvy.  I'm particularly interested in their Second Stage plans--a proposed showcase for contemporary and 'edgy' theater.  I'll be looking forward to seeing what they put up.  I'll definitely be in the audience.  In my experience, when times are at their most challenging for the arts, organizations are almost always at their best.  I've followed the recent defunding of AGL in the papers, and I've been impressed with the straightforward and transparent way they are dealing with it.  This organization is a cultural tradition in our community, plain and simple.  They are handling the challenge with alacrity and grace.

As some of you may know, I've become a member of the Twitterverse.  It's an incredible medium, although it's made reading the local newspapers (ACE Weekly excepted) impossible.  By the time the news reaches local media outlets, it seems like old news.  It's rambunctious, thoughtful, and not without a few digital smackdowns.  Most importantly, it's full of incredibly well-informed, interested (and interesting) people; full of great ideas, longing, and idealism.  Rob Morris (@RobMorris2), for example, is leading an incredible movement (#lexmob) to support the businesses affected by the South Limestone street closures.  Grassroots mobilization at its finest.  ACE Weekly continuously provides concise reporting on local meetings, LFUCG goings on, and a plethora of information regarding opportunities for citizens to get involved.  Kim Thomas (@KimmyVille) continues to cover the arts scene as WELL as the thoroughbred industry.  Dan Sherman (@dvs) provides insight into the importance of social capital, and is an exemplary involved citizen.  The list goes on and on, but these people (along with many others) inform my life and my activism.  There are attorneys who are incredibly involved in the arts community, like Pam Perlman (@PerlLawLex) who, incidentally, was in BOTH 'Grand Night for Singing' AND SummerFest's 'Once On This Island' who find a way to balance an incredibly successful law practice while, at the same time, consistently contribute to the arts community every single day.  My hat is off.

Other good news:  Liquor Barn, long-time stalwart arts patron, has received a Governor's Award for the Arts for its long and ongoing patronage to the arts community across the state.  Roger Leasor, another businessman with an incredible talent in theater, is another mentor of mine.  If I can even come close to his dedication to the arts community, I'll consider myself having lead a meaningful life.  Other personal heroes of mine?  There are many.  Joe Ferrell.  One of the most artistically gifted human beings I've ever had the great fortune to meet.  I could listen to this guy talk about theater from dawn to dusk and back again.  One of my favorite things is to go to a rehearsal for a show that Joe is directing.  His interaction with the cast is something close to mystical.  He is encouraging and thoughtful, but with an economy of words that is stupefying, he brings out the actors with simply amazing results.  Admittedly, I don't speak the language.  In fact, it's something close to verbal and emotional shorthand.  But it works.  Every time.  He was the first to score the productions out at the Arboretum.  Every time I'm at his house, I take the time to surreptitiously scour his CD collection.  To watch a Joe Ferrell production is to immerse yourself in the artistic experience.

Things over at the Lexington Art League continue to raise the bar for community engagement.  The Executive Director, Allison Kaiser, is another personal mentor and hero.  I can say, without reservation, that she has taught me more about the arts community than just about any other person I know.  She gets the 'big picture' in the arts, and I feel fortunate to have worked with her for the last four years.  We speak on a weekly basis, and when I'm having a problem or challenge I can't quite get my mind around, she's one of the first people I call.  Her enthusiasm is matched only by her facility in representing the arts is a graceful and incredibly effective way.  One of the biggest blessing having come out of my engagement with the arts is some incredible and lifelong friendships.  Hers, I count among them.  Another is Sheila Ferrell.  If you haven't had the chance to read Liquor Barn's blog, do yourself a favor.  As a result, Sheila has gained a savant-like knowledge of history.  Every day, she gives historical perspective.  She lists things of historical (and topical) importance that have happened on that particular day in years (and decades) past.  One of the highlights of my day when we meet is to ask, 'OK Sheila, what happened today?', referring to her blog.  It may seem simple, but Sheila knows one of my favorite singers is Peter Gabriel.  On one particular day, she remarked on his birthday.  Mostly, I'm crazy about her because she's smart.  And she's a 'true believer'.

Although I was always interested in the arts, Diane Lawless  was the person who encourage me to get involved.  We met over edamame, and she has been a member of my chosen family since then.  She's incredibly gifted, and has LONG been a supporter of the arts ('We Came and We Put Down Roots')  In case you haven't picked up a newspaper in the last couple of years, she's also become a bit of a local rockstar.  She is an individual of true integrity, and I'm grateful every single day for her friendship.

I hear alot about the lack of leadership in Lexington.  Granted, there are areas for improvement.  However, I'm afraid I, in toto, disagree.  There are PLENTY of leaders in Lexington.  I'm proud to call this city my home.  I can't help but get a little riled up when I hear (or read) a complete dismissal of leadership in Lexington.  From where I'm standing, I see it every day.  I see people whose leadership is just as natural to them as breathing--from volunteers for non-profits, to business men and women; from Council Members, to teachers, to students; from attorneys and fast-food workers and the unemployed; from mothers and fathers to sons and daughters; leaders are everywhere.  The trick is, at least for me, to never discount any opinion, even if it is vastly different from my own.  When I stop listening and close my mind to the people whose opinions aren't necessarily my own, I am absolutely doomed to failure.