KEEPING LIVE THEATRE AND ARTS IN EDUCATION ALIVE!


"It is doubtful if anyone ever made a success of anything who waited until all the conditions were 'just right' before starting." ~Author Unknown

Tomorrow night, May 16th, Arts Council Of Rockland will award a total of $14,000 in scholarships to 6 graduating Rockland high school seniors going on to further their artistic educations. I was on the committee to distribute this money.
It's a lovely program where the winners demonstrate their work. The program is free and open to the public. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the ACOR offices. If you'd like to see how ACOR is cultivating future professional artists (and supporting these young people and their families, in particular), please attend. http://wwwartscouncilofRockland.org
Word leaked Wednesday that highly regarded Jujamcyn Theaters impresario Rocco Landesman would be tapped by President Obama as the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts! Read more about that at the end of this blog.
Recently, two-thirds of a school group missed experiencing "Cats" because Kentucky students must have a C average to take part in a field trip.

These less-than-C's are the very ones who need this experience more than all of those A's put together. My life was changed because of the experience that only theatre can make happen.
Live theatre touches a chord, enlightens, enlivens and enriches all curricula, allowing students to understand a seemingly not understandable Shakespearean play.
I was remembering today my first experience in live theatre. It was in MAME at the Theatre of the Republic in Conway, South Carolina. I was mesmerized by the other performers in the cast. I wanted to be strong like Mame and definitely wanted to have an opening number like hers.
When I left the theatre that first night, I felt inspired and just down right in a good mood.
The Arts are among the most important things we learn about in school. They provide a well-rounded education not based on a test's requirements.
As you can probably tell by now, I am pretty serious about getting things done which means I take action on the things that are important to all of us. People have been writing to me about regional causes. That's awesome.
Jo Schuman Silver, producer of "Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon," has selected nine Bay Area finalists for the Steve Silver Foundation and Beach Blanket Babylon Scholarship for the Arts.
One winner in each category will be presented with a check for $10,000 to go toward their college education.


Do you realize how lucky we are to be able to see LIVE SHOWS!?!?! Here are a few of my recommendations. Please tell them I sent you. Rick Skye and Madame are performing 3 - count 'em - 3 shows in New Hope at Harlan's at the Nevermore this Gay Pride weekend. You can read more about Rick by going to his website, http://www.RickSkye.com



This Friday & Saturday

May 15 & 16


RONNY WHYTE
Boots Maleson, bass
at
KNICKERBOCKER
9TH Street & University Place


NYC
212. 228. 8490

9.45 PM ~ 2 AM

Next Wednesday night, a group of us are going to see Rob Langedar's closing night at The Metropolitan Room. If you're in NY and would like to join us, please contact me at 845-365-0720. A MAC Award-winning vocalist, ROB LANGEDER presents ANY PLACE I HANG MY HAT..., a raucous romp though all-time song favorites - and a few lesser-known gems! This terrific tune-fest includes songs made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat "King" Cole and Elvis Costello among others!
My friend Jana Robbins is taping the new Barry Z show this Tuesday with Gregory Hines, but I don't know if it airs live or on what channel.
Project Runway's Tim Gunn Has Style!
Tim Gunn Book CoverYou are cordially invited to join Tim Gunn
at a gala cocktail party hosted by
Simona & Jerry Chazen
543 North Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
Sunday, May 31, 2009, 3 ~ 6 pm
to support and celebrate VCS Gay Pride Rockland

Please share this invitation with friends who may wish to be there, too.
Each guest will receive a copy of
Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality,Taste & Style
$125 per person ~ Festive Attire ~ Valet Parking
RSVP with check to Gay Pride Rockland, 77 S. Main St., New City, NY 10956,
Click here or call 845 634-5729 to pay by AmEx, Discover, MC or Visa
Nyack's own Simona and Jerry Chazen, highly recognized philanthropists, art collectors and supporters of many organizations, are our hosts. Just seeing their home, known for its beauty, uniqueness and art, is a special experience.
PS Participate in a raffle to win lunch for two with Tim Gunn at the Bryant Park Grill in NYC. Click here to buy raffles or call 845 634-5729 ~ $10 each or 3 for $25. (Drawing May 31 ~ Date of lunch contingent on Tim Gunn's schedule ~ Winner need not be present.)
Catering provided by The Nyack Seaport & Two Spear Street

The right-wing National Organization for Marriage, which helped pass Proposition 8, is trying desperately to reverse our victories in Maine and elsewhere – pumping in resources, staff, and $1.5 million in anti-LGBT ads. It's been a whirlwind of progress toward marriage equality. Vermont. Iowa. Washington, D.C. And an incredible win in Maine.



Rocco Landesman to Head the NEA! At the Clyde Fitch Report, http://www.clydefitchreport.com/?p=2122.


Remember to GO SEE A LIVE SHOW THIS WEEK!

Contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm

With grateful XOXOXs for your support!

Richard Skipper

Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper

AND DON'T FORGET:
May 27
7pm
IGUANA VIP LOUNGE, 240 West 54th St. & Broadway
WEDNESDAY NIGHT OF THE IGUANA
Show Description: Joan Crowe has asked me to take over WEDNESDAY NIGHT OF THE IGUANA! Richard will be hosting in this new comedy and musical variety show, along with special guest stars Ritt Henn, Bobbie Horowitz,Hector Coris, and Maureen Taylor...and a few other surprises as well!

Comments

  1. I agree completely with your comments about the importance of art being a fundamental part of an education curriculum. To me, exposure to the arts, of all forms, at a young age is a crucial part of developing the next generation into well-rounded, intelligent, sensitive, progressive thinking adults. I am so pleased that the Obama's have embraced support for the arts in a way we haven't seen since the days of the Kennedys. And yay to you for advocating arts education so eloquantly.

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