Alexandra Gardner | Building Noises

Some tidbits regarding the National Perfoming Arts Convention, in no particular order…

• Overall the convention seemed well organized. If there were train wrecks, I missed them.
• Because this event was all about the AmericaSpeaks process, many caucus meetings were attended.
• The week also involved numerous martinis.
• Had the martinis been integrated into the caucus meetings, the process might have yielded more innovative results.
• My Ultimate Dinner Party Guest List has now been updated to include:
• Anna Deavere Smith
• Jim Collins
• Jose Antonio Abreu
• Watching Marin Alsop conduct is fantastic – especially during the really bouncy material in the first act of Nixon in China. (She is already on the Ultimate Dinner Party Guest List)
• People are much more friendly in the Western states. Much.
• I was also quite happy to encounter some friendly people from the East Coast.
• A visit to an aptly named establishment on the last night of the convention with some of above friendly people seemed only proper.
• Denver makes one realize that there is not enough moisturizer in the world. Bathing in olive oil becomes a viable option.
• The Rockies are jaw-droppingly beautiful. I am obsessed with alpine tundra. And red rocks, of course!