I was busy this weekend. Took my daughters on both Saturday and Sunday to see Garth Fagan Dance. The artistic director and founder is from Rochester, New York and is celebrating his 39th year in the business. Along the way, Mr. Fagan has racked up some pretty amazing awards and honors. His biggest: a Tony for choreographing "The Lion King" on Broadway.
It occurred to me that my youngest daughter had never seen the troupe perform. Thanks to life as a freelance writer and to a friend that had extra tickets for Sunday's performance, I took my girls and my youngest was delighted to see positive images of black women and was taken aback by the strength of the human body.
Because everyone is hurting right now, Garth Fagan Dance has lost some of its corporate sponsorship and like many artistic and non-profit organizations, they have to make up the difference by soliciting individuals.
I'm writing this blog because frankly, black people don't support black arts or artists. When the show, "The Color Purple" came to Rochester, the majority of the attendees didn't look like me. When alto sax man Branford Marsalis performed here last month, same thing. Jazz music is OUR music. His brother, Wynton, comes here in March.
I know attending arts events is in our culture. I just get annoyed by the numbers of people who can't spend money for tickets to a play or show, but have money to go to a club and party all night. Women can buy a new outfit including shoes, get their hair done, and whatever little touches they want to add. Men, you're not off the hook. You will spend money on drinks in the club, buy food at the club and then afterwards as well. When all is said and done, you actually spend more money clubbing then being entertained intellectually. I just don't get it.
All I'm asking you to do is to support the black arts and artists. If we don't do it, who will?
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Wednesday, December 9th 2009 at 10:09AM
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