… @ the Rogue Festival… I’m there… usually. Yep. the festival got underway last night… and got underway quite well for me with what I caught at the Starline.

The shows were Shadows in Bloom & Burning Man & the Reverend Nuge.  Both solo performer shows and each with their own distinct styles. I liked them both. If you are expecting any more of a review from me on any of the shows I experience during the festival… don’t hold your breath. Generally, I will either “like a show” or “find it interesting”. And don’t try to read any more into it (for instance, qualify “like” as a rave and “interesting” as a dud) because I can like a show that misses its mark or find an interesting show that engages me. Besides, I’m not going to blog about every show over the next week.

They were both new and original… which is the point of this post… sort of. Now lets qualify new and original to mean not published nor previously produced… in this town. Though even with that, I prefer the former to the latter where a festival like the Rogue or it’s ilk are concerned. There was a bit of a discussion about this several days ago on the Beehive. As I stated in part of that discussion, I thought that years 6 & 7 of the Rogue were banner years (with original pieces) where local theatre folk were concerned. Yes, there are some this year too so, catch them if you can.

Whenever I have engaged in this topic of discussion with some of my local theatre friends they never fail to point out that “this isn’t New York, Chicago or San Francisco.” To that I say that even in those cities… all theatre is local… by the very fact that it is performed live. By that reasoning why shouldn’t new works be developed here as well? And what better place to start than the Rogue?

I’ve expressed my opinions in this subject before just thought this post could serve as a reminder. My hope is there will be more (“newness”) for year 10.

In the meantime… here are some Rogue related pics I snapped. Oh, and if you are in da Big NO… Go Rogue!

Rogue time is a good time for that… at least for me it is. They may be performer friends from far and near or those of the more “civilian” variety with whom I have not connected with in a while. With the concentration that occurs at the Rogue chances are good I will run into many of them.

New friends at this time are usually of the performer/artist stripe. Engaging and sharing ideas always perks me up. But more importantly I get to be introduced to them as people. This takes on a slightly different curve with those who I’ve already come to know. I am always intrigued by where they are (and headed) on their journey.

In years past this time to reconnect always seemed fleeting simply because of the frenzied pace of producing the festival. Quick “hellos” and “see ya soon” was the order of the day. With the latter perhaps returning the same time the following year. Though I do not produce this event any longer and actually have the luxury to engage in conversation (for the last 3 years)… the time still seems fleeting because these 10 days still go in the blink of an eye.

So, I savor this time knowing for at least once a year for the talent that inspires and the warmth that provides a new kick start to keep me going. And in the place in life that I’m currently at that counts to me more than they’ll ever know.

“Click the flashing button to find out about Da Count.

… to everyone involved with the Rogue Performance Festival 2010!

I’ll be floating around catching your shows.

Cheers!

It’s a bit like the fusion between the seduction of a siren song and the ominous rumble of unpredictability barreling from up ahead. At least for me it is. It begins tomorrow… the ninth edition of the Rogue. Invariably, it stirs something within… always does. One can almost smell it in the air… the stir of creative possibilities rising… … the eyes brighten with a whimsical twinkle setting the heart pounding just a little harder. I suppose any mass concentration of creativity has always had that effect on me. Excuse the cliche but it makes me feel alive.

For so many years before the Rogue began I would venture up to the Fringe in San Francisco… to catch my “fix” so to speak. Always returning wild eyed and invigorated by what I experienced. My enthusiasm raised to a near evangelic pitch with the sharing of what I experienced, often prompting condescending head shaking “poor sod” smiles amongst my friends.  Now, and for the last nine years the “fix” can be had in our very own back yard. Now they’ve had a taste… now they know for themselves a bit of what I was raving and ranting about.

The Rogue like every festival of its ilk possesses it’s very own unique personality. Ask any of the touring fringe performers who have traveled from far and wide to be here for the next 10 days and they will attest to this fact. This personality radiates through the community from whence the festival was born. It comes from the “home team” whether it be performers, organizers and last but never least… the audience. It is a testament to the community in Fresno that many of these performers return time and time again, wooing new talents here as they preach the gospel of the Rogue on their travels.

To me the Rogue is an elixir… a tonic to the wonders of the possible. A creative infusion reminding me that mediocrity is never an option. Whether I experience a show that has been honed to the exquisite or one that misses the mark I always come away appreciating the effort and learning (in the realm of my craft) just as much from one as the other… especially if it is original.

So, go out to the Rogue. Be infused… and perhaps you will catch a taste of what I speak of.

Now that some of the “how great/how it sucks” punting on Da Big NO has settled a little let me put my 2 cents in. Yeah, we do have some fun/great amenities and events here… but our biggest strength in my humble opinion which hasn’t really been expounded on … are the people.

Sure, there is diversity in languages spoken, economic classes, etc… but there is a definite “Fresno charm” with the folk around these here parts. This is not just with the movers and shakers but also with the sit-on-the couch variety.

Canadian performer, Nile Seguin once shared his take on Fresno when he spent a week here as, “that quirky kid who sat at the back of the class… who you always thought was weird in school… but who turned out to be really, really cool!”

I guess that speaks (at least to me) on so many levels. Yeah, the rest of the class are going to write you off until they grow up (enough) to get past the externals (and the superficial) to discover you’ve always had more substance in your little finger than they’ve ever had as a gaggle. What makes it even more prominent is that you are still so unassuming about it. See, that’s the charm.

Sure, the city is still split upon the “can do” and the “no can do” line… but we all live, love and work here as best we can. Some attempt to make it better… and succeed. Others are complacent to be naysayers… that’s OK too. It is that continual push and pull that keeps us all alive and striving. Yeah, I am saying that even the naysayers in their heart of hearts are striving for better… in their own strange way.

And that in my estimation is part of our unique quirky charm. We strive and surprise… that to me is and has always been the essence of Fresno.

(picture source: archop.org)

EDIT: Thanks to The Fresnan for including this blog on This List.

About 3 weeks ago I adjusted my daily schedule. Specifically, I moved it back 2 hours so that things started earlier. As a result tasks get done without the desperation of the dreaded “deadline crunch” and because accomplishments come earlier in the day it completely adjusts my attitude for the better.

All of this is making the present period of change I’m going through a little easier to bear. (Lecram, you are always going on about celebrating change… what is this “a little easier to bear” crap?) I’m glad you asked. Change is inevitable… whether we choose to go with the shift or not. Change can be good. Change can be bad. Sometimes change is just change. No matter what… change is never comfortable. If it was it wouldn’t be change. I compare it to buying a new pair of shoes… there is always a “breaking in” period before the foot can slide into it comfortably.

So, this week my count are these adjustments we make so this continuing journey through life can be a more pleasant experience. A lot more gets accomplished when energy is not spent fretting about those pesky “this or that” annoyances that we have in our power to subtract as a factor with just a minor shift.

It was the most active weekend I’ve had in a while. Started with a good cleanup of the driveway spurred on by the emergence of the sun. Amazing how that perks up the spirit.

Then my old college roommate, Chiz (visiting from Malaysia) called and turned up for a visit. Later that night we congregated at Mort’s house (another old college roommate) for drinks, dinner and a long overdue catch-up along with another college mate Casey. A good visit with great food. It’s been a while since I’ve had good home cooked Iranian fare.

Then on Sunday it was the annual Mardi Gras parade in the tower district. I think the pics below will give you a sense of it. So, yeah… a good weekend all around.

Anyway… Cheers!

That’s not just with the weather. The sun coming out today helps too. But more specifically with the recent period in my life that I’ve been swimming through. Elaborations are not necessary… suffice to say a new mindset has been evolving. It’s worth counting because even with the challenges up ahead possibilities are emerging instead of barriers.

There are 2 new establishments that have recently opened up in the Van Ness Village area that excites me. One is a violin studio and the other a fringe performance space.

Last night both places (next door to each other) opened their doors to the public at large for the monthly ArtHop. The violin studio, owned and run by local violin wiz, Patrick Contreras featured the art of Teresa Flores (seen in the pic below) and inspired a spontaneous jam session.

Next door at KP Actors Gym the photos of Kien along with the art works of my friends, Brandy and Ronnie were on display. The new performance space was graced with the talents of Boxcar Figaro and Leah… performers for the upcoming Rogue Festival.

This is all worth counting on so many levels… especially for the local arts scene. KUDOS to Brandy, KP and Patrick for commiting to their passions. BTW… The Fresnan thinks so too and has included some video from last night. To find out what Da Count is all about… click the flashing sign above. To view my previous counts CLICK HERE.

Yeah, I’ve been absent from blogging… and frankly I’m not sure when this will pass. But to make up… here are a few images from this week.