All the local and statewide libraries are looking for artists of all kinds to lure unsuspecting children into the libraries during the summer about now. I say unsuspecting because the kids think they’re there to have fun, whereas the librarians hope to inspire a lifelong love of reading. I can sympathize on both sides, as I had a strong aversion to being lured to anything by any adult. But I have loved reading my whole life — first, because it was a great way to escape from my whole life, and second, because going to the library meant I was not at home doing chores or schoolwork, or listening to the ever-growing list of my shortcomings.
My friend, Sue, and I both took our shows to San Antonio to entertain the librarians and perhaps book a show or two for the summer. There were seven or eight acts there, but some had already made their presentations before we arrived. The first act we saw was a collection of animals: a porcupine, an otter (I think), a snake, and a few others. When they were done leading their animals around for everyone to get a closer look, they were followed by a puppeteer, Bob. His opening statement was: “Never follow an animal act,” but he was still very entertaining. He had a ventriloquist’s dummy he claimed to have owned for 40 years, and he held a pretty funny conversation with it. Then he sang a song with it (It sounds impossible, I know, but he did.) As they sang, the dummy began to lose segments of himself, until all that was left was his mouth. He kept exhorting the puppeteer to “Keep singing!”, which Bob did. I have no doubt that kids will find this hilarious. I found it a little disturbing.
I went up after Bob and his dismembered dummy, and I was followed by a very good, and very funny magician. Quite dynamic.
Sue went on next, and then there was another magician, also quite good. At the end of his set though, he began to discuss prices with the audience. This is normal, Sue tells me. But he offered his show at staggeringly low prices, and all the other presenters commented on it. Perhaps he had his finger on the pulse, and we’re all just slow to catch up. Or he just does his act for the love of it. Didn’t have a chance to ask.
He was last, so now it’s time for the librarians to talk turkey with the presenters. All of the librarians MOB (I’m accurately describing this scene) the animal act. Then they turn to the magicians. Bob complains that one librarian who usually books him told him that she had no money this year. Then she proceeded to book the animal act. Bob is incensed and not terribly discreet about it. (Though he helped me get my equipment back to my car, so I see him as a very kind and deserving fellow indeed!)
From my point of view, the librarians are doing an admirable job, considering their funding has been cut repeatedly for the last decade. I may just find myself donating a show or two to a needy community — my own, perhaps. Even so, it takes time and money to present a show, even for children at the library, so I’m hoping this devaluing of the arts doesn’t continue much longer.
WIMPs is a group started by Nancy Coplin and Rose Reyes. The acronym stands for Women In Music Professional Society and can be found at http://www.myspace.com/wimpsaustin.
Nancy books live music for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. This is a big deal – not even Nashville does this, and they like to think of themselves as Music City. Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, and as near as I can tell, that is an accurate assessment. (I may be biased.) Nancy books a main stage and one of the small eateries at the airport to entertain people waiting for planes or between flights. Both stages are behind security, and you only have the audience’s attention until their flight is boarding, but you have their complete attention until that moment. Nancy has been doing this for about 10 years, and she knows most of the local musicians, no small feat.
Rose books the music at the Austin Convention Center, pretty much for the same reason. She and her assistant, Amanda Garcia show off Austin talent to visitors, corporate shows and conferences booked there.
I’ve played at the airport several times as a solo act, but the convention center usually books bands.
The group meets once a month, over lunch, and everyone stands and introduces themselves. They tell their latest story (briefly….if not, Nancy shakes her tambourine to let them know their time”s up) There were some notables present: Marcia Ball – internationally-known blues artist, Lee Duffy – current president of the Austin Songwriters Group, Cash Edwards – booking and management since the Creation. Lots of artists were present, some house-concert presenters and other venue owners, web designers, graphic artists, and a radio station owner.
After the introductions, we were supposed to eat lunch and network, but since we were at Threadgill’s (a fine restaurant, but not really geared to vegetarians like myself) I just went ahead and talked with everyone I could catch up with that said anything interesting during the intros. Lots of positive connections ensued, and I’m now in the process of following up with the people I talked to.
It was a great deal of fun and very illuminating as far as meeting new people and hearing about new endeavors in Austin that I might otherwise never have known about. You can bet I will be there next month.
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