My sister, Dorothy, lives in Charleston, S.C. Actually, she lives in Mount Pleasant, which is just over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant.
She called last week, saying there's a new barbecue restaurant, Ray's BBQ, in Mount Pleasant and she just had to go.
When she was standing at the counter, waiting to order, she noticed "Scrambled Dog."
When it was her turn, she said, "I didn't think anyone around here knew what a scrambled dog is."
The guy looked at her, and said, "I bet you're from Columbus."
It was Ray, the owner, who told her that he left Columbus when he was in his early 20s.
Ray told her that his under-the-counter sauce is as close to the one used by the legendary Chicken Comer. And his chili for the scrambled dog is as close to the equally legendary Lieutenant Stevens at Dinglewood.
Dorothy had the ribs the first time she went and said they were excellent. Last Saturday, she had the scrambled dog and told Ray that the chili is not as spicy as she'd like. He agreed, but said parents like their kids to have the scrambled dogs and that's why he keeps it pretty mild.
He told Dorothy he used to be in our sports department. Unfortunately, she didn't get his last name and I can't remember a Ray working with us.
Later on this week, I'm going to give Ray a call. I think he'll make a great story for our Life & Taste pages.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
George Michael concert set for July 31 in Atlanta's Philips Arena
I got an e-mail just now that British pop star George Michael will begin his first North American tour in 17 years on June 17 in San Diego.
The "25 Live Tour" comes to Atlanta's Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, at 8 p.m. July 31.
Tickets are $47, $87 and $152, and go on sale at 10 a.m. April 5.
Tickets will be available locally through area Publix grocery stores, by calling 404-249-6400 or by going to www.ticketmaster.com
I actually had tickets for his concert in Atlanta 17 years ago in Fulton County Stadium.
My friend Linda Szabo, who is the executive director of the March of Dimes, had gone on her phone and kept calling and calling until she got through and bought five tickets.
The afternoon of the concert, we met at her house. It was Linda; her sister, Laura; their brother, Bobby and his then-girlfriend. And me.
We all got into Linda's car and were on the way to the concert.
We parked and Linda started rummaging in her purse to get lipstick or a brush or something.
I think it was Laura who asked about the tickets.
Linda rummaged some more and turned on her brother, "This isn't funny." The tickets were nowhere to be found.
We found a phone and when she called home, her mother said the tickets were on the dining room table.
Poor Linda was soooo upset. The rest of us laughed it off. We had dinner somewhere and as we passed the stadium, Bobby, who was in the back, said, "Oh, I think he's singing that monkey song!"
That had us laughing.
Linda made some excuse to Ticketmaster and got her money back.
But ever since then, no matter if the event is in town, my mother and my siblings always ask, "Do you have the tickets?" In fact, we have to see them!
I bet the Szabo family does the same thing.
Linda hates to be reminded of this incident. But I had to, Linda.
The "25 Live Tour" comes to Atlanta's Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, at 8 p.m. July 31.
Tickets are $47, $87 and $152, and go on sale at 10 a.m. April 5.
Tickets will be available locally through area Publix grocery stores, by calling 404-249-6400 or by going to www.ticketmaster.com
I actually had tickets for his concert in Atlanta 17 years ago in Fulton County Stadium.
My friend Linda Szabo, who is the executive director of the March of Dimes, had gone on her phone and kept calling and calling until she got through and bought five tickets.
The afternoon of the concert, we met at her house. It was Linda; her sister, Laura; their brother, Bobby and his then-girlfriend. And me.
We all got into Linda's car and were on the way to the concert.
We parked and Linda started rummaging in her purse to get lipstick or a brush or something.
I think it was Laura who asked about the tickets.
Linda rummaged some more and turned on her brother, "This isn't funny." The tickets were nowhere to be found.
We found a phone and when she called home, her mother said the tickets were on the dining room table.
Poor Linda was soooo upset. The rest of us laughed it off. We had dinner somewhere and as we passed the stadium, Bobby, who was in the back, said, "Oh, I think he's singing that monkey song!"
That had us laughing.
Linda made some excuse to Ticketmaster and got her money back.
But ever since then, no matter if the event is in town, my mother and my siblings always ask, "Do you have the tickets?" In fact, we have to see them!
I bet the Szabo family does the same thing.
Linda hates to be reminded of this incident. But I had to, Linda.
The 2008-09 Columbus State University theater season
When my buddy April Waldron e-mailed me the Columbus State University department of theater's 2008-09 season, I had to blink.
I won't pretend to know a lot about theater, but I had never heard of any of these plays.
I really think that's a good thing, especially for the kids who are majoring in theater.
I mean, it's great to see shows that you know, but I always like new shows better. Well, OK, not always, but it's interesting to see what people are doing now.
The season kicks off with "Bat Boy: The Musical," 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9-11 and 2 p.m. Oct. 12 on the Mainstage. If you are a regular reader of supermarket tabloids, this is right up your alley. It's about a half-boy,half-bat who is found in a cave at Hope Falls, Va. He's adopted by a doctor's family and becomes educated. The problem is: Will the town accept him?
"Boy Meets Girl" is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20-22 and 2 p.m. Nov. 23 on the Mainstage, and is a psychological thriller about a romance gone awry. A reporter goes on a blind date, who turns into a stalker. It's for adult audiences.
"The Cripple of Inishmaan" is 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-14 and Feb. 20-21 and 2 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Studio. Written by Martin McDonagh, it's a dark comedy. When the residents of the small town of Inishmaan heard that a Hollywood producer is making a movie nearby, Billy, the cripple of Inishmaan, decides that he's going to be the next big star. The whole town watches to see what happens.
"Machinal" can be seen 7:30 p.m. April 2-4 and 2 p.m. April 5 on the Mainstage. It's a 1928 Broadway hit that is loosely based on the 1927 murder of Ruth Snyder, the first woman put to death in the electric chair.
The Family Series is new this season.
The first show is "Cows Don't Fly and Other Known Facts," 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11-12, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and 2 p.m. Sept. 14 on the Mainstage. It's based on the popular children's books, "The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down," "The Pig Who Ran a Red Light" and "The Goose Who Went Off in a Huff." It's about a world where extraordinary things happen on a regular basis.
The final show of the Family Series is "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," which can be seen 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15-16, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 and 2 p.m. Jan. 18 on the Mainstage. It's about Alexander who is having the worst day imaginable. The author, Judith Viorst, adapted her book into a play and made it into a musical.
I e-mailed the season to a friend of mine, who had just one word for the choice of shows: "Awesome."
And this is a theater professional I trust.
I can't wait to see these shows.
You have several options for season tickets. Package A is the Mainstage shows of "Bat Boy," "Boy Gets Girl," "The Cripple of Inishmaan" and "Machinal" for $52. Package B is the Family Series of "Cows Don't Fly" and "Alexander" for $16. Package C is for both Mainstage and Family Series for $68.
Single tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. Sept. 9. The Family Series plays are $10, $5 for seniors, children, active military and CSU alumni. "Bat Boy" is $20, $18 for seniors, children, active military and CSU alumni. The dramas and comedies are $15, $13 for seniors, children, active military and CSU alumni.
Call 706-507-8444.
I won't pretend to know a lot about theater, but I had never heard of any of these plays.
I really think that's a good thing, especially for the kids who are majoring in theater.
I mean, it's great to see shows that you know, but I always like new shows better. Well, OK, not always, but it's interesting to see what people are doing now.
The season kicks off with "Bat Boy: The Musical," 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9-11 and 2 p.m. Oct. 12 on the Mainstage. If you are a regular reader of supermarket tabloids, this is right up your alley. It's about a half-boy,half-bat who is found in a cave at Hope Falls, Va. He's adopted by a doctor's family and becomes educated. The problem is: Will the town accept him?
"Boy Meets Girl" is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20-22 and 2 p.m. Nov. 23 on the Mainstage, and is a psychological thriller about a romance gone awry. A reporter goes on a blind date, who turns into a stalker. It's for adult audiences.
"The Cripple of Inishmaan" is 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-14 and Feb. 20-21 and 2 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Studio. Written by Martin McDonagh, it's a dark comedy. When the residents of the small town of Inishmaan heard that a Hollywood producer is making a movie nearby, Billy, the cripple of Inishmaan, decides that he's going to be the next big star. The whole town watches to see what happens.
"Machinal" can be seen 7:30 p.m. April 2-4 and 2 p.m. April 5 on the Mainstage. It's a 1928 Broadway hit that is loosely based on the 1927 murder of Ruth Snyder, the first woman put to death in the electric chair.
The Family Series is new this season.
The first show is "Cows Don't Fly and Other Known Facts," 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11-12, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and 2 p.m. Sept. 14 on the Mainstage. It's based on the popular children's books, "The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down," "The Pig Who Ran a Red Light" and "The Goose Who Went Off in a Huff." It's about a world where extraordinary things happen on a regular basis.
The final show of the Family Series is "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," which can be seen 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15-16, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 and 2 p.m. Jan. 18 on the Mainstage. It's about Alexander who is having the worst day imaginable. The author, Judith Viorst, adapted her book into a play and made it into a musical.
I e-mailed the season to a friend of mine, who had just one word for the choice of shows: "Awesome."
And this is a theater professional I trust.
I can't wait to see these shows.
You have several options for season tickets. Package A is the Mainstage shows of "Bat Boy," "Boy Gets Girl," "The Cripple of Inishmaan" and "Machinal" for $52. Package B is the Family Series of "Cows Don't Fly" and "Alexander" for $16. Package C is for both Mainstage and Family Series for $68.
Single tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. Sept. 9. The Family Series plays are $10, $5 for seniors, children, active military and CSU alumni. "Bat Boy" is $20, $18 for seniors, children, active military and CSU alumni. The dramas and comedies are $15, $13 for seniors, children, active military and CSU alumni.
Call 706-507-8444.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tiffany McGinnis
Years ago, I met Tiffany McGinnis. She was still in high school and was involved in the scene downtown at the old Human Experience Theatre. These kids would hang out after shows at T.H.E. Theatre's rave parties. She was an interesting young woman.
It turned out that I'd known her mother, Callie McGinnis a long time. Callie is the librarian of the Schwob Memorial Library on the Columbus State University campus.
Tiff grew up and moved to London.
I got this e-mail from Callie this morning that I wanted you to see.
"I want to share Tiffy's latest masterpiece with you — an animated video that tells a tale that I discovered years ago while tracing family roots in Scotland. It just goes to show you that young people do sometimes pay attention to the family stories that you tell them! The video is entertainment and history combined.
"It's a folk tale about a legendary character who has the same name as one of my North Carolina Scots ancestors — Dushee Shaw. The folk tale tells of a dwarf named Dushee Shaw who lived on the Isle of Jura, in the Southern Hebrides, in the late 16th century. The tale has been passed down for many generations.
"To view the 8-minute video, go to http://www.drawpictures.co.uk/ (this is the agency that's representing Tiff). Click on Young Guns — then on Tiff's icon. You'll see the clickable icon for "Black Fairy" (top left corner).
"In London Tiffy's still doing her music — under her stage name Crazy Girl. However, she's evolved into a multi-media artist. For this video she did the script, plus all the drawings and the animation; she composed the music and she's the narrator! She got a real piper to play the background bagpipes!"
I hope you go to the Web site and check out "The Black Fairy." It's a really innovative video. Very entertaining and lots of fun.
This girl's gonna go places.
I won't be surprised if she's nominated for an Oscar one day for one of these.
It turned out that I'd known her mother, Callie McGinnis a long time. Callie is the librarian of the Schwob Memorial Library on the Columbus State University campus.
Tiff grew up and moved to London.
I got this e-mail from Callie this morning that I wanted you to see.
"I want to share Tiffy's latest masterpiece with you — an animated video that tells a tale that I discovered years ago while tracing family roots in Scotland. It just goes to show you that young people do sometimes pay attention to the family stories that you tell them! The video is entertainment and history combined.
"It's a folk tale about a legendary character who has the same name as one of my North Carolina Scots ancestors — Dushee Shaw. The folk tale tells of a dwarf named Dushee Shaw who lived on the Isle of Jura, in the Southern Hebrides, in the late 16th century. The tale has been passed down for many generations.
"To view the 8-minute video, go to http://www.drawpictures.co.uk/ (this is the agency that's representing Tiff). Click on Young Guns — then on Tiff's icon. You'll see the clickable icon for "Black Fairy" (top left corner).
"In London Tiffy's still doing her music — under her stage name Crazy Girl. However, she's evolved into a multi-media artist. For this video she did the script, plus all the drawings and the animation; she composed the music and she's the narrator! She got a real piper to play the background bagpipes!"
I hope you go to the Web site and check out "The Black Fairy." It's a really innovative video. Very entertaining and lots of fun.
This girl's gonna go places.
I won't be surprised if she's nominated for an Oscar one day for one of these.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
"Dancing With the Stars"
I kind of thought that Adam Corolla would go home last night. But somehow, he was saved.
It was Penn Jillette who is headed back home to Las Vegas. On "Good Morning America" this morning, he said he wanted to get back home and back to doing his show.
I did think Monica Seles would go home. And she did. As good as she was on the tennis court, she was a stiff on the dance floor.
But it was kind of poignant when she said being on the show was her prom. She was playing tennis and never got to do all the things teenage girls do. And she got to dress up, wear make-up and have her hair done.
Well, that doesn't mean she has to stop! She looked great.
So far, my favorite, Jason Taylor, looked terrific. Kristi Yamaguchi also is a contender to win this season.
I don't know if Marlee Matlin will be able to ride her "I'm profoundly deaf" thing the whole way. What she's doing is amazing. I mean, I can hear, and I can't dance as well as she does.
But I'm going with the football player.
It was Penn Jillette who is headed back home to Las Vegas. On "Good Morning America" this morning, he said he wanted to get back home and back to doing his show.
I did think Monica Seles would go home. And she did. As good as she was on the tennis court, she was a stiff on the dance floor.
But it was kind of poignant when she said being on the show was her prom. She was playing tennis and never got to do all the things teenage girls do. And she got to dress up, wear make-up and have her hair done.
Well, that doesn't mean she has to stop! She looked great.
So far, my favorite, Jason Taylor, looked terrific. Kristi Yamaguchi also is a contender to win this season.
I don't know if Marlee Matlin will be able to ride her "I'm profoundly deaf" thing the whole way. What she's doing is amazing. I mean, I can hear, and I can't dance as well as she does.
But I'm going with the football player.
Historic Columbus Foundation
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation does a great job, but did you know that our very own Historic Columbus Foundation is seven years older?
That's right. The HCF is 42 years old and the Georgia Trust is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year with its annual meeting in Columbus next weekend.
It means that for the past year, the HCF staff have been busy planning the meeting.
The last time the state meeting was in Columbus was 2000. It was at that meeting that MidTown Inc. was born.
"Greg Paxton, the former head of the Georgia Trust and Teresa Tomlinson and John Sheftall had a casual conversation" about the next big area that needed attention in Columbus, said former HCF executive director Susan Lawhorne.
Tomlinson now heads MidTown Inc., while historian Sheftall is a MidTown resident.
When HCF was asked to host the meeting again this year, Lawhorne decided the theme would be "Discover Columbus: MidTown, Uptown . . . Rivertown!"
"We're always trying to promote MidTown," said Carroll Hudson, the HCF director of development and marketing. "There is so much happening in MidTown."
Next weekend's Spring Ramble isn't just about MidTown, though. There will be rambles through downtown Columbus and Bibb City's RiverMill Event Centre.
In Columbus the designated historic areas are the original downtown Historic District, High Uptown, Dinglewood, Wynn's Hill–Overlook, Peacock Woods–Dimon Circle, Hillcrest–Wildwood Circle, Wynnton Village and Liberty Heritage.
"Columbus is such a great site," said Traci Clark, the Georgia Trust's director of communications. "You have so many historic buildings and houses. It's a beautiful town. We're looking forward to coming back to celebrate our 35th anniversary."
"A lot of the local ones got their start first," Clark said. "In 1973, we saw a need for a statewide organization. One of the early projects was helping to save the Fox Theatre here in Atlanta.
"A lot of times, saving an important building in the area is the impetus for organizing these groups," Clark said.
In Columbus, HCF began after the success of saving the Springer Opera House.
Hudson says it takes a lot of planning and a lot of volunteers to organize an event like this.
"We have to find the best sites to showcase our city," Hudson said. "We have about 60 volunteers working."
In the eight years since the Georgia Trust was here last, she was astounded to find all the new sites, including the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, the Columbus State University fine arts division's downtown headquarters, the renovation of the Eagle/Phenix Mills and RiverMill Event Centre, the Columbus Public Library and the 21st Condominiums.
"In a way, it's a great way to show off these homes and real estate," Hudson said.
IF YOU GO
What: "The Spring Ramble: Discover Columbus: Midtown, Uptown . . . Rivertown!," the annual meeting of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
April 4: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. registration at the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road. Midtown Ramble, tours of the Columbus Museum and the museum's Olmstead Garden, Wynnton Arts Academy Library, Butt-Banks House, Hillcrest, the Illges-Norman House, the Carson McCullers House and the Midtown 21st Condominiums, 1-4 p.m. Cocktails at Dinglewood, dinner at Gordonido and dessert at the Wynn House, 6-9:30 p.m.
April 5: Registration at 8:30 a.m.-noon, RiverMill Event Centre, 3715 First Ave. Annual meeting and preservation awards ceremony, 9 a.m.-noon, RiverMill Event Centre. Lunch & Learn, includes tours of the former historic cotton mill at the RiverMill Event Centre, noon. Uptown Rumble, with tours of the Eagle-Phenix Condos, W.C. Bradley Co. Museum, Springer Opera House, Columbus State University River Park Campus, the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus and the Ma Rainey House, 1-5 p.m. 35th anniversary reception and dinner, Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 6 p.m.
April 6: Brunch in Historic Linwood Cemetery, with tours of the cemetery, 9-11 a.m.
Tickets: $205 for the whole weekend; $155 for Saturday-Sunday; $85 for Friday only; $95 for Saturday only; $27 for the Sunday brunch; $25 for students (no meals included); $20 for children 13 and younger (no meals included)
Registration deadline: 5 p.m. April 4, Columbus Public Library
Joining the Georgia Trust: $35; $50 for families
Information: 706-322-0756
That's right. The HCF is 42 years old and the Georgia Trust is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year with its annual meeting in Columbus next weekend.
It means that for the past year, the HCF staff have been busy planning the meeting.
The last time the state meeting was in Columbus was 2000. It was at that meeting that MidTown Inc. was born.
"Greg Paxton, the former head of the Georgia Trust and Teresa Tomlinson and John Sheftall had a casual conversation" about the next big area that needed attention in Columbus, said former HCF executive director Susan Lawhorne.
Tomlinson now heads MidTown Inc., while historian Sheftall is a MidTown resident.
When HCF was asked to host the meeting again this year, Lawhorne decided the theme would be "Discover Columbus: MidTown, Uptown . . . Rivertown!"
"We're always trying to promote MidTown," said Carroll Hudson, the HCF director of development and marketing. "There is so much happening in MidTown."
Next weekend's Spring Ramble isn't just about MidTown, though. There will be rambles through downtown Columbus and Bibb City's RiverMill Event Centre.
In Columbus the designated historic areas are the original downtown Historic District, High Uptown, Dinglewood, Wynn's Hill–Overlook, Peacock Woods–Dimon Circle, Hillcrest–Wildwood Circle, Wynnton Village and Liberty Heritage.
"Columbus is such a great site," said Traci Clark, the Georgia Trust's director of communications. "You have so many historic buildings and houses. It's a beautiful town. We're looking forward to coming back to celebrate our 35th anniversary."
"A lot of the local ones got their start first," Clark said. "In 1973, we saw a need for a statewide organization. One of the early projects was helping to save the Fox Theatre here in Atlanta.
"A lot of times, saving an important building in the area is the impetus for organizing these groups," Clark said.
In Columbus, HCF began after the success of saving the Springer Opera House.
Hudson says it takes a lot of planning and a lot of volunteers to organize an event like this.
"We have to find the best sites to showcase our city," Hudson said. "We have about 60 volunteers working."
In the eight years since the Georgia Trust was here last, she was astounded to find all the new sites, including the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, the Columbus State University fine arts division's downtown headquarters, the renovation of the Eagle/Phenix Mills and RiverMill Event Centre, the Columbus Public Library and the 21st Condominiums.
"In a way, it's a great way to show off these homes and real estate," Hudson said.
IF YOU GO
What: "The Spring Ramble: Discover Columbus: Midtown, Uptown . . . Rivertown!," the annual meeting of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
April 4: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. registration at the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road. Midtown Ramble, tours of the Columbus Museum and the museum's Olmstead Garden, Wynnton Arts Academy Library, Butt-Banks House, Hillcrest, the Illges-Norman House, the Carson McCullers House and the Midtown 21st Condominiums, 1-4 p.m. Cocktails at Dinglewood, dinner at Gordonido and dessert at the Wynn House, 6-9:30 p.m.
April 5: Registration at 8:30 a.m.-noon, RiverMill Event Centre, 3715 First Ave. Annual meeting and preservation awards ceremony, 9 a.m.-noon, RiverMill Event Centre. Lunch & Learn, includes tours of the former historic cotton mill at the RiverMill Event Centre, noon. Uptown Rumble, with tours of the Eagle-Phenix Condos, W.C. Bradley Co. Museum, Springer Opera House, Columbus State University River Park Campus, the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus and the Ma Rainey House, 1-5 p.m. 35th anniversary reception and dinner, Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 6 p.m.
April 6: Brunch in Historic Linwood Cemetery, with tours of the cemetery, 9-11 a.m.
Tickets: $205 for the whole weekend; $155 for Saturday-Sunday; $85 for Friday only; $95 for Saturday only; $27 for the Sunday brunch; $25 for students (no meals included); $20 for children 13 and younger (no meals included)
Registration deadline: 5 p.m. April 4, Columbus Public Library
Joining the Georgia Trust: $35; $50 for families
Information: 706-322-0756
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra
Giancarlo Guerrero is the guest conductor who will be leading the Cleveland Orchestra when it gets here Sunday for a 4 p.m. concert in the Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway.
We're very lucky to get this orchestra in town. It's considered to be one of the "Big Five" orchestras in the country, along with New York, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia.
The program includes Sierra's "Fandangos," Ravel's "Suite No. 2 from "Daphnis and Chloe" and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." Tickets are $55, $65 and $75.
I spoke to Guerrero on the phone while the orchestra was in Florida. They performed in St. Petersburg Monday and have several concerts in Miami, before heading here on Sunday.
He was funny and warm. He laughed a lot. Guerrero said he began as a percussionist in the back of the orchestra, but he dropped one stick and moved to the front.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra conductor, George Del Gobbo, is also very warm and funny. When I asked him for a quote about the Cleveland Orchestra, George very graciously sent me something and ended with this plea:
"Please don't forget to remind people that they can warm up their 'symphony ears'
by attending the Columbus Symphony concert the night before. Then they can
compare the difference $60,000,000 a year makes in the sound of an orchestra."
When I asked if it was true that the Cleveland Orchestra's budget was that much, he said, "I don't know for a fact what the Cleveland Orchestra budget is, but I'd bet it's in that neighborhood. The CSO budget is around $800,000. I would guess they spend between $10-$15 million a year on orchestra salaries alone."
Wow!
That means our orchestra, which in my opinion, is one of the best in the Southeast, can really compete with the Cleveland Orchestra.
If you haven't seen our orchestra lately, I suggest you go to the concert Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Heard Theatre.
Violinist Rachel Barton Pine will be the guest soloist. The program includes "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" and "Symphony No. 3" by Brahms and "Violin Concerto" by Dvorak.
Even the ticket prices are a bargain — $21-$35; $10 student rush tickets 30 minutes before the concert; $5 for children 11 and younger.
Call 706-256-3612 for either concert.
We're very lucky to get this orchestra in town. It's considered to be one of the "Big Five" orchestras in the country, along with New York, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia.
The program includes Sierra's "Fandangos," Ravel's "Suite No. 2 from "Daphnis and Chloe" and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." Tickets are $55, $65 and $75.
I spoke to Guerrero on the phone while the orchestra was in Florida. They performed in St. Petersburg Monday and have several concerts in Miami, before heading here on Sunday.
He was funny and warm. He laughed a lot. Guerrero said he began as a percussionist in the back of the orchestra, but he dropped one stick and moved to the front.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra conductor, George Del Gobbo, is also very warm and funny. When I asked him for a quote about the Cleveland Orchestra, George very graciously sent me something and ended with this plea:
"Please don't forget to remind people that they can warm up their 'symphony ears'
by attending the Columbus Symphony concert the night before. Then they can
compare the difference $60,000,000 a year makes in the sound of an orchestra."
When I asked if it was true that the Cleveland Orchestra's budget was that much, he said, "I don't know for a fact what the Cleveland Orchestra budget is, but I'd bet it's in that neighborhood. The CSO budget is around $800,000. I would guess they spend between $10-$15 million a year on orchestra salaries alone."
Wow!
That means our orchestra, which in my opinion, is one of the best in the Southeast, can really compete with the Cleveland Orchestra.
If you haven't seen our orchestra lately, I suggest you go to the concert Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Heard Theatre.
Violinist Rachel Barton Pine will be the guest soloist. The program includes "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" and "Symphony No. 3" by Brahms and "Violin Concerto" by Dvorak.
Even the ticket prices are a bargain — $21-$35; $10 student rush tickets 30 minutes before the concert; $5 for children 11 and younger.
Call 706-256-3612 for either concert.
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