Stuff about my short stories and journalism, with links, under construction, with more elements to come. Thanks for your patience.
CULTURE JUNKIE
My award-winning arts column, runs monthly in the Petaluma Argus-Courier
‘Making Art Through Making Connections‘ (July 29, 2022) – There are times when the best outcome of a good conversation with a total stranger is the conversation itself. Allowing, of course, for logical pandemic-era concerns about proximity and any potential for social anxiety, meeting someone new at a conference or public event can often be fun, unpredictable and full of positive surprises. Then there are the professional connections and friendships that can result from such unplanned conversational collisions, and the professional or artistic opportunities that sometimes arise as a result of random introductions to interesting new people.
“I talk to other artists whenever I can,” playwright Deborah Yarchun said, over lunch at the Riverfront Cafe a couple of weeks ago. “When I go to writers conferences or to see shows, it’s the conversations I really look forward to. I do have business cards and sometimes I actually remember to bring them, but mainly I just walk up and talk to people — though i have to confess I’m not really a natural at it.”
‘Make Weird Art,’ says Tony-winning actor’ (June 23, 2022) – One of my favorite moments of the 2022 Tony Awards broadcast on June 12 was the acceptance speech by veteran actor Deirdre O’Connell. It’s the short, sweet delivery that has since become known worldwide as ‘The Weird Art’ speech.” READ ARTICLE
‘On Mary Shelley, telling stories and one long, cold summer’ (June 15, 2022) – It was called The Year Without a Summer. And without it, we would probably not have the novel “Frankenstein.” READ ARTICLE
‘What’s That Feeling in the Air?’ (April 20, 2022) – As I was sitting in my theater seat watching Yussef el Guindi’s “Hotter Than Egypt” a week or so ago, blanketed in the warm semi-safety of the masked and vaccinated audience all around me, I experienced a moment of deep Deja Vu.” READ ARTICLE