I have little patience for those who complain that our area suffers from a dearth of culture.
It’s simply not true.
If you can’t see all the extraordinary arts on display in our area, it’s because you’re not looking.
Last week, I had five incredible, intense, interesting days of plays, exhibits, shows, and films. True, not every week is so extraordinary, but it’s more the norm than not.
It started on Friday.
Rosie O’Bourke and her wonderful performing arts department of Gulf Coast Community College brought The True Adventures of Pinocchio to the Tupelo Theatre in Wewahitchka. I founded the theater to bring just such events to the small arts-starved town, and it was so gratifying to witness. As usual, Rosie’s students were stellar, and everyone was entertained and inspired by the performance.
To clarify, I did use the words theater and Wewahitchka in the same sentence. The Tupelo is a special place. Just over the past few months it has hosted plays, classes, workshops, and art exhibits. www.TheTupelo.com
After working with the hardworking GCCC theater students to dismantle and pack up the Pinocchio set, I jumped in my trusty Mustang and drove into Darkness—the amazing opening for the new show at the Gallery Above. The 3rd Annual Darkness Show lived up to its name, and the well-attended opening was an amazing experience. Patrons dressed in their darkest attire and were treated to art, food, drink, live music, tarot card readings, and body painting.
No one I know is doing more for art or local artist than Heather Clements and her Gallery Above. An extremely gifted artist, Heather’s powerful work is only one of the many things she’s sharing with our area. Her gallery is quickly becoming the Mecca for art and culture and fun in downtown Panama City. Darkness runs through the end of the month. www.GalleryAbove.com
On Saturday, still a little drained from the dark night before, I went to see Nick and Nora’s Infinite Play List (review of book and film coming soon) and then to the Kaleidoscope Theater to see my old buddy Jason Betz in Jerry Finnengan’s Sister. He did a wonderful job of bringing Brian Down to life, and his co-star, Chloe Storey-Smith, was an irresistibly adorable Beth Finnegan.
On Sunday I drove to Tallahassee to see Ed Harris’ adaptation of Robert Parker’s novel, Appaloosa. It was well worth the drive (review of book and film coming soon).I spent much of Monday working on my new play, Spending the Night with Alyson Adler, which will be coming to The Tupelo Theatre and The Gallery Above in November/December.
On Tuesday, thanks to Jennifer Jones and the Bay Arts Alliance, I saw Sweeney Todd at the Marina Civic Center, and witnessed some of the most insanely talented actors/singers/musicians on any stage in any city on any night.
On Wednesday, I drove over to the Seaside Rep to see Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Long Day’s Journey into Night. The disintegrating family’s long day and even longer dark night of the soul was a deliciously disquieting experience. www.SeasideRep.org
All of this in just five short days. Don’t tell me there’s nothing cultural to do in our area. Art is all around. Open your eyes—and hearts and minds—and imbibe. If you do, I promise it’ll quench your thirsty soul.
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