This Wednesday, as I sat in class and tried to focus on learning about various types of nursing research, my mind kept drifting to the upcoming evening and my invitation to attend "State of the Re:Union - A Celebration of Community" at the downtown library. The event was the first fundraiser for a relatively new NPR show called "State of the Re:Union". http://stateofthereunion.com/
The show is all about different US cities and how they create community, and face adversity. According to the show's website, it all started when creator and host, Al Letson, entered an idea for a new NPR show into a contest called " The Public Radio Talent Quest". Al and his idea for State of the Re:Union was one of 1400 entries into the contest. His show was one of only three winners, and Al received grant money to produce a season of episodes. After its pilot season, the State of the Re:Union team received one of the largest public radio grants ever given to a single project to continue the show's production.
Since beginning its pilot season, Al and his team have put together in depth shows about 10 different US cities, including places as well known as Washington, D.C., and our own River City, and places a little less well-known, like Greensburg Kansas and Oakridge Oregon. Each episode features interviews with locals and features some of the interesting aspects that make the city unique. You can listen to any of the show's episodes on the website. Also, you can check out pictures and videos from the different in-depth stories. I listened to most of the episode on Jacksonville and found it fascinating. Al's voice is fantastic... it has a soothing, rhythmic quality to it.
Further research about Al Letson revealed why: he's a poet. Before his career in public radio began, he was an award-winning performance poet. Check out this youtube video of his performance of a poem called "The Ball, the Rim, and Him":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OukbrA3v4A&feature=related
...I know, mesmerizing, right?
When the time finally came for me to head down to the library for the fundraiser, I was pretty excited to check it out. I parked in the lot behind Burrito Gallery, and headed into the hallway right outside the Library's Hicks Auditorium.
When I arrived, the place was already packed a with a dressy, lively crowd. Live music played in the background, and servers weaved through the crowd with plates of appetizers. A few high top tables were assembled that clusters of people gathered around, chatting. Near the front of the hall, a table was set up with an array of drinks. I picked up a glass of red wine and a few pieces of sushi from one of the servers from Bento Sushi, and worked the crowd, meeting people and chatting.
I spotted Al Letson, and I wanted to meet him and get a picture, but it seemed he was always surrounded by a group of adoring fans. He wasn't out for long -- he had to go and prepare for his performance later, so I didn't get a chance to meet him. It was okay, though. After hearing him speak later in the night, I felt as if I'd gotten to know him personally. (More on that later).
When I stopped at a table to chow down on an array of goodies I'd snagged from the various servers (treats from Orsay, Biscottis and Bento Sushi), I struck up a conversation with the women who were already standing at the table.
The women were from none other than the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville! http://www.culturalcouncil.org/ The Cultural Council is a local arts agency that puts together a fantastic local events calendar called "Experience Jax". http://www.experiencejax.com/ I use the Experience Jax Calendar all the time to look up events to write about and to put together my bi-weekly "List of Interesting Upcoming Jacksonville Events" on the right hand side of the blog.
Needless to say, the group of us had a lot to talk about.
Of of the women, Christie Holecheck (the Cultural Council's program manager for art in public places) introduced me to several people involved with the Cultural Council, and talked quite a bit about the "Off the Grid Program". "Off the Grid" is a partnership between The Cultural Council, Downtown Vision, and local artists and property owners. The program partners the artists with the property owners--artists are given vacant spaces as much needed space to create and display their work, and the local property owners get artwork to help beautify their vacant spaces.
I'd heard of the program before while interviewing local filmmaker, Anthony Kilburn. Anthony was planning on donating some proceeds from sales of his latest film's soundtrack CD. To read the piece about the interview and Anthony's latest film : Gore-E-ography: The Making of Death Harmony, click here:
http://www.outandaboutinjax.com/2010/08/jacksonville-music-video-revival-in.html
Soon, my friend Stephanie, another nurse from the hospital, rushed into the room. She'd worked a 12 hour shift and had to come late to the fundraiser. She grabbed a drink as she asked me "What'd I miss?"
I gave her a quick rundown of the food I'd tried and the people I'd met. I also pointed out a few local celebrities that were there. "Over there in the black dress, That's Melissa Ross, host of WJCT's First Coast Connect, a radio show all about local happenings. I got to meet her during a tour of WJCT a few weeks ago."
"Wow, really?"
"Yep, and somewhere around here are Wayne and Delores Weaver, the owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars."
"No way!"
Soon, it was time to head into Hicks Auditorium to hear Al Letson give a presentation all about the show. Stephanie and I got comfortably seated in the lovely theater, and soon Melissa Ross took the stage. As the emcee for the evening, she thanked everyone for coming and announced that people would be walking through the crowd selling $10 raffle tickets for the evening's biggest prize: an invitation for two to enjoy a Jaguar's game from the Weaver's private suite!
Next Melissa introduced a representative from NPR's national headquarters in Washington DC, who spoke about the show and how successful it has been across the country. "You know, Al doesn't do interviews, he has conversations," this rep gushed. "His passion for the people he meets and the work he does comes through in every single show."
"Wait a minute," Stephanie leaned over an whispered, "I thought this was just a local show. You mean this show is produced here in Jacksonville but it's broadcast all over the country?! That's awesome!"
Soon Al Letson took the stage. You could tell the crowd was thrilled to see him. There's something about this guy... he has an awesome stage presence, and this great star quality. He's also great at public speaking, and makes you feel as if he's talking only to you.
Al welcomed everyone and thanked several people, including the Weavers, who he said had been extremely generous and supportive of the program. Next Al told some of his personal story.
"For many years I was a flight attendant. This allowed me to travel all over the country, working on my poetry and meeting so many wonderful people. I was very interested in the story of each city and the different people and communities they shaped. If you had asked me back then, before I started work on 'State of the Re:Union' if I was a patriotic person, I don't know how I would have answered that question. But now, after two seasons and travelling to so many cities, I would have to say that I have developed a patriotism and love for this country that is truly amazing. There's so much talk nowadays about 'red states' and 'blue states'. Sometimes it seems the media would have us all believe that this nation is bitterly divided. The truth of the matter, I have found is that deep down, we are all really the same. We are all so much more similar than we realize."
Al was breathtaking to listen to. He punctuated his speaking with clips from some of his shows that were projected on a large screen on the stage. Through these clips, Al introduced us a priest from an inner city Episcopal Church in New Orleans, that honors all those murdered in his city by writing their names on a special board in the Church and praying for them and their families. ( I think when that beautiful heartbreaking clip ended, the crowd was holding it's collective breath). Another more lighthearted clip introduced us to mobile food vendors in Austin, Texas that sell everything from Mexican food to Barbecue out of renovated trucks, trailers and even school buses. Another, more shocking story was about Massey Mining company in West Virginia, and its practice of "mountaintop removal" mining. In this mining technique, the tops of mountains are literally blown off, causing devastating effects to the local people and the environment.
Through Al's clips, pictures and stories, I got the chance to meet people, see places and learn things I'd never get the chance to otherwise. I was impressed by the concept of the show and the quality of the work he was showing us. I tended to agree with him, that we all are so much more similar than we realize. I identified so much with the people and places we were shown. Although I'm not entirely sure what is meant by the spelling of "re:union" I believe that one of the things the creators of the show are trying to do is pull the country closer together (a reunion) by showing us the real people and stories that make up each community in our nation.
This concept of reunion is a very noble goal, and I think something our nation desperately needs as we face such a difficult time. I definitely plan on tuning into the show every chance I get, and checking their website often to catch past shows and view video and pictures. I can't wait to learn even more about this great nation, and I hope that tonight Al and his team raised enough to help keep them out doing stories like this for a very long time.
The show is all about different US cities and how they create community, and face adversity. According to the show's website, it all started when creator and host, Al Letson, entered an idea for a new NPR show into a contest called " The Public Radio Talent Quest". Al and his idea for State of the Re:Union was one of 1400 entries into the contest. His show was one of only three winners, and Al received grant money to produce a season of episodes. After its pilot season, the State of the Re:Union team received one of the largest public radio grants ever given to a single project to continue the show's production.
Since beginning its pilot season, Al and his team have put together in depth shows about 10 different US cities, including places as well known as Washington, D.C., and our own River City, and places a little less well-known, like Greensburg Kansas and Oakridge Oregon. Each episode features interviews with locals and features some of the interesting aspects that make the city unique. You can listen to any of the show's episodes on the website. Also, you can check out pictures and videos from the different in-depth stories. I listened to most of the episode on Jacksonville and found it fascinating. Al's voice is fantastic... it has a soothing, rhythmic quality to it.
Further research about Al Letson revealed why: he's a poet. Before his career in public radio began, he was an award-winning performance poet. Check out this youtube video of his performance of a poem called "The Ball, the Rim, and Him":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OukbrA3v4A&feature=related
...I know, mesmerizing, right?
When the time finally came for me to head down to the library for the fundraiser, I was pretty excited to check it out. I parked in the lot behind Burrito Gallery, and headed into the hallway right outside the Library's Hicks Auditorium.
When I arrived, the place was already packed a with a dressy, lively crowd. Live music played in the background, and servers weaved through the crowd with plates of appetizers. A few high top tables were assembled that clusters of people gathered around, chatting. Near the front of the hall, a table was set up with an array of drinks. I picked up a glass of red wine and a few pieces of sushi from one of the servers from Bento Sushi, and worked the crowd, meeting people and chatting.
I spotted Al Letson, and I wanted to meet him and get a picture, but it seemed he was always surrounded by a group of adoring fans. He wasn't out for long -- he had to go and prepare for his performance later, so I didn't get a chance to meet him. It was okay, though. After hearing him speak later in the night, I felt as if I'd gotten to know him personally. (More on that later).
When I stopped at a table to chow down on an array of goodies I'd snagged from the various servers (treats from Orsay, Biscottis and Bento Sushi), I struck up a conversation with the women who were already standing at the table.
The women were from none other than the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville! http://www.culturalcouncil.org/ The Cultural Council is a local arts agency that puts together a fantastic local events calendar called "Experience Jax". http://www.experiencejax.com/ I use the Experience Jax Calendar all the time to look up events to write about and to put together my bi-weekly "List of Interesting Upcoming Jacksonville Events" on the right hand side of the blog.
Needless to say, the group of us had a lot to talk about.
Of of the women, Christie Holecheck (the Cultural Council's program manager for art in public places) introduced me to several people involved with the Cultural Council, and talked quite a bit about the "Off the Grid Program". "Off the Grid" is a partnership between The Cultural Council, Downtown Vision, and local artists and property owners. The program partners the artists with the property owners--artists are given vacant spaces as much needed space to create and display their work, and the local property owners get artwork to help beautify their vacant spaces.
I'd heard of the program before while interviewing local filmmaker, Anthony Kilburn. Anthony was planning on donating some proceeds from sales of his latest film's soundtrack CD. To read the piece about the interview and Anthony's latest film : Gore-E-ography: The Making of Death Harmony, click here:
http://www.outandaboutinjax.com/2010/08/jacksonville-music-video-revival-in.html
Soon, my friend Stephanie, another nurse from the hospital, rushed into the room. She'd worked a 12 hour shift and had to come late to the fundraiser. She grabbed a drink as she asked me "What'd I miss?"
I gave her a quick rundown of the food I'd tried and the people I'd met. I also pointed out a few local celebrities that were there. "Over there in the black dress, That's Melissa Ross, host of WJCT's First Coast Connect, a radio show all about local happenings. I got to meet her during a tour of WJCT a few weeks ago."
"Wow, really?"
"Yep, and somewhere around here are Wayne and Delores Weaver, the owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars."
"No way!"
Soon, it was time to head into Hicks Auditorium to hear Al Letson give a presentation all about the show. Stephanie and I got comfortably seated in the lovely theater, and soon Melissa Ross took the stage. As the emcee for the evening, she thanked everyone for coming and announced that people would be walking through the crowd selling $10 raffle tickets for the evening's biggest prize: an invitation for two to enjoy a Jaguar's game from the Weaver's private suite!
Next Melissa introduced a representative from NPR's national headquarters in Washington DC, who spoke about the show and how successful it has been across the country. "You know, Al doesn't do interviews, he has conversations," this rep gushed. "His passion for the people he meets and the work he does comes through in every single show."
"Wait a minute," Stephanie leaned over an whispered, "I thought this was just a local show. You mean this show is produced here in Jacksonville but it's broadcast all over the country?! That's awesome!"
Soon Al Letson took the stage. You could tell the crowd was thrilled to see him. There's something about this guy... he has an awesome stage presence, and this great star quality. He's also great at public speaking, and makes you feel as if he's talking only to you.
Al welcomed everyone and thanked several people, including the Weavers, who he said had been extremely generous and supportive of the program. Next Al told some of his personal story.
"For many years I was a flight attendant. This allowed me to travel all over the country, working on my poetry and meeting so many wonderful people. I was very interested in the story of each city and the different people and communities they shaped. If you had asked me back then, before I started work on 'State of the Re:Union' if I was a patriotic person, I don't know how I would have answered that question. But now, after two seasons and travelling to so many cities, I would have to say that I have developed a patriotism and love for this country that is truly amazing. There's so much talk nowadays about 'red states' and 'blue states'. Sometimes it seems the media would have us all believe that this nation is bitterly divided. The truth of the matter, I have found is that deep down, we are all really the same. We are all so much more similar than we realize."
Al was breathtaking to listen to. He punctuated his speaking with clips from some of his shows that were projected on a large screen on the stage. Through these clips, Al introduced us a priest from an inner city Episcopal Church in New Orleans, that honors all those murdered in his city by writing their names on a special board in the Church and praying for them and their families. ( I think when that beautiful heartbreaking clip ended, the crowd was holding it's collective breath). Another more lighthearted clip introduced us to mobile food vendors in Austin, Texas that sell everything from Mexican food to Barbecue out of renovated trucks, trailers and even school buses. Another, more shocking story was about Massey Mining company in West Virginia, and its practice of "mountaintop removal" mining. In this mining technique, the tops of mountains are literally blown off, causing devastating effects to the local people and the environment.
Through Al's clips, pictures and stories, I got the chance to meet people, see places and learn things I'd never get the chance to otherwise. I was impressed by the concept of the show and the quality of the work he was showing us. I tended to agree with him, that we all are so much more similar than we realize. I identified so much with the people and places we were shown. Although I'm not entirely sure what is meant by the spelling of "re:union" I believe that one of the things the creators of the show are trying to do is pull the country closer together (a reunion) by showing us the real people and stories that make up each community in our nation.
This concept of reunion is a very noble goal, and I think something our nation desperately needs as we face such a difficult time. I definitely plan on tuning into the show every chance I get, and checking their website often to catch past shows and view video and pictures. I can't wait to learn even more about this great nation, and I hope that tonight Al and his team raised enough to help keep them out doing stories like this for a very long time.
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