Thwarted!

I was looking forward to going to Montreal for the day, perhaps to visit an art gallery, for sure an English bookstore, attend a rehearsal of a wind trio by Hubby which the group will be recording later in the week, followed by a fancy restaurant dinner. None of it came to pass. Early this morning the phone rang with the news that the venue for the rehearsal had been changed, and it was here, not there, and the trip to Montreal was kiboshed. Damn. Instead I spent several hours copying music, playing on the internet, doing crossword puzzles, and trying not to wilt in the constant humidity.

This evening, however, I went to an information meeting about turning the Caf� Java into a co-op-run community outreach centre, so to speak. It would remain a restaurant by day, with hopefully better fare in a smoke-free atmosphere, and by night and on weekends there would be poetry readings, story telling, film nights, musical performances by local artists, art show openings, and a whole raft of possibilities we probably didn�t think of.

There really is a need for such a venue in our town. The university has a real monopoly on cultural events, but many townies are intimidated by the ivory tower and never set foot on campus. On the other hand, we who are implicated in the university community never set foot outside the ivied walls of academe to see what lies on our own city streets. On the occasions when I have been to the Uplands concerts and vernissages, and when I am able to attend Church Street Caf� performances, there�s a crowd of people whom I simply do not know, and I have lived in this town for 17 years! I definitely think it is time to get involved in my community, and this is a perfect opportunity to do so.

|

<~~~ * ~~~>