From the Publisher’s Desk
Photo by Diane Mentzer
I remember the first time I saw Stomp. The show had already received rave reviews throughout Europe and was making its way through the U.S. when I saw it, and I honestly can't say I knew what to expect of it. A full-length show based entirely on the dynamism of percussive dance was not all that common at the time, but I was certainly excited at the creative possibilities. Like those before me, I was blown away by the boundless creativity and skill I witnessed that night. Synchronistic movement is nothing new in live theater. But the mastery of movement, sound and story-telling all woven into one explosive live stage experience was. My expectations led me down the primrose path that day. I took what I knew about percussive dance (which wasn't enormous at the time) and let that frame my anticipation of what was possible in a more than 90 minute live stage experience. The show's producers used those expectations to their advantage and turned what I, and every other audience member in the theater that night, expected on its ear, expanding our framework for what really is a time-honored art with a universe of possibilities. Expectations are funny that way. When it comes to arts and culture, it's almost impossible to suspend them. Yet, when we do, we absorb so much more of the creativity that comprises the experience. We see so much of what the artist sees. Kevin and Michael Bacon deal with expectations all the time. Touring and recording with the Bacon Brothers Band for the past 20 years has not eliminated that phenomenon. In our interview with the brothers, Kevin himself admitted that people have set expectations when they go out to hear a band with a famous actor as the front man. But the music the band Above: Michael Bacon and Kevin Bacon perform on stage. has churned out the last two decades has turned those expectations into loyal listeners who appreciate the honesty they bring to the concert stage. Perhaps it's the job of all artists to defy expectations on some level. That's what gives the arts its wonder. This Chicago summer has a world of surprises in store for lovers of the arts far and near. With the vast festival season taking over where theaters and concert halls leave off, and with nature playing its own part in the art around us, here's hoping your expectations are surpassed with the boundless creativity that awaits you this summer season. Sincerely,
D. Webb Publisher
4•CNCJASummer 2015
Clef N tes Chicagoland Journal for the Arts Summer 2015
Publisher D. Webb
Editorial Editor in Chief
Patrick M. Curran II
Associate Editors Fred Cummings Scott Elam Christopher Hopper
Editorial Support Rachel Cullen Vickie Moore
Staff Writers and Contributors Kathryn Bacasmot David Berner Martin Henke Laura Kinter Leslie Price Jordan Reinwald Donna Robertson Andrew Sheffield Betsy van Die
Art & Design Art Director
Carl Benjamin Smith
Contributing Photographers Colin Lyons Lorenzo Gregorio
Graphics & Design Chelsea Davis Angela Chang
Social Media Manager Mary Henley
Advertising
Jason Montgomery Jason.Montgomery@ClefNotesJournal.com
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