BPC After Hours

Posted by Suzy Vitello Soulé on April 11th, 2011 at 04:00 AM | | Tweet

Now, more than ever, doing your art is important.

Extracurriculars are part of the mix, I think. Field trips, let’s call them. Or, business development if you want to get technical, and, if you happen to be doing your, ahem, taxes.

So. Last week I spent some time in the field after the 9-to-5 bell rang. Monday: writers’ workshop; Wednesday: reading; Thursday: concert; Friday: reading; Sunday: reading. And all that after-hours recon was nourishing for the mind, soul and spirit. It helps, I think, in this difficult age, to seek reminders that humanity abounds. That art, passion and the community of artists are available every day.

Here’s the rundown:
Lidia Yuknavitch, writer of the recent memoir, Chronology of Water. A book you won’t soon forget and a woman so particularly blessed with the muse, to be in her presence is to be humbled and feel loved, all at the same time.

Cheryl Wheeler, folk singer, comedienne and incredibly entertaining one-woman blockbuster. Why she didn’t fill up the venue is a puzzle and a shame, but made the experience that much more intimate.

Meg Wolitzer, writer. She’s one of my favorites. Her latest book, The Uncoupling, looks extraordinary, though I have yet to read it. At her reading yesterday she had this wonderful thing to say during q and A, “Writing is important to me because it’s the only time I don’t feel anxious.”

Now, more than ever, doing your art is important. Going to that place where life makes sense and the craziness of the world releases its deadly grasp. If only for a few hours.