Lou’s arts thank-you list

A few things I’m thankful for:

–I’m thankful that there’s plenty of material to write about in this blog. And that it has found a loyal readership (between 350 and 900 hits a day).

–I’m thankful for the smart, insightful, fun responses posted from these readers. More than a few times I’ve been complimented on the quality of participants in the discussion here. That’s not my doing. It’s yours.

 –I’m thankful that we’ve got lots to look forward to in Indy. While there’s justifiable concern about the economy, it’s possible to accentuate the positive for now and celebrate new theater spaces opening (I can’t wait to see a film at the Toby), new companies percolating (just heard that some of the producers of last year’s “bare” will be taking a shot at the charming off Broadway musical “Zanna, Don’t” next summer), and new art popping up in many places (I still haven’t seen all the visual treats at the new airport).

 –I’m thankful that established companies seem to be holding on. For instance, we still have an opera company (See story here on Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Company suspending all opera productions for the 2009-1010 season due to its $11 million losses over the last six years). FYI: My review of Indianapolis Opera’s “Hansel & Gretel” will appear in the upcoming IBJ.

 –I’m thankful that some individual shows are finding enthusiastic, word-of-mouth-spreading audiences, even with limited marketing money and media behind them. Both the Phoenix Theatre’s “November” and Theatre on the Square’s “Evil Dead: The Musical” extended their runs, meaning that more people than expected abandoned, at least for a night, their TVs and multiplexes in favor of theater.

–I’m thankful that the ISO and the IMA both seem to be continually inventing new methods of engagement without losing track of their core missions.

–I’m thankful that philanthopists, foundations and companies continue to supply the funding necessary to make the arts as vibrant here as they are.

–I’m thankful that arts PR folks realize that I can’t get to see everything. And I’m thankful to live in a city where there’s so much going on that it’s physically impossible to experience everything that I want to experience.

–I’m thankful for the folks in IBJ’s IT department who thanklessly make sure that my weekly e-mail blast of arts previews goes out (Not a free subscriber yet? Just click over here and sign up for IBJ Daily).

–And I’m thankful for my tolerant family. 

Care to add anything you are thankful for, arts-wise?