Did you know of this good free entertainment destination?

March 16, 2017  | Julia Becerra

On a cold Saturday morning, I felt the urge of leaving my house and getting immersed in good art or/and perhaps good live music.  It was 10:00 in the morning. Where could I go? I asked myself?

It is not always easy to find good free entertainment during day time hours specially when loosely planned.

I remembered seeing something in my email a number of days earlier, regarding a good Art exhibit.    The Exhibit of Pauline’s Brown work (http://paulinebrownfineart.com); an artist, who happens to do a fantastic and  unique job ,  painting and enhancing her art with  literally any kind of material you can think of.

I had read about her a few days back when I have gotten the email invite.  At that time I had gotten curious about her work, but after a week or so of getting my mind immersed in non-art related work, I had almost forgotten about it.

I then searched thru my emails and there it was: the invite!  That Saturday was her opening date at a Public Library. I drove out and arrived just on time for the art exhibit opening.  The artist was very welcoming; she took the time to talk about almost each piece of art in the exhibit.

I was mesmerized by her work and taken aback by her own story.  One of those stories that made us think twice before saying to ourselves one more excuse about why we could not or did not do something.

She grew up in a low income family. From her early days she felt the inner urge to create, to paint, to express herself thru art.  Her first paintings where made with nail polish and she even used cigarette butts as brushes.   Each painting is unique and believe me once you get to see her art  in person you will have a hard time deciding which one to take with you.

I spent a few hours enjoying the viewing of her art work and learning about the various techniques she uses on her art production.  By the time I left I have forgotten that all had taken place in a Library setting and not in an art gallery in Tribeca or somewhere else in Manhattan.

What a treat! I thought.

The following Saturday morning with a bit of more planning, I head out to listen to good Jazz in the voice of jazz vocalist Candice Hoyes (http://wunc.org/post/candice-hoyes-unearths-ellington-turquoise-cloud#stream/0) accompanied by  Hila Kulik on the piano (http://eng.hotjazz.co.il/portfolio/hila-kulik/);  all this at a different venue but organized by the same institution:  the public library.

The jazz performance was excellent. The music had nothing to envy to what is played at Blue Note, Village Vanguard , Birdland or any of the numerous Jazz Venues in NY. In fact  Candice Hoyes appeared at Dizzy’s Club  and at Ginny’s Supper Club in other occasions.  My point is would you expect to listen to good Jazz at your Public Library?

Yeah, probably alcohol is not allowed at that venue, and the experience may be different without it. But that is probably a good point.  You would feel the music by itself with its flaws or without them.  Your listening and valuing skills would be free of the possible appreciation impairment that alcohol produces.

So next time you get that feeling of doing something out of the ordinary, something artsy musical or not. Remember to check first your Public Library.  You may be surprised!

 

As always, I would love to read your thoughts and comments on the subject.

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