Finding Beauty in the Arts

In the 90's, Tony Randall drove to Philadelphia during Pennsylvania Ballet's "Save the Ballet" even though his wife was in declining health. He came to support the dancers and its choreographer, Chris, the son of his lifelong friend Jacques D'Amboise. I offered him talking points but he politely waved them away and said he knew what he wanted to say. He shared his experience growing up and waiting for the Arts to come to his small town. He couldn't imagine a world without it so he came just for a few hours, driver waiting to whisk him home, to share that you can't take the Arts for granted.

Last night, instead of an empty stage, it was an empty audience at the The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. And yet the The Philadelphia Orchestra played. Played eloquently. Achingly. Beautifully. I sat on my couch watching this extraordinary and personal concert and knew it had to be shared.

I brought my computer up to my 10-year-old's room where he was in bed but far from asleep, his emotions torn between worrying for our health and happy but confused about school being cancelled.Trotting up with me was our rescue foster, all 17 lbs of her.

I layed down next to my son, my arms around him, computer on one knee, and a happy Bo-Jack on the other. I turned on the concert and that bundle of energy curled up on my lap and my son let out a sigh of contentment. We watched and listened and were soothed. It was an experience I won't forget.

The Arts matter and we must support them, especially now. What they add to our lives is irreplaceable. Please. Donate to your favorite performing arts group and museum. Buy a membership. Tell them you believe in them. You need them. Invest in their future. Because they are our future.

Experience the beauty:

https://www.facebook.com/PhilOrch/videos/1460558614115712/