The Four-Way Test

Diana Starkey, Rotarian of the Day, introduced her boss of twenty-two years, Robert Cross, Executive Director of the Virginia Arts Festival.  Mr. Cross has graciously visited with us almost every year to update us on the artists and groups that he and his team have recruited for each season.  In addition to this important role, Rob is the Principal Percussionist of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (where his wife is also a flutist).  Rotarian Cy Grandy is chair of the board this year!  This is the twenty-third season of the Arts Festival.

 

There are many fine performances scheduled from now through June 22^nd.  On March 3^rd, Lawrence Brownlee (tenor) and Eric Owens (bass baritone) will be performing as part of the 100^th anniversary of the Attucks Theater.

 

There are several offerings in the Dance category that look promising.  The Richard Alston Dance Company will incorporate twelve dancers from our own Governor’s School for the Arts on Thursday, March 21^st.  The program will be the world premiere of Arrived, which marks the 400th anniversary of Africans arriving on this continent.  The ever-popular Dance Theater of Harlem will also present a world premier commissioned by the Virginia Arts Festival also in commemoration of the events of 1619, a pivotal year in the expansion of the colony.  On Sunday April 14^th, there will be a debut performance by the Jessica Lang Dance company.  And in a category by itself, on Friday May 10^th Pilobolus will present “acrobatics liquefied into poetry.”  Just the marketing makes you want to see it!

 

Antony and Cleopatra, set to a musical score, will be performed with a full symphony and Globe Theater performers on May 17-18 (we’ll all be at Suds & Buds on the 17^th, so you can go on the 18^th!).  You can also attend a performance of all thirty-seven Shakespeare plays in 97 minutes by the Reduced Shakespeare Company from May 7-12.

 

We should not neglect Tattoo, which this year salutes Women in the Military, scheduled for April 25-28^th at Scope.

 

Kristen Chenowith will be performing on Friday, April 12^th, with Broadway director, Rob Fisher and the Virginia Symphony.  Ms. Chenowith is known for her roles on Broadway and also on TV, e.g., West Wing, etc.  Another female vocalist is Storm Large, on April 13^th at the Granby Theater (Patron Advisory: Adult Content, children under 13 not admitted!).  Having seen her perform, your scribe enthusiastically encourages you to get your tickets soonest.

 

There are so many more wonderful options, it is imperative that you go to the website or read the program that has been mailed to many households.  Rob Cross pointed out that last year, 32% of ticket buyers were from outside our region—including from eleven foreign countries and 49 states.

 

John Cameron led us in singing; President Pam led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test.  Your scribe offered a brief invocation.  Our School of the Week was Granby Elementary.

 

Visitors included Scott Hensley, a member of our own Rotary Satellite Club.  Chip Vogan brought Amy Wolf, Jeanne Jenkins, and Christopher May.

 

Rotarian Joe Massey had an operation the day before the meeting to address some severe pain issues.  Jeff Wells is on medication for his heart issues.

 

Colin McKinnon has reached the level of Paul Harris Fellow plus two and was recognized by our club leadership.

 

Michelle Tapia, president of our Rotaract club at ODU, reminded everyone of their Pool for Polio Tournament on February 28^th.  Scott Hensley came up and promoted Pints for Polio on Feb. 23^rd at O’Connor Brewing Co.  President Pam successfully auctioned off two VIP tickets to the event; she received not only an opening bid from Wayne Shank and a closing bid from Jim O’Brien, but an additional donation from Table 10 (Bob Ash, Bill Gough, George Compo and new Rotarian Jack Frost)!

 

Tami Aloisa reminded Rotarians to bring a good bottle of wine (costing at least $20) or give Chick Robison $20 so he can buy a bottle for our Wine Pull for Suds & Buds.

 

Chuck Spence cheerfully donated $10 for a cell phone infraction from a previous meeting.  It is prudent to put that cell phone on vibrate unless you really want to help President Pam’s signature goal of raising $25K for PolioPlus!

 

President Pam collected fines from beautiful, full-color, glossy photographs of Cy Grandy and Diana Starkey wearing their Rotary pins in the most recent Distinction magazine.  Professor Bob Ash also contributed for his having been pictured in this month’s ODU alumni magazine and on their website (he was celebrated for his 51+ years teaching at ODU).

 

Diane Wallach contributed Happy Bucks because Rotarian Lois Kercher helped her out when her car got locked up in the parking garage.  Diane also informed us that four young men will be coming from Tiel, the Netherlands, for our annual summer exchange during the last two weeks of July.

 

Linwood Beckner was happy to celebrate the forty-eighth anniversary of his first date with his wife, Frances.

 

President Pam displayed the book, The Festival of Colors, to be presented in our speaker’s honor to our school of the week.

 

Bill McInnis brought in the raffle.  Visitor Christopher May won the daily pot, which he turned around and contributed to PolioPlus!  President Pam reminded us that there will not be a meeting on Feb. 26^th.