UNKIND CUTS
As a professional musician in the Tampa Bay area and a past chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee in New Port Richey, this article (Cover, "Cutting Our Arts Out," by Wayne Garcia and Alex Pickett, May 30-June 5) reinforces what we artists have known all along: We can't depend on the state to take care of us. We also know that music and art will continue despite the state's funding. Musicians and artists are a crafty bunch, and if any of these mighty arts organizations should fall due to budget cuts, we will do what we have always done: Perform, teach, diversify. By not depending on any one source for all of our income, we could turn it into a positive: Killing big budget arts programs creates a vacuum where private arts patrons and fans alike may look to the smaller galleries, performers and musicians that had always been eclipsed by the big guns out there.
I do take exception to the arrogant comments by Dave Manson from EMIT, who states that "area residents will miss out on avant-garde music they can't find anywhere else in Tampa Bay." Contrary to what Mr. Manson might know, there have been many avant-garde and free jazz shows throughout Tampa Bay, and these shows are well-attended. From shows in museums, galleries and at festivals, the avant-garde scene will survive if EMIT's funding gets cut. As a recipient of a state grant myself (for an avant-garde music project), I know how important it is for the state to continue funding any type of art. However, if recipients themselves (like Mr. Manson) really believe that what they bring to the area is so irreplaceable and so unique, then they probably need to step outside of the tower once in a while. Perhaps some humility next time — us musicians are really on the same side.
Dave Eichenberger, Via tampa.creativeloafing.com
REGARDING HENRY
I would like to personally thank Henry Aruffo (Urban Explorer, "Wave After Wave," by Alex Pickett, May 30-June 5) for all the effort he has put into caring for his Thai community, the children at The Happy Home, the English lessons he facilitates voluntarily and for all the time he spends educating environmentally conscious scuba divers. I have known Henry for four years now and I can truly say that I haven't met such a caring and selfless person in all the time I have been working in Phuket. I sincerely hope Henry gets the medical help he so deserves. I wish too that the wheel of fortune would rotate in Henry's favor and that he can start seeing the fruits of his labor. We miss you, Henry, and you are extremely missed by everyone here. Good luck, my friend, and get well soon.
Garth Schumann, Director, Coral Reef Institute, Phuket, Thailand, Via tampa.creativeloafing.com
COMING UP EMPTY
I am visiting St Petersburg/Tampa and am impressed with the variety and high quality of the artistic offerings. American Stage's Othello is no exception. [Director Drew] Fracher did a great job putting it together and the acting is excellent.
The same cannot be said for Mark Leib's review (Theater, "Empty Tragedy," by Mark E. Leib, May 30-June 5). The poor quality of his review is embarrassing. He clearly has exceeded his ability to evaluate this play and to write the English language. Perhaps he should take up reviewing dog and pony shows, but I fear even that would stretch his qualifications.
Albert Friendl, Via tampa.creativeloafing.com
CORRECTION
Regular readers of Snapshot may have noticed last week that the introductory paragraph was a repeat of the intro about St. Pete neighborhood activist Tim Baker from the previous issue — not the intro that should have run regarding "lifelong St. Pete taxpayer" and retired building superintendent Charlie Smith. Here's the paragraph that should have run:
If you attended St. Petersburg's town-hall meeting on property tax reform last week, you might have noticed Charlie Smith wandering around, waiting for his turn to speak to the small delegation of state legislators. A self-described "true St. Petersburg cracker," Smith, 65, railed against the people who showed up to complain about their taxes and offered his own insight into solutions.
This article appears in Jun 6-12, 2007.