On this Monday, I found myself driving from Louisville, KY, toward Madison, WI, in the midst of considerable road construction, plus more traffic in fifteen minutes than I see around Duluth in twelve months. I was musically/mentally  engaged with Joni Mitchell, and her 1970 hit titled ‘Big Yellow Taxi.’ If there’s anything the preachy environmentalists don’t want to talk about, it’s the amazing twentieth century decision to replace as much terra firma as possible with concrete-firma.
I can imagine the reaction of Daniel Boone as he came over the top of a Kentucky ridge and noticed miles and miles of concrete replacing the meadows and forests he had explored since leaving Philadelphia. It’s pretty clear to me that paving paradise in order to create another parking lot would clearly happen if we had the right sort of tools. Go listen to Joni Mitchell sing her prophetic lyrics.

Jasna In Louisville, KY 2015

Meanwhile, the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) is alive and well, having completed its 37th annual conference in Louisville with over 800 members in attendance. Lectures and conversations explored the world of Jane Austen between 1790 and 1817, which included discussions of art and music. Visit  www.jasna.org  for more than you ever wanted to know about this thriving organization.

A Young String Quartet In Louisville, KY

Following the Saturday evening banquet, the Louisville-based Concentus String Quartet shared a program of Mozart, Handel, Paganini, and Beethoven, all of which might have been heard in the salons of Jane Austen’s travels. Travis Carlisle, cello, Matthew Lane and Flora Nevarez, violins, and Josh Mallman, viola, were all smiles as they entertained a hundred men and women in colorful 1805 costumes. The 2016 conference will be in Washington, D.C., starting on October 21.

Matinee Televised Opera From The MET

Meanwhile, Duluthians can take in a live matinee of the Metropolitan Opera this coming Saturday at the Duluth Cinema in Canal Park, starting at 11:55am.  Giuseppi Verdi’s opera, Otello, based on Shakespeare, is the feature of the afternoon. This is live opera from New York, viewed by cameras sharing this production at more than 2,000 movie theaters around the world. The only better venue is to visit the MET in New York itself. This Duluth opportunity is much cheaper, and you can much on popcorn and sip wine at the same time!

Final Thoughts From Mozart And Tchaikovsky

After the opera, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra will offer a classical concert at 7pm Saturday night in the DECC Symphony Hall. “Final Revelations” will feature W.A. Mozart’s final Symphony, No. 41 in C major, and P. Tchaikovsky’s final Symphony No. 6 in B minor. One powerful statement, and one emotional disclosure will treat all who want to hear two of the best of the best in classical music.

A New Visit From The Birds Here In Duluth

At Renegade Theater, Conor McPherson’s 2009 adaptation of Daphne DuMaurier’s story The Birds, is on stage Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 15-17 as well as 22-24, beginning at 8pm each evening. Zach Stofer has directed this play, and he plays Nat, while Carrie Mohn plays Diane. This regional premiere will put you in a Halloween sort of mood for sure.