Artists look to the future, and Las Vegas is a home of pioneers, and so instead of a "Year End List" from EAT MORE ART! Vegas, we choose to look forward to the "New Beginnings" to be found in 2018.
The solidarity rediscovered among our locals through #VegasStrong, and other devastations, has inspired many to keep the good feeling going through increased community engagement, and service. It has inspired us to establish a new group, Eat More Art Vegas - Advocates, as a place for people to share in their work supporting both our cultural community, and beyond; to come together in the shared beliefs that #ArtIsForEveryone, and that it is important to offer help to those in need from our #HeARTS.
The tremendous growth in our performing arts community has meant an increase in opportunity for our city. Now, more than ever, there is truly something for everyone to be found on our stage. In the first two months alone, we see this. We begin with the next installment of First Friday's "Two Dollar Ten Minutes" at Art Square Theatre. This first #FirstFriday of the new year is bringing something special, three ten minute improvised musicals. Following the innovation of an on-the-spot experience, we look forward to a new twist on an American classic with Majestic Repertory Theatre's "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," by Tennessee Williams a few days later. That same weekend, Broadway In the Hood continues carrying on the outstanding tradition of another great American playwright, Lorraine Hansberry, when they will present "A Raisin in the Sun" at the Smith Center. The emerging generation, with the future in front of them, are creating their own work as UNLV's Second Stage, where "The House of Yes," by Wendy McLeod, will be self-produced by students a week later. "Being Alive" is what Las Vegas is all about, and as Las Vegas Little Theatre sings it in their offering of the American musical, "Company," we are reminded that commitment takes work, but is worth it, and that the struggle we all have with it is something in common. Finding meaning in the struggle is the quest of the artist, no matter the form, or the generation, and the challenge before us as we put the Arts into practice as creators and consumers of it is laid out in A Public Fit's staged reading of "Red" by John Logan.
The new year is a new chance look forward to a lot of opening nights and new experiences. We look forward to meeting the public a a variety of music events, dance concerts, and gallery openings all year, and hosting a few receptions, as well as our theatre recommendations by the volunteer judges of The Las Vegas Valley Theatre Awards, who give so much of their time in support of the arts.
So much to look forward to and that is only the beginning! EAT MORE ART! Vegas wants to do it's part to help make it all happen, and so we have launched a new group for artists, producers and presenters to connect - Eat More Art Vegas - Opportunities/Auditions. Like our EMAV Advocates group, we welcome all arts disciplines, not just performance.
In advancement of our mission to bring the community closer together through a vibrant and strong Arts community, we will continue to advance our goal of building a foundation for a Las Vegas Business Arts Partnership (LVBAP), to encourage unity and prosperity through the Arts in our home town. We welcome anyone interested in turning their passion into action that will build on the growth in our community, and we are here to help!
We all at EAT MORE ART! Vegas wish you the best of new beginnings in the coming new year, and look forward to celebrating them as one community in the Arts around town. Help us bring more friends to the celebrations, by inviting them to join us, tagging your posts #EatMoreArt and #EatMoreArtVegas, and sharing our news when you see it, so we can all EAT MORE ART! Happy New Year, and thank you for making "Being Alive" worth while!