[HANASHIR:6708] Re: We Want Your CAJE Reports

[ALICEWINE <ALICEWINE...>]

Okay - I've read all the comments and figured I'd jump in, as I am not an 
entertainer, but involved in educating through music.  

1)  The opening program was intolerable!  Not only the speeches, but the 
"patter."  Though I know that we must include those talented in other areas, 
the venue was an impossible one for storytelling, not to mention the jokes.  
In the upper seats , we heard less than half.  
    As far as the closing this year, I kind of enjoyed most of it (though I 
do not relate to the Klezmer music as much.  I actually left during the rock 
music - it was so loud it hurt my ears!)  Everyone stuck with their time 
allotments and it really flowed well.  I admit to having left before Eliot's 
speech, though, as my personal protest to more speeches.

2)  I am one of those who prefers the "edu" part of the music, storytelling, 
or drama, to be in the classroom.  By evening I want to be entertained!  But 
- I don't want to be torn between which of my longtime musical friends' 
performances I don't want to miss and having the opportunity to hear new 
ones, too.  The idea of showcasing new talent amongst shorter performances by 
the familiar entertainers sounds good to me.  We could fit a lot of music 
into an evening if everyone did a little less.

3)  The Sound of Torah was a spectacular event - - and not only educated, but 
did showcase so many people.  The finale with everyone on the stage was 
reminscent of prevous CAJE closing programs where all the performers came on 
together.  I missed that this year.  
    If such showcases were to be put into a daytime slot, I see a multitude 
of conflicts there, also - drawing large numbers away from classes as one of 
the biggest.  If "entertainment" options are offered during the day, there is 
a likelihood that they would draw a great number of people away from the 
classrooms.

4)  I really like the idea of thematic programming in the evenings.  We would 
get a variety of people and styles in one program and an evening-long program 
could easily feature several thematic areas.  It would be a wonderful way to 
emphasize the benefit of reinforcement and enhancement of classroom curricula 
through music - and provide an instant resource list for those in attendance.

5) The location of the "main hall" as compared with the other theaters was 
detrimental to allowing one to move between venues quickly.  In the past it 
has not been as problematic to catch more individual shows.

6)  The arena was a HORRID venue!  In my role of perpetual audience, I think 
this is the worst (except when we were there 9 years ago and shared the space 
with the exhibitors.)  If the choice of campus locales is partly predicated 
on appropriate and adequate large audience facilities, they should make sure 
that size isn't the only criteria.  Accoustics should be equally as important.

7)  Someone mentioned audiences - I am appalled at the demeanor of the 
audiences.  There are often times where the talking around me has b een so 
loud it drowns out the performers.  During the interminable "intro" speeches, 
decorum during concerts might be added to the list of do's and don'ts!!  I 
honestly don't know how the performers abide it!

So - I've said my piece and didn't even mention the other gripes I have about 
the conference, such as food (if you can call it that) and lodging!

Love,
Alice 

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