Elizabeth A. Leib

By Elizabeth A. Leib

Getting dolled up to go to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is a fairly rare experience for Mark and me. As a theatre critic, when Mark attends a play at one of the area’s performance halls, he is typically working when others are playing. He’s generally comfortable melting quietly into the background in his khaki trousers and cotton shirts; he takes notes in the dark by pointing his pen light carefully onto the page of his notebook trying not to disturb the other theatre patrons. I don’t get to go with him as often as I used to before Jeremy was born. But when I do get out to see a performance, it’s great to be invisible to most of the people around us – one of the many advantages of being a bohemian. But this weekend we got all dressed up to attend the Hillel Gala featuring Academy Awards producer Gil Cates.

(Check out this interview with Gil Cates in an iChat conversation from LA with Bob Ross of BobRossMovies.com. Gil talks about the awards shows and the WGA strike now affecting TV programming, his upcoming visit to Tampa and his work on the 2009 Academy Awards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwVoS1HQhHU)

Gil Cates talks with Ana & Eric Lipson Debbie Doliner, Cathy Friedman , Cathy Grossman Alex & Jenny Chernin/Diane & Randy Sherman

Sandy Szekely - Hillel Library Director (Hillel Book Fair starts Dec. 4 - for all Hillel families)

Ana Lipson & Me!

We managed to be mostly on time for this exciting occasion – although at first we landed at the wrong cocktail party and struggled to find our hosts, Ana and Eric Lipson. We did finally manage to locate them and even got to talk briefly with Gil Cates himself. On retrospect I wish I’d had the presence of mind to get his comments on the writers strike. We did learn in his talk later in the evening that six writers are seated off-stage druring the Awards program. When something unexpected happens during the show, they write lines for the host to use after the commercial break. Unless the strike is over by the spring Mr. Jon Stewart will be ad libbing all his lines in front of millions of people.

Fortunately Eric found common ground with Mr. Cates in that they both grew up in New York. As it turns out, Gil and Eric attended the same high school. Prior to beginning our sumptuous dinner in the gorgeously decorated Carol Morsani Hall, Hillel School principal Amy Wasser told a story of an encounter between a young Hillel student and Mr. Cates during his visit to the school the day before. The young girl shook Mr. Cates’s hand, and then learned that in the recent past, that same hand had been used to shake Leonard DiCaprio’s hand. Ms. Wasser says the girl hasn’t recovered. The glow of Hollywood’s glamour reaches easily through the six degrees of separation.

Speaking of being bohemian, my husband looked at me the other day and declared that I’d become a hippie. If only it could be true. Since I was thirteen I tried to imitate older teens, begging my mother for bell-bottoms and peace sign jewelry. But in high school it was clear I’d missed the party. Barely a boomer, by the time I arrived at college my persona was more pissed off punk than peacenik followed by ten years of selling corporate underwriting for a local NPR affliate. I don’t miss those days in suits and high heels, catching the occasional daydream with glances outside the panoramic views of downtown corporate buildings; honest work but exhausting. If only NPR and its local affliates would place some limits on the commercials cluttering the public airwaves! Call me crazy but does anyone really write down a phone number from a radio announcement? But times have changes for everyone. Now the daily drill of getting our kindergartner to school by the 8 AM bell keeps my feet on the ground and sober as a judge.

Thanks to new Raintree Writing Service client Jana Broder, I had an excuse this weekend to spend time outdoors. Good writing requires research and this project was no different! The Paralounge Drum Festival in Live Oak, 2 ½ hours north of Tampa, was taking place at the Suwannee River Music Camp. Unfortunately the cabins were all rented by the time I was making plans. There were outdoor campsites available, but I wasn’t equipped by disposition or gear for the outdoor sleeping experience. A bit of good luck brought me in touch with fellow drummer Amy Foster who was driving in from Orlando. We agreed to split the cost of renting a room at the local Econolodge. It turned out to be a wise choice. The cold snap sent temperatures that night to a chilly 33 degrees.

Amy’s sarcastic quick wit and intellectual capabilities made for great companionship. There was so much to appreciate about the gathering, made up of all kinds of people and many family groups. The orientation towards children and the friendly atmosphere made for a very relaxing experience. Festival organizers Sheree and Clint told me they had 400 people register to attend the weekend long event. Parents of an 8-year-old daughter, their goal since starting the festival in 2002 has been to “…create an environment promoting community structure through rhythmic expression. Twice a year artists and musicians of indigenous instruments gather to become a part of a collective of musical expression.” – from the weekend edition of the Suwannee Democrat

Paralounge producer Clint with Jana Broder

The first day of the festival began with an early morning yoga session near the still warm bonfire. By 10 AM a large group gathered to participate in a drum session given by exquisitely intuitive drum facilitator Buddy Helm. His website talks alot about the theraputic aspects of drumming. At a time when bookshelves are full of a limitless variety of cheesy, self-help programs, I’m automatically skeptical of all claims. But with Helm’s, I was pulled emotionally into the circle as he riffed, evoking melodies from the Sound of Music soundtrack and connecting them with the music of Jim Morrison and the Rolling Stones. That’s just interesting. The next Paralounge Drum Festival is scheduled for May 2 & 3.

Next up was a presentation geared to introducing children to the Australian Didgeridoo. The goofy looking wood tube makes a sound that manages to be both primal and kid-funny entertaining. Although a few minutes into it I had to pull my companion, Miss Smarty-Pants Dr. Amy away as the didgeridoo presentation was producing in her fits of irreverent silliness. We went shopping and found a couple of 100% wool sweaters at a great price, hopefully they are fair-trade products.

We returned to watch from a distance Ken Arnoff’s session suited to the more experienced percussionist. The written description of Arnoff’s presentation is tantalizing. Who doesn’t want to manipulate patterns over time? The full description from the website: This session offers an introduction to advanced concepts of rhythmic manipulation. Learn the basics of rhythmic structure and how to manipulate patterns over time. This workshop draws on principles of Indian and African drumming, and shows how they may be applied to any musical setting. Arnoff’s session and his cool style had a distinctly intellectual feel - less visceral on the surface than the other drumming sessions I’d attended. Nevertheless, the focus on technique was fascinating.

The mid-day Arnoff session started an hour late and continued well into the time Jana’s session was scheduled to begin. I had to be back in Tampa in time to attend the Hillel Gala. But we were on “forest time” as Jana reminded me when asked when she thought her 1 PM drum circle would begin. Many people have a profound reaction to drumming for the first time. Amy had shared with me her own feelings of relief from stress after her first drum circle experience a few months ago. I’m having some strong reactions of my own to the few times I’ve had a chance to participate in a drum circle and look forward to more.

Jana’s particular mission for Drum Magic is to drum with more people every day. Her passion for sharing drumming with as many people as possible leads her to a facilitation style that is supportive and encouraging to new drummers. Her unwillingness to accept rock star status or take credit for the intense feelings aroused in those participating in drum circles is likely a major source of her effectiveness. That and her obvious pleasure in what she’s doing combined with a handy southern charm. Art Keeble, President of the Hillsborough County Arts Council commented in a recent conversation about Broder that she’s one of the hardest working people he’s ever known and just a lot of fun to be around. It’s hard not to be a Broder fan – but if you are you may want to skip the accolades, something she has little patience for and help out by bringing someone new to one of her drum circles. It’s the best way to repay her for what she gives away everyday.

Jana Broder teaches drum lessons on Tuesday nights from 7-8pm at Cafe Kili.