Membership Sideblog
- The Marcus Welby of law, by Lance Heisler | Lampe Law Group
July 31, 2010 | 7:45 pmGrowing up in North Dakota during the 50s and 60s, I was privileged to experience something that's all too rare now - the old-fashioned family doctor. "Doc" delivered babies, set broken bones, treated pneumonia, and helped Grandpa with his newfangled hearing aid. Doc knew the community, the families, and the individuals whose basic medical needs he treated from birth through the end of life. Some of you who grew up in that time, and perhaps in smaller communities, may remember a Doc of your own. . . . → Read More: The Marcus Welby of law, by Lance Heisler | Lampe Law Group
- Kitty Mania at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
July 28, 2010 | 10:51 pm
Let’s talk about cats, cats and more cats! Why?? Because Prairie’s Edge Humane Society is full of cats and we have many more arriving daily. As of today, there are 44 cats on the adoption floor with more awaiting their surgeries so they are ready for adoption. There are cats in every corner of the shelter who need homes! We are in desperate need of homes for these cats. We cannot emphasize this enough. So we are having a cat sale and we are calling it Kitty Mania ! Kitty Mania is this weekend, beginning Thursday, July . . . → Read More: Kitty Mania at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
- On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
July 12, 2010 | 11:50 am
The free market does many things well, but we know it does not do everything. Even market fundamentalists concede that the public must build roads, put out fires, police streets, and provide national defense. Most people, at least those to the left of the Tea Party edge of political spectrum, accept that the government must also be involved in education, disaster relief, and health care. That is, certain services must be rendered — necessary services, universal services — whether or not those services are financially profitable. If your house is on fire, you do not have time to . . . → Read More: On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
- Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
July 12, 2010 | 10:56 am
Okay, so most of the news about the Vintage Band Festival so far has been about the bands. But there’s a number of other events during the weekend. Like the VBF Contra Dance, for instance. The Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance will feature music by The Dodworth Saxhorn Band of Ann Arbor, Michigan and will be led by dance instructor/caller Robin Nelson. Dancing will begin at 8:30 p.m. with a “Grand March” led by 60 costumed members of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Brigade, followed by a variety of period dances including polkas, contra dances, schottisches, reels and waltzes. . . . → Read More: Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
- The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
June 27, 2010 | 8:00 am
Even before I read the first word of this article I had a visceral reaction to it. The accompanying photographs — my eyes tend to skip over photographs in magazines — affected me in a manner that is difficult to articulate. I knew, immediately I knew, I was not going to like what I was about to read. In fact, for that reason I put the piece aside. Not now, I thought. Maybe tomorrow, I said to myself. But, then, I couldn’t not read it, either. If you have not done so already, I hope you will read . . . → Read More: The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
- Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
June 27, 2010 | 7:54 am
June may be Adopt A Cat month here at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society and we have lots of wonderful cats, but we also have PUPPIES! We have a male Newfoundland mix named Chong who is 6 months old, he was a stray so we don’t know a lot about him. He loves to play! We also have three Australian Cattle Dog mixes who are two months old. Marcia, Bobby and Cindy were born at the shelter and spent some time in one of our fabulous foster homes. They are now back at the shelter and ready to find . . . → Read More: Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
- Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
June 23, 2010 | 9:35 pm
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay for Life, teams of people camp out at local parks or fairgrounds and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events. Relay for Life of Rice . . . → Read More: Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
- Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
June 16, 2010 | 9:04 amNow Showing! Live Kittens playing! You can now watch our adoptable animals at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society (PEHS) live 24/7 on the new Critter Cam installed in conjunction with KYMN Radio. Thanks to the fine folks at KYMN radio we now have a live feed of our adoptable animals showing on our website and KYMN’s website, Tim and Jeff are AWESOME! Currently the Critter Cam is featuring kittens available for adoption. Watch them play, sleep, eat, and everything else they do 24 hours a day 7 days a week! It’s better than anything you can see on TV! . . . → Read More: Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
- Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
June 11, 2010 | 11:34 am
A BIG Thanks to all of you who came to last Monday’s Volunteer Organization Meeting, and to those who contacted us saying you wanted to help but could not make the meeting. We have pretty full support for Communications and Design and Build sub-committees, and we got a web graphic designer to help with the site. Alice Thomas is facilitating the Communications group, and Steve Edwins is facilitating the Design and Build group. What we are missing and really need are Fund Raising people. We have two grant writiers, but we need folks who are committed to the . . . → Read More: Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
- Photo albums: 2010 Prairie’s Edge Humane Society Walk for the Animals, by Bridgette Hallcock Photography
June 11, 2010 | 8:09 am
Thank you to all of those who came to Alexander Park on a beautiful Saturday morning in May to help support Prairie’s Edge Humane Society! I have placed all of the fun photographs on my Bridgette Hallcock Photography Facebook page so that everyone can see how much fun we had! See the two 2010 Walk for the Animals albums here and here. If you would like a print, please contact me, as the proceeds will benefit the animals at PEHS.
-
 Archive for Membership Sideblog »
Feeds Recent posts by Northfield area civic bloggers and issue-oriented news sources
|
NAG Play “Sex With Seven Women” Controversial
By Tracy Davis, on December 29, 2007, 9:53 pm
LocallyGrown received a lengthy comment from Beth Benson regarding Brendon Etter’s play, Sex With Seven Women, which is opening at the Northfield Arts Guild on January 11. I had several witty ideas for clever headlines, and could have had a lot of fun with this, but I decided to play it straight for a change, and just publish the comment in its entirety.
For discussion on this blog:
I am writing to express disappointment in the Northfield Art Guild’s choice of the play “Sex with Seven Women”. According to the Northfield News, Etter the playwright says, “How do you know you’re going to offend people if you don’t do it?” Why is the Guild choosing plays based on
this sentiment?
We have turned into a society that seeks to be enticed rather than inspired. The things we watch on T.V., the books we read, even the plays we attend have been debased appealing to our lower senses rather than our sense of decency. We seek entertainment that appeals to the lowest denominator rather than learn to appreciate the finer things. A cheap bottle of wine to achieve drunkenness may be what we crave, but a fine bottle of wine can only be appreciated by those whose taste has been refined and taught only by drinking finer wines. I would suggest that the Guild is offering Northfield cheap wine with this play when they can be teaching people to appreciate a finer wine. Someone needs to lead the way in bringing a standard that rises
above a downward spiral of society.
The Guild has an opportunity to bring out the noble and beautiful in society. Why should they waste their time highlighting the perversions of society? Let us as a community inspire their organization to inspire greatness and not sink to a level that only intends to shock with debauchery and push the envelope on what is acceptable. Let us inspire them to become
an organization that finds and supports the future Shakesperes, the Monets, the Bachs of our society; artists that will stand the test of time as those who were truly great. Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art.” We need to help people to love beauty. Let us inspire the Northfield Arts Guild to fulfill their calling to create
and support the creation of beauty.
Prior to grabbing the links to put into this post, I hadn’t read anything about the play, so I was wondering (knowing playwright B. Etter) if sex and women even had anything to do with it. The answer is, apparently, yes. Ross was very eager to see what image I would choose to illustrate this issue, so in addition to playing it straight, I thought I’d let him down again by using a tastefully appropriate photo of Brendon’s lovely wife, Ann.
After all the other flak and controversy we’ve been dealing with in this town, it’s a relief to me to move discussion to larger messy philosophical questions such as, “What’s art for?”
|
|
but I’d have a hard time during the sabbatical not paying attention to see if that was actually the case. I think the more places in Northfield...
I’ve just spent the last hour pouring over this running dialogue, and I must admit that though parts of it depressed me and frustrated me, I found it quite enlightening, especially T McKinley’s comments. I was very glad to read Kiffi Summa’s sentiments about Beth’s religious protest, though the following comment #38 about “you folks” using “your persuasion to offend our persuasion in the name of art” frustrated me to no end. As I recall, Kiffi had no part in writing this piece.
As an actor IN Brendon’s work, I think I might have a different perspective than many here; when I first read through the work, I was a little unsure of it myself. And, truth be told, it wasn’t my first choice in shows to be a part of. However, after my audition, and hearing some of the pieces actually read aloud, my opinion changed. I am very glad to be a part of the show, controversy and misconstrued comments included, and believe that Brendon made a great choice in the name, because as an actor, it made me stop, take a second look, and say, “What?” (when I first saw the poster for auditions). In attracting a cast, the title, (titillating, was it called?) is a perfect hook; I emailed Brendon half in sheer curiosity to see just what this show was about.
Irregardless, I hope to see the seats at the NAG full on opening night, and am glad to be a part of Brendon’s production.
Ian- Sorry if my comment about “persuasions” frustrates you, but I was trying my darndest to espress my opinion without being offensive. Looks like I failed again. But, on the matter of frustrations, titles like SWSW do get under my skin. Perhaps I am just suppose to hide my feelings and let on that they do not bother me, or at least not express them in an arena of public debate.
I apologize if my reply sounded too biting; I didn’t mean it so much as a criticism as simply a statement of fact. Unfortunately, once posted, comments can’t be edited on here (can they? I don’t know how). And, to be frank, I can see how the title can get under your skin, and as far as that goes, I have no problem with that. I again didn’t mean to criticize your opinion on the title there, simply to state a point of view (the actors in the show) that may not have been heard yet. There are things that get to all of us, and that’s all there is to it. Hope I didn’t cause too much of a ruffle.
Irregardless of whether you see the play or not, I hope you have a pleasant week. Even if I don’t agree with you, I’m glad you spoke out.
Ian- Thanks for the apology, but I don’t think it was necessary. I did not take offense at your observation and I certainly do not want to offend anyone by what I say, either. I’m always looking for ways to improve communication. This blog is a good way to do that. I hope you have a great week, also.
[...] manner. In my opinion, that’s not what we’re getting (although the recent discussion on Sex With Seven Women comes close to what I personally consider to be the ideal balance: direct and honest exchange of [...]
T., that’s a great piece of writing (#48). In addition to Kiffi’s excellent suggestion to get busy writing a play based on it, I’ve got another idea. Email on the way!
A very enjoyable night at the theatre! Kudos for all involved. I hope they sell out again tonight…the show deserves it.
Here are 4 photos from last night’s performance of Sex with Seven Women.
Thank you! We sure enjoyed being up on stage last night- and you were a wonderful audience!
We really appreciate your support!
Ann
It’s amazing to me how much a great audience brings to a performance. Thank you for coaxing the best out of us with your laughter.
There will be some tickets available at the door tonight. Box office opens at 7 PM, doors at 7:30 PM.
Thank you, Northfield, for the great response. It was wonderful to see so many smiles as people left the theater. It inspires me more than I can really say.
Thank you so much to everyone that came! Having a great audience makes a show so much better!!!!
Where, but in Northfield, could you have a conversation like the one Brendon’s plays have evoked? I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s thoughtful comments and I rejoice in the diversity of opinion. I rejoice, too, in the diversity of art.
Yesterday noon, I had the pleasure of attending the HD live Metropolitan Opera performance of Verdi’s Macbeth. Beautiful singing of a familiar story, retold by master of music theater. Then last night, I had the fun of attending Sex with Seven Women by a talented young playwright, strong performances of witty incidents. Verdi made me cry; Brendon made me laugh.
As Rob said above, Brendon “has a sharp wit, a flair for language, and the courage to take risks for the sake of art.”
It was quite a day.
What struck me about “Sex with Seven Women” was not that it was obscene or sex-obsessed, but that it was concerned with the fundamental human question of how we connect with one another. Two of Brendon’s recurring themes are sex and telephones, which are two of the ways in which humans “connect.” Anyone participating in discussions on this blog should appreciate the problem of how we connect with each other in a world in which so much human interaction is virtual—online, or on the cell phone. With a lot of humor and insight, Brendon explored a world of people trying to connect on a personal level in a world where that is sometimes awfully hard to do—where our phobias and fetishes, our preconceptions and our gadgets sometimes get in the way. It was hilarious, shocking, and thought-provoking. It was real theater.
Thank you, Jane and Rob. Your words inspire me to keep plowing on with my writing.
I’m so glad that the shows made people laugh; that was my goal.
Rob, you, of course, had no problem seeing the real themes of the evening. It was definitely about sexuality, but also about connecting, which is something that keeps coming up in my writing. So much so, that my friend, Shari, teases me about its inevitability.
I got the last laugh on her though. I gave Shari the line – as Sue Kline, the desperate telemarketer, in “Call Girl” – “Connections. Connections. Connect.”
[...] since Brendon Etter finishing having Sex with Seven Women at the NAG last year, he’s been working on having Sex with Seven Men at the NAG this [...]