Oh how I wish I could go to this. Alas, I have Symphony Silicon Valley, and of course I’m not about to miss that (Beethoven’s 6th, an Amram’s Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie, Leos Janácek’s Sinfonietta, with Paul Polivnick conducting … should be fun … and good!).
But oh man … garlic fries and opera? Yum!
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Via an idaho violist I was reminded of the Cleveland violist, Richard Waugh, who is currently blogging about, and will be biking across the country, in honor and memory of his friend and colleague, Charles Barr, who was killed last year while riding his bike.
When an article begins with a lie (okay, a joke, but a lie never the less), I don’t take it too seriously. Still, it’s about musicians and the way we dress, so I had to read it.
Yes, we can use a make over. Sure, I’d love to have someone help me find clothes to fit, that make me look good, and make my reeds work better. Yes, some of us look pretty darn awful, especially if we are told we don’t have to don the black. And I definitely wish men didn’t have to wear tails. Ever. I’m all for “all black, all the time” actually. But no one is asking me.
But I honestly don’t want to shop “where Teri Hatcher, Heather Locklear and Tori Spelling shop.” I am not them. I don’t have their bodies or their looks. Not even close. And I want to wear clothing that suits me, not some highly paid actress who dresses to be seen. I want to dress to be heard. (Which means no distracting clothing, I think.)
Then I read this, “Fashion is about looking your best, not feeling as comfortable as possible,” and I want to scream. I’m sorry (no I’m not), but I have to be comfortable. I refuse to be absolutely miserable just because “it looks great.” I remember a friend who had these incredibly sexy high heels. I said they looked wonderful and she said, “They hurt like hell, but don’t I look great?” Argh. I thought we were through with that.
And could I ever say to an audience member, “Well, yes, I played poorly because my clothes were so darn uncomfortable, but don’t I look great?”
No, I won’t wear a halter dress. No, I don’t look good in animal prints. And I’m not sure anyone will care how my “butt looks” when I’m sitting down, looking incredibly goofy (ever watched a double reed player play?) with my oboe embouchure.
I’m all for looking good. I’m all for finding clothes that are appropriate. I’m tired of seeing women look like they could go out to do yard work or go to the gymn in their concert clothes. But please … I don’t want to wear a “black camisole … under a leopard-print top with a braided leather empire-waist belt.” It isn’t me. It never will be.
And yes, I know there was a lot of jesting in the article. But still ….
Am I touchy today or what?!
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