Just because we're in/around the big city and have all these professional theatres and brand-name touring acts and shows, the local -- "community" -- newspapers don't cover what goes on in the non-commercial or emerging arts scenes, unless they peg it under the "Oh, ain't that nice that someone's doing this" section otherwise known as human-interest stories...the "Neighbours" section, or whatever they call it. Nothin' serious, though -- and you know, even a bad or heavily-critical review is still a sign that you're being taken seriously enough for someone to say something about it. To quote Oscar Wilde re scandal, "The only thing worse than being talked about...is not being talked about."

Do these professional A&E critics think that the collective ego of the indigenous arts is so very fragile that it can't stand a little sincere poking and prodding? -- or are they just discriminating against anything that ain't Equity or some other official union? Either way, I think we deserve a bit more respect than that.

So. The Arts -- be it community theatre, community choir, solo recitals, gallery shows, open-mic nights and poetry slams, from highschool to college to what's doin' at the local senior centers -- if you have a need to bring something up and speak your mind on it, here's the place to hone your arts reviewing skills....and give some attention and credit where credit is due.