Every once in a while someone will say to me, "If you don't do 'A' or 'B', then you're not really an arts patron." Being a thoughtful person, I don't dismiss these comments but, rather, reflect and consider their merit. Should I allow someone else to define my own passions, interests, or level of participation in the cultural landscape that I so dearly cherish?

It is true that I've not been to any local theater performances in a while. I like theater. I do. For some reason, however, I just don't go. I love live music and, although I don't make it out as often as I used to, I still manage to catch local performances from time to time. I don't go to many gallery openings either, but have recently been to the University Art Museum's exhibition of 77 Million Paintings at least 3 times, and will try to make it back before they close for the year. I've also caught shows at the LBMA, but haven't been to MOLAA in a while.

I love orchestral music, and opera, but haven't been to many local performances of either. The last opera I attended was in LA, a production of Camille Saint-Saëns' wonderfully impressionistic Samson et Dalila, featuring an electrifying performance by Denyce Graves. You can rest assured, however, that I'll be first in line to see the Long Beach Opera's production of Nixon in China.

I spend most of my time talking with people involved in the arts and, when I'm not doing that, I'm being an artist myself. Everyone needs to find their own level, their own way to sustain the passions they have for arts and culture. I think it important, too, that we recognize the local riches we have in our City, and understand that one need not wander too far beyond one's doorstep to discover a wealth of talent, energy, and excitement. Should you, or I, allow anyone to define our level of commitment to anything? I say, "no."

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