How The Grinch Stole Culture

by Aaron Rowan

    So there I was, ready to write a paragraph about my music-presenter colleague John Griswold and his Red Tie Arts winter concerts, one of the freshest and most engaging concert series in Modesto. Grandmaster Griswold co-hosted with me one of the finest nights of live music I’ve ever done. It’s been an honor to enjoy years of mutual support with him, and I was anxious for the return of his world music lineup after a couple of years of hiatus. We were about to enjoy Celtic rock, Portuguese fado, and other invigorating styles. Well, not so fast. The morning I sat down to compose this month’s column, I read the news that someone decided it would be a thrill to burgle all of RTA’s production equipment from its storage area, leaving the series dead in the water for now. If I caught the culprit trying to fence the gear, I would fence them all over town. As in making them ‘ride the rail,’ a punishment in early America that I’d fully endorse reviving.

    This hideous heist is not the only act of sabotage against one of Modesto’s most gifted live music curators. Internal politics and financial issues recently led to the demotion of the host & programmer of another of my favorite local series. The renamed and retooled series is now a mere shadow of its former glory. I’m reminded of David Mamet’s insight about commerce versus creativity: “The artist is, in effect, a sort of gangster. He hitches up his trousers and goes into the unguarded bank of the unconscious in an attempt to steal the gold of inspiration. The producer is like the getaway driver who sells the getaway car and waits outside the bank grinning about what a great deal he’s made.” I can promise you this: I shall never let politics or profit poison the creative mission behind Modesto Unplugged. My series carries on with the qualities I value most: original songwriting, fresh and unique styles, and intimate listening spaces in which to savor them.

    My world-music series SONGLINES continues this month with Two Crows For Comfort, an award-winning Canadian Americana duo. Don’t miss their glorious rootsy harmonies on Friday, 2/3 at 7:30 pm. $10 admission. In March, we’ll have a Young Artist showcase starring Philomena Iorns, leading her own program for the first time. Philomena has been part of the last couple of annual collaboration concerts I host with Opera Modesto. Here she’ll be joined by some friends for a selection of traditional songs from Scotland and the British Isles. In April, our guest is dynamic harpist Amelia Romano, one of the coolest instrumentalists I’ve ever worked with, giving a recital of Latin American pieces and original compositions. All of these evenings can be enjoyed at The Dragonfly Art For Life, 1210 J St. Come by this cool art studio for some of the freshest sounds downtown Modesto has to offer. Intimate performances. Infinite playlist. MODESTO UNPLUGGED. www.modestounplugged.com.