BTW, there’s a thorny little issue that needs to be cleared up here. Apparently, some fan of the Antioch ensemble (below) took it upon himself to do some unofficial, unwanted P.R. for them by writing rather indignant, sarcastic letters to the local newspapers in recent years, complaining bitterly about the lack of local press coverage for this group. The one we got this year, several days before the festival even began, was posted to Eargasms (click on comments, at right, to read it). Here at the City Paper, we first thought that this person was somehow associated with the group. My aggravation at being browbeaten over how to do my job was such that I came within a gnat’s whisker of ignoring their event. After all, there are hundreds of other worthy Piccolo Artists who would love some press attention, too – but they don’t bug and belittle us over it. It’s not wise to antagonize the folks you hope for good coverage from.
Obviously, I went anyway – especially after several people who know the group told me that such tactics just aren’t Antioch’s style. And my suspicions were confirmed after the concert, when several of the organization’s leaders & prominent members told me that they did not know this particular individual, and that they were very upset to hear of these letters sent by him on their “behalf.” I hope he now realizes that his efforts could well have done his pet group more harm than good – like almost costing them their coverage this time, too. And you, dear blogophile – if you’ve seen the letter, at least now you know it’s not Antioch speaking. And they want you to know that.
