So Long, Artwalk

Yep. They did it. They killed Artwalk. I was sure it was just some vicious rumor but it's true. The official website says:

"In recent years the Downtown Art Walk has grown so large that it has become too costly to manage in its current form. Effective immediately the Downtown Art Walk will go on hiatus, ceasing all event operations until January 2011, at which time it will be reborn as a quarterly, weekend, daytime, gallery-focused event which will appeal to both patrons of the arts as well as the general public." (http://www.downtownartwalk.org/)

Booo.....

Am I to believe that it will be less costly because it's during the day? Or on the weekend? Cuz I don't. I think it will only be less cool.

You don't have to tell me that Artwalk's a pricey pain in the ass. I live here. I still think this is a monumentally stupid decision. In a city known for elevating isolation and solo car travel to a "lifestyle," Artwalk got people out of the house and on their feet. It made public transportation the sensible choice - even if just for one night. It provided a functional marketplace for creative work and a launchpad for fresh ideas. It funneled cash into local businesses. But most importantly - it created a community. That's hard to do in a city as sprawling and uncrossable as ours. It should not be treated casually. Yes - it drew plenty of irritating drunks but their presence is always the price of admission to the destination of the visionaries. And there were visionaries in droves.

"angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night"

Now the visionaries will stay home and Artwalk will become the new thing for armchair innovators to do on the weekend. It will become just another street fair offering credibility for purchase.

Come January, it will be their party. On our streets. Which will be jammed not with pedestrians but with minivans. Not for one night a month but for an entire weekend every quarter. It will still be a pain in the ass. But instead of a massive grown-up urban event, it will be a massive gathering of suburbanites venturing bravely into "the city" for the day to "get some culture."

Count me out.

I shall stay home. And invite people over. Smart, interesting, creative people. People who will challenge me, trigger runaway thoughts, make me laugh too hard and feed my soul.

An Algonquin Round Table for the New Millennium.

The first one should happen on October 9. I encourage you to host your own. Invite over a small group of people you truly want to see but never do. Or at the very least - go outside, walk for a while and take a good look around. Don't go home until you've seen something inspiring.

The Diva's Vegan Round Table Dip

1 15 oz. package of soft tofu
4 T. soy sauce
4 tsp. yellow mustard
1 clove garlic minced
2 T. minced onion (dehydrated)
Dash cayenne
1 T. Old Bay seasoning
1 T. dried chives

Whirl everything up in the blender until it's smooth.
Serve with Kettle chips and conversation.