Art and About
Engaging with the creative force in everyday life

January 6th, 2008

Missing the Forest for the Trees

Posted by christina in Web Columns

I ended 2007 by doing something I’ve never done before. I’ve never even had the impulse to do it before. I gave money to a street performer in San Francisco.

Calling this woman a street performer sounds somehow degrading and demeaning. She fits the definition since she was performing on the street, with a box open to receive money, at a random time of day with one continuous act that had no real beginning, middle or end. Her powerful mezzo-soprano filled the alley she had chosen, a space I am sure she picked for acoustical value rather than the amount of foot traffic that passed by. She was on Maiden Lane, just off Union Square, while all the other street performers were outside the major tourist areas and department stores. She was more off the beaten path, but it worked to her advantage because her voice was gorgeous and folks were stopping and listening.

I was actually standing in the alley before she was. My husband and daughter ducked into the Sharper Image to do some window shopping, but my son wanted to stand on the street and play his Game Boy. I stayed with him trying not to think about how cold I was and convince myself that this was but a short stop on our way to dinner. Suddenly, the insipid music of the Game Boy was eclipsed by glorious opera. I scanned the street, looking for a vehicle with its radio turned up really loud. Intellectually, I know opera is not the usual music genre people crank up in the car, but this is San Francisco and I’m always prepared to see or hear just about anything. I didn’t locate a likely suspect, so I leaned against the building and decided to enjoy this strange interlude.

About two songs later, my husband and daughter were ready to go, but instead of taking the crow’s path to the restaurant, we decided to go the long way to see a few more holiday lights and sights. As we headed down Maiden Lane, we found ourselves approaching the mezzo. My husband shot me a “she’s good!” look, and I picked my jaw off the ground as I realized she had been serenading me from only a few yards away. I had been so fixated on looking for the opera source on the main street, I never perceived it was being created by a living, breathing human being accompanied by a boom box. I certainly hadn’t noticed her standing down the lane. Talk about missing a good thing right in front of your face!

My kids were transfixed for a few minutes listening to her, and it was then I decided we should put some money into her box. Aside from her obvious talent, she looked impressive in a fairly generic yet interesting opera costume that captured all of our attention. I couldn’t help but wonder what she was doing singing in the streets. Getting some general performance practice? Overcoming stage fright? Earning a little income? Whatever her reason, she shared with us some wonderful music which made our New Year’s weekend celebration all the more special. Too shy to give her the money myself, I sent one of my kids to deliver the offering and then we continued on our way to dinner. As we walked down the street, my husband said, “Oh, we should have gotten one of her cards. You never know when we might want to make a connection.” We didn’t go back, though, which I regret now.

A few years ago, another wonderful soprano, Jamie Bonetto, wrote me an email responding to an article I had written. I don’t remember which article she was writing about, but I kept what she wrote because it struck me as something important to consider. She wrote:

“I agree that art (and music) have therapeutic qualities.  I also agree that every human being needs this in their lives.  I always give money to street musicians.  They enhance life for all.  Where would we be without the arts?  Everyone should be given access.  It is food for the soul. “

At the time, I didn’t understand why street performers had come up in her comments. Since I had never given much thought to street performers, I hadn’t considered that they enhanced my life. In fact, I was often as uncomfortable passing a street performer as I was a beggar. Now I feel quite silly. If I am going to espouse the importance of engaging the creative force in everyday life, then my regard of street performers should be a no brainer. It’s the epitome of Art and About. My intersection with this street mezzo reminded me that even I need to be more mindful about opening my eyes and ears to the creative forces surrounding me.

2 Responses to ' Missing the Forest for the Trees '

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  1. on March 20th, 2008 at 10:28 am

    DEAR
    CHRISTINA, I READ, WITH PLEASURE YOUR ARTICLE ABOUT MUSIC IN THE STREETS. I WAS SHARING YOUR INFORMATION WITH JEAN BARTLETT OF THE PACIFICA TRIBUNE AND SHE, ALSO, HAD WRITTEN AN ARTICLE ABOUT A STREET PERFORMER THAT SHE HAD INTERVIEWED AT BART. I AM PRESENTLY PERFORMING MIMI IN LA BOHEME AT THE SANCHEZ THEATER IN PACIFICA ON MARCH 30TH, AND, THROUGH THE ROLE, CAN RELATE TO THE STARVING ARTISTS, TRYING TO SURVIVE. ART AND MUSIC ARE NOT JUST THE FROSTING ON THE CAKE, BUT FOR ME, THE ICEING THAT ALSO KEEPS THE CAKE TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLE

  2. on April 16th, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    I do not suppose that you might be following up this post with an additional 1? I love what you wrote right here, but I’d really like to get far more information.

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