You-review-it Monday

So what did you do this weekend?

From “Janis Rocks” at Birdy’s to the Indianapolis Symphony’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” to “Wicked” at the Murat, there was a lot to do. 

I caught “Wicked” on Thursday (review coming up next week in the print IBJ) and spent Friday evening at the glorious Liz Callaway concert at the Connoisseur Room, following that with a trip through “Installation Nation” in an empty lot on College Ave.

On Saturday, I had a blast playing softball with many of the Colts, a couple of Pacers, and some local TV folks at Victory Field  in a benefit for the Indiana Children’s Wish Fund. (If you don’t think this qualifies as A&E, you should have seen my comical throw to first base after forcing out an opponant at second.)

Sunday afternoon was spent with Dance Kaleidoscope, whose “Rite of Spring” program felt more like an appetizer than an entree, thanks to a first act devoted to what was labeled “Class: A Lecture Demonstration of the Martha Graham Technique.”

I’m all for education, but the material felt targeted at a middle school level (“These are called ‘leaps'”) and would have been better suited to a pre-show bonus rather than taking up half the bill. The intention was good and noble, but I felt cheated out of seeing half a DK program. I may have been a bit more tolerant if the after-intermission “Rite of Spring” was more inspiring and engaging. Watching the warm-ups helped me see the work, but I missed the magic.

So what did you see, hear or do since the end of the last work week?