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| The Gourmet Cultural Consumer |
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 Lately I've read a few fascinating books that talk about the brain,
philosophy, and ultimately how to live life. One of my favorite little
books is The Philosopher's Diet: How to Lose Weight & Change the World, by Richard Watson. Watson is, as one might deduce, a philosophy
professor and author, but his bio also lists him as a spelologist (look
it up), runner, and novelist. I'll summarize the diet part of the book:
one should eat fewer calories, avoid all processed foods, and run four
miles a day. That's not why I love this book, or how it ties into Rush
Hour. The book's philosophical premise is that losing 20 pounds and
keeping it off is not a matter of weight loss, it is rather a matter of
changing one's life entirely. Although the core pieces of this life
change are in principle quite simple, the act of change can be
staggeringly difficult. It is, therefore, a noble pursuit.
How does RH compare to a Spartan diet plan? Aha, I knew you would be
wondering! Watson talks of going from being a glutton to a gourmet-in
other words, to change from being a mindless consumer into a mindful
one. Because you are working with fewer calories, you must make the
ones you have worthwhile, memorable, and breathtaking.
 I have always wondered why I've met so many "foodies" who are also
involved with classical music, and the answer I've come up with is that
we are sensation junkies. According to Steven Pinker, author of How the Mind Works, music "appears to be a pure pleasure technology... that we
ingest through the ear to stimulate a mass of pleasure circuits at
once." We love hearing something exquisite; it gives us the same rush
that tasting something wonderful does. I have a constant soundtrack
playing in my ears all day, every day. I usually have the radio on in
the car, and hear at various times the drone of traffic, background
noise of the office, cartoons at home, and countless other things when
I am even conscious of it. So I had a light bulb moment with Dr. Watson
this week in thinking about how special it is to experience something
of the finest quality, even if that is limited slightly in quantity. My
time is limited, as is most everybody's. As I've said in this column
before, concentrating on getting to the heart of the matter and then
being fully present is my mantra this year. I love it when I can wrap
things up neatly!
So, how does Watson feel we should live life? We should enjoy it to
the fullest by taking control of it. It is all about form; making a
commitment and sticking to it. Perhaps Rush Hour (or losing 20 pounds)
will not save the world, but it will make a difference to you. What if
this year, you make the commitment to be at St. James Cathedral when
the doors open each Tuesday, and devote one hour to being a gourmet of
music and camaraderie? That hour will not suddenly fix global warming,
get you a raise (unless you bring your boss along), or make the price
of gas drop back under $3 per gallon. But it will give you space, and
control over your time, as well as 100% of your RDA of aesthetic
nourishment. Come find me when you get there. I'll save you the best
piece of cake.
- Megan Balderston
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Fanfare Committee Corner
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The Fanfare Committee recently hosted two exciting events: Looptopia was
held Friday, May 2 at the Chicago Temple.   Third Coast Percussion dazzled the audience and we unveiled our new RH umbrella for sale, which came in
handy for the evening downpours!
The second annual "Rush Hour Tasting" was held Saturday, May 10 at
photographer Sandro's studio in Ukrainian Village.   Over 40 young
professionals attended for an engaging evening of refreshments, conversation, and music by violinist Jasmine Lin and cellist Clancy Newman. To date, RH has raised $1,500 out of the $5,000 goal of the challenge
grant for donors aged 40 and under, thanks to proceeds from the Rush Hour Tasting and gifts from other generous donors. Please help us reach our goal - cl ick here to make a contribution. Your gift will be doubled through the challenge grant opportunity.
Many thanks to all who helped support Rush Hour at these two events or through the challenge grant opportunity - stay tuned for details about upcoming post-concert events hosted by the Fanfare Committee.
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Thoughts & Recommendations from the Artistic Director: The Rush Hour Experience
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 More than a just a reception and great live music in the time frame
of an hour at the end of the day, Rush Hour, like Starbucks, has now
become known on the summer cultural landscape of Chicago as an
"experience."
 The
clever little dashboard icon on my Mac brings up a dictionary in
addition to the time and the weather. (The dictionary has been more
encouraging than the weather this week.) Here's what it says about
"experience":
Noun: "Practical contact with and observation of facts or
events. Knowledge or skill acquired by such means over a period of
time. An event or occurrence that leaves an impression on someone."
Verb: "To encounter or undergo (an event or occurrence); to feel (an emotion)."
It seems Rush Hour fits the bill in all descriptors.
I'm often asked by people unfamiliar with Rush Hour and with
classical music, for that matter, what they will "experience" at Rush
Hour. Now, in mid-May, less than three weeks away from the opening of
our ninth season, I'm reflecting on how someone will feel on June 2
(the day before Rush Hour opens) and again on August 27 (the day after
the last concert event of the upcoming season). What will they
experience over the summer? What will they take with them? What will
the arc of the '08 Rush Hour experience feel like for them?
There are clearly many components to this "arc," but if pressed to
name one, I would choose the role of the audience.  The audience's role
in the Rush Hour experience is central - and, to the surprise of many,
active and participatory. As
a Rush Hour listener, you will learn that role, revel in it and
experience it weekly. You will experience the difference between
"hearing" and "listening." You will enter the dynamic triangle of
composer/performer/listener and experience the energy unique
to this activity. Each week you will be given what you need to be able
to listen in an engaged manner, with as much additional follow-up
enhancement material available online at rushhour.org.
I refer you to my column in the April newsletter for a programmatic overview of our '08 season.
As to the question of how you will feel at the beginning of June and
then again at the end of August- you will have "experienced" 13 weeks
of culture and community working together. I invite you to make our
regular, user-friendly format of concert events - each Tuesday
different than the next - part of your routine. These weekly trips to
(as I like to call it) "the 35,000 foot level" will enhance the other
six days of your week.
If you (or friends and associates) are unfamiliar with classical music or Rush Hour, please know that all you need to bring to our weekly "summer city salon/cultural happy hour" are two things: your ears and your humanity.
Click here for upcoming concert recommendations >>
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