You’ve heard the gripe: Redding is a cultural wasteland. If you want culture, you’ve got to get to the big city, the gripers say.
It’s getting easier all the time, however, to blow that argument out of the water. Last Saturday, for instance, area residents were out in force: the North State Symphony concert at the Cascade, the closing performance of Riverfront Playhouse’s “Same Time, Next Year,” the Westside Performing Arts Company’s “Wild West Variety Show,” the “Furball” fundraising event. Several clubs downtown were also packed.
And last Saturday wasn’t even a 2nd Saturday ArtHop weekend, which has become a proven winner.
Redding residents out and about during 2nd Saturday ArtHop.
And people aren’t just going out on the weekends. Recently, I’ve seen the Downtown Eatery have good crowds on nights like Monday and Tuesday because of live music.
The new Uncorked Wine Bar (2155 Hilltop Drive) features live bluegrass by Wild Bill and the Mudwhompers every other Tuesday. There are “Pint Nights” at Carnegie’s (Wednesdays) and the Downtown Eatery (Thursdays).
But here’s the real kicker about “getting out” in Redding versus “getting out” in the big city. It’s so much easier to go out. And because it’s easier, people tend to do it more often.
Think about what it takes to attend, say, a symphony concert in Seattle or San Francisco.
First, it’s a struggle to get tickets because there are more people. Plus, tickets are more expensive.
Then, if you don’t live in the heart of the city, you have to fight traffic and congestion just to get to the venue. (Here at home, I’ve literally looked at the clock and realized, “Oh, no, that show starts in 15 minutes.” I’ve gotten dressed and somehow made it on time. Try doing that in Los Angeles.)
Then, in the city, you have to pay for parking or spend an eternity trying to find it. A medium-distance walk later, and you’re finally at the venue. Relax and have a good time! Was that a tow-away zone?
Maybe those who gripe are thinking about big-ticket items, like Broadway shows or Bruce Springsteen.
But then again, touring Broadway shows pass through Redding each year. While we might not get the Rolling Stones, the north state has hosted such big-name artists as Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett and Willie Nelson, among others. The Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival is fewer than three hours away, and other big-time concerts are within easy striking distance in Sacramento.
I’m not knocking big cities. There’s no replacing the energy one feels in a city. And certainly there are more options as far as what to do.
But basically, I’m saying I’ll take the trade-off.
I’ll just have to endure this Saturday, where there’s not much going on — except for the amazing Robben Ford playing with Jefferson Airplane founder Jorma Kaukonen and the soulful Ruthie Foster at the Cascade. Oh, yeah, and rockabilly wizard Deke Dickerson at Bombay’s. And Slam Buckra with Thom Berry at the Vintage Wine Bar. And Allison Scull and Victor Martin at the Post Office. And the West Street Blues Band at the Downtown Eatery. And Clearcut at Johnny’s.
I wonder how I’ll survive.
