We indulged in a special treat last night — a concert by Maura O’Connell at the Grove Theater (High Places Community Church), benefiting Contact Helpline of Oak Ridge.
With a strong, rich voice that soaks and warms like good Shiraz, O’Connell held the audience enchanted for a couple of hours, completely forgetting the bitter cold outside.
For a sampling, see this YouTube clip. During intermission, I heard that the new Moondollars Cafe in Jackson Square now has beer on tap — good beer. Seems that Oak Ridge is picking up the tempo on places to go, things to do, and people to see. I like it.
In the small town (much smaller than OR) near where my parents retired in upstate NY, there is a re-habbed theater that has become an area venue for live music and theater. The music is varied, but mostly folk and classical. The theater is remarkably sophisticated–we saw Sondheim’s “Into the woods” there.
The people who run the place are back-to-nature types with modest lifestyles, but they understand business and are dedicated to their community. The area is somewhat more rural than OR (nothing the size of Knoxpatch as close by), but this has been a ongoing cultural resource for at least the last 15 years. If they can do it, so can OR.