Snapshot Chronicles

Susan Getgood's personal blog

Like dogs? Consider attending a dog show.

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A dog show is a great way to learn more about the different activities you can do with your dog as well as talk with dog breeders about the breeds you might be interested in owning as a household pet. There’s a show going on in every region of the country just about every weekend. MBF-Inc., probably the largest dog show superintendent in the country maintains a list at infodog.com.

There’s a lot more going on at a dog show than just conformation — the breed, group and Best-In-Show judging that you might be familiar with from watching Westminster or Eukanuba on TV. Many all-breed shows include performance events like obedience, agility and rally.

Live in New England?

My all-breed dog club, Ladies’ Dog Club, holds its annual spring show Saturday May 30th at the Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds in Wrentham, MA and the specialty show for my regional breed club, the Scottish Terrier Club of New England, is the previous day Friday May 29th in the same place. I’ve pasted the press release for the all-breed show below. If you are interested in getting a purebred dog or just want to know what it’s all about, it’s a great place to start.

Hope to see you there!

PRESS RELEASE
Ladies’ Dog Club Spring Dog Show Returns to
Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds Wrentham on Saturday May 30th

Wrentham, MA (May 12, 2009) — Ladies’ Dog Club is pleased to invite the public to its 116th Dog Show, to be held Saturday, May 30, 2009 at the Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds, located on the grounds of the Wrentham Developmental Center in Wrentham, MA. More than 2000 dogs, including some of the top dogs in the country, are expected to be entered in the show. The show will be open from 8 am to 6 pm.

In addition to conformation competition in the seven AKC groups — Sporting, Hounds, Working, Terriers, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding – and Best-In Show, the 2009 show includes two performance events: an Obedience Trial and a Rally Trial.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the general public to learn more about the different activities they can do with their dogs as well as talk with dog breeders about the breeds they are interested in owning as household pets.  They can also browse more than 30 vendors of dog related products, offering everything from the basics needed for dog care to unique dog-related items and collectibles.

The previous day, Friday May 29, 2009,   many regional breed clubs will be holding their specialty dog shows at the Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds. This year, these clubs are: Irish Setter Club of New England, English Setter Club of New England, Cocker Spaniel Breeders Club of New England,  Yankee Golden Retriever Club,  Colonial Afghan Hound Club, Inc., Middlesex Boxer Club, Pilgrim Doberman Pinscher Club, Inc., Scottish Terrier Club of New England, Yankee Siberian Husky Club, Poodle Club of Massachusetts, and  Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club.

Spectator admission to the Ladies’ Dog Club show on Saturday May 30th is $4 for adults and $2 for senior citizens/children (12 and under), or $10 per car. For more information about the show, including directions and judging times, please visit the show information page on InfoDog at http://infodog.com/clubs/2009161801.htm

CONTACT: Susan Getgood, 978 562 5979, sgetgood@getgood.com

Spring fever for the birds

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I’ve got quite a few new birds at the feeders this year. So far I’ve spotted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Baltimore Oriole. All the woodpeckers are still coming as well as the cardinal pair and the goldfinches. We also had two ruby-throated hummingbird males battling each other for the territory of the hummer feeder yesterday. I got some pictures, which I will post later this week. Made me wish I could get even closer than I do with my telephoto lens, so I am going to save up for a teleconverter to add to my kit.

TV Report: season finales of Fringe and Bones this week, then we’ll have a dry spell until the return of Eureka, Leverage and Burn Notice this summer. Unfortunately, other favorite Life was cancelled and still no word on Chuck.

This month, I’ll mostly be writing on the new blog Snapshot Chronicles Roadtrip and catching up on all the topics in queue for my professional blog Marketing Roadmaps so I may not be here for a while.

Unless of course I make it to the Star Trek movie, in which case I will DEFINITELY share my thoughts with you!

Spring Awakening

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We saw the musical Spring Awakening yesterday. I knew it had won quite a few Tonys in 2007, so had pretty high expectations, but didn’t know much else.

I was blown away.

The juxtaposition of the 1890s setting of the story and the pop-rock score lets us enjoy the performances on multiple levels. First, there is the play about upper class morality and repression in late 19th century Germany — and let’s not miss the point that we still suffer from many of the same social ills and stupidity. Layered within that play is the inner monologue sung and danced by the teenage protagonists. The score is superb, and can easily be enjoyed on its own as a pop-rock album, but the choreography is what makes the story on stage. Abrupt, angry and awkward when expressing teen angst, both sweet and awkward when exploring the “spring awakening” of the principal couple.

The performances. Superb, every one. Not a single false note.

Other things I really liked.
The first act is exhuberant. There is an underlying angst, but there is also hope. It ends with Wendla and Melchior making love. The second act, on the other hand, brings down all the repression of the time. There is little hope, at least until the end. This is punctuated by using the lovemaking between Wendla and Melchior to end the first and begin the second. The actors do the same movements, but in the opening to the second act, it’s framed by repression and guilt, not youthful joy and hesitancy at the unknown. And as one of the characters tells us, things get worse….

Only one actor and actress for all the adult roles. Apart from the practical, that none of the adult “parts” are that big, using only two actors underscores how faceless repression is. It’s not about people or feelings. It’s about rules and regulations.

Yes, the second act song Totally Fucked is a great anthem for our times. Let’s face it, haven’t we all felt that way at one time? But you have to see it on stage to really appreciate it –both the way it fits the storyline and the amazing choreography. This clip on YouTube from the 2007 Tonys gives you some idea — it’s the last song on the clip — but the initial delivery of the opening line — “There’s a moment you know… you’re fucked” — is priceless.

And not on the clip.

So, see it if you can. Next stops on the National Tour after it leaves Boston at the end of May are Pittsburgh, Louisville and Baltimore.

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Spring Awakening is based on a 19th century play of the same name that had been banned for years for its discussion of teenage sexuality, rape, abortion and suicide. If you’d like to know more about the storyline, and the differences between the play and the musical, check out the Wikipedia entry.