For the past four nights, I have taken in some sort of live arts & entertainment. Not the TV, not the movies, not a sporting event, not shopping for pottery, not trying to hook up in the meat market. Just four types of expression, four different venues, four completely different crowds, four reactions.

First Stop was a downtown bar on late night Wednesday. I had just completed a 12-hour stint in the cab, so I was sleepy but obliged to see the band called Missing In Albuquerque. My band had been offered the gig that night at the last minute, but my guitarists had conflicts. I gave the name and number of a friend's band who told me they were hungry to play out, and sure enough, they got the gig.

When I arrived, I was a bit tuckered but determined to watch at least a set. The place had plenty of folks, mostly friends of the band. The trio grooved, and I put back three pints of Guinness before I started to fade. A couple girls flirted with me but I was just too tired to pursue. Ironically, they were my best chances to hook up out of any of the four events. That's just how it goes sometimes. Right place, wrong time.

On Thursday, my band had practice until 10, but I caught the end of something called The Shadow Lounge at a performance space called Out ch'Yonda. They were trying to raise money to pay the rent, so they brought in poets, rappers, DJs and the like to perform. I got there three hours after it started, but I still wanted to kick down ten bucks for the cause. The printed invite said it cost $10/o.b.o. so I figured I would pay what they asked.

When I flipped past a couple twenties to give the lady a ten, she looked at me funny and said "That's it?" I said "Yeah, what do you want?" She explained that rent on the place was $1200 a month to which I replied "Well, you better find 120 friends." After that, she took the money and said nothing else. One annoying aspect of starving artists is that they beg way too much. I have more change in my pocket than I used to, but it's hard for me to believe any local entertainment is worth more than $10. I've done plenty of research on the subject.

For my ten bucks, I got a bowl of green chili stew, a cup of Chamomile tea, and an hour and a half of white hip-hop rappers and beat boxers. One duo was called A.D.D. and the other group was The Mantis Fist. Both groups were actually pretty good, although only a dozen people were left by the end. All the poets and DJs had gone home because they had already performed. This is my beef with most performers on multiple bill shows. Far too many bands and performers cut and run after their set is over. They don't stick around to watch other people do their thing. It's hard to create the Utopian art community when the artists themselves find it a burden to support each other.

Friday night was the opening of a local theatre production of Tartuffe by Moliere. I helped design the lights for the show, so I got in for free. The result was rather enjoyable. Once you get used to the rhyming couplets that spew out of everyone's mouth, there were some really nice performances, including an old buddy of mine who played the hypocritically pious Tartuffe.

The director, also an old buddy, made the comparison between Tartuffe and President Bush. Hmmm, a religious man who says one thing and does another. I think I get the connection. The house was nearly full, and most enjoyed what they saw. I stuck around for the opening night party. When theatre is good, it puts a smile on my face.

Finally, I scrambled to make it to the last performance of a one man show called X-ray on Saturday. Again, I knew the director. It was about an Australian man who is being held in prison at Guantanamo Bay. The story was all right, but the acting was a little lifeless for a guy who is imprisoned. About a dozen people watched along with me, and the hour-long tale just sort of went along for everyone. The message was good, but the delivery was lacking.

Four nights of culture. Four types of expression. Easy going rock, hip hop, good old play, and a stiff one man show. I saw a lot of talent, a lot of expression, and a lot of effort. All with different crowds and results. There are thousands of people in my town alone who are doing the artistic thing, and some of them are pretty good at what they do. I even learn a few things from the failures.

It always helps to go out and see what the artists are doing. I invite all of you to go out and see what your community artists have to offer over this Thanksgiving weekend. I bet every venue could use at least 120 friends.

Chris Jungle is on artistic overload and plans to sedate himself Sunday with football and a movie.