BSR is a hyper-local arts publication. We don't run stories about national politics or punditry about presidential antics. What we do run are stories that encourage you every week to get out into your community and experience different perspectives -- on a gallery wall, on a stage, at a festival, or at a museum. This brings us together, inspires us, powers our empathy, and keeps us invested in our community. We are going to need that energy in the coming months.
Given a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I think it's ironic that we celebrate our independence from monarchical power this week. If you're hitting a picnic, a parade, or some fireworks for the Fourth, be sure to also think about where we're heading as a country and what your role, however small, might be in creating (or saving) the country you want to live in. In case you missed it last week, I recommend this review of a new show at the National Liberty Museum: In Pursuit: Artists' Perspectives on a Nation.
Other reviews fresh this week include a highly recommended new production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, a look at several exciting local choreographers, and the latest at the Barnes.
You might find yourself feeling overwhelmed right now with the national news. Remember that you are allowed to take a breath, find a distraction, and do something you enjoy. For a lot of us, that means the arts, whether it's some good TV, a favorite novel, a concert, or a painter you love. Maybe it means breaking out your own art supplies. It's all valid. It's all a vital way to keep going when it feels impossible. BSR is here to feed that piece of your mind and heart.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
