Child's Play To the Editor, To the staff of The Weakly in general and the anonymous author(s) of The Skinny in particular: Doesn't it get tiring to be so righteous and so angry all the time? Isn't it about time you lowered your fist and pulled your head from the sand? You guys are classic New Age Liberals--the type who plaster "Hatred is not a family value" stickers on your cars, then go forth and spew a never-ending stream of malicious venom at anyone who doesn't completely agree with you. You know, you often raise some valid points. But your constant, juvenile name-calling has grown so incredibly boring that I can rarely get to your point anymore before it offends me to the point that I stop reading. Your self-righteous rage has gotten as boring as that of the Tucson Commie--excuse me, Comic News. Why don't you start acting like adults? The "Angry Young Man" routine is getting as superannuated as ol' Jeff Smith. --Harry Pletcher Sounds Of The '70s To the Editor, It's uncanny. I thought I was all alone about this new radio station in town. I totally agree with Tom Danehy's review of the station ("Seventies Chic," Tucson Weekly, January 25). I, too, have heard really good diverse '70s stations, and I love them. I do everything I can to have a reason to cross through Las Cruces, New Mexico, just to hear their '70s station. I think the diversity of the music of the '70s is exactly what makes it a great decade of music. I love to hear the old disco music, especially by Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor, and I enjoy what KHIT is playing now, too. I thought it was my imagination that KHIT's music programming was focused on mainstream white artists. I'm not black, but I sure am offended when they claim this is the music most people want to hear, which is exactly the station's response when I called them yesterday and shared the points you made in your review. I spoke to a live person (I didn't get his name) who was very defensive and adamant that this was the music people wanted to hear. He said the programming was set and the selections were a result of a national survey. I asked him why he wasn't receptive to change as his radio ads claim. His response was, basically, "You can't please everyone." I felt angry, discounted and deceived. For weeks this radio station insisted they wanted our input to "build" the station. It's clear to me now this was just a gimmick. My impression is they don't intend to change a thing, no matter what we say. Too bad. I had high hopes for the new station. Now I'm back to scanning the local radio dial and listening to KMIX '70s Saturday Night for the diversity of music I like. --D. Bradley To the Editor, I read Tom Danehy's comments on KHIT and found them interesting ("Seventies Chic," Tucson Weekly, January 25). I don't understand how he can listen to "one solid hour," hear one black artist, and draw the conclusion they "appear to be afraid of black people." Danehy heard, at most, 15 to 20 songs. In order to play 10,000 without repeat, you have the grandmother of all playlists. You are drawing an assumption based on less than .002 of the playlist. I wish I were that prescient, sir. Another point. I grew up in the '70s. Disco was only a segment of the music available, and, in my own biased view, by and large not the best. There was good disco. But the majority of it all sounded the same. Compared to what the likes of George Benson, Steely Dan, the Allman Brothers and others were doing musically at the time, there is no way people like the Village People, Alicia Bridges and K.C. and the Sunshine Band can be considered in the same breath. Disco can't be considered an individual category, anyway. It was more of an artificial construct. Anything that had a beat you could dance to was labeled disco. Don't believe me? Look at the first--and only--group of nominees for Best Disco Recording Grammy. Rod Stewart is in there! But they played him in discos, so he was disco. The label is irrelevant. The Village People won't last. Ray Charles will. Have fun and relax. --Robert Reynolds Editor's note: We've got one question about that promise to play 10,000 songs without any repeats: How come we kept hearing that damn piña colada song? On The Bus To the Editor, Regarding Kelly G. Reese's letter "Ticket To Rant" (Tucson Weekly, January 18): Reese claims to have experienced shock while reading your Skinny item "Busman's Holiday" (Tucson Weekly, December 21). I found the piece hilarious and inspiring. Reese, who expresses disappointment with your mean and uncalled-for comments, doesn't have the sense of humor to see that sometimes part of the challenge of coexisting with the rest of society is finding a way to avoid it. --Michael Kotas Stubbed Toes To the Editor, I would first like to thank the Tucson Weekly for the coverage of the arts and specifically dance. I must however take exception to Margaret Regan's "Troupe Maneuvers," (Tucson Weekly, February 1). The festival was conceived to give exposure in a professional setting to the states' contemporary companies. As was pointed out in the article, two criteria were: one, to be non-profit; and two, to pay the dancers. Companies are not adjudicated nor juried to be part of the festival. For many of the companies this experience provides the only opportunity to be viewed in Phoenix in a proper theatre and the only opportunity to come to Tucson. As Frances Cohen pointed out in the article, contemporary dance is the least appreciated art form in the state. The festival provides the opportunity for audiences to view all of the companies. Some companies are more developed than others, but by performing in the festival and viewing other companies works, it allows for the positive growth process. An article suggesting that there are negative feelings or criticizing a company before personally seeing it is neither fair nor productive for Arizona companies. --Charles F. Fischi To the Editor, I want to thank Margaret Regan for her limited, gossip-ridden, unprofessional preview concerning the Second Annual Contemporary Dance Festival ("Troupe Maneuvers," Tucson Weekly, February 1). It's amazing how she was able to project success of this second performance based on one single, solitary dance performed by The Movement Source Dance Company at the concert last year. It's equally amazing how the negative nit-picking of "one participant" displaying a show of self-aggrandizement can suddenly become "a review." Let me mention at this time that both The Movement Source and Canyon Dance are represented on the Arizona Artist Roster supported by the Arizona Commission for the Arts. Many of The Movement Source dancers were trained at "Arizona State University's strong modern dance program" and hold Master's Degrees in Dance and Dance Education. Let me suggest Regan get her facts straight concerning who these companies are, what they are about, and the artistic growth which has motivated and supported interested, enthusiastic communities. Brochures and numerous performances are available to allow audience members and critics alike to become informed and educated. Somehow the Arizona Contemporary Dance Festival was created to support the professional companies in the state of Arizona, and educate and encourage contemporary audiences. Constructive criticism and informed commentaries are encouraged. However, comment based on non-facts, gossip and hear-say belong in supermarket tabloids such as The National Enquirer. So once again, thank you for your stab at two growing, developing dance companies. The audiences at Movement Source performances are full, even sold-out, containing enthusiastic, returning patrons. I am sure Canyon Dance has the same pleasure. Please come sometime so that you too can write informed, factual reviews based on first-hand experience and knowledge. Your support, encouragement and professional choices are matched in excellence to your clairvoyance concerning future performances. I am sure you examined the bumps on the head of your informer. --Ronelle Jock Assistant Director The Movement Source Dance Company We Want Letters! Thrilled by our brilliant insights? Sick of our mean-spirited attacks? Need to make something perfectly clear? Write: tucsonweekly@tucsonweekly.com

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