The season is ripe and about to turn dank and decayed. It's time to become superstitious and return to the dark Carpathian mountain range. It's October and the Count is waiting.
I have a great copy of Stoker's Dracula. It's hard bound, black and starting to show wear. I have read this Gothic tale every October for years. However, as of late, I've had to read from library copies because I loaned my book to a friend a couple years ago and haven't gotten it back yet. I think she's hoarding it.
I'm not a horror fan unless the horror is primal and in print. Take all of the scary stories ever written and none of them are as creepy and disconcerting as our Count and his habit. We, as a people, do not like to be eaten. We also have a natural propensity to avoid eternal damnation at the cold bony hands of the agents of dark. So the story of an ancient, cadaverous ghoul who drinks our life's blood effectively damning us to eternal living-deadness is scary. But at this time of the year, when neighborhood cats begin to watch us with dark intent, I do like to be put on edge by stories of doom and supernatural damage. Dracula is not the vampire of modern perspective. He is not the bearer of sexy looks and romantic attraction. Those incarnations are for teenagers. Dracula is a monster of the foulest sort. He has no stake in love. His purpose is self preservation at the expense of us all. He's a fellow that lurks in the dark corners, and creeps up the stairs while your toes stick out from the covers, so he can bite them off. His castle is black, and icy with death, and unholy spooks. Reading Dracula, insanity and emptiness wrap you as you witness the horrible power and waste brought by the Count. Hope is a dream as the good Doctor and his heroes fight to destroy this original dark lord. It's horribly-perfect reading when the wind turns cool and dying leaves rattle through the empty yards and streets.
Lots of vampire movies are around. The scariest and creepiest is the original, Nosforatu. It's never been improved on.
Another October tradition for me is to listen to the broadcast of War of the Worlds performed by Orson Wells and Mercury Theater actors on Halloween night, 1938. I have a cd of that broadcast and it's great fun to listen to. Wells started the Mercury Theater on the Air in 1938 in New York with John Houseman. Interestingly, the first broadcast by the Mercury Theater was a reading of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Below is Orson Wells on Halloween night during his War of the Worlds performance.
Curious serendipity.
Leaving work on Tuesday, 23rd, September, I glanced up at the giant electric video screen that advertises the coming attractions for the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Theater, symphony, ballet, etc. Coming soon was a performance of Mahler's 1st symphony. I don't know that much about Gustav Mahler, so on a whim and curious, I steered my bike to the main branch of the public library where I check out classical music cds.
I collected my cds and joined the gathering crowed in the large main hall of the library. In front of local news cameras, the mayor spoke with wit and pomp and soon unveiled the new book for the fall season. The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett. It's a hardboiled detective novel. Hammett also created the character Sam Spade of his classic The Maltese Falcon. After press questions and photographs, the mayor wrapped up his speech and encouraged everyone to read more and read often. Inspired, I grabbed a copy of the book off the top of the large stack and walked to the check-out kiosk straight away. Hammet and Mahler under arm, I peddled home.
Two days later, I greeted the Maestro, Jeffery Kahane, the Colorado Symphonies music director. The Maestro has breakfast at the restaurant often during the performance season of the symphony. As I poured his coffee, I notice that he was studying sheet music for Mahler's 1st symphony. I told the Maestro that, after seeing the sign announcing the Mahler performances, I had recently checked out some of his symphonies and that I was enjoying them. Looking pleased, the Maestro brightened, and asked if I would like to attend this weekends performance. I responded eagerly that I would love the opportunity, however, two of my parents were coming to town this weekend. I asked if I would be able to bring them as well. He agreed without hesitation and asked for my email address. He would ensure that four tickets would be waiting for me at will-call, Saturday night. The Maestro encouraged us to please come back stage after the performance and say hello. In gratitude, I took care of the Maestro's breakfast.
I'd followed my curiosity, which lead me to the library to find new music. The visit lead me to an audience with the mayor and an introduction to a book written by an author that I'd never read before. Having recently listened to Mahler's symphonies allowed me to start a conversation with the Maestro on a subject that was dear to him. This conversation lead to four free tickets to the symphony and a great evening with my family. Moral? Follow your curiosity, cool stuff follows.
Have a good weekend, and Godspeed, John Glenn,
Dave
Leaving work on Tuesday, 23rd, September, I glanced up at the giant electric video screen that advertises the coming attractions for the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Theater, symphony, ballet, etc. Coming soon was a performance of Mahler's 1st symphony. I don't know that much about Gustav Mahler, so on a whim and curious, I steered my bike to the main branch of the public library where I check out classical music cds.
As I rode up to the bike racks at the library, I rode past a fellow painting a picture of the new wing of the art museum. It's interesting to see people painting from life in the open air, something I've never done.
Inside the Library I walked through the main corridor towards the music section. At the music bins, I flipped through the 'M' section 'till I found Mahler's 1st symphony. I pulled a few more selections from the shelves and headed towards the checkout desk. As I waited in line, a voice came over the speakers announcing that the mayor, would be announcing this years book choice for the One Book, One Denver community reading program.
I collected my cds and joined the gathering crowed in the large main hall of the library. In front of local news cameras, the mayor spoke with wit and pomp and soon unveiled the new book for the fall season. The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett. It's a hardboiled detective novel. Hammett also created the character Sam Spade of his classic The Maltese Falcon. After press questions and photographs, the mayor wrapped up his speech and encouraged everyone to read more and read often. Inspired, I grabbed a copy of the book off the top of the large stack and walked to the check-out kiosk straight away. Hammet and Mahler under arm, I peddled home.
Two days later, I greeted the Maestro, Jeffery Kahane, the Colorado Symphonies music director. The Maestro has breakfast at the restaurant often during the performance season of the symphony. As I poured his coffee, I notice that he was studying sheet music for Mahler's 1st symphony. I told the Maestro that, after seeing the sign announcing the Mahler performances, I had recently checked out some of his symphonies and that I was enjoying them. Looking pleased, the Maestro brightened, and asked if I would like to attend this weekends performance. I responded eagerly that I would love the opportunity, however, two of my parents were coming to town this weekend. I asked if I would be able to bring them as well. He agreed without hesitation and asked for my email address. He would ensure that four tickets would be waiting for me at will-call, Saturday night. The Maestro encouraged us to please come back stage after the performance and say hello. In gratitude, I took care of the Maestro's breakfast.
I'd followed my curiosity, which lead me to the library to find new music. The visit lead me to an audience with the mayor and an introduction to a book written by an author that I'd never read before. Having recently listened to Mahler's symphonies allowed me to start a conversation with the Maestro on a subject that was dear to him. This conversation lead to four free tickets to the symphony and a great evening with my family. Moral? Follow your curiosity, cool stuff follows.
Have a good weekend, and Godspeed, John Glenn,
Dave
