JIM HENDRICKS: Nothing’s better than seeing it live

Somebody asked me last week after I mentioned that I hadn’t seen any — not even one — of the movies that were nominated for the Academy Awards for 2016 if I was exaggerating or writing some of that fake news stuff that’s all the rage these days.

I wasn’t doing either. I was, in fact, zilch for however many films were nominated. If you went to see any of the films at a movie house, you did not see me in the audience.

I wasn’t always a movieless person. No. there was a time that I’d hit the movie theater anytime anything that looked remotely halfway interesting was released. But over the years as the ticket and concession prices got higher, the screens got smaller and the wait time at the overpriced popcorn counter got longer, I got out of the habit. And I just haven’t missed it.

Plus, if you really want to watch something, the time has gotten shorter before it comes to pay per view or a satellite TV channel, where I’ve begun the self-annoying habit of recording things to the DVR thingy and never quite getting around to watching them. The comfort, I suppose, is knowing they’re there but can be devoutly ignored, sort of like how some — actually, a lot — of our fellow drivers in Albany regard red lights.

Such is our all-electronic world. In a smorgasbord of entertainment choices, we load up our plates with gigabyte after gigabyte and, in the end, toss most of it in the trash, or at least press confirm for “delete this event.”

A big part of why I’ve given up going to the movies, however, is I’ve also found something better. For a town where people incessantly complain there’s nothing to do, there’s a great deal of high-quality live entertainment waiting to be experienced, especially in the performing arts.

That was evident again when I wrapped up February by catching the final performance of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” a musical based on the songs of Fats Waller. The five-member ensemble cast at Theatre Albany was, in a word, outstanding, backed up by an equally outstanding swing band that featured Gabriel Lawrence tickling the piano keys.

That came on the heels of an Albany Symphony Orchestra concert that featured the world-class TransAtlantic Horn Quartet and a performance by the Albany Chorale at First Presbyterian Church.

All in all, quite an entertaining February.

Two things have struck me about these events.

First, there is a high level of pure-out talent in the Albany community and Southwest Georgia.

Second, why don’t more people take advantage of these concerts and performances?

If you watch a film at a movie theater, on your television, on your tablet or even on your cell phone, you’re seeing something packaged, edited and disseminated for mass consumption.

Go to a show at Theatre Albany, a symphony performance at the Municipal Auditorium or a Chorale concert at a local church and what you see and hear is one of a kind, never to be repeated. Even with seven performances in the run of a play, each show is unique in some way. They’re also a heckuva a lot more social. Chances are you’re going to run up on somebody you know, and there are opportunities to talk with the actors, singers, musicians, directors and conductors.

One other common aspect is these organizations always are struggling for funds. Theatre Albany has a fundraiser coming up March 16 and the symphony has one St. Patrick’s Day evening, though most people’s focus lately has, of course, been on the Jeff Foxworthy storm relief benefit on March 19. I’m hoping these other two, also worthy, fundraisers don’t get lost in the shadow of the big Sunday night show.

But there’s another way to support these local arts programs as well. Buy a ticket and go to a show or a concert. Any financial stress these arts organizations are experiencing can be cured with one simple thing — filled seats. And nothing is more inspiring when a musician plays, an actor performs or a vocalist sings than doing it in front of a full house.

If you haven’t been to one of these local live performances or it’s been a while, give it a try. Theatre Albany and the Albany Symphony have performances scheduled later this month; the Chorale has one next month. Each event will be an entertainment experience that will never be duplicated.

And that movie you recorded? No worries. It’ll still be on the DVR when you get home, so you’ll be able to ignore it again.

Email Jim Hendricks at [email protected]. Follow @ABH_JHendricks on Twitter.