Well, I hit the Shushan Petrosyan concert last night and have some mixed feelings about it. Of course, Shushan is a major talent with star power and commanding stage presense. Her performance was stellar and she gave the crowd exactly what they were looking for. With Shushan being from Armenia, this also gave the concert a novel feel since we don't get Hayastansi performers here often. So, on a basic level, it was a nice time. However, if I were to be critical the show, it was a microcosm of a typical Armenian event that was generally poorly organized. Unfortunately, this is the norm we have come to expect here in our communities. And, I'm not really happy about it. For that, I have a few words. While the organizers had good intentions and certainly worked fairly hard in making this event possible under some difficult circumstances, the final outcome of the product was shoddy, unprofessional, and at times- embarrasing. A late sound check that delayed the show for over an hour, a cheap looking program booklet, rag tag local backup band, and uneven sound marred the evening. For those who choose to look past these problems (as I did for most of the night), one could have come away pretty happy from the whole even. However, I just don't think that Shushan, or the paying crowd deserves an unprofessional and inferior "product". I suspect the Boston community has come to expect this type of amatuerism. I personally feel it's time for a change. Not so much in the people we bring here to perform for us, but a change in the mentality in how we choose to present these performers to the paying crowd. But, more importantly, should we as Armenians ever expect something less than professional? I say no.

In February 2004, I am attempting to bring a big name artist to Boston and New York from Armenia. Instead of offering the opportunity to a large organiziation, instead, I will put together a team of qualified professionals from inside and out of the community, have it privately funded, and charge a little more for the ticket price. I think the difference in product quality will be noticeable. And, in the process, I will prove that if you don't like something in your community, do something about it.

On a lighter note, I am going to name drop here. I finally met Keri Khatchadoorian, an AVC volunteer visiting Boston from Armenia. She is part of the "clan" in Armenia I work with regarding Pomegranate stuff. That group involves the talented Rhoda Manook, "Godfather" Tom Samuelian, Aram Hajian, etc. Good to finally put a face to the name.

I've been in touch with Gor regarding our next album, "Godfather Tom". All systems go and this week we secured a distributor to take care of getting that CD into major record stores. Also, the Hover stuff comes out in September. If anyone in Europe is free in September and would like to help with the Hover UK tour, please contact me.

Peace