INTERESTING TIMES

I have a couple of serious musicians on my f-list. One is a pianist, the other an opera singer. The singer quit because she finally became fed up with the bullshit that goes along with being a performer. The pianist gives lessons and performances. She is an amazing person, a cancer survivor who realizes she has a second lease on life and wants to live it to the fullest. She was recently lamenting the fact that there are NO more free venues in which she can perform. She lives in Minneapolis and I guess there used to be a few places where performers could do their thing just for the sheer pleasure of performing, but no longer. It bothers her that she has to pay to perform. Can't say I blame her.