Take a walk to see some art in Manitou

Sometimes I start listening to people talk about how the local arts scene is in trouble. And then I get out and experience it, and I can't help but feel optimistic. There may be financial challenges, but the artistic levels have rarely been higher.

I strolled through Manitou Springs' Art Immersion on Saturday. From the 20th anniversary art show and Author Fest at the Business of Art Center to the newest cutting-edge three-dimensional works at WeUsOur, with live music flowing onto the sidewalks everywhere we went ... what an amazing experience.

The highlight of the Art Immersion was sketched on the sidewalks themselves. Frank Gray, an artist from Green Horse Gallery, had organized a sidewalk chalk exhibition. On Oct. 2 and 3, about 100 students from several area high schools created one delight after another - animals, reproductions of famous masterpieces, references to the nearby businesses. A shame it's history after the next rainstorm. (To see them, check out the Colorado Springs Arts Blog at csartsblog.freedomblogging.com.)

My arts treks continued on Sunday, when I took the family to see "The Grapes of Wrath" by TheatreWorks. This was the most powerful drama I've seen staged in Colorado Springs in years. The set seemed minimal - just wood planks and sheer curtains. But there were wonders beneath, just as there were wonders in the cast. The show runs two more weekends. Don't miss it.

Live opera at the movies

Kathleen Collins, a member of just about every arts-related board in town, had been raving to me about "The Met: Live in HD" at Cinemark, Hollywood and Tinseltown.

"It's fabulous," she said.

Really? I told her I didn't quite get this idea. Live opera at the movies. Hmm.

I asked her to join the Culture Crew and write something about these shows. Rather than just send her thoughts, she grabbed a notebook, became a reporter and wrote this piece for us:

What's opera, doc?

Colorado Springs audiences are enthusiastically lining up at the movie theaters and filling two theaters on Saturday mornings.

Why would someone go to the movie theater and pay much more than the price of a regular movie ticket to watch an opera?

"This is one of the most exciting innovations of the technological century," said fan Nasit Ari. "I can't go to the Met, but I can go to the movie house. The camera takes me closer than any seat at The Met and the drama is real."

His daughter Nisa added, "The atmosphere of seeing an opera at the movie theater is a completely unique experience - from wearing casual clothes to eating popcorn. My friends and I have a lot of fun seeing great operas up close and near."

Martha Booth, musician and opera lover added, "It's really quite wonderful - the camera can bring you things that you can't possibly get in a big hall. The intermission features and interviews with singers are entertaining, as are the backstage and orchestra pit shots - you feel as if you really are there. It's a brand-new art form, although nothing can duplicate the live opera experience."

Barbara Webb, longtime arts patron chimed in - "Why would I not pay $24 instead of $150 to see a Met Opera?"

KATHLEEN COLLINS

DETAILS 
The next broadcast will be "Salome," 11 a.m. Saturday at Cinemark, Hollywood and Tinseltown. For more info, go to www.cinemark.com/metropolitan_opera.asp.