My goal for LocalArtsLive in the 2011/2012 season was to immerse myself in classical music concerts, write about as many as I could, and get the word out about the existence of LocalArtsLive.  That goal was achieved after attending over 80 concerts and writing 60 or more articles; and the results are a growing community.  It's a joy to run into people I met last year at almost every concert I attend now. 

The 2012/2013 arrives with a new goal.  If LocalArtsLive is going to survive past this season, I must spend more time developing sources of income and taking care of organizational duties.  As a result, I will attend fewer concerts, featured events will be scheduled as requested, and newsletters will be sent out roughly every 2-3 weeks.  On the other hand, I've increased the frequency of status updates in Facebook and Twitter, so if you are interested in day-to-day updates, please follow LocalArtsLive there.  LocalArtsLive.com contains a steady stream of information from various sources on its front page, and the LocalArtsLive Weekly newspaper displays current information according to tweets from the past week.  

If you would like your event to be featured, please make sure you are a member of LocalArtsLive and that the event is listed in the PhillyFunGuide.  Once those items are in place, just upload a 650x400 landscape image to LocalArtsLive, and notify me via a message here.  You may also send me email with an attached image.

I've completed a rough plan for which events I will attend this year, and it's rather mind boggling.  Even with a reduced schedule, there are so many interesting concerts that it was difficult to pick and choose.  My first priority was to make sure I attended concerts of members who I have not seen yet.  After that, I tried to make sure I made it to as many member concerts as possible.  For a taste of some of the outstanding programming for this year, just take a look at this weekend in February:

2/22 - Piffaro and Orchestra 2001 - The Winds of Yore and Now

2/23 - Philadelphia Orchestra - Philadelphia Firsts

2/24 - Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Club - Beethoven and Gill

Each of these concerts combines unique collaborations, an interesting program, and a great mixture of contemporary and historic music.  In fact, they include two world premiers.  I hope to attend all three concerts, and maybe I'll see you there, too!