Music, music, music filled the Sheraton ballroom as Arnie Ness and Freeman Fong led us in song followed by Seattle Opera tenor, Joshua Stuart, who performed excerpts from the Opera’s current production of Charlie Parker’s Yardbird. 

 

Joel Paget’s inspiration called on us to live in the moment and value what matters.  He quoted a famous mufti who said, “Do not neglect the link with our maker.  That is the only way to keep our sanity during these times.” 

 

Our featured presenter, Seattle Opera’s General Director, Christine Scheppelmann gave a reasoned and impassioned plea for the importance of the arts in our daily life.  “Imagine a city with no arts at all,” she said.  There would be no radio, theater, dance, movies, architecture, books, libraries, museums, or music.  We would live in a cultural desert barren of art in its broadest definition and devoid of attractions for the creative class of workers we need.”