One of the nice things about the time we spend in New Orleans is that I never run out of things to write about. Returning home to Boise feels like maybe I have nothing new to say — but that’s not true. It’s just that I lose my perspective wandering in the forest of familiarity.
Since we returned home this time I’ve been thinking of how I might view my life in Boise through NOLA-tinted glasses. Through the “Bon Temps Le Boi” lense, if you see where I’m going.
In New Orleans we focus on the celebration of food, art, music, and the creativity, originality, and humor with which people consistently express themselves. Last I looked, we have all of those things in ample supply right here in little ol’ Boy-see, Idahome.
So, Mike and I are recommitting to celebrating the art-filled life we have available to us right here. We are starting by getting out as much as possible and participating in what Boise has to offer. Like this week: First Thursday in June…
We began our evening at Gallery 518 where we saw the exhibition ‘everything needn’t always be something’ by Tomas Montano. It is something.
“Rosabel” by Tomas on the Cover of the Boise Weekly
Then we dropped by the Art Source gallery to see Ann Sorenson’s work,
including her watercolor “Bridge to Boise”….
And while there happened to meet an unexpected, and charming character, Randy B. Fowler.
On our way to Freak Alley we ran into Colby —
the guy who started the freak ball rolling when he drew all over this door:
I’m glad we live in a city that doesn’t just tolerate, but actually celebrates street art.
There was even some live music on the street, like the folk/pop songs of Fiona Luray and her partner Lettie who were playing out in front of Artisan Optics.
Our last art stop of the evening was Evermore Gallery where we met Samuel Paden the featured artist,
and ran into several friends, including Lawrence Manning, who told me he and Betty Mallorca are renovating another building in Nampa in addition to their current home and gallery space, Track 13. I guess we’ll get to include Nampa in our new perspective.
All that art walking and talking made us hungry so we headed to Old Chicago for a bite afterwards. It might not have been Oysters Rockafeller or Crawfish Ettoufe, but the Jamaican Jerk chicken wings I had hit the spot nonetheless.
Art, music, unique characters, and food. I think Boise’s got it all.
Bon Temps Le Boi!!
