Contributed by Elise G.
I was raised in New York City. As a child, we went on class trips to the Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History and even small museums like the Ukrainian Museum. But as an adult, I never visit these places. Why? I felt that I’d seen it all.
On the other hand, most of my closest friends, who were raised elsewhere and moved here, are enamored by the culture. They enjoy going to gallery openings, visiting photography shows, seeing live music and watching Broadway shows. However, I always turned down their cultural invitations. My unwillingness to experience these forms of art & entertainment didn’t really make sense to me since I appreciated art (I was an art major!) and enjoyed plays, operas and dance performances. Then last year, I asked myself why was I staying in my house? I decided that I needed to put myself out there. I checked through the local listings for events and got off my couch.
I went to listen to some bands I never heard before, visited the Jewish Museum, saw the Frogs exhibit at the Museum of National History and went to a dance concert. Truthfully, I didn’t enjoy the band we saw but I did enjoy going out with my friends. I had to fight back tears when I visited the Jewish Museum but I learned a lot. The Museum of National History hasn’t changed since I was a kid but the Frogs Exhibit was great. The Chinese acrobats were amazing—I had no idea the body could be contorted in such ways. I enjoyed this show so much that I plan to see it again next year.
While most of my culture experiments have been more okay then eye-popping, I am glad I am exploring the city I was born in. I had taken it for granted for years and now I am truly appreciating it.
How have you been doing with your Arts & Entertainment New Year’s Resolutions? Write in and tell us. Your progress might even become the focus of our next story in June.
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