|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
Also this issue: Sometimes They Come Back Public Spaces Under Attack Not Who You Think |
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||||||
August 8-14, 2002
mailbag
(Re: Cover story, “Awesome Power,” Marc Kravitz, Aug. 1, 2002)
In Marc Kravitz's cover story about Inquirer dining critic Craig LaBan, restaurateur Greg Welsh laments that critics "really understand one aspect of our business, and that's the final product." May I offer a solution to Welsh's quandary? Simply post a notice on your front window or menu advising customers, "If you don't like our food, service or ambience, remember: There's more to us than our final product!" Your list of "Today's Specials" could be accompanied by a similar list of "Today's Excuses," which all customers would surely take into account when evaluating their meals.
Come to think of it, similar warnings could be applied to movies, concerts, books, newspapers, schools, airlines, hairstylists, weight-loss programs, employment agencies, investment advisers, dating services, the search for Osama bin Laden, you name it.
The evidence provided by Kravitz's article suggests to me that LaBan is more conscientious and clear-sighted about serving his constituents than the quoted restaurateurs are about serving theirs. As one of LaBan's constituents -- a reader who hungers for honest and knowledgeable feedback about where to spend my dining dollars -- I'm grateful for LaBan's independence and dedication.
Incidentally, some City Paper readers may complain that I could have made this point more incisively. In my defense, let me point out that right now I'm writing a book, my house is being painted, my computer is acting up, one of the fluorescent light bulbs in my office just conked out, and the temperature's been above 90 degrees for a week now. So please -- don't judge this letter solely on the final product.
Dan Rottenberg
Philadelphia
I really have no sympathy for these crybaby owners of restaurant projects who spend $1.1 million on the designers' fee for the wall coverings and $69.95 for the server training video. I'm a bit of a reviewer myself.
I review my bank account after dropping multi-bucks at hip and trendy spots. And what do I ask in return? Stop looking for the guy whose pic is hanging in the prep room and remember that my party's money is the same color. I respect Greg Welsh; I've eaten at all of his restaurants, along with countless others throughout the area. I've been a Zagat contributor for six years. But LaBan is correct in many a skewering. Get over it. Take the suggestions and improve.
I immediately went to Trust; we were planning a trip anyway. We had a good meal, and some fun. Former Inquirer critic Elaine Tait loved everyone. That was her thing. If this city is going to make a run at N.Y.C., the restaurateurs better take LaBan to heart. Now get in the kitchen and cook!
Joe Zickel
Philadelphia
(Re: Cover story, “Today Philadelphia, Tomorrow the World,” Debra Auspitz, July 25, 2002)
Who is this Debra Auspitz? And why is she being allowed to write the most uninformed articles in your paper about the Philadelphia dance and theater community? I am appalled and embarrassed to be included in an article about "movement theater" when there is no mentioning of the artists and work of Group Motion Dance Co., Zero Moving or Melanie Stewart Dance Theater. This hybrid form has been happening here in Philly for over 20 years and was the reason I moved here -- not because of cheap rent or a fear of not making it in New York. I saw great artists investigating the making of art as a form of communication of deeply felt concerns and passions. I wanted to learn from them and be a part of such a community. Now I can see that many are relocating here today because it is so easy to come in and claim new territory when the city's press so absent-mindedly forgets its history. This trend must stop. For Debra's next article, please point her to the archives and have her research her topic. She would be amazed at what has been happening in this city since the 1970s.
Paule Turner,
a.k.a. Duchess
Philadelphia
Editor in Chief David Warner replies: Agreed, the theater/dance hybrid can hardly be said to originate with NewPigLong. Context is important, and City Paper in its 20-plus years of arts coverage has spotlighted all of the companies you mention. But the focus of this article was on two theater companies and a dance organization notable for how they have intersected -- hence the nickname. We didn't make up the name. We didn't make up the extraordinary level of support they've been given of late. Is it talent? Is it marketing? Maybe it's a combination of the two. In any case, their work is ambitious, intelligent and witty, and it's getting noticed beyond Philadelphia. That's news. Do we mean to imply that no one else in the city is doing work of equal quality? That no one else has ever explored similar territory or won acclaim outside the city? Of course not. But if we must do a survey of the art form every time we highlight a particular artist just to ward off the cries of "why not him?" and "why not them?" and "why not me?" then we might as well turn the whole publication into The Book of Lists.
In the June 27 cover story "Islam Inside," Minister Rodney Muhammad is quoted as saying, "Americans should know that bin Laden and Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman are not teaching true Islam." Minister Muhammad says he did not use the term "true" Islam, and does not characterize any religion, or any sect or faction of any religion true or false.
 |
-- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there |
