Lucky enough to be invited to host a table for the Baker Artists Awards at the Baltimore book Festival. Now Alonzo did not himself WIN a Baker Artist Award, but had a great time speaking to a variety of folks about “the playwright life” and “B-Side Man”. Baker Artist tends to focus on literary arts, and other genres — performing, interdisciplinary, poetry and the intersections of them there other disciplines. But merrily I roll along, doling out my simple little plays (inject some passive-aggressive kinda emoji).

Which brings me back to the happy happy time I had at the Festival. It was a unique experience speaking with folks at their very first Book Festival, or others with that always effervescent “been there, done that” demeanor. Everybody’s really hoping to rub elbows with some genuine “creatives”. Have a lil fairy dust float their way. Boyfriends being led along by Girlfriends hoping to catch a little culture, or just showing their BF that they’ve got aspirations. Or maybe young women with other young women artfully revealing to each other their creative writing bonafides. “I’ve read everything she wrote.” That’s how things rolled along, like one long literary art basel.

It was a delight explaining what I do, what Baker Artists Awards can do (and did I mention that Alonzo DID NOT win a Baker Artist Award?). Somehow the world is such a better place when you’re able to encounter playwrights-in-the-wild. I think that’s kinda what we are to people. Exotic creatures with “dramatic” secrets. “Lion and Tigers and Bears — oh my!”

Hey, brush up on your Tin Man.