Chasing Culture

My husband has been having a time locating the Hip Hop / Spoken Word culture in Las Vegas. A few Hip Hop concerts notwithstanding, the underground scene is either non-existent or so subterranean that only the mole people know its coordinates. There have been open mic nites and spoken word slams that my husband has penciled into his calendar, only to find upon arrival that the venue is closed, the event is postponed, or the talent is lacking. Last night, our first night off together in weeks (besides our weekly day off), we planned to check out an open mic Spoken Word slam that he heard about weeks ago. Once we got to the venue, there was no sign of human life anywhere in, out or around the club. Apparently, the event is moving to another venue and the new nite is TBA. And while there are lots of shows and night clubs here in Vegas, you really have to do some homework to find something different to do. Disappointed, we headed to our safe haven, the movie theater, only to find the selections we hadn't seen yet a bit bland. Luckily, I picked up a free weekly guide to Las Vegas entertainment, determined to find something different. And sure enough I did - a drive-in movie! Being a city girl, drive-ins are a novelty. I've only been to a drive-in twice in my life, about twenty years ago, in New Jersey (aw, remember, ANN and RMC?) and that was just the coolest thing to me. There's something ironic about the fact that a fixture of Americana of yore would be such a novelty in the new millenium, what with all the current technological pickings - IMAX, Digital Surround Sound. No, the drive-in is just pure, simple fun, sitting in your car, radio tuned in (that's about as far as drive-ins have matured technologically). No worries about sharing arm rests with strangers, popcorn crunching in your ear. The drive-in reminds me of childhood days of making tents in your bedroom - the place is familiar (your bedroom, your car) but you are still transported to a new world. We saw "Bug" which I do recommend. As I do recommend "Mr. Brooks" which we saw last week. Anyway, last night, I felt like we were champions, taking the disappointment of the evening by the reins, and with some innovation and thinking out-of-the-box, turning it into a really memorable and fun night!