FORUMS & LETTERS


Editor,

I am saddened to see that Atención needs to lower its standards in its advertising, i.e., the El Market Bistro ad for one, to a level that can only be seen as pornographic, for the sake of profit. This is a time when more and more women are being portrayed as less than human and worthy of respect, in some cases seen as a mere “sex object.” It is irresponsible for Atención to add to the demeaning manner in which women are portrayed. It detracts from all when a woman is used in such a manner to promote anything. Does the bottom line justify degrading women? Psychological studies have shown that pornography has led to further violence against women of all ages. I, for one, would like to see all people, especially women, presented in a respectable manner. Sincerely, Jack Driscoll

Editor,

This is a big tip of the sombrero to the Jazz and Blues Festival sponsors. The four of us would like to thank our sponsors and supporters for helping us throw a great week-long party (otherwise known as the 14th International Jazz and Blues Festival).

Next time you pass 2008’s lead sponsor Vista Antigua’s sign, remember that we couldn’t have afforded Grammy winner Antonio Sanchez’s opening night concert (not to mention the nightly iPod Shuffle giveaway) without the generous support of Jim Dolan, Nancy Howze and the whole Coates/Dolan team.

And the next time you see an ad for Viajes San Miguel, consider that they donated airport pickups and drop-offs for well over 20 performers, journalists and spouses. All of that in exchange for an ad in our program? That’s pretty amazing.

Judy and Jim Newell of Perfect Journeys saved us thousands of dollars in artist airfares. GoTourSMA also helped out. Please show your appreciation to them, and the following restaurants that fed our hungry guest artists: Berlin, Romanos, El Market Bistro, Andanza, Hecho en Mexico, Vivoli, Burrito Bistro, El Pegaso, Harry’s, Los Faroles, Planta Baja, Ten Ten Pie, Casa Payo, La Crepe and the heroic Café Santa Ana in the Biblioteca, which offered breakfast to all 18 members of the NIU Big Band.

We received outstanding support from several hotels and B&Bs: Casa de Sierra Nevada, Casa Imaginación, Dos Casas, Casa Misha, Hotel Real de Minas, La Puertecita, Hotel Villa Mirasol, and San Miguel’s newest B&B, Casa Florida. (Thanks also to Fran and Mike Schiavo, Lynne Slattery and Barbara Porter for housing the talent.)

We received invaluable help from Consejo Turístico, Cantos de Los Santos, Bancomer, Estado de Guanajuato, La Conexión, La Luciérnaga, Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, www.visitmexico.com, Music: Life Magazine, Jazziz Magazine, AMHM and Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes. Yamaha/Mexico and the Bach Music School of Querétaro deserve to be applauded for providing the piano, electric keyboards and drum set used by most of the acts.

Once again, Carol Lopes led a fantastic group of volunteers and though there is not enough room in this letter to acknowledge them individually, we know who they are and we thank them all. Steve and Lynn Weisberg and Humberto Fossi really stepped up to the plate this year as well, so a big gracias to them.

And finally, we’d never tackle a project this ambitious without the support of Suzanne Ludekens and the staff of Atención. These people care deeply about supporting and nurturing the cultural life of our city, and we appreciate them.

Thanks for listening!

Antonio Lozoya, Doug Robinson, Glenda Robinson and Tere Urtusástegui
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