It's one of the more common observations about Savannah life: Why does everything have to happen at the same time?
As complaints go, it's a pretty mild one. But nonetheless the fact remains that, for better or worse, events in Savannah tend to happen in tight clusters rather than being spread out through the year.
As I write this, we're seeing the year's major cluster, the big September crush, explode into action. A similar if incrementally lesser phenomenon happens each spring.
If the number and scope of events is a measure of a community's vitality, the results are impressive. Case in point: We expanded our Week at a Glance section this week by half a page to allow room to cover the dramatically expanding calendar of events. But it still ran over and needed to be edited down to size....
The calendar-crushing remains a source of frustration for local event planners. A leading festival organizer once told me there are only 11 weekends out of the year when major events are scheduled in Savannah.
A Facebook friend humorously urges event planners to acquaint themselves "with the eight months of the year that aren't called September, October, March and April."
An outgrowth of this tendency, which unfortunately only adds to the calendar crush, is a popular school of thought among organizers of new events: They often think the best way to get attention and attendees is to piggyback on or around the time of another, similarly-themed event.
I understand the logic behind this, but whether or not it's best for the community at large is another issue.
A quick look at all the events coming up over the next week runs the gamut of possibilities. The key event obviously is the multi-day Savannah Jazz Festival, with events each night this week through late Sunday afternoon (see Bill DeYoung's coverage this issue).
On the southside, Armstrong Atlantic State University holds a series of fun, free events for Latino Heritage Week.
Friday night brings the largest fireworks display Savannah's ever seen (read Patrick Rodgers' story this issue.)
Throughout town, there are plenty of lectures and art openings, including a totally unique exhibit by Matt Hebermehl at the Jepson Center. For the first time ever, artwork will hang from the high ceiling of the Jepson's Atrium as part of Hebermehl's "Birds in Flight" show.
There's theater too, with the continuing run of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Bay Street Theatre (see Bill's review this issue) and the opening of the unique Southern Fried Chekhov at Muse (also see Bill's story).
Of particular note is the number of independent film screenings. Some are an extension of the Telfair's "Twilight Visions" exhibit. Another is the soccer-themed Pelada, screened by Reel Savannah. The classic Easy Rider screens at the Trustees.
Like I said, the complaint of having too much to do is a pretty minor one in the scheme of things. Enjoy yourself this week, whatever you choose to do.
