By Pamela Sweetwood
I have little free time but I make an effort to insert fun activities into my schedule. I’ve realized I have lost most of my sources of entertainment.
The only sports I liked, which even surprised me, was the Prairie Thunder. I would go with different people and convert them into fans. Over the years, the entertainment before, during, and in between periods dwindled. The crowd was sparse. It was sad. It had been vibrant before. I went less and less.
Another source of entertainment was the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts. I probably went to 8 – 10 shows a year, often with different friends. The schedule was disappointing to me last year and this year. I did go a few times this year and was dismayed to see crowds of less than 100. After seeing the schedule for next year, I don’t plan to buy any tickets.
My stand-by entertainment was always the Normal Theatre. Things have changed there a lot in the last year. There are fewer independent and foreign films. The schedule is set for shorter periods of time. I used to receive the 3-month calendar and add it to my phone. I probably went to see 80% of what was there. If there were 4 movies in a week, I was probably there 4 times. There were few movies I intentionally skipped. It is quite the opposite now. It is an exception when I do go. They’ve lost their purpose – as a place to see movies otherwise overlooked. If I wanted to see Goonies, I probably could find it on tv for free.
When I run into others who frequented these venues, I inquire if they still do. The answer has been no or very little.
Why is the obvious question – better for others to address. However, I can’t help to see some commonalities – staffing changes, less enthusiasm and promotion.
These three venues are places I have raved about in past forums and considered community jewels. I have no problem, as others do, with their city support. Unless they find a new audience, I am concerned about their future.
Pamela Sweetwood was an ISU student, like many, who never left town. She works in higher education and has a history with many community non-profits organizations.
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