Marta Blades: Songs from the Broadway Stage

March 16, 2015

Marta & Jack

Marta Blades: Songs from the Broadway Stage

The actual reason for my visit to North Carolina was not to attend basketball games, cosplay conventions or hang out in microbreweries but to see my lovely mother and attend her art opening for her latest artwork called “Songs from the Broadway Stage” at Willow’s restaurant. 

It was yet another in a line of wonderful art exhibits featuring Marta’s artwork, this exhibit was held at Willow’s restaurant and Marta had to get the whole thing set-up and hung on Saturday morning prior to the restaurant being opened for lunch. Thankfully she had a lot of assistance from the show’s curator Ashley- who did a wonderful job, to a friend who helped her actually hand the work to my sister Marika and her husband Brian.

There was so much help that I did not really even need to be on hand so I decided to participate in the Pink Heals 5K walk/run to benefit cancer patients in the triad area. The race was held through a very hilly residential neighborhood of Winston-Salem and it was pretty cold and with a moderate to heavy drizzle for most of the race. I was not deterred and finished the race, cold, soaked and happy that it was over but happy as well to help support a local cause. I like to do that when I visit places as well to give back a little something to the community.

The weekend gave me a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality family time with my mother, sister and brother-in-law. We spent our spare time eating out, going to see the movie Mr. Turner which I will review with a single grunt, Ugghhhh. Marta and I even spent a bit of time in nearby Old Salem which is only a short walk from her condo. I even attempted to bond with her beloved dog, Jack who seems to have gotten more wary and protective as time has passed.

The art show itself was a huge success. A large crowd of Marta’s friends and fans turned out to celebrate this latest collection of artwork. It was doubly enjoyable for me in that I not only got to enjoy the well-deserved attention that was being lavished upon her, but I also got to meet ( and see again) many of her friends who she has made in Winston-Salem. It was such a wonderful, nice and supportive group and I was thrilled to gain a little insight in to the people who she interacts with on a day to day basis.

To say that I am proud of my mother would be a gross understatement and never give her enough credit for all that she has and continues to accomplish. Her artwork brings her immense pleasure and it was so great to see others share in the joy she feels in creating it, and it is pretty popular to boot as sales at the show were fantastic, so it was a win all around.

Most importantly it was an occasion that helped emphasize to me once again the importance of family and good friends. Thanks so much to everyone that came out, to everyone who has supported Marta in Winston-Salem and beyond.