tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post6252441523457275123..comments2024-03-26T12:05:58.591-04:00Comments on Freemasons For Dummies: Apollo 2018 World Festival of Masonic Arts: May 10-13 at GW MemorialChristopher Hodapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-39286279859527773002018-03-03T00:09:25.802-05:002018-03-03T00:09:25.802-05:00The arts idea is very praiseworthy and warm congra...The arts idea is very praiseworthy and warm congratulations are in order, but the admission charge of $400 will be a consideration, especially for younger people that it would be nice to see there, but possibly for a lot of older people as well. Possibly the sponsors will award scholarships? The Memorial is set at a distance from the town of Alexandria, on a rather steep hill, which makes access to the inviting cafes and shops of the town a challenge, especially for seniors. A regular shuttle might be considered.<br /><br />Washington has for two centuries been a center for African-American Freemasonry, which had lots of ties with the rise of the American jazz <br />tradition -- notably for example Brother and Washingtonian Louis Armstrong. The University of the District of Columbia collects related materials and has one of the best jazz academic programs anywhere. Some of the brothers in the Prince Hall community are very very up on all of this. In fact, it probably is one of the most important instances of Masonry and music going hand in hand.<br /><br />Another significant tie between Freemasonry and culture in Washington is that the lodge was an incubator for African-American Masonic traditions of stepping, a dance form that any brother will recognize as having origins in the steps we first took when we started our Masonic journal. This is very much alive at Howard University in D.C. As a dance form it is absolutely amazing. An examination of it is at<br /><br />http://www.paulrich.net/papers/stepping2001.pdf<br /><br />Since the area has notable examples of Masonic buildings and cemetery art, and since the Library of Congress has great Masonic bibliographical treasures and the textile collection at George Washington University has relevant items in profusion, there are opportunities to make the visit of brethren really notable.<br /><br />A four day event means that housing becomes a budget worry. One answer might be to ask brothers in the area to act as hosts, but that is probably not a real solution. Transportation from hotels that are economical becomes an item.<br /><br />Another note is that for the last two years plans have been in place for the third World Conference on Fraternalism and Freemasonry on May 18th at the historic Whittemore House in downtown Washington, and which is free including the meals and which includes an unusual performance of original Masonic music on period instruments, authors of several new controversial Masonic books, and a debate on the virtues and vices of fraternalism by winning teams from the national collegiate champion debating teams.<br /><br />This was announced at the 2016 WCF. The 2019 Conference in Paris as well as the Washington conference downtown at Whittemore House are at<br /><br />http://www.ipsonet.org/conferences/ritualconference-main<br /><br />One hopes people will find time for both events.Bro. Paul Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06435030965629467739noreply@blogger.com