In the film, music is boldly exemplified as the non-physical or spiritual force that unites a separated family…music itself becomes the main story-line here, the backdrop being the relentless search for a boy who has never met his Mom and Dad, and the reunion of those parents.

I was reminded, upon seeing this film, of my own sense of purpose for ever walking out on a stage to entertain audiences throughout my many years of performing and producing music and theater. My purpose re-ignited.

Key word is “purpose”. Surely every performing, literary or fine artist with any sense of integrity to his public in giving a performance or creating an art form, carries their purpose with them.

An artist “gives” a performance or creates an effect through his art …and it is so vitally valuable that these gifts carry the purpose of unburdening or dissolving the most stressful and negatively-impacted elements of our society and uplift the individual recipient.

The entertainment industry and the arts throughout history have always experienced huge peaks of prosperity and widespread acceptability in times of war, terror, domestic stress, economic disasters and political strife. Why? Because of what the purpose of the arts actualizes, and that is to inject such vitality into the society that it can and does reverse its decline and so paves the way for saner ideas and cultures to develop.

There has been a resurgence in performances and presentations of fine art in many of the regions surrounding Tampa Bay. There are more theatrical productions being produced than ever before, both professional and community, with countless and more continuous musical concerts and attractions on the stages of Tampa Bay. There are more clubs opening to present the original American music genre, Jazz and Swing. The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and Ruth Eckerd Hall, among other notable venues, are enjoying unprecedented success season after season.

This is as or more important than the value placed on economic stability or the safety of our citizens. After all, the arts bring people together. The story of August Rush shows this clearly. Here music is, in itself, a sort of transcended religion without the mechanics of organization. Isn't that what religion’s purpose is after all, to bring people together?

The arts, the artist and all the good that it generates…civilizes us. 

We applaud the artist, the purveyor of light and hope in a world darkened by those who push terror and chaos.

As it is through arts that the highest qualities of joy, reunion, resolution, freedom, courage, and understanding dissolves our fears and rejuvenates our hope for the future….and that is needed now more than ever.

Joe Yazbeck
Arts Reporter & Editorial Writer
January 2008 Edition
Tampa Bay Informer
Clearwater, Florida