The O-town Scene

CASUAL CHIT CHAT Each month we have a casual conversation with a member of the community. This month, Roxbury Arts Director Jenny Rosenzweig and Cassandra Miller chit chat. Roxbury Arts Group new director JENNY ROSENZWEIG talks about her love of Madonna, "To Kill A Mockingbird" and Brazil. You describe yourself as not having artistic or musical tal- ents. If you could be any musician and/or artist for a month, who would it be and why? When I was growing up I idolized Madonna. For me, she represented many of the things I felt a woman should be _ confident, driven, beautiful, and she created many of her own opportunities. I wouldn't mind reaping the fruits of her labor for a month. Growing up in New York City, you say you were the "Jew- ish kid at the Catholic high school with purple hair who was always going to concerts." What was the first concert you attended and what was the most recent? My first concert was either Rancid at the Hammerstein Ballroom or G-d Lives Under Water at Irving Plaza in New York City. My most recent was the Avett Brothers at Brewery Ommegang. Who were your favorite musicians/bands during each of the following stages in your life: CHILDHOOD: I grew up listening to the Beatles ADOLESCENCE: Early in my adolescence it ranged from New Kids on the Block to Guns 'n' Roses and Metallica to Neil Diamond, and my adolescence came to an end to the sound- track of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Weezer, Pavement, Superchunk and Archers of Loaf. TWENTIES: Guided By Voices/Black Star FIRST YEAR OF MOTHERHOOD: Sigur Ròs Speaking of motherhood, you and your husband gave birth to one of the area's first babies of 2011, Atticus on Jan. 1 of last year. How did you decide on the name? I was a fan of to "Kill A Mockingbird" and had toyed with the name Atticus early on, but I never suggested it to my husband, who would immediately veto any names from popular culture. We cycled through a few names before Doug came across Atticus in a book of baby names and suggested it. I said, "Oh, like from To Kill A Mockingbird" to which he replied "I never read it." 10 O-Town Scene Jan. 12, 2012 Contributed photos Where did you meet your archaeologist husband? In a dark corner of the Black Oak. Doug was out having some drinks with friends and I had just come back from Brazil and was meeting some friends of my own. The road from that meeting to our wedding was not a straight one, but I'm glad we traveled on it nonetheless. Delaware County is much different from New York City, where you spent most of your life before moving to the area in 2004. What do you like about living upstate compared to the city? I love the time and the space. In the city there is an atmo- sphere of always being in a rush. Since moving upstate I have come to appreciate things like chatting with strangers, making eye contact with people on the street and enjoying a cup of coffee with friends rather than consuming it strictly for fuel. And let's not forget the protective coating of mud on my car. Do you live on a farm? I live next to a farm, does that count? I start a small veg- etable garden every year, but once the snakes come out I cannot bring myself to get back in the garden. Luckily there is an abundance of locally grown, delicious vegetables at every turn. How did traveling to Brazil on a professional Rotary exchange in 2006 affect your outlook (on culture, traveling, friendship, your job, etc.)? One of the things I loved most about Brazil was the way that the lifestyle and culture was enthusiastically embraced every day and in every way. Many of the music and dance performances that I saw happened right out on the street. And even with a language barrier I was able to connect with my host families through the music they exposed me to in their homes. The trip also allowed me the opportunity to meet and fall in love many people _ the families I stayed with, the people in the communities, and most importantly the people that I trav- eled with. I know it sounds cliche, but all of these people will always have a special place in my heart. What are your top 5 places you would like to visit? I am really looking forward to exploring The United States. Here are some of the places on my must visit list: 1. Glacier National Park; 2. Alaska; 3. New Orleans; 4. Oregon; 5. Austin What upcoming RAG programming are you most excited about? All of them! But in our more immediate future I'm excited to bring my son to see "Ratatouille," a film we are screening as part of our "Food, Glorious Food" film series.

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