“(Galileo) Galileo, (Galileo) Galileo, Galileo Figaro, magnifico.” Do you have any idea what that means? Neither do I, but it sounds familiar, right? Like you should know it or remember it from somewhere, but out of context, it doesn’t really make a lot of sense. Where have I heard that before?
Well, chances are pretty good that if you listen to Classic Rock, you heard it in the last couple of days on the radio. They are a few of the iconic lyrics from Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Aah! Now you remember!
Ok, since we have that cleared up, it brings to light another question. What, exactly, is a Bohemian? Like most people, you probably have some kind of vague idea of it being someone a bit unconventional, or maybe someone who travels all the time, or maybe it’s someone from Bohemia.
Well, although technically someone from Bohemia, which is in the basically the western region of the Czech Republic, is referred to as being Bohemian, the term as used to describe a group of people is only remotely related to that country and its residents.
Bohemianism is actually a social and cultural movement that defines a way of life away from society’s conventional norms and expectations. The term originates from the French word “bohème” and eventually spread to the English-speaking world. It was first used to describe mid-19th-century non-traditional lifestyles, especially of artists, writers, journalists, musicians, and actors in major European cities.
“La bohème” was a common term for the Romani people, better known as Gypsies of France, who were thought to have reached the country in the 15th century via Bohemia. But, as I mentioned, Bohemianism and its adjective bohemian in the popular context are not connected to the native inhabitants of the geographical region of Bohemia.
Let me break that down for you. It’s basically a term used to describe people who cut ties with society’s norms and just do their own thing. In a nutshell, people like writers, artists and hippies.
That public service announcement has been brough to you by me, the guy who wants everyone to have a better understanding of the title of this week’s Avenue Flashes upcoming event. The guy who is just happy he didn’t have to explain what a Rhapsody is.
Ok, here it is… “National Bohemians.” That’s the name of the new play that’s opening at our own Miners Alley Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 28. And this time, when I say new, I mean it’s actually a world premiere production of this play, written by local playwright Luke Sorge and directed by Warren Sherrill.
A lot of times, the written description of a play poses a question. Here’s the one they use to introduce this play:
“What do a hardcore Republican, a gay screenwriter, a cranky shipwright, a grandma on the lam, and a yoga-loving influencer have in common? Nothing. That is, until a hurricane forces them to hole up together in a ramshackle boathouse in the Chesapeake Bay to ride out the storm. Will cheap beer help them fix long-broken bonds? Probably not. A dysfunctional family comedy that’s funny, moving, and just a little supernatural.”
Ok, now it’s going to be up to you to go see the play to figure out which of those characters is actually going to turn out to be Bohemian. Maybe all of them. At least now you know what to look for.
“National Bohemians” will be running on Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from March 28 (yeah, I know that’s a Friday) through April 20.
Tickets vary in price based on the day of the week and they do offer discounts for Seniors (60+) and Students.
To find out more, as well as to order tickets just go to their website at www.minersalley.com.
And one last thing. This column is always brought to you by one of Golden’s premiere resident Bohemians!
John Akal is a well-known jazz artist/drummer and leader of the 20-piece Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra. He also is president of John Akal Imaging, professional commercial photography and multimedia production. He can be reached at jaimaging@aol.com.
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