by: Jessi Hafer

To ensure that Oprah or some other person with a nation-wide, tug-at-your-heart strings kinda show (if you’re into that kind of thing) doesn’t try to contact me, I need to state at the outset that I’m not looking for my long lost biological twin.

That said, one day I was out running errands, borrowing a friend’s car since I don’t own a car (for real). A friend from work (we’ll call her Coworker 1) called me and said, “I just saw you go by on your bike, why didn’t you wave?!”

Don't be scared by the word "dance" ...

You don’t have to be “in to” dance to enjoy and appreciate CSU Fresno’s “Portable Dance Troupe.” I went to last year’s performance on the recommendation of a coworker, taking a somewhat skeptical friend. We both looked forward to this year’s performance without any encouragement needed! The Portable Dance Troupe’s artistic, modern approach and high production value make this a great show even for those who are far from being dance enthusiasts.

Someone asked me (not completely seriously, I don’t think) why Fresno couldn’t have the Rogue Festival all year round.

Well, we do, in a sense. “Rogue Year Round” held events now and then last year. Furthermore, there are things to do in Fresno all year round (believe it or not). Once you know where to look (the UnderCurrentEvents Calendar can be a good place to start!), there are plays, live music, films, poetry readings, and art exhibits all year around. The Rogue Festival is a great time to get re-energized about everything Fresno has to offer.

I’ve been looking forward to this year’s Rogue Festival since last year’s Rogue Festival. Rogue 2007 is off to a fantastic start (complete with fantastic weather), having drawn performers from all over California (and, indeed, from throughout North America) and a large audience from all over Fresno. The anticipation mounts as you stand in line to get your ticket (most shows are priced between a measly $3-$7, and all the money at the door goes to the performers, which is unusual for this type of festival).