To laugh or not to laugh

Many readers took offense at my diatribe on weekenders last month. Many others laughed, appropriately, I thought, at my sense of irony. That is what I intended.

What is it, then, that distinguishes humor from its rival? And what do you call the opposite of humor? In theatre, my training ground, tragedy and comedy are the two faces of drama. Behind my humorous intent lurked some unpleasant truths that many try to leave unearthed.

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Battle of the (local) bands

There were so many Halloween parties this past weekend, I was literally scratching my head in an attempt to determine which events to attend. Costume contests, haunted houses and full-moon hay rides were in abundance. Sadly, the weather was not perfect for trick-or-treating, but turned out to be ideal for indoor venues that were showcasing local musicians throughout the Hudson Valley.

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