I freely admit the obvious; I am in that category of individuals classified as a ‘Senior Citizen.’ On the whole, I like to think I have been adjusting generally well to this change in status. But occasionally I get reminded that I may have become just a little out of ‘synch’ with some of what is going on around me. In order to not look like a totally unredeemable curmudgeon, I need to also confess I am completely out of step with what seems to be broadly accepted, contemporary entertainment trends. I should have absolutely no expectation that my antediluvian tastes and preferences have any relevance whatsoever. But that reality has never deterred me from the ‘old fart prerogative’ of railing on matters about which others wish I would just go away and shut up. It seems there are signs that a couple of generations have come along and become the new trend and fashion setters. Back in the U.S., I learned how to pick and choose among the entertainment options to minimize the intra-generational disconnections. But now I am in the process of determining how best to fit into contemporary Italian culture. So more entertainment experimental dabbling is currently going on than I might have risked in the more familiar nine time zones west. Here in the midst of architectural treasures reflecting multiple centuries, the town of Ascoli Piceno is determined to also show a more contemporary face. During the warm summer evenings when the main town squares become the community living rooms and meeting places, there is a free entertainment event almost every evening. And these events are most often accurately described in Italian as a spettacolare – a spectacular event. This includes a raised stage, incredible lighting complete with smoke generators and of course, a mega-sound system. Actually, back in the U.S., I didn’t go to many movies because by the time I stuffed almost an entire wadded Kleenex into my ears to protect my aged eardrums, I lost some of the dialogue when it was presented at anything less than the sound of a jet turbine engine at full operational level. Needless to say, unlike some of my generation, I didn’t frequent many Pop Music...