The morning I heard that MacArthur Park was in competition at the Taos Talking Picture Festival, I knew I'd be there. Making it to Sundance was not feasible, but Taos was another story. Still in close proximity to Boulder, CO, but a lot more laid back than Park City, and a lot less expensive!As I left my house for Denver International Airport in the 5am fog on Aril 5th, I was full of nervous anticipation. Upon my arrival in Albuquerque I would be meeting, for the first time, Max and Beth. What if we weren't all on the same wave length? As it turned out, I can't imagine having shared this incredible experience with anyone else!
With Beth as our "wheelman", we left Albuquerque for Santa Fe. After spending a couple of hours gallery hopping, we headed on up to Taos. Our hotel, the Holiday Inn Don Fernando, was the festival's host hotel, and our room was nestled nicely between the Press and Hospitality rooms. It was also conveniently located right across the street from the Storyteller Theater which was the location for the final two showings of MacArthur Park.
We chose to use Thursday night as a time to get settled in, unwind, and start getting to know one another. Friday boasted the most bizarre weather I have seen in some time--rain, sun, hail, more rain, sun, snow, and an eventual blizzard. Luckily by evening, when we were to be at the Convention Center for the first screening of MP, it was clear and cold--make that COLD!
It was during this hour-long wait in the cold that we had our initial contact with Billy. I felt an intense presence to my right and I looked over to see a man standing about 15 feet away. Of course I wasn't wearing my glasses, but I recognized the hat--it was Billy! I was just about to alert Beth, but she had felt the same presence and had already discovered him. It took a few seconds for our brains to process the fact that Billy was, indeed, standing right behind us. It was Beth who pointed him out to Max (whose attention was focused elsewhere at the moment)--and the following few seconds became somewhat of a blur. I do remember Beth and me pushing Max and telling her to go introduce herself--NOW!
One of my favorite memories is of Max and Billy's first meeting. Still not wearing my glasses (I never learn!), I couldn't see exactly what happened, but I sure heard! The pure excitement in Billy's greeting upon realizing this woman was Max could not have been more evident. It was full of emotion, and completely genuine. Max then introduced Billy to Beth and me. He gave us that warm smile and shook our hands, and then gave me permission to videotape the post-screening Q&As.
An impressive crowd stayed following Liz Taylor's Q&As to catch MP, and most of that crowd stayed for Billy's Q&As. A moment I know we will never forget is when Billy took the time, during the Q&As, to thank Max, Beth, and me--by name!--and recognize the fanclub! We were blown away! He certainly didn't have to do that, and we most definitely didn't expect such a public, yet personal, acknowledgment. But that is indicative of the kind of person Billy is.
Once the Q&As were over, we left quietly, not wanting to impose upon Billy's time any more than we already had. As Beth went to get the car, Max and I waited out near the street. Before long, Billy and his friend Stacy and a couple of others came out,Billy came up to us and asked us if we had a ride, and we told him that Beth had gone to get the car. Another of my favorite memories is standing with Billy while he admired the nearly full moon. A very quiet and spiritual moment. As Beth arrived with the car, Billy came over and gave Max another hug and said goodbye. But what really surprised me is that he then thanked me by name and proceeded to give ME a huge hug! And when Beth got out of the car, he thanked her and gave her a big hug, as well!
I was so impressed by Billy's genuinely appreciative response to us, and I was not expecting to receive such a warm reception all around. But, as we would find out, that was just the beginning!
Penny ----- Taos 2001
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