"When you love something, your passion is contagious." Who said that? It's TRUE. Last week I was asked by my city of Rockford, Illinois to host an Art & Culture Tour to a group of traveling journalists and bloggers from all over the country. It was a magical day. Our first stop was to Starlight Theater. "Starlight Theatre is dedicated to providing entertainment and enrichment for the community, joining professional and non-professionals, students and community members together to create the magic of live theatre." Producer and Managing Director, Mike Webb was there to greet our visitors, talk about the programs, and eat lunch. Lunch was provided by Nick from Ciao Bella. Each guest was given a bottle of wine and a DVD of Starlight summer theatrical performances. And the added bonus? The architecture of the building! It was designed by Jeanne Gang of Belvidere, IL and features a retractable roof. A work of art and magic indeed. Here I am with Katrina Peterson. She works for the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau but is an aspiring Fashion Designer. She and I connected immediately ...kindred spirits! We visited The Rockford Art Museum and several art galleries and shops in downtown Rockford! The highlight of the day was our stop to the Coronado Theater. We had a private organ concert which accompanied the atmospheric highlights of the ceiling. It was amazing! I feel so grateful for the experience to highlight some of the great offerings of my city and meet so many nice and well traveled people along the way. And I received the nicest note EVER... "You absolutely knocked it out of the park tonight! So many people from your tour told me that You made the tour fantastic!!! AND they had already looked up your website/Facebook. I wish you could have heard all that was said. You truly have a gift!!! Thank you!" Tana Vettore