Ken Burns, M.I.A.

I moonlight at the local theatre (http://www.carolinatheatre.org/), which happens to host a documentary film festival every year (http://fullframefest.org/main.html). This year the highlighted events were lifetime achivement awards to Martin Scorcese and Ken Burns. Ric Burns, brother of Ken, was also scheduled for the same event, though before this festival I had no idea the man even existed. Anyhow, come Friday night and the main event is titled: "An evening with Ken Burns & Ric Burns: The 2005 Full Frame Career Awards." Guess who decides not to appear? Ken Burns! And of course people want their money back.

It was actually sad to see Ric after the show, carrying around these lifetime achievement awards and talking to people. Like he did not have any assistants to help him out. But these were not small items for the slight man. And he had to carry two of them.

I got paid for my time and of course enjoyed another night at the theatre. I do not know why Ken Burns did not show up and think bad things about him for doing that. I find it hard to believe he was suddenly too busy, the event was not only named for him - it was scheduled for him. And we know it was not a family emergency, because his brother was there.