Velvet revolutionaries

Lou Reed gets better coverage in the mainstream media in the CR than he does at home. The Prague Post recounted last week how there's a direct link between Reed's legendary old band, the Velvet Underground, and the Velvet Revolution, by way of Václav Havel and the Plastic People of the Universe. For some Czechs, the discussion this week by Reed and Havel at Švanda Theater was the cultural event of the year. It was a rare occasion to see two great thinkers in action. Reed and Havel both changed history by pushing the boundaries and exploring "new illusions," to quote a Reed song. They still have plenty of wise things to say about democracy, capitalism and art. It's a pity so few people got to hear them. Robert Quine (RIP) wasn't there to bootleg the discussion and jam session, but the theater is in talks with Czech TV about airing a tape, perhaps this summer. [Švandovo divadlo I'm set free R.I.P. Czech Television rock music]