Anniversaries are times to take stock of where you've been and where you're headed. That's why we're particularly looking forward to our very special anniversary issue next month, our 23-30-40 of this franchise — that's 20 years of LDI, 30 years of Lighting Dimensions, and a whopping 40 years of Theatre Crafts/TCI/Entertainment Design. Lots of folks have come and gone, but we're still here after all these years, and the franchise is as strong as ever.

To commemorate the event, there will be some surprises at LDI to be sure, but prior to that, we're compiling some great retrospectives from readers about their years in the business, as well as what's coming down the pike for our industry. Where were you when the first moving lights went out on tour? Were you working in the industry when the first scan was introduced? Do you remember way back when there was no Tony Award for achievement in sound design? Oh wait, that was two months ago.

You get the picture. If you have any thoughts, I'd love to hear them, and we'll be running reader feedback and memories both in our anniversary issue and online, so drop me a line (msandberg@livedesignonline.com) if you're feeling inspired and poignant about the good ol' days or even about being a newbie in this industry. Newcomers are welcome!

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The current issue, focused on venues, is also packed with loads of great material for your reading pleasure so don't go kicking it to the curb in anticipation of the next one just yet. Besides all the new theatre and club venues we're highlighting, our TQ section features a fly-on-the-wall perspective of a discussion (“Live Brunch”) between Duane Schuler and Rick Fisher about the well-oiled machine that is the Santa Fe Opera (thanks to Ellen Lampert-Gréaux for visiting Santa Fe and acting the fly on all our behalves).

I don't know about you, but I am wondering where 2007 is going, as I think I'm still writing 2005 on my checks (wait, I don't even use checks anymore). Bid us a “Happy Anniversary” when you see us, will you?