This about sums it up for the night. Beautifully, I might add:
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Tag Archives: music
Day 333: Twelve.Four.13
Never is it a good idea to be gone for an entire week right before the first edition of a major event you are trying to throw.
But somehow, despite the sleep-deprived and crazy-running, it gets pulled off.
The Jump Off (Weekly Wednesday Night Party)
The Jump Off: Art by Juan Pineda
The Jump Off: Dj Toxsick
The Jump Off: Art by Juan Pineda
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Day 330: Twelve.One.13
You can know someone and like them and appreciate them… and then come to realize there are whole pieces of them you don’t know. And it’s fabulous to discover those hidden (or not so hidden) talents, dreams, motivations, creative visions. To see people pursue their passions, even in the midst of a good, solid, happy life, is just plain old awesome. Here’s one of those moments to share with you:
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Day 321: Eleven.TwentyTwo.13
I just love Pharrell Williams. Here’s one more reason why he makes me so HAPPY.
You can watch hour one of his 24-hour music video here:
And the whole thing can be found here:
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Day 317: Eleven.Eighteen.13
I must first admit that I don’t really like beer.
And I haven’t been too keen on seeing that Heineken is behind all of these art sponsorships lately. It feels like exploitation. Commercialization. Totally my own judgement call – not like I have talked to any of the artists, or Heineken employees for that matter. I would just be admiring an awesome new mural in my neighborhood, and then my eye would get caught on the big beer company’s logo. “Ugh,” I would think to myself.
Now I must admit that I take it all back. (I even drank a beer – it was free.)
I attended the Heineken Green Room event at Liv Nightclub. A free evening that included local DJ talent 2-Tone Jones, California-native J Rocc (one of the most entertaining DJs I have ever witnessed live), with main act Black Thought and surprise guest… Talib Kweli.
I mean, WHAAAA?? It was a talent-packed night in an intimate AND FREE setting.
So, even though my skepticism can’t help but creep out when I see art being pushed by major corporations, I will also admit that it’s not always a bad thing.
Black Thought @ the Heineken Green Room event @ Liv Nightclub
Talib Kweli @ the Heineken Green Room event @ Liv Nightclub
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Day 297: Ten.TwentyNine.13
My friends are fiercely talented. My women-folk; these bad-ass, I don’t take no bs from no one, I know my own worth and you better respect that, kind of friends. It’s so freaking awesome to witness. And be inspired by.
The incredible writer, poet, educator, performer Mahogany Browne, who fell into my life at this moment I knew not how much I needed her, took the stage at Busboys and Poets Hyattsville last night. She was the feature in a fabulous event series called Body of Work.
I have seen her perform pieces on many occasions, in all types of settings. This night was different, though. It was all her, and revealed an altogether different kind of performance quality. I was mesmerized, as was the rest of the audience.
She speaks truth and wisdom and love. But more than that, she IS those things. What I realized last night was how much of herself she is on that stage. During poems, in between poems, answering questions, interacting with the crowd – all of it. And that, that is the most powerful tool I think any of us artists can aspire to use. Authenticity.
She had a few surprise guests – an incredible singer and cellist from Philadelphia (middle photo) who had this voice that made you FEEL the moment in a way that is kind of too visceral of a thing to put into words. And me – I freestyled to a poem that I was hearing for the first time as I was dancing it. It’s humbling to be asked by this beauty of a woman to share in one of her pieces. Terrifying, really. But I do it. Whenever she asks. Because I trust in her so completely and have to believe that I, too, may find some truth in what I share when I am in her presence.
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Day 261: Nine.TwentyThree.13
Many times I talked myself out of going to the show this evening.
The final time was the moment I walked INTO the show this evening.
Being alone is so uncomfortable. Even when it’s technically by choice.
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I had the opportunity to work with Nick Hakim many years ago. He was still in high school, I was still working in the nonprofit world. I organized a large event at 9:30 Club, he performed. Fabulously. Even then he had the presence and talent of someone who, no question about it, was going to be great.
—
I love love love Emily King. So when I found out she was performing at The Hamilton (a venue I have been wanting to check out) and that Nick was opening for her? No question about it, I had to go. I have listened to her for so long I just feel like everyone of course knows who she is. Apparently, I have some more sharing I need to do in order to get everyone else hip to this beautiful music.
Nick Hakim at The Hamilton
Emily King at The Hamilton
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I walked in uncomfortably, made my way to a large table right in the center of the room (best viewing seats, in my opinion), and asked the one couple sitting at the other end if there was room for me. I took my seat at the other edge, trying to take up as little space as possible.
The table continued to fill up – the couple kept multiplying. Friendly people arriving, hugging, sitting. Except for the one couple who sat directly opposite me. The woman complained from the time she sat down until the time she left. I’m surprised she even had a moment to enjoy the music. I thought about moving. It just seemed like this was going to turn into a less-than-pleasant experience.
There was even still time for me to leave, I calculated.
And then, somehow, instantly, the night was transformed. It turns out I was sitting at the table with Nick’s mom, family and friends. We began chatting – they were lovely. (Excluding for the couple sitting opposite me – they, like me, were just looking for good seats and were not a part of the family.)
And then the music started.
At that moment, of course, it clicked that this is why I was here – why I had waded into uncomfortable territory and was sitting alone in a room full of friends, couples, groups. Because, of course, this was to be a magical night of music that I would have kicked myself for missing.
Nick’s sound has evolved, become so much more mature in the five years since I knew him. That stage presence and assurance (not to be confused with cockiness – no, this was just a feeling of comfort, that the stage is the exact right place for him, home) is still there. It was a beautiful set.
Emily is the kind of performer you feel like you KNOW. She is an artist in every sense of the word – from her vocal ability to her connection with the crowd, her band… She is just spectacular to watch in person.
It’s the kind of music that MOVES you. Me, at least. I found myself going for a ride right along with her – all of her songs are personal and emotional.
—
I told Nick’s family that I was sure he wouldn’t remember me – it feels like so many lifetimes ago we were doing that show – but that I was so excited to support him and his work, and glad to be able to see him back in DC.
As it turns out, he came right over to the table after his performance and gave me a big ol’ hug. Super appreciative that I would come out to see him perform.
With Nick Hakim after the show
—
The night was proceeded by several text messages from several people I most certainly had no expectations of hearing from.
Somehow, letting go of my deep-seated fear of being alone in a crowd (if only for one night) made some monumental shifts in the universe. My universe that is.
And if nothing else, I have confirmed for myself that any amount of inner personal discomfort initially, is worth the gift of participating in such incredible moments of creative energy and talent. Because if you let it, that energy will reach right out and embrace you.
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Day 215: Eight.Eight.13
Friend, colleague, partner on an upcoming temporary art space concept, posted this article on his facebook page. It’s worth a read if you’re into music. Or great thinkers/visionaries/writers. Or travel. Or all of the above.
I can feel the energy and creativity from here.
So much so that now, I have to figure out a way to get myself to Worldwide next year…
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Day 206: Seven.Thirty.13
THIS is about the most fabulous response to a ridiculous tabloid story I can think of.
Rock on Amanda Palmer. Rock on.
Here’s to another day of creativity…
Day 194: Seven.Eighteen.13
Such an exquisite night of art and honesty and healing.
Made Powerful: Veterans’ Stories.
The culminating Musical and Spoken Word Performance of original work produced in a week-long collaboration between musicians, poets, active duty service members and veterans at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Ft Belvoir. With special guests Mahogany Browne, Christylez Bacon, and Wytold.
Here’s to another day of creativity…
The Daily Creative Project 