Well that was a fun Sunday.
No newsletter this morning as I was getting ready for a full creative day today. This afternoon was the second session of my six-week in-person photo workshop, See For Yourself. Sorry, I was too locked-in teaching it to take photos, but it’s an awesome group and a great way to inaugurate my garage studio space. Next time I’ll try to take some BTS pics.
This morning before the workshop though was a new collab with some neighbors in Takoma Park. Vocal Takoma (aka VT) is like a pop-up song and poetry circle - or maybe a group busk but not for money - held in active public space. So for starters that meant near our Sunday morning farmers’ market.
VT was conceived by myself and my friend David Alberto Fernandez, who is the new poet laureate of Takoma Park. Yes, we have not only the coolest community radio station around, but a town poet laureate. We wanted a way for artists to come together and to show people art is still kicking. Instead of a venue we take it to where people already are. We want them to see and hear us, and take note that artists are activating, doing something a bit unexpected. Maybe a song/poem/spoken word circle sounds like kumbaya but I have to say while it’s fun there’s a steeliness to it as well.
The idea is a rotating, inclusive ensemble that will have some core participants but change from week to week and even have an open-mic component. We had a lot of interest from other local singers/musicians and poets but due to various conflicts the launch was just three poets - David, Claudia Gary, and Alan Abrams - plus me playing songs. It went very well and it was great to get it going. We did it totally acoustic, no amplification. Soapbox style. Which was a challenge to project but had a certain integrity and intimacy. Still, we’ll hopefully have a battery generator by next time so we can use a little amp, especially those with quieter voices.
While in a way VT is an art action for the times, it’s not directly or overly political. We feel like art doesn’t need to be - and maybe shouldn’t be - political to do its job. Sure, there’s some protest in there as well. Though via songs, poems, and spoken word, it’s just a way of asserting our voices - being Vocal - in support of life, art, our values, and our community. And a model for starting where we are.
A few beautiful moments happened along the way. The shop owner nearby brought out a portrait of her mother, who was a Turkish poet.
David Camero was in jester garb entertaining the kiddos near the spot we were using at the clock tower. We didn’t realize he was also a tremendous local artist and poet, he ended up shifting gears and taking a couple of turns with us.
Come by and check it out some Sunday (we may move to indoor spots as the weather turns). Or, better yet, bring a song or poem of your own.
One song I did was Fortune and Glory, written long ago by an old friend and a band I was in (The Mondays) recorded it. It’s among a batch of such ‘legacy songs’ I’ve been resurrecting, I think it translates well to our moment:
I know a thing or two
Yeah me and you
We just want the truth
And need much more
Than fortune and glory too
I think you can see
What you mean to me
In a world not free
Baby you're worth more
Than fortune and glory too
Right from the start
We knew we had understanding
The hardest part
Is knowing that our day will come
So don't lose heart