This week’s adventure was a trip to Redmond to attend a concert at SoulFood Coffee House and Fair Trade Emporium.
One reason why we wanted to move up to Seattle is more chances to see bands that we like, and this was just the sort of thing we love — small venue, music loud enough to get excited about but not loud enough to damage your ear drums, and great people. Oh, and chai. I like chai.
We were there to see Dogwood & Johnstone (and friends), a group consisting of two great musicians and whichever friends they’ve recruited to join them for the night. Last night it was Aaron Shay and Betsy Tinney, who each played short sets on their own, Tempest (who belly danced as well as providing some percussion), and Mike Mermelstein.
If a cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” on cello and banjo sounds like your jam, you would have enjoyed this show.
Anyway, I’m a big fan of supporting the arts. It’s something almost anyone can do. You don’t have to be some wealthy patron who buys original paintings off the wall of the gallery. You don’t have to provide a generous endowment to the opera. All you’ve got to do is hop in your car or get on the bus, go down to a show, maybe pay a small cover, buy a drink, throw a few dollars in a tip jar. Maybe you buy a CD, or some merch.
When you support the arts on a local level, you often get to develop a closer connection with the artists. You follow them on social media. You get sweaty hugs at gigs. You get to talk to them about their inspiration and their plans. You meet other awesome artists through them. For instance, I met Tempest through belly dance, and then I met Nathaniel Johnstone through her, and through him, I was introduced to the work of Dogwood and Betsy Tinney. Every time I go to someone’s show, there’s always some new band member or opening act or dancer joining the band on stage.
If music and dance aren’t your jam, go to an arts and craft fair. Look for someone whose work resonates with you and strike up a conversation. Become a collector. Most of us can’t afford to drop thousands on a painting, but $30 on a handmade mug? $20 on a pair of earrings? Easy to do, and these items become a part of our every day lives, a little bit of art to brighten up even the most mundane days.
Art improves our lives. Whether it’s music, painting, sculpture, dance, the written word, whatever form it takes. Art inspires, challenges, provokes thought, provides comfort. Whatever mood you’re feeling, you can find a piece of art that expresses it.
I, for one, want more art in my life. I want to see the artists I love thriving and creating new work. I don’t want to live in a world where artists are priced out of their neighborhoods, or forced to give up what they love to work two or three jobs instead.
So get out there and support the arts. Buy a CD. Go to a show. Look up your favorite artists online and support their Patreons, or share their work with your friends. Invite someone to go with you to a concert, dance performance, or gallery opening. Think of what you want to see more of in the world, and do what you can to give it the ability to grow.
