Creativity

It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life." 
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31 + 29 + 31 + 30

Today marks the last day of April, and the writing of my 121st poem of the year. I’m one-third of the way through my personal challenge to write a poem each day during 2024. This goal has been made easier to achieve by the Stafford Challenge, which I joined in mid-January, and Ethical ELA’s monthly opportunities to write poetry, including the magnificent VerseLove, 30 days of poetry.

Being ‘in community with others’ feels like an essential element to creativity, offering feedback and inspiration. This past Saturday, I enjoyed two other art communities – music and visual arts. Let me tell you a bit about them –

First off, our music fun. We parked the car to the sound of a street band playing somewhere on the block. As we headed to our festival destination, we heard several other bands playing on porches and in front yards. Despite the cool and rainy weather, folks were happily gathered in the street and on the curbs, eating takeout, sipping drinks, clapping and cheering to songs. This was Petworth Porchfest in Washington, D.C.  Two of our children performed, and we had the joy of watching them. 

A couple months ago, a singer/songwriter (Leah Danielle) posted an ad on a local neighborhood listserv, asking if anyone wanted to brush up their music skills and create a band. My oldest son, Keith, (who plays bass) responded YES! and immediately suggested my second son, Wade, (who plays guitar) join as well. A singer, a drummer, a bassist, a guitarist – this is a band! They’ve been practicing about once a week, squeezing it in despite their busy schedules; imagine, three of the band members have young children, too. 

At PorchFest, bands are assigned one-hour sets at varied locations – front porches, by and large. I believe more than 200 bands participated. The boys’ band (‘Leah Danielle and Friends’) played mostly her original songs, which are mellow and folksy, with a bit of blues. Leah has a spectacular voice. They did two covers – Tracy Chapman’s ‘Give Me One Reason’ and Guns-n-Roses ‘Sweet Child of Mine’. I admit to getting a little misty-eyed with that second, because I was singing along to my own sweet children playing. It was a great show! 

Then we said goodbye to Keith (who had to get back to those sweet kids of his) and headed to Artomatic, in the company of Wade and our youngest son, Bryce. Artomatic is this incredible, free, month-long art show that has been held for 25 years here in D.C., showcasing local artists of all types. The creators find ‘free’/transitional space for these exhibits, typically taking over some building that is slated for demolition or remodeling. Imagine my surprise when I realized that this year’s building was that of my old Ob/Gyn’s office. I mean, a lot can happen in 28 years, but it was nevertheless a bit mind bending to see this once posh building now filled with graffitied plywood in wild colors, and temporary exhibits of interactive art, poetry, song, and fashion. I teased my sons – ‘imagine, your hearts were beating in this place, long before you ever walked in.” 

We wandered eight floors of magical, mystifying, wondrous creativity – and it was simply too much to take in, with this one visit. Unfortunately, this was Artomatic’s last weekend. Next year, I will schedule more than one visit. 

What a day! I fell asleep exhausted, filled with creative thoughts.

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