Every day, I am overwhelmed by the sheer volume of creative works I would like to peruse, whether in music, art, film, photography, writing, or design. Absolutely overwhelmed. If I could, I would spend all my time just marveling at the output of my fellow artsters, but then I would not be able to make anything myself or eat or shower or wave hi to my kids. In making choices and spinning plates and balancing needs, I know I miss so many things that I would surely love.
One of the choices I had to make this year was not attending the second annual Solid Sound Festival last month, held in North Adams, MA. -- family needs, logistical hurdles, and cash flow made the event a sad "no" for me. But this is exactly the kind of event that not only gets my attention out of a million competing things, but earns my admiration, which is a whole 'nother level entirely. Curated by one of my favorite bands, Wilco, the festival is an outstanding example of a fresh take on presenting a wide range of arts to the public, and manages to be both cutting-edge and family-friendly at once. The Atlantic produced this little video about it, and I think you can feel the good vibrations right through your computer screen. Watch:
Rather than be overwhelmed by choices, or not doing anything outside of the box, Wilco forges ahead and offers Solid Sound Festival-goers an opportunity to spend a summer weekend enjoying the arts, and has fun, too.
Solid Sound 2012, anyone?
© Copyright 2008- Marianne Spellman