Creative Conversations

Today, I attended an event called Creative Conversations at an art studio called The Lab in Lakewood. These events are designed for young professionals in the beginning stages of their careers that want to enhance their leadership capacity. The event consisted of an afternoon of speakers from the Denver community that are finding ways to serve through art. Some of the presenters definitely left an impression on me.

One of the speakers discussed the trends occurring in the art world. One of her main points is that our society is shifting into an immediate gratification mindset. The attendance rate of live performances are going down. Some arts organizations like the Metroplitan Opera in New York are attempting to remedey this by providing the option of streaming their operas online. People have the power and ability to choose their own timing to "attend." While this concept definitely speaks to my generation it somewhat worries me. To me, there is nothing like seeing something live and in person. Nothing can substitute for that emotional connection between your role as an audience member and the performer onstage. If experiencing art starts to become only digital, I just can't imagine what this will mean for our society. Will people start having digital relationships? For some reason I get this picture in my head of people having family reunions over webcams- eek! Thoughts?

On another note, A great couple named the Birky's came and discussed their brainchild: a restaurant called SAME Cafe. The restaurant serves organic, healthy food and is contained in a space that is only 19 by 30 feet. The kitchen is open-air so that there is absolutely no division between anyone. But what really makes the restaurant unique is the concept: It is a community-space where all is welcome, meaning that anyone is able to eat regardless of financial status. They ask that you give back in some way, meaning that you can donate your time in the kitchen or you can just make a donation of whatever you can in a donation box they keep in the restaurant. Somehow the donations in the box always cover their costs. Their concept has resulted in a space that is truly a community- they have people from all walks of life from business people, homeless people, single parents, students. I have yet to eat there but I am very excited about checking it out soon!

A dance company called Sweet Edge also performed. They are a modern dance group, founded by a dancer named Kim Olson. The piece was performed to Radiohead by five dancers. Her perspective of dance is that it doesn't need to be presented in a space that strictly separates the performers and audience. It should be presented in a space that is accessible to everyone. In fact, she was commissioned to create a piece that was performed in a parking garage. The dance they performed was very abstract and left a few people in the audience in tears because of their personal interpretations.

Overall, it was a great afternoon and I felt rejuvenated after the presenters. I think it's easy for me to forget to take time away to let myself be inspired. I hope to do things like this more often.

Swan Lake reviews are in!

Colorado Ballet's second show of their 48th season, Swan Lake, opened last weekend. The local Denver media is buzzing about this amazing production! I have seen the show three times, mainly because I have to work, but I have never been disappointed. Swan Lake runs through October 26 so check it out if you can! Here are some media pieces about the production:

"Swan Lake" a standout beauty
KWGN TV
New takes on 'Swan Lake' are birds of a feather

Sigur Ros

Last week I got last- minute tickets to see the Sigur Ros show at Red Rocks. They played on Saturday night and it was INCREDIBLE. If you are one of the few people that have never heard of Sigur Ros before, they are an Icelandic post-modern rock band with classical and ethereal qualities (as described by Wikipedia...=)). The lyrics are a mixture of Icelandic, English and their own made-up language called Volenska. I drove up with my good friends, Chance, Tyler and James but when we arrived Chance and Tyler discovered that they had lost their tickets. So James and I went and they had to drive back home to look for their tickets. They ended up finding them at the ground of the gas station they had stopped at on the way. What a nightmare for them! 

Anyway, the show was amazing. It was pretty full and the crowd was very enthusiastic with people ranging in their 20's to 60's. The music was sweeping and epic. The stars were shining and the the breeze fluttered lightly through everyone's hair. Video projections and lights reflected off the red rock formations behind the stage.  Amazing in every sense of the word.