#Song, Sketch, Self
Months ago, my friend, Bea, and I did some mild reading on how to manage social media. We were trying to find ways to make a page dedicated to our cabaret outfit more active. I read a book by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick called The Art of Social Media. While Bea read Dylan Stewart’s 5 Days to Influencer Status. Both were very informative for noobs like me. However, it didn’t encourage me from using social media more, only because it felt like sooo much work.
One thing I picked up from it, however, is whatever you put on your page has to be something you feel is worth sharing (and resharing by other people). So I just started from that notion. And for me, the best things to share with people are the stuff that I value and make me happy. Hence, #song #sketch #self.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2TImwtj9fm/?igshid=1x2ey8r3dw7d4
#song
#song entries involves anything that has music, singing, theater, musical theater, performance. And here are the reasons why they give me so much life.
It reminds me of family.
I grew up in a family that loves music. My sister, Richelle, is a pianist. My other sister, Rosetti, sings and plays both the piano and violin. My dad plays the guitar, and my mom is our biggest fan. :p My mom’s father was a terrific violinist, though, I was told.
The best musical memories during my childhood are the blackouts of the early 90s (or as we call it: brownouts), where we would spend the night at the balcony with my dad playing the guitar and the rest of us singing songs to while away the time and the heat.
It’s an escape...
Sometimes, reality can be a bitch. So it’s always nice to have a nook from time to time to escape to.
I grew up a geek. And a thing most geeks love doing is daydreaming of living in fantasy lands and time traveling to sci-fi pasts or futures.
A similar thing happens when I sing and perform, especially if it’s a musical theater performance. It’s refreshing to be someone else. I’m free to express sentiments and emotions I normally wouldn’t. I can be a hero or (and this is more fun) be a villain. I’m applauded when I’m strong, and yet still allowed to be vulnerable.
...but it also makes you face yourself.
It is great to not be myself from time to time. The magic, however, happens when I put down the microphone, take off my costume and makeup, and realize that while I was escaping being somebody else, I got to know myself a little better as well.
When I was doing a production of In the Heights, I realized it was time to come out to my whole family, despite my fear of the outcome, because one of the stories in the musical reminded me that love of family can surpass many, many things.
Facing yourself can be scary most of the time, but it is also very beautiful.
And speaking of beauty...
It’s freakin’ music and art!
I mean can you imagine a world without music, or singing, or art?!
The apocalypse would’ve probably happened already.
And, of course, the applause.
I’d be a hypocrite if I said part of why I enjoy singing and performing doesn’t include the appreciation I receive from a loving audience.
What about you? Do you love songs, music, theater, and performance? What about them do you love?
