NextNOW Fest 2018
What did you see/hear/learn that was completely new to you?
I haven’t been to that many concerts in my life, and the ones I have been to have taken place in large arenas that are completely filled with people. Attending the Early Eyes concert was very new and exciting because it was a much more intimate setting for a concert. Though it was still crowded, there was a sense of calm and ease that the band projected to the crowd that made the performance seem like such a different experience than a stadium-esque concert.
2. What was your favorite performance/experience? Why was it your favorite?
My favorite performance was attending the Early Eyes concert because their music was so different from the things I would normally listen to. Their stage presence as a group was strong and drew me in as an audience member. I really enjoyed the way the instrumentalists seemed to bounce off of each other adding little riffs here and there based on how the audience was reacting. I also enjoyed how casual the show was. It didn’t seem like the band was putting on a formal performance; they were just playing their music for whoever would listen.
3. How might one or more of the performances/experiences relate to the Arts Scholars theme of Migrations: Populations and Practices on the Move? (2 points)
I think the Silent Disc-Glo event really exemplifies a the concept of populations and practices on the move. In this event, every participant was given a set of headphones and was able to listen to their choice of one of three channels playing different kinds of music. What made this event unique was the idea that no matter the channel or song you were listening to, everyone was still able to dance together. One of my favorite moments of this event was taking off my headphones at one point during the night and listening to everyone singing and laughing together despite differences in music. I think that this highlights the idea that though we are a diverse community of scholars, we can still come together and create something beautiful.
(The program from the modern dance showcase)
(The dueling DJs at Silent Disc-Glo)
(A photo of my roommate and I with the band Early Eyes after the concert)