Supporting Local Arts in a Depressed Economy, It Starts with Me

HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Like Bill and Melinda Gates, I am of the mindset that everyone should have an opportunity to thrive in society and be the best expression of themselves, living life to their fullest potential. Unlike Bill and Melinda Gates, I am not a billionaire with substantially extensive financial resources to donate to causes and activities about which I may care deeply. Therein lies my quandary…how does one make a difference if one is not Bill or Melinda Gates, or anyone remotely resembling them financially, particularly in these depressed economic times?

As I began pondering this question, it occurred to me that perhaps the situation should be approached much like one might take on a new household project- start small, breaking it down into very small steps, or pieces, but beginning always with the end in mind. Defining what’s important to me should help to dictate my actions and ensure my motivation to reach the end goal, or at least, get me on my way.

We all know that music has the power to transport us, particularly when we are in the presence of the actual people making the music. It's a kind of powerful, indescribable energy, and part of what it means to be human: that intangible feeling of connection from one person to another through creative  expression- something spoken words cannot convey.

So, armed with this solid conviction about music, if I define the endpoint as seeing local communities support the creative arts, it needs to start with me. A small but significant step I can take is to patronize the establishments which use or hire local entertainment.  I can also purchase CD's or go online and download music of local artists for a small fee. Other ways include making ticket purchases, donations or sponsorships, however small, to an event which includes local live music or special performance shows.

Millions of Americans are still without jobs or any source of income, and this includes (otherwise) very hardworking, professional, talented, and often misunderstood musicians who have been devoting their lives to this craft, despite the sometimes unfair and inaccurate reputation of being “slackers, lazy, druggies, etc.” I am not denying that category of musician exists, but the majority of those people never made a respectable living from the beginning. 

Therefore, due to the fact that the performing arts have always been notoriously under funded and under appreciated, particularly in this country, I know that I am contributing to the enrichment of society by supporting local performing artists, including musicians of professional caliber, many of whom rarely earn their worth, unless they are touring with an extremely well-known artist or celebrity. 

Then there is always tipping…not the kind where you’re in a pasture with cows; but that could depend entirely upon the performance venue, as I have had the distinct honor of playing live in a pasture, at a polo field, on a boat, on the second floor of a famous museum in front of an original painting worth a fortune, and even at the edge of the ocean during a thunderstorm complete with sea spray and lightning, among other places.

But I digress….

I have also had the pleasure of being a guest performing artist in local venues here in Cumming and the surrounding communities north of Atlanta and here in north Georgia, including the beautiful historic , and recently at the Holly Theatre in Dahlonega for a live performance taped for later radio broadcast. As a resident of this community and a professional musician, I look forward to the opportunity of contributing more to the arts both as a performing artist and as a patron to the extent that I am able.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

I think it is very exciting to contemplate building together a real arts community that is truly more vibrant and diverse, musically and culturally.  There is room for so much music here and many talented folks looking for opportunities to express their unique creativity, as well as- I would like to think- an audience waiting to hear it. American music has probably the richest and most diverse heritage in the world, in my humble opinion, and we should be supporting it. Whether you love country, rock, bluegrass, jazz, blues, rhythm & blues, pop, Latin music, or hip hop, to name a few genres, there should be something for everyone here in Cumming for all ages. There are also many wonderful local artisans and crafts persons of the visual arts with small businesses to support, and the fall arts festival season is just around the corner.

So I encourage you to take this opportunity in the next few weeks to get out to an establishment, get some great food, be with your friends and family, but most importantly, to hear some live music. Or instead of going out to dinner or shopping one evening, go catch a live performance or show. Make a point to put it on your calendar. And if there is no live music at your favorite “hangout," ask the manager why, or why not, and if they would ever “entertain” the idea of live “entertainment." Let them know you would support it.

Make your voice heard, if you sense a lack of choices or variety of live entertainment. If you’re doing it already, then hats off to you; if you’re not, now is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone and try something a little different.

Support local music and the arts in your area, particularly maybe the kind you wouldn’t normally go out to hear, or make a small but significant purchase of a truly unique handmade item from a local merchant or artisan. Who knows? You might make some new friends and meet some fantastic people, while checking off your holiday gift list, wish list, bucket list, or maybe all of the above.  You may find your experience to be simply, to quote American songwriter Johnny Mercer,  "too marvelous for words."

PLACES TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC OR SUPPORT THE LOCAL ARTS:

• Castleberry Ale House, Cumming. Local live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday with Open Mic Night hosted by The Woodys on Sunday evenings.

• Luna’s Jazz Jam, Gainesville. Saturday nights.

• , Cumming. Live Music Saturday evening and Sunday brunch. 

• , Cumming. 

• , 'The Miracle Worker,' now through Oct. 2.

• Holly Theatre, Dahlonega. Pump Boys and Dinettes musical. Weekends beginning Sept. 23 through Oct. 9.

• , Oct. 6 through 16. Featuring live regional and local musical entertainment throughout the week and weekends.