What's Good! | February 20, 2017

What I'm Excited About This Week

See This! 
Alvin Ailey Dance Company - When this extraordinary company of dancers comes to town, I do not miss a performance. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, now in its 59th year, is designated as " a vital American cultural ambassador to the world" by a U.S. congressional resolution; this vibrant, energetic group of artists is a spectacle to behold, with soul-stirring choreography from the late Alvin Ailey in modern dance. Additional pieces from Ailey contemporaries also fill out the repertoire. When they come to your city, be sure to get a ticket, a bring along a friend!

Read This!
The History of Wine in 100 Bottles - While it stands to reason wine has been around forever - archaeologists date wine making as early as Ancient Mesopotamia - it is also interesting to know the many implications for wine usage throughout history. Author OZ Clarke explores the history and significance of wine while examining 100 bottles that represent wine and winemaking as it relates to its social, economic, religious and cultural impact through time. This book is a great accessory for any bar cart or coffee table, available on Amazon.

Wear This!
 Capsule Wardrobe Essentials - I recently purchased an anorak jacket to go with my brown leather backpack, and since then, it has been the only jacket I reach for when I go out in the cold, windy, rainy weather we have had of late. This jacket goes with most things in a standard capsule wardrobe: Wear it over jeans and a striped T with sneakers, or go chic with a black turtleneck and matching cigarette pants. Whatever the look, this jacket is light enough for effortless layering and will keep you warm and cozy. The best thing is, I purchased mine on Groupon for less than 20.00! Get the Groupon app, or check out the cool jacket above at Amazon. For more on putting together a fabulous capsule wardrobe, click here!

Get This! 
Market Basket Backpack - With all of the new policies on bringing your own bags to the grocery store, why not be sustainably stylish with this beautiful woven market backpack (80.00) from Food 52? Handmade in Morocco, this back pack is made from palm leaves and leather and is sourced from Medina Mercantile. Roomy enough for your groceries, or super finds from your local farmer's market. I want it!

Listen to This!
Dinah Washington -    One day as I was driving and listening to my favorite jazz station, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a song from Dinah Washington that just made me swoon; "That Sunday, That Summer" has been covered by other jazz greats, such as Nat King Cole, but Dinah's version lilts and tickles your ears, making you float into nostalgic memories. It can be found on The Complete Roulette Dinah Washington Sessions; hear this song and many of her other wonderful hits on Spotify, or purchase the single in iTunes. Exquisite!

So that's WHAT'S GOOD! What are YOU excited about this week? Share below! 

5 Things Creative People Want You to Know

           We are in awe of the things artists, dancers and musicians can do. People stand in line to buy tickets to be amazed by our right-brained-dominant counterparts, a community of which I am proud to be a part. The world would not flow or connect without the creative mind; Creatives are able to not only recognize patterns, but understand the nuances of such and add additional layers that shape human culture. 

           Yet, somehow, being a creative is often trivialized and overlooked. The contributions of Creatives are not considered as important as those who use their brains in the analytical way. Math, science, business, technology and law yield professions that have high earning potential, while the "starving artist" is always, well...starving. 

         

The shift towards 21st Century workplace standards has made space for the right-brainers, however. The employee of today must meet criteria that allows for flexibility, innovation, and a global mindset. Individuals of today's workplace must be creative, be able to communicate effectively with others through collaborative efforts, and exercise a natural sense of critical thinking. These attributes are known as the "Four Cs" and are benchmarks corporations now use to seek potential employees. 

         

It is believed by some that creativity can be learned, while we Creatives disagree: Born creativity comes from someplace deep within, maybe even far beyond. As we live each day, we look for what is new, we are in a constant state of wonder, and curiosity runs through our blood. If you know anyone who is Right-Brained, and they add color to your life, they may want you to know 5 things that are important to the way they see the world:

 1. The creative process is a spiritual flow. We are created beings, formed by The Creator in His likeness. Therefore, it is within us to create.

2.     Artistry comes from places within. Sometimes that energy is very intense. We tap into a source originating from experiences; emotions that are sometimes good and other times bad. Creatives use joy and pain, humor and anger as a conduit to produce beautiful work, and it takes time. Artistry is an outward expression that reflects what is within, and they never allow self-doubt to dictate how far they go in their creative process. 

3.     Creatives are not wind-up toys. We do not perform at your convenience. Saying, “We just want you to play a little song”, or “Can you do a little dance number?” is an insult to us. We put in hours of practice and labor hard to do what you see as “little”. Our worth is known by us, but needs to be understood and respected by non-creatives.

4.     Our work is of value. We deserve to be paid when you ask us to give and share our gifts. If you could do what we do, you wouldn't need us. For many of us, our talent helps us to make a living.

     5.     We love to give. We perform and create as a way of giving and expressing ourselves. It is how we communicate with the world around us. We also love appreciation and to know that what we share is worthwhile to you, that it has touched your heart and filled your soul. So the next time you see a painting or photo, stop and look. The next time you hear a song, a poem, an instrument being played, stop and listen. The next time you are mesmerized by the actor or dancer on stage, stop and take notice.

Then, put your hands together and say “thank you”.

“The applause is a celebration not only of the actors but also of the audience. It constitutes a shared moment of delight.”

John Charles Polanyi