Bloomington Contra-Dance

Contra-Dancing is a unique way of socially bonding and simply having a good time. The environment is very inclusive and friendly, so you don't have to have any experience -- anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate (from beginners to veterans). The atmosphere is purely participatory and  elements such as the music encourages it. The diversity (aside from contra-dancing itself) is also another dynamic that makes this event unique and essentially participatory -- it doesn't matter what background you come from, what lifestyle you live, or what you wear -- you can literally come from anywhere and take part in this amazing event. The whole point of this event is to come together, have fun, and connect with one another through this activity.

Right from the start, I was very excited to participate in the contra-dancing. I wasn't nervous, because I knew that it wouldn't be anything serious and I looked at it as being "just for fun." At the beginning of the contra-dancing event (and when the caller was teaching us the basics), it went very well and I was actually having fun. However, as the event progressed, I started to get frustrated and annoyed, because there were times when me and my partner were left out and the caller wasn't be concise or specific enough. For the most part, I really enjoyed it and wouldn't mind going back.

If I had another opportunity to attend the contra-dancing, I would definitely take that up, because it's all about having a good time. There wasn't a single time that I felt left out or bored to death. Obviously, it wasn't perfect -- nothing is perfect. Nobody really cared if us newbies messed up, everyone was just friendly and proactive in helping the newcomers to adapt and learn the moves and I liked that. The best part was just having  fun with my friends, meeting new people, and having a sense of communitas.

The benefits of participatory music and participatory social action is that their is genuine, social bonding between one another. Since no one is being forced to participate, there is a sense of integrity. And with that integrity, it creates that atmosphere of harmony between one another and integrates the minds -- sort of creating a super flow state. In most of my blog posts I consistently stress how music itself is essential for the progression of society. Well, interaction and communication are a part of music (mentally and physically) -- and participatory music and participatory social action contains those elements.

The Punks are Alright!

What is Punk (Punk Rock)? Punk is a genre of rock music that started in the United Kingdom in the mid-1970s. It was started by people who were unemployed or facing unpleasant circumstances such as low income or poverty. Without any doubt, Punk is the most confrontational genre of music -- period. It is loud, rebellious, fast, and typically the most direct in terms of the lyrics than any other genre. The audience tends to be moshing and crowd surfing -- which adds even more to that rebellious, chaotic aspect and element of Punk (also heightening the participatory dynamics). 

The way that they dress, style (like mohawks, piercings, etc.), and present themselves is in a rather peculiar manner. However, I believe that in a sense the style echoes the music of Punk -- the fashion itself is drawing your attention and somewhat being confrontational.  Confrontational in a sense that it's almost forcing you to give them your undivided attention, because it's hard to miss. This demeanor and style isn't just for the fun of it or  merely for their own comfort. The point of the confrontation is to shake people out of their routine and draw attention to the messages. 

Interestingly, Punk is actually more than just a genre of music. I, myself, consciously thought that Punk or any  other type of music was just another genre, but my conception for musical genres (and music itself) in general has forever changed because of Punk. Punk is the consequence of a sickness, and they're trying to remedy it. What is this sickness that they’re trying to remedy you ask? Capitalism and globalization are the sicknesses that they're trying to remedy.

My perceptions for the youth culture in Brazil and Indonesia has changed in that how I feel like I can consciously relate now. DIY (Do It Yourself) is the underlying aesthetics of Punk. Heinrich said that anything from Hip Hop or school can be Punk. When hip hop people are rapping about their life or whatever they're going through, that's Punk. So I believe that the youth are doing it because it's their way of venting -- it gives them a sense of hope.

After watching the movie, "The Punks are Alright," it made me feel as though I'd been living in a fishbowl -- I felt naive and ungrateful. I come from an environment where there really aren't a lot of opportunities, hope, or life -- it's like a depressing ghost town. However, the conditions that these third-world countries have to face makes the circumstances of my town look like nothing and also makes me have more appreciation for what I have been able to obtain. I could not imagine myself earning only $2.60 a day while working for hours, it's just not right. I can relate to the artists in this move in that I use music as a remedy for the conditions or circumstances I've been in.

Whether we know it or now, we have an impact on people around the world. For example, we impact Dolly's life by buying Nike shoes, thus giving him the little income that he does receive. We influence other peoples' lives by giving them a job and practically supporting their mistreatment. Global-citizenship, is how our lives intersect, in that how we interact with the world impacts various communities across  the globe. We are all connected in that we're trying to survive in such a cruel world.

Bloomington Farmers' Market

My experience at the Bloomington Farmers' Market was definitely a memorable experience. As you're approaching the location, you can hear the beats of the African drums and a mixture of musical instruments being played. Initially, I thought there was some huge parade going on (like a Back-To-School-Parade), but I asked my classmate who confirmed that it was actually the Farmers' Market. My interpretant was a mixture of confusion and curiosity -- why was their music/sounds iconic to that of a parade being played at a place where people simply shop (this is what I envisioned the farmers' market being)? More and more questions popped into my head and from that moment, I knew that this wouldn't be an ordinary experience.

Finally, we'd reach the entrance to the location of the Farmers' Market. There were some people sitting down on benches and a swarm of people entering. As we're entering I could hear the voice of a lady belting out what seems to be gibberish or chants; however, she wasn't just singing. She was also dancing. This woman (and other musicians) was also wearing clothing that was similar to the clothing Ancient-Africans or tribes wore -- especially during special ceremonies or sacrifices. Furthermore, there were children joining in the dancing (or playing the drums) and other drummers playing as well. The participatory performances seemed to allure children, because all I saw were children with the exception of a parent or older sibling accompanying the child. Other than that, there were just the drummers, children, and fascinated spectators.

Before passing or continuing to approach the semi-circle (where the drummers were), there was an abrupt path you could take to the right, so I reluctantly diverted my attention from the drummers to the swerving path and found myself in the presence of what seemed to be hundreds of enthusiastic, wandering attendees. Soon, one by one, my classmates started to disappear into the swallowing crowds and I soon followed whoever I could. As I'm following the group of my classmates, we're passing stalls with organic vegetables and fruits, homemade products such as honey lip balm, intricately handcrafted art, and often passed a musician/singer sitting on a crate performing with their guitar case or bucket/jar opened. Most of the music played was old, traditional country. There was just so much going on and I tried to follow an even smaller group, but they were just moving around too much, so I split off and did would I do best -- ventured off on my own.

After about fifteen minutes of wandering around the market, I found myself back at the semi-circle where most of my classmates were. They were talking to one of the drummers and he was generally explaining that music plays a role in every aspect of  our lives (especially for people back in the day). He further elaborated saying that the musicians played for hours in the fields as the fieldworkers worked -- they just liked the music and I presume that it also motivated them (similar to how the African slaves would sing spirituals as they worked through the harsh conditions). I don't know if it's just me, but I felt like I was a time-traveler who traveled to the past into a medieval town. If you've ever watched shows or played games like Xena, Merlin, etc., then you should have a pretty good idea. As townspeople would shop, you could hear music and see people advocating whatever it is in their stalls or within the stalling areas -- in my opinion, the farmers' market was closely similar to that.

I firmly believe that the farmers' market is a way of making people feel as if they're shopping in the medieval times, or maybe they like it in a sense that it gives off that traditional feeling and exposes them to things they couldn't experience otherwise. The participatory aspects of the Bloomington Farmer's Market is similar to the participatory aspect of music in that it doesn't matter where you are from or who you are -- your contribution is all that matters.

This is just one of the amazing groups I heard at the Farmers' Market.

Four Field of Making Music

Participatory

This video is an example of participatory, because it gives the audience a chance to take part in the performance, "Irreplaceable." This personally is my favorite Beyonce song; I remember listening to it and falling in love with it. The message obviously doesn't apply to me since I'm a guy, but I like strong, independent women, and I believe Beyonce embodies it. I know it's contradictory, but I just like women that go about carrying themselves in a positive, determined manner.

Potentials: 

--Interaction between the artist and the audience.

--Emphasizes and enables social bonding.

--Participation open to anyone regardless of one's aptitude.

 Limitations:

--Less emphasis on individual artistic creativity and abilities.

Presentational

 This clip is an example of presentational, because in a sense he's simply showcasing himself. There is more of an emphasis on quality and connectivity to the audience while also sustaining the interest of the audience. Brian Mcknight is one of my favorite singers and has had a huge impact on my voice -- I consider him to be one of the best male vocalist of our time.

Potentials:

--More room for individual artistic creativity.

--Higher chance of achieving a flow.

Limitations:

Distinction between the artist and audience; separation.

High Fidelity

Although you can't visually see the performance, you can hear that the recording is live (audience screaming, acoustics). This a clip of Amber Riley's incredible rendition "Ain't No Way," by Aretha Franklin.

Potentials: 

--Still gives off that "live" feel

Limitations:

--Lacks visual connection

Studio Art 

 This clip is an example of studio arts - you simply can't produce the exact same sound as the studio version live. This is called, "Dubstep."

Potentials: 

--Unique sound(s)

--Variety of options

Limitations 

--Practically impossible to transpose from studio to live. 

An Experience When Music Profoundly Changed Me

On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama became the first African-American president of the United States. During that particular duration of time, the immensity of unexplainable feelings shimmered throughout the nation. Considering the history of African-Americans in this country and the way their identity as a cultural cohort is perceived (and has been), such interpretants are comprehensible. Furthermore, I believe that the appointment of Barack Obama and these emotions gave the nation a sense of communitas. African-Americans make up less than 20% of the population (meaning non-African-Americans' vote's had a complete impact on the results), so obviously a sense of communitas was among those who aren't African-Americans as well.

 

In my opinion, the Flow was reached when Beyonce sang at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards. As I watched and listened to her performance, a variety of emotions were conjured up, and to be completely honest to this day I still can't describe the emotion(s). Even as you're watching Beyonce perform you can see the tears forming in her eyes. To sum it all up, I believe my emotions were just an overwhelming mixture of joy and grief for those who died and made contributions for the rights African-Americans have today.

Sign -- (Beyonce's emotional, heartfelt performance at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards & The Images Appearing).

Object -- ( Barack Obama becoming the first African-American president of the United States)

Interpretant -- (My overwhelming emotions of joy and grief)

My Songprint

As this musical piece suggests, I lead an optimistic life filled with positive energy, compassion, and genuine love.

My interpretation of this song is that a girl is trying to find her way through life and soar (succeed and accomplish personal goals) to the highest skies, and that's who I am -- well, not the girl part.  (Eric Whitacre - Fly to Paradise)

 Integrity is an attribute I highly value and I try to exemplify it through my daily life, which is hard, because it requires being open and vulnerable. (Billy Joel - Honesty)

I come from an underprivileged city where there are virtually no opportunities; however, this music piece personally motivates me to forget about those circumstances. (John Legend - Wake up Everybody)