A few words of note

In a time when nothing seems to be easy or feels right, music is my refuge. It’s my escape from a reality that can be clouded by so much negativity at times.

Music is shared by everyone. It’s a common bond that holds us all together, something that we can all relate to. I experienced this on Thursday at the Celebration of the Arts at the Ypsilanti District Library.

The celebration was the first undertaken by the library. And it was a hit. People were streaming in and out, whether it was to see freestyle rapping or listen to Alberta Adams, Detroit’s undisputed “Queen of the blues”, or hear Luis Rodriguez read from his books about his time spent in L.A. as a gang member. They all came for different reasons.

While watching Adams perform, I couldn’t help but notice the vast array of people. People from different racial backgrounds, ages, experiences. All were there to see Adams perform, and perform she did.

Singing from her wheelchair, Adams belted out the blues like I have never heard before. She was funny, engaging, inspiring.

Before seeing Adams’ show, I watched both kids and adults do some freestyle rapping along with spoken word poetry. Kids and adults of all ages got up and read their most inner thoughts. Adults tried rapping for the first time. But no one cared. They were there to have fun.

I couldn’t help but think, the arts are what holds us all together. No matter what, it gives us all the chance to escape from reality yet find things we have in common with those who we least expected.

I’m wondering how the arts have impacted others? Whether it be through song, dance, painting, whatever. What do the arts do for you?