Creative Encounters of the Musical Kind

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones took the Shakori Hills stage on Sunday evening and pretty much blew everyone's mind with their music.

This past weekend I had the privilege of traveling to Pittsboro, NC. For those of you who may be thinking "Pittsboro, really?" You should be so lucky as to go to Pittsboro, NC! It was amazing! I attended the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance; camped all weekend and enjoyed amazing music with great friends. It was my first time to this festival, but I instantly learned why those who attend once go each time following. It was a beautiful setting and completely inspirational. There were so many amazing musicians performing this past weekend, the pinnacle of which was Bela Fleck and the Flecktones on Sunday night. I have included a video I took of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones jamming with Donna the Buffalo on Sunday night. 

These musicians have been working at and innovating in their field for quite a while; truly inspiring and a great reminder of what practice, hard work and creativity can do. They are artists and pioneers in their field and on their individual instruments. Check them out and be inspired. Even if the music ain't your thing, you can at least appreciate what they have done as artists. Bela Fleck just finished a collaborative piece with the Nashville Symphony and Donna the Buffalo has been raising money for charity through concerts for many years. Also, check out the Shakori Hills site for more info about this and other Grassroots Festivals. 

This past weekend was amazing. I was encouraged and inspired and wanted to share that with you. Today I started a new series of drawings and began to feel encouraged about my other work as well. Someone else may have returned home and written a poem or called an old friend or nurtured some other art in their lives. Hopefully so and hopefully we are each taking time to prioritize creative nourishment for ourselves.