Family Date: Part 1

DACAMERA Young Artists: Celebrating Black History Month; Wednesday Feb. 5, 2025. Grand Foyer at the Wortham Center. Performers: Christian Harvey at the double bass, and Brooke Wyatt at the piano.

Yesterday, Mark surprised H and I to a little day of music at the Wortham Center, to an hour long, free to the public, musical performance during the lunch hour.

The audience encompassed seniors citizens, young adults, and professionals working within the area.

I felt so blessed to be there.

The music was so incredibly beautiful, where one could not help but just stop within their tracks, silence all trivial thoughts, and just receive this incredible gift.

I imagined all the years of practice and training these musicians underwent to share this gift with all of us. The spiritual reward, of how my heart just felt overwhelmed with love, and tears of gratitude, was a deeply appreciated break from the chaos of the world, and to just be for a moment, in the beauty of human beings.

A beautiful reminder of how impactful art is on the human psyche.

DACAMERA Young Artists: Celebrating Black History Month; Wednesday Feb. 5, 2025. Grand Foyer at the Wortham Center. Performer: Triniti Rives.

I am so grateful to be able to expose H to music and the arts.

Even though I am an artist, I have failed to make experiencing art in Houston, and visiting cities as a priority. And this is something I want to I will change, especially this year.

While I was listening to the performance, I wrote this in my notes on my phone:

Title: “Dacamera Houston Grand Opera

Live music, during the lunch hour.

The crowd silent, all eyes, energy and attention present.

What does music do for you? What is it about a composed song?

This moment, with everyone transfixed and in tune, with this shared experience…all of our souls connect, reminded of our true nature, that stems beyond this world of tribalism and survival.

Moments like this, reminds us, of why we are alive.

Alive.

What we are all striving for.

What we all desire most from this life, is to truly live.

The music brought me to tears. I felt the energy of my entire existence, of all the people I love and cherish.”

I rarely ever write when I am out and about. I usually pack a journal on leisurely outings in case I receive inspiration to write or draw something. But, this was the first time, I wrote in my phone to capture my feelings as they occur; and I’m so glad I did. I would have never been able to remember that moment, the exact way I’ve written it here.

Music, art, books, poems, architecture, they all connect us back to our true identities: creative beings who are made to love one another, do what we love, and give, share and exude love in all of our expressions.

Life is hard. Life can be truly hard and difficult at times; but it can also be, mostly incredibly fulfilling and beautiful. And art reminds us of this, simultaneous and everlasting truth.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Always,

AVM

Oh, and here is the description of: A Little Day Music, (I believe a monthly program free to the public):

“In 2009, DACAMERA of Houston launched the Young Artist Program, a chamber music and jazz professional development program for instrumentalists, singers, and composers. The Young Artist Program is designed to provide career-expanding experiences and training to the next generation of artists and educators, encouraging them to advocate for music in the community through their careers. After being chosen through a rigorous audition process by a committee of local musicians and educators, DACAMERA Young Artists participate in an exciting variety of performances, workshops, and school visits. They perform in traditional concert halls, museums and galleries, and schools and libraries. Meet the Young Artists at DACAMERA.com.

A.V.M. HawkinsComment