Semester 1

Arts TRYathlon #1: NextNOW

Ricky Montgomery (September 7th at The Clarice)

#music

I attended the Ricky Montgomery show at the Clarice on September 7th. I had been looking forward to this show since a friend told me about it weeks prior, but the show was not what I expected- it felt much more intimate, despite the fact that I was surrounded by other people. It was strange watching an artist who I had seen so many times in videos perform only feet away from me. This show helped show me how art is able to affect people on a larger scale. Being around so many others who I knew shared similar yet unique experiences built a sense of community. I was also still able to relate to people who were not able to be there, knowing that they were fans of the same music I got to hear. This show also changed the significance of the music to me as well. The songs felt more powerful when they were played live by the man that wrote them, much more so than they do through headphones. Hearing the songs in person brought me back to other times when I had listened on my own, but now the emotions felt shared between a crowd who each had their own ties. The same songs that once were tied to other memories have been reassociated with new ones after hearing them somewhere new. Even if I couldn’t relate to every song or I didn’t particularly care for one, I was able to appreciate them more. Each time I’ve been able to go to a live performance, I’ve left feeling more connected to the music and everyone around me, and this show was no different.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

Color on the Quad Craft & Chat (October 14th in the Bel Air Lounge)

#visualart

For my second TRYathlon event, I attended the “Color on the Quad” Craft & Chat. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous going into things, as I am not a painter by any means. I started out frustrated that my painting wasn’t looking exactly how I wanted and I was ready to quit after only a few minutes. Eventually, though, I was able to relax and start having fun instead of being irritated with my lack of skills. The progression of the frustration that I felt painting was similar to how I felt voguing. While I did not necessarily enjoy every individual part of either experience, I can say that I enjoyed the experiences overall. I was able to walk away having had fun with friends and with even more respect for the artists who choose each as their medium. I was able to try something new and learn a bit in the process. Even though I do not plan on delving deep into painting or dance, I still am able to appreciate each immensely, even more so now than before. Both experiences also brought me closer to my friends who I was able to participate alongside. While I do not see myself becoming the next DaVinci or a world-renowned vogue dancer any time soon, I am still happy I got to try something new that I likely would not have done otherwise.

Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event

Boomwhacker Craft & Chat (October 24th in the Bel Air Lounge)

#music

For my third TRYathlon event, I attended Jenna’s Boomwhacker Craft and Chat. While this was once again not an area I had much experience in, I was hopeful that I would leave having enjoyed my time, and I certainly did. I may have the musical skills of an elementary schooler, but this was in no way a hindrance. If anything, it made me feel more suited for the exercises we did. I was able to relive my 4th grade music classes, but it was much more enjoyable than when I was 9. We played with the instruments, clapped out rhythms, and were able to laugh and learn throughout it all. Having had other experiences this year that pushed me out of my comfort zone made it easier to relax and enjoy my time with our rhythm games and recreations of classic childhood songs. I tend to want to be a perfectionist with my art, though I certainly wasn’t a boomwhacker prodigy. In this case, though, that didn’t matter. I was able to have fun with something I had never tried before, which I have struggled to do historically. I hope that this experience will help me do the same in the future, letting me branch out and try things that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

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