Semester 3

Arts TRYathlon #1: NextNOW

Event Logistics September 12th, 2025, at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The Silent Disco

#music #dance

Although the silent disco was not as set in an open space as the previous disco, and I did not care for the live performances this year, the silent disco was definitely a success, as my friends and I had great fun at the event through my participation in NextNow. The NextNow festival was a ton of fun, and it's always a pleasant experience to interact and be around art whenever I can, even if I don't necessarily like the art being presented at first. However, I have learned through past Art Scholars Colloquiums and through my English that I am taking this semester that even though you may not have an appreciation for certain pieces of art, literature, etc., you can still find certain aspects that do call to you and that are important to notice. For example, recently in my English class, I had to read the works of Henry Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. I absolutely detest both of these writers and their writings for reasons I will not be exploring in this reflection; however, I can acknowledge the importance of their thoughts, as their writings brought important thoughts to American culture in the 1800s, and I somewhat felt the same way at NextNow. I stay at the live performances at NextNow because I wasn't really enticed by what music they were performing, but I still appreciated the fact that they were there, performing for other people to enjoy. I, instead, waited for the silent disco to commence, but at least there were people who did enjoy their performances and saw value in their art.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

Event Logistics September 27th, 2025, Merriweather Post Pavilion, All Things Go music festival

#music #livePerformance

On the other hand, however, I went to All Things Go in DC, and I can say with 100% certainty that it was an unforgettable artistic experience. No one band was mediocre, even the bands and artists whose music I didn't necessarily like or enjoy. Everyone who played was amazing at what they did and I've never thought that live music could make me feel so connected and emotional until I came to All Things Go. I recall the conversation of how art can make you feel certain emotions in colloquium, and I always understood and felt gravitated to that idea of art doing such a thing, I just never thought it would affect me the way it did. I felt like I was truly part of a community. People who were my age who had similar interests, enjoying the same thing simultaneously, it was fantastic. This festival was technically my first true concert that I have ever gone to, and I loved the fact that it was with my friends and peers. It has inspired me artistically, especially as the songs I knew and have always repeated in playlists were played live in front of me, and sometimes they were played in special, different manners than I was expecting, and it felt like a treat. No one else would get to see this sort of performance unless they were there, sort of like a big inside joke.

Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event

Event Logistics September 5h, 2025, Bel Air Lounge, Ice cream and crafts

#arts #crafts #painting

Coming back to an Art scholars event, I knew something within me had to change. Last year in art scholars, I was very hesistant to talk to the people in Art scholars and I very much regret that. I hated the feeling of being lonely and awkward with the people around me in class, and I also realized through my other classes, supporting and the classes that do not support art colloqiuam, that for me to succeed in life, I will need to go out of my way and network. I would have to be the person who extends their hand for relationships to be made, and I did so in this event through art. While participating in this event, I talked and went out of my comfort zone that I was used to so I could make connections and it was a fun time. It was interesting to make art physically (something that I am not very well-versed in) while talking to people that I did not really know without feeling embarassed or anxious. I'm older now, and I took this opportunity to grow, and Im glad that I did it through art. I practiced my social skills, and I am greatful for these sort of events for allowing me to do so. I also got ice cream which is a small part of this success, but also a very welcome one.

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