Support the arts by supporting the artists!

Photo by Nina Galicheva

Hello friend! Can you believe it’s already October? Wow, where has time gone?! To say this Summer has been a wild ride would be very pale in comparison to the actual reality. But hey, I have absolutely no complaints whatsoever! In fact, I’m quite thankful. The opportunities I’ve encountered this Summer have been true blessings, especially following the immense drought Covid bestowed upon us all last year. In other ways however, these opportunities also came with some challenges.

Although the world is reopening, there are still many things up in the air. Navigating through such an incredibly high amount of doubt can at times be taxing. I don’t know about you but the biggest thing for me is letting go of the fear it will all slip through my fingers and disappear again. I’m finding out that living like “this might be my last gig” or “this might be the last chance we get to do XYZ’’ is quite exhausting! I try to not let these thoughts get the best of me but they are indeed present. Are you also experiencing anxiety-induced feelings in regards to the future?

It’s no secret our emotions have been all out of whack lately. In discussing this topic with many colleagues, we’ve agreed the challenges that artistic communities have endured (and still do!) in regards to uncertainty definitely hold ripple effects; such as major revenue losses, abrupt project cancellations and career interruptions, all yielding to emotional instability, profound depression and sometimes identity crisis (hello!). Nothing is to say we won’t have a fourth, fifth or even a seventy-sixth wave eventually. Perhaps we will have to find other Plan B, C or Z to make ends meet and say a sudden goodbye to the projects we’ve been working on for months, years or even decades and possibly change careers altogether. Our future IS uncertain and time is of the essence. There is something YOU can do, my friend.

Photo by VP Visuals

Please remember that supporting the arts means supporting the artists! In this era where every song, movie, TV show, dance, painting & photography tutorials, etc is at our fingertips, it makes it easy to be disconnected from the source, especially after spending a year doing everything remotely. Please understand: all the entertainment that has accompanied you during the pandemic, the paintings/photographs that hang on your walls, the songs you use to match your IG/FB story: they all come from artists pouring their soul & talent into a medium. So if you find yourself in a position where you feel comfortable, not struggling to pay for basic stuff and wishing to show your gratitude for the things you do enjoy, please consider showing your support.

That show you’ve always wanted to go see? Buy tickets. That song you keep streaming from Spotify? Find what artist/record it’s from and purchase it. That artist you follow on IG? Find where they’re exhibited and go see their show! Is there an artist you really love? Tell them! There’s a million ways you can show support and I encourage you to find what works best for you! Of course your comfort levels have to be considered and I would never suggest anyone should jeopardize their health. We are still in the middle of a crisis and it’s important we remember to take precautions. Personally, I find it crucial to know a venue is on top of the safety measures when planning a concert or an event with them. I would never want to put my esteemed colleagues, friends, patrons & fans in a precarious situation! That being said, I’m happy to suggest 2 safe ways you can encourage me in the month of October:

NYC —> I’ll be performing my critically acclaimed “PHIRO chante PIAF” show @ Birdland Theater on Oct 17th, 8.30pm. (Birdland is a fully vaccinated venue!)

VA —> I’ll be playing classical bass in the Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra’s “On Top Of The World” concert on Oct 29th, 7.30pm @ Lifepoint Auditorium. (My first classical gig on the bass! Also vaxx mandated.)

Please let me know if you would like to come and join in the festivities. I’d love nothing more than to share these beautiful, unique and meaningful moments with you! Thank you again for your continuous support and for reading my blogposts. In closing, I’d like to leave you with this quote by Paul Robeson, which inspired this entire blogpost: “Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization's anchor. We are the compass for humanity's conscience.”

A bientôt mon ami(e) Xx