Copperwire, night out, and online/offline socializing
Life is still busy and interesting, for which I am grateful. Had a weekday birthday, which limited celebrations but I enjoyed a night out anyway, attending a hip-hop concert by Copperwire. Being older doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good performance or a night out. Although I haven't been a consumer of hip-hop or most pop music for years, I admire the work and community-building done by progressive hip-hop artists who reject misogynist, violent imagery for more interesting material - and the beats are still good. 
Copperwire is a truly original, sci-fi/hip-hop project involving music, technology, storytelling, and more. One of the songs from the album references the real-life friendship of Mahalia Jackson and Albert Einstein.
The members, (Meklit Hadero, Gabriel Teodros, and Burntface) & the music have roots in Ethiopia, the USA, and the galaxy at large (this is a science-fiction-influenced project). During their tour they will be joined by other talented artists, playing acoustic instruments and adding digital music elements.
The CD cover includes a tantalizingly brief fictional narrative and character backstories written by Nigerian-American speculative fiction and fantasy author Nnedi Okorafor. The ensemble has completed a video (shot in Ethiopia, with some location shots near historic buildings), and at least two iPhone/Android apps linked to the Copperwire project will be available soon if they're not already out.
I'm excited about seeing this project take new directions. If you know someone who enjoys hip hop and science fiction, kindly suggest that they check out Copperwire.
The concert was fun -- very easygoing, friendly crowd, people hugging hello, offering friendly smiles to strangers, chatting, dancing. I wasn't the oldest person there by a long shot -- a 60-ish looking couple, possibly relatives of some of the performers, sat and watched the proceedings, applauding each song.
During the final song almost everyone was dancing or swaying, the movement of bodies opening and closing sight lines across the floor. I looked up to see an author whose work I enjoy dancing near the stage. I was surprised because she doesn't live in this region of the U.S., but I was sure that I recognized her - sometimes people really do look like their author photos.
I asked a friend acquainted with AdmiredAuthor to confirm that the woman I saw was indeed who I thought she was and she introduced us. I didn't gush, but tried to pay her sincere compliments, telling her how much I appreciated her work and that I was glad to recommend her to other readers. AdmiredAuthor was kind, modest and friendly, clasping my hand first in a handshake and then later in a sisterly, conversational way as she thanked me for my comments.
I was fascinated by her strong grip; perhaps she actually clutches a pen or pencil and sometimes writes longhand, or the vitality of her writing flows through her hands and connects her with other people. I've encountered a few other writers with strong hands or visibly knotted muscles (carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis?) in their wrists and hands over the years, and always find it interesting - visual reminders that writing & other forms of creative work take a physical toll.
A few minutes later I was introduced to someone I “knew” through Tumblr and Twitter, although we have real life acquaintances in common. It was nice to meet her but a little odd, as I already had a first impression of her life and activities through her digital life (not sure what, if any, impression she had of me because she's more active on both platforms than I am). I enjoy good online writing but real human beings are great too. All the better to dance and laugh and walk safely to the bus/train stop or to the car in a group with.
All told, a good night: pleasant interactions with a crowd diverse in age, culture and class; dancing; 1 mojito consumed. Pre-and-post-concert conversation about organic gardening, mixed with talk about local politics, conflict resolution, technology, and why bright young things should slow down, be polite, and listen to their elders over age 55 - there's so much to learn, and forming cross-generational networks and friendships is important. Typical discussion topics for the kind of people I like to hang out with even when we are not waiting for the start of a hip-hop show.
This entry was originally posted at http://zizi-west.dreamwidth.org/44975.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
Copperwire is a truly original, sci-fi/hip-hop project involving music, technology, storytelling, and more. One of the songs from the album references the real-life friendship of Mahalia Jackson and Albert Einstein.
The members, (Meklit Hadero, Gabriel Teodros, and Burntface) & the music have roots in Ethiopia, the USA, and the galaxy at large (this is a science-fiction-influenced project). During their tour they will be joined by other talented artists, playing acoustic instruments and adding digital music elements.
The CD cover includes a tantalizingly brief fictional narrative and character backstories written by Nigerian-American speculative fiction and fantasy author Nnedi Okorafor. The ensemble has completed a video (shot in Ethiopia, with some location shots near historic buildings), and at least two iPhone/Android apps linked to the Copperwire project will be available soon if they're not already out.
I'm excited about seeing this project take new directions. If you know someone who enjoys hip hop and science fiction, kindly suggest that they check out Copperwire.
The concert was fun -- very easygoing, friendly crowd, people hugging hello, offering friendly smiles to strangers, chatting, dancing. I wasn't the oldest person there by a long shot -- a 60-ish looking couple, possibly relatives of some of the performers, sat and watched the proceedings, applauding each song.
During the final song almost everyone was dancing or swaying, the movement of bodies opening and closing sight lines across the floor. I looked up to see an author whose work I enjoy dancing near the stage. I was surprised because she doesn't live in this region of the U.S., but I was sure that I recognized her - sometimes people really do look like their author photos.
I asked a friend acquainted with AdmiredAuthor to confirm that the woman I saw was indeed who I thought she was and she introduced us. I didn't gush, but tried to pay her sincere compliments, telling her how much I appreciated her work and that I was glad to recommend her to other readers. AdmiredAuthor was kind, modest and friendly, clasping my hand first in a handshake and then later in a sisterly, conversational way as she thanked me for my comments.
I was fascinated by her strong grip; perhaps she actually clutches a pen or pencil and sometimes writes longhand, or the vitality of her writing flows through her hands and connects her with other people. I've encountered a few other writers with strong hands or visibly knotted muscles (carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis?) in their wrists and hands over the years, and always find it interesting - visual reminders that writing & other forms of creative work take a physical toll.
A few minutes later I was introduced to someone I “knew” through Tumblr and Twitter, although we have real life acquaintances in common. It was nice to meet her but a little odd, as I already had a first impression of her life and activities through her digital life (not sure what, if any, impression she had of me because she's more active on both platforms than I am). I enjoy good online writing but real human beings are great too. All the better to dance and laugh and walk safely to the bus/train stop or to the car in a group with.
All told, a good night: pleasant interactions with a crowd diverse in age, culture and class; dancing; 1 mojito consumed. Pre-and-post-concert conversation about organic gardening, mixed with talk about local politics, conflict resolution, technology, and why bright young things should slow down, be polite, and listen to their elders over age 55 - there's so much to learn, and forming cross-generational networks and friendships is important. Typical discussion topics for the kind of people I like to hang out with even when we are not waiting for the start of a hip-hop show.
This entry was originally posted at http://zizi-west.dreamwidth.org/44975.html. Please comment there using OpenID.