Last night I went with some friends to see some indoor live music for the first time in over 18 months. In order to attend, everyone had to show proof of vaccination, wear a mask, and sit in a socially distanced way. Even the performers wore masks. To minimize physical contact, it was a 75-minute concert, with no intermission.
It was completely worth it. The musicians (an incredible fiddle player and guitarist) couldn’t stop thanking everyone in the audience for coming. It was their first live concert, too, after months of performing from their living room couches over Zoom. It was clear everyone was so glad to be there.
Throughout the program, the fiddle player performed a few pieces she had written during her lockdown time. Although similar in style to her other work, there were notable differences as well. They seemed – I don’t know – a little more introspective. Can you say that about fiddling? Not sure. But that’s how it felt. The pieces were really gorgeous.
As difficult as it’s been, I have to say the pandemic has actually fueled creativity for so many, by giving the necessary space and time to let creative work evolve. I’ve definitely noticed this in my own creative process. New projects have taken me in completely new directions, and allowed for a lot of experimentation and play. Has all of it worked? Most definitely not! But some of it has, and I’m inspired to keep trying new things.
I’m clearly not alone in this thinking. There have been so many new books and articles over the past year, highlighting the importance of creativity in our lives. I really look forward to exploring this idea more deeply in future monthly blog posts. In the meantime, it seems the perfect time of year to simply say how grateful I am for the role creativity plays in my life. It’s just really fun to make stuff.
Harvard Square street scene, Summer 2020