Trying Times

I finally have a few days to think in the midst of all that has been going on - working to sort out our businesses and care for our families. We are overwhelmed by the news of so many people in the world who‘s lives have been upended by this pandemic, both through the disease directly and through the precautions taken control it.

All this comes at a time when Sandy and I have been working hard on our newest iteration, Bez Arts Hub and it has been a wonderful development over the last few years. We have hosted dozens of concerts and hundreds of classes. We have been delighted to be in the business of gathering people and creating inspiring experiences. The current social distancing requirements are a major challenge for us.

All the show’s at Bez have been postponed or rescheduled including PeaceMeal, the music and story show that I tour this time of year with Justyn Rees. The dance and music classes, the pre-prefessional arts mentorship courses and other community events have also been cancelled or postponed (a few will change their shape and go online). We are using this time for a massive reset. Slowing down, giving more time to thinking, mediation and prayer and to be honest, it has been very helpful.

I am so encouraged to see so many artists finding new ways to connect and inspire. Social channels are filled with live streamed concerts, dance, poetry and more. In trying times it seems that for many of us, the arts both ground us and elevate us.

It looks like I will be posting more content online this season, which is something I have wanted to do but with wearing so many administrative hats, I’ve just not found the time. So this is a “forced” season of creativity and finding new ways to share. I’m in.