Bloomington Contra-Dance

The Bloomington Contra-Dance far exceeded my expectations.  I looked forward to the event because I used to take ballroom dance classes and I thought my experience would give me an advantage over others.  Sadly, it took me nearly an hour to get into the “swing” of things.

Contra-dancing made me feel like I was a part of something larger than myself.  People were counting on me to complete each dance step correctly and with enthusiasm.  Knowing that people were relying on me added extra pressure.  At first, this extra pressure made me consistently mess up and throw the dance off.  After I grew more comfortable, I became a dancer my peers trusted in order to complete future steps.  I had such a blast contra-dancing, my professor even asked me if I was drunk.  This was probably due to my light-headedness/dizziness (from being sick and dancing), my errors dancing, and my confusion holistically.  I would also like to believe I was asked this because I was laughing non-stop and having way more fun than anticipated.

Contra-dancing was extremely participatory: we all played roles in creating unity throughout the chaos of dancing.  Compared to a more mainstream forum for public dance, contra-dancing was significantly more inviting and accepting.  The mainstream forums for public dance tend to be more judgmental, where people evaluate strangers on appearance and other (usually more shallow) characteristics.  Contra-dancing was less focused on sexuality, and more focused on socializing.  Everyone asked one another to dance and was tremendously more inclusive, where there was a heavy emphasis on social bonding.

In all honesty, I would attend this event again.  IFS largely taught me about myself.  I had no idea how open-minded I was until I got here, and I am really proud of myself for making every scenario fun! Contra-dancing was definitely outside my comfort zone, but I figured I may as well make the most of it, and I ended up surprising myself with how much fun I had.  I think I would only go again if I had friends coming to dance and laugh along with me.   Unfortunately, my Hollywood 1 class has us watching a movie every Wednesday night during the contra-dance.  Hopefully, I will be able to get out of that at least once.

Participatory music making and participatory social action have countless benefits.  They each serve as an escape from the stresses of everyday life.  Those involved form a strong sense of community, and the differences among one another are irrelevant as the state of flow is created.  The greater the participation, the better the feeling and overall experience.   Humans crave forming connections with one another, and these participatory events are perfect opportunities to form these connections.  Best of all, skill level is not important.  Since the focus is on social bonding, ability in that department can be scattered among participators.  There is still a strong sense of inclusion despite the various levels of expertise.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the contra-dance.  My classmates and I left humorously teasing one another and laughing at the experience holistically.  I think we were all caught off guard by how much fun we had.  It amazes me how much keeping an open-mind can shape experiences positively.  With any luck, I will be able to get out of my Wednesday night class sometime and have so much fun contra-dancing that people will think I am drunk.

The Punks are Alright

"The Punks are Alright" opened my eyes to the impact punk music has on society.  I have come to realize its purpose serves much deeper than just a music genre, because it has become an escape for many third-world country citizens, mostly the youth culture, suffering from the realities of capitalism.  
It amazes me how punk music was able to connect three different people from three different parts of the world.  Punk music is extremely confrontational, and spreads immediate awareness to the causes the listeners are rebelling against (oppression, drugs, poverty, violence and so on).  Unfortunately, while punk music may be listened to, it does not necessarily mean it is being heard.

The Punk/DIY community is outspoken about expression and social, economic and political turmoil.  It was incredible to learn of the youth's perceptions of their lives in retrospect to the world around them.  Their awareness of these injustices caught me off guard.  I find it depressing how many people in third world countries have their innocence taken away at such a young age, but these people are wise for being able to make such insightful speculations about the realities of the world.  

I was surprised to learn of how positive of an influence Punk music has on the world.  In Canada, Mickey played for 1 million fans, 100 at a time.  This dedication shows Mickey and his fans' true commitment to punk music.  If punk music is the sign, its object is confrontation and rebellion.  Punk music makes people feel like they are more than utterly powerless.  It is a form of expression.  In Brazil, Henrike, a punk rocker, helped form a school to keep the youth focused on education, as opposed to focused on life in the streets.  The reasoning is that if the youth culture is focused more on Punk music, there will be less of a desire to sell drugs or commit other crimes on the streets and risk jail/death.  It is crucial to keep children occupied with positive activities so they do not cave into the dangerous social pressures of the impoverished area.  In Indonesia, punk music serves a similar purpose of getting people through each individual day.  Dolly takes an extensive commute to work long, discomforting hours at a Nike Factory, where he earns $2.66 a day.  Punk music has been an escape for youths surrounded by bad influences.

Living in a first world country makes my lifestyle differ from the movie's artists who live in third world countries across the world.  As mentioned in the movie, you are not fully capable of understanding the lifestyle of a third world religious country until you have lived it.  One thing Dolly emphasizes is that "punk is the remedy for [his] sickness."  I feel like I can connect with him/other punk music listeners on a level of viewing music as an escape.  When I become overly stressed from a situation, I put my headphones in and tune out the world.  The music comforts me and reminds me that I can get through the curves life throws at me with faith that it will get better.

I can also connect to the punk artists on a (much smaller) rebellious scale.  While I may not protest oppression, poverty, drug use, violence, sexual assault, racism, etc. through the music I listen to, I still have found myself protesting my "problems" of a curfew, homework, and chores around the house.  This movie really put my life in perspective and much more grateful for the leisure life I lead.  

When I look around at all the materialistic goods I have, I realize yet another connection I have with the punk artists.  Dolly works at a Factory for next to no money, while my parents drop nearly $100 every time I get a new pair of Nike sneakers.  America's demands for these high quality products only increases the labor demands of the factory workers.  The competition among these companies gives them incentive to lower their prices, in addition to having no minimum wage or labor laws enforced in Indonesia.  I am supporting this corrupt economic system every time I purchase goods that were produced in factories similar to the one Dolly works at.  America should think more about how we influence the rest of the world.  While we may employ people with the demands for material goods, the working conditions in factories is disappointing and demeaning.  This made me realize I am more focused on self-interests than many public-interests, and I should probably re-evaluate many of my purchases and the causes I unintentionally support.  By stopping these purchases altogether, Indonesia and places economically/socially/politically similar would face serious unemployment issues, but it is possible they could rebuild their economy with new and more just laws.  It is important that the world becomes more aware of the consequences of their actions.

"The Punks are Alright" gave me a newfound appreciation for punk music and all that it stands for.  While it comes off as aggressive and overwhelming to me, I have found the social/political/economic issues confronted through punk music to be a brave and admirable way to spread awareness for their beliefs.  This film also made me appreciate my lifestyle and remind myself that my problems are much more insignificant.  I need to start being more aware of how my actions influence those around me and inclined to consider public-interest as opposed to self-interests.

Bloomington Farmers' Market

The Bloomington Farmers' Market is a community of participators.  Everyone at the farmers' market serves a purpose.  There is live music, fresh produce, prepared food, hand-made crafts and so much more that brings people to this social event every Saturday morning.
Despite the rain, I was impressed by the number of people who attended the Bloomington Farmers' Market last Saturday morning.  It was interesting to speculate the diverse group of people.  Many kids tagged along with their parents as well.  Quite the family-friendly place. During the Q&A, Marcia said that kids come along mainly for the social aspect.  It is a safe environment.  It also introduces healthy food to these kids at a young age.  From my observations, I noticed that people walk at a slow pace, taking in the uplifting environment surrounding them.  It is extremely refreshing to go to a place where people genuinely are enjoying themselves and are happy to be at.
Everyone I spoke to was beyond helpful and friendly.  I asked a guy why he preferred farmers' markets to grocery stores and he gave me a well-thought out response.  He told me the food here was fresher, it tasted better, and it lasted longer.  He said there are no pesticides or heirloom varieties.  This guy also said the farmers' market was closer and a more convenient commute.  It was clear he preferred the organic food to processed foods.
It was very eye-opening to speak to one of the guitarists there.  He told me that, while getting a dollar was greatly appreciated, he prefers seeing that he made someone smile.  He went on to tell me his life story, how his dad did not support his musical interests, how he thinks every kid should be surrounded by music and instruments of their choosing, how he is dealing with his health issues, how his strong faith in never giving up is what keeps him going each day, and how music puts him in his own world.  We met as strangers but I walked away from the musician feeling like I had known him for years with a newfound faith in humanity.
The social bonding is what makes the participatory aspects of the Bloomington Farmers' market similar to the participatory aspects of music.  There are many ways to participate at the Bloomington Farmers' market, including as a vendor, consumer, musician, dog-walker, or simply as a tourist.  The vendors admitted that they have close relationships with one another, as well as with their regular customers.  The vendors and consumers find mutual interests in the products for sale and are able to connect on a deeper level through that.  Musicians connect with their listeners, like I had with the guitarist.  Dog-walkers and tourists intentionally attend the market to connect with one another as well.  At the Bloomington Farmers' Market, everyone is expected to participate in some form, and the greater the participation, the greater the feel and deeper the bond.  No matter what your role is in participating in and contributing to the Bloomington Farmers' market, you are essential to the positive sense of community.

Four Fields of Music Making

Presentational:
In presentational music, one group of people is providing music for another.  There is a clear distinction between the artist and the audience.  The music being performed is to be listened to, and the artist is hoping to keep the audience interested and entertained.  In presentational music, the artists have the potential to rehearse and perform with greater artistic freedom, but is limited because the artist is still striving to keep the audience pleased.
The Goo Goo Dolls is playing their song "Slide" for others.  The artist is distinctly performing the music to the audience.  I would say the music keeps me very entertained, with this being one of my favorite songs.
Participatory:
In participatory music, there is no distinction between artist and audience.  There are only participants and potential participants.  The music is more focused on "the doing" as opposed to the quality.  This is because the quality is judged on the level of participation achieved and collective feeling of participants.  There is a strong emphasis on social bonding.  People are expected to join in and perform, regardless of ability.  This is the most democratic, least competitive, and least hierarchical.  In participatory music, there is a greater potential for social bonding through simultaneous and sequential participation, but it limits an individual's virtuosity.
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry are drunkenly singing karaoke, an example of sequential participation.   In sequential participation, people take turns, but all are expected to participate.  In social scenes like this, people are expected to participate, and it would be frowned upon/creepy to isolate one's self at these times.
High Fidelity:
High fidelity music heard on recordings that index live performance.  This kind of music represents what a performer actually does in live performances, and preserves the sound of being live.  High fidelity music has the potential to be recorded and produced with great control by the artist, become a hit,  and accurately represent something the listener would experience during the live performance.  There are limits, though, because what is lacking in visuals must be made up for in sound.
Tom Petty's recorded song "Free Fallin'" is an example of high fidelity, with the song's final product being suitable for the artist.  I believe this song is quality enough to be successful and influential without visuals.
Studio-Audio Art:
Studio-audio art music is recorded music with no expectation that it should/could even be performed live.  It is free from the idea of authenticity and associated with electro-acoustic music.  It is free from the idea of authenticity.  While Studio-Audio art music allows the artist to have control over the final product, there is a limited amount of human interaction through these productions.
Project 46 & DubVision feat. Donna Lewis's "You & I" is evidently an example of Studio-Audio Art being heavily electronic-sounding.  This song is not intended to be performed live, but is a perfect song to play during other social events.
 

Music Impacting Emotions

An unknown author said that "music is what feelings sound like".  For years I have known this quote to be true.  Leaving Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, enduring a nearly 7-hour car ride to Indiana University, I had the opportunity to reflect on the life I was leaving behind in my rearview mirror.  I put in my headphones and looked out the window and thought about the life ahead of me.  Everything was going to change after this car ride.  I had mixed emotions about this.
Fox & Weber's "This is Indiana" is a song I often listened to at home when I needed a reminder that college was a new adventure just around the corner.  I would listen this song in bed and fall asleep, smiling knowing that I would soon be a Hoosier.  Leaving for college always felt like a fantasy and as if the day would never come.  Through this IFS class, I have gotten a better idea of what college life will be like.
On Sunday, IFS was hosting a Festival behind the Harper Residence Hall.   I went into the festival unsure of what to expect.  The same way I went into IFS.  A large crowd of people is always overwhelming and intimidating to me, but fortunately I found my friends playing volleyball.  I joined the game, and soon many others joined too.  We had a large, competitive game of volleyball going, talking trash over the blaring music.  It was not until "This is Indiana" came on over the speakers that I realized how special the moment was.  I was in college.  Life at home was not crossing my mind.  I was having a great time with new people, completely out of my comfort zone.  I finally got to listen to and enjoy this song with other Hoosiers, and not alone in my bedroom.  

I had no complaints about the semiotic relationship going.  "This is Indiana" acted as a sign.  The object for which it stood was school spirit and pumping up the Hoosiers.  The interpretant was realizing how excited I am for this fresh start.  It did not dawn on me how much I had to look forward to until this song played at this moment.  There are countless possibilities and experiences ahead.  The lyrics holistically serve as a symbolic sign of school spirit for Indiana University.  The index made me compare how much more enjoyable it was to hear this song while surrounded by new people and opportunities, as opposed to sitting bored in my bedroom.  This song is iconic because it sounds like a good time through the upbeat tempo and spirited lyrics as well as through the video, showing people celebrating their school.  The framework of the places made all the difference in the way the song made me feel.  Hearing this song in a social situation surrounded by Hoosiers makes the fact that I am in college more of a reality.  This is a moment where the music was what my feelings sounded like.

Identification Through Music

 The Beatles' "Let It Be" is a song I can turn to when I am faced with difficult situations.   It reminds me to step back from the problem at hand and to look at the bigger picture.  Paul McCartney wrote this song about seeing his deceased mother (Mary) in times of trouble, who reminds him to "let it be".  This serves as an index to me because my dad always tells me to "control what I can control", which I feel is directed toward a similar purpose.  I should only act on and worry over problems that I am capable of fixing, and I should leave the unsolvable problems be.  The advice from this song and my father reminds me to not be overly stressed over one issue, but to appreciate everything else going well.  Eventually, these issues will sort themselves out.


 The Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition" is one of those songs that should only be listened to at a loud volume.  This song reminds me to appreciate each moment of life where I act freely and to capture the innocence of youth: a time to act without over thinking.  As we grow older, our responsibilities increase with the addition of a spouse, career, and family.  This song reminds me to enjoy life while I am young and all the little moments that bring out the most emotion and make me feel the most alive.


 Brad Paisley's "Letter To Me" brings me back to my high school days.  It would be so ideal if the grown and mature version of myself was able to write to the growing and maturing (and current) version of myself.  I connected with this song on a different level because I feel like it describes my high school career in a nutshell.  I started getting my act together later in my junior and senior year, but freshman and sophomore year it was hard for me to see past Friday night.  I struggled to prioritize and balance these priorities.  There are a few teachers that I owe much gratitude to for inspiring me to succeed academically and making me a more curious and inquisitive person.  I have lived a lucky life where a bad grade, fight with my parents, or a break-up with a boyfriend were my biggest problems.  I have come so far these past few years that it would even be helpful if the 18 year-old me could write a letter of advice to 15 year-old me.  It is also funny how easy it was for me to view my parents as the bad guys and how hard it was for me to see how badly they wanted to see me do well in all aspects of my life.  The beauty of this song is that you cannot go back in time, but you can reflect on all the experiences that you have lived and learned from.  Growing up and making these mistakes has helped me to become the person I am today.


 Incubus's "Drive" is a song I have listened to since I was a little girl.  I frequently listen to this song before I go to sleep.  Being the driver of my own car serves as a metaphor for me being the only one in control of my life.  Many people follow the crowd solely for the purpose of potentially being accepted by social groups.  People often act a certain way for the wrong reasons.  It reminds me not to make decisions out of fear or peer pressure and to take life one day at a time.   Life is what I make of it.