I love it.
I love that magical moment on stage when I look out into the audience and I am singing one of my Armenian folk songs, something like Groong or Gakavig or Blbooli Hit and I see people, clapping with me, or humming or wiping away tears or something… they are feeling something… and I cannot help but be moved by that intense magical moment. Those moments are so precious to me. For in that moment, that person has connected with the music, a connection has been made, and it becomes more than just singing songs… it becomes much, much more…
Friday’s show was amazing. I am not quite sure what other words to use. The venue, the beautiful old church – First United Methodist Church – was perfect. Fantastic acoustics combined with a fantastic sound engineer, Chip Reardon, such a treat for a vocalist and band! The guys and I were thrilled by it all.
And what a superb audience! We went on a journey together, with our mournful songs through to our celebratory songs… mesmerized by River’s drum solo once again… Chris working his magic on the cumbus and guitar, Eliot adding such beauty and depth on the acoustic bass… time for our dance number, as I asked for volunteers to help with teaching the dance steps to the crowd, I instantly had two people jump on stage! And the energy in the room was palpable as we all danced together – a room full of people singing and dancing to Armenian folk music, weaving around the church, sweating, laughing, dancing, holding hands… ah, how sweet!
After the show was over, so many people came up to me wanting to talk… one girl, who didn’t really look Armenian began to speak to me in Armenian! Incredible! I was speechless… she proceeded to tell me, with tears in her eyes, that she had been a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia and had lived and worked there for two years… hence her knowledge of the language… I was blown away! Gave her a big hug. She hadn’t spoken Armenian in a few of years, so this concert had been so special for her. Met another couple from Macedonia who related so much with the stories about the Armenian Genocide… the wife had tears in her eyes as she explained, “I know what you are singing about…” others come to me to tell me how they had never heard Armenian music before… this was a brand new experience for them… some have never even heard about Armenia…
And this is why I continue to do what I do…
Thank you Lotus World Music Festival for an amazing first night!
Tags: Armenian folk music, Armenian folk songs, Armenian Genocide, Blbooli Hit, Chip Reardon, First United Methodist Church, Gakavig, Groong, Lotus World Music Festival, Peace Corps, sound engineer