Tag Archives: arts education

Acker Night, ’23

5
Posted by on in collaborating, Community, Education, Entertainment, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

December 8, 2023- The people scenes and the decorations were fabulous, tonight. My camera, though, was acting up-so one of the great events in Prescott’s year will depend on a friend’s shared photos. Stay tuned, far-off friends and loved ones. I am ever one to enjoy festivals, though, and tonight was no exception.

I started off Acker Night, 2023, with my second night in a row, eating chili for supper-this bowl of spicy goodness was at Post 6, where I also contributed to a raffle, which brought a gift basket to someone. I didn’t stay long, as few people I know were actually there. I somehow can’t get past not wanting to intrude on the space of strangers my age or older. It’s easier joining younger adults at table. (With friends, of course, it doesn’t matter what age, gender or place on the political spectrum they occupy.)

Meeting my Hiking Buddy at Century Lounge, I caught up with what’s been going on in her life, then made the rounds at different businesses-from Old Sage Books, which is closing (owner’s retirement) to Lifeways (which is thriving). We encountered a Grim Reaper, a few Victorian-clad gentlemen and the Ghost of Christmas Present, from “A Christmas Carol”. There were a few teenagers singing Carols and any number of musical artists, both inside businesses and on the sidewalks.

The very purpose of Acker Night is to raise money for children and youth in the Arts-especially in music. So, it is always sweet to see the kids themselves showcasing their talents. Indeed, one dance school proprietor, whom I’ve known for many years, was out there again tonight, leading her girls, and a few women, in spirited dance steps. At least it was not as cold this evening, as it has been, the past several years.

I hope that this season is filled with light where you are!

Acker Night Reflections

4
Posted by on in collaborating, Community, Entertainment, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

December 9, 2022- As I walked about downtown Prescott, there were several things apparent: The town was alive with music, in each of over five dozen businesses; there were healthy crowds in each one; downtown banks had shut their ATMs, or had run out of cash. This last was significant, because one of the ideas of Acker Night is for patrons to leave a cash tip, in each of the shops they visit, as part of the evening’s fund raiser for arts programs in the area. The less cash there is available, the less that is contributed to the effort. There needs to be better communication between banks, the arts community and the public-at-large.

I wrote, a week ago, about being more comfortable in groups. I am ready for groups, but this evening, they were not ready for me. It’s not altogether easy for close-knit people to accept those deemed outsiders. So, after chatting for a few minutes with a member of one such group, and listening to a men’s choir, I wandered back to Home Base; not sad or even lonely, but calm in realizing that good people sometimes just need time and space to consider expanding their circle.

I sense that an immature part of me has fallen away, or has grown up, at long last. Some of the people in my life seemed to like that flirtatiousness, light-heartedness that occasionally surfaced. My energy field, though, has become more concerned with the complete human beings in my life, with what is in their dreamscape and their life plan. It is just time for that unity between heart and mind to rise to the surface.

Tomorrow evening will find me in two more group situations: An American Legion Christmas Party and another concert evening at Raven Cafe, with hopefully another seat at a table which can draw four-six people together.

Life moves forward in stages.