day thirty three - eerht ytriht yad
let’s love loud
On this beautifully palindromic day (02022020 - yes I know, I’m a nerd), I get to reflect on an equally beautiful evening the night before - a moving demonstration of how music and the arts can bring people together and heal.
There was a Bushfire Benefit Concert named “Let’s Love Loud” held at Yackandandah, and organised by, now local musician, Candice McLeod. It was absolutely sold out, and raised over $12,000 which is going to the fire ravaged communities of North East Victoria and the Upper Murray.
I was so happy to reconnect with photographer, musician, and all round amazing human, Joshua Collins. He and his family lost their home in the Cudgewa fires on New Years Eve 2019. The next day, he had organised 17 generators and food to take back to those still stuck in Cudgewa. The same day he began a gofundme page to help with the immediate needs of his community, which ended up raising $185,963! He now spearheads the Rebuild Upper Murray group. Josh spoke passionately and bravely about what had happened in the immediate wake of the fires, and the hope and beauty still to be found within his community. He has truly emerged as an inspirational leader.
Performing that evening were Kerryn Fields, Kate Crowley, Candice McLeod, Mayfair Lane, Forgotten Land and (one of my favourite bands ever) The Northern Folk. I’ve been so tremendously lucky to work with most of these artists when stage managing at the By The Banks festival for the past three years, and they brought all the love and compassion that surrounds them and envelops that festival. The music was sublime (as could be expected with that line up), but the feeling within that hall was unlike anything I was prepared for.
The crowd was largely made up of people from bushfire affected communities, but unlike the preconception I had that it would be a somewhat somber affair, there was nothing but love, and warmth. People enjoying each others company. People relaxing and soaking in the art surrounding them. People connecting and talking. A community coming together and demonstrating their inherent strength and resilience.
Kilt of the Day - Ross Modern Hunting Tartan
Soundtrack of the day - (follow the artist links above to check out their facebook pages)
Link of the day - Rebuild Upper Murray
