The Bloomington Contra-Dance

Even in such a diverse community the Contra-Dance is so amazingly different than anything I've ever seen in Bloomington. Our class walked in filled with dread as we had no clue what to expect. It's safe to say though that after my experience at the Contra-Dance I would definitely return. 

When we arrived at the Boys and Girls club everyone was already tired, sweaty, and ready to go home. However, as soon as some of the experienced dancers arrived and had looks of pure elation on their faces, we realized that this would be much more than a boring dance with old people. It was as if everyone there knew each other and immediately began chatting with one and other. Even the band (made up of a fiddler, a banjo player, and a guitarist) was chatting with the caller and other regulars within minutes of their arrival. 

In our culture it is rare to experience such old fashioned things. Besides being extremely entertaining the Contra-Dance also allows for the achievement of flow states. While for the lower level dancers Contra-Dance serves as a contradiction to their day to day lives for the upper level dancers Contra-Dance is a way to escape the pressures of a capitalistic society. Just from the smiles plastered on the faces of the participants throughout the whole dance you could tell that just being at the Contra-Dance brings immense joy to people. 

Naturally, the happiness that is found in contra-dancing stems from the fact that it is a participatory event. In participatory events there is no distinction between artist and audience. An outsider would not be able to tell if the band was playing for the dancers or if the dancers were dancing for the band. Because of the Contra-Dance's participatory nature those involved become part of a cultural cohort. 

Coming together as a cohort and as a community is absolutely amazing. Music is a wonderful tool to help remodel society. Because of participatory music we have the ability to be part of a global community. Global citizenship is fostered through participatory values. A simple thing that you change in your life affects the lives of those around you. Changing your habits may seem small but it slowly changes other things in your life. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. Because of the Bloomington Contra-Dance I am changing my lazy habits and am going to try to attend the Contra-Dance whenever possible. 

The Punks Are Alright!

Punk Rock is defined as "a type of rock-'n'-roll, reaching its peak in the late 1970s and is characterized by loud, insistent music and abusive or violent protest lyrics, and whose performers and followers are distinguished by extremes of dress and socially defiant behavior," ("Punk Rock"). Before viewing the film The Punks Are Alright I would have never thought of Punk music as anything more  than music for people who felt misunderstood but in reality, Punk is so much more. Not only did the movie change my perception of youth culture of Punk but it also helped me find ways to relate to the artists portrayed in the film and finally it helped me find ways that my life intersects with the lives of those people and to see how we are connected.

Watching the movie The Punks Are Alright made me realize that people who identify as "punk" are so much more than the loud, abrasive people you my picture when you think of the movement. The movie features artists from Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia. Punk, as a movement, began in the 70's in factories around London, New York and Detroit and was used to protest the oppression they felt economically. The youth culture in this movement is especially prevalent. In Sao Paulo, Brazil Punk is used as an alternative to joining drug gangs, if the kids are in their basement playing music then they aren't out on the street surrounded by the drug war. In Indonesia where this is not only economic oppression but there is also a lot of religious conflict as it has the largest Muslim population in the world. The Punks in Indonesia use Punk as an escape from the oppression that they face daily. One of Indonesian men that was interviewed for the documentary named Dolly expressed that Punk is "the remedy for [his] sickness." Unfortunately for Dolly he lives in an oppressive capitalistic society where daily oppression is very real thing. It is amazing that even while so oppressed he can remain positive because of Punk and its culture. 

Although I am a white, American female who was born into the higher middle class and have never dealt with the intense economic oppression I have had moments when music has really pulled me out of myself and my troubles. The artists portrayed in the film all identified with Punk because it could be used to express their pain and suffering while still expressing their protest for a better life. 

Though it may seem unbelievable that my middle class American life could intersect with the lives of people in third world nations across the globe it is actually quite possible. Take an Indonesian man who, for example, works in a Nike factory. I, like many Americans, have purchased my fair share of Nike products. My money circulates through Nike headquarters and so on until about less than a penny reaches that Indonesian worker. While this may only be the slightest connection it is a connection none the less. I am connected to the artists in a very similar fashion. It is almost always a connection forged through the exchange of money. 

I am extremely glad that I had the opportunity to view The Punks Are Alright because it gave me a completely new view on Punk music and its culture. It is so much easier to understand Punk when you can look at it from this angle rather than dismissing it as something for ruffians who pretend to be misunderstood. It is truly wonderful to see that people can use music not only to protest the things that wrong them but to also express the way that they really feel. I feel that The Punks Are Alright  not only changed my perception of the Punk youth culture but also showed me that I could relate to these people and that my life really did intersect with theirs. 

Citation

“Punk Rock.” Dictionary.com. 2014. Web

Bloomington Farmers Market

Upon our arrival to the Bloomington Farmers Market on a drizzly Saturday morning in August the mood of our group was fairly sullen. Within fifteen minutes of being at the Farmers Market our moods were completely uplifted. There was such an overwhelming sense of community in the market that there is really no way for a person to remain upset. 

Being in the market you can go up to anyone and ask them about their business or their shopping experience. I got the chance to really talk to some of the produce vendors and some of their loyal shoppers. A majority of the vendors reported that because of the music and the community that has sprung up around the market their sales have dramatically increased. Many of the customers said that it was important to them to shop at the Farmers Market as opposed to a major grocery store because the food was fresher, of heirloom or better quality, and because it has a smaller carbon footprint. It is extremely lovely how like in participatory music everyone at the market is expected to participate in order to make the experience good for everyone there. The Bloomington Farmers Market could definitely be called a participatory shopping experience. 

In addition to talking with some vendors and shoppers we also got to talk to a few performers who were there. It was very clear in talking with these people that they were not there to perform for glory or recognition but for the pure enjoyment that came from playing in that space and the opportunity to make people smile. Many vendors expressed the feeling that their businesses were stronger because of the musicians bringing people into the market. 

It was really amazing to see the flow of people in the market but it was also very interesting to see where certain groups of people mainly congregated. Many single adults were around the prepared food, many coupled adults and families were in produce, most children were dancing around with various musicians and older adults were in the DIY or home goods sections. The market is as much of a social event as it is an opportunity to purchase organic produce. Below is the social map that my group put together of the Bloomington Farmers Market. 

There is obviously a reason that people return to the market weekend after weekend: the community that has been built up there between vendors, musicians, and customers. There is such a strong participatory atmosphere that surrounds the market that it would not be possible to leave and not have the feeling of being part of something more than yourself.