On Saturday May 31 at 6pm, I will be performing a solo concert at the recently renovated Broad Brook Community Center in Guilford, Vermont at 3940 Guilford Center Road on the 20-stringed Hindustani slide guitar, modified slide guitar and electric guitar. The concert is free to the public and open to community members of all ages. It is the first in what will be a series of free community concerts hosted by my little record label Root Cellar Sound in collaboration with the BBCC. My idea is to offer a fun event that is easily accessible for our local community where we can share music, see each other's faces, and interact directly; getting to know our neighbors and form connections. For now, performers in the series will be supported by tips given by the concert attendees but it's our hope that, once going, the value of the concert series will be recognized and supported by local sponsors. I'm leveraging my international network of artists to find folks who are interested in building community, in performing for community. There are real costs though and I hope to grow this series into an incubation engine and valuable small concert venue that can provide support to local and touring musicians.

While music is the focal point, the stated goal of the series is to strengthen our local community through meaningful in-person interaction. The concert is a very advanced social technology, we can be at opposite ends of a political spectrum, but still sit side by side, peacefully, in a room enjoying the same music. This common ground to stand on could be part of the foundation we need to solve the complex problems we face as a people, living here on this land, in southern Vermont. Sure, Netflix and chill is a very appealing option after a long day at work but when you wake up crusty eyed again after watching one more episode of your favorite show, nothing changes. Many of us agree that changes need to be made however. So, what to do?

I also don't know. What I do know is that sharing music with others has been among the most fulfilling and inspiring experiences of my life. I want to share that with everyone, spending some time together listening to some great artists, setting up for the show, talking about it afterwards, getting ideas, sharing perspectives, sharing a snack or a meal. Together. Especially across generations: there are too few spaces where young people can enjoy an event alongside adults and elders. Siloed away on our devices, each individual is adrift. Lets instead gather, share an experience and grow this concert series into something supremely useful to our collective needs: enjoyment, respectful interaction and space for growth.

Thank you, see you on Saturday May 31 at 6pm at the Broad Brook Community Center in Guilford. If you are interested in offering your music to the community in our series, please get in touch with me at joel@rootcellarsound.com

Sincerely,

Joel 'Veena' Eisenkramer