We’re more hip than I think we often give ourselves credit. Artistic expression flows from many of us through music, painting, culinary arts, sculpture, dance, acting, photography, writing, poetry, film and more.
At the very least, we’re fans of these expressions. And I’ve also been around here long enough to know that we just like to have a good time.
Artistic expression is scattered everywhere here, but the venues don’t always remain consistent.
The sub-communities of artists are not always linked well. There is, however, a movement to do more uniting. A recent example was the launch of the Second Saturday Art Hop in Redding.
Since departing as arts and entertainment editor at the Record Searchlight about five months ago, I’ve heard one sentiment from people that really stands out. Folks have said they miss having a consistent and passionate voice for culture in the area. I’m flattered readers believed I accomplished a bit of that.
Well, the dialogue on culture moves forward here on Food for Thought. I’m thrilled to unite with my former colleagues Doni Greenberg, Kelly Brewer and Phil Fountain — as well as dozens of other great community voices in this venture. I will continue to write about similar topics on A New Beat — a blog that my wife and I share.
I left the newspaper on my own terms, and I do support my fellow journalists who continue to do excellent work there amid a rapidly changing industry. I still subscribe to the paper.
What’s been corralled here on Food for Thought, however — and within the network of north state community blogs — is a new, free-ranging type of commentary. These voices help connect us. Along with seeking information, that’s one of the primary things we’re looking for when we venture into cyberspace — connections.
I love how we connect through the arts and creativity. What’s great about a forum like this is we can converse here with words and then later unite in person at an event that holds our common interest. Then we can return here and debrief with more words (and photos and video and audio, oh my!).
And by doing this, we can rebel against an overriding societal trend that tends to pull us apart and keep us disconnected. Here we can learn about each other and be sparked and informed by our neighbors.
Typically, most of the year we’re NOT breathing awful smoke and calculating gas expenses to get to the coast. Most of the year, we’re living in and enjoying the natural beauty of far Northern California. We’re inspired by it.
I see us continuing to evolve this richness-of-life ethic, which is expressed through our close connections with family and friends and what we define as beauty.
So, this is my introduction. It’s kind of formal. I haven’t even employed the use of a word like “codswallop,” which I think means nonsense.
I plan plenty of codswallop for this space.
I can even cuss on here, I think. They didn’t really tell me the rules. Maybe there are no rules!
Mucho codswallop! And mucho culture! Viva la expression that sets us all free!
Jim Dyar is a journalist and the former arts and entertainment editor for the Record Searchlight’s d.a.t.e. section. Jim is also a songwriter and leader of The Jim Dyar Band. He lives in Redding and writes a blog with his wife, Candace, at jimdyar.wordpress.com.
