Be Kind to One Another

Be Kind to One Another, that is the name of a piano piece by Terry Riley that I have been listening to lately, part of my stress reducing playlist… Look it up in an album by pianist Sarah Cahill!

I was thinking about our first East Bay Queer Open Mic and how I wanted it to be a safe space for all to express themselves, but also to care for each other. To be kind to one another. If you are reading, singing, dancing, or other way to express yourself and your art, I want you to think of your performance as a gift to your community. As you listen to others, as you watch, consider it as a gift to you. If you perform, consider it as a gift to yourself too.

We have too many examples in reality TV of people being mean to each other and refusing the gifts. As for myself, I shut down a lot of me growing up when even my voice was too gay, but also because everyone made it known they were bothered by my self-expression. I only started dancing three years ago because of a supporting, kind teacher, and to express myself in dancing with the support of a dancer friend. Now I’m trying to gather up the courage to present you a dance I’m developing on a song as sung by a friend in a choir. It will be my gift to my friend and to you as witnesses.

Hope to see you there!
Bibi

East Bay Queer Open Mic

Friday, May 22, 7pm

At the Shotgun Studios, 1201 University Ave, Berkeley