The Arts + Neighbors = Community

Two weeks ago, Rick Davis, executive director of the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and Tom Reynolds, the center’s director of artistic programming, stood on stage in Merchant Hall and announced the venue’s 2012-13 season of performances. 

Rick said that when you gather a diverse group of people, turn down the lights and let the stage transport them for several hours through music, theater or dance, you’re bonding them together in a temporary community.  Repeat that often enough, he encouraged, and you will build real community.

That made me think how neighbors plus the arts equals a bonding experience as well. 

I remembered how much fun a group of us church women had last May, eating lunch at City Square Café and attending an afternoon performance of “The Women” by the Prince William Little Theatre at the Hylton Center. 

I know I’d be more likely to go see The Capitol Steps on Sept. 22 or the American Festival Pops Orchestra on Oct. 13 if I’m part of a group.  Trout Fishing in America’s humorous songs, like “My Hair Had a Party Last Night” would be a great outing on Oct. 20 for members of a babysitting co-op.  Connect with others for an artistic outing via your neighborhood newsletter or website, or start your own meetup or Facebook group and evite neighbors to connect and go on outings.

What about bringing the arts to your neighborhood?  Last May, as part of the 1 By Youth project in Point of Woods, there was a block party with live music, cheerleading, clowns and facepainting. Volunteers painted rainbarrels for the community garden.  For your own street arts, think small:  banjos in the cul-de-sac or storytelling on the playground.

Here are two events, one in a neighborhood and one at the Hylton Center, that you might be interested in exploring.

The first is Big Day of Serving Manassas, on Sat., May 5, from 7 am to 5 pm in the Bristoe Station neighborhood (Confederate Trail and Ashton Avenue).  City of Manassas Neighborhood Services and community partners – Group Cares, Habitat for Humanity, Mike Garcia Construction, US Foodservice, Lowe’s, Kohl’s, Didlake, McLane Manassas, Waste Management, Walgreens, Walmart, ProShred and more – will orchestrate an estimated 700 volunteers to work with residents to repair homes, clean up backyards, mulch common areas, pick up litter and trash, make over playgrounds and bring items to rolloff/truck collection points, from reusable furniture, household goods and clothing to e-waste and household hazardous waste.  The workday ends with a Cinco de Mayo block party for all who helped. To volunteer, contact Christen Zenich at czenich@ci.manassas.va.us

Then, on Sun., May 6, noon to 6 p.m., is the Prince William County Arts Council’s Arts Alive 2012! Event at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.  This is a free family day of exploring local arts – painting, drawing, quilting, writing, acting, dancing, a wide range of music and so much more.  Arts Council members include cloggers, barbershop singers, ballet dancers, novelists, photographers, musicians and more.  And while you’re there, take a peek at the neighborhood that is growing up around the Hylton Center: the first dorm at George Mason University’s Prince William Campus is in construction and expected to open in Fall 2012.

Whether it’s booking a porch band for a block party or taking members of the garden club to hear Cuba’s great jazz pianist, Chucho Valdes, Dec. 2 at the Hylton Center, explore how the arts and neighbors together can build community.