Adventus

Nikki and I last night

Last night we attended a really cool event here in OKC called Adventus. Adventus was a celebration of art and of advent. Several stores and galleries in The Plaza District were open late displaying paintings and sculptures as well as hosting musicians to play and poets to read. All of the artwork, music, and poetry was centered around the idea of advent, a season of hopeful waiting and expectation. Reed, Nikki and I decided to go together and check it out. Mike couldn't go with us because he is directing a short documentary about a place called Convergence which was one of the galleries open that night.

Before we headed to the event, I must say that we stopped to eat at one of my new favorite places: Big Truck Tacos. What a cool place! I've been there twice now and both times have ordered a Crispy 'Cado Taco which features several huge slices of fried avacado, with homemade tomatillo salsa. So good, my friends. So good.

Ok, back to Adventus....after we finished up our yummy dinner, we headed down to 16th Street to check it all out. Lots of stores and galleries were open, people were everywhere and there wa a definite buzz in the cold night air. We went to Convergence first because that was where Mike and his crew were filming. We checked out the art, then hung around for a good hour or more just taking it all in. Several musicians got up and played one or two songs. I especially liked one young guy who had a ZZ top beard and played the harmonica while also playing the guitar as well as singing. Another girl got up and sang an absolutley beautiful song reflecting on what she would have been thinking if she were in Mary's shoes. One guy read a poem that he had written after staying up all night and watching the sunrise. And there was a spoken word poet who performed a really cool rap-like poem that got a huge round of applause. In addition to all of that going on, two guys were collaborating on a live painting. We watched them work in tandem for awhile. Slowly an image of a newborn lamb appeared-- eyes closed and looking wet as if it had just been born.

All in all it was a fun, inspiring, peaceful night that really encouraged me to think about this season of advent-- to reflect, to be calm and to remember what this season is all about.