Murmurations
A murmuration is a large group of birds, usually starlings, that all fly together and change direction together.
Birds gather in murmurations for a variety of reasons. Grouping together offers safety in numbers as predators like peregrine falcons find it hard to target one bird in amongst a hypnotising flock of thousands. Starlings also gather to keep warm at night and exchange information about good feeding areas.
We are like starlings. Climate change is here, and we are in it together. We can't save everything; much has been lost and much more is inevitably disappearing. We are too far gone, in some cases. But we can save many parts of the life and world we love, and that is worth the effort.
When we move together we are safer and we make beautiful things happen. Spontaneous communication can occur and decisions get made so quickly that their inception moment is indistinguishable to an outside observer. How did they know to shift to the left at the same moment? Hard to say from the outside but from within the murmuration it was a shared knowing.
I have always felt more creative when working and playing with another artist. On April 20th I am honoured to share the stage with Katie Hoogendam, Jakeb Daniel and Whitney O’Hearn for an event called NatureNurture: An Evening of Art for the Earth.
I am deeply inspired by these three artists. Their talents are astounding, yes, but more importantly to me, their hearts are wide open and they share of themselves so freely that I get shivers sometimes. And in turn I am inspired to be as open as I can about what is in my heart and soul.
I am inspired by the ways we share things that feel vulnerable and too personal with one another, only to find that the others in the group can relate entirely. I am inspired by the ways we move together, seemingly accidentally, certainly without explicit instruction or verbal agreement to do so.
Our murmuration in process.
I hope you will join us for a beautiful evening of art, film and song, in honour of Earth Month, and in support of Great Lakes area nonprofits focused on environmental advocacy, including the Northumberland Land Trust.
NatureNurture: An Evening of Art for the Earth
Saturday April 20 at 7pm (doors 6:30pm)
Old Camborne Schoolhouse (3441 Alberts Alley Cobourg, ON K9A 4J7)
Tickets are $20 or pay-what-you can. Tix available on Eventbrite; a small selection will held for purchase at the door (for cash/pay-what-you-can).