Most days I wake up in the morning and realize I am living a dream. Seriously. Through circumstance, fortitude and encouragement I am involved in two of the most collaborative project of my life.
You guys know about The Music Matters Project benefiting Sweet Relief Musicians Fund (which is off to an amazing start thanks to everyone), but I’m sure how many people know about Desert Bloom.
Desert Bloom’s mission is to give a platform of expression to those who have talent but for whatever reason have had their creativity suppressed, and to make a real crucible for creative collaboration in the greater Phoenix area.
For the past two years Gangplank has been the center of Arizona’s tech community. It’s no surprise they are involved in Desert Bloom.
The group wants “to give a platform of expression to those who have talent but for whatever reason have had their creativity suppressed, and to make a real crucible for creative collaboration in the Valley,” says event volunteer Nicholas DiBiase. “We want to create profound connection between tech innovators, big thinkers, musicians and artists in a way that’s going to really build up cultural capital here in the Phoenix area.”
Being a non-tech person I was invited into the circle by Josh Strebel, co-founder of Page.ly (a premium WordPress hosting solution) and Gangplank. After an introduction to Derek Neighbors, also co-founder of Gangplank, Brandon Franklin, Nicholas DiBiase and Brandon Mason – Desert Bloom was formed.
I think Brandon Franklin sums the mission of the project up best. “We are surrounded every day by talented people, but most of us don’t realize it. Desert Bloom is about tearing back the curtain that keeps these people hidden from each other’s sight, and letting them meet, talk, and cross-pollinate. When you take creative people, bring them together, and tell them to cut loose and go nuts, things happen that will blow your mind.”
Our first event, Music and Art : Desert Bloom 1, happens May 14 and is a showcase of 7 local live music acts, 9 visual artists, and 2 DJs, all of whom are associated with the Valley’s tech and creative class. The artists are all donating their talents and tickets are available free of charge.
This project demonstrates what can happen when four people with a common interest, pooling shared resources, tapping into both their personal and professional networks getting something done to benefit the creative community.
(For more information please visit www.desertbloomphoenix.com or our Facebook Page)
Now, I ask two things of you – come down and check out our event or look around you and see who you can be collaborate with. I look forward to hearing about it.
Article by Greg Taylor
Founder, Markerting Press. Vegetarian. Hopelessly addicted to music. Blogger, Collaborator, Phoenix Suns fan. NJ Native living in AZ
Greg has contributed 159 articles to this site.
If you like this article you can follow Greg Taylor on Twitter. For information about WordPress Development, Digital Marketing, Content Marketing or Social Media Marketing please visit Marketing Press - Thanks for reading.
