WORDS AND IMAGES BY DANIELLE GARCIA
If you missed the chance to view some talented art work by local artists and musicians this past Saturday at the Denton Music and Arts Collective Kick-off party at Dan’s Silverleaf, we have to say you missed out. DMAC is a recently-launched group looking to subsidize the cost of healthcare for local artists and much more. Luckily for Dentonites, this was only the first of a number of fundraisers that the nonprofit plans to hold. So rest assured that you will have many more chances to give back to Denton while also getting to take in some great local culture. Read on for our thoughts on Saturday's festivities
“So many people came and had a great success selling their artwork and the bands enjoyed themselves, as did we,” DMAC Public Outreach officer, Danielle Longueville said. With great bands like Brave Combo or Sunbuzzed, how could that not be a great time?
Getting an idea or new project to take root in a city can be challenging at times. Yet, winning over the support of citizens for DMAC to provide healthcare for artists and musicians, has been the “opposite experience,” Longueville said. At just their first big event, DMAC is proud to say they met their fundraising goal.
Several local artists and artisans had booths set up with their wares on the patio of Dan's. Attendees could purchase everything from homemade plush monsters from Egan Street Design to world culture-inspired ceramic face masks by Ceramics by Corrine or Denton photography and musician paintings by H. Alan Cudd. It was inspirational to see what other under-discovered artists are creating right here beneath our noses.
Following the art was an exciting and eclectic lineup of local bands. We saw sets from the psychedelic-tinged Sunbuzzed, experimental hip-hop group Body English, and of course our Grammy-winning polka band, Brave Combo. The latter had the audience in a celebratory dance train by the end of the night.
So what's next for DMAC? “It’s really moving, really inspiring for the board, or at least for me. We’re ready to keep this train moving,” Longueville said. The nonprofit plans on host similar events in the coming months. Once DMAC begins to reach their initial objective of subsidizing healthcare, other ideas to support artists and musicians currently on the back burner include a housing and studio assistance program, a community outreach program, and a “creatives’ lodge” similar to Sons of Herman Hall in Dallas. You can also help out at any time via the Donate page on their website.
You can keep up with DMAC on their Facebook page to get details on their as-of-yet unannounced next event. It is sure to be a blast!