Our first and last activity in San Miguel de Allende revolved around the creative work of Tim Hazell, a man who hails from Sweden, Germany, Nashville and Mexico. He is as renaissance as his background, weaving together his interests and talents into one rich and colorful tapestry.

We arrived in San Miguel in time to witness the performance of Collar del Viento (necklace of the wind), a children's orchestra known for their powerful and beautifully choreographed music played on authentic replicas of pre-Columbian instruments. Tim Hazell is artistic director amd producer of this group. He also has a CD of his own music with Ken Basman (musician, producer and composer in San Miguel).

The Sala Quetzal at the biblioteca was crowded and quiet as the group of children, dressed and painted in Meso-American style filed in and took up their instruments. We heard haunting music and rhythm that transported us to another era.

Our last activity as a class, two weeks later, was a visit to the studio and house of Tim Hazell. There we heard his perspective on art and culture. Then, with many different instruments displayed on the table behind him, Tim sat down and shared some of his own music with us. Schreiner students were present to the possibility that is created when a life is fully self-expressed and intentional. What an empowering moment for us all.

His art expresses many levels perception, relying on a specific level of abstraction, as explained by Tim who used to be a director and teacher at the Instituto de Allende. He talked about the negative space in the universe and on a blank sheet of paper. "When you place a word on a blank sheet of paper, you add positive and negative tension. Marcel du Champ called painting a kind of writing." By now I was reeling with power of connection in my own life. Tim's words on the distinction between information and knowledge were enlightening to this group of students. "We are swimming in information," Tim explained. "Information is not knowledge."
Tim's life is a clear expression of who he is, no hidden agendas. "If I don't do this, I'll explode," he explained in answer to the proverbial "Why?" that often gets asked. When he was in Nashville working on a commissioned mural, he had another insight about poverty. "Poverty is without dignity in the United States," he said. "In Mexico the poor people are in a family unit. They eat, sleep and celebrate together."

I pulled out my bones (my traveling instrument) and joined in on the first song he played for us on the dulcimer. Now Tim the artist with paint transformed into Tim the artist with sound. We heard diverse and eclectic music for the rest of our visit at his house. We were all transfixed in the presence of not only the enormous talent of this man but also his enormous corazon, the pure heart of an artist of life itself.

Our trip came full circle in this creative moment. Tim acknowledged the way a circle implies an equal sharing. "I am not performing FOR you," he added, "I am performing with you. Thank you for bringing your energy into the circle and sharing it."

Whew….I've talked with Rounder Records about this musical treasure in San Miguel de Allende. Collar del Viento and the CD by Tim and Kenny need to be available for the public. Rounder can make this possible. We also extended the possibility that Schreiner University host a concert by this group and a coffeehouse and lecture by Tim Hazell. He is also poetic and knowledgeable about the mythology, music and life in Meso-America.

I returned to a full artistic experience in Kerrville as I attended the 31st Kerrville Folk Festival. The event is laced with sadness and nostalgia for me, as I read the farewell by Rod Kennedy, the vision behind this amazing event. Flooded with my own memories, I sit in the Threadgill Theatre and share the moment with Daria (from the Czech Republic) and watch her begin making her own memories. We hear Limpopo (from Russia by way of Los Angeles) and watch Yuri use all his gymnastic talent in the traditional Russian squatting dance. He spots Daria as a Czech woman later, and they share some words in the same language. I stand by, thrilled to be sharing my favorite event with a Daria.

It is in the sharing that joy can multiply. That's why this column provides me with so much joy; I get to share what I love with you.

Two new venues I'd like to mention: Friday nights at The Roddy Tree Ranch on the road to Hunt (music and barbecue by Tom Ferguson), and weekends at the Double D in Comfort (more great Texas music). I also know of a recording studio soon to open in Comfort, a camp for the arts and new venues for house concerts. I'll put the details on the Texas Heritage Music Foundation website at www.texasheritagemusic.org

Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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