Sometimes “permission to be selfish” is just that – a reason to put oneself before all items outside of yourself and do something for just for you. Ironically, its not so easy for many of us, and women especially need to learn how to treat themselves – if even only every once in a while.
The Vail Soul Music Fest offers such an opportunity. Established last year in one of Colorado’s most majestic mountain venues, organizers boast that the event is the only one of its kind in all of the United States. This year’s festival runs August 19 – 21 at Vail’s Ford Amphitheatre in the mountains of Vail, Colorado.
Touted as an authentic celebration of a vibrant international music genre, the fest offers a hand-selected mix of emerging and established artists. Performers include celebrated music makers from Rhythm and Blues legends to ballad hit-makers, conscious hip-hop rappers to neo soul artists from all over the globe. Organizers fancy the event as the face of a “modern, multicultural soul revival that is bringing the story of soul music back to the people.” That’s a pretty tall order for any event, but the dedication and belief of the event’s founder, Rhonda July, create anticipation for a weekend unlike any other.
With an artist lineup including well known music-makers like contemporary jazz and R&B singer Lalah Hathaway (daughter of the celebrated Donny Hathaway), British-born Rhythm and Blues trio Loose Ends, and four -time Grammy nominated, Lidisi, who is known for her jazz-inspired vocals. With talent like this, one can only imagine how smooth vocals and inspired lyrics can fill a soul with the breadth and depth of a calm-evoking majestic mountain sunrise.
Yet (as always), permission to be selfish is as much about giving back as it is giving to self. For the second year in a row, the fest incorporates the Vail Soul Youth Day Music and Mentoring Program. On Saturday, August 20, the Vail Cascade hotel and Vail Resort’s Eagle’s Nest will host 150 plus multi-cultural and under-served youth from Colorado, with a goal of teaching social responsibility, discussing self-esteem and promoting cultural awareness. Collaborating with fellow students, as well as adult artist mentors, participants will work to create original works of art like poetry, spoken word and performance artistry in a glorious mountain setting. The intent is for middle school and early high school students to experience the value of the history and power of soul music through interactive, hands-on workshops.
So, not only do fest organizers want to fill the souls of adult participants with life-affirming music, but also to inspire kids in ways where they too can give back to themselves and their communities. What a world this would be if all events were so inspired.
For more information on how to treat your soul with the feast of sound offered at the Vail Soul Music Fest, visit Vailsoulmusicfest.com.
Doni Luckutt is a lifestyle expert who believes by enhancing interpersonal connection, we can stop simply living, and become Simply Alive! If you have a suggestion on what brings you to life, connect with her on Twitter @SimplyAlive, via e-mail Doni@SimplyAliveWorld.com or on her blog: .
