Archived from TacomasOutsidersGuide.com circa 2018·Today this work continues as THE WALL & Stars 4 Peace: y2112
Tacoma's Outsider's Guide Contents
Tacoma's Outsider's Guide — 1 Sound 1 Life, w/ Artists 4 Life in the Sound

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Artists 4 Life in the Sound
Promoting Humanity, Variety & Originality
Access is Progress

2007 A Millionaire's Dilemma, & Our Own

image: Picture
The great inspirations of life create in you a vision, an intuition of what is possible and a courage to go beyond the wisdom and understanding of your elders and your peers. You reach higher, become greater and do more than you ever could have hoped to do before.  Such is true for many, and such is true for me.

In 2007 a generous philanthropist created a reception in Gasworks Park that would bring his family together over something they shared in common:  He hosted their wedding reception to bring relations from all over the world together, to experience in an uplifting atmosphere the difference of their more open approach to life, in an extraordinary and wonderful way.  The cost:  About $750,000. 

His wife and he were from very different backgrounds, and I imagine among their relations were trepidations and hesitations about a marriage that would call their own traditions into question, make them challenge their preconceptions and ask them to go beyond what was comfortable. There is great mystery in every kind of love, and opening to something new, setting differences aside, we experienced in those environs a rare quality surpassing understanding: The affection of families unfamiliar with one another, brought together by the heartfelt bond of lovers. 

The experience changed my life.

300 guests were welcomed to enjoy an experience of life unlike any they had ever known before, and unlike any we are likely to know again.  A generous portion of Seattle's performing artists and thespian community were hired for the night, and the themes of joy with diversity, commonality in community and unity in love were evident from the opening of the gates.  In short, his work was to create a space where it was safe to set their differences aside, to enjoy in fellowship what they would not have known apart, and to know with one another common bonds.

I realized:  If a millionaire many times over can hire a community to create an event to bring his family together, then we, too, can just as easily create an event to bring our own families together for the community that we all share in common.

And from that day on I wondered how we might do so, when a few years later . .

2010  Joy in Twilight

In 2010 I visited Olympia for their April Art Walk, and unexpectedly experienced their Luminary, too, which precedes their fabulous Procession of the Species every Spring. The experience was an enlightening one, the city was filled with music and it was the only other time in life I'd felt swept away in wonder.  So from that day on I knew the medium our own event would take:  An Autumnal Luminary.

The Birth of a Holiday

2012  A Signal to Our City & to Our Region
'This city is searching for a ritual to join its fragments.' - JiM, 1967
Poster from 2012 (pdf); Article from Tacoma Arts

image: Picture2012 We Celebrated The Stellar Galactic Zü of Life
The Doors of Possibility
It can happen:  In 2012 I crossed paths with Aaron Stevens from Tacoma's Broadway Center, who had ambitiously created their fabulous Fall Free for All, then in its 2nd year, a weekend event that held some 50+ performances and shows, made accessible and free to any and all that wanted to come.  I liked that, and asked Aaron if he had ever experienced the Springtime Art Walk Luminary in Olympia - he hadn't even heard of it.

I described what my own experience had been in 2010 and he said, 'Wow.  We already have 11th through 9th Street blocked off; if you can pull something like that off, more power to you.'  And as all dreamers know, when such a door is open to you, never call to confirm:  Step to the threshold, do what you have in mind to do, give it everything you've got and never regret the journey, the effort or the time. 

I called Olympia immediately.  I had already been in contact with them - I had met them in 2011, introduced myself at a conference in Tacoma.  So they knew me and I explained the situation to Eli Sterling, the man responsible for spearheading Olympia's Procession of the Species almost 20 years ago.  I asked him to teach us how it was done - that was early August.  Our event date was September 22nd !

Eli came to Tacoma on August 17th, spent about 40 minutes teaching us about the luminaria craft, and went on his way.  It was the same day as the Downtown Block Party, so I had asked my more experienced friends in the arts to join for the lesson.  Mind you, none of us had ever done anything like this before - it was all very new to us, but we knew it could be done.  It was worthy, and it was possible. 

From Humble Beginnings (in more ways than one . .)
I let it be known what we were attempting to do, and that week a kind couple, both working artists, contributed $150 for us to purchase initial materials.  The name of their company was, appropriately, From Humble Beginnings.  I am fortunate to have among my friends the inestimable good company of Sam O'Hara, whom herself had very much more experience than I when it came to hosting events, so I followed her wiser lead.  We set a date to begin constructing lumins, ordered our materials, and on August 30th we met in her family's back yard to begin. 

That first evening a handful of us got 6 stars framed only, and it took us the whole night to do it.  We had 22 days to accomplish the feat, and all of us were working, so I had no idea how we would pull the event off in time with as little experience as we had.  But life is once, and dreams are rare:  I delved into working on the event full time, and one thing after another things were coming into place.  I remember the synchronicity of events leading up to that first Lumins was absolutely uncanny.  One friend opened her home, so we had a place to work; the Farmer's Markets contributed booth space, so we could show what we were doing and raise monies for the supplies we needed; people became generous with their time, knowledge and resources; eventually we were offered an inexpensive room at Urban Grace. 

A Bold Request
Mind you, I had been working on this vision for 5 years - this was the very narrow window of opportunity the Universe provided.  And about a week in, I knew we would not be able to achieve an event inspiring to our peers without Olympia's help.  So I called Eli, who was open, but also very busy.  And I was nobody.  A couple of days later, I called again; but again he could not commit.  And in my professional background, that would have been it - I would never have called a third time; it would be impetuous to do so.  And I remember pacing back and forth about 10 days before D-day, wondering if I should call again - I saw the vision so clearly it was eerie, and as the saying goes, when a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey.  The urge at once overcame me, so I just dialed. 

Eli answered, and basically I begged.  You see, when you have in your mind an image so clear, you can do all you are able to communicate it to your peers; but that does not mean that they will see your vision with you.  Some things simply come down to action.  And when Eli Sterling says he will do something, that man is simply going to come through.  So I asked him the third time, felt like an impetuous young man, explained, 'Eli, we will not be able to inspire our people without you; we do not have the numbers, we do not have the experience - to create the wonder there must be something greater to see.  And our people want it - would you please help us light our first Lumins?  If they experience what is possible, then they will want it again.'  My intent was bold:  To begin in Tacoma a tradition of an annual Autumn luminary that would bring our people together over a life we share in common across our communities.  It's an amazing thing to experience, and as the Universe does sometimes answer dreams, he agreed.

The Stellar Galactic Zü of Life
Ten days later this happened, and we crashed Vicci Martinez' homecoming set at the Pantages Theater, catching our city by surprise. You will see in the video that we did not exactly stay within the bounds: Broadway Center was far behind schedule, by half an hour or more.  And you cannot stop a procession (because it will disperse).  But I did not know this, and as I stepped away to check on Broadway Center, Eli just kept going.  He led the procession right across South 9th Street via Broadway, right across the busiest intersection in Tacoma, WA, on the busiest night of the year - with a ginormous White Rhino head spinning on a pole. 

Not a single car honked, not for at least two full light cycles.  Patrons in businesses came out to see what was happening and some joined us in procession; the whole scene was absolutely surreal and the spirits ran high.  We made it a specific intention to christen the historic Spanish Steps, for reasons Tacoma people well understand.  We made our way up the South 7th Street hill, made our way down Opera Alley, crossed back over the 9th Street threshold and entered the Pantages Theater.  There was great confusion - we had done everything we could to keep the event a surprise, and some of the staff tried to keep us out.  I called for Aaron.

Once things were clear, he had us station ourselves outside the doors of the main auditorium.  They sang Vicci Happy Birthday, there was applause, we opened those doors and flooded in with light and laughter and love - Vicci was so moved she says she almost cried.  The whole Pantages was hushed, and as Vicci sang it felt like it did before she had been on her national tour, like before she had been on the Voice.  We were transported, some of us, back to the days she played Beyond the Bridge Cafe, and experienced her voice as we had before.

On my way out of the auditorium I called to her, 'We love you, Vicci !', and on the way out of the building, Aaron congratulated me, called me a 'brainchild.' 

'Heartchild,' I corrected, smiled and I waved goodbye . .

a Text in Time

For a better picture of what we have done since, and why, follow this this link here: Artists 4 Life in the Sound
This section is developing throughout the course of November, and will provide perspective on the inspirations and life experiences leading up to current projects and work:

2007 
Inpiration at Gasworks

2008 
Revelation in Blackwater:  Proportion, the Arts and  the Value of High Craft

   The Magic Victory

2009 
Beginning of the End:
Access at Bastyr, Acupunture & a road against the 'Graine. .

Recordings in R&D

Travels East: Houston
& the Cape Playhouse

Return to Tacoma and
a Family of Friends

2010 
Groundwork for a Guide: Believing my Community

The Peabody Waldorf: Presenting the Paradigm

Illumination in Olympia

Urban Arts Fest, Fundraising at the Swiss
& Entry into the Arts

2011 
A Birthday Show

Jan 25 w/ Elk & Boar

A Guide is Born

Valhallan Community

Introduction to Olympia

Ok, Sweetheart. .

My own 11-11
In November of 2011 I was involved in an unavoidable car accident that could easily have ended my life.  From that day I have not stopped following my heart.

2012 
The Guide Online -
In Burgundy

The Omitted Slide

The Flag

y2112 & the Learning Arts
       July 13, 2012
'100 years from now, what lifestyles do we desire to still be available for our children and future generations?  Engaging the dialogue between industry professionals, academics and the lay population throughout the Pacific Northwest and the world, our aim is to effect a clear, readily understandable and intuitive introduction to the better ways of life that constitute the regional cultural experience peculiar to the American Pacific Northwest. 

Coordinating the perspectives of teaching professionals, together with the understanding of those at the ground level actively effecting our preferable ways of life, we begin to develop an accessible approach.'

Stars @ an Open
(Farmer's) Market

The Stellar Galactic
Zü of Life:
This City is Searching. .

2012 was a globally significant year for the culturally alert:  The entire Myan calendar, one of the most accurate calendars ever created, came to its literal end of days:  With the end of one era, there must needs come another.  Celbrating as a community the passing of the Old Era, we welcomed with open arms the new life there is to come.

4 Star Gates

The Grand: Tacoma's International Film Festival Closing Ceremony

The Coyne & Door

A Solstice Wedding:
The Meaning of MASH

The Painted Man (pdf)
(Parts I & II Only Here; originally published on Winter Equinox, 2012 with part III)



The Procession of the Species and its Arts Walk Luminary brings 30,000 people to downtown Olympia every year - a giant boon to the small businesses and working families of their city. 











2013  The Oceanic: Primordial Elements
'In a Free Culture, You Get the Best of What You Celebrate.'  - Dean
The News Tribune article

image: Picture
In the Beginning . . 
The intention is to celebrate the rare quality of life enjoyed throughout the South Sound, to establish for ourselves a Holiday tradition in the spirit of our people, one worthy of our loved ones, and useful for drawing positive attention to the people in our community responsible for creating the greater quality of life we daily enjoy.

The experience is fun, greatly rewarding and an experience worth sharing with our friends.  Here is what we did in 2013.

With this comes a story potently useful for transmitting what we know about life along to loved ones and others, for introducing visitors and ourselves to culture in our neighborhoods through our own eyes, in our own words.  The example will be to next generations collectively desired, anything can be achieved, and our own neighborhoods and community organizations are set to benefit most. 

In 2013 we made a clear distinction between the Lumins (the event itself) and Festivus, the Holiday.  I was fortunate to partner that Summer with a new company in town that was doing maps; because of my relationships through town I was able to help them better connect with our community by sponsoring those businesses I felt well represented South Sound life in Tacoma's local community landscape.  The theme was The Oceanic, and so I chose a water drop to signify the Lumins, and had them demonstrate my sponsorship by printing a water drop next to the businesses I sponsored.  Artists 4 Life in the Sound then handed the maps out all Autumn and Winter (really, we haven't stopped) and encouraged our friends and peers that if they something we recommended, that they hadn't yet tried, well we encouraged them to try it - to do something new.  We called this, Festivus Season, and in February of 2014 I published our intent here.

With any endeavor, there is a great possibility that the original intent be lost, if it grows too quickly and others involve themselves that do not share the vision or intent.  So in the second year, I centered our workshops at the best place I knew for being a creative place with an emphasis specifically on bettering the well being of the people that come through its doors:  Good Karma, Center for Joy, located downtown in Tacoma's Theater District. 

My intention was to center the work on the principles it would grow from, and to develop the medium as a dialogue in running time about the nature of our action as an enduring script we pass along to the generations coming after.  This the poets and historians call mythopoeia, the making of myth or myths. 

It's a group effort, and will take time.  But understanding the processes, we begin to develop the platform for introducing outsiders and ourselves to the rare ways of life that set our South Sound region apart.  Continuing this work with others active at the ground level in our communities, we work to provide access to knowledge.

2014  The Soil of Earth
'It's Kind of Fun to Do the Impossible.'  - Walt

image: Picture
2014 we did it again, this year walking from the Wright Park Conservatory to Fireman's Park, again via the Spanish Steps.  An International Peace Dove led the procession, and lumins from the Hilltop Artists and Eastside Green Thumbs were present - a source of great pride for us.  Very much happened this year, and is currently happening - you can read about some of it here.

The rest we are still developing, and are greatly looking forward the Day of the Dead, where we will spotlight 6th Ave, and the Dickens Festival at Stadium, where we will be hosting an inaugural Procession of Stars and have our sights on introducing you and others to what is happening in Stadium District these days.

Join us for 1 Saturday in Destiny, Novemer 1st (Day of the Dead) and December 6th (Dickens) and do something new to you in the community landscape of our city.  We will provide a Menu of Worthy Experience starting October 28th.

Everybody benefits:  You, our local small businesses, our parks and community organizations.  Join us for what promises to be a Season with good reason to believe in our community.

a Season with Very Good Reason to Believe

2015  The Airs of the Heavens . .

image: Picture
Definitely noT in Kansas . .
2013  The OceanicJan 19 we publicly announced a music platform called,Roc'aus Rekörds.  This project has made great strides since.The Guide Abides - Full Redesign Over WinterThe Coordinating Work: Orgs & Stark DedicationElements: A voice came over the waters54 OcarinasThe Release of HistoreeThe Meaning of FestivusHilltop Artists & our 1st HackSound Advice2013
2013  The OceanicJan 19 we publicly announced a music platform called,Roc'aus Rekörds.  This project has made great strides since.The Guide - Full Redesign by End of FebThe Coordinating Work: Orgs & Stark DedicationElements: A voice came over the waters54 OcarinasThe Release of HistoreeThe Meaning of FestivusHilltop Artists & our 1st HackSound AdviceIn the Summer of 2013, I partnered with Love Local Living and sponsored 40 local businesses I felt well represented Tacoma Culture and the quality of South Sound life.  15,000 maps were printed and distributed city-wide.2014  Festivus Season Published (Late Feb)Spring in the Kitchenwith TR Stewart Hilltop Artists: Fromthe Minds of the young Introduction to the Bodily Arts at Good KarmaStadium Art & WineMAWP - Music MuseumDBP - The Jive HTSFEastside Green Thumbsa Musical MelangeThe International Peace Dove (2nd Signal)Reach like the Dickens
2013  The OceanicJan 19 we publicly announced a music platform called,Roc'aus Rekörds.  This project has made great strides since.The Guide - Full Redesign by End of FebThe Coordinating Work: Orgs & Stark DedicationElements: A voice came over the waters54 OcarinasThe Release of HistoreeThe Meaning of FestivusHilltop Artists & our 1sMaps with a Meaning
In the Summer of 2013, I partnered with Love Local Living and sponsored 40 local businesses I felt well represented Tacoma Culture and the quality of South Sound life. 
15,000 maps were printed and distributed city-wide.

Live at the New Frontier . .

The Guide Abides - Full Redesign by End of Feb

The Coordinating Work: Orgs & Stark Dedication

Elements: A voice came over the waters

54 Ocarinas

A White Hot Stage &
The Release of Historee

The Meaning of Festivus

Hilltop Artists VIP Christmas
& our 1st Hack

Sound Advice

2014 

Festivus Season Published (Late Feb)

Spring in the Kitchen
with TR Stewart

Hilltop Artists: From
the Minds of the young

Introduction to the Bodily Arts at Good Karma

Stadium Art & Wine

MAWP - We announced: The National Music Museum wants a sattelite museum in Tacoma (PDF) . . Support ?  Tell us so . .

DBP - The Jive about B.O.B.

HTSF

Eastside Green Thumbs

Stark Observations &
a Musical Melange

The International Peace Dove (2nd Signal)

Next, we wake with
Day of the Dead, then we Love like the Dickens2013  The OceanicLive at the New Frontier. . The Guide - Full Redesign by End of FebThe Coordinating Work: Orgs & Stark DedicationElements: And a voice came over the waters54 OcarinasA White Hot Stage &The Release of HistoreeThe Meaning of FestivusHilltop Artists & our 1st HackSound Advice . .

1 Saturday in Destiny, December 6th, Artists 4 Life in the Sound invite you to
do something different:  Experience the inaugural Procession of Stars for the 10th Annual Dickens Festival at Stadium. 

A Menu of Worthy Experience will be provided as a frame of reference for where to go for the better enjoyable experience for you, your friends and family. 

An excellent introduction to what new traditions can bring to our community, the inaugural procession of stars promises to be an uplifting part of this year's Dickens Festival at Stadium celebrations.