David Byrne’s American Utopia, a Work in Progress!
Last night I went with my family to watch David’s Byrne show American Utopia. According to the dictionary, Utopia is an “imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect”. In our society, the idea of pursuing happiness in a single place is a well spread one and I guess before I moved to my “American Dream” I chased my own utopia. Life was good then, but could it be even better? I wondered.
Just as I contemplated this idea of utopia, David appeared on stage wearing a light gray suit holding a human brain. He and his band were barefoot the whole show. To me, this represented us, humans, in our very first stage of existence, connected to the earth. He talked about how our brains are filled with connections when we are born, and how we gradually lose them when we get older.
On stage there were no sceneries or props. This reinforces his idea, that brains are captivated by watching people not beautiful sunsets or eye-catching scenery.
As I watched him and his spectacular band, I was fascinated by how they could play so well, and jump up and down and sing at the same time. As a bassist that started playing at age 50, I ask myself if I ever will be able to do that. Oh well, I feel comfortable singing out of tune at band rehearsals.
I followed the band as they twisted, jumped and balanced gracefully with their instruments as if they were flying up in the sky. There is a saying that you cannot teach old dogs new tricks. Well, here I am to prove all of you wrong. Anyway, I’m not jumping up and down with my Mustang bass yet, but who knows. David hasn’t slowed down yet so why should I? As I get older I embrace my time as fear moves behind me. Uncertainty was always part of growing up.
So here I am, with so many questions answered. Yes I did have kids, I did get married (twice!), and I moved from Brazil to live in NYC, I had my fifteen minutes of fame and was featured in the Brazilian newspapers for my successful franchise “Baby Boom Club.”
And what about mistakes? I’ve learned from them. They hurt, of course, but life keeps going on and there is no room for losers. I hate to say that, but you have to agree, I have a point here. You fall down, and if you are not fast enough some people may step on you. Or, if you are in David’s presence you may just become part of his newest musical number.
David’s performance reminded me of the connections I have lost, the friends I have not seen in years and the family members no longer around, and I think damn!
We are a work in progress!! And as I form new connections, make new friends, enjoy new experiences, and make new mistakes, I keep on my journey with my hopes up. What about you? What moves you these days?
About the Author:
Ilana is a journalist and entrepreneur from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is passionate about helping people find their voices and pursue their dreams. It is never too late to start and never too early to change.
