Bay Shore NY
7-23-2024 9:12am

The Transformative Power of Music

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF MUSIC

Sometimes we forget how music can affect us, but then you see one of your favorite musicians live in concert and you are transformed. If I could see just one artist, it would be Santana. 

This past Sunday evening at the Jones Beach Theater, I was reminded of just how powerful and transformative music can be. I've been seeing Santana perform since I'm in my 20's. I remember one night at Madison Square Garden many years ago after his show there, drummers gathered on the steps outside and played for hours. It was electric. It was my introduction to the "drum circle" as I've come to know it. There are a variety of drum circles held on the beaches of Long Island. Carolina Luna hosts drum circles at Field 5 at Robert Moses State Park, and Susan Glaser Gelbman and Michael OOhm Coote are hosting a drum circle this Saturday, July 27th at 1:00pm at Field 2 on the beach at Robert Moses State Park. Follow them on Facebook for future drum circles and other events.  

Santana has maintained his youthful guitar prowess that began at Woodstock in 1969. At 77 years old, he shows little sign of stopping. He sat for most of the show, but he deserves to. And when he did walk from one seat to another, he moved a little slower. But when Santana hits his infamous, signature high note, like in the song Europa, it takes you to the stratosphere and transcends age. 

In 1974, he played and endorsed the Gibson L6-S Custom. This can be heard on the 1974 album, Borboletta. From 1976 until 1982, his main guitar was a Yamaha SG 175B, and sometimes a white Gibson SG Custom with three open-coil pick-ups. In 1982, he started to use a custom-made PRS Custom 24 guitar. If you love the electric guitar like me, then this has special meaning to you. Santana's guitar sounds like no other.

It was the perfect summer night. The temperature was mild with a slight breeze. The air was humid. And there was a magnificent full moon. Sitting midway up the stadium, we had a full view of the vast ocean. There were plenty of boats in the inlet, and the night sky formed a canopy of glistening stars, planets, and planes. I love to watch planes fly by. You could feel the energy rise as the stadium filled up. Once the lights went down, two large screens flashed images of indigenous people dancing to native drums. As Carlos took the stage, everyone rose to their feet and began to dance and applaud. I screamed out at full force, Carlos! I threw my hands up in the air, moving wildly. I couldn't contain myself. The music ignited my mind, body, and soul. 

I have most of Santana's albums. I have not played them in a while. When I used to live in Brooklyn, I'd have Santana marathons and play his albums all day on a ritualistic Saturday afternoon. I'd light my incense and candles and become one with the music. 

Music possesses a remarkable capacity to induce transformative changes in the brain, fostering neuroplasticity and reshaping neural networks. Neurological plasticity, also known as neural or brain plasticity, is the brain's ability to change and adapt through growth and reorganization. This process allows the brain to rewire itself to function differently than it previously did in response to internal or external stimuli. This is what happened to me. And I felt the difference. It was the shift I needed more than I realized. I felt very happy.

Music can have a powerful effect on people, inspiring emotions, changing moods, and improving mental health. Music can inspire religious devotion, motivate work, and can improve self-esteem and reduce anxiety. Music has also been used as a tool for social change throughout history, playing a key role in movements such as the Civil Rights movement, anti-war movements, and the feminist movement. Music can move mountains.

For this 60 and beyond woman, music is the center of my life. As a singer/songwriter, I'm always thinking about the next song. I grew up in a home filled with all kinds of music, and danced for friends and family. Movement is core to our humanity. It's primal. It's how cultures come together in celebration.  Varying song forms were present in Ancient cultures, including China, Egypt, Greece, India, Mesopotamia, Rome, and the Middle East. The text, rhythm, and melodies of these songs were closely aligned, as was music in general, with magic, science, and religion. And love.

Music can take us outside of ourselves to a place of non-thought and bliss. The next time you feel down, turn up the music. And don't forget to dance.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, we must always remember how happy music can make us. Don't forget to check out my Skylark Live Event Calendar for some cool live music events coming up.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - JONES BEACH THEATER

The Jones Beach Theater, originally called the Jones Beach Marine Stadium, has a long history that began in 1952 as part of the Jones Beach State park master plan:

  • 1952: The theater opened with 8,200 seats and hosted musicals.
  • 1980s: The venue's primary focus became concerts.
  • 1991–1992: The theater underwent a renovation that added a second level and increased the capacity to 11,200 seats.
  • 1998: The capacity was expanded again to nearly 15,000 seats.
  • 2013: The venue reopened after a $20 million rehabilitation project.
  • 2017: The theater underwent a million dollar renovation plan, including energy-efficient LED lighting, more cafes, and larger concourses.

Today, the Jones Beach Theater is renovated once again. It's bigger and more spacious with better access. Security is high, but so are your emotions when you enter its realm. Jones Beach Theater remains one of the very best places to see live music in the summer. You can't beat the view, and you never know who you'll run into.

For more information, visit www.jonesbeachtheater.com.

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Please protect all of the people who work, perform, and attend concerts at the Jones Beach Theater safe this summer. Amen.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What concert transformed you this summer?

Please put your answer in the Reply bubble at the bottom of this newsletter next to the Heart. Thank you. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S INSPRIATIONA QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - EUROPA by SANTANA - 7/21/2024, JONES BEACH

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ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE

My brand, Skylark Live, was born out of my turning 60 and noticing a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness. I’m in the process of formulating in-person presentations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be conducted in someone’s home, local library, or senior center.

Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, is a recap of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube channel as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark

WHERE TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT ME ON PATREON AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Patreon - This is where you can support my brand for just $5 a month. This enables me to carve out time to write my newsletters, create my vlogs and to expand my brand. Just click the link below: www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive

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Thank you for your love and support. Andiamo! Let's Go!

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