One of the best parts about working for the News Journal is the places I get to go and the different people I get to meet.
One of those places that I was able to attend this week was the Louisville Orchestra performance during their In Harmony tour stop at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park on Friday, Sept. 19.
The event drew people from all over the world, all there for different reasons, whether it was the music itself, the art, or nature, or perhaps a blend of all three.
I met individuals who had been there more times than they could count, and some individuals who had never been there at all.
The first event I attended at Cumberland Falls was to see the Creator Corps perform a piece specifically created for the Falls by Creator Corps member Anthony Green. The piece was written for 13 parts.
As I moved across the grass, with the waterfall in sight, I could hear each instrument individually due to their spacing.
The first instrument I could hear was the flute, and perhaps it was because I had played it for over a decade. The flutist had the most beautiful vibrato.
I took pictures of each person, trying to angle them so that nature was in the background.
While the music was playing, I created my own rain stick and chatted with the people around me while I painted it pink, purple, and aqua. I met an older woman with a British accent, and learned she was from London, England. Despite being from two completely different places, we shared a love for music. We discussed how music serves as a form of healing for the body, mind, and soul. I learned she used to be a piano teacher. She told me to keep playing music.
I also met a little girl who told me my rain stick was pretty. I learned we shared the same favorite colors of pink and purple.
Afterward, I walked down to the falls and enjoyed some time by the sandy area, where I skipped rocks. I took some time to practice photography.
When I finished taking pictures, I was sweating. I sat down on a bench where two other guys sat at a different bench beside me, sweating more than I was.
I started talking to them and learned they had just come back from a hike. One man was from Alabama, and the other was from West Virginia. They saw me taking pictures with my camera, so we talked about that. They had never been to the Falls, and I told them that I certainly take for granted such a beautiful place that I can visit at any time, whereas some people go their whole life without seeing it. I reminded myself to be grateful.
Next, I drove up to the DuPont Lounge, where an art show was taking place.
I spotted a familiar face, April Schweiss from April Drew It, who is the new assistant director at Corbin Tourism.
I bought some stickers from her that she had created herself. Her art resembles children’s book illustrations, filled with humorous concepts. I definitely recommend looking her art up on Facebook because it’s something worth seeing.
I also chatted with a group of carvers who were funny and had carved a raccoon and a bald eagle.
There were so many talented artists there.
Afterward, I went to the area where the orchestra was setting up.
I talked to Maggy Monhollen, who is the Park Manager at Cumberland Falls, and shared with her how much fun I was having meeting different people.
She mentioned that this was a significant event for the people in the tri-county area.
Finally, at 7:30 p.m., the Louisville Orchestra was introduced by Senate President Robert Stivers and State Representative Nick Wilson. They introduced Teddy Abrams, the conductor of the orchestra. The orchestra chose pieces by Tchaikovsky and Copland. My favorite piece was Hoe-down by Copland.
I was thrilled to see Grammy Award-winning mandolin player and vocalist Sam Bush perform alongside the Louisville Orchestra with guitar player Stephen Mougin. I’ve been to several orchestra and concert band performances, but I’ve never seen anything like that. It was the coolest thing ever.
During the performance, I talked to a young girl from Barbourville who sat beside me with the cutest blonde hair.
She asked me various questions throughout the piece, such as “Why is he standing on that? Why are they playing so fast? Why are they playing music? Is it almost over?”
She was so funny and so cute!
I let her see some pictures I took. I wasn’t sure how she felt about them, but she smiled at me.
I ended up taking nearly 300 pictures throughout the day.
It was an incredible experience, and I had a blast hearing such beautiful music, and above all, chatting with various individuals I never would have met had I not gone.
