Joy

[pauldo]

So here?s a little story.  My nephew Isaac and his family went to the Wednesday Night Live concert in Mt. Horeb last week.  Isaac was blessed with an extra chromosome at birth and has Down?s Syndrome.   The band that was playing was Tani Diakite and The Afrofunk Stars. Isaac ended up behind the drum kit between sets and a photographer friend of my brother took some pictures.   At the end of the last picture is the story about the night as told by my brother . . . . well worth the read.  I did mention to my brother that after seeing Rush last week at Summerfest and now the pictures of Isaac; I notice a similar look of intensity that Neil Peart had that matches Isaac's focused gaze.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  The rest of the story:  The true beauty of the moment was Isaac and his friends (some girls) wanted their picture with the band.  Isaac tags along?.eyeing up the drum set?.parent from afar?. Ohhhh don?t do that!  Isaac takes a few steps towards the drum kit, points his finger at it and walks away with a little help from his friend Ellie.  Isaac?s former teacher Miss Jefko sees an opportunity.  Her husband coordinates Mt. Horeb?s Wednesday Night Live so she asks the band can this guy play your drums?. Sure.    I didn?t see the bands expression but I could imagine a little apprehension?is this kid going to be Keith Moon or Charlie Watts?  Isaac walks up and starts right in playing the whole drum set? it was awe inspiring. He just started tapping away?cymbals, snare, bass drum?. And all those other things I don?t know the name of.  The band members all had a look of awe?.like that?s not what we were expecting?.. maybe a little more boom and bang, but this was the perfect jazz band backup, working out his set.  Isaac played for like 5 mins.  Got up?. Smiled and walked away. (no prodding by parents to move along).  The band was an African/reggae type band the lead singer/musician in his flowing Rasta type hair walked up to greet Isaac to tell him we could use you for sound checks.  Isaac?s response - ? I like your hair?.  Magical moments one piece at a time.  >>> Joe  P.S. Isaac?s school aid told us his son?s going to college he has a drum set he could use!!!!

[David Houck]

Very cool pictures and story!

[5a_quilt_top]

Great story for a Friday - thanks for sharing.
 
Get him a kit ASAP!
 
He looks like a natural and the world needs more intuitive / enthusiastic drummers!

[rustyg61]

Awesome pictures! Looks like he knows exactly what he is doing! He definitely has the Rock Star facial expressions mastered! Buy him some sticks & a practice pad & encourage him!!

[oddmetersam]

Paul, the title of the thread, Joy, says it all. I've been contemplating the idea that art is what happens when you turn yourself inside out for the rest of the world to see. This is even more true for luminous beings like Isaac. Thanks so much for sharing this in our world.

[mica]

Beautiful! He's got the Roger Taylor sneer in that last photo.

[artswork99]

Beautiful and inspirational!