pavomag.com

I love words. I use them like taffy when I can, stretching them out, chewing them up and sharing them with others. Lately, I’ve been thinking about their etymology, where they come from, their origins and so on. The word giving, for example, is defined as anything presented voluntarily and without expecting compensation; to bestow; to give a birthday present to someone. A synonym for giving is the word offering, defined as the act of presenting for acceptance or rejection; to proffer: He offered me a cigarette.

In this season of merriment, gift giving and glee, our beloved Magic City will soon be presented with an offering of sorts, a present, to be either accepted or rejected by its denizens. Of course, we’re hoping for the former, that our offering will be embraced with open arms, allowing 2010 to see the birth of B.A.A.M!, another edition in the storied history of Southeastern America’s festival culture. As of this writing, B.A.A.M! Festival is in discussion with one of Birmingham’s most prominent advertising agencies, Big Communications, to come on board to gift wrap our offering in a beautiful, acceptable, sponsor-friendly package. After this, our journey will be officially underway and Memorial Day weekend in Alabama will never be the same.

In keeping with the joy and general consumer fervor that overtakes the world at this time of year, I will not occupy Pavo readers with my soap boxing about what’s needed to sustain, grow and celebrate Birmingham’s music and art industries. In lieu of that, I submit to you my hopeful wishes for a unified change, a collective convergence of consciousness that takes us from one condition into another, a more elevated, engaging and profitable condition, where race, class and cultural barriers are erased, or at least blurred enough to create a new vision for a growing city. We can do this. We will do this. Until then however, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukah, Joyeux Noel and Happy fucking New Year!!

Comments