@Rockville Hometown Holidays Festival

@IsraelFest By Andy Blumenthal

 

Singing competition @IsraelFest. 

A little of Yom Ha’atzmuet and Eurovision combined. 

(Source Videos:  Andy Blumenthal)

@National Portrait Gallery

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival

I love this time of year when the weather gets nice and we can do more outdoor activities. 

Today, we took the opportunity to go to the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. 

There were so many vendors with artistic works in metal, glass, art, jewelry, leather, photography, pottery, and more. 

Everyone seemed to be looking for those one-of-a-kind special pieces.

I did manage to find a very special colorful menorah, which I had my eye on since last year, and which I was glad that I waited for because the artisan made it even better and more beautiful than before. 

Again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and most things were an easy pass on, but some things definitely caught my eye and attention. 

The photo here was one of them where the artist was selling pots, and he set up this plastic chicken–as if the chicken was set and ready to go into the oven. 

Creativity can definitely get weird, but everyone likes a standout. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumethal)

Beautiful Israel Dance Festival DC 2018

 (Source Videos: Andy Blumenthal)

World Of Amazing Times and People

Took this video at the World of Montgomery Festival today. 

The dancers, singers, drummers, and costumes were all great.

The weather today an unseasonably warm 76 degrees and being out and about was fun. 

Plus it was an extra special treat to meet up with my pal Congressman Jamie Raskin. 

Thank you G-d for all the amazing times and good people. 

(Source Video and Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Takoma Park Folk Festival

So today we were at the Takoma Park Folk Festival. 

It was a combination of food, chachkas, art, dance, and music–thank G-d, it was a good time!

When we were going through the booths, I came across this one artist pictured here. 

A little scary looking at first, but actually seemed nice enough and he stopped to speak with us. 

I asked about his very cool jacket.

And he told me, how he had actually made it with all the artistic things on it, including spikes, skulls, medals, patches, and even a pair of teeth!

Then he took off his jacket and turned around to show me his vest. 

On the back was this awesome fighting foe.

I said feigning surprise:

“Oh, and it says RESIST on top?”

He replies:

“Yeah, never miss an opportunity to share a message!”

I thought to myself this guy is pretty smart, especially as he started to explain not only his jacket, but the meanings behind some of his other artwork. 

Creativity is a wonderful thing–especially when no one gets hurt :-)–and it immediately sparks interest and dialogue.

How’d you do that?  What gave you that idea?  How do you use it?

The boring becomes exciting when another soul expresses itself. 

Yes, we’re all the same, but also we’re all different!

It’s by “going there,” you explore and learn new things.  😉 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)