Something in the Water: Hire Me for 2023

This weekend, I had the pleasure experience of attending the Something in the Water Festival, a three-day music event curated by producer/artist/influencer Pharrell Williams. The festival’s origins lie in Virginia Beach, Pharrell’s hometown and also the same town that refused to fully investigate the recent murder of his family member. With this slight as the catalyst, Pharrell moved the festival to D.C., and it just so happened to coincide with Juneteenth.

To say I was excited about this festival is a complete understatement. I mean in addition to Pharrell (whose music I have loved for 30 years), there were faves like Usher, new loves like Lucky Daye and the promise of surprise “Phriends.” This, in my mind, made the $350 price tag worth it.

I go to festivals about once per year, so I know I need three basic things to enjoy them – safety, comfort AND good music. I only got the latter at the 2022 SITW.

My music euphoria could not overcome the event planning missteps. Held mainly on a six-block stretch of Independence Avenue, the street holding three performance stages, food and merchandise vendors, and 50,000 people was congested. There were no dedicated spaces for sitting, food breaks or walking. I also didn’t see much in the way of entertainment outside the music. I’m used to seeing step and repeats, photo booths, etc. to amplify the event.

While I expected the music lover in me to be in overdrive, it was actually my event planning brain driving my imagination. Holler at me Pharrell and team because I have few ideas to improve this festival.

1. Incorporate the National Mall. Having worked a little with the National Park Service and National Park Foundation, I understand why this event cannot be held completely on the Mall. However, a hybrid that is open to the public could work. The festival already has an open exit and re-entry policy. Why not set up games, picnics, etc. on a dedicated portion of the Mall? This offers a fun respite for festival goers and an additional opportunity for the local community to join in.

2. Connect more to the local DC food culture and habits. Kudos to having local legends like Ben’s Chili Bowl and emerging faves like Colada Shop onsite. That said, I couldn’t get to them without losing my sightline, and I was hangry two out of the three nights I left the festival. For next year, let’s have food trucks along Seventh Avenue to serve the “after party” crowd. The Capitol shone brightly each night and provided an incredible backdrop.

3. Differentiate the pricing tiers. Yes, I mean have a VIP section. Many of the headliners including Pharrell, Usher, Anderson.Paak, TI and Justin Timberlake are over 35, and their fans are aging out of the free-for-all general admission. Give us vintage fans our own reserved areas with spacing, food service, chairs, and bathrooms within a short walking distance.

4. Provide much better accessibility. Everybody loves music. If I felt unsafe in this crowd, I can’t imagine how people with mobility issues may have felt, especially Saturday night where the show was stopped to address crowding issues.

5. Do more sponsor giveaways. I was surprised to walk away without any freebies. Liquid I.V., a “hydration multiplier” was one of the sponsors, so I at least expected to get samples to add to my water.

Create Your Way to the Top

I’ve been traveling nonstop over the past month. That includes touchdowns in Miami and Los Angeles and my first trip to Mexico, specifically Cancun. I enjoy meeting new people and seeking new adventures, so these days have been terrific.

Two of these trips have been for conferences. It was my third time at ColorComm and my first time at BlogHer. For me, these trips are personal investments. The day job doesn’t sponsor them. I do. I go because I’m curious and always trying to find and expand my path.

Miami, Los Angeles & Cancun in just one month. I'll take that!

It’s an amazing treat to be in the company of women who are confident and, well, doing thangs. Listening to their stories and achievements lights a confidence within myself, and I return to my “normal” life refreshed. An interesting thing happened at ColorComm. One of my favorite executives, Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, EVP of diversity and inclusion at CBS, noted that she didn’t work her way to the top; she CREATED her way to the top.

This theme replicated itself at BlogHer. I was in a sea of women (yes, many mommy bloggers) who are sharing their life experiences through blogging, vlogging, podcasts, etc., and they’ve found a way to monetize their influence. Not because they are perfect, but because they share their lives pretty much just as they are. They come from a variety of backgrounds - makeup artists, law students, doctors, actors and even reality stars (Kim Kardashian), so you don’t need an expertise in shooting videos to be a vlogger.

Now, me, I have ideas. I have desire, and I even have some financial flexibility. What I struggle with is execution of this path. Let us not forget that one definition of execute is to “carry out a sentence of death.” I think my fear focuses on that definition rather than the amazing opportunities that my own creativity may offer. I like the predictable.

Luckily, in Cancun, I stepped out of my comfortable box. This was a vacation, but it was a vacation unlike others I’ve taken. I shared this trip with my 13-year-old nephews, and let’s say lying by the pool while reading a book isn’t their style. My sister scheduled an Adventure Day, and for me, this day of firsts included horseback riding, ATV driving and zip lining. While nervous, I enjoyed them all, and it was my best day of the summer despite being wet, muddy and probably stinky. I was exuberant and feasted off my endorphins. I'd like this to be my every day, and I'm not asking for perfection. I actually thrive at solving challenges. I just need a path that...OH STRIKE THAT. I'm going to CREATE a path that fits me.