A Day of Joy and Connection

A guest post by ARTZ Intern Dagny Shepherd

As a summer intern at ARTZ Philadelphia, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Music in the Neighborhood event on July 23, 2024. Held at the Esperanza Health Center, this event was a pleasant blend of music, community and joy, featuring the talented Giovana Robinson and combined with Esperanza’s Young at Heart program.

As soon as I walked in I was greeted with warmth and kindness from everyone involved. There were snacks and beverages to enjoy, accompanied by the wonderful live music. It had been a while since i had seen a live performance so it really was a treat for me, and the positive energy filled the room. Almost everyone there I had not met before, yet they were so welcoming and made me feel included and welcome. It was clear to me that this is a community that embraces each other. 

It wasn’t long before I was asked to dance, I got up and joined a lovely group of people. I must say I’m not the most confident dancer, but their enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile and join in. I had some great conversations about life and loved hearing everyone’s stories. It’s one thing to hear about the importance of community programs in theory, but it’s another to see and feel it firsthand. The conversations and moments of joy were real testaments to the power of music and community.