David Fink is co-founder of The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan USA. He is also co-founder and Artistic Director of Outspoken LGBTQ+ storytelling, which consists of true personal narrative, monthly in front of a live audience. David currently serves on the board of Season of Concern, raising money for theater professionals in need. He will be assisting and travelling with the Surabhi Ensemble which is traveling to India this month. Surabhi Ensemble is an award-winning Chicago-USA-based world music band that has travelled across the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa sharing genre-bending original music soundscapes with the intent of establishing deeper cross-cultural connections, to fulfil their vision #liveasonefamily across the globe. Each ensemble member is passionate about peace through music as a real possibility. The Ensemble engages in performances, community outreach, education and other avenues that provide for an opportunity to imbibe an openness toward music & movement diversity.
How do you think music can bring communities together?
Music speaks directly to our emotions. Every human goes through the same emotional journeys. By sharing music, we collectively experience a range of feelings, from joy to sorrow. The dance adds to the emotional expressions. The instruments from different cultures use different sounds and the dances from various cultures use different movements, but they express similar feelings. Audience members for community traveling the paths of the music and dance, and the emotions conveyed, come together, as a temporary community.
What is your role in the Surabhi Ensemble. As an observer how does it look from the outside when musicians from different systems work together?
I owned a venue and booked the performers for many years, becoming friends. They invite me to tour to help manage logistics. I carry gear. I can emcee. I sometimes lead question and answer sessions. I help wherever help is needed.
What are the logistics involved in planning and supportive a tour of this magnitude?
Surabhi has a mission that includes showing the beauty of multiculturalism. We try and make sure all gigs and workshops are meaningful and forward our mission. Planning involves lodging, transportation, sound, lighting, food, and problem-solving. All of this has the intention of enlightening and entertaining and helping people realize we are all one world. Our instruments and dance steps may vary, but at our core, we are all the same.
As more musicians are traveling abroad and playing to new audiences, what changes do we see in audiences' preferences?
As audiences have access to more music from around the world, their ears adapt more readily to various sounds and rhythms. I think it becomes easier to appreciate the skill and talent of the performances and find the music from other cultures easier to fully appreciate.
What are you most looking forward to in your trip to India?
I look forward to connecting with communities in many cities and states in India. I am excited to eat the food. See the sights, and, mostly meet our hosts and communities. This tour is an opportunity to forge connections. And nothing is more human than our connections.
