I came, I saw, I mixed it up.
The inaugural Wizspark/Volcanoboy Mixer has come and gone and I’m left wondering; ‘is something this simple the thing that could truly boost creativity in Worcester?’ I showed up at Boston Billiards on Grove St. at exactly 2000 hrs not really knowing what to expect, other than it would be drier inside than it was out. After trying to find my way into the side door of the building which has long been closed up, shows you how long it’s been since I’ve played pool there, I began the long march from the front door to the back room. The Mixer was held in a small function room adjacent to the main playing hall, which held three pool tables a few couches and bar style seating along the walls. The crowd quickly grew from around 20 or so at 8pm too what had to have been 50+ within a half hour or so. Right from the start the thing that I was struck with, was the fair number of people who I didn’t know. Not that I claim to know everyone, but Worcester is one of those places where eventually everyone gets a role as an extra in the movie of your life. It was refreshing to see some new faces mixed in with the old, in some cases real old.
The relaxed vibe, without being truly comfortable was also nice, really conducive to mingling, which is apparently what you do at a mixer? Over the years I’ve grown to learn where to go around Worcester to meet with certain people. That’s a nice bit of knowledge to have, but can be quite a turn off for people unfamiliar to new territory. I have to believe that everyone in attendance last night was truly on neutral ground. There was no posturing, no attitude, no pecking order; real or perceived. There was no ’scene’ being represented and no ’scenester’s’ to been seen. Instead cat’s who are still in high school were approaching musicians who have been performing their music live since before these youngster’s were born. Seeing this, watching them ask “what do you do?” was so refreshing. But strangely it wasn’t just about meeting new people.
There were more than a few in attendance who I’ve known for years but honestly never knew what they did. People I went to high school with and haven’t thought of since, who are active in the arts community in their own way. There were guy’s who up until last night, the only thing I thought I had in common with was having stood in the same bar at the same time. I ended up having the longest conversations of the night with people who I’ve said hello to a thousand times before but never bothered to find out their last names. I collected business cards from people who for years have been anonymous faces in the crowd who last night turned themselves into the most interesting people I’ve never met before. Old friends who all seemed astounded and relived that Worcester is always able to spring a surprise on you in the form of a fresh face with strong ideals. There was strong representation from Worcester press, musicians, designers, club owners even organizers and management types. Exactly the mix that is necessary for real growth. But this wasn’t some redundant “what will make our scene stronger?” thread on some played out message board. This was about individuals. This was about people with skills looking for work and people with needs looking to get work done. The obvious byproduct of this kind of meeting is also the answer to the earlier message board question. Networking. An engineer understands that networking represents the connection of various and seemingly independent nodes, bringing them together to share, and in some cases exploit, resources. Recent history in Worcester has broken the network, or to stay with the engineering analogy, has broken the various LAN’s off of the greater, and in many cases essential WAN. I see that larger, stronger network reforming. I see a lot of people having their local creditability and message board merit badges ripped from their sleeves. As fresh new talent (that just happened to always be here) moves in, takes over and moves up.
To answer my own opening question. No, something as simple as a networking social isn’t ever going to boost creativity in a big ‘ol town like Worcester. It’s even easier than that; real people who are real interested in doing real stuff in the real world. A break from the message boards, bar rooms and coffee houses where we all get to be a god in our own mind. In there place a stripped down, relaxed and extremely casual atmosphere where real work could potentially be born. I’m sold.
For updates on the future of the Mixer, next one scheduled for the first Monday in Feb @ SPQR in Worcester; Please visit Volcano Boy (of which I am a contributor) and Whizspark
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Well put. I took away a similar feeling from the event. I felt very fulfilled as I went hoping to attatch faces and personalities to screen names and I was able to do just that. I met some great people and hope to see them and talk to them all again soon. Makes me a little bit sad that I just moved 30 miles East last week…
[...] ; make sure to stop by S.P.Q.R. on Winter Street for the second monthly Networking Mixer. The last event was a great success, and I’m hoping the second will be [...]