FOCUS! ( or School House Rock! )

The arts. Often they are ignored in the hustle-bustle of normal life. "The arts" are seen as a superfluous accessory to the "real world," a meandering of the mind and soul that oft-times must be wrangled into a small time frame that fits extra-curricular activities. Consistently inside the educational system, the arts go underfunded or unfunded and are relegated to the back-burner for the "well-rounded student."

Keeping in such a mindset, Highland Park High School deserves commendations for many reasons and one of which being the award-winning "FOCUS on the Arts" program. [ link ] Josh and the Empty Pockets were delighted to be involved with this excellent program and were given a first-hand look on Tuesday as we rocked out in the H-wing gymnasium to an awesome group of attendees.

Setting up in the gym.

The Empty Pockets loved rocking out and discussing some of the finer points of rock 'n roll with the fine FOCUS folks. Everyone was super attentive and we really enjoyed every minute of our stay. Nicer folks cannot be found and we were so happy to be asked to present this year.

Hey, what's that?

The sights, the sounds, the smells... of rock n' roll.

Erika drinks in the rock, in water form.

Other prestigious presenters at the absolutely excellent FOCUS on the Arts program include Gary Sinise, David Rudman, Audrey Niffenegger, Mark Giangreco and the often imitated but never duplicated Dave Mason [ link ], among many others.

We hope to be brought back for the next FOCUS on the Arts program so that Josh and the Empty Pockets can continue to share their excellent message of peace, love and really-ripping rock 'n roll with the future generation of movers and shakers. Thank you so much Highland Park High School and thanks to everyone who came and rocked with us during our session. You all kick!

If you wanna be funky, be free,
-Nate Bellon(bass)