We all crave community. Some of us find it in our sports teams, some of us find it in the music we listen to, and some of us are bonded by location. For artists, be it poets, musicians, or filmmakers, DC’s Rhizome is a place to find community. Rhizome DC is a performative arts space in northern DC that can act as a music venue, theater, and general hub for like-minded artists. The “About Us” page on their website offers this thought provoking anecdote: “We believe it’s more interesting to make your own culture than to consume culture made by others.” 

When you think of youth culture nowadays, it seems to be quite homogenized. Almost everybody has a phone, almost everybody uses the same few websites, and almost everyone dresses the same. You might be asking yourself, what does this have to do with Rhizome DC? Well, it breeds an environment that motivates people to be creative and different. Music related events at Rhizome range from singing lessons and bucket drum building to Modular Synth classes and experimental jams. The community is encouraged to participate and create, leading to entirely new possibilities for young artists.

Of course, not everyone is an artist, so how could they benefit from Rhizome and also form their own identity sufficiently unique from the standards of social media? Everybody’s identity is defined by their experiences, so diversifying the things you do, the people you hang out with, and the places you go will change you as a person. I’m not telling you to wear different clothes, I’m not telling you to quit social media, I’m telling you to get out in the world and experience it.  Not only are you defined by what you do, but also by the people you surround yourself with, so if you want an identity separate from the mainstream, surround yourself with like-minded people, artists or not. Rhizome DC, with its “make your own culture” attitude is one of the perfect places to experience art and meet new people right here in the DC area. 

Now, get out there! Maybe I’ll see you at a show!