The Soul of the Moment

In late January, my mother called to inform me that she'd seen an ad for the Asbury Park Music in Film Festival, and that they were accepting submissions for music videos. She suggested that I enter my video for a song I'd written back in June, just around the time of Tent City's demolition.

Although I'm quite proud of the song itself, I considered the video more of an impromptu compilation than anything else. I put together a collection of stills and clips to go with the song so people would have a visual without the painstaking process of watching me sit at my keyboard and cry - which, by the way, I actually did at around three and a half minutes in.

This past Sunday, my friend Jack Ballo, director of Destiny's Bridge, contacted me to let me know that my submission was not only accepted, but would be included with the Destiny's Bridge screening as part of the "Tent City Block." I was also invited to perform an additional song at the event alongside other musician-activists. Soon after I posted the good news on Facebook, Tom Mongelli of Townsquare Media reached out and asked if he could interview me about the song and what inspired it.

In October 2013, I took a drive down an unpaved road in Lakewood, found myself remarkably inspired on many levels, and proceeded to share that experience through blogs, videos, and song.

It wasn't only about the opportunity to translate my own observations into art. Often I would visit Tent City and sing songs with residents who themselves were musicians, who would accompany me on background vocals, piano, guitar, or harmonica. Music became our common ground, a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.

And what's more, I'm confident that the art inspired by Tent City will in turn inspire others to use their own gifts, artistic or otherwise, for the greater good.

It is said that the mere act of creating is what gives life itself meaning, but it is a monumental blessing when your art itself takes on meaning and purpose beyond merely creating for its own sake.

And when art is paired with purpose, it does more than inspire. It can be a powerful catalyst for change.

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For those interested in attending the "Tent City Block" on Saturday, April 11 at the Asbury Park Music and Film Festival, here are the details:

Destiny's Bridge
with Director and Tent City founder Minister Steve Brigham Q&A
Feature Film
Directed by Jack Ballo
Time: 1:00-2:30

The Voice: A Song For Tent City
with Performance by Lisa Ferrara and other friends of Tent City
Music Video
Directed by Lisa Ferrara
Time: 2:30-3:00pm

Location: Salt Studios (658 Cookman Ave. Suite 5, 732-775-9300)