 Well now that we're officially in September, I suppose I should finally announce my candidacy for President of the United States. My campaign slogan is "Choose Joy" or "Joy to the World" or something to that affect. But I'm taking suggestions. I'm also taking suggestions on a running mate...preferably Trevor Noah...if it leads to marriage.
Aaaall joking aside...
How are you? These are tough times huh? So much can happen in the blink of an eye. So I'm not blinking anymore! haha! I'm just keeping my eyes wide open, paying close attention....and then ducking out for prolonged periods of shut-eye. Getting all that rest and recovery.
Still, I've got some much to say, but not enough of your attention span to say it! Haha :) The thought did cross my mind to start a podcast, but everyone and their mom is starting a podcast so I've just been saying all my things to them :)
Speaking of...
 LATEST INTERVIEWS
We covered it all in this interview. I talked with Craig Allen about staying creative in a pandemic, race and how to have an uncomfortable conversation, the artist mentoring sessions I've begun doing, and...why I make stuff!
Human doing vs. Human being. That was the focus of this interview with musician and friend, Jordan Chavous.
In my conversation with Fran Snyder, founder of Concerts in Your Home, we talk about creating in a pandemic and making art that doesn't polarize.
 UPCOMING SHOWS!
September! Not just my birth month, but also the last month of the year with gauranteed warm weather! I hope you can make it to one of the following events if I'm in your area. Each space will be adhereing to physical distancing protocol so please make sure to visit websites in advance.
SEP 7: Club Passim's Campfire Festival 8:30pm EST Virtual
This year's festival is virtual and features performances by singer/songwriters and bands across the country. Visit the link for lineup and schedule throughout Labor Day weekend. SEP 10: WILMINGTON, DE - Theater N in-person
Gable Music Ventures hosts this songwriter in-the-round featuring William Rose, Nic Snow, Caroline Hermance, and myself.
SEP 26: ARDMORE, PA - The Living Room Outdoor Concert Series in-person The Living Room is happy to present three of the Philadelphia singer-songwriters – Emily Drinker, Joy Ike and Valentina Sounds. This concert is held in a large outdoor space that can hold 75 people with social distancing. Tickets are now on sale and will discontinue once we reach full capacity.
SEP 26: BRISTOL, CT - Acousticool Concert Series in-person
Acousticool is a small private house concert series striving to introduce great original musicians to new fans in the central Connecticut area. I will be performing as a duo for this one! This show is outdoors and socially-distanced.
[Tickets]
full details on the above at www.joyike.com
 HEY, BANDCAMP IS WAIVING ARTIST FEES THIS FRIDAY!
Yes, it's still true! You Are Not Your Fear".
And this Friday...as in TOMORROW Bandcamp is waiving it's fees, which means if and when you order a Tshirt/tank or any other merch through their site, 100% of the proceeds go to their artists! *ahem* that would be me in this case :) Sizes Medium and Large will finally be back in stock this month, so all sizes fromXS to 2XL will be availalabe for shipping shortly! Visit this Link for tops, Vinyl, and Lyric Posters designed by yours truly! Bandcamp
 look for the golda reflection...
A few weeks ago I got this image of a structure crumbling to the ground - falling into complete dust. And then I saw an archeologist using a sifter to recover the things that had survived. Each time he sifted through the rubble, he recovered small bits of gold. But everything else was inconsequential. The gold was precious and the only thing that remained.
I believe we are in a serious shaking right now. Everything that can be must be shaken. As things continue to shake around you, let the trivial things crumble.
Look for the gold.
When it feels like life is falling apart and everything is up in flames, look for the gold. Gold is refined in fire. That means it becomes even purer as it goes through the flames. Look for the gold.
Let go of everything that can be shaken. It won't last anyway.
A few days after getting this visual, as I was painting some dried bamboo in my living room I began to feel sorrow for so many of my friends who are at their breaking point, who don't feel like they have anything left to give or anything left to hope for. If you feel brittle or hollow, like you are crumbling into a million pieces, DO NOT let your spirit succumb to the voices of death and despair that surround you.
It's easy to feel like bamboo right now. Weak, hollow, brittle, and empty. And it's pretty easy to be fearful and expect the fire to consume you. But the interesting thing about bamboo, as I learned, is that it can be used to make charcoal - that it has a high heating value which makes it efficient for fuel. That's not what I expected to find when I googled "bamboo fire" on a whim.
Friends, the shaking isn't fun. The fire is hot. Things crumble. So much will fall apart. BUT look for the gold. Do not attempt to hold onto the things that are not meant to last. Look for God's goodness even in the midst of the pain. If you don't know what that looks like, ask Him to show you. I guarantee you that in your weakness He will provide His strength.
Here is the hymn that rang in my ear during an unexpected afternoon of art, reflection, and spiritual formation..."On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand".
Thank you for reading!
I hope to see you in person or on a live stream in the near future <3
Joy
(here's a closing melody for you)
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