DANFEST 2006

[Henry Long]

Done! I will find out how to post photos here (why can't I figure it out?), or simply link you to http://www.henrylong.com when I've got something.
Thanks for asking!

[Henry Long]

Danfest update:

I was interviewed live on a local TV news station about the Danfest '06 (Daniel Film and Art Show.) It was about 8-10 minutes long, and included clips from the film, stills, and website info flashed on screen. I got to promote the release of "Welcome To My World" (and, in the spirit of Daniel, accidentally held the CD up-side-down for a good 5 -10 seconds until the cameraman motioned to me with a rolling finger the universal sign of "You've got it up-side-down, stupid!")

I mentioned his recent art shows in NYC, the LA gigs, the film, the Rock Opera, all the new releases...you know, media blitz stuff. All in all it went really well. They are repeating the interview around here for the next 2 weeks it seems, which is cool.

The reactions so far to the artshow have been 2 fold-

1. Who the Hell is this guy?
2. Wow! Daniel Johnston art here in Wilmington! Is HE here?!

In answer to question #1, I respond with a brightly colored flier I wrote to introduce Daniel to those who need to know, as follows:

Who is Daniel Johnston?

Beyond labels and artistic definitions.
An Inside Outsider.
A Musician’s Musician and an Artist’s Artist.
 
Daniel Johnston created his own mythology, then proceeded to live it, along the way becoming his own historian. He continues to create and perform and record in Waller, Texas, in the house built for him next to his Mother and Father, Mabel and Bill Johnston.

Nearly 600 songs on over 32 albums, 34 compilations and collaborations and a dozen soundtracks. Thousands of drawings. He has influenced everyone who has ever listened to his music.

Daniel’s vision comes from a timeless place of Joy and Despair. Innocence and Experience. He is a living William Blake.

The rest is best listened to on your own, observed on gallery walls, and thought about for a long long time.

For more information the following websites are suggested:


www.hihowareyou.com
www.rejectedunknown.com
www.museumoflove.com
www.discoveredcovered.com
www.worriedshoes.com

-Henry Long
Fellow Cartographer of the Heart and Daniel Johnston Fan



In answer to question #2, I have to respond usually "No, he won't be here, but he sends his regards and wishes you all a Merry Christmas."

At that point I get either a puzzled, somewhat blank  expression, or a knowing grin.

[Henry Long]

Once again responding to my own posts...

So I FINALLY saw "The Devil and Danioel Johnston" today, for the first time. Since I am the "Danfest 06" guy, I will be at all 7 performances, selling CD's, T-shirts, posters, showing his art, answering questions, etc.

I cannot begin to express how many chords in my heart resounded when struck by this film. I honestly cried 3 times. It resonates on so many levels. Personal. Universal.

I played "Welcome To My World" as people walked in over the $20,000.00 theater sound system. THAT was cool. When the film was over and the lights came on, the CD played again, and nobody moved. We all just stood around, kind of looking at one another, searching, like we had all just had a visitation from the Ghost of Hamlet's Father walking through the theater or something. Like a bunch of strangers looking at one another and saying "Did YOU see that?!"

Something profound had just been experienced by everybody in that theater, and we wanted to share OUR story. Talk about OUR hopes that we all once had to be great. Cry about the one WE loved who could not love us back. Quietly acknowledge the pain WE have been through, the fires we have had to walk through, and how it feels to be coming out, alive, on this side of the living, wounded, but breathing, and stronger.

Or, in some cases, the fire we are walking through right now.

My god, what a film. What an artist. I knew, y'know, going into this that it would be good. I did not expect it to be a spiritual experience. I did not expect complete strangers to come up to me with tears in their eyes afterward to gently inquire their concerns, and express their own connections with that dark night of the soul.

Isn't that a definition of Art? To see one's self reflected in it?

It's gonna be an interesting weekend.

I'll keep in touch, and hopefully someone will email me about how the hell to post photographs.

Til then-
Call your parents and tell them you love them.

[The Dentist]

Wow Henry, just wow! What a wonderful reaction to the movie. How many movies have the audience ever sat while the credits roll? And then to stay and listen to "Welcome To My World", again. And if I had known about "Danfest" I'd have hit the PA Turnpike and headed your way. I'm so very envious.

[wickedwill]

Hell yeah Henry! I have yet to see the film. Supposed to hit the sticks June 5th....perhaps then. Glad to see it all went well!

[Stress Records]

I think he liked it..