3 Things I Like This Week – July 3

1) The Haka

As a middle aged white man originally from middle America, the haka is about as culturally distant from my comfort zone as one can get. For the unfamiliar, the haka is a traditional Maori dance/chant. Traditionally, the haka was performed for various ceremonial reasons: to welcome distinguished guests, acknowledge great achievements, celebrate, mourn, or prepare warriors for battle. It has been made most famous by New Zealand’s rugby teams as they perform it on the field before matches. (They are already a traditional powerhouse, and seeing this before a match would be enough to make me forfeit.) The most moving versions I’ve seen, though, are the hakas performed to honor someone–a retiring teacher or a missionary returning home. There is something powerful in the honor, the unity, and the raw collective force. It taps into a visceral, rooted expression of solidarity. I have to imagine there is something deeply satisfying about pouring out honor or challenge or encouragement or grief with such passion in unison with others. The Haka is one of those magnificent expressions of unique culture that reflect something of God’s breadth of creative expression reflected in humankind, and it makes you look forward to the array of human expression heaven will reflect one day.

2) Spotted Cow

Having grown up in Minnesota my opinion of Wisconsin is, shall we say, low. The best thing about Wisconsin is leaving. The second best thing, though, is Spotted Cow. The Germans who settled in southern Wisconsin did know a thing or two about brewing and have kept the tradition up. Spotted Cow is a delicious, crisp, unfiltered wheat beer from New Glarus Brewing that can only be purchased in that state. And frankly it tastes like summer, like the perfect accompaniment for sitting lakeside or riding a boot or lawn mowing. I get my hands on it more rarely than I once did, but when I am forced to venture through the Packers fans and mean state troopers, I can at least stop at a Kwik Trip (the third best thing about Wisconsin) and restock.

3) Gary Clark Jr. Live

To me, blues music feels like summer. It is best played outside or with the windows open. Something about heavy humidity in the air makes the blues sound better. And of all the musical genres, I think the blues sounds best outside. Gary Clark Jr’s live album is nearly a perfect summer soundtrack. He covers some blues classics and offers some of his own excellent originals. He recalls and honors the history of blues and R&B with his musicianship and vocals. Even the fact that it is a live album elevates it as you can feel Clark and his band feeding off the crowd. It feels like enjoying a great summer time concert without having to actually deal all the tiresome concert stuff (crowds, people singing along, etc.) If you need an accompaniment for your holiday cookouts and pool parties, this is a great choice.