October before last, Solange announced a free show in Marfa, TX at the Chinati Foundation. Marfa had been on my bucket list for quite some time and Solange is one of my favorite artists, so it was a no-brainer. The show was announced under short notice and there were no hotel rooms or Airbnb’s available, so camping was the only option. Thankfully, REI sent me gift cards for an image I sold to them over the summer, so I was able to buy supplies for the freeski! I made reservations at El Cosmico camp grounds and absolutely loved the experience. Next time I would definitely want to reserve a teepee/trailer, but the amenities made the stay comfortable.
No trip to Marfa is complete without visiting Prada. I met people from all walks of life that morning - it was an inspiring experience hearing everyone’s story. I met a woman riding her bike across the US, two ladies who were driving an RV across the country, the coolest guy from Japan who knew all the dope music, along with countless other incredible human beings. While at Prada, I discovered the show had an all-white dress code (which I wasn’t prepared for). Luckily, I was able thrift some cool digs at Second Bloom.
As for the performance? I wish I could put it in a time capsule for future generations to understand what true artistry is. I’ve seen Solange in concert three times and that was by far her best. At one point, she sang “Don’t Touch My Hair” directly at me. No phones or cameras were allowed, which truly forced the audience to be present rather than trying to capture the moment. After the show, I went to Pizza Foundation and had some of the best pizza I’ve ever eaten in my life.
On the final day, I woke up and explored Food Shark before heading out. There’s still so much I didn’t see in Marfa, so I will definitely be back soon.
