What are you at conferences for?
More and more and more, I’m at conferences for two reasons: to volunteer supporting something I care about (like All-State Jazz Choir) or for The Hang.
I’ve only heard jazzers ever use the term “The Hang” as a noun. “Hang out” as a verb is certainly ubiquitous, but The Hang is a more specific, storied, and valuable term.
The Hang is spending hours reconnecting with old friends who share a history.
The Hang is making the time pleasant before and after the gig.
The Hang is solving the world’s problems after midnight over a cold beverage.
The Hang is why I’m at a conference right now, and why I’ll stay up hours past my bedtime. The Hang is more valuable than sleep, especially when so often it’s not available, because I don’t live in the same city as my people.
It’s all about The Hang.
(Writing this post at 1am as my slightly delayed January 26 post, because of The Hang.)