Danny.
Energy is more than oil, gas, and electricity; these are just a few familiar manifestations of this ‘force’. What I’m talking about is simultaneously more ‘common’ and less directly discussed. “It is important to realize that in physics today, we have no knowledge of what energy is," acclaimed physicist Richard Feynman reminds us. Maybe he didn’t have Danny in mind when he was opening up the definition of energy, but I can’t help but connect the dots for us.
We can all attest that people carry energy, and that how we use that energy impacts others. This ‘energy’ is separate of personality, though is inextricably linked. This is a human force that is fed as much through emotion as it is our daily bread. Specifically, there are people who wield an energy to unite, excite, and celebrate. In our neck of the woods, we are fortunate to have a homegrown son at one of the helm’s of this region’s cultureship. Danny Milholland’s work, and what he represents is synonymous with energy, celebration, and as he might say, a little ‘boomskalaka!’
As a serial entrepreneur, Danny has launched or helped lead five event and production based projects including a touring acrobatalist troupe and a regional arts and culture magazine. However, his primary work has been in cultivating inspiring and welcoming community events. These events, like Cake Picnic, Old School Forth, All County Picnic, Orca Fest, and the Chimacum Arts and Crafts Fair, all feature Danny’s dedicated energy and delivery. All are aimed at awakening our community towards our positive, natural interdependence. What’s a better way to wake that up in someone than offering them free cake at one event and emergency preparedness information at another?
”When we need to rally, we can utilize that foundation of energy, shared vision.” Danny told me. “It’s an exercise, a practice. It takes work. All of my work is an exercise of relationships,” he says, noting that these events build, “a neural network of channels that allow for success in a time of need.”
Considering what new stories of positivity and possibility we are trying to write these days, Danny’s work feels right on time, if not a little reminiscent of our recent past. Influenced by regional indigenous leaders of today and one of Port Townsend’s more enigmatic founders, Joseph Kuhn, some of Danny’s work carries a direct line of logic from more than 100 years ago. Events like the massive clam bakes that ran from the 1880s into the early 1900s were held on our little Kala Point in Port Townsend bay -now ironically occupied by a gated community. The events were open to all people of the area, indigenous and settler alike. This recent reality inspires Danny and is imbued in today’s events, whether the folks attending know it or not.
Featuring Danny as a profile of inspiration feels like a natural fit. He has been central to my own story of coming home to give and live here. Having shared a house and dreamed up many late night harebrained ideas together, I can attest that the energy that he has shared with me has helped enable the energy that I’m now able to give through my work. This positioning in our community isn’t lost on Danny. After years of getting up in front of crowds he makes it clear how special that is, “it is a privilege to even have my voice heard.”
