GET SMART!

Smart Minds Challenges Community Thinking

July 27, 2010

Dedicated To Ryoji McCormick

Who wants to feel stupid? Although the human race has a lot of idiots running around out there, it feels good to feel smart. The Taos-based Smart Minds Group’s motto is “Smart Minds Think Alike.� You hand someone a company sticker and their face lights up. What? Me? Smart? Hell yes.

Smart Minds’ founder Paul Lukes’ idea of ‘smart’ comes in the form of graphic design, music journalism, public relations and talent booking. Along with a small firm of talented individuals, Lukes is in the business of educating people on positive music, sober events and art in all forms.

“Smart Minds is focused on shedding light on musicians and artists that are still highly musically skilled but set a good example and spread positive messages through their work. We also create art, design and literature ourselves that serves these purposes,� Lukes explains. “What is present in the mainstream media today is designed to dumb down the masses and sell products through product placement, writing scripts around products, tapping into emotions, creating unrealistic ideals of what beauty is to keep people in a cycle of consumption. Smart Minds has been created to shatter that cycle and encourage free thinking, sharing of ideas and collaboration instead of competition between people of like minds.�

A string of drug overdose deaths have recently occurred in Taos yet there are minimal choices at night for people who want to abstain from an overindulgent lifestyle. So, in essence, the way the community is built right now almost makes it easier to become an alcoholic or addict. That needs to change. Smart Minds’ Sober Nightlife initiative is intended to provide the community with an alternative for drug-infested parties or bars.

“I think it is important to have a Sober Nightlife initiative in every city, but I think Taos is the perfect pilot city for such a program that allows youth and young adults to enjoy music and art in an environment free of drugs and alcohol because of its high DWI rate and huge drug problem.�

While a handful of successful shows have been thrown in Santa Fe, thanks to a never-ending roster of notable artists, it’s Taos that is suffering. Due to a lack of proper venues and sponsorship support, the ability to throw all-ages, sober events is limited. For the types of shows Smart Minds wants to bring to the table, a properly zoned space that accommodates at least 400 people would be ideal. The progressive Taos government (including Mayor Cordova) has been generous enough to suggest Bataan Hall as an option, but at this time, security and insurance are giant roadblocks that are preventing any further steps. There are several ways the Taos community can step up to the plate.

“The community can donate to a Sober Nightlife fund that we will be creating shortly, sponsor events and donate products to be sold or raffled off at events,“ Lukes says. We are currently in need of a staff of certified security personnel and venue insurance. Those are our main hurdles to overcome right now. Once we get that settled, we just need to fund the talent we plan on bringing in, through donations and/or door charges.�

If Smart Minds is able to get the backing it needs, then sober events for all ages will be the norm in Taos on a Friday or Saturday night. After all, a clear mind equals clear thoughts and hopefully smart decisions, which in turn will make the streets of Taos a little safer at night.

Contact plukes@mac.com for more information.