Fiddler and theologian Shawn Craver plays traditional fiddle music at Songbird Juice Co. in Wichita, Kansas every Friday from 3-4 p.m at an event called "The Great Free-Set". It is an hour of music, organic house made juices and food, and a place for friends and community to gather for a breath of normalcy in a city that is facing economic devastation, rampant mental health issues, and business closures due to policies that restrict such gatherings. With week four approaching, the musician reflects on the many personal messages he has received from those attending.

"People have validated my belief in the power of music, community, and healthy food to heal and give life with personal messages. Music is healing. Good food is healing. Gathering is healing. These are practices rooted in thousands of years of medicine. When policies attack these, then quality of life is attacked. When quality of life diminishes, health diminishes. Call it spiritual if you'd like, but it's practical common sense that people benefit from."

Shawn's hour set includes traditional fiddle music from his native Appalachian mountains where he grew up in a culture centered on music and church. Songbird Juice Co. serves up the juices, drinks, and food and Shawn Craver serves up the fiddle tunes.
For one hour every Friday, Shawn lets the music do the preaching. The music, the people, the food and community are the message and everyone is welcome. The fiddler will be back at Songbird at 1617 Briggs Street in Riverside on Friday December 11th at 3 p.m.