Playing for Change

Every once in a while (and it happens more and more frequently as we get connected tighter as a world body), you just run across something that makes your heart open up and cry out for sharing with others. Some people like me turn to blogging, others take to the street or subway station with a guitar and a voice, yet others run for office with a platform based on their firmly held convictions.

Several decades ago, Arlo Guthrie had it right when he said,

You know, if one person, just one person does it they may
think he's really sick and they won't take him.  ...
And three people do it, three, can you imagine, three
people walking in singin' a bar of Alice's Restaurant
and walking out. They may think it's an organization. 
And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day,I said
fifty people a day walking in singin' a bar of Alice's
Restaurant and walking out.  And friends they may think
it's a movement.

Today, thanks to a kindly uncle, there was this movement that I was exposed to called "Playing for Change". Stand still, keep your heart in your chest as you see these videos that connect people in different parts of the world in a way that just wouldn't have happened not so very long ago. They come together for a cause, one that I hope you will share.

Playing for Change: Documentary Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzaAr-EeLPk

Extended trailer from award-winning documentary showcasing how the world is connected through music.

Connecting the World Through Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHi7I5ZLENM

The power of music to bring hope and inspiration is more than evident in this clip (cover of Tracy Chapman's song, "Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution") from the township outside of Cape Town where we just built our first connected music school.

Bringing Hope to South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGqho96099Y

Enjoy this song from a local band from Guguletu, a township outside of Capetown, South Africa. This is the location of our first connected music school.

School Building Photo Movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTORG0HipZU

Photo Movie of "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music" trip to Guguletu, South Africa (Township of CapeTown) where the PFC Foundation is building a new music school this fall that will connect students from there to others at established music schools.

Song Around the World "Stand By Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe. This video and "Don't Worry" will be available at iTunes 1.27.09 while other songs such as "One Love" will be released as digital downloads soon; followed by the film soundtrack and DVD in stores on 4.21.09.

"Stand By Me" can be downloaded here.

Song Around the World "Don't Worry"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAjFnJuk1Aw

From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the follow up to the classic "Stand By Me" and the second of many "songs around the world" being released on CD/DVD in April, 2009. Featured is an incredible track written by Pierre Minetti performed by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe. This video and "Stand By Me" will be available at iTunes 1.27.09 while other songs such as "One Love" will be released as digital downloads soon; followed by the film soundtrack and DVD in stores on 4.21.09.

"Don't Worry" can be downloaded here.

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