I'm talking about "Playing For Change".
A decade ago a small group of documentary filmmakers set out with a dream to create a film rooted in the music of the streets. Not only has that dream been realized, it has blossomed into a global sensation called Playing For Change, a project including musicians of every level of renown, that has touched the lives of millions of people around the world.
While traveling the world filming and recording musicians, the crew became intimately involved with the music and people of each community they visited. Although many of these communities had limited resources and a modest standard of living, the people in them were full of generosity, warmth, and above all they were connected to each other by a common thread: music.
Mark Johnson on Bill Moyers Journal explains about Stand by Me
BILL MOYERS: Why did you choose "Stand by Me"?
MARK JOHNSON: I chose "Stand by Me" - or it chose me as it may have been, because I was walking in the streets in Santa Monica, California where I live. And I heard the singer, Roger Ridley, playing the song on the street. And I was maybe a block away, and I still heard him. And I remember running back over to catch the performance.
ROGER RIDLEY: No matter who you are. No matter where you go in life. You're going to need somebody to stand by you.
MARK JOHNSON: And when the song ended, you know, I was so moved by him, his voice sort of representing everything to me that music is, with soul and perseverance and talent all wrapped into one voice. So I approached Roger and I said, "Hey, you know, if I come back with some recording equipment and some cameras, I would love to take this song around the world and add other musicians to it."
BILL MOYERS: What do you hope comes from this?
MARK JOHNSON: Well, I mean, with Playing for Change, my ultimate thing would be that people understand that in a world with all this division, it's important for us to focus on our connections.
Today September, 17th is Playing For Change Day. From the official press release:
PLAYING FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES
1ST ANNUAL PLAYING FOR CHANGE DAY
GLOBAL EVENT PLANS TO RAISE $250,000 TO SUPPORT
MUSIC AND ARTS PROGRAMS WORLDWIDE
Los Angeles, CA (August 15, 2011): The Playing For Change Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing music and arts education to underprivileged children worldwide, announces the 1st annual PLAYING FOR CHANGE DAY on September 17, 2011. Playing For Change Day is a global day of action where musicians all over the world will perform in city squares and cafés, on stages, and street corners to raise money to bring music into the lives of young people.
Events are confirmed in at least 25 countries across North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. They range from having multiple shows in a single city, to day-long events with music and food, to personal celebrations such as weddings.
This year's event carries the theme Power to the People, drawing its inspiration from the spirit of John Lennon's activism, thanks to the gracious support of Yoko Ono. Proceeds raised will support the work of the Playing For Change Foundation and the non-profit performing arts center, Theatre Within, to help build music schools, strengthen music and arts education, support teachers and performances, purchase instruments, and connect schools to promote cross-cultural learning and conflict resolution. A goal of $250,000 has been established which will help fund music and arts programs for one year.
Playing For Change first captured the hearts of music fans around the world in 2008 with the internet release of “Stand By Me”. The song and accompanying video featured grassroots musicians from all over the world including street musicians in California, Italy, and New Orleans; a choir in South African, and a Native American tribe in New Mexico. All of the musicians were recorded and filmed on location in their countries of origin. The YouTube video of “Stand By Me” garnered over 40 million views, and the song transformed Playing For Change from a small group of individuals into a global movement for peace and understanding that is driven by music’s power to connect and inspire people.
The Playing For Change Foundation (www.playingforchange.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating positive social change through music education. They are driven by the belief that music is a universal language that connects, inspires, and heals people in a unique way. By providing young people a safe place to learn, express themselves, and connect with their own cultural traditions and others', foundation programs provide a creative alternative to the struggles many children face each day. To date, seven music schools and programs have been created in countries including South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda, and Nepal.
Watch the video about Playing For Change Day 2011 here.
Watch the video about the Playing For Change Foundation and its programs here
For more information, please visit the website: www.PlayingForChangeDay.org
For more information on Playing For Change Day, please contact:
Stephen Beili, Playing For Change Day Coordinator
stephen@playingforchange.org / 310.558.2900 Ext. 16
For more information on the Playing For Change Foundation, please contact:
Shauna Murray, Director of Communications & Special Events shauna@playingforchange.org / 310.558.2900 Ext. 15
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To find a show near you, follow this link
The song that started it all.
Playing For Change YouTube channel
My Veterans For Peace chapter 72 has dedicated our annual "Peace Jam" to Playing For Change. The usual suspects (singer/songwriters) will be playing for 6 hours at Kelly Plaza in the Hollywood district.
Kelly Plaza
4211 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, Oregon
United States
11:00am - 5:00pm