Landfill Harmonic

In Cateura, Paraguay, in a slum build on a landfill, a community has come together to make classical musical instruments out of old oil barrels, meat cleavers, even forks.  From trash they have made cellos, violins, violas, clarinets.  And they play them beautifully.

If ever you doubted even for a second the power of dignity or the grace of every human being, everywhere, this trailer is for you.

I promise it will light a fire in you, will fill you with joy and hope and holiday spirit.  It will help remind you how easy it is to take things for granted.  It will, I bet, make you smile and maybe even shed a tear.

If you’d like to learn more about the upcoming documentary, check out the Landfill Harmonic Movie Facebook page.  They’re even starting to accepted donated musical instruments.

Why I love New York

Music and humor on the way to work – talk about a different kind of commute.

People in Grand Central Station dressed in swimsuits, shorts, and work clothes, guerrilla marketing for www.bahamafridays.com. The Ebony Hillbillies playing bluegrass outside the Shuttle train. And a woman named Julie (I think) playing guitar on the Shuttle train and singing in an angelic voice.  I’m sure she’s better than most paid acts in any other city around the world.

Some reflections:

  1. Peak commuting hours have the most people, but they’re so focused on getting to work that you aren’t going to get their attention.
  2. Nothing surprises a New York commuter
  3. Stopping for five minutes to see something beautiful, humorous, and memorable helps us all get through the day

add to del.icio.us : Add to Blinkslist : add to furl : Digg it : add to ma.gnolia : Stumble It! : add to simpy : seed the vine : : : TailRank : post to facebook