A Musical Number Breaks Out in W Seattle Target...Are Musical Outbursts Trending??? (fingers crossed)

A friend of mine sent me a link to this article by Sarah Toce for the Seattle Examiner. I found it interesting for two reasons. First, I had no idea that Target, along with Best Buy and HRC, had donated money to Minnesota GOP politician Tom Emmer who has made headlines recently for his stand against gay marriage. The group You Can Run But You Can't Hide, that Emmer is connected to, believe that gay people should be executed and consider it to be a moral ideal. (You can read the article in it's entirety here.  To cover all my bases, you can visit Tom Emmer's Official website here and the You Can Run But You Can't Hide International's Official website here.) 

The other reason I found this article to be so interesting is that the "impromptu musical number" that occurred in this West Seattle Target store was to protest Target's involvement with Emmer.  The performers in the musical number were part of the Backbone Campaign, a grassroots effort to "embolden citizens and elected officials to stand up for our future."  Bill Moyer, a representative for the group, told a local blog, "performers were participants in our Localize this! Artful Action Camp. This was the final and the location was chosen because of its proximity."  I can't help but find it incredible that these flash mobs are becoming a more popular way to protest and express people's feelings on political issues.  No one is hurt by them and you cannot help but smile (and maybe even sing and dance along).  In a world that seems to become more violent and negative, it is refreshing to see people take on an issue in a way that is positive.  I encourage you to read the article (and check out the links to be sure you are getting all the information...I admittedly did not spend a lot of time researching the article and would not want anyone to be misinformed), and watch the video of the flash mob performance.  Then share it with others.  I'd love to think that we are heading into a Live Musical Revolution.  Let's face it, we could all use a little GLEE in our lives!!!



You can read more by Sarah Toce at her Official website or follower her on Twitter here.


Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. ~Martin Luther King Jr.

♫ I guess he’s an Xbox, and I’m an Atari ♫

Sometimes you hear or see something that you just cannot keep to yourself...this is one of those times.  I love Cee Lo Green because he is so unique as an artist, mixing everything from hip-hop to rock to folk with his funky style to make music that gets into your ear and takes up permanent residency in your head (and I mean that in the very best way!).  Cee Lo has released the official video for his upcoming single F*CK YOU.  Not only does this song have a beat that will have you dancing no matter where you are, but the lyrics will have you smiling, laughing and singing along (let the car karaoke commence)! 

Ladies and gentlemen, F*CK YOU!!!


Check out Cee Lo Green's official website for news, tour dates and more.  And if you don't recognize his name, you may recognize his voice.  Cee Lo was one of the original members of the Atlanta based hip-hop group Goodie Mob.  He later went on to collaborate with DJ Danger Mouse as Gnarles Barkley, releasing two albums, to date, and reaching chart and critical success with the single Crazy.

Maybe what life needs is a good soundtrack

I love sharing the things that I'm passionate about (or just really enjoy) with others.  That is what I love about sites like Facebook and Twitter.  If I read a book that I can't put down or see a great movie, I can post it to my profile and share it with friends.  So don't be surprised if I blog (often) about what I'm reading, watching and listening to...my current obsessions.
  
That said, today's obsession...music.  I love a great soundtrack, and the Twilight Saga movies have all had really incredible soundtracks.  Twilight included music from great artists like Muse (Supermassive Black Hole), Blue Foundation (Eyes On Fire),  Iron and Wine (Flightless Bird, American Mouth), and Radiohead (15 Steps).  The (pleasantly) surprising gems on that soundtrack were by none other than Edward Cullen himself, Rob Pattinson.  The two tracks he contributed, Never Think and Let Me Sign, were AMAZING.  I'm really hoping that is not all we hear from him on the music front because he a seriously talented musician!


The New Moon soundtrack did not disappoint either.  We were blessed with another track from Twilight Saga author Stephenie Meyer's fave Muse (I Belong To You), along with an original track from Death Cab For Cutie (Meet Me On The Equinox).  Other stand-outs included Anya Marina (Satellite Heart), Lykke Li (Possibility), Sea Wolf (The Violet Hour), and Radiohead singer Thom Yorke (Hearing Damage).  The soundtrack is rounded out by New Moon Score composer Alexandre Desplat's heart-tugging piano track New Moon (The Meadow).


The third installment of The Twilight Saga, Eclipse, impressed with the best soundtrack of the series so far.  It's the Eclipse soundtrack that I can't get enough of right now.  This time Muse contributed an original track, Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever).  There are amazing tracks from Metric (Eclipse (All Yours)), The Dead Weather (Rolling In On A Burning Tire), Band of Horses (Life On Earth), and The Black Keys (Chop And Change).  The songs I love so much that I have them playing on a loop on my iPod are Florence + The Machine's atmospheric (Heavy In Your Arms), Sia's haunting and beautiful ballad (My Love) and Cee Lo Green's funky folk-like (What Part Of Forever). 


No matter how you feel about the book series or the movies, The Twilight Saga has turned out three must-have soundtracks.  With the final installment of the series, Breaking Dawn, being split into two films, let's hope that means two more incredible soundtracks.  And if you, like me, love the soundtracks to the films, I highly recommend visiting Stephenie Meyer's official website and checking out the playlists that inspired her while writing each of the books.

Passion is passion.  It's the excitement between the tedious spaces, and it doesn't matter where it's directed...It can be coins or sports or politics or horses or music or faith...the saddest people I've ever met in life are the ones who don't care deeply about anything at all.  ~ Nicholas Sparks, Dear John

What Better Way To Start Than With A Dance

This may very well be the GREATEST thing I have ever seen!!!  Last Thursday (August 5th, 2010) was a truly momentous day for this country. Judge Walker ruled Prop 8 [on the freedom of same-sex couples to marry] to be overturned because it violates federal equal protections and due process laws.  It was amazing to see the celebrations that followed the ruling. Of all the postings on Facebook, Tweets, emails & television coverage that I saw, this video was my absolute favorite. A flash mob broke out in San Francisco. For those of you that do not know what a flash mob is (I'd only ever seen this once before on an episode of Weeds), Wikipedia describes it as "a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual act for a brief time, then disperse."  This flash mob was one big, spontaneous musical number in the street and IT WAS FABULOUS!!!  This is something we need much, much more of.  Wouldn't life be so much better if it was a musical!  Watch it, enjoy it, share it, and then have a little dance of your own!

If I can't dance to it, it's not my revolution. ~ Emma Goldman 

For more information on the overturning of Prop 8 and other marriage equality issues, visit the FREEDOM TO MARRY website. While you are there TAKE THE PLEDGE adding your voice to those supporting same-sex couples and their families rights to share equally in the responsibilities, protections, and commitment of marriage.