Regardless of culture, race, or religion, one thing has the power to connect people: music. Music has long been considered a "universal language", which is the idea behind the multimedia movement Playing for Change. By bringing together musicians from every continent, this organization is setting out to spread a message of peace and unification to the world.
History of Playing for Change
After observing a crowd of moved bystanders watching a street performance, Mark Johnson was inspired by the ability of music to unite perfect strangers. Playing for Change began with a video recording of a musician on the streets of Santa Monica, California, performing Stand By Me.
As the project grew and more videos were produced, the group built a mobile recording studio and began traveling anywhere and everywhere. Many of the songs and videos were recorded and mixed to include musicians from all over the world, connected by this one project.
The Playing for Change Foundation
Despite the awareness the project raised, the team wanted to do more; something that would give back to the musicians and their communities. In 2007 they created the Playing for Change Foundation, which has helped collect donations and organize benefit concerts that provide these communities with music and art schools.
The foundation has introduced a music program to the Tintale Village Teaching Center in Nepal, and recently opened a music school in Guguletu, South Africa. They are currently working on opening a writing school in Johannesburg, South Africa, and they are also assisting in rebuilding Tibetan refugee centers in Dharamsala, India and Kathmandu, Nepal.
Songs and Videos
The videos produced by Playing for Change have received a massive amount of attention on popular websites such as YouTube. The musicians cover several Bob Marley classics such as One Love and War, No More Trouble, which according to the website "features musicians who have seen and overcome conflict and hatred with love and perseverance."
Playing for Change recently released their first original song, Don't Worry, by Pierre Minetti in Barcelona, Spain. The video features more than twenty musicians on four continents. Other episodes capture live performances of the Playing for Change band.
A full-length documentary on Playing for Change, which offers a behind the scenes look at the organization and information on the musicians involved, airs on PBS beginning August 2009.
Get Involved With Playing for Change
The best way to help this organization is promotion through social media. Interested participants can find Playing for Change on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.
For information on donating, volunteering, and other ways to get involved visit their website.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
