ACTION MOVES PEOPLE: A Spoken Word & Music Album to Support Global Nonprofit MOVE THIS WORLD

Earlier this month, a group of Grammy Award-Winning producers and performers joined together to release an inspirational charity album ACTION MOVES PEOPLE to benefit the non-profit organization MOVE THIS WORLD, a global nonprofit that uses creative movement to address and transform conflict and violence in communities. All proceeds from the sales of this CD benefit the MOVE THIS WORLD charity.

ACTION MOVES PEOPLE is a collection of poems and songs for people of all ages. Some are gentle songs, others are edgier, a purposeful range in style in pursuit of conveying that we are all one people, regardless of race, religion, age and lifestyle; that we can all endure the challenges of life, uplift ourselves and one another, and help each other through life's easy and difficult moments. 

It's always interesting and inspiring to see who turns up to support on another on cause albums such as this one.  Here, the range is eclectic, and includes international artists John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson, UK), Japanese Progressive group Electric Asturias, renowned children's musician Bobby Susser and others coming together with luminaries like world-renowned author/researcher Colin Andrews. 

Recently, Heather Caton MSW, President of the World Genesis Foundation, said, “ACTION MOVES PEOPLE is a wonderful collaboration and has brought amazing hearts and minds together. May it continue to have such a positive and uplifting effect, bringing peace and connecting people. It is such an uplifting feeling to be connecting with more and more people who share the same vision of our world in harmony; of a peaceful co-existence with people from all walks of life, race, culture, religion, and lifestyle. Our connection with each other makes us stronger, we can make a world of difference working together." 

In partnership with schools, community-based organizations, families and corporations, MTW is building and connecting more peaceful communities with over 10,000 individuals across 22 cities and 4 continents.

The album, its content and mission, has been applauded by music luminaries such as Paul Simon, Billy Vera and Ben E. King. The producers on the project included Kevin Mackie, Krista Wallhagen, Whitney Peyton, Rave Tesar, Kevin Frank, and Bobby Susser. The album debuted on August 27th, 2013 through Kevin Mackie Productions and will be distributed via CD Baby, with proceeds going to MOVE THIS WORLD.

Regarding the album collaboration, Bobby Susser (an award-winning children's musician and lecturer who contributed to two pieces plus the liner notes) commented “I've worked for forty two years writing and recording children's songs. While I've tried to entertain them, I've always made a very conscious effort to teach them something. So, when Kevin Mackie asked me to write some lyrics and recite them for a Spoken Word album, "Action Moves People", I jumped at the chance. The fact that the album will benefit children has always been a philosophy of mine. In addition, the fact that this is a non-profit, charity project made it more appealing. I'm especially proud to have joined Kevin and his team in their production efforts on their very worthy album for a very worthy cause.”

Bobby Susser, producer, musician and lecturer, with his inspirational sidekick.

Susser’s reading of the spoken word piece he wrote for the album can be heard on his YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/BobbySusser  Just click to listen and explore more about MOVE THIS WORLD or ACTION MOVES PEOPLE.

Back to School! Children and Spirituality

It's back to school time, and while you need to get a handle of all the tangible items like notebooks and pencils, what about the intangible framework, like self esteem and spirituality that will enable your child to thrive?

Here is a list of 3 sites, with a sample of what they have to offer, that can serve as resources for you while you help your child to grow into his or her own best self. 


Number 1. http://www.childrenspirituality.org/

This website is super professional, child friendly and chocked full with amazing lessons for everyone. 

Number 2. http://www.parenting.com/article/teach-spirituality-kids

This site contains an article from the popular magazine Parenting, that has many useful rituals and ideas for the family to follow together, see below:

Create a family mission statement

Many  spiritual traditions provide a framework of values or principles to  follow. Try creating something similar for your family. "Even kids as  young as three or four understand something like 'Our family believes in  kindness, helping other people, caring for pets, and reaching out to  people who are alone,'?" says Doe. You can get formal and post your  mission statement in your kitchen, or simply use it when you're making  choices about how to spend your time or resolve conflicts.

Number 3. http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/features.php?id=16936

Spirituality and Practice,  has some very imaginative ways to instill values rather than command orders. 

See below:

When doing chores, such as picking up toys or putting away the dishes, imagine that you are returning these things to their homes where they will be more comfortable. Reframing chores in this way teaches reverence for your surroundings, kindness, and nurturing.

We hope you enjoy these resources and if you know any other wonderful sites in this area please let us know! Be sure to share these resources with your friends. 



Andrea Dolbec

Review: Hokulea by AOMUSIC

Reviewed by Jonathan Widran

Driven by the expansive passions of musical and pan-cultural visionaries Richard Gannaway (stringed instruments, vocals), Miriam Stockley (vocals) and Jay Oliver (keyboards, synths, samples), AOMUSIC is all at once a truly global music phenomenon and a call to spiritual renewal by way of infectious melodies, transfixing rhythmic textures and hypnotic vocals and children’s choirs singing in their native languages from around the world. The group brings a colorful history into the rich, sweeping tapestries of their latest recording Hokulea (a Polynesian term translating to “Star of Gladness”), with their broad impact extending to an invitation to compose theme music for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, work with the Give Kids the World charity and being featured in the 2011 promotional trailer for Project Peace on Earth.

AOMUSIC gets the drums booming and guitars jangling at the outset of “Kuimba” - a track that beautifully traverses the landscapes of new age and world fusion - before Stockley’s lovely soaring voice crosses a bridge to a hypnotic choir singing an anthem in Swahili about singing and dancing till the sun rises. The dreamy, mystical title track blends deep ambiences with male and female lead vocals switching off to convey the essence of unity and home. The spiritual vibe is enhanced with a distant flute and the soothing harmonies of children. The gentle hypnosis continues via flowing, then soaring ethereal voices and light percussion textures on the Swahili language track “Sisi Ni Moja,” while “Ha Le” ambles along as an acoustic guitar driven folk song before the tribal rhythms amp up and voices swing and sway in a mix of Polynesian, Zulu, Xhosa, West African, Japanese and Hebrew (perhaps the most inspiring vocal mash-up ever!).

After the gracefully symphonic folk/new age influenced, mostly instrumental “Edge Walkers,” the group stirs up a fiery jam led by a fanciful Irish jig, dense percussion, ambient synth washes, flutes and trippy angelic harmonies. Although the title of the vibrant, soaring “Yaka Matai” almost sounds like an Eastern title, it actually derives from an exultation in the South African language of Xhosa. When the choir declares “God Is Here,” over the fiery groove, there is surely no doubt something divine is in the mix. Asia bound, the next track is the simply arranged Indonesian language tune “Itu Lagu,” which feature the charming flow of the children’s choir as the low key acoustic guitar line builds and eventually bursts into a high energy dance.

Hokulea wraps with yet another fanciful linguistic excursion, this time the Hindi language, in which a lush and innocent young female voice invokes the Divine Source in prayer; as God enters, the choir chimes in with a hopeful, solemn plea for the peace to stay and love to manifest. To the uninitiated, AOMUSIC presents world music in dynamic ways that truly reflect our common bonds as human beings. Longtime fans will enjoy the fresh, unexpected nature of what evolves, like a musical form of the Olympics, into a spirit of global cooperation and celebration of life.

– Jonathan Widran, Music Connection

Follow AOMUSIC on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ao.music.ao

Snowflakes Blanket Sandy Hook in Love

Lift your spirits with this beautiful look at the outpouring of love from 50 countries and tens of thousands of children who made unique snowflakes to cheer up the children, parents and teachers of Sandy Hook...

 Watch the CBS news report here.

Here is a list of ongoing activities and needs: http://www.ctpta.org/SANDY-HOOK-FUND.html  

CTPTA shares snapshots from the snowflake collection process!

FOR OUR CHILDREN: Digital Music Compilation Benefits Sandy Hook for $1+

Cover art by Jessica Waters.

In my life, I've found that music helps me in the space when the shock of a tragedy subsides but healing still feels a long way off.  When there are just no "right" words to say, it is MUSIC that often makes the silence more bearable.  

In the wake of Sandy Hook, I'm not ready for the anger-filled debates underway, I'm still in a place of mourning and introspection, remaining open to guidance and wisdom far beyond my own.  To me, it is still a time for prayers, for mourning kaddishes, for meditation, and sympathy.

However, it is inspiring to see some finding a way out of the sorrow with positive action. I found a wonderful compilation on Bandcamp today, and chose to contribute while also filling my world with healing sounds and thoughts. While surely there will be mainstream music tribute concerts for Sandy Hook in the near future, the quiet pensiveness of this album strikes me as striking the right note for now. 

For Our Children is a digital-only compilation from an organization called Sound for Good: Good Music for a Good Cause. Apparently, they create compilations for fundraising, attracting people with a very low minimum of $1, and then donating all the proceeds to the cause. In this case, they've teamed up with 30 artists from various genres and HEALING NEWTOWN (healingnewtown.org) a division of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission. 

The collective message from the artists reads "Our message in the album is to shine your light. We have come together as artists to support the healing process of those impacted by the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy of December 14th, 2012. This album serves as sound healing comfort for children and adults throughout the world."

This is a soothing compilation, punctuated by spoken word and chant.  Ironically, I feel that those who would most benefit from this sound healing are those who've pushed aside the healing process and jumped into the angry fray over their own issues.  I do hope this music will find its way to them, and they'll save some precious time for the mourning and community building that is so necessary. 

Please read more and explore the generous artists at: Bandcamp's designated site for the album.

MUSIC REVIEW:

Sacred Dreams: Music For Relaxation and Wellbeing 

From Norway with love: Tron Syversen’s  latest U.S. release is quiet and deep as the blue fjords of his native coastline.

Norwegian producer and recording artist Tron Syversen shares a part of his soul with his latest offering, Sacred Dreams, ten original, gently-lulling pieces that are characterized by serene melodies and scintillating instrumentation with a slight classical ambiance. Not only playing the piano and keyboards, Syverson’s production, songwriting, arranging, and mixing talents are evident throughout.  The album is well-balanced, which is critical to Syversen’s intent to go beyond mere entertainment, and to create music that truly relaxes and heals others as they go about their busy lives.

Essential to this album is the sensually-sweet voice of co-producer Elin Lokken that borders on magical, angelic, and otherworldly; the vocal delivery is primarily wordless hums with varying timbres and tones. Electric and acoustic violins are skillfully provided by Sunniva Bergsane, Ase Haga, and Lise Sorensen. Plaintive acoustic guitars by Glenn Kristiansen, Rolf Kristiansen, and Jorn Takla provide a calming, but engaging result throughout. In addition, Silje Katrine Gotaas plays the cello, and bassist Per Elias Drablos fills in the melodies with pinpoint precision. Additional embellishments on English horn and flute are provided by Henrik Eurenius and Randi Krogvold Lundquist, respectively.  Upon hearing the depth of musicianship present in Sacred Dreams, it comes as no surprise that several of these accomplished artists also play for popular new age group, Secret Garden.

Tron Syversen, producer, recording
artist and founder of Tron Music, has
released nine albums to date.

The gentle “Lullaby For You” opens the album with a fluid flute and sparkling acoustic guitar strumming. Lokken’s distinctive and universal hums make the song particularly relaxing, which is the primary intention overall. The violins fill in the melody and the acoustic guitar provides a warm presence against the piano backdrop. “Dreamland” begins with spritely piano melodies, droning horns and strings, and Elin’s characteristic humming style, a smooth transition from  “Lullaby For You.” The pace picks up with “Cradle Song” bringing livelier acoustic guitar melodies, and the vocals flowing effortlessly with the guitar and flute. The symphonic “In A Silent Place” contains scintillating strings; Lokken hums with a calming and emotive display that is both relaxing and meditative. Here, Syversen utilizes a classical ambiance with a slow tempo and undulating progression that harkens the nuances of Enya. The popular “Moonlight Reflections” (for which there is an accompanying video) opens with acoustic guitar and contemplative piano incorporating the wistful sounds of violin throughout; the effect is akin to medieval European folk music with a touch of classicism and new age.  Acoustic guitar takes center stage in “A Quiet Evening” but the violin, humming, and undulating horns complete the relaxing melody. “At The End Of The Day” takes us home to “Lullaby For You” and “Dreamland” with piano, vocals, flute renditions, and soft guitar strums.  The mix of violin, guitar, and humming on “Twilight Lullaby” is pure, simple new age gold.  The album comes to a close with “All Through The Night” and “Tender Moments” containing equal elements of guitar, piano, strings, and horn with Lokken’s angelic vocal delivery. Notably, the acoustic guitar makes a strong appearance on “Tender Moments,” along with hums that are slightly lower in range than the flute and piano.  Moreover, the acoustic guitar strums are almost harp-like in tonal quality, which accentuates the angelic vocal characteristics to a greater extent.  

With Sacred Dreams, Syversen successfully produces a stunning album of lullaby brilliance that awakens the child-like spirit in all of us. Each piece presents melodies that are sweet and highly tranquil while Lokken’s sporadic humming and wordless vocals provide just the right amount of vocal ornamentation to differentiate each piece.  This album is incredibly subtle and perfectly-suited to calm the mind in preparation for creative visioning work, deep relaxation, or blissfully restorative sleep.  

Writer Kira Jaines states it perfectly when, in a Live Strong article called "Music to Help You Fall Asleep", she advises "Try Classical or New Age music, and keep in mind that lullabies are not just for babies." 

"Highly recommended" for meditation, sleep therapy, relaxation and children’s bedtimes. 

Artist: Tron Syversen

Album: Sacred Dreams: Music For Relaxation and Wellbeing

Label: Global Journey/TK Music Production

Playing time: 57:54.

Website: www.tronmusic.com

Amazon.com sample track

ENTERTAINING KIDS: 3 FUN IDEAS FOR A SMART SUMMER

Keeping kids entertained this summer can go far beyond camp, the beach or the playground. It's also about teaching them to make positive choices, with entertainment that will gently expand your children’s understanding of the world and develop good character in a truly memorable way. Young children are especially precocious and require all the skills of parenting to help them not just with normal fun activities, but by “edu-taining” them as well.

Start fresh this summer, scheduling an event each month to balance healthy activity with passive entertainment, building upon our top choices. For instance, you might hold a Sing Along Show & Dance with WO! for the younger ones, or, introduce the book club concept by reading the book “The Borrowers” before watching the “Arrietty” film adaptation on DVD. And, of course, Brave further fuels the archery trend that started with The Hunger Games, so the older kids might enjoy a local family archery class; they are offered for free in L.A.'s Balboa Park on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Read on for more about our top 3 choices to entertain and edutain your children of various ages in the summer of 2012:

WO!
That their names sound similar is pure coincidence, but Bobby Susser may well be the Dr. Seuss of children's songs. Bobby has just released his 25th album WO! and it's a sure to keep your children singing throughout the summer. With 12 songs, Bobby's new album demonstrates that "Any time of day, there is always a song to sing."

Award-winning Bobby Susser, a songwriter, record producer and singer has given us children's songs that are fun and easy-to-learn for children Pre-K and up, while also enjoyable to parents and grandparents! The songs -- especially The Wo Wo Song, Smiling Face, and Oooh Good Morning – gently introduce the foundations of rock ‘n’ roll, and will keep your children laughing, singing, dancing and, above, all, having fun. The Bobby Susser collection of albums teach children about exercise, good health habits, animals and changing seasons. They explain concepts about world peace, feelings and why we are “better together.” But, more than that, they also try to instill in children values about home and family, brotherhood, patriotism, respect and confidence. Find links to buy WO! and eleven other top kids albums on Bobby Susser's site, while also exploring lyrics and activities for parents and teachers. Access the lyrics and activities to produce your own family talent show, gently building your child's confidence.(www.BobbySusser.com)


The Secret World of Arrietty
Children love to watch DVDs over and over, and The Secret World of Arrietty is a sweet film for older children that is a step above the cookie-cutter storylines and visuals often released for children. A Japanese-animated fantasy film, this movie is based on English author Mary Norton’s novel “The Borrowers,” which (in 2007) was selected by judges of the CILIP Carnegie Medal for children's literature as one of the ten most important children's novels of the past 70 years. The directorial debut of animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi, he is the youngest director of a Studio Ghibli film. Now available on DVD, the movie was released by Walt Disney Pictures in the USA in early 2012. The film, which grossed more than $145 million worldwide, has been praised by critics as “a gentle and entrancing tale” (Steve Rose of The Guardian), and “likely a perennial favorite among children” (Christoph Mark of The Daily Yomiuri). Parents will likely recognize the U.S.-dub version’s voices by Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett and David Hendrie among others.


Brave
This heavily-promoted 3-D animated movie produced by Pixar and released by Walt Disney Pictures, promises to be a summer highlight, due for airing in June 2012. It is a fantasy-adventure film set in Scotland and is the first fairy tale by Pixar. It tells the story of a skilled archer, Merida, who asks a witch for help but is cursed instead. To lift the curse, she must learn what true bravery means. It is like to appeal to both boys and girls much like Tangled, with a balance of adventure and youthful romance. The movie is scheduled to make its European debut at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June. At that time, Disney Interactive Studios will release a video game based on the film for Play Station 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC and Nintendo DS, offering additional summer entertainment options for older children.

Volunteerism...Every Bit Counts

A Billion + Change supports the efforts of HavServe in Haiti, in conjuntion with the Millenium 8 Goals...

Meet Beth Ann Hilton – Contribution: Promoting Volunteerism and inspiring the largest commitment of pro bono service in the Reconstruction of Haiti.

Prior to founding The B Company Beth headed up the Strategic Promotions department for Warner Music Group, Inc., where she was responsible for creating corporate partnerships and integrated strategic promotions for the company’s Atlantic, Elektra,Lava, Maverick, Warner Bros./Reprise, Warner Nashville, WEA Latina, and Rhino Record labels, as well as, its AOLTW sister companies.

Click thru to read on...http://www.abillionpluschange.org/blogs/havserveorgs-havblog-qa-beth-ann-hilton-b-company