Tag Archives: music

Philanthropy – Is This What You are Missing?

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Remember the time you lent a helping hand: opened a door, helped someone move, volunteered at an event? Afterwards I am assuming you had a feeling of empowerment, fulfillment, and the desire to lend another hand…

Why not revert back to those feelings to stretch yourself further in 2013? Instead of the typical ‘eat better and work out more’ resolution that tends to last a few weeks, go beyond an internal resolution and reach out to someone who is more in need.

Join me on February 2nd at the Mason Inn in Washington DC for the ‘give your heART to a child‘ fundraiser for the nonprofit, Family & Youth Initiative (DCFYI), which discovers permanent families for young adults in foster care in the DC area. I have organized this event because I know that without a stable family during my childhood, I would not have the emotional, spiritual, intellectual (I could go on forever) foundation for my future. A permanent home is something that a child wants, and more importantly, DESERVES.

DCFYI Fundraiser

The fundraiser is not just any other ordinary night. I have invited two former NFL players to speak and perform on behalf of the children, two additional singers to perform live, a jewelry designer, urban fashion designer, two graffiti artists (one of which will paint live on an awesome spinning canvas), and a chocolatier. If that isn’t enough, we also have an open bar and appetizers available.

This event happens to take place right before Valentine’s Day so it is a perfect opportunity to purchase a unique present from a well-known local DC artist, which will help the local art community and the foster children in need. Step up your game in 2013 and start your year by having a blast at the Mason Inn for a fantastic cause!

Purchase tickets at the bottom of DCFYI’s webpage or make a donation here.

(If you can’t attend my event or don’t have the money right now to donate – I challenge you to go out and volunteer at a nonprofit in your own neighborhood. I guarantee it will give you the lift you need and truly make a difference in someone else’s life.)

Rhythm and Sports – The Missing Link

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I am usually a morning person.  However, I was having one of those days where I sunk so far down into my mattress that there seemed to be no chance of getting out.  I turned off my alarm and without fail the anxiety of missing a workout continuously crept up in my mind; I knew there was no chance of falling back into that peaceful coma.  Somehow I forced my relentless, zombie-like body out of bed and arrived at my spin studio in time for the 6 am class.

I wasn’t fully awake but the instructor insisted (as usual) to keep our legs moving to the rhythm of the song.  Don’t. slow. down.  This got me thinking more than usual at this hour.  What if you are one of those people who never took a music class or just don’t have natural rhythm?  Do you awkwardly try to keep a beat, steer clear of the class altogether…

This brought me to my next thought (surprising for it was now 6:15 in the morning).  I have heard many stories about NFL players taking dance classes to improve agility, but I started to wonder if it was more about improving their rhythm and timing.  A quarterback will throw an interception if he holds the ball for a millisecond too long.  A basketball player will lose possession if there isn’t an eye on the shot clock.  A soccer player will be offsides from a poorly timed run.  A hockey player won’t be able to slot the puck between defenders with lethargic skating. 

Sports are completely about rhythm.  Time your run.  Time when you pick up your head to find a teammate.  Time when you pass the ball.  Time your steps correctly so you make the tackle.  Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm…

Was it the fact that my parents were both music majors that contributed to my success in soccer?  Was that a larger factor in my career than their athletic genes?  Was it the endless piano lessons where I played pieces to the metronome that engrained the rhythm in my head to allow me to find those slotting passes on the field, time my runs correctly, and know the moment to shoot because I understood the timing of the goalkeeper?  Or does it relate to intelligence?  Do all those extra “classroom hours” athletes put in each and every day out on the field sharpen a different part of our brain? 

My college coach always told me that there were artists and soldiers on the field.  He described me as an artist because I could envision the field, the runs, the patterns (the rhythm)…much like a quarterback.  On another note, the soldiers are the players who are always running, always fighting to make sure their team is in possession of the ball.  Both are needed for the success of the team, but both are drastically different.  Maybe the artists in their respective sports are those with the musical background, those who grew up with an understanding of the rhythm of the game.  Or does every player need a little musical education in their life?

…Deep thinking for 6 am in the morning.

 

Lunch Beat

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So there is a new craze that has been developing over in Europe that I am very excited about…Lunch Beat.

Originally started in Stockholm, Sweden in June 2010 by Molly Range, a 28-yr old entrepreneur, Lunch Beat is now becoming a world-wide trend.  The concept is to allow the stressed-out employees stuck in cubicles all day long to have an hour during lunch to let loose and dance.  With a small ticket price, water and a light lunch is provided (usually vegetarian), and workers dance to a talented DJ from 12-1 pm returning to work energized.  It can be in a basement, on a rootop, or in a gym…a DJ, some food, and people who want to have a good time is all you need.

Before I discovered Lunch Beat I had ideas to create a playground-like area for adults during the lunch hour.  Anything like this would make a killing.  So many employees I have known (including myself) have frustrations and anxiety built up over work and need some sort of daily release.  Exercising before or after work can only help so much, but an hour to break up all of the mundane meetings is proven to be very effective. 

Lunch Beat is genius.  Straight from the Lunch Beat website…”By promoting 1 hour of day time dancing we make it possible to fully embody the buzzwords of playfulness, participation & community. A physical knowledge that will make you create magic during the rest of your day too, and so will make Lunch Beat your week’s most important business lunch.”

I am contemplating making this a reality in DC.  Let me know if you want in…

There is only one rule…you have to dance.

Musical Nostalgia

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There is something about music.  It has the ability to touch your heart in the most direct manner.  It has the power to bring back a memory so vivid that you can smell the grass and feel the breeze on the first day you played it on your boombox or heard it with a million other fans in concert.  It also has the power to create a memory for the rest of your life.  From that instance forward, every time the song is heard in the distance you seem to enter another world.  Closing your eyes you are surrounded by the melody which allows you to transform into a specific moment that can bring upon tears, laughter, or both.

Music is beyond my comprehension.  What makes it so influential and motivational?  Something inside of me connects to a lyric, or a simple note, or a voice…and the amazing part about it is that every person connects in a different way.  What is even more surreal is that it is always the song I least expect that becomes revered.  Many times I have heard a new song outside of my usual genre and thought, “if I could play this song on repeat for the rest of my life I would be happy”.  I guarantee every one of you have a song in mind that can conjure up that same feeling.

Combine musical nostalgia with a well thought-out video and it is unstoppable.  Even with the capability for consumers to fast-forward with the DVR, companies still rely on video for commercials and movie trailers because they know how potent and commanding it can be.  Including a ridiculously cute child or a heart-wrenching solider’s story is almost unfair - I become immediately immersed, unable to pull my eyes away.

The video below strikes my heart in multiple areas.  It is produced flawlessly with a very creative and personal spin on the every day wedding video.  The music is absolutely perfect and although it is around 15 minutes long I have watched it over 10 times, crying every time.  It is so enthralling that I promise once you press play, you will wish it never had an end.  The song Stars by Dead Hearts begins to play with the lyrics repeating, “they had lights inside their eyes”, and I can feel the tears start to build up.  It makes me want to jump in the film and become a part of the celebration.  This video was the last push I needed to enter a video production program.  Hopefully one day my films will be this touching.  A heartfelt thank you to one of my best friends for sending it to me (you know who you are).  Let me know what song or video brings back your favorite moments.