little bit more

thedailywhat:

Senior Citizen Flash Mob of the Day: Whoever said flash mobbing was a young person’s game obviously never tangoed with the memaws and pepaws of Lawrence’s Meadowlark Estates.

[thanks rachel!]

As my daughter said: “you don’t have to be young to be open minded to newer music!”

Do You Hear the People Sing?

Writer and director Rob Matsushita edited footage from 8 different people and created this master video, which includes the rewritten lyrics.

Do you hear the people sing, singing the songs of working men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again.
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes.

The idea that Wisconsin protesters would rally around a song based on a French rebellion intrigued me.  Politics fused with music and theatre is emotionally compelling and can be a useful tool to get a message across.

The Les Miserables Madison Flash Mob was organized in one day day by community arts activists Sarah Marty and Jordan Peterson. 

There is an audio version with interviews with Jordan and Sarah — and another video here.

Will you dedicate your all so that our freedom may advance?
Some will stand and some will fall. Will you stand up and take your chance?
Let’s fill the Rotunda ‘til everyone joins in the chants.

Do you hear the people sing,
singing the songs of working men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again.

When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes.

Victor Hugo’s famous novel incorporates nonfictional details about the unsuccessful Republican Insurrections of 1832 in Paris.  Leading up to the uprising were acute economic problems and increases in the cost of living, which led to class warfare and eventual rioting. 

Obviously, none of this has taken place in Wisconsin. 

And, I’m sure everyone will agree we want to keep it that way. No matter what Fox News wants to say.

cocktailbanter:

Do you hear the people sing? Or, how musical theater collectively bargains.

Les Miserables flash mob in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol during day 15 of protests.
(CBS) - How very meta! A flash mob group of protesters who feel they are being trodden upon in Madison, Wis. sing a song from the musical “Les Miserables” - which is a musical based on the Victor Hugo book based on the popular French protests and uprising of people being trodden upon in 19th century France.

Do you hear the people sing, singing the songs of working men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again.
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes.

(via foxtrot-echo-deactivated2012032)