Stomp Live

Throw the STOMP Crew together with the contents of your garage and you'll have an unbelievable musical demonstration. From trashcans, to tether balls, to even basketballs, it seems as if these guys can make a beat with just about anything. They prove that you don't need several thousand dollars for the latest and greatest drum set all you need to have is some rhythm and you can make music with anything. STOMP travels all over the world showcasing their talent always looking for new things to make music with. You can check out these percussion experts out at http://www.stomp.co.uk/ or at http://www.youtube.com, they'll be coming to San Diego from 4/19/11 to 4/24/11.

Songcatcher

Songcatcher, named after a recorder used to document the music of the Appalachians, was strange and unique film. The main focus of the movie is to increase appreciation for the hillbilly type banjo music and the people who both play and enjoy this type of music. They succeeded in increasing appreciation by creating a bond between the viewer and certain characters in the movie through Professor Lily Penleric. Like the viewers Professor Penleric is very skeptical of these 'strange' mountain people initially but builds bonds throughout the film; most notably that of her husband to be, Dean Pembroke. The film does do a good job of    tearing down the cultural barriers noted in the movie and the storyline is clear and concise, however, the lesbian scene and general lesbian agenda throughout the movie took away from the main focus of the film.

Event One, 2 for 1: Basket Weaving ---- (1 and 2 of 5 event points)

Lydia Vasser and Rose Ramirez, both basket weavers, provided information and examples of both basket weaving and natural foods/herbs indigenous to California. Weaving baskets seems like a mundane task that you won't find me doing anytime soon, however it is quite a bit more interesting and difficult than I had thought prior to this event. Gathering the materials can take up to up to several days, depending on where the best Juncus can be found. After gathered the material then needs to cured which takes about one year. The basket weaver then takes the Juncus and assembles her basket one step at a time while mentally she is five or six steps ahead. The basket weaving process can take days even months to complete. Many families make a living selling their baskets to collectors will often pay several thousand dollars per a basket.

One of their favorite plants is the Chia plant (aka: Chia pet) a super food found in our local mountains. Eating the seeds of this plant help in prevent the onset of Diabetes and also aid in water retention. You can buy a one pound bag of Chia online for $7 or spend an entire day harvesting the seeds from local plants. Elder Berry often used in tea acts as a blood thinner and is used by local Indians to break a fever.

Mi Familia

Rich in heritage this detailed depiction of a Hispanic family trying to adapt to the American culture accounts for both their struggles and victories throughout 3 generations. Although there were both up and downs, the general focus of the movie is much more focused on the struggles that the family endured. From a child nearly drowning at a young age, to the same son getting shot and killed in an alley as a young adult, to even the daughter in law dying during child-birth. The struggles were difficult and heartbreaking yet the family was always able to come together, be there for one another, and help each other overcome the circumstances. 'Mi Familia' reminds us how we often take our families for granite. We must appreciate every moment that we have to spend with them, because when others desert you and are no longer around; your family will always stick by your side.

Rabbit-Proof Fence

An inspiring film based upon a true story of the aboriginal people and the suffering that they endured during the early to mid 1900's. Molly, her sister, and cousin trek 1500 miles across the Australian outback back to their families. The courage and perseverance that Molly shows is remarkable, not only for a young girl, but an adult as well. Hiking even 375 miles, a quarter of what they traversed, in perfect conditions with water and food would be a trek in of itself, 1500 really seems almost unfathomable. Taking just an ounce of the perseverance that Molly showed in this movie would be a huge asset in our own lives that could be used in school, work, family, and numerous other areas.