NEWS about
International Strange Music Day
2021
~~~ HERE ~~~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
International sTRANGE mUSIC Day, August 24, 2015
this year dedicated to children (young and old)
Greetings People of Earth,
It's been 17 years since I first flew the Strange Music banner during our inaugural concert at the Knitting Factory in New York City. Since then, 'Strange Music' has become many things: a record label, concert series, a social irritant, but most famously, a day to stretch one's ears by either listening to or playing music that is new to you. It's all relative.
Since this holiday observance came into existence during an otherwise holiday-less month, it's actually been picked up by a number of small organizations around the world: a blog here and there, a growing throng of adventurous radio stations, but mostly by a number of summer school programs searching for a creative way to occupy idle hands and ears. An internet search will turn up pages and pages of such schools.
I urge you to spend a moment with your young ones and blow their little minds with something exceptionally challenging to listen to, especially if you do not normally do so. If there are some instruments around, make up a song for the day. If not, make an instrument from stuff you have in the house.
A small gesture such as this would provide memories lasting a lifetime. The evidence of the benefits of engaging children in music has filled volumes. No reason to keep it simple: the stranger the better. Young ears have no prejudice.
You say that you don't have any kids around?
Then do it for yourself.
It will keep you young.
Really.
-Patrick Grant
