August 25, 2006 at 7:40 PM

I have written about this event that I performed at last weekend previously but here's another persons take on the amazing event we were involved in!
Musicians Dazzle with Sublime Souls
Special Report written by cellodude

Last night at the Stanley Theatre, we witnessed a truly remarkable event.
It was called Peace It Together. The evening's presentations consisted of a
group of courageous teen-aged students from the mid-east willing to join
together with Canadian students and explore the complex issues of living
together in an area of the world fraught with so many difficult issues .
Growing up and dealing with issues not of one's own making is tough enough
for anyone but when you come from the Middle East there are allot of things
that can complicate an easy transition into manhood or womanhood. The
leaders of Peace It Together wanted to provide an opportunity for these
young people to come together where they could learn from one another and
facilitate ways in which each one could let the others know about his or
her's individual and collective take on life's events. In order to
communicate these ideas, the students were invited to collaborate under the
guidance of mentors at the Gulf Island Film School and in small groups make
short five minute films. We in the audience were humbled by the honesty of
these daring young filmmakers as each of the short films was presented.
Also joining these Mid-Eastern and Canadian youth were the fabulous
performers from the Young Artist Experience ... YAE! ... interweaving
musical performances amongst the evenings' offerings which gave a
tremendous feeling to the meaningfulness of the night.

The films illustrated each of the groups feelings as youths who are
inescapably caught up in the life of a new generation of Palestinian and
Israeli youths. The short 5 minute films covered a wide range of views and
emotions. Some were animations, some documentaries and one even seemed to
be a mini -drama with a cinematic construction not unlike a much longer
feature- length motion picture (Romeo and Juliet). The films and brief presentations and explanations following each of the films were done with
passion and understanding. For the audience, it was refreshing to see that
here are young people who could truly make a difference in the world and
who were willing and capable of communicating the complexity and subtlety
of their issues in ways that expressed their own feelings as human beings
and in ways that showed that they also sensitively embrace the complexity
of the world around them.

The soul of the event was lined with sublime music making by members of the
Young Artist Experience under the auspices of the UBC School of Music.
These young musicians played their hearts out. Energy was something that
was flying around the room. From the mellow cellos, snappy Piazzola,
soothing and rapturous Albinoni; to the riveting and pounding drums,
tethered by sweeping phrases and musical lines from the deft handling of
the salt and pepper piano keys during Bach's D minor Piano Concerto; we had
a feast of musical expression performed with an intensity that seemed to
bring everything together. Kudos to these wonderful young performers!
Judging from the audience response, this was a night to remember! Whomever
was behind the curtain managing the flow of the evening did a remarkable
job. This was an experience for all that truly went ..." BEYOND".

There is much to be thankful for in our world today. These wonderful World
Citizens who are taking up the charge for humanity continue to lead us and
show us the potential that they so easily manifest for a generation that is
aware of its creativity and the power of its message.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on August 27, 2006 at 6:40 AM

I'm glad you got some good press. It must have been a great event to be part of.

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August 25, 2006 at 7:40 PM

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