Time-Out from Music

ETSI your friendly neighborhood robot

I'd like to dedicate this post to something that doesn't have much to do with music....at least not directly. However, it has everything to do with pure creativity, innovation and imagination -- ideas that all musicians young and old can benefit from!

I am extremely fortunate to have connected with an amazing art teacher in my district through the technology institute that I attended this summer. Becca Bailey had attended the Cardboard Challenge class and created ETSI, the friendly neighborhood robot. Made from cardboard, tape, markers, imagination and nothing else, ETSI inspired Becca to hold her own Cardboard challenge here in the district. (If you don't know where this idea of a cardboard challenge originated, check out Caine's Arcarde....this kid is the best!)

Working with her coworkers Lara, Megan and Nancy and Clara from district admin, they put together a crazy, beautiful event. From the chaos of cardboard flying everywhere, I saw kids, parents, grandparents and volunteers working with each other to create games, robots, dogs, buildings, working (yes, working) elevators, a replica of the State Fair Ferris Wheel, dresses, airplanes, and so much more. Kids were laughing and smiling....there was no fighting over supplies (!).....we were all one team working towards having fun and making something out of nothing.

I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. I'm working on a video of some footage that I took, but I'm having trouble with my video software so check back for that. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite photos from the day.

This doesn't even begin to cover the magic of the morning. It was one of those "you had to be there" kind of things. :) An experience of a lifetime, you might say! Thank you, Becca and Team, for hosting this challenge. I know it wasn't easy but you all are reminders of why we need arts in education. 

Please follow Becca and her cohorts on Twitter...you won't regret it!

@artwithbailey

@gagorogers

@mliveng

@techclara

@NancyWTech 

@planocc (the event's Twitter handle)

and of course, the originator of the Cardboard challenge @CainesArcade

And don't forget to search #planocc for all the action from the event itself!

GoPro fun!

This post is a bit awkward because I can't actually post my proof....but I promise it's all good!!

I recently purchased a GoPro camera. If you've never heard of it, click on the website link in the name and check out their videos. Mine are nothing compared to that, but I'm still having lots of fun with it in my own way!

Basically, it's a very small video camera meant for stunts, action shots or on-the-go video. I even have a water-proof case for it. (You know, for the next time I teach underwater folk dancing?) What I like best is that you can attach it to a hands-free strap or mount and you're good to go. So that's just what I did this week. I buckled it onto a student and we started up a round of a Liza Jane. We did a dance version that I learned from a coworker. The result was a first-person view of what we do in the music classroom! The kids had a blast - and yes, they were a bit goofy and some waved at the camera - but they tried their absolute best so they could watch themselves later.

Like I said, I can't post my proof right now, simply because some of my students do not have waivers signed to be posted on the internet, but you'll have to take my word that the video is really awesome and really valuable feedback for me and the kids. I can't wait to show it to them! (In case you're wondering, it is very easy to download from the camera and keep on the computer. In my case, I did put it on Vimeo, but it is currently set to private and password-protected for my use only.)

I'm trying to think of other uses for it. I think a passing game would be great to capture on it. A friend on Twitter suggested recording a program or concert, which is a great idea. I never get good video of those since I'm always busy directing!

Which other folk dances would have an especially good point of view? I really want to try Great Big House! Leave me a comment!