Today, I am enjoying listening to good ol' South Carolina beach music while baking a chocolate cake. I love these kinds of days. I found a great radio station that broadcasts on the Internet, so I am getting some of that summer shag fix that I need every summer. The cake, though, is for our dear friend from Charleston, Joe. But, sshhh ... it's NOT for his birthday tomorrow. ;-)
American music is available not only over the computer for people in Germany this summer. In my favorite on-line German newspaper, The Local, there was an article on another way to get an American music fix. In a region of Germany that has had a bit of an identity crisis over the years between being French or German, Saarland will be hosting their annual Musikfestspiele Saar (music festival) with the theme of "Welcome America!".
Artists from all genres of music will be featured. Bob Dylan has already played at an event kicking off the festival. It was a sold out concert. Other artists that will be featured are Bobby McFerrin and Wynton Marsalis. I had a chance to see Bobby McFerrin once in South Carolina. He is truly amazing!!!! And the skills of Wynton Marsalis are known today by many in the jazz communities and beyond. George Gershwin's music, that had such an impact on Broadway and that brought jazz and classical together with such pieces as Rhapsody in Blue, will also be featured. The festival runs from April 5th to July 25th.
According to the director of the festival, he wanted to take the opportunity to show a little of America's culture and music. He said that many Europeans have a misconception that America is lacking in culture. I could see how that could be since our country is so young. It brings me back to the thought of wondering what the fellow concert goers the other night thought of our American composer's music. And it makes me wonder how they would react to our beach music and shag scene, a very regionally specific bit of culture that influenced much of the nation - even if only briefly. He went on to say that the difference he sees between American culture and European is its source. In Europe, the wealthy always had a major influence on the music, but in America, the music was always from the people and for the people. Think of the sounds of the Appalachian mountains - Bluegrass - with banjos and the dances of the cloggers. Yes, some of that has its roots in European migrants, but it became music of the people in America.
Saarland's festival will definitely be an event to experience. Where else can you get the authentic flavors of France and Germany while sampling a bit of America? (Ok - Epcot doesn't count!!)
The word for the day is culture: die Kultur (cull tour). (Isn't it amazing how many words are similar??)
The question for the day is "Is the missing link in Germany?"
Bis bald,
Frau Spitzer
