“There we were all in one place/A generation lost in space …” Don McLean, “American Pie” “Judy Blue Eyes,” “Somebody to Love,” “With a Little Help from my Friends”— I’ve been singing these and other late-1960s songs over and over, to memorize the harm… Continue reading
As the instructor was assembling foam dumbbells for her upcoming water aerobics class, I was grateful her busyness kept her from looking my way. Because I was wearing goggles instead of my eyeglasses, her image had a soft blur, as if she were a figure … Continue reading
What do you call an accordion player with a pager? An optimist. The old joke aside, the funny thing about the accordion is that this offbeat musical instrument remains a beloved part of our lives. It appears at family gatherings, and adds a perky laye… Continue reading
The terrific podcast, “Second Act Stories With Andy Levine,” is out with another episode worth hearing. It’s called “Never Too Old to Rock N’ Roll: Meet Tom ‘The Suit’ Forst” and is all about a corporate VP who decided to chuck it all to pursue his lif… Continue reading
Children’s music legend Raffi is still crooning about baby belugas and shaking the sillies out to crowds across the country. But, this spring, the 70-year-old is turning some of his attention to others in those packed theaters: the adults. Raffi, whose… Continue reading
(Next Avenue is publishing this essay in honor of Record Store Day, Saturday, April 13, an annual event celebrating the culture of the independently owned record store.) My daughter took some time during a recent weekend visit to clean out her collecti… Continue reading
(Editor’s Note: This story was previously published by PBS NewsHour.) Vijay Gupta is a Juilliard-trained violinist and MacArthur Genius Award winner who’s been using music as a way to connect with L.A.’s homeless and incarcerated and promote healing. A… Continue reading
(Part of the VITALITY ARTS SPECIAL REPORT) Storytelling, improvisation, filmmaking and even singing opera — these are just a few examples of the creative pursuits that were on full display at a recent Vitality Arts event, sponsored by Aroha Philanthrop… Continue reading
(Editor’s note: This story is part of a special report for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) At a time when health care costs are soaring and health providers are strained for time, arts-based innovations can offer excellent patient care at the end of … Continue reading
Memoirs from musicians are fairly common, but how often do we hear from the mothers of famous rock stars? In her debut book, From Cradle to Stage, Virginia Hanlon Grohl (mother of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl) opens up about her life as a rock mom … Continue reading