Fresh Perspectives: A Teen Documentary Series

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main, Teen is screening four documentaries that focus on aspects of the teen experience, including independence, over-coming adversity, self confidence and establishing your personal identity.  All teens are welcome to come watch the films and connect with others on Wednesdays from 6-8pm in the Teen Department (Oakland).

May 22:  Film Series Kickoff & Screening
A glimpse into five Indiana teenagers’ senior year of high school.

May 29:  Now We Can Dance: The Story of the Hayward Gay Prom
The story of the Hayward Gay Prom which has been attracting hundreds of Bay Area youth since it began in 1995.  The creation of this film was a two-year project that trained teenagers to be filmmakers with the help of Hayward Public Library staff members and professional advisers.

June 5:  Girls Rock!
Four girls transform their lives at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls.

June 12:  This is What Love in Action Looks Like*
The story of a 16-year-old blogger whose parents sent him to an ex-gay rehabilitation program and the folks in the community who stood up for their friend.  His blog leads to one of the first examples of social media inspiring change and hope.

*We’ll wrap up this film series on June 12 with a popcorn bar featuring Pittsburgh Popcorn Company popcorn!  Stick around after the film to eat, mingle and talk about the films!

This awesome event was curated by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main’s Teen Gay Straight Alliance, which meets twice a month.

Don’t forget to check out The Labs @ CLP.  They have everything you need to get your thoughts on film, create and record your music and more!  In the meantime, here are some books & films to inspire you:

   

          

Great Movie, Better Soundtrack

NPR (one of my favorite news and culture resources) just offered a sneak peak at the Jay-Z produced soundtrack to the most anticipated movie of spring.  The Great Gatsby, with an all-star cast including Leo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire is sure to be a spectacle.  With such talented performers and, of course, amazing source material in the form of F Scott Fitzgerald’s Great American Novel, the movie will, no doubt, offer some new insights into the “American Dream,” wealth, class, love, and obsession.  Jay-Z’s task was to re-imagine the decadence, excess and exuberance of the Jazz age using modern genres and performers.  He pulls it off, including artists like Andre 3000,  Bryan Ferry, Emeli Sande, Florence + The Machine, Jack White, and Nero.

The excitement surrounding this soundtrack got me thinking…What other movie soundtracks have become as culturally important as their movies?  Check out a few of my pics!

  

What’s your favorite movie soundtrack?

~Brooke, South Side

Larimer teens discover the music of the future: No Generation Podcast

Just down the street from both CLP – East Liberty and CLP – Homewood is the Kingsley Association, a community center extraordinaire. They have a pool, basketball court, yoga classes, community meetings, and a Youth Advisory Council.

An EEYAC meeting

 

I recently went to an unveiling of the Council’s new project: a podcast called No Generation Radio.

Artwork by Blaine Siegel

Teenagers from EEYAC had come together with local artist Blaine Siegel to create the podcast. They interviewed community members of Larimer to find stories from their past and present dealing with music, and then musicians from Larimer and other Pittsburgh neighborhoods imagined what the music of the future in Larimer would be like, based on those stories.

This includes David Bernabo, who said on his blog that his future music piece was created “us[ing] census data and analysis to forecast how Larimer will change in the future. I imagine that gentrification would occur to some extent and the neighborhood will become more racially integrated. From a musical standpoint, I am presenting music that would exist for an educational use. The idea was that music could be encoded in the future to “push” knowledge to the listener.”

All 7 podcasts can be heard on the No Generation tumblr. Check them out!

 

If you’re interested in creating a podcast, you can do it at the library!  The Labs have the equipment and mentors to help you realize your vision and put it out into the world. Come to one of the Labs locations!

Check out these books to get you started:

  

And, don’t forget, the library has many Teen Advisory Councils in its locations – if you want to bring your fun ideas to the library for old and new friends to enjoy, make it happen!

 

-Tessa, CLP – East Liberty

 

Ladies First!

Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Ke$ha all belong in the top 10 of most-downloaded iTunes songs of all time, but not too long ago women did not reign the music charts. Since March is Women’s History Month, let’s look back at the women who helped pave the way for today’s top ranking ladies.

Disclaimer: There are far too many important women in the history of music to even scratch the surface here. The following women are just some of my personal favorites who all had a positive message for females.

Aretha Franklin

Motown may have had so many amazing girl groups, but Atlantic Records had the Queen of Soul: Aretha Franklin. Not many vocalists could take an Ottis Reading song, then turn around and make people forget it was a cover. “Respect” gave African-American women an unprecedented voice and visibility in 1967, a time when our country was still battling both sexism and racism.

Joan Jett

Rock, particularly punk rock, was a predominantly male-dominated genre from its beginning. A member of one of the first successful all female bands, The Runaways, Joan Jett broke down barriers with attitude, heavy guitar riffs and a “Bad Reputation.” She is currently still rocking out & the founder of Blackheart Records, which has signed a whole new generation of female rockers.

Cyndi Lauper

Her debut solo album was titled She’s So Unusual and at the time that certainly described her. She wore funky thrift store fashions, had more vibrant hair color than Katy Perry and a squeaky Queens accent with an adorkable laugh. In 1983, she became the first female artist ever to achieve four top five hits off of one album on the Billboard Hot 100. Cyndi is still recording and now spends much of her time championing for LGBT rights. Her signature song, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” has gained recognition as a feminist anthem and the video was the first to win Best Female Video at the MTV Music Video Awards.

Queen Latifah

You may know her as an actress, television show host, and Cover Girl, but back in the day Queen Latifah was the reigning monarch of female rap. Her 1989 debut album, All Hail The Queen is still one of the greatest rap records of all time, regardless of gender. And the album’s signature track, “Ladies First,” was not only a call to arms in terms of feminine positivity, but also lyrically tight, while remaining smooth. *Some of the images in the following video deal with the battle to end the apartheid in South Africa. They may not be suitable for sensitive viewers.

Kathleen Hanna

Kathleen Hanna is widely considered as the founder of the feminist riot grrrl movement. She overturned gender norms with her D.I.Y. punk zines and as the singer and songwriter for the band Bikini Kill. She basically made it her personal mission to increase feminist activity and female involvement in the 90’s punk rock scene.

In an article celebrating Hanna’s accomplishments in the music, The New York Times explains the riot grrrl movement:

“When it took hold in the early and mid 1990s, driven by bands from Olympia, Wash., like Bratmobile and Heavens to Betsy, it represented a new kind of youthful, D.I.Y. feminism, a grass-roots uprising aimed less at liberating women from the institutions that oppressed them than inviting women to create new ones.”

Kathleen Hanna went on to front Le Tigre, an electropunk band, in the late 90’s through the early 2000’s. Their song “Hot Topic” is a musical history lesson filled with feminist icons!

         

Now it is your turn to reply and share what female musicians rock your world!

lauren @ CLP – Woods Run

Whether You’re Pro or Anti Valentine’s Day, We’ve Got What You Need

Valentine’s Day elicits a wide range of emotions in people.  Even if you’re a Valentine’s hater don’t give up on this post, you may read something you like!

In elementary school, I loved creating my Valentine’s mailbox–a shoe box slathered with paint or strips of red, white and pink construction paper woven into a heart-shaped basket.  I couldn’t wait for my classmates to walk up to my desk and fill it with Ghostbusters, New Kids on the Block, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle valentines!

Valentine’s Day took on a more serious tone in middle school thanks to (or not so thanks to) unsolicited and unrequited crushes.  Instead of giving cards to everyone my classmates chose one person to celebrate with, exchanging fancier cards, chocolates and stuffed animals.

“According to tradition, St. Valentine is the saint associated with courtship, travelers, and young people.  Early celebrations in honor of St. Valentine took place in the middle of February, around the time of an ancient Roman festival known as the Lupercalia. It was customary for men to draw the name of a young girl from a box and celebrate the festival with her.”

During high school I gave my friends Sweethearts to show how important they were to me, but I felt like everyone else was spending too much money due to feelings of guilt or obligation.  A dozen roses were delivered to my house on Valentine’s Day.  They were from a boy friend (not a boyfriend).  I panicked and asked, What am I supposed to do with these?  What am I supposed to say?!  My friends looked at me like I was crazy and said, Just say thank you.

“The central theme in the myth of St. Valentine is doomed romantic love.  St. Valentine fell in love just before he was scheduled to die and could do nothing about it except write a message expressing his love.  “Valentine, St.” U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology.”

Whether you’re Valentine’s Day experiences have made you pro- or anti-Valentine’s Day, the Library has a list of events to keep you busy this week.  Bring your significant other.  Bring your best friend.  Be serious or silly, it’s up to you!  Join us to make:

• broken heart cookies and cranky crafts at Lawrenceville
• etched glass votives at Brookline
• Candygrams at Allegheny
• heart attacks at Main
• and cookies at East Liberty.  Try out book speed-dating while you’re there.
• Check out Hazelwood’s event
• and hit up the Anti-Valentine’s Day parties at Carrick and West End.

If you’re not up for socializing, ask a teen specialist for some book, movie and music recommendations and create your own Valentine’s tradition.  I’ll be eating a heart-shaped pizza and watching Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, which features crushes, crushed hearts and amazing friends!

Drama: Not Just for Theater Kids

I have a confession to make.
In my first two years of college I fell into a shifty and dangerous crowd.  It happened totally by accident.   Before I even knew what happened I had become…

A Theater Nerd!

If you know me, you know I possess pretty much the opposite personality of the over the top, flamboyant one many people associate with Drama Freaks and Theater Nerds.   I make it a point to avoid drama in all aspects of my life, not surround myself with it.
This all got started when I applied for some random jobs as a part of the work study program at college.  Somehow I landed a job in our university theater department’s scene shop.  We built scenes for tons of plays and musical productions.  And while I was sometimes confused and embarrassed by my co-worker’s propensity to break into song and dance loudly and in public, it was pretty fun.
In Raina Telgemeier’s new graphic novel Drama I was able to relive a little of that dramatic spirit.  Telgemeier tells the story of Callie a theater fanatic and her group of friends and fellow drama geeks.  There’s romance and intrigue and the illustrations are fun and engaging.

If you check out Drama and have an urge to read more theater centered books check out  these titles.

Brooke

CLP-South Side

Music Blog Breakdown

Some folks take a passive approach  to finding new music…
It can be as simple as turning on the radio.
Others take a more active role…
I think it’s fun learning about new music or “new to me” music, but even I admit that there are times when all the reading and listening start to feel like a full time job.   So, what are your options?  Scale back and allow the music to come to you?  Or make the time you spend focusing on new music count for more?
I’m no good at sitting back and waiting so I take the second approach, and the very best way I know to get good info in a short time is through the hundreds of Indie Music Blogs out there.
Now you’re saying, “hundreds of blogs”  how’s that supposed to help me save time?
Well you don’t have to read each and every blog.  I’ve helpfully compiled a list of some of the most respected blogs out there.

Check a few out next time you’re itching for something new to listen to.
Aquarium Drunkard
Started by Justin Gage, this indie blog features reviews, interviews and lots of great footage and samples.  AD covers a wide swath, jumping all over the pop/rock map and throwing in funk, soul, country and jazz to keep things interesting.  Gage isn’t satisfied to stick with modern music makers either.  He mines the depths of of musical history to introduce or remind readers of tons of long-lost or forgotten musicians.  Listen to Aquarium Drunkard’s radio show on satellite radio via a free trial.

Potholes In My Blog
A knowledgeable staff generates the content for this blog.  Along with your typical album reviews and news these guys churn out a podcast every few weeks along with tons of feature content.  They cover a wide territory but there’s no doubt that the emphasis of this blog is in the hip hop and rap world.  One of my favorite features, called vinyl gazing  takes a look back at an older record released on vinyl and what implications it’s had to modern music. 

GoldFlakePaint
These guys consider themselves a music webzine.  The UK based site includes indie rock reviews and interviews with a nice balance of new and old artists to consider.  Like many music review sources they also offer lots of content for your listening enjoyment as well as occasional compilations.

Pigeons & Planes
Pigeons & Planes generates tons of content.  From indie hip hop and rock, to huge pop stars they cover it all with reviews and news.  My favorite part of this blog are the often humorous features…See their compilation  “The Best and Worst of Dubstep Beatboxing”.

The Needle Drop
Last but not least The Needle Drop is the quirky creation of Anthony Fantano, the above mentioned busiest music nerd.  Check out TND for thorough video reviews of music across the spectrum with an emphasis on punk, metal and rock.  Don’t forget his NPR affiliated pod cast streamable from the website.

Now its your turn…where do you get your new music fix?  Leave your suggestions in the comments.

-Brooke

CLP South Side

sXe

Art by Cynthia Connolly. © Dischord Records

So recently I was talking music with a friend at the library.  “My favorite band’s Rise Against,” they proudly exclaimed.

“Cool,” I said.

At some spot along our ensuing point-by-point analysis of Rise Against, I added something like, ‘…and they’re mostly all straight edge too – except for the drummer, I think.’

“What’s that?”

I had a full-on Jack Skellington eureka moment:  Yes!  Blog post idea!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Basically, straight edge is a lifestyle choice.  At its core, it’s a personal decision to not drink alcohol, do drugs, or have promiscuous sex.  Many people who identify themselves as straight edge are also vegan or vegetarian and are against the use of violence; however, these beliefs are not central to being ‘straight’ (a word used to describe one’s desire to remain in control of themself, rather than in the sense of a sexual orientation).

Art by Susie Josephson and Jeff Nelson. © Dischord Records
The letter X is sometimes used to symbolize straight edge – this stems from the punk shows of the early 1980s where kids would have Xs marked on the backs of their hands to distinguish that they were too young to drink.

The straight edge mentality grew primarily out of the American hardcore punk scene of the early 1980s.  When punk began in the mid-1970s, it was a direct response to the pretentiousness and excess of mainstream 70s rock music.  However, by the close of the decade and the beginning of the 80s, punk too had become riddled with the same familiar vices it had set out to destroy.  Straight edge, in a way, was a punk reaction to punk itself.  It presented a new opposition in saying that alcohol and drugs do not make you look cool and are not needed to have a good time.

Ian MacKaye

A guy named Ian MacKaye is often credited with either creating or naming and propelling the straight edge “movement” – although this was never his intention.  As the singer in an awesome band called Minor Threat, Ian MacKaye wrote lyrics that expressed his personal ideals of not drinking, doing drugs, or having random sex.  One of these Minor Threat songs, Straight Edge, gave the mindset its name.  MacKaye later went on to form Fugazi, who, in this blogger’s less than humble musical opinion, were the most important band that has ever existed.

Give a listen.  A few great bands with straight edge members:

Fugazi – Check them out!
Minor Threat – Check them out!
AFI – Check them out!
Anti-Flag – Check them out!
Refused
Converge – Check them out!
Have Heart

Fiction Fix:

                

Jon : Carrick

Summertime…and the living is easy.

You may have noticed we’re in the middle of a heat wave.  With no end in sight, Mother Nature is telling us (not so subtly) that summer is here.  The dog days never fail to get me humming one song in particular.

The song Summertime was written by George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward for the opera Porgy and Bess.  The opera which was based on a book and play by Heyward was originally performed in 1935.  Porgy and Bess depicts the lives of African Americans living in the fictional Catfish Row section of Charleston South Carolina.  The portrayal of these characters has drawn controversy over what some see as racist stereotypes.  Despite Porgy and Bess’ controversial story, there is no denying the impact of its music.

Summertime is one the most covered songs ever with over 33,000 recorded versions. Summertime’s origins are firmly in opera with some of the world’s greatest Sopranos performing the aria.  But it’s the folky quality of the music that allows it to be adapted to many kinds of music. Jazz and blues performers were some of the first artists to make the song their own. Definitive jazz performances have been given by Miles Davis, and Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald and there’s my favorite jazz version Billie Holiday’s.

The song hasn’t stopped there though. R&B, Soul and Country artist have also embraced the tune churning out covers that intrigue new audiences. One of the most famous remakes of Gershwin’s Summertime is also my favorite.  Check out Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding company’s superb bluesy version!

Beat the heat.  Stop by your local library to check out a great cover today.

-Brooke, CLP South Side

I’ve Come to Wish You a Happy Birthday, Morrissey!

Photograph: Jake Walters

My apologies for the title, I couldn’t resist.  Moz turns 53 years young today!

Never heard of Morrissey?  I’d put money on some of your favorite bands/artists listing him, and his former band The Smiths, among their influences.  For a solid three decades Morrissey has provided an intelligent, dark humored soundtrack to unrequited love, regret, loneliness, and the confusion of “growing up” for all those perpetually sixteen, clumsy, and shy (yours truly included).

The man, himself, was born Steven Patrick Morrissey in Manchester, England in 1959 (FUN FACT #1:  When he was a teen, Morrissey’s mom worked in his local public library!).  As the legend goes, sometime in 1982, a teenage guitarist named Johnny Marr (Modest Mouse, The Cribs) knocked on Morrissey’s door (pretty much out of the blue) and insisted that they start writing songs together.  Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce soon joined on bass and drums, and The Smiths were born.  Over the next five years the band would release four albums, countless singles, and a handful of compilations (all of which are incredible).  The group split up in 1987.  Today, The Smiths are generally regarded as one of the greatest bands of all time.

Photograph: Stephen Wright

After the group’s demise, Morrissey became a successful solo artist.  To date, he’s released nine studio albums and has toured the world over (FUN FACT #2: He played Pittsburgh in 2009.  I was there.  It was nuts.)  Aside from music, Morrissey is an adamant supporter of animal rights and vegetarianism.




There’s more to life than books, you know – but not much more… So check out these books about Morrissey and The Smiths!

               

Jon : CLP Carrick