You are here: Home / Archives for Children

Melia’s Papa on Work

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

So I was having this conversation with a new friend and she says:

What do you do? I hate to ask b/c I tend not to start off inquiring about one’s job, but it seems like a passion for you as well.

Here’s how I answered:

I hear you about the work conversation. For me, its like the where-you-went-to-school (meaning college) conversation. And your intuition is right on! I’m passionate about being in creative & collective service, and need to be speaking more about my work for multiple reasons. I’m passionate about the still innocent generations already here and too come, as well as about a creative evolution of our world led by humanity, perhaps with nature nipping at its ankles. Over the years my appreciation for story, music and social entrepreneurship has grown steadily. Somehow I seem to have wrapped it all up into the cohesive package that I refer to as my life’s work. I hesitate to speak to where this work could go, for several reasons. At the moment, it’s apps, music, books and live shows with many exciting possibilities waiting for nourishment. I will also say that I see a path where this work positively impacts children and families worldwide, thereby creating the conditions for them to help shape humanity’s evolving relationship with Earth. Of course, it is not the only path. Suffice to say, one of the main limiting factors for us “going spiral” has been financing and this issue appears to be steadily improving. Thanks for Prompting a blog post :-)

The following ideas from above give me energy:

  • The notion of still innocent generations, already hear and to come
  • An image of a creative evolution of our universe led by humanity with nature nipping at its ankles and path that rights our relationship with nature
  • Caroline Casey’s idea about “going spiral.”

Something to Chew On

Might the distinguishing factor between “going spiral” and “going viral”  be the extent to which the content supports and reinforces life preserving stories?

 

Filed Under: Edutainment, Stories Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Youthtube Trends: A Concerned Parent Appeals to the Online Community

April 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Currently the number one trending video, with 2,096,676 views and counting, features the story of Akian, a ten year old boy who has Autism. His father, Stuart Chaifetz, appeals to the Youtube community to pass legislation so that teachers who bully children are immediately fired. After unproductive and unhelpful meetings with the IEP team (the teacher, school social worker, occupational therapist, and a speech teacher), Mr. Chaifetz took the matter in his own hands by placing a wire on his son. After listening to the audio, he discovered that Akian’s teacher and an aide were discussing inappropriate subjects in front the children and specifically bullying Akian. In this rather long clip (17 minutes and 3 seconds), Mr. Chaifetz introduces sound bites and even transcripts of conversations between Akian, the teacher and the aide. After he released this footage, the aide was fired, and the teacher was moved to another school.

Mr. Chaifetz has created a petition on Change.org urging the New Jersey Legislature and Congress to punish and fire such abusive teachers. He explains, “No child should have to suffer humiliation at the hands of the people who are supposed to protect them. When a teacher bullies a child, especially one with Special Needs, they need to be immediately fired. No excuses. No second chances. No more teacher/bullies.” So far, this petition has received 106,093 signatures. Some of the people who have signed the petition purport to have been or known people who were victims of bullying at the same school district, Cherry Hill. Mr. Chaifetz is appealing to the online community through Youtube and Change.org to make sure these teachers do not ever step foot in a classroom. His video has sparked outrage, empathy and immense support among viewers.

The very people who were supposed to protect these students took advantage of their special needs (as these students would not be able to tell their parents what happened at school) and humiliated them for their differences. Teachers are supposed to provide academic and emotional support for their students, and if they cannot handle the day-to-day stresses of their jobs, they need to quit.

Apart from the above video, the top trending videos don’t seem too controversial. Trending second, this home video with 45,075 views features a man who makes a basketball shot during a forward flip from afar. In addition to becoming a place to flaunt personal skills and achievements, Youtube is also a place to share excellent plays and blunders. In the ninth most trending video (with 933,048 views), Latvian basketball player Armands Skele makes a fantastic shot fourteen seconds into the clip. Of course, that comes with sharing embarrassing moments, such as Terrence Jones running over a Louisville cheerleader while pursuing the ball. This video ranks sixth, with 1,129,447 views.

The #3 Trending video purports to promote gender equality with an attractive woman shedding her fashion accoutrements, donning stylish riding leathers and zooming through the city on a super-charged motorcycle. She is “setting the record straight” that she can handle a bike as well as any one. Metaphorically, T-Mobile is inviting women to test drive America’s Largest 4-G Network.

In the #4 Trending video, the guy with a faux Russian accent is back again to promote some of his newest and baddest weapons. The #5 Trending video consists of a goofball parody of the One Directions’ song, “What Makes You Beautiful.”

Filed Under: YouthTube Trends Tagged With: , , ,

Changing Notions of What’s Personal

March 23, 2012 By 1 Comment

As people are increasingly sharing their accomplishments with an extended cyber community, users are intensely analyzing what they consume and even questioning its validity and credibility. After eight months of endless hard work, research, and testing, Jarno Smeets, a mechanical engineer from the Netherlands, purportedly flew one hundred meters with his self-built wings. In his triumphant video, he showcases what appears to be his flight and his emotional reflection. Thanks to the extensive reach of social media, over a million people have seen this video in less than three days. However, many people are openly disputing and questioning the authenticity of his claim by bringing scientific evidence and examining the lower resolution of the video. This controversy elucidates what individuals risk when they publicize their personal achievements–they may face intense and even ruthless criticism, even to the point of delegitimizing and undercutting their self-esteem and the entirety of their achievements. While it was the most viewed clip among 13-17 year olds all of yesterday, it’s currently the tenth most viewed video among 13-17 year olds and the fifth most viewed among males.

Adding to the slew of political satires, Hugh Atkin stitched together footages of Mitt Romney’s numerous speeches and interviews and his political opponents against repetitive background music. Atkin’s video debunks the notion that we can truly understand the true beliefs of political candidates, as they seem make so many contradictory statements. Certain sound-bites, however, have been tastelessly manipulated to portray Romney in a ridiculous and farcical light without giving any sort of meaningful commentary or truly humorous take. Given the enormous amount of content on the web, users have every right to judiciously determine what they see as enlightening, humorous, or tasteless. While no longer in the top ten, it was the second to fourth most viewed video among males and females yesterday. It has accumulated 1,604,387 views.

Film creators are releasing trailers of Summer and Fall movies already, even targeting those who do not regularly go to movie theaters. “Prometheus,” an apocalyptic sci-fi film directed by Ridley Scott, was the most viewed video on Monday across both genders. It will come out on June 8, 2012. Likewise, the trailer for “Breaking Dawn–Part 2,” is topping viewership charts especially among 13-17 year old girls, not surprisingly. While this movie will not come out until November 16, film production companies choose to build momentum for release of high budget films months in advance by posting teaser clips and trailers on YouTube. This video has 1,918,269 views, #2 among all 13-17 year olds and ranked #4 and #3 among males and females, respectively.

Also this week, several clips of talented toddlers captivated teen viewership. One of these videos is a promo for a dance studio, Studie43, and it features an adorable two year old boy who dances the jive in the limelight. While this may seem like a home video at first glance, smaller businesses like Studie43 are apparently studying YouTube trends to positively promote themselves. After all, so many people love cute toddlers or kittens dancing. It’s the fourth most viewed video among all 13-17 year olds and females and the fifth most viewed among males, with 1,824,936 hits.

Another home video starring 2 year-old Makena singing Adele’s “Someone Like You,” has garnered over 5,244,324 views. It is currently the third most viewed video among all 13-17 year olds and the second most viewed among females of that age group. Indeed, pop culture shapes kids as young as age two, and this explains why it’s important to have positive strains of pop culture to empower youth, even the youngest of the bunch. In response to this video, many other parents have posted clips of their children singing Adele. While this may be a way for parents to showcase their utmost pride for their talented children, sometimes one cannot help but question whether this is a healthy practice for the children, who have little say in what parts of their earlier life to publicize. Ten years from now, what will children think of the idea that their personal home videos are available on YouTube? Will they feel somewhat violated, or will this have become such a traditional practice with the rise of social media, particularly YouTube, that they won’t mind? Furthermore, all the statistics and comments that come with it just further complicate matters. While most of the comments are very positive and over 27,000 people liked Makena’s video, 754 people have officially disliked it. That’s not even counting the harsh comments below, which say, “can’t sing!” or “I wouldn’t call this singing–just half-mumbling the words.”

Whether one likes it or not, YouTube is just changing so many notions of what to publicize and what to keep personal.

Filed Under: Stories, YouthTube Trends Tagged With: , , , ,

Giving Thanks this Holiday Season: New Music Available feat. Mos Def (Yasiin Bey), Talib Kweli and Talented Youth Selected from National Auditions (Photos)

November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Aaron Ableman, author of new children’s book and music, Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, and Dave Room, co-founder of BALANCE Edutainment have been hard at work in the studio with Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated artist and actor, Mos Def (also known as Yasiin Bey), popular lyricist and artist, Talib Kweli and talented youth from around the United States. New songs are now available from the upcoming Pacha’s Pajamas album!

“Now is a critical time in Oakland, New York and around the world. If we want to deeply engage youth, and all people, perhaps the most important space to occupy is pop culture, as expressed in music. At BALANCE Edutainment, we believe music, in its various forms including audio, performance and video is the most viral communication platform. In the last century, music played a pivotal role in many of the world’s most important social movements.” says Room.

“It’s important to impart the message not just to children, but to all human beings, that we have a responsibility to our own humanity and to the one who has created all, to treat this creation with care and respect,” says Def.

The idea that you have to be mindful of the environment, or pay attention to the environment, is something people should grow up with. It’s not something that you should have to convince an adult of,” adds Kweli.

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, a musical story about a little girl named Pacha who saves the environment with the help of the world’s plants and animals, is both a children’s book and hip-hop / pop musical album, designed to bring music and storytelling together to share important messages about the environment and inspire positive action.

Def narrates the fictional story of Pacha, a girl who dreams of uniting the planet via a music festival. Kweli performs an original song he wrote for the album from the perspective of a butterfly.

Def and Kweli have received acclaim for using their artistry, talents and notoriety to raise public awareness about myriad social issues. They are also currently touring nationally as Black Star, and their forthcoming collaborative album is Prisoner of Consciousness.

In addition to Def and Kweli’s participation with Pacha’s Pajamas, the BALANCE team of musicians and social entrepreneurs are in the studio with other soon-to-be-announced musical artists completing the album. They are also performing the story and songs throughout the United States. You can support their crowd-funding campaign, to help complete the Pacha’s Pajamas album and tour. The full album is due out Earth Day, April 22, 2012.

Occupy Pop Culture this holiday season by supporting media with positive messages. The Pacha’s Pajamas book and free new song downloads are available now at www.pachaspajamas.com.

To book an event performance or reading, find out more information or invest in the project, please contact us at info@pachaspajamas.com. Also, connect on Twitter and Facebook.

Filed Under: News, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rap Stars Mos Def And Talib Kweli Bring Their Voices To Environmental Hip Hop Album, EP Released

November 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mos Def and Author Aaron Ableman

Rap stars singing about butterflies and saving the environment isn’t something we hear about everyday.

And that’s precisely what BALANCE Edutainment, LLC had in mind when they approached rap stars Mos Def and Talib Kweli to participate in their upcoming children’s hip hop album about the environment, Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature.  The EP, which features Def, Kweli, and others, is available as a free digital download for a limited period starting today at http://www.pachaspajamas.com/music. The full album is due out Spring 2012.

The Pacha’s Pajamas CD features Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominated hip hop artist and actor, Def (also known as Yasiin Bey), who narrates the fictional story of Pacha, a girl who dreams of uniting the planet via a music festival starring a host of singing plants and break dancing animals.  Kweli, a popular

lyricist and hip-hop artist wrote and performs an original song on the album from the perspective of a butterfly.  The duo, who previously collaborated on the late ‘90s album Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star, have received acclaim for using their artistry, talents and notoriety to raise public awareness about myriad social issues.

“We’re extremely grateful for Mos and Talib’s involvement and truly believe we can influence social, economic, and environmental change in a compelling way through the telling of powerful stories, by creating music people are inspired to listen to and with the help of the world’s children,” said Aaron Ableman, accomplished musician, social entrepreneur and co-founder of BALANCE Edutainment.

“It’s important to impart the message not just to children but to all human beings, that we have a
responsibility to our own humanity and to the one who has created all, to treat this creation with
care and respect,” said actor and hip hop artist, Mos Def.

“The idea that you have to be mindful of the environment, or pay attention to the environment, is
something people should grow up with.  It’s not something that you should have to convince an
adult of,”  added hip hop artist, Talib Kweli.

“The story of Pacha’s Pajamas is spreading the information early (to kids), so it becomes like a
cornerstone or a foundation.”

In addition to Def and Kweli’s participation, the BALANCE team of musicians and social
entrepreneurs are in the studio with other soon-to-be-announced musical artists completing the
album.  The BALANCE Edutainment team will also be making live appearances to perform the
story and songs from Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature throughout the United States
this Fall and in Spring 2012.

For more information, please visit www.pachaspajamas.com.

Filed Under: News, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

National EP Launch and Positive Local Story: Pacha’s Pajamas at San Francisco Green Festival 10th Anniversary Celebration

November 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A special Pacha’s Pajamas reading takes place at the San Fransisco Green Festival 10th Anniversary celebration this Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm. As local Oakland-based group BALANCE Edutainment launches thier promotional music EP nationally with soon-to-be-announced celebrity musical artists and talented youth, co-founders Aaron Ableman and Dave Room connect positive messages through storytime in the San Francisco Green Festival Green Kids’ Zone.

In a recent CNN ireport interview at Los Angeles Green Festival, Ableman is asked, “When kids read this book or have this book read to them, what is your hope that they will get out of it?”

“If children can walk away inspired with a connection to the earth and each other, that would be a victory,” Ableman answers.

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, a hip-hop musical story about a little girl named Pacha who saves the environment with the help of the world’s plants and animals, is both a children’s book (www.amazon.com and www.pachaspajamas.com) and an upcoming hip-hop musical album, designed to bring music and storytelling together to share important messages about the environment and inspire positive action.

“If we want to deeply engage youth, perhaps the most important space to occupy is pop culture, as expressed in music. In the last century, music played a pivotal role in many of the world’s most important social movements,” Room states in a recent article in the Washington Times Communities.

“We are at a critical time to manifest real change, but we need to find solutions inclusive of all,” Ableman adds.

“We believe that catalyzing change can happen in a fun way through socially-conscious music, stories about interdependence and by amplifying the voices of children. Human Rights and Nature’s Rights are key issues that Pacha’s Pajamas aims to popularize through the project, a tale of a little girl with big dreams for unity on planet earth. We are thrilled to share Pacha’s message at Green Festival’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, and with all global movements calling for peace, health and justice in the world,” says Ableman.

For a limited time starting on 11/11/11, the promotional EP is available as a free digital download by signing up at http://pachaspajamas.com. The full album is due out Spring 2012.

The BALANCE Edutainment team will be making live appearances to perform the story and songs from Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature throughout the United States this Fall and in Spring 2012. For more information, please visit www.pachaspajamas.com.

After Pacha’s Pajamas reading, join BALANCE partner Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company for a Main Stage musical performance on Saturday at 3:45pm. Then, head to the Ben & Jerry’s Community Action Pavilion at 4:30pm for an interactive workshop exploring social issues through movement, theater games and group building exercises. Come prepared to move your body, speak your truth and act from the heart.

Additional Green Kids’ Zone activities include crafts, stories, music and much more throughout the weekend. Green Festival is an eco-friendly marketplace with over 300 exhibitors, live music and spoken word, yoga and movement classes and cutting edge film screenings. Ten stages and pavilions host more than 125 enthusiastic speakers offering in-depth presentations and short talks on the issues and practices for adults and children of all ages.

Green Festival takes place at the San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th St. at Brannan St.

About BALANCE Edutainment, LLC BALANCE Edutainment, LLC (www.balanceedutainment.com) is an Oakland, Calif.-based company that creates cause-related entertainment products – books, musical CD’s, curricula, mobile apps, and more. Their debut children’s story and hip-hop album Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature are the brainchild of Balance Edutainment Co-Founders Aaron Ableman, musician, and social entrepreneur, Dave Room. The team’s aim with Pacha Pajamas and future products is to educate children and the masses in a fun and entertaining way about important environmental and other social issues. A portion of the proceeds of Balance Edutainment’s sales will be donated to like-minded nonprofit organizations.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BALANCE Edutainment Performs on Main Stage at Los Angeles Green Festival

October 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The live storytelling and musical youth workshop and performance led by Pacha’s Pajamas creators BALANCE Edutainment and an up-and-coming local youth star takes place on the Main Stage on Sunday, October 30 at 3:45 pm after “Celebrities for Social Change in Action” with Ed Begley Jr., Rachelle Carson and Esai Morales, and before Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus.

Pacha’s Pajamas performance and workshop will also take place in the Green Festival Green Kids’ Zone on Saturday, October 29 at 1:00 pm. Additional Green Kids’ Zone activities include crafts, Halloween adventures, stories, music and much more throughout the weekend.

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, a hip-hop musical story abouta little girl named Pacha who saves the environment with the help of the world’s plants and animals is both a children’s book (www.amazon.com and www.pachaspajamas.com) and an upcoming hip-hop musical album, designed to bring music and storytellingtogether to share important messages about the environment and inspire positive action. The new album features well-known, soon-to-be-announced celebrity musical artistsand talented youth.

Joining BALANCE Edutainment on stage at Los Angeles Green Festival is local youth, Miles Ananda McAliley. Miles was born in Los Angeles in May of 1998 to Raye Dowell and Ira McAliley.  Always having a bright personality, Miles started modeling and acting at the age of 3, booking jobs for Tommy Hilfigger, and Disney.  After appearing in the Will Smith Black Suits Comin’ video, for the movie Men in Black II, Miles decide to retire to pursue his life a kid.  For several years, Miles explored soccer, baseball, tap dance, and martial arts, before falling in love with drawing and basketball. During this time he also developed a love for music, with a particular passion for Rap Music.  At the age of 10, Miles wrote his first lyrics for his math class.  The positive response inspired him to spend the next couple years continuing to develop his skills as a writer and performer.  Miles has performed with the Lil’ Big Ups, a free youth arts project and musical variety show, The Pico Youth and Family Center All-Stars, a Santa Monica non-profit that promotes Peace, Unity, and Social Justice, and Gerald C. Rivers, an LA artist with a show that features the works of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Miles was also recently chosen as a finalist in California State Assemblyman Mike Davis’ 28th district talent search. Miles balances his life by focusing on being a good student at New Los Angeles Charter Middle School, and training for and playing basketball.  His is also a loving older brother and son, who looks forward to going to college and making a positive contribution to society. Watch Mile’s audition video now:

 

“We believe that catalyzing change can happen in a fun way through socially-conscious music, stories about interdependence and by amplifying the voices of children,” says Aaron Ableman, musician, educator and co-founder of BALANCE Edutainment, the creator of Pacha’s Pajamas.

“Human Rights and Nature’s Rights are key issues that Pacha’s Pajamas aims topopularize through the project, a tale of a little girl with big dreams for unity on planet earth. We are thrilled to share Pacha’s message with the GreenFestival, and with all global movements calling for peace, health and justice in the world!”

Green Festival is an eco-friendly marketplace with over 300 exhibitors, live music and spoken word, yoga and movement classes and cutting edge film screenings. Ten stages and pavilions host more than 125 enthusiastic speakers and teachers offering in-depth presentations and short talks on the issues and practices for adults and children of all ages.

Green Festival takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall G.

In addition to the Green Festival performance, the BALANCE Edutainment team will be making live appearances to perform the story and songs from the Pacha’s Pajamas ebook andalbum throughout the United States this fall and through 2012.  For more information, please visit www.pachaspajamas.com.

Filed Under: News, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hip Hop Musical with an Environmental Twist to Take the Stage at Bioneers Conference

October 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature To Be Performed At Popular Environmental Event

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, a hip-hop musical story about a little girl named Pacha who saves the environment with the help of the world’s plants and animals, will take to the stage this Sunday, October 16, in a groundbreaking Rights of Nature Youth Workshop at the Youth Unity Stage at The Marin Center in San Rafael, Calif., from 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. The live storytelling and musical youth workshop event is part of the Bioneers 2011 environmental conference and will be led by Pacha’s Pajamas creators BALANCE Edutainment as well as Global Exchange and the Rights of Mother Earth Signature Campaign. For more information, please visit www.bioneers.org.

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature is both a children’s book (www.amazon.com and www.pachaspajamas.com) and an upcoming hip-hop musical designed to bring music and storytelling together to share important messages about the environment and inspire positive action. The hip-hop album will feature well-known, soon-to-be-announced musical artists as well as Bay area and national youth.

“We believe that catalyzing change can happen in a fun way through socially-conscious music, stories about interdependence and by amplifying the voices of children,” said Aaron Ableman, musician, educator and co-founder of BALANCE Edutainment, the creator of Pacha’s Pajamas.

“Nature’s Rights is an issue that Pacha’s Pajamas aims to popularize through a message of unity across species, honoring the planet upon which humanity depends. We are thrilled to share Pacha’s story with the Bioneers conference and all the youth movements around the world!”

Bioneers is a nonprofit educational organization that highlights breakthrough solutions for restoring people and planet. Since 1990, Bioneers has acted as a hub of social and scientific innovators with practical and visionary solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. A celebration of the genius of nature and human creativity, Bioneers connects people with solutions and each other. Its acclaimed annual national and local conferences are complemented by extensive media outreach including an award-winning radio series, book series, and a role in media projects such as Leonardo DiCaprio’s film The 11th Hour.

In addition to the Bioneers performance, the BALANCE Edutainment team will be making live appearances to perform the story and songs from Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature throughout the United States this fall and through 2012.  For more information, please visit www.pachaspajamas.com or www.balanceedutainment.com.

Filed Under: Events, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,