The Lab proudly hosts leaders from two tremendous music projects for an evening of discussion and performance.
We Met Through a Song
“We Met Through a Song” is a short film by singer-songwriters Leah Finkelstein and Heather Stewart. It follows the unlikely and surprising friendship of two California musicians who met and befriended a conservative North Carolina farmer, through a song.
Williams Edwards heard an original song of Heather’s on the TV show “NCIS” and was moved to contact her. One song, many emails and phone calls later resulted in William’s first trip out to California. Their weeklong adventure was filmed capturing difficult conversations, laughter, insight, and a realization that friendship can transcend diametrically opposing views.
In a time when the US is more divided than any of us have ever experienced, “We Met Through A Song” is a reminder to listen not just to music, but to one another.
Refugee Songs: A Musical Journey
Refugee Songs: A Musical Journey is a live music concert that tells the true story of a young Iranian man struggling to create a home for himself in the United States after fleeing Iran following the 1979 Revolution. Narrated through spoken word, storytelling, images and music, Refugee Songs is a revolutionary collaboration between music ensemble Mystic Groove Collective and scriptwriter Anita Casavantes Bradford.
Refugee Songs is powerful meditation on the themes of cultural identity, family, inter-generational trauma, as well as resilience, self-acceptance and the healing power of love. Central character, co-creator and violinist Bahman Sarram and two members of Mystic Groove Collective will present.
“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.”