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A choir named Perpetuum Jazzile uses their hands and feet to simulate a storm. Amazing! What follows is a cheesy yet impressive acapella / beatboxed version of Africa by Toto, but you can skip that if you want. Just watch the first minute or so.

Mass games or mass gymnastics are a form of performing arts or gymnastics in which large numbers of performers take part in a highly regimented performance that emphasizes group dynamics rather than individual prowess.

Because of the vast scale of the performance, with often tens of thousands of performers, mass games are performed in stadiums, often accompanied by a background of card-turners occupying the seats on the opposite side from the viewers.

Mass games are typically used to emphasize themes of political propaganda. They developed alongside 19th century nationalist movements, particularly the Czech Sokol movement, as they embodied youth, strength, militarism, and unity.

Today, mass games are regularly performed only in North Korea, where they take place to celebrate national holidays such as the birthdays of rulers Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. In recent years, they have been the main attraction of the Arirang Festival in Pyongyang.

The 2004 film A State of Mind details the training of two young girls from Pyongyang who perform in the mass games.

(source: Wikipedia)

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This is amazing stuff. Bobby McFerrin demonstrates that everyone understands music. He is at his absolute best when he has an audience to participate. Brilliant. Recorded at the World Science Festival 2009.

(Via Guy Kawasaki)

4 uur: nr.2 en enorme honger
7 uur: eerste inkakmoment direct na het douchen
8 uur: diner
11 uur: klaar met de dag
13 uur: zou wel even kunnen slapen
14 uur: enorme energieboost, knallen!
16 uur: crasht, drinkt tevergeefs Red Bull
18 uur: salade eten, normaal proberen te doen
19 uur: nog heel even volhouden en dan naar bed
21 uur: kan niet slapen, hernieuwe energie
23 uur: wanhoop

Florence Foster Jenkins (1868–November 26, 1944) was an American soprano who became famous for her complete lack of rhythm, pitch, tone, and overall singing ability. Wikipedia says:

From her recordings, it is apparent that Jenkins had little sense of pitch and rhythm and was barely capable of sustaining a note. Her accompanist can be heard making adjustments to compensate for her tempo variations and rhythmic mistakes. Her dubious diction, especially in foreign language songs, is also noteworthy.

Despite her patent lack of ability, Jenkins was firmly convinced of her greatness. She compared herself favorably to the renowned sopranos Frieda Hempel and Luisa Tetrazzini, and dismissed the laughter which often came from the audience during her performances as coming from her rivals consumed by “professional jealousy.” She was aware of her critics, however, saying “People may say I can’t sing, but no one can ever say I didn’t sing.”

I’m just waiting for somebody to make a movie out of this fantastic story.

Now, if you decide to play the audio footage below, please do so at your own risk. It’s Jenkins interpretation of ‘Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen’ from ‘Die Zauberflöte‘ (The Magic Flute) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Enjoy…

[audio:Florence Foster Jenkins - Mozart - Die Zauberflote - Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen.mp3]