I just posted photos from Unsilent Night Los Angeles. Many thanks to Fernando Garcia for his outstanding photography. Please check them out on the Unsilent Night Los Angeles Facebook page. You do not need a Facebook account to view this album.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55720&l=417a2&id=29945295100

Check out this video of Unsilent Night performed in Cambridge, Ontario!
http://news.therecord.com/videogallery/462828

It was perfect weather for a winter outdoor parade in Asheville, we gathered at Vance Monument in Pack Square. This year, we had a number of folks who brought laptops for their music players. There was something unique about people marching down the street with their screensavers illuminating the path in front of them. Fun! We also had quite a number of children with us, it was great observing their responses to the sounds and to people popping their heads out of shops and coffeehouses, asking “What was going on?” As we wandered down Wall Street, a lovely little brick lined street in downtown Asheville, the echoes of the music seemed particularly magical as the layers accumulated and swirled around us. A gorgeous, delightful evening!

Thanks to all who travelled with us, see you next year.
Jim Julien

Watch this video from Unsilent Night in Charleston, SC:

http://webmaster.ccpblogs.com/2008/12/22/video-unsilent-night/

 Check out MissionLocal.org’s audioslideshow of this year’s event in SF. 

http://missionlocal.org/2008/12/unsilent-night-echoes-through-mission/

Check out this link for a lovely account of Unsilent Night Melbourne!

www.meliors.net

We had our first Unsilent Night in Santa Fe today. It was a very cold and windy day after a snowy night, and we had a small turnout - what happened to you cowards who signed up? But, we had about 30 hardy people, including many participating elders as well as kids, and a reporter and photographer from the ABQ Journal who walked the whole route and really enjoyed it.

We started on the Plaza at the end of the Santa Fe Trail, competing with a Mariachi band playing across the street under the portal. Walked past St. Francis Cathedral, the Institute of American Indian Arts, the Museum of New Mexico, City Hall, back through the Plaza, and down to Water Street. Through the municipal parking garage (sounded great in there), and back up San Francisco Street, under the portals, to the Plaza - with perfect timing where we put the boxes on the floor of the gazebo bandstand for the last 4 minutes.

Reactions of the unexpecting audience varied - a lot of people coming out of shops acting as though they noticed nothing, somehow not wanting to be “caught”. We disarmed many with greetings of happy holidays. Homeless guy with the dog on Water Street, grinning ear to ear. We warmed up the streets for the later traditional procession of La Posada, which will start at the Cathedral. Everyone loved Phil’s music. Mexican hot chocolate afterwards. Next year, we hope for a warmer day and a later start.

- John Kennedy

I just got a request for Mp3s for some people who are going to use their iPhones in the parade. It will be interesting to see how the volume works on that. (I don’t have one myself.) Hopefully I can get some photos of that!!

Anyone else getting strange requests of music-playing contraptions?

First ever…we’re very excited and hoping for a good turnout.

Friday December 12th, 7:30pm, Nickel’s Arcade off of State Street.

Here’s the poster I made to post around town and email to people. If anyone wants any of the assets I’d be happy to send them along.

Hello Everyone!

Unsilent Night Has Finally come to Ontario,Canada!  The City of Cambridge will host Unsilent Night on December 22, 2008 and we would like your help.  We would like to make this event one participants will never forget.  We are looking for video footage from other Countries and Cities who host Unsilent Nights around the world.  If your city is hosting this event we would love for you to send us video footage from your participants saying: “Hi Cambridge” or “Greeting from…..”.   If you are interested please contact Wanda Schaefer-Stilling at: schaeferw@cambridge.ca.  Our hope is to make our participates feel like they are a part of something global.  Thanks for your assistance