“The Singing Revolution” – Playing in NYC for Independence!

From Jim and Maureen Tusty, as forwarded to me by Arno:

Dear Friends,

February 24th is the 90th anniversary of Estonian independence. In honor of that celebration, we have arranged for special screenings of The Singing Revolution in New York City.

The Singing Revolution will play at a new theater in the Village:

Cinema Village Theater
22 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-924-3363
http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/coming_soon.asp

Show times are:

Saturday, February 23rd at 10:30am
(allowing time after the film to get to the 1PM Estonian Independence Day Celebration at 28 East 35th Street)

Sunday, February 24th at 1:00pm AND 3:00pm**
(It was 4:00pm, but now the official times on Sunday are 1:00pm and 3:00pm)

The Cinema Village Theater is doing this in respect for Estonia's Independence Anniversary. Let's support their gesture.

And happy independence day!

Maureen and Jim Tusty
Producers/Directors of The Singing Revolution
www.singingrevolution.com

'Isamaa ilu hoieldes' - one guy's interpretation on youtube

Was putzing around on youtube, and found another rendition of 'Isamaa ilu hoieldes' with some different imagery.
Check out this interpretation.

New York celebration -- 90th anniversary of Estonia's declaration of independence

Information about celebration in New York City of 90th Anniversary of Estonian Independence at the bottom of this post, can also be found here:

http://www.estonianhousenewyork.com/eng_events.php

Regarding the planned program, worth mentioning is that 'Isamaa ilu hoieldes' will be sung by the New York Estonian Mens' and Womens' Choruses, together with several 'guest performers'. It was hard not to get a little fired up practicing the song with the segakoor last Wednesday. May not turn out exactly like the version sung by Ivo Linna and co. at last summer's noorte laulupidu but if there is enough of a turnout should still be pretty cool. Here's a rough translation of the lyrics into English.

Also worth noting, for the first time ever (I think) the keynote speaker will be a non-Estonian-speaker.

Edward Lucas, of The Economist, will deliver the keynote address in English, real English, not the New York-accented stuff some of us are used to. Don't know what he plans on discussing, but I think it's safe to say his talk may be a little more exciting and current than keynote speeches of past Independence Day celebrations. With any luck it may even be something friends, spouses and significant others who are not of Estonian descent might also find appealing. Lucas's latest book, The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West, is scheduled for release in the United States on Tuesday. I've reserved a copy at Borders; I hope there will be time to get it autographed on Saturday.


Estonian Independence Day Celebration
The New York Estonian Educational Society invites you to celebrate
The 90th Anniversary of Estonia’s Independence
Saturday, February 23, 2008

Formal program starting at 1 PM
The New York Community Church
28 East 35th Street (Park & Madison)
New York, NY
Admission: $10.-
Program Highlights:
Mr. Jaanus Kirikmäe – Consul General of Estonia in NY
Keynote Speaker: Mr. Edward Lucas – European Correspondent of “The Economist”
Kersti Ala-Murr & Jaak Lutsoja Musical Program
The NY Estonian Men’s and Women’s Chorus
The NY Estonian School Chorus
James & Maureen Tusty – Producers of “The Singing Revolution”

Following the Formal Program:
Dinner-Dance at the NY Estonian House
with “KIRSIAED” providing music

Dates and times for screenings of "The Singing Revolution" in NYC this weekend

As forwarded by Toomas

FYI – Here are the dates and times for the screenings of the film "The Singing Revolution" in NYC this weekend.



The Singing Revolution will be playing December 14th–20th in New York City:

Village East Cinema City

181 2nd Avenue

New York, NY 10003

(212) 529-6998

SHOW TIMES:

Fri. 12/14 - Sun 12/16: (11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm)

Mon. 12/17 - Thurs. 12/20: (1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm)



More information about tickets can be found on the theater website linked at:

www.singingrevolution.com

Even more press about "The Singing Revolution" in New York

Following are some more links to press about the Singing Revolution. Including a review that might be construed as a little critical at BoxOffice.com.

New York Sun

Salon.com (page 4)

Vocal Area Network

BoxOffice.com

Blogger.com Zach Freeman

Google groups Mark R. Leeper

Popmatters.com

Village Voice

New York Post

Time Out New York

New York Times

More press about "The Singing Revolution"

Some press info from “The Singing Revoution" director Jim Tusty as forwarded to me by Arno:


Dear friends,

We have had increasing press over the past few weeks, I wanted to share some of it with you, and please pass on whatever feels appropriate.

First, we were on a national NPR radio show ("Day to Day") today with 1.8 million American listeners:
NPR - Day to Day

Second, we had a nice interview with myself and Mart Laar in LA prior to the film's opening night:
Southern California Public Radio
Go to the bottom of this page and click on "The Singing Revolution".

Third, we have a review in "New York" magazine prior to our New York opening. Our film rates a "critic's choice", the highest rating they give:
New York Magazine

(There will also be reviews in) the New York Times, The New York Post, the Village Voice, Time Out New York and possibly more.

Not all articles are accurate, not all reviews great, but in general, we are getting the Esto story out there in a good way.

Thanks all for your help in making this happen.

who bought out the NYC opening night 7pm showing of "The Singing Revolution"?

Communist conspiracy? or something more benign?

Word is that 2 people walked up to the box office of the Village East theater and bought all the remaining tickets for Friday night's 7pm showing of "The Singing Revolution." So it wasn't necessarily an internet malfunction for those of you who tried to buy tickets online and encountered a 'transaction failed' message.

Anyone know the motivation behind this unusual act?

I'm curious.