I hereby give Sita Sings the Blues to you. Like all culture, it belongs to you already, but I am making it explicit with a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License. Please distribute, copy, share, archive, and show Sita Sings the Blues. From the shared culture it came, and back into the shared culture it goes.

And with those words, master animator Nina Paley shares with us her gorgeously animated feature debut, a musical retelling of both a personal tramautic break-up and an Indian myth. It’s a film bursting with color and pathos and creativity. The animation style is so stunning and detailed, it’s staggering to reflect that the film was animated almost exclusively by one individual.

The irony of it all is that Paley used songs recorded in the 1920’s that are out of copyright; but because the compositions themselves are still restricted, she had to pay about $50,000 of her own mula to acquire the rights.

She now described herself as a “full-time free culture activist.” To wit, on her blog (which includes plenty more most excellent animations) she sings us a ditty she recalls from her childhood, “Copying Isn’t Theft.” Of course, she encourages covers and remixes, and now links to her favorites. Below is an adorable French cover.

You can watch Sita Sings the Blues at thirteen.org. Nina Paley’s excellent blog is here, while the Sita Sings the Blues homepage is here. I heard about the film through the excellent Spout Filmcouch podcast, which I’m disconcerted to learn (just now as I research this posting) has broadcasted its last show.

No, no, I’m not referring to the sludge you have to slog through in New England once the snow starts melting. The mushing I’m not talking about has nothing to do with your significant other not staying on their side of the bed. Mushing, of course, refers to good old-fashioned dog sledding. We’re talking Alaskan Huskies here, people. This last weekend, the good folks over at Boston Natural Areas Network were kind enough to sponsor free dog sled rides in Boston. My camera got to go on one, as well as sledfuls of children and canine enthusiasts. Whenever you’re experiencing the winter doldrums, just think of these sledding Siberians; they’re literally chomping at the bit to frolic in the snow. Or, for that matter, check out Ellen Vitello of NE Outfitters (I’d spend every day in the snow if I was guaranteed as rosy a complexion). NE Outfitters finally answers that notorious question, “Who let the dogs out?” They sponsor mushing lessons, consult film shoots, and provide equipment for all your mushing needs. Check the video out here. It’s the one labeled “Dog Sledding Draws Passengers in Dorchester.”

For my first post, I am proud to embed a video profile of the ever stimulating Heartbeat Collective based in Jamaica Plain. I originally shot the story for Neighbhorhood Network News, on BNN (channel 9), Boston cable. Reviewing the story, I’m reminded of the limitations in the two-minute news package. This piece just scratches the surface of what this cooperative truly stands for. I could easily take the few short interviews we recorded and re-edit the piece into a 20-minute director’s cut. To find out more about this cooperative check out their website; maybe you can figure out what the following have in common: musical spirituality, community outreach, belly dancing, fire worship and Peruvian throat singing. Be sure to get on their mailing list as well, which provides more detailed information than you’ll find on their website. It will let you know about upcoming yoga classes, full moon gatherings, musical performances, retreats to Costa Rica, and upcoming workshops.