Czech pop in the park

POST BY HETTY

Where is the Czech pop?! That has been the question. Everywhere we go we have been surrounded by American music, especially pop. It almost seemed like they saw "the Americans" coming and would switch to American music. Madonna seems to be a particular favorite. Even when we were in the small town of Kuks and were watching a little band in a local restaurant the band played La Isla Bonita by Madonna. We want to hear the real Czech music!

Last night we had amazing opportunity to experience this culture's music through their eyes. While walking around Hradec, we happened upon a large, outside stage that a Czech rock band was playing on. It seemed like the whole town had come out to watch! All ages, all different flavors of Czechs, it was great! Everyone was singing along to the words. This experience was refreshing.

The other day when we went to an art gallery opening, I met a Czech girl named Daniella. She told me that she doesn't buy CDs and that the stuff they sell in the record stores is Czech pop but it's not any good. She said that she simply downloads her music online. I laughed and told her I did the same most of the time. I asked her if she got tired of hearing American music everywhere she went. She laughed and said that it just simply is the way it is....we "are bigger" and have more media, more to offer. She said she also usually sees American movies. The way she said it was matter-of-factly, a sort of "of course all media is centered around America." I thought this was interesting and then we went on the talk about languages. She knows three languages and we were saying we felt like we should too. She commented that we shouldn't because it isn't necessary. hmmmm.

After this conversation we decided to dress up like Madonna and go karyoky-ing down town. it was fun. We also went to the movie theater and watched Pride and Prejudice while listening to the Backstreet Boys on our ipods. And wearing shirts that said American Eagle. Then we went to Hollywood. It was a great night.

ps: I made that last part up. (the part about going to Hollywood). Here's some video Joe shot with his still camera of the concert in the park. We've got 2 more videos ready and are trying to get them uploaded...