Ordway

What began as a PBS documentary with the lofty goal of fostering hope and inspiration through music has now become a worldwide phenomenon. Inspired by the passion and energy of street musician Roger Ridley’s rendition of Stand by Me, Grammy Award-winning producer Mark Johnson set out across the globe on one of the most incredible journeys in modern music: Playing For Change. A collection of musicians from the documentary came together for a live performance and the group’s fervent delivery of blues, gospel, reggae, and Afro-pop led to an amazing run of sold-out shows, moving audiences worldwide and earning them a remarkable debut on Billboard’s Top 10 with Playing For Change­­—Songs Around The World. Playing For Change continues in their mission to inspire, connect and bring peace through music.

Special Screening of Playing for Change
Monday, January 23 at 6 p.m.

Ordway Center for Performing Arts and Minnesota Public Radio invite you to a screening of the Playing for Change documentary followed by a conversation with the film’s director Mark Johnson. The conversation will be moderated by Minnesota Public Radio’s Marianne Combs. For the past decade, Johnson has worked with some of the most renowned musicians and producers in the music, film and television industries. As a co-founder of the Playing for Change documentaries, Johnson has been perfecting an innovative, mobile technique for recording musicians outside of a studio and combining them together to create Songs Around the World. Johnson is also Chairman of the Board for the Playing for Change Foundation, and has dedicated his life to connecting the world through music.

Screening will be in the UBS Forum located at the top of the floor of MPR’s Saint Paul facility, 480 Cedar Street. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. RSVP at minnesota.publicradio.org/events to reserve seats. For more information, contact Amy Miller at 651.282.3017.

Download the performance guide >