ENRICHING THE WORLD ARTS CULTURE IN VIEW OF DECLINING U.S.INFLUENCE

The US entertainment industry has been the single major feature behind the world-domInant export of US-style culture and values to the rest of the world.

So opined a podcaster (gratefully sent to me by my bff Raven). This viewpoint made me stop and think if she were right?

My partner and I were gobsmacked in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy when we visited about a decade or so ago. Almost without fail, almost every restaurant we visited would pipe in US music.

One night we were walking back to our airbnb in the Jewish Quarter of Venice when we spied a diminutive bar-restaurant in a hole-in-the-wall. From our18-day visit to Italy, that turned out to be one of our three favorite gastronomic excursions. As we sat waiting for our heavenly, fragrant, homemade shrimp pasta sizzling in the background (did I say "diminutive"? there were only about five tables for two, all crammed together), there came on as background music a famous rock song of....Elvis!

Yes indeed, Hollywood has exported our culture through music and entertainment!

Now we laugh when remembering these European restaurants. Want great old-fashioned US rock and roll? Go to Italy. Want to hear Italian love songs or opera arias? Go to San Francisco!

Speaking of Italy, check out La Traviata, our favorite Italian restaurant in our city of residence and heart. Of course it plays opera arias in the background. I've been supporting this Albanian-run romantic small restaurant since I learned of it in 1972 during my sojourn in law school. It's been in the same location for longer than I have been enjoying dinner there, some 43 years! You will see Sylvie, the owner John's wife, pictured in the back of the photo appearing at the top of this review by the SF Chronicle (review not nearly laudatory enough!). She's taking an order since she assists on the floor most nights when we go there.

This intimate, romantic, beautifully-decorated restaurant is located in the most unlikely of neighborhoods - our Latin district called "The Mission": it's near the 24th St. BART stop on Mission Street and yes, you can order online for pickup.

Also yes - the food is divine, starting with the best tiramisou (life is short: eat dessert first!) and hot-out-of-the-oven homemade rolls they set down on the table before the meal arrives. I could make an entire meal out of that bread and go home satisfied without more. Next try an appetizer of the most delicious cream-sauced tortellini I've ever tasted - including in Italy!

Sadly, under the exploding authoritarian US regime rolling over and roiling this country courtesy of No. 47, the rest of the world will be turning to other countries excluding the US, not only to trade material goods, but also to source and enjoy entertainment.

What an auspicious time for the thousands of non-US genres of music and the performing and visual arts to shine!

The decline of worldwide sharing of US talents in the arts is cuttingly suffered by half this country that did not vote for and does not endorse No. 47 and his regime. Nonetheless, the rise of respect here and in other countries for multi-culturalism is undoubtedly a welcome boon to the arts worldwide.

Others residing outside this country will find numerous treasures in new products and new takes on the arts through mutually-respectful and satisfying partnerships such as the one China is forging with Japan and Vietnam, or South Africa and China.

I found two perfect examples of the treasures that await those of us lucky enough to still have free access to what the MAGAs might call "the culture of the threatening 'others'." I hope you watch these videos and pursue other new-to-us art forms online for your enjoyment.

I double dare you not to have your heart touched and your lips curl up in the happiest of smiles when you watch these music and dance videos:

THE GHETTO KIDS (pictured above) - Ugandan kids living in the foster home-orphanage of the remarkable man who takes them in, raises and nurtures them, and fosters self-confidence and joy via dancing and sharing.

The boy in the green socks and the smallest female member of the troupe featured in the above short dance video, laid me low with grins, and I resisted just long enough to view their participation before jumping up to jive around my office! What incredible talent - so needed these days to lift my spirits and salve my jagged political soul. I am most impressed with the way the children share equally the center stage. They genuinely seem to cheer each other on and celebrate the others in this mutual endeavor.

The group came in sixth in Britain's Got Talent in 2023. (How did I miss them?) if yo have time, here are some other sterling videos of their amazingly variegated and creative performances and unique costuming. I particularly like the video filmed in their village where an elder is convinced to stand up and join in. Clearly a few of the observing youngsters were itching to join!

https://youtu.be/PyPx1GX-iJ4?si=kFGkbRZJOwxMH3Xf
https://youtube.com/shorts/O7b-Tn9Ayuk?si=_vuZPu1KVTUyipXf

THE HERD - commenced in 2024, a publicly debuted 2025 British-originated theater project that is international and cooperative. It involves unbelievable "live" cardboard African animals. Their performances are oriented to making an environmental statement of deep concern. As they take their show on the international road this year, they will also involve local actors and dancers. I am looking forward to seeing many online videos of their coming performances, featured on TV station DW this morning.

***

If you know of other amazing and inventive art projects, especially involving music, please let me know. I would like to feature more of these.

###

(If you resonate with this blog, kindly send it on to a like-minded friend and sign our confidential email mailing list above.)