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Pink Martini

Date: May 28 2007

Themes: Music

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

What has 12 members, 6 languages, 3 albums, and is number one on the charts in some countries? Pink Martini. It’s not a martini you drink, though. It’s a Portland-based “little orchestra” that was formed by a pair of Harvard graduates in the early ‘90s. Now it has grown to a dozen musicians who bring in influences from all over the world. The combination of music from different cultures and different time periods has earned Pink Martini a special kind of fame.

Photo: Pink Martini vocalist China Forbes.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Mason

Marni: I, I adore Pink Martini.

Mason: That is…actually…I mean, they’ve got a lot of cachet, you know?

Marni: They do. They’ve really got something special I think. They’ve tapped into all these different styles of music, she sings in six different languages…

Mason: Which is why I think they are more famous internationally than they are here.

Marni: Absolutely.

Mason: I mean we’re kind of in a bit of a bubble in Portland.

Marni: Well we are in a little bit of a bubble in Portland, and I have to say I was outside the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall last night and they sold out…

Mason: Of course.

Marni: ...and I was…happened to be there after the show…and the age span! People in walkers were coming out, and there was your 20-year-old hipsters also sauntering out. They just appeal to a wide audience. And good for them. I think they’re great.

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Discussion

Marni is a fan of Pink Martini. She likes that they play different styles of music and bring in different languages. Mason thinks this is why they are popular in other countries.

People in Pink Martini’s hometown of Portland might not realize how popular the band is. That’s why Mason says Portland is “in a bubble.”

Marni happened to be outside of a sold-out show by Pink Martini at a concert hall in Portland last night. She thought it was interesting that both young and old people attended the concert.

Is there any music that you can enjoy with your parents or grandparents? What’s your favorite kind of music that comes from another country?

Comments

morrigan423

Serbia and Montenegro

i met them in madrid in a bar, they are really nice and friendly. they asked me and my friend to make with them music video for song tuca tuca. but it was never relese. anyway they gave as tickets for their concert. i had great time with them. and they are great to listen in live.