{"id":839,"date":"2021-05-06T15:33:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-06T19:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/blog\/drink-more-tap-music\/"},"modified":"2022-12-03T11:27:39","modified_gmt":"2022-12-03T16:27:39","slug":"drink-more-tap-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/blog\/drink-more-tap-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Drink More Tap: Pouring it into Song"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"big\"><big>At the Water Department, we often gravitate towards spaces <strong>where art and science meet<\/strong>.<\/big><\/p>\n<p>For many individuals, technical reports may not resonate quite as much as murals or melodies. So, we lean on <strong>creativity to communicate<\/strong> topics that can feel complex, such as tap water quality.<\/p>\n<p>During this <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awwa.org\/Events-Education\/Drinking-Water-Week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drinking Water Week<\/a>, we\u2019re delighted to celebrate around <em><strong>Drink More Tap <\/strong><\/em>\u2014 a series of projects using visual and performing arts to spread awareness about the benefits of drinking Philly tap: <strong>it&#39;s safe, affordable, and sustainable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In collaboration with <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.muralarts.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mural Arts Philadelphia<\/a> and artist <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"http:\/\/www.calo1.com\/murals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Calo Rosa<\/a>, the first act of these festivities kicked off two years ago with our <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/pwddev.wpengine.com\/blog\/rosa-tap-murals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drink More Tap murals<\/a> at Penrose and <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/pwddev.wpengine.com\/blog\/cruz-rec-dmt-mural\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cruz<\/a> Recreation Centers in North Philadelphia. These spectacular pieces of public art were installed and designed with communities where bottled water consumption is common, <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/drinkphillytap.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according to research<\/a> we conducted with the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<h4>Recently, however, we exchanged paintbrushes for percussion.<\/h4>\n<p>Continuing our partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, our creative coalition has welcomed local producer <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.afrotaino.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AFROTAINO<\/a>, which showcases global artists, particularly Afro, Latinx, and Indigenous musicians.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed video center mb1\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/544649841\" title=\"vimeo-player\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p class=\"big\">Thanks to AFROTAINO, we\u2019re excited to join forces with three Philadelphia-based musicians, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mamadele.com\/new\/foundation\/dende-macedo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dend\u00ea Mac\u00eado<\/a><\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sonnishinemusic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Sonni Shine<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100054450881342\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Los Bomberos De la Calle<\/strong><\/a>, who each composed new songs spotlighting Philly tap!<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIt makes such a difference when we\u2019re using art and music to communicate about a topic that some people find a little intimidating because they associate it with science,\u201d <cite class=\"medium inline\">says Tiffany Ledesma, PWD\u2019s Public Engagement Team Manager.<\/cite> \u201cBut, it\u2019s so simple. It\u2019s just water, and a lot of times we end up complicating the message, making it too technical, when everyone can actually connect to this topic. And involving musicians in the storytelling creates intimacy like no other. They can make the Drink More Tap message resonate in the most special way!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>All the <em>Drink More Tap<\/em> musicians descend from different backgrounds, including their genres, cultures, and <strong>experiences with tap water<\/strong>&#8230;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"dende\">Dend\u00ea Mac\u00eado<\/h2>\n<p>Dend\u00ea Mac\u00eado, a <strong>Brazilian-born<\/strong> vocalist, composer, percussionist, bandleader, and teacher, whose dynamic performances have seized stages from Ontario to Malaysia, remembers his hesitancy to consume the tap water while living in Salvador, Bahia. For the multi-instrumentalist, who created the comprehensive arts-in-education <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mamadele.com\/new\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mamad\u00eal\u00ea Foundation<\/a><\/strong>, moving to the United States two decades ago was a particular adjustment when it came to <strong>drinking from the tap.<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIn Brazil, the water is not&#8230;too clear,\u201d <cite class=\"inline medium\">says Mac\u00eado, who has been professionally performing since he was 14-years-old.<\/cite> \u201cWe don\u2019t drink too much tap water over there.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"caption\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dend\u00ea sits cross-legged, surrounded by various types of hand drums and other small percussion instruments\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/static\/dende-drums.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Dend\u00ea Mac\u00eado \u00a0 (<em>Photo Courtesy of AFROTAINO<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>While living in the U.S., he gradually gained confidence in drinking tap water, a feeling he conveys through buoyant Afro-Brazilian beats in his new carnival-style composition (written with his wife, <strong>Leslie Mac\u00eado<\/strong>) created to get listeners <strong>grooving, moving, and thirsty!<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThis (project) is super important because it talks about&#8230;tap water \u2014 something that I [had to spend] 20 years in this country learning about and trust(ing) about,\u201d <cite class=\"inline medium\">says Mac\u00eado.<\/cite> \u201cWhen I wrote this song, specifically, I was thinking about to send a great message for people to get convinced and trust, also, with the rhythm, with the energy, and think about \u2018It\u2019s tap water time!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Additionally, Mac\u00eado is an ideal tap ambassador, as sustainability is at the forefront of his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mamadele.com\/new\/artists\/recycled-sounds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recycled Sounds<\/a> project, which involves \u201cmaking instruments out of found materials.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Listen to Dend\u00ea Mac\u00eado&#39;s Tap Water Tune! (Volume up!)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"embed video center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/545625737\" title=\"vimeo-player\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Sonni Shine<\/h2>\n<p>Sustainability is a source of inspiration for another <em>Drink More Tap<\/em> artist, <strong>Sonni Shine<\/strong>, whose music has been showcased on <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/xpn.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WXPN<\/a>, <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/wmmr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WMMR<\/a>, <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/wkdu.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WKDU<\/a>, and <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/alt1045philly.iheart.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Radio 104.5<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The New Jersey native, who fuses R&#038;B with funk, jazz, and folk, was also uncertain about drinking tap water while growing up. But after moving to Philly for college, Shine, a vocalist, guitarist, and producer, was compelled to switch to tap, understanding that consuming <strong>single-use bottled water can be a wasteful habit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sonni on stage, playing guitar and singing into a microphone\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/static\/sonni-guitar-2.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sonni Shine \u00a0 (<em>Photo courtesy of AFROTAINO<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>In her new song, Shine\u2019s<strong> environmental zeal<\/strong> is expressed through bluesy strums on an electric guitar accompanied with lyrics:<\/p>\n<p class=\"center\"><big class=\"inline-block alignleft\"><em>Rather than waste, and clog up the trash<br \/>\nwith plastic material built to last<br \/>\n(Philly) turn on the tap<br \/>\n(Philly) drink it back&#8230;<\/em><\/big><\/p>\n<p>For Shine, who served as front-woman for local reggae-fusion band <a class=\"semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheUnderwaterSounds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Underwater Sounds<\/a>, reducing plastic in our waterways was a key reason why she wanted to join Drink More Tap, fervently feeling that music has the capacity to make a difference \u2014 <strong>within ourselves and across the world<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cI think that music and art hit us in a different part of our body, in a different part of our brain where&#8230;we become more open to hearing and receiving new ideas or new perspectives,\u201d <cite class=\"inline medium\">Shine says<\/cite>. \u201cBecause music kind of just naturally opens us up, and art as well, like looking at a piece of art. It\u2019s just turning on a different part of your brain. I think it\u2019s also more heart-oriented instead of head-oriented. So, instead of, ya know, reading the facts and thinking with your logical mind, you\u2019re opening up your heart to a piece of music. So, yeah, I firmly believe that music can change the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>She further developed tap water assurance after absorbing information that set the foundation for Drink More Tap, including research conducted with the Water Department and the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<h4>Listen to Sonni sing her way out of single-plastic use!<\/h4>\n<div class=\"embed video center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/545625814\" title=\"vimeo-player\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Los Bomberos De la Calle<\/h2>\n<p>Another <em>Drink More Tap<\/em> performer, <strong>Los Bomberos De la Calle<\/strong>, a North Philly-based Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena ensemble, felt similarly reassured after reading Water Department research.<\/p>\n<p>Across the tri-state area, Los Bomberos De la Calle, a seven-year-old group, engages the public, especially children and seniors, around traditional <strong>Puerto Rican sounds<\/strong>. This pursuit to enliven communities spilled into their interest to educate about Philly tap.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s most important is that you learn from that song and that message that is being relayed out to the people,\u201d <cite class=\"inline medium\"> says New York native Anthony Mendez, the ensemble\u2019s director.<\/cite> \u201cAnd that\u2019s one thing that\u2019s important, with especially the tap water. Because I didn\u2019t know all the information that I know now. I\u2019m still learning from before we had started this project.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Mendez says that <strong>music has the power to shift perceptions<\/strong>, which drove him to co-write this canci\u00f3n (tune) alongside Puerto Rico native Jonathan Santiago, the ensemble\u2019s lead singer. The song is brought to life by <strong>Bomba beats<\/strong> \u2014 a traditional Puerto Rican genre still alive and popular today.<\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Los Bomberos De la Calle on stage, with lights shining down. Each member holds some sort of hand percussion, with the three closest to the camera standing angled towards us, singing into microphones. Speakers and more drums are visible behind them.\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/static\/bombero-photo-2.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Los Bomberos De la Calle \u00a0 (<em>Photo courtesy of AFROTAINO<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Water Department customer survey results show that water from the <strong>tap is perceived more skeptically by Black, Hispanic, and immigrant communities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>These findings ultimately shaped <em>Drink More Tap<\/em>. Just as the murals were installed in regions where bottled water consumption is most common, musicians representing these communities were commissioned to write tracks for the campaign.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWhen I speak with my family about \u2018hey, the Water Department is very interested in doing something for the Latins and use our music.\u2019 They say, \u2018Okay this is good!,\u201d <cite class=\"inline medium\">says Santiago, who lived in Humacao, PR.<\/cite> \u201cI think the music is a good way (to) deliver the message to the people. The people (are) very receptive when you send the music in the message. People need to know more about Philly tap water.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4>Stay tuned for the release of Los Bomberos De la Calle&#39;s song soon!<\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>More on tap!<\/h3>\n<p>Join us this summer as we unveil new <em>Drink More Tap<\/em> material, including interviews with the artists, more music, and virtual concerts, on <strong>#ThirstyThursdays<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIt really is important to have different ways to communicate,\u201d <cite class=\"inline medium\">says PWD community outreach specialist Maura Jarvis<\/cite>. \u201cPeople see things in different ways. There are visual learners. There are auditory learners. It just gives you a way to reach different people in a way that resonates with them. If you\u2019re trying to have an open conversation, and you\u2019re trying to help them understand something, of course, you want to approach them in a way that they\u2019re open to&#8230;Movement and music is something that they\u2019re drawn to.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h5>Make sure to follow us on social media @PhillyH2O, and use the hashtag #DrinkTapPHL to join the conversation!<\/h5>\n<h5><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/showcase\/8437415\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check out all of the latest music and videos here!<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">.pwd-m-hero .hero-bg { background-position: 30% 85%; }\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For many individuals, technical reports may not resonate quite as effectively as murals or melodies. 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