One December evening, not too cold, a gathering on Sisowath Quay attracted my eyes when I was biking from home to the west bank of the Tonle Sap River for leisure and perspiring. This season, in Phnom Penh, is more or less good for people who love sweater, not sweating.
A gentleman with a guitar was enjoying himself and entertaining some kids (not sure whether they’re street children) and some foreign travelers. I’m not in the world of arts, so I don’t know his name and status. Cool thing is, with only a few minutes, his guitar impressed a dozen of people surrounded him as they were on the walking side of Sisowath Quay. He was playing his guitar and singing some local as well as English songs, which is more than powerful enough to attract people who were driving on the street. It seems he’s pretty sure that his performing art has its own potential to influence or to heal, I would say.
A motor driver told me that the musician occasionally spares his time to give this kind of informal session for the kids who have passion of music. When one couldn’t go to school of arts, the street is the place, among all things.
After the musician left the spot by his car, the kids, with drums and other stuff that can create sound, gathered to have their performance.
Incidentally I had my little digital camera in my pocket, so I had the chance to capture some images. Digital citizen!
Well, so much different from this post title, I’m not talking anything about your portable music player, mobile phones or iPods. Not at all.