The Beat from Troy Music Hall #54, Let’s Get Hygge!

“Hygge” (pronounced “hoo-guh”) is a Danish term defined as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” It has no direct translation in English, though “cozy” is close. As the temperature drops and the snow falls, practice hygge at home. Layer the sweaters, cuddle up under the covers, drink hot tea, and relax and laugh watching this week’s video selections!

Hygge Explained

A Big Shot of Happiness

You may recognize Jon Batiste as the bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Here, he created an amazing video for “I Need You” from his new album, We Are. It features not only his phenomenal musical skills, but wow – he can dance!

Tiny Desk Goes Global

From NPR: “Rokia Traoré’s …. work is rooted in the Malian musical tradition but defies the confines of a single culture. Born in Mali to a diplomat father, Traoré had a nomadic upbringing that exposed her to a wide variety of international musical influences. She joins us from Blues Faso, a theater inside her Foundation Passerelle in Mali, which she created to support emerging, interdisciplinary artists, from music and the performing arts to visual arts and photography.”

Being Broken or Damaged is Never a Bad Thing

Watching this is so relaxing! Japan’s ancient art of celebrating broken pottery is rooted in an eastern philosophy of wabi-sabi, a concept for finding beauty in imperfection. It is believed it can help us to accept our flaws while fostering peace and fulfillment.

The Hottest Trend in Hot Chocolate

What’s more hygge than enjoying a cup of cocoa on a cold day? These hot chocolate bombs have become incredibly popular this winter. We can’t help but wonder how much you really have to stir to incorporate all that chocolate. It seems impractical, but it’s still fun to watch YouTube star Rosanna Pansino create them!

The Beatles “Blackbird” Reinterpreted

To raise awareness of Indigenous languages and culture, high school student Emma Stevens sings a version of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” in her native Mi’kmaq. Here & Now’s Robin Young speaks to Stevens and Katani Julian, who translated the song, about the experience. Click here to hear the full story.

A Different Perspective Changes Everything

Bored Panda published a piece that deals with “Birds from the Front.”

Trust us, you’ll want to see all the funny photos! Please click here.