Today is the day I write & finish a brand new song in 24 hours for the #XPNsongchallenge, a songwriting challenge put out by my favorite Philly local radio station 88.5 WXPN. One prompt, one song. I have not written an original song in a long long time, and this is great motivation. I’ll be posting a video of the song at the end of the day, so stay tuned.
I got my pencil, and 5 cups of coffee in me – ready to go.
Wish me luck and good metaphor!
Thanks to the motivation of the song challenge to write and upload a brand new original tune in one day, 14 hours later I have music & lyrics that I’m pretty proud of, and my first new song in a long long while. And honestly, I’m feeling pretty accomplished to have attempted and done it, and to have flexed my songwriting chops again. I don’t usually write a song from start to finish in one day!
Inspired by the challenge theme: Summertime, the recent loss of my father, the anxiety of “Back To School Season”, and just generally wanting to spend every day in the pool, please enjoy my new song “Don’t Tell Me Summer Is Over”
Celebrate with this performance of Sky Blue Sky, recorded for PBS and WHYY, as part of their acoustic House Concert Video Series. Download the song today and let it be the soundtrack to your exotic getaway / romantic staycation
While a shorter version premiered on PBS in 2023, the full feature-length documentary (79min) has been made available to now stream and share online. The director’s cut of “How Saba Kept Singing” is the same version which has been screened in theaters, film festivals, and in private presentations, with over 20 additional minutes that could not fit on TV for the PBS broadcast – including an original song composed for the film (which appears over the closing credits).
After the premiere on PBS, the producers at Retro Report have decided this story is too important and should be accessible to everyone. And we agree.
I hope everyone gets to see this film, to take it in to your hearts, to think about it and talk about it, and to meet my Saba. If you missed it on PBS, or if you just want to see it again and SHARE it – now you can!
The world needs to hear this story. Watch it HERE.
ABOUT THE FILM: The award-winning documentary film, How Saba Kept Singing, shares the story of Cantor, Holocaust Survivor, and Military Veteran, David “Saba” Wisnia, who spends his later years traveling with his grandson and musical accompanist, Avi Wisnia, sharing the story of how he survived the Holocaust through music which the duo perform together. For years, Cantor Wisnia’s story centered around the belief that he survived Auschwitz mainly by using his beautiful singing voice to entertain his Nazi captors. These performances in the death camp gave him status as a ”privileged prisoner.” However, when David takes his family back to Poland for one last performance, Avi starts asking questions and they discover that someone else had a hand in Saba’s survival. A powerful and uplifting story about music, faith, family and resilience, proving love can grow and take hold in even the darkest of places. This film is directed by Sara Taksler (Tickling Giants), and Executive Produced by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton.
David Wisnia’s story became an international sensation when featured in the New York Times and Buzzfeed. The film How Saba Kept Singing premiered at the HotDocs Toronto International Documentary Festival (2022) and made its national TV debut on PBS in 2023. The documentary was honored with the Audience Award at the Rutgers Jewish Film Festival, and is currently nominated for a News & Documentary EMMY Award.
“How Saba Kept Singing” is also screening in select cities, often accompanied by musical performance and discussion with Avi Wisnia. See the tour page for film dates and details.
Educational Resources
Teachers, Educators, Community Leaders: “How Saba Kept Singing” is now available with Education Resources, Lessons Plans, Film Clips and Discussion Guides – along with short clips and the film itself. Consider incorporating the documentary into your curriculum this year. Encourage your community to join the journey with David Wisnia to learn more about the Holocaust.
“Classroom resources accompanying Retro Report’s documentary “How Saba Kept Singing” will help students gain a deeper understanding of life at the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp; explore the connections in music, humanity and perseverance; and examine how anti-Semitism has evolved through modern history.” Resources are divided up by age group, theme, and activity.
Please share these resources with your friends, educators, school districts and communities. Let us make sure that future generations Never Forget.
You can find all education resources and read more about the film HERE.
The Wisnias had a Watch Party for the National PBS Premiere of our family feature documentary How Saba Kept Singing. Thank you for watching with us!!
Read more about David Wisnia’s story of survival with his memoir ONE VOICE TWO LIVES.
Read more about our travels & the music we made together by visiting the page MY POLISH WISNIA.
You are invited to the Philly Premiere of How Saba Kept Singing
Many of you know that I performed with my grandfather for many years before he passed away. One of the last trips we took together was to Poland in 2020 to perform one last time. That journey has now been turned into an amazing feature documentary, and I’d like to invite you to come see it!
“HOW SABA KEPT SINGING” will have a theater screening (APR 13) in Philadelphia, in advance of a TV premiere (*edited for time) on PBS! (APR 18)
The feature documentary follows our Wisnia family as we recently travelled back to Poland with my grandfather David, my “Saba,” and reveals the many ways he survived the Holocaust. Not only does the film tell my late grandfather’s incredible story, it also incorporates music by Saba and me, including a song he wrote while a prisoner in Auschwitz which I translated into English.
I hope you will join me and my family at this hometown screening, and help us spread the word about the film so that everyone can hear my grandfather’s story.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Sara Taksler and Avi Wisnia, David’s grandson. The Q&A will end with a special musical performance from Avi. All in attendance are invited to a casual post-film reception with the Wisnia family, including wine and food to celebrate the end of Passover. *This film screening is likely to sell out, advance reservations recommended.*
For those unable to attend the Philly Premiere, you can catch it on PBS TV just a few days later. The documentary will air on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tuesday April 18 at 10pm ET /9pm CT in the United States (check your local listings).
How To Watch: Download the PBS app on your phone, tablet, or TV streaming device and access programs with PBS Passport. Check local listings for broadcast details in your area as times may vary. Read more at: https://www.pbs.org/show/how-saba-kept-singing/
You can read more about our travels together by going to the blog at MY POLISH WISNIA.
You never know when you’ll be called back on stage for a duet. It was an honor and an absolute joy to open for Ron Sexsmith at World Cafe Live, and then to be invited to join him during his set, to play on one of my favorite songs from his latest album. Thank You Philly for coming out and making this such a special night.
Here’s a video of that moment and that song “When Our Love Was New,” complete with intro about snuggling with your tour manager.
