Prince inspired me to play Ping Pong again …and to raise money for Autism Society NWT! I’ve always loved the music of Prince and would have loved to see him live in concert, but living in the far north, I never got the chance. When he died suddenly last year on April 21st, I was devastated. So I made the pilgrimage to the tribute concert in Minneapolis last October and went to visit Paisley Park. Right there in the middle of the studio was his ping pong table! I packed up a racket and played table tennis for the first time in more than forty years!

When I came back home, I kept playing and promoting the game. Over the winter I got the idea to do a tribute to Prince on April 21. He was all about the music, dusk ‘til dawn dance parties, …and ping pong! He was also a quiet philanthropist who anonymously gave money to many charitable causes. One of the rare public charitable activities he did was to play several benefit concerts for Autism Rocks, the UK based foundation. So what better way to pay tribute to Prince than a Dusk til Dawn Ping Pong Pajama Party Fundraiser in support of our northern Autism Society NWT!

I’m so excited about the response from the community! People love the idea! It’s going to be rocking, with music, ping pong, and a celebration of the differences and the unique potential of all members of our community. The money we raise will stay in the north and go to support individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorder. Prince is loving it! I believe he has a hand in it too, cause everything is falling into place so effortlessly. (OK Mods, you can move this to Fan Gatherings if you like, but first I'd love to hear from others how the energy is flowing through them...)

northernrain, Thank U 4 sharing about this event. I am a Special Education Teacher and I teach students who have autism. People don't realize how difficult it can be 2 care for a child or adult who has autism. I commend U 4 organizing this event and I hope that it is a great success! ~ Michelle

206Michelle said:

ilo said:

I'm not sure he ever did. I just enjoy his music if I'm honest.

Not sure he ever did what?

Bravo northernrain, ping pong is a game I wish I played more (I already play basketball, tennis, work out and play darts, so unfortunately something had to give.)

My friends have a son with autism, and of course I assume none of us forget the story starfish and coffee, which stands as Prince's paeon to autism, and rampant individuality amidst society.

Prince music does inspire me. It makes me happy, when I hear his songs, the lyrics or movie quotes sometimes appear in my sentences.

I feel better about myself when I hear his music, as it is a veritable treasure trove of sounds and lyrics I love. It fills me with "Positivity" and elevates my spirit, beyond a spiritual source. It has a energy that few artists can impart to me.

Finally it is something I do not ever get sick of.

northernrain said:

ilo said:

I'm not sure he ever did. I just enjoy his music if I'm honest.

Not sure he ever did what?

Not inspired me in any way. That's the case for me at least, and what I assume ilo meant.

He taught me about self-acceptance which it took a long time to happen and also about not let others dictate how you feel about yourself. He also taught me it is okay to dance to your own beat as long as you dont hurt others.

He inspired me to learn guitar. He taught me from a young age that i can be anything in life with hard work and dedication.

he inspired me to persevere and overcome some of my own demons. i miss his energy and generosity of spirit. i took many of his lyrics to heart and live by some of them.

He inspired me to get off my ass and start writing my own music again, after going through a stretch of writer's block and a lack of motivation. I'd been too busy playing in other bands to let myself indulge in creative expression, but learning just how prolific the dude was for his entire career made me want to turn that around. Even if the music I make never comes close to being even 1/100th as good as anything Prince did, just creating it is enough to keep me happy

What I forgot to add is since he died I pick up and start playing the guitar. I can play by ear but I am learning to read music. Iwant to play piano down the road.

And plus he taught me to guarded my privacy as much as I can and share a few things to the trusting few. There are things people should know while other info it is best to keep private.

Finally, he also spent a lot of time with his band members and associates more than his blood family. He also taught that family is not always blood.