Still looking for that perfect holiday gift for that special someone this year? Let them know how you really feel. Your gift of gripes and grumbles will be music to their ears this holiday season with the brand new Complaints Choir Documentary!

This hilarious DVD and three CD set includes songs featuring 20 DIY choirs formed internationally, including First Person Arts’ own Philadelphia Complaint Choir. The Complaints Choir was create by husband-and-wife artist team Tellervo Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen in 2004. Today, it is a global sensation based on everyday people singing their complaints. According to Time Out Chicago, “The Complaints Choir has local citizens bitching and moaning with gusto.” The Complaints Choir Documentary is a co-production by Fine Mellow (Denmark), Smog Veil Records (U.S.) and Kinotar (Finland).

In 2008 First Person Arts created the Philadelphia Complaint Choir, which brought together people from all over Philadelphia to collect their complaints and set them to music. The choir then performed Philadelphia’s complaints at nontraditional venues around the city including Rittenhouse Square, outside of Liberty Place and in Suburban Station. Don’t miss the audio track of “Why, Why, Why” performed by the Philadelphia Complaints Choir! Check out the video of the Philly Complaints Choir performance at the First Person Festival below!

Learn more about Complaints Choirs Worldwide at their official website.

Like the Complaints Choir Documentary on Facebook!

-Becca Jennings

Maybe you noticed us out on the street in Old City last Friday, or at 40th and Walnut the Friday before collecting complaints.   We’re organizing a Complaint Choir!  You can add your own video complaint at the Viddler group Philly Complaint Choir or comment at the Philly Complaint Choir Blog. Here’s one of the first complaints we collected:

Find out more about the Philly Complaint Choir here, and sign up to sing by sending us an email!