Jenny Juice’s Brown Bag Songwriting Competition
Mondays at Modaddy’s
Oct. 4 – Nov. 29.
Sign-up at 8:00pm. Starts at 8:30pm. (see below for details)
2 Songs, $3.00 per act “The Brown Bag an open mic songwriting competition that offers a way to network the Asheville music scene by inviting seasoned musicians and music business people to listen and judge the raw, fresh, talent in town that shows up regularly.”~ Jen Greer
Bi-annually (fall and spring) Jenny “Juice” Greer of Jen and the Juice hosts a 10 week open mic with a twist at Modaddy’s. Musicians put $3 into a brown lunch bag to perform. Celebrity judges select a winner, and the one performer they select takes home the bag of cash.
Win $500! At the end of the Monday night series there is a final shoot out of the weekly winners. This is the BIG Brown Bag which contains $500 and many other prizes. The BIG Brown Bag Finals are Saturday DEC. 4 at Modaddy’s.
SIGN UP – 2 ways!
1. NEW! We reserve spots for musicians who show up on Monday. Please be there by 8:00pm to sign up. You have a good chance of getting on the list, but the does get full quickly most nights, so be prepared to hang out if you don’t get on.
2. We do allow advanced sign-up. Please email our name to jen@jenandthejuice.com with the date you want to play.
Once you receive confirmation you are in! DO NOT CALL MODADDY’S. If you have reserved a spot you must be there by 8:30 to claim your spot.
Contest Rules:
• Only three people per act max.
• You can only win once per season. Then you are in the finals! If you have been in the finals before you can enter again this round.
• NEW! Amps and Effects are allowed! Please respect our time and be prepared.
Get Ready for one of my absolute favorites, Jen and the Juicewith popular Charleston band Dangermuffin on Friday, September 17th at the LAB in Asheville. Show starts around 10pm, just after the Downtown after Five on Lexington Ave with Larry Keel and Natural Bridge!
JE N A N D T H E J U I C E wow audiences with a singularly hipster mix of swingy, bluesy, refreshingly original funk and folk. Together in Western North Carolina for more than five years now, their second CD “Meet the Hooligan’s of Bohemia” in 2007 hit a home run with fans and earned a juicy spot in WNCW 88.7 FM radio’s top 10 best regional albums of 2007. Now the Juice is heading into wider territory with a newly released CD “Fruit”, an even more dynamic cast of characters and a step up to regional and national touring.
“We draw a lot of inspiration from folks like Sublime, Beck, The Beatles, Paul Simon, G-Love, and Taj Mahal”, says Jenny Greer, lead vocalist and songwriter for the Juice. Her songs are exciting audiences connect immediately at both the emotional and fun level, wanting to know her and become part of the groovin’ picture. A multi media wizard who juices websites, music, lyrics, guitars and cover art like Willy Wonka makes candy, Jen’s a powerhouse in the singer songwriter and arts community at large. If ever a person could make things work, rouse a crowd, organize a party, create a concert and art happening with a walloping big collaboration of sound/ fun/ art and anything else, it’s Jen.
While Jenny writes most of the songs, the bands help make the arrangements smart, smooth and funky. Rolling melodies gently cruise through a lyrically painted canvas and stories dot the landscape of their tunes. After five years, their sound and reputation have grown, there are a few new members and a more polished, vibrant sound. While Jen travels the guitar neck, deftly cruising the chords of jazz, swing, rock and folk, Jake Hollifield owns the keyboard in the Juice, adding juke joint/boogie woogie flare and sophistication. Mikie Gray (Firecracker Jazz Band) handles drums while Ben Bjorlie holds the groove together tightly on electric bass, Kether Ables sings beautiful back-up melodies. The sound is melodic, familiar yet new, with a sing-a-long-able feel most acts would long for. Be prepared for dancing, spontaneous singing, shouting, clapping, whimsical familiarity and even a little group introspection as the audience bonds with Jen and the Juice for a warmly refreshing and hip musical ride.
On Saturday, March 20th, PhilanthroPEAK Live will feature over six hours of music, visual arts, theatrical performances, live filming, as well as tabling for community businesses and nonprofits all united under one roof at Pack Place and the 500-seat Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville, located at 2 South Pack Square. This all ages event starts at 5:00pm and tickets are only $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show. From 5:00-6:30 there will be an opening with beverages and an arts demos by Gabriel Shaffer and Shay Amber, a Moog Synthesiser and theramin demo with Dave Hamilton, and music by Jenny Greer of Jen and the Juice; theatre music begins at 6:30. To purchase your tickets visit www.dwtheatre.com or call 828-257-4530.
Get to know the Performers that will be at PhilanthroPEAK Live!
Kellin Watson and Aaron Price:
Kellin Watson and Aaron Price. Photo courtesy of the band
Kellin Watson has been playing music and writing songs for the past 12 years. Releasing her first demo album, Littlethings in 1998, Kellin got her first taste of recording in a studio. Since then, she released her debut solo indie album, Paper Bird, in December 2003, at 22. After touring the east coast, Kellin recorded her second album with her band in 2005, Kellin Watson Band LIVE, Red Flag. Proving to be a fan favorite, Kellin decided to head back into the studio in 2007.
Kellin’s latest album, No Static, which was recorded at Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville NC this past year includes an array of talented musicians. The album includes a song written by Grammy Award winning Gordie Sampson called Your Place In this World as well as a few guest appearances from members of Afromotive, Sugarhill recording artists The Duhks, local singersongwriter Tyler Ramsey, and many others.
More recently, Kellin has been lucky enough to appear on a couple different television shows. Studio South (www.studiosouth.tv) shot for HDTV. As well as a show for CMT called Big Break, in which Kellin Watson made her first nationwide television debut on August 4th 2007. Kellin was chosen as one of the top 2 finalists out of the top 40 contestants from western NC to compete to open for Sara Evans at The Thomas Wolfe Aud.
Aaron Price is a three-time Buncombe County Internet Chess Champion with over 28 wins this year. When not playing internet chess, he can often be found playing keyboard in Kellin Watson’s band. Kellin and Aaron first teamed up in 2005 when Kellin recorded her record “Red Flag” at Aaron’s Collapseable Studios in West Asheville. Aaron produced Kellin’s follow-up “No Static” featuring their co-written “Chains of Love” in 2007. Kellin invited Aaron to join her band following that project.
Aaron Woody Wood:
Aaron Woody Wood - Photo by Push Revolution Photography
“My voice, my music is influenced by the world around me. It’s not my voice or influences I’m describing,” says Aaron Wood who is in a definitive period of his long career.
Wood’s inventive approach to musical style and raw emotion displayed in his songwriting has created a cohesive sound that is hard to find but heavily sought after by music lovers across the country. Throughout his long career, Wood’s has never been a musician that fits neatly into one genre. His appeal runs deeper than just a definition and calls to people who love music no matter if they prefer rock, blues, americana, or soul.
Throughout his career, Woods has toured internationally, performed with an extensive list of music legends, and received national media acclaim. In 2010, Aaron will release a new album with a distinctive approach to the 6-string and his unique twang. Fans will witness a different intensity with a polished approach.
Touring from city to city and stage to stage, Aaron “Woody” Wood will turn heads with his commanding style. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear someone truly unique that people constantly look for but rarely find.
This is your chance; don’t you feel the push?
“(Woods) success shows, while not truly fitting into one category, TRUE TALENT can still prevail in the face of a genre driven music industry…” GoTriad, Raleigh, NC
“He seems the most likely to single-handedly tear down what seems like a hundred years of accumulated rock pomposity.” SubPop Free Times, Seattle, WA
Jar-E:
Jar-E. Photo courtesy of the band
Jar-e’s music has an infectious ethos that dissolves boundaries. It recalls soul, rock and funk; it defies categorization and it’ll make you dance.
Since he started gigging at age 12, Jar-e has played in rock bands, jazz bands and duos and performed as a solo artist. For his sophomore album, Chicas Malas, he found his pace working in the style of hip-hop producers and jazz composers, writing musical sketches for the keyboards, bass, drums, guitars and horns while assembling a crew of skilled cohorts to play the parts. When each musician brings his or her personal style to the music, Jar-e explains, “the vision changes,” and there’s fresh energy to every intense live show. What emerges with Chicas Malas is an album that represents Jar-e more intimately than ever before.
Chicas Malas was conceived in Mexico after Jar-e’s travels took him through Greece, Cuba and Britain. It’s a clear product of his psyche: totally self-sufficient, self-aware and responsive to the environment and people around him. “I start as an empty vessel,” Jar-e says, “and I absorb the sounds of my environment into the music.”
Jar-e both relates to, and is enchanted by, the transgressive, marauding freedom fighters the “chicas malas” (literally translated as “bad girls”) represent. “They’re women that flaunt our definitions,” he says. In Chicas Malas, Jar-e looks at how certain women breed love, desire and jealousy in him. He considers how “women push me past myself, away from what is safe and known.” His music follows suit; he plays with key signatures, rhythm, time and tone, but the melodies maintain a singable, heartfelt charm.
While Chicas Malas was inspired in Mexico, it was born back in Jar-e’s home of Asheville, NC, where Jar-e returned after his travels and convened an all-star group to help him realize his musical visions. In the year and a half since his last release, War Songs and the Muse, the band earned a reputation in the Southeast for adventurous, genuine shows that always get the crowd on its feet.
Longtime producer and friend Keith “Touch” Saunders, came down south and set up a state-of-the-art studio in a barn in the mountains to help bring that live energy to the record. While their work together on War Songs was experimental and sample-heavy, this record emphasizes the raw energy of stripped down live shows. “The thing that links all of his work is a soulfulness,” says Saunders. “We definitely captured that.”
Underhill Rose:
Underhill Rose. Photo courtesy of the band.
Underhill Rose boasts a unique sound built of original songs and heartfelt singing in a genre they like to call country soul. Eleanor Underhill (named Asheville Idol a few years ago) brings her prolific songwriting, soulful singing, and banjo playing to the plate, while Molly Rose Reed too sings straight from the heart, picking that guitar of hers and captivating audiences with her joyful stage presence. Eleanor and Molly Rose met at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC in 2002 and soon thereafter were co-founders of what was to become Asheville, North Carolina’s beloved all-female quartet the Barrel House Mamas. From their trips playing festivals around the southeast and making a jaunt to the FOX studios in Los Angeles for an audition call-back, these two ladies have played on stages across the country belting their dynamic tunes. During their time with the Mamas, the band was named the number two folk/bluegrass band by readers of the Mountain Xpress and voted their album gathering one of the top 20 regional releases of 2006.
These roses are very excited about what is to come, and be sure to look for their highly anticipated six song EP in 2010!
The Secret B-Sides:
Secret B-Side. Photo by J. Briscoe
Based in the mountain stronghold of Asheville, North Carolina, the Secret B-Sides turn out magic-made, Soul-powered, future-Funk for kids in love. Blending flowers and chocolate, with R&B, Hip Hop, and Jazz in the mix, the Secret B-Sides help create a world where it is easy to dance, love, and laugh.
The concept of the band is simple to understand; It’s all about three things,
3) Flying saucers, 2) Dinosaurs, and 1) LOVE!
Fully equipped with these three essentials the Secret B-Sides are here on the planet, ready to help the good people of Earth get together, feel sexy, and have unforgettable joy.
The Secret B-Sides foundation of groove is laid down by none other than
Robin Tolleson, a rock-solid funkster with plenty of Old-school credential to go around. Vibrational booty-bump factor is multiplied by Shayne Heather’s considerate electric bass stylings. Juan Holladay contributes sweet and deep lyrical play à la vinyl-smooth vocal-cords and guitar strings. Hammond organ, Wurlitzer, Clavinet, Moog and other classic keys sounds are tastefully dealt through the kaleidoscopic lens of Jeff K’norr. Jason Moore gives up his flute and saxophones with decided heft, as if lifted backward from unknown Hip-Hop instrumentals in his head. Meanwhile, the starry-eyed Sean Smith attempts to kiss the sky with his trumpet, again and again, like an alien beacon, urgently calling out for the Mothership’s landing:
Please, BE . . . HERE . . . NOW!
On a musical mission to connect past, present, and future into one, flowering continuum of love, the Secret B-Sides have touched down running. When cosmic weather patterns are just right, Charles Stewart (the one you know as CHACH the NC MC) appears to share front-man duties with Juan Holladay (“so why we gotta font, man?”) In essence, however, every-man in the band, better known as the B-sides, is a man in front (“so we don’t got to front, man!”) each giving his own interpretation of life and love to the true math and madness of this music shared. The Secret B-Sides bring what has been missing, and deliver like it has been a long time coming, in hopes that you will bliss out like always.
Let the party unfold.
Jenny Greer:
Jenny Greer. Photo by René Treece Photography
Jen Greer travels the guitar neck, deftly cruising the chords of jazz, swing, rock and folk. Jenny Greer is lead vocalist and songwriter for Jen and the Juice. She writes songs that are exciting audiences to connect immediately at both the emotional and fun level, wanting to know her and become part of the groovin’ picture. A multi media wizard who juices websites, music, lyrics, guitars and cover art like Willy Wonka makes candy, Jen’s a powerhouse in the singer songwriter and arts community at large. If ever a person could make things work, rouse a crowd, organize a party, create a concert and art happening with a walloping big collaboration of sound/ fun/ art and anything else, it’s Jen.
The arrangements smart, smooth and funky. Rolling melodies gently cruise through a lyrically painted canvas and stories dot the landscape of their tunes.
Scotch Tomedy:
Scotch Tomedy is the comedy pairing of Asheville’s own Scott Bunn & Tom Chalmers. Both began doing comedy at college: Scott at Wake Forest and Tom at Columbia University. After developing the craft in Podunk towns like New York and Los Angeles, Scott and Tom move to Asheville to make it big and eventually meet. Since arriving in town, they have created and starred in the sketch comedy shows Laugh Free or Die Hard, The Audacity of Ham, and most recently Scottch Tomedy III: Building A Butter Tomorrow. Other area appearances include Tom as Crumpet the Elf in ACT’s The Santaland Diaries, and Scott at The Bebe Theatre in Judy Blume’s Forever and Heathers (where he again teamed up with Tom).
Concepts4Charity, Inc (C4C) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging youth in philanthropy through the development of sports and arts programs. C4C’s recent documentary, A Call To Action, featured many high profile artists including tour heavyweights Bob Weir(The Dead), Trey Anastasio(Phish), Dave Matthews, Grammy winner Bela Fleck(The Flecktones) and outspoken activist Michael Franti(Spearhead). C4C hosted the premiere of the documentary at the HBO Screening Room in Times Square.
Concepts4Charity, Inc Contact Information
Christopher Gaspar; cgaspar@concepts4charity.org; 877-656-2469; Concepts4charity.org
March 20th Event Details at a Glance:
PhilanthroPEAK Live
produced by Concepts4Charity
Saturday, March 20th
Diana Wortham Theatre
5pm-11pm
All Ages
Tickets $10 adv/ $15 d.o.s.
828-257-4530
2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801-3521 www.dwtheatre.com
Congrats to everyone who’s videos made it in this year! Its gonna be a great show!
The show starts at 6pm. Plan to arrive early to network and get your seats in time for the first video. Cinebarre has donated a second theater, so there are still tickets available at Cinebarre this evening. See you all there!
This years musicians:
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Paper Tiger, Mad Tea Party, Toubab Krewe/Bob Moog Foundation, Scott Duncan, stephaniesid, Pop Asheville, Hatch Festival, Brian McGee & The Hollow Speed, Rat Jackson, Now You See Them, David Earl of the Plowshares, Modo, Keoki Trask, dep, Icehorse, Rock Eblen, Alien Music Club, Wayne Robbins & The Hellsayers, The Enemy Lovers, Pierce Edens & The Dirty Work, Quetzatl, Pleasure Device, Lindsey Liden, Josh Blake, Eleven & The Falcons, Menage, DJ Mr The Best-Remix, Firefly Revival, Modern Weighues, and Silver Machine
Filmmakers that have submitted for 2010:
Margaret Lauzon, Jesse Hamm, Marcia & L.S. Grillo, Michael Folliett, Jonathon Czarny, Heather Rae Thompson, Charles Wu, Bob Peck, Jamie Vitt, Rock Eblen, Harvey Robinson, Honathan Pearlman, Daniel Judson, Andrew Middleton, Peter Lutz, Esiris K. Lyons, GalaxC Girl, Ami Worthen, Lindsey Liden, Josh Blake, Dead Serials, Mary Ellen Bush, Michael Folliett, Mariano Vivanco, Pat Haney,Davie Robinson, Terry Douglas, Chris Searcey, Brian Cody, Scott Duncan, Dougal Bailey
Special thanks to Caley Lyles for compiling all the videos for viewing at Music Video Asheville 2010.
Foam Core:
Jenny Greer, director, designer, Sound Mind Media, Jen and the Juice
Erin Scholze, Dreamspider Publicity, publicity
Scott Kenney, logistics, membership, accounting
Jason Guadagnino, event coordinator/programming
Rhoni Sampson, street team, marketing
Jay Jay Jackson, photography
Advance tickets are highly recommended b/c we do sell out. Tickets are $5. The money collected at the door will go to the “Crowd Favorite Award” and other small expenses promoting the event. Thank you for your support.
On Saturday, March 20th, PhilanthroPEAK Live will feature over six hours of music, visual arts, theatrical performances, live filming, as well as tabling for community businesses and nonprofits all united under one roof at Pack Place and the 500-seat Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville, located at 2 South Pack Square.
The all ages event starts at 5:00pm and tickets are only $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show. From 5:00-6:30 there will be an opening with beverages, a collaborative ceramics art demo by Gabriel Shaffer and Shay Amber, a Moog Synthesiser and theramin demo with Dave Hamilton, and music by Jenny Greer of Jen and the Juice; theatre music begins at 6:30. To purchase your tickets visit www.dwtheatre.com or call 828-257-4530.
PhilanthroPEAKis the title of the forthcoming Asheville arts/outreach documentary being produced by national 501(c)3 non-profit organization Concepts4Charity(C4C), which is a virtual organization involving people all across the country. C4C is devoted to raising awareness for community issues through sports and the arts within their mission of engaging citizens in philanthropy and/or the resolutions to community issues. PhilanthroPEAK is a film telling a story that takes action by discussing ideas for developing grassroots projects in Western North Carolina, while also promoting the goodwill and concerns of the local community.
A wide array of area musicians, artists and activists who appear in the project will be on hand for PhilanthroPEAK Live and patrons will get a sneak “peak” at some of the flourishing talent from the Asheville community. Funds raised from the evening’s events will help promote the awareness for C4C’s upcoming Hip Hop Culture class an after-school program to premiere in Asheville during the fall of 2010. Additional funds from tickets sales, donations, and raffle items will go toward the release and distribution of the final documentary presentation.
The Bob Moog Foundation will be present with an interactive setup consisting of Theremins and Moog synthesizer equipment. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the Foundation’s efforts to build a Moogseum, restore archives, as well as work with you.
Local artist and author Shay Amber will be on hand for a ceramics demonstration
More about Concepts4Charity– This film rough cut sample features John Swan from Greenlife, Jennifer Pickering from LEAF, Bob Roberton from Mountain Roots Management, Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Underhill Rose and more.
A Film Taking Action
PhilanthroPEAK looks to take action, becoming acquainted with activists in the Asheville community, to discuss ideas for developing various grassroots projects that speak to the concerns of the community. Concepts4Charity, Inc. (C4C) provides a platform for Asheville citizens to weigh in on topics that hit close to home. PhilanthroPEAK has been engaging a diverse spectrum of community musicians/artists, educators; philanthropists and entrepreneurs throughout 2009 to get an inside look at initiatives in which they are currently involved.
Christopher Gaspar, an Asheville resident for more than five years, is the Vice President of Operations for C4C and the lead producer on the upcoming PhilanthroPEAK documentary project. Gaspar came to the greater organization with the idea for “A Call to Action” a voter registration documentary on HeadCount in 2008. Although this film was not focused on Asheville, some of the taping and much of the post production for the film was done right here in Asheville. Collaborating with a select few of the tremendous local media producers in Asheville for “A Call to Action” inspired Gaspar to come up with the idea of producing a film about WNC and the vibrant grassroots arts, culture and community therein.
“I consider myself a writer and community developer more-so than a filmmaker. However, I have been involved with media production since college and I understand the advantages of using story telling to get people engaged behind a common objective. It will be nice to introduce outreach programs into the community and uncover some of the incredible initiatives already established within the WNC region. Some groups don’t have the funding or technical expertise to bring their vision to the forefront and that’s where we (C4C) come into play and how we support individual communities”, Gaspar states.
Gaspar initiated the fusion of these local filmmakers, musicians, artists, event organizers, activists and other movers and shakers. C4C held a kickoff retreat in the spring of 2009 to bring together some of these talented people to not only be interviewed or perform on film, but also to network and forge strategic plans. While post production on the project does not start until this summer, a rough cut sample is being hosted on YouTube which outlines some of the people involved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFEWYAHqp1A. The WNC filmmakers that are involved in the making of PhilanthroPEAK are:
David Bourne with Bourne Media, Kurt Mann with American Green, David Schmidt with Acapella Audio, and Patrick Haney/Caley Lyles/Joel Suttles/Eric Larson of Stellar Media. PhilanthroPEAK Live on March 20th will mark the last major capstone phase of filming for the documentary which started production last spring and continued throughout the year at various events throughout Asheville. This event, PhilanthroPEAK Live is the last phase of filming for the documentary.
Project Distribution
PhilanthroPEAK will help unite the Asheville community and promote it to the rest of the country utilizing various grassroots platforms for distribution and promotion, including:
National Broadcast Television
Community Television Outlets
Regional Cable On Demand
Online Social Networking and Video Streaming
Film Festivals and Entertainment Events
Project Goals for PhilanthroPEAK
Promote sustainable outreach and highlight current initiatives facilitated by citizens of Western North Carolina.
Identify social concerns and underserved needs within the Asheville community.
Develop a program or initiative that addresses the concerns of regional population.
Hip Hop Culture Program Video
PhilanthroPEAK Live is currently calling out for more non-profits and businesses within Asheville to take part in this event. There is a small fee ranging from $20-$50 for a table at the event. This will include two free tickets to the concert, the company name listed on the program guide, website, as well as being listed in the PhilanthroPEAK documentary credits. Organizations will keep 100% of proceeds raised from donations or products sold during the event (ie. T-shirt sales, Raffles, donation jars, etc).
To register your organization please contact: Ms. Cynthia Sun at csun@concepts4charity.org or call 877.656.2469.
About Concepts4Charity
Concepts4Charity, Inc (C4C) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging youth in philanthropy through the development of sports and arts programs. C4C’s recent documentary, A Call To Action, featured many high profile artists including tour heavyweights Bob Weir(The Dead), Trey Anastasio(Phish), Dave Matthews, Grammy winner Bela Fleck(The Flecktones) and outspoken activist Michael Franti(Spearhead). C4C hosted the premiere of the documentary at the HBO Screening Room in Times Square.
Concepts4Charity, Inc Contact Information
Christopher Gaspar; cgaspar@concepts4charity.org; 877-656-2469; Concepts4charity.org
March 20th Event Details at a Glance:
PhilanthroPEAK Live
produced by Concepts4Charity
Saturday, March 20th
Diana Wortham Theatre
5pm-11pm
All Ages
Tickets $10 adv/ $15 d.o.s.
828-257-4530
2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801-3521 www.dwtheatre.com
The third MUSIC VIDEO ASHEVILLE, a showcase to highlight the pairing of local musicians and filmmakers, taking place on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at the Cinebarre at Biltmore Square Mall. The MVA mission is to: increase the awareness and appreciation of local musicians and local videographers by showcasing their collaborative works in a public event.
The showcase is open to all Buncombe County residents who are musical artists and filmmakers who wish to submit one video or film showcasing their act’s live footage, music video or documentary style film. At the event, the audience will vote for their favorite video and that video will win a cash prize.
The showcase offers local music fans can check out 40 local bands in one setting. 2009 participants included: Toubab Krewe, Ear Power, Laura Reed, Bugs Multiply, The Poles, Shapetastic, Angi West, Buncombe Turnpike, Velvet Truckstop, Mad Tea Party, LS and MJ Grillo, The Broomstars, Arizona, Custard Pie, Josh Phillips, Ice Horse, The Cheeksters, Chakra Bird, Nights Bright Colors, Tyler Ramsey, Quetzatl, Custard Pie, LAAFF, Silver Machine, Now You See Them.
The screening is open to the public, and tickets are available for $5 each. Be sure to bring your friends! All ticket proceeds will go directly toward the winning artists’ prizes.
All Asheville-area musicians and filmmakers are invited to submit one video or film. Please make sure to download the MVA submission guidelines and MVA submission form to participate in the event.
Do you have any videos to enter, know someone that might? Please spread the word. Thanks in advance for your support!
SUBMISSION DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17, 2010DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL NOON MONDAY, FEB 22nd
GUIDELINES
1. Video or film must focus on at least one musical artist currently residing in Buncombe County and must contain at least one song by the artist.
2. Song(s) in the piece must be original
3. Each submitter can submit up to 30 minutes of film or video, but each individual submission must be under 10 minutes long
Please review ALL the guidelines by downloading them at
1. The submission may be mailed or dropped off to the Submission Board as a DVD via standard first class mail, and must be packaged in a paper sleeve or jewel case in a bubble or padded mailer with a filled out Submission Form only. Mail to: MVA, 58 1/2 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, NC 28801.The video or film must be a standalone clip of the item being submitted, and must be a self-executing DVD, .avi, mpeg or other files will not be accepted. Do not send press kits, one sheets, bios, photos or any other materials with the submission. Submissions that include these materials or are not in the correct format will not be considered.
WHO GETS PICKED?
All submissions that meet the guidelines will be shown at the showcase on a random draw basis. When entries are in, and if there are too many hours of video and film, we will pull from a hat to determine what is shown.
Please see the attached Submission Form for more information. Questions? email jenny@soundmindmedia.net call us 828-279-4166 Good Luck!
Galen Kipar Project and Jen and the Juice are two fantastic Asheville based acts that will be alternating two sets each December 17th at the Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC.
The music of the Galen Kipar Project was born out of a curiosity for the exploration of sound and composition, creativity, orchestration, the development of music theory and the love of music in general. The roots of folk, blues, classical, jazz and world beat are echoed within the overall chemistry of the Project’s music. In the past six years, Blue Fusion Soul Folk musician Galen Kipar has produced several live and studio albums with an array of other musicians and a new album is on its way for the beginning of the year. GKP was also recently voted #16 in WNCW 88.7 Southeast Regional Top 100 of 2008.
Galen Kipar Project is currently working on their fourth release in four years at Echo Mtn. Studio in Asheville to be released this spring. The new release will showcase Jeremy Young– drum kit, Jon Morrow-8 string guitar-bass, Camellia Delk-viola/ vocals and Galen Kipar-vocals, classical / steel guitars & harmonica. It will also feature Aaron Ballance (Dehlia Low)-lap steel/ dobro, and Aaron Price-piano.
Also, Galen was just out in San Fransisco and appeared live with David Gans on KFPA’s “Dead to the World” program a week or so ago and was also played on the Nationally syndicated Grateful Dead Hour this past Wednesday. To listen to the interview and music go to http://cloudsurfing.gdhour.com/archives/2833.
Jen and the Juice wow audiences with a singularly hipster mix of swingy, bluesy, refreshingly original funk and folk. Together in Western North Carolina for more than five years now, their second CD “Meet the Hooligan’s of Bohemia” in 2007 hit a home run with fans and earned a juicy spot in WNCW 88.7 FM radio’s top 10 regional albums of 2007. Now the Juice is heading into wider territory with a recently released CD “Fruit”, an even more dynamic cast of characters and a step up to regional and national touring. The Juicy Lineup consists of Jeff Knorr (keys), Debrissa McKinney (backing vocals and sax), Ben Bjorlie (bass), Mikie Gray (drums)
The bands will be performing onstage with a backdrop of projected silent films during the music. There will be plenty of options for holiday gifts at the show as fans can buy the pre-sale special edition of Galen Kipar Project’s new album at the show as well as Jen and the Juice’s latest album, “Fruit”. There will also be a few asheville artists setting up their wares as well.
Photo by Lydia See
Details at a Glance:
Galen Kipar and Jen and the Juice
Thursday, December 17th
Grey Eagle
doors 8pm, $5
Two alternating 45min set each
(828) 232-5800
185 Clingman Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
Asheville’s own cosmic Willy Wonka of music and more, multi media wonder, Jenny “Juice” Greerhas brewed up The Big Brown Bag Songwriters Competition to keep up warm at MoDaddy’son Monday nights this fall. The series takes place at MoDaddy’s on Biltmore Ave in Ashevillle and began on October 5th and the last weekly round is Monday Dec 7th with the Finals on Friday December 11th. Also, big Thanks to the Wedge Brewery for sponsoring the beer for judges and musicians! Also sponsoring are Henco Reprographics for event printing needs, local music ambassador Rhoni Sampson with Gorilla Marketing, and Dreamspider Publicity.
The rules to enter each week: Each act is limited to three people on stage, no amplifiers, and two songs per act. Each week there is a rotating cast of celebrity judges consisting of local seasoned musicians and music industry professionals. This is in the spirit of fostering relationships amongst the different sectors in the music industry here in Asheville. The four judging criteria are lyrics (words, poetry, content), vocal performance, musical composition/ instrument playing, and stage presence (which includes crowd response).
For the Big Brown Bag Series Finals on Friday, December 11th, each weeks winners will be showcased. Three finalists will be chosen to perform a second round that evening from which the Big Brown Bag winner will be chosen by the celebrity judges: international touring musician David Wilcox, Rebecca Sulock (A&E Editor at the Mountain Xpress), Bad Ash (Radio host at 105.9 the Mountain and 98.1 the River), Brian Landrum booking for the Grey Eagle and producer Robert George.
The audience will also be voting on the winner of the Audience Choice Award.
What do the finalists win ? Other than the Brown Bag, past winners of the final have played at LAAFF 2007 and the Mountain Sports Fest 2008. This year, Jenny Juice has been collaborating with local restaurant/ barJack of the Wood to book some of the weekly winners in the pub throughout the winter and spring. The three finalists of the shootout that come back to play one song each. These three performers will go on WNCW’s Local ColorwithLaura Blackley within in the next month so be on the lookout. Hillcreek Studios will host a party featuring BIG brown bag final winner the as well as the runners up.
The idea for hosting the Big Brown Bag Series here in Asheville came to Jenny Juice about three years ago. It stemmed from similar songwriting competitions that take place at Eddies Attic (which one of Asheville finals just recently won the Finals!) in Atlanta and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. The idea of the Brown Bag is that everyone who performs puts a few dollars into the bag upon entry. This brown bag is also passed around the audience to throw in a bit of cash and it is then awarded to the winner at the end. For the Finals, the brown bag will be filled by only the people that come and partake in the crowd and not the performers. Then, at the end of the night, the one lucky winner keeps the brown bag with the cash.
Jenny is quick to point out that this is not about the money, though. This series is here to support original songs and songwriters through a listening room experience and to provide a network for the musicians to get to know one another. People are asked to keep their talking to a minimum during each performance so that everyone can really hear each person songs. 2009 Performers thus far have included many longtime Ashevillians, newcomers to the area, and everything in between across multiple genres of music and style.
Prizes for the winner include: $500, hand-made trophies by Dreamspider Publicity, one free 1/4 ad in Mountain Xpress, treasured spot on Laura Blackley’s Local Color wncw.org, poster printing from Henco, and Gorilla Marketing from Rhoni Sampson via Orange Peel and Anythings Possible Productions.
If you’d like to support the lucky winner with a prize please email jen@jenandthejuice.com
If any of you witnessed this event in the past, you can testify, it was a beautiful thing. Last time it was held at the Root Bar the finals looked like a Walmart parking lot on black Friday! 😉 Everyone that comes out should hope to hear some cool songs, be inspired, and support the the Asheville music scene.
Details at a Glance:
Big Brown Bag Songwriting Competition Finals
MoDaddy’s
Friday, December 11th
Brown Bag cash prize for winner!
Maybe you’ve been soothed by the strains of Wind Motika‘s calming flute. Perhaps you’ve gyrated with the Asheville Hoops women. Or you might have just jammed with some of the other musicians taking their turn.
Programming the park: Wind Motika performed his flute music in Pritchard Park recently as part of a slate of performances by local musicians and artists aimed at transforming how the park is used. Photo By Jason Sandford
It’s all happening in Pritchard Park as part of an ongoing effort to make the park friendlier to downtown residents, workers and tourists. The cultural-arts programming, which started this month and is scheduled to run through September, is the latest move in the remaking of the triangular park in downtown Asheville.
A city committee spent a year studying ideas to rejuvenate the park, and settled on a couple of ideas. Earlier this year, the city hired a park ranger with a $29,000 annual salary to help police the area. And City Council agreed to waive permits and fees and put another $10,000 in taxpayers’ money toward an effort to bring in artists and musicians. The committee raised $15,000 from private donors for the park’s arts programs.
“I think it’s the city’s responsibility to provide programming to activate its parks—to lead the way—but the city can’t do it without help,” says Kitty Love, who is managing the park programming and works as executive director of the nonprofit Arts 2 People. Love wants to see downtown workers and residents support the scheduled events. She’s also looking for an additional $15,000 in support.
Musicians play lunchtime gigs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and there are some evening events scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Love has openings and encourages artists and musicians to sign up.
She is also working on organizing an artists’ market that would be held Saturdays through the summer. “It’s the beginning of my vision of what Asheville needs, which is a Berkeley market, where people can bring anything and everything,” Love says, noting the funky California college town’s sprawling market of artists and street vendors.
The goal: “Transform the way the park is used. You can’t wait for the park to be perfect. People need to come and support the activities,” says Love, who sees larger possibilities.
“The bigger picture is a rejuvenation of the entire grassroots arts community. The more that those emerging, creative entrepreneurs are getting paid for their work, the more it encourages the creative arts that everyone loves.”
The Pritchard Park Cultural Arts Program will hold a kick-off celebration in the part from noon to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 20, featuring Jen and the Juice, The Honeycutters and the Galen Kipar Project. For more information about the program, visit http://www.arts2people.org.
Dreamspider's Blog 