FOAM and HATCH Present the 4th annual MUSIC VIDEO ASHEVILLE to showcase the pairing of Asheville musicians and filmmakers. We are thrilled to announce this year’s Music Video Asheville is presented by HATCH and sponsored by Music Allies, Creative Allies, Echo Mountain Recording, and fiscal sponsor The Media Arts Project. The MVA Mission is to increase the awareness and appreciation of Asheville musicians and filmmakers/ videographers by showcasing their collaborative works in a public event. The MVA screening is open to the public and takes place on Wednesday, April 13th, 2010 at the Fine Arts Theater in downtown Asheville starting at 7pm. Tickets are available now for $6 each at the Fine Arts Theater, Mamacitas, Static Age, Harvest Records, and Orbitz DVD.
Music Video Asheville will be highlighting the music video achievements of Ben Lovett and featuring amazing animation video “Eye of the Storm” (See below). MVA is honored to have Lovett give a Q&A session during the event. MVA has invited the producers of his three videos to come and speak as well.
MVA’s partnership with HATCH and Music Allies has landed MVA some exciting judges for the “Best of Music Video Asheville 2011 Award.” MVA’s guest panel will include the following mentors from HATCH: Malcolm Campbell – Publisher of Spin, Sean O’Connell – Founder of Music Allies and Creative Allies, Crissa Requate – Director of Publicity Music Allies, and Tor Hansen – Founder Red Eye Distribution / Yep Roc Records. All their bios are on the hatchexperience.com site.
Music Allies has generously offered a $500 cash prize for the Best of MVA winner and Echo Mountain Recording Studio has offered a full day in the studio for the runner up. The other big prize is the “Crowd Favorite Award” which will receive a large portion of the ticket sales to the event! The MVA Submission Board will give a series of honorable mention trophies for outstanding work as well.
Artists that have submitted to this year’s MVA include: Ben Lovett, Acoustic Syndicate, Agent 23 Skidoo, Aaron Woody Wood, Stephanie’s id, Mad Tea Party, Jar-e, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Rock Eblen, Enemy Lovers, Alisa Kumba, Kovacs and the Polar Bear, Jen and the Juice, Brian McGee, Juan Holiday, Chompin at the Bit String Band, Now You See Them, Ten Cent Poetry, Quetzatl, GalaxC Girl , Serious Clark, and many more… See them all on the big screen…
More info about film mentor, Ben Lovett’s ‘Eye of the Storm’:
“The self-released first single, “Eye of the Storm,” showcases Lovett’s uncanny knack for storytelling and production with its haunting vocals and acoustic guitar expertly melded with somber cello and violin into a lush watercolor of sound. The song’s visual counterpart, directed by Chris Alender of Soapbox Films, is a stunning steampunk masterpiece that became a viral sensation, generating over 2 million plays in its first month.” ~ http://themusebox.net/lovett:
“Set in a visually arresting steampunk world, ‘Eye of the Storm’ is the epic tale of a lonely sky captain who must literally and figuratively brave a raging tempest in order to find his salvation on the other side. Featuring the music by Lovett” ~ http://atlanta.bside.com/2011/films/eyeofthestorm_christopheralender_atlanta2011
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.
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
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!
Dreamspider's Blog 