Electro Lounge Opens for One World

David Luckin will spin the hits from his popular Electro Lounge show tomorrow from 10am to 12pm at Take me to the River.. Come on down and stay for the One World Benefit at the Burrito Gallery.

ONE WORLD SATURDAY

LINE UP ANNOUNCED! ONE WORLD

12pm (DJ) Biggie Tea

1:30 The Snacks

2:00 (DJ) Kid Yzer

2:30 Goliath Flores

3:00 RobRoy

3:30 Dang

4:15 (DJ) Jack Stone

4:45 Jeremy Baker / Jordan McDowell

5:15 Out of Season

5:45 Dalgoz

6:15 Chad Jasmine

6:45 Aerial Tribe

7:45 Christina Wagner

8:15 (DJ) Catharsis

9:00 Crash the Satellites

9:45 Simple Complexity

10:00 Asamov

10:45 (DJ) Brian V

11:15 Oso

12:00 Keith Keller & Friends

12:45 (DJ) Biggie Tea

Gigantic Butterflys Invade Sydney Street

www.henleystudios.com


My friend Jenny Henley, who is ridiculously busy as a muralist, has made me duck several times with her realistic butterflies in Izzi's room. I'll post soon, but her contact info is here if you want to get on the waiting list.



Dad

Artists! Free Legal Workshop

The Cultural Council will have a free Legal and Business workshop for Visual Artists.
Artist \ Dealer \ Gallery Relations
Commissioning Arrangements
Copyright
First Amendment
Moral Rights
Marketing Guidance
Limited Editions

FRIDAY, OCT 7, 2:00 PM
Balis Community Center
San Marco Library

RSVP
Terrence Webb 358-3600
Drinks provided.

Sir Blogsalot: Record Reviews

When possible I like to promote things in the city that are going right. Our local music writer at the TU is one of those small victories over complacency. You can check out his blog for record and concert reviews.

http://jeffvrabel.com/jeffblog.html

Catharsis and Biggie Tea Rock the Cummer

This was from our now famous Fashion show. They sold out well in advance and turned down offers of $200 at the door. I can't say that always happens at my shows but I can say that I had a lot of fun.

Big Ups to the Florida Times Union

I was really starting to stress that the TU did not print my response to the editorial written about me last Friday (Guy with a Boom Box, Sept. 2)

I dropped an email to Wayne Ezell, reader advocate, who responded late yesterday afternoon that they did not receive my response. That is weird because I submitted it though the online form which confirmed my submission. Anyway. Big ups and big thanks to Wayne. Here is how they wrote it (they threw in the worthwhile line, which I totally appreciate):

DOWNTOWN

Event is worthwhile


After reading the editorial titled "Downtown Festivities: Guy with boom box," it was clear to me that even at the highest level of Jacksonville media there is a fundamental misunderstanding of what is good for a growing downtown.

"Take Me to the River" has brought out thousands of citizens for yoga and live music from around the region, as well as vintage jazz records, hip-hop MCs, break dancing, live painting, local art and crafts, handmade jewelry, fresh produce, fresh cut flowers, freshly prepared Jacksonville food and more, all in the mid-summer heat, every Saturday.

We have hosted families from Italy, honeymooners from Germany, jazz bands from Miami and family reunions from around the United States, all with the mighty St. Johns River as the backdrop. Sometimes families of dolphins are playing in the current.

Folks who venture down to the every Saturday event get to know our one-way streets and well-laid-out grid, which provides perpendiculars to the river and the best access to the St. Johns in the city.

Once parked (free on weekends), people stroll by shops and restaurants, with many now open on Saturdays.

In my opinion, blocked streets, $7 beers and islands of portable toilets do little for the long-term good of downtown and the small businesses that keep it alive.

As for my boom box, it is a very heavy Yamaha amp and two large Community speakers (actual name) borrowed from my brother-in-law.

They have been providing the soundtrack at 22 First Wednesday Art Walks (currently your best bet for seeing a critical mass downtown) and 14 Take Me to the Rivers. If anyone would like to help me load them in or out or get involved in any way, I will be at the south end of Hogan Street every Saturday.

If the Times-Union would like to chip in another million dollars to get the party started, the boom box guy would consider an upgrade.


TONY ALLEGRETTI, consultant, Jacksonville

Scott Hays returns from NO

This is from my friend Scott who just returned from New Orleans. His company info is on the bottom. If you ever need lighting or sound design he is your man. Big ups to Scotty:

Friends-



At approximately 5AM this morning, I returned home from two weeks in hurricane devastated New Orleans, Louisiana. I was working as a sub-contractor to both the US Navy and FEMA. I spent several days each at The Louis B Armstrong Int’l Airport, the JRBNO (Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans), and finally wrapped up my initial stay with several days at the Morial Convention Center in downtown New Orleans. Many adjectives have been overused in past days to describe the level of destruction, but they all fall short…and I will spare you much more of my diatribe. I can tell you the images you have seen in the televised news can’t convey the true impact there. I had to remind myself constantly that I WAS still in the 21st century United States!…I have visited New Orleans numerous times for both pleasure and business, and it was quite painful to see that city and its citizens that way.

I must offer a sincere apology to my nlightn Co clients whom I left “hanging” with my quick departure. I had very little time to fully prepare my affairs, but felt a deep sense of urgency to make myself available to those who needed my help immediately. Communications out of New Orleans was just shy of completely severed in all forms, so working from there was next to impossible. We averaged 16-20 hour work days, dividing tasks into “Sunlight” or “Moonlight” missions. There is still much to be done.



I will be getting back up to speed with all pending issues within the next 24-48 hrs. If certain events had to proceed without The nlightn Co involvement, I understand, and hope that in the future we will have other opportunities. I sincerely hope I caused no one any undue duress!

To those of you who knew or learned of my whereabouts, I appreciate the prayers and well wishes, as I returned physically unscathed despite the very hostile environment. But save those sentiments for the residents of the Gulf Coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi as they need them far more than I.



Let me conclude by saying the relief effort I saw, and was a part of, was unlike ANY in history. For all the discouraging news reports I am sure were coming out, what I saw on the ground was an effort of epic proportion and a truly inspiring display of human compassion.



I will be returning to New Orleans very soon, doing my best to work around events in place. I simply feel I must.



I’ll be in touch with you very soon!

Scotty





















Scott Hays

The nlightn Company, Inc

2071 Emerson St.

Suite 14

Jacksonville, Florida 32207

scotthays@thenlightnco.com

V904/398/9066

F904/513/9225

M904/571/4162

ONE WORLD

SAVE THE DATE!

Tim Jenkins is a Hero

ALl of the news out of New Orleans is emotionally overwhelming. I still feel guilty having partied there the weekend before Katrina. But some stories are just awesome and I think this is one:

http://www.news4jax.com/news/4950627/detail.html

Boom Box Update

Right now I'd like to say that the Florida Times Union published my response to their editorial that diminished a great all free, all inclusive summer program, Take Me to the River. But they haven't. I'll give it until tomorrow before I get upset. I feel if they were to twist my quotes and take pot shots they should at least publish my reply. We shall see.

On a better note, I'll be djing the Up and Cummer fashion show at the Cummer tonight. $30 at the door. I'll also be back on the river with my boom box tomorrow. Please do make it out to the Northbank tomorrow 10-4.

Updates and Opportunities

Arty Friends,
Sorry it has taken me so long to connect. I have gotten a lot of “add to” the list and have had no time to send updates. Going forward, if you would like to check on art and or job opportunities, please visit my bog at theurbancoredotcom.blogspot.com



I think this will be easier to follow. Here is the goods:



ART WALK TONIGHT! 5-8PM



Art Walk tonight will be special. It’s the first annual Student Art Walk. There will be student’s work all over downtown at 28 venues. If you haven’t been to the themed art walks, they are great. It’s WAY better than it used to be, and there is truly a critical mass of folks downtown. Grab an umbrella and don’t let the rain keep you from getting your culture on. Look at all of this fun stuff!



September 7th First Wednesday Art Walk



Downtown Vision, Inc. and Suddath present the Back to School Student Art Walk, featuring these special events:



- Downtown historical tours beginning at the Hemming Plaza stage at 6:30 p.m.

- African drum and dance performance by Culture Moves 101 in Hemming Plaza at 7:00 p.m.

- Mongo’s Mania, where you can feast on the S'more Smorgasbord from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., check out the sidewalk chalk drawings by Students Working Against Tobacco at 6:00 p.m., and hit the after party from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.



The First Wednesday Art Walk runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and is free to the public. The art walk is a self-guided tour. Maps are available at Headquarters, 100 N. Laura Street, or at any art walk venue.



Don't miss the Art Walk After Party from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Club Mongo’s in the Jacksonville Landing.

Umbrella Escorts provided by Downtown Ambassadors.
Trolley schedules available at Headquarters.



Headquarters
Jacksonville Bank — curated by Stellars Gallery, hospitality provided by Lifestyles Realtors, music and DJ by PC Synergy.



Galleries/Museums
Community Art Bazaar — Student work presented by the San Marco Arts Festival, Community Artists showcase their work.
Gallery L (Modis Bldg) — featuring pieces by students at the University of North Florida.
JMOMA—The Wednesday Underground Cinema Series presents “Vodka Lemon” at 7:00 p.m., also featuring the blues guitar of Chris Wilson and complimentary 5-minute massage by Stress Solutions.
Karpeles — Overstreet Ducasse (trolley stop).
Push 2 Gallery
Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum — Through Our Eyes (trolley stop).



Cultural and Educational Venues
Florida Theatre — art by Duval County Schools presented by CSX.
Hemming Plaza Unity Drum Circle, also featuring African drum and dance by Culture Moves 101



Downtown Businesses
BellSouth Tower — multiple artists (2 levels), live music.
Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville: presenting information on ongoing cultural events in Northeast Florida.
Daniel James Salon — presents the Carribbean Experience and complimentary updos for all Art Walkers, featuring art work by Reet of the European Art Garage, and Lynn Clough.
Hemming Plaza Jewelers — the photography of Michael Cenci.
Improv Jacksonville — Jacksonville University Student Michelle Henry presents black and white travel photography.
Jacobs Jewelers
The Elks Building — black and white historical photographs.
Tiara — jewelry trunk show.
ttv archictects — the watercolors of Margie Campbell.



Culinary Arts
Burrito Gallery — Christian Pierre.
Casa Dora Italian Ristorante
Ieyasu of Tokyo
London Bridge
Magnificat
Mongos — where you can feast on the S'more Smorgasbord from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., check out the sidewalk chalk drawings by Students Working Against Tobacco at 6:00 p.m., and hit the after party from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Mudville Grille
Starbucks — Kim Kelly.
Twisted Martini — Suzanne Pickett.
Zodiac Grill — the photography of Beth Slater.





Don’t forget about Take Me to the River, every Sat on the Riverwalk (south end of Hogan) NOW FROM 10-4!!!! ß inside scoop!





NEW ORLEANS BENEFIT



Your friends at the Burrito Gallery are putting together a concert to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina on Oct. 1. The show will feature live bands, djs, and acts (much like our Super Bowl concert) and all of the proceeds will benefit the relief effort. If you want to become involved as a volunteer or something creative, please email me at allegretti@comcast.net





JOBS:


Classification
Two Part Time positions available
Peroformance, and literary arts

Compensation
Starting at $30 per hour
Hours
9 hours per week

Tues, Wed(alternate) Thurs 4pm-5:45 pm

Wed 1:30pm-3:30pm(alternate)




Contact time: 6 hours per week
Negotiable time: 3 hours per week.



September 6th through March 30

(excluding school holidays)



Job Description
“Art in Action” is an after-school arts program that works with parents, teachers, and families to help youth develop the strong creative, academic, personal, and social skills they will need to be successful in school. In the 2005-06 school year Art in Action will provide 60 youth in the 4th and 5th grades, who are at academic risk, with academic support and youth leadership through after school programs in the visual, performing, and public arts. The after school program will run Tuesday - Thursday from 3:00pm- 6:00pm (Wed is early release and the program will run from 1:45-4:45pm every other Wednesday) at Mayport Elementary School. Art in Action has three components:

Academic Support. Art in Action will provide after school intervention for students at academic risk. Academic support is offered through tutoring and homework support provided by credentialed teachers. While artists are not directly responsible for providing this program component, artists are required to meet with teachers to ensure that their arts curriculum is aligned with state standards and the school’s core curriculum and that the curriculum will facilitate the improvement of student’s math and literacy skills. Meeting with teachers is part of the artists negotiable time.

Arts instruction in visual, performing, and public arts. After-school art classes in the visual and performing arts are provided Tuesday-Thursday for a core group of 60 students in the 4th and 5th grade. Each artist will be responsible for teaching 15 students, for 1 hour 45 minutes each day. The exact teaching schedule will be determined in collaboration with the artistic teaching staff and the program director and collaboration between the artists is encouraged. Curriculum content will be developed jointly by the artists and will be part of the artists’ negotiable time. Artists must place an emphasis on developing positive relationships with and between students and use the arts to create a physically and emotionally safe place for students to learn new skills and to have a positive impact on their community.

Community Benefit and Involvement through Public Art. Artists will also be responsible for planning at least two collaborative public art projects for students. These can be exhibitions, performances, or a specific project that benefits the school or local community (i.e. a mural, service project, etc.) Youth should be involved in all stages of the planning, creating, and final presentation of these public art projects.

Responsibilities
The After-school Art Instructors are responsible for:

· Designing comprehensive after-school curriculum to include visual and performing arts for 4th and 5th grade students;



· Collaborating with Art in Action Learning Coordinators to develop curriculum to support academic learning in math and literacy;



· Documenting students’ progress in learning the tools, vocabulary, and methods of the arts genres. This documentation may include authentic assessment (portfolios, exhibitions, performances) and survey’s or other evaluation tools;



· Providing feedback and periodic consultations to students’ teachers and parents or guardians;



· Communicating regularly and directly with Program Director to determine program’s successes, challenges, needs, and progress;



· Communicating and collaborating with all Art in Action program staff (artists, teachers, parents, and volunteers) to ensure a high quality program;







Position Qualifications:

¨ Minimum 5 years teaching elementary grades.

¨ Experience in running after-school arts learning programs in an urban setting.

¨ Clear vision about the role of after-school arts programs in supporting in-school learning. with an emphasis on youth development.

¨ Strong knowledge of the visual and performing arts.

¨ Experience working with a diverse staff with respect to age, ethnicity, and job experience.

¨ Strong belief that all children can learn and that no child’s education is complete without the arts is required.

¨ Flexibility, sensitivity, and a sense of humor a must





Interested and qualified candidates call Leigh Rodante for an interview.

Leigh Rodante

50 Executive Way

Ponte Vedra Beach Florida 32082

904.280.0614

lrodante@ccpvb.org



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Allison Graff, 904-366-6911 x 204, agraff@jmoma.org





I WANT TO BE AN ARTIST WHEN I GROW UP…



JMOMA hosts Visual Art Career Fair for high school & college students

Saturday, September 24, 2005, 10am-7pm FREE



A career in the arts may be more possible than you thought! Graphic designers, architects, illustrators, film makers, teachers, and make up artists are among many positions that require training in visual art. “When I told my father that I decided to declare Art History as my major, my joy was met by complete silence,” recounts Allison Graff, Director of Education at JMOMA. She continues, “We designed this event to expose students as well as parents to the possibilities of studying art and making money.”



The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art will host the Visual Arts Career Fair on Saturday, September 24, 2005 from 10am-7pm. This day-long event is free and open to the public. Activities throughout the day will expose high school and college students to a variety of careers in the arts. Graff states, “We did not want this to be a standard career fair, but an opportunity for students to experience firsthand the training, skills, and practical application of jobs in the arts. Students need to know that they can pay bills and be in the art field.”



On the format of the day, Graff explained, “There will be panel discussions about how to apply for college, demonstrations during which students will design makeup and fashions for a movie shoot, and art history and studio workshops that replicate the college experience.” An information expo, held from 5-7pm, will provide information on employment and volunteering opportunities in the area. Graff continued, “We are also excited about the evening expo that will feature regional college representatives, financial aid counselors, and area businesses that employ graduates with training in the visual arts.” The Hot Seven, a local teen jazz ensemble, will provide the expo entertainment.



Contact Allison Graff at 366.6911 x 204 or via email at agraff@jmoma.org to register or to request a table for the expo.

Guy With Boom Box Response

After reading "Guy with a boom box" it was clear to me that even at the highest level of Jacksonville media there is a fundamental misunderstanding of what is good for a growing downtown.

Take Me to the River has brought out thousands of citizens for yoga, live music from around the region as well as vintage jazz records, hip hop m.c.s, break dancing, live painting, local art & crafts, hand made jewelry, fresh produce, fresh cut flowers, and freshly prepared Jacksonville food and more; all in the mid-Summer heat, every Saturday. We've hosted families from Italy, honeymooners from Germany, jazz bands from Miami, and family reunions from around the states, all with the Mighty St. Johns as the backdrop. Sometimes with families of dolphins playing in the current.

Folks that venture down to the every Saturday event get to know our one way streets, and well laid out grid, which provides our perpendiculars to the river and the best access to the St. Johns in the city. Once parked (free on weekends) they stroll by shops and restaurants, many now open on Saturdays.
In my opinion, blocked streets, $7 beers, and islands of porto-potties do very little for the long term good of the downtown and the small business that keeps it alive.

As for my boom box, it is a very heavy yamaha amp and two large Community speakers (actual name) borrowed from my brother in law. They've been providing the soundtrack at 22 First Wednesday Art Walks (currently your best bet for seeing a critical mass downtown) and 14 Take Me to the Rivers, and if any one would like to help me load them in or out or get involved in anyway, we'll be at the south end of Hogan Street every Saturday.

That said, if the Times Union would like to chip in another million dollars to get the party started, the boom box guy would consider an upgrade.

Tony Allegretti
Consultant

Lets hope they do the right thing and publish my response.

Guy with Boom Box

A LOT of people have asked me about last Friday's editorial besmirching our effort with Take Me to the River. When interviewed, I talked about the benefits of a long term grassroots event verses a one time event that does little for the discovery of the real downtown. They chose to write about our budget and diminish the volunteerism, the small businesses, and the goodwill impact of the project. Had the editorial board ever been to Take Me to the River, this would not have made the cut:
The Florida Times-Union

September 2, 2005

DOWNTOWN FESTIVITIES: Guy with boom box







So much for the Super Bowl afterglow.


--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------

Six months ago, Bay Street was closed and partiers could walk from The Jacksonville Landing to Alltel Stadium and not miss a beat.

The Main Street bridge was closed to vehicles, so pedestrians could enjoy a fireworks display. People were walking along Bay Street as if it were Bourbon Street. The adrenaline rush was huge. The excitement, unbelievable.

When the visitors left, there was talk of keeping that excitement alive. How about throwing another bash?

Six months later, little has happened. The energy has fizzled. Financial realities have set in.

So, what's the story?

The city hired Tony Allegretti, just two months after the party left town. Allegretti, who had worked with Downtown Vision Inc., was hired on a $30,000, six-month contract. His operating budget was $20,000.

"I was hired to keep the energy going," he said. "Day one on the job, I realized there was no money, and we can't ask the market to do it, so we really had to make up something."

Seeing there wasn't $1 million to create another Super Bowl party on Bay Street, Allegretti developed the "Take Me to the River" concept, which includes a farmer's market each Saturday with live music. It draws about 1,000 people downtown.

But even then, Allegretti said his budget was tight. All the money went into marketing. Musicians are begged to play. Sometimes he plays his own CDs, and he uses his own public-address system.

Susie Wiles, spokeswoman for Mayor John Peyton, said the city's budget doesn't allow for a one-time party. Instead, focus has shifted from a large party to smaller events.

"It doesn't allow it on a regular basis," she said. "It costs to stage an event and close Bay Street. I'm not going to say it won't happen again, but it will have to be staged around another big event like we had with the Super Bowl."

Even the Florida-Georgia football game, apparently, is not big enough.

Jacksonville has practically gone from a million-dollar party to a guy and his boom box.

Private partnerships should be pursued. Certainly this city can do more.





This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090205/opi_19658126.shtml.


My letter to the ed response is the next post

ONE WORLD: New Orleans Benefit

The BG, local musicians, and friends from all over the region are in the midst of planning a large scale free concert for the victims of Katrina. The date will be Oct. 1 and will be held at the corner of Adams and Main. If you are a musician or dj with considerable skills, or want to help in a volunteer capacity, please contact Marco between 3-7pm any day but Sunday. All proceeds will go to the relief effort.

New Orleans Worsens

This is from a salon posting today:

"Losing Control," says the headline at the ABC News site. The New York Times warns of an increasingly "desperate and chaotic city." The New Orleans Times-Picayune says: "Unrest Intensifies." The Washington Post leads with a photo of white cops in riot gear rolling through a sea of black faces on some kind of armored transport. It looks like something out of the Third World. It's a city in the United States of America, and it feels like it's coming apart at the seams.


We need to get it together.