text:
International Bluegrass Vol. 28, No. 4 April 2013
International Bluegrass Music Association Join the team
working together for the future of bluegrass music. www.ibma.org
f t 2
International Bluegrass
International Bluegrass International Bluegrass Music Assocation Vol. 28 | No. 4 | April 2013
Features 4 | Leadership Bluegrass 2013 16 | Backyard Bluegrass Sessions 20 | Street Team
IBMA Staff Nancy Cardwell Executive Director Jill Crabtree Member/Convention Services Director Taylor Coughlin Publications Editor/Special Projects Director Katherine Coe Administrative/Media Assistant IB | International Bluegrass Editor: Taylor Coughlin email@example.com Designer: Katherine Coe email@example.com
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver: Page 18
NEWs 8 | May is IBMA Membership Month 12 | Success in Bluegrass From Outside the U.S. 11 | Raleigh Preview 20 | Open Position at IBMA 21 | Amtrack
Departments 7 | April at IBMA 14 | Fresh Sounds in the World of Bluegrass 17 | Heard 'Round the World 17 | Bluegrass Music Industry News 21 | New IBMA Members
INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS (ISSN #1095-0605) IBMA: Working together for high standards of professionalism, a greater appreciation for our music, and the success of the worldwide bluegrass community. The monthly emailed publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association 608 W. Iris Drive; Nashville, TN 37204 Phone: 615-256-3222, 888-GET-IBMA FAX: 615-256-0450 E-mail: email@example.com Website: www.ibma.org Statements of fact and opinion are made on the responsibility of the writers alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, directors, staff or members of IBMA. Portions of International Bluegrass may be reprinted provided that explicit citation of the source is made: "Reprinted with permission from International Bluegrass, the publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association, www.ibma.org."
International Bluegrass 3
Leadership Bluegrass 2013 Not for Sissies, Something Special
By Shannon W. Turner
Your brain is fried, but you feel exhilarated. You've been presented with so much information, met so many new and wonderful people, seen so many new horizons that your head is spinning. You've heard great music, shared important goals, and been vulnerable to people who were complete strangers a few days ago. But now it's the last day, and a new friend has presented you with a plaque that has your name on it. Congratulations; you have just graduated from Leadership Bluegrass, the intensive three-day event that prepares current and future leaders in the industry to recognize the strengths and challenges facing the bluegrass industry, and how to integrate their own goals with the needs of the music. Twenty-five class members from around the country and Canada convened in Nashville March 7 through 9 to experience the extraordinary program that is Leadership Bluegrass. Since its inception in 2000, more than 300 leaders have graduated from the course, from all corners of the industry – artists, songwriters, publishers, journalists, promoters, event planners, managers, booking agents, attorneys, and the whole range of roles that serve the bluegrass community. They were challenged by panelists, lecturers, group activities and discussions to unearth their individual strengths, so that they could apply what they learned to their responsibilities at home.
International Bluegrass
Attendees were welcomed Thursday by Planning Committee Chairperson Alan Tompkins of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation in Dallas, IBMA Executive Director Nancy Cardwell, Mark Mason from BMI, the host of the event, and facilitator Trisha Tubbs from Seattle. The class was thrilled by the appearance of Hall of Fame member Sonny Osborne, banjo legend of the Osborne Brothers, who kindly took the time to encourage participation in the industry and welcome everyone to the conference. After a presentation from Cardwell, participants got to know each other during lunch; the program places a high value and priority on creating positive relationships among its membership. There were ample opportunities to make business connections, but better yet, there was the wide open chance to make new friends.
The remainder of Thursday was highlighted by presentations from Alison Brown and Garry West, musicians and owners of Compass Records, who stressed the importance of making and maintaining a business plan to help you strategize and reach your goals in a practical way. The group also heard from Al McCree and Scott Scoville, entrepreneurs who have built their successful businesses from the ground up, and how to maintain momentum through the lean years. Awardwinning bassist Missy Raines (Missy Raines and the New Hip) lent her insights on living the life of an artist, the trials of the road, the joys of the music and other facets of the total artist experience. One highlight for many was learning about the maze of song publishing, royalty distribution and copyright law, as led by Belmont University's Dan Keen with panelists John Allen from BMG, songwriter/producer Jerry Salley, and Tim Fink from SESAC. Next there was focus on the artist's team, which featured longtime Alison Krauss manager Denise Stiff, booking agent Lee Olsen, digital marketer Katy Kirby from Thirty Tigers, John P. Strohm, attorney from Loeb and Loeb LLC and Kim Fowler, owner and publicist from Two Dog Media. A class favorite was the Leadership and Individual Applications workshop, led by Liz Allen Fey of Management Solutions Group, LLC. Members took a survey of various leadership traits to discover their own leadership style and learned to determine how their personal style might best serve them as they go forward. For IBMA Administrative/Media Assistant Katherine Coe, who was part of the class, this was an important part of her experience. "I enjoy doing [projects] that help me learn more about myself," says Coe. "The more I understand the way I personally approach a project or problem, the better I can successfully work through it." There are now opportunities to study bluegrass music in higher education, which Andy Carlson
(Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Music at Denison University in Ohio) spoke more on. He shared some of his teaching methods with the class, and then invited the group to get out their own instruments for a short jam on "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Being a room full of bluegrassers, he didn't have to ask twice! On Friday the class was welcomed to Missy Raines and Ben Surratt (also on the planning committee) for a night of good food, good company and grand picking. Some extra guests were invited, including esteemed author Neil Rosenberg, who was later found picking the Five with great ease; Carlson, who makes magic with a fiddle; Lora Murphy from the Muddy River Band; Daniel Routh from Nu-Blu; songwriter/producer/IBMA Board member Jon Weisberger with his wife Deborah; and Brian Perry from Sixthman Productions (Mountain Song at Sea). It wasn't long before much of the party drifted to the basement, where a studio filled with musicians and toe-tappers who got their jam on until late in the evening. Saturday the group was welcomed by Stephanie Taylor from Bone McAllester Norton, who hosted the day's events. Navigating the Digital Jungle was a great session teaching how to best market yourself, band, or entity through social and digital media with Jay Frank from DigSin, Jenny Smythe from Girlilla Marketing and Cassie Petry from Crowd Surf. New Trends and Developments in Presenting Live Music was the next panel, where artist Peter Cooper, Warner Music Group's Jamie Younger and Lindsay Hayes from Red Beet Records demonstrated the unique possibilities of the online Stage It program; Craig Havighurst showed examples from Bluegrass Underground and the popular
International Bluegrass 5
Music City Roots radio show and Brian Perry fielded a number of questions about the Mountain Song at Sea cruise. Lunchtime Saturday marked the official graduation from Leadership Bluegrass. Each participant was awarded a plaque, presented by another member of the class with words of personal encouragement. Attendee Ron Murphy from Ohio, a longtime 'grasser and member of the Muddy River Band, was chosen to represent the 2013 class at IBMA in Raleigh during WOB. One of the topics in the open forum was: How do we make the big umbrella of the bluegrass genre appeal to the largest possible audience? How can we make it a mainstream music in the marketplace? These continue to be topics of the larger conversation that face our industry, and this group and all of bluegrass will be working together to find the answers. Kayla Hotte of Kayla Hotte and Her Rodeo Pals, from Edmonton, Alberta, is taking away much from her Leadership Bluegrass experience. "It helped me understand aspects of the business that I knew nothing about," she explained. "Like how publishing works, and the different parts of an artist's team. It was good to hear Missy Raines talk about all the things that an artist goes through to make their music. I learned it is important to make a business plan." She agrees that the program will be very advantageous to her as she moves forward with her career as a singer/songwriter in her native Canada. Closing, IBMA Board of Directors Vice-Chair Jon Weisberger spoke about leadership opportunities within the IBMA and the industry, while Alan Tompkins shared his story of how he used his skills and opportunities to grow bluegrass right in his home area of Dallas, TX.
International Bluegrass
If you have any questions about how you can be a part of the exciting changes that are happening right now in bluegrass, contact the IBMA staff. They are ready to help you find your place, and just like the old Uncle Sam posters, they WANT YOU!
Congratulations to the graduates: Darin Aldridge Melissa Armstrong Andrea Ball Katherine Coe Jeremy Darrow John DeMarce Susie Glaze KC Groves Kayla Hotte Caroline Isachsen Steven Johnson Lori King Jordan Laney Ron Murphy Amy Reitnouer Carolyn Routh Sheila Selby Carly Smith Erin Stamper Shannon Turner Missy Werner Jill Wiese Kristi Wilcox Courtney Worthen
L-R: Nancy Cardwell, Taylor Coughlin, Katherine Coe, Jill Crabtree
Howdy, IBMA
When I moved to Nashville from Colorado in September 2012, I couldn't wait to experience all the live music this city is beloved for. I went to Robert's Western World twice in three days, walked by the Ryman (okay, and maybe bowed down), and saw Loretta Lynn's 50th Opry Anniversary show within my first week. But when I finally made it to the Station Inn on a Sunday night to check out the open bluegrass jam, I knew it: I had found my place. As I watched the pickers sitting around each other in a circle, I noticed how they interacted. The banjo player laughed with the bass player while the man in overalls on Dobro furrowed his brow and slid out a heart-melting solo. One fiddler showed another some fingering, and a woman confidently took over lead on vocals. It was a perfect representation of what the bluegrass community represents; joyful, wickedly talented, generous people who love the music they play and genuinely want others to join in and love it, too. There are no exclusions, no unfriendly competition, and no one stealing the spotlight (for too long, anyway). Everyone thrives on others' success just as much as their own. I may be biased, but what other music industry can claim that?
In this issue of IB, we hear how an international artist was made successful in part from the support of other musicians here in the U.S. We also hear how Leadership Bluegrass teaches talented leaders in our musical community to go out and develop the success of the industry, and find that its future is in good hands. We talk about how to help IBMA grow in May during Membership Month, preview what to look forward to in Raleigh, hear about the latest music, and more. When I accepted the position at IBMA, like a novice picker joining a jam, there was a place made in the circle right away. I am proud and excited to be part of this society connected by the music we all love. My goal at IBMA is to help propel the success of the bluegrass music industry as a whole by hearing your stories, telling your stories, and providing you opportunities to make even more of them. Because what's a good song if it doesn't tell a story, and what is bluegrass without a good song? When I'm not writing and editing at the IBMA office, you can find me running on trails, catching live music, or enjoying Nashville culture with friends. I welcome all of your comments, suggestions (and flattery and complaints) at firstname.lastname@example.com or (615)-256-3222. I look forward to hearing from you; don't be a stranger!
International Bluegrass 7
May is IBMA Membership Month How can you get involved?
With a new office, two new staff members, a slew of newlyappointed committees, and a thrilling, new venue for World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, NC, IBMA members have a lot to look forward to. The membership of IBMA, reaching all 50 states and 30 countries, is the trade association for bluegrass music—or more simply put: the team working together for the future of bluegrass music. What, you're not a member of IBMA? Or, maybe you were, but your membership has lapsed. Well folks, now is the time to do something about it! You'll be just in time for first round ballots for the 2013 IBMA Awards and for a membersonly ticket purchase week this spring for IBMA's "Wide Open Bluegrass" festival (formerly Bluegrass Fan Fest) in Raleigh, NC, FridaySaturday, Sept. 27-28. We're almost ready to announce the first names in the staggeringly impressive line-up for Wide Open Bluegrass. Keep an eye on your inbox, and if you're not on our mailing list already give us a call at 1-888-4384262 or email email@example.com and check our sites www.ibma.org and www.bluegrassnation.org regularly.
International Bluegrass
The members of IBMA's newly-appointed Membership Committee, led by the San Diego Bluegrass Society's Dwight Warden as chair, with Charles Humphrey III (The Steep Canyon Rangers), Tim Surrett (Balsam Range), Matt Munsey (Monroeville), Ted Lehmann (Ted's Bluegrass, Blogs & Brainstorms), Ohio educator and longtime Bluegrass in the Schools committee chair Dr. Tom Kopp, Elizabeth Wightman (SteelBridge Insurance), Danny Clark (The Bluegrass Bus Museum) and IBMA Executive Director Nancy Cardwell, are excited about reaching out to more musicians, local associations, industry folks and dedicated fans in the bluegrass music community to offer the opportunity to get involved with a trade association for the music that belongs to all of us. What does IBMA membership offer? In addition to World of Bluegrass, Wide Open Bluegrass and IBMA Awards ticket discounts and voting privileges for professional members, IBMA membership offers opportunities for showcasing, year-round professional development, and networking. We have a critically acclaimed monthly online newsletter (IB), a number of industry-focused databases and a membership directory that may be emailed upon request. We offer rental car and group insurance plans for health, instruments, and event liability (for festival and concert producers). What has IBMA done? IBMA is responsible for the Bluegrass Album Grammy Award, and we were involved in the beginnings of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, starting the Foundation for Bluegrass Music, and the Bluegrass in
the Schools program. The annual International Bluegrass Music Awards shine a spotlight on the genre in mainstream press, while also recognizing some of the best music of the year. Our Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Distinguished Achievement Awards honor significant contributions to the music; a slate of IBMA Special Awards honor broadcasters, event producers, writers, graphic designers and songwriters. IBMA's Leadership Bluegrass program is going strong in its 14th year, with a new class announced in an article elsewhere in this publication. The Bluegrass Trust Fund continues to quietly and effectively help individuals in the bluegrass community in times of emergency need. This program is funded with part of the proceeds from our annual festival, and was started by Sonny Osborne and several other founding members of IBMA. What's new? Check out www.worldofbluegrass.org and ibma.org for news about the incredible week we're planning for you in Raleigh, NCincluding a streamlined schedule (less expensive, shorter week) with new events for youth, arts presenters, talent buyers, and emerging bands. Resuming in May, we'll feature our monthly webinars on topics suggested by members (maybe you?). The IBMA Youth Council has elected Andrew Rigney as Chair and they have new projects to be announced soon. IBMA's new Momentum Awards, with a committee headed up by Dan Keen (Belmont Univ.) and Echo Propp (WAMU/ Nashville Opera), will continue in 2013, with the goal of recognizing notable emerging talent and industry mentors. The World of Bluegrass Street Team, led by Danny Clark and Katherine Coe, will kick into gear this month, right in time for festival season. IBMA continues to expand our social networking community with Bluegrass Nation, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, YouTube and Instagram. Bluegrass Nation's Backyard Bluegrass Sessions is a new series featuring exclusive artist videos. We
produced a live stream broadcast of the IBMA Awards for the first time in 2012 with help from our pals at Music City Roots and BluegrassToday.com, and we're investigating the possibility of doing it again this year. Stay tuned in a couple of months for news from Kentucky Educational Television about when and where their "Jubilee" series will air this summer—with several shows filmed live at IBMA's Bluegrass Fan Fest in Nashville, Sept. 2012. Finally, look for info soon about a newly constituted International Committee and Advisory Council. How do you get involved? Artists and merchandisers who have booths at festivals and other events can contact IBMA to get some "Ask Me About IBMA" and "Bluegrass Nation" stickers, along with small cardstock membership fliers to put on your table. Feel free to go to www.ibma.org to click on a link to print off your own tri-fold membership brochures. We'll also have an icon on Facebook you can easily share. Artists and industry leaders are encouraged to record 30- and 60-second audio clips that say what you find valuable and important about belonging to IBMA. Please email those to firstname.lastname@example.com. We're also asking for short (funny or serious) video clips from members with similar messages—why you're an IBMA member, and also telling viewers that you'll see them at World of Bluegrass Sept. 24-28, in Raleigh. Video clips may be posted to IBMA's YouTube Channel or Facebook page, BluegrassNation.org, or emailed to email@example.com. If you need help, let us know. Radio broadcasters can keep an eye (or ear) for IBMA membership public service announcements to be posted on AirPlay Direct in May (or sooner, as we get them from artists)! Association leaders and event producers, and bands can encourage your members, International Bluegrass 9
attendees and fans to call 1-888-GET-IBMA or go to www.ibma.org to join IBMA. Websites, liner notes, onstage emcee announcements and Facebook are all great places to help us get the word out. Bloggers, journalists, educators, publicists, songwriters, luthiers and fans please mention IBMA where you can, and help support the trade association of your friends and peers who are working to keep bluegrass music growing strong. Everyone mention IBMA membership and tweet (#ibmamember, #ibmamembershipmonth, #bluegrassnation) in May, to help us network around the globe and get the message out, and share on Facebook and blogs! Got a better idea? Let us know what you're doing so we can share it with the rest of the membership! (Email all brilliant ideas to firstname.lastname@example.com or email@example.com) We know you're a creative thinking bunch of folks!
International Bluegrass
What will the future of bluegrass and IBMA look like? That's up to you. Join, get involved, talk to your friends and business associates. There's a membership category for everyone, with options for professional individuals, organizations (bands/clubs/businesses), youth and fans. Together, we can work to make things better for bluegrass musicintroducing great artists to new audiences, and helping to support those out there making a living in this musiconstage and behind the scenes. The possibilities and potential are endlessly exciting for our music community. But the first thing we're asking you to do is to decide to get involved and make a difference. Join IBMA!
Looking ahead: World of Bluegrass Preview in Raleigh, North Carolina
IBMA members and bluegrass fans will head to Raleigh on Saturday, April 13 for a close up look at the facilities, venues and hotels that will play host to World of Bluegrass week this fall. The weekend will start with a guided tour of the three main facilities: the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheatre, and the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Tours will take off from the Salisbury Street entrance of the Raleigh Convention Center (500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601) at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. There will be more information provided on other places you might want to see and how to access them on foot or from the free R-Line bus service that serves downtown Raleigh. We want you to see everything that is available to you, just a few steps away from where all the action will be. On Saturday evening at 6:00 PM, all the preview attendees are invited back to the Red Hat Amphitheatre for some North Carolina hospitality! Our hosts are rolling out the red carpet for a bluegrass BBQ tailgate party with food, drink, fellowship and picking. Bring your instruments! The IBMA Board of Directors, IBMA staff and plenty of folks from the city of Raleigh will be on hand to welcome you and answer your questions. We are so excited to show you just what all the fuss is about for World of Bluegrass 2013! See you on April 13!
International Bluegrass 11
Niall Toner
I was lucky enough to have been introduced to the bluegrass music of Bill Monroe when I was still in my teens in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, in the late '50s. At such a geographical remove from the hills and hollows of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina (5,000 miles!) I never dared dream in those early days that I might someday make a worthwhile contribution to bluegrass. Well, maybe I did dream a little.
awarded a monetary prize, and my song went on to be cut by several other artists. So in terms of songwriting, I got my first signs of mildly commercial/ marginally artistic encouragement, and decided to get back at writing.
I attended ASCAP and NSAI and IMRO writing workshops, while studying under patient teachers like Ralph Murphy. I also began traveling to Nashville, getting to write with as many writers as possible, and all At one point in the the time utilizing '70s I got the notion my experience with to try my hand at the songs of the writing some new masters. The fact songs 'in-thethat I sang, and tradition.' In the late By Niall Toner played mandolin '80s, I had the priviand guitar meant lege to open up for that I could sit in Johnny Cash on a with other musicians and writers in casual string of his Irish Tour Dates, and I was picking sessions, which also lead to several inspired to write a song for Johnny called writing partnerships that have endured to this "Fallen Angel." I made a rough demo on a casday. Folks like Don Poythress, Jon Robbin, sette tape, and I gave copies of it to Johnny, Terri Lynn Weaver, Wendy Buckner, Keith his musical director, lead guitarist, bass player, Sewell, Barry and Holly Tashian, and many June Carter, and just about everyone else in more, became my teachers, my co-writers his troupe. Johnny Cash never did record my and I'm proud to say, my friends. song, but I entered "Fallen Angel" into a small regional song contest in Glinsk, County Mayo, and lo and behold, it took first place. I was
International Bluegrass
Success in Bluegrass From Outside the USA
In 2000, I made a decision to beginperforming only my own original material. Within a year, and with a lot of support from my colleagues, Clem O'Brien and Dick Gladney and I became the Niall Toner Band. We had established a whole new reputation as an all-original string band. This, in turn, lead to our three all-original recordings released on the Avalon Records label, "There's A Better Way," "Mood Swing" and "NTB3." Our Bill Monroe tribute songs established us firmly on the broader bluegrass scene and lead to bookings at many Festivals in Ireland and further afield. I had also been attending the Annual IBMA conference since it was held in Owensboro and Louisville, and later in Nashville, all the time networking my songs and showcasing at every opportunity. In 2011, I performed a showcase during IBMA as part of the then Mountain Music Entertainment Group (now Make Welcome Entertainment ) with my European Colleagues, Martino Coppo (Red Wine) and Jimmy Sunnebrandt (James King Band). The new owners of Pinecastle Records were in the audience for our show. After my set, I was approached by Lonnie Lassiter, owner of Pinecastle, and he offered to sign me to his label. It felt like overnight success after 50 years! The deal was done, and I was signed to a label in the US that had most of my heroes in its back catalog. I recorded my debut Pinecastle album, Onwards and Upwards, in Nashville at Loud Studios in May 2012 with Keith Sewell as a producer, and a whole host of great players to help out in the studio. We launched officially during IBMA 2013 at Jack's Barbecue on Broadway, and followed our launch with a tour of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Being signed to a great label like Pinecastle is an honor and a privilege, and they are always very encouraging and supportive. However, I am a firm believer in not leaving it all to someone else, so I began to develop a relationship with Air Play Direct that I had established originally in 2011. AirPlay Direct is based in Nashville, and have been in operation for the past eight years under the leadership of Robert and Lynda Weingartz. The way this digital delivery service works is that you make your music available for free to download to over 8,000 radio stations around the world. This does away with the whole business of mailing out CDs and press kits, and the entire operation can be performed at the click of a button. This, folks, is one of the main secrets of my success in bluegrass/folk/roots music, and all organized from outside the US. Take a look at the evidence yourself by going to AirPlay Direct. In six months, Onwards and Upwards album reached number one and is currently 700 downloads ahead of its nearest rival in the Bluegrass/Folk charts. Also as a result, Onwards and Upwards is at the number 23 spot in the Roots Music Report download Chart for 2012.
Visit Bluegrass Nation to see Niall's feature!
International Bluegrass 13
Fresh Sounds in the World of Bluegrass First Quarter 2013
Mary Beth Cross, Beyond Good and Evil: Singer-songwriter Mary Beth Cross weaves bluegrass, folk, and Americana on this album, featuring original tunes, an African spiritual, and some covers like The Gershwin's "Love Is Here to Stay." Inspired by the spirit and grit of the pioneers, Beyond Good and Evil is a tribute to the melting pot America has become and what we treasure. (Produced by Dave Bechtel & Mary Beth Cross, marybethcross.com) Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Roads Well Traveled: Bluegrass Hall of Honor inductee Doyle Lawson has no shortage of the industry's biggest accolades under his belt. On Roads Well Traveled the seasoned mandolinist, singer, and songwriter showcases his ability to maintain his signature sound, blending in his passionate innovation. Lawson and his faithful Quicksilver tell stories that touch the soul deep down, proving his longevity and influence in music. (Crossroads, crossroadsmusic.com) John Lowell, I Am Going To The West: Critically acclaimed bluegrass guitarist and singer-songwriter, John Lowell' s first solo project proves to be engaging and inspired. I Am Going…shows how nature has inspired Lowell in his songwriting and influenced the melodies. A favorite track is his version of "Eight More Miles to Louisville," as well as the original (and title track) "I Am Going To The West." (John Lowell, johnlowell.com) Mountain Faith, Battlefield: With female lead vocalist Summer Brooke McMahan at the helm of Mountain Faith, Battlefield shows off
International Bluegrass
the Christian bluegrass group's originality and versatile arrangements. Singing stories from the Bible, and harmonious hymns, Mountain Faith proves it's got a winner with Battlefield. (Crossroads, crossroadsmusic.com) Aaron Ramsey, Gathering: Aaron Ramsey finely displays his breadth of talent on his first solo album. He plays mandolin, guitar, upright bass, banjo, and sings. With an all-star group of musicians like Tony Rice, Stuart Duncan, Ron Block, and Ricky Wasson featured on the album, Ramsey is sure to gain recognition as a prominent multiskilled artist. (Aaron Ramsey, aaronramseyonline.com) Marty Raybon & Full Circle, The Back Forty: Industry legend Marty Raybon is back with Full Circle for The Back Forty, a collection of heartfelt, soulfully-sung, and upbeat bluegrass tunes. Sweet ballads like 'Look For Me (For I Will Be There Too),' toe-tappers like opener 'That Janie Baker,' and heartbreaker 'Hurt Me All the Time' show Raybon's love and talent for storytelling through song and fine musicianship. The album celebrates 40 years in the music business for Raybon. (Rural Rhythm Records, ruralrhythm.com) Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, The Farthest Horizon: One listen to this album, and you'll ask out loud: "These boys are HOW old?" The Mizzone brothers from New Jersey and are made up of 10-year-old banjoist Jonny, 13-year-old Robbie on the fiddle, and 14-year-old Tommy on guitar. This is the first album they've released that showcases their own songs, with some old favorites (Monroe and Scruggs) thrown in. The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys are as fun to listen to as they are prodigious. (Sleepy Man Banjo Boys LLC, sleepymanbanjoboys.com) Kenny and Amanda Smith, Catch Me If I Try: IBMA award winners (Emerging Artist of the Year 2003) Kenny and Amanda Smith play with some new musicians on their newest release since 2008. Cory Piatt joins the Smiths on mandolin
and Austin Ward on bass. Special guests are Alan Bartram on harmony vocals and Ron Stewart on banjo. Heartfelt vocals and inventive instrumentation make this album another hit for Kenny and Amanda. (Farm Boy Records, farmboyrecords.com) Swing 42, Déboucher: This Spanish quartet knows how to have fun while remaining focused and inventive. Déboucher means "to uncork" which is fitting for this album, because once the album begins it releases a flood of intrigue. From David Grisman, to Django Reinhart and Mozart, Swing 42 expertly cover familiar and fresh songs in traditional bluegrass and gypsy jazz styles. (Red Pig Recordings, email@example.com) The Earl Brothers, Outlaw Hillbilly: With gritty lyrics and upbeat banjo-driven tempos, Robert Earl Davis heads The Earl Brothers on their 5th album release. Dark material covers most of the album, and is played out with convincing emotion heard both through the instruments and the voice. Backed by James Touzel, Tom Lucas, Thomas Wille, Bill Foss, and Jody Richardson, Davis proves his chops as a songwriter and outlaw hillbilly indeed. (Robert Earl Davis, Big Hen Music, earlbrothers.com) The Gibson Brothers, They Called It Music: IBMA Entertainers of the Year The Gibson Brothers (Eric and Leigh) incorporate various influences on their most honest, anticipated record yet. With poignant material, their third album They Called It Music allows the Brothers to accentuate their already tight-knit harmonies. Enthralling songwriting and fine instrumentation make this album worthy of heavy rotation. (Compass Records, compassrecords.com ) The Hillbenders, Can You Hear Me?: These bluegrass boys from Missouri show passion and pride in bluegrass's traditional roots while bringing in their own alluring attitude. The Hillbenders look for freedom, identity, answers, and love in Can You Hear
Me? in songs like "Train Whistle," "Game Over," and "Concrete Ribbon." With creative imagery in their lyrics and great harmonic hooks in their melodies, The Hillbenders prove they've got a promising repertoire to add to the industry's arsenal. (Compass Records, compassrecords.com) Tim Smith, Fiddler Tim Smith & Friends: Industry veteran Tim Smith shows off his latest cache of self-penned fiddle tunes (except for a couple familiar favorites). With style and versatility, Smith shows off his seasoned skills in rhythm and playing out of the bluegrass box with some blues and folk tastes blended in. (TRS Records, fiddlertimsmith.com) Toshio Watanabe, The Fiction Twins: Japanese artist Toshio Watanabe plays mandolin and guitar and sings to some old favorites like "In My Dear Old Southern Home," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" and "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone." In the '60s Watanabe heard live recordings of Bill and Charlie Monroe on the radio in Japan and started learning what would be his favorite songs. Toshio was an original member of The Bluegrass 45, the second international bluegrass band to tour the U.S. back in 1971. (Red Clay Records, redclayrecords.com) Wood & Wire, Wood & Wire: Tony Kamel (guitar), Matt Slusher (Mandolin), Trevor Smith (banjo), and Dom Fisher (bass) make up Wood & Wire. They bring an unabashed, yet humble confidence to their music that is rooted in tradition and homespun into something that the younger crowd can get behind. They wear their influences on their sleeve, and they're not just blue. The material ranges from humorous to heartbreaking and all that's familiar in between. (Wood & Wire, woodandwireband.com)
International Bluegrass 15
Backyard Bluegrass Sessions We're here to spread the bluegrass love at Bluegrass Nation. So that's why we've come up with a way to make you, THE nation, feel extra special with exclusive videos by bluegrass's best artists. Please welcome: The Backyard Bluegrass Sessions. In our Backyard Bluegrass Sessions, we wrangle up some of the genre's most talented singers, pickers, fiddlers, strummers, and any other "-er" word that fits. They'll play us a song and we give you the exclusive video! Easy as pie, and cooler than ice cream… don't ya think? Click here to check out our first session with The Howlin' Brothers. Keep an eye out here on Bluegrass Nation for the latest exclusive video in the series! If you call Nashville home or are passing through and want to be featured, zip a line to firstname.lastname@example.com and we'll have you over. Jam on, Bluegrass Nation!
International Bluegrass
Heard 'Round the World 0039 (formerly Bononia Grass) of Bologna, Italy released Dial in March. Special guests on the album are Mike Guggino, and Nicky Sanders (of Steep Canyon Rangers), Andy Hall, and Rafe Stefanini. 0039 performed at the EBMA's Award Shows in March. Covered Grass Band from Cologne, Germany debuted their new CD Toogaroo in March. The CD contains 13 original tracks written by singer Corina Aurin and banjo player Volker Fisher. It also features the new guitar player Felix Eichert. The tracks will also be available on iTunes, Amazon etc. For more information and to order the CD visit www.coveredgrass.de. Danilo Cartia has announced a 'Bluegrass Meeting' on May 24, 2013 that will be included in the Acoustic Guitar Meeting 2013 in Sarzana, Italy for the first time. Musicians will have a dedicated stage and will be involved in workshops, performances, and jam sessions. The Italian Bluegrass Allstars (Danilo Cartia (banjo), Massimo Gatti (mandolin), Anchise Bolchi (fiddle), Leo Di Giacomo (guitar), Icaro Gatti (double bass), and special guests) will perform on the main stage for the evening gig. Award-winning brother/sister duo The Roys will cover new territory May 1 through 5 as they make their European debut with select dates at two picturesque Danish Culture Houses, Germany's 11th Annual Buehler Bluegrass Festival and the quintessential English theatre, Leicester Square. Irish bluegrass singer-songwriter Niall Toner was announced as the recipient of the first annual EBMA European Bluegrass Personality of the Year award. It was presented on March 16 during the 5th annual Bluegrass Summit in Prague. Oliver Waitze of the New Acoustic Gallery (NAG) in Wuppertal, Germany, announced that two masters of new acoustic music, Mike Marshall and Darol Anger, will be performing in concert at the NAG's new facilities in Schloss Lüntenbeck, Wuppertal, Germany on October 27, 2013.
Bluegrass Industry News Chart toppers Congratulations to the following artists whose music is topping charts at press time. Audie Blaylock & Redline on their #1 song "Home Is Where the Heart Is," #4 album Hard Country on Sirius XM, and #3 song "A Real Good Way to Lose" Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 songs. Steven Curtis Chapman debuted his first bluegrass album Deep Roots in March, which came in at #1 on Billboard's Bluegrass charts. Flatt Lonesome moved into the Airplay Top 10 on Bluegrass Today with their song "I'm Blue." Old Man Markley released their second album Down Side Up which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts. Russell Moore & IIIyrd Time Out Timeless Hits From the Past: Bluegrassed remained in the top three top selling albums on Billboard's Bluegrass charts for all of March. Singer-songwriter Jerry Salley's "Comin' Home To You" debuted on the top of the Bluegrass Today airplay charts in March. The SteelDrivers have reigned in the top three spots on Bluegrass Today's Weekly Airplay Chart for "How Long Have I Been Your Fool" during the month of March. International Bluegrass 17
Broadcast News Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver recorded a special live in-studio performance for Sirius XM's Bluegrass Junction the same week Roads Well Traveled was released. The Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee was honored by friends and fellow esteemed musicians in an intimate setting in Nashville where he played the latest songs from his 36th studio album. The special will play on Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction Wednesday, April 3, 11:00 AM (premiere), Thursday, April 4, 9 PM (rebroadcast), Saturday, April 6, 8 AM (rebroadcast), Sunday, April 7, 11 AM (rebroadcast). All times are Eastern Daylight Time.
Event news This year's MerleFest, April 25-28 in Wilkesboro, NC, will pay special tribute to Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Doc Watson, who passed away May 29, 2012. This will be the first time MerleFest has been without Doc in its 26 years. A Celebration Jam is slated for Saturday night featuring several of Doc's closest musician friends and will be hosted by Sam Bush. Doc will also be honored in other ways during the festival through video vignettes, a new display in Lowe's Hall, a student emergency fund in Doc's honor, and a special commemorative section in the MerleFest program. Tickets for MerleFest 2013 can be purchased at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-3437857. Additional details about the festival lineup and other information may be found on the website. The International Bluegrass Music Museum's 10th Annual ROMP (River of Music
International Bluegrass
Party) in Owensboro, KY will feature an all-star lineup: Merle Haggard, David Grisman Sextet, The Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksliver, Sam Bush Band, Punch Brothers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Leftover Salmon, The Deadly Gentlemen, The SteelDrivers, The Hillbenders, the museum's student band, the Kentucky BlueGrass AllStars and more. ROMP takes place June 27, 28, 29. Tickets are on sale. Visit www.rompfest.com for details. This year's Spring Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival was a huge success with great music and an awesome crowd. In addition to Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, the first day included performances from Audie Blaylock & Redline, Art Stevenson & High Water, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, and Lou Reid & Carolina. Day two included another performance by the Radio Ramblers and Art Stevenson & High Water plus James King Band, Dale Ann Bradley, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, The Seldom Scene and a Longview All-Star Jam featuring Dudley Connell, Don Rigsby, Joe Mullins, James King, Marshall Wilborn, Lou Reid and Michael Cleveland.
Record label and artist announcements Acclaimed bluegrass group Dailey & Vincent will release their sixth studio album, Brothers Of The Highway, on May 7, 2013. The follow-up to 2012's Grammy-nominated The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent features a pair of original Jamie Dailey
compositions as well as ten stirring and evocative new interpretations of songs made famous by Vince Gill, the Louvin Brothers, Bill Monroe, Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad, George Strait, and Porter Wagoner. Female powerhouses Della Mae will release their second full-length album on May 28 called This World Oft Can Be. It will be their first with Rounder Records. All but three tracks were written by band members Celia Woodsmith or Courtney Hartman. Other Dellas include founder Kimber Ludiker on fiddle, Jenni Lyn Gardner on mandolin, and Shelby Means on bass. Both Hartman and Woodsmith play guitar, with Celia taking the bulk of the lead vocals, and Courtney the lead guitar. Kevin Carter and Full Assurance has announced Tim Greene of Lenoir, NC as their newest member. He will play bass and share in the lead and harmony vocals with the North Carolina-based bluegrass Gospel band. Rural Rhythm Records announced the new album God Didn't Choose Sides: Civil War True Stories About Real People debuted at #6 on Billboard's Top 10 Bluegrass Album Chart. The special project has been all over Amazon Best Sellers charts over the last few weeks, ranking as high as #115 in music for all genres. The Snyder Family from North Carolina will release their fourth album Building Bridges in April. The Band features siblings Zeb and Samantha Snyder with their folks Bud and Laine backing them up on bass and vocals, with special appearances from youngest Owen on vocals and guitar.
Donna Ulisse has announced her first songbook, All the Way to Bethlehem. The songbook is a companion to the album released around Christmas of the same name. The book contains sheet music, written in the keys that Ulisse sings each song on the album, guitar chords and lead vocal lines. It includes in-depth commentary relating to the song-writing process, photographs of the songwriters as well as the scripture that inspired each song. The songbook, priced $19.95, is available at donnaulisse.com.
In other news Popular Japanese bluegrass guitarist Maro Kawabata died unexpectedly in Japan on March 6 at the age of 51. Maro will be sorely missed for his friendship, humor and fine musicianship. Australian personality and longtime bluegrass radio host Geoff Morris passed away March 5 of cancer. He was 70 years old. A memorial service was broadcast over Phoenix FM in Bendigo, Australia, where Morris worked, and posted online for friends and family who couldn't attend. Jim VanCleve of Mountain Heart is back at home in Nashville recovering from contracting Dengue fever while working in St. Croix earlier in March. You're welcome to send him well wishes on his Facebook page: facebook.com/jimvancleve.fp.
International Bluegrass 19
be part of...
the Street Team!
The International Bluegrass Music Association is looking for dedicated music fans to help spread the word about Wide Open Bluegrass! Join the Street Team, a fun and exciting grassroots program that allows you the opportunity to earn a FREE ticket to Wide Open Bluegrass! Street Team members will be part of a large group of like-minded music enthusiasts who will promote the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival taking place this September in Raleigh, NC. Street Team members can earn a FREE 2-Day pass (worth) by distributing posters, flyers, and handbills at their local festivals, jams, colleges, music stores, etc. Street Team members must be active on Social Media to be a part of the team. For more information on how to join this new exciting program contact Katherine Coe at email@example.com
Convention Services/Accounting Position Open
at IBMA
IBMA is currently accepting resumes through April 15, 2013 for the Convention & Membership Services Director position on their staff. Individuals interested in applying are invited to email a resume to email@example.com or drop one off at the IBMA office at 608 W. Iris Drive, Nashville, TN 37204. Applicants should have skills in the following areas: accounting, logistics, event planning, database management, web design, contract negotiation, office management and committee work. Experience with Access, Quickbooks, Excel and WordPress is important. Longtime IBMA staff member Jill Crabtree will be departing no later than July 1, 2013. "We'll certainly miss Jill," said IBMA Executive Director Nancy Cardwell. "She has worked tirelessly for the organization and contributed greatly to much of what we've accomplished since 2000. We wish her well." In her resignation letter Crabtree said, "I care about the future of IBMA a great deal and hope the events will thrive in Raleigh, NC. The facilities, performances and other events planned for World of Bluegrass Week will certainly be something to see and the potential is exciting. But with any big change comes a need to approach things in a new manner. I feel the organization will benefit from the fresh perspective of someone who can assist the current IBMA leadership with their new set of goals. I've learned a great deal in my tenure at IBMA and want to thank everyone who has supported me over these past 13 years. My passion and support of the bluegrass music community will certainly continue."
International Bluegrass
All aboard!
Amtrak Service for World of Bluegrass Attendees Before you buy a plane ticket, get an oil change or check the tires, why not consider taking your whole World of Bluegrass experience up a notch? We're talking traveling by train. With over 30 train routes in the continental U.S., there's sure to be a route that'll bring you to Raleigh. If riding the rails sounds appealing to you, you'll be happy to know Amtrak is offering a 10% discount off the lowest available rail fare to Raleigh, NC between September 21 and October 1, just for bluegrass fans! This includes travel up to three days before and three days after the WOB event dates. If you're traveling with a group of 20 or more, a group discount of 20% per passenger is also available. So get your local jamming friends or bluegrass association together and take advantage of deeper discounts. Amtrak's 15% senior discount and half-fare children's discounts may be applicable as well. To book your reservation call Amtrak at 1-(800) 872-7245 or contact your local travel agent. Please refer to Convention Fare Code X89N-970 when making your reservation. This fare code and discount cannot be booked via Internet and other restrictions may apply. All aboard!
welcome Robert Atwood Bev Atwood Jeffrey Bailey Capo's Music Store Teresa Bohm Gerald Bolas Linda Bourque Stephen Bridges Ronald Brister Denise Burton Tyler Campbell Emily Clark Tom Cox John DeLuca Sandra DeLuca
New Members
Ernest Dodson Terry Eagan Michael Farrell Marsha Fleenor Joshua Gibson Forrest Goodman Peter Harrington Joyce Hawkins Rodney Hawkins Leo Heile Todd Hemphill Roy Hillier Todd Inman Charles Isenhour Jason Johnson
Thomm Jutz Sonja Kapoun-Roof Scott Lewandowski Corrine Loucks Steve Martin Robert McClung Jere McKeithen John Miller Michelle Mitchell Joe Newberry Gitte Nielsen Dennis Nowack Priscilla Parillo Randall Pitts Zach Rambo
Swift Creek Band Rick Shore Beth Shore Jean Skinner Monty Smith Rick Stanley Trevor Torres James Touzel Noel Tucker Patrick Varker Gary West Barbara West Mark White
International Bluegrass 21
International Bluegrass Vol. 28, No. 4 April 2013
The newsletter that brings you the latest bluegrass industry news on the planet has now gone digital, with a beautiful full-color interactiv...
Published on Mar 28, 2013
The newsletter that brings you the latest bluegrass industry news on the planet has now gone digital, with a beautiful full-color interactiv...


text:
Haunted Castle Revisited by Peklo
ooking back at the series, there are games that are recognized as classics, like Castlevania and Symphony of the Night. Then there are games which are well-remembered, if not loved, such as Super Castlevania IV, Dracula's Curse and perhaps the GBA 'vanias. Some are sought-after treasures of an era gone past, like Rondo of Blood and and the Sharp X68000 game (though remedied somewhat by IGA's commendable actions). Many fall into the 'just good' general area, and a few are disliked by the majority of fans (Legends, Curse of Darkness).
Where does Haunted Castle fit?
Quite honestly, the game is sorely overlooked.
Yes, the difficulty of the title is maddening. It is conquerable, but still very, very difficult. This is why the game is looked at with disdain. Because once you look past it, the game suddenly isn't that bad.
The year is 1988. For Konami, they're at the height of their fame. In the past few years, they've pumped out to-be-classics by the numbers, like Castlevania, Contra, Gradius, Metal Gear... they're living their own, personal Golden Age of Gaming. Some of the aforementioned had their beginnings at the arcades, but Castlevania, up until this point, was primarily a series played at home (disregarding the Nintendo Vs. release of the original). Which is odd in itself, since the gameplay lends well for the arcades, being tightly goal-based, action-packed, even containing a score counter. It's not a surprise that Konami would try to capitalize on this.
Haunted Castle is another retelling of the famous Simon Belmont's escapades to vanquish Count Dracula in his titular Demon Castle. But this time, with a classic twist. Big Si is getting married! Yes, the relentless vampire hunter finally discovered love, in the fair maiden Serena (or something, her name is not set in stone, really). This is unique for Castlevania. Stereotypical for the time, but nonetheless unique, especially in hindsight after 25 games as opposed to the preceding three outings at the time. So, at the wedding ceremony of SN'S, Dracula swoops down from the emerging storm clouds, captures Serena from Simon's side, and flies away cackling, goading his nemesis to follow.
What does Simon do? He clenches his fist, full of conviction, and sets out to right the wrongs.
Right from the outset, you will know that the aesthetics and the visceral aural quality of this title are its strongest points. Cross Your Heart, indeed. It's a mighty fine looking game. The palette is well-applied on the landscapes (the sheer variety is staggering, even on the first level only), the sprites are huge and detailed, and the hardware allows for all sorts of visual effects. On the first stage, you'll come across a rainstorm, a possessed wall which breaks into pieces and assaults you, a blazing hot sea of fire, and enemies that grow out of trees or emerge from under collapsed crucifixes. This is no light-weight, you'll be blown away by the imaginitiveness and execution of it all, that much is sure.
But how does it play? Well, to be perfectly honest, it plays like it should. The enemies come in endless swarms, the hit detection is such that you could lob a shoe five meters over Simon's head and he'd get a concussion, and dodging attacks is not an option because of not only that, but due to the protagonist's well-defined, yet cumbersome large frame. There is some good to all of this. Control over Simon is easy as pie, allowing much more jump control than his previous incarnations. When he takes damage, he doesn't bounce back and be immobilized for a moment; he simply hops up in pain, retaining his momentum, thus eliminating the danger of pitfalls.
Sub-weapons are procured on site as always, but man, do they play a central part here. Simon is, at his best, able to take most foes down with a few swings of his strongest primary weapon, the sword (he finally makes use of it! *fanboy moment*). The combat is smooth and precise, but he will be overwhelmed by the opposition at times, if he's not prepared.
The sub-weapons are life-savers. Two of them, in particular. Firstly, the cross. It is a bit different now. It's held up, and divine beams of the HOLY CROSS eviscerate foes as they travel forward. It is useful as a shield and a damage-dealer, especially against enemies that attack from undesirable angles (harpies).
The another is the stopwatch. What? Well, yes, this time it is actually useful, the best offense Simon has in the game, even. It freezes foes (bosses included), and Simon can hack at the defenseless foes in a rapid fashion. This strategy is best-displayed in the fight against the Bone Dragon King at the end of stage 2. He has no chance at all.
This brings about a curious tactic of play. Hearts are sparse in Haunted Castle, since there are no candelabras. Enemies are the sole means of getting them. Not only do they power the side armaments, but they also restore health at the end of stages. That's right, you have to pay for energy refills. No hearts equals a battle-worn Simon at the start of the next stage. Usually, there is enough hearts to go by, but conserving them is more important than ever. Do you use the sub-weapon, or store the hearts? This is something that works surprisingly well, and is the real kind of challenge that the series needs.
Haunted Castle did more than what it's given credit for. It is a display of wildly talented gamemaking, despite the numerous flaws. It has some truly memorable moments, such as the ethereal and sudden transit to a time-frozen, echoing dimension in the middle of stage 3 which is populated by harpies. The visually breath-taking stage 2, with its hazy view of the castle, murky caverns, and a mountainside which continues on to a walkway amongst cut-down, gigantic tree stumps. It also marks the first instance of a collapsing bridge leading to the Castle Keep, which the hero must traverse. The sights are so very impressive, that I liken it to Harmony of Dissonance at times, another visual beast.
Give it a chance, for it is more than is usually made of it. If you conquer the challenge, you'll surely come to like it somewhat. And for an old, forgotten game, that is a sufficient honour.
Now for that idea thing.
The game that could be
Haunted Castle is flawed. Heavily. But it's not a lost cause, far from it. I consider it a more complete package than, say, the DS games. There is something that draws me to it time and time again, and I would not like that certain quality to be lost to the times.
Why not remake it?
What, another Simon game? Yes, but hear me out here. It worked before. Chronicles was a remake of a remake, yet it still ruled. And that was only a rather minor facelift to an old classic (does not make it any worse for it, but yeah). Another thing that Haunted Castle has over Chronicles is that it doesn't follow the formula of the original as closely, rather, it reinvents it with completely new stages, music, and the plot premise. It's like Super Castlevania IV in that respect.
I suggest this to be put onto the PSP. Dracula X Chronicles, if anything, proved that remakes are awesome. And the possibilities of this! They can make it better. Far more than the original was, because this time the difficulty can make sense, since we're not pushing quarters in the machine to keep on playing. Not to mention the musical score, which has been recognized somewhat by Yamane and others in remixes. That can also be restored. Simon's design could also take some subtle hints from the original, blue-haired one. The campy plot is good material for a beautiful intro like DXC's, I can see the wedding ceremony taking place in my mind.
Since just one game would not probably please the general audience after a package like DXC, I say include the original Haunted Castle, and *wait for it*... remake Simon's Quest as well. Yes, this is the way to do it. They are the two parts of Simon's saga, and I consider them somewhat as sister games, due to the general obscure nature they both have and shared musical tracks. They could modify the stories to compliment each other, like having Simon's wife die in Haunted Castle's remake and then she being the one to tell Simon of his curse seven years later, instead of some random maiden in a dream. Then, name the package something like "Demon Castle Dracula", to hearken back towards Haunted Castle and being a direct translation from the original game's title.
This is the chance to better both games, and send a final, definitive tribute to Simon Belmont. It's a dream project that everyone would like to see come true, I'm sure.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Federal panel sends consolidated NSA surveillance suits to San Francisco judge
[JURIST] The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation [official website] has ordered [PDF text] that seventeen cases challenging the legality of the NSA's domestic surveillance program [JURIST news archive] be transferred to the chief judge of the US Northern District of California [official website]. In an order issued Wednesday, the panel wrote:
On the basis of the papers filed and hearing session held, the Panel finds that these actions involve common questions of fact, and that centralization under Section 1407 in the Northern District of California will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of this litigation. All actions are purported class actions sharing factual and legal questions regarding alleged Government surveillance of telecommunications activity and the participation in (or cooperation with) that surveillance by individual telecommunications companies. Centralization under Section 1407 is necessary in order to eliminate duplicative discovery, prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings (particularly with respect to matters involving national security), and conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel and the judiciary. …
We conclude that the Northern District of California is an appropriate transferee forum in this docket because the district is where the first filed and significantly more advanced action is pending before a judge already well versed in the issues presented by the litigation. One of the Government's key arguments for centralization in this docket is its contention that, because of security concerns associated with the production of highly classified information, a framework should be created whereby a single transferee court (rather than the multiple courts where MDL-1791 actions and potential tag-along actions are now pending) would be charged with the task of reviewing any classified information that might need to be produced in connection with the plaintiffs' claims and the Government's assertion of the state secret defense. In that regard, the California district is one of the two districts in this litigation where a court has already established and utilized a procedure for reviewing classified information that the Government deems necessary to decide its state secret claim. On the other hand, the District of District of Columbia, which the forum choice of the movants, the Government and other responding defendants, is a district where no constituent MDL-1791 action is now pending. Centralization in the District of Columbia forum would thus require the very duplication and expansion of access to classified information that the Government deems to be so perilous.
The panel assigned the cases to Chief Judge Vaughn Walker [official profile; SF Chronicle profile], described by the San Francisco Chronicle as an "independent-minded conservative." Government attorneys asked the JPML to consolidate [JURIST report] a group of coordinated lawsuits [JURIST report] brought by the American Civil Liberties Union [advocacy website] against telecommunications companies so that the government can invoke the state secrets privilege and have all the cases dismissed.
Last week, Walker refused to dismiss [order, PDF; JURIST report] a separate lawsuit against AT&T [EFF case materials] brought by the Electronic Frontier Foundation alleging that AT&T violated citizens' rights to privacy and several federal statutes when it allowed the NSA to use its infrastructure to wiretap US citizens as part of the domestic surveillance program. The DOJ tried to invoke the state secrets privilege [News Media & the Law commentary] and have the case dismissed, but Walker ruled that the case should continue. He has since delayed the lawsuit [JURIST report] pending an appeal [petition, PDF] to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.


text:
American History X
- Type
- Movie
- Year
- 1998
- MPAA Rating
- Runtime
- 119
- Director(s)
- Tony Kaye
American History X's Sexy Actresses
Actresses appearing nude or sexy in this ...
|Balk, Fairuza
|21 Reviews
American History X's Sexy Actors
Actors appearing nude or sexy in this ...
|Norton, Edward
|20 Reviews
nudity reviews for American History X member submitted
Fairuza's nipples
Watch carefully or you'll miss the Super Sexy Fairuza's little titties at the very beginning of this flick. It's also in black & white- but who cares?! We finally get to see some of this babe! In it she's getting pounded into the bed while clenching her teeth. (where you can see her nipples for perhaps 10 seconds.) Then she takes it doggy-style and finally she's on top. No more t or bush or ass shots here- but it's nice to hear her moaning! PLEASE show some more Babe!
black-n-white bangin
this chic is hot. love the scene where she gets it from behind. black and white adds to clarity, her screams and moans make the lack of more visible skin worthwhile. i'll take her one breast at a time.
Sex in a car
Faizura and Edward Norton are getting it hot and heavy in his car. She takes it doggie style for a while and then she's on top of him. You see her full breast for several seconds, and there's a lot of moaning and bouncing around as he hammers her.
Goth/Rocker queen shows her (small) stuff
The scene is shot pretty clearly although with a lot of edited cuts. You see Fairuza's flatish breasts which are ok, except for knowing that they belong to this hideous creature.
Nice Breast but...
I give her breasts 3 stars but unfortunately it is Fairuza Balk so she loses 2. Though those are still breasts I see and nice ones at that.
Rough sex in bed
Fairuza's very sexy, in a rough kind of way. She's enjoying herself in bed with Ed Norton, anyhow. He's ramming her good from behind, and we see some brief glimpses of her nice, average sized breasts. Then shes on top, and we see her from the back view grinding. I think she's one of those females who looks nicer from behind - her ass and her back are gorgeous.
Neo-Nazi Love
You hear loud moans coming from Stacey (Fairuza Balk) having sex with Derek (Ed Norton); tossing under the sheets - then you see her bare breast. The butt sex that follows has movement, but no nudity. Enough said... Not much to say! Though, brace yourselves for the prison shower scene with the pretty nasty shtivin'.
black & white bangin'
the "acting" in this scene is quite impressive - although i'm not sure if those are actually fairuza's tits we're seeing (maybe a double), i still enjoyed seeing her ass bounce while taking a pounding from ed.
Fairuza is having very passionate sex with her boyfriend Edward Norton, intercut with several black youths breaking into Edward's car.
the scene is in black and white which adds to the clarity. we see a very clear close up of fairuza's breasts and almost lower frontal nudity.
Rough Sex
You get to see fairuza's nips and various tatoos above her crouch, but it's all very blurred with bad camera angles. Still a great movie.
with norton
Crappy scene. First of all its black and white. Second of all you only see one breast. Third of all it Fairuza Balk. Last of all she has a horrible haircut.
black and white sex
At the beginning of the movie Balk is having sex with Norton and you see her naked. It's probably not fair for me to review this because I think Balk is the ugliest actress in Hollywood.
sex scene
Well, most of it is said... but I think Fairuza is very sexy and has got a wonderful body :-)
Rough 'n' heavy with Norton
The sexy chick who played Adam Sandler's girlfriend in "The Waterboy" isn't as sexy as she was in this film. She gets hot 'n' heavy with Edward Norton in a heated sex scene, during which you can see her left breast for 7 seconds as she's getting pounded on. She's rather unattractive in this flick and her breasts are small and flat. Edward Norton has far better nudity in this flick than what Fairuza does
getting loud and rough with Ed Norton
At the very beginning of the movie Balk is seen (and heared) having sex with Ed Norton.Not much is seen,just a brief glimpse of her breast,but still a good scene just to hear her.
in black and white
this performance is very short you see her nipples for a very short time like 5 frames. But there is a lot of great screaming moans.
Partial breast
at 0:02 you get a brief partial view of her right breast in B&W.
one of my favorites
the sex scene at the begining of the movie is in my top 5 favorites sex/nude scenes of all time and the movie itself is in my top ten
Lovely breasts
This scene was rather brief, as some of the above comments have noted, but itis long enough to get an excellent view of Fairuza's luscious breasts. I didn't care about the lovemaking scene, since it consisted mostly of standard Hollywood ersatz moans.
Big surprise
In the shower scene.He's washing himself and you can see his ass.He turns around and you get the full package.It's an above average penis if it is not erect.If it's erect it's average.
graphic rape scene
there's a lot of nudity around this part of the movie, but mostly wrinkled old man penis. as norton's character goes to take a shower, he is attacked and gang raped in a very powerful scene which offers many frontal and behind shots of norton's buffed-up body, as well as some of the assailants.
If you don't mind the unattractive 'skinhead' look...
Edward's brilliant looks are somewhat lessened be the 'skinhead' look which does not suit him.
FRONTAL: His penis head pops up occassionally whilst he washes himself in the prison shower.
REAR: His ass makes many appearances both before and after the rape takes place.
EROTICISM: The rape is a bit disturbing but the fact that it is mostly suggestive makes it slightly lesser.
(EXTRAS: In the shower there are a few other men shown frontally and from the rear. The most attractive is the rape culprit, who is big and muscular. The other guys, in my opinion are quite average.)
Various Nude Moments
Near the beginning of the movie Edward Norton's character is bonking his brains out. His brother (Edward Furlong) interupts them and watches them bonking as he tries to capture their attention.
As Norton sits on the side of the bed to pull up his pants the camera focuses crisply between his legs. Strangely, however, I cannot see Norton's penis. I think it is actually 'tucked' away. It is fun trying to find it.
The rape scene in the shower is very erotic and shows many penises in the background - some very nice including one dark guy who proves not all dark guys are hung like horses. Norton scrubs his toned little body with soap and his penis can be seen moving around from the side. I believe it isn't as big as many here think it is.
His rapist is a huge muscle-man and the people who cast this movie obviously wanted a man with a big cock too. When Norton falls to the floor we see the attackers semi-aroused penis.... it is very big and surely would have hurt Norton. Even acting this scene out Norton certianly would have had this touch him on the behind many times judging by how close they get.
Prison shower
Edward norton looks his best. Prior to him getting raped, one can clearly see his little "Edward"-not that little though- flopping as he soaps up his muscular body. You must pause just right and is best viewed in slow motion. There are many other naked inmates, but his penis beats out the competion.
Shower Scene
We get to see his (REALLY REALLY GEORGOUS) butt in the shower (also a nice frontal shot). When he is in the shower. His butt is perfect. I would love to fill it with my....And also we have a short frontal at the beginning of the movie, when he stops sleeping with Fairuza Balk and jumps out of the bed.A definite must-a-see!
in the shower
although shaved and tattooed, edward norton showed a trim well kept body and shapely butt on top of the fact that he let it all hang out in the open..exciting though is the supposedly rape scene where the bigger guys all got together and "abused" him
shower scene
This movie was powerful and emotional with the whole anti black theme going on, but to top it off, the shower scene helped achieve the goal of Norton changing his hatred towards blacks. In the shower he was raped by a bunch of white guys and you could tell he was naked due to the fact that you could see his package. It was a powerful scene because you could feel the pain Norton was facing but also because they didn't cover anything, they showed it all.
butt and and quick look at his penis
He's in the prison shower with other white guys that's in the shower with him (wich doesn't matter because he's the sexiest out of the bunch !!! :-) fours stars doesn't need the reason see the movie!!!
some nice dick with potential fuck-buddies in the background
Ed is not the hottest guy in this flick but it is the only movie where we can get a glimpse of his rather large, thick penis. I do not recommend the movie for nudity as the scene is not so long, but check it out if your a fan or wanna see a good film.
PS: That ultra-ugly bitch Fairuza Balk shows her "ick-factor" titties. Sorry, but you gotta admit she is.
shower scene with lots of other inmates
this particular scene was awesome, we get to see edward lathering up his body with soap getting a quick peek at little edward, and lots of shots of his butt, after that quick spurt edward is raped, kinda weird, but hey if u like it great cuz after the guy is done, edward falls to the floor and you get a great view of his "attackers" penis and balls.
all in all a great scene
frontal and rear nudity in prison scene
frontal and rear nudity in prison scene
shower scene
Edward is looking terrific in this film & he shows off a stunning body throughout. His nude scene takes place in a prison shower & we see his beautiful, smooth, nicely round butt several times. There's even very brief frontal nudity, and he's got a nice penis, but it was too brief for any detail. (In fact the friend with me missed it entirely - of course, I had the quick eye :)).
Brief Frontals, Some behind shots
Ed Norton is a sexy, young rising star.
He shows off his incredibly buff body in this this rather disturbing, yet powerful film.
First nude scene is the beginning sequence when he is having sex with his girlfriend. His brother runs in the room and Ed sits up and jumps out of bed. Here we are treated to several quick glances of his package. Though we mostly see his thick, patch of black pubic hair.
Next scene is the shower scene in which he is gang-raped. Again, several quick galnces of his penis. But many shots on all the men attacking him.
Great movie, too bad the nude scene's ertoticism was taken away by the disturbing content.
Shower rape sequence
In this powerful movie, Edward Norton strips down and takes a shower with the other prisoners. We do get to see some nice glimpses of Edward's butt and some quick frontals as he bends down and washes his legs (use the zoom up feature on your DVD player to see his dick between his legs). Then, as he's getting ready to be gang-raped by other prisoners, we see another view of his nice ass he's being held down against the tile wall. Then after the rape, he's on the ground and yet another view of his ass is seen. Would've merited a **** star rating if the scene wasn't as disturbing and brutal... and if Edward didn't have all those tattoos and his shaved head. Oh well... still nice to see some frontal male nudity in current mainstream films.
Not just Eddie
Not only do you get to see Ed Norton's willy, but several other actors in the shower scene. Probably a half dozen in total.
If you don't see the ugly tattoos then he has a nice body, but the most importnat is his wowie dick, it's pretty long and thick
Hot Attacker
Just wanted to include an appendage to the above review. The shower scene ends in Norton's rape, and his attacker is very attractive. The content is unsettling, to be sure, but there's a shot of the beefy actor coming into the shower room with nothing but a short little towel barely covering him. And after the rape is over, the attacker throws Norton to the floor, the camera panning with him, and you get a very clear view of the guy's dick, with most of his torso and all of his legs also included in the shot (at least on DVD). Great for pausing. Just ignore the context (or don't, if that kind of thing gets you going), but this guy is a treasure and totally nude. Would give him his own entry, but I can't figure out who he is, as his character's name is never mentioned (I think) in the movie.
As everyone is pointing out, Norton did buff up for this movie, and he looks really hot. The character he plays is (through much of the movie) repellent, but Norton has such magnetism that you understand why his character could draw people to him so effortlessly. Norton's chest and abs are on display constantly, and he's completely nude in the prison shower. We briefly see his penis (impressive) and there are many shots of his ass. Too bad he's a serious actor, 'cause he'll probably only strip when a role calls for it. (FYI, we see several dicks in the shower scene.)


text:
By Hindustan Times
Legendary writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who will soon be back on the small screen with his TV show, Classic Legends Season 2, says he doesn't need to do any research for a documentary on late filmmaker Yash Chopra. "I won't have to do any research to make a documentary on Yash Chopra because I have worked with him a lot — Deewar, Trishul, Kala Patthar, Mashaal and Silsila. In fact, the first time I wrote a song was for his film. Then there was Veer Zaara. These were his directorials and I also wrote for his productions," said the 67-year-old.
Akhtar also praised Chopra's works, saying everything in his films was well-placed. "Yash Chopra was exceptional. There are a lot of things about him that people have not yet understood and which has not even come out. In so many years, you cannot even once say that a line, a scene, a character or a situation was bad," he said.
"Beyond the success or failure of his films, his films had a certain class and sophistication. It was never like he did things just for the heck of it," he added. Akhtar also felt that Chopra's films were fine literary works. "His understanding of language was amazing, his dialogues and songs had a literary flavour, a strength," Akhtar said. The new season of Classic Legends will go on air on November 18 on Zee Classic.


text:
Job descriptionFront Office Agent
The Front Office Agent is responsible for checking–in and checking-out our guests on the Executive Floor in a friendly and caring manner according to the Kempinski procedures and standards. At all time, he/she displays a professional and positive image of the hotel as he/she plays a crucial role in the first and last impression the guest will have of the hotel.
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates
A luxurious alpine retreat in the heart of the desert, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is a landmark Dubai hotel and one of Kempinski's most unique city properties. It combines exciting shopping, entertainment and dining options with lavish accommodation, including 15 spacious but cozy ski chalets overlooking Ski Dubai.
Key Responsibilities
Registers guests and assigns rooms, accommodates special requests whenever possible.
Assists in pre-registration and blocking of rooms for arrivals. Thoroughly understands and adheres to proper credit checks, cashing, and cash handling policies and procedures.
Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of room locations, types of rooms available as well as the room rates.
Uses suggestive selling techniques to sell rooms and to promote other services of the Hotel.
Coordinates room status, updates with the Housekeeping Department by notifying them of all check outs, early check ins, special requests and day-use rooms.
Taking same day reservations and future reservations when necessary as well as making cancellations where required. Follows procedure of issuing and closing safety deposit boxes by guests.
Reads and initials the logbook on a daily basis. Be aware of daily activities taking place in the Hotel.
Reports any unusual occurrences or requests to Shift Leader or designated Manager.
Develops a thorough knowledge of computer system, room allocation and types of rooms.
Stays up to date on rooms rates, packages, discounts in relation to other departments.
Complete check-in and check-out procedures efficiently.Obtain house bank and keep it balanced. Post charges to guests' accounts.
Take departmental readings at the beginning of each shift. Handle cash, travelers' cheques, credit cards and direct billing requested properly.
Make adjustments and handle paid outs. Transfer folios charged to city ledger to each company master file or PM account.
Balance total at the close of each shift. Control of meeting room keys and master key of the Hotel.
Responsible for returning guests' passports after scanning them immediately
Minimum of 1 year in customer service position. Proven experience in complying with policies and procedures.
Working knowledge of reservations department. Strong telephone etiquette.
Combined background in Food and Beverage and Front Office a distinct advantage.
About Kempinski
Hoteliers since 1897, Kempinski have travelled the world in search of the most fascinating destinations without ever forgetting the finest traditions of its European heritage.
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai
Primary Location
United Arab Emirates-Dubai
Job Type
Job Level
Entry Level Staff


text:
|March 25, 2016
|Hotel Annapurna, Durbarmarg
|Hosted by
|Deerwalk Services
Deerfest is an annual event of Deerwalk, where the Deerwalk familia gathers together to take pleasure in being: performers or audience. Deerfest 2016 was held on March 25, 2016 at the premises of Hotel Annapurna, Kathmandu.
The highlight of the event was the Song and Dance competition where four squads competed with each other. The winners, Squad C on Song and Squad D on Dance, put up an extraordinary show leaving the audience dazed. Other performances included songs, dances, skit, Erica's birthday celebration, motivational speeches by Jeff Gasser & Rudra Pandey and the charismatic "WOW" by Lava Kafle.
Summing up, the night was full of fun performances, laughter, good food and good drinks which was followed by DJ session and dance.
|Manish Man Singh
|Niraj Thapa, Nizu Dahal, Rita Shrestha
|Bishal Vaidya, Nizu Dahal, Ananda Prasad Jaisey, Nuja Joshi, Kishor Raj Adhikari
|Ekta Sharma, Resha Sedhai, Sangita Maharjan
|Niraj Thapa, Bikram Gautam
|Bibek Lal Shrestha, Sandeep Lamichhane
|Ganesh Regmi, Subash Kunwar
Jeff Gasser's Presentation
Rudra Pandey's Presentation
Song: Have You Ever Seen The Rain – CCR (Squad A)
Song: Another Brick In The Wall- Pink Floyd (Squad B)
Song: Hey Jude – The Beatles (Squad C)
Song: Happy – Pharrell Williams (Squad D)
Dance: Mai Nache Chham Chham Ti (Squad A)
Dance: Jalma (Squad B)
Dance: Timro Figure Cocacola (Squad C)
Dance: Nachana Maiya (Squad D)
Song: Herana Hera Kancha
Skit: WOW @ Vipassana
Dance: Kammar Mathi Patuki
Song: Syndicate – Bipul Chettri
Dance: Western Medley
Song: Chaubandi Cholo – Mukti & Revival
Dance: Bajho Khet
Song: Guransai Fulyo – 1974 A.D.
Dance: Bhojpuri – DWIT Students
Instrumental: Jaba Sandhya Huncha and Lekali
Special Performance: Erica
The Emcees


text:
Click here to print a copy of this article.
Changes have been announced in the general liability insurance program for all local Scouting units.
The reasons for the changes are as follows:
- The reserves for open claims have increased significantly over the last several years.
- The average cost per claim has nearly doubled in the last five years.
- Claims payments have doubled in the last two years compared to a five-year average from 2005–2009.
It was also announced that what is now known as the Unit Charter Fee will be called the Unit Liability Insurance Fee. The general liability insurance program receives 100 percent of this fee.
The fee will increase from $20 to $40 effective January 1, 2013, which means the new fee will begin with units that have a December 2012 charter renewal date (a charter period beginning January 1, 2013).
Units are required to submit the annual Unit Liability Insurance Fee with the unit's charter renewal application. This fee helps defray expenses of the general liability insurance program.
The general liability insurance policy provides primary liability insurance coverage for registered adults and for all chartered organizations on file with the BSA for liability arising out of their chartering a traditional Scouting unit. This policy provides coverage for claims alleging negligent actions that result in either personal injury or property damage.
A chartered organization is an organization that has applied for and received a current Boy Scouts of America charter to operate a Scouting unit. A chartered organization as defined within the policy shall include the chartered organization, its board of directors and/or trustees, its officer, and its employees in their official and individual capacity. This definition also includes a specific position: chartered organization representative.
Chartered organizations do not need a certificate of insurance. The chartered organization endorsement is a part of the insurance policy contract and is enforceable under the policy contract.
Old Republic Insurance Company provides the first $1 million in coverage. Additional policies, all providing primary coverage to the chartered organization, have been purchased so that more than $5 million in primary coverage is provided.
There is no coverage for those who commit intentional or criminal acts. Liability insurance is purchased to provide financial protection in the event of accidents or injury that occur during an official Scouting activity.


text:
Looking for a job as a Biologist (Oslo)
I am a biologist with many years of teaching and research experience. I also have administrative experience, worked as a coordinator for several years. I am looking for some tips on how to land my perfect job (right now my perfect job is any job!). I have been applying for research positions in different institutions in Oslo but so far have only had one interview and no job offers. I am learning Norwegian but it seems that I should have started learning the language before I even thought of moving to Oslo since it does take time to learn a new language and to speak it well enough. Right now I can read it but not understand it when someone is talking or speak it my self.
So, ANY helpful suggestions are very welcome. I am getting bored out of my head with nothing to do all day!


text:
Alumnus Michael Wagner Founded Target Freight Management
The Point
Winter 2014
Michael Wagner started a transportation company that's growing so fast it's on the Inc. 500 list. He has 22 employees, and he just bought a second home in the mountains. And he thinks it won't be too long before he splurges on a Lamborghini, his childhood dream car.
Sometimes the 34-year-old has to stop and pinch himself. Is this really happening?
Related Links
After all, the founder of Target Freight Management, which negotiates logistics contracts for small- and medium-sized manufacturers, wasn't exactly voted the most likely to succeed in high school. He came from a poor and troubled background. He didn't know his father and had a strained relationship with his mother. Things were so rough at home in Brookline, he often would crash at the homes of his friends, girlfriends and coach. Distracted by the turmoil he barely eked out a high school diploma.
To the outside world, he looked like a hopeless screw-up, not an entrepreneur in the making. "Nobody thought I would amount to anything," he said.
Even his high school guidance counselor told him he was not college material. He proved naysayers wrong by earning a baseball scholarship to Erskine College. But when his daughter was born, he dropped out to support his family in Pittsburgh.
He studied two years at Community College of Allegheny County before transferring to Point Park University, the institution that changed his life.
From the start, Point Park seemed to see something special in Wagner. He was offered a new baseball scholarship but told then-head coach Mark Jackson he wouldn't be able to play because of family obligations. To Wagner's surprise, Point Park gave him the scholarship anyway.
To support his wife Pam and daughter Lexi while pursuing a business degree, he maintained a full course load and worked at FedEx. The young couple only had one car, so he would wake up in middle of the night to take his wife to her job that started at 4 am. It was an insane schedule, but he forged ahead.
Giving 100 Percent
He loved the intellectual stimulation he received at Point Park and found two mentors in Dimitris Kraniou, Ph.D., professor of international economics and global management, and William Breslove, Ph.D., professor of business management.
Wagner, who earned an M.B.A., immediately impressed Breslove. "Everything he does, he gives 100 percent," Breslove said. "Most people go through the motions and check out other people's reaction. I don't think Mike has ever been concerned about impressing other people. He is only concerned about doing it right."
Wagner remembers Breslove telling him, "Mike, you are going to be a real success. You just have to find out what you are great at."
Turns out, he was a great salesman. He landed a job with a freight management company worked his way up to the position of national sales manager. The boy who had barely finished high school was now earning $150,000 a year.
Life was good for the father of two, but he couldn't shake the idea starting his own company. Risks came naturally to him. "I grew up with nothing. If I lost it all tomorrow, it was not the end of the world."
But launching Target Freight Management in 2009 turned out to be harder than he'd imagined. Other transportation firms were going out of business as he was starting up. He worked 80 works a week trying to land his elusive first customer. But then he started landing clients, and sales keep multiplying.
He said his background makes him want to prove people wrong. "People are shocked at what I am able to do. All my motivation comes from my childhood and people doubting me."
Text by Cristina Rouvalis
Photo by Martha Rial
The Point is a magazine for alumni and friends of Point Park University


text:
2017 Highlights
Friday 22nd September to Saturday 7th October 2017
The second oldest Fringe in the country!
Thank You to Our Audiences
Now that the 2017 Fringe has drawn to a close we can all look back on a very successful fortnight. One of the main reasons for our continued success as a Fringe Festival is the support we get from the community in the form of audiences for all our events. We are so pleased that you enjoyed so many events, some to the point of a total sell out of tickets.
We have also enjoyed the collaboration of many organisations in Windsor in bringing events to the town. We owe thanks to The Windsor Festival under the guidance of Martin Denny who we collaborated with on some events along with Eton College and we look forward to developing this relationship. We also appreciate the Windsor & Eton Brewery, Windsor Baptist Church and All Saints in Dedworth for partnership and venue support. We also owe thanks to all the Artists, who welcomed us into their homes and studios, a long-standing feature of the Fringe we value highly. As well as this we have the support and participation of 4Motion Dance Studios and Phoenix Theatre Company and there is room for a lot more artists organisations, so please do get in contact for next year!
An exciting finish to an eclectic Fringe of dance, music, theatre, walks, Artists at Home, comedy etc were the Kenneth Branagh Awards with the announcement of our 14th winner.
The Arts are thriving in Windsor and we will continue to work to make each Fringe better, learning from the previous year. Anyone who would like to be involved, on the committee or at any of the events, do please contact us, see the footer of this page for a link.
"We are delighted that so many people have supported a wide range of activities across the Fringe showing that we offer choice and entertainment for all sectors of the community. As we build up to our 50th anniversary in a few years time we continue to expand the selection of activities we offer and look forward to a strong Fringe in 2018".
Fringe Chairperson Karen Darville
The Kenneth Branagh New Drama Writing Award winner 2017 is...
'Fade Out' by writer Lyndsey Honour Directed by Linda Miller
"It's an amazing feeling to have someone respond to your work in a positive way, and to win on top of that feels a bit surreal - especially when the quality of the other plays was so high. Congratulations to the other finalists and a big thank you to everyone involved for all the hard work and effort that went into the productions - and huge thanks to Windsor Fringe for supporting new writers with this award!" Lyndsey Honour
The photo shows Lyndsey Honour accepting the award from the Fringe Chairperson; Karen Darville.
For lots more news, pictures and reviews, go to the Drama Writing Awards 2017 page
Some of the wonderful events from Windsor Fringe 2017...
At the 4Motion Studios and Loading Bay Cafe, Japanese artist Ariko Kimoto exhibited her beautiful handmade ceramic vases, displaying them with stunning Ikebana flower arrangements.
The photo shows Ariko with Dean Soden, one of the creative directors of 4Motion Dance Company.
'Son Con Swing' the Cuban band
The 'Son Con Swing' band are the newest generation of Cuban musicians who have taken their love of traditional Son music and added a modern vibe.
Every one had a great time dancing to the Salsa, Son, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Rumba rhythms and more! This was highly successfully hosted by All Saints Church in Dedworth.
'King Donald the 1/5th' by The Rattle'n'Roll Players
"When shall we three meet again?'
A great show performed by this talented and enthusiastic cast. It was very well received by the audience.
"Who can save the country – and the world – from his destructive policies?' - Satire at its best!
This performance was hosted by the Baptist Church in Windsor. We are grateful for their support of the Fringe.
The Phoenix Theatre Company - Windsor presented "Ghostly Footsteps"
This production was written specifically for the Fringe and staged in the ground floor parking area of Kardelton House
The company, who are all local, experiment with staging Drama in unusual spaces around Windsor
The story featured stories and legends from our town's past, all of a spooky and ghoulish genre
Over three nights the show was a sell out and the audiences were very appreciative, particularly enjoying the unusual space
The Wildflowers - Acoustic Concert
The Wildflowers played a highly accomplished and enjoyable gig, very well received by their audience
This was hosted by the Baptist Church in Windsor
Windsor & Eton Brewery put on a highly successful comedy night, which was a sell out. A great effort by the Brewery who are becoming known for their support of the Arts in Windsor, along with some great brews!
Jack Harris
Andy Gleeks
James Lillis
Phil Lucas
WishWorks Children's Puppet Show
The Children's Puppet Show took place at the Baptist Church in Windsor.
The show was highly interactive and got the children involved from the start. This was a lovely family event and everyone enjoyed themselves!
WishWorks and their puppets were back with two classic fairytales...but with a twist!
The plays performed were 'Little Red Riding Rabbit' and 'Snow Grey'


text:
Postage & Delivery
We make every attempt to dispatch local orders within 24 hours. In the rare event that this is not possible, we will dispatch the orders at the earliest. Once dispatched, the regular post might take 3- 5 days to deliver the order. Express post ( 1- 2 days). The details of shipping charges are as follows:
Free Shipping Australia Wide on all orders over $50
|$6.90 for orders under $50
|FREE for orders over $50
|Please allow 2-4 business days
|For extra fast service.
Order usually arrives 2nd day
Most cities in Australia only.
|Extra $5.00 to standard delivery
- Sydney .Melbourne .Brisbane .Gold Coast. Canberra .Perth .Adelaide .Hobart .Darwin .Townsville .Cairn
International Shipping
Free International Shipping on orders over AUD $150.
$14.90 for orders under A $150
if you have any further questions, please let us know in the comments box when you check out.
All express post orders are dispatched on the same day. We urge you to provide us with an address where you will be available to take the delivery and sign the receipt. For this purpose, we deliver to all business, residential and PO boxes. We shall keep you informed, through Email, about the progress of your order. You can check back at our website for tracking information.