Pepsi Initiative Hopes to Refresh
That’s right, you read it all correctly. The title is as just as blatant, shocking and exciting as the latest efforts of Pepsi to inspire individuals to create, contribute and add to the world we live in. For the past few weeks now, a series of commercials have circulated on television about the Pepsi refresh project, and after checking out the website, thought it might be a great idea to let you all know just what this is about.
Free money. No kidding.
Pepsi is handing out grants in the amounts of $5,000 all the way to $250,000 to individuals and organizations looking to get things going, develop and forward their ideas. Each person, or organization must fill out an application with specific details of their ‘idea,’ along with an itemized budget and you are all set! There are deadlines you must adhere to, and shortly thereafter a voting period starts to choose winning submissions.
What is more interesting about this process is that you…well, us…the public, we vote and ultimately choose the winners! Wait. They did say the same thing about American Idol didn’t they…hm, either way, what’s the harm in trying! Ideas range from documentaries, to starting performing arts charter schools. So, you should NOT be afraid of your passion. Give it a try. The worst they can do is say no, right?
Check out the following link to get more information. What are you waiting for? Money to support ingenuity and expansion in a recession sounds pretty refreshing to me!
‘It Girl’ Janelle Monae Returns with New Singles
By: Brian Bowers
The phrase “a Monet” is typically used to describe an art piece created by the French Impressionist Claude Monet. In slang terms, it can often be used to describe something that has to be viewed from a distance to be understood. If one gets too close, the idea is that the beauty of the piece, art, person is disrupted completely. This isn’t the case with Janelle Monae.
From a distance and up-close Her flawless beauty and effervescence is a pleasant contrast to the rebel who undoubtedly has a cause and calling: inspiration. One can only wonder how much longer it will be before “Monae” will evoke images of the young, underground starlette singer as opposed to any of these clichés and conventions.
With the mantra “imagination inspires nations” it seems Janelle Monae continues to be the ‘it girl’ of the underground music scene. Her and the Wondaland Arts Society don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Noted for her eclectic style, funky hair and classic voice, she returns with two brand new singles Tightrope ft. Big Boi and Cold War.
Words cannot completely describe what Monae and the Wondaland Art Society manage to do sonically and capture such a wonderful aural experience. Her voice is classic and versatile combined with a lyrical content that is cryptic and profound. All of her work is a dive into deep, full musical sounds. In the recent past, Monae and her team were able to team up with Diddy and Bad Boi to release what she calls a short film, Many Moons. The video was epic, full of bright colors, multi-layered themes and of course undeniable beauty and charm that is characteristically…well, Monae.
If you want to check out the new singles and amazing art, check out her official page, or her myspace page. The epic debut album The Archandroid appears be a promising, generous effort both sonically and visually. Artists such as this don’t come around often, and it is my greatest hope that this one gets the respect she deserves.
HGO Unveils Tchaikovsky’s “Queen of Spades”
If you are looking for something a little different for entertainment when you head out in Houston, perhaps you should check out The Houston Grand Opera’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades this April. After performing Puccinni’s Tosca this past February, the Houston Grand Opera under the baton of Carlo Rizzi will be presenting one of 11 Tchaikovsky operas. According to the HGO website, the London Observer said the following of the production:
“Once every few seasons, a production gets pretty much everything right. This is one … Dramatically spine-chilling, visually spare and coherent, it was the kind of theatrical experience which changes the way you look at life – not a comment to be made lightly.” — The Observer (London)
The opera, which originally premiered in December of 1890, is based on the short story by Russian writer Alexander Pushkin. Much of Pushkin’s work has famously been set to music by a number of prolific composers. The Queen of Spades is a complex tale of secrecy, greed, manipulation and desire. And of course, what would opera be without a little avarice, a little death and passion!
MTV Wants Fulbright Scholar
By: Brian Bowers
Smile. I like titles and no this is not a joke I promise you. Did you know that Fulbright and mtvU have teamed together to offer a fellowship to individuals interested in documenting and studying the “power” of music on an international scale? But if you are left wondering what I mean by ‘offering’ and ‘fellowship’ let me just give you a few stats on the award:
• Round-trip transportation to the host country
• Maintenance for the academic year, based on living costs in the host country
• Book and research allowances (Fellows whose projects require extensive research
• funding, materials, or equipment must obtain funding from other sources for such
• purposes.)
• Supplemental health and accident insurance coverage
• Foreign language or cultural orientation courses, where appropriate
• Media resources (e.g., camera and Internet uplink for students to send dispatches to mtvU)
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? I bet anyone who didn’t like music and travelling before likes it a lot more now that someone else might potentially pay for you to take part! It seems following the initial pilot year in 2007-2008, the Fulbright-mtvU fellowship is back and in action. Be warned, this can be a complex application process for individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree that requires proposals, recommendations…etc, its not for the faint at heart. But what’s a little paperwork and research for such an amazing opportunity.
If you need encouragement again, look at the awards above! I mean, you can contribute to society, music, academia and media without being on a reality TV show. Sounds great? GOOD, give it a shot.
Find more information here at the official website or here. Although this year’s deadline is coming up VERY soon (March 1, 2010 to be exact), you can always file this away for next year and get started way ahead of time!
Lauryn Hill at Raggamuffin Festival 2010
By: Brian Bowers
After years of unpublicized and almost secretive performances across the globe, singer Lauryn Hill recently appeared at the Raggamuffin Festival in New Zealand on January 23rd. When first announced to be a headliner at the annual festival, fans and the blogsphere wondered whether or not the seemingly reclusive singer would re-emerge. Well, the gifted musician did show up with energetic offerings of songs such as ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’, ‘Doo Wop’ and ‘Final Hour’ as she moved about the stage and interacted with the lively crowd.
For those of us who couldn’t attend the annual Raggamuffin Festival, have no fear—Youtube was bombarded with clips from her recent performance. Although the sound bites leave much to be desired due to poor quality, one article boldly stated the star showed fans “she’s still got it.” While singing the opening refrain to the Robert Flack classic famously popularized by her and former band mates The Fugees, the audience became ecstatic with screaming and applause. One person could even be heard yelling “Oh my God, Oh my God.”
With a smile as bright as ever, one memorable moment occurs when Hill asks her audience what they would like to hear her sing. Such genuine interaction left the impression that perhaps she is ready to return to the stage. Although in recent interviews former band mate Pras has mentioned she is currently working on new material, Lauryn nor Columbia have made official statements to validate these claims. Whatever the case, she certainly is up to something and I’m sure music lovers all around the world are ready and waiting for her return.
Green Machines: Zero Pollution’s Compressed Air Car
By: Brian Bowers
Last weeks “Modern Marvel’s: Environmental Tech II” was certain to catch the interest of anyone interested in moving towards being green-friendly and preserving the environment. From odor free compost makers, to city’s run by solar energy and wind turbines, the thrilling presentation brought to life the age old adage—the future is now. One segment of the show in particular featured a new car that is known to some as the compressed air car.
With all the talk about finding new energy sources and alternative fuels, it seems compressed air could be one alternative for the future of driving and the environment. The Zero Pollution compressed Air Car [which can also function as a hybrid vehicle] runs primarily by using compressed air that is stored in large tanks. Do-it-yourself types will be pleased to know that if you purchase a compressed air machine of your own, you’ll have the added convenience of refueling the car in the privacy of your own home.
If this sounds a little too hands on for your taste, fret not as you can always utilize machines available at gas stations. Additionally, one huge advantage that has the blogsphere, tech wizes and eco-friendly types all buzzing is the new car cuts production costs and has an expected retail value of less than 20,000 USD. Read More
Corinne Bailey Rae’s Highly Anticipated, “The Sea”
By: Brian Bowers
The smooth, sultry voiced songbird that won the world over with hit songs such as “Like a Star” and “Put Your Record On” returns to us with her sophomore effort “The Sea.” In recent interviews regarding her return, Corinne confesses during her break from the industry she was experiencing a period of tremendous loss and grieving.
The dole-eyed singer was on hiatus following the tragic loss of her husband a couple of years ago. Late 2009, however, the lead single from her newly released project entitled “I’d Do it All Again” accurately summarizes the sonic expression of a great loss, but a life and love greater than remorse and, or regret.
“The Sea” is full of a vast array of emotions, but the tone of the album is overwhelmingly seeped in the blues and retrosoul. A title apropos for a life experiences that we all can connect to as human beings navigating this experience we call living. In the words of Agnes De Mille:
“Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.”
Corinne’s latest work is a bold leap into heavy soul wrenching music accented by a deliberate vocal styling that is characteristically her own. This is one work that welcomes any listener looking to take a journey into the soul of an artist finding her voice and finding her way.
