Outside-the-box ideas...
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost
If you hadn't noticed already, there's a change to the menu over there to your left.
The February 2003 featured artist was chosen for a number of reasons... First and foremost was the band's dedication to supporting and enriching the local music scene. Their work within the music community has benefitted not just their band, but many others as well. They have not always taken the easiest or quickest route... They choose the roads less travelled in an all-out effort to "do it right." The article is an in-depth profile of Weapons For Peace.
As we come upon the biggest local music event in the Central Pennsylvania region next week, I am dreaming that we all make this the most cooperative and successful conference to date. This is an incredible opportunity to change the way we all think and DO things for the better. It doesn't have to be about his band or her band... It can be about ALL of us, together. Please help me not just TALK about it...but DO something about it.
On that token, I have received several very positive responses from my previous pleadings.
A lot of ideas are starting to flow in. Step one was to verify that there was interest in changing things. Step two is to define what needs to be changed. Step three is to hash out HOW it will be done, and Step four... is to DO IT.
My next action is to get us all in a room together and begin to make things happen. If you are interested in participating in a town hall meeting type of event, please email me (angela@thelab-pa.com) and I will put you on a mailing list to keep you up to date on what may be happening and when. As of right now, I'm thinking that we will start off with a meeting sometime in April.
Please continue to check out the message board for some of the ideas already generated, and to add yours!
NEW! A series of articles on the re-birth of a local band has begun. The articles are being written by a new contributor to the site, Maynard. Check them out under the COLUMNS section of the site!
I dream that we are a destination rather than a starting point. Is there anyone out here that is up for a challenge and willing to put into it more than you expect to get out of it? What could happen if we all got together as a music community and did the things that make people listen? If we build it, will they come? This is NOT a rhetorical rant... this is more or less a call to arms. I cannot do this alone. I need your help. Please check out the message board for some of the ideas, and to add yours!
I am looking forward to one of the things that really gets me going. The Millenium Music Conference in Harrisburg last year was one of the highlights of the entire year. I met an incredible number of extremely talented musicians, and had the opportunity to experience live music the way most people can only dream of.
Have you ever dreamed of meeting your favorite band? You can at Millenium... when one of the bands you're experiencing for the first time becomes your favorite band.
The event begins on Thursday, February 13th, 2003. Please participate in conversations and opinions regarding the conference on the message board. I have posted the conference showcases schedule in the MMC7 Info area located on the main menu. You can also check out more details and a more up-to-date and OFFICIAL schedule at: http://musicconference.net.
I cannot even begin to explain the euphoria you can experience at a music conference. Once the high from the seventh annual Millenium Music Conference fades, the first ever IMC 2003, Independent Musicians Conference will take place in Philladelphia August 28th - 31st, 2003. See the official site for details: http://www.IMC2003.com.
Following that conference,will be the second annual Dewey Beach Music Festival and Conference (http://www.deweybeachfest.com/) September 25-28 and the CMJ in New York shortly thereafter. There is a section of the message board for music conferences. If you know of any I haven't listed, or more details about the ones I have, PLEASE POST THEM!
That's all for now, folks...but many, many more updates and reviews are forthcoming! I have finally cought up on the photos I've taken and now have the opportunity to expand the links and reviews on the site. I'll see you out there!
Oh... by the way... I've posted a few new reviews and my first rant of 2003 in the Reviews section. Be sure to leave me feedback on the message board. Good, bad, or indifferent... More reviews, etc to come. See you out there! - Ang
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