NASHVILLE |DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2006
FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/KRISTINE ASHTON-MAGNUSON/
MITCH SCHNEIDER
Voodoo EconoMixx/Free Friday:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
DAY-LONG SERIES OF FREE EVENTS
FOR NEW ORLEANS’ COLLEGE STUDENTS
AND LOCAL MUSICIANS
TO PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
VIA PRE-VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE ACTIVITES
This year’s VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE is partnering with The Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy®, The City of New Orleans and The Louisiana Office of the Lt. Governor to create this day-long series of activities on the grounds of City Park, utilizing some of the weekend’s performance areas. On Friday, the day before the VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE kicks-off with two days of live music, leading music and entertainment industry figures will join forces to provide music students and local musicians with their insights into the industry.
Voodoo Economixx/Free Friday will begin with a celebratory screening of “Before The Music Dies.” This electrifying documentary from filmmakers Andrew Shapter and Joel Rasmussen takes an artists' view of the large music corporations, and offers inspiring hope for the future. Immediately following the screening, Voodoo Economixx participants will be invited to a Question & Answer session with director Andrew Shapter.
“When people who love music see ‘Before the Music Dies,’ something special happens,” said Chris Hyams, CEO of Bside Entertainment. “It's an honor to partner with the Recording Academy to create one of those magical/experiences at a great event like Voodoo, and in a phenomenal music community like New Orleans.”
Following that, Voodoo Economixx participants will be invited to a panel discussion which will address the state of the industry, new technologies and new business models.
“We’re really looking at this as a way to offer students and musicians access to some of the best minds in the business,” says Stephen Rehage, founder/producer of the VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE. “Hopefully they will leave that day with a greater knowledge and insight of how to manage and orchestrate chaos.”
After the panel discussion, Voodoo Economixx/Free Friday participants and local residents are invited to come together to enjoy free live music celebrating the kick-off of the 2006 VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE. The live music will begin at 2:00 PM with a performance from Michael Tolcher and will also include performances from Theresa Andersson, Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove and more. The day’s on-site events will conclude with a 6:00 PM blessing of site as part of the Rhythmic Roots Community Music Drum Circle Project featuring Shannon Powell, Michael Skinkus and Moyuba with special guest Pedro Martinez, Fi Yi Yi: Spirit of the Mandingo Warrior, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and many more. For those who can’t be on hand, Friday’s live music and many of the weekend’s performances are scheduled to be broadcast live on WWOZ (90.7 and www.wwoz.org).
Admission for the Friday events is free, but seating is limited for Voodoo EconoMixx and will be available on a “first come, first served” basis. To register for the event, please email economixx@voodoomusicfest.com.
Friday’s agenda is as follows:
11:00 AM-
12:30 PM: Film “Before the Music Dies”
12:30–
1:00 PM Director “Q&A” with Andrew Shapter and moderator Alex Rawls, OffBeat Magazine
1:00–
2:00 PM: Panel Discussion with moderator Alex Rawls, Editor, OffBeat Magazine. Topics to include: New Technologies and Business Models in the music industry. Speakers will ddress emerging trends in the entertainment business, and how independent labels, studios and artists can profit from them. Speakers include: Wendy Laister, Magus Entertainment, artist manager; Alex Hackford, Head of A&R, Sony Computer PlayStation; Aric Webb, SVP Strategic Marketing, Virgin Records; Stephen Rehage, Founder/Producer, Voodoo Music Experience.
2:15 PM: Michael Tolcher
3:00 PM: Beatin Path
3:45 PM: Theresa Andersson
4:45 PM: Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove
6:00 PM: Rhythmic Roots: Community Music Drum Circle. Featuring Shannon Powell, Alfred “Uganda” Roberts, Michael Skinkus and Moyuba with special guest Pedrito Martinez, Fi Yi Yi Spirit of the Mandingo Warrior, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, plus many other special guests.
About The Recording Academy
Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as The Recording Academy, is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human service programs – including the creation of the national public education campaign What's The Download (www.WhatsTheDownload.com). For more information on the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com/memphis
About Bside Entertainment
Bside Entertainment (www.bside.com) is a specialty distributor of independent films. Through a combination of innovative on-line marketing, alternative exhibition strategies, and alliances with like-minded corporate partners, IFC and over a dozen major film festivals, Bside is dedicated to helping independent films find their audiences. Founded in 2005 by Chris Hyams, Bside is backed by an advisory board that includes writer/producer Steven Bochco, former Polygram Films president Andrew Fogelson, and top entertainment attorney Barry Hirsch.
About The VOODOO MUSIC® EXPERIENCE
Since its 1999 debut, the VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE–known for its diverse blend of high quality artists from all genres as well as up and coming critical favorites–has called New Orleans home. The wide-ranging line-up of talent each year reflects the multitude of cultures which define the city. Music fans travelling from across the country and around the world come together annually to experience a musical convergence amidst 11 lush miles of bayous and lagoons to see how the locals do Halloween–with a little help from some of the most celebrated artists in the music world today. For more information on the VOODOO MUSIC® EXPERIENCE, visit the official festival website at www.voodoomusicfest.com.
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VOODO MUSIC EXPERIENCE: Voodoo EconoMixx/Free Friday: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27 DAY-LONG SERIES OF FREE EVENTS FOR NEW ORLEANS’ COLLEGE STUDENTS AND LOCAL MUSICIANS TO PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY VIA PRE-VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE ACTIVITES
