Is Spring Finally Here?

         It definitely has been a very long and harsh winter which is why the seeing the sun as little as I have... still shocks me. By this time last year I was in Albany fretting and stressing over finals and papers. Now I'm just trying to find my place in the workforce. I made the decision to quit my job as a personal assistant and  gave in my three weeks notice.


        I wanted and needed something more, especially since I worked with the CBS pilot Productions team. The hours were brutal and I would often have an hour or so of sleep before getting back to my original job. Since then I have decided to apply to unpaid internships. I should stop scoffing at them and fully accept the experience and work ethic they would eventually give me.

      It was really great working with Peter again, before this I worked on Young Adult with him. I learned so much from behind the scenes and was able to help different departments. There were certain parts that were glamorous like seeing the actors and the footage from the shooting crew. Other than that everyone worked really hard and came from different walks of life. I definitely want to be involved in more projects such as this.
      With slow but reassuring sign of Spring I will apply and apply until I get what I deserve. I certainly have interviews lined up. I feel so utterly blessed and I feel like it's been a productive year since I've graduated.

International Girl Gang Underground Zine Release Party!

              Exactly four days after International Woman's Day, Kate Watkins (from the collective For the Birds) and Support New York were tabling this year for the International Girl Gang Underground Zine Release Party. The event was held at Death by Audio and was very much a safe place for everyone involved. There was a bake sale to benefit research for Polycystic Kidney Disease.
          
           The bands that played were:

SLINGSHOT DAKOTA
(NY/PA punk-pop sweethearts)
http://myspace.com/slingshotdakota

BAD BANANA
...(ex- PS ELIOT, new- favorite band)
http://badbanana.muxtape.com/

AYE NAKO
(ex- FLEABAG, NY pop-punk sweethearts)
http://ayenako.org/

AMERICAN SUN
(new Brooklyn dreaminess, think GRASS WIDOW)
http://myspace.com/americansunnyc

          And finally the facebook event page clearly stated:

// The International Girl Gang Underground Zine Release Party has a safer space policy intended to make this event a supportive, nonthreatening environment for everyone including survivors of abuse and sexual assault. Harassment, abuse, and assault, as well as racist, sexist, queerphobic, classist, ageist, or otherwise oppressive remarks or behavior will not be tolerated.

People who have perpetrated inter-personal violence, assault and/or harassment and are not presently undergoing any accountability-related process are asked not to attend. There will be mediators at the show to assist if any violations do arise, so if you would like to speak to a safer space team member please find someone with a pink armband, or ask someone at the Support New York table to help you. //

                       

Support Your Friends! Support the Arts!

         Last week Pearl, a very good friend of mine was involved in a play at LaGuardia Community College. Even though my schedule changed from week to week I decided to support her and the show. The play was called The Vortican and it revolved around vampires of the Royal Family. Vampires seemed to be such a hot topic these days.

       I wasn't too sure what to expect. Now let me explain something, I met Pearl in high school and she is extremely important and special to me, she is in my close circle of friends. Experience had taught me that you should always buy flowers on opening night and say "break a leg" rather than good luck. I bought a bouquet of flowers and made me way to the show.
        I was immediately sucked in(haha I just added a pun) to the dynamics of the play. The first thing that caught my eye were the outfits. The men were dressed in slacks and dark clothes. They had swords, canes and of course their lethal fangs. The women on the other hand had tight dresses and dark clothing. It was a modern look but I would have preferred a clash of something old and new. My favorite fashionista was the girl who played the queen, she had such a style that clashed with the past and modern time.

                The play had such a wide range of actors, whom proved to be very talented. The audience was able to feel the raw emotion between King Cassin and Queen Jocelyn, the betrayal between Xavier and Dextrius and much more. Even the crazy vamp of the play Lithium made a valid point: how humans were quick to judge the vampires for their greed. Yet humans were just as greedy! For example look at Christmas, we spent the year pining and wishing for our gifts. And when we received what we wanted, we wished and wanted more next year.      
                Pearl played Angeline, the queen's daughter. She was the spitting image of her and obeyed her "mother" in any way she could. She wanted to rule along side her mother and run The Vortican the best way she saw fit. The play had humor as well as a sense of danger whenever the actors leaped off stage or fought with their cat-like moves. The fighting scenes were choreographed very well. The person responsible for the play was Dana King. Whom I nosily overheard was able to write this play in an hour, she edited it for weeks(but still!Wow!). Her imagination for this play was quite impressive and the actors involved made it come alive.  

      

Lights. Camera. Action!

"First I was afraid/I was petrified/Kept thinking I could never live/without you by my side/But I spent so many nights/thinking how you did me wrong/I grew strong/I learned how to carry on/and so you're back/from outer space/I just walked in to find you here/with that sad look upon your face/I should have changed my stupid lock/ I should have made you leave your key/If I had known for just one second/you'd be back to bother me."

       A week ago I was browsing through facebook when I saw the most amazing event posted: Volunteers needed for the Gloria Gaynor "I will survive" music video. Now let me add that I have a part time job as an assistant Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I quickly went to the link and saw that it was happening on Tuesday! I jumped at the very thought. There were no ifs and or buts I absolutely had do be a part of this. The dress code said dark clothing. Everything I practically own is black, I couldn't help but think of the era and the song. So, I decided to wear a red and blue plaid shirt(they were dark red and blue) with skinny jeans and black boots. The shoot was scheduled from 10am til 4pm and I wanted to be there as early as possible.
       I woke up at 9am in the morning excited, nervous and most of all exhilarated about what laid ahead. I wanted to straightened my hair but went against it because I didn't want to waste time. I got ready in 20 mins *a new record for me* and was on my way. However as soon as I got off the train I was lost for half an hour... Strangers and my good friend Pearl were kind enough to point me in the right direction. I found the location and was in awe of the lights, the camera, and all of the beautiful people. I was tongue-tied and saw that everyone was wearing black! Well I thought: I know better for next time. I walked to the front and was asked to sign a paper for the video. The shooting was going to start shortly I was told. I sat next to a woman and introduced myself. We started talking about the song and what it meant to the both of us. We talked about heartache, love and loss. She was really something else.

      As she started talking to the woman next to her. I couldn't help but revel in the entire room, all of these people: different ages and walks of life were brought together by this artist and this song. I was inspired once again to make my way around the room and make new friends. I made so many contacts and new friends that I was energized and empowered by such an experience. It was my first time on a shoot and most certainly will not be my last. I got a work out by dancing two to three hours straight. Towards the middle of the shoot Gloria Gaynor made her appearance and thanked us all for being there.

       This was definitely an experience I will hold on to for the rest of my life. It showed me that everyone has to pay their dues and that through hard work anything is possible. Again I was brought to a number of possibilities and directions my life could go in but instead of feeling overwhelmed I felt better; better knowing that I can do anything and become anyone I choose.
        
          

Right Time Right Place

      A week or two ago, a really good friend of mine invited me to a party. Little did I know it was a Secret Sessions party held at the Tainted Blue Recording Studio. My friend T has an apprenticeship with the studio and has been studying audio engineering. The other interns and studio manager were so polite and informative about the program (so much so that I have been thinking about doing it myself). The studio was amazing, to the left there were guitars, so expensive and so beautiful. The audio system was updated and had so many controls and functions. I was intimidated by this space the moment I walked in but the first person to greet us was Robert Sax, *everyone called him Sax.

         He greeted T and me with such a warm smile and firm handshake. He showed me the space and made me feel welcome. I let out a breath and decided that I could be myself and enjoy the surroundings to its full capacity. The interns I met were Jason, Brittany and a few others who were polite and welcoming as well. I spoke to Jason because of the similar majors we had in college. He told me that studying audio engineering especially at Tainted Blue Studios was the best decision he ever made. He did his research and found himself near the heart of New York City as well as the music industry.    

        I was able to relax and joke around. I was shown around the studio and even volunteered to help around a little while more people arrived. The room started to fill up with: photographers, artists, interns and people from different walks of life as well. There were fliers all over with the band that was going to play. *Draped in Green, on the front was a picture of a very pretty girl and mysterious guy with a guitar in his hands. I was very intrigued and couldn't wait for their performance, in the meanwhile I decided to work the room, introduce myself and make several contacts.

         I definitely felt like I was part of this elite group of hard-working people with their various connections to music. There were articles in the studio as well, one about Alicia Keys that caught my eye. It spoke about her origins and her journey to the music industry. When I was done reading I realized I lost my friends but I wasn't concerned because I knew sooner or later I would find them. I moved through the crowd to the front and prepared to listen to Draped in Green. Through the noise of the crowd I was able to hear Jennifer's loud, clear and soulful voice. Alex and Jennifer were in sync that night and balanced out their harmony. Towards the end of their performance they decided to sing Cee-Lo Green's song "Fuck You" with a few revisions.

       I absolutely love that song and when they encouraged the crowd to sing I couldn't help but want to join. I sang along them and loved every second of it. As soon as they were done with their amazing performance I learned that they had only gotten together in October or November! They sounded so good together I thought about their chemistry and contribution of creative ideas between the two of them. I left the party that night feeling so good about my life and its possibilities. The next night three people were on the floor of my apartment building. They were location managers looking for a place to shoot their CBS pilot! I couldn't believe my luck. I was polite and exchanged my information with them. I even showed them my apartment, so they could get a feel of it. It made me feel like I was in the right place at the right time.

Anti-Valentine's Day Show

This post is definitely long over due! Let me start off by saying this may have been the best Valentine's Day ever. It was also my first Anti-Valentine's Day show. It was the 3rd annual Anti-Valentine's Day show, a riot grrrl cover show to be exact. The cover charge was between $5-10 and the doors opened at 6:30 p.m. The line-up included: Lunachicks, Lilliput, Bratmobile, Limp wrist, Team Dresch, X-Ray Spex, Bangs, and Bikini Kill. There was tabling by For the Birds Collective, Wardrobe Boutique, Support New York & more.

According to a source of mine the show for the past two years was at someone's apartment. This year however the show was at Death by Audio, making it an official scene. The crowd was full of people from different walks of life. There were teenagers, adults, people with fascinating tattoos, piercings, and clothing. There was a table in the back with zines and information about the fight against domestic violence.

Several things were a bit annoying like the smoking of legal and illegal substances. It was a great place to dance but people went too far and were not aware of their surroundings or the people. The crowd went absolutely wild when the cover band for Bikini Kill came out. I personally went wild because my close-friend and confidante Jamie was playing.

She did a great job on the bass, electric guitar as well as vocals. She killed it with the song "Double Dare Ya". I snapped pictures like a wild woman. I was so inspired by her and everyone in the room. I hope to someday play the drums or maybe even sing at the Anti-Valentine's Day show. One can dream, right? However in my case I am going to work hard to make it a reality.

Soon it'll be a year...

Even though we're in February, I feel that the month of May is still around the corner somehow. The month of May will make it a year since I've graduated. I have been looking for a job since graduation and I have not been able to hold onto anything stable. The class of 2010 may just have been the unluckiest of all its years...

However I try to stay on the positive side of things and have faith that things come to those who wait. So, in the mean while I will write about my work experiences since graduation as well as other activities. For the majority of the summer I was unable to enjoy myself because of the lack of a job. I have also been pressured (no names) by certain family members about Graduate school. Now, I am in the process of trying to pay for my loans, why on earth would I add on to my stress meter?

I would prefer having experience in the field that I have studied. Though now looking back seems to be close to impossible. Yet I can not lose hope because I refuse to give up on my dreams. Even if I were to go into another direction I still have to try my best. I at least owe that much to myself . Also I have started to receive interviews and better opportunities now than the time since I've graduated...

Times certainly have been rough. My friends have gone in two directions: graduate school or the work place. Are those the only two directions I am allowed? Then let me take time to redefine the terms for myself and create a third option. Volunteer and intern even if it means no pay because who knows? It might lead me somewhere. Even though I should have interned while I was an undergraduate, there's a voice that says "it's never too late."