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Multimedia Performance Group "JUSTLANDED"....
The following is a press release from justlanded.org : Cosmicly unique and exciting Multimedia Performance Group "JUSTLANDED" releases videos "JustLanded in Times Square" and "The Time is Now!"
We are cosmic beings having human experiences! Visit their website : www.justlanded.org

Musical saw and bells....
The following is a press release from sawlady.com concerning the debut CD from Natalia Paruz’s - a member of Hybrid Studios...
Zubin Mehta, conductor of the Israel Philharmonic has said: "Natalia is the best saw player I’ve ever worked with"
Garrison Keillor, of the radio show A Prairie Home Companion has called her "Our official musical saw player".
|Amazing and quite musical in the expressiveness she was able to get from a tableful of bells. Brava!" said William Bolcom, Pulitzer Prize winning composer.
"Palmine Productions is pleased to announce the release of musical saw and bells player Natalia Paruz’s debut CD, ‘Hark! An Angel Sings’ just in time for the holiday gift giving season. Visit www.SawLady.com to listen to samples of the CD and for ordering information. We are very excited about this CD and we hope you will too."

Front Row Seat Media.
Press Release : "Front Row Seat Media has just released our initial CD releases for worldwide distribution. Vixen, The Works (featuring Marty Friedman of Megadeth) and Tower, Turn the Page (with Joshua vocalist Jerry Gabriel at the helm) , and Jesse Damon, The Hand That Rocks (lead singer / guitarist for former RCA recording artists Silent Rage and songwriter for KISS) are our first exclusive releases.
We have also re-issued the Alchemist CD, Songs From the Westside with Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple and an all-star lineup. Individuals, retailers, & wholesalers can order and get more info by visiting our website."
About Front Row Seat Owner Steve Brownlee : "Steve Brownlee has been working in the independent music industry for over 20 years, over half that at the acclaimed Enigma Records. Having worked with hundreds of the biggest names in music, he brings with him a knowledge and love of music that has earned him great respect among his peers.  A specialist in marketing and promotion, he has helped turn unknown artists into household names. His insightful and creative style has led to the sales of millions of units worldwide. He brings his award-winning talent to Front Row Seat Media to continue in his commitment to excellence.
Just some of the bands Steve Brownlee has worked with include : Motley Crue, Ratt, Queensryche, Poison, Great White, Motorhead, and Stryper. While he specializes in hard rock and heavy metal, he has also been involved with artists in various genres including Berlin, They Might Be Giants, and Red Hot Chili Peppers."
For more info contact frontrowseatcd@aol.com or visit the Front Row Seat website.

Equality Matters Workshop
In a joint initiative with Community Music Wales, Total Music Wales ran a free practical music workshop at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff on Monday 24th November [2003] to raise awareness of social inclusion issues and the difficulties facing disabled musicians when visiting mainstream venues.
The workshop, primarily aimed at those working with disabled people but open to all, included a talk from Maggie Hampton of Arts Disability Wales, who urged people to get involved:
"finding ways of making your music sessions accessible to disabled people can be creative and exciting... the boring bit is that the law says you have a duty to do so! This will be a short but essential workshop, giving you vital information about the Disability Discrimination Act. Learn what this law means for you as a music tutor, and find out how your sessions can be models of best practice!" 

The afternoon comprised a practical session run by Andy Pidcock, an experienced tutor in this field.
Changes to legislation coming into effect from October 2004 will demand that all public spaces provide access for disabled users and live music venues could face large fines if they fail to come into line with the new requirements.
For more info on future workshops contact Total Music Wales on 02920 384493 /  lynne@totalmusicwales.com

Nolan Bruce Allen nominated for 4 awards....
The Academy of Western Artists Award ceremonies were held in July 2003 at Ft. Worth, Texas - Congratulations to Hybrid Studios member Nolan Bruce Allen who was nominated in 4 categories : Rising Star Of The Year • Best Band Of The Year • Western Swing Male Vocalist Of The Year • Western Swing Album Of The Year. For more information on New York's 'King of Western Swing' visit NBA's website : www.lonestarband.com

On The Level Records presents Stars of the levels...
A compilation of 22 original tracks from the Somerset music scene. Artists include Padreal, Dead Fish, Snipe (members of Hybrid Studios), Squad 69, Exit 24 plus loads more... All this for only £5 and you can get your hands on one at any of the following places : Strode Theatre-Street • Martian Records-Taunton • West Quay Music-Bridgwater • Gothic Image-Glastonbury • Jaywalk Music-Street • Raves from the Grave-Frome • Tor Records-Glastonbury • Acorn Music-Yeovil • Chop-Cheddar, or online @ www.onthelevelrecords.co.uk  Visit the OTL website for more info!

New Independent label based in Boston, Massachusetts
StyleEfx Productions, Incorporated, a new independent label based in Boston, Massachusetts, released it’s first CD, entitled, “Change the Game…the compilation” for internet purchase on April 22nd. The stated mission of the new company is to become a leader in the entertainment industry by giving music fans a chance to hear original music as opposed to what can be generally heard on major radio.
The “Change the Game” CD is a mixture of R&B and Hip-Hop, containing 20 original tracks. It has thus far been receiving favorable responses from the urban underground and college markets throughout the Eastern Massachusetts area.
The CD is a compilation of musical work from up and coming urban artists, including:
Ralph G. : A 22 year old R&B singer who has extensive prior performance experience on a regional basis
The Uninvited : A trio of Rap artists hailing from Boston, Florida, and New York City areas.
Lyrix : A 21 year old male R&B artist whose stage presence and vocal style has been compared to that of Death Row Records artist, Nate Dogg.
Thrilla : A young female rapper with an exciting stage performance and intense vocal style.
The official street release date for this CD is to be determined, however the label has recently negotiated an exclusive deal for the CD to be sold at select Newbury Comics locations. More info on StyleEfx Productions and associated artists can be found on the label’s website www.styleefx.net which features artist photos and bios, MP3 downloads, message boards, and chat rooms.

Warmin’ Up with Ragtime Ruby Fradkin
[Press Release from ragtimeruby.com] Stride and boogie-woogie with the playfulness of Basie and the spirit of Professor Longhair....Ragtime Ruby Fradkin is "a child prodigy...a talent to be reckoned with.."according to Jack Rummel, host of Ragtime America, KGNU-FM, Boulder, CO. "A young child with an old spirit," according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The 12-year-old pianist's debut CD has gathered national radio play, and features an inspired mixture of original boogies and early 20th century standards.

"Warmin’ Up with Ragtime Ruby Fradkin is the debut CD from the 12-year-old piano phenom, Ruby Fradkin.
Recorded when she was 11, the disc presents Fradkin in the environs of a New Orleans supper club the day after Mardi Gras.
Her piano bubbles and percolates in the wash of Victor Bisetti’s (Los Lobos, John Lee Hooker) brushwork, Tim Emmons’ (Cab Calloway) upright bass, Stevie Gurr’s (Dr. John, Elvin Bishop) ever-on-the-money guitar, and Freebo’s (Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur) tuba.
With her original boogies, Fradkin calls forth the playfulness of Count Basie. In her piano/tuba romps, she reminds one of Johnnie Johnson. On the album as a whole, she projects the elegance and style of a Booker T. Jones.
Exquisitely recorded and mastered, the disc presents young Fradkin in a lush accessible format (a pleasant cross-section of duet and ensemble work).
A fixture on the Los Angeles club scene (Kulak’s Woodshed, Old Town Music Hall, The Silent Movie Theatre) Fradkin has the style and tenacity to make a national splash.
The CD is available at cdbaby.com." ~The Tolucan Times ~ October 23, 2002

Read what other folks have to say about Warming Up! or listen to Ruby's Boogie. For more information visit : www.ragtimeruby.com

Latest news on Ruby : For the past three years, Ruby Fradkin has been a staple on the Los Angeles music scene, performing her unique brand of bluesy ragtime at such venues as The Old Town Music Hall, The Silent Movie Theatre, Kulak's Woodshed, The Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, and more. Over Labor Day weekend she was the “shining star“ of The Sweet & Hot Music Festival, sharing the stage with such legends as Herb Jeffries (the Duke Ellington Orchestra vocalist who crooned “Flamingo“) and international sensations Yoshio Toyama and the Saints.

At age 13, Fradkin has a reputation of being a "musician's musician," with write-ups in The Los Angeles Times, Keyboard Magazine, and L.A. Jazz Scene. Jack Rummell tags her as "a talent to be reckoned with." The Los Angeles Daily News describes her as "a young child with an old spirit." Stay tuned for more from Ruby Fradkin!

bbboing! & associated weirdness
bbboing: & associated weirdness  is a brand new collection of poetry, prose & visual texts from renowned Cardiff writer (and Hybrid Studios member) lloyd robson.

"bbboing!& associated weirdness is a high velocity selection of robson's writings from the last ten years. handled with impeccable tone & precision, bbboing! blows away structure & form; bounces into & out of emotion, commotion, travel & abandon with a linguistic dynamism, humour & depth. passages of snarling psychotropic vision interweave with poetry of sensitivity, intelligence, sadness & wit. an unremitting celebration of voice & language. an outrageous, exhilarating funky feast...."
In 2002 Lloyd was awarded a published writer's bursary, from the arts council of wales, enabling him to complete this collection of text, prose & visual poems, fictional prose, essays & photography.

"the most potent writer wales has... bbboing! is a tour de force" — chris torrance

The launch of 'bbboing! & associated weirdness' was held at: waterstones bookstore, the hayes, cardiff @ 7pm on Friday May 23rd.
but don't despair if you missed it - you can still purchase bbboing! & associated weirdness online from amazon.co.uk by clicking here!
Also available: shush! the new spoken word cd from blackhat : a limited edition release featuring five poems from bbboing! & six extracts from cardiff cut. over an hour's worth of studio-recorded readings by lloyd robson - the perfect accompaniment to bbboing! £7 (inc. uk p&p) from blackhat@ntlworld.com
For more books by Lloyd Robson, visit the Hybrid Studios bookshop or visit Lloyd's website.

Notes on Directing
How The Famous Got That Way : New book reveals the rare artistic secrets of today's greatest performing artists
What got the young Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, and Kevin Spacey started on their successful careers? What separated them from the crowd and moved them from mere potential to fame and renown?
A new book on directing reveals the rare artistic secrets shared with these stars early in their careers by their teacher and director, Frank Hauser. Hauser ran the Oxford Playhouse for sixteen years and had numerous theatrical productions in London, New York, and throughout Europe. He also taught at Oxford, Julliard, and several other universities where his actors and students have included many of the top performers of the past two generations.

"The next best thing to working with Frank Hauser is to read his book. His wise and pithy observations on acting and rehearsing don't age, reminding me how much I have learned from him." – Sir Ian McKellen

Notes on Directing is a first-hand account that reveals for aspiring directors exactly what Hauser told his actors when they were young and ready to begin their journeys. Collected here are the teachings of a man who clearly knew how to nurture the talent of giants. Notes on Directing delivers 130 insights, each supported with authoritative commentary, clear examples, and rare quotes by other prominent artists as diverse as Anton Chekhov, John Gielgud, Elia Kazan, Harold Clurman, and Bernard Shaw.
The book's coauthor, American Russell Reich, is another of Hauser's former students. In 1987, Hauser appointed Reich as his assistant director on a production of Robert Bolt's A Man For All Seasons. (The production later moved to London with Charlton Heston in the lead role, and Heston adapted the production with the same cast into a made-for-television movie.) During rehearsals – and with the understated suggestion of "you might find these helpful" – Hauser handed Reich twelve pages of typed notes developed and refined over his nearly forty-year career. The Notes shared a teachable and useable approach to directing that Hauser used when working with such luminaries as Sir Alec Guinness and Richard Burton.
Reich has picked up where Hauser left off. It was Reich who first approached his former mentor with the idea for turning the Notes into a book and who contributed and compiled the book's additional matter. After working with Frank Hauser, Reich later went on to study with David Mamet, Jerry Zaks, Andre Serban and to direct at Harvard, Princeton, and New York's Circle Repertory Company. "Our goal with the book," says Reich, " was to provide what we felt all directors need to know – and what we think every actor, writer, and audience member wants them to know."
The book includes four appendices, an original acting exercise called "The What Game," a recommended reading list, and an index. It is endorsed by Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, director Jerry Zaks, actors Rupert Graves and Rosemary Harris, and Sir Richard Eyre – the former artistic director of Britain's Royal National Theatre.

"This book is so sensible, so straightforward, so complete and so 'right' that some might think it was not serious. They would be wrong." – Pulitzer Prize Winner Edward Albee
[Reproduced with kind permission by the publisher and copyright holder.]
Notes on Directing delivers what every director needs to know – and what every actor, scriptwriter, and audience member wants them to know.
Notes on Directing is available from Amazon : want to know more first? please click here for a review by Max Farber...

Self Expression - New Poetry Publication by Andrew Murray

Behind The Scenes comes from Andrew Murray's new poetry publication - Self Expression. "The poems in this book are based mainly on the continuing struggle between light and darkness" Click here to read more poems from Andrew's book - or click here to purchase the book from Amazon!

Hybrid Studios Collective CD : ONE
ONE - the first of hopefully many CD albums featuring members from Hybrid Studios (2002). Featured artists include SEVEN 13 • Levin • Quest:Ions • DavidDavid • Cynthia Cathcart • Simon Kilshaw • Sonic Hybrid • Dave Kenwrick • BlueCoup • Elfie Martin • Tom Jackson • Rhodri John
Totalling over an hour of original, quality music and covering a number of genres, this is one compilation album not to miss..... READ THE FULL STORY

The Haiti Fund.
One group of people who are working hard in South Wales to help people to help themselves is simply known as THE HAITI FUND. Established in 1996, the Haiti Fund believes that one of the principle keys to progress in Haiti - one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere - is Education.
The Fund’s work aims to encourage the development of appropriate and innovative learning techniques in a country where schools are severely under funded and teaching techniques often inadequate. The Haiti Fund is addressing these problems initially by working closely with Haitian schools in the north of the country. As well as the provision of basic teaching resources, The Haiti Fund (supported by the Community Fund) is sending voluntary teachers to work in the country alongside local people to help develop the skills necessary for their needs. This partnership is proving as much of a learning experience for the teachers from Wales as it is for those in Haiti. The value of witnessing the slow, but positive, process of people believing in themselves, is reward in its self. Education leads to understanding. Understanding leads to empowerment. Empowerment leads to freedom of choice. Which leads us back to the thought of people being able to understand and want to participate in the processes of Fair Trade. That applies equally to the giver as well as the receiver.

At the present time there is an urgent need to raise initially an estimated £10,000 to send a container with educational, clothing and other items for the people in Haiti. (We have been offered old generation computers to send but there is no electric to use them, so poor is the area we work in) Also for match funding for other projects.

READ THE FULL STORY & FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP BY CLICKING ON THE INFO IMAGE :
The Haiti Fund presents a series of live music Fundraising events : find out where and when on the gigs page.

Words Out of Place.
Day and Residential Workshops exploring the power of place through your poetry, fiction and drama.
Site-Writing: the place, its past and its present.
Writing Lives: yours and your imagination's.
Writers in their Place: reading their maps and drawing your own.
For further details, please contact Michael Thomas by email: michaelw.thomas@virgin.net or phone 07714-341215.

H.E.A.R.
"H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the real dangers of repeated exposure to excessive noise levels which can lead to permanent, and sometimes debilitating, hearing loss and tinnitus. H.E.A.R. is here for musicians, music fans, and anyone needing help with their hearing."
For more information about H.E.A.R. contact H.E.A.R.'s web site at www.hearnet.com.

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