The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland announced on December 18th a 100 million dollar expansion headed by New York-based company Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU). PAU was chosen after submitting a request for quotation to nearly 22 other companies. The expansion is set to grow the museums size by one third, including a new band shell that overlooks Lake Erie.
Practice for Architecture and Urbanism / Crain’s Cleveland Business
This expansion was motivated primarily by a desire to add more space for concerts and other events. In the past, the Hall of Fame had ambitions to host huge live shows along the lines of Brooklyn Museum’s David Bowie show but could not due to the lack of space. Greg Harris, CEO of the Hall of Fame, comments on the plans for the new space:
We want to give our audiences the giant wow moment that you would expect from a place of our magnitude.
Greg Harris, CEO
Included in the expansion is the creation of a museum campus compounded with the nearing Great Lakes Science Center, classrooms designed for interactive learning, new workspace along the lakefront, and a number of other event spaces for indoor and outdoor performances. In a press release, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame described these ambitious plans as:
A pivotal moment for the museum, the community and for individuals who champion education and the preservation of rock and roll history.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The expansion is set to begin in 2022 with a final design being chosen sometime in 2021.
Genre fusing band Annie in the Water is set to be the next group taking part on The Palace Sessions. The Palace Sessions are a set of live music events that focus on acts regional to the Albany area. All concerts in this series are livestreamed on The Palace Theatre’s YouTube page.
Photograph by Frankie Cavone
Annie in the Water’s music exists at the intersection of Rock, Reggae, Funk, Blues and Jam written with a conscious dose of positive vibes, unique melodies and down to earth lyrics. The band has an innate ability to fill an entire night with original music and also cover well known songs in their signature style, fans share extraordinary experiences that can’t be seen anywhere else.
After over 12 years of touring and shows, founding members of Annie in the Water, Bradley Hester (lead vocals/rhythm) and Michael Lashomb (lead guitar/vocals) lead a full band composed of core members Ryan Trumbull (drums/vocals), Chris Meier (bass/vocals), Matt Richards (keys/vocals) and Brock Kuca (percussion/auxiliary/vocals).
Photograph by Frankie Cavone
The Palace has been one of Albany’s iconic downtown landmark for the past eight decades, bringing the biggest names in entertainment to the Capital Region. The Palace Theatre, built in 1931, originally presented vaudeville acts, feature films and became a civic auditorium before closing its doors in 1969. The theatre’s original design and beauty has remained largely untouched and is a historical landmark in the City of Albany.
The Palace Performing Arts Center was established in 1984 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1989, created to operate the Palace Theatre. The mission of the Palace is to bring world-class arts and entertainment to New York’s Capital Region, greatly enhancing the area’s cultural and economic development. Our mission is carried out through core programming and community initiatives that include performing arts entertainment, free arts education, family-friendly performances, free summer movies and a classic movie program series.
America has an immensely rich culture of art in all its forms, spanning from the early years of the country through present day. Musicians, sculptors, painters, architects, illustrators and graphic designers give this nation a broad history of artistic accomplishment and appreciation that is found through all walks of life and every corner of the country.
We have heard for nearly a year about the plight of independent music venues and the #SaveOurStages campaign, seen musicians turn to virtual tip jars to make money while streaming performances on various platforms, and in some cases, venues have closed and musicians have moved on to other adventures. For all our love of the arts, there is no central advocate on the national level to ensure that we maintain and support those who use their talents to create a more vibrant world.
Art, freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics.
Victor Pinchuk
In Canada, the position of Minister of Canadian Heritage heads the Department of Canadian Heritage, which is responsible for culture, media, sports and the arts. This position was created on a quarter-century ago in 1996, and covers everything from the Canada Council for the Arts, to the National Arts Centre, National Film Board of Canada and the National Gallery of Canada, among other governmental organizations. With a minister (the Canadian equivalent of a Cabinet-level Secretary), Canada is able to further federal programs and funding that relate to Canadian identity and values, as well as cultural development and heritage.
England also has national office for Minister of the Arts, focusing on Culture, Communications and Creative Industries. Covering arts, media, museums, galleries, libraries and creative industries, the position has evolved since creation in the 1960s. Additionally, a Culture Secretary serves as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, was created in 1992 and has been dubbed ‘Minister of Fun,’ and much like their Canadian counterpart, covers arts and culture, libraries, museums and galleries, sports and tourism. Prime Minister John Major, who founded the office, said in his autobiography his autobiography, that prior to the office being created, the responsibility for cultural interests was shared among various departments, but specifically important to none of them. So a change was made to highlight the culture of the United Kingdom.
In America, the creation of a Cabinet-level Department of Arts and Culture could help save the live entertainment industry as we know it, and provide a centralized office for the various governemt agencies that deal with the arts. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the lack of support the arts received under the Trump administration, the live entertainment industry is in desperate need of direction and support.
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, the entertainment industry generates $877 billion a year and creates more than five million jobs across the country in 2017. That is 4.5 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). The entertainment industry is a needed and big part of the economy especially on the small and local scale. A local venue brings in people for a show and ends up helping the local economy extremely. People end up getting dinner, staying at hotels, parking facilities, and so on. The arts don’t just support the venues, artists/ performers, and industry works but also the local businesses that people end up visiting due to being in town for the performance. If these local venues end up closing due to COVID-19 the entire local community will end up suffering.
The National Endowment for the Arts, commonly known as NEA, was established by Congress in 1965 as the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities.
With these facts and figures in mind, people like Charles Segars, head of the Ovation TV network and a known arts advocate, think it’s time for the arts to be taken seriously by the White House and create a cabinet level Secretary of Arts and Culture. With the entertainment industry’s nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) being more than agriculture or transportation, a voice is needed in the White House to advocate for the arts and entertainment industry.
According to an NPRarticle on this concept, at one point there was a ‘The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities’ which founded in 1982 and was originally in place to act as an advocate for the arts to the president. However, everyone on the committee resigned in the beginning of Trump’s presidency after the way he handled the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville. Since then, the committee wasn’t relaunched under the Trump administration, and the arts leaving the live entertainment industry to fend for itself.
Under the Biden administration, hopefully the arts will be better supported. Some organizations are asking, “What Will the Biden Administration Do to Protect the Performing Arts?” An article by JazzBuffalo discusses this question and how live entertainment needs to have a higher priority in the government’s eyes, and the need to develop a realistic plan for a safe reopening of venues to get them back on their feet during the ongoing pandemic, just like restaurants and even businesses like bowling alleys have been given. They explore different ideas of things the new administration could do. Some ideas include independent health insurance and retirement accounts, musicians being able to form an LLC or S-corporation, individual union contracts, and unionizing venues.
Shawn Townsend was made the director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture, a position made by Mayor Bowser in 2018 and established the District’s first Office of Nightlife and Culture in Washington D.C. Serving as an intermediary between nightlife establishments, residents, and the District government, the District’s first Office of Nightlife and Culture promotes a safe, economically and culturally vibrant night time economy. Additionally, the office tries to engage nightlife stakeholders by conducting outreach and providing assistance and solve nighttime issues by collaborating with District government agencies and educate nightlife establishments on existing district policies and regulations through quarterly trainings.
The city of Dallas in Texas has a similar position within their government. The City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture (OAC) is a division of the City Manager’s Office and fosters support, partnerships, and opportunities for Dallas residents, visitors, artists, and arts and cultural organizations. They do this by trying to enhance the vitality of the city and the quality of life for all Dallas residents by creating an equitable environment wherein artists as well as arts and cultural organizations thrive, where people of all ages enjoy opportunities for creative expression, and celebrate multicultural heritage. Their mission is to support and grow a sustainable cultural ecosystem that ensures all residents and visitors have opportunities to experience arts and culture throughout the city.
If both of these positions already exist on a major city level, why couldn’t a similar type of position exist on a federal level?
Prominent figures in the New York State music community chimed in on the possibility of this position. Salvatore Prizio, Concerts and Events Manager for Proctors Collaborative, says “Given the enormous financial impact that the arts have on the country’s GDP it is long past time that the US government create a cabinet level position that can oversee this economic driver for the economy as a whole. It isn’t just a matter of advocating for the arts, but if you look at it strictly from an economic perspective it’s the responsible move to make. Having centralized guidance as well as a seat at the table with the president will allow the arts to thrive and once again lead the way for economic recovery on the micro and macro-economic scale.”
Larry Siegel, General Manager of SummerStage Central Park at City Parks Foundation concurs with Prizio’s sentiments. “I think having an arts advocate would be an amazing addition to the Cabinet for the President. It would give the arts and entertainment a voice that we don’t have and desperately need. We are an 800 billion dollar industry that should have a voice at a seat in government. It’s all about connections and giving voice to this industry and I am all for it.”
Would an addition of a Cabinet Level Secretary for Arts and Culture be able to bring about these changes and stability? Given that major cities and other countries highlight the importance of arts and culture, America would certaintly be well-suited to create a this position and support the arts at one of the greatest times of need in our collective history.
On Jan. 28, Elsewhere, an independent music venue in Brooklyn is airing a new live comedic and musical variety show called Elsewhere Sound Space on Twitch.
Elsewhere Sound Stage Press Photo
Along with many other venues, Elsewhere closed due to COVID-19. As a place founded on innovation, Elsewhere Studios in Brooklyn was made to allow their community to keep creating. The series is among Elsewhere’s attempts to keep live performancesalive during this time. In November, the East Williamsburg venue created a Twitch channel, ElsewhereTv, which streams performances on some Wednesdays along with music sessions on Fridays and Saturdays from their venue.
The show is based on a musical deity’s journey back to Earth after being trapped in space. Live from the Astral Spa and Sound Bath the host, trans comedian Peter Smith, has a goal to bring live music to the isolated citizens on Earth.
Elsewhere Sound Stage Host Peter Smith Press Photo
Each episode filled with comedic skits, out of this world performances, raw interviews and holistic wellness treatments, will air monthly. Elsewhere co-founder, Jake Rosenthal, says the new series “combines the spirit of Space Ghost with the liveness of an SNL musical performance.” Twitch’s API is bringing the visions to life through original 2D and 3D animations and face-tracked video effects. The virtual production software, Aximmetry, makes the tracked-camera performances possible. Elsewhere Sound Space receives its art direction from Dark Igloo and creative direction from Hard Work Party.
Princess Nokia is the musical guest for the debut episode launching on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Musical guests from New York City’s underground music world are set to do live performances in upcoming episodes. Alternative artist Starchild & The New Romantic and rapper Paperboy Prince are the next two performers appearing on the show. Announcements of future performers are being made soon. Elsewhere Sound Space is airing every fourth Tuesday after its premiere on Thursday.
For the first time ever, the Better Online Ticket Sales Act (BOTS Act) has been able to take legal action against violators of the bill. Three companies in New York allegedly violated rules set in place by the Federal Trade Commission under the BOTS Act by illegally purchasing over 150,000 concert and sporting event tickets, reselling them at an inflated price.
“These defendants are alleged to have cheated the system to the detriment of consumers,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s filing serves notice that the Department of Justice will enforce the Better Online Ticket Sales Act in appropriate cases. We are pleased to work with our partners at the Federal Trade Commission on this and other matters important to consumers.”
The three ticket brokers charged in the case are Simon Ebrani of Cartisim Corp., Evan Kohanian of Just In Time Tickets, Inc. and Steven Ebrani of Concert Specials, Inc. The defendants allegedly circumvented Ticketmaster’s limitations by creating accounts under the names of family members and friends of users who have multiple accounts. They were also said to use ticket “bots” in order to fool tests of nonhuman visitors.
It doesn’t stop there, though. In addition to the act of cheating the system, the complaint also alleges that they used programs to conceal what they did. Because of the BOTS Act, the defendants will now have to pay a combined penalty of $3.7 million. the money they pay will go to the U.S. Treasury under the terms of the proposed order.
Those who violate the BOTS Act cheat fans by forcing them to pay inflated prices to attend concerts, theater performances and sporting events.
Acting U.S. Attorney Seth D. DuCharme for the Eastern District of New York.
President Barack Obama passed the BOTS Act in 2016 to allow the FTC to take legal action against companies or individuals that buy large quantities of event tickets and reselling them at a higher price.
As of right now, this has been the first and only legal action the FTC has had to take against any company.
Indie-folk singer Mackenzie Shivers releases her first single “Martha’s Vineyard” for her upcoming 2021 full-length release, Rejection Letters
Singer, songwriter and pianist, Mackenzie Shivers, premiered her new dreamy video for her song “Martha’s Vineyard.”Her song radiates the intimate, eerie qualities of indie-folk, akin to Phoebe Bridgers. At the end of the song, a spoken-word verse adds mystery and edge to Shivers’ unique sound. The music video features a vignette of Shivers alone on a beach save her acoustic guitar, immersed the world of her music.
I’m not sure I ever learned healthy ways to express anger. But I’m learning now. I’m much more comfortable with sadness than I am with anger. I think that’s because female anger is so often met with shame and dismissal. That’s certainly been my experience, and it really started to hit home as I wrote this song.
Mackenzie Shivers – “Martha’s Vineyard.”
Shivers’ third full length album was borne out of the strange circumstances which we have all endured in 2020. She sought refuge in Cape Cod from her home in New York City. With an old family guitar gifted by her father, Shivers experimented with alternate tunings, thanks to Instagram live tutorials from folk artist Laura Marling. Since touring was an adventure left in another world, Shivers inadvertently wrote a collection of songs that became Rejection Letter.
Her newfound time for introspection led to topics she seldom discussed on past records. Female anger – questioning the contemporary world, trying to have a child and struggling to conceive color. This record is in a poignantly personal way. She hopes that her lyrics help those with grand uncertainties can listen to someone that feels the same. Shivers revels in her rebellion, embracing her fiery nature.
“I’m proud that I found a way to make this record during a very scary, chaotic, uncertain time. I wanted to make something that would give my listeners permission to get angry, to commiserate. My goal is always and ultimately to remind people they’re not alone,” says Shivers.
I feel like this is me at my best and most complex to date. You get to see new sides of me through this music – a darker, moodier, sometimes angrier side. But it’s still whimsical. It still balances that dark with the light.
Prior to her upcoming third release, Mackenzie Shivers has released two full-length albums: 2014’s Neverland and 2019’s The Unkindness and three EPs titled Living in My Head (2016), Ravens (2017), and Midwinter (2019). She currently lives in New York City with her husband.
PLUSH is an all-girl rock band comprised of four members, all under the age of 21, with a mission to embody the heart of rock and make a name for themselves in the music industry. With powerful vocals and a sound that holds true to the genre, the four girls set out to break the boring, repetitive mainstream culture and bring back classic rock.
If you’re a fan of The Voice, you might recognize the lead singer, Moriah Formica, a contestant back in 2017 who was affectionately referred to as “The Rock Goddess” by Miley Cyrus. Drummer Brooke Colucci, otherwise known as Rock Angel, is a well-established artist on social media, with acknowledgment from John Lennon, solidifying her talent and standing in the rock community.
Guitarist Bella Perron is a freshman at Berklee College of Music with an artsy presence on YouTube, regularly uploading impressive, drool-worthy guitar covers. Bassist Ashley Suppa ties the group together with beautiful bass backing, even being noticed by Ace Frehley of KISS.
The mission of PLUSH is to bring the heart of rock back to the mainstream with a new fresh spin on the sounds you already love. PLUSH hopes to inspire young women everywhere to follow their dreams, regardless of whatever challenges may lie in the way.
Moriah Formica
On January 18, 2021, PLUSH dropped a promo for their upcoming single, “Hate,” available to be pre-saved and expected to drop on Apple Music and Spotify. The excerpt shows how well the band flows together, as well as the emotion and passion each member brings to the table, leaving nothing to be desired. The song focuses on a topic relatable to many, wanting to hate someone who broke her heart. But being unable to forget the love she had for them, she hates that she still loves them.
Vegan Phish fans, rejoice. Ben & Jerry’s, the Vermont-based company and freezer staple who launched Phish Food in 1997, has announced the release of a non-dairy version of the beloved frozen dessert today.
Featuring the same great taste with none of the dairy found in traditional Phish Food, the non-dairy version arrives thanks to fan requests.
We’re so excited to finally give fans Non-Dairy Phish Food. It’s been one of the most requested flavors for us to make vegan. And partnering with WaterWheel and Jim Pollock is the perfect way to celebrate the launch. We can’t wait to see how Phish fans get creative with this contest.
Jay Curley, Global Head of Integrated Marketing at Ben & Jerry’s
Ben and Jerry’s has long maintained their relationship with Phish, starting with the launch of Phish Food in March, 1997, with a kickoff benefit at the Flynn Theater in Burlington. The Waterwheel Foundation serves as the beneficiary of all proceeds from the sale of Phish Food, helping to clean Lake Champlain and promote charitable organizations in towns where Phish performs.
In the past, Ben & Jerry’s has held the world’s largest cowbell ensemble in the band and ice cream maker’s hometown of Burlington VT, and created special one-off flavors available only at Phish shows, such as Freezer Reprise at the Baker’s Dozen and It’s Ice Cream, in pre-pandemic days.
As a part of the release of non-dairy Phish Food, Ben & Jerry’s invites fans to take part in a one-of-a-kind interactive contest. Phish fans will be able to win a chance to see a Phish show, original art from Jim Pollock, a year’s supply of ice cream, and even score $2000 cash in their pocket to make it to the gig any way they choose. Enter by February 28th for your chance to win a Phish Food Non-Dairy Prize Pack or one of the above prizes.
Here’s how to enter: Download the Jim Pollock line art and create your own art piece inspired by it, exploring the theme “cows on vacation” in celebration of new Phish Food Non-Dairy. Let your artistic spirit run like an antelope, out of control! We’re looking for creativity, originality, and a clear connection to Jim’s design and the “cows on vacation” theme.
Share your design as a still image to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #StrangeDesignContest before midnight ET on February 28, 2021. Then fill out the form, including a link to the post where you shared your art piece. We’ll announce the winner on March 18th, 2021!
The contest kicks off at 12:01am on Wednesday, January 26. Official Rules can be referenced here.
Fresh Layers Music Festival will take place on January 29, 2021 and will feature big names like Darryl McDaniels from Run DMC. The festival is teaming up with membership live-streaming service, Launch. Fresh Layers will serve as a benefit festival, providing its proceeds to the Felix Organization.
The Felix Organization provides opportunities and new experiences to enrich the lives of children who are growing up in the foster care system. It was founded in 2006 by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels himself, and Emmy Award-winning casting director, Sheila Jaffe. Both McDaniels and Jaffe were adopted. They were compelled to share their experience to help the lives of children growing up in the foster care system. The Felix Organization strives to enrich children by connecting them with nature with their different programs including: Team Felix, Camp Felix, Camp Felix West, Beyond Camp, Secret Santa, and Felix Friendship Circle.
Fresh Layers Music Festival is working with Darryl McDaniels, but will be featuring a lot of other artists. McDaniels will be performing with Charlie Chan and is headlining the festival. The rest of the lineup includes Young Devyn, Zachary Murdock, Spaceface, Mega Ran, Andre Merritt, Brad Oberhofer, Old Man Canyon, Revenge Wife, The Happy Fits, Big Yuki, Boshia, Eche Palante, Dylan Chambers, Alt Bloom, M.A.G.S, Ben Kessler, Vinyl Williams, Reptaliens, MIGS718, Pearl And The Oysters, Bosley, GRMLN, Masok, Chanteclaire, and Special Guest James Poyser from The Roots.
The festival has three payment options, the first being a $10 monthly recurring contribution including access to the festival, partial proceeds will be donated to the Felix Organization monthly with the recurring contribution. The second option would be a $20, one time payment, that includes access to the festival and all the net proceeds will benefit The Felix Organization. The third option is a $15 charity monthly membership which will include access to the festival and everything on the Launch system. Half of this membership fee goes to the Felix Organization directly. People are able to cancel at anytime.
The Fresh Layers Music Festival is taking place on January 29, 2021 from 9PM – 11:55PM EST and will be available on LaunchTV.
Launch is part of the ArtistShare family. They are known for being the internet’s first crowdfunding website and the most trusted name in artist funding and fan engagement services today. ArtistShare was founded back in 2003 and has been providing premium business services to artists for over 18 years. With Launch Music they have created a simple and effective platform for music creators to fund new works and projects.
For more information on the Fresh Layers Music Festival visit their website.
On January 25, 2018, Earl Simmons, better known as DMX, played BB King Blues Club in NYC shortly before the venue permanently closed its doors. Despite his late arrival, DMX managed to put on a great show and win back the restless crowd that waited hours for him to arrive.
The crowd went crazy when he finally came out, but many were skeptical if he was going to be able to perform due to his recent issues with substance abuse. DMX proved everyone wrong who doubted him as he started his set with the hard hitting “We Right Here.” He sounded like he did in ’98, the year his first album, It’s Dark and Hell is Hotcame out.
He went on to perform more classics like “Who We Be,” “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” “Where the Hood At,” “Get At Me Dog,” “Party Up” and “Slippin.” Throughout the night he cracked jokes and showed his appreciation to the crowd. He ended the show like he always does, with a prayer.
The hour long set left fans wanting more. Hopefully there will be new music from DMX in the future for the club. B.B. King Blues Club NYC closed it doors for the final time after 18 years on April 29, 2018. So far the venue has not announced any plans to reopen.
