tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096038967020286192024-03-13T23:24:36.036-04:00Venus Sings by Reza RitesVenus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.comBlogger266125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-72761589939681625382012-04-07T13:21:00.000-04:002012-04-07T13:21:26.546-04:00The Venus Sings Blog Has Moved: Join Us and Please Update Your Links and Feeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7fYICqZMP8/TFM1oSH1DAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/oWZDzo_HiHM/s1600/venus+sings+logo+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7fYICqZMP8/TFM1oSH1DAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/oWZDzo_HiHM/s320/venus+sings+logo+3.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Kind of important update from VenusSings.com </i></div><br />
PROVIDENCE, RI - Change is inevitable, so we joined the party. No, I'm not talking about anything extreme. Venus Sings by Reza Rites is still at www.venussings.com. But for all of you invested and clever readers, you probably knew I was hosting the blog here through blogspot.com. Well...I've moved operations to wordpress.com. <br />
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Sooooooo, if you simply click on www.venussings.com, you'll still be directed to the right place. But if you manually type in - or if you set up feeds or links - to venussings.blogspot.com, you'll be going to a site that is transitioning from a blog to a fancy archive space. Try building your feeds and updating your links simply around www.venussings.com or around www.venussings.wordpress.com. <br />
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Thanks for helping me build this space and please join me on the next phase of this Venus Sings adventure.Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-16792700552898805762012-03-31T08:01:00.001-04:002012-03-31T08:04:06.609-04:00The Ask and The Bonus: Radiothon and Venus Sings on WRIU, TODAY on Voices of Women, Saturday, March 31<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Venus Sings Radio on WRIU" height="300" id="Image2_img" src="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/RezaonWRIU_3_web.jpg" style="visibility: visible;" width="400" /> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i>It's that annual time of year on WRIU when we drop modesty about all the work we do and invite you to contribute to the load. Tune in and learn more about ways to give...</i></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <span style="font-size: 180%;"><i><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Radiothon on Voices of Women </span></b></i></span></div></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Saturday, March 31, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">9:00-11:00 AM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hear it: 90.3 FM or <a href="http://www.wriu.org/" target="_blank">www.wriu.org</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Contact: <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank">www.VenusSings.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">studio lines: 401-792-9030 or 1-888-303-9748</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can't catch the show, but want to make a donation? Visit the WRIU website or click <a href="http://www.wriu.org/radiothon/">here</a> to contribute online or for more instructions on where/how to send a check. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="min-height: 131px; width: 235px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-85364205958804065262012-03-29T21:19:00.000-04:002012-03-29T21:19:59.371-04:00'It's Bigger Than Hip Hop' with Tem Blessed and Blest Energy, TONIGHT at Fete in Providence, Thursday, March 29, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0SpL8IrmxI/T3UB1EwAQAI/AAAAAAAAAVc/Cq26YlN5VP4/s1600/blest+energy+tagline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0SpL8IrmxI/T3UB1EwAQAI/AAAAAAAAAVc/Cq26YlN5VP4/s400/blest+energy+tagline.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"It's bigger than hip hop" tonight with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">BLEST ENERGY</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>featuring Tem Blessed and The Empress</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">TONIGHT in Providence</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fete Lounge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">103 Dike Street</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Providence, RI 02909</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Music All Night (9 PM - 1 AM)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">$5.00 to enter </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-77128197745367227292012-03-28T17:08:00.000-04:002012-03-28T17:08:18.713-04:00RI Future Making Noise and Reza Rites Returns from SXSW: Sonic Watermelons on BSR, March 28, 2012<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s1600/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s320/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>South by Southwest is a big destination if you make or love music. Yours truly, Reza Rites, has stories from my recent trip to the Austin festival - but lots happened here in RI while I was away too. Catch up on happenings from the RI blogosphere and anecdotes from SXSW when Bob Plain of RI Future joins me, TODAY on... </i><br />
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</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sonic Watermelons on BSR</b><i><b></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday, March 28, 2012</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6:00-8:00 PM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Hear it live or archived: <a href="http://www.bsrlive.com/playlists/sonic-watermelons/blog/sonic-watermelons/" target="_blank" title="www.bsrlive.com">www.bsrlive.com</a><br />
Studio phonelines: <a href="tel:401-863-9277" target="_blank">401-863-9277</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.isisstorm.com/" target="_blank" title="www.IsisStorm.com">www.IsisStorm.com</a>, <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank" title="www.VenusSings.com">www.VenusSings.com</a><br />
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Presented by Venus Sings and Isis Storm<br />
Because the World is a Big Place<br />
With Big Ideas and Lots and Lots of Music<br />
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***<br />
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Check out some of the visuals I captured at SXSW below in the slideshow</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right; width: 480px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><embed flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed516.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu326%2Frezaclif%2Fsxsw%2520full%2520album%2Ffeed.rss" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" wmode="transparent"></embed></div></div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-67633758939071291662012-03-24T08:14:00.000-04:002012-03-24T08:14:22.998-04:00Venus Sings Radio on WRIU: TODAY from 9-11 am, Saturday, March 24, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7fYICqZMP8/TFM1oSH1DAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/oWZDzo_HiHM/s1600/venus+sings+logo+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7fYICqZMP8/TFM1oSH1DAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/oWZDzo_HiHM/s320/venus+sings+logo+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm back after catching the music portion of South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the biggest festivals in the U.S. Check out the tunes still ringing in my ear THIS MORNING on</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 180%;"><i><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Venus Sings Radio on WRIU</span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-style: italic;">hosted by Venus Sings / DJ Reza Wreckage</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>and Part of Voices of Women, a show airing every Saturday</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday, March 24, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">9:00-11:00 AM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hear it: 90.3 FM or <a href="http://www.wriu.org/" target="_blank">www.wriu.org</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Contact: <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank">www.VenusSings.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">studio lines: 401-792-9030 or 1-888-303-9748</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="min-height: 131px; width: 235px;" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-20664271708743702762012-03-13T17:57:00.000-04:002012-03-13T17:57:18.171-04:00Venus Sings in Austin, TX and Reza Rites at SXSW<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3496 aligncenter" title="take 5 with reza rites" src="http://www.rifuture.org/wp-content/uploads/take-5-with-reza-rites-300x166.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="166" /><br />
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Austin, TX - Are you following me on Twitter? Well you might want to because this #AmbitiousBlackFeminist is down at one of the biggest music festivals in the country this week!! To keep up with my updates, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, @rezaclif. <br />
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So what am I doing here? I'm documenting the festival participation of the hip hop duo, Riders Against the Storm, and blogging about the festivities for several different blogs (RIFuture.org and Amped Sounds to name a few). <br />
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But not only am I in Austin blogging and capturing the “cool,” I’m also down here talking about politics and election year 2012. That is because this trip represents the final phase of filming for a a multimedia project I began in October called “Rhode 2 Africa: Elect the Arts 2012″ (R2A 2012).<br />
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Below is an excerpt about the film/series; for additional information, visit www.Rhode2Africa.wordpress.com or click <a href="http://rhode2africa.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/r2a2012-info1.pdf">here</a> to access the information page. To make a donation toward the project to help me with producer and artist travel costs, equipment purchases, or staff supports, click <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=SDgn2l0nepRK4cZk4CsZ1WGKrfuxiWQ4TGHIOfXEi2SeX39_KdYlolJov6m&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8dcbcd55a50598f04d927139403713ca13">here</a>.<br />
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ABOUT RHODE 2 AFRICA: ELECT THE ARTS 2012<br />
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There is room at every election to hear and examine new voices and ideas. This year is no different. As a matter of fact, as protesters part of Occupy Wall Street, and break-off movements like Women Occupy and Occupy The Hood have demonstrated, citizens across this country have grown tired of never hearing from the variety of voices making up the “99%.” Still, if you pay attention to major news outlets, you would think that the only people who care about the November elections are the all-white Republican candidates and their party followers.<br />
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One place in which you can hear alternative voices and views on politics is within the music community. Besides being heads of households, tax-payers, insurance-holders, and voters, there are many performers who play at political events, directly and indirectly endorsing candidates; hip hop artists who “rap” about reform and rebellion; and emerging and established artists who’ve performed at The Whitehouse.<br />
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Rhode 2 Africa: Elect the Arts 2012 is about sharing the voices of Black musicians engaged in this type of work. Standing in contrast to the limited news coverage we see daily, R2A will provide election 2012 coverage and awareness through conversations on race, politics and music. Our goal is to make sure that diverse constituencies are motivated to vote in November and engaged in political conversations at the local, national, and global level.<br />
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CONTACT INFO<br />
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Reza Corinne Clifton:<br />
“Reza Rites / Venus Sings / DJ Reza Wreckage”<br />
rezaclif@gmail.com / 401-217-9680 / singsvenus@gmail.com<br />
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www.Rhode2Africa.wordpress.com / www.VenusSings.com /<br />
www.RIFuture.org / www.IsisStorm.com /<br />
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Facebook & Twitter @rezaclifVenus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-25538910056659230912012-03-10T22:45:00.000-05:002012-03-10T22:45:16.305-05:00Hip Hop Femcee and Community Activist Queen Yonasda Gives Surprise Performance in Providence: TONIGHT, March 10, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LUOJGWAAKpI/T1weBBbSfAI/AAAAAAAAAU0/5L7L4j1Wsm8/s1600/Yonasda+promo+picx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LUOJGWAAKpI/T1weBBbSfAI/AAAAAAAAAU0/5L7L4j1Wsm8/s400/Yonasda+promo+picx.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>You've heard her on WRIU's Venus Sings Radio, 5th Elament Radio, and BSR's Sonic Watermelons, and you saw her live in Providence at <a href="http://isisstorm.wordpress.com/community-events-partnerships/werunthis_hq/">We Run This! Women and Mother in Hip Hop</a>. Catch her in a special performance TONIGHT in Providence...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Queen Yonasda</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>All Hail The Queen</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, March 10, 2012</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11:30 PM @ Fete Lounge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">103 Dike Street</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Providence, RI 02909</div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-63652500234129230012012-03-10T15:03:00.000-05:002012-03-10T15:03:41.382-05:00Una Noche de Poesia: Open Mic and Poetry Night "En Espanol" on March 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI_RT1GRgbo/T1uaTXiXNeI/AAAAAAAAAUs/r0p6NVHoeZk/s1600/Noche+de+Poesia+con+Marleny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI_RT1GRgbo/T1uaTXiXNeI/AAAAAAAAAUs/r0p6NVHoeZk/s400/Noche+de+Poesia+con+Marleny.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Enamorado/a de poesia? </b></i><i><b>In love with poetry? </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>VEN / JOIN US...</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Noche De Poesias y Mas</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday / Viernes, Mar 16, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">7 PM @ El Principe Restaurant</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>7</o:Words> <o:Characters>40</o:Characters> <o:Company>RezaRitesRi.com</o:Company> <o:Lines>1</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>49</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">FREE / GRATIS</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Open Mic Sign-Ups / Inscripcion</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">6:30-7:00 PM</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">"Ven a disfrutar de una noche de poesias, historias y spoken word"</div><!--EndFragment-->Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-91685949353466340562012-03-08T08:27:00.000-05:002012-03-08T08:27:48.227-05:00Reza Rites on Radio, Events from Providence to Austin, and Celebrating International Women's Day: The March 7, 2012 Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ymlp.com/zXyYJy"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EI4gCW7dQko/T1iwn16WZDI/AAAAAAAAAUk/vMCP4e6MCWg/s640/Mar+7+newsletter.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click <a href="http://ymlp.com/zXyYJy">here</a> or on the image above to view the most recent Reza Rites / Isis Storm e-newsletter for more information about Venus Sings radio programs, links to recent blog posts about women in music and RI State House politics, and arts and culture events happening from Providence to Austin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click <a href="http://ymlp.com/xgubqeujgmgs">here</a> to sign up to receive the newsletters directly in your email box. </div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-82061382617427872702012-03-07T18:12:00.000-05:002012-03-07T18:12:44.325-05:00The Celebrate Women and South by Southwest Send-Off: TODAY on Sonic Watermelons on BSR, March 7, 2012<iframe frameborder="0" height="360px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/908334473/lets-just-make-that-tv-show-and-workshops/widget/video.html" width="480px"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Today you'll have another opportunity to learn about artists and creative community members using online platforms, music events and other creative ideas to spread the word and advance their art. That's, in part, because we'll be talking live on-air with Jessica Brown of the Extraordinary Rendition Band and online television show, Let's Just Make That. Click <a href="http://t.ymlp320.net/eyqmafamshhaiaeuqaxabsw/click.php" style="font-family: verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more about her online campaign or tune in TODAY on</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Sonic Watermelons on BSR</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday, March 7, 2012</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">6:00-8:00 PM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Hear it live or archived: <a href="http://www.bsrlive.com/playlists/sonic-watermelons/blog/sonic-watermelons/" target="_blank" title="www.bsrlive.com">www.bsrlive.com</a><br />
Studio phonelines: <a href="tel:401-863-9277" target="_blank">401-863-9277</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.isisstorm.com/" target="_blank" title="www.IsisStorm.com">www.IsisStorm.com</a>, <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank" title="www.VenusSings.com">www.VenusSings.com</a><br />
<br />
Presented by Venus Sings and Isis Storm<br />
Because the World is a Big Place<br />
With Big Ideas and Lots and Lots of Music</div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-84239447234430979322012-02-29T17:20:00.000-05:002012-02-29T17:20:11.323-05:00PeekaBoo! Snow on a Leap Year, Boo City Goes to Texas and More: TODAY on Sonic Watermelons<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s1600/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s320/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Today is February 29, 2012 which means it's a leap year! But what else funky is happening? Hear cool updates about RI's favorite genre-bending band, Boo City, including a show coming up this Friday and a fundraising campaign to get to Austin, Texas, TODAY on...</i><br />
<i><br />
</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sonic Watermelons on BSR</b><i><b></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday, February 29, 2012</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(YES, A LEAP YEAR EDITION)</div><div style="text-align: center;">6:00-8:00 PM<br />
<br />
Hear it live or archived: <a href="http://www.bsrlive.com/playlists/sonic-watermelons/blog/sonic-watermelons/" target="_blank" title="www.bsrlive.com">www.bsrlive.com</a><br />
Studio phonelines: <a href="tel:401-863-9277" target="_blank">401-863-9277</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.isisstorm.com/" target="_blank" title="www.IsisStorm.com">www.IsisStorm.com</a>, <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank" title="www.VenusSings.com">www.VenusSings.com</a><br />
<br />
Presented by Venus Sings and Isis Storm<br />
Because the World is a Big Place<br />
With Big Ideas and Lots and Lots of Music<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-29081629614054212872012-02-25T07:25:00.000-05:002012-02-25T07:25:59.782-05:00Wake Up to A February Morning and Venus Sings Radio: TODAY, February 25 on WRIU<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="209" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yUuEYM9vjlw" width="352"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Did you know that Estelle's newest album, <b>All of Me</b>, will be available in stores and online on February 28, 2012? FINALLY, right?! Catch snippets and singles from the upcoming album as well as other tunes by our favorite "Venus Sings" artists this morning....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 29px;"><i><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Venus Sings Radio on WRIU</span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-style: italic;">hosted by Venus Sings / DJ Reza Wreckage</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>and Part of Voices of Women, a show airing every Saturday</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday, February 25, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">9:00-11:00 AM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hear it: 90.3 FM or <a href="http://www.wriu.org/" target="_blank">www.wriu.org</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Contact: <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank">www.VenusSings.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">studio lines: 401-792-9030 or 1-888-303-9748<br />
<br />
<a href="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="min-height: 131px; width: 235px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-68380947019810274982012-02-18T08:25:00.000-05:002012-02-18T08:25:07.114-05:00Start the Party Early or Come Out Late: Venus Sings on WRIU and Alongside ERB, TODAY, Sat February 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7fYICqZMP8/TFM1oSH1DAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/oWZDzo_HiHM/s1600/venus+sings+logo+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7fYICqZMP8/TFM1oSH1DAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/oWZDzo_HiHM/s320/venus+sings+logo+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Start the party early on WRIU or party with me later at Roots Cultural Center...</i><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 180%;"><i><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Venus Sings Radio on WRIU</span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-style: italic;">hosted by Venus Sings / DJ Reza Wreckage</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>and Part of Voices of Women, a show airing every Saturday</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday, February 18, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">9:00-11:00 AM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hear it: 90.3 FM or <a href="http://www.wriu.org/" target="_blank">www.wriu.org</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Contact: <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank">www.VenusSings.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">studio lines: 401-792-9030 or 1-888-303-9748</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="min-height: 131px; width: 235px;" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span>THE ERB IS TURNING 3!!!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> AAAAND GOING TO AUSTIN, TEXAS!!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyqyHaaCfSs/TzwybMJS7pI/AAAAAAAAATA/Aetfsg-K-P8/s1600/erb+poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyqyHaaCfSs/TzwybMJS7pI/AAAAAAAAATA/Aetfsg-K-P8/s320/erb+poster.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Saturday, Feb 18, 2012, 9 PM</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roots Cultural Center</div><div style="text-align: center;">276 Westminster Street</div><div style="text-align: center;">Providence, RI</div><div style="text-align: center;">$9.00 / 21 + to enter</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">(More info from ERB) </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Come celebrate our immaturity and give us a good send off</span> <span><br />
as we prepare for our trip to Texas for the 2nd annual</span> <span><br />
HONK! FESTIVAL.</span> <span><br />
<br />
Our evening would not be complete without our special guests:</span> <span><br />
<br />
DJ Reza Wreckage</span> <span><br />
Baby Oil</span> <span><br />
Kickin' Brass<br />
Big Nazo</span> <span><br />
<br />
Raffles, food and other surprises will be happening all night!</span> <span><br />
Starts at 9</span> <span><br />
$9 at the daw!<br />
21+</span> <span><br />
Be There!</span> </span></div></div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-72099255332389165042012-02-15T17:36:00.002-05:002012-02-15T21:50:44.349-05:00DJ Reza Wreckage Joins Local Musicians to Celebrate ERB Marching Band: Saturday, February 18 in Providence, RI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyqyHaaCfSs/TzwybMJS7pI/AAAAAAAAATA/Aetfsg-K-P8/s1600/erb+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyqyHaaCfSs/TzwybMJS7pI/AAAAAAAAATA/Aetfsg-K-P8/s320/erb+poster.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can't wait to party with my Reza Wreckage hat on!!!! Learn more or get a flavor on today's <a href="http://www.venussings.blogspot.com/2012/02/examining-and-fighting-racial-profiling.html">edition</a> of Sonic Watermelons on BSR. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday, Feb 18, 2012, 9 PM</div><div style="text-align: center;">Roots Cultural Center</div><div style="text-align: center;">276 Westminster Street</div><div style="text-align: center;">Providence, RI</div><div style="text-align: center;">$9.00 / 21 + to enter</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">MORE INFO: </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE ERB IS TURNING 3!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> AAAAND GOING TO AUSTIN, TEXAS!!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">We're too young to party responsibly…</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
and we're just old enough to realize it!</span> </i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i><br />
Come celebrate our immaturity and give us a good send off</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
as we prepare for our trip to Texas for the 2nd annual</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
HONK! FESTIVAL.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
Our evening would not be complete without our special guests:</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
DJ Reza Wreckage</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Baby Oil</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Kickin' Brass<br />
Big Nazo</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
Raffles, food and other surprises will be happening all night!</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Starts at 9</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
$9 at the daw!<br />
21+</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Be There!</span></div><div class="yj6qo ajU" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><div class="ajR" data-tooltip="Show trimmed content" id=":39s" role="button" tabindex="0"><span style="font-size: small;"><img class="ajT" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" /></span></div></div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-20784626635223351762012-02-15T15:08:00.002-05:002012-02-15T15:10:16.870-05:00Examining and Fighting Racial Profiling, Celebrating Asia and Pacific Islander Cultures: TODAY on Sonic Watermelons on BSR, February 15, 2012<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s1600/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s320/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Everyday is Black History Month for Sonic Watermelons Executive Producer, Reza Clifton. That's why we're looking at another diverse racial group: Asians and Pacific Islanders in RI. We'll be hearing data and anecdotes about Racial Profiling in RI from the perspective of Southeast Asian youth connected to the organization, Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM), which recently advanced their awareness and advocacy work on the issue through a new short film called "Fitting the Description" (which was partially aired on Sonic Watermelons on February 1, 2012). We'll also talk about tomorrow's Bilingual Poetry Night at Roots Cultural Center, a night celebrating Asia and Pacific Islander Cultures featuring Agus Lele of the group Bali Brothers. Hear and learn more today on... </i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sonic Watermelons on BSR</b> <i><b> </b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday, February 15, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">6:00-8:00 PM<br />
<br />
Hear it live or archived: <a href="http://www.bsrlive.com/playlists/sonic-watermelons/blog/sonic-watermelons/" target="_blank" title="www.bsrlive.com">www.bsrlive.com</a><br />
Studio phonelines: <a href="tel:401-863-9277" target="_blank">401-863-9277</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.isisstorm.com/" target="_blank" title="www.IsisStorm.com">www.IsisStorm.com</a>, <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank" title="www.VenusSings.com">www.VenusSings.com</a><br />
<br />
Presented by Venus Sings and Isis Storm<br />
Because the World is a Big Place<br />
With Big Ideas and Lots and Lots of Music <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Information:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Do your own viewing of "Fitting the Description" below.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35659546?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/35659546">Fitting the Description</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/nextgenerationmedia">Next Generation Media</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">***<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Celebrating Asia and Pacific Islander Cultures…</i></b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXtb_GPJz_c/TzWbqQRiqZI/AAAAAAAAASg/3rnYlX1LTXc/s1600/Feb2012+bilingual+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXtb_GPJz_c/TzWbqQRiqZI/AAAAAAAAASg/3rnYlX1LTXc/s320/Feb2012+bilingual+flyer.jpg" width="247" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Native Tongues & Spoken Words:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A Bilingual Poetry Night </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And Open Mic</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Featuring Indonesian Singer/Songwriter, Agus Lele</b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Presented by VenusSings.com </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Thursday, February 16, 2012</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">7:00-10:00 PM</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roots Cultural Center</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">276 Westminster Street</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Providence, RI 02903</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">$5.00 admission </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Open mic sign-ups at 7:30 PM</span></div></div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-74870546994556311572012-02-13T10:43:00.000-05:002012-02-13T10:43:28.111-05:00A Look at the Best Women in Music: A Response To The “Official” Lists and Sources, From and By Women<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">By Reza Rites / Venus Sings / DJ Reza Wreckage</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02ZITezkqcw/TzkrWtmt04I/AAAAAAAAASw/X6Ju3rUOXiE/s1600/year+end+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02ZITezkqcw/TzkrWtmt04I/AAAAAAAAASw/X6Ju3rUOXiE/s400/year+end+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>The day after the annual Grammy’s ceremony, DJ, blogger, and media producer, Reza Clifton, shares her 2011-2012 top picks and honorable mentions of women in music, revealing similarities to the ceremony as well as an expanded view of artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also talks about why she feels compelled to do the list every year, and talks with feminist media activist, Jamia Wilson, about the topic of women in music and women in the media.” Click on the image above to access the best of list, <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbXOMwWFZbA/Tzkr8Wc9UyI/AAAAAAAAAS4/FmeJ6exLU9I/s1600/year+end_honorable+image.jpg">here</a> to access the honorable mentions, or <a href="http://soundcloud.com/rezaclif/interview-with-jamia-wilson">here</a> to listen to a segment of the interview with Wilson. </i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">PROVIDENCE, RI - Every year, I publish a " best of/year-end/year-before review of women in music based on the monthly "Venus Sings Radio" program I do on a show called Voices of Women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every month, I go in and basically choose songs based on my mood, first, if I’ve done an interview with a musician, secondly, and thirdly, if I’ve intentionally or unintentionally researched an artist, for instance through songs that keep coming up on music shuffle, by following links in one of dozens of e-newsletters I receive, or tearing through blogs, social media links and print magazines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only requirement I have, probably obviously, is that Voices of Women is a show dedicated to music by women or by bands led by female vocalists – which is why my list is a best of list of women in music!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The list may be slightly skewed in terms of attention on women as vocalists and in terms of the kinds/genres of music I prefer, but even that is pretty diverse. While many might say that I provide a slightly heavier dose of “world music” than what other DJ’s they follow provide – or more hip hop than what my Voices of Women partners contribute – I happily play everything from the Cardigans to Nicki Minaj and from Lykke Li to Etta James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some financial limitations in terms of the growth of my collection, but between Youtube and free downloads, I basically get by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbXOMwWFZbA/Tzkr8Wc9UyI/AAAAAAAAAS4/FmeJ6exLU9I/s1600/year+end_honorable+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbXOMwWFZbA/Tzkr8Wc9UyI/AAAAAAAAAS4/FmeJ6exLU9I/s320/year+end_honorable+image.jpg" width="247" /></a><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This means that my list is pretty dang objective as far as trying to figure out which women are really doing their thing in music, and a pretty handy source if you want to look at a genre-inclusive list instead of a one-dimensional compiling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">During the development of the 2011-2012 list, I took some time to peruse other’s compilations – namely from places I respect and turn to for music tips, early awareness, and artist research, and I’m not talking about commercial places like Billboard Magazine or Hot 97.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, upon seeing few women listed this year, how I ended up feeling was disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some cases, it looked like fewer women than in years past, even!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, I'm also aware of several women – including some who made my list – who got major plugs in a few other highly respected places in 2011 (ie. Latin Grammy nods and MTV) – reminding me, that as always, women are out here doing our/their thing with and without the accolades to prove it (think Estelle and Nneka, two artists who made my list who were completely absent from this year’s Grammy nominations).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">One of the conclusions I jumped to was based on the years of research and lectures I’ve done about ethnic and gender diversity in the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the guests and hosts on Sunday morning political roundtable shows, to the boards running the major media companies, analysis and studies have proven again and again that women are not equally represented in these spaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">So is there is a link between the dearth of women in leadership positions in media/communications/printing/publishing/broadcasting fields and the absence of women on many music lists including on alternative/independent/underground-generated ones? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will women ever get fairly noted in an environment in which they are kept from gatekeeper positions and roles? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what about the growing over-sexualization and constant lack of attention on craft when commercial and mainstream spaces and “experts” do cover women in music? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">To help the questions stop spinning – and to help me complete this list/article – I checked in with an old college friend of mine hoping for a miracle:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>feminist media activist, Jamia Wilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a writer and educator, Wilson travels and trains women and writers on getting their voices heard through traditional and digital media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is also the Vice President of Programs at Women's Media Center, an organization that convenes panels, issues reports, leads grassroots campaigns, and trains members of the media to address issues of women’s representation and general diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let me tell you, she knows her stuff.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Despite the surprise that I felt, Wilson clarified that even when you look at independent media and new online networks, women and people of color are still underrepresented in leadership positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most places you look, she says, even in alternative spaces, “there is a normalizing of masculinity and whiteness,” and they are “not doing the work” to de-normalize this lens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you might see, explains Wilson, is “let’s diversify once a month or once a year” without any authentic attempt to “put marginalized groups at the center.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">‘But what about artists like Beyonce or Katy Perry that are household names?’ I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Those female artists that do get attention and placement on lists?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wilson broke that one down too:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">“If you look at what it took for Katy Perry or Beyonce to get on the list,” she explains, “it is often different.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example more reliance on what they wore, how little they wore, or what else they were doing besides music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t see men being listed and compared in the ‘who it wore it better’” columns and pictures, says Wilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And if you don’t fit into the social sexualization model, you might have trouble.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Still, I push Wilson, I might understand it early in an artists career, but why should Beyonce’s newest album, for instance, rely on a photo spread showing either highly sexual poses or very provocative/revealing outfits?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wilson is quick to recognize Beyonce and Perry for their musical merits, but she also understands my concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">“These are two really talented women,” says Wilson. Nevertheless, she says, “the sexualization that is pressed on many types of women can push them away from their talent,” and move them into “a commodity model.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, explains Wilson, “there may be men who are seen at face value, but some women may not receive the same treatment if they are actually being judged as a [sexual] commodity too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">And these issues aren’t just faced by superstars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, says Wilson, “people assume that women in music are always vocalists, but people doing bookings should diversify their musicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hire a female saxophonist,” suggests Wilson, or a band-leader that’s a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, says Wilson, “women can play every instrument.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">So what can women in music and advocates do to counter these trends and raise their profiles?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing Wilson suggests is thinking about “ways and forums for women in art to come together and share each other’s work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Create “consciousness-raising open mics,” says Wilson, “or speak to audiences before performances,” and create opportunities to discuss women in music in the context of grassroots and legislative issues being discussed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, when the SOPA and PIPA acts were being discussed, there was room for a conversation about how digital downloads and music sharing is or is not affecting female artists’ “bread and butter.” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Wilson also goes back to the media, publishing, and broadcast industries in thinking about solutions, reminding me that “we know that sexuality sells, but there’s always the option of we’re not going to buy it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also suggests looking to or launching “media accountability campaigns” and making sure the topic of women in music is discussed in those spaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">On the other hand, Wilson also believes a prime strategy is “women creating our own media.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From writing editorials about personal experiences or writing about women in music to using Facebook and “doing tweets about the issues they’re facing,” Wilson says “get out there and do it!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, explains Wilson, if you’re talking about the issues, “your fans can help influence legislators.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">But, she cautions, we can’t do it all alone. “Partner with organizations," says Wilson, "join coalitions to demand equal pay for male and female artists.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, she suggests, “support sisterhoods” for example by reaching out through the internet and “lik[ing] the Facebook page of a woman in music or recommend the women artists you know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</style> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">To listen to a segment of my interview with Wilson, click <a href="http://soundcloud.com/rezaclif/interview-with-jamia-wilson">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To see my 2011-2012 list of top women in music and honorable mentions, click <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02ZITezkqcw/TzkrWtmt04I/AAAAAAAAASw/X6Ju3rUOXiE/s1600/year+end+image.jpg">here</a> and <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbXOMwWFZbA/Tzkr8Wc9UyI/AAAAAAAAAS4/FmeJ6exLU9I/s1600/year+end_honorable+image.jpg">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To read more about diversity in the media, click <a href="http://www.rezaritesri.com/images/Active%20Bodies%20Data.pdf">here</a> to view some of my archived presentation notes or <a href="http://www.womensmediacenter.com/pages/the-problem">here</a> to read the 2012 Women’s Media Center report on "The Status of Women in the Media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">" </span></div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-8451028397511896442012-02-11T12:32:00.000-05:002012-02-11T12:32:53.849-05:00Celebrate Black History Month in New Bedford with Venus Sings and Friends: TODAY, Feb 11 at 2:30 PM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <style>
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</style> </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C78bq0XfrbE/TzamB9qxJnI/AAAAAAAAASo/u22_7NHuKPc/s1600/take+5+with+reza+rites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C78bq0XfrbE/TzamB9qxJnI/AAAAAAAAASo/u22_7NHuKPc/s400/take+5+with+reza+rites.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Celebrating Frederick Douglass & </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Living Legend" Jibreel Khazan</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b>TODAY, Saturday, Feb 11, 2012</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">2:30pm until 5:30pm</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">33 William Street </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">New Bedford, MA 02740</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">(NEW BEDFORD, MA) - New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, La Soul Renaissance: Overflowing Cup Project, and Dj Reza Wreckage of Isis Storm and www.VenusSings.com invite you to celebrating our story, our past, while honoring our present. On February 11 we will be celebrating the Birthdate of Frederick Douglass and also Jibreel Khazan founding member of the Greensboro Four from the sit-in movement. Apostle Jibreel Khazan turned 70 years old this year and we felt it was only fitting to honor the living legend, while recognizing historical legend Frederick Douglass.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">For this event we have book some amazing artist whose art, vibe, message and work reflects the message and passion of both Jibreel Khazan and all the ancestors and elders who have carried the baton of freedom, human rights, justice, and love. For this amazing event we will have the Guest of Honor Jibreel Khazan, the Cape Verdean Reggae Band Afrika Rainbow, New Bedford Hip Hop artist Caliph by way of Senegal Africa, Acoustic Soul Singer Cedric Josey, Poet/Emcee/Vocalist Raena Camacho, Slam Poet Frederick Douglass Knowles from Connecticut, YAP (Youth Ambassador's Program), YouthBuild New Bedford, and Erik Andrade and the Overflowing Cup Project and more</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">Please come out and support the Good Brother Jibreel Khazan while celebrating the legacy of Frederick Douglass. If you would like to get involved or help spread the word please do, or contact Erik Andrade at EriqAndrade@gmail.com</div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-76342049868686381322012-02-10T17:55:00.001-05:002012-02-10T18:00:13.603-05:00Bilingual Poetry and Open Mic Night Presented by VenusSings.com: Thursday, February 16 with Agus Lele of The Bali Bros<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXtb_GPJz_c/TzWbqQRiqZI/AAAAAAAAASg/3rnYlX1LTXc/s1600/Feb2012+bilingual+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXtb_GPJz_c/TzWbqQRiqZI/AAAAAAAAASg/3rnYlX1LTXc/s400/Feb2012+bilingual+flyer.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><i>Celebrating Asia and Pacific Islander Cultures…</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Native Tongues & Spoken Words:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b>A Bilingual Poetry Night and Open Mic</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><b>Featuring Indonesian Singer/Songwriter, Agus Lele</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Presented by VenusSings.com </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><u>Thursday, February 16, 2012</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">7:00-10:00 PM</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Roots Cultural Center</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">276 Westminster Street</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Providence, RI 02903</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">$5.00 admission</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><o:p>Open mic sign-ups at 7:30 PM</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">or in advance, singsvenus@gmail.com</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">***</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">MORE INFO</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">PROVIDENCE, RI - Join VenusSings.com and Friends for the next Bilingual Poetry night produced by radio DJ, digital storyteller and cultural navigator Reza Clifton. This month’s edition is dedicated to celebrating Asia and Pacific Islander cultures and features Indonesian-born Blues Singer/Songwriter, Agus Lele, of the group The Bali Brothers!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The night also includes an open mic for poets, storytellers, and other lyricists and performers sharing works in English, Hmong, Khmer, Spanish and/or any language of their choosing. Plus music by me, DJ Reza Wreckage (of VenusSings.com, Isis Storm, WRIU, and BSRLive.com).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Sign-ups start promptly at 7:00 PM or sign up ahead of time by email at singsvenus@gmail.com or through a comment on the Facebook event page. For additional event / venue information visit www.venussings.com andwww.rootscafeprovidence.com.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-69511927998161923012012-02-08T16:49:00.000-05:002012-02-08T16:49:44.687-05:00Payday Reform and Policy Change: Talking about Legislative Action in RI TODAY on Sonic Watermelons on BSR, Feb 8, 2012<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s1600/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s320/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Are Rhode Islanders paying fees for loans that are higher than what residents in other states are paying? The answer in some cases is yes - 260% versus 36%. Learn more about the type of loans that charge these rates, the impact of these loans on RI families, and what you can do to stop the practice when Margaux Morriseau and Nick Figueroa of the RI Coalition for Payday Reform join me, TODAY on... </i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sonic Watermelons on BSR</b> <i><b> </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday, February 8, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">6:00-8:00 PM<br />
<br />
Hear it live or archived: <a href="http://www.bsrlive.com/playlists/sonic-watermelons/blog/sonic-watermelons/" target="_blank" title="www.bsrlive.com">www.bsrlive.com</a><br />
Studio phonelines: <a href="tel:401-863-9277" target="_blank">401-863-9277</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.isisstorm.com/" target="_blank" title="www.IsisStorm.com">www.IsisStorm.com</a>, <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank" title="www.VenusSings.com">www.VenusSings.com</a><br />
<br />
Presented by Venus Sings and Isis Storm<br />
Because the World is a Big Place<br />
With Big Ideas and Lots and Lots of Music </div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-92055946285965481102012-02-05T13:07:00.000-05:002012-02-05T13:07:51.287-05:00Reza Does Reggae on RIU: Venus Sings Edition of Reggae Showcase, TODAY, February 5, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIFGWz7xUzE/TFWcyw3dhzI/AAAAAAAAAG8/ArJNahVuxg4/s1600/Reza+on+WRIU_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIFGWz7xUzE/TFWcyw3dhzI/AAAAAAAAAG8/ArJNahVuxg4/s320/Reza+on+WRIU_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 29px;"><i><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Reggae Showcase on WRIU</span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Annual Venus Sings Edition</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday, February 5, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">2:00-5:00 PM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hear it: 90.3 FM or <a href="http://www.wriu.org/" target="_blank">www.wriu.org</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Contact Venus Sings: <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank">www.VenusSings.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">studio lines: 401-792-9030 or 1-888-303-9748</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u326/rezaclif/wriulogo-1.jpg" style="min-height: 131px; width: 235px;" /></a></div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-41974145563713899112012-02-01T17:39:00.000-05:002012-02-01T17:39:46.956-05:00Two Interviews, Three Women, and Lots and Lots of Updates: Sonic Watermelons on BSR, TODAY, February 1, 2012<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s1600/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s320/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>What's going on with ethnic studies being banned in Tucson, AZ? And what is this about Angela Davis in town (Providence) talking about Occupy? Learn about this and much more, with two interviews, three women, and lots and lots of updates. TODAY on... </i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sonic Watermelons on BSR</b> <i><b> </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday, February 1, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">6:00-8:00 PM<br />
<br />
Hear it live or archived: <a href="http://www.bsrlive.com/playlists/sonic-watermelons/blog/sonic-watermelons/" target="_blank" title="www.bsrlive.com">www.bsrlive.com</a><br />
Studio phonelines: <a href="tel:401-863-9277" target="_blank">401-863-9277</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.isisstorm.com/" target="_blank" title="www.IsisStorm.com">www.IsisStorm.com</a>, <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank" title="www.VenusSings.com">www.VenusSings.com</a><br />
<br />
Presented by Venus Sings and Isis Storm<br />
Because the World is a Big Place<br />
With Big Ideas and Lots and Lots of Music </div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-73492490075827036502012-01-31T12:13:00.000-05:002012-01-31T12:13:54.867-05:00Deadline TODAY for Film, Panel and Training Ideas for Netroots Nation: A National Conference Coming to Providence<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>148</o:Words> <o:Characters>844</o:Characters> <o:Company>RezaRitesRi.com</o:Company> <o:Lines>7</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>1036</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN????!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Reminder from Reza Rites</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Friends, today (right before midnight, PACIFIC time) is the deadline for submitting panels/speakers/ideas for Netroots Nation, a huge national conference COMING TO PROVIDENCE IN JUNE 2012. Picture a basement party where hip hop and reggae DJ’s meet up, or where acoustic singer-songwriters and poets jam out…Well Netroots is kind of like that: a national meet up for members of the digital and progressive communities; of bloggers and social activists. AND THEY WANT TO SEE DIVERSITY.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Now, don’t give me that “why didn’t you tell me earlier stuff.” If you want to participate, then do it. And if you want an earlier heads up, follow the blogs I write for AND JOIN ME AT MY EVENTS!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Here is the link; hope you submit something. Trust me, it’s do-able in the 11-ish hours or less you have left. http://netrootsnation.org/proposals.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">For more inforamtion on Netroots Nation, visit netrootsnation.org or follow local updates here on VenusSings.com, on www.IsisStorm.com and on www.RIFuture.org.</div><!--EndFragment-->Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-31789392341127601072012-01-27T13:28:00.002-05:002012-01-27T14:30:26.254-05:00Catch Final Pieces of The Dubber's New England Tour: TONIGHT, Friday, January 27 at Dead Cat Gallery AND Local 121 in Providence<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="264" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZulRq92X0A8?rel=0" width="352"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Annual Charity Record Show @ The Dead Cat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friday, January 27, 2012</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">8:00 - 11:00 PM</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="uiInlineBlock"><span class="uiInlineBlock uiInlineBlockMiddle"><span class="visible"><span class="fsm fwn fcg">669 Elmwood Ave, Ste. A1</span>, <span class="fsm fwn fcg"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="uiInlineBlock"><span class="uiInlineBlock uiInlineBlockMiddle"><span class="visible"><span class="fsm fwn fcg">Providence, RI</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="uiInlineBlock"><span class="uiInlineBlock uiInlineBlockMiddle"><span class="visible"><span class="fsm fwn fcg">$10.00 to enter / Free Drinks</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="uiInlineBlock"><span class="uiInlineBlock uiInlineBlockMiddle"><span class="visible"><span class="fsm fwn fcg"> </span></span></span></span>Artwork on records by local artists for sale <br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGOdYdK7xcU/TyLqjX_refI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Y_cmQOU2KfI/s1600/Dead+cat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGOdYdK7xcU/TyLqjX_refI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Y_cmQOU2KfI/s320/Dead+cat.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Musical Performances By:<br />
<br />
Grey Sanford<br />
<a href="http://www.greysanfordband.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>www.greysanfordband.com/</a><br />
<br />
The Invisible Hours<br />
<a href="http://theinvisiblehours.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>theinvisiblehours.bandcamp.<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>com/</a><br />
<br />
Six Fingered Saints<br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/562128352" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>562128352</a><br />
<br />
Gertrude Atherton<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GertrudeAtherton" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>GertrudeAtherton</a><br />
<br />
Hot Shits, Part Deux<br />
<br />
*** PLUS, JUST ADDED ***<br />
<br />
The Dubber<br />
<a href="https://www.thedubber.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.thedubber.com/</a><br />
<br />
DJ Reza Wreckage<br />
<a href="https://www.venussings.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>www.venussings.com/</a><br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">PLUS THIS JUST IN</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma9BbPdFhVk/TyL67haTa6I/AAAAAAAAASY/vR5RTZyT3iA/s1600/reggae+jam+session.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma9BbPdFhVk/TyL67haTa6I/AAAAAAAAASY/vR5RTZyT3iA/s320/reggae+jam+session.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Dubber Jammin' </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">LATE TONIGHT AT LOCAL 121</span><br />
@Some Reggae Underground <br />
<br />
Friday, January 27, 2012<br />
121 Washington Street<br />
Providence, RI </div><div style="text-align: center;">11 PM / $5.00 / 21 Plus </div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-85972862357465237092012-01-18T17:19:00.001-05:002012-01-18T19:52:20.031-05:00New Bedford's "Soul Rebels," Blest Energy ft. Tem Blessed & The Empress, Discuss NEW CD and Empowering Community: TODAY from 6-8 PM on Sonic Watermelons on BSR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s1600/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMFCNZkWVdg/ToucVzs3LBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y5GDPYUAQ38/s320/Sonic+Watermelons_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Roots from Philadelphia are not the only hip hop outfit performing and releasing music and sharing a sound driven by a live band. This Friday, January 20, New Bedford-based "Soul Rebels" Blest Energy ft. Tem Blessed and The Empress (aka Cita Light) will celebrate the release of their album, Re-Energized, with a live performance at <a href="http://www.venussings.blogspot.com/2012/01/soul-rebels-unite-and-empower.html">SoulRebels Unite: An Empower Communities Event and Reggae Bashment</a> at Black Watch Pub. Learn more TODAY on... </i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sonic Watermelons on BSR</b> <i><b> </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday, January 18, 2012</div><div style="text-align: center;">6:00-8:00 PM<br />
<br />
Hear it live or archived: <a href="http://www.bsrlive.com/playlists/sonic-watermelons/blog/sonic-watermelons/" target="_blank" title="www.bsrlive.com">www.bsrlive.com</a><br />
Studio phonelines: <a href="tel:401-863-9277" target="_blank">401-863-9277</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.isisstorm.com/" target="_blank" title="www.IsisStorm.com">www.IsisStorm.com</a>, <a href="http://www.venussings.com/" target="_blank" title="www.VenusSings.com">www.VenusSings.com</a><br />
<br />
Presented by Venus Sings and Isis Storm<br />
Because the World is a Big Place<br />
With Big Ideas and Lots and Lots of Music </div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709603896702028619.post-31666059049337047202012-01-18T11:21:00.003-05:002012-01-18T15:28:02.700-05:00REMINDER: Vendor And Sponsor Opps Still Available for "Soul Rebels" This Friday, January 20 - Empower Communities Event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7X4ISF5zF4/TwhzdnDkVrI/AAAAAAAAARw/BoSdsg4hCJU/s1600/SoulRebelsUnite1.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7X4ISF5zF4/TwhzdnDkVrI/AAAAAAAAARw/BoSdsg4hCJU/s200/SoulRebelsUnite1.20.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>(NEW BEDFORD, MA) - This Friday in New Bedford is going to be amazing. The only thing that might make it better? A few more of you signing on as vendors, sponsors, or plain ol' donors for Soul Rebels Unite: An Empower Communities Event and Reggae Bashment. Specific support levels being requested are $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $3000, as well as tickets purchased and donated. Read more about the event - and the opportunities - below, click <a href="http://isisstorm.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/empower-new-beford-s-ship-letter_flyer.pdf">here</a> to download the information packet, or contact me, Reza (email, singsvenus@gmail.com; phone, 401-217-9680. To donate online, click <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=rezaclif%40aol%2ecom&lc=US&item_name=Empower%20Communities%20Project&item_number=Empower%20New%20Bedford&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted">here</a>.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<b><i>Dear Friend / Sir / Madam,</i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">I am writing to tell you about some thought-provoking events coming to the local area and to tell you about a fun way that you can be involved in transforming your community. The Empower Communities Project, originally The Empower Providence Project, is a series that kicked off its inaugural celebration in October 2010 to give local and national artists a chance to showcase their talent and approach to music and grassroots community organizing.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The aims of the Empower Communities Project are to gather resources and audiences around the topic of using art and media for changing communities, and to introduce new audiences to professional artists who play music reflecting community issues and concerns. The series emerged as an alternative way of engaging young people and underserved communities in creating their own solutions and repairing their own cities. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>On Friday, January 20, 2012,</b> we will bring a third installment of the newly named Empower Communities Project to the city of New Bedford with Soul Rebels Unite: An Empower Communities Event and Reggae Bashment. Soul Rebels Unite will highlight activists and change-makers from the city alongside regional, national, and internationally-known music acts, including Tem Blessed and the Blest Energy Band, featuring The Empress aka Cita-Light; singer-songwriter and recording artist, The Dubber; and Isis Storm, a collective of female hip hop artists, spoken word poets, visual artists and producers. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Soul Rebels Unite will be held at the Black Watch Pub, <span class="street-address">266 Dartmouth Street in</span> New Bedford, MA, with community workshops and a “People of Culture Mixer and Marketplace” going on from 7:00-9:00 pm and with live music and DJ’ing from 9:00pm-2:00am. The event is open to the public and attendees that are 21 or older. Admission is $7 for members of the public, with special rates and tickets available to grassroots organizations and small businesses who want to help sponsor the event. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">In the vein of the previous Empower events, activists, entrepreneurs, poets and musicians (including recent New Bedford School Committee candidate, Erik Andrade) will lead the Mixer and Marketplace, and prior to the event, several of the evening’s performers will engage in work with youth – specifically participating in a brown bag lunch discussion and intimate performance with participants of YouthBuild New Bedford. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>To learn more about several of the featured bands, or for more information about vendor and sponsor rates, see the pages accompanying this letter or contact Empower Communities lead organizer, Reza Clifton, by email at <a href="mailto:singsvenus@gmail.com">singsvenus@gmail.com</a> or by phone at (401) 217-9680. <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Thank you for your time and consideration,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><i>The Soul Rebels Unite & Empower Communities Organizers & Coalition<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">(VenusSings.com, Isis Storm, RI Jobs with Justice, Environmental Justice League of RI, Mount Hope Learning Center, We HEAL Sakinah’s Herbs, rhymeculture RI, Collective Thought Media, La Soul Renaissance, YouthBuild New Bedford.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b><b><o:p> </o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><o:p>*** </o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>MORE ON EMPOWER COMMUNITIES ARTISTS<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InbObEYvx9o/TxbwLoksEXI/AAAAAAAAASI/2zh3kE8ZKN8/s1600/Blest+Energy+Jan+20+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InbObEYvx9o/TxbwLoksEXI/AAAAAAAAASI/2zh3kE8ZKN8/s200/Blest+Energy+Jan+20+flyer.jpg" width="110" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Tem Blessed</b> is a hip hop artist that was born in West Africa, but who currently lives in New Bedford, MA where he performs and uses Hip Hop as a tool to educate, empower and inspire youth and communities. As a Green for All Fellow, and father of two, he has been active in "Greening" New Bedford through work with YouthBuild New Bedford and by making activism-focused Hip Hop music like the "Green Anthem," which he did with another area nonprofit organization, 3rd Eye Unlimited. Musically, he has worked to elevate underground Hip Hop and, along and with his band, Blest Energy, has consistently put out albums, including his 2009 release, "BleSSed Energy.” On January 20, Tem Blessed, Blest Energy and the Empress aka Cita-Light will be supporting their album "Re-Energized," which will officially be on sale beginning on January 11.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>THE Dubber</b> is a self-taught singer/songwriter who fuses American Rock, Jazz and Funk along with Reggae, Middle Eastern and Afro Beat styles to express his emotions and complete his distinctive sound. Born in Washington DC, but currently based out of Columbia SC, the Dubber’s performance background also includes turns doing hard core metal and roots reggae. Recently returned from a tour in Europe, the Dubber has blazed a trail internationally with honest and intimate acoustic performances of selections from his albums, including his 2010 release, “Global Warning.” With experience playing such prestige events as South by Southwest in Austin, TX and the Mid-Atlantic Music Conference, The Dubber offers audiences a glimpse at a unique, Black American Roots sound from a seasoned music professional. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Isis Storm</b> is a RI-based collective of women who use art, words and music – primarily poetry, hip hop music and dj’ing – to empower women and underserved communities, specifically through performances, workshops, and media projects. The group was founded by Reza C. Clifton (DJ Reza Wreckage) – an award-winning blogger, DJ, and multimedia producer – and by hip hop artist, poet and scholar-educator, Kalyana Champlain (5th Elament). Clifton and Champlain have traveled throughout the East Coast performing and giving workshops on women’s empowerment, hip hop music, and diversity in the media. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Soul Rebels Unite</b> will be held January 20 at the Black Watch Pub, <span class="street-address">266 Dartmouth Street in</span> New Bedford, MA, with community workshops and a “People of Culture Mixer and Marketplace” going on from 7-9:00 pm with activists, entrepreneurs, poets and musicians, and with live music and DJ’ing from 9:00pm-2:00am. The event is open to the public and attendees that are 21 or older. Admission is $7 for members of the public, with special rates and and tickets available to of grassroots organizations and small businesses who want to help sponsor the event; see the accompanying sheet for more information about vendor and sponsor rates. To sign up or receive more information, email <a href="mailto:singsvenus@gmail.com">singsvenus@gmail.com</a> or call (401) 217-9680. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Other Confirmed Artists:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">- Erik Andrade (New Bedford-based Spoken Word Artist)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">- King-I (Reggae artist)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">- The AS220 Criss Cross Orchestra (Afrobeat band)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">- DJ Blade Mon (Radio DJ and regional Reggae DJ)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">- Rebel International (New Bedford-based Collective of Reggae DJ’s)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Venus Sings / Reza Rites / Reza Wreckage / Isis Stormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922044827467413994noreply@blogger.com0