As you probably know, I’ve been involved with YEAH (Youth Empowerment through Arts & Humanities) for many years and try to help them out in any way I can. I’ve volunteered for SGRRC and TNTRC multiple years and can say from experience that it’s AWESOME. It’s easily the most rewarding volunteer work I’ve ever done and it honestly changed my life forever. Unfortunately I can’t spare the time off from work to volunteer for them this year, but that doesn’t mean YOU can’t! I strongly STRONGLY encourage you to checkout their volunteer form and see if any of the positions interest you. Remember, you DON’T have to be a musician or even musically-inclined to help out! There are plenty of non-musical needs as well. You get free lunch every day, a cool t-shirt, and most importantly the good feeling of helping foster the love of music and the arts in some of coolest kids you will ever meet.
So what are you waiting for?!?! Go sign up now! Click here for Tennessee Teens Rock & Roll Camp, or here for Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp.
A Few Good Shows: 6/29/12
June 29, 2012
As a TNTRC volunteer and long-time supporter of YEAH (Youth Empowerment through Arts & Humanities) I must first plug this Saturday’s Tennessee Teens Rock & Roll Camp showcase at Marathon Music Works. Doors are at 2:30pm and show starts at 3. We have 16 bands this year, and unlike past years where campers could choose between doing a cover song or writing their own, this year all bands wrote their own songs together. It was a big step but it has paid off, and believe me when I say there are some good songs this year! There will also be a raffle with tons of goodies! Being involved with this organization is one of the best things I’ve ever done and they need your support so please come out- the door and raffle money all goes right back into supporting the mission. Now for the rest of the listings:
FRIDAY:
The Mynabirds, with Sean Bones and Matrimony @ The High Watt. $10 9pm
Bitchfest Night 1 ft. Fancytramp, Slutever, Dirty Dee & The Sweaty Meat, and How Cozy! @ The End. 9pm $5
SATURDAY:
Nikki Lane, Jasmin Kaset, and Jimmy Stewart @ The 5 Spot. 9pm $5 21+
Bitchfest Night 2 ft. Birdcloud, Thelma & the Sleaze, Hot Cha Cha, and White Mystery @ Exit/In. 9pm $7
SUNDAY:
Bitchfest Night 3 ft. Crybaby, I am Sabot, and Lurancy Vennum @ Springwater. 9pm $5 21+
The debut of Sunday School, a new free weekly series alternating between Exit/In and The End. This Sunday features The Paperhead, Denny & The Jets, and Prince Coyote & the Dogmen. $FREE and it STARTS AT 6PM. DRINK SPECIALS AND DAY DRINKIN’ Y’ALL.
Have a great weekend and stay cool!
The music of Les Miserables in a concert benefitting YEAH: tonight & tomorrow at Mercy Lounge
December 7, 2011
It’s been a big season of benefit shows for YEAH! but this one is probably the biggest- a bunch of local musicians/artists have teamed up to present the music of Les Miserables live in concert two nights in a row at Mercy Lounge. It kicks off tonight, tickets are $18, and it will be awesome. With Larissa Maestro and Jordan & Alex Caress at the helm and a huge cast of local musicians from such acts as Uncle Skeleton, By Lightning!, Ponychase, The Privates, Umbrella Tree, The Non-Commissioned Officers, Happy Little Trees, Blue Heart Hour, and many more, this is quite the undertaking. Again, this is a two night stand, but I have a feeling tonight will be the biggest of the two since Hall & Oates are at the Ryman tomorrow night. YEAH! is just about the coolest non-profit in all of TN and I’m proud to be an active volunteer with them. They deserve your support!
On a completely separate note (but still relevant to this blog), I’ve been approved by YEAH’s music programs director to start a new workshop at the Tennessee Teens Rock & Roll Camp this year- the Science of Music. Here’s the description I came up with, with the help of fellow volunteer (and former camper/fellow nerd) Alyssa Scheele:
How does an electric guitar work? How does a microphone work? How does MUSIC work? Learn this and much more in the brand new Science of Music workshop. This workshop will give campers a crash course in the science behind music and how different instruments and audio equipment create and amplify sound. This workshop is ideal for campers who might be interested in the production side of music. The Science of Music will empower campers to pursue science as well as music by showing them how science is an integral part of art.
I’m ecstatic about getting to teach kids how basically everything, let alone modern music, would not be possible without science. I want to get them to make that connection and realize that science isn’t all far-off labs, atom smashers, and old dudes in white coats. It’s also a part of literally EVERYTHING. I think that focusing on how science makes music possible is the best way to make it “hit home” with them. AND it will hopefully jumpstart some of them in the direction of music production, both studio and live.
steve cross loves music and science 