Walking Across America...

This video above is the final version. Compare that to this one…

The one above is the behind the scenes version. Which do you like better?

I saw this video originally on my friend Drew’s blog and I was immediately reminded of one dear friend who had a dream to walk across America. And I believe one day he will (to quench his desire for a journey, he biked across America instead).

But when I saw the video on Drew’s blog all clean and shiny – yeah – I mean it’s awesome. Let’s face it. The final version always looks pretty good. It’s the nitty gritty daily grind of life that is hard. And so when I clicked on the Walk Across America YouTube page and then saw the map of where they traveled, I got lost for a few minutes in thoughts of my own journey.

Sometimes it’s clear to me, it’s a Temper Trap song perfecly in sync with my every step.

But often it’s not. It’s messy. It’s undefined. It’s life smack in front of you every day. It’s an internal back and forth to be who I want to be and match who people think I should be or who I think I have to be for people. It’s giving and getting. It’s searching and being utterly lost and becoming found again.
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TONIGHT! Gulf Coast Benefits Unite Us For Good...

This post is written by Nic Adler, co-producer for tonight’s events and owner of The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA. I’m honored to have partnered with him, Casey Phillips and the entire Gulf Coast Benefit Team for tonight’s shows around the country (and indeed now around the world). Please consider donating to our efforts regardless if you can attend a show tonight or not. To find an event in your area, see our Meetup Everywhere page where there are over 90 events listed in 13 countries (and counting).

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Photo Credit Kris Krug / Static Photography. View more photos from TEDxOil Spill Expedition on Flickr.

As I sit here writing this, up to 100 million gallons of oil has spewed into the gulf and as it continues to do so, it is destroying our fragile ecosystem and people’s livelihoods. We cannot just sit, watch the news and continue to say, “This is horrible!” and, “How could this happen?” without some action to back it up. This problem is our problem now and we need to stand up and help where ever and however we can.

WHO IS HELPING THE GULF COAST REGION?

There are so many groups doing amazing work along the Gulf coastlines.  After days of due diligence and research, our co-producer Sloane Berrent came back to the group with multiple nonprofits to partner with and options but we all narrowed in on the Gulf Restoration Network’s new initiative, Gulf Future, because we all thought it reflected our mission. Support the coastal and fishing communities, restore the marine and costal environments and, maybe most important, make people aware and responsible for what has happened in the Gulf so history does not repeat itself in the future.

HOW ARE WE RAISING MONEY?

Naturally owning The Roxy in Los Angeles, I thought we should throw a benefit concert, but then wondering how to make it really have an impact, it came to me, what if we reached out to our neighbor businesses to see if we could all work together and really take something as simple as a benefit concert and turn it into a wave of action. I then reached out to Casey Phillips, who I knew as a true New Orleans man and someone who had a real “on the ground” pulse of what was happening. Not only was he a native of the area but also the talent buyer for multiple clubs including our own Sunset Strip neighbor, The Viper Room. Casey echoed my same thoughts and went into action immediately bringing in Sloane Berrent and The Roxy’s Megan Jacobs along with a team of people who knew something had to be done now. Three weeks and a couple of thousands emails later, we now have over 50 independent music venues and over 100 bands fighting for the cause.

All the venues will send their gate revenues from these shows directly to Gulf Restoration Network within 72 hours of our shows.  Also, our donation widget send funds directly to the Gulf Restoration Network’s account so we don’t ever touch the donations and they all go directly to the nonprofit partner. We’re making sure it gets into the hands of community groups like Bayou Grace and St. Bernard Community Center within weeks and we’ll be sharing that with those who made donations both online and through attending events through social networks and follow up blog posts with our partners.
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Groundswell Growing for Gulf Coast Benefit Concert...

This Thursday, July 1st, music venues and activists worldwide will unite to benefit those directly impacted by the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. Proceeds from all participating venues will be donated to The Gulf Restoration Network, a nonprofit committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region for future generations.

This is the beginning of a blog post that I am seeing coming flying into my google alerts and into my inbox. It’s the start of a groundswell for tomorrow night’s Gulf Coast Benefit concerts.

Current stand is 60 Meetups, about 45 which are music venues and the rest are awareness get-togethers. It’s grown to 5 countries too (shout out to the Montreal and Paris contingent in particular)! 100% of online donations and the ticket price at venues is going to Gulf Restoration Network. Those who know me, know that I look to inspire others to find ways to give back and this benefit series is speaking to the passionate resolve we all have to help others in times of need.

How can you get involved? Make a donation, whatever amount you can give. Every dollar counts. Then, how about asking 5 friends to match you? Send an email or post to your Facebook wall and say something like:

I just donated $10 to support Gulf Benefit Concerts, will you match my donation?

You can attend. Full listing of venues is on the Meetup Everywhere page.

You can blog about the events. This takes our message to your fans, supporters and friends. A blog post goes a long way! An article in your local paper helps tell more people about what we’re up to. To give you inspiration, here are links to some of the most recent press we’ve gotten. (And huge thanks to everyone below).

• Antiquiet Interview with Co-organizer Casey Phillips:
  

  New Orleans has been in a fight for survival for the past decade. In terms of the deep musical spirit of the area, what’s the general atmosphere among local artists in relation to this crisis?
  
  The strength of the NOLA musical community is a force that some may have doubted before Katrina, but few question anymore. They have lead by example these past 5 years by refusing to let our musical heritage disappear. To me they represent pillars of strength for others to draw inspiration from. The cajun culture of the bayou regions is as important to Louisiana’s heritage as jelly-roll jazz. Right now the future for the fishing communities looks bleak, however, but I can say with certainty that the cajuns are proud people, and the backbone of Louisiana – we will not let them down.

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Nationwide Gulf Benefit Concerts July 1st to Benef...

I’m really excited to officially announce that I’m part of the team producing a series of nationwide benefit concerts July 1st benefiting the fishermen & wildlife affected by the Gulf Coast Oil Spill called Gulf Coast Benefit Presents Coast to Coast. < -- VISIT THE WEBSITE!

What to help and GET INVOLVED? Read more or skip to the get involved part!

Along with Nic Adler, owner of The Roxy on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, CA; Megan Jacobs of The Roxy, Casey Phillips, talent buyer for venues including Tipitina’s in New Orleans and Viper Room & The Mint in Los Angeles, and a terrific support team, we have over 25 venues on board nationally to support this effort with 100% of proceeds going DIRECTLY to the Gulf Restoration Network (@healthygulf on Twitter) and their community-based effort called Gulf Future.

Daryl Hannah, Dave Faustino, Ed Begley Jr., Rebelution, Nicky Avalon and venues like The Roxy, Viper Room, Spaceland, The Echo, The Mint, Fais Do Do, The Comedy Store, Tipitina’s, Press Room and more are involved have enlisted their efforts to help! Volunteers in each city and music industry heavy-hitters are jumping in. Now it’s YOUR TURN!

Is it ambitious to gather music venues around the country to donate ticket sales on July 1st and create an online giving platform that encourages donations to the relief efforts? You betcha. But the people, wildlife and wetlands affected need our support and we’ve combined efforts and networks to make this successful and meaningful for those in the Gulf Coast.

Revenues from ticket sales will be donated to help the fishermen and their families along the Gulf Coast cope with this disaster and aid wildlife and wetlands restoration for the Gulf Coast. Over 25 venues have been confirmed and more are being added every day. Artists performing include national as well as local acts across the US.

“We know through music and the generosity of people that we can help make a difference in the Gulf Coast.” Adler says. “We hope this inspires others to make a donation, attend an event and get involved.”

The wetlands and wildlife are in desperate need of our attention now and we can’t wait for BP to take care of those in need. Many of our fellow Americans will have no livelihood, are preparing to leave their homes and are now lining up for food handouts. With hurricane season on the horizon, there is reason for great concern and it’s crucial the affected communities be prepared for the worst.

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This Too Shall Pass – OK Go’s Impact o...

Ok Go couldn’t have said it better as I work to get over my growing pains. This Too Shall Pass. But what I take away even more than the name of the song is this kick ass video above. Ready for this? My friends (including The Freshness) over at Mindshare, with their Labs division now called Synn Labs made it.

What’s more is the story that developed last week when OK Go left their label, EMI, in a dispute over how to dispense and share their new video with their fans. You remember their first viral video “Here It Goes Again” on the treadmills? 50 million views! EMI, not getting any revenue from youTube and struggling to find ways to reinvent the music industry decided not to allow the next video to be embedded. Which means you can only watch it on YouTube. THAT defeats the purpose of what a viral video needs to do. It needs to be spread and put on blogs and shown around the web. It’s meant to be shared.

OK Go got this, and the fans want it, but EMI said no. And so in a bold and brave move, OK Go has left their label and announced that they’re starting their own.

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SXSW Recap from 2009...

LA Tech in 2009

Well friends, SXSW is here! It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since the last one. Before I move forward talking about all the goodness and goodies in store for this year, I thought I would first highlight my posts from last year’s SXSW. You know, reflecting back before I move forward. Here we go.

SXSW Core Conversation: How LA Has Built A Sucessful Tech Community

Los Angeles has become a hub for tech startups with new ones popping up every day. Relationships are being formed and VCs are paying attention. Universities are showcasing developer opportunities unique to the city. So how did this happen? Welcome to networking 2.0. From Lunch 2.0 to Interactive Community Coalitions, BarCamp to Twiistup, LA is a great case study of how to build a successful tech community in your city. Join the organizers of the city’s most popular networking events for tips, advice, the how to’s and what-not-to-do’s to make your city’s community pop.

SXSW Fan Girl

Life just doesn’t really get much better than those 9 days in Austin each year when your mind is blown, your heart is full and your feet ache from exploration.

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Dance Like No One Is Watching...

“Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you’ve never been hurt and live like it’s heaven on Earth.” – Mark Twain

I captured the video above while at The Saint, a truly terrific dive bar in the Lower Garden District, on the final stop of an epic New Year’s Eve here in New Orleans with my friends. And while yes, at the time, I was really amused with the carefree way this guy was dancing after many many libations, when I got home and was looking at videos the next day, I couldn’t help but think…carefree or not, drunk or sober, aware of your surroundings or totally oblivious there is something to be said for living in the moment. Because moments come and go, and we are always looking back and remembering or looking forward and anticipating but if I can take one piece of 2009 with me into 2010 it will be this: Live in the moment.

Oh, and dance more myself.

You can see more of my videos by subscribing to my YouTube page here.

If you liked this post, you might like:
The Dance
TGIF Video: Playing for Change
Charity Smackdown – Team Brea FTW!

Vote for CNN Hero of the Year...

Vote for Derek Tabb - CNN Hero of the Year!

Roots of Music are marching forth to help their teacher, Derrick Tabb, become the next CNN Hero of the Year! Vote NOW, voting closes 6AM so do it NOW!

A native New Orleanian and snare drummer for popular Rebirth Brass Band, Derrick Tabb and friend, Alison Rheinheart, created New Orleans’ only non-profit music program that provides free instruments, music education, supplementary tutoring, hot meals and transportation to more than 100 at-risk youth.

I was fortunate enough to meet them both this past spring when I was in New Orleans and volunteer for Roots of Music. I’ve been a big fan ever since and am really excited to see this incredibly organization getting the national recognition it deserves.
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DJ PhilAm Presents: Michael Jackson Tribute...

Cebu Prisoners Dancing To Michael Jackson.

If you’re a fan of Michael Jackson’s music, you’re going to be a fan of what I am about to share with you. This is my third music mix and I’m really liking using mixable. I might try to venture one month into GarageBand, but in the meantime, this is a good way to get a little music from me to you.

This is a mix by DJ PhilAm and it’s all the MJ packed into 33 minutes you could want. Stream or download it and enjoy:

http://mixable.net/fkoiexztja/

*Remember if you like the music you hear, support artists by buying their work.*

I’m taking requests for upcoming themes and types of music – if you have anything you’d like to hear me put together or genres to tackle – either leave me a comment or send an email to sloane@thecausemopolitan.com

The Dance...

I was trying to articulate how I’ve been able to overcome the hump. In short, how in the world this past year – which by all accounts has turned by world upside down ten times over – somehow has left me stronger and more sure of myself in ways I can’t even fully fathom yet – seeing as how I’m still in the midst of all these changes.

A simple story occurred to me, and I wanted to share it here with you.

Last night I was invited to a bar in Manila with live music by an Australian expat I was introduced to over email. How I met her is in and of itself a tale of making things happen. Another Kiva Fellow, Susan Arthur, introduced me over email to Gregg Butensky, who has an ongoing library project here in the Philippines. Our schedules here didn’t overlap, but he introduced me to Cherie McCosker, the Australian mentioned above who works here with Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc. Cherie and I met up for dinner last week to talk fair trade, economic development, Kiva, microfinance and living abroad. She is incredible and I’m so happy to have met her.

Cherie invited me to hear a band she loves, Juan Pablo Dream, a bassa nova band here in the Philippines. She said it would be “jazzy, funky, with trumpets and cover songs and lots of dancing.” I love live music, I couldn’t wait to go.

But Friday I was beat tired. I’ve had some long weeks and they are starting to take a toll. I really considered many times between 8-11pm to text her and say I just couldn’t make it. I just don’t like bailing on plans and so I dragged my weary bones to meet her at Penguin Bar in Malate. I arrived, paid the 150 peso cover (including a beer coupon this is about a $3 cover charge). My jaw dropped.

Everyone was dancing without a care in the world! It was a lot of expats, Peace Corps people, hippies and the band. Wow. Soul, funk, no pretension and just making sure everyone was having a good time. Not a huge venue, just a little bar with a band performing at the front. The kind of fun, spontaneous night that I would have in Los Angeles with my friend Casey and her and I would just dance and dance and laugh and just enjoy the moment for what it was.

This slightly drunk hippie french couple were dancing. They weren’t particularly good but I couldn’t stop watching them. He would turn her and twist her and sometimes one or the other would half lose their balance and almost fall and then laugh and hug each other and keep going. They had the appearance of great dancers. A light bulb went off. They looked great and like they had such terrific rhythm because they didn’t stop moving. They kept going and so even losing their balance looked like a dance step. They didn’t care if they messed up, they weren’t performing a particular move, just moving to the music in a way that felt good to them. They were free and you could see it in every dip and step they took.

Here’s what I came up with. That’s how I see my life now.
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