Author: L. Richelle Murry

New Music / February 2019

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2.2.19 It’s time to see who is gearing up to release some new music, courtesy of Metacritic. Credit: Metacritic Week of Feb 3, 2019 Sunshine Rock 8 FEBRUARY 2019 Ariana Grande Thank U, Next   Beast In Black From Hell With Love   Bob Mould Sunshine Rock   Cass McCombs Tip Of The Sphere   HEALTH Vol. 4: Slaves Of Fear   Jessica Pratt Quiet Signs   Jozef Van Wissem & Jim Jarmusch An Attempt To Draw Aside The Veil   LCD Soundsystem Electric Lady Sessions [Live album] Mercury Rev The Delta Sweete Revisited   Panda Bear Buoys   Said the Whale Cascadia   Xiu Xiu Girl With Basket Of Fruit   YAK Pursuit Of Momentary Happiness   ​The Lemonheads Varshons 2 [Covers album] 15 FEBRUARY 2019 Avantasia Moonglow   Avril Lavigne Head Above Water   Betty Who Betty   Chaka Khan Hello Happiness   Czarface & Ghostface Killah Czarface Meets Ghostface   Florida Georgia Line Can’t Say I Ain’t Country   Hayes Carll What It Is   Jon Fratelli Bright Night Flowers   Ladytron …

Editor’s Note / February 2019

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1.31.19 Vol. 7 / #2 February is here and do we have a lot of things get out and about!  As you already know this month is Black History Month and I have much creative stuff that I can’t wait to share… Music releases from Belrut, Ariana Grande, Bob Mould, Xiu Xiu, and Avril Lavigne. Nine festivals, just nine getting ready like Gem & Jam 2019, The Rock Boat 2019, 70,000 Tons of Metal 2019, and others.  I will post the last reminder for those attending the AWP (Association of Writing & Writing Programs) Conference Bookfair 2019, which will be in Portland Oregon March 27-30, 2019.          Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday and yes I will be coming up with something, I mean why not…   Straz Center for Performing Arts, Gasparilla Music Festival, or Tampa Museum of Art? Just the places to visit in Tampa, Florida, our Where To for February.  There was Music Focus, now we have Art Focus and Rashid Johnson is our focus for February, along with …

Reflections: Winter Short Story

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1.31.19 Hello! With part of the US experiencing a very cold winter, I think it would be fitting to post a short story from  Christopher Evans. The Rites of Wintera short story by Christopher Evans ‘And fire and ice within me fight Beneath the suffocating night’ A. E. Housman There were heavy snows that November, and by the turn of the year Stella’s supplies of fuel were running low. She was forced to collect brushwood from the countryside surrounding the village and celebrated her twenty-second birthday with mild frostbite of the hands. She kept a fire burning in the main room throughout the day, banking it up at night so that a residual warmth and even an ember remained when she rose the following morning. It was just as well that the inn was empty of guests and she did not have to provide extra fires; it would be difficult enough to survive the winter as it was. The bleak, bitter weather reflected her inner state of mind. Her husband, Thomas, had died that autumn, a withered, exhausted …

MidWeek Updates: Upcoming Music Competitions

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1.30.19 Hey there everyone…January is pretty much over, but I have found something for those lobbying in music. For a lot of us, we love to listen to music, but for some, we love to make it. Here are a few upcoming music competitions that I post before you… Credit:    If you are an unsigned artist and think you have what it takes to land a record deal, then you should enter the Unsigned Only Music Competition. Since Unsigned Only launched seven years ago, four Grand Prize winners have been signed to major label record deals, making Unsigned Only a leading source for transitioning new talent into major label record deals. However, getting a record deal isn’t the only success Unsigned Only artists have achieved. Many winners have also secured licensing deals, publishing deals, better gigs, and more recognition after winning the competition. This could be your chance! -Unsigned Only http://www.unsignedonly.com     The Hollywood Songwriting Contest is an opportunity for real talent to be heard and exposed. This elite, international songwriting competition is …

Creative Close-Up: Inside the Contemporary Art World

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1.28.19 Hello everyone! The last few days of January are upon us and it’s time for a creative close-up of a documentary film I just have seen on Netflix. Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World, explores the value of contemporary art. The film was released in September 2017. The docufilm directed by Barry Avrich speaks to gallerists, journalist, collectors, art critics, even the artists such as Marina Abramovic, Rashid Johnson, and Julian Schnabel.  The value of art can be tricky business, how about trying to find your target market…that is tricky too. I found this short review from Shayna Weingast on the Tribeca website.  “As one art scene insider proclaims, the contemporary art world can be summed up as “rich people trying to prove how rich they are,” but is that all there is to this billion dollar industry? Well-researched and expertly constructed, Barry Avrich’s eye-opening documentary peels back the layers of the art world economy- from production to circulation, and delineates every integral player in the game of art-making, including curators, gallerists, collectors, donors, auction …

MW Update: Art Competitions/Exhibitions for January 2019

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1.23.19 Hump Day Wednesday! It’s time to look at some upcoming art competition and exhibitions. If you like to get your artwork out there, Artshow can help… Credit source: Artshow 3rd Annual Colors Art Competition Fusion Art announces a call to artists for an online art exhibition, February 1-28, 2019. Best in Show winners invited to the 4th Annual Group Show in Palm Springs. Top 5 winners invited to join Fusion Art’s Artsy.net gallery. Juror: Chris Hoffman. For this competition, both 2D and 3D artists, worldwide, are invited to submit their best art and photography using a concentration of colors. One color or a multitude of colors meet the criteria for this competition. This is an international open (no theme) competition so any subject matter and any media are acceptable. $20 for 1 image / $35 for up to 5 images. Deadline: January 27, 2019. More info. Contact: email     9th Annual “CityScapes” Online Art Competition Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery seeks entries for an online art exhibition, February 1-28, 2019. Extensive worldwide publicity & promotion, 550+ …

Where To: Savannah, Georgia

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1.19.19 Hey. How is everyone doing this weekend, I should say three-day weekend? Where are we going to for January? Try Savannah, Georgia. It’s one of my favorite spots to visit and you’ll love it too… Credit source: http://www.savannah.com ART & MUSEUMS Luba Lowry Brushing Against Identity! Through portraiture, I explore the complex correlation between the personality of nature and the nature of personality. My paintings have been the featured décor in restaurants from Germany to Minneapolis, and more recently have been seen hanging in art galleries in Savannah and Atlanta. 309 W. St. Julian St., Studio FSU-7. website   (651)894-3053   Samantha Claar’s FineFolk Gallery Featuring Samantha Claar’s Gullah Living Series of Original Paintings, Prints, Cards, Black Art dolls, “Wee People” as well as a selection of Gullah basketry and themed books. Visit to appreciate the stories and history of a resilient people who continue to shape their destiny with faith and happiness. Located in The Village Craftmen on River St. and the Art League of Hilton Head. See phone  Website   Jepson Center For The …

Wknd Update: 34th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition

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1.19.19 Hello! Got some great things to pass along to you, courtesy of Agora Gallery/34th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition. I posted last year’s competition. According to the site posted below, the competition is closed, but you can subscribe by email and they will gladly let you know when the next one comes along…here is a press release information about the competition… Credit source: Agora Gallery/Chelsea International Fine Art Competition     34th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition—Opens on February 5th, 2019Agora Gallery is pleased to invite artists from across the globe to enter the 34th Annual Chelsea International Fine Art Competition. Selected artists will receive prizes and opportunities that will grant invaluable exposure, boost recognition and promote career growth. “The Chelsea International Fine Art Competition has been an annual tradition within New York City’s vibrant art scene for more than 30 years. Artists from around the world can have their work reviewed by distinguished jurors and, if selected, exhibit their work in a major Chelsea gallery. It’s a marvelous opportunity open to all and …