Peak Definition - Code Name: Open Source

Peak Definition put together this excellent production to give you a sense of the mood and action at last week's Code Name: Open Source. The intersection of art, technology, and commerce is an exciting place to be right now.


Code Name: Open Source from Peak Definition on Vimeo.


{c/p @ ScruHoo)

Asheville Photog Wants a Dream Assignment

Outstanding local photographer Michael Tracey has a dream.

If you can visit a website and click a mouse, you can help him land a dream assignment in a contest that awards one photographer the chance to work on a dream shoot.

Asheville Team Looks to Breach the Walls

When Michael and Amie Tracey first came up with the idea, it seemed simple but unattainable: travel the world visiting notorious walls (both ancient and modern), photographing and interviewing those who live in their shadows. The end result would be a book which painted a compelling picture of how these walls impact our societies, perhaps prompting readers to consider whether there might be better options for confronting our differences.

Now they are close to being able to make that dream a reality, but they need help. Michael entered the project in the Name Your Dream Assignment contest, which will award funding to one photographer to carry out their dream shoot.

Only the top twenty ideas will make it to the final round of judging, the top twenty being determined by popular vote. It would be fantastic to have a local photographer/writer team undertake a project of global importance, and with their idea currently ranked 30th in the lineup, they need every single vote they can get.

How To Help

You can visit http://www.breachthewall.com for more complete details on the project, or simply follow this quick guide to register your support:

1) Visit our idea at the contest site: http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/mogmismo/walls-the-way-we-separate-ourselves/

2) Click the "pic it" button in the left hand corner

3) Register at the site (opting out of further contact)

4) Check your email, and click the verification link

5) Once back on the site, log in, and then *return* to our idea and click the "pic it" link.

6) You're done!

Sidewalk Astronomy This Weekend

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first use of a telescope as an astronomical instrument. The Asheville Astronomy Club honors the IYA this weekend at Pack Square with a free, family-friendly night of scopes and stars and the rings of Saturn.

The group will set up telescopes on April 3rd and 4th (Fri & Sat) with April 5th (Sun) as a rain date.

Expect to check out the Moon, Saturn, double stars, Saturn's rings and one of its moons, Titan. If you've got a scope of your own, bring it.

Asheville Sidewalk Astronomy Nights
April 3 and 4
8:30 p.m.
Pack Square in front of Pack Place

Women, Wellness, & Wine Workshop

Interesting sounding workshop happening tomorrow at Maggie B's Wine Store in Weaverville:

Women, Wellness, & Wine Workshop
Sunday, March 29th, 3 p.m.
Free
Presented by Maureen McDonnell, RN, and Jill Urwick

Please RSVP 645-1111

Come learn the latest in dietary and supplementation approaches for feeling your best.

Take charge of your health today! Affordable health care is not just a better insurance policy, it starts with education on preventative health measures. Learn why a good diet and proper supplementation are so helpful in minimizing symptoms associated with stress and anxiety, weight gain, depression, PMS, and Menopause. The importance of detoxification programs will be discussed. And of course, let’s taste and talk about the antioxidants in red wine! Preferred products will be discussed.

Art in Autumn Call for Artists

Another festival for all the great artists we have around here. Cross-posting welcomed:

3RD ANNUAL ART IN AUTUMN FESTIVAL CALL FOR ARTISTS; DEADLINE MAY 15, 2009

The Weaverville Business Association has put out a call for artists for the 3rd Annual Art in Autumn Juried Arts and Crafts Show, to be held Saturday, September 19, 2009, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in downtown Weaverville, North Carolina.

Applications are being accepted from artists working in any of the following mediums: Basketry, Clay, Digital Art, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metal, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Wood. A $1000 cash prize will be awarded for Best in Show, with additional cash prizes for second place, third place, and honorable mentions.

Additional information and artist applications are available online at www.artinautumn.com.

Deadline to enter is May 15, 2009. The show can accommodate up to 100 artists.

For more information or to obtain a hard copy of the application, contact Sherrye Perry at (828) 273-7306 or e-mail artinautumn@visitweaverville.com.

Zen Sutherland, Bigshot Photographer

It looks like (Blog)Asheville's own Zen Sutherland, one of the most artistically engaged people around, the man with 17,000 digital snaps on his Flickr account and 80,000 at home, the current titleholder of Best Art/Photography Blog, will have his photography become part of Asheville's new Hotel Indigo downtown.

The Indigo is also using some of the "squircle" (squared circle) shots he's so fond of taking:


Congrats Zen! Leave him a comment here!

New Media Party Tuesday

From the Media Arts Project, a don't-miss networking opportunity for Asheville's artsy geeks and new media nerds...


Don’t miss "Code Name : Open Source," a joint fundraiser from the Media Arts Project and Hatch Asheville. The evening will feature innovative local artists who have been awarded MAP's Daniel DeLaVergne Media Arts Advantage Fund grant, and a talk on "The Future of Open Source” from former Red Hat executive Teresa Spangler.

DATE: Tuesday, March 24th

TIME: 7 PM until 9 PM

LOCATION: Pack Place, 2 S. Pack Square in downtown Asheville

COST: $20 tickets online or at the door, includes drinks and appetizers

The Daniel DeLaVergne MAAF, a joint initiative between Advantage West Economic Development Group and the MAP, is given to regional artists each year in order to foster and promote innovative media arts and film in Western North Carolina.

The event will feature a showcase of art by MAAF grantees and judges from years past, including:

* Filmmaker Paul Schattel’s Alison All Over, a micro-budget, professionally executed HD feature film.
* Gene Felice’s large-scale installation employing audio, visual and interactive methods powered by alternative sources such as solar panels and bicycle generators
* Chas Llewellyn’s Zenotopia, an animated film featuring puppet characters
* Michael Folliett’s CRATE Asheville 1.0, a media literacy project that offers youth education in media content analysis and multimedia production
* A collaborative project from UNCA Multimedia Arts and Sciences program’s Lei Han and Lorraine Walsh and their students
* Animator David Miller
* Documentary filmmakers Adams Wood and Francine Cavanaugh with On Coal River,their documentary on the effects of coal mining on a small community
* Craig Hobbs and Chris Bower with science-fiction feature Moon Europa
* Stewart Dickson’s 4-dimensional Zoetropes of 3-D computer-generated animated "morphs" in physical materials

Half the proceeds of the fundraiser will go directly to the MAAF and will be matched by Advantage West, providing up to $12,000 in grants to artists in the region. This event is an opportunity to directly contribute to the creative community in western North Carolina.

The event will also feature a talk and Q&A with Teresa Spangler, now the CEO of Creative Leadership Adventures. Prior to founding CLA, she held senior positions with Red Hat, Inc, where she was responsible for pre-IPO revenue and building the sales organization to drive revenue from under $10 million to over $35 million. She led the business development organization and marketing organizations for Red Hat after its IPO. Her role also included establishing strategic revenue-generating relationships with the giants of high technology: IBM, Intel, Compaq, HP, Oracle and Dell. Prior to Red Hat, Teresa worked with Technauts, Inc. and Picturetel Corporation.

Local Circus Performs This Weekend

Whoops, repost -- got the times wrong!

The Runaway Circus and the Loose Caboose Performance Troupe present a Circus Show Extravaganza with jugglers, acrobats, clowns, music and a Saturday afernoon parade...

TWO THREE SHOWS:

March 20, Fri.

7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show

March 21, Sat.

7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show

March 22, Sun.

12:30 p.m. Pritchard Park Parade w/Firecracker Jazz Band

2 p.m. preshow, 3 p.m. show

Riverside Studios,196 Riverside, corner of Craven and Riverside

info: 251-1868

sliding-scale admission starts at $5

Artist discussion and Artist Resource Center

When: Fri, March 20, 6pm – 8pm
Where: Firestorm Cafe @ 48 Commerce St
Description: You've come to Asheville because you've heard it's the
happening place for the Arts Scene - but how do you connect with other
artists and learn about festivals, events, and venues to sell your
art? What are the organizations & grants available to help artists
make their means and connect with other creative thinkers? And
looking deeper - how does the philosophy of art as a major artery in
the life-blood of Asheville allow us to utilize the potential of
creative design and innovation in coming era?
Learn about the discussions concerning the future development of the
Riverside Arts District & where there are affordable creative spaces
and studios in Asheville.

Art Sale to Benefit Doctors without Borders

UNC Asheville's Hippocrates Student Organization will hold its second annual Arts4Meds charity event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28, on the UNC Asheville Quad. Some 50 pieces of art donated by artists from Asheville, Black Mountain and Charlotte will be on sale or up for silent auction. All proceeds will benefit Doctors without Borders.

The project was conceived of by UNC Asheville sophomore Sarah Reeves. An art major on the pre-med track, Reeves hopes to one day volunteer for Doctors without Borders.

"Arts4Meds is really just a combination of two of my greatest passions: art and medicine," said Reeves. "Plus, I'm really into volunteer work and thought it was a great way to benefit an important organization while bringing together two diverse communities."

Last year, the event raised $1,500 for Doctors without Borders. Reeves is hoping to bring even more in this year.

In addition to purchasing art, patrons can stop by the Hippocrates Student Organization bake sale table or take in some tunes. Bands ranging from alternative rock to bluegrass will be playing throughout the day.

For more information or to donate original works of art, contact Reeves at 704/650-1937 or sareeves at unca (dot) edu

Asheville NOW Meets This Sat.

Asheville, BTW, has a chapter of the National Organization for Women. I know you're shocked.

If you want to find out about what the chapter is doing in Asheville, check out their meeting this Saturday at 5.

From chapter president Debbie Metcalf:

We will meet at the home of Lori, one of our members. Please call Barbara @ 277-7354 for directions and details.

Refreshments will be served, but we ask that you BYOB.

...

Please, make plans to attend and share your thoughts and ideas with the group. Our meetings are very laid-back, but our discussions are serious and important. We are newly energized and ready to work in our community for the welfare of women and children.

Come be a part of the change.

Mad Tea Party this Saturday Night

Goofy video I made when it was still cold out...



www.themadteaparty.com
www.ukulelerockstar.com

Wish List for Asheville's Homeless Animals

I'm turning my upcoming 40th birthday celebration this weekend into a drive for donations for the Animal Compassion Network, a local no-kill animal rescue organization that's found homes for thousands of homeless WNC cats and dogs. If you have any of the following items from ACN's wish list to donate, bring them by my party on Sunday, March 15 between 6 and 9 p.m. (And get some cake, too.)

I can also pick up donations, or you can drop off donated items at ACN's pet store, Pet Harmony, at 803 Fairview St.

Get directions to the party (it's downtown) or arrange donation pickup by emailing me at jennifer(dot)freelance (at) gmail daht cahm.

ACN needs help. The economy is hard on animals too, as rescuers and nonprofits run out of cash, while more and more people can't afford to keep their pets. Here's their wish list:

We Especially Need Scoopable Kitty Litter!

Straw for our Doghouse Program

Money for medical care and supplies

Tents/canopies, tent sides

Dog beds

Dog houses

Chain-link kennels

Cat and dog food

Dog and cat toys

Collars and leashes

Fencing materials

Storage services

Long-distance calling cards

Copier services

Grooming services

Mother's Replacement Milk (puppies and kittens)

Money (for the Betty Fund)

Collapsible wire crates (all sizes)

Puppy pens

Cat carriers

Cat litter

Food and water bowls

Blankets and towels

Cedar for bedding

Nutracal

Veterinary services

Stamps (1st class postage and higher)

Kenneling services

Office supplies

Puppies, Domes, Win $100 GC

After you find that puppy's owner and make your reservations for the Dome, I've got another contest running at MyWeaverville. Dali Decals, makers of some very cool wall decals, have a $100 gift certificate for me to give away this month. Details and entry info here.

Get in the Dome: Sunday at 5 p.m.

A special invitation to BlogAsheville readers only: do you want to fly through space and time this Sunday at 5 p.m.?

Thought so.

Though not many people know it, West Asheville is home to a company, The Elumenati, that creates immersive cinematic environments for an international clientele including Cirque du Soleil, Disney and NASA. Occasionally The Elumenati open up their studios and let the public in for tours of the universe inside the GeoDome Theater, a 25-foot, 25-seater mini-planetarium that projects NASA's mindblowing Digital Universe Atlas 3-D software.


If you are at ALL interested in space, astronomy, science, cosmology, visualization or truly badass, state-of-the-art 3-D animation projected on the interior of a 25-foot dome, you need to come see this thing. It's better than IMAX.

If you can do a dome trip this Sunday at 5, shoot me an email. Bring the family! Kids welcomed.

There are 25 spots available and seats will go FAST. Reserve your spot by emailing me at jennifer (dot) freelance (at) gmail daht cahm.

There are absolutely no strings attached. It's all about having fun.

(We now return to your regularly scheduled Felicity woes. Find that pup a home!)

Found Puppy in West Asheville

My neighbor found a sweet puppy this morning on Beverly Road. She was wearing a collar and leash but unfortunately no tags. She looks to be about six months old and, because I am the sucker to end all suckers, she's currently asleep next to my bed after spending the day with my two dogs playing madly in the yard. She likes milk bones and knows Sit. PLEASE, before I lose my heart, help me find her real owner! She's obviously not a homeless street dog and I'm sure somebody is missing her tonight. Email me - flissDOTvertATgmailDOTcom - with a description to claim her.

Tomorrow! Special Screening of TheGraduates!

The Graduates Trailer from Ryan Gielen on Vimeo

The Graduates is a fun coming-of-age comedy about four friends who head to the beach after graduation. They go to party and chase girls, but end up growing up over the course of the week.

The Graduates features tons of music from Asheville's very own Mad Tea Party. We would love to highlight the band's participation, and can even offer tons of advice to other Asheville musicians on how to get into movies, and get exposure through film and video. Ryan (the director) has been featured in several articles talking about this, and we think it could be really interesting for Asheville musicians.

The film isn't just for musicians. It features Robin Williams' son Zak Williams in his feature film debut, and was awarded the Director Discovery Award at a major festival. We've also sold out ten sneak preview screenings in a row around the country. It's just a really fun film :)

Here are the details:
Thursday, March 12th
Doors at 9:00pm
Screening at 9:30pm
Tickets $5

Important: We've had to start ticketing through our site because we've sold out every screening to date. Fans actually get turned away at the door, so to prevent that, we're handling the ticketing. That way we can keep an eye on numbers and announce when the screening is full. We don't want anyone turned away!!

-------------------------------
You can learn more at www.thegraduatesmovie.com

New Yard-Sharing Site

Want to garden? Don't have a yard?

Try this new site: Hyperlocavore, a yardsharing community

"Our vision: healthy kids who love the smell of dirt, blocks with foreclosed homes becoming vibrant neighborhoods, plates full of delicious safe food at costs we can all afford, and neighbors who are friends."

Huge Meteor Over Asheville?

Around 11:30 Saturday night, a glowing orange light outside my window caught my eye. I couldn't see it all that well through the trees and warped glass of my house's old windows, but it didn't look like ANYTHING that I could put a name to.

It wasn't a plane.

It passed behind a tree, and when it came out the other side it looked like it was breaking into pieces. I ran outside to see and there was nothing in the sky but stars and clouds.

It was tungsten orange, maybe twice the size of Venus at its brightest, moving very slowly like an earthgrazer, not "falling." If it was a meteor, I don't think it made it through the atmosphere.

Very freaky!

Anyone else see? What was it?

Looked JUST like this, but with no tail:

Portraits of Ukrainian Monkey Trainers

No, this is not a Faces of Asheville spin-off. It's more fantastic work from artist, musician, and bon vivant Pancho Romero Bond. In addition to being front man for the band Sirius.B, Bond is an artist. This watercolor exhibition will be held tomorrow night at the Pisgah Brewing Company, and Pancho will be playing and singing as well. Here's some info from the Black Mountain Music Scene Newsletter:

Pisgah Brewing Music and Art

Black Mountain Music Venue, Pisgah Brewing, continues it's efforts to merge Beer, Music, and Art with a opening of it's newest exhibit

Portraits of Ukrainian Monkey Trainers
The Art of Pancho Romero Bond
7pm Friday Mar 7

MAP HERE

Pancho is a well-known musician in the area peforming with successful bands such as Sirius.B. "The current show, “Portraits of Ukrainian Monkey Trainers” attempts to capture, primarily through the medium of water color painting, the lives of Ukrainian circus workers. On a personal level, the paintings (and some of my sculptural work) allow me to reconcile my personal feelings about the simultaneous tragedy and dignity of the lives of these individuals."

Asheville Brewers Alliance

All those zymurgists have a blog! Go say hi.

Local Music, Dessert Tasting, Belly Dancing This Sunday

Some of us know Steve Liebenhaut as the unflappably friendly Amazing Savings checkout guy with silver hair and glasses.

Liebenhaut celebrates his birthday this weekend in an amazing way yet again this year with a charity benefit and local music showcase at the Grey Eagle.

The Eagle Flies on Sunday benefits Loving Food Resources, an Asheville-based nonprofit that provides food and personal care items to local people living with HIV/AIDS or in home hospice care.

Bands this year are Gas House Mouse and (Councilwoman Cape and) the Buckerettes.

New this year is SeSen bellydance troupe.

* music
* bellydancing
* dessert tasting
* silent auction
* raffle

The Eagle Flies on Sunday
Sunday, March 8
6:30 p.m.
$15

Advance tickets available directly through Loving Food Resources, Harvest Records, Orbit DVD and at the venue.

Limited seating available.

Next Day in the Life of Asheville gears up

Photo courtesy of Michael Tracey

The annual Day in the Life of Asheville photo project is entering its third year. My fellow photogs are gearing up to get it organized while I'm trying to step back a little this year. The meeting is 2:30 p.m. on March 7 at Asheville Pizza on Coxe Ave.

Last year, we had 80 photographers participate and shoot some amazing shots. If you'll recall, Citizen Camera was a part of the effort and perhaps the biggest hit. We put out about a dozen disposable cameras and asked people to take photos of themselves.

This year's going to be bigger and better than ever, and anyone interested is invited to come out, drink a beer, talk photo stuff and join in. Great people. Great fun.