M2S2 RSVP

I've got a busy day ahead of me, including the usual weekend update as well as the smoking ban story that I'm working on. By the way, I thank all of you who shared your opinions with me.

But for now, I wanted to talk little about M2S2. Actually, I'm going to let the official press release do most of the talking, but let me make a comments on the festival.

1. Booking Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights is no small feat, so hats off to the organizers for getting him to play.


2. I have been listening to a lot of RTB2 this week even though I've only seen part of one show. I am pumped to see a real live performance of theirs, and I have no doubt that they will rock my world.


3. If you are smart, you will do as I have done and RSVPed. This insures your ability to get in and see the show free of charge.


4. Since M2S2 does not have a sponsor this year, use the money you saved on cover charge to buy some beverages (and yes, Double-Wide will provide some adult beverages) and buy some raffle tickets that will help the organizers at least break even after holding this festival.

As for the rest, I will let the memo say everything else.

(I don't have the tech no-how to do cool things like put the memo in a box, so just visualize the memo below in a box.)

DALLAS, Texas (April 9, 2009) -- Begun in 2008 as an annual gathering of DFW/Denton music scene participants, supporters and fans, the second Mokah Music Summit and Showcase (M2S2) takes place on Saturday, April 25 at Life in Deep Ellum (LIFE) on the corner of Malcolm X and Taylor Streets just outside of downtown Dallas. The event is hosted by LIFE and the Carter Albrecht Music Foundation. Full event information can be found at the event web site, www.m2s2dallas.com.

The free event starts at Noon with a Zounds Sounds CD release concert (Noon-4pm); followed by a music-themed art/photo exhibit called “Ear Candy” (4-7pm); and culminating with band showcases in the evening (7-Midnight) featuring headliner, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights. Sankofa, located two blocks away on Commerce Street, will host the official M2S2 after-party featuring a set by Hoyotoho from Midnight-2am (M2S2 wristband wearers skip the $10 cover).

The Double Wide Bar will be providing a cash bar service all day for beer and wine sales and Mokah Coffee Bar will be providing a full complement of non-alcoholic beverages sales.

People wanting to attend the event are simply asked to RSVP and get on the entry list by sending an email to m2s2@lifeindeepellum.com. Emails will only be used for updates on M2S2 and those not on the RSVP list will be required to fill out a card with their email before gaining admission on the day of the show. Should capacity become an issue, those on the advance RSVP list will be admitted first.

Performing on the Live at Mokah main stage starting at 8:00 will be RTB2, The Orbans, The O’s, The Crash That Took Me and Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights. Performing in the Mokah Coffee Bar lounge stage starting at 7:00 will be Something in the Wheel, Nicholas Altobelli, Clint Niosi, Johnny Beauford, Jayson Wortham (Dove Hunter), Emil Rapstine (The Angelus) and the Blackland River Devils.


-more-

Zounds Sounds kicks things off with a CD release concert featuring original songs from their student bands from Noon-4pm. Students will be performing songs related to Dallas in some way as part of the afternoon session.

“Ear Candy” follows from 4-7pm in the Mokah Gallery featuring local music-themed art and photography on sale from talent such as: Hal Samples, Jason Janik, Kate Mackley and Charles Siler. Jeff Liles, aka “Cottonmouth Texas,” will be DJing during the reception. “Ear Candy” will remain on display thru Thursday, May 7 when the Mokah Gallery will host a closing event from 7-9pm.

Other components of M2S2 include: a video discussion among a variety of music industry professionals which will be posted online this Summer. The idea is to get a snapshot of viewpoints on the DFW/Denton music scene by those most heavily involved. Sample clips of some advance interviews will be shown at M2S2. Also, details on the Carter Albrecht Award will be announced with plans for the first recipients to be named at the 2010 M2S2 event. And finally, a $5 raffle for some attractive prizes will be conducted to help raise funds toward the expenses LIFE has incurred for hosting and producing the M2S2 event.

LIFE and the Deep Ellum Foundation have funded this year’s event out of pocket and several supporting sponsors have provided various other resources to make sure the building of this important community event continues in a positive direction. These include: Double Wide, Mokah Coffee Bar, Zounds Sounds, Eyegate Media, YesGo Productions, Hackenbrew, Quick, Sankofa, Crystal Clear Sound, Deep Ellum Association, Wasteland Creative and Ellum Consulting. Event directors, Mike Biggs and Chelsea Callahan, will be seeking cash sponsors for the 2010 event starting this Summer.

Should the event receive any net proceeds after expenses incurred to continue developing the community event without a cash sponsor this year, those funds will be split between LIFE and CAMF to go toward each non-profit’s specific programs benefitting the arts and music scene. More information about these programs can be found at the event’s web site.

Life in Deep Ellum is a non-profit cultural center built for the artistic, social, economic and spiritual benefit of Deep Ellum and its residents, supporters and visitors. It is composed of four primary communities: music, art, commerce and spiritual.

The Carter Albrecht Music Foundation is dedicated to the growth and development of music in DFW/Denton by offering assistance in education, developing skills and improving the quality of life of its musicians.