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Entrepreneurs Start with a Customer

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I am often asked about resources to start a business.  Too often the startup entrepreneur is asking the wrong questions and looking at the wrong issues.  Before starting a business, a prospective entrepreneur must answer the marketing questions.

The most important issue around starting a business is the customer.  Let me say this again: THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE AROUND STARTING A BUSINESS IS THE CUSTOMER! Who is the customer?  What need (product or service) are you satisfying that they are willing to pay you?  Why is no one willing filling that need now?  Or are they?  How much are they willing to pay?  What makes your product or service superior to the alternatives?

Many entrepreneurs focus on financing, building, location, etc when starting a business.  Instead, they should answer the questions honestly before looking at anything else.  The #1 need of entrepreneurs at all levels is customers.  Without customers, you have no business.

When I started Gasper Corporation, I benefited from the business classes I took at Wright State.  The most important were marketing and accounting.  I used the concepts of target marketing to make the business viable and effective.  So here is how I answered the marketing questions.

David Gasper - Back in the day...

Who was the customer? The 500-1,000 Automatic Teller Machine (ATMs) departments in banks worldwide.

What need did they have? The ATM industry was in its infancy and availability (uptime) was not considered thoroughly when ATM networks were designed.  The cost of downtime hurt their profits and bank image.

Why was no one filling that need? The startup industry offered the opening.  Competitors offered offline manual products while we had a chance to offer online monitoring and management.

How much were they willing to pay? We developed a pricing model based upon the size of the network.  Larger networks paid more as their problems were larger.  Our pricing model also reflected a payback based upon two values that our product offered.  1.  Our product reduced labor costs, so that savings was part of the price.  2.  Our product increased revenues from higher availability.  We factored that into our price.

What made your product superior? I started my career as an ATM programmer.  I understand the sensors and status signals better than others who designed management systems with no ATM experience.  I also understood the specialized switches (such as Base24) that processed ATM transactions.  Finally, conventional wisdom at that time did not believe that personal computers could process online transaction.  From my programming efforts in 8080 assembler and low level code of personal computers, I saw that was not true.  PCs were the wave of the future with more power in smaller boxes for less cost.   This specialized knowledge allowed Gasper Corporation to create unique position.

So we picked a small limited market with little competition that we could dominate. We stayed very focused on that small target market of 500-1,000 customers.  We could have created monitoring products for many other markets.  In doing so, we would have been wiped out by large competitors such as IBM, Hewlett Packard and Computer Associates.  Instead, we chose to target one specific market and be the BEST in that market.

The rest is history.  So, before you go looking for start up funding, answer the questions above honestly.  If the answers are not satisfactory, then FIX them with the right honest answers.

Training Tuesday: Avoid Common Running Injuries

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Welcome all to the new running section of DaytonMostMetro.com!  Here I will be posting information on upcoming races, recommending some awesome recipes for runners, giving suggestions of routes to run in Dayton and giving out tons of general running tips and news.

Training Tuesday will be a weekly post pertaining to all things that have to do with…you guessed it, training. Check back every Tuesday for important training plans, tips, routes and much more that will make running a lot easier for you!

The topic for this week is one that I believe should be important to every runner, injury prevention. For anyone that runs multiple times per week, injuries will happen, but there are many ways to lessen the effects and prevent the big ones from putting you out of commission for weeks. I have had my fare share of a variety of running injuries as I have had a stress fracture in my leg, broken my toe, had shin splints and have had plenty of knee pain. I feel like with this array of unfortunate injuries, along with my extensive knowledge of all things running, I can give helpful information that can help prevent the most common of injuries from happening.

1) The 10% Rule

This is a pretty common and often forgone rule for beginning runners and one that can lead to agonizing shin splints. The general rule is that you should not increase your mileage more than 10% per week. For example if you ran 10 miles this week, you shouldn’t run more than 11 the next week. Your body will not generally be used to the sharp increase in mileage and will definitely lead to shin splints (sharp pain in your shins), which usually put runners out for weeks, depending on severity. Follow this rule and you can avoid over-training and unwanted stress on your legs.

2) Stretch before AND after running

Most runner’s will stretch before running, but it may be just as important to stretch after. Stretching after decreases muscle soreness from the running you just did, and also will make it less likely that you will pull a muscle or injure yourself in the next few hours after the run. I myself have an extensive stretch routine before running which helps me get loose before the run, but also to prevent pulling anything during the run. Look for an upcoming post about what stretches you should be doing.

My beat up running shoes, 250+ miles...aka ready to be retired.

3) The importance of the right shoes

Having the right running shoes is, in my opinion, the most important factor to consider when getting into running. Having the wrong running shoes will most certainly cause numerous injuries to all parts of your body. Also, having shoes that are worn out, can be a leading cause for a stress fracture (trust me on that one). Your shoes should not be worn past 300 road miles. For beginning runners, any shoe with gel in the sole of the shoe will do, but if you are going to be building up the miles a more precautionary approach needs to be taken. Since I believe this is so important, check back next week to read about how to buy the perfect running shoes for yourself.

4) Cross-Training

Cross-training, I will abbreviate as XT, is very important for strengthening your muscles that you use while running. XT includes swimming, cycling, weight-lifting, elliptical, surfing and basically any exercise that doesn’t include running. Swimming is a total body workout and along with cycling can make for a great combination in addition to running. I will detail different XT programs in future posts.

Used for runner's with "Jumper's Knee"

5) Know the warning signs

Knowing when to stop is also something to consider. You may think that pushing through the bad pain is the tough way to go, but it may actually hurt you in much deeper ways. You may also need to ditch the music while running, because certain songs will get your blood pumping and may make injuries seem non-existent until after you are finished running. Don’t be afraid to put on a knee or leg sleeve while running, as this can help ease soreness and make transitioning from an injury back to running  healthy.

With these few tips in mind, I hope that all of you can stay injury-free, and will enjoy running through Dayton. Be sure to check back every week for running tips, especially next week when I will guide you through buying shoes.

The Buddha Den NTRO/XPO Presents: Bernoulli/Ben Keeler & the 500 Club-TONIGHT @ South Park Tavern

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bden-august
…well, it’s a new month and The Buddha Den is preparing for another birthday next month [stay tuned for details on that…]. Tonight we kick off a new residency at The Buddha Den NTRO/XPO and throughout August we will be featuring the band Bernoulli. While they’ve been creeping around the edges of the Dayton scene for a while now, this youthful quartet exudes a confidence and sheen well beyond their years. With a hard-rocking sound contrasting delicate, emotional passages, Bernoulli seem poised to make a name for themselves in Dayton and beyond. Tonight the band will be joined by Ben Keeler & the 500 Club [from Chicago]. Music starts at 10 pm, is open to all ages, and is FREE. We’ll see you there…

MP3: Bernoulli “Message”
Download audio file (Message.mp3)

Oh What A Night…

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Muse Machine - CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOUCan’t Take My Eyes Off Of You

THE MUSE MACHINE

This week, the Dayton-based, nationally recognized arts education organization The Muse Machine will continue it’s tradition of presenting near-professional quality music, theatre and dance with local teens.   The Muse Machine  is busy preparing for their 12th summer concert, joining nearly 200 current students from the Miami Valley with fellow Muse Machine alums.  The group will croon from the Victoria Theatre stage, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You:  the Songs of Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons & Friends” (other popular groups of the era).

Michael Ingersoll

Michael Ingersoll

This summer, those performers are joined by very special guest star, Muse alum Michael Ingersoll, who was featured in the original L.A., San Francisco and Chicago casts of the Tony-award winning Jersey Boys, as well as appearing on the Emmys, the Tonight Show and Oprah.

There are only 2 chances to catch this concert, this Wednesday & Thursday, and tickets are going fast, so press pause on this post, go to www.ticketcenterstage.com, order up some great summer entertainment, then come on back and read on…

The many muse performers include singers, dancers and musicians who range from talented alumni all the way down to budding elementary school performers. The songs are recreated with a new vision, original concepts, choreography and arrangements.  While most of the show focuses on the actual songs of the Four Seasons, there are a few other surprises.

The Muse Machine - Singin In The Rain - Winter 2010

The Muse Machine - Singin' In The Rain, 2010

“Jersey Boys gives a nod to the girl groups of the 60’s, and later the Four Seasons perform songs by other great artists,” said producer, Douglas Merk.  “And there are a few of these really exciting influences that we’ll visit to round out the show.”

Nobody has performed more shows as one of the Four Seasons in Jersey Boys than Michael Ingersoll. After more than 1,300 performances, his solo concert tour — often backed by other cast members, performers and even a big band — has sold out venues as large as 1,800 seats. His projects have raised nearly $1 million for charitable causes, and he is eager to return to Dayton, where he credits Muse for launching his career on stage.

The Muse Machine - Singin In The Rain - Winter 2010

The Muse Machine - Singin' In The Rain, 2010

“Jersey Boys was a huge break for me that led to major concert and producing opportunities. It’s such an honor to be asked to return to Muse where my love of performing began,” said Ingersoll.

Michael Ingersoll in The Jersey BoysCan’t Take My Eyes Off Of You: The Songs of Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons & Friends runs at the Victoria Theatre at 8:00 p.m., August 4 and 5, 2010. Tickets, currently on sale, are offered exclusively through Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or at the Ticket Center Stage box office, located in the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. The concert is presented by MeadWestvaco with additional support provided by Bieser, Greer & Landis, LLP., BounceU and James Free Jewelers.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

I CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU (August 4-5) Call Ticket Center Stage at  (937) 228-3630 or visit http://www.ticketcenterstage.com, visit http://www.musemachinedayton.com for more information about the organization.

About the Muse Machine

The Muse Machine is a nationally recognized arts education organization, providing creative experiences and resources for young people of the Miami Valley. Since 1982, they’ve produced 24 annual musicals and 12 concerts for the community and engaged thousands of students through academic-relevant lessons, workshops and in-school projects.  For more information, visit www.musemachinedayton.com.

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC are currently in the midst of their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton which featured Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & the upcoming new musical in development Next Thing You Know.

SA/Muse Press Release

Where Are All of the Entrepreneurs?

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I keep asking myself this question.  If we want to make Dayton spectacular, entrepreneurs are the key.  But where are they?  I can’t find as many as I would like.  What is holding people back?

I am approached by numerous “wannabe” entrepreneurs.  I am dismayed however that the vast majority will remain “wannabes” instead of making the leap to success.  Why aren’t there more entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurs must have a stomach, insight and passion.  Starting a business is risky.  You have to be willing to work long hours for low pay and take a risk to start your business.  This unwillingness to struggle and risk disqualifies many hopefuls.  A startup business person must have insight into a market or customers that is realistic. (Watch for my next article about marketing) .  Find a niche market and become the king of that niche.  Finally, the startup must have a take no prisoners attitude in its approach.  No problem can get in the way.

In Dayton, Ohio we have great resources for business.  We have The Entrepreneur’s Center. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s) in Dayton , Fairborn, Piqua and Springfield, SCORE®, Aileron, universities, access to financing and more.  Yet, the population of startup companies is very small.  I am baffled.

Funny thing, when I started my business, almost none of those support systems existed.  I felt there were more entrepreneurs then vs. now.

I would not trade my journey for anything.  The road during the first five years was hard, even brutal.  In the end, I am living the American dream reaping the rewards of creating a business that increased jobs as well as security for my family for the rest of my life.

If you really want to start a business, I suggest that following:

  • Ask yourself about risk and what you are willing to do.  I find that the risk question is what holds most people back.  They are unwilling to meet the dream because their fear holds them back.  If you want the benefits without the risk, then you don’t have what it takes.  Sorry!
  • Examine your business skills.  If they are weak, your chances of success just went down.  Build your business skills.  Attend classes, read and get a business mentor.  Start a small micro business just to get the test market experience.
  • Get customers.  The philosophy of business is simple.  Get customers who are willing to pay for your products and or services.  Build it at a cost lower than your selling price.  It starts with the customer.  See my next article about marketing
  • Be realistic about your competitive advantage.  Guarantee that your offering is superior.  If you fool yourself, the marketplace will punish you
  • Be the King (or Queen) of a niche.  Don’t try to take on the big boys.  I have seen business plans that want to compete with Google.  Unless you have a millions of dollars to start, the business will fail.  Even the largest of businesses started with a niche.  Walmart built store in rural market at first instead of going head to head with the established players such as Sears.  Southwest flew out of an airport in Dallas that no one else wanted or could use.  Your competition is smart.  if you attack a large market, the will counter punch.  They are more likely to leave you alone if the market is small and you have a special expertise.
  • Solve the startup capital issue.  Too many entrepreneurs spend all of their time raising money.  Their customers become the venture capitalists or bankers instead of the true customers.  I started my business with $500 and never received a penny of venture capital, yet turned the business into a multi million dollar business.  I can’t tell you how many times I see entrepreneurs roll their eyes when I tell them not to use venture capital.  I will write more about this in future articles.

Get Outta Town: My Trip East

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My first multi-day, multi-destination road trip was a great experience and I am very glad that I am able to share it with all of you. The basis of the road trip was that we wanted to spend as little money as possible, but still go to some great places that we have never experienced. In this post you will be able to read about where I went, and also the places I ate at along the way. I tried to go to local restaurants that were well-known for their food, atmosphere and culture. My friends, and University of Dayton roommates, Tim and Matt joined me for the trip and enjoyed it just as much as I did.

Awesome view from the top of the mountain

Day 1: Thursday July 22 – Mcgaheysville

Knowing that we had a long eight hour drive to my dad’s house in Mcgaheysville, Va (the resort town in which my dad lives is called Massanutten), we started the drive from Dayton at around 10 a.m. and arrived in Virginia around 6 p.m. The scenery along the way is beautiful as you pass through the Appalachian Mountains.

After we arrived at my dad’s house, we drove to the nearby city of Harrisonburg, which is home to James Madison University, a public university which consistently ranks high in education value and for their business school. My dad is the project superintendent of construction on the additions to the James Madison football stadium, so we were able to take a look at that site. We also took a quick drive around the campus, which was very nice and had many new buildings. Later that night we rode go-karts, one of the many things there is to do in Massanutten, Va.

Day 2: Friday July 23 – Virginia Beach

On Friday we had planned to travel to Virginia Beach, Va, and stay the night at a hotel near the city. About a four hour

Statue of Neptune

drive from my dad’s house, Virginia Beach is a clean and beautiful beach. Our check-in time for our hotel was 3 p.m., so we decided to hit the beach first. We arrived in Virginia Beach at around noon, so we decided to eat lunch first. We ate at Dough Boy’s California Pizza, which…you guessed it serves up a variety of classic California-style pizzas. We ordered the Cordon Bleu Pizza, which was very delicious and topped with four cheeses.

Parking is very easy to find, whether you want to use metered parking or park in a garage. But if you insist on meter parking, make sure to bring plenty of change, as no one gives out change and it can be very frustrating trying to find it. Initially we parked at a meter about a quarter of a mile from the beach, but quickly changed to a garage as we ran out of change. The hotel we stayed at was $120 for one night for three people, which is not bad for being 10 minutes away.

Bad Ass iced coffee

We also stopped at Bad Ass Coffee, which had some great kona! Virginia Beach is a typical tourist locale, as there is a bounty of “beachwear” stores to be found, and plenty of great restaurants. We parked in a garage near Neptune’s park on the beach and were  glad we did, as we were able to sit and enjoy some live music that was playing.

Delicious fish tacos from The Abbey Road Pub

Debating where we wanted to eat for dinner, we walked a long way down Atlantic Ave. to try and find something. It was then around 22nd St. that we found a great pick. The Abbey Road Pub, a Beatles themed restaurant. I figured we had to go in, mostly because I was wearing my Abbey Road Beatles shirt (which happens to be my favorite album). The atmosphere was great, as a ton of Beatles memorabilia hung on every wall, and Beatles music pumped out of the speakers. I had the fish tacos which were very good and among the best I’ve had. There are many Beatles-themed menu items, like the Sgt. Pepper (hamburger) and the Let It Be Brunch.

Day 3: Saturday July 24 – Lake Anna

After a great time and great weather in Virginia Beach, we decided to meet up with my

Driving the jet ski (Me on left, roommate Matt on right)

dad at Lake Anna, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Virginia. We set up at a small campground beach and were able to lay out on the small beach there. My dad had recently purchased a jet ski, so we were able to take that for a few runs, which was so much fun! The lake is very big and full of different ways to turn and explore, so it made for great jet skiing waters.

After driving back to Mcgaheysville, we decided to hike up one of the many mountains that litter the area near my dad’s house. The mountain we hiked up is used as a ski slope during the winter, so it was a very steep climb. It took about a half hour to climb to the top, and it was well worth it as we were able to enjoy an amazing view of the valley below. Massanutten also is great in the winter, as it is a very popular destination for skiers, snowboarders and even some tubers.

Later that night after quick Chipotle stop, we finally saw the movie Inception, which was very good! I had heard so many things about the movie and I think that it lived up to the expectations I had of it of having a deep plot and a ton of action-packed sequences thrown in.

Day 4: Sunday July 25 – Washington D.C.

Best chili/chili dog!

On our last day we decided to go to Washington D.C., only a two hour drive from my dad’s house, and do some sight-seeing. Arriving just before noon, we stopped off at Ben’s Chili Bowl for lunch. Located at 1213 U St. N.W., Ben’s Chili Bowl has been featured on many TV shows and is very highly regarded. We all ordered standard chili dogs, as this is what they are best known for. Not only was it delicious, it was easily the best chili I’ve ever had. The hot dog was cooked perfectly and the chili had just enough zing in it to make it irresistible. If you are ever in D.C., I would say that it is a must to check it out!

After our awesome lunch, we decided to park in a garage near the Smithsonian Museum, which is basically in the heart of the national mall. It was a balmy 95 degrees outside, and without a cloud in sight it seemed that it would be a perfect day…

After parking, we went into the National Air & Space Museum, which is free to the public. The museum was very crowded, as it seemed like every boy scout in America was there, but the exhibits were very interesting and

Of course we had to check out the Wright Brothers section!

informational. Near the museum was the Capital building, so we decided to check it out. We could only take pictures in front of the building, as the steps were fenced off for the day. Next we went into the National Gallery of Art, which features many modern art pieces along with many famous artists like Monet and van Gogh. This gallery is also free and is a great experience for art lovers or really anyone.

As we exited the art gallery, some dark menacing clouds approached. The wind whipped up and sand and trash were blowing everywhere. Soon after, a torrential downpour ensued and went on for a half hour. We took cover under a small information kiosk before deciding to make a run for it. We had to run about three blocks to my car in the garage and proceeded to get completely soaked. After changing into dry clothes, we unfortunately had to leave without seeing many monuments.

In the end this road trip was definitely a successful one, as we got to see many amazing things and eat a lot of amazing food. I will visit D.C. again in the future so I can check out some of the other monuments I missed because of the monsoon. I hope this inspires some of you to plan your own road trip, one that will fill your head with wonderful memories and great new experiences.

Keep it clean

I also learned a few things that will help me on future road trips:

  • ALWAYS bring an umbrella with you
  • Make sure you have lots of change for metered parking
  • No swearing allowed in Virginia Beach

Soul’D Out at c{space

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On Wednesday July 28, 2010, some more awesomeness will be happening at c{space… welcome to Soul’D Out!

The event is presented by The Tap Factor ― a new local professional company that offers free dance lessons and community outreach ― in collaboration with The Dayton Playhouse. It will kick off with a pre-show at 7 p.m., featuring live interactive poetry by Robert Paschell, a puppet show, photography by Sarah Babcock, massages by April Kline and other massage therapists, face painting by Jenny Allen Popp, a silent auction, and food and drinks donated by local vendors. The main show will begin at 8 p.m. with an on-stage jam session and performances. An after-show beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. will conclude the evening with a dance party.

Soul’D Out will help The Tap Factor keep tap dancing and community outreach alive in Dayton following disbandment of Rhythm in Shoes, a Dayton-based performance ensemble that played traditional Appalachian music and performed urban dance styles for 23 years. To purchase tickets for the event, call the Dayton Playhouse at 937-424-8477 between 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets also can be purchased at the door if available. Admission is $20 for seats and $12 for standing room.

“This is the perfect chance to introduce our visitors to what makes the arts scene in Dayton so distinctive and allows for further discovery of the city’s untapped artistic potential,” said Christopher Erk, the event’s organizer and founder of The Tap Factor.

Along with Christopher Erk and The Tap Factor, participating artists include:

• Drummer David Bush, who has performed with Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated artists from diverse musical styles;
• The Dayton Tap Dance Company, a senior dance ensemble;
• Zoot Theater Company, Dayton’s original puppet and mask company;
• Deron “DB” Bell, a renowned musician and current director of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company;
• Shaw Pong Liu of Boston, a violinist and operations manager for Dayton’s Blue Sky Project;
• Anthony Russo of St. Louis, a member of the traveling dance workshop Tap the Map;
• Jumaane Taylor of Chicago, a member of the Chicago-based tap group M.A.D.D. Rhythms Inc. and a faculty    member of the workshop Tap the Map (see video below);
• students from Stivers School for the Arts and Wright State University; and
• other very special, surprise guests.

“This is an event that extends beyond age and language barriers,” Erk said. “From the moment you walk into c{space, you will participate in a journey through an array of different experiences.”

According to Erk, the event is an opportunity to showcase local under-discovered talent. Anne Rasmussen, c{space’s operations director, said this is in perfect sync with c{space’s mission to encourage and support emerging local artists while helping improve the cultural vibrancy of downtown Dayton.

“This is going to be a performance of the likes people have never seen before,” Erk said. “It’s a rare opportunity to witness what happens when Dayton’s most talented entities get together under the same roof. We’re going to show everyone what Dayton has to offer.” Erk also would like to thank Wade Hamilton of the Dayton Playhouse for his guidance in developing the show.

Soul’D Out’s guest tap dancers will teach at Tap the Map, a workshop the following night, on Thursday, July 29 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Jeanette Popp School of Dance, 7762 Waynetown Blvd. Tickets cost $75. Participants can bring their Soul’D Out ticket stub for a $5 rebate upon registration. For more details on Tap the Map, go to www.tapontour.com.

Jumaane Taylor: “Ile Ife”

Blush Boudoir Photography in Dayton – Ooh La La!

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Most of you SHOULD be aware that Dayton has more artistic talent than many cities even two or three times our size, and that talent includes some amazing photographers.  We will be featuring many of these amazing Dayton photogs over the coming weeks, starting with this one – Tracy Abston of Blush Boudoir.  Tracy’s traditional photography that focuses on portraits, weddings, etc. is amazing in and of itself, and she has many happy clients that rave about their experiences with her.  However, it is the ‘other’ type of photography that has helped Tracy make a name for herself – not only in the Dayton Region but in southwest Ohio!  Ladies and gents – welcome to the world of Blush Boudoir…

Boudoir (which comes from the French word for ‘pout’) is a growing trend in photography today.  Sensual yet classy would be a good phrase to describe these photo sessions, with female clients who might be looking for a unique gift to give their significant others.  Interesting, you say?  We couldn’t agree more (of course) so we sat down with Tracy to get to the bottom of this boudoir business (so to speak)…

Dayton Most Metro: What got you started in boudoir photography?

Tracy: “I have always had a passion for photography and making people feel beautiful. As a wedding photographer my clients started asking about intimate images for their husbands to be. After several sessions I received countless cards and emails expressing what an amazing time they had with comments such as ‘I never felt more gorgeous’, ‘I’ve never felt so confident before’ & ‘these images brought me to tears’. I knew that I was on to something amazing so I started Blush-Boudoir 4 years ago because I really want to encourage other women to have the same experience. At Blush-Boudoir we feel strongly that EVERY woman is absolutely beautiful and we will work with you to find your inner supermodel.”

DMM: Tell me a little more about this niche market – are there others in the region doing this?

Tracy: “Yes, boudoir photography is becoming very popular and although a hand full of other photographers are offering this as an optional session I believe that we are the only studio in the area that specializes in this type of photography. The Blush-Boudoir experience typically starts out as gift for a spouse or significant other but most often becomes an unexpected gift for them too….I would say it is like a rite of passage or a great way to celebrate milestones. In these cases a creative and classy Blush-Boudoir photograph is not just another pretty picture, it is more of a tangible memento reminding women of what they have gone through and what they have achieved in life. Blush-Boudoir photography is sexy, glamorous, fun and can be shared with your significant other in a very intimate way.”

DMM: How do you make your clients feel comfortable? What are common concerns that clients have and how do you address them?

Tracy: “My clients’ comfort is of the utmost importance and our studio is all female staffed in a very relaxing chic downtown studio. During a typical session we’ll start by going over their ideas and I’ll ask a few of my favorite questions like ‘Tell me a little about your best features’, ‘Do you have any concerns or is there anything you want to hide?’. I reassure my clients that they don’t have to have the “perfect body” to look absolutely and positively sexy in their photos. It’s my job to bring out your flirty and beautiful side by coaching you through your session. I’m always very excited to hear all the wonderful experiences my clients share with me after the shoot and how relaxed they feel throughout their session.”

DMM: Who is your average client?

Tracy: “My clients are generally new brides, married women looking for that unique gift for their spouse, and stay at home moms looking for an empowering beautiful experience . As far as professional experience, my clients are women in the medical field, business owners, teachers and so many other professions that it would take me days to list them. What always amazes me is how far some of my clients have traveled for the Blush-Boudoir experience….. We have had clients from Michigan, Chicago, Lexington (KY), Columbus, Cincinnati and Indiana travel to our studios because of recommendations by their friends.”

DMM:  I’m guessing this is something easier for young women to do, but what about those who (how do I say this without getting hate mail)… those who might not be so young?  (whew)

Tracy: “I would say that our clients average around 30 percent in their 20’s, 30 percent in their 30’s and over 35 percent in their 40’s+ (a growing segment). I think that some women turn to our Blush-Boudoir photography as a means to launch their new outlook on life. At 40+ years a woman is dealing with running a household, managing work, raising kids and just life in general. It’s nice to take time out and do something special and rewarding like a Blush-Boudoir session. During their sessions they will receive a day of pampering at our private downtown studio, a professional make-up artist and a photographer who is experienced in making every client feel and look like a supermodel . A Blush-Boudoir photography session is one day out of your life resulting in a gorgeous, stunning, sensual, treasured photograph that you’ll have for a lifetime.”

DMM:. Have you ever gotten criticism for doing boudoir photography?

Tracy:  “I believe that God created women to be beautiful, and that there is a reason the female form has been painted, sculpted, drawn and photographed for centuries.  I’m sure that there is some criticism about my photography but frankly I don’t care because our photos are classy and professional. My entire career has set me on the path to operating Blush-Boudoir and with every session I’m excited to make my clients feel beautiful inside by showing how beautiful they can be on the outside. I firmly believe that every woman that comes into our studio can be magazine cover-worthy.”

DMM:. Tell me an interesting story about a particular session.

Tracy: “A recent Blush client was in tears after her session. I sat down and asked what was wrong…. she  exclaimed… ‘Nothing! I’m just sooo happy. I’ve never felt more beautiful in my entire life’.  A few weeks later she sent me this.”

DMM: Run me through a typical session.

Tracy: “When you arrive we’ll chat about the lingerie and outfits you’ve brought for your session while you enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or bottled water. Once we determine which outfits you will wear then we’ll start your hair and make-up (if you choose this option). Getting your hair and makeup done sets the tone for your session and gives you time to relax while you’re pampered for the next hour. I have worked with the same fantastic makeup artist for over three years and love her! Michelle Richardson from Avoge Idea is simply amazing and you can completely trust her to create your vision. After you are all glammed up we will turn up the music, turn on the camera lights, and begin shooting.”.

“One of the most common things I hear from clients is ‘I’m nervous,’ quickly followed by ‘I have no idea how to pose!’ Don’t worry – it’s normal to be nervous so we’ll start with some warm-up poses to get you in your supermodel frame of mind and by the end of your session you will look and feel gorgeous !!!!!”

DMM:  What is your studio like?

Tracy: “I LOVE my new chic downtown Dayton loft studio! It has elegant exposed brick, a cool staircase and the abundance of yummy natural light. Since our studio has a focus on the Blush-Boudoir session we can offer several scenes that are not only super sexy but are also a very private experience.”

DMM:. What other photographers do you admire?

Tracy: “Tiny Sparrow Foundation and others like her that are providing memories through photography to families with children who are facing life threatening illnesses. This is something I do as well whenever I get the chance because giving back is good for the soul.”

DMM: What other types of photography do you specialize in?

“I also specialize in wedding and lifestyle photography. At one point I was shooting 35+ weddings a year but have since cut back with my growing Blush-Boudoir business.”

DMM: How do you feel about the future of this niche market?

“I started Blush-Boudoir over 4 years ago and I’ve seen steady and incredible growth. Thanks to all of our wonderful clients who continue to recommend us to their friends we are seeing an increasing buzz throughout the Dayton, Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky regions. People seem surprised when I tell them how popular Blush-Boudoir photography is getting but my busy studio is proof that the demand is there!”

_____________________________________________

The Future(Fest) is Here

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FutureFest '09 - CARVE - The Dayton PlayhouseFutureFest 2010

THE DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

One of the biggest theatre weekends of the year is about to descend upon the Dayton-region, and 2010 marks an important milestone.  FutureFest, the annual new works festival at The Dayton Playhouse is celebrating it’s twentieth year and festival organizers can’t be more excited!

Every year writers from across the country, and from several other countries as well, submit their previously unproduced scripts for consideration.  This year over 390 new works  were submitted in hopes of being one of the famed “top six” to be presented at FutureFest 2010 from July 23rd to the 25th.
FutureFest 2009 - AdjudicationFor those who are new to FutureFest, it’s almost an unbelievable experience.  In one weekend the Dayton Playhouse mounts six different productions.  Each with a different director, cast, scenery, and technical aspects.  Following each show a panel of professional theatre folk, flown in from across the country, take to the stage with the author, director, and cast to adjudicate the show right in front of the audience.  They give the author feedback about their script and direct them in ways to make improvements that will get them closer to being published.
Several scripts from the Dayton Playhouse’s FutureFest have made it on to be published.
One has even appeared on Broadway and is now being made into a movie starring Jake Gyllenhall.
This year’s FutureFest productions are:
  • An Uncommon Language by Evan Guilford-Blake
  • Dancing Backwards by John Fiorillo
  • How It Works by Cary Pepper
  • The Judicial Murder of Mrs. Surratt by Rich Amada
  • Refuge by Marc Kornblatt
  • Short Story Long by Joel Fishbane
(synopsis for each play can be found at the end of this article)
Tickets are still available for this weekends FutureFest and may be purchased by calling the Dayton Playhouse Box Office at 937-424-8477 or online at daytonplayhouse.org.

Peter Filichia - A Personal History of the American Theater

Peter Filichia

A Personal History of the American Theatre

by Peter Filichia at THE DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

So, what’s it like to be a theater critic? Is it really fun to attend the theater night after night after night after night? Ask Peter Filichia, who has been attending theater consistently for the last half-century and has been a reviewer for more than half that time.

Filichia has seen theater in 42 states and 14 foreign countries and has managed to see as many as 365 stage shows in a single year. He will, God willing, soon see his 10,000th stage show.

One of those was Spaulding Gray’s one-man show, A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATER. Gray simply sat at a table and held a bunch of oversized index cards. He pulled out a card at random and would tell a story based on the title of the show printed on that card.

Gray died in 2004. Filichia reasoned that the show should not go with him – but should go on. And so, he’s created his own version of A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATER. He’s got quite a few index cards from which to choose.

Each performance of A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATER is, of course, different. An audience might hear about Filichia’s adventures with a nice celebrity (Jerry Orbach), a not-so-nice one (Mary Tyler Moore), or one who turned out to be a little sneaky (Steve Allen). What’s it like to face Ben Vereen shortly after you’ve written a negative review about his performance? How did Filichia feel after he put his foot in his mouth when dealing with James Earl Jones?

There are stories about memorable audience members, ranging from Richard Rodgers’ daughter Mary to the black man and old white woman who buttressed Filichia at The Wiz. Filichia also goes back to when he began theatergoing as a teen, and how many a play changed his life, be it as serious as A Raisin in the Sun or even as frivolous as Damn Yankees. There’s a poignant story about the time Filichia took Yugoslavians to a musical, as well as funny ones involving community theater disasters.

It’s all in the cards – and the story-telling. Filichia has performed A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATER in points north (New York State), south (Miami), east (Boston), and west (Aspen, Colorado). Because of the very nature of the show, it can be as long or as short as a presenting house demands. Afterwards, Filichia is glad to take questions from the audience.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

FutureFest (July 23-25) visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.com/ (937) 424-8477 (tickets are availble for each individual play…see below for a synopsis of each play)

A Personal History of the American Theater by Peter Filichia (July 22) visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.com/ (937) 424-8477

Would you like to submit theater news for Dayton Most Metro’s onStageDayton features?  Email Shane & Dave at [email protected]

FutureFest 2010 Plays

Dancing Backwards – John Fiorillo (Fully Staged) – 8pm Fri. 07/23

This is a story about the choices we make between loyalty and ambition or independence and accepting help.  Victor Belkin, a famous dancer, is worried about his friend Robert, an elderly Yankee widower. He asks Robert to share his home, although his lifestyle and Robert’s couldn’t be more different. Robert rejects Viktor’s offer. He has a secret, as well as a plan to escape. However, the situation gets out of hand as it turns from amusing to life threatening.

How It Works – Cary Pepper (Staged Reading) – 10am Sat. 07/24

HOW IT WORKS explores the issues of success, power, fame, recognition, compromise, integrity and personal satisfaction in the world of art.  How do you handle The Struggle? How do you maintain personal integrity as a person and an artist? What happens when you’re given one of the most prestigious awards in the world, but you yearn for a “smaller” award the public knows nothing about?

An Uncommon Language – Evan Guilford-Blake (Staged Reading) – 3pm Sat. 07/24

An Uncommon Language examines the repression of women and the nature of madness. Set in England in 1906, the play explores the life of HÉLOISE LACASSE, an untrained but passionate and talented sculptor, who chooses to subjugate her prowess to benefit JOHN BATISTE, her lover, the self-described enfant terrible of English sculpture.  Silently, she crafts heads for his statuary. Héloise has a history of free-spirited behavior, which, ultimately, John interprets as madness and has her institutionalized — where she is forbidden access to her sculpture.

Refuge – Marc Kornblatt (Fully Staged) – 8pm Sat. 07/24

Two men meet on a secluded boardwalk along a marsh in a bird sanctuary in the Midwest.  Jim brings a notepad and a gun.  Laz brings a pile of pills and a six-pack of beer.  By the end of their first encounter, the pills are consumed and the gun goes off.  Both men live.  Jim and Laz meet again and again in the same place to argue, cajole, circle and embrace in a somber and funny dance of death that also draws Jim’s burdened wife and Laz’s yearning girlfriend to the marsh to find refuge and renewal.

The Judicial Murder of Mrs. Surratt – Rich Amada (Staged Reading) – 10am Sun. 07/25

Based on true events, the play follows the story of Mary Surratt, the first woman judicially executed by the U.S. government.  It was Mrs. Surratt’s boardinghouse where John Wilkes Booth and others are said to have plotted the assassination of President Lincoln.  By charging her, the government hoped to flush out her fugitive son, an alleged key conspirator.  On trial, Mrs. Surratt faced the gallows in what was 19th Century America’s trial of the century.

Short Story Long – Joel Fishbane (Fully Staged) – 3pm Sun. 07/25

After famed author Lincoln Kennedy dies, he bequeaths his money to his wife and his writing to his former girlfriend.  His wife, Julianne, refuses to obey her husband’s wishes until she can determine the reasons behind them.  Amalthea is equally confused, she has not seen Lincoln in years.  Together, the women work to unravel the mystery, slowly forging a tentative peace that is threatened once Lincoln’s true motivations are finally revealed.

Dayton Sports Weekly Upate: 7/20/2010

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Sorry for the late post today.  Yesterday was exhausting and since I have a job I have to worry about during the day (I gotta sleep sometime!), it was the earliest I could make it.  So much happening around Dayton, it’s exciting.  The summer is only half way finished but my mind is already wandering to fall.  Maybe yours will too after today.

Well, I don’t want to do this anymore than anyone wants to hear it but the Dragons are slipping further into futility by dropping another 5 games in a row this last week, with their only win being last night, and results from today not currently available at the time of this writing.  The Dragons have dropped to second to last in the Eastern Division with a win pct of just .413, making them 4th from the bottom in the entire league.  At this point it’s hard to argue exactly what it is that is going wrong for the Dragons but as I’ve mentioned in the last few weeks, it simply looks like they cannot close a game.  There are few blow outs ever suffered here, and Dayton has, at the very least remained competitive through their summer struggles, but a close loss is not a win.  Seeing them lose such close games, the Dragons could easily be in a much different position at this point.  If you take the amount of games that the Dragons have lost by just one run since the beginning of June, they would have an extra 12 wins, and be above .500.  I know that’s a lot of conjecture, but as I said before, they have not been losing in blow outs, but struggling to finish good games, many of those going into extra innings I might add.  Here is hoping they figure out how to right the ship, if only to avoid falling into the basement at this point.

Hey, a bit of exciting news for the Gems, they are plugging along nicely as the season edges closer and closer to starting. First up, they announced that they have signed a two year deal with local TV station WWRD to air up to 20 regular season Gems games over the next two years. This is going to be great opportunity for the team that seemed to struggle a bit with getting it’s name recognized by the city’s patrons. Even the Dayton Daily failed to add a Gems header to it’s sports section for all of last year. This can only bring more attention a team that by all accounts deserves it.

The CHL also finalized it’s conference alignment with the affiliated IHL, splitting into a North and South conference. (names for these conferences are expected to change.) Dayton will be playing in the North conference with the remainders of the IHL (including the newly reformed Evansville Icemen), and include the following CHL teams: Colorado Eagles, Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City Rush and Wichita Thunder. The South will include the remaining CHL teams. Dayton will officially start this upcoming season home opener on October 16th. Playoff format was also announced, with 16 of the 18 teams qualifying for the playoffs. Each team will be seeded 1-8, with #1 playing #8, #2 playing #7 etc. Conference champions will expect to have new trophies, and conference champions will play for the League title.

The Gems have also announced the return of 7 players from last season’s roster. I am not going to go into too much depth there, but you can read about them here. A good bunch of players to have back if you ask me personally, a great way to start off the team.

Lots of great stuff happening here which is good to hear. I am sure there will be plenty of news coming out of the Gem’s organization in the coming months.

oh I wanted to add this to the post, so people can see how much larger the Gem’s world has gotten this year. The divisions aren’t noted here but I found it online and thought it would be a good representation of the Gem’s new affiliate league.

The Dutch Lions are almost done for this season. Has it really been that long already?  The Summer is winding down, and the Lions stand at an unfortunate 4th place. Their trip into Canada the other week really hurt, but that hasn’t kept the good news from rolling in. This last weekend Dayton played their last home game against the Kalamazoo Outrage and decimated them with a 6-1 victory. The Lions staggeringly out shot Kzoo 29 to 5. The whole amazing thing can be read here, what a way to finish their season in Dayton!
The Lions have one more game this weekend against the Chicago Fire and a win would be a great way to go out on the season but unfortunately should not change their current standings. Some other good news, both the Columbus Crew and Toronto FC have been keeping an eye on Dutch Lions players over the last few weeks. We could have our first MLS grads before too long, a tribute to the sensible skills and play style that the DDLFC has introduced state side.

Pretty soon there won’t be much to talk about with the Lions but as the news filters in, I’ll relay what I can.

So there wasn’t anything I could really find for Wright State, not even for club teams, which I’m keeping an eye on coming up here. I’ll try to get some football and hockey info in the coming months, and hope to see some more news regarding other college sports.

I do have an overlooked schedule release for the Wright State Soccer team, which might be of some interest to those looking to extend a possible Dutch Lions fix. Although Wright State’s season last year was not as prominent as several others in their recent past, don’t under estimate the Raider’s ability, tickets are only $5.00, how can you lose?

UD’s James Vercammen has been named on the preseason Buchanan award watch list. The Buchanan Award is given to the FCS’s national defensive player of the year. Since it’s introduction as an award in 1995, 9 of 16 recipients have gone on to play for the NFL. Vercammen headed the tough Dayton defense for 2009 that finished top in the Pioneer League. Making 134 total tackles set an new PFL record for tackles in a single season, outpacing the old record by 25 tackles, and earned him the honor of third best record in the entire FCS. Vercammen finished last year as Second Team FCS All-American and First Team All-PFL.

Sorry to see the Dutch Lions season drawing to a close? The UD Flyers announced their upcoming soccer schedule which will start Friday August 20thagainst Butler at Baujan Field. The Flyers, who were Atlantic 10 champions last season will have eight matches at home during the fall, and admission is free to all regular season games at Baujan. Soccer is truly becoming a power sport in the Dayton area, and an overlooked one at that. With professional soccer finishing up it’s first season in our fair city, perhaps it’s time to give the teams that have been here for a long time the credit they deserve. You won’t be sorry you go see a match at either University but go see one at least.

Goodnight everybody, have a safe week, and even though the Dragons are the only team playing in town for the next couple of weeks, start savings those lungs too cheer on your favorites this August.

Get Outta Town: What to Bring Along

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Now that you have picked a place you want to go for your trip, you need to think about all the essentials you need to bring along.

It’s really up to you to pick exactly what you need to bring, but I’m going to try and suggest some things that are important to not forget, and maybe some things you have never thought about.

Emergency Road Kits

A lot of people would probably just push this one aside because they think they will never need them, but who wants to be stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire in the middle of the night during a rainstorm without any help? So for any trip where a lot of driving is inevitable, a simple emergency road kit might just be a smart option. Make sure to include the following when putting one together:

  • A small blanket for warmth
  • A first-aid kit and a spare tire
  • Extra car fuses
  • Jumper cables, roadside flares
  • Duct tape, extra antifreeze and oil
  • A few bottles of water and energy bars

This simple list can help you out if you are in a jam while on the road!

Food and Beverages

If you are planning on going to a warm place like Florida or the Carolinas, chances are you’ll not have the same grocery store options you do back home. A lot of the places I’ve been to on vacation only have a few general stores (the Outer Banks comes to mind first), which often jack up the prices of everything in the store that visitors need. With this in mind, it is smart to bring some food and beverages you can buy at home to save you a lot of money, not only from high store prices, but from the very high price of going out to eat.

Leisure Equipment & Active Equipment

Bring all your own leisure items, like bicycles, chairs and beach umbrellas. These can prove costly to rent, and are a good investment. If you are going to a camping area, bringing your own camping gear is of course a good idea, as whatever you rent or borrow many not be fully-equipped or fully-functioning.

Exercising on your vacation may be the last thing on your mind, but bringing along a pair of running shoes is a great idea. Going on a quick run in the morning will not only wake you up for the day, but can also give you some time to check out the surrounding area.

Navigation

Of course some of you are just stubborn and don’t think you need the aid of GPS navigation, but most of us can really benefit from purchasing one. With many modern features like detour alerts, a GPS will probably prevent this from happening.

For some input on which GPS devices are the best check out some reviews here.

Become a AAA Member

Being an AAA member has many benefits, besides the 24 hour free roadside assistance, they provide many useful services. You can walk into one of their offices and they will make a TripTik for you, which will detail how to get to your destination in a thick booklet, as well as places to see and go once you get there. Many discounts can also be achieved at certain stores and restaurants just by showing your membership card. For more information on pricing and the benefits of AAA, check out their web site

Whatever else you bring is up to you now! Be sure to read next week’s post from me detailing my own road trip. I will be embarking on my own trip this weekend, and will be back next week to deliver what went well, what happened and some tips for if you are ever in the same areas.

Kuan Announce Summer Tour Dates

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…over the past year or so, the instrumental quartet Kuan has emerged as one of the most engaging live acts currently working in Dayton. With a relentless drive and a keen mastery of dynamic shifts, mood, and texture, Kuan bridges the chasms between jazz, post-rock, and math-rock and the results are breathtaking. Kuan oozes copious riffage, shape-shifting rhythms, and a fearless command of spaces both delicate and bombastic. Their live show is an experience not to be missed. Kuan will be heading out for a western tour over the next month, so spread the word and be sure to catch them if you’re out that way…

MP3: Kuan “G”
Download audio file (G.mp3)

TOUR DATES

JULY
22nd- Dayton, OH @ Blind Bob’s *
24th – Columbus, OH @ Kobo *

AUGUST
4th – Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn #
5th – Champaign, IL @ Dan Akroyd’s House #
6th – St Louis, MO @ Lemmon’s #
7th – Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge #
8th – Wichita, KS @ Kirby’s Beer Store #
9th – Denver, CO – Wax Trax Records #
11th – Portland, OR @ Ella St. Social Club #
12th – Seattle, WA @ The Comet Lounge #
13th – Salem, OR @ The Space #
14th – San Francisco @ TBA #
15th – Sacramento, CA @ The Press Club #
16th – San Francisco, CA @ Milk Bar #
17th – Fresno, CA @ Audie’s Olympic #
18th – Los Angeles, CA @ TBA #
19th – San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe Collective #
20th- Phoenix, AZ @ Revolver Records #
21st – Portales, NM @ Echo Chamber #
22nd – Denton, TX – Boiler Room #
23rd – Dallas, TX – Bll’s Records Daytime) #
23rd – Austin, TX @ Beauty Bar #
24th – New Orleans, LA @ TBA #
25th – Atlanta,GA @ Drunken Unicorn #
26th – Asheville, NC @ The Lab #
27th – Washington, DC @ The Fridge #
28th – Baltimore, MD @ Orion Studios #
29th – Philadelphia, PA @ Pageant Gallery #
30th – Boston, MA @ TBA #
31st – Portland, ME @ TBA #

SEPTEMBER
1st – Brooklyn, NY @ TBA
2nd – Providence, RI @ The 201
3rd – Ithaca, NY @ Wildfire Lounge
4th – Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
5th – Dayton, OH @ Blind Bob’s

* w/Six Gallery [Columbus]
# w/Matta Gawa [DC]

Mock Turtle Seeking Submissions for Fall Zine

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Poets, writers, illustrators, lend me your ear.

Or at least your art.

Mock Turtle Zine is accepting submissions for its upcoming issue scheduled to be released in conjunction with Urban Nights Friday, Sept. 10.

Mock Turtle Zine is an independent publishing effort undertaken to give artists and authors in Dayton, Ohio, and surrounding areas a vehicle for sharing their work. The zine accepts poetry, song lyrics, fiction and nonfiction works, and visual art.

Founder Christina Dendy, who teaches creative writing at Stivers for the Arts, began printing her own poetry under the Mock Turtle name in 2005.  Subsequent collections of short stories and other writings followed, and in 2009 the booklets evolved into a full-fledged ‘zine (Mock Turtle Issue #1) featuring prose, poems and photography from additional contributors.

Mock Turtle publication print runs have ranged between 50 to 100 copies, but Dendy hopes to expand the output for the next issue.  She understands, however, assembling a team of  dedicated partners is key for the growth of the ‘zine.

“The idea is to expand contributor base and distribution,” she says. “But that requires an independent source of funding, so we have to take on local (emphasis on local) advertising. We will also be seeking additional points of distribution though we have not determined the number yet. All of this requires an increase in volunteers.”

Previous issues have featured work from local artists, including dazzling photography by Kidtee Hello, prose by writer Tiffany Shaw-Diaz and art contributions by visual artist David Kenworthy.

Send electronic submissions to [email protected] by end of day August 27. Submissions guidelines are available on the ‘zine’s website, http://mockturtlezine.weebly.com/submissions.html.

For additional information about the zine, please contact Christina Dendy at [email protected] or email Mock Turtle at [email protected].

Human Reunion//Rapture Nurse

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humanreunion-web…while their release is still a couple of weeks away, we thought we’d share a little sample of the forthcoming Human Reunion debut album, Arc De Square. Issued on their own Minor Manor imprint, the album is the culmination of nearly five years as one of Dayton’s premier live acts. While we’ve thrown out a couple samples previously, we wanted to offer up the track “Rapture Nurse” as a interesting variation on the trademark blip-bleep-thwak that lies at the core of the HR soundtrack. In particular the vocal melody explores the ethereal disembodied sweeps and swoops of Swinging London psychedelia. A perfect delivery for an apocalyptic yarn. Dig in and get ready for the release of Arc De Square on July 30 at Blind Bob’s…

MP3: Human Reunion “Rapture Nurse”
Download audio file (Rapture_Nurse.mp3)

Classic GBV Lineup Announce Southgate House Show

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gbvclassic2

…while the announcement came down recently that the “Classic” lineup of Guided By Voices that toured throughout 93-96 had been persuaded to reunite for Matador’s 21st Birthday celebration in Las Vegas in October, not everyone was able to book the flight & hotel rooms for such an event. Well, rest easy…the Southgate House website announced that Guided By Voices will appear at the club on Friday, October 15. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, so you should be ready to get them while you can….

MP3: Guided By Voices “Shocker in Gloomtown”
Download audio file (Shocker_in_Gloomtown.mp3)

TOUR DATES

9/30 – East Side Drive, Austin, TX
On Sale 7/16 at 12pm
with Times New Viking

10/3 – Pearl Theatre @ Palms Hotel, Las Vegas NV
SOLD OUT
Matador at Twenty-One Las Vegas

10/4 – Wiltern, Los Angeles CA
On Sale TBA
with Times New Viking

10/5 – Warfield, San Francisco CA
Pre-sale FRI 7/23 10am-10pm password “bee thousand”
Regular On Sale SAT 7/25 at 10am
with Times New Viking

10/7 – Crystal Ballroom, Portland OR
On Sale 7/20 at 10am
with Times New Viking

10/9 – Showbox So Do, Seattle WA
On Sale 7/26 at 10am
with Times New Viking

10/12 – First Avenue, Minneapolis MN
On Sale 7/16 at 12pm
with Times New Viking

10/13 – The Vic, Chicago IL
On Sale 7/24 at 10am
with Times New Viking

10/15 – Southgate House, Newport KY (Cincinnati)
On Sale 7/16 at 10am

10/16 – Outlands Live, Columbus OH
On Sale 7/15

10/21 – 9:30 Club, Washington D.C.
On Sale 7/17 at 10am

10/22 – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro NC
On Sale 7/16 at 10am

10/23 – Buckhead Theater, Atlanta GA
On Sale 7/24 at 10am

11/4 – Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
On NBC at 12:35/11:45C

11/5 – Paradise, Boston MA
On Sale 7/17 at 12pm
with Blitzen Trapper

11/6 – Trocadero, Philadelphia PA
On Sale 7/17 at 12pm
with Blitzen Trapper

11/7 – Terminal 5, NYC
On Sale 7/23 at 12pm
with Blitzen Trapper