March 13, 2006

Show at Singapore Arts College on March 22nd

After doing my Free Culture show at INSEAD in early February, Singapore bloggers Han and Preetam asked me if I'd be interested in doing the show for a Singapore audience. Han pulled together a great crew that included the folks behind tomorrow.sg, the 'blogfather' Mr. Brown, and Damien from LaSalle-SIA school of the arts (directions). The result is that I'll be doing a special show next Wednesday, March 22nd at LaSalle. If successful we may get to do another show in downtown Singapore as part of the release of the upcoming Premixed album. If you're interested, read more about the 2005 Free Culture Tour.

Posted by Colin at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)

April 08, 2005

Back in New York... briefly

Hi all. I'm writing a quick post from my apartment in Brooklyn, back today for 2 business school interviews and a show tonight at the kicko-off for the NYC Grassroots Media Conference. Then out to Philly tonight for a workshop at Temple tomorrow morning and a show tomorrow night at Frankin and Marshal college. Crazy end to an amazing four weeks on the road. Details on the shows here.

Posted by Colin at 08:45 PM | Comments (0)

April 06, 2005

going through whitesburg kentucky

I haven't posted in a while because I've been sick with a cough and was "off the grid" while I was in Whitesburgh, Kentucky. Without internet or cell phone access, I got a room at a Super 8 Motel, and woke up the next morning to visit the well known community media center, Appalshop, which is even better than I had imagined, one of the few constructive things to do in Whitesburgh.

The other place of interest was "Jim's place," which he calls Wiley's Last Resort and seems to be slowly becoming somewhat of an Oregon Country Fair for Eastern Kentucky.

Overall, my time in Eastern Kentucky was really interesting. A totally different place from New York, with beautiful countryside, good fiddle and banjo music, and an interesting mix of moral values and hillbilly partying.

Posted by Colin at 09:40 PM | Comments (0)

March 24, 2005

Lots of new photos, off to Durham

Ever since my last post in Starkville, MS, I travelled through Montgomery, AL and had a great day with Ashley Day of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and then drove all the way Athens, GA. The last few days in Athens have been great, mostly seeing my good friend Cecilia Torres, and performing last night at a benefit for Common Ground Athens. Lots of new photos.

I don't have much time for details, as I need to get on the road to Durham, where I'll be picking up Dan Sellars, whose gonna be filming me over the next fews days for a possible documentary.

The only thing I'll say is that yesterday, I thought that I had lost my wallet for about 6 hours, which were not my most proud moments. Now I'm back on track and looking forward to my Duke show tomorrow night at 10pm after the basketball game.

Posted by Colin at 07:34 PM | Comments (0)

March 21, 2005

A great day in Mississippi

Read the most full account to date of a full day of the tour. Overall, I was happily surprised to find allies in a small christian ministry college near Jackson, MS. After finally leaving the hotel at around 11:30 AM, I was feeling a little lonely on my rainy drive through Natchez. After pulling into the Natchez Trace Highway historic site, I read about the history of the trail, which had first been used by the Native Americans, and then later build to connect to Nashville when it was the last frontier. I ended up talking with this older couple from Ontario Canada, who invited me to join them in their RV for lunch. Good conversation. Good food. The rest of the drive on the beautiful highway was beautiful, first listening to Ron Sexmith, then to a podcast of On the Media. At one point, I took a left and ended up a little lost. I stopped into a country store to ask for directions, and wanted to stay and hang out with the locals. It was definitely a different culture, but of course I just said thanks and went on my way. By the time I got into Jackson, I had finally connected with Mixon and Imhotep, my two local contacts. I drove out to the christian ministry school and met Imhotep and his roommate Devon, both very cool people who are living the word in the best sense. It was refreshing to talk with them and agree about how so much of our mainstream culture is over-commercialized and void of spiritual meaning. I was also happy to find common ground with regard to how many religious leaders, out of touch with the spirit of Jesus, focus on judging homosexuals and others, when Jesus is all about love and acceptance. At 6pm, we went to Pentacostal service. Even though I had actually been to a Pentacostal service once before during college, I was a little nervous for the talking in tongues, etc. When we arrived, Imhotep said that he liked to sit in the front, and so I went with him. Within the first minute, he and Devon were both going full out dancing in the front. Instead of feeling weird and uncomfortable, I found myself clapping along and freeing the white booty a little with the crowd. I realized that if I was at a party, I would have contributed my full energy, and I might as well do the same wherever I am. I didn't understand some of what was happening, but since this trip to the South is as much about listening as it is about sharing myself and my work, I opened myself up to the experience. The preacher gave a long sermon that at times was not that cool, talking about submitting to the authority of the church / head / man (and not thinking for yourself), but overall it was a positive experience. Afterwards Devon, Imhotep, and I went to McAllister's Deli and had some great food and talk. In the two of them, I may have found one of the things I was looking for on this trip: Christian leaders who are concerned by the concentration of power in this country and want to help build a dynamic and diverse media network for the future. After that, I met up with Amanda Mixon, who has a great new truck (like most other folks here in Mississippi), and we stopped by her parents house, where I'm sleeping tonight, and went off to a chill gay bar and had a Bud. Overall, the first adventurous great day of my trip. It's great to be with such different, interesting people. Hope tomorrow is just as cool.

Posted by Colin at 09:18 PM

March 20, 2005

New Orleans and Mississippi

It's been an interesting and fun last few days since leaving Austin. After a long drive to New Orleans, I spent the day Thursday meeting with youth media folks from NOVAC and NOCCA, which has an amazing facility. I had a lot of fun Friday night with college friend Andy Friel and his girlfriend, going to a "State of the Nation" performance and walking through the French Quarter and beyond.

So far, I've found myself thinking a little more about religion and conservatism while I've been in the South. Yesterday was my first adventure day, driving toward Baton Rouge on the famous River Road, through what has come to be know "Cancer Ally" because of all the oil refineries and the cancer they've caused. Check out the flickr photos for more.

Posted by Colin at 03:59 PM

March 13, 2005

In Austin for SXSW Interactive, show today!

After two long days of driving from Durham, NC to Picayune, LA, and then all the way to Austin last night, I'm rested and ready to do the Free Culture show for the SXSW Interactive audience today at 12:30 pm (get a free pass) at the day stage at the Trade Show in the Convention Center. During my drive, I took some pictures and recorded some thoughts (wav files), which should be available in the podcast link to the right if you're set up for that (info at ipodder.org). Here's direct links to the intro/test, why free culture?, and blues in the bayou.

Posted by Colin at 03:27 PM | Comments (0)

March 11, 2005

The Tour Begins

After a nostalgic send off for my 5 week leave of absence from Listen Up!, I had my Stanford MBA interview yesterday morning, and got on a plane and flew down to Durham, NC. I was too exhausted to risk the safety of myself and others, so I chose to check out the Duke Coffeehouse, where my March 25th show is, for Active Arts, which had a bunch of people making cool tshirts from both digital (heat transfer) and analog (paint) sources. Some of the images of course came from the internet (illegally?)

Now begins the 21 hour trip to Austin for SXSW. (Also, anyone who wants to go my Austin show for free, go here). I'm guessing I won't find internet access until Austin, so take care and wish me luck on the road.

Posted by Colin at 12:36 PM | Comments (0)