TWTF! What it means and why you should go

By Doug Ruffin

     President

     Boston Music Coalition

TWTF is not an Internet radio station or the name of a new band. Although, let's face it, it sure sounds like boy band doesn't it? No, TWTF stands for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and  yeah, you guessed it, Friday. Why would you need to know these days of the week? Well .... It's the "Summer in the City" concert series. 

For the last sixteen years, the Boston Harbor Hotel has been presenting live Blues music. They have since added more live music genres outside, during the sunset hours at the Boston Harbor Hotel 70 Rowes Warth in Boston. 

What's the,"T"? The first T is for Tuesday. On Tuesday evenings, the Boston Harbor Hotel offers live Soul (R&B) music. Grab that W from the middle of the week and make it a rat pack night with your favorite live songs from Sanatra and more! The "B" in R&B stands for Blues so the second "T" Thursdays, are dedicated to the Blues. F stands for Friday. It's a great night for a classic movie. And ya' know what? A classic movie under the stars is an experience with a melody all it's own.

This amazing concert series is free to attend and runs through August 29.  You will want to get there by 6:00 PM. Here are a few examples  of the, "Summer in the City" concert series in August. Tuesday is Soul Night. On August 12, catch, "Good Will and Them Apples" Wednesday is Rat a Pack Night." Mike Dutry Stictly Sanatra Band" plays on August 20 during Wednesdays' Rat Pack Night. For great Blues, tap you foot to to the live music of James Montgomery on Blues night Thursday,

August 14 and end the summer with a classic movie under the stars with "West Side Story" on August /9.

Now that you know the TWTF code; Use it as your key to a summer of great music and classic movies under the stars. 

To get more information and to get  more  TWTF choices in July and August at the Boston Harbor Hotel, visit wee.bhh.com 

A Musical Note about The Boston Summer Arts Weekend July 26 & 27,2014

By Doug Ruffin

     President,

     Boston Music Coalition 

When you combine the excitement of the City of Boston with warm summer weather, it can only mean great music and arts festivals throughout the city and beyond. 

Copley Square in Boston is buzzing with excitement throughout the year. This weekend, July 26 & 27th, Copley square will be the center for a full weekend of live Arts and Music for the entire family (and no, not just the kids) but instead, a diverse fun filled weekend for everyone. Get ready, it's time for the third annual Summer Arts Weekend. 

The People who plan this event truly know how to make a free event for the entire family fun and interesting for all. Throughout the weekend, several local arts organizations and artists will perform on the Fountain Stage while on the main stage, family friendly performers take the stage starting at 11:00 AM while top music performers heat up the summer nights. Dance and party with The Soul Rebels topped off with Los Lobos on Saturday night and on Sunday, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder end the weekend with a magnificent sunset concert. 

For a full schedule and additional information about this years free Summer Arts Weekend, visit www.bostonsummerarts.com. 

Willie Sings The Blues This is a Boston Music Coalition Live Music Review

By: Doug Ruffin

      President,

      Boston Music Coalition 

Willie Nelson performed at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in Boston last month with Alison Krause and Union Station all on the same bill. Everyone who knows me understands what a dog I am for live music of all genres. Country music isn't my favorite genre but it's growing on me. Or rather, I'm growing to appreciate it more. Still, getting me to go to see Willie Nelson .... That's a stretch.

With opened mind, my girlfriend, and a great summer night, I was prepared for a Country concert And I promised not to laugh. Good thing,. Union Station and Alison Krause were truly entertaining. Excellent musicianship and great interactions with the audience. Song choices from both bands not only met with its target audience but entertained everyone, even me.

Soon it was time to see a living legend perform. Willie Nelson took the to stage and was met with cheers and great anticipation. But Willie Nelson, known for Countyr Music, pulled a few tricks from his musical sleeve. He and his band sang the blues. Not just that pop rock implied blues, but down home, feel the pain and take it to church blues. Some in the audience expecting Country music, sat with arched backs and folded arms. As for me, I was all about it and lookin' for my church fan. Willie Nelson exposed a lot of talent that night other than Country. But remember, a living legend knows his audience and Willie Nelson pleased his fans by singing, "On The Road Again" and several other traditional hits.. At last, the arms unfolded and his audiences leaned in to enjoy a great Country concert with a little blues for the soul. 

LAU LAPIDES DEVELOPING HER ENTERPRENEURALSPIRIT

By: Nick Christophers 

NOTE: Nick Christophers is a returning BMCiReporter. To submit your own music-related article, please send it to bmcireporter@BostonMusicCoalition.com 

          

We have seen through the past two decades how women have taken center stage in various industries, one of them being the music industry. Women like Neeta Ragoowansi, President of Women In Music, Roe Gallo, Product Manager, ADA Distribution/Warner Music Group and Christina Kotsamanidis Press Relations for Atlantic Records. Then there are women who serve the independent and up and coming artists hungry for success.

Lau Lapides happens to be an inspiration for women in the industry. She was always involved in  performing either dancing, acting in musicals then as an adult in Regional, Repertory, Stock Theatre and TV commercials on camera and voice over’s. Lau her 20’s was accepted into the nation’s top MFA acting program at the University of California. In turn, she was offered a full tuition scholarship. Along with the scholarship came a Teacher Assitantanship for her three year residency. She completed a BA in Acting from Bridgewater State University and MFA from UC, Irvine.

“There I really honed my acting craft and was exposed to the top level of teaching acting to undergraduates and directing projects for colleagues. I also was awarded an ArtsBridge Scholarship to go out into the community and teach high school Improvisation and Acting. It was boot camp for my soul and really solidified that I was making the perfect choice to have a career in the industry.”

 

Lau took the stage and realized how challenging acting is. She would then follow the same drive into spreading the knowledge of acting to others attempting to go into the industry. Lau became a teacher and held faculty positions at prestigious institutions like Boston University. As she progressed on this road she saw the need to offer her services on a larger scale. Lau would soon open her own company in 2009 based solely on coaching individuals entering the field of acting and singing.

 

The struggles and obstacles in the business are daily. As a matter of fact as of this writing they are celebrating their 5th year in business. Even though at this time of difficult economic climate the company still manages to get the word out about their top notch services. As a woman in a male dominated business she has come across the worry of being taken seriously or not. She has at times the need to be extra strong to deal with confrontation or negotiation. At the same time according to Lau it the best time to start a unique boutique studio. Her clients are chasing their dreams and she wants to see them achieve their goals.

 

“Every day is a challenge to show up, put the key in the door and unlock it and walk through. It is the same challenge our clients face, it is a good challenge it helps us understand and empathize.”

 

Lau has always had an entrepreneur’s spirit since she was a child. She was surrounded by a family of entrepreneurs her father had a thriving business for 50 years and taught her much of what she knows and utilizes today. Her mother was a bit of a rebel in her time. She was a rarity as she decided to attendCollege in the 1950’s.  Her mother had a huge career as a social worker and family therapist guiding the lost and fixing the broken. Lau carries much of her spirit into the workplace.

 

The idea to start the company was actually 40 years in the making. The idea to start the company was born overnight. Lau even admits that her technical director, Mike Jablon often says to “out clients " Did you know we are an overnight success? It’s true; we are a 40 year overnight success". 

“Our visions are vast and we are not afraid to dream. We think big and bold or we go home. We see ourselves continually growing as a global entity working with an international client base; we want to continue with to partner with top agents and casting directors in the industry, expand and detail our services in the training/coaching areas as well as production areas. We are slowly moving in the direction aiding more and more in casting projects helping talent manage their careers and developing high level astounding events.” 

The company has produced some exceptional students who have moved into doing voice over’s on radio and TV to actors leading Broadway roles. They recently hosted a NY Actor/Voice Over Showcase and at least fourteen of them have been called for agent meetings or immediate auditions.

There are so many success stories that came out of lau lapides company it is too long to list. Examples are people like voice over artist Mike Pollack who has amassed a great track record. Mike could be heard on everything from commercials to popular cartoons.  His accomplishments include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as Garbageman, Sonic the Hedgehog video games and Sonic X, as Dr. Eggman and Ella, andYu-Gi-Oh! GX as Bonaparte. Besides that he has also narrated shows like Pokémon and Marvel Motion comic adaptation of Astonishing X-Men.

Lau is always looking to build on her past success by developing new ideas for her clients. As she embarks on another stellar year she is far from accomplishing all she dreams of. The lau lapidescompany along with its leader are due for bigger and even brighter things.

by Nick Christophers

 

 

 

 

A BBQ with Salt n Pepper

                               A BBQ with Salt-n-Pepa

               This is a Boston Music Coalition LIVE MUSIC REVIEW

By Doug Ruffin

      President,

      Boston Music Coalition 

The Phantom Gourmet BBQ is a summer highlight for many of us who live in Boston and look for great BBQ cookin' with even better Music. On Friday, June 20th; The three day food and music extravaganza at City Hall Plaza began with a concert featuring hip hop dual, "Salt-n-Pepa". 

The large crowd was there to have great BBQ served up with music. All ages and races assembled to have a great time in Boston on a Friday night. It seemed pretty natural to add Salt-n-Pepa to the mix with all that world wide BBQ flavor.  

Salt-n-Pepa could have just spit out some hip hop classics and be done with it. But Spindarella, the crew, the dancers as well as Salt n Pepper ain't goin' out like that. They were here to entertain and they delivered more. This was a show with a beginning, middle and end. Like a good play or movie; Salt-n-Pepa was here and opened the show by setting the scene. introducing hip hop as an art form and then asking the audience what they knew about classic RnB and Hip Hop from decades starting from the 60s til now. Once the scene for classic hip hop was set, Salt-n-Pepa rapped about a few crazy charactors. Guys who challenge women in relationships. It was presented in good fun and then moved forward to the next scene of woman empowerment. all without missing a single beat. Keepin' it real without one single four letter word. 

With all the fun at the expense of bad guys and the empowerment of women, Salt-n-Pepa moved the show in to a new chapter and admitted their weakness, "Men!" Performing huge hip hop hits like, "Shoop", "Push it" and many more. Salt-n-Papa invited not just one guy but two guys from the audience to dance on stage with Salt -n-Pepa. The guys had fun. The two gentlemen were cheered by the entire audience.

How do you end a show with so much empowerment for women, poking fun at the bad guys and the recognition of good men? Salt-n-Pepa  closed the show with inspiration for everyone. Rappin' to contemporary Gospel without being preachy. Salt-n-Pepa thanked their fans for keeping classic hip hop alive and Salt-n-Pepa music continuing for over twenty five years.               

      

 

Live Music this Summer

By Doug Ruffin
     President
     Boston Music Coalition


Most cannot believe it and no one can feel it, but summer is upon us. No ... Really! Even if the weather refuses to heat up, the live music is hotter than ever!

Name a genre, its available somewhere this summer. Name a venue (indoors or out) and greater Boston has just the right place for live music. Live music will also invite sports to step a side this year at Fenway and Gellette Stadium.

From artists like lady Gaga, Billy Joel, Katy Perry, Rascal Flatts, Motley Crew, Future, One Direction and more.Live summer music is full steam ahead! I'm looking forward to all the local bands. What are you looking forward too? Comment and let us know.

What ever you like, We'll be on top of it this summer. Look for listings, reviews and interviews all summer long from the people who publicize live music, the Boston Music Coalition.

 

The Boston Music Coalition Live Music Weekend List

By  Doug Ruffin      President,      Boston Music Coalition The Puritans have granted permission for Boston area adults to stay out like adults do and have extended Public Transit (The "T") hours on weekend nights until 2:30 AM.  And now that the weather is finally out of the 20s and 30s, it's a great weekend to go out, grab a bite, check out some live music and have your self a good time without that pesky mandated curfew. Sidewalk Driver, Chick Corea and B B King are just a few of the live music choices you have this weekend.  Friday  April 11, 2014 The Music:   Big Ben Hilman The Professor of FUNK The Venue:  Toad - 1920 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA The Music:   Elaine Elias The Venue:  Scullers Jazz Club - 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA The Music:  JP Beausoleil, Uncle Johnny's Band - The Venue: Midway Cafe - 3496 Washington Street, Boston MA The Music:  Trust, Mozart's Sister The Venue:  Great Scott -1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston MA      Saturday, April 12, 2014  The Music:  Drunken Logic, Midnight Snack The Venue: Cafe 939 at Berklee - 939 Boylston Street, Boston, MA The Music:  Duke Robillard Band The Venue: Narrows Center For The Arts - 16 Anawan Street, Fall River, MA   The Music:  Duppy Conquerors The Venue: Lizard Lounge - 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA  The Music:  Manray The Venue: Paradise Rock Club - 969 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA Sunday April 13, 2014 The Music:  BB King The Venue: Lynn Auditorium - 3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA    The Music:  Chick Corea  The Venue: Wilbur Theatre - 106 Boylston Street, Boston, MA  The Music:  Godflesh, Pharmakon The Venue:  Club Royale - 275 Tremont Street, Boston, MA  The Music:  Psychedelic Furs  The Venue: The Sinclair - 52 Church Street, Cambridge, MA