(from left: Stephanie Frasier, Will Pollock, Jill Camper & (seated) Nick Cooper)
(ATLANTA :: 23 March 2012) Us writer-types are notorious cocooners. We isolate and analyze, hewing to thought lines, parsing sentences, stretching syntax and linking semi-coherent thoughts to tell a story with which folks might identify.
We scare ourselves within the private confines of a looming deadline or project weight - with a screaming, nagging, fearful voice that only we hear. Yes, like a dog whistle, and it’s as loud as a police siren sometimes. We’re also taught to question conventional wisdom and turn over details for accuracy and truth.
Improv comedy, I’m delighted to say, is the polar opposite of the writer experience. (read the whole post)
On a spectacular Saturday afternoon, family, friends and colleagues of Bryan Raybon gathered at Piedmont Park in Atlanta for a swing dedication in Bryan’s honor. The event was a fitting tribute to a man so many of us knew and loved - and who lost his battle with a rare, aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma late last year. (more)
The announcement of season seven for ARTvision Atlanta, "Uncharted: Travel to Enchanted Lands", fund-raising for Positive Impact officially starts after the 2012 Labor Day weekend. And we’re in need of re-signing existing sponsors, finding new companies and people, and finding a suitable gallery to house our even in early December.
In other words, we want you!
ARTvision presents a unique opportunity for an Atlanta-area gallery to give back to the community and allow some great works to be shown by national and international artists. From Zurich to California and New York to Denmark, we display works from all over the world that fit the year's theme. We want these pieces to shine in the best light possible. (read more)
From Tina Turner’s arena tours to the single guitarist strumming on a subway platform, the music should always be the star of the show. Such is the case with Matthew Kahler, an Atlanta mainstay and legendary storyteller, musician and artist. I’m lucky to call him a friend, and now, marking our first in a “listening experience” series, Matthew will be performing for 50 eager attendees at Studioplex Atlanta this Saturday night. (read more)
The folks who entertain us on Broadway are some of the most generous, awake and kind people out there today - constantly giving of their time and energy to “make it better.” Countless “Broadway Cares” events from Actor’s Equity show how much they invest themselves in the community.
Here’s another great example of Broadway giving back, this time for The Trevor Project.
Not to be left out, watch for similar “It Gets Better” themes from this year’s ARTvision.
”Strewn” heads up wp.com for August... And it struck me as unusually bleak and yet beautiful all in one. I was at a wedding in Maryland with Jason and this was the moment there were three photographers shooting the moments following the ceremony - moments that were truly special. The feet in the picture are of the photographer of record, standing and switching the settings of her camera.
The color of the yellow rose petals against the grain of the dock was truly a sight to see. hope you enjoy.
(CHARLOTTESVILLE :: 8 February 2010) After boffo numbers for ARTvision-4 - to the tune of more than $7,000 - I am turning attention to new endeavors in the coming months. • In March, watch for the launch of WillofAtlanta.com - a viewer- and fan-derived site that profiles and collects some of the best sights, sounds, eats and attractions that Atlanta has to offer. • I am co-curator of my 20th reunion’s Alumni Art Exhibition at Skidmore College. We’re accepting submissions now so if you have one please let me know ASAP. • A number of projects are coming down the pike for The Sunday Paper, including a profile of Affairs to Remember and its green initiatives; and a story about race in the barber chair. • Continuing development of “EIQ: Everyman’s Guide to Developing Emotional Fortitude” - working on finding an agent, publicist, publisher and, ultimately, readers! • Relaunch of the Stone Four Media Web site and a new location for Stone Four Studios, both coming very soon. • More captures and posts here at wp.com. Now that ARTvision has concluded I have more time for posting. • Updated wp.com pages: reel, who? and tunes.
My great thanks to all ARTvision buyers, volunteers and artists - all of which came together in celebration of the arts to support Positive Impact.
(New header capture: “Answered.” purchased by Wayne Sun; thumbnail: “Absurd Alphabet” by Sean Mansfield, both in honor of ARTvision-4.)
(ATLANTA :: 27 November 2009) We’re in the final throes of ARTvision 4... And much of my time has been spent organizing our 25 or so artists who have generously donated more than $13,000 in donations. Now we’re working on getting everything sold!
Meantime, check out the new header capture for December/January... “Answered.” - an ARTvision entry that’s for sale right now for the benefit of Positive Impact.
Check it out. Meantime, more announcements to follow in the New Year.
“Atlanta's own Positive Impact threw its second-annual "Parties with Impact" gala at The Granite Room in Castleberry Hill. Alexis Vear (accompanied by guitarist Matthew Smith) headlined the event, with clips including "Step Out," a song Alexis wrote about Eddie's Attic; as well as covers of "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2 - a duet with Will Pollock (additional backing vocals by Todd Price). Videography by Will Pollock & Todd Price; edited by Will Pollock. ARTvision 2009 sales launch on December 1st. For more, visit www.positiveimpact-atl.org.”
(ATLANTA :: 17 March 2009) Despite being scared shitless about “the unknown” of a long bike race, I’ve decided to take part in and sponsor the 2009 AIDS Vaccine 200 - a 200-mile bike ride benefiting Emory Vaccine Center right here in Atlanta. Support the effort and sponsor my ride! Why is this is a significant event? Emory’s is the “only university-based vaccine research center in the U.S. to have an AIDS vaccine candidate in clinical trials,” according to the EVC Web site. That distinguishes our great city by having such expert people working to lessen the effects of HIV - people like EVC scientist Harriet Robinson, Ph.D., who created EVC with her colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Their vaccine candidate successfully prevented AIDS in monkeys.
So... I’m riding for many reasons. First, to support Emory’s hard work. Also, to get in better shape and try a new sport I have only a peripheral understanding of or involvement in. And finally, putting the “rubber on the road” and making a difference.
I think of all the great generosity folks showed for our ARTvision event this year, and I’m sure we can rally again to make this great organization some cashola!
To donate directly to my page, click here, or e-mail me and I can send you donation information! Thanks in advance for your support.
(BOSTON :: 14 March 2009) - A tipping point is fast approaching.
Great change is always preceded by intense turmoil, and I believe we are at just the beginning of a vast reinvention of our global society. With the book proposal done (the book speaks directly to the “change factor” that we, ourselves, control) and the book-agent search officially on, I thought this Web site popped up at just the right time.
Take a look at Worldwide Tipping Point, and how you can send energy to this cause. Quoting the site:
“Thomas Paine wrote during the time of the American Revolution, ‘we have it in our power to begin the world over again,’ and that is exactly what people living on this planet right here, right now have the opportunity to do!” The Web site founder:
Log on and help tip the scales today. More to follow on this topic... Thanks to Brenda for passing it along.
(ATLANTA :: 1 Dec. 2008) - With the world's attention culminating again today, Dec. 1, each year we get a little closer to understanding how HIV and AIDS affects Atlanta, the country and the rest of the world.
On the 20th annual World AIDS Day, I'm happy to announce the official launch of ARTvision's Web site... our third year of bringing together artists and buyers in the name of charity. We have a record number of donating artists this year and have already sold our first piece - with hopefully more to follow!
Positive Impact is our beneficiary. Get to know them... We embark on ARTvision's month-long fundraising drive for a reason - PI is in very real need of funds to sustain their HIV prevention programs and to help offset leasing costs and the economic downturn. A wide range of price points - from $50 to $800 - means you have lots of opportunities to help PI make a good chunk of change. (browse now)
So, an ARTvision purchase is a direct and unfettered statement of support for PI's broad-based prevention and treatment services, which are now coming from a more macro perspective, expanded from a sex-behavior theory to a total lifestyle ideology.
ARTvision is the perfect chance to lock in a last-minute tax deduction, support a great organization and receive some snazzy artwork in the process.
Watch the site this week as we load more artists. Let's make some cash! - WP
Also, I'm a "Green Walker" this year, which means I'm bringing old cell phones and toner cartridges with me to recycle, and walking to and from the event.
Thanks ("...but no theeeanks!") and gratitude for all attendees of "Turning the Page: Atlantans Rally for Obama." Take a look at the pictures below... I loved seeing new and familiar (not old!) faces.
Thanks to Michael Baker of Positive Impact and Edmund Thornton of Georgia Pride for helping make this event so memorable.
Here's a look at the pictures:
And for those of you who missed Triscuit's Sarah Palin hissy fit, here you go:
We have our new charity, Positive Impact, and we are ramping up a new site... (coming soon). And we're ready for your submissions! Please forward them to me ASAP, but sooner rather than later.
In honor of choosing Biden today, I offer up this new music video below.
Thanks to Colbie Caillat for posting this to her MySpace page. (She appears in the video.)
I would have preferred a different VP, but given the state of affairs in the world, I understand it.
Compared with McCain, Obama for me is the clear choice. When you look at the two candidates and how urgently we need a fresh, progressive perspective in the White House, Obama fits the bill.
As it turns out, since then, we've come to know the Bush Administration for playing fast and loose with our freedoms, our military and foreign-policy decisions, and his choices to head up key leadership roles. And that's just for starters.
"Doin' a heckuva job Brownie."
From self-aggrandizing executive signing orders to consolidating executive-branch power, he's not only a failure but a danger to our nation as long as he's in office. I'm counting the days.
I'd be ashamed if he were from Atlanta (or New York, or Virginia -- even West Virginia). The good news? We got that great CD out of the whole affair, and they were rewarded for it at the Grammys.
As you watch the above beautiful video, remember how much shit Maines and the Chicks got (remember the radio station-sponsored bulldozers running over their CDs?) and how she transmuted it into something truly amazing.
Turns out, I'm very often not ready to make nice, either.
This is a sequel post from yesterday. Mission accomplished.
I suppose I played right into their hands by attending the concert, but at least I kept my protest clean by not patronizing Ticketwhore, oh sorry, I mean Ticketmaster. I bought directly from Variety Playhouse's box office.
Overall, Colbie Caillat's vocals were strong and the audience seemed chill and engaged. A rare combination. Kudos to her for sticking with small venues.
I'm going to see Colbie Caillat tonight at Variety Playhouse. I'd like to embed one of her videos from YouTube, but I can't because Universal Music has disabled that function.
The company obviously believes that being purveyors of creative property translates into being proprietary assholes.
So, instead of posting her video -- in fact, as a protest to NBC Universal's refusal to play in the sandbox like the rest of us -- here's a montage from a stalwart YouTuber.
This little nugget has about 800K views... Hits that the greedy bastards at the record company would have benefited from.
...especially when its guts are turned inside out. Take a close look at the hideous basement and the boring, ivy-laden front yard. Their days are numbered.
Just today workers were blazing through the half-baked drywall down there to prepare for the "big dig" down to the footings. I'm hiding out at the office now. Oy. And yes, the basement really is that hideous.
I originally had chosen a piece from Ireland as January's wp.com header, but hey - when a better urge comes along, go with it, right?
To honor the artists and buyers for ARTvision - specifically, Rebecca Walt and Larry Goldstein, buyers of "Trust Your Turn" - I modified the photo that spoke so clearly to the people who were listening... Thanks to Rebecca and Larry for being so enthusiastically connected to this year's event. This version of TYT is a limited edition of five, and three still remain for this year's ARTvision. Speaking of which, sales are still open! We've discounted some pieces and would love it if you'd go and browse.
We've just blazed past the $2K mark, with hopefully more sales to go, so it's been a huge success. Ongoing thanks to Craig Eister for helping to support the event for ASP.
I Ran for Justice to help those less fortunate... A 5K race to benefit Atlanta Legal Aid, a group that represents Atlanta's poor in civil cases (since 1924 I might add).
Oh yeah, and I ran to celebrate 5 full years of no Marlboro Lights. Slow and steady, no stopping - and I survived the Virginia Highland hills, too.
Click here for fotos, and you can see I talked someone into snapping my pic post-race.
I'm in the cattle-shot in the beginning, but it's impossible to see me.
ARTvision 2007 is now live! Click through to explore our artists -- a wide representation of the arts.
Today, we celebrate three talented musicians/groups who've agreed to participate this year. I'd like to extend personal thanks to them, and an invitation to other artists who share our drive to raise money before the end of the year to donate a CD, signed poster or something else that might raise some cash.
Even a testimonial would help our cause -- please contact me for more info.
Adding this category was a no-brainer this year, given my love of music, performing and taking in live tunes. Check out ARTvision's new music vibe:
ARTvision artist Brenda McMillen recently won Best in Show at a recent exhibit at DeFoor Centre. The piece, pictured here, was purchased by the owner of The Art School in Sandy Springs.
Brenda will once again be exhibiting in ARTvision 2007, with at least two pieces. Stay tuned for more. Make sure to send Brenda congrats.
(Washington, D.C. ~ 14 October 2007) - The tuxedos and ball gowns came out in full force for HRC's National Dinner, led admirably by Ted Toon and Sarah Booth. What an awesome time! We had the absolute pleasure of sitting with many of Ted's family members, Rolando, as well as other pals Clarke, Sam, Val and Rebecca. The food was tasty, when we weren't glued to the stage -- and since this photog was six feet from keynote speaker Nancy Pelosi and one table from Tim Gunn, I didn't spend very much time eating!
Ken and Dale and Laurice and Rebecca were all within spittin' distance from us, too. So much fun to be amongst so many familiar faces. The best way to describe the night is as a "peak experience" - where people came together to hear how hard Pelosi has worked from the beginning on representing her San Francisco constituents in fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS, as well as many other issues. Even some surprise war protesters could not dull the evening. Once I saw how close I was to Tim Gunn, I was immediately on a mission to meet him and have a good story to tell Penny -- who is a stalker-level fan of Guide to Style. I treated Pen to a tribute page with a collection of pix from my meeting with Mr. Gunn, who gave me some props for my "cream" colored tuxedo. Thanks to Sam for his great shots of that moment, and to everyone for alerting me to the many other photo opps we had throughout the evening. Thanks also to Ted and Rolando for being such spectacular hosts; to Ted's whole family for being so awesome; and to Rolando and Rebecca for asking me to design the program ad. How in the hell did we keep that a secret?? For more, visit the Kodak Gallery event pictures, as well as the page I loaded on candids. Movie clips to follow... Enjoy!
ARTvision will return for another year with a new focus -- and a new beneficiary. Here's the story:
(ATLANTA – 11 October 2007) ARTvision is pleased to announce a second year of its online art and photography benefit, returning in 2007 with a new beneficiary: AIDS Survival Project (ASP). Atlanta's own ASP is a leader in fostering self-empowerment and enhanced quality of life for people living with HIV, working through advocacy, education, peer support and treatment activism.
With a number of other organizations under its umbrella, ASP works throughout the state of Georgia using community-based advocacy and HIV treatment education.
ARTvision is now known as ARTvision Atlanta, with the intent on enhancing global awareness of ASP and to bring attention to the philanthropic spirit and burgeoning growth of our great city.
ARTvision Atlanta's sales will open on December 1st, World AIDS Day, and conclude on December 31, 2007 - punctuated by Will Pollock's Sixth Annual Gourmet Pizza Extravaganza on New Year's Eve.
ARTvision is now in its Call for Participation phase. If you or someone you know would like to donate a piece for this online art show, or know a potential sponsor, please contact Will Pollock or ASP's Craig Eister via e-mail. More details on artists and sales to follow. - Will Pollock
This is the first in a series I'm gonna upload this week... Shawn Mullins once again knocked us all over at Eddie's Attic, ending with a standing ovation after "Shimmer." Still the best in the business.
Thanks to Thom, Kim and Jimmy BB for making the company just as awesome as the entertainment. Pics and other videos to follow soon...
Thanks to Ron at Composition Gallery for putting on a great show. As you can see from these pictures, I was in great company -- I even bought two prints for myself.
New show opens there on rock-star pictures tonight... I saw a preview yesterday and it's super cool! Following rock stars around and snapping pictures of them? I want that job!
I'm showing a couple of pieces at the upcoming Velcro Show at Composition Gallery... Including one seen below entitled "Dusk for Doolin," which I shot during my recent trip to Ireland. The show will go on for most of July, so make sure to check it out.
Reception and show kick-off: Saturday, July 7, 2007 (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) Show concludes: Friday, July 20, 2007
Composition Gallery is located in Candler Park and features affordable photographic works from local and regional artists. If you can't make the reception, please be sure to stop by the gallery and take a look.
Having a blast out here at the San Diego Open, where I bombed out of the tourney early, but Jack and Ken are in the finals this afternoon! I'll follow up with event pics later. Meantime, during off-court time at Barnes Tennis Center, Jack and Ken visited with Mary Murphy -- famed judge of So You Think You Can Dance and repped by former Atlanta resident Michael Sanchez (brother of Season One host Lauren Sanchez). I wasn't able to meet her, but I heard all about it. The pic here is of Jack and Mary with Kynni behind the cell camera.
Many more pics to follow, including captures from Mission Beach and some landscapes.
Great thanks to Ted and Rolando for hosting me in D.C. ...and to Michele "Snush" Segre for organizing our great outing in Bethesda, Md., at Mia's Pizzas.
The day itself was expansive to say the least. Ted, Rolando and I hoofed it in Bethesda to Discovery Galleries -- a destination that caught Ted's eye from a mailer to area residents. The hybrid-concentration gallery was showing pieces by Christos Palios and Anne Packard -- both of which had stunning works on display. I'm going to try and pitch a story about this gallery in the coming weeks.
We were joined later that afternoon by Michele, Rebecca and Larise at Mia's as the six of us did "market research" for the forthcoming sixth annual NYE Gourmet Pizza Extravaganza. But we also connected with our great host (and Mia's' owner) Melissa as she graciously donated a gift certificate for the HRC's Eleventh Annual National Dinner, an extravaganza in its own right being co-chaired by our very own Ted Toon!
Back to the matter at hand: If you haven't checked out Mia's, this new hip and happenin' joint, definitely make the trip. For more on this great day, jump to the captures.
I'm named after my late grandfather, William Stone Weedon, who was a decorated veteran of World War II and a fixture at the University of Virginia. With my birthday and Veterans Day converging at the same time each year, I thought it appropriate to use "The Google" and find some information on him -- some of which I didn't know before. Here's what I came up with:
• In 2003, UVa named an Endowed Professorship in his honor • He received his undergraduate degree (1929) and graduate degree in Arts & Sciences (1936) from UVa, and continued on as a professor long afterward • He advanced the understanding of East Asian architecture within the university community • He received the Raven Award, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, and in 1976, the Thomas Jefferson Award -- UVa's highest honor. • He was named to University Professorship, which entitled him to teach any subject of his choosing on the UVa campus.
The late Susan Sontag, as well as Leibovitz's mother and father, were all remembered in the collection and in Leibovitz's speech. Set against the High's new space, it was surely an evening I'll never forget. The collection itself is a bold and courageous look at one of our country's most cherished creative talents. Jump to the YouTube clip
One of our most cherished photographers (and one of my idols) will be visiting Atlanta tomorrow to kick off her show at the High Museum. Mike King and I will be attending and I hope to post some pictures from the event... This is a no brainer, since I always try to support the arts community here, and also, I'm hoping even a fraction of her awesomeness will rub off.
Our great friend Jenny Krasner takes her "trash talking" girl power to Albany for a waste/recycling panel and exhibition at the NY State Environmental Agency. "Artists who Work With Discards, Media and Message" included (from left) Valeri Larko, Chakaia Booker & Jenny @ Bolton Landing.
Gibson, Andrea and I were happy to go drink beer while Jackie Jean accepted his "Excellence in Education" award (I took pictures, of course). The Bravos promptly lost a lousy game to the Padres, during which there was a great deal of mutual plunking. As I learned later, the Padres' pitcher, Chris Young is nearly 7 feet tall! (He's 6'10".) ---> Jump to the captures
I found Susan on a night about 10 years ago when she opened for Joan Armitrading at Variety Playhouse. Spectacular folk singer and storyteller... always treats people at Eddie's like familiar friends. As she always does after her shows at Eddie's, Susan hung out with us after she slayed everyone with an a cappella encore. (see pic, at left).
Her original "My Strange Nation" song is the perfect antidote for our global troubles and frustrations. For more, go to myYouTube Live Clips page.
The parentals and I went out to Greencroft to celebrate the Easter holiday...
All three of us had a glass of champagne, and the afternoon was fun. Fat Girl was waiting for us at home tapping her foot for her own meal (hold the Wheat Gluten).
Crazy-lame quality, but here's a quick cell-phone clip of Jennifer Paige warming up the Smith's crowd with "Crush." Gene and I bought "Best Kept Secret," Jen's EP prelude to her new CD. A few great tunes to check out!
Atlanta native and good friend Jennifer Paige is stomping back into the ATL on Wednesday for a concert at Smith's Olde Bar... If you're in town and can make it, please join us. Jen opens at 9:15 p.m., just before Josh Kelley at 10:15 p.m.; Josh is also an awesome vocalist and songwriter. (You'll remember him from songs like 2003's "Amazing," among others.) Tickets are available in advance for $12 but they should also be available at the door for $15. Parking is available at Ansley Mall across the street. I met Jennifer before I moved to Atlanta in the early 90s through Gene Rector... she has released two AMAZING CDs (her self-titled debut and "Positively Somewhere"), and is working on her third studio disc. If you can't make it to the event -- and to sample some great tunes -- make sure to view her MySpace page or cheer her on with a comment below. For a quick-hit bio and more info, go to Answers.com. Go Jenny!
Craig Eister's Annual Oscar bash is coming up on Sunday! Make sure to check it out... ---> jump The event benefits ASP and recently earned ink in the AJC. Check out the article in yesterday's Peach Buzz.