"To Haiti, With Love" Benefit Concert Seeks Acts

Liberated Muse will be having a benefit concert for the crisis in Haiti on Friday, Feb. 12 at the Potter's House in Adams Morgan in DC as part of the Potter's House Sounds of Hope series. All proceeds will support Wyclef Jean's nonprofit YeleHaiti at Yele.org which is providing on the ground support. Special thanks to all of you members who emailed me to see if LiberatedMuse.com was going to do something to support the nation of Haiti, hopefully this event is worthy of your participation.

The fundraiser will be held on the Friday preceding Valentine's Day and entitled "To Haiti, With Love". If you are a performance artist (singer, poet, musician, live visual artist, etc.) who would like to perform in this benefit concert, message us through www.LiberatedMuse.com or email us atLiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com. Our hope is that the people of Haiti will get the assistance they need for as long as it takes. A month from now, will folks still be talking about ways to help Haiti? We will, because we will be doing it. Contact us today if you are interested in performing. We ask that performers meet these guidelines:

1) Have live accompaniment if you are a singer. We prefer live instrumentation to track. If you are interested in performing but not connected to a live musician, let us know and we will connect you to artists on the site who are musicians.

2)We would like performers to be able to perform a 15 minute set (approximately 3 songs). We LOVE original music, but, we ask that one of those songs be your own remake of a song that audience members know if they aren't familiar with your music yet. The weekend of Feb. 12 is Valentine's Day as well, so if its a valentine's day appropriate song, all the better.

3) If you have never performed in a Liberated Muse production before, please make sure your page on www.LiberatedMuse.com is uploaded with a link to your music, video, etc. that we can use to determine your sound and appropriateness for this show.

We would like to have a roster of acts determined no later than Jan. 20 so we can begin with promoting the show. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us a message.

Together, we can make a difference.

In peace,

Moon

www.LiberatedMuse.com

Top 10 Liberated Muse Highlights of 2009

This year for Liberated Muse Productions was one of many highs which I would like to take the time to share today on New Year's Eve. If you participated in any of the highlights mentioned, would love to read your feedback and comments. Thanks for being part of the LiberatedMuse.com community!

Cheers,

Moon of LiberatedMuse.com

(In Photos: The first live reading from the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul, at the Potter's House in Washington DC, featuring various artists from the LiberatedMuse.com community, including Margaux Delotte-Bennett, Stone/Wright, James Terrell, Quineice Clarkson, Gary Young and Anonamas)

Highlights of 2009- LiberatedMuse.com

10. Liberated Muse Joins the World of Facebook and Twitter!

In 2009, the LiberatedMuse.com expanded its realm of communication when Liberated Muse started a fan page and profile page on Facebook and began an online Twitter feed. The world of Facebook and Twitter has enabled members to interact more readily and determine more easily the level of connection they wish to have their community. Facebook has allowed more real time updates to reach members and is a great platform for members to tag photos of themselves and add photos from Liberated Muse events from their own Facebook photo albums. The Facebook fan page has already exceeded 800 members and continues to exceed the number of active members on the LiberatedMuse.com Ning network.

9. Liberated Muse members Dee Stone and Head-Roc are nominated for Washington Area Music Association (WAMMIE) Awards

We always love to broadcast good news about our members and this news was well-deserved. We wrote about it HERE in an earlier blog.

8. Liberated Muse Continues to Be Home to Some of the DC Area's Hottest Artist All-Stars

The caliber of talented folk on LiberatedMuse.com continue to be impressive. Award-winning doll artist Sherry Burton of Sankofa Doll Artistry, the talented LOVEthepoet, songstress Teisha Marie and hip-hop dynamo Substantial are just a glimpse into how rich the flavor of the membership is on LiberatedMuse.com. Contributing to forums, interacting with each other off and online, the Liberated Muse community continues to thrive and is one of the highlights we are most grateful for this year.

7. Liberated Muse (LM) Partners with the 2009 International Soul Music Summit (ISMS)

While in 2008 Liberated Muse co-founder Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman was a panelist in the International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta, GA, nothing could be more pleasing than seeing a partnership form between LM and the ISMS which entailed members receiving a discount to participate in the summit and members from the network actually performing at the event. Big ups to those Liberated Muse members who performed and participated, including Chaquis Maliq, Al Chestnut, and Colie Williams. Co-founder of LM, Maceo Thomas got to see first-hand some of the members doing their thang in Atlanta, an arts mecca for performers of color.

6. Liberated Muse's 2nd Annual Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest a Summer Hit Again

Featuring phenomenal performances by numerous acts from the nation's capital and beyond, the CHHSF was a hit, despite park renovations at the festival site and a scorching heat index. The event headliners included Bomani Armah, Head-Roc & GODISHEUS, Teisha Marie, Marcell & the Truth and other faves that were captured in photos you can check out on www.CapitalHipHopSoulFest.com. The fest led to our next highlight which was...

5. Liberated Muse's Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest featured in the Press

Appearing on FOX 5 with Gwen Tolbart to promote the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest was definitely one of the livest press moments of the festival in 2009. Coverage was much appreciated this year, helping to garner the sponsorship by some of the 2009 sponsors of the fest including the US Census Bureau and State Farm Insurance. Festival director Maceo Thomas made rounds sharing the news of the fest, being featured in several print and online publications including National Geographic.com, The Afro, and Examiner.com. We can't begin to thank our media partners enough for their support, with special thanks to Capital Community News for their continued media sponsorship. Click HERE to read LM press coverage for 2009.

4. Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul Makes a 2009 Debut

Liberated Muse members new and old contributed to this book anthology which features prose, poetry, visual art and essays that interpret the concept of the soul and this thing we call freedom. The book became the featured book in the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest and sold over 100 copies in the first month and a half in print. The release of the first literary anthology produced and edited by Liberated Muse's Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman was a 2009 highlight that led to the following top three highlights...

3. A Musical Book Tour to Promote Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul

Putting a spin on the tradition book tour which features readings and author Q and A, the Liberated Muse book tour featured writers from the book and musical performances from performing artists who are members of the Liberated Muse network. The kick-off started at the Potter's House and included stops at the Artomatic and the art store ArtSpring in Silver Spring, MD. Special thanks to all those who were featured during the shows: Quineice Clarkson, Gary Young, Farah Lawal, Stone/Wright, James Terrell, Anonamas, Margaux Delotte-Bennett, Alan King, Ananda Leeke, Jade Andwele, Maureen Mulima, Ozara Ode, Colie Williams and to all of those who attended. All of our book tour shows at the Potter's House allowed us to raise money and have our next highlight...

2. Raising Money for Area Groups Serving Our Community

Our first book tour stop in June at the Potter's House allowed us to raise over $400 to assist students in the DC College Success Foundation's Acheivers Program. While the program assists students in paying for college tuition upon successful completion of high school requirements, the program did not assist with fees associated with room and board application fees, student activities fees, etc. The money raised helped four low-income students pay for these fees and begin school this past Fall 2009. Our show on September 11, 2009 raised funds for the arts collective The Saartjie Project and our last show on November 20, 2009 at the Potter's House raised funds for arts programming at Southeast Ministry, a nonprofit that helps adults earn their GED and fine-tune employment skills.

1. Transforming Places Into Art Spaces: Our First Art Exhibit

The Potter's House became the official brick and mortar home of Liberated Muse in 2009 when the wonderful bookstore, performance venue, restaurant, etc. became the art gallery home of our first art exhibit-- Celebration of Freedom, curated by Liberated Muse member Sharon Burton. The exhibit, inspired by the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul featured artists from the book and other artists from the Liberated Muse network, including Prudence Bonds, Stephan Cox, Keisha Cox, and other artists. Read our past blogs about this wonderful exhibit which ran from Sept. 11 to Dec. 1.

LiberatedMuse.com Member Nominated for WAMMIE Award!

As a member of the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), was excited to get the ballot to vote for the upcoming WAMMIE awards which will take place in February. The WAMMIES are big time here in the DC metro area and it would be wise for DC area artists to consider joining WAMA to be eligible to be nominated. As an indie artist, it is all about networks you build and broadening your audience. Joining organizations, social networks and associations is helpful because you are putting yourself in a postion to get info on opportunities to perform, market your music, etc. that you wouldn't be privy to as a lone wolf. This is especially true for those indies who don't have the funds to hire an agent or manager to do that on their behalf.

Liberated Muse WAMMIE nominee: Dee Stone of Stone/Wright

We are so happy to learn that Liberated Muse member Dee Stone is a nominee for this year's WAMMIE awards, sponsored by the WAMA and BMI. Dee, and her husband/band member Charlie Wright's first duo collab as Stone/Wright-- out for less than a year was nominated. We are thrilled for them and brag to everyone that we had them a part of our summer book tour shows. Here is their latest video. Enjoy!

Last Week of the Liberated Muse Exhibit "Celebration of Freedom"

(In photo: l to r-- Prudence Bonds, Sherry Burton-Ways, James Terrell, Sharon Burton)

So, all good things must come to an end, and such is the case with the debut exhibit of Liberated Muse-- "A Celebration of Freedom". The exhibit ends next week on Dec. 1.

(In photo: Poet/singer/actress Dehejia Maat at the Liberated Muse event Capital Rhythm & Soul last week at the Potter's House. The exhibit "Celebration of Freedom" is a backdrop for the event)

(In photo: Visual artist Marshetta Davis discusses her painting with those who came out for the Nov. 14 artist reception for the artists included in the Celebration of Freedom exhibit.)

(In photo: Sharon Burton and a guest attend the artist reception held on Nov. 14. Her piece "Believe" is in the background)

(In photo: Singer/visual artist James Terrell stands by his piece "Coltrane" (up top) which was inspired by jazz legend John Coltrane. James is a gifted performer and performed in last week's Liberated Muse event Capital Rhythm & Soul)
(In photo: Liberated Muse's co-founder Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman (left) with artist Stephan Cox and artist Shanta Monroe (right) with her daughter Zoe. All four pose in front of the "Celebration of Freedom" exhibit during the Nov. 14 artist reception for the exhibit)

(In photo: The artist Choke stands by her work in the exhibit)

Special thanks to Sharon Burton of Authentic Contemporary Art who curated the exhibit and who also contributed her own art to the show. Her piece "Believe" is also the cover art of our book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul. You can visit her art spaces HERE and HERE.

Kudos to all of the exhibiting artists:

Stephan Cox

Choke

Shan'ta Monroe

James Terrell

Prudence Bonds

Marshetta Davis

Keisha Carroll

Sherry Burton Ways

Jade Andwele

(In photo: One of the works from artist Shan'ta Monroe)

Please make sure you check out the exhibit before it comes down on Dec. 1. Several of the pieces were sold and all of the artists are involved in upcoming shows, so it is encouraged you stay connected with them by joining the www.LiberatedMuse.com network if you haven't joined already.

(In photo: Work by artist Jade Andwele. The piece sold during the second month of the exhibit)

The Celebration of Freedom is currently up at:

The Potter's House

1658 Columbia Road, NW

Washington DC

Amazing Evening Last Night

If you missed our event last night, then you missed an extremely exhilirating experience. Check out the videos below:












The event Capital Rhythm & Soul was a fundraising event for the nonprofit Southeast Ministry that benefits adults and youth in GED prep and literacy education. The event was part of the Potter's House Sounds of House benefit concert series.

Featured artists included: Anonamas, Farah Lawal, C. Love, James Terrell and Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman, featuring Gary Young. The Walidane Drummers performed the finale.

What an evening of thankfulness; a perfect pre-cursor to Thanksgiving.

If you couldn't make it but would like to donate to Southeast Ministry, email us at LiberatedMuseProductions for more information.

FreeSoul@ ArtSpring in Silver Spring, MD-- October 31

Make sure you join Liberated Muse on Sat., Oct. 31 from 4pm-7pm for an afternoon of music for grown-folk and arts & crafts activities for the kiddies before they go trick or treating. Performers Quineice Clarkson, Sadie Flick, Ne'a Posey and Gary Young will entertain while young folks can make masks and other fun things for the fun season. The event takes place at ArtSpring, an art store in Silver Spring, MD which sells the Liberated Muse publication Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul (Outskirts Press, 2009) and artwork by Liberated Muse member Sharon Burton. Copies of the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul will be signed by editor Khadijah Ali-Coleman and Sharon Burton who created the artwork on the cover of the book.

Email us at LiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com for questions about the event.

Prudence Bonds: Paintings of Life in Color

(In photo: "Sun is shining" by Prudence Bonds, currently in the Liberated Muse exhibit @ the Potter's House in DC)

Born in Florida and raised in Washington, DC since infancy, Prudence inherited the “creative
gene” and started to draw at age four. Throughout childhood and adolescence, Prudence
expressed several methods of creativity including sewing dolls’ clothes and writing poems and
short stories to relate to her drawings. As a teenager, she attended the Corcoran School of Art
for figure drawing and photography & film development. She began painting consistently in
2001 and in April 2003 participated in the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center’s 10th Annual
Scholarship Fund benefit auction. Prudence donated “Girl Tantalus”, an original work of acrylic
on canvas portraying the fabled origins of the word tantalize.

(In photo: "Femininity" by Prudence Bonds which is currently in the Potter's House exhibit curated by Sharon Burton and presented by Liberated Muse. The piece sold at the start of the exhibit yet is still displayed)

Artist Statement
I depict people living throughout the African Diaspora, and beyond, by using color, texture, and
introspection. Since acceptable images of human concepts such as love and beauty are
perpetuated through art, literature, music, and the media, my pieces echo the attempt made by
people of color to redefine and re-present those concepts in their terms.

Visit her work in the current Liberated Muse art exhibit at the Potter's House in Washington, DC @The Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC.

The art exhibit is curated by Sharon Burton of Authentic Contemporary Art. The artwork is from artists from the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul and the network http://www.liberatedmuse.com/.

The exhibit runs from Sept. 11-Dec. 1

James Terrell--- Musician & Painter--- Exhibits Work in Potter's House Exhibit

James Terrell is a renaissance man-- singer, musician, and painter who is currently featured in the Liberated Muse exhibit at the Potter's House in DC. James is a strong performer who's vocal stylings are unique and poignantly emotional and his artwork is from the same element.

Born and Raised in DC, James Terrell is a singer songwriter guitarist and figurative painter.He graduated from Howard University with a BFA in painting. He graduated from Parsons School of Design in NYC with a MFA in painting. He received his M. Div from Columbia University/Union Theological Seminary in NYC with a focus on Theology and the Arts (painting and music). He has exhibited his paintings in Galleries from DC to NYC. He has performed his music on stages between DC and NYC. The music and art of James Stephen Terrell crosses cultural lines.

James' music incorporates the basic principles of urban folk, country, gospel and blues. The music is a breath of fresh air. The music is not based on fades, seduction, degradation, decadence and materialism. The music and art of James Terrell is a reflection of everyday working people. It represents and speaks to people who live, die and struggle to make their dreams a reality. The music and art of James Terrell is said to be a commentary on the world in which we live.

Visit his page on LiberatedMuse.com HERE

Visit his work in the current Liberated Muse art exhibit at the Potter's House in Washington, DC @The Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC.

The art exhibit is curated by Sharon Burton of Authentic Contemporary Art. The artwork is from artists from the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul and the network http://www.liberatedmuse.com/.

The exhibit runs from Sept. 11-Dec. 1

This Weekend's Green Fest Featured Liberated Muse members

Did you miss this weekend's Green Fest in Washington DC? If so, you can read more HERE about what happened, checking out photos and performances. Liberated Muse members Deedee Kirby, Labtekwon, Mahoganee, Dee Stone and founder Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman were among the featured acts. If you went, what were some of the highlights of the event for you?

Authentic Art Consulting Curates Upcoming Liberated Muse Exhibit

CALL TO VISUAL ARTISTS ON LIBERATED MUSE


In celebration of the new publication Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul, Liberated Muse Productions is accepting visual art submissions to be displayed in a two month-long exhibition upon the walls of a beloved Washington DC spot, the Potter's House. The Potter's House is home to monthly art events and is a restaurant and bookstore that has a loyal and large patronage. Liberated Muse is seeking works of art (painting, photography, mixed media/collage, works on paper, prints (including giclee, lithographs and limited/open editions) to be exhibited at The Potter's House from September 11, 2009-December 1, 2009 and available for sale.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 (There are no submission fees).

ELIGIBITY:

This opportunity is open to artists who are members of www.LiberatedMuse.com and reside in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, including Baltimore and its surrounding surburbs.

Artists working in the following disciplines are invited to participate: painting, photography, mixed media/collage, works on paper, prints (giclees, lithographs, etc.) and textile. All works must be creations made by the artist within the last 2 years.

Sales/Commission: All work will be for sale. Proceeds from the work sold: 70% to the artist and 30% to The Potter's House. The Potter's House will handle all sales for the artist. It is highly recommended that artwork be priced under $500 for this venue.

Insurance and Liability: The Potter's House will insure artwork exhibited at the premises.(More information on contract of understanding that accepted artists will be expected to sign).

Delivery of Artwork: All artwork should be hand delivered to The Potter's House on Friday, September 11, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Liberated Muse will not be responsible for delivery of artwork to the venue.

Reproduction and Promotion: Liberated Muse reserves the right to photograph and document all works for publicity and internet use. Copyright and artist's name will be applied to all artwork used for these purposes.

Time Line for Exhibition:

Drop Off Work: September 11, 2009
Exhibition Opens: September 11, 2009
Exhibition Closes: December 1, 2009*
Pick up works: (TBA)*

*Subject to change. Artists will be notified within two weeks of the pick up for artwork.

NOTE: It is the Artist's responsibility to pick up unsold artwork at the end of the exhibition. Liberated Muse nor The Potter's House will be responsible for artwork left after the end of the exhibition.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS/INSTRUCTIONS:

We would like all submissions to be relevant to our theme of "freedom". We would like artists to be aware that the Potter's House is a venue that is often used for religious conference, so the art selected will be respectful of the many uses of the space.

• Email submissions only.
  The emails should provide: (1) jpeg images of the artworks, (2) current artist's statement, (3) biography and (4) resume.


• A list which includes the following information must accompany the email: (a) dimensions (indicate whether the sizes are based on framed or unframed artwork), (b) medium, (c) year created, (d) name of the artwork and (e) price of featured works.


• Artist may submit no more than five (5) artworks for consideration.


• Prints or Works on Paper must be framed and ready to hang. Unframed canvas works must be wired and ready to hang.


• Contact information from the artist including name, address, and telephone number where he/she can be reached.
  

Submission Instructions: Please forward all the above by August 26, 2009 to Sharon Burton (Gemini Visions) at authenticcall4art@gmail.com

All artists will be notified of selections by email by September 2, 2009.

ARTOMATIC HAS BEGUN!!!

We love the idea of the Artomatic! This year, we are promised that the tenth year of this unique collaborative event will be like no other year!


Here are some things we are looking forward to and willing to check out for various reasons:

• BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY-- Liberated Muse Member MAHOGANEE, performing tonight and on June 13. Click HERE for her Artomatic profile. James Terrell performing in June. Click HERE for details.


• BECAUSE DC IS THE HOME OF LIBERATED MUSE--A visual art historical exhibit of the neighborhoods of Washington DC. Click HERE for details.


• BECAUSE HIP HOP @ THE ARTOMATIC IS ALWAYS A RARITY--Hip-hop artist Storm the Unpredictable


• BECAUSE THE NAME ALONE IS COMICAL--Check out the Sarah Palin Tribute Band, I mean, come on, you are interested too to see what they are about. Read their profile HERE.


• BECAUSE THEY ROCK IT OUT EVERY YEAR @ ARTOMATIC & EVERYWHERE ELSE!-- Check out the go-go band Mambo Sauce who are kicking it off on the 4th of July. Get the details HERE.


• BECAUSE SHE SHOWS US SUCH BEAUTY THROUGH HER LENS: Camille Mosley-Pasley and her art exhibit on breastfeeding. Read her profile HERE. Artomatic is not Artomatic without a Camille Mosley-Pasley exhibit.


• BECAUSE WE LOVE BILLIE HOLIDAY: We should check out DC poetess supreme Dehejia Maat as she takes us on a theatrical journey weaving spoken word and song. She is performing this weekend and in June. Read her profile HERE.

And, of course, you HAVE to come and join all of Liberated Muse on Saturday, June 20 @ 6pm and on Friday, July 3 @ 8pm on the Solo Stage at Artomatic as our family celebrates the new Liberated Muse book anthology Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul. Writers from the book will do readings while performers on our network will perform. The roster of performers include Teisha Marie, Dee Stone, Margaux Delotte-Bennett, Farah Lawal, and more! Our hope is that the book will be out by then for purchase!!

Artomatic this year is a can't miss event!

Visit the Liberated Muse profile on the Artomatic site HERE to get dates and location details.

The 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest will Feature New Liberated Muse Anthology

(above artwork by Sharon Burton,

a featured artist in

Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul)

Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul, the first literary anthology by Liberated Muse Productions will be the featured book during the 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest on Saturday, July 25, 2009 in Washington DC. The Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest is an annual music festival that features a marketplace where independent authors, musicians and small business vendors market their wares. The book is set to release in mid-March.

The anticipated anthology features poems, visual art, short stories and personal essays by writers and artists from the US and abroad. Contributors include novelist Ananda Kiamasha Leeke, poet & journalist Nabina Das, performer Venus Jones, artist Turtel Onli, and MC lyricist Omar Akbar aka Labtekwon.

To reserve your space in the 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest marketplace, email the festival director at maceothomas@gmail.com

WANTED: An Artist with Talent-- Keeping Hope Alive When You Lose Your Full-Time Job

You are a singer with the occasional gig who works full-time during the day as a teacher.

You are a painter who waits tables to make ends meet.

You are a writer who supplements your income by a day job as an executive.

Then you get the pink slip. Your artist gig is now your main gig. What do you do?

According to the US Department of Labor, payroll employment fell by 524,000 over the month and by 1.9 million over the last 4 months of 2008. In December 2008, job losses were large and widespread across most major industry sectors. In December, the number of unemployed persons increased by 632,000 to 11.1 million and the unemployment rate rose to 7.2 percent. Since the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons has grown by 3.6 million, and the unemployment rate has risen by 2.3 percentage points. Black people are more likely to be unemployed with 11.9% listed as unemployed.

Times are tough. And, with previously strong industries as retail laying off employees, a plan of action is called for stay afloat. As an artist with a talent that extends outside of traditional industry, you may have a benefit over the rest of the flock, however. While it can be assumed that you will probably be less likely to find an abundance of regular gig opportunities, you can definitely put your artistic skills to work if you think outside of the box. On the blog Painter's Keys, I found this wonderful quote by artist Robert Genn: "Recessions are blessings. Historically, recessions and depressions have been times when 'important' work gets made."

Here is a list of some suggestions from Liberated Muse that some of our members report are working for them to stay creating while paying the bills:

-Offer discounted lessons in your craft to youth and adults. You sing professionally? Consider giving private vocal lessons. A painter? Consider starting a small class at your local library or individual lessons. You can advertise for free on sites such as Craig's List or the CityPaper in your area. You can also post flyers in grocery stores and on college campuses. Also spread the word among your friends and family to pass the word.

-Collaborate with other artists and put on a show. The poet .jade foster who hails from the DC area is part of a wonderful movement where local spoken word artists and musicians have a floating show where they charge a small entrance fee for patrons to enjoy entertainment, food and fellowship in a pretense-free environment. This idea is not new but as of late has not been the norm for most acts who search for gigs within already established venues and events. During this time, step out on a limb and invest in yourself and your talent while there is no middle-man to take their part.

-Get Out in the Street. Ok, it is cold outside, but you can take this bit of advice literally and not so literally. While street performers are more likely found in NYC or near the closest Metro (if you're in DC), the average performer tends to look down on the hard-working street performer as either a derelict or someone with nothing to lose (including ego). Well, change your thinking. Some very talented and established indie artists grew their audience with street performing. Acoustic soul artist Kuku grew his audience years back when he and his friends pitched up shop outside of a U Street club in DC and began impromptu jam sessions. Though Kuku was already an open mic favorite throughout the area, he was not shy in breaking out into song on the street to the joy of his fans. Aside from the potential coins and dollars that will most likely be thrown your way, you may also catch the eye or ear of someone who is planning their next big event and have you in mind as the featured act.

These are but a few suggestions. Got more? Share...