Students, Faculty and Staff to Take Stage on April 23 for Eighth Annual Motlow Talent Show

  SMYRNA — Students, faculty and staff will take the stage in the Big Room (HSC 138-141) on April 23 (Thursday) for the eighth annual Motlow Talent Show.

The event will kick off with recorded music, food and beverages from 11 a.m.-noon, followed by live performances from noon-1 p.m. Attendees also will enjoy prize giveaways. The show, which is sponsored by the Smyrna Entertainment, Arts and Media Club, is free and open to all members of the Motlow family. 

Performing artists will include Ashley Powell (Singer/Poet); Abigail Sorrell (Singer); Kyle Regan (Singer/Interpreter); Robert Davenport (Singer); Charles Whiting (Composer/Pianist); and Bob Fitzgerald and Arlo Hall (Musicians). Others artists will be announced the week before the show. 

Are you interested in performing? Send an email inquiry to cwhiting@mscc.edu by April 10. Include your name, talent and a description of your presentation (with web link if applicable). 

“We developed the Motlow Talent Show to give students hands-on experience in a variety of roles including show planning, promotion, staging, sound and performance,” said Charles Whiting, an associate professor of Mass Communications who serves as a co-faculty adviser for SEAM Club. “High Impact Practices are important ingredients for college success in Mass Communications.”

Helping with the show are Mark Landrum (Sound), the Student Government Association, and the Dean of Students Office. Student Volunteers include SEAM Club President Amber Powell, Vice-President Mustafa Akram, Secretary Daniel Gomez-Ramirez, and Treasurer Elsie Mendoza-Ingram.  

The event also is a creative way to celebrate the end of the spring semester. Classes will wrap up with final exams the week of May 4-8. Graduation ceremonies will occur on May 11.

SEAM Club Invites Students to Perform at Upcoming Talent Show

 

BUZZ ALERT! Performers Sought for ‘Holiday Traditions Show’

SMYRNA — Artists of all kinds are invited to take the stage for the 2022 edition of the “Motlow Smyrna Holiday Traditions Show.”

The event, which will occur from noon-1 p.m. Dec. 1 (Thursday), will celebrate all holiday traditions with performances by dancers, singers, songwriters, poets, storytellers, visual artists, and others. The show is sponsored by the Smyrna Entertainment, Arts and Media Club with support from the Student Government Association and the Dean of Students.

Individuals who are interested in performing are encouraged to contact Professor Charles Whiting at cwhiting@mscc.edu or SEAM Club President Kate Kim at kkim0803@mscc.edu. The deadline to express interest is Nov. 28 (Monday). 

“Our annual ‘Holiday Traditions Show’ is a wonderful way to share the spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and other celebrations,” said Whiting. “We’ll be featuring dance at the event for the first time.”

The show will occur in the Big Room on the first floor of the HSC Building, with food and beverage provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donated item for Motlow’s food bank. More details will be provided soon. 

The Best Albums of 2018 So Far

     By Amari Young

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

                                

                The year is yet to be over, and new music is still dropping. The time we live in is an era led by playlists. Whether you have Apple Music and listen to their curated playlists, or let YouTube’s discovery be your guide, the idea of listening through an entire album in one sitting becomes more unusual by the hour. Having the availability of thousands of great songs available at your fingertips, sitting through anything that’s not up to par can feel like a mistake. Over the last few months, there have been a substantial amount of records that have made an impact to the culture.

                  This article will focus on the top artists, best new albums, and the music industry. It will also dive more into detail explaining my top five best albums of 2018 so far. Topics will include technology, deal making, and general industry trends. If this interests you, this is the first category to check out to stay on top of what’s happening. It features critics for artists’ albums, also counting down the best songs from the track.

                  In his latest attempt, the late rapper Mac Miller dropped his highly anticipated fifth studio album “Swimming” on Aug. 3, 2018. In September, he passed away from an apparent drug overdose, but the music he created lives on. The death of Mac affected everyone who has been touched by his music. After a high-profile breakup with Ariana Grande, he slipped into this black hole. He lost a muse, relationship and a collaborator.  

                  In 2016, his effort with “The Divine Feminine” was closely recorded with Grande. It was represented as a love letter to the woman he’d do anything for.  He went from “you and me against the world” to just “me against the world.” As much as Mac tried to persuade himself that it was almost as good, on his warm but wounded fifth album, “Swimming”, he knew it wasn’t. It takes a certain type of artist to be as vulnerable and authentic as Mac Miller was on this album. For more information about his album click here http://www.macmillerswebsite.com/ 

                    “Whatever head space produced ‘Swimming’, it captures this perfectly” according to Chase McMullen at Metacritic.com. On Swimming, he made frequent references to keeping his head above water…or not. “Got my head underwater, but I ain’t in the shower, and I ain’t getting baptized.” It was clearer why the self-described “chill dude” became a prominent existence on the top 10 of Billboard’s albums chart despite never landing a major radio hit.

                   The Weeknd struck a few nerves releasing “My Dear Melancholy,” his first since 2016’s overly slick “Starboy,” which had moments that were guided by a stronger vision. “My Dear Melancholy” was slight with a collection of six songs. Wearing his emotions on his sleeve is what the Canadian singer does best, and without a doubt he came to a jumping-off point for uncovering a more profound texture in his sound. For more information about his album click here https://open.spotify.com/album/3N88bRVAwQrtKqSV0UgU69

                  “My Dear Melancholy surprisingly provides the clearest, most engaging example yet of the Weeknd's angst. It's the sound of a man kneeling at love's altar still in search of an elusive healing,” Reported Rolling Stone Magazine. With lyrics like “You ain’t steady, you look ready to take it all the way, if you let me take you down on me,” you can tell he’s passionate for his desires but at the same time lonely. It’s no surprise that this album is in my top list.

                      Drake’s fifth studio album “Scorpion” debuted at the top of the charts with his heavy hitter single “God’s Plan.” Although it received mixed reviews from many critics, it is still a contender in my best albums of 2018 so far. Aside from being a Drake fan, many of its 25 tracks are built around standard-issue Drake themes. Mostly the themes consist of heartbreak, hardships, revenge and his newfound feelings towards his son.  Click here for more information https://drakeofficial.com/ 

        Scorpion invites us to pretend that becoming a dad hasn’t been one of Drake’s foremost concerns for the last decade. He makes the disclosure for the first time on the stunning “Emotionless,” cruising along an instantly familiar Mariah Carey sample: “I wasn’t hidin’ my kid from the world, I was hidin’ the world from my kid.” This album is about losing and coming to the realization that missteps do happen in life and how you must push forward to become the best you can be. For his truthfulness, I commend Drake.

                   “Astroworld,” the latest project from Houston native rapper Travis Scott, dominated on first -week streams, which comes as no surprise. This album is by far his most collective his sound has been. Each song flows well together. This is one of those albums that you can listen to without skipping a beat. “Astroworld” comes nearly two years after his previous attempt Birds in “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight,” which is also another critical acclaim piece of material. He writes, “Sins controllin’ me, yeah Angels, halos over me, I need blessings and my peace.”

                      It’s obvious to point out that he was struggling with his inner demons and dealing with reality during the process of the album.  To hear more of this album click https://www.amazon.com/ASTROWORLD-Travis-Scott/dp/B07FZ99HXL 

                        Pop singer Ariana Grande’s fifth studio album “Sweetener” was met with critical acclaim, being named best album on multiple lists, including mine.  What makes this album more special than any other project she put out is that she had a lot to deal with over the past year: from the bombing in Manchester last year, to the death of her ex Mac Miller, to an abrupt ending of an engagement.

                  Other than the fact that she is a brave woman, her talent comes undefeated. She starts the album singing the lyrics, “When raindrops fell from the sky, the day you left me, an angel cried.” It sets the tone of the rest of the album, especially since the first track is only 30 seconds. It’s a brilliant masterpiece. For more about her album, visit https://www.arianagrande.com/ 

                     In this industry, we play a large role by constantly combing through daily data, more specifically the digital side. This includes information on streaming music vitals, including the latest on subscriber counts, royalties, and Wall Street valuations. LayLowRecords is based in the United States, and our audience is largely U.S.-based. We also cover worldwide happenings, including international artists and albums.  And since the web is global, so by default, the music industry is as well.

                  For more information, check out www.pitchfork.com.  LayLowRecords discusses our thoughts and insights about how we feel towards new music and upcoming artists. So, we ask you this simple question. What is one of your favorite albums of 2018 so far? 

                                                              

                                                                               

How to Prepare for the Bonnaroo Festival

By Sarah Queen

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

Imagine arriving to Bonnaroo on a hot summer day. You start to unpack and set up your campsite. But oh no! You forgot to bring a tarp, and it is going to be 90' plus degrees in your tent without any shade! You don’t need to worry. I have been to Bonnaroo, and have you covered on what you need!

Bonnaroo is a music and arts festival that is staged annually in Manchester, Tennessee. In 2019, it will be held June 13-16. Bonnaroo started in 2002 and is held in the Great Stage Park.

Buy your ticket:

The first step planning for Bonnaroo is to make sure you’ve bought your ticket and a car parking pass if you plan to camp. The general admission tickets start off at $274.50 plus fees. The prices will increase the closer Bonnaroo gets. After you have purchased your ticket and registered your wristband, it is time to start packing. You can also add your card to your wristband and pay for everything inside of Roo cashless! This is a good way to avoid people stealing from you.

Selecting your wardrobe:

 If you have been to a music festival before, you know the outfits can be very creative and lively. I plan out an outfit for each day, and I also like to pack a couple extra outfits in case I decide I want to wear something else. It is also important to pack a swimsuit if you want to play in the fountain, even though it is totally acceptable to play in your clothes or underwear, but I prefer my swimsuit. Also, do not forget to pack comfy clothes to sleep in! Getting back to your tent and changing into something more comfortable after a long day of enjoying music is a great feeling.

 You should also bring sandals, towels and shower necessities. Roo has showers you can pay to use, and they also have a happy hour during which the showers are half price. If you do not want to pay for a shower you, can always shower in the mushroom fountain in Centeroo or bring a portable shower! If you do not want to buy a portable shower, I would bring baby wipes and a couple gallons of water to clean yourself with.

Consider the weather:

Last year when I went to Bonnaroo, the weather forecast was sunny for each day, so I pack accordingly. On the last day, Mother Nature changed her mind, and it rained pretty hard all night. This was nice because it cooled the camp down some, and I was able to sleep in. Unfortunately, I did not pack any rain boots or a poncho. When there are thousands of people walking in wet grass, it can turn into mud really quick. Unfortunately, I ruined a pair of shoes, but next year I will make sure I bring my rain boots.

Bathroom Horror:

You also want to bring toilet paper, not only for your campsite, but for when you are in Centeroo as well. Imagine that one of your favorite bands is about to start and you really have to use the bathroom. You leave to go real quick because you want to be sure you have time to make it back before they start. When you arrive at port-a-potties, there is a long line. You notice several empty stalls, so you pick one. After you’ve already started your business, you realize why the stalls were empty. There is no toilet paper! With your bathroom stall being a portapotty, and there being hundreds of strangers on the outside, your options are limited. This is why it is important to bring your own. You would rather be safe than sorry. I suggest bringing someone inside Centeroo with you just in case.

Now you are heading back into the crowd to find your friends. You thought you remembered where they were, but you do not see them anywhere. This is why it is important to bring a totem pole or flag, so your friends can find you in the crowd. I would also set up lights or a flag at your campsite so you can find it easier on the way home at night.

Food:

 Snacks, meals and water are all very important. The food inside of Bonnaroo can get very pricey, so it is important to eat at your campsite before Roo, and you can bring some snacks into Centeroo.

 Now besides all the obvious, you will need to bring camping supplies. Make sure you pack a tent, sleeping bag, and warm clothes. Even though the festival is during the middle of the summer, it can get cold at night, so bring a hoodie!

I also found it very helpful to bring a tarp to put over your tent, and tapestries to put inside of it. They will shade it from the sun some, and they are nice decorations! Sunscreen is also very important, and I brought a couple bottles of Pedalyte (https://pedialyte.com/?gclid=COjy0_mRkN4CFRTvgQodR5MNog ) to help restore some energy the sun took away from me.

Use a Map:

If you have never been to Bonnaroo before, you might want to take a look at the map and lineup to try to become familiar with where the stages are. Last year was my first year attending, and luckily I went with friends who have been multiple times, so they showed me around. If it is your first time going and you do not have any friends who have been before, I would look at the lineup and the map to figure out where you are going. Otherwise you might wait an hour for a set that is at another stage.

You can download a Bonnaroo app that has a mobile schedule and map. It also sends you any important alerts throughout the weekend. Whenever it stormed the last day of Bonnaroo, the phone alerts let us know that Centeroo closed, and what time it reopened!

Basically all that is left is to have a good time and enjoy yourself! Everyone at Bonnaroo is very helpful and friendly. Do not forget to spread good vibes! And remember no music festival is perfect, but you have to make the most out of what you got.

These are just some of the things I thought were important to know before going to Bonnaroo. Here is Bonnaroo’s official checklist, so you can make sure you pack everything you need!

Here is Bonnaroo’s official checklist:

https://www.bonnaroo.com/what-to-pack/

And also a very helpful checklist from Nashville Guru:

http://nashvilleguru.com/11446/bonnaroo-what-to-bring

https://www.bonnaroo.com/

Frist Center To Showcase New Exhitbits For Spring

By Brandi Kornguth

Motlow Buzz Reporter

         NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Frist Center for the Visual Arts will be running three exhibitions through May and June 2014, with one showing Eastern influence on Western artists and the others expressing different artists’ perspectives on history and war.

   

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts

      The “Looking East: Western Artists and the Allure of Japan” exhibition, organized by the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston, showcased a variety of pieces from early Japanese culture. The exhibition also showed works by legends such as Monet and Van Gogh, who were heavily influenced by Japanese culture and art. Van Gough’s “Postman Joseph Roulin” was also a particularly interesting piece, as it showed an infusion of Japanese art and his own personal style of painting.

            Local Nashville artist Lain York’s  “Selected Works” was a featured 

exhibition as well. The exhibition showcased contemporary pieces that displayed 

an abstract interpretation of political stories and events in American history. 

York hopes that people who may not have a lot of experience with abstract 

painting will still have a good experience with the work.

            “I feel it is very important to open up a conversation,” said York, “For the work on the wall to be a catalyst for the viewer to bring his or her own experiences into that conversation.”                      
             The Francisco Goya “Disasters Of War” collection expressed different  aspects of the Peninsular War of 1808-1814. According to Motlow Art Instructor Angela Burks, the collection expressed the “harsh realities of war in a very relentless way”. The images were overwhelming, both visually and emotionally, but displayed an honest perspective of the destruction of war.               

  “Steven Mumford’s War Journals 2003-2013” showcased the drawings, journals and paintings by the New York artist, chronicling his visits to war zones in the Middle East over its 10-year occupation. His works spoke to the human experience, showing people in their most vulnerable and candid moments. It displayed the humanity the public wouldn’t often be shown on news telecasts of war coverage, which was particularly fascinating and humbling.

   In comparing the latter two collections, Mumford’s was much easier to digest and take in for a long period of time than Goya’s, almost like a palate cleanser. Goya’s work evoked emotions of anger and intensity, whereas Mumford’s collection brought up fewer negative feelings, despite also containing images of war.

         “Going from Goya to Mumford was similar to getting a much-needed commercial break,” said Burks.

“Looking East” will be on exhibit in the Ingram Gallery, and Lain York’s “Selected Works” will be displayed in the Gordon Contemporary Artists Project Gallery, both showing through May 11. “Steven Mumford’s War Journals” and Goya’s “Disasters of War” will be on display through June 8.
          Admission is regularly $10, but students with their ID will receive $3 off the regular price and free admission on Thursdays and Fridays from 5-9 p.m. Admission will allow access to each of the galleries.
          The Frist Center is a non-profit museum that opened in 2001 and has become an integral part of Nashville’s ever-growing art scene and culture. For more information, please visit http://www.fristcenter.org    

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