Richard Cawley Sculptural Design

We've gotten to know Richard over the years as one of the best metal workers in Portland. He's one of those people that lives and breathes metal, leaving us mere mortals to amazement and wonder at his clever re-working of found objects and cast off post consumer waste. Make no mistake: Richard's star is on the rise. Check out the video which showcases his work as a drummer with the MarchFourth Marching Band and a current project for the Leatherman company.

Video here:
http://vimeo.com/34203540

More on Richard:
http://richartsculpture.com

Bloom True: Flora Bowley e-course

It's been a long time coming, but it appears that we're set to go on the Flora Bowley painting e-course! Almost a year ago, we randomly ran into Flora at a local music spot on Mississippi Ave. Watching her explode as an artist, we were eager to explore ideas on how DM could be of service to her career development. A conversation ensued around the idea of an electronically-delivered, web demonstration course on her painting techniques. Bing! After confirming an interest to help, we then proceeded over to the show at the venue next door. (DM had been contracted by belly dancer Zoe Jakes to film the medicine show that night. Very coincidentally, it seems Zoe has within the last day or two just come out with her own e-course on belly dancing - cue the Twilight Zone music!)

Sometime in the spring I get a call from Flora. She needs help in the video production department to get the e-course project underway. Bing! A quick conversation and email exchange around timing feasibility and we were on our way. With extensive help from Beth Nicholls (Do What You Love For Life), we filmed all the Bloom True e-course content segments over three days in late September. DM has been finishing up the final edits and we're about to go live with the e-course in February. We're a little sad that the project is coming to a close, but a new project phase is upon us as the world gets assigned a window seat and a chance to get a little closer to this rising star.

Check the course offering by going to Flora's website:

http://braveintuitiveyou.com/e-course/

2011 Portland Drum Fair

Last Sunday, Diggable Monkey spent the afternoon among some of the best drum instrument makers in the city of Portland. Many vendors, collectors, players came out to congregate under one roof at the Wonder Ballroom. The collection of both new and classic instruments was incredible! This was the second year of the event, which is produced by Revival Drum Shop and Rhythm Traders, both local-owned and independent drum and instrument shops. DM shot some good looking video of the featured players, including a super presentation by Daniel Glass of Royal Crown Review. We like to put a shout out to the amazing drum community in Portland that is being developed and fostered. We're looking forward to future events!

Check out the video here:
http://vimeo.com/32827205

THRESHOLD: ENTER THE DRAGON (2012)

Here's the monster you've been waiting for...

Threshold: Enter the Dragon is the 3rd Chinese New Year celebration - and 6th - annual Portland Threshold event. Born in 2006 from the efforts of a small Burning Man camp collaborative known as Monkey Puzzle, the Threshold event series has evolved from a traditional New Year's Eve event into a one-of-a-kind, high production value event bringing top electronica and live musical acts together for one explosive night of media and music at the start of the Chinese New Year (Jan. 21 @ Refuge PDX).

Unlike conventional "low-frills" dance parties, Threshold offers attendees a full spectrum audio/visual experience produced by some of Portland's finest technical and artistic wizards. Threshold's 2012 "water dragon" theme will play out both through the music and the interior design of the venue, as well as through extensive use of high-tech lighting and projection. The Bruce Lee film title nods to a martial arts infused flavor on the thematic content of the show. Additionally, theatrical elements such as skits and acrobatics bring further dimension to what former Threshold attendees repeatedly regard as a uniquely participatory, communal and "an unforgettable experience".

Soon to be announced, this years stellar line up will feature both local acts from Oregon, as well as touring acts from Northern and Southern California. Former Threshold performers include Random Rab, Plastician, Haj Ji, Solovox, Eskmo, Chris Sia, Kraddy, Oscure, El Papachango, Saqi, Russ Liquid, Global Ruckus, Nicoluminous, DJ Anjali & the Incredible Kid, DJ Ravicher, BreakBeatBuddha, Music Poulation Orchestra, Manoj, DJ Laura, Behni Bubu, Plumblyne, Bass Science, Nalepa, Jacaranda, Phidelity, R-Kidz, Deru, Phutureprimitive, MattB, Barisone, Vokab Company, Trash Can Joe, Laura Ivancie, and HyDrive.

We can't wait for this one!

Purchase tickets for Threshold: Enter the Dragon here:
http://threshold.eventbrite.com/

Check the link below to access our extensive Threshold video library of previous events:
http://www.mythreshold.net

USA Today - Big Press Slowly Heating Up on March Fourth Marching Band

Here's a fun little write up that appeared in the Travel section of the online newspaper on Tuesday this week. Great timing as the band swings through the unconquered territories of the eastern seaboard.

Re-printed from USA Today:
by Tim

I’m not sure when the last time was that I enjoyed a band so much. When MarchFourth Marching Band comes to town, it’s not just a band on a stage playing some songs. It’s a SHOW!

I just reviewed the MarchFourth album Magnificent Beast in the new issue of Perceptive Travel because it’s not really “world music” in the traditional sense, but it’s novel, which is what really gets our interest. Besides, if there’s a point of reference in this material it’s New Orleans—itself a musical gumbo of styles from many lands.

When I heard these guys were coming to Skipper’s Smoke House in my new home of Tampa, I simply had to get there. From the first note to the last, the sound was pumping and the fun never stopped. I’m not exaggerating when I say everyone seemed to be smiling the entire time the band was on stage. A permagrin crowd, with no chemical enhancement required.

The video posted here doesn’t give the band justice as it was just a point-and-shoot camera with no external mic, but it’s a nice little taste of what to expect. This is a big band: lots of drummers, sax players, trombones, trumpets, a bass guitar, and occasional electric guitar. Then there are three stilt dancers moving through the crowd, doing acrobatics, and breathing fire. Plus some burlesque dancers at one point. Half the band member have on pieces of discarded marching band uniforms, adding to the visual flair.

It’s worth noting that there are serious musicians behind all the fun. I was a music major in college and it’s obvious these guys (and gals) have had lots of training and formal practice. Talented band geeks turned rebels. When one of the horn players steps up to improvise a solo, you know it’s going to be a treat.

They’re on their way up to the northeast now after Atlanta, Charlotte, and Roanoke the next three nights, so check the tour dates to see if they’re headed your way. The band is from Portland, so if you’re out that way, sign up for their newsletter and catch them on their home turf. As for me, I’m hoping they play Jazzfest in New Orleans next time I go as that seems like the ultimate match.

GRINGO STAR - GIGANTIC RECORDS

Story re-printed from Gigantic Records Website

Boiling up from the independent musical cauldron Hotlanta has become, here comes Gringo Star with its follow up to 2008′s critically acclaimed debut, “All Y’all. The band now comes into its own with “Count Yer Lucky Stars, ” a collection of catchy and instantly classic pop music. You won’t be able to stop humming this spate of new and bright tunes, music that lifts the spirit. In this Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley, Deerhunter) produced record, the surge of primordial forces that reveals itself through rock and roll only about every other generation has infected these multi-instrumentalists and the result is an upbeat album of raw energy and positivity. Live, if you can resist the urge to dance, you’ll find your limbs shaking and your toes tapping to a band which has been described as “explosive,” “electrifying,” and “exceptional.” No need for the devices of the main stream musical glitterati who hide lifeless melodies and meaningless lyrics in stage productions and synchronized dancing meant to distract their wide eyed fans; here it’s the music itself – honest and intense. The Gringos, brothers Nicholas and Pete Furgiuele, Pete DeLorenzo and Chris Kaufmann, play each show as if their lives depended on it, and it’s that urgency combined with great song writing, pop beats and skilled harmonies that raise Gringo Star above the cacophonus crowd. These four guys should be literally showered with the same kind of excited stammering and fawning heaped onto the stars of the early days of rock and roll, because they are the new versions of the musicians who were raging around the U.S. night after night, putting it all out there, playing their hearts out, singing until they were hoarse and soaked in sweat, letting the music do their talking. There were once musical movements in this country, but the fracturing and splintering of the music scene stopped new waves from forming and cresting. This is a band which is creating the new standards to usher in the next tsunami. If you have the chance to catch them in a small venue, you better do it while you still can.

MarchFourth "Magnificent Beast" Recording Sessions

April 6, 2011 -- Scenes from Magnificent Beast recording sessions at Super Digital Studios, in Portland, OR. More info on tour dates supporting March Fourth's album Magnificent Beast: http://march4thmarchingband.com/m4-blog/new_album_oct-25/ Video © Diggable Monkey Productions http://www.diggablemonkey.com

March Fourth: A Luta Continua

In support of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators and their dedication during the past month of this important movement, today we are offering a FREE DOWNLOAD of "A Luta Continua!" from our forthcoming CD. The struggle goes on and on. It's time to Rock-upy!

http://marchfourth.bandcamp.com/track/a-luta-continua

Spread the word!

Threshold: Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon (2012)

It's now fall, so we've been having some conversations about the Threshold: Chinese New Year event. 2012 is the year of the dragon, the only legendary animal among the twelve. Here's a little description on dragon from the Chinese Zodiac:

An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and utterly irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale - big ideas, ornate gestures, extreme ambitions.

We won't give too much away right now, but it seems like that in addition to our regular crew of designers, we'll be bumping up the production caliber even higher this year! More music variety, even better lighting and soundscapes, more art and artist involvement - these are all topics of conversation for what is regarded by many to be one of the premier music events of the year. Our attention to detail with a sensory experience is a hallmark of all the Threshold events. Our chosen venue is Refuge PDX, down in Portland's SE Industrial District.

We love this development process and we love working with the large number of volunteers that it takes to pull these incredible events together. Stay tuned for more info and how you can get involved in the 2012 Threshold Chinese New Year event!

http://mythreshold.net

MarchFourth Album Magnificent Beast Release Oct. 25th

MarchFourth Marching Band’s fourth CD, Magnificent Beast is due out October 25, 2011. M4′s Magnificent Beast tour starts October 20 and features shows around the country. Check out our calendar and come see us in a city near you.

http://march4thmarchingband.com/calendar/

Magnificent Beast was produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) and features a wide array of genre-mashing groove-based material that incorporates more vocals and guitar than previous albums. Magnificent Beast is a full-blown big-stage brass-rock-funk assault peppered with moments of swing, jazz, bollywood, ska and metal.

March Fourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep. 32 "Big in Spokane"

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 31 "Deadly"

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 30 "Bumbershoot"

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 29 "Utah Finale"

August 20, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. On the last gig of the August tour in Park City, Utah the band reflects on recent experiences.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 28 "Show Time"

August 18, 2011 - A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. On a visit to Ft. Collins, the band plays a lively show for a amazingly responsive audience at the Aggie.

Camera: Gogo Bambino
Photos by: Jenna Avriel

More on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 27 "Little Stars of ...

August 14, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The annual Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA proved to be very fertile ground for the band. The big finale show at Levitt Pavillion Steel Stacks was EPIC!

Camera: Gogo Bambino
Photos by: Urch

More on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 26 "Bulgarian Bar"

August 11, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. While in Manhattan, the band squeezes into Mehanata Bulgarian Bar on John's birthday and surprises him with a song as he conducts the count in to Space Hole.

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 25 "New York City"

August 11th, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The band plays in New York City at the Lincoln Center and stuns the locals.

Cameraman: Gogo Bambino

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep. 24 "Tower of Power"

August 7, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The M4 brass section joins in with Tower of Power while at the Telluride Jazz Festival.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep. 23 "Grammy"

August 5, 2010 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Ryan stops into the metal shop where the Grammy Awards are made in Ridgeway, Colorado.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep. 22 "High and Tight"

August 5, 2010 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. While in Fruita, Jeremiah demonstrates his hair cutting skills on Dan.

More info:
http://marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 21 "Gypsies"

August 3, 2011 - Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Taylor and Alex rip up a tune while the band enjoys the spectacular Utah landscape.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 20 - "Chakras Gone W...

July 30, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The crew takes a little R&R opportunity by the pool while at the Wanderlust yoga festival in Squaw Valley, CA.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com
© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 19 "Wino"

July 22, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Jen, Russell and the dance team entertain folks in Sun Valley, Idaho for their 30th anniversary wine auction.

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life with Razzle Dazzle Ep 18 "ESPY's"

July 13, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The gang orients themselves before playing for TV and celebs at the ESPY (ESPN) Award Show.

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 17 "Class Act"

July 9, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Daniel leads the Cumberland Marching Band in a song at the Vancouver Island Music Festival.

More on MarchFourth:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 16 "Nice Pose, Eh?"

July 7, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. John and the band horse around on the ferry while a media team on assignment needles the group in anticipation of the Vancouver Island Music Fest.

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life with Razzle Dazzle Ep 15 "Load Up"

June 29, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Jeremiah kicks in with his handyman building skills during Bus Cleaning, while the next morning the band packs up at the Egg for the next tour.

More info on M4 @
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey Productions @
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life with Razzle Dazzle Ep 14 "Nashville" (2011)

June 7, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The band opens fire on the venerable Exit/In, a 40-year old club in Nashville, Tennessee.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 13 "Left Right Left"...

June 6, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. During downtime at the overnight spot, Ryan takes charge of a formation rehearsal.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life with Razzle Dazzle Ep 12 "Quixotic Fusion"...

June 4, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The MarchFourth rhythm section and stilters are invited to play along on the finale of the last Quixotic Fusion show at Wakarusa 2011.

More info on Quixotic
http://www.quixoticfusion.com

More info on MarchFourth:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 11 "Granny's House...

May 31, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Daniel and the band chat with our host, Monk and enjoy the beautiful landscape from Granny's House just outside of Carbondale, Colorado.

More Info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 10 - "Bus Bling" (2011)

May 30, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Somewhere near Winnemucca, Aaron takes us through a little M4 bling production with his adjustable hat design and the new trophy.

More info
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com
Cover photo by GoGo Bambino

© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle Ep 9 "Pickin' for Parts...

May 27, 2011 -- Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. The bus breaks down on Hwy 58 near McCredie Springs, OR and delays the group while they wait for parts to arrive from.... somewhere.

More info on MarchFourth:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Cover Photo by Gogo Bambino
© Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep. 8 "SloMo Austin R...

March 22, 2011 - Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle video diary with MarchFourth from the road. A few choice selections from SXSW of the M4 drum section nailing their parts - in slow mo!

More M4 info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 7 "Austin @ SXSW" ...

March 19, 2011 - A video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Taylor and Joel play a swinging little ditty on the bus as the marching band blazes across Austin for the 2011 SXSW festival.

More info:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 6 "Texas Invasion"...

March 17, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Video diary with MarchFourth from the road. M4 marches into Austin, Texas for the SXSW music festival and drops the bomb on an unsuspecting crowd...

Cover photo by Gogo Bambino

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 5 "Earth Ship Livi...

March 15, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Ben shares his sweet digs after the Taos gig, then takes the band down by the river for a little R&R...

Groovy tunes by Lucky Brown
Cover photo by Gogo Bambino

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

people's republic of portland
http://www.thepeoplespdx.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 4 "Panini Tetris" ...

March 14, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Sid chefs up gourmet breakfast while demonstrating tricky bus cooking techniques in Razzle's kitchen.

Groovy tunes by Lucky Brown
Cover photo by Gogo Bambino

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

people's republic of portland
http://www.thepeoplespdx.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 3 "Uh Oh!" (2011)

March 12, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Video diary with MarchFourth from the road. A traditional pit stop at the In and Out Burger in Casa Grande, AZ leads to a bus meltdown. Watch the kids spring into action to make it to the gig in Tempe, 45 miles away...

Groovy tunes by Lucky Brown
Cover photo by Gogo Bambino

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

the people's republic of portland
http://www.thepeoplespdx.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 2 "Teamwork" (2011)

March 11, 2011 - A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Heading down to Tucson, Aaron gives us the run down on the idea of teamwork and what it takes to keep us moving.

Hammond B3 Vibes by Eric Aspnes, Tucson, AZ
Cover Photo by Gogo Bambino

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

© Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

the people's republic of portland
http://www.thepeoplespdx.com

MarchFourth Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Ep 1 - "The New Banne...

March 9, 2011 -- A Life With Razzle Dazzle - Video diary with MarchFourth from the road. Faith works on a replacement banner for the upcoming LA show.

Groovy tunes by Lucky Brown
Cover photo by Gogo Bambino

More info on M4:
http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com

Diggable Monkey Productions
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

the people's republic of portland
http://www.thepeoplespdx.com

William de Richter Heintz

June 21, 2011 -- If you live in Portland and you've ever had a hand in event production, then you probably know the workings of William de Richter Heintz. We got to know him better working together over several months on last summer's PDX Bridge Festival where he functioned as an event coordinator. Sadly, Richter passed away this past week leaving us to grapple with a tremendous sense of loss. We are indebted to him for his relentless efforts to bring so many communities together here in our city.

For the record, Richter never called on me to film him - though he never shied away from the camera when approached either... Argon introduced me to him when he first moved to town. Over the next 3 years, I watched him blossom into the event work that he really passionately loved. As a biographer, it was his spirited tenacity that was most interesting to me. While working on the Bridge Fest, he seemed to really be coming into his own. I took every opportunity to film him running around like a mad dog during the festival. It was both inspiring and RIGHT.

Bless you, Richter! God speed...

Watch the video here:
http://vimeo.com/25424999

Southbound

We just finished up at the Wakarusa festival in the Ozark Mountains. Met a lot of really great musicians down there who were totally excited about MarchFourth, including the sensational Quixotic from Kansas City. Holy smokes! Their stage show was one of the most impressive things I've seen done at a festival.

The M4th stage performance at the Revival Tent on Saturday was a scorcher, but we managed to play a pretty decent show. There's nothing like having room to move around and not step on one another. Richard's tom rig can be a challenging to play at times.

Aside from the fact that we had our camp posted up at the recycling dump, we managed to stay alive by staying under shade where possible. On to Tennessee to play Nashville, after which this monkey gets off the bus and heads south to Atlanta for some quality time with the folks. More behind the scenes clips with the band are coming. I need a new Firewire cable to get the media off the tapes!

2011 SUMMER TOURS WITH MARCHFOURTH

Next Wednesday (May 25th), we head out on the road again with MarchFourth for the 5th time in eight months. In 2011, the band begins a series of summer dates that are heavy laden with festivals, including the Strawberry Music festival (Yosemite), Desert Rocks (Moab), and Wakarusa (Ozarks). Later in July and August, the High Sierra (Quincy), Vancouver Isle (Cumberland), Telluride Jazz Fest (CO), Wanderlust (Squaw Valley) and Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA. What an opportunity to see some of the great national parks and the beautiful countryside that we so quickly forget about living in the city! Performing in the festival environment far and away exceeds the grind of the club circuit. It's just more.... civil.

We plan to be active with our video blogging, which seemed to be positively received by both the band and the fans who can't seem to get enough of them.

Joy Now Summer Performance Arts Scholarship Fund

Our Story

Started 8 years ago, March Fourth Marching Band is a world famous mobile big band spectacular. From gypsy brass, samba, funk, afro-beat, big-band, jazz, rock, circus, to vaudeville, we play it all. We have marched in the streets and played to sold-out crowds around the globe, cultivating a sense of spontaneous joy and contagious excitement wherever we go. After partnering with inter-generational community marching bands in Germany last year, many of us came home inspired to develop a band program in our own community.

The JOY NOW Summer Performance Arts Workshop is a week-long day camp for youth age 13-18. Our mission is to empower, excite and engage youth through music and performance arts-centered programs that value diversity, positive collaboration, self-awareness, and social change. At the end of our week together, we’ll take the songs and dances we've learned to the streets, classic M4 style. We’ll parade, and perform and help kick off the 2nd Annual PDX Bridge Festival at their opening gala on July 29th.

We are running this camp entirely on volunteer power and are relying on student fees to help with the basic costs of camp. However, we know that the students who can benefit the most from this kind of experience are often those without the financial means to afford it. Help us offer our program to more students! Reaching our goal of $4,000 will allow 16 more students to join us in this amazing opportunity!

The Impact

All over the country, schools are navigating drastically diminishing budgets. Unfortunately, arts education is one of the first subject areas to be cut. Members of March Fourth know the crucial role that music and art play in intellectual and personal development. After all, it was these school programs that started many of us on our own paths to creativity. That’s why we’re so excited to offer an alternative to students who can’t afford private lessons and who do not have band programs or other performance arts opportunities in their schools. Even for students whose parents can afford private lessons, nothing can replace the valuable and often more rewarding experience of being part of a larger band.

Joy Now Summer Performance Arts Workshop will give youth the chance to participate fully and actively in a community centered around art and positive collaboration. As well as a music & performance art program, it is also a life-skills, and global awareness program. Youth will have the chance to do new things, explore multiple creative practices, learn and share different points of view, build self-confidence, and learn how to use art for positive and effective social change.

You can help us make it happen!

We are building this camp from the ground up and it is SOLELY funded from donations from people like you. Your donations help us ensure equal access to performance arts education for all youth! We are working towards getting our 501(c)3 tax-exempt status, but until we do, any donation you make will be greatly appreciated, but will not be tax deductible.

Helping us reach our goal of $4,000 will allow us to:

· Offer 16 scholarships to youth, who would have been otherwise unable to attend
· Purchase instruments, drums, hula hoops, stilts and other camp supplies

Not only will you be karmically rewarded for contributing to such a worthwhile cause, we're also throwing in some extra rewards! Check out our list of awesome incentives to the right.

Other Ways You Can Help

Want to take your investment further? We have many other ways for you to get involved:

Share this campaign with your friends, families and coworkers via email and Facebook.

Ask your favorite bar to host a happy hour benefit
Petition your local thrift store for costume donations
Approach your neighborhood grocery store for food and drink donations

While you're spring cleaning, separate out those old art supplies & give them a new home (with us!)

Throw a car wash
Have a bake sale
No idea is too small or insignificant!

Visit our website for more ideas of how to help! http://marchfourthmarchingband.com

Interviews from Was Ist Das? MarchFourth in Germany

The Was Ist Das? MarchFourth in Germany documentary film highlights the inner workings of M4 and their recent excursion to Europe in 2010. In large part, what makes the film compelling is the fact that very little media has been produced to highlight the diverse and wonderful personalities of this increasingly popular musical entity. There are copious amounts of fan-provided live clips on YouTube and other online video streaming sites. However, despite their attempt to court media opportunities not much in the way of thought provoking or intelligent discussion with band members exists to date. The Diggable Monkey is here to fill the void...

The interview outtakes from the Was ist Das? film further explore the perspectives of (6) long time band members: John Averill, Amy Hatfield, Dan Stauffer, Nayana Jennings, Sid Simpatico and Scalett Torrance. Each presents a unique view of their role and their experience with what is commonly referred to among band members as simply, "the Project". Out of costume and into a comfy seat, these kids weave a dynamic tale to satisfy among the most die hard of their fans...

As with the 29-minute documentary film, these pieces were developed for online consumption. Their sub 2-minute play duration were designed and fully intended to be consumed in a single sitting. As the editor, selecting comments from the Was Ist Das? interviews was something of a challenge. Much of what was discussed in the retrospective process was potentially useful to enhance the arc of the movie's narrative. We are pleased to release these comments in a more random and revised "short" format, so that viewers can enjoy their presentation in a more anecdotal or personal way. In a sense, we strike more at highlighting the individual rather than the band as a whole.

The eight year journey this tribe has traveled is extremely fertile storytelling soil. From our perspective, this conversational exploration has been a missed opportunity for both the band members and their fans. Our hope is that the series will in some small way help alleviate the expanding bottleneck of interest in "the Project" and recognize the stories of this incredibly unique little slice of humanity.

To see thee 1st installment of the series, "John Talks Family" with John Averill, view the MarchFourth Channel on Vimeo here: http://vimeo.com/diggablemonkey/videos

More info on MarchFourth here:
http://marchfourthmarchingband.com

Hey, Carl. Turn That Suck Knob Down! - Solovox 10-Year Anniversary

"You ever heard of Woo Woo Feild?", my therapist asked. "Nope, I didn't know that there were any other Portland Burners", I replied. "Look this guy up and he'll tell you all about it", he said grinning. "Uh, Ok...".

Way back in 2002, my now ex-wife and I were feeling like seasoned vets heading into our third Burning Man event. A San Francisco crew had adopted us as one of their own, so we didn't really socialize that much with the locals. Basically, there weren't many of us in Portland at the time. Little did we know that the festival's popularity was on the verge of exploding around these parts.

We'd been told that there was a guy named Carl who camped with a large Portland organization out there and that we should look him up. Always keen to explore new Playa connections, we tracked him at the festival that year. The encounter was brief, as he was strapped into a monster parachute making some futile attempt to get his camp set up in a brewing sand storm. We made quick introductions and suggested a rally at some point down the line. In true Burner fleeting fashion, the hang with Carl never came to pass.

It was roughly a full year before I saw him again. In 2003, I ended up across the street from Woonami Village, a Woo Woo Field-style camp on steroids with close to 500 campers. My own freshly minted camp, Monkey Puzzle, got our request honored by the Org for close Woo theme camp placement . As it turned out, my long time friends Dan Cohen and Marcea Wiggins and a few others were Woo refugees looking to exercise what I like to refer as "polycamperous tendencies", so I went along with their site plan to go for an autonomous experience that was deliberately guarded from the Woonami wave.

Late in the week, we'd been up late and were sitting next to our dome across the street from the Woo. Carl suddenly came rolling up on the infamous Woonami bus, playing on top with a live band that had been raging full tilt with hard rock all week. It was deathly quiet at 5 o'clock in the morning and just as the bus was docking, he played some beautiful aria alone on a synth. GORGEOUS! In that moment, I realized the POWER of peaceful classical music played live in the electronica-crazed Black Rock City. I also realized that this was the Solovox personality I'd been hearing about...

Fast forward, Solovox has since played all the major music events that I've produced or co-produced (roughly 10), including most of the little gatherings of what has become a wonderful creative non-entity of post-Burning Man tribes affiliated with MarchFourth Marching Band, the Mobile Groove Bomb project, Water in the Desert and the PDX Bridge Festival to name a few. The Solovox 10-year anniversary Diggable Monkey video will feature Carl as an embedded character in this historical evolution of vibrant Portland counter culture. Since I've been tracking Solovox with a video camera at my shows, kaosmosis events, Howl and others, we've developed quite an impressive 8-year archive of footage.

As we've now assembled the media in preparation for a short retrospective piece, I believe he is the perfect protagonist to illustrate how far we've all come - and how gently our batch of grapes have aged. Don't worry, Carl. We're here to further indulge you on your 10-year anniversary. I'll be sure to keep that Suck Knob turned way down... Looking forward to the show next Friday - and you telling us all about it!

More info on the anniversary show here:
http://www.solovox.com/

Oregon News Article here:
http://oregonmusicnews.com/blog/2011/05/06/qa-pdx-electro-pioneer-turns-10-celebrate-with-solovox/

Water in the Desert - Local Culture Project

Great meeting with Mizu Desierto yesterday regarding a film project documenting The Local Culture Project. I've had the pleasure of working with Mizu a number of years ago on Monkey Puzzle, a multi-year Burning Man theme camp project (2003-2007). Always the instigator, I love collaborating with her. She brings so much energy and inspiration to her Water in the Desert team that it's impossible to not be motivated. Keep your ears to the ground on this one, Folks. We're digging DEEP!!

LOCAL CULTURE PROJECT is a year-long inquiry into the relationships between local communities, foods and the arts working under the hypothesis that all are essential pieces of the sustainable discourse. Currently WITD is developing a documentary film and a series of interactive farm events for a newly acquired 1/2 acre lot in St. Johns, Prior Day Farm. The project has received a 2011 RACC project grant and will partner with PSU in a summer course on the farm site entitled Butoh Dance, Permaculture Design and Sustainability. In July, Portland Center Stage will present a site-specific performance of the project during its JAW Festival. Other proposed activities include urban farm gatherings and performances, workshops and a weeklong camp for kids celebrating the relationships between nature, the garden and creativity. One of the projects leading motivations is to build a bridge between the the local food movements and the fields of somatic inquiry, permaculture design and artistic expression.

We're Big In Belgium...

Well, not quite... As someone that has spent the last twelve years of his working career analyzing and mapping data, I've found my viewer statistics to be particularly interesting to monitor. Perhaps the most interesting aspect for me is the geographic component. Where are people located when viewing my content? When you're sitting behind an editing bench in Portland, you start to wonder how far of a reach your material really gets. I'm happy to say that Diggable Monkey does indeed have a world wide audience! Though I can't see detail below the Country level, I can at least see dispersion at the global level.

Here are the Top Ten numbers from DM's Vimeo profile since the account was opened in early 2009:

1. United States
2. Germany
3. Canada
4. France
5. Great Britain
6. Italy
7. Brazil
8. India
9. Indonesia
10. Netherlands

Diggable Monkey on Daily Motion!

Boy, there's certainly no shortage of methods to host media on the web these days. The trick is finding the time to administer all of these sites. I've discovered that Daily Motion is one of the best ones, in terms of quality and ease of use. I'm not a fan of the advertisements that they put on the front end of my stuff. I suppose I wouldn't mind if they'd kick me down a few pennies for every click... Which begs the question, when are these hosting sites going to figure out how to support their contributors and financially honor their producers? My cat videos are far superior than the average Joe's cat videos... ;-)

DiggableMonkey's videos on Dailymotion

The Trail Mix Series

Diggable Monkey had another opportunity to travel with MarchFourth this past month. In an attempt to bring the band a little closer to the fans, DM developed a little video series - a video blog, if you will. Trail Mix: A Life With Razzle Dazzle is a one-of-a-kind view of a large, ensemble band and their travels across the United States. While one can find many online live videos of the band of their stage performance, there are scant few that show the band interacting off stage. The M4 bus, Razzle Dazzle, is a veritable submarine that moves these musicians from place to place in extremely close proximity for weeks at a time. What better place to catch the off stage action than in their home on wheels?

While M4 can't realistically share everything that happens, they can give interested fans a glimpse of road life and what it takes to keep 22 people crammed on a bus functional. You can find these videos at a number of locations. Click on the Diggable Monkey links below to find the series:


http://vimeo.com/diggablemonkey/videos
http://current.com/tags/90007584_diggable-monkey
http://www.youtube.com/user/DiggableMonkey?feature=mhum

THRESHOLD and the Portland Artist Clinic Blessing

A thoughtful reply to a long thread of responses to Threshold ticket giveaway on the PDX Pipeline.

P,

Your reply resonates with me. Unfortunately, someone at the Pipeline makes the call! It is true that much of our inspiration and collaborators are of the Nevada desert cloth. Our craft has been tuned over many years and now we are deliberately directing the fund cannons to aim back here in the “default world” – where help is needed.

Thank you everyone for interest in Threshold. We are so humbled by the amazing responses we’ve gotten back from people in different circles all over town. We never forget how lucky we are to be in Portland and around such a supportive community. If we don’t see you tonight, we hope we can connect with you all through your ongoing engagement with the Portland Artist Clinic. After the weekend, we all scatter back to our own busy worlds, but PAC remains there for the people!

新年快乐(xīn nián kuài lè) Happy New Year!

Kind Regards,

Kevin Balmer
Diggable Monkey
Threshold Co-Producer

THRESHOLD: CHINESE NEW YEAR (2011)

Diggable Monkey, SijaPdx and Anonymous-i Present
THRESHOLD: CHINESE NEW YEAR
A Benefit for The Portland Artist Clinic

A TWO DAY JOURNEY INTO THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT (2011)
...Join us for the 5th annual Threshold event celebrating the Chinese New Year! The event brings awareness and support to the Portland Artist Clinic, a volunteer organization providing community-based, integrative primary care and urgent health care services to Portland artists and musicians who are unable to attain health insurance or who lack access to primary care through their existing insurance.

Come pull a few soft and furry tricks from the hat...

SAT. Feb. 19th & SUN. Feb. 20th
@ Refuge - 116 SE Yamhill
Portland, OR 97215
http://maps.google.com/

SATURDAY NIGHT, Feb. 19th - 9PM - 4AM

RANDOM RAB
http://www.randomrab.net/

Solovox
http://www.solovox.com/

Manoj
http://www.myspace.com/123533889

Barisone
http://soundcloud.com/barisone

Plumblyne
http://soundcloud.com/plumblyne


SUNDAY NIGHT, Feb. 20th 9PM - 3AM

PLASTICIAN
http://www.myspace.com/plastician

Dj Laura
http://www.myspace.com/djlaura

Anjali
http://www.myspace.com/djanjali

Global Ruckus
http://www.myspace.com/djglobalruckus

Behni Bubu
http://soundcloud.com/behnibubu

+++++++++++++++++++

EYE CANDY PROVIDED BY

KAZUM
http://kazum.org/

THE GOOD TIME GIRLS
http://vimeo.com/8785621

BRIDGETOWN REVUE
http://www.bridgetownrevue.net/

+++++++++++++++++++

STYLIE INTERIORS BY NARAYANI
Starbird Couture
http://www.starbirdcouture.com/

SOUND & LIGHTING DESIGN
Audio Freq & Smart Tech

PROJECTIONS & VIDEO PRODUCTION
Gabe Shaunnessy & Dan Cohen
http://gabesimagination.com/ & http://dc-creativelabs.com/

Smashed Up Soiree
http://www.smashedupsoiree.com/

Daflew
http://www.daflew.com/

Diggable Monkey
http://www.vimeo.com/diggablemonkey

HOT PROMOTIONAL VIDEO HERE:
http://www.vimeo.com/18391997

++++++++++++++++++++

NEWS FLASH!
On Feb. 19th, THRESHOLD will be streamed live from the venue onto the Internet by BMIR - 94.5FM on the Playa! BMIR is powered in part by generous donations from WideOrbit Radio Automation and StreamGuys.

Check them out at the link below:
http://www.bmir.org/

++++++++++++++++++++

Order Tickets Online:
http://threshold2011.eventbrite.com/
Early Bird - $30 or $20/Show (available until Jan. 11)
Pre~sale $35 ALL WEEKEND
Door - $40 night or 20 per night

Asian-inspired dress highly encouraged!

Also walk-in tickets available at the following retail outlets:
FROCK – 1439 NE Alberta St
METRO – 3525 SE Hawthorne Ave

Check the TriMET link below for the best routes by public transit:
http://trimet.org/go/cgi-bin/plantrip.cgi

For more information about Threshold: Chinese New Year, visit our website @ http://www.mythreshold.net/
NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be admitted. Please bring your ID

Brick City vs. Rose City

In my 12 years in Portland, I've come to appreciate the qualities of what sets it apart from other cities in the United States. I had an opportunity to study cities in depth while attending the urban planning graduate program at Portland State U from 2001-2006. Using Portland as our lab, we sliced an diced our way through topics and issues related to place-making, resource management, neighborhoods dynamics, transportation modeling and systems, public involvement and negotiation, statistics and GIS software, site analysis and design, community development, and the various functions of non-profit networks. After 5 1/2 years of study, I graduated from the "2-year" - 80 credit hour program. I know now when I watch the documentary on Newark, NJ, "Brick City", that Portland is but a child's playground compared to the torrential waves that rock the community there. The term "eye-opening" is a great understatement.

Sure, it's difficult to draw the comparisons between these places on a technically descriptive level. After all, Portland and the Newark are on polar opposite sides of the continent; we have unique geographies, demographics, economies all weaving together unique cultural perspectives that define the character of a place. However, one could also argue that at the basic human level, we are similar in many other ways. For example, we are urbanites that wish to feel secure in our homes, feel secure about the local economy and our place within, an ability to exercise personal rights and freedoms related to religion and race, as well as other basic freedoms. What really seems to distinguish the Brick City from the Rose City are the dire challenges faced by citizens driven to action by the out of their sense of sheer frustration. For a generation or more, the overwhelmed communities of Newark are faced a serious choice: pull together to reduce crime and poverty or allow the lawless to continue eating it alive.

A new award-winning documentary, "Brick City" chronicles the activities of Newark's enigmatic mayor, Cory Booker and the municipal apparatus' attempt to control the city's crime. Rarely have I seen a film so effective in it's approach. Indeed, it delivers a front row seat to the drama underway in Newark. I suspect part of my personal interest lies in the director's choice to weave sweeping, gratuitous shots of the city into the narrative. The metaphor of the city's physical condition in connection to the tenuous sense of happiness and hope amongst the people is poignant and stark. If there was ever a brilliant technique using cameras to define the qualities of a place, Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin have hit the jackpot. "Brick City" makes you sit up and take stock in what is possible when people teeter on the brink. Watch and learn, Portland!

Check out Executive Producer Forest Whittaker's, Brick City! For those with Netflix, you're there. For those looking for more basic info, try this link on:

http://www.sundancechannel.com/brick-city/

Explore, Diggable Monkey. Oo Oo!