Threshold: Black Water Snake Music Artist - Shawna Hoffman

Shawna's passion for music began in early childhood while attending the Winnipeg music folk festival in Manitoba, Canada, where she grew up. There, she was exposed to musical genius from all over the planet, which greatly refined her ear for the subtleties and origins of all types of music. It wasn't until the age of 18 that she took an interest in electronic music, and began pursuing Music of just about every genre, crafting the art of spinning it all together in a smooth hot mess of the dance journey, while simultaneously always searching for that same quality of depth, fun and life in the electronic realm. She's been dj-ing "out" since 1999. Played next to many a known name such as: Bassnectar, Mimosa, Glitch Mob, Beats Antique, Marty Party, Miguel Migs, Moderat, Heyokah, Mochipet, Freak Nasty, Tipper, Antennae, Lowriderz, etc. The list goes on and on and on. Member of El Circo, and has a musical project with Zoe Jakes-(of Beat Antique)- called Pussymonster. She plays for the dancers!!!

KBOO 90.7 FM Threshold: Black Water Snake

We are blessed to have the support of a great community asset such as KBOO FM.

THRESHOLD: BLACK WATER SNAKE

POSTER DESIGN by Benjamin "Piepo" Smith

Threshold: Black Water Snake 新年快樂

MarchFourth Trail Mix Ep 54 "Samba Time"

December 12, 2012 - MarchFourth video diary from the road. Pablo takes lead to work with the band on an arrangement of Ary Barroso's "Aquarela do Brasil", the first Brazilian song to be played over a million times on American radio. Requested by a fan through the recent Kickstarter campaign, MarchFourth debuts its version at the Dirty Bourbon, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

More on MarchFourth's touring schedule:http://marchfourthmarchingband.com/calendar/

Video production by Diggable Monkey
http://www.diggablemonkey.com

THRESHOLD: YEAR OF THE SNAKE (2013)

Diggable Monkey is in motion for Threshold: Year of the Snake! The Chinese New Year is happening on Saturday, February 9th and promises to be yet another incredible, full-tilt sensory music event here in the City of Roses. Our intention is to bring back the same production team to create what has come to be regarded by many as one of Portland's finest community-produced gathering of the year. Our theme focuses on personal and inter-personal relationships, as well as the mutating interplay between the masculine and feminine energies. Stay tuned for more details! OO OO

MarchFourth Trail Mix Ep 51 "Las Vegas Action Cam"

Vegas, Baby! Vegas!

Just got back from the Jive Software conference, where MarchFourth was hired to play their annual customer meet and greet. They put us up and hosted their big gig at the relatively new Cosmopolitan Hotel, on the Strip in Las Vegas. Complete with a WWF-style main ballroom set up, the band blasted in for a 5 minute finale spot and a dinner club gigi later in the evening. I hadn't been down there in a few years, but boy do the structures and buildings ever just keep getting more and more over the top! The Chandalier Bar at our hotel was a particular favorite. I'm a sucker for all that bling! We did live it up for a couple of days though. I'm proud to say that none of my hard earned cash went to the cards or any "one-armed bandits". Now if we're talking about food - well, that's a different story... I think the burgers on the room service menu were $18. Ah, Vegas. You old whore, you! Thanks for the memories, Doll. We had a lot of fun while it lasted, but it sure feels good to be back here in quaint ol' rainy ass Portland.

MARCH FOURTH TOUR ROUTE OCT-NOV 2012

10/25/12 Salt Lake City UT State Room 10/26/12 Boulder CO Boulder Theater 10/27/12 Englewood CO Gothic Theatre 10/29/12 Lincoln NE Bourbon Theatre 10/31/12 Kansas City MO Beaumont Club 11/1/12 Bloomington IL Castle Theatre 11/2/12 Minneapolis MN Cabooze 11/3/12 Chicago IL Martyrs' 11/5/12 St. Louis MO Old Rock House 11/8-9/2012 Live Oak FL Bear Creek Music & Art Festival 11/10/12 Tampa FL Skippers Smokehouse 11/11/12 Atlanta GA Smiths Olde Bar 11/13/12 Charlotte NC Neighborhood Theatre 11/15/12 Harrisburg PA Abbey Bar 11/16/12 Baltimore MD 8 x 10 11/17/12 Brooklyn NY Brooklyn Bowl 11/18/12 Providence, RI Fete 11/19/12 Fly HOME

BURNING MAN, OOH-LA-LA!

I thought I was done with this crazy festival when we wrapped up a monstrous year with the Groove Bomb Squad at the American Dream year, in 2008. That was four years ago, seemingly a lifetime away. A lot has changed in my world since then. One of the biggest things being my involvement with MarchFourth as a musician and cameraman/editor. For the last two Burns (2010 and 2011), I've been travelling or playing with them in other parts of the "default world". This time around we've been invited by the BORG to facilitate the preponderance of live music at a festival ostensibly awash in electronica. No problem. M4 cut it's teeth at Burning Man. If there's one thing that is certain, we're going to take the bull by the horns and rock this mother. Come find me and the M4 peeps at our camp called The Dump (#20 on the map) at 6:15 and Rod's Road (Columbine). That's just south of Center Camp on the watch dial. Look for Gerlach's original fire engine number 1 parked out front and a large triangular red shade structure emanating the sounds of a an old upright piano. Yeah, it's band camp...

MarchFourth Trail Mix Ep 48 "Fuzzy Memories"

6/12/12 - Taylor Aqlipay's heavy song "Fuzzy Lentil" goes well with shots from the June 2012 tour, featuring scenes from Bloomington, Indy, Washington and Columbia, MD. Video by Diggable Monkey http:://diggablemonkey.com

BLACK ROCK CITY MAP (2012)

In 2012, the annular streets are named: Esplanade Alyssum Begonia Columbine Dandelion Edelweiss Foxglove Geranium Hyacinth Iris Jasmine Kingcup Lilac The road circling Center Camp is named “Rod's Road” in honor of BRC designer Rod Garrett (1936-2011). The light blue shaded area does not specify, but rather approximates where you will find reserved-placement, interactive theme camps (we're holding some prime space for the general public there too). Reserved theme camp space is marked on the playa with blue survey flags. Some of these plots are so large that they may appear unclaimed and available, when they actually are not. Be sure to camp outside the blue flagged zones to avoid encroaching on reserved zones, and then having to relocate your camp. Gates open at 6 pm Sunday 8/26. After 11:59 Sunday night, all truly unclaimed camping space everywhere is available to all. The distance from the inner-most Esplanade street to the Man is 2400 feet. Esplanade to Alyssum Street, curb to curb, is 400 feet deep. Other mid-city double-deep blocks are 430 feet deep. The remaining blocks are 200 feet deep. BOULEVARD G A mid-city interactive boulevard, 40-foot wide Geranium street is adjacent to double-deep blocks and features art plazas at 4:30 and 7:30. Public plazas are at Kingcup and 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00. We are holding most of the camping space around these plazas unreserved and available for the general public to occupy and maintain as an experiment in spontaneous urban planning and collaboration.

MarchFourth at Oregon Independent Film Fest (Aug. 28-30)

Last Friday, Diggable Monkey got an email from the Oregon Independent Film Festival (OIFF), in Eugene, saying that they wanted to show the MarchFourth in Germany documentary! Stay tuned for specifics on the playing times which won't be published online until next Wednesday (July 25). http://www.oregonindependentfilmfest.com/

MarchFourth 2012 Summer Tour Schedule

Coming to blow minds in a town near you. Tue 7/17/2012 Load BUS at 9:00 AM, leave Portland at 10:00 AM Wed 7/18/2012 CONFIRMED Livingston MT grant gilmore Thu 7/19/2012 CONFIRMED Driggs ID Music on Main Fri 7/20/2012 CONFIRMED Pocatello ID Pegasus books Sat 7/21/2012 CONFIRMED Sun Valley ID center for arts Sun 7/22/2012 CONFIRMED Park City UT Park Silly Sunday Market Mon 7/23/2012 Tue 7/24/2012 Wed 7/25/2012 Thu 7/26/2012 CONFIRMED Floyd VA Floyd Fest Fri 7/27/2012 CONFIRMED Floyd VA Floyd Fest Sat 7/28/2012 CONFIRMED Floyd VA Floyd Fest Sun 7/29/2012 CONFIRMED Lancaster PA Long Park Amphitheater Mon 7/30/2012 interest New York City NY private for Lagunitas Tue 7/31/2012 OFFER Hoboken NJ Maxwell's Wed 8/1/2012 CONFIRMED Fairfield CT Stage One Thu 8/2/2012 CONFIRMED Portland ME Port City Music Hall Fri 8/3/2012 CONFIRMED Burlington VT Festival of Fools Sat 8/4/2012 CONFIRMED Burlington VT Festival of Fools Sun 8/5/2012 CONFIRMED Burlington VT Festival of Fools Mon 8/6/2012 Tue 8/7/2012 CONFIRMED Bethlehem PA Musikfest Wed 8/8/2012 CONFIRMED Bethlehem PA Musikfest Thu 8/9/2012 CONFIRMED Bethlehem PA Musikfest Fri 8/10/2012 CONFIRMED Brooklyn NY Brooklyn Bowl Sat 8/11/2012 Sun 8/12/2012 travel Mon 8/13/2012 travel Tue 8/14/2012 travel Wed 8/15/2012 travel Thu 8/16/2012 CONFIRMED Boulder CO Fox Fri 8/17/2012 CONFIRMED Steamboat SpringsCO Howelson HIll Sat 8/18/2012 CONFIRMED Fort Collins CO Mishawaka Sun 8/19/2012 CONFIRMED Bond CO State Bridge Lodge Mon 8/20/2012 CONFIRMED Aspen CO Belly Up Tue 8/21/2012 travel Wed 8/22/2012 Return HOME LATE

DOUBLE DECKER STEEL BRIDGE TURNS 100!

Come celebrate one of the world's masterpiece structures at PDX Bridge Festival's annual FREE All-Ages Block Party on Saturday, July 7, 2012, 5 pm until midnight, at the Slate, 2001 Northwest 19th in Portland. The Block Party features an amazing live music line up (8 bands), two stages, 22 food and craft vendors, a double-duty birthday cake, and a raffle for all-things-bridge goodies. Join us at 5:30PM as the American Society of Civil Engineers Oregon Section presents the Steel's Bridge commemorative plaque to the City of Portland. Music Featuring: Solovox www.solovox.com Excellent Gentlemen http://excellentgentlemen.com Quick & Easy Boys http://thequickandeasyboys.com Tango Alpha Tango http://tangoalphatango.com Symmetry/Symmetry http://www.myspace.com/symmetrysymmetry Violet Isle http://www.violetislemusic.com/ Worth http://worth-music.com/fr_news.cfm Andrew Paul Woodworth http://www.andrewpaulwoodworth.com/ PDX Bridge Festival is also sponsoring six pay-as-you-will bridge walks between July 13 and August 11, all fundraisers for The Big & Awesome Bridges of Portland & Vancouver--A Book for Young Readers, another PDX Bridge Festival project. (For more about the book, and how to get your name listed in Big & Awesome's acknowledgement page, visit www.pdxbridgefestival.org.) Bridge Walks: Saturday, July 21, 9 a.m. until noon, the day the Steel Bridge turns 100, join guide Nathan Hoover for a walk across the Steel Bridge and other downtown Portland bridges. Begins at Floyd’s Coffee, 118 NW Couch, Portland. Includes a visit to the Morrison Bridge to meet the operator and tour the bascule pit. No advance reservations necessary. www.willamettebridgewalk.com Saturday, August 11, 9 a.m. until noon, join Sharon Wood Wortman and Ed Wortman, authors of The Portland Bridge Book, for a walk across the Steel Bridge and other downtown Portland bridges. Includes a visit to the Morrison Bridge to meet the operator and tour the bascule pit. Begins at Floyd’s Coffee, 118 NW Couch, Portland. No advance reservations necessary. Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14, join Sharon for one-hour walks across the Steel Bridge as part of Union Pacific Railroad’s two-day 150th anniversary celebration at Portland Union Train Station. The Steel Bridge walks, also pay-as-you-will, begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., both days, and begin and end at Union Station. No advance reservations necessary. For more about the UP celebration, visit http://up150.com/events/portland-display. More info @ http://pdxbridgefestival.org

On the Road

I travelled to 15 countries around the world before I turned 20. While in Asia in the late 70's and early 80's, my family would summer vacation in exotic spots while working in the requisite stops in North America to visit family in Canada and the Southern US. Since becoming a part-time touring member of MarchFourth Marching Band, I've logged about 20,000 road miles over five tours. While the foreign travel has since paled by comparison, domestic travel with the band has taken me up and down the incredible American landscape numerous times. As much as I love visiting other parts of our fair nation, you'd have a hard time convincing me that there's a more beautiful place than Oregon. Some spots in California might be in the running - especially on the account of better weather. However, for diverse geographic majesty, just keep me on the Trail. Play by play for the record: Thu 5/31/2012 CONFIRMED Arlington TX Levitt Pavilion Fri 6/1/2012 CONFIRMED Ozark AR Wakarusa Sat 6/2/2012 CONFIRMED Ozark AR Wakarusa Sun 6/3/2012 CONFIRMED Memphis TN Levitt Shell Mon 6/4/2012 Tue 6/5/2012 Wed 6/6/2012 CONFIRMED St Louis MO 2720 Thu 6/7/2012 CONFIRMED Bloomington IL Castle Theater Fri 6/8/2012 CONFIRMED Chicago IL Martyr's Sat 6/9/2012 CONFIRMED Minneapolis MN Cabooze Sun 6/10/2012 CONFIRMED Madison WI Marquette Park by Lake Mon 6/11/2012 Tue 6/12/2012 CONFIRMED Indianapolis IN White Rabbit Wed 6/13/2012 CONFIRMED Pittsburgh PA Altar Bar Thu 6/14/2012 CONFIRMED Harrisburg PA Appalachian Brewing Fri 6/15/2012 CONFIRMED Columbia MD Columbia Fest of the Arts Sat 6/16/2012 CONFIRMED Columbia MD Columbia Fest of the Arts Sun 6/17/2012 CONFIRMED Columbia MD Columbia Fest of the Arts Mon 6/18/2012 FLY HOME

Jamsonite - Bring It!

The speaker case is not a new concept, but this little guy's built into my old projector case and is most certainly a one-of-a-kind sound brick. Folded up inside the case was a Columbus, Ohio newspaper from 1948. The headline caption read, "Tojo and 5 Japanese Officers Sentenced to the Gallows". I'm not exactly sure, but that crusty old yellow newspaper has probably been folded up in there since around that time - 64 years! He's a feisty little dude - little, but packs a punch! A big shout out to Brent King for the design and construction.

MarchFourth Trail Mix Ep. 40 "In the Beginning"

Portland Monthly Best of the City 2012

Portland Monthly magazine's annual Best of the City edition features a clever shot of the kid at Hawthorne Vintage. When Kate asked me to do the shoot, I made sure to do some reconnaissance of the shop prior to the date. I was under the impression that the scene would be set somewhere else, but the teal sofa worked out pretty well. The oh-so-clever camera prop? Again, Ms. Madden... Diggable Monkey appreciates your keen eye, Madam. They were smart to make you the Art Director... Photo by Stuart Mullenberg and Kate Madden

Counting the Blessings

As Diggable Monkey heads into the summer season, I can't help but reflect on the past 16 months since the company began. The activity surrounding the company has been at a slow, but steadily rising crawl. Just recently, we became a key player in the production of online content for a local dance studio. I'm not talking about 4 minutes of internet content here... Simultaneously, we were once again approached by Flora Bowley to create a new and improved painting video illustrating her techniques. All of this on the heels of a MarchFourth tour starting in June, which is roughly 8 months since my last major outing with them. DM's work with Mizu Desierto on the butoh "Local Culture Project" went swimmingly this past weekend at the Headwaters Theater and we'll be gearing up for another season of the Razzle Dazzle bus video blog series. Are things heating up around here? Oh, man. It's gone from simmer to boil... Photo by Stuart Mullenberg