Agent for the Arts

iFest Success

Despite the sketchy forecast and occasional thunderstorm, the 2008 Ithaca Festival can be labeled a success. With three main locations, seven stages, food, crafts, and so much to celebrate in this cultural town in upstate New York, it's unlikely you'll talk to someone who didn't enjoy iFest '08.

 In my personal experience as a first-time attendee, I saw one of the most unique parades I think I'll ever witness. I can't explain it - you can either take my word or visit next year. I also saw Orleans for the first time, although perhaps they weren't the same without lead singer John Hall, who is now a New York State Congressman. Additionally, the festival highlighted one of the greatest features of this "centrally isolated" small town: that everyone can contribute to Ithaca's culture.

They had buckets of paint and large wooden canvases for anyone who felt an artistic urge; the pieces will be combined to form a community mural in the city's Commons. There was an attempt at the Guinness Book of World Records to make the world's largest human peace sign. There were jam sessions, some organized and some spontaneous, where anyone with an original thought could chime in. Event brochures highlighted the area's nightlife, where visitors could experience poets and musicians amidst the food and drinks that were also pretty unique. All in all, it was a true community effort at a genuinely cultural experience.

If you went, check out the event website to share your stories - they're offering prizes for some of the best. If not, visit the site anyways and mark your calendar for next year's festival. If there's an artistic bone in your body, you won't regret it!

Shake the dust off those old ideas

Isn't it true that our original ideas are usually the best? Do you remember the first song you wrote or the first design you sketched on a napkin? If so, maybe it's time to look back for some inspiration. Instead of constantly changing your style, try taking your oldest idea and modernizing it.

We can take a lesson from Disney on how best to go about this... and no one can explain it better than Rebecca Ryan from Next Generation Consulting.

Check out Rebecca's blog entry from mid May called "Making Mickey Mouse Modern," and see if you can brush the dust off of any of your old ideas. Better yet, take a look at the lessons described in the article itself.

You Gotta Be Here

There's a hot new song making waves across the shores of New York's Finger Lakes, and its lyrics are inspired by the region itself. It's called "Be Here," and it was written by Jared Campbell, one of the finest musicians to come from the area. This catchy tune is one element of the region's initiative to draw young people into its marketing and branding campaign by encouraging them to create videos, telling the rest of the world why they 'gotta be here.'

Jared was approached by the region's economic development group earlier this year to compose a song about the region he grew up in. Drawing on the opportunities for young entrepreneurs throughout Upstate New York's Southern Tier, he came up with "Be Here." Today, in conjunction with the Pipeline 4 Progress BeHere Project, the song resonates in iPods and MP3 players throughout 13 counties and beyond.

The decision to approach Jared Campbell for this project was simple - he has been singing, writing, and touring for years with some of the nation's best, including Gavin DeGraw and Jason Mraz, and even opening for such monumental acts as Journey and Sister Hazel. Also, in addition to performing mainly for the college market and young professional demographic, his thought-provoking lyrics and melodic vocals cross many genres and appeal to almost every age group.

You've got to hear this guy - visit www.jaredcampbell.com - and you should check out the Pipeline 4 Progress BeHere project to find out how he's giving back to the region he grew up in (and still lives in). Check that out at www.p4pbehere.com and listen to his song by visiting the "Partners" page.

Watch Your Mouth

You've heard of crocodile tears and Crocodile Rock, but you probably haven't heard of Alligator Mouth. It's an improv group based out of Corning, NY and we are preparing for a show on May 10 at 171 Cedar Arts Center. That's right - I've been a part of the group since December, and I'm honored to say so.

Alligator Mouth Improv is not your average comedic troupe. Starting from some thread of an idea and drawing on theatre, movement, vocals, music and storytelling, we weave whole universes, all created in the moment. From evening-length theatre performances to keynote addresses, annual meetings, and community-building events, we use audience stories, themes and ideas to create one-of-a-kind performances. This description and more can be found on the group director's website: www.rhondamorton.com.

Alligator Mouth goes beyond performance art. Techniques for improvisation can be used to increase productivity and cooperative relationships at work. The group has provided corporate workshops for organizations such as the Chemung County Office for the Aging, Chemung Canal Trust Company, and Ida Jones Consulting. Corning Community College took advantage of the group's 'College Residency' program, which is another Alligator Mouth opportunity.

Before you overwhelm yourself with information, though, check us out at our show next Saturday, May 10 in Corning at 171 Cedar Arts! For directions and ticket information, visit this link.

If you'd like more information, and I really think you do... visit RhondaMorton.com and check out the videos, brochures, pictures, comments, and more. Who knew so much could be accomplished by using improvisational techniques?!

Christmas Music in April

Ever year, it seems earlier and earlier that we hear Christmas music on the radio, but I never thought I'd be listening to it in April.

The truth is, I've recently had the honor of working on a Christmas song with an extremely talented musician and songwriter, Anthony Bisbano. At the age of 23, his list of accomplishments is already long and impressive, and he's not writing music for a typical 3- or 4-piece band.

Tony has been writing music for orchestras since before I met him in 2004. His work was once recorded in a high school practice room by some of his friends and acquaintances. Now, his arrangements and orchestrations are performed all over the country.

Last December, Tony arranged a medley of holiday favorites and orchestrated the popular song "Believe" from The Polar Express. After submitting his music to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, he got a call from Marvin Hamlisch - PSO Pops Conductor and author of Broadway's Award-Winning Musical, "A Chorus Line." He ended up orchestrating Hamlisch's own Chanukah song for the PSO's Holiday Pops Concert and has since been sought after by Hamlisch for more projects.

Next winter, you might hear a new Christmas song performed by your hometown orchestra called "Every Moment." If you check your program, you might find Anthony Bisbano's name next to the title. He'll be a year older by then, and well on his way to an illustrious career in songwriting, orchestrating, and arranging.