Home » Music
Music
4th Annual “Evening of Independence”
By Staff Writer
Koffeehouse Music Productions LLC is proud to present its 4th Annual “Evening of Independence” benefitting MusiCares® on August 7, 2010 at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. The evening will feature the most talented emerging artists and special guests with featured performances by Verve/Universal recording artist and actress KATHARINE MCPHEE, Island Def Jam recording artist JON MCLAUGHLIN, national recording artist HONEYHONEY, LA-based rockers THE DAY-LIGHTS, cellist TINA GUO, and two-time GRAMMY-nominated SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER, who will be reuniting to play their first show in the U.S. in six years.
Koffeehouse’s 4th Annual “Evening of Independence” is in official partnership with Los Angeles County Arts Commission and is sponsored by ABC7, KPFK 90.7fm, Univision, LA Weekly, LA18, and Fusicology. One hundred percent of the evening’s net proceeds benefit MusiCares, whose mission is to provide a safety net of critical assistance for musicians in times of need (www.musicares.com).
“When we started these intimate
showcases in my backyard nearly seven years ago, we had no idea we would be participating in the promotion and production of so many high-profile concerts and music festivals years later,” says Koffeehouse Founder Jeremy Koff. “We’re extremely honored to have worked with so many talented artists and take pride in giving them a platform to share their extraordinary ability with the music industry.”
The early show will take place in The Ford’s Edison Plaza courtyard from 6:00-7:30PM and will feature a silent auction, picnicking and performances by some of LA’s most talented emerging artists including Terra Naomi, Freddie and Francine, Shawn Hlookoff and Jayme Dee. Picnic baskets and wine are permitted during the pre-show in the Ford’s entryway as well as in the Ford Amphitheatre itself.
Previous Koffeehouse “Evening of Independence” concerts have featured artists including Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Alex Band (The Calling), A Fine Frenzy (Virgin), Rocco Deluca & The Burden (Ironworks), Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon), Tyrone Wells (Universal), MoZella (Universal), Trevor Hall (Geffen/White Balloon), Ryan Star (Atlantic), among many others.
Tickets to Koffeehouse’s 4th Annual “Evening of Independence” are $25 if purchased 7 days or more before the show and $30 thereafter. VIP tickets are available for $100 which includes pre-paid parking at The Ford, access to the VIP lounge---which includes an open bar and food, a mention of you or your company in the official event program, a gift bag full of goodies and the best seats in the house. Discounted student tickets and group tickets are also available. Doors open at 6:00PM. The pre-show runs 6:30-7:30PM. The main show starts at 8:00PM.
Tickets are on sale now.
www.koffeehouse.com
(323) 461-3673
Stress Management - Music Can be Used for Relaxation
By Staff Writer
According to research, music has an intense effect on the human body and mind. Music has healing properties that help ease muscle tension and lift depression. It has been used to help cancer patients, people suffering from post operative stress and even children with ADD. In recent years, music has been used as a powerful tool in therapy sessions to calm the mind and body of patients.
Today music is one of the most effective tools for inducing relaxation. In the current scenario as more and more people fall victims to negative stress, there is high demand for an effective stress management tool that people can use on a daily basis. This is where music comes in. Unlike other stress management tools like meditation, yoga, counseling or massage, listening to music does not require any special time or investment. This is one of the reasons for its popularity as an effective stress management tool.
According to doctors, relaxation music CDs and video can stimulate activity corresponding to its beats in the brain. That is why soothing music encourages contemplation and relax- ation. The alterations in brain activity caused by music lead to widespread changes in other bodily functions. Thus music has an impact on breathing and heart rate. Listening to relaxation music CDs and video leads to the activation of relaxation response in the body.
Music effectively counteracts the damaging effects of extreme stress. It can reduce blood pressure, boost immunity and relieve tension in the muscles. Slower breathing and relaxed heart rate brings about relaxation in the body. It is even believed that music has the ability to reduce the risk of stroke and heart related problems. These healing properties of music explain the frequent use of relaxation music CDs and video in therapy and counseling.
There is another reason why music can be effectively used for relaxation. Research has shown that the change music brings in brain-wave activity makes it easier for the brain to shift into a calm and meditative state more easily on its own when the need arises in future.
Therefore, music has a lasting impact on our response to stress. The power of music does not stop there. People battling with high amounts of negative stress often feel frustration and anxiety. These negative stress responses can wreck havoc on the body, mind and life of people suffering from it. Music can be used to encourage a positive state of mind in people who are stressed out. With so many beneficial effects on the body and mind, it is little wonder that music is finding a place of pride and importance in mind therapy.
Different kinds of music are used for different types of therapy. The music used for relaxation is generally mild and soothing, and it has a calming effect on the body. You may choose instrumental music or music interwoven with positive affirmations to help you ward off the detrimental effects of negative stress. Whatever kind of music you use, it is obvious that music is one of the easiest, most affordable and effective forms of relaxation available to us.
7 Ways to Raise a Musical Baby
By Neil Moore
One of the most wonderful forms of self-expression parents can foster within their chil- dren is the ability to play music. Happily, it is possible to get started doing so while baby is still in the womb. Raising a musical child has many advantages - more so than can be accurately calculated. But just for starters, children who retain music into adulthood say it helps them to be happier, more thoughtful and compassionate individuals, and the world certainly needs more of those, I'm sure you will agree.
You can start your baby off right by doing four simple things before birth.
1. Sing or hum to yourself and your unborn child. It doesn't matter whether you do so loudly or quietly just as long as you do it often.
2. Listen to a wide variety of recorded music. Play the radio or a CD when you are in the car and fill your home with sound. Goahead and play the music you love best but spend some time reaching for other types of music that you don't normally listen to.
3. As Professor Harold Hill said in The Music Man, "Think music." Listen for music when you are walking and listening to other people talking. You'll soon realize that there is rhythm in the way we walk, cut a loaf of bread or knock on a door and in the sing-song quality of speech.
If you don't already know how to do so, learn to play an instrument. If you've been playing for years, make it a point to play every day. Playing music is a powerful source of prenatal communication. What better way is there to "talk" to your unborn child than with the music that you love? Once your baby is born, you'll want to continue the four basic steps already outlined and add a few more.
When you play music, place your baby or toddler close to the instrument. Depending on what you play you might place the child under the instrument or on it so he or she can feel the vibrations as you play.
Dance to the music with your baby or toddler in your arms. Let the child feel the music in his body and associate listening to music with the freedom of movement.
4. As soon as you are willing, enroll your toddler into a music and movement program such as Kindermusik or something similar.
You'll want to avoid a formal music instruction at all costs. It is a little-known truth that our traditional approach does more to stifle natural music abilities than to foster them. After decades in the music business I can safely say that forcing children to read music
before they know how to play an instrument is insanity. It's like expecting children to read before they can talk.
Your child may be ready for music lessons when he has reached the age of five or six. At that point, you should be looking for a music instructor who allows your child to play a great deal, long before he learns to read. To find the best instructor, interview several.Select someone you connect with on a personal level. Be certain that this individual plays all sorts of music without needing sheet music and that they are will-
ing to teach a variety of musical styles from the very beginning. A helpful question to ask during your interview is: How large a repertoire will my child be playing in ten lessons?"
Best of luck to you and your lucky baby!
back to top
