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Welcome to Boss Ladies, the review column written by members for members! Today, Lindsay White shares her thoughts on Donna Larsen's latest release “Open the Door."  Image description: Single artwork features bluish-gray doors cracked open to reveal a seated/meditating figure whose chakras are aglow with red, orange, yellow, and green colors. Toward the bottom of image, yellow text reads: "Open the Door. Donna Larsen" Humans are a pretty silly lot, don’t you think? We’re always looking to a new year, or a new year’s resolution, or a new set of political leaders to be the easy way out of bad habits, negative experiences, and persisting social struggles. Don’t get me wrong, clean slates are refreshing, goals are great, and staying politically engaged is important, but sometimes in our search for peace and purpose, we forget to look in the simplest place: within. In her new single “Open the Door,” San Diego singer songwriter and guitarist Donna Larsen addresses this conundrum with some spiritually illuminating advice. Ethereal vocals and meditative tones set the scene as Larsen poses an opening question: “When will we awaken?” A triumphant first chorus follows with the words “Open the door!” repeated eight entrancing times. The listener has now entered a spellbinding audio landscape, which Larsen lushly paints with the help of Josquin Des Pres (production, bass), Scott Gorham (keys), Monette Moreno (Percussion), Randy Hodge and Victoria Belmonte (backup vocals), and Ian Sutton (mixing, mastering). In each verse, Larsen speaks to an anticipatory sense of inner and outer turbulence (“laws are changing, shifts felt and seen”) while also acknowledging the various factors blocking pathways to peace, like “outdated traditions” and “fear of change.” But ultimately, she encourages her audience to break those barriers by welcoming and trusting themselves and their source, singing “let the light into your being” and “[ask] to be open to receive.” In offering this warm and knowing invitation, Larsen promises listeners all the warm and fuzzy rewards like “love and kindness,” “discovery and realization,” and “soul communication.” Who doesn’t want to go to this place beyond the metaphorical door? *Hand-raise emoji* Count me in! The exultant “Open the Door” refrain circles back several times more, reminding us that sometimes, all it takes to arrive on the other side of life's internal and external obstacles is a willingness to approach them with openness, curiosity, and trust. Though Larsen’s words are sage and gentle, there is also a sense of urgency helping to command the listener beyond fear and toward enlightenment. As long as there are musicians like Larsen, you never have to open that door alone. The accompanying video to “Open the Door” is creatively curated by Dave Preston. It features imagery such as keys, locks, meditating figures, chakras, hypnotic colors, space, stars, and of course, doors. Together, these images speak to spirituality, energy, the cosmos, and a reciprocal flow from self to source. It is empowering, uplifting, and kinda trippy. (I’m not saying you should watch it while mellowing out with some CBD, THC, candles, incense, etc. But I’m not not saying that either.) When asked what was memorable about creating this project, Larsen said “This music is different from anything I have ever done. It feels expansive and true to my soul. I am so grateful to be able to have worked in concert with such wonderfully talented people who were so willing to help me with my vision for this song!” She hopes listeners step into that vision, too. “It would be so amazing to know that people who listen to this were able to begin, or be even more inspired on their spiritual path, and/or gain a new way of looking at life or healing.” For those just “Opening the Door” to Larsen’s music, stay tuned for a full album and don’t forget to check out past projects such as her children’s picture sing-along songbook/CD set called In My Own Backyard. You can also follow along on her website and Facebook!  Image description: White background with black vertical text on left side that reads: "boss ladies." At center is the artwork for Donna Larsen's single (description above). Layered on top of graphic is a yellow circle with black text that reads: "artist Donna Larsen. song/video Open the Door. reviewed by Lindsay White."
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There are so many wonderful opportunities to show up for your creative community this month! Here are your official Marching orders. (We like puns, deal with it). Thursday, March 5 - Queer Folx Making Music at Gossip Grill in Hillcrest This new curated quarterly series includes queer acts from San Diego to Iowa representing a multitude of genres . Performers include Mandi Jo (R&B/NeoSoul), Khalil Bleux (R&B/Soul), Tori Roze (NeoSoul/Jazz), Girlboy (Soul-Hop), and Rika-Rai (Inspirational/Soul). $5 Cover, 21+, 7-10pm. More info  Saturday, March 7 - Lady Brain Presents Flim Flam Revue Takeover at Whistle Stop in South Park This edition of Grampadrew's Flim Flam Revue is gonna be one for the books! Julia Sage hosts the first ever Lady Brain Presents Flim Flam Takeover, and these ladies are gonna bring the house down! Scheduled performers include Chloe Lou, Astra Kelly, Karina Frost, Stacey Barnett, Lisa Brackmann, Tori Roze, Mary Hamer, Alexis Tia, Marie Haddad, Jules Stewart, Marcia Claire, Donna Larsen, Melanie Medina, Amy Day, Marlo Smith, and more! A portion of bar proceeds will go to benefit RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. No cover, 21+, 5-8pm. More info  Friday, March 13 - Calamity at Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs in El Cajon Three sets of fun and original folk rock music with Calamity! No cover, all ages, 5-8pm. More info  Tuesday, March 17 - SDMA Showcase ft. Lindsay White at The Merrow in Hillcrest Join Lindsay White as she celebrates her San Diego Music Award nomination for Best Pop Album with a full band performance (including Jules Stewart on drums) at this nominee showcase. Also on the bill are Evan Diamond and Kimmi Bitter. 21+, 8pm-Midnight More info  Thursday, March 19 - SDMA Showcase ft. The Spiritual Motels and Gaby Aparicio at Humphrey's Backstage Live in Point Loma San Diego Music Awards Nominee Showcase at Humphrey's Backstage Live, featuring Lady Brain Collective members Gaby Aparicio and The Spiritual Motels (Amy Day), plus Berkley Hart, Trouble in the Wind, Mohavi Soul, and the Johnny Tarr Quintet. $10 Cover, 21+, 6-10pm. More info  Monday, March 23 - San Diego Music Awards at House of Blues Downtown We know, we know, this guitar-playing astronaut is getting a lot of love in this particular edition of the Brain Candy blog! Here's the main event! Tickets are on sale now for the 29th annual San Diego Music Awards. We're very proud of our nominated members and can't wait to hang with them on this fun night supporting the Guitars for Schools Program. $36-75, Doors 6pm, Showtime 7:15pm. More info  Thursday, March 26 - Whitney Shay Album Release at Belly Up in Solana Beach Celebrate the release of Whitney Shay's new album Stand Up! with The 44s and Anthony Cullins. $18 Advanced / $21 Day of Show / $32 Reserved. Doors 7pm, Showtime 7:30pm. 21+. More info  Attention Business Owners: Advertise Your Company on the Brain Candy Blog! Rather than spend your advertising dollars on sponsored Facebook/Instagram ads and seemingly fake engagement, our advertising partnership offers genuine organic engagement increases your company's visibility as well as its reputation for supporting the community and empowering local womxn creatives. More info  February is the shortest month of the year, but it is jam-packed with events from members of Lady Brain Collective. Mark your calendars for great music, art, and entertainment from the most creative womxn in town! Saturday, February 1 - Corina Rose Collective Album Release w/ Shane Hall at EVE Encinitas Groovy, funky spiritual soul and rock and roll! More info  Friday, February 7 - Donna Larsen and Messengers at Amplified Ale Works in Pacific Beach Join Donna Larsen and Messengers for great-tasting ale and great-sounding Indie Pop and Rock! The Mediterranean restaurant upstairs will deliver your food right to the table so you don't have to miss a beat. 8-10pm. More info  Friday, February 7 - Lindsay White, Becca Jay, Veronica May at The Merrow in Hillcrest Kick off the weekend with full band sets from Lindsay White (folk/rock), Becca Jay (jazz/pop), and Veronica May (rock) at The Merrow in Hillcrest. Also featuring Lady Brain Collective members Jules Stewart and Paige Miller! $10 cover, 21+. More info  Saturday, February 8 - Tori Roze & The Hot Mess at Amplified Ale Works in Pacific Beach Tori Roze & The Hot Mess brings you funky-jazzy-Neo-soul original music and cover jams at your fabulous neighborhood brewery featuring 16 original brews and delicious Mediterranean grub. No cover. 8-10pm. More info  Friday, February 14 - Calamity at De Oro Mine Company in El Cajon Come solo or bring your sweetie to “the Ford Pinto of bars" De Oro Mine Company on Valentine's Day. Join the Calamity gals for some self-love, great music, games, and raffles. Three full hours of fun beginning at 8pm, no cover. 21+. More info  Saturday, February 15 through Wednesday, February 19 - The Muse in Winter: A Creativity Retreat in Taos, N.M at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House Restore, revitalize, and nourish your creative self where creative greats from Georgia O'Keefe to Martha Graham received creative inspiration. Writing, art, yoga, improv games for the intimidated beginner to the seasoned expert. With author/illustrator and creative coaching guru, Jill Badonsky. More info  Tuesday, February 18 - The Spiritual Motels and The Banduvloons with Touchtone at The Casbah Come out and support Lady Brain members Amy Day, Karina Frost Moreno and KC Deichler as The Spiritual Motels and The Banduvloons make their Casbah debut! 9pm, $6, 21+. More info  Thursday, February 20 - Compassion: A soulsong.life Transformative Songwriting Workshop with Astra Kelly at The Lotus Room in Hillcrest Experience growth, healing, and connection through music by tapping into the creative source on the very auspicious date of 2.20.2020. We will explore the theme of “compassion" in depth and write (and record!) a song together that reflects our shared perceptions and experiences. No musical skills necessary! 6-9p, $75. Advance registration required. More info  Saturday, February 29 - Lady Brain Presents “Love in the Round" Community Gathering in South Park Please join us for this historic leap year event at a private residence in South Park, where we will explore various definitions of and experiences with love. Our host Bonnie Nicholls will kick off the night, followed by a Nashville-style songwriters round featuring Astra Kelly and Carissa Schroeder. We will also showcase art by Barbara Rutherford. $10 advance tickets. Limited capacity seating; please make sure to RSVP early! More info  Attention Business Owners: Advertise Your Company on the Brain Candy Blog! Rather than spend your advertising dollars on sponsored Facebook/Instagram ads and seemingly fake engagement, our advertising partnership offers genuine organic engagement increases your company's visibility as well as its reputation for supporting the community and empowering local womxn creatives. More info  |
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