This month was all about exploring vulnerability. Starting with a virtual workshop led by Dr. Lorri Sulpizio, attendees were challenged with finding and posting a visual or creative representation of their current state (see below for some examples).
After the completion of the workshop, we challenged members to continue tapping into their own artistic vulnerability and asked them to share what came up creatively as a result. The idea was not to create a masterpiece, but rather a simple and honest reflection of the moment we are in. Some members utilized the above photos as inspiration, others started from scratch. Below is their beautiful and honest art. Thank you, collective members for sharing yourselves with our greater community.
Cathryn Beeks
Cathryn Beeks is a musician, producer, and mixed media artist (not to mention founder of Listen Local Radio as well as host of the Lady Brain Podcast). She says, “It's amazing how perspective changes everything, how everything changes, including preconceived notions. What was once so distasteful has now become a comfort zone, a place to settle down and live a life full of simple pleasures."
Lizzie Wann
Lizzie Wann is a published poet and spoken word artist. The piece she submitted is called “Life's Work" - it combines inspiration from two of our initial visual prompts: the Danielle Coke quote as well as the Baskoro Lanjar Prasetyo work. She says, “Recognizing where I am personally in the midst of inequality and racial injustice, among other things, has been difficult yet ultimately motivating. Understanding the ebb and flow of energy needed to combat these struggles remains a constant lesson."
Life’s Work
morning fog matches my brain grasping for clarity as my eyes adjust sun struggles to break through revelations about the past explode my here and now disassemble awareness work begins to unlearn I gather blue smoke to synthesize renewed insight every day is a choice to act that is, to take action, not to pretend for colorless accolades it becomes a daily election to cast a vote toward justice to righteously fight for freedom this grim fog hovers but clear skies are beyond in joy, in celebration, in resistance Marie Haddad
Marie Haddad is a musician and mixed media artist. Below is her untitled photograph submission.
Astra Kelly
Astra Kelly is a musician, producer, artist, and spiritual practitioner. Her spoken word piece is called “The Right to Mourn."
The Right to Mourn
I feel robbed of my right to mourn. You’re talking about rights? to bear arms, to harm your brother, your father, your grandmother? My grandmother passed alone the day before my mother’s birthday who is battling cancer during a pandemic....navigating a whole other systemic blunder. How many lives lost on the side while dis-ease rages far and wide and those we love left vulnerable to die? How can you not see as you run naked through the streets with your fuck you flying, screaming I don’t care From there, we’ve fallen I feel robbed of my right to mourn. There have been no moments of honoring lives lost, our test of endurance or our resilience in bearing the cost of this madness. I want a voice that glides on fire as we stand ready to fight. Who shouts “we will rise up strong and give everything to the cause.” One who rallies our hearts to unite as an army of love. I long for one who speaks and the wind blows stronger as the spirits whisper of empowerment and materialize into our frame as we prepare to play the game risking everything for the ones we love and simply cannot lose. I feel robbed of my right to mourn. My chest tight with holding back, fear in my throat, afraid of the breakdown, feeling the weight of this reality and the impending rebirth of the humanity we’ve lost. I want to be close to you. I miss you. I want to grieve with you together as one so we can rebuild when the moment comes and the danger has passed Forgive those who cannot embrace the truth and who dwell upon the murky depths of illusion For now, we wait. Lindsay White
Lindsay White is a writer, musician, and organizer of Lady Brain Presents. She says, “I'm increasingly concerned, anxious, and depressed about what is happening in my own mind and heart, as well as what is happening in this country. We have always been terrible as a country and as a society at acknowledging the harm we do to ourselves and each other; instead we seek out distraction, we stoke division, we fuel fear. We'd rather have a spectacle than have a look in the mirror. I'm taking off social media for the next few months to tend to my wellbeing and try to do good in the world without feeling the pressure or guilt or shame or fear or anger that my online experiences seem to exacerbate. The below is one of the final pieces of prose I shared on my Facebook account. Hopefully if and when I do return, we'll be vaccinated and Trump-free."
The Worst of Us
He told us who he was back in 2016 and since 2016. We can’t seriously be clutching our pearls about the taxes. We can’t seriously be surprised about the bullying and lack of decorum. We can’t seriously be flabbergasted by the misogyny, the manipulative appeal to Christians, and the fanning of fear flames. We can’t seriously be shocked about the latest in a series of white supremacist dog whistles. What is this theatre we are sucked into, where he does what we know he will do, then we point at it hysterically and say “see!?” to all the other people who not only also knew he’d do it, but LOVE (overtly or covertly) that he did it? There’s got to be some other way. I hope voting this vile creature out of the highest office in the land looks like a sunrise, sounds like thunder, feels like trash day, smells like spring, and tastes like freedom. And I hope we remember that we should have all taken the responsibility to flick him off the national stage like a picnic ant back in 2016 when we had the chance to casually do it without hundreds of thousands of casualties. When we had a chance to empower a qualified womxn over an incompetent manchild. So the next time someone comes along who is a threat to all things that are good and safe and kind and just, we don’t make sport of letting them prove to us for four years what we already knew. Please, for the love of democracy and the safety of this country and its people, do not cast your ballot for Trump. He is the worst of us. He is the worst for us. He is the worst.
Thanks to all those members who attended our vulnerability workshop and who shared their creations! And thanks to YOU for attending this virtual exhibit on vulnerability! We will be taking the remainder of the year to focus on private member meetups and workshops, and will keep the community posted on future public community gatherings as soon as we get the green light to organize in-person events! In the meantime, please be sure to visit our Member profiles to see how you can support them during this hard time, and don't forget to check out our LB For Hire page if you'd like to employ a local creative womxn for your next project! Prospective members, find out more about joining the Lady Brain Collective here.
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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 12/29/2019 0 Comments Brain Candy - January Event CalendarA new year and a new decade are just around the corner, and Lady Brain Collective members are already working hard to bring you fun live events throughout San Diego. Mark your calendars and go support womxn creators in your community! Thursday, January 9 - Plunderbund at Amplified Backstage Beer Lounge in Pacific Beach Join Lady Brain Collective member Lisa Brackmann and her Plunderbund bandmates for free live music and the freshest craft beer inches away from the Pacific Ocean! 7-9pm. More info Friday, January 10 - Naiomi Sounds Co-Hosts Open Mic at Bad Ass Coffee in Rancho Penasquitos A few Lady Brain Collective members will be heading out to the Bad Ass Coffee open mic, which is held every other Friday and co-hosted by member Naiomi Sounds. Sign-ups at 6pm, event runs from 6:30-8:30pm. More info Saturday, January 11 - Lizzie Wann at Meraki Cafe in University Heights Start the year off with some poetry! Enjoy social time with fellow poets starting at 5:30pm. Lizzie Wann's feature starts at 6pm followed by an open mic. The reading will be held inside, but wear layers, as it might prove chilly nevertheless. No Cover. More info Sunday, January 12 - Lindsay White at Women's March San Diego Wine Mixer in Private La Jolla Residence Lindsay White is back for a performance at the third annual Women's March Wine Mixer. All proceeds from this fundraising event go toward the 2020 Women's March on January 18. More info Thursday, January 16 - Marie Haddad at Belly Up in Solana Beach Marie Haddad will play a solo set opening for Midge Ure (Ultravox) during his acoustic duo tour stop at Belly Up. 7pm, $25. More info Saturday, January 18 - Women's March San Diego at Waterfront Park San Diego Be on the lookout for several Lady Brain Collective members, including Veronica May and Julia Sage, performing at the 4th Annual Women's March San Diego. Come early for the music and march with us! Music starts at 10am, march begins at noon. More info Thursday, Jan. 23 - Astra Kelly at The Riviera Supper Club in La Mesa DIY steakhouse, crafty cocktails, loungy hang, and live music? Yes, please! Astra Kelly plays two sets of her originals and unique artist tributes, featuring Tony Econom on drums, from 8-10:30pm. No Cover. More info Thursday, January 23 - Golden Howl at Music Box in Little Italy Golden Howl hits the Music Box stage with a stellar line up of local bands: Aviator Stash, MDRN HSTRY, The Frets, and Coral Bells. Doors at 6:30pm, 21+. Claim as many free tickets as you want via email, or DM on social media. 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 Lady Brain members are busy this month - please add these dates to your calendar and go out to support these creative folks who are working hard to bring excellent art and music to the San Diego community! Wednesday, September 4 - Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres at The Holding Company Local band showcase. Come on out and party with us! Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres starting at 9 pm sharp. More info Thursday, September 12 - Golden Howl at Til Two with The Strawberry Moons and The Powerballs More info Friday, September 13 - Chris Avetta & Golden Howl at Moose Lodge in Oceanside Saturday, September 14 - Kinship Cafe Singer-Songwriter Showcase at Eve Encinitas This showcase at Eve Encinitas will feature short sets from six acts, each of which includes at least one woman, and four of which feature Lady Brain members: The Banduvloons, Dixie Maxwell and Lee Coulter, Mayzie Jean, and The Spiritual Motels (plus The Shift and Dulaney and Company). 7-10:30pm, $10, all ages. More info Sunday, September 15 - Lift Me Up 2019 The Banduvloons and friends are hosting their 3rd annual community benefit show: Lift Me Up! This event seeks to bring together a community of artists and musicians who are working together to combat white supremacy and an inequitable capitalist society. Two local POC artists are chosen to be the beneficiaries of this event, and all money collected will go directly in their pockets. Expect dope live music, comedy, dance, vendors, food, drinks and a family friendly environment! 2-6pm | $5-$10 sliding scale entry free. More info Saturday, September 21 - The Bold Vocal Launch Party / Adams Avenue Street Fair Pre-Party Come celebrate with Carissa Schroeder as she officially launches her vocal coaching business,The Bold Vocal. Event highlights include a raffle for free voice lessons and other goodies, website unveiling, live demonstrations on mindfulness, mic technique, and stage presence, performances by students ranging from six years in age all the way to professionals — including Joshua Taylor, Amanda DaRosa and Nick Crook. Enjoy complimentary wine, beer, light bites and dessert, and start your street fair partying early! Event runs from 12pm-3pm at Jayne’s Gastropub. Free and open to the public. More info Saturday, September 21 - Calamity at Artwalk Carlsbad Don't miss the gals from Calamity playing originals during Artwalk Carlsbad from 3:15 to 4pm. No cover, all ages. More info Sunday, September 22 - Tori Roze and the Hot Mess at Coronado Music Festival This inaugural three day music festival kicks off on Friday September 20, with Tori Roze and the Hote Mess headlining on Sunday, September 22. The family-friendly weekend features local and regional musical talent of all genres and visual art. This marks the first event for Coronado Music and Arts Foundation(CMAF), a nonprofit, whose mission is to provide cultural music and art experiences for at risk and homeless individuals including youth and special needs adults through a variety of settings in Coronado and San Diego. More info Thursday, September 26 - Lady Brain Presents Community Gathering In Celebration of Life Lady Brain Presents is back with a special art/music/spoken word showcase centering around the topics of death, dying, and existence. Join us at a private Ocean Beach residence around 6:30pm for sunset, social hour, and art viewing. Performances will kick off around 7:30pm. $10 Suggested Donation, proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. More info Saturday, September 28 - Lindsay White (Full Band) at Frogstop House Concerts
Join Lindsay White at the intimate Frogstop House Concert series. This is Lindsay's first full band show since returning from her 2019 summer tour, and likely her last full band show of the year. Limited seating, don't miss it! More info Thanks to San Diego Reader for featuring our upcoming August community gathering which takes place tomorrow eve at Art on Third in Chula Vista! Read the feature here and RSVP here!
Lady Brain members are out and about in full force this summer - make sure to catch them at one of these upcoming shows/events! Friday, August 2 - Jessica Lerner with Full Band at Kensington Club Jessica Lerner and her band will share the bill with Jehlad and The Rogue Pilots. $5 Cover. More info. Friday, August 2nd - Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres at The Black Cat Bar Sonic Attack at Black Cat Bar: Don’t miss this lineup featuring Tormenta Rey, Lana Rebel and Michael Mayfield, Julia Sage and the Bad Hombres, Gary Hankins, and from Robert's Western World in Nashville TN, special guest DJ Brendan Malone! $5 cover. More info. Saturday, August 3 - Astra Kelly at Helix Brewing Co. La Mesa Delicious brews, Kokopelli's food truck and a beautiful patio! Family owned and family friendly. Astra Kelly plays solo/acoustic from 6:30-9p. No Cover. Wednesday, August 14 - Tori Roze & The Hot Mess at The Casbah Tori Roze & The Hot Mess plays the Casbah with The Routine and fellow Lady Brain band The Anodynes. Show starts @ 9pm w/The Anodynes on first, followed by Tori Roze & The Hot Mess second. Come thirsty and ready to get soulful! $8/21+. More info. Wednesday, August 14 - Bonfire Jam Circle at The Heritage Ranch in Encinitas Hosted by Cathryn Beeks of Listen Local Radio. Bring a chair, your beverage of choice and an appetizer to share. Songwriters rotate clockwise and everyone plays on everyone's songs. 7pm to 11pm small donation appreciated. More info. Friday, August 16 — Lady Brain Presents Showcase at Art on 3rd The next installment of the Lady Brain Presents series will be a showcase in a Chula Vista artist-owned gallery. The event will feature short musical sets from Chris Avetta (with Jules Stewart), Marie Haddad, Dixie Maxwell (with Paige Miller), Carissa Schroeder, and The Spiritual Motels (Amy Day, Omar Musisko), as well as video from Mary Bee, and visual art from Chris Avetta, Julia Sage, and other Lady Brain artists. All ages, $10 suggested donation. The event will run from 7pm - 10:30pm. More info. Thursday, August 29 — Lindsay White at The Pointe Westfield UTC
Join Lindsay White for outdoor happy hour at Westfield UTC featuring cover songs by some of her favorite artists including Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, and more. No cover. 5-7pm. More info. 7/10/2019 0 Comments August Community GatheringOur monthly community gatherings continue! We have so many great acts lined up for August:
Marie Haddad Carissa Schroeder Dixie Maxwell w/ Paige Miller Chris Avetta w/ Jules Stewart The Spiritual Motels & video by Mary Bee also ft. visual art from various Lady Brain members DOORS 7PM / MUSIC 7:30-10:30PM All Ages, $10 Suggested Donation (all goes to artists) BEER & WINE will be available for purchase Please RSVP for free to hold your space (we'll collect your donation at the door) VENUE: Art on Third (269 Third Ave) Our venue host for this month's community gathering is Art On Third, a unique art gallery and creative space in Chula Vista. Come out and support your local art and music scene! Thanks to SoundDiego for reminding folks about Lady Brain Fest today! Read the feature here! Online ticket sales have closed, but tix will still be available at the door for cash purchase!
Thank you to Rosemary Bystrak for including a shout-out to Lady Brain Fest on the San Diego: Dialed In blog. We appreciate the support!
Thanks to Seth Combs and San Diego CityBeat for this great feature on Lady Brain Fest in their list of cool things to do this week. They also selected us as PLAN A on their “If I Were You" column! You can read the full article here and purchase your pre-sale tickets here. (Online sales end Saturday at 3pm)
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