California Dreamin

Hey, Vox Box! Right now I'm in the process of packing for my trip to California. I'll be gone until the 28th of June and I'll be missing the blog like crazy (no internet for me!). Anyways, while I'm gone, I have some questions for you to answer!

• What are some events going on where you live?
• What am I missing while I'm gone?
• What is your favorite vacation place?
• What are your favorite summer activities?

And now a few challenges for the readers who are truly dedicated:

• Recruit (I don't care how many, just do it!)
• Attend some cultural and interesting event in your town and write about it here (especially those of you in the Northwest so I know what I'm missing!)

OK...that's all from me until later this month. Talk to you soon!

Read. Think. Type. Rock.

Katie

Blow a kiss, get denied your diploma?

Every school has one: That class clown graduate who, as they walk across the stage during commencement ceremony, does something weird, showy, or bizarre as a celebration of their last day of school. I've seen cartwheels, handstands, victory laps around the stage, and even the occasional streaker. All of these cases have resulted in the crowd's laughter and applause...but withholding of the diploma? Never.

This wasn't the case for graduating senior from Bonny Eagle High School, Maine. When called, the student walked across the stage and did it - ....ready? He blew his family a kiss....*gasp! The Yahoo article described the school's administrator as "clearly not the sentimental sort", having sent the student back to his seat without his diploma.

While the student's mother feels this diploma-denial is unjust, arguing that "A bow, a kiss to your mom is not misbehavior," school administators continue to stand their ground. I guess that kiss was just going too far...

Is it worth it? Should the student be reprimanded in this way? What's the craziest graduation-behavior YOU'VE seen?

Les Claypool!?!?!

So as some of you know I am quite the fan of almost any kind of music at all and while i happen to be surfing the internet for any good shows coming up (besides AEROSMITH) I stumbled upon a show at the Knitting Factor on Wednesday June 24 that I had not herd about!! What... I know that is the most wack thing that you have herd all week eh? However it is true i will admit.... His name Les Claypool, his game some highly above normal bass guitar skills!!! So I was interested and hit up you tube and this is what came up.. now you may want to lay a pillow on your floor so that your jaw does not hurt quite as bad from the impact that it will soon experience!! So check this man out and I warned you about the jaw thing good luck my fellow humans!!!

Am I just slow has anyone herd this man??

What do you think??

Would You stop by this show??

Week in Review

Hey, internet. Back again with some fun Northwest updates. Since school's been out for almost 5 days now, I've been diving head-first into the activities Spokane has to offer.

First up, Poetry Grandslam at the Empyrean:

This event occurs bi-monthly at the Empyrean, but it was my first time. The poets were amazing, and just by attending, I discovered a new layer of Spokane. For example, did you know that we are home to some of the best slammers in the history of ever? Now you do. Andrea Gibson was the featured poet (http://www.andreagibson.org/home/home.html) and she was fabulous. Her poems were really heart-wrenching and spoke about equality and ending violence. Check out the links below for more info:

http://www.myspace.com/spslam

Next event, BOBfest 2009. (http://www.myspace.com/bobfest08)

(Pictured second) BOBfest is an annual Battle of the Bands competition held in Riverfront Park. This year the participants were Executive Smack, Falling in Absence, Raw Nerve, City of Ember, Purple State, Ekson Tide, Green Light go, Act One Scene One, Lazarus, Arete, In Cold Daylight, Olaf Olaf Olaf, and The Chasing. I caught the middle of the show and saw Ekson Tide, Green Light Go, Act One Scene One and Lazarus. Green Light Go was my favorite, with just three guys short of being Big Band. They sounded like a renovated Mighty Mighty Bosstones; More horns and less scream for an upbeat and catchy sound. Act One Scene One showed promise and was fun to listen to, but their singer needs to work more on developing his voice. It sounded a little weak in comparison to the strong guitar lines. In the end Green Light Go won it all. Congratulations

Event three, Gay Pride Festival

I stumbled upon this event by accident and couldn't stay too long but the energy was great. Everyone was happy and friendly and the crafts were cool. The stands were set up behind Riverpark Square and included a stage with a live band and bouncy castles. It was hosted by OutSpokane (http://www.outspokane.com/) and was a huge success.

Final Event, Mark Ward concert at Rocket Market

(Pictured first...That's me, my friend Kelli, Mark Ward, his dog Frankie, and my twin, Kellie) The Rocket Market (http://www.rocketmarket.com/) holds free outdoor concerts every Saturday. They start around 8 and are always packed and family friendly. I went with a few friends last Saturday and saw Mark Ward, a local singer/songwriter (http://www.myspace.com/markwardmusic). He performed some music off his latest album, Little Lights, and it was a fun night for all!

Well that's it for my Spokane culture week in review. What did you do this week? Anything fun I missed?

Read up on (RED)NIGHTS

"26 BANDS, ONE STAGE....WELCOME TO (RED)NIGHTS."

Once only recognized by the the countless Hollywood-celebrity spotlights, Starbucks fundraisers, and GAP ads, (RED) has found a whole new way to help the Global Fund eliminate AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in Africa.

I was flipping through the recent 'Green Day' issue (I loooove Green Day!..) of Rolling Stone magazine when I stumbled upon a bold (RED)NIGHTS advertisement. We've got quite a few music-lovers here on the VOX, so I know there has gotta be a few fellow Rolling Stone readers also. Making a splash in the charity-world, (RED)NIGHTS is exactly what it sounds: 26 nights of amazing concerts that brings together some of the best in today's popular entertainment. The show will include headliners such as Fall Out Boy, Santigold, All-American Rejects, and O.A.R.

"I've wanted to get involved in the fight against AIDS for a long time, but I wasn't sure what to do," says Santigold in Rolling Stone. "I'm glad someone found a way to make it easy to get involved."

This blow-out celebration of life will culminate in New York with a "multi-act show" on World Aids Day, December 1st.

How can WE get involved? What are some ways that your school/community has gathered together for a single cause?