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Like Old Chicago, the Music Plays (361)
(NewsUSA) - Chicago has always been a city that thrives on music. From notable jazz greats Nat King Cole and Benny Goodman to blues artist Muddy Waters, many would argue that Chicago is the birthplace of all things music.
Fast-forward to today, and that city's house music is influencing other club scenes to produce their own distinct sounds such as Baltimore bass, Philly's Hollertronix, and more recently dubstep, which has found its own niche with some of today's most influential musical talent.
Behind the music, however, are production artists like DJ Lade, who create and cultivate these unique sounds. Having recently signed with New York-based Big Jake Music, Lade is currently providing the soundtrack to New York City's hottest nightclubs by producing cutting-edge electronic dance music.
This comes as no surprise, however, to those who know Lade, because music has always been a part of his life.
Case in point: He formed his first band at the age of 10, playing drums and writing lyrics with school friends. Soon the band began recording music and performing in bars with others twice and three times their age, finding success at the local level.
By his mid-teens, Lade had constructed a home studio and begun producing, writing, recording, and experimenting with the technical side of music creation. When the band dissolved, Lade traveled overseas and continued to find his groove in European dance music, by infusing it with his love of rock and roll.
In producing dance music, Lade began to DJ to feed that part of his creative soul that seems to crave performing in front of others.
"Performing, for mem, is a natural extension of who I am and what I do," he said.
Recognized as one of the few New York City DJs who spins in a more traditional and musical style (without benefit of a computer or software), Lade has set his sights on expanding his reach to other cities.
"His live energy and superb production abilities ensure that Lade's mission to exist as one of the top electronic producers and DJs is nothing short of inevitable," said Jake Shapiro, founder of Big Jake Music,
For more information, visit www.bigjakemusic.com or www.7artspictures.com.

Pigeon Forge Theaters Give Life to Local Music (351)
(NewsUSA) - It's been said that "Music gives life to everything." Combine that with the adage, "Variety is the spice of life," and you've got the perfect description of the entertainment found in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
The Smoky Mountain town of a little more than 6,000 residents attracts millions of visitors each year, and many of them come for the shows performed in the city's dozen theaters. Each theater offers something different, so the choices are seemingly endless when it comes to entertainment.
Since Pigeon Forge is located in east Tennessee, one may expect to hear country and bluegrass performances. There's plenty of that and more, as talented entertainers belt out gospel, rock 'n' roll, Broadway tunes and even a touch of Motown. There's a fair share of magic and comedy as well, and we can't forget performing dogs, racing pigs and stampeding buffalo.
It's not just the diverse styles of music that give variety to the shows in Pigeon Forge. Each is filled with its own special cast of talented singers, dancers, musicians, comedians and more. Dig a little deeper into the talent pool, and you'll find a pre-teen banjo picker, a Grammy award-winning gospel group, an international yodeling champion, a lifetime member of the International Magicians Society, a gold medal-winning clogger and many others who bring special skills to the stage.
Pigeon Forge is home to a number of dinner theaters that combine mouthwatering meals with family-friendly entertainment. Again, it's all about variety? a friendly North/South competition performed on horseback, feuding lumberjacks and mountain families, and a nightly murder mystery to be solved, all serve up with tasty Southern treats.
Two of the city's special events feature musical performances. Saddle Up in February is filled with western music and cowboy poetry, while performances by nationally recognized country, rock or gospel artists highlight July's Patriot Festival.
In addition to the theaters of Pigeon Forge, award-winning shows are presented daily at Dollywood, one of the nation's most popular theme parks, many of them written by the park's namesake, Dolly Parton.
For more information about Pigeon Forge, call 1-800-251-9100 or visit MyPigeonForge.com.

Solving the Mobile Music Puzzle (380)
(NewsUSA) - Every year, cell phone makers tempt consumers with the next wave of sleeker, shinier mobile devices. Oftentimes, the transition is simple --as long as you stay with the same brand. If you're considering switching to a different operating system, however, you're probably already asking yourself one crucial question. "How do I transfer my digital music collection when I make the switch?"
Most mobile operating systems aren't designed to play nicely with one another, making it more difficult than it should be to transfer music files from, let's say, a Droid phone to an iPhone -- or vice versa. In fact, music lovers still struggle to obtain access to all of their music all of the time. Some songs are on the computer, others on the tablet, and even more may be on the phone.
"According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, about 73 percent of iPad owners have another type of mobile phone other than an iPhone," said Tamir Koch, CEO of TriPlay, a digital cloud music services company.
Digital clouds come close to solving the dilemma for users who want continuous access to their tunes, or those who may switch phones or carriers as newer versions are released. But TriPlay's cloud solution, called MyMusicCloud, is on a whole new level.
"MyMusicCloud provides a seamless solution that may be used across multiple devices simultaneously. For example, listen to all of your music on your Apple iPad together with an Android or Blackberry phone," Koch explained.
In short, MyMusicCloud will sync iTunes, Windows Media Player and Dropbox so your entire music collection follows you everywhere. Unlike other streaming options such as Pandora and Spotify, you aren't tethered to Internet access or USB cards to enjoy your music.
Since the evolved cloud enables people to listen to the same music files across virtually every type of phone, tablet or computer, switching from Android to iPhone or iPhone to Blackberry will be a breeze.
Finally, someone heard the global call for flexibility in storing music; MyMusicCloud is available in 22 languages so far. Perhaps Apple's music "i-opoly" will now be less pervasive, although many still anticipate the effects as some device makers contend with design and software patents.
Learn more about digital music storage at www.MyMusicCloud.com.

Fabric Care Tips From Costume Designer Janie Bryant (425)
(NewsUSA) - Janie Bryant, the Emmy Award-winning costume designer for AMC TV's "Mad Men," knows what it takes to make clothes look great.
Not only does she contribute to the visual representation of the entire cast, she brings a 1960s glamour to the period show that makes real people scour vintage shops to look like Joan Holloway and Don Draper.
Sure, audiences love the characters and their drama, but the beautifully authentic wardrobe stole the spotlight from the start. In her role, Bryant sketches, designs and fits the costumes for each character, which includes custom-made items and rebuilt vintage gems.
"One thing I've always been passionate about is how important presentation is to having great style. Looking pressed and polished is often just as important as what you're actually wearing," says Bryant, which explains why she released a fabric care guide of useful clothing advice.
"The best way to pull off that look is to know how to take great care of your clothing. [The Mad Men] era is all about being wrinkle-free and permanently pressed."
Take a look at some of Bryant's fabric care advice:
* Some fabrics are vulnerable to water spotting -- like acetate, silk and suede -- so be careful when applying perfume or body spray. Delicate garments like these tend to require dry cleaning, or hand-washing, and low-heat settings.
* Beware of "pilly" clothing that looks worn out, such as nylon and acrylic. If fabric is susceptible to pills, it's best to launder, dry and iron at low heat. You may consider laying these items out to dry, especially sweaters.
* Although cotton remains the world's most popular fabric, it is prone to wrinkling. The majority of cotton clothing can be machine-washed, but items with embellishments or accents should be turned inside out or put in a delicates bag.
* If wrinkles attack, use a fail-safe. Bryant trusts Downy Wrinkle Releaser so much that she advises you to have a bottle at home, in the office and in any overnight bag. Just spritz clothing, shake and gently pull to release stubborn kinks.
"On or off the set, the clothes that I work with and wear always need to look their best," Bryant says. "Not only does Downy Wrinkle Releaser work well on the vintage fabrics I work with during the day, but all the modern fabrics found in stores today. It's a must-have for people who need to look neat and pressed and those who need to be out the door in a flash."
For more information, visit www.downywrinklereleaser.com.

Save Money on Your Next Entertaining Affair With Style (320)
(NewsUSA) - Entertaining guests lends itself to simplicity, so throwing an impromptu party can be easy and budget-friendly.
Here are some tips for the party planner on a budget:
* Divide and conquer. To stay relaxed and keep the budget in check, invite a group of friends to help coordinate the party. Splitting up decoration and food-preparation tasks will reduce costs and the strain on the host.
* Keep drinks simple. Instead of over-spending on ingredients for signature cocktails, consider offering wine. Boxed wine has enjoyed increased popularity, and for good reason. Bota Box (www.botabox.com) offers premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Moscato, Shiraz, RedVolution (red wine blend) and Old Vine Zinfandel in non-breakable packaging. Each box contains the equivalent of four bottles of wine and eliminates the need for a corkscrew.
Better yet, boxed wine can keep your party eco-friendly as well as budget-friendly. Bota Box labels are printed with soy-based inks on recycled paper that contains 100 percent post-consumer fiber and is 100 percent recyclable.
* Keep the menu simple, fresh and laid back. Let guests mingle and eat at their own pace by setting up a centrally located table displaying small bites and finger foods. Ideas include an antipasto platter with an array of cured meats, hummus and olives, sliced cubano quesadillas, smoked salmon and dill on halved new potatoes, mini hamburger sliders, and chocolate chip cookies.
* Keep decorations simple. Simple décor is most suitable for last-minute entertaining, but it can also be just as effective for parties planned well in advance. Unpack white lights from holiday storage, and string them around the common or bar area for a subtle glow. Take a peek in the linen closets for double-duty décor. Mix and match various shapes and sizes of white or clear glass plates, with a variety of fun, patterned cloth napkins.
To learn more about Bota Box, visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/botabox.

TV's Blind MasterChef: How Free Reading Program Kept Her Sane (382)
(NewsUSA) - If you watched season three of Fox TV's reality cooking show "MasterChef," you remember the big smile that lit up Christine Ha's face every time she impressed the judges with her bold flavors -- and especially when her three-course meal of Vietnamese comfort food won Ha the "MasterChef" title.
What casual viewers may not have realized right away is that the amateur cook from Houston, Texas, is blind. In 2003 Ha was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare neurological condition that deteriorates the optic nerves and spinal cord. By 2007, Ha had lost most of her vision. But she had regained her love of reading, with help from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).
"[NLS] reignited my love for literature. It was what kept me sane when I went through my first bouts of NMO," says Ha, who also authors the blog theblindcook.com. "When I went through some of my worst health issues in 2003 -- complete paralysis from my neck down due to spinal inflammation, and complete blindness -- all I could do was lie in bed and listen to NLS audiobooks."
NLS, part of the Library of Congress, oversees a free reading program for U.S. residents and citizens living abroad who are blind, have low vision, or cannot hold a book because of a physical disability. NLS patrons may choose from tens of thousands of books and dozens of magazines in audio and braille -- including dozens of cookbooks, such as "O, the Oprah Magazine Cookbook" and titles by Julia Child, James Beard, and other famous foodies. NLS also loans the portable playback equipment needed to read its audiobooks. Computer-savvy patrons may access books online through the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service.
Ha, who is pursuing a master of fine arts degree at the University of Houston, always has a book checked out from NLS. Recently she was reading Gail Caldwell's "Let's Take the Long Way Home" in braille. And she currently is working on her "MasterChef" cookbook, which is set for a spring 2013 release.
To learn more about how the NLS program can help you, a loved one, or a friend, go online to www.loc.gov/nls or call 1-888-NLS-READ.

Picture Perfect Home Decorating Tips From a Pro (375)

(NewsUSA) - Decorating can be one of the most exciting times during your experience as a homeowner. Not only are you creating the essence of your home, you are also adding your very own personal touch and style.

One of the easiest ways to add unique spice to an ordinarily drab room -- incorporate exceptional artwork.

"Many of my clients are simply amazed at how effective a colorful painting can be at bringing new life to a room that has become tired," says Matthew Johnston, an artist known for his vibrant Tall Tulips paintings (talltulips.com).

However, as easy as it sounds, purchasing and hanging a painting on the center of the wall isn't going to cut it in most cases. Johnston offers his advice to ensure your next painting purchases work with your room rather than against it:

Large High-Traffic Rooms

For family rooms, living rooms and rooms off the kitchen, Johnston recommends figurative diptych paintings to create a story within each area. Diptych paintings consist of two separate panels that hang together and work as one.

"In my figurative diptych paintings, each figure has their own physical space, yet they are a couple," says Johnston. "Their face is cropped, and viewers can imagine themselves as being in the painting. The viewer has to look to other parts of the painting to imagine a story ... each individual person can create a different story for the painting."

Awkward Wall Spaces

For stairways, long hallways and between windows, Johnston recommends using a tall, narrow painting, like his Tall Tulips.

"They are perfect for hanging up a staircase," says Johnston. "You can hang the Tall Tulips at different heights following the risers up the stairs; a great look for a difficult space."

This style of painting also works well because they are bright and don't require ideal lighting.

Focal Wall Areas

Spaces like the area over a fireplace will get a lot of attention from passersby. Hanging your prized piece is the perfect step for these spots.

"Many of my clients choose my large floral paintings," says Johnston. "Oftentimes, they will hang these on a wall which faces the front door ... to make an impression when first walking in the home."

To learn more about Matthew Johnston and his work, visit www.talltulips.com.

Do Good With Wood (273)
(NewsUSA) - America has a long history of volunteerism, and for 20 years one company encouraged such efforts with the Community Craftsman Award. It has given grants for projects like an afterschool wood-finishing jobs-training program and a guild program to design, build and finish beds for children with special needs.
Now, the reward has been renamed the Minwax Do Good With Wood Award. It recognizes the very different ways people express themselves by working with wood. The program is open to anyone who has been involved in a wood-finishing project, through school woodshop classes, clubs, guilds, parent organizations, DIY groups, craft or hobby groups or on their own.
The Grand Prize is $5,000 plus a workshop with wood-finishing expert Bruce Johnson and a supply of product valued at $1,000. The Second Prize is $2,000 and a supply of Minwax products.
In addition, through the end of the year, one entry will be randomly picked each month to receive two gallons of Minwax Wood Finish interior wood stain and two gallons of Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane, in any color and sheen.
The winners get fame as well as fortune. Every project submitted has a chance at being featured on the Do Good With Wood Hall of Fame on the company's Facebook page, where it can inspire others, too.
To enter, send a description of how you helped your community through wood finishing, plus a photo of your project to the following address: Minwax Do Good With Wood Award, Brushfire, Inc., 2 Wing Drive, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927.
For more information or to submit your entry online, visit minwax.com. The competition deadline is Dec. 31, 2012.