Friday January 15th at Sly McFly’s
700 A Cannery Row Monterey, CA 92940 — (831) 649-8050
OMANI is proud to be the FIRST EVER REGGAE BAND AT SLY’S
FREE SHOW — 9pm til 1am — Food and Alcohol available

The music, and band name, symbolizes “Positivity”.  It’s a message with a strong sense for finding one’s own happiness, balanced with thoughtful awareness.  With hypnotic grooves and satisfying positive vibes, OMANI‘s uplifting reggae music makes you think, makes you wanna move, and makes you have a good time.

Performing mainly original songs, as well as spontaneous improvisational dub jams, yet sometimes also a tasty selection of a few cover songs by Dennis Brown, Tenor Saw, Bob Marly, and even the Eagles, and Steve Miller.

This band does not rely on stereotypical tactics such as fakin’ jamaican patois, preaching the bible, or singing about ganja.  Instead they provide the audience with a broad texture of sound featuring catchy hooks, horn lines, and vocal harmonies, delivered with a contagious and familiar yet refreshing feeling of pure musical pleasure.

The last time OMANI performed in Monterey was for the 14th annual Monterey Bay Reggaefest on Labor Day weekend 2009.

Learn more about OMANI at omaniband.com

Soledad High School Students inside the SoMoCoCAT mobile audio recording studio.

Grassroots organization, South Monterey County Center for Arts & Technology (SoMoCoCAT), is offering digital media workshops for the first time in Monterey County’s ‘salad bowl of the world.” A ‘lettuce curtain’ isolates residents of rural Salinas Valley from opportunities in a 21st century creative workforce.  SoMoCoCAT has therefore started a movement to cross the a ‘digital divide’ and part the ‘lettuce curtain” to bring free arts and technology training to underserved, mostly Latino, agricultural communities in South Monterey County.

SoMoCoCAT recently crossed the ‘digital divide’ to introduce arts and technology training to residents in Monterey County’s rural communities south of the ‘lettuce curtain.’ Until now there were no outlets where local residents could learn the digital media technology skills that are increasingly in demand among employers.

Communities in South Monterey County suffer from problems such as poverty, drug use, high unemployment and school dropout rates, gang violence, and few employment and education options. Lack of transportation and limited English skills further prevent many South County residents from attending training programs that are located 25-35 miles away.

Director of SoMoCoCAT (http://www.SoMoCoCAT.org) Megan Heath, works for L-3 GS&ES Language Technology Services in Monterey, California, a company that employs artists and designers who use digital technology to create instructional materials.   Heath is also involved in Monterey County economic development efforts that capitalize on local creativity and technology (http://www.cfmco.org/CAA/pdfs/mntry_cult_plan01.pdf). “I know first hand that there are viable career opportunities for people who know how to blend art and technology to earn a living, but we have a hard time finding well-qualified candidates in [the Monterey] area,” says Heath.  She believes that “if we really want to develop a strong creative economy in Monterey County, we must invest in the tremendous human potential that lies in the oft neglected South County.”

Heath created SoMoCoCAT in 2008 after she produced a media project that explored the socioeconomic division between the Salinas Valley and the rest of Monterey County that is sometimes referred to as the ‘lettuce curtain.”  She vowed to bring digital media training with an emphasis on career development, directly to these communities at no cost to the students.

Sara Papineau, from the Gonzales Parks and Recreation Department sees SoMoCoCAT  as good for the community.  “Anytime we can offer free quality programs to our residents both young and old we enhance the quality of their life.  The classes that SoMoCoCAT are offering in South Monterey County are opening people’s minds through creativity and diversifying their interests,” she says.

Among South County’s farmworker communities many do not have computers, or if so they often find the unfamiliar technology intimidating.  Dr. Drew Waters at California State University Monterey Bay’s Music and Performing Arts Department, volunteered to teach a SoMoCoCAT audio recording workshop for South County teens.  He believes this project “demystifies the technology and literally puts it under the hands for those people that can be most creative with it and benefit most from it in their future.”

SoMoCoCAT has already implemented several workshops–in Spanish and in English–and they are planning more.  So far the workshops have been possible due to many volunteer hours, two small grants, and modest corporate support from technology training firm, QuarterPoint, Inc., and L-3.

SoMoCoCAT’s current workshops in South Monterey County include:

• Digital Photography for adults in Gonzales;
• Animation for students of Frank Ledesma Elementary School in Soledad;
• Audio and Video Production for South County youth at the California State University Monterey Bay;
• Mobile Audio Recording Studio Workshop at Greenfield High School;
• PowerPoint and Microsoft Word Workshops in Gonzales.

Principal of Greenfield High, Rudy Garcia, allowed SoMoCoCAT to extend its mobile audio workshop for a week after he saw great interest among his students.  “It was amazing how excited the kids were when they stepped in the studio and heard themselves on the headphones,” said Peter Meuse, owner and instructor of the mobile recording studio.

Tara Vikjord, the 21st Century and After School Programs coordinator for the Soledad Unified School district in South County said of the animation workshop that SoMoCoCAT brought to one of her elementary schools:  “It was wonderful.  The kids were very engaged and the parents were happy.”  Animation teacher and artist, Andrew Dolan, said the experience was “awesome” and he thought the students seemed “so hungry for something creative to do.”  Jacob Ruelas, Director of the Center for Employment training in Soledad agreed when he said, “let’s get these kids off the street and doing art.”

Simon Salinas, Monterey County Third District Supervisor sees the benefit that SoMoCoCAT offfers South County, especially for  young people.  “Investing in our youth today will return great dividends by strengthening our community in the future,” says Salinas.

For Heath, SoMoCoCAT’s future is a self-sufficient social enterprise that is a pillar of Monterey County’s thriving creative economy. In the mean time they continue to seek ‘investors’ and community supporters who believe in that same future.

The South Monterey County Center for Arts & Technology (SoMoCoCAT) is a workforce investment initiative of the Monterey County Business Council’s Creative Technology Competitive Cluster program (http://www.c2.mcbusiness.org/).  SoMoCoCAT provides digital media arts, technology training and access to South Monterey County’s rural Latino communities.  SoMoCoCAT fosters ‘digital inclusion’ and enables equal opportunities for residents to contribute to Monterey County’s emerging creative economy.  For more information visit: http://www.SoMoCoCAT.org Media Contact:  Megan Heath, (831) 869-6055

Monterey, CA (PRWEB) October 30, 2009

John "Broadway" Tucker

Treat yourself to some fantastic blues! John “Broadway” Tucker, the 2006 Monterey Blues Festival Artist of the Year, and his 7 piece Broadway Blues Band will knock your socks off! John Tucker will be playing this Saturday, October 3rd, with the Broadway Blues Band at Giovane’s Restaurant in Salinas. Dinner will be served from 5-9pm, and the music starts at 9pm. You can check out the late night menu as well from 9pm to 12:30am. The cover charge for this show is $5!

Giovane’s Restaurant
348 San Juan Grade Road
(831) 444-6717

Born in the fog of the Monterey Bay, Bog Iron is a Celtic rock band with deep roots in the hard rock tradition. We formed in early 2008 with our original lineup: John Michael, Chris Burke, Tim Burke, Patrick Golden, and Dave Holodiloff. In the summer of 2008, Steve Lenard and Peter Sheehan replaced the Brothers Burke, and Dave Holodiloff played his last show with us on St. Patrick’s Day 2009. Currently, we have John Michael on vocals and Peter Sheehan on bass, both Ireland-born; and Patrick Golden (guitars, originally from Bakersfield, CA) and Steve Lenard (drums, originally from Downers Grove, IL).
- BogIron.com

August Sky CD and Food Bank Logo

Congratulations to Akura Davis (@AkuraDavis,) for winning the August Sky CD Twitter Promotion! We’ll be sending him his free CD this week. Keep an eye out for our next promotion! Follow us on Twitter, MySpace, and YouTube to stay informed on new SalinasRadio events and promos!

We have also made a monetary contribution to the Food Bank for Monterey County. Remember, for every donation of $10 or more, we will send you a free August Sky CD (while supplies last) and donate 50% of the proceeds to the Food Bank for Monterey County. Contact me at Mike@SalinasRadio.com to donate!

Our very own featured artists Omani and Dub Wize will be playing, along with over 40 other great reggae artists. Get your tickets online and show your support, have a great time, and don’t forget the after parties! Dub Wize will be playing on Saturday, and Omani will be playing on Saturday.

Click here to buy your tickets now!

Omani

Our very own featured artist, Omani, will be playing live at Giovane’s Restaurant on Saturday, August 22, 2009 along with Reality Sound International selector DJ Daddy Spleece. The cover charge is only $7 at the door. The first 50 people in get a FREE OMANI CD! That’s right, $7, and you’ll get to see a great show with an awesome DJ, and on top of it, get an Omani CD absolutely free. The show is for ages 21 and over and starts at 9pm. Great food, beer, and wine will be available.

“OMANI is a five piece reggae band hailing from Salinas Valley and the Monterey Bay Area in the central coast region of California, bringing deep hypnotic grooves and satisfying positive vibes. Blending new and traditional interpretations inspired from an array of musical genres, but presented with a decidedly west coast roots reggae sound.” – OmaniBand.com

Giovane’s
348 San Juan Grade Road
Salinas, California 93906
(831) 444 – 6717

You Can Help!

SPCA fundraiser and August Sky CD release party.

Saturday, August 15th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM Free/All ages.
Del Monte Shopping Center
1410 Del Monte Center
Monterey, CA 93940

Otis Coen/Hear the Call Music, Del Monte Center, & The SPCA for Monterey County presents 12 August Sky originals – CD release party!

This event is benefiting the SPCA for Monterey County. Come check out the boys playing their 12 original songs – ranging from – Rock, Blues, Acoustic, and some Edgy tunes! August Sky will also be playing some great classic cover songs!!!

All ages and no cover! This is a great event for family and friends- and also supports a “GREAT” cause!

August Sky

50% of all CD sales this day will be donated to the SPCA for Monterey County!!! Every donation of $10.00 or more to the SPCA this day – and you will get a “FREE” August Sky tee shirt! And if you adopt a pet – you will get a Free autographed CD and tee shirt – while supplies last!

Hope to see you there!!

REMEMBER – to always please support your local SPCA. Animals can’t talk for themselves!!!

Autographed Trusting Lucy Poster, Thanks Ladies!

Trusting Lucy is officially on the air. We have added their two newest CDs (Not even on their site yet!) to the mix. The two CDs added include “Move Around You” and “Save Me from Myself.” Each CD contains 16 tracks, with both full band, and acoustic versions.

Be sure to tune in to the “All Genres” station to hear their band versions and acoustic versions, or the “Rock, Metal, and Acoustic” station for their Acoustic sets.

If you would like to order their new CD, please visit TrustingLucy.com or contact Trusting Lucy via email at Music@TrustingLucy.com. Be sure to let them know SalinasRadio sent ya!

Trusting Lucy is a collaboration between songwriters Linda Arceo and Lisa Long who joined musical forces in 2002 to focus their energy to write music that has been described as a “mix of soulful introspective ballads, straight-on hook driven melodic pop and forceful rock tunes sung with powerful distinctive voices and incredible harmonies reminiscent of the Wilson sisters from Heart, the Indigo Girls, and a dream duo of Grace Slick and Melissa Etheridge”. Their music whether performed as a band or acoustic duo provides an energetic stage performance that will definitely leave memorable musical impressions on any listener.
- TrustingLucy.com

We took a trip down to Giovane’s Resturaunt one weekend for a show we were invited to by the Sledge Grits Band (who will hopefully also be on the air as soon as they get their first CD out) and we couldn’t believe our ears. After first hearing Trusting Lucy on stage, I knew we had to get them on the air. These girls can really entertain.

I know I’m usually a big sucker for acoustic music anyway, but this is not your average acoustic band. These girls have some awesome pipes that can really push out some smooth harmonies, and they have the skills behind the strings to back it up. We didn’t get to hear their full set as we got there a bit late into the show, however, from what we heard, we can tell you that Linda Arceo and Lisa Long of Trusting Lucy are DEFINITELY girls to watch out for.

I’ll be recieving some of their music very soon to put up on air, and I’ll provide a more in depth review and Artist Feature as soon as I get time to hear their full set.

If you would like to pick up their CD and listen for yourself, head over to TrustingLucy.com and click on Merchandise. You can pick up their CD, “It’ll Be Fine,” their Limited Edition 4 Song EP, “Trusting Lucy Shows,” and even t-shirts and caps. They also note that if you want them to autograph your CD, all you have to do is let them know! Trust us, with the talent these girls have, you will be wanting them signed.