Circus lovers everywhere will have twice the excitement, fearlessness and artistry to look forward to this fall -- courtesy of New York’s own hometown circus, the not-for-profit Big Apple Circus (www.bigapplecircus.org) and PBS public television.

Big Apple Circus

First, the always-anticipated premiere of the 2010 season in NYC of the beloved Big Apple Circus will take place October 21 – January 9, 2011 at Lincoln Center, which has hosted this icon created by Living Landmarks Paul Binder and Michael Christiansen since 1981.

Plus, PBS will be airing a six -part documentary, "Circus," which provides viewers with a one-of-a-kind backstage pass to experience the rich and complex life under the tent and behind-the-scenes in the creation of the 2008 season of the Big Apple Circus airing nationally on November 3 through November 17, 2010.

"The PBS documentary marks the first time in our 32-year history that we granted this level of backstage access to anyone," said Artistic Director Guillaume Dufresnoy, who is featured throughout the "Circus" documentary and worked hand-in-hand with every department of Big Apple Circus and the Emmy Award-winning Show Of Force producers on the extensive coordination needed to create the extraordinary series. "I believe viewers will gain a unique insight into the complex process that allows the Big Apple Circus family of artists and artisans to turn a dream into the beloved one-ring, intimate human art form that has captured the hearts of audiences around the globe for centuries. I am sure that audiences who experience our 2010 production -- whether live in Lincoln Center, Boston or elsewhere – will have a deeper appreciation for the talent, skill, discipline and dedication it takes to create the live show from having seen the documentary," Dufresnoy added. "It's like enjoying a great meal: When you see the love and care that the chef displays in the kitchen, everything tastes that much better."

ABOUT BIG APPLE CIRCUS
For 32 years the Big Apple Circus, New York’s original one–ring circus, has been delighting audiences of all ages under its Big Top, presenting the finest in live family entertainment featuring world–class circus artistry. Experience the instant connection between audience and artist as your family sits less than 50 feet from the ring. The Big Apple Circus is a not–for–profit performing arts and outreach institution committed to invigorating the communities we serve with the joy and wonder of classical circus. Tax–deductible contributions made by corporations, foundations and individuals enable the Big Apple Circus to bring its special magic to diverse audiences through its outreach programs — Clown Care, Vaudeville Caravan, Circus After School, Circus For All! and Circus of the Senses — as well as its critically acclaimed performances.

For more information about Big Apple Circus visit: www.bigapplecircus.org
Follow us on Twitter @BigApple_Circus and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BigAppleCircus

Publicity contest coming soon to win a free PUBLICIST and EPK (electronic press kit) at http://www.grindmodepress.com!

With hip-hop music having existed since the early 1970s it is somewhat surprising that females are still under-represented in the culture. Other musical stlyes, such as jazz, blues, soul and gospel have all managed to see a strong female representation to prove that music is far from just a man’s thing – and yet a look at hip-hop would make you feel that may be just the case.

Of course there are some well-known female names in hip-hop, from the AWOL Lauryn Hill and the reality TV struck Lil Kim to incarcerated rapstress Remy Ma and Foxy Brown. Going back further Roxanne Shante, Salt N Pepa, MC Lyte and Monie Love all made their own impact (and still do) – but when compared to the men this is still a very small representation. But why is this?

Some of the disparity may come down to traditional gender roles, with a particular argument being made that young girls are led towards activities around the home, like cooking and cleaning, and so have less time for music. However it is clearly deeper than this facile explanation, and maybe it is the case that hip-hop is not considered ‘ladylike.’ The bragging testoterone fuelled image of hip-hop music may not seem overly appealing to a young girl when compared to R&B’s calmer feel. Of course, that is also a simplistic argument that says that women should or would simply try and mimic the styles of men and have no recourse to bring their own twist to the hip-hop swagger. Lauryn Hill showed that you can be lady-like and remain 100% hip-hop.

Chances are the disparity between men and women in hip-hop has a lot to do with record sales and labels. Record labels have seldom seen a great deal of sales success with female hip-hoppers as the men were first out the gate with platinum sales and awards. This will lead to a hesitancy to push female MCs on the part of the record labels. With less signed and less in the marketplace it is only natural that their will also be fewer girls inspired to pick up the microphone. And so the vicious circle begins. So it seems that even in hip-hop’s apparently forward-thinking and independent culture there is a strong hint of sexism…

There are plenty of very good female rappers out there, it is just about getting exposure and the correct marketing to allow them to shine on a larger stage.

 

Publicity contest coming soon to win a free PUBLICIST and EPK (electronic press kit) at http://www.grindmodepress.com!

One of our staff members on the other day, had a gentleman walk up to them, who was an artist, say that he GETS PUBLICITY! This was after he saw one of our signs. He said that he never knew the importance of publicity, until he was faced with reaching out to the media, and they would always asks TWO important things; do you have a biography and a press kit? He, needless to say, started doing his homework and found out what each of the components entailed, and he also realized that he needed those components, to further promote and publicize himself, and what it is that he was doing, and that there was no getting around it. Yes, he tried creating a press kit, and found a traditional one to be costly, but, nonetheless, he needed it.

Just because you build, does not mean that they will come. You have to do publicity, and have all of the components of a great Publicity campaign. You can be on a million social networking websites, and social media websites, but people in the media, are busy - they do not have time to click on links to your social websites, without, at least being enticed to do so. You have to have a press kit, biography, press releases...that is what will get you out there to the world.

So, you are an artist or a company, and you're doing something great, and you want the media to know about it, so, in turn, it can bring you great exposure, well, when contacting the media, you have to have to have a press kit, or many will not even look at what you have. Even if you call them, the first thing that they will want to know is if you would send over your bio, press kit, and press release.

You can put up as many songs as you would like on your social pages. Go to the studio and record as many songs as humanly possible, or run as many company contests, but if you are not getting it into the hands of the right people, once you are done, then it is all in vain.

PUBLICITY is THE BEST FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT that there is...

Content provided by www.grindmodepress.com

First off, we’ll start off by saying that everyone CAN afford publicity, even if you have to do it yourself! Let us start with the disclaimer that if you can afford to hire a publicist, then that is the best route to go, for any of your needs that may be extensive. We are comprised of publicists, and deal with many great publicists with whom we feel will do a great job at getting you or your product out to the world.

Let’s face it, not everything requires the hiring of publicist, but just takes you or someone on your team, taking a little time to get your campaign underway, while you save up the money sometimes necessary to hire one of the publicists that will get results for you. We also suggest being leery of everyone that says that they are a publicist to you, but, instead, you want to see their work history with past clients – have them prove to you that they are who they say that they are.

So, let’s get back to what we stated initially, when we said that everyone can afford publicity – we meant it! It is just a matter of strategically placing yourself out there into the Internet realm:

Of course, we suggest getting a www.grindmodepress.com DIY publicity account to get the ball rolling – because everyone needs a press kit and to send out professional press releases, BUT, in addition to that, you will have to utilize websites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace for what they are good for, and that is viral marketing – hence, more publicity. So, when you are on those websites, make sure that you are maximizing them. You want to make sure that you are dropping quality links back to your work, and that you are publicizing to the right people. To just publicize to people who are looking to acquire the same thing as you, is not enough.

So, make sure that you’re doing the following:

(A) Have an online press kit, and sending out press releases
(B) Maximizing Facebook, Twitter and MySpace
(C) Writing Articles
(D) Join Groups

Good luck, and until next time…remember to get your publicity campaign going today! It does not take a lot of money to do so.

Content provided by www.grindmodepress.com

With so many celebrities pushing for space in the media it seems that there are those who are going to increasingly bizarre lengths to get noticed. 

In a week that has seen Taylor Swift dancing with a swastika-sporting young man (he said it was supposed to be a cross that got altered through the evening - yeah right!) and Puffy being spotted on a balcony with his baby mother, Kim Porter, T-Pain sporting a t-shirt showing an Internet leaked shot of Cassie sans clothing and even the Roc turning on each other as Beanie Sigel took shots at Jay-Z, it gets increasingly difficult to see what is a publicity stunt and what is real...

Of course there is no such thing as negative press - or at least if there is it can easily be spun around to something else.  The danger is in getting no press.  This is something that sources have reported LeToya Luckett is facing as Matthew Knowles is alleged to have been paying DJs to block her airplay in an effort to protect the status of Beyonce.  True or not, this tactic has backfired as the story has given some more publicity to LeToya and her single.  It seems that sometimes you can't win for trying.

The fact also seems that people don't want to hear too much good news as gossip sites seem quick to jump on the slightest negativity but few reported the opening of Mary J. Blige's Center for Women in Yonkers (we did!).  Still, you have to give the people what they want - even if it might just be dramatized and set-up to get the press baying.  Which reminds me - have you ever noticed how some 'reality TV shows' have a disclaimer saying that some scenes are for dramtic purposes only.  Does that mean they are set-up, staged and acted by the supposed 'reality stars?'  Like Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five - it makes you wonder...

Slim (Managing Editor – Grind Mode Media LLC)

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