Work Work Work!!! What about Play???

MDC Catalyst Features Story

2008-07-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

Bang! Music Festival
By: Jonathan Mayor
Catalyst Staff
November 12, 2006

The word bang, used as a informal noun means a sudden or intense pleasure; thrill; excitement, which certainly defines the atmosphere of the third annual Bang! Music Festival. Concertgoers from all over the world have managed to end up at Bicentennial Park on November 11 2006 to form the crowd of the Bang! Music Festival. People from Chicago, Pennsylvania, New York, Venezuela, Columbia and even Holland attended the music festival. Some claimed to have just been here for holiday vacation with the interest to visit family but saw or overheard about the event that included some of their favorite home town performers and couldn’t resist. One concertgoer James Curtis from Arnhem, Holland traveled across sees to visit his family for the thanksgiving week and was told of DJ Tiesto’s performance that would take place at Bang! and couldn’t resist the temptation to buy a last minute overpriced ticket to see his fellow Holland DJ perform.

Approximately 20,000 concertgoers came out to see more than 50 dance, alternative, latin, rock, and reggae acts on five stages. General admission tickets first went on sale in early August for only $45.00 and went up to $95.00 on the day of the Event. VIP tickets ranged from $100.00 dollars to $2,500.00. Live performances from Gnarls Barkley, Duran Duran, Common, and Damian “JR. Gong” Marley turned the Live stage into one overcharged thrill ride. Giving it that Bang! Gnarls Barkley made its South Florida debut at Bang with a 12-piece band that certainly held up to the anticipation. The Trance stage had a performance from the number one DJ, according to the well known “The DJ List,” DJ Tiesto. Who basically had the entire crowd’s attention from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. During his performance the other stages were slightly empty. Earlier in the day, the Trance stage was the setting for some well known Trance DJ’s such as Lazardi, Edgar V, George Acosta, and Chris Lawrence.

One of the most talked about performances was by the French electronic pop duo Daft Punk. Daft punk appeared on the House Stage from 9:00 p.m. to 10.15 p.m. dressed up in shinny space suits within a Pyramid of lights and a back drop of honeycomb neon lights, mixing some of their classic hits such as one more time, around the world, and Technologic. The performance was Daft Punk’s last of the 2006 year which surely went out with a Bang! On that same House stage performers such as Roger Sanchez, Steve Angelo, and Cedric Gervais taped into the club culture of Miami. The second live stage had performances from the hit Latin groups Los Amigos Invisibles, Kinky, and Yerba Buena. V.I.P Tents with unlimited bottle service were also scattered throughout the Festival for those who prefer not to be surrounded by so many people in a tight crowd. The Bang! Music festival was definitely a hit according to Miami Dade College student Andres Gomez, 20 who said “Third time is always a charm. The Bang! Music festival really did it this time with the line up of performers, pyrotechnics and accommodations. I’m only 20 and by the looks of the progress that the Bang Music festival has made within three years, I’m going be 30 still banging at the Bang! Music Festival!”

MDC Catalyst Lifestyles Features Story

2008-07-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

Click on image to view clipping.

Miami New Times features story

2008-07-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

Deep in the House
Miguel Migs comes to wreck shop at Mansion
By JONATHON MAYOR
Published on September 13, 2007

Miguel Migs’ musical foundation was built on African and Jamaican rhythms. As an 18-year-old guitarist in a world-music-influenced band in Santa Cruz, California, he absorbed the sounds of soul, reggae, and electronica. Now Migs is a hugely popular DJ and producer who specializes in whatÃ‚Â’s known as Ã‚Â“deep house.Ã‚Â” Drawing inspiration from his musical roots, he promises a unique spin on the typical DJ-behind-the-turntables show that Miamians have come to expect. ThatÃ‚Â’s because Migs comes with an eight-piece band. HeÃ‚Â’s rolling across the country for the release of his sophomore album, Those Things, and tonight Michael Capponi and the good folks at Aquabooty are bringing the San Francisco native to perform at Mansion. With special DJ sets by Marques Wyatt and Julius Papp, party people will be breaking it down all night long. The event is presented by Salted Music, the independent record label Migs founded in 2004. The soul-quakinÃ‚Â’, booty-shakinÃ‚Â’ groove begins at 11:00 p.m. and wonÃ‚Â’t stop till 5:00 a.m. Tickets cost $30. Call 305-531-5535, or visit www.theopiumgroup.com. Sat., Sept. 15, 11 p.m.

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2007-09-13/calendar/deep-in-the-house/

Ultra!!!!

2008-07-09T10:48:00.000-07:00

Miami may have a great music scene, but during this time of year residents' attention are focused on this one event…………..

ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Ultra Music Festival is 10 year old Dance Music Festival that features over 200 artist, DJs and promoter. It has broken numerous attendance records, the most recognizable being this year when +70,000 people attended. This set a new city of Miami record for most tickets sold to a single event. The venues of the event have changed from the sandy beaches of South Beach, to the Bayfront Amphitheater, to now the very roomy Bicentennial Park. The event has stretched from being a one day event to now a two day event. Every year the event grows ever more popular on an international level.

Now that you understand the intensity of this event, sit back and enjoy the visual tour of Ultra Music Festival’s events and DJs.

The photos will begin on Saturday (Day 2) March 29, 2008 at 3 p.m.

First stop: The Carl Cox Tent, on the turn tables: David Guetta.

He performed a nonstop 1.5 hour set of some of the most popular hit songs of 2008, including his recent Smash hit “Love is gone.” This DJ traveled all the way from Paris France to provide the attendees of Ultra with some incredible music.

HE would really get into his music as the crowd would sway and bounce to his hard pounding bass beats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDKaNDcoa0k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmlZssaIrHM&feature=related

After a brilliant set by David Guetta, we head towards a more South American sound DJ. Next stop is the sound of heart pounding Columbian style dance music, courtesy of D.J. Erick Morillo! He was performing the sunset session at Ultra's main stage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2icFqPHGNs

Born in New York City and raised in Columbia, South America, this DJ truly knows how to incorporate interracial sounds into the hearts and souls of his fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxh8R0VCa0Q

After an amazing set by Erick Morillo we start to head towards DJ Dirty South. As the night begins though, things begin to get crazy. The music becomes louder and the lights become brighter as Miami claims the title as the “City that does not sleep”

DJ Dirty South!!!!

New to the Dance Music scene, this DJ has managed to create some breakthrough remix hits for 2007-08. Including, but not limited to “The Thing you say,” “It’s too late,” and "Baby when the light go out.”

Some other DJs at the event were Moby, Carl Coxx, Tiesto, Armin Van buuren

and the number one DJ, the headliner of the entire event: Paul Van Dyk.

A year’s worth of work and stress pays off at this one event where you can dance and move your negative vibes away.

Next year is another memorable experience waiting to be discovered.

Photos of Ultra were taken by Corey W. Campbell, former Chief Editor of the Miami Dade College newspaper; The Catalyst, All rights are reserved.

Pictures from my Business Trips: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis

2008-07-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

Work Work Work!!! Atleast I find some time to sightsee!

About Me

2008-07-09T08:10:00.001-07:00

I am a 21 year old Cuban American living in sunshine Miami, FL. I am currently a junior at FIU in pursuit of my Bachelors in Communications. Believe me when I tell you that the strong sun rays from the Miami sun affect my personality. I love Miami because of the vibe it gives me to continue everyday as if it were my last. Everyday is another challenge for me as I accomplish each task with ease. I have trained myself to juggle multiple things at once; in order to accomplish many things in a short period of time. A typical day of mine consists of going to work, writing, studying and training at the gym. My work may take up a lot of my time because of my position. I work for Daewoo Electronics America Inc. as a marketing manager. My job responsibility consists of travel around the nation to negotiate business with prospective partners. I also find time during my long flights across the nation to write for the Miami New Times. Freelancing may not be the most profitable job out there but it definitely promises experience. I began writing for the MDC Student News Paper: The Catalyst, as their Lifestyle Editor and I can never let go of this passion that they have helped me discover. Now, that I have been to several other states in the U.S. I have noticed that Miami is the only that could actually keep my spirits up at all times. With this motivation that I am able to sustain, I find time to stay above my class in my studies. Most of my free time is split between studying in the FIU Green Library, freelancing for the Miami New Times or training at FIU’s Gym. A good 85% of my life is spent working either for Daewoo Electronics, my education or my health. Now as I mentioned before I am only 21, so with all this work there must be some play!!! That is why each year during the month of March I prepare my self, along with most of the nation, for one of the biggest festivals in the U.S. Ultra Music Festival is known internationally as the most intense dance festival of all time, where DJ’s travel from around the globe to perform 1-2 hours sets of live-mixed dance music. In the U.S., hard working individuals like myself countdown to the date of this ultimate experience. This is experience is more visual than literal, so sit back as I take you though my Ultra Experience.

Photos of my blog were taken by Corey Campbell, former Chief Editor of the Miami Dade College newspaper The Catalyst, All rights are reserved.