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BIG FUN MAN, 2010 ISSUE
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4 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
INSIDE
MAY, 2010
EMAIL: [email protected] - 253-473-1866
PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF - DAVID JOHNSON
Accounting / Editorial Traffic: Rose Murphy
Proofreaders: Ce’Lene Sakellis, Larry Warfield - Photography: Sean Cummings, Walter Atkins, Richard Baker
Advertising Sales: [email protected] 253-473-1866 - David Johnson and Gary Grape
BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE is published 12 times a year. The views expressed in BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE are those of their respective
contrib utors and are not necessari ly those of i ts publisher, editors, or s taff. All ima ges in adver tisements and advertorials /special pro motions are s upplied by t he advertiser . Advertiser guarantee th ey have
the legal right to publish all images supplied to BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE.
Copyright 2010 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE.
EMAIL: [email protected] - 253-473-1866
BIG FUN
ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE
20
THE MIX
6 Variety Entertainment
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
8 Inside / Out Jazz Awards
FESTIVALS
10 West Coast Gospel Fest
12 7th Annual Tacoma Jazz &
Blues Festival
ART
14 The River Custom Tattoo
& Body Piercing
JAZZ PROFILE
16 What’s New?
Alma Villegas
ABOUT THE BIZ
16 Darrius Willrich
BLUES / ROCK
18 David Keys interviews
young guitarist
Nolan Garrett
CASINOS
20 Star machine
rocks PJ Pockets
22 Happy Days Casino
gives back. David Keys
Interviews Paul Manuel
SOUND ADVICE
26 Audio mastering tips from
Richard Nichols of
Circle of Sound Studio
6 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
THE MIX
Variety Entertainment
DANCE
Latin Dance Night
Featuring
Orchestra Zarabanda with DJ Prajunkid
Becka Hueth of Seattle Latin Dance.
May 11
Teatro ZinZanni - Seattle, WA
COMEDY
JAZZ
Dat Phan
May 27-29
Parlor Live
Bellevue, WA
Steve
Hofstetter
May 17
Hard Rock Café
Seattle, WA
BlueStreet
Jazz Voices
May 2
Jazz Vespers
Seattle First Baptist
Church
Seattle, WA
Butch
Harrison
& Good Company
May 8
Bake’s Place
Issaquah, WA
Sonny Rollins
May 10
The Paramount Theatre
Seattle, WA
JAZZ
Susan Pascal
Quartet
May 29
Tula’s
Seattle, WA
FUNK / R&B / GROOVE
Sonando
May 20
Tula’s
Seattle, WA
STANTON MOORE TRIO
May 15
Tractor
Ballard, WA
BLUES
ROCK / POP
Phantoms
May 8
Hard Rock Café
Seattle, WA
Bonefest 2010
W/ Fred Wesley
May 9
The Triple Door - Seattle, WA
The Michal
Miller Band
May 14
Stonegate
Tacoma, WA
Bob James & Earl Klugh
May 20 - 23
Jazz Alley - Seattle, WA
SMOOTH JAZZ
CONTACT BIG FUN
8 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
LUCID Presents
The Inside/Out Jazz Awards
Celebrate Seattle’s Jazz Community
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
ucid Jazz Lounge is proud to
present the first Inside/Out Jazz
Awards at Benaroya Hall on
Monday, May 31, 2010. The concept for
the I/O Awards sprang from the same
idea as Lucid - that the Seattle jazz
community needs to build itself from
the inside out. For more than a year,
this is what Lucid has tried to
accomplish, and now they are ready to
bring the concept to the masses.
The I/O Awards will, of course, include
awards given to various members of
our community. Some will be standard
awards you’d see at other events
(Outstanding Instrumentals,
Outstanding Album, etc.) and some will
be more personalized. The event will
also include numerous performances
from Seattle jazz musicians, including a
reprise of Evan Flory-Barnes’ Earshot
Award winning “Acknowledgment of a
Celebration”, Clarence Acox, Andy
Clausen, Reservoir Cats, Miles Davis
Tribute, The Teaching and more.
100 % of the proceeds from this event
will go to Strength Through Unity, a
Non-Profit organization established by
Lucid’s owner, David Pierre-Louis, to
aid with rebuilding his native Haiti.
STU’s mission is to rebuild the spirit of
Haitians by providing immediate aid
and assistance and by creating
meaningful ways in which to empower
Haitians for sustainable lifestyles.
This event promises to be the biggest
ever to celebrate the Seattle jazz
community. The whole concept of
Inside/Out is to grow the community
and help us all as individuals and as a
group. If you’d like to speak with the
organizers for more information,
contact J&J Music at (206) 250-5457
L
10 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
FESTIVALS
West Coast
Gospel Fest
A
Over 12 Artists Celebrating Gospel at
Tacoma’s Rialto Theater
medley of gospel artists from
around the U.S. will take stage
as the Broadway Center presents
West Coast Gospel Fest on
Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in
the Rialto Theater. The event is presented
in partnership with Mr. Frank Walton,
2007 Inductee Broadcasters Hall of Fame
and 2009 Gospel Announcer of the Year,
Gospel Music Workshop of America.
The West Coast Gospel Fest will feature
a variety of new and upcoming gospel
artists from around the country, in
addition to well-known gospel music
veterans. Participants represent all
corners of the nation and include more
than twelve individuals and groups
lending their talents to create a unique
evening that blends several styles - and
generations - of Gospel music. The
performers include:
Moses Tyson Jr. - the Gospel King of the
Hammond B3 organ
Ami Rushes (Los Angeles) - music from
her forthcoming CD produced by Kurt
Carr
Angela “Missy” Billups (New York) -
east coast New York style gospel
Terri McConnell (Oklahoma) - Ebony
Magazine named McConnell one of the
new and hottest in black music
Shirley Bell (Chicago) - backup for
gospel greats such as Albertina Walker,
Dorothy Norwood, Soul Stirrers, The Five
Blind Boys, Wanda Nero Butler and Rev.
John Morris, just to name a few.
Eric Carrington (Houston, Texas) -
debuting his latest offering for the youth
and young at heart
Jimmy Hill (Jacksonville, Florida) - a
renowned artist who has created classic
songs, virtuoso guitar instrumentals and/
or powerful statements of music and
ministry
Chuck Anderson (Houston, Texas) is an
anointed saxophonist, composer and
band-leader, his recent CD is tit led Walk
With Me.
Gail Fly (New Orleans, Louisiana) -
awarded the 2009 Rhythm of Gospel
Awards “Traditional Female Vocalist of
the Year”
Bishop Sam Williams - producer and
host of the number one Gospel and
Inspirational show in New York City “Joy
in the Morning”, on 107.5 WBLS.
Williams was inducted into the National
Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1999.
Elizabethtown Community Choir -
thirty-three members that demonstrate a
rich diversity in age, denominations,
socio-economic and musical
backgrounds
The evening will be hosted by Frank
Walton and local radio personalities
David Bowman, Eddie Jones, Monica
Lewis, Tyrell Floyd of the Seattle Area
Gospel Announcer Guild. Tickets to
West Coast Gospel Fest are on sale
now for $16 and $26. Call 253.591.5894
to order or purchase online at
www.broadwaycenter.org.
Terri McConnel
Eric Carrington
Gail Fly
12 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
The 7th Annual Tacoma Jazz and Blues
Festival is happening on Saturday, May 29,
2010 in downtown Tacoma. Presented in
association with the South Sound Blues
Association and the Greater Tacoma
Community Foundation, this day-long festival
will have bands and combos performing at
Freighthouse Square and the Harmon Pub
and Brewery with an after party to be held at
the Stonegate Tavern.
“Our goal from the very beginning has been to
put on a fantastic artistic event that exposes
people to America’s earliest indigenous
musical forms, jazz and blues,” said festival
founder Rich Wetzel.
The Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival has
become a fixture on the local entertainment
scene, drawing thousands of visitors each
year to enjoy up and coming local talent as
well as national acts. This year’s lineup is no
exception, with the following bands scheduled
to play:
Big Bands Jazz Stage @ The Rainier Room,
Freighthouse Square 12 noon – 7:30pm
Johnny Lewis Big Band 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Roadside Attraction 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Mukilteo’s Outrageous Jazz Orchestra 4:00 -
5:00 PM
Rich Wetzel’s Groovin Higher Jazz Orchestra
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Blues Stage @ The Harmon Pub & Brewery
12:30 – 6pm
(presented with The South Sound
BluesAssociation)
The Crossroads Band 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Little Bill and the Bluenotes 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Maia Santell and House Blend 3:30 - 4:30
PM
Nick Vigarino 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Jazz Festival After Party @ The Stonegate
Restaurant and Bar 8:30 pm
In addition to exposing the community to the
7TH ANNUAL
TACOMA JAZZ &
BLUES FESTIVAL
FESTIVALS
Hot Jazz and Cool Blues in Downtown Tacoma
plethora of quality performers in our area, the
mission of the Jazz Festival is to raise
awareness for its outreach program aimed at
local school music programs. By providing
funding for school instruments and hosting
music clinics, “We can inspire dreams, and
enrich the lives of not only the kids who go on
to teach and play, but also those that view
music as part of a well rounded educational
and life experience,” said Rich Wetzel.
The Jazz Festival is free to the public, with
free parking at the Tacoma Dome parking
Garage across from Freighthouse Square.
Patrons can hop on the Tacoma Link to catch
bands at either of the two main venues. There
is a $5 cover for the after party, beginning at
8:30 pm at the Stonegate.
For more information, please contact:
Rich Wetzel - Festival Director
Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival
(253) 227-0335, [email protected]
www.tacomajazzandblues.org
BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010 13
Maia Santell & House Blend Nick Vigarino
Little Bill Crossroads Band
Rich Wetzel’s Groovin Higher Orchestra
14 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
ART
By Malissa Bourgault
By Adam Rabb
By Matt Steward
By Rich McGowen
Bones
By Malissa Bourgault
By Adam Rabb
The River
Custom Tattoo &
Body Piercing
ones is co-owner of and head body
piercer at The River Custom Tattoo &
Body Piercing. He began piercing in
1988 and has worked at way too many
places to list here. We will just say that he
has been around doing it in a serious way
for quite a while. He opened The River
Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing a little
more than a year ago and has attracted a
large base of repeat customers who love
the shop. Most of the people that get their
work done at The River go there because of
Bones’ history in the industry, and because
the staff and operation are top notch. All of
the artists are either skilled painters or
graphic artists who can produce any
custom design or provide you with one of
their own unique concepts. Here are a few
pics of work done by staff artists.
Stop by on Sunday, May 23
rd
between noon
and 6pm to meet world famous tattoo artist
The Enigma, and get one of his blue puzzle
signature tattoos. See ad on page 14.
B
Alma Villegas
Vocalist - Seattle, WA
PERFORMANCE CAREER
We have a full schedule of summer
festival performances. We are thrilled
to be back at Jazz in the Valley in
Ellensburg, WA on July 30
th
& 31
st
and
from September 24-26, we will be
participating in Mexico, One Country
Every Nation in celebration of Mexico’s
200
th
anniversary of its independence in
Leon, Guanajuato.
www.allnationsfestival.com
RECORDING CAREER
On June 6, 2010, I will be releasing my
new CD with members of my quintet at
the UW’s Ethnic Cultural Center. We
are very excited to introduce selections
with additional instrumentation including
violin, tres (Cuban guitar) and trumpet.
More information on the event available
on my website www.almavillegas.com
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
Thankfully, all the people in my life are
doing very well. I have a dear friend
who will be graduating from law school
this summer and everyone else is doing
better economically this year.
STATE OF THE BIZ
Luckily, the economy has picked up a
bit and I and my musician colleagues
are seeing more opportunities to
perform this year. My hope would be
that things continue to get better and
revenue will increase for us all. Many
musicians struggle to make a living out
of music alone. My boyfriend and bass
player, Steve Okimoto is a member of
the Dudley Manlove Quartet, a band
that has traditionally done very well
professionally. Even they experienced
hard times in 2009 but things have
definitely picked up this summer.
PERSONAL LIFE
I began a new job this January for an
education advocacy organization called
Stand for Children. We are working
hard mobilizing parents and educators
to hold local and state decision-makers
accountable for funding public
education. It is a difficult task but one
that is very much needed. Our public
education system is not doing well and
too many kids are dropping out or
graduating without being college ready.
It’s time for all of us to make this a
priority. After all, kids are the future of
our country.
FAMILY LIFE
Not much there. But my cat, Boochie is
very spoiled.
QUEST FOR PERSONAL GROWTH
Last year, I became a member of the
Sokka Gakai International Buddhist
organization. Chanting Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo every day has helped me
remain focused on my goals and gives
me the personal strength and resolve to
get through the difficult times.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Mark your Calendars! Release of Alma
y Azucar our second CD filled with new
music and additional instrumentation
including tres, violin and trumpet.
Sunday, June 6th
Ethnic Cultural Center/Theatre
3931 Brooklyn Ave. NE
(206) 543-4635
3pm-5pm
www.almavillegas.com
You may reach Alma at:
JAZZ PROFILE
By Darrius Willrich
If you plan to make money as a
performing artist in today’s music
industry, the one thing you must do is
create a plan for every facet of your
business and don’t be afraid to enlist the
help of others. It will be necessary to
have consultants, advisors and mentors.
Use them as well as your own
judgement. Be following a plan that you
can track the success and/or non-
success of so you can make adjustment
to your plan and continue on the path to
success. Without a plan you will not
know whether you are on the path or off.
If you should keep doing what you are
doing or if it is time to reassess. Do not
be afraid to take calculated risks. Learn
how to calculate risks.
About The Biz
16 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
Nolan Garrett
Guitarist & Vocalist - Tacoma, WA
“I
INTERVIEWED BY DAVID KEYS
How old are you?
I’m 12 years old.
What styles of music do you play?
I play classic rock and dirty blues.
You are a very accomplished musician for
your age. When did you start playing?
I started taking lessons in second grade,
because playing sports just wasn’t my thing.
So my mom said “why don’t you try playing
an instrument? Maybe the guitar would work
for you.” So I started taking lessons at Ted
Brown Music with Daniel Harris, and we just
clicked from the start. I have loved playing
guitar ever since.
You recently won a competition for young
musicians in Tacoma. Tell us about
organization that sponsored the event and
how you became involved.
The organization is called PSMFYA, which
means Puget Sound Music For Youth
Association. I think it’s a really great
organization because it allows kids like me to
show what we can do on an instrument and
lets us play on the stage, which is a real
privilege. I became involved when Paul
Manuel, the president of the association, ran
into a friend of someone that works with my
mom. He was putting up posters at a school
for the competition and my mom’s friend said
“Do you know Nolan Garrett?” and he said
yes! And he asked her “Do you know where I
could find him?” And it went from there.
chose to play the guitar
because my mom said I
needed to try something new.”
What categories did you win?
Our band won the band category, and I won
the solo and audience choice categories.
What were the prizes?
The prizes for the band performance were
$350 in Ted Brown Music Gift Cards and 8
hours recording studio time. The prize for the
solo performance was $150 in Ted Brown
Gift Cards and 8 hours recording studio time.
The prize for the audience choice category
was a $50 gift certificate at Musician’s
Exchange.
What was the first thing that came to your
mind when you heard your name called as
the winner?
I was surprised because my band had only
been practicing together for three weeks, so it
was unexpected. My solo performance win
was surprising because there were a lot of
really great musicians there.
I hear you will also be performing at the
Paramount. How did you get such a
prestigious booking?
The first time I ever played at Happy Days
Casino, Debbie Miles saw me while I was
playing one of her favorite songs, and she
wanted her husband Mike Miles, the
technical director for the Paramount, to come
and watch me. He came, and loved the type of
music I was playing, and asked if my band
and I would play at his birthday party on the
stage of The Paramount. And of course, I said
I would be honored.
How many hours do you practice each
day?
I practice from 2 to 10 hours a day.
Who is your music teacher?
My music teacher is Daniel Harris. He is the
best finger style guitarist I have ever seen,
and he is also very good at teaching rock and
blues. He always wants to help me be the
best I can be!
You are also quite a fine singer. Do you
take singing lessons?
I just started a month ago with my parent’s
friend, Doug Johnson. He has helped me open
up my voice and range.
What are your favorite songs at this time?
I like playing “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked”
with my band, and I like playing “Classical
Gas” by Mason Williams on my acoustic. My
favorite song is “Heaven Beside You” by
Alice in Chains.
Tell us about your band.
My band is a trio. Matthew Harding plays
bass, Matt Schwab plays drums and I play
guitar and sing. We are all twelve years old
and friends. Matthew has been taking bass
lessons for about a year, and is doing very
well. Matt has been playing drums for three
years and is also doing well.
Do you plan to have a career as a
professional musician?
I would love to have a career as a
professional musician. I know it takes a lot of
hard work and dedication, but I am will ing to
put in a 150 percent effort all of the time to
achieve my dream!!
You may reach Nolan by contacting his
mother at:
BLUES / ROCK
18 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
Star Machine
Rocks PJ Pockets
So you’ve heard all
the hype, but for
those who have
never witnessed live
band Karaoke, it
is nothing like
what you
might think.
The excitement of
performing on the
biggest stages in the
Northwest in front of
screaming fans has an
amazing effect on
people. There is a kind
of magic that happens
when you get to be the
star of your own live
band. It allows you to
become something you
don’t always get to be.
The stage comes alive
with the rolling lights, live
bass, drums, guitar and
even back-up vocals. The
music is mixed perfectly and
pumped out at concert levels.
Your very own music video is
projected on the two enormous
screens on either side of the stage
while the crowd cheers you on and
floods the dance floor. You feel
enveloped in the warmth of red and blue
lights and embraced by luminous plumes
of fog. The intensity swells, your excitement
rising with the music. Any lingering jitters
disappear as you take in the thrill of a
lifetime. You lose yourself in the music and
sing like never before, drawing forth a
performance beyond anything you thought
you were capable of. Your voice bounding
through the club echoes with inspiration.
This is Star Machine. This is a moment
you won’t soon forget.
The band’s members were “cherry picked”
from top performing bands in the Northwest
and has already taken the lead over
previous bands, raising the bar with well
CASINOS
over 300 songs and counting. In fact, they
add new songs every week from the
“Singer’s Request List”. This means they
learn YOUR favorite songs instead of
expecting you to learn theirs.
Hit Connections Entertainment, with
Virginia Ashby, developed Star Machine in
2009 and has perfected the conditions
that accommodate and encourage
performers with both comfort and
excellence. This environment is
designed to inspire the
performer who in turn, delivers
an inspiring performance. Set
up with the best musicians,
sound crews and
equipment, in the hottest
clubs, and the
convenience of lyrics
scrolling on a nearby
monitor.
Experience Star
Machine for yourself.
Get lost in the music,
carried away by the
crowds and delighted
with the discovery of the
Star within you.
Star Machine appears
Wednesdays at
Muckleshoot Casino -
8:30pm, Thursdays at PJ
Pockets -9:30pm, and at events
throughout the Northwest.
Star Machine specializes in private
parties and events.
www.hitconnetionsentertainment.com/
starmachine.cfm
www.myspace.com/StarMachineKaraoke
Hit Connections Entertainment
(206)372-6424
20 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
CASINOS
“Young people are the
future of the Arts, and
particularly in music.
Music gives our young
people something to
focus on, and it
provides an avenue for
them to exercise their
creativity.”
Tell us a bit about your program for
young musicians. How did it start?
I am a blues and rock flute player
and my stage name is Mariano
Silver. I met a musician named
Randy Oxford in 2006 at a
mutual friend’s party and we
played together. He said I
needed to come down to
Jazzbones and be a part
of his jam session and it
was there that I got my
first experience
performing with young
musicians. Dominique
Stone, Randy’s bassist, had
already been working with
young musicians and he’s the
one who encourage me to work with kids. So
in 2008 I started putting together ideas for
how we work with young musicians, and with
Randy support we entered in the Daffodil
Parade. In 2009 we took first place in our
division. We had 5 young musicians and 14
swing dancers, 12 of them were under 22
years of age. After the parade we decided to
form a non-profit organization with the State
of Washington and we created the Puget
Sound Music for Youth Association. We had
about twenty kids that comprised 3 groups
and went on to do 13 shows at the Puyallup
Fair in September, 2009 with two of the
groups. The PSMFYA is an avenue for young
musician to meet each other and further their
knowledge of music through practice and
competition and by working together as a
team.
You recently held a competition for young
performers. What was involved?
We had a Kids Got Talent show and
competition in April of this year that was held
at Happy Days Casino in Lakewood. I
approached the owners of Happy Days after
the Puyallup Fair and we started Kids Jam in
November, 2009. The jam grew to 20 to 30
kids coming in and playing music, and we
would go for four to five hours at a time.
Having the competition is part of what the
PSMFYA is all about. The owners of Happy
Days Casino are great. They
really stepped up to the
plate and made the whole competition a big
success.
Who participated in the competition?
We had five bands compete. The Nolan
Garrett Trio played classic rock and blues,
Society’s Voice played grunge metal, Traveler
played classic rock, Edge of Explosion played
classic rock and R&B and What Happened
played jazz fusion. We had six Solo acts;
Nolan Garrett played guitar with sang, Zach
Rowell, played guitar, Johnny Epps played
guitar, Little Lisa sang Olivia sang and Alex
Richmond played guitar.
Who were the winners and what did they
receive?
The Nolan Garrett Trio took first place and
Society Voice took second place in the band
category. Nolan Garrett took
a first place and Alex
Richmond took a second
Continued on page 22
Happy Days Casino
Gives Back
Paul Manuel
Interviewed By David Keys
May’s Special: Prime Rib
22 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
place in the solo category. The Nolan
Garrett Trio won eight hours of recording
studio time with Good Records Music studio
and a $350.00 gift certificate from Ted
Brown Music. Nolan also won eight hours
of recording studio time with Good Records
Music studio and a $150.00 in certificate
from Ted Brown Music as his solo prize.
Alex Richmond second place prize was four
hours of recording studio time. We also had
the audience pick who they thought was
the best and that was Nolan Garrett. He
won a $50.00 gift certificate from Musician’s
Exchange. We also had a drawing for four
$25.00 gift cards from Musician’s
Exchange.
Do you host any other events on a
regular basis?
We host a Kids Jam on the second
Saturday of the month, but might add more
Saturdays. We will be at the Taste of
Tacoma as well as the Puyallup Fair this
fall. One of our Sponsors is Morphs BBQ
and he is building us a stage that will seat
over a 100 people at the Fair. And we hope
to play the Community in School stage
again at the Fair.
What are your long range goals for the
organization?
We hope to continue to grow. We will; hold
our next competition in August, and we
would like to get more musicians to
participate. It would be great to have three
to four bands in each genre category. The
categories are: blues, rock, metal, jazz,
reggae and country.
Tell us a bit more about Happy Days
Casino.
A good thing about Happy Days Casino is
they also have real good food and live
music three nights a week. They have live
blues and rock, and a real popular Asian
night with a good DJ, and dancing. They
also have a large stage with a professional
sound system and a big dance floor. Plus,
they don’t skimp on their drinks. It’s a good
safe place to go when you want to have
some fun.
Happy Days Casino is also doing a good
job reaching out to the community in a
variety of ways. They held a benefit for Carol
Parsons on April 10. And they recently
hosted a giant motorcycle club showcase/
convention that drew hundreds of riders and
vendors of all kinds to their parking lot and
side street. It was a real positive and fun
afternoon with live music, food and tons of
people. Happy Days has many more events
planned, so people should check in with
them often to see what’s on the horizon.
How can parents get in touch with you
to get their children involved in your
organization?
My website is www.marianosilver.com.
Click on Puget Sound Music for Youth
Association and you’ll get contact and other
information. My email is
Happy Days Casino: 11521 Bridgeport
Way SW, Lakewood, WA. 253-722-2022.
www.happydayscasino.net.
Happy Days Casino
24 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010
Moderation In All Things
Audio Mastering By Richard Nichols
SOUND ADVICE
astering requires careful listening of
the music to gain an understanding
of the main focal point. It may be a
horn line, the vocals, or a driving rhythm
guitar part, but regardless it needs to be
identified and that becomes the basis or
starting point. We must remember that
everything we change has a direct effect
on everything else. For example, by
reducing 90 to 100 Hz to fix a problem with
the bass, we may inadvertently create a
problem with the lower register in the piano.
It’s a trade off that sometimes isn’t worth
it. We must remember that not all problems
can be fixed in the mastering process and
just because something’s available doesn’t
mandate its use.
With the advent of entry level, lower priced
home recording equipment, it’s easier for
more people to be involved in the music
making process. A lot of the new DSP
products are quite good but still require an
understanding of how they work and the
effect they have on the finished sound. Most
of the included presets are intended as a
starting point and were not designed to be
used as shipped. Compression when used
properly helps to add punch and volume to
lower and mid level passages. Improper
settings though (e.g., lower threshold, too
high a ratio) brings things up to a constant
level and can accentuate sounds better left
back in the mix. If all you require is a higher
sound level, consider limiting instead. Used
properly, limiting can give you several more
dB without effecting the balance and tonal
quality of the music.
A person also has to remember that the
wider frequency response of loudspeakers
coupled with the subsonic frequencies of
properly adjusted sub woofers are more
accurate and translate much better than
M
Circle Of Sound Studio - Olympia, WA
near-field monitors. Most near-fields don’t
have the required bandwidth and low
frequency response to properly judge low
and subsonic problems. Over
compensating by turning up the bass is not
the remedy. This just causes boominess in
the low end and muddies the mids. It also
translates poorly in most l istening
environments outside of your own room.
When it comes to mastering remember, it
is not a one size fits all, and …moderation
in all things.
Consider allowing someone with the
equipment, understanding, and experience
to master for you. It can be a great benefit
to you and your masterpiece.
Richard is the owner of Circle of Sound in
Olympia, WA where he provides Mastering,
Digital Recording, and CD Duplication
services. Contact: www.circleofsound.net
26 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010