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http://kdvr.com/2014/04/01/musician-gets-stage-fright-flees-fox31-denver-set-in-panic/

MUSICIAN GETS STAGE FRIGHT, FLEES FOX 31 DENVER SET IN PANIC | By Will C. Holden | April 1, 2014

DENVER — Tuesday’s “Everyday” hosts, Ken Clark and Kathie J., proudly introduced local musician Heather Nicolson on their April 1st show. According to the scripts in front of them, Heather had been given the opportunity of a lifetime: She was set to open for Fleetwood Mac at their upcoming concert at the Pepsi Center in June.

Toward the end of the segment, Heather was gearing up to play live on the set when everything started falling apart.

“These lights are really hot,” she complained. “How many people watch this show?”

Ken and Kathie cheered her on, offering encouragements like “if Fleetwood Mac wants to share the stage with you, take as much time as you need.” At one point, Ken even grabbed a couch cushion and started fanning Heather in an effort to get her some air.

It was no use. Heather continued to panic, and before Ken and Kathie could cut to a commercial break, she sprinted off the set yelling “I gotta go!” You can watch it in the video [on the URL].

Well, as it turns out Heather isn’t a local musician, she’s a local actress — something Ken and Kathie found out when they returned from that commercial break.

As they were preparing to start a new segment, the co-hosts got an on-air phone call from regular co-host Chris Parente, who was conveniently away on vacation. He explained how he and Heather collaborated to pull off the April Fool’s joke. Parente’s regular co-host was sufficiently amused. As for Ken, let’s just say he may or may not ever fill in for Parente again.

Watch the video(s) to see the joke and the aftermath.

Musician gets stage fright, flees FOX31 Denver set in panic

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http://bboyfactory.com/theft-at-the-bboy-factory/

B-BOY FACTORY RECORDING STUDIO GETS ROBBED

From their blog: On Tuesday night March 18th, the studio was broken into and robbed. Our sound equipment and some other things were stolen, so we had to rock the “ghetto blaster” for a couple nights. Personally, I didn’t feel terribly violated or angry. I felt bad for people who feel they need to go to such lengths for money. I felt bad for a society that creates them. When people take what’s not meant for them, they inevitable make others suffer and in so doing create bad karma for themselves. Unfortunately, it’s our students and community that are affected by this. We’re not going anywhere, so please don’t worry about the studio. Things happen, it’s our response to them that defines us, and the response has been incredible.

In fact, I have been more overwhelmed by the loving support of our community than I was by the feelings that came from the robbery. At first I did not know if I should make this a public matter. Perhaps it would frighten the children who come here to learn and practice in a fun and safe environment. Perhaps it would frighten their parents, who might suspect the theft as a personally motivated act rather than just financial. Furthermore, as many of you might understand I had a sense of pride and was wary of encouraging any pity towards myself or the studio. Ultimately, I simply wanted to run business as usual without a big interruption.

After some thought I reached out to a man I look up to very much. He and his crew have been a source of inspiration for me as a Bboy since the late 90s. Today, his center in Houston continues to inspire what I do at the Bboy Factory. He devotes himself to being a teacher and a role model to preserve the Hip Hop culture in its essence and entirety. Break Free, to me personally, is the model other REAL Hip Hop centers should be striving for. Teaching all of the elements as a culture not just a athletic dance, but the visual arts – Graffiti and the music- DJing and MCing as well. To me, Break Free is authentic Hip Hop. Sadly, they too had a break in and robbery some months ago.

Moy generously gave me sage advice. He told me to take this as an opportunity rather than as a catastrophe. He assured me that parents and kids would understand, and moreover that this was a chance to show the strength of the Bboy Factory community. He said to stay calm and focused and keep pushing forward as smoothly as possible. The next morning I announced what had happened and built a GoFundMe fundraiser page. I set a goal to cover the cost of all our stolen equipment and asked a handful of friends and community leaders around the country to share the page on Facebook.

What happened next was truly incredible. In 24 hours over $2000 was donated. In 36 hours we reached our goal of $3000. In three days we raised $3650. Donations came from as far as Korea, and from all over the United States. However, the vast majority of contributions came from right here within our community. Five Colorado dance studios sent money, several crews sent money, parents and grandparents of our students and even some of our own instructors sent in donations. The fundraiser was shared 787 times on Facebook, tweeted 526 times, and shared via email 200 times. Many famous Bboys shared the story and many more sent me personal messages of support and gratitude.

On top of the GoFundMe fundraiser the Bboy Factory Youth Team proposed some street shows to raise money to give to the studio. For many of them, this will be their very fist dance performance. The young niece of a local elder in the scene started selling bracelets and necklaces for a $1 to give all proceeds to the studio. My very own crew, Street Stylez Crew, pledged to contribute $500 from our crew savings from past performances!

A private student wrote 9 NEWS four times, threatening to forward this story on to every news station in Denver if they passed over it. They came and did a piece that ran on primetime, 6 p.m. news. Not exactly how we wanted to make the news, but hey, good publicity none the less. They even conveyed our philosophy of Hip Hop and the greater good it can perform in our communities. You can check that out here:

http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2014/03/27/dance-studio-burglarized-twice-in-8-days/6986181/

The same evening Channel 2 showed up to do a similar piece, after a call in from an anonymous supporter. The next day we were donated a television and two new security cameras.

It’s hard to properly express my gratitude. To see you, the community, come together like you did in our time of need has made the Bboy Factory stronger than ever. Not only have we already replaced the sound system, we’re also going to replace the floor, which has taken a serious beating over the past two years. Sorse, of the Lordz of Finesse, has volunteered to install the new floor as well as get wholesale prices on materials. Everyone in our circle has come together in a genuine show of care I hadn’t myself ever witnessed before.

You have confirmed that what we are doing is important. Preserving the traditions of Hip Hop as a culture is important. Teaching Breakin purely as the physical movement of a positive lifestyle rather than some sort of competitive “sport” has always rang true to me. Hip Hop is about having fun and living creatively. As a scene we’ve become so obsessed with competition and it’s created a disconnect between breakin and Hip Hop. To me that’s sad. But as long as the Bboy Factory exists we will teach Hip Hop first, Bboy second. Personal freedom, confidence, and creativity first, competitive strategy second. Peace, love, unity, and having fun first, the artistic elements second.

http://bboyfactory.com/theft-at-the-bboy-factory/

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http://news.yahoo.com/nephew-claims-self-defense-rappers-shooting-164554707.html

NEPHEW CLAIMS SELF-DEFENSE IN RAPPER’S SHOOTING

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — The nephew charged with shooting hip-hop artist and reality TV star Benzino during a weekend funeral procession on a Boston-area highway acted in self-defense, his lawyer said Monday.

Gai Scott, 36, of Randolph, pleaded not guilty in Plymouth District Court to armed assault with intent to murder. He was ordered held without bail pending a hearing Wednesday to determine whether he’s a danger to society.

Scott shot Benzino, whose real name is Raymond Scott, on Route 3 in Duxbury on Saturday as Benzino came upon his own mother’s funeral procession, authorities said.

“When the dust settles with respect to this case, it’s going to be abundantly clear that Mr. Scott, a licensed gun owner, was acting in self-defense and in defense of his family,” said Jon Ciraulo, Gai Scott’s lawyer.

The Plymouth district attorney’s office said in a statement that “growing family tension” between the men was behind the shooting.

Benzino, who was released Monday from South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, said he had paid his respects to his mother in private at a Quincy funeral home but decided to skip the procession and funeral because of tensions in the family over money.

Benzino, 48, a Boston native who now lives in Atlanta, said he was on his way to Plymouth to pick up a friend when he came upon the procession and someone opened fire.

He did not identify the person who shot him by name.

Benzino is a cast member of the VH1 reality show “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” and CEO of Hip-Hop Weekly magazine.

http://news.yahoo.com/nephew-claims-self-defense-rappers-shooting-164554707.html

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CONGRATULATIONS, KUDOS, PATS-ON-THE-BACKS TO . . .

. . . COMBO co-Webmaster and Treasurer David Barber! David recently had an article published in Music Connection. Read the article under the Reports column!
http://musicconnection.com/mcblogs/author/barber/

. . . Lola Black! From Chris Dellinger on Facebook: When Lola Black and I started this little band called Lola Black about 7 years ago, we had no idea where or how far things could go!! We were just a shitty punk rock band that played every weekend in any place that would have us. But now look at this!! Lo making the announcement on Saturday at the Mammoth game at the Pepsi Center about the fan appreciation night! LB at the Pepsi Center Friday, April 11th! Get your tix today and be part of the first 100 and get it early for the private listening party of the new record and a free download when it comes out!! Don’t miss out – get your tickets now! Starting at just $10.67!! http://www.kbpi.com

. . . COMBO Member The Symbols has just released the first single and video for their upcoming Sparkle EP. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aiu3qlkzwM to check it out!
And Jasco writes: “Thanks and keep up the great work promoting Colorado music.”

. . . Denver’s own Biff Gore who made it to the semi-final rounds of the national singing competition The Voice! Unfortunately, Biff got sent home on Tuesday night. Darn!! Best of luck to Biff in the future. He certainly represented Denver well!

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