Warning: This post may read like “I got you a birthday present but I’m not telling you what it is.”
Here’s my “ridiculously excited for Youtopia” blog post. This year I got my first art grant; and I’m building a bunch of Simpler Times Aliens Landing art. It is coming right along. I started building in August. I don’t want to spoil the surprise about what is coming together for the art I’m building or the surprises from the rest of Simpler Times. Our theme is that Aliens are Landing. We have an event page on Facebook if you would like to keep up with developments and the lineup information, and any theme parties we’ve got going on, just click HERE!!!
If you want to learn more about Youtopia 2014, check out this Facebook event HERE!!!
In addition to the art, I will be contributing music in the form of Dj sets with violin. I’m starting to prepare some really special tunes for the really amazing people who will be at Youtopia. More information on that will come soon! There will be much magic and techno. There will be lots of other things too, I am thinking. It’s crazy to me that my first experience playing on a large sound system was last October on the BANT stage. I will bring extra extra special music to that stage for my family.
And what else…OH This ELLO thing!!!! So I joined Ello on principle, to show solidarity for my Facebook friends who got caught up in the sudden decision of Facebook to enforce one of their own policies about naming conventions on the site. Suddenly my friends could not log on without faxing in an id to Facebook, to prove their identity, and then their name was changed to the legal name. I saw posts about the Drag Queens in the Bay area protesting this change, because changing their names to their legal names changes the online identity/avatar they’ve been putting forth to the world.
I can really empathize with this situation, because as a performer I understand that time and thought go into the performance aspect of the internet presence. We are in an age of never before seen possibilities, because we can reach people around the world, and share with them our own experience and art. So if I’ve been presenting myself to the internet universe under a particular name and persona, and then suddenly I have to change that back to my legal name, then it’s like ripping off Spiderman’s mask in front of anyone who pays attention.
So I joined Ello, because for that principle I think people should be allowed to create their online presence the way they like it.
However, Ello is in Beta.
I’ve been testing software for over 5 years now, and I often see software in the development phase, before it can be allowed to be seen by customers. My opinion currently about Ello is that it’s a little confusing because navigation doesn’t occur in ways I’d expect. Searching for people is impossible, except if you already know their Ello name or go hunting in your friends’ friends list.
Also Facebook is such an evolutionary force the way people can use it to bring themselves together for different purposes. Specific events, fan pages, food pictures, or just mindless chatter is all in there. I can’t leave it, now, for good or for bad. I like knowing when every friend’s birthday happens. Also as my art and music evolves, and I want to keep up with other people’s art and music or their passions, I can find that out on Facebook. We are writing our daily news to each other.
It will be interesting to see what comes of the next few years. There are some really interesting blogs discussing the future of Facebook, but no one knows for certain what will happen. It remains to be seen what will rise next.
Ah so enough about internet, let’s talk about interaction and dancing and raising money for a really great cause. The S.H.A.F.T. Crew is throwing an Electric Poncho Fundraiser at the Kava Lounge this Friday, October 3rd. Check out the event page HERE!!!
I am going to join Twitter this week just so I can post #PFHS#SHAFTNIGHT#PONCHOFABULOUSHASHTAGSWAG
I posted my mix from the DelaMoonTribe Simpler Times show from September 13, 2014. The whole night was off -the-hook amazing. Here’s where you can find it on SoundCloud!!!
See you on a dancefloor!!! Happy Autumn!!!
Sarah