23. February 2011 by admin.

Are you a lover of all things arty, bold, creative?! Perhaps an old school comic book nerd at heart or just a welcome novice to the entire phenomenon? Well, either way, join me (seriously, sporting my snort laugh and somewhat antiquated school girl fascination to this event) in an “all-out-comic-book-geek-out”… with over 150 exhibitors, 7 hours of programming daily, live art shows and a comedy showcase.

A fun tidbit of what to expect! STAPLE! Promo Video: 7th Annual Independent Media Expo

There is a little something for everyone. Come for the art, crafts, zine collecting, fun toys, and assortment of unique games. Whatever pulls at the strings of creative wonderment…these two days of fun are sure to engage your mind. If that is not incentive enough, we are sponsoring a ticket giveaway for two day passes to attend the event, courtesy of STAPLE!

CONTEST: To enter to win a pair tickets to STAPLE! simply go online and follow @staple and re-tweet this: (*Winners will be selected within the week!)

RT @launch787 – Spread the word: #7thAnnualSTAPLEexpo! Comics, Art, Crafts, Panels + more. Mar 5-6 @staple http://www.launch787.com/?p=8637

Comics. Art. Crafts & more at The Marchesa Hall & Theater in Austin on March 5 & 6 (Sat and Sun). STAPLE! Tickets will be sold at the door. $10/1 day or $15/2 day pass.

The Independent Media Expo is an Austin event that promotes and celebrates a variety of independently created media, including self published and small press comic books, webcomics, zines, games, graphic art, podcasts, animation and crafts. Held annually since March 2005. The 7th annual expo will feature special guests Jill Thompson, Alex Robinson, Brian Clevinger, The Intergalactic Nemesis, an indie animation panel, a screening of the Comic Book Literacy Documentary, as well as other programming. http://www.staple-austin.org/guests/

A complete exhibitor listing, can be found here: http://www.staple-austin.org/exhibitors/

+ After parties to add to your calender: A live art show (with Digg and Table Manners DJs), and a live comedy showcase, both at Deville, visit www.facebook.com/stapleaustin for details on those events.

STAPLE! 7th Annual Independent Media Expo.

Posted in we make stuff, classes, creative side, contest, Austin Visual Arts Association, STAPLE!, comic art, launch787, Austin handmade, austin crafters, austin gifts, austin vendors, crafty fun, austin event, cool finds, austin art scene, DIY, Stuff in Austin | 66 Comments »

25. September 2010 by Candace Carlisle.

repost from launch787.com

Adi Anand and Natasha Taylor will be tying the proverbial knot on October 2nd at the Mohawk. It’s in sweet instances such as these that there appears to be total proof that life is infinite in wonderment and precious with its limited time and stolen moments. Obviously…emoting my own feelings for the couple here.

Adi Anand & Natasha Taylor

Anand, known for his work with the Austinist, his collaborative events with local promoters like Knuckle Rumbler and his past residency series at the Mohawk with Transmission Entertainment – From the Mind of Adi also known as FTMOA. Oh and let’s not forget his current monthly showcase, First Friday Frolic at Club DeVille. Gees. Thought I was busy!!!

So, let’s just say…these two cutie-pies definitely know how to throw a kick arse party, and from the sound of it, their plan is to do just that. Rock’n the hawk in style with their lyric infused nuptials and sweet wedding Prince tribute cover band – 23 Positions. This soulful overflow of collaborative talent comes from local bands Lost Werks, and a few of the dashing gents from The Lennings. To top that syrupy sweetness off will be the ever-so-talented local writer, Giant Noise publicist and bestie to the groom, William Dewberry Mills officiating the private ceremony. Plans of many spectacular things to follow…uh, like the raging after party starting at 8pm!

Okay folks, need I say more? But yeah, guess I kind of do. Oh wait, so do Natasha & Adi, check it:

Hey, Adi and Natasha! Totally excited about your upcoming vow exchange and kick-butt after party at the hawk coming up on October 2nd! Give us the dirt on how, when, and where you two met?

A: Natasha and I met at Hoover’s, Inc. (back in 2006) in the office one day when the company brought in free pizza, and we ended up going for the same slice (she let me have the slice because it had tomatoes and she doesn’t like those). After that, we ran into each other outside the bathroom and discussed our love for Poison (because they were touring at the time). Following that, we ended up going on our first date to New World Deli for lunch, and the rest as they say, is history.

What’s with the Mohawk nuptials? Other than the obvious fact that you practically reside there?
N& A: Well, we’re already having a decent sized wedding in November in India (and a reception in December in Houston), so for Austin, we were just gonna do a legal court wedding, but decided why not have a party and do the official legal ceremony then. The Mohawk was an obvious choice since I put on shows there regularly and of course, the owner James Moody and many of the staff there including managers Cody Cowan and Rene Stokes are good friends of ours. So we decided to do a sorta “rock n roll” wedding, on the stage at Mohawk, followed by bands and DJs.

Is there a wedding theme? What surprises are in-store for Nadi-fest attendees?
N& A: Rock N Roll Wedding! The attire is band/concert t-shirts. I believe there’s going to be a Tarot Card Reader there now, our buddy Matt deWitt who has recently picked up that practice.

Adi, tell us a little bit about the bands/music selections you have in store for Saturday’s festivities? Who’s playing?
A: We have 23 Positions, a Prince tribute band up first, because really how can you go wrong with Prince covers. The band is comprised of our friends Jason Blanchette and Ross Carnes. The Eastern Sea and The Frontier Brothers are both very talented young bands in Austin and I’ve been a huge fan over the years and have worked with them in the past. All the bands have been really excited to do this and we’re so glad they’re on board. And the dazzling duo that is Learning Secrets, ie. Jeramy Neugent and Ian Orth, will be spinning tunes before and after the ceremony.

In lieu of the traditional first dance song question…I have a more robust and fitting query for you both. If you lovebirds had to create a playlist of music that defined your lives together at this very moment, what would the top three bands of that playlist be?
A: Hmm, we may need to get together and get you an answer on this, but I would say The Beatles, Poison, and Stellastarr*

Last but not least… Are there any vendors that you would like to give a shout out to?
N& A: We’re lucky to have our friends help us capture the night forever — Annie Ray will be doing a photobooth upstairs, Alison Narro is taking wedding ceremony (and some pre and post pictures), and Miguel Angel is filming the ceremony for us. There will be food from Frank (love my boys Daniel Northcutt and Brendan Hannah there) plus cupcakes from Kenda Ebbs, ie. Peaches Magee.

Oh…and just in case anyone is wondering where this lovely couple is registered, well they are not. But, you CAN send them some congratulatory love by contributing to help send this couple to Australia for their honeymoon! Simply click here to donate. – See you at Nadifest!

poster design by www.alt-r8.com

Posted in FTMOA, Mind of Adi, Mohawk, Mohawk Austin, Annie Ray, Alison Narro, Knuckle Rumbler, launch787, Learning Secrets, indie music, austin event, austin music, austin vendors, photo booth, Austin Musicians, music event in austin, music, Stuff in Austin | 55 Comments »

1. September 2010 by Candace Carlisle.

repost from launch787.com

The Intergalactic Nemesis on Sept. 3rd and 4th at the Long Center.

Watch The Intergalactic Nemesis – 60 second trailer

Check out an exciting event September 3rd and 4th at the Long Center – The Intergalactic Nemesis — A Live-Action Graphic Novel. Live-Action and Graphic Novel…together, huh? Indeed, this sci-fi radio thriller comes to life, in a entirely new form!

Keeping Austin weirdly wonderful is Jason Nuelander: local writer, director, producer and self proclaimed Benevolent Supercomputer (at The Robot Planet…of course) has kindly taken the time to give Launch787 readers a little insight into his upcoming opus and a chance for readers to WIN tickets to the opening night festivities.

CONTEST: Enter to win a pair of tickets to see The Intergalactic Nemesis — A Live-Action Graphic Novel, on Friday September 3rd. Simply, go online and follow @intnemesis on twitter and re-tweet this:

RT @launch787 #IntergalacticNemesis “suitable 4 the kid in everyone” Checkout @intnemesis @longcenter on Sept 3-4! http://tiny.cc/intnemesis

(*Winners will be selected within the week!)

Hey Jason! Tell us a little bit about your role in this project? How did you get involved?
Jason: Well, I’m the guy who created the project so I guess I got myself involved. Here’s how it started: back in 1996, a writer and musician named Ray Colgan approached me about an idea for doing “Little Theatre at Little City,” where he worked. He came up with the idea of doing a sci-fi radio drama. That’s when The Intergalactic Nemesis was born. Since then, the show grew: we recorded it at Little City; KUT broadcasted it; we created a new version in 2000 which was popular enough to spawn a sequel in 2001; KUT broadcasted both of those in 2002; in 2005 we created a third part; in 2006 we played Hogg Auditorium at UT (1200 seats), then toured the country for three years, landing back in Austin in 2008 at the Paramount. Then, last year, the folks at the Long Center asked me if I could bring the show to the big hall there. At first, I was hesitant–the radio drama’s visual spectacle was the sound effects which would be hard to see from the back rows of a 2,400-seat space. But then it hit me–what if we combined the comic-book artwork we were creating with the radio drama? This would create a spectacle that could work in such a big venue and would also be something totally new. So, that’s how the Live-Action Graphic Novel was born.

What exactly is The Intergalactic Nemesis, live-action graphic novel? What is it about?
Jason: The year is 1933. Pulitzer-winner Molly Sloan and her intrepid assistant Timmy Mendez have traveled to Transylvania to meet a key contact for a story about illegal pelt-smuggling. As the crackling fireplace warms the room against the blizzard outside, their contact, Vlad, tells them that their story is at a dead end: all the smugglers have either disappeared or been killed by … something. There are rumors of monsters in the Carpathian Mountains.
Sure, this is Transylvania. We’ve all heard stories about vampires, werewolves, goblins. But this time is different.
This time is real.

Vlad hands Molly and Timmy a map of something called the “Central Hive” when suddenly an assassin appears in the doorway and Vlad falls dead, a knife in his back. Almost as suddenly, a mysterious and handsome stranger appears behind the assassin, throws the assassin into the roaring fire and tells Molly and Timmy to run for their lives. Pulitzer-prize-winning reporter Molly Sloan and her assistant Timmy Mendez have stumbled upon the story of the century.

What is the back story? How were the characters developed? Who wrote the story?
Jason: Ray Colgan and I outlined the initial story together and then I brought in three other writers: Jessica Reisman, Julia Edwards, and Lisa D’Amour. The original version was created like an exquisite corpse, with the writers writing to a cliffhanger and then the next writer having to pick it up where it left off. We performed and recorded two episodes a week at Little City and the episodes were literally written the week of the show. So it all happened very quickly. In 2007, however, a writer named Chad Nichols and I worked together to completely rework the show, giving it a more modern feel, cutting out a lot of exposition, and giving it a much quicker pace. Interestingly (at least to me) is that the three main characters were originally named after the actors who played them. Over time, those names evolved, except for the main male hero, Ben Wilcott, who is named after Ben Willcott (note the slight spelling difference in the last names). The real Ben is the head chef and co-owner of Texas French Bread.

Who is the artist behind the action-packed images for this particular show?
Jason: Tim Doyle. He’s amazing. (indeed…so amazing)

How many people would you say are involved in the performance? Who makes up the cast?
Jason: That’s part of what’s so cool about the show. Three actors play the dozens of characters; one Foley artist performs the hundreds of sound effects; and one keyboardist provides the live score. It’s amazing that five people can create so much spectacle!

Is there anything else that you would like to note or promote?
Jason: Yeah! People can buy the actual comic books at the show, along with Zygonian slime, some of the sound effects gadgets, CDs of the radio drama, t-shirts, and silkscreen posters. Also, we’re touring to the Wortham Center in Houston in the Spring.

Are there any special offers?
Jason: Yes! Right now you can buy 4 tickets for the price of three! Click HERE and enter code “NEMESIS” to redeem this impossible-to-believe offer!

Are there any other events that people should know about?
Jason: Yes! We’re doing some signings of the comic-book series at Austin Books and Comics on August 25 from 4 to 7 PM and Book People on August 30 at 6 PM.

Where can people buy tickets?
Jason: Just click the link HERE!

More details about the event can be found here:
http://www.thelongcenter.org/intergalactic_nemesis.aspx

More details about the show itself can be found here:
http://www.theintergalacticnemesis.com

Posted in art & fashion, contest, launch787, comic art, austin art scene, cool finds, austin vendors, amazing finds, austin event, Stuff in Austin | 153 Comments »

18. August 2010 by Candace Carlisle.

 reposted from launch787.com

Local jewelry designer/enamel artist opens up her own little boutique. Beloved Austin jewelry designer Leigh Elena Navarro of leighelena recently launched her new store at 1215 Corona Drive, located next to Nomads off Cameron Road. After years of selling her colorful and trendy pieces in retail establishments throughout the United States, including notable outlets such as Fred Segal and over 100 more high-end boutiques across the country, this talented entrepreneur expands her skill set by opening up shop right here in Austin.

Designer leighelena makes all of her jewelry and accessories by hand.

Mixing her own whimsical and bold pieces with other locally made items, this shop contains an absolute treasure chest of amazing goodies. DON’T MISS OUT! This boutique is a true showcase of color, where shoppers can peruse an array of her handcrafted enamel pieces including layered necklaces, a vast variety of pendants, cuffs, rings, and belts galore. Admittedly the favorite accessory in my arsenal of adornment is my very own vegan-leather belt with vivid lime green buckle. Plus, Leigh (with her fabulous eye for style) has hand-picked some of the most amazing jewelry from designers across the country, to fill the small store. In addition to jewelry, this quaint boutique carries all sorts of lovely gifts such as scarves, hand-embroidered tops, candles, organic body care, art, and home accents with the primary focus on only selling hand-crafted items.  Leigh strives to carry lines of product that are exclusive only to her shop. Making this little treasure trove truly a place to unearth some very unique and precious gems.

Leigh adopted this process from her mother who she credits for influencing her decision to become a jewelry designer and also assists Leigh in enameling the pieces. As an endearing and deeply personal touch, Leigh adds a stamp from the collection her grandfather started for her as a child to the back of each piece large enough to accommodate one — making each piece truly unique and one-of-a-kind.

Leigh plans to carry her work over into gallery-inspired wall hangings in the near future, perhaps even selling them exclusively in her shop? For more information or to buy online please visit: www.leighelena.com

Posted in art & fashion, launch787, leighelena, austin fashion, cool finds, austin jewelers, austin gifts, amazing finds, Stuff in Austin | 161 Comments »

11. August 2010 by Candace Carlisle.

 reposted from launch787.com

Living in a seriously laid back town, flip-flops have very much become a staple to the modern closet. It is refreshing to find a product that is so much more…that it literally brings new meaning to, “the soul of your feet.”

When Kyle Berner, owner of Feelgoodz was 25, he decided to throw some clothes in a backpack and buy a one-way ticket to Thailand to embark upon his often now referred to as, “adventure of a lifetime.” He spent an entire year there, fully immersed, living just like the locals. He learned the difficult and beautiful language and unbeknownst to him at the time created the foundation for a brand new endeavor that would completely change his life. After his amazing year in Thailand ended, Berner decided that he wanted to find a way to give back. “We just had to…”

Kyle, being industrious learned that Thailand is the world’s leading exporter of natural rubber, and because of this vast natural rubber supply, there is excellent quality at an amazing value. Therefore Feelgoodz was able to create some of the most comfortable flip-flops quite possibly in the world at a pretty reasonable price. These flops are made from 100% eco-friendly natural latex rubber harvested from tropical Yang Para trees and come in a variety colors.

Recalling my experience with Kyle, first time meeting then new neighbor and young entrepreneur from New Orleans, almost seven years back while living in some apartments in South Austin, way too terrible to name. Admittedly, Kyle was a great neighbor, perhaps the kind you would want to borrow sugar from or help out building an easy to assemble furniture kit with. Kyle was ALWAYS full of ideas, all sorts of ideas. Little did I know his adventures would lead him down such a promising path.

Kyle along with his generous and hardworking staff at Feelgoodz have been kind enough to offer an amazing chance for you to WIN a few pairs of these sweet flops, as well as a chance to support an amazing cause.

In the true spirit of nourishment, Feelgoodz has launched The 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta campaign. For every pair of Flip-Flops sold, 5 children in Thailand will be fed for 1 day.  Feelgoodz is partnering with Green Coop Thailand to provide Fair Trade jasmine rice to children in rural villages.  In addition to providing this nourishment, customers receive $5 off their purchase as well as $5 flat rate shipping. Amazing deal, right?!

The 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta shows how a simple purchase can make a difference in the life of a child. Just enter the code FIESTA upon purchase to activate the Fiesta!

CONTEST: To enter to win a pair Feelgoodz flip-flops, simply go online and follow @feelgoodz on twitter and re-tweet this: (*Winners will be selected within the week!)

RT @launch787 – Spread the word: #555FlipFlopFeedingFiesta! Every pair @feelgoodz flip-flops sold, 5 children fed! http://tiny.cc/feelgoodz

Now for a little info on Feelgoodz from owner, Kyle Berner:

Kyle, why did you start FeelGoodz?  What’s your story?
I was a backpacker in Thailand.  I was walking around one of the local markets in Bangkok and my J Crew flops broke.  I stopped to buy new pair, had a lightbulb moment.  I knew I could use sales of flip-flops in the States to funnel margin percentages to support everyday needs in Thailand. And 2 years later, here we are.

Kyle Berner, Owner of Feelgoodz The Eureka Moment — “So, when I was 25, I threw some clothes in a backpack and bought a one-way ticket to Thailand to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime. I spent an entire year there, living like the locals. I ate the delicious local food, learned the difficult – but beautiful – language, and developed lifelong friendships. It was phenomenal…”

Where does the name FeelGoodz come from? What does it mean?
As soon as I put the flip-flops on my feet in that market in Bangkok, the first thing I thought to myself was, “Man, these feel good.”  And I paused for a moment… “They’re my feelgoodz.“  So it is in direct relation to how comfortable the flip-flops are.

What is your vision for the future of your company? Where do you see yourself in ten years?
To become a for-profit social enterprise that uses sales revenues of conscious products as a vehicle for global social empowerment initiatives.  I see us aiding in poverty alleviation, ridding of malaria, supporting micro-finance, encouraging youth entrepreneurship, ending starvation, supplying clean drinking water, etc.  All through sales of conscious products.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in starting your business? and how have you dealt with these challenges? anything you would like to note to other other young entrepreneurs just starting out?
The biggest challenge has been in working with our factory overseas.  Having a true understanding on extraction processes, manufacturing processes, and accurate timelines can be an issue.  My advice is to be as detailed as possible to truly understand your supply chain.

Tell us about how Feelgoodz gives back and your involvement in that?
Our current projects are two-fold.  We provide a means of revenue for Kenyan villagers through our Recycle your unFlops campaign, and we are feeding Thai children through our 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta.  The vision is to harness the power of the internet to turn everyday consumers into philanthropists.

Do you feel that the people who purchase your products are beginning to adopt the lifestyle that you have based your business mantra after?

Yes!  I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no environmentalist, but I think it is all about taking small steps in a responsible direction.  Our customers can understand and live the “small steps” approach.

Also would you mind listing a few of your favorite causes that you personally
support?
B Corp, 1% for the Planet, Ashoka

Reading about your “Zero Flip-Flop Waste World” mission has really piqued my interest.  What exactly does the FeelGoodz — “Recycle Your unFlop Campaign”entail and how can people get involved?
People can simply send ANY kind of flip-flops or sandals to our partners’ Alabama warehouse facility.  That partner is Soles4Souls.  They just need to mark their package with “Recycle your Unflops” and S4S will partition accordingly.  In return for their involvement, we offer a $5 recycling credit upon future purchases.

Recycle Your unFlop Campaign –”An unFlop is a flip-flop turned into a work of art, crafted by a Kenyan villager, transforming one man’s trash into another man’s treasure. how can you get involved? If you have some flip-flops you want to recycle, you can either send them to a Soles4Souls DC (www.soles4souls.com), or toss them in a Soles4Souls Collection Bin. Soles4Souls has generously agreed to house the flip-flops for up to one year, and at the end of the year, Feelgoodz will send them to Kenya (yes, Kenya!) to a company called UniquEco, the (flip-flop) recycling company. UniquEco (www.uniqueco-designs.com) will take the unFlops, distribute them to Kenyan villagers, and these villagers will make new eco-boutique items out of them to then use for resale. This creates a much needed source of revenue for Kenyan villagers! So, in essence, the unFlop you recycle will, in turn, provide employment for a Kenyan villager one day. Get involved! twitter — @feelgoodz, Facebook — Feelgoodz, or at http://www.feelgoodz.com!

Lastly, where can we find these fabulously soulful flops?
See a list of our stores online!

Posted in contest, Feelgoodz, launch787, 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta, upcycling, donation needed, amazing finds, vegan, cool finds, Stuff in Austin | 154 Comments »