Ktown.. Building the Empire!

Lately as I find myself hosting more and more events I have really found that this is something I should have been doing long ago. When I first started in this industry I was always behind the scenes.. behind the camera.. behind the print.. behind the promo... behind the artists.... well you get the point. I love music, always have. Its a major part of who I am.. Music sets moods, tells stories and eases pain. It allows people to express themselves, showcase their talent and change lives. To say I am thrilled to have a part in all of this is an understatement. When I first started in this business I'd watch the hosts come in, hit the stage and control the flow of the event. I wanted to do that. I wanted to be that person yet I held myself back. I let myself believe that I didn't deserve that spot on the stage. That I wasn't thin enough, pretty enough, known enough... I doubted myself and as long as I doubted myself how could I ever expect anyone else to have belief in me?...

So my whole life I have been scared to take a shower when I am home alone... Partly because of scary movies, partly because of safety.. I just don't like to shower when no one else is home.. as a Mom someone is almost always home... that being said I can't not have a shower so I got home from work yesterday and as I stepped into the shower one of my biggest fears came into play and not only did I slip and fall in said shower but I also hit my neck/head on the shower shelf :( Talk about scared! I sat there for so long just thanking God that it wasn't worse, that I was ok and that nothing was visibly wrong... slowly I got up and showered but was scared to go to sleep for the longest because of hitting my head. Made me think about how different life is when you are used to living alone and when you are not. I've never really lived alone. I became a Mom very young, have always been in a serious relationship and have a million and one friends. A life without other people co...

Yesterday was my 3rd day at One Spark and I spent it again with the videographer Michael shooting interviews. Being in the midst of this amazing festival without my phone (I broke it the 1st day of the festival and awaiting the insurance replacement) has been a struggle but its also been a bit freeing. I've had some great conversations with Michael, met so many random people and more which I really think is a result of me not having a phone to occupy my time. I'm not distracted with updating fb or checking tweets; instead I am striking up conversations with random people, catching all the dance performances, tasting new foods and more. I honestly feel like I may have missed out on some of these things with the distraction of my phone. Yes I do want to take photos and keep everyone much more up to date on One Spark but I'm choosing to focus on the positive here and know that I'm a part of something awesome so I have to pay attention! Really I just want to say please open...

After completing my second day at One Spark I am both thrilled and exhausted. Today I worked with a videographer named Michael conducting interviews and we spoke to several creators and some of Jacksonville's top figures. The one thing that stood out the most to me today was the bond that all of these people have created in such a short time. These creators are all vying for their "chunk" of the crowdfund yet they are all supporting each other! I don't think I spoke with a single creator today that didn't mention how awesome another one was! In a world of competition, greed and corruption how exhilarating it was to see such a brotherhood forming out there. These are connections that will be long-lasting and are directly the result of the One Spark Festival! After eating a great pulled pork sandwich from one of the mobile food trucks I watched an amazing dance performance in front of the library and I actually teared up as I took in not only due to the beautiful pe...

Yesterday was everything I had hoped it would be and more... Being in a city so big and so spread out I have seen on countless occasions some amazing events that weren't packed out as they should be. I was excited about today, I told all my friends, shared it on twitter, fb, instagram and more. I'd have whole conversations with complete strangers all the time about what One Spark is and what it means for our city. I checked into my shift around 2pm yesterday. There were several familiar volunteers faces that I've met recently on this journey. Everyone was getting situated and sent to their destinations, they were all smiling, excited and eager to help. Everyone has that buzz, that feeling that this is something awesome for us all and we are all thrilled to be a part of the very 1st one ever. I ended up manning the video camera for Kinnetic in front of the Hemming Plaza Pitch Deck which was also where the opening celebration took place. Several creators took to the stage to ...

So those that follow my facebook page and/or read my last blog already know how excited I am about One Spark! This is going to be an amazing festival and I am proud to have been apart of it in so many aspects already and looking forward to everything thats to come. I worked as Customer Service today helping check in creators and passing out information about the festival. I originally signed up for a 4.5hr shift but enjoyed the people I was meeting and helping so much that I stayed an extra 3 hours. That is how pumped I am. I think we all have to take time and CONTRIBUTE to our city. So many want to complain about what we don't have that they don't appreciate what we do have and what we COULD have if we all just tried a little harder. This is a huge spread out city and we all know people here like to stick to their "side of town" but if we all helped build downtown we have that central location to claim as THE spot to go! So instead of sitting there on the computer co...

Last night I went to my first training sessions to volunteer for One Spark. I was already excited about this event but being in the room while it was discussed amongst everyone really got me pumped! I am disappointed though that so many have yet to even hear of One Spark so I thought I'd take to my blog and fill you all in a little bit on what is is, how it will change the game *in my opinion, of course* and how amazing  it is that we are fortunate to host it right here in Jacksonville, FL AKA Duval! One Spark is the world's FIRST ever crowdfunding festival and it will be FREE to attend. There has never been an event like this. The festival is being described as a mixture of kickstarter.com, ArtPrize in Grand Rapids and SXSW in Austin. If you are familiar with all of those it helps but if not let me break it down for you a little better. From April 17 at 3pm to April 21 at 12pm the entire downtown area of Jacksonville, FL will become a non-stop festival of innovation, creat...