At (Cult)ure we're in the business of producing written words, but that doesn't mean that we don't enjoy things like spoken words or words set to music or things that don't have words at all. So each week we'll bring you a small collection of non-written things that we enjoyed.

Best Podcast: Mike & Tom Eat Snacks, "Episode 52"

Mike and Tom have always made a point of not revealing the snack until they actually get around to eating it, so I'm not going to spoil the fun. Nor will I explain who Matty Ice is or what he does to deserve a two-person standing ovation. If these simple facts aren't enough to tempt you, well, laughter is the best medicine for whatever is the matter with you. Click. Listen. Laugh.

I am writing on behalf of Capital Hoedown Country Music Festival to let you know about our new Graphic Design contest that we have launched for the month of March. We are currently accepting design submissions for our Capital Hoedown 2012 official festival t-shirt. The winner gets four 3-Day GA Passports to Capital Hoedown 2012 and four t-shirts which they helped to create. It is also a great portfolio piece for any artist or graphic designer looking to build their experience and gain visibility.

To see the full contest rules, please visit http://goo.gl/6Fo0s I encourage you to pass this along to your network. Should you have any questions about the contest or the festival itself you can reach me at the contact info below.

Thanks and have a great day!

At (Cult)ure we're in the business of producing written words, but that doesn't mean that we don't enjoy things like spoken words or words set to music or things that don't have words at all. So each week we'll bring you a small collection of non-written things that we enjoyed.

Best Podcast:  The Sporkful, Call In Smorgasbord: Grizzly Dan and PB and Honey

The fine gentlemen over at The Sporkful were recently invited to judge the granola-off over on Slate's Culture Gabfest, and I've been diving into their back catalogue ever since. Though I nearly gave this spot to the more recent episode, "Chili," it was ultimately the presence of "Sarah from Ottawa" in the Call In Smorgasbord that won out. Sarah has some very, very strong feelings about day-old pop corn. There's an unfortunate, repeated mispronunciation of the French macaron in the call that follows. If only they'd kept the Canadian on the line. 

At (Cult)ure we're in the business of producing written words, but that doesn't mean that we don't enjoy things like spoken words or words set to music or things that don't have words at all. So each week we'll bring you a small collection of non-written things that we enjoyed.

Best Podcast: On Being, "Roseanne Cash"

Maybe I was always predisposed to enjoy a podcast with Roseanne Cash. Hearing her talk about music and the particular angle of her father's back that she knew best were perhaps to be expected, but "mystery" and playing with an interactive table of elements? Now that's good stuff. 

AMY WINEHOUSE
Lioness: Hidden Treasures
www.amywinehouse.com
Dist: Universal Music Canada


Following her tragic passing in July, some of the producers and musicians who worked closely with Amy Winehouse spent time listening over the many recordings that Amy had made, before, during, and after the release of “Frank” and “Back To Black”. It was said by all who worked with Amy that she never sang or played a song the same way twice. It quickly became apparent to Salaam and Mark that they had a collection of songs that deserved to be heard, a collection of songs that were a fitting testament to Amy the artist and, as importantly, Amy their friend. The 12 track collection features previously unreleased tracks, alternate versions of existing classics as well as a couple brand new Amy compositions. Lioness: Hidden Treasures proves a fitting tribute to the artist, the talent and the woman and serves as a reminder of Amy’s extraordinary powers as a songwriter, a singer and an interpreter of classics.

Lauren's already kicked it off in the comments on the latest Mayfair chat, but, since it's December 1st and therefore the day I officially start listening to Christmas music of my own accord,* let's take a minute to share a couple of faves, shall we?

THE CARS
Move Like This
http://thecars.org
Dist: Universal Music Canada


Move Like This, The Cars’ first album of new music in many years, is a vibrant and ingenious collection that expertly extends their already extraordinary canon. Retooling innovative art rock, sleek New Wave, and punchy power pop in their own idiosyncratic image, The Cars’ groundbreaking sonic approach continues to influence artists and airwaves today. Songs like “Blue Tip” and “Free” are invigorating and imaginatively wrought, with all the trademark elements in place, from Ocasek’s sardonic, man-machine vocalizing and Greg Hawkes’ swirling synths to Elliot Easton’s turbo-charged riffing and David Robinson’s pop-motorik beats.

STEVE EARLE
I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive
steveearle.com
Dist: Universal Music Canada


I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive is the anticipated follow up to Steve Earle’s Grammy Award winning 2009 release, Townes. Featuring 11 brand new tracks and produced by T Bone Burnett, the album is Earle’s first collection of original material since 2007’s Grammy Award winning Washington Square Serenade.

The album includes the celebrated song “This City,” written for the HBO Original Series, Treme, which Earle also appeared in as an actor. “This City” features horn arrangements by Allen Toussaint and garnered a Grammy Award Nomination in the Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Category. [Ed. note: "This City" is an amazing song. Check it out!]

RISE AGAINST
Endgame
www.riseagainst.com
Dist: Universal Music Canada


Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. Endgame is the their sixth studio album and was Produced by Bill Stevenson. Rise Against began work on the album in September 2010, after completing touring in support of its previous album, Appeal to Reason, in mid-2010. The first single from the album is "Help Is on the Way".

Suze Rotolo passed away last week after a battle with lung cancer.  She was 67.

Rotolo was an activist, artist, writer and teacher. 

She was also, for a time, muse to the 20th century's greatest song writer, Bob Dylan. 

HEY ROSETTA!
Feeds
www.heyrosetta.com
Dist: Warner Music Canada


Hey Rosetta! hails from the rocky and cold northeastern province of Newfoundland & Labrador. In 2005, Tim Baker arrived home from a road trip with a suitcase full of poems and melodies. Hey Rosetta! was formed soon after with the addition of a string section (cellist Romesh Thavanathan and violinist Kinley Dowling) and rhythm section (bassist Josh Ward, drummer Phil Maloney and guitarist Adam Hogan). Since then, they’ve blossomed into a powerful group whose explosive live shows have earned them a devoted following. The band’s new album, Seeds, was produced by Tony Doogan (Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai, Wintersleep). Seeds reveals a maturing lyrical depth and an atmosphere rooted to the band’s passion for epic musical experiences.

Long Bay Camp's "Arts by the Lake" is a sleep-over summer arts camp near Westport, Ontario (near Perth), that offers workshops in Visual arts, Drama, Music and Dance. To learn more about the Long Bay Camp, please visit our website www.LongBayCamp.ca

We are looking for ...

Art Instructors (Art, Drama, Music, Musical Theatre, Photography, Dance, etc.)

Fun and energetic instructors needed to teach a week-long workshop to a maximum of 12 children between the ages of 9 - 16. The session dates are weekly from July 3 -  August 6, 2011. The instruction is daily from 9:00 to 11:30 am and a one hour elective class in the afternoon, (elective not everyday). The pay is $600 per week, includes accommodation and delicious food. It would really be great to find teachers who really enjoy spending time and working with children and enjoy a beautiful, natural environment that is very community oriented.

For more details, please call Ott at 613-261-6466 or send resume to info@longbaycamp.ca.

RICKY MARTIN
Musica + Alma + Sexo
www.rickymartinmusic.com
Dist: Sony Music Canada


With over 15 million records sold worldwide and numerous Grammys, Ricky Martin is back with the most anticipated album of 2011. His first single was released in November 2010 in English and Spanish, "The Best Thing About Me Is You" featuring Joss Stone (the video can be watched here), and “Lo Mejor De Mi Vida Eres Tu" featuring Natalia Jimenez. Both singles have been international sensations and are just a preview of what is to come from Ricky’s album. Not only is Ricky an international singer, actor and entertainer but also a humanitarian and founder of the Ricky Martin Foundation. With his autobiography, book tour, worldwide concert tour and media support worldwide, Ricky is taking the world by storm!

JAMIE FOXX
Best Night of My Life
www.jamiefoxx.com
Dist: Sony Music Canada


Jamie Foxx will close out 2010 with his third studio album on J Records Best Night of My Life . Leading the way is the Noah “40” Shebib produced ballad “Fall For Your Type” featuring Drake. Best Night of My Life, the follow-up to Foxx’s 2008 multi-platinum selling release, Intuition, which featured the Grammy Award winning single “Blame It,” follows the same winning formula of infectious R&B ballads and club bangers. Joining in the album’s revelry are Drake, Rick Ross, Justin Timberlake, T.I., Ludacris, Soulja Boy, Wiz Khalifa and Rico Love.

MICHAEL JACKSON
Michael
holdmyhand.michaeljackson.com
Dist: Sony Music Canada


The much-anticipated album of newly completed recordings from Michael Jackson entitled MICHAEL will be released today in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson. The creative process never stopped for the King of Pop who was always planning for his next album; unbeknownst to many fans around the world Michael Jackson was writing and recording songs continuously everywhere from a friend’s home in New Jersey to studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with a small group of handpicked collaborators.

T.I.
No Mercy
www.trapmuzik.com
Dist: Warner Music Canada


Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I. has announced the release of his hugely anticipated new album, No Mercy. The Grammy®Award-winning rapper's first new collection since 2008's platinum certified Paper Trail arrives in stores today. No Mercy, T.I.'s seventh studio album, sees guest appearances from Drake, Kanye West, Eminem, Chris Brown, The-Dream, and Christina Aguilera with production from top producers including, Dr. Luke ("Magic," "Right Round"), Danja ("My Love," "Knock You Down") and Jim Jonsin ("Whatever You Like," "Lollipop"). What's more, No Mercy is already being ushered by the new single, "Get Back Up (feat. Chris Brown)." The companion video, shot last month in Atlanta, world premiered on T.I.'s official website, www.trapmuzik.com.

THE BLACK EYED PEAS
The Beginning
thebeginning.blackeyedpeas.com
Dist: Universal Music Canada


The Black Eyed Peas’ sixth album, The Beginning is the follow-up to 2009’s The E.N.D. While the title of The E.N.D. was a play on words (standing for “The Energy Never Dies”), the new album, The Beginning “refers to what is actually happening in the world right now,” says Will.I.Am. “The Beginning is symbolic of adopting new technologies, such as augmented reality, 3D, and 360 video. It’s also about being experimental and taking songs we’ve liked from the past and playing around with sick, crazy beats.”
In keeping with that manifesto, the first single from The Beginning is “The Time (The Dirty Bit)”.

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys
www.mychemicalromance.com
Dist: Warner Music Canada


My Chemical Romance formed in suburban New Jersey in 2001 out of a mutual love of horror movies, music and punk philosophies. Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys is the first studio album from My Chemical Romance since 2006's The Black Parade and was produced by new Warner Bros. Records Chairman RobCavallo, who produced The Black Parade as well as albums by Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, and The Goo Goo Dolls, among many others.

The Ottawa Art Gallery is proud to invite you to an exciting evening on November 4th at 5:30: two new exhibits, along with the launches of Electric Fields (Ottawa’s biennial festival of electronic art and music), Michael Schreier’s Storyteller: Waiting for Words exhibition catalogue and Artengine’s Nite Ride publication—plus a DJ, food and lots of fun! Come meet the artists! It’s an event not to be missed! Also, mark down Friday, November 5th at 12:30 p.m. on your calendar, when Marie-Jeanne Musiol will be giving a talk about her work.
2 Daly Avenue (pictured: Steve Daniels, Sessile (detail), 2008)

‘Pillars of Stone’
Stone Sculptures by November’s featured sculptor,  Angela Verlaeckt Clark
Vernissage Nov. 4th, 2010-10-20
Patrick John Mills
Contemporary Fine Art Gallery | 286 Hinchey Ave.

YOU ARE INVITED to a  SHOW
"MAGIE DE L'EAU" by ALINE JOANIS
November 2 to 29, 2010.
VERNISSAGE
Thursday November 4, 7 pm to 9 pm
Come and meet the artist.  A light lunch will be served.
Endroit / Place:  Galerie Eugène Racette,
(MIFO, centre culturel d'Orléans)
6600 rue Carrière, Orléans, On
tel: 613-830-6436
Heures d'ouverture: lundi au vendredi  , 8 h à 16 h.

It’s November, which means it’s Blair’s birthday, and I don’t even care that “War of the Roses” would have me believe Blair licks her own envelopes. Surely they have one of those giant machines that you run the envelopes through like we have at work. If not, Dorota would be using one of those sponge rollers. It doesn’t matter, though, since last night’s Gossip Girl isn’t wholesale about sex, as the preview would have you believe, but about treaties and double crosses and everyone being in the dark about everyone else. Classic Gossip Girl as would befit the birthday of a queen.

Article 49: Strip Clubs of the Outer Boroughs are ceded to Chuck Bass

Blair’s pretending to eat breakfast with Eleanor, who flew back from Paris to throw Blair an early birthday party. Cyrus sent a signed copy of Eleanor Roosevelt’s This I Remember. Blair invites Dorota upstairs for a dramatic reading of page 1 before she heads out to meet Serena.