Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Info for Gentlemen of the Road Festival, Aug. 25 @ Monterey Fairgrounds


Taken from www.Gentlemenoftheroad.com:

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
SATURDAY AUGUST 25, 2012
MONTEREY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

ON SALE 10:00AM JUNE 1ST
Monterey, California: “Monterey was not a town to let dishonor come to a literary man.” So wrote Steinbeck in Cannery Row. As literary men ourselves, we thought Monterey would be the perfect place to end our American adventure. Plus, weʼre huge Steinbeck nerds.
The Monterey Fairgrounds have a long history of epochal music events. Itʼs the place where Jimi Hendrix learned to light his guitar on fire (and, presumably, to put it out). The Fairgrounds are part arena, part eclectic campus, part carnival. And then, once night falls, weʼll roll down to Monterey proper: Cannery Row, the Aquarium, and lots of other cool spots.
A very limited quantity of $59 tickets with no additional fees or charges will be available beginning June 1 on a first-come, first-served basis. These tickets will sell out, so please watch the onsale timing and plan accordingly.
All remaining Stopover tickets will be $69, all-in, with no additional fees or charges. Every ticket is also a commemorative passport and includes an exclusive live download compilation featuring performances taken from across the Stopovers.

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Mumford & Sons coming Aug. 25 to Monterey County Fairgrounds

Courtesy of Mac McDonald:


British indie folk stars Mumford & Sons will headline the Gentlemen of the Road Festival Saturday, Aug. 25 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at gentlemenoftheroad.com and folkyeah.com. Also on the bill: Gogol Bordello, Grouplove, The Very Best, Two Gallants, Apache Relay and Haim. The group was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2010, including Best New Artist and Best Rock Song ("Little Lion Man"). They garnered four nominations at this year's Grammy Awards.

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Update from Dylan Bird @ first day of 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee


7:30 a.m. PST: Round one is over! Dylan cannot discuss it with me yet, per his confidentiality agreement. 

We are taking a break from the books for a few minutes. Dylan is trying to kick my butt in gin rummy! I'm not going down without a fight though,lol.

Study after that for about 2 hours. After 3 p.m. approximately, all first round tests should be completed, at which time we can try and figure out how he did. Very unscientific though....out of the 50 words they spelled, only 25 pre-selected words will count toward preliminary score. 

We will not know officially until Free round 3 is completed by all, roughly 5,30 to 6pm. Keep u posted as it goes....N


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Dylan Bird's First day of competition @ the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Editors Note: Monterey County Spelling Bee champ Dylan Bird is in Washington D.C. for the first day of competition in the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Dylan's mother, Nichola Bird, is sharing the family's experiences with "The Beat." Below are texts and photos she sent Tuesday morning. Stay tuned for more updates. 


5:18 a.m. PST: Round one test is underway already. (I am) anxiously pacing outside, waiting. I will not be allowed to even ask Dylan about it as he had to sign a confidentiality agreement into all participants have finished the test this afternoon.

Dylan signing in for Round 1

Here's a quick look at The Hall of Champions. Starting in 1925 with Frank Neuhauser with his winning word GLADIOLUS.

2012 contestants in Scripps National Spelling Bee. More appropriate title should be International, as kids hail from all over the world to this prestigious event.

Dylan Bird


Dr Jacques Bailey, 1980's winner, and the famed pronounced of the bee.

Scripps Emblem




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Monday, May 28, 2012

Dylan Bird @ The 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee

EDITOR'S NOTE: DYLAN BIRD OF PEBBLE BEACH IS REPRESENTING MONTEREY COUNTY AT THE 2012 SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE IN WASHINGTON D.C. DYLAN'S MOTHER NICHOLA BIRD SENT THIS CORRESPONDENCE. COMPETITION BEGINS TUESDAY MORNING.
This picture is outside the Maryland Ballroom, where the competition takes place. Outside there is a long hallway, aptly titled "Hall OF Champions."

   Dylan decided to forego the (opening BBQ) and study instead! If we didn't emphasize what an amazing job Scripps do emphatically enough last week, I have to reiterate... there are no questions left unanswered regarding all aspects of competition week. They are so thorough.


Spellers orientation was last night. They run through all info needed verbally before handing out printed agendas for the week.


Along with prizes, Scripps National Spelling Bee Certificates, backpack, t-shirts, sunglasses are all embossed with "SPELLEBRITY, along with a definition of themselves, lol....You know Dylan can't wait to sport that combo! Did I mention that they are day glow orange??? I'm wearing mine.... albeit to sleep in!
When we were done there, we stepped outside to find a festival going on here at the hotel. It's really beautiful, it overlooks the Potomic and yachts are conveniently harbored right there, so as to make a stunning backdrop. 
Adam Lambert in concert
Totally unexpected was the Adam Lambert Concert we were lucky enough to fall into. We found ourselves eating funnel cake, & philly cheesesteak sandwiches just a few feet from the stage. I watched idol, the season Lambert was on, but let me tell you, he can blow, WOW!!! Even Dylan was impressed. 
Just as it was coming to a close, a security officer realized that we were wristband-less and void of all other appropriate entrance materials, you know, like a ticket..Haha. We had the pleasure of hearing and videotaping a vocal extravaganza on an exquisite backdrop, ate some local fare, before the ants descended in armies, heading directly to our funnel cake, and we took our cue to exit. They followed up with a fireworks display from the boats on the water.  We went upstairs to study and being fortunate enough to be on the 15th floor with a side Potomic view we felt those fireworks. We tried to photo, but didn't come out that well. 
We study all day today in Preparation for the early (Tuesday) morning call of the 1st Round - a 50-word computer test. 
It's really special seeing your child here. So proud of him. No matter what. I keep reminding him how he will look back years from now with such pride at this accomplishment... twice, no less.
-NICHOLA BIRD


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Friday, May 25, 2012

Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black comes to The Western Stage in Salinas July 20




















The Western Stage and the 2x4 Bash event organizers announced Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black will attend a July 20 staged reading of his play "8" at the Mainstage Theater in Salinas.
The full announcement can be read here and after the jump.



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