Finally, two weeks later, I am able to summarize a recap of the “LLow Down” showcase and benefit for Girls Rock Camp Austin, I was proudly a part of, presented by Ladies Lotto and Lola Ink at this year’s SXSW conference in Austin, Texas.
Although I now live in New York City, by way of Chicago, Texas is the closest place to home for me since I lived there for more than ten years. I resided in Houston but traveled to Austin any chance I could get. I love Austin. Austin can be charming anytime of the year, but if you’ve never been there during the SXSW music festival, which takes place every year in March, it’s hard to explain just how astounding it is to see the streets, of a rather small city, bustling with musicians, press, fans, agents and artists alike and to hear bands playing simultaneously every few steps.
When Ladies Lotto (LL) an international lifestyle and networking community aimed at developing the professional and personal success of independent women, decided to start an Austin chapter, LL members, Catherine Wentworth (DJ Cat NYC) and Lorraine Lamont (Lola Ink) approached Ladies Lotto founder, Natalie Blacker, in launching the Austin chapter during SXSW. Soon after, the event planning process quickly accelerated, with the successful outreach that lies within the LL community. A networking mixer with women from coast to coast (Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and more) assembled for the LL networking mixer at Parkside with hosts Sarah Cirkiel, Lorraine Lamont and Ruby Veridiano before heading to the “LLow Down” event at The Music Gym.
As early as 8 p.m. The Music Gym was filled with energetic talent from all over the country. The showcase included host, Ruby Veridiano, who presented on the outside stage, a plethora of talented rock and pop bands, an inside booth dedicated to a lineup of amazing DJs spinnin’ everything from electro, pop, rock ‘n roll, techno and house music, an inside and outdoor bar, and a side room used by KarmaLoop TV (www.karmalooptv.com) for interviewing all the talent. LL member, KK Graham, covered a particularly charming interview with The Beatards. There was no inactive corner at The Music Gym on the night of March 18.
Some highlights of the night included the bands Frank and Derol (Big Picture Media), the adorable duo from Los Angeles, composed of Brandi Cyrus (yes, she is the older sister of Miley and daughter of Billy Ray) and Codi Caraco, who made their first ever appearance at SXSW this year; The Colourist (Big Picture Media); The New Collisions (Big Picture Media); Patches (Girls Rock Camp); Mussels (Woxy); The Beatards (Mixtape Riot); and Miz Metro. After several bands rocked the stage, the mood slightly shifted around 11 p.m. when The Beatards, the New York hip-hop trio from Brooklyn, shook up the crowd with extreme freestyle lyrical rawness. The Beatards were joined onstage by an impromptu beatbox performance by Chris Sullivan a.k.a. Shockwave followed by a soulful performance by New York’s very own, Miz Metro (Laura O’Reilly) who also graced the event filming and interviewing people for Miz Metro TV.
Inside, the dance floor was filled with revelers shaking to the beats of the DJs, Automatic Panic (Citrusonic), DJ Cat NYC (Citrusonic), Ceeplus Bad Knives and Fredster of Houston, Texas, Skrillex (Ultra Records), DMNDAYS (Bloodcompany), Johan (Lose Control) and DJ John Bourke of Trash Yourself (Dance Robots Dance) who played a notably rockin’ set.
“The showcase was a true collaboration amongst peers, bringing the most amazing women together to create an event that highlighted individual work as well as help raise money for a great cause,” said Natalie Blacker, founder of Ladies Lotto.
All in all, the “LLow Down” showcase and benefit for Girls Rock Camp Austin turned out to be a beautiful night of music goodness and a perfect launch for Ladies Lotto Austin. For more info on Ladies Lotto check out http://ladieslotto.com.
Spanglish Chick contributor Susan Justus is a quirky mix of Filipino, Cherokee and Caucasian blood. She was born in the States and has lived all over the U.S. She works full-time in the legal profession and as a freelance writer and, at times, a mentor. Her daily vices include coffee and comics. Susan is the founder of JustusPR and currently resides in New York City.
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