Ryan Marquardt

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KDC Spotlight: Erica Benken

February 27, 2013 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

I recently had the pleasure of catching up with one of my favorite non-#TeamTerri coworkers, Erica Benken.  Ever since this lovely blonde graced the Kirvin Doak offices with her communicative talents and vertical prowess (but really, she’s stunningly tall), my personal and professional life has remarkably brightened.

I can attest: Erica is a complete blast to be around outside of the workspace, but she’s also an incredible resource to her clients and colleagues.  I’ve been out on the town with Erica, I’ve seen concerts with Erica, I’ve dined alongside Erica.  Yet because I’ve also experienced all of these things without Erica, I firmly understand the level of fabulousness that she contributes to these situations.  And it’s true.  Everything is better with a little Erica on it.  But even professionally, apart from her being a career woman that every PR hopeful (and current practicing professional) can learn something from, I know she is willing to help a fellow coworker whenever she can.  She’s been a saving grace to me before, and I’m certain she’ll continue to be just as invaluable to myself and others in the future.  Because at the heart of it, that’s who Erica is – a selfless, hard working, always-smiling, blindingly gorgeous soul.

In an effort to help the blogosphere get to know Ms. Benken a wee bit better, I compiled a list of 10 seemingly random questions that dutifully brought out the best in her personality, aspirations and inspirations.  I also highly recommend following her on Twitter/Instagram (@EBenken).

World, I present to you…Erica Benken:

 

1.  If you could bring one thing to the city of Las Vegas, what would you want to bring and why?

As cliché as it sounds, I would have brought with me my family and my friends. I have been blessed beyond belief to have this amazing job and to make amazing friends here, but if I could have my friends and family closer I would literally have everything one could hope for.

 

2.  If you weren’t able to work in PR or communications, what would your dream field/job be and why?

If I wasn’t able to work in PR, I would definitely want to be a Marine Biologist. I have always been fascinated by marine life, especially sharks and giant squids (such a nerd I know), and I think it would be neat to explore what all lies below.

 

3.  Let’s pretend you were going to start a magazine.  What kind of magazine would you want to create?  Why? 

If I were to start a magazine I would create something similar to NYLON. I love the unique fashion trends, new music finds and areas of travel it highlights.

 

4.  If you had the capability to relieve the world of one current global issue, what would it be?

If I had the ability to relieve the world of one issue, I would relieve the issue of educational funding. There are so many cities and schools in the United States and around the world that don’t have enough funding for education, depriving children of the right to learn simply because they cannot afford it. EVERYONE should have the right to learn and go to school, and money should not play a factor in that.

 

5.  It’s your final day on earth.  You’re allowed one last meal with one last alcoholic beverage.  Please detail this feast.

Hmmm, this is a tricky one because I LOVE food. I would start with a Garbage Salad from Meatball Spot (best.salad.ever.), continue on with my mom’s famous Spaghetti & Meatballs (she’s full-blooded Italian and one of the greatest cooks you’ll ever meet) and I’d finish with a caramel macaroon from Bouchon Bakery at Venetian (they’re amazing!). For a cocktail I think I would have to have a “Little Hot Mess” from Commonwealth, my new favorite cocktail of choice (currently).

 

6.  Congratulations – you’ve just been given a $1,000,000 check!  The catch? You keep none of it!  Half of it needs to be donated to one organization/charity/cause of your choice. The other half needs to be donated to help stop the extinction of one animal species of your choice.  How will you disperse the funds?

Easy! First, I would donate half to the American Cancer Society. I have quite a few family members and friends who have battled various forms of cancer. I’ve seen how having funds to aid with research has done amazing things, and how having funds to research more in-depth could have possibly led to a different outcome. In regards to animals, I would definitely give the funds to aid in the care and procurement of tigers. They are such beautiful creatures and would be a great loss to our planet.

 

7.  Oreo has called you to develop a new cookie for them.  What cookie would you create?

How did you know oreos were my favorite??? Let’s be real, you can’t top an oreo; however, if I made Funfetti oreos, now those could be amazing :)

 

8.  If you could institute another national holiday, what would you want everyone to celebrate?

National Travel Day (or National Travel Week if it was possible!),  a day where EVERYONE has to leave town and venture somewhere new. So often we get stuck in our daily routines forgetting there is a whole world out there to see. Traveling to another country, or just to a city a couple of hours away, can be life-changing.

 

9.  What if something special could happen every time you entered a room?  What would you want to happen?

If something could happen every time I walked into a room, I would want people to smile, but genuinely smile with happiness. I think one of the greatest things you can do is bring a smile to someone’s face. Confetti is cool and applause can be nice, but bringing a smile to someone’s face is one of the greatest feelings one can experience.

 

10.  If you could spend a week in someone else’s shoes (dead or alive) who would you want to be and why?

This one’s hard for me. I think I would enjoy stepping into the shoes of Florence Welch. I am uber passionate about music, and there is something so enchanting about watching her perform. I would love to know the feeling of standing in front of a massive crowd, especially at a music festival such as Glastonbury or Austin City Limits, captivating people with the sound of my voice and getting them to sing and dance along with me. I think it would also be interesting to step into the shoes of Coco Chanel. I read her biography once and was inspired by this woman who began as a small town girl and developed an iconic reputation of class that still loves on.

˜Ryan Marquardt

 

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#FirstWorldProblems

February 7, 2013 in Uncategorized | No comments

I love social media for all the quirky trends it spawns, for the ability to have practically anything go viral, for the constant communication it allows.  I love, love, love social media for so many reasons, I can’t even get into it.

I never jumped on the #FirstWorldProblems train though.  This video is the epitome of why:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxyhfiCO_XQ

˜Ryan Marquardt

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In Defense of Ke$ha

January 18, 2013 in Just For Fun | No comments

Tik tok, Las Vegas.  It’s time.  We need to go ahead and admit that 2012 was not the best year for pop music.  A couple boy bands came from across the pond, a Canadian tweenager who presumably has a massive phone bill had the catchiest song of the year, Taylor Swift reinforced she’s in fact the furthest thing from a country singer, Rihanna’s seventh album was a total waste of time, and one of the year’s best songs – “Somebody That I Used To Know” – is intolerable now thanks to its myriad of club-ready remixes and overexposure on the airwaves.  One cheeky little glitter bomb, however, never stopped sparkling.kesha-warriorW

For me, Ke$ha’s sophomore effort Warrior filled the indulgent pop void left by so many others who were poised to reign the mainstream market.  I believe she holds the spot for 2012’s best pop release. 

I need to clarify something.  I love so many different kinds of music.  My sonic range is eclectic and I pride myself in that.  I’m well aware Ke$ha is not an introspective singer-songwriter bound to stack Grammys on Grammys on Grammys throughout her career.  Nonetheless, I love her music for what it is: irreverent, gender-bending, feel-good pop.  Yeah, she’s weird in interviews, probably took too many drugs in her short time so far on Earth, has been known to wear garbage bags on red carpets, and makes accessories from her fans’ teeth.  Whatever.  That doesn’t stop me from putting her latest album on loop when getting ready to go out or trying to keep my energy up on busy work days.

I highly recommend everyone listen to her Warrior LP.   Take whatever preconceived ideas of Ke$ha you have and throw them out the window.  Just listen to her.  Give her a fair shot.  I do caution you though… she’s more tolerable when you’re trying to get amped up (for whatever reason).  This is not the type of music you want to test out if you’re looking to drown in some sort of emotional watering hole for an evening (although she has songs on this album that begin to toe toward that direction).

 Here’s my track-by-track review, for all those who felt enlightened enough to get this far in my shameless Ke$ha-loving post:

 1.         “Warrior” – Like Ke$ha’s preceding title tracks (“Animal” and “Cannibal”), this one aptly sets the tone for the album’s theme (it’s a rather generic theme, but at least she had some sense of direction. Rihanna? Not so much.).  It’s got the sing-talky thing Ke$ha is well known for, and that’s important because it’s familiar and all of Ke$ha’s followers want to know she hasn’t completely abandoned her earlier antics.  The breakdown in the bridge of this song is pretty tight and much truer to the dubstep genre than other mainstream artists who’ve attempted this (Britney, Selena Gomez, etc.). 

  1. 2.       “Die Young” – Okay, this one I’m pretty over.  I just have a thing for overexposing songs, and that happened to this one for me.  It’s a catchy jam, but one that I don’t feel bad for skipping now.
  2. 3.       “C’Mon” – Her second (and current) single off this LP, “C’Mon” is insanely catchy.  It’s absurd this track hasn’t placed higher on the charts yet, especially considering it’s been widely reviewed as an undeniable hit. 
  3. 4.       “Thinking Of You” – This is where we first see a side of Ke$ha that has never emerged, and it’s amazing.  If released as a single, this is sure to be a smash.  It’s much more of a rock driven sound without losing Ke$ha’s knack for creating a killer hook.  The vocoder breakdown in the bridge is so sugary, it’s delicious.  A bit reminiscent Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” vocoder breakdown, but both grittier and more polished at the same time.  For the record, that is no diss on Robyn – she’s one of my all time favorites and few artists can touch her prowess, in my opinion.
  4. 5.       “Crazy Kids” – I know, it’s another party anthem.  But this is also where Ke$ha capitalizes on her rapping ability more than she ever has before.  It’s a bit like “Sleazy” from her last album, but better.  It leans much more toward rap than her sing-talky thing (there really is no better way to put that, because you know exactly what I’m talking about).  The chorus is what really makes this song though.  It starts off with acoustic guitar and Ke$ha actually singing – one of the first times we really get a sense for what her voice sounds like without mounds of compression, distortion and auto-tune.  The stark contrast between the choruses and the verses is really intriguing. 
  5. 6.       “Wherever You Are” – This is a bit broad in context, but this is one of the first attempts Ke$ha’s made to be vulnerable (while still never losing her catchy hook – she’s so good about that).  If this is a single, it would be a great transition for Ke$ha to start doing some slower, more stripped down songs.  It lets Ke$ha’s current fan base know she’s not a one-trick pony, and it has the ability to build up a new fan base for her. 
  6. 7.       “Dirty Love” – Completely out of place yet one of her best songs ever.  It really doesn’t make sense being on this album, as it’s Ke$ha’s most experimental sound, but as a track on its own, it’s amazing.  She’s recruited Iggy Pop (so random), but the whole thing just works.  The lyrics are hilariously appropriate for the vibe of this song, and if Ke$ha released more songs like this, I think I (and many others) would be very appreciative of that. 
  7. 8.       “Wonderland” – I won’t pretend this song doesn’t sound really weird coming after “Dirty Love.”  It does.  But this is the first stripped-down song Ke$ha put out on this album cycle.  I think it’s pleasant, even if it’s a little boring, but it’s cute and different for her.  You won’t hear anything but actual instruments and her raw voice on this track.  This is a milestone for Ke$ha and something everyone should consider when discussing her entire music catalogue. 
  8. 9.       “Only Wanna Dance With You” – My least favorite on the album, this is pretty much a standard (and semi-dated) Ke$ha track.  It’s very expected, but when in doubt you can count on it to at least have a great hook.  I just expected more from this one because it features Julian Casablancas and Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes).  I’ll still listen to this song for sure, I just hoped it would be a little more experimental.
  9. 10.   “Supernatural” – Between the soaring chorus and that addicting buzzing sound in the verses, this song would be an incredible hit on the radio.  I can already picture the remixes this track will (and probably already has) inevitably spawn.  The lyrics are a bit “ET” by Katy Perry – these could be sister songs.  But Ke$ha’s track is superior in practically every way (I largely appreciate the lack of a Kanye West verse).
  10. 11.   “All That Matters (The Beautiful Life)” – Reminiscent of a 1990s dance chart topper, this song is such a fantastic throwback.  This song has got to be amazing live as well given its interactive bridge where Ke$ha asks her listened to light their phones up in the air.  Above all, I really appreciate Ke$ha exploring various kinds of dance tracks.  This was an exploration that paid off big time.
  11. 12.   “Love Into The Light” – Another I’d die to see live, this song has an epic quality about it.  When it starts, you don’t think much of it.  It’s very minimal, but then the drums kick in and the chorus comes out of nowhere.  It’s very catchy in a strange way, and the lyrics are surprisingly mature for Ke$ha.  The crazy guitar work particularly in the latter half of this track is both trippy and unlike anything we’ve ever heard from Ke$ha.  Also, this is an appropriate album closer (for those who didn’t get the deluxe edition). 

Now we’re entering the bonus tracks: 

  1. 13.   “Last Goodbye” – This one grows on me the more I listen to it.  I love the forward motion of this beat; it’s very fitting for the track’s message – moving on even though it sometimes hurts.  I don’t have a ton to say about this one, it’s not gloriously intricate, rather beautifully simplistic. 
  2. 14.   “Gold Trans Am” – CAUTION: mature audiences only.  This is a very raunchy song.  I won’t get into specifics, but Ke$ha’s cleverness is in full force here.  I totally dig the American rock feel of this song and the lyrics only amp up the campiness of it.  And yet again, this is an entirely unique sound territory for Ke$ha, and she proves she can handle it.
  3. 15.   “Out Alive” – I’m personally floored this wasn’t included on the actual album.  It’s unabashed pop gold that could slay in any mainstream music platform.  The way she utilizes the downward music scale every time she sings “No one’s getting out alive” is so interesting – very few people use the music scale to that effect, as the main hook in an already catchy chorus.
  4. 16.   “Past Lives” – Teaming up with Ben Folds and The Flaming Lips, this is one of her best songs in this album cycle.  Another that I cannot believe is only available on the deluxe edition.  It’s adorable, has thoughtfully original and meaningful lyrics, is catchy as anything else she pumps out, not to mention it’s backed by some other brilliant musicians (the aforementioned Ben Folds and The Flaming Lips) who deliver a wholly different type of music from Ke$ha.  Absolutely adorable.

Okay, that’s enough.  She put out a deconstructed (read: acoustic) EP along with this LP, but that’s another post entirely (I do recommend listening to that one as well though).   

I’m not trying to turn anyone into a die-hard Ke$ha fanatic.  I’m just trying to get people to respect what she does.  It’s not rocket science and it’s not legendary.  But it matters to literally millions of people.  She’s stated many times the world is a hard place to live in, and these times specifically are quite trying for so many people.  She’s just trying to alleviate some of that distress.  Her music isn’t a magical elixir for life’s problems, but it’s an applause-worthy attempt to help people forget about the hectic state of our current sociopolitical upheaval, if only for a song or two. 

 ˜Ryan Marquardt

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Home for the holidays in Vegas

November 27, 2012 in Just For Fun | No comments

Working in an office with a majority of transplants from all over the contiguous United States, many of us at Kirvin Doak Communications go home for the holidays, making the trek back to the cities and small towns where we grew up. This year, however, a few of us decided to spend the Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas – our second home.

For those who celebrate, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for your blessings, and my favorite part – feast on ridiculous amounts of food until you reach the certain level of fullness where you consider unbuttoning your pants for a little breathing room (I tend to refrain as it often crosses a line of appropriateness – depends on your audience, I suppose). At first, I questioned my decision on staying in town in order to save money for my flight home for Christmas. Originally from Ohio, it’s hard to get home as often as I would like with the obscene prices for flights, time zone changes, etc. However, I realized that after living in Las Vegas for more than a year, I have come to embrace the city as a little piece of home, or a second home with loved ones and dear friends that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life.

On Thanksgiving evening, I went over to a friend’s apartment and enjoyed the holiday with wine, massive quantities of turkey and great company (and the new episode of Glee, but that goes without saying). It was nice to reflect on the feelings of independence and maturity that we all felt in our lives; that we were content spending a holiday away from family, but still having that sense of peace and comfort of being with loved ones. Overall, it was a fantastic night and a holiday memory that I will treasure 

˜ Shandi Huber

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The Joy of Motherhood

May 15, 2012 in Kirvin Doak News | 1 comment

Yesterday, was Mother’s Day and as I ran around town finishing my errands clerks and servers wished me a “Happy Mother’s Day” – it sort of annoyed me as I am not a mother, I am not going to be a mother and I made a choice not to be a mother.  However, as I settled in for the evening I began to  realize that I am a mother of sorts.  I am the mother to my staff: Brad, Alison, Lindsey, Matt, Devin, Kristin, Shandi, Carolyn, Ryan, Wendy and Eleni at Kirvin Doak Communications.  If being a mother means glowing with pride for their accomplishments, cheering them on with their projects, giving them wings to fly and believing in them and their abilities – well then I am a pseudo mom.  If the joy of motherhood is anything close to the love, pride and happiness I feel for my staff then you can wish me a Happy Mother’s Day ever year.  

˜Terri Maruca

 

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The Kirvin Doak Melting Pot Continues to Boil

April 18, 2012 in Kirvin Doak News | No comments

As I gallivant ever closer to my eight month anniversary at Kirvin Doak on April 22, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come since my fateful start date back in August.  I’m carrying larger responsibilities, building up my relationships in and out of the office and I’ve even rearranged my desk and workspace quite a bit from when I started (I love feng shui).  But nothing reminds me more of the strides I’ve made like showing the ropes to a new KDC employee.

That’s right – we’ve got a new addition to our team: Eleni Stylianou (five dollars if you pronounce that right on the first guess).  This is not the first time I’ve helped a new team member get acquainted to the Kirvin Doak life though; back in September we added Wendy Sloan.  But I was just one month old then, still a baby really, and Wendy and I did a majority of our growing up and learning together.  Now fully flourished PR professionals, Wendy and I have the great pleasure of helping out Eleni as she gets used to her life in Las Vegas and on our team at KDC. 

Eleni, you see, is from Maryland (which is practically in the Eastern Hemisphere, as far as I’m concerned).  She comes from a village named Annapolis, where I hear they have an abundance of fresh seafood.  She’s visited Las Vegas before.  As everyone who lives in Las Vegas knows, however, visiting here and living here are two entirely different experiences.  Nonetheless, Eleni has surprised me with how quickly she’s adapted.  She’s learning our day-to-day tasks at an extremely fast (and highly efficient) pace, never sacrificing the quality of her work.  Her eagerness to integrate herself into the Las Vegas community is astonishing.  She’s already ventured to many of the properties on the Strip, engaged in Vegas nightlife, seen a big-name show and will be attending the prestigious Passport to Paradise event hosted by HELP of Southern Nevada in two days – and this is only her first week on the job!   Surely, she will only continue to great things on both personal and professional levels. 

Teaching Eleni about our clients and various everyday tasks is a humbling experience because it reminds me of the steps I’ve taken in such a short period of time.  I’m both gratified to know I’ve accomplished so much and excited to help Eleni out as she grows into her new profession here. 

For those who aren’t following Eleni on Twitter just yet, I highly recommend doing so.  You can follow her @PRLeni.  It’s going to be a blast watching her journey from here!

˜Ryan Marquardt

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Sniffing Your Way to Success

January 18, 2012 in Just For Fun | 2 comments

First-time visitors to my apartment think I hold séances there.  Donning practically every table, countertop, mantle, pedestal or other flat surface is at least one candle.  Sure, I get criticized by guests and even my roommate at times, but deep down I know everyone who enters my apartment falls in love with the scented sanctuary I’ve worked hard to nurture.  Unsurprisingly, I burn candles at work as well.  When I got my job here at Kirvin Doak, I was concerned about utilizing any aromatic products because I didn’t want to interfere with the comfort of my colleagues.  After awhile, I realized others burned candles as well and nobody seemed to complain, so I gladly began to do the same.

Months and I don’t even know how many candles later, I came to the conclusion that I actually work better when surrounded by a soothing scent.  I literally feel like something is wrong when I’m working at my desk without catching wafts of fragrant wax.  Everyone says certain colors are scientifically proven to affect mood and productivity in the workplace, so I thought maybe the same is true with scents?  After a rather swift Google search, I yielded the results I was hoping for and even learned a few things along the way.  Here is a quick breakdown of a few specific scents and what they’ve been confirmed to induce in the average employee:

- Pine and cinnamon: increase alertness and focus; good for concentration when working on a lengthy assignment.
- Lavender: provokes relaxation of the body and mind; especially helpful to calm you down during or after stressful work situations.
- Peppermint and citrus: quick ways to perk you up; great for any rough-start morning or afternoon lulls.
I also, sadly, found out that many offices prohibit their employees from using scented candles, incense or oils as to not disrupt others.  But fear not – there are still ways you can enjoy some of your favorite aromas without overpowering a shared workspace:

- Aromatic plants – Assuming you’re able to have small plants at your desk, this is a phenomenal way to have a scent-filled day.  For example, a small pot of lavender would be easily detected by you, but not the person one desk over.  Plus, it would be kind of fun getting to take care of a plant. 
- Scented oil on a cotton ball – Place a few drops of scented oil on a cotton ball, which you can either place on your desk or tuck inside a drawer.  Cotton is perfect host for the oil because it helps infuse the surrounding air while still soaking up some of the scent to reduce annoying sensitive noses around you.
- Terra cotta with oil – Like the cotton ball, a terra cotta plate or ornament will absorb the oil and disperse it slowly as it eventually dries. 
For anyone interested, here are a few particular aromas I highly recommend:

- Red Velvet Cupcake: My current obsession.  It can be found at Target.  I literally just received this candle, which inspired the blog you are now reading.  It is infinitely calming and I think it’s making me feel a tad more creative than usual. 
- Blueberry Pancakes: My previous obsession, made by Patriot Candles.  Like the Red Velvet, it’s very soothing, but the whiffs of blueberry perk me up quite a bit.  A small note about the food-scented candles, though: they will make you hungry.  Be warned.  So I recommend trying them after you’ve had your lunch break.
- Volcano by Capri Blue: This is my favorite candle of all time.  You can purchase it at Anthropologie.  I don’t even know what scents are in it, because it’s just called Volcano and the label doesn’t go any more in-depth than that.  I’m sure you can look it up, but I don’t want to because I love being completely intrigued and mystified by this heavenly smell.  It burns slowly, so you can enjoy this for weeks.
So there you have it.  Now, go about your workdays with your favorite odors, because you have no excuse not to!  Unless, of course, you like smelling stale air.  In that case, disregard my blog.

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To Do and Not To Do this Halloween

October 26, 2011 in Client news | No comments

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending After Dark at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas.  I also had the displeasure of going to see Paranormal Activity 3.  Today, I would like to break down both events for you and explain why one is worth your Halloween weekend and why the other isn’t even worth a Redbox rental.

On Thursday, Oct. 20, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas hosted a media night to preview the 2011 After Dark attraction and I was lucky enough to attend this function.  After Dark is a haunted version of the world-famous wax museum that opens up each year for the two weekends leading up to Halloween.  I’m a huge fan of getting scared by haunted houses and horror movies, but I didn’t think After Dark would be nearly as terrifying as it actually was – and I mean that in the best way possible!  After assisting with the media check-ins, I anxiously waited for their reactions once they left the attraction.  While each person’s demeanor upon leaving was different (some came out running, some came out sweating, some came out thrilled), everyone unanimously agreed it was a frighteningly glorious time.  After most people had gone through, my boss Brad and I decided to go through the attraction.  My other boss, Terri, politely declined the invitation to join us.  Within moments, Brad and I were standing at the entrance to a dark corridor.  Joined by a few other guests, I was elected to lead the group with nothing but a glowstick.  Slowly, we made our way into the first hallway where shadowy figures moved around, setting the scene for what was ultimately an exhilarating experience.  Each of the rooms were styled differently, but the one common thread each room brilliantly encompassed was the utilization of the wax figures – you never knew what was fake and what was real!  Many of the figures I thought were wax would sporadically come to life to jump out and scare the group.  The uncertainty of everything was what made this haunted attraction one of the most unique I’d ever visited.  Thankfully, I made it out alive and am glad to be here so I can tell everyone to check it out as well!

Unfortunately, my Sunday night was not nearly as invigorating.  My roommate and I decided to grab dinner at Town Square then catch a showing of Paranormal Activity 3.  I had fortunately seen the first two movies, so I was excited to see where the story would go from here.  In my opinion, the first movie wasn’t very great, but the second one truly did have moments that made me jump, complete with an unexpected twist at the end which tied it back to the first movie.  I won’t give anything away, but in a nutshell, the entire Paranormal Activity series is about a family being haunted by a demon of sorts.  The third installment was a prequel, taking the audience back to the days of how the “activity” started within this one particular family.  Sure, there were a few good moments where characters jumped out, etc.  But for the most part, the entire audience laughed during moments that were supposed to be considered scary.  The invevitable twist at the end wasn’t expected, but it also wasn’t satisfying.  The end of the film was abrupt, with audience members shouting disapproving comments like “Really?!” and “That’s it?!”  One of my least favorite aspects about the film was the fact that many of the moments in the movie trailer weren’t present in the actual film, leaving the audience expecting more than was actually delivered.

To recap: After Dark at Madame Tussauds exceeded expectations, providing authentic adventure, excitement and thrills.  Paranormal Activity 3, on the other hand, was a snoozefest.

 

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The Joy Formidable at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

September 22, 2011 in Client news | No comments

I was put on assignment to staff a concert at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 17.  My boss informed me it was a free show open to the public at the Boulevard Pool no less – one of my favorite venues for concerts!  After a summer of established names like Adele, Death Cab for Cutie and Queens of the Stone Age… who was The Joy Formidable playing at the Boulevard Pool? 

While delicately putting up a new shower curtain, I decided to whip out my iPhone, pull up YouTube and check out this band I was about to listen to while working tonight.  The first video that popped up was for their single called “Cradle”.  A striking and unconventionally gorgeous female was the still image on the thumbnail for the video.  I was a bit more intrigued than I had been 30 seconds prior.  I clicked the image and waited (about 4 hours, thank you 3G network) for the video to load.  Once the song started playing, I froze.  Echoey “ooo’s” followed by the wailing Welsh voice of the band’s lead singer, Ritzy Bryan, bounced off the walls of my bathroom.  I loved what I was hearing.  By the time I could rewire my Negative Nancy brain to process the raw, grungy, wonderfully 90s-inspired music, the song had already ended.  I hit repeat.  And I was more in love the second time around.  Then I kept moving down the list of all their videos and songs I could find, liking each one just as much as the last.  Somehow, I emerged from my musical reverie and realized I was sitting on the floor of my bathroom and needed to get changed for the live show.  I was amped.

Fast forward: I’m at The Yard at The Boulevard Pool watching the band’s crew ready the stage.  I couldn’t wait for the show.  I felt like I already knew “Cradle” word-for-word and was so anxious to hear how they sounded live.  Right on the dot at 9 p.m., the band came out and began playing.  They sounded just as good, if not better, than they did in their studio recording.  Just like Adele, Death Cab for Cutie and Queens of the Stone Age, this band was made up of real musicians who had a loyal following and genuine love for music.  Ritzy was all over the stage as she belted out her lyrics and interacted with the audience.  The bassist, Rhydian Dafydd, grounded each song with his booming bass guitar and background vocals while the drummer, Justin Stahley, was so immersed into the music it was nearly impossible to not be awed by his concentration and outright love for every second he was up there.

Later, I learned the free show was part of a brilliant lineup of musicians The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas rounded up for a complimentary experience for locals and visitors alike.  Artists such as Christina Perri and Foster The People were among the many in a long list who have dazzled crowds at the Boulevard Pool’s music sessions, and The Joy Formidable was the latest addition. 

I highly recommend checking this band out.  If you tend to stick to the over-polished, synthesized and digitized sound reigning over the Top 40, then you might not be too keen for The Joy Formidable.  But if you appreciate traditional rock band instruments and the unrefined sound of many groups we grew up listening to before the turn of the new millennium, then it might do you some good to turn an ear to this understated trio.  In case you’re interested, I suggest the songs “Cradle,” “Austere,” “9669” and “Whirring.”  Happy listening!

 

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A Black & White Affair

August 31, 2011 in Client news | No comments

On Aug. 27, I had the genuine pleasure of attending the 25th Annual Black & White Party hosted by Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN).  I heard many stories from previous Black & White Parties and since practically everyone at Kirvin Doak was unanimously peer pressuring me into attending, I bought a ticket.  $35 for general admission seemed like a steep price at the time, but I figured it was for a great cause, so why not?  Little did I know I’d be getting much more than my money’s worth.
Before I could get excited about the party, I had to deal with what to wear.  Among the legendary tales I’d heard from Black & White Parties of yesteryears, I knew the outfit choices were of the utmost importance.  However, anyone who knows me well knows I like a lot of color in my wardrobe.  Don’t get me wrong – I like dressing classy.  I can be a dapper fellow.  But I prefer to splash on the color, that’s for sure.  Like the procrastinator I am (shhh don’t tell my boss), I didn’t buy my clothes until the very last minute.  Literally.  Since I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, I kept it safe with a short sleeve white button up and black dress pants.
When I arrived at the party, I realized I was neither overdressed nor underdressed, because attendees were enjoying themselves in everything and anything black and white, from women in extravagant black gowns to men in tighty whities.  Navigating my way around the Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas was a blast.  I stopped at each vendor I came across – Sushi Roku, The Cupcakery, PF Changs, Outback Steakhouse, Absolut Vodka, Jose Cuervo… even the snowcone cart from Malibu, plus many others!  If half of the food and beverage stations were present, I still would have considered my ticket price a steal.  Throughout the night from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. guests were tasting food, mingling with friends, and enjoying entertainment from representatives of Absinthe, David Saxe Productions and Le Reve (just to name a few).  It really was a fantastic party and I was fortunate enough to meet so many wonderful people.
AFAN certainly went all out for this event.  Seeing the 3,000+ people supporting such a respectable and responsible organization was thoroughly inspiring.  I can’t wait to go again next year.  While I now have a fancy new white shirt and black dress pants, I think I just might go a little crazier for AFAN’s 26th annual Black & White Party, because now I know it really doesn’t matter what you wear.  It just matters that you’re there. 

AFAN Las Vegas 25th Annual Black & White Party

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