HOUSTON'S GOT TALENT ON NBC: UPDATE

Greetings from Free Range Studios!

Some of you may be wondering what happened to Aaron's appearance on "America's Got Talent." The good news is that Aaron appeared briefly in episode 8 on August 5th, the first round of 'Vegas week.' You can infer from that appearance that indeed Aaron made it past the first round and got a free trip to Las Vegas! However, he only appeared very briefly in 3 different shots.

In Episode 8, the Judges called everyone to the theatre to tell them that they were going to review their first round auditions again to judge which acts they would allow to perform in Las Vegas, as there were over 100 acts passed through. Aaron was let go, not given a chance to do his 2nd audition (which he spent over a month preparing for!) after traveling all the way to Vegas. Unfortunately his first audition, in which he made it through, was never aired. Maybe he wasn't excited enough or in tears when Jerry Springer interviewed him after his victory, or maybe there simply wasn't enough time to show everyone...

Nonetheless, Aaron is moving forward with some wonderful projects which we will be updating you on shortly including some new concert dates and new recordings soon to be released.

Thank you for all of your support!

Namaste,
FRS

Indian Classical Music Concert with Indrajit Banerjee & Dexter Raghunanan Saturday April 12, 2008

Experience the sounds of ancient India right here in Houston Saturday April 12 at 8pm featuring internationally acclaimed musicians Indrajit Banerjee on sitar and Dexter Raghunanan on tabla. Both musicians travel worldwide teaching, performing and recording music.

The special chemistry that evolves from the improvisation of these musicians within the structure of the melody (raga) and rhythm (tal) is spontaneous and ever-creative. The mastery of these instruments by the performers and their interpretation of the raga gives us an opportunity to experience ancient music coming to life in the moment, never before and never again to be performed as we will hear it on Saturday.

You are invited to experience this evening of masterful technique, unique collaboration and refined mood. The cover is a $10 donation.

Sitar Workshop @ Free Range Studios with
Indrajit Banerjee April 12, 2008
11am - 2pm
$60

Hailing from India, Indrajit Banerjee is spending some time in Texas and we are pleased to announce his workshop and performance here at Free Range Studios on Saturday April 12, 2008.

This well know sitar maestro will be teaching a classical Indian raga and its movements including alap, jod and jhalla; compositions in vilambit and drut. At the end of the workshop everyone will have a chance to show us what they learned on the studio stage! The 3-hour workshop is open to any student on the sitar.

If you do not have your own sitar and wish to learn, please e-mail for arrangements to be made. There is a limited amount of spaces for this workshop, so please contact us to reserve a space for you!


Warmest Regards,
FRS

SATURDAY MARCH 29 @ 8PM: Rattle Tree Marimba & Space City Gamelan!

Austin & Houston bands combine to deliver an evening of high-energy world music on March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m. Put on your dancing shoes or bring your barefeet as Space City Gamelan hammers out the bronze beats and Rattletree Marimba keeps you groovin' into the night.

Space City Gamelan is an Indonesian orchestra whose songs blend western compositional elements along with the moody, trance inducing gong and chimes sounds to create an entirely new music on ancient instruments.

Rattletree Marimba is a Zimbabwean style marimba band based in Austin, Texas. They play vivacious dance and trance music that is guaranteed to get the dance floor moving from the first song!

The cover charge is $10 but no one will be turned away! Free Range Studios would like everyone to experience this diverse music right here in Houston.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 29: Improv Percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani Solo & Ensemble Sets

Tatsuya Nakatani (Japan/Pennsylvania) - drums, percussion
Jawwaad Taylor (Houston) - MC, trumpet, electronics
Jason Jackson (Houston) - saxophones, clarinet, flute, pocket trumpet, trombonophone
Dave Dove (Houston) - trombone

"Nakatani's sparse punctuation suggests observance of esoteric ritual."
- Julian Cowley, The Wire Magazine, UK

"Orchestral brilliance, Tatsuya Nakatani is a methodical musician concerned with the development of an idea in time. His beginnings are arresting; his endings are satisfying. The right duration and variety of events are fully charged with a visceral intensity that can captivate a true listener. The music is clear. This CD merits close listening. It will purify any space."
- Review by Eric Zinman, Improvisor Magazine

Information about Tatsuya Nakatani can be found at www.hhproduction.org/TATSUYA...RKS.html

Doors at 7:30pm, Music at 8pm
$7 Donation

BYOB

For infro, call 713.228.9110.

LifeBliss Discussion, Meditation & Dinner Wednesday Spetember 26 @ 6:30PM (FREE ADMISSION)

Free Range Studios will be hosting a Life Bliss introductory discussion about the principles & benefit of meditation for "householders" or everyday people.

6:30 p.m. - Discussion about meditation, along with audience questions
8:00 p.m. - 30 minute guided meditation
8:30 p.m. - Vegetarian dinner will be available!

This is a free program for the public.

Please R.S.V.P. so we can determine the food allotment!

LIFE BLISS FOUNDATION

It has been demonstrated that meditation maximizes one's endurance, memory, productivity, relationships, and happiness. Many have heard about meditation but may not know what it is, why it works & how to do it.

Life Bliss Foundation is a worldwide movement for meditation and healing. With 1000 centres in 33 countries (and one forthcoming right here in Houston!), the organization works towards the transformation of humanity and global peace through transformation of the individual.

Be the best that you can be!
Soar high!

For those who would like to continue their learning, a two day meditation workshop will be happening here in Houston in October (see below for more details).

Two Day Meditation Workshop
October 27 th & 28th 2007

The meditation techniques and the concepts have been imparted by teachers trained personally by Paramahansa Nithyananda
Fee $250/person at Rice University (Student Center) Farnsworth Pavilion

October 27th – Saturday- 9a.m. to 7p.m.
October 28th – Sunday- 10a.m . to 5 p.m

This is an active meditation and cleansing technique for beginners designed by the young enlightened Master from India.

To attend, you may register at lifebliss.org in one week by credit card or call 832.545.7474 to register with check or cash.

For more information, please visit:
www.lifebliss.org

Be well,
FRS

Friday September 21: Cool Down @ Free Range Studios with Antaress

Greetings from Free Range Studios!

How's the weather? It's finally cooling down!

What does that mean? It means that it's time for another concert!

This coming Friday, FRS will be hosting Space City Gamelan with a special appearance by Antaress. If you haven't seen Antaress, now is your chance to see Houston's finest Indian classical/experimental group. Featuring an Indian slide guitar, tabla, violin, and santoor, their set is sure to leave you spellbound. Space City Gamelan will rock the house once more, this time with some new flavors never heard. Surprise guests to be announced.

There will be a drum jam after the last band, so drummers bring thine drums.

Beverages and light snacks will be served for a small donation.

Schedule:
8 PM Doors Open
8:15 Antaress
9:45 Space City Gamelan
11 Special suprise guests
? Drum Jam

Suggested Donation for Admission: $9.95

The Beat goes on...

FRS

GAMELAN PIZZA PARTY & WORLD MUSIC IMPROV AUGUST 17 @ 8PM

Greetings from Free Range Studios!

It's been really hot here in Houston the last few weeks, and it's only getting hotter! That's why we want you to join us this Friday to transport you somewhere else that is much, much Cooler.

With the mystical sounds of Space City Gamelan, Audio Telepathy (with Sitar), and Geoffry (of the Medicine Show) and friends, it's going to be an awesome night of music this Friday, August 17 @ 8 p.m.

...plus, it's a PIZZA PARTY !

That's right: the price of admission includes free Pizza from none other than Jake's Pizza, a family run joint (my family!) in South Houston.

We ask that you come dressed out of the ordinary; we want to make this Pizza Party interesting ;) There will be cold adult beverages available as well.

See flyer for details.

myspace.com/houstongamelan
audiotelepathy.com/frs

See you there!

FRS

21 year old prodigy Anubrata Chatterjee @ Free Range Studios June 15!

Anubrata Chatterjee is the brilliant son and student of Pandit Anindo Chatterjee. His inborn talents and the closely monitored grooming by his father has made him an extraordinary tabla artist. Only 21 years old, he has accompanied the leading artists of India in major concerts and music festivals. The maturity, refinement and variety of his musicality are incredible.

He will be joined by Balkar Singh on Harmonium, Raja Banga on tabla, Biplab Samadder on violin and Aaron Hermes on sitar.

This intimate concert is a rare chance to see genius up close & personal. For more info visit anubrata.com and audiotelepathy.com

Pick 'n Pay Sundays in the Garden!

This event is every Sunday; see flyer for details.

Indian Classical Music Concert Friday, April 27 at 8 p.m.

Free Range Studios has been hosting diverse international musical events for the 2007 season; this Friday is yet another installment of musical brilliance featuring world class musicians from the other side of the globe!

Experience the sounds of ancient India right here in Houston this Friday April 27 featuring internationally acclaimed musicians Indrajit Banerjee on Sitar, Gourisankar Karmaker on Tabla and Shankar Bhattacharyya on Sarode. They have recently performed in Austin, TX with Atash and are also featured on their album.

The special chemistry that evolves from the improvisation of these musicians within the structure of the melody or raga is spontaneous and ever-creative. The mastery of these instruments by the performers and their interpretation of the raga gives us an opportunity to experience ancient music coming to life in the moment, never before and never again to be performed as we will hear it on Friday.

You are invited to experience this evening of masterful technique, unique collaboration & refined mood. The cover is a $10 donation. Please call or e-mail for more information about this event.


Always the Best,
FRS