Author: Contemporary Artists (Page 4 of 10)

Top 3 Reasons to Start Skateboarding

August 21, 2017 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

Think skateboarding is just for kids? Think again. Skateboarding can be done by almost any age group or talent level. It is a fun outdoor activity that can provide exercise in the fresh air. You don’t have to be talented. You don’t have to be athletic. You don’t have to be a kid. There are so many different kinds of skateboards that anyone can enjoy the sport. Electric skate boards, powered skateboards, and off road motorized skateboards are just some of the varieties. Here are the top 3 reasons to take up skateboarding.

1. Skateboarding accepts all skill and activity levels. Skateboarding can be divided into two categories. A core skater is someone that skates at least 26 times per year. A casual skater skates less than 26 times per year. No matter how experienced you are on your skateboard, there are others at the same level and probably people more experienced to learn from. It is a sport you can grow into, even as an adult.

2. It is an activity growing in popularity. An estimated 11 million people say that they enjoy skateboarding on a regular basis. And why not? Skateboarding is a great chance to get outside in the fresh air. It can be for transportation or just for fun. Want some help getting to where you are going? Try an electric skate board. Electric skate boards are rechargeable and environmentally friendly. They work great for transportation needs and are just plain fun, providing yet another reason to give skateboarding a go.

3. There are many places to go and things to do with skateboarding. The U.S. carries half of the global skateboarding market and has over 500 skateboarding parks in operation. That means there is probably a skateboarding park near you. And if there’s not? There are still nature trails and parks, sidewalks and quiet roads. With a wide range of options for skateboards, you can find one that meets your needs and your atmosphere. Just go on you skateboard and escape your normal routine.

Skateboarding is making a comeback in the U.S. It is not just for kids anymore. Different styles of skateboards can meet just about any demand or environment. Going to a state park or on a nature trail? Try an all terrain electric skateboard. Concerned about the environment? Try an electric skate board. Whatever motivates you, you can find a skateboard to match. No matter your age or athletic ability, give skateboarding a try for transportation or for fun.

Are You Getting Ready to Host a Casino Night?

May 31, 2017 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

At first, the task seemed impossible. Serving as the best man for your college roommate also came with the responsibility of throwing a bachelor party. And while there were many ideas thrown your way, you initially struggled to find an idea that would provide a fun, but safe, evening with people who wanted to toast the groom on one of his last nights being single. The fact that this groom is also the soon to be husband of your sister has added pressure to make sure that safety is a priority. You want your best friend, and soon to be brother-in-law, to have a great party, but you also want it to be the kind of fun that your sister would approve of.
In the end, you decided that a casino night party was the best solution. With the added bonus that the best man would earn some honeymoon money from the evening made it seem like a really great decision.
Whether you are planning a girl’s night out, a bachelor party, or a fundraising event, few things are as fun or profitable as a casino party. Although there are a variety of corporate event themes that are available when you need to host a kickoff sales event, the ever popular casino theme party works well for these corporate events as well.

When a fun night is what you are after, a casino night is a hit every time.
Individual activities can include small group poker games as well as loud and crazy roulette tables.
No one likes to lose, but when the lost money goes to a worthwhile charity, few people complain.
Neighbors and relatives love the opportunity to play poker, blackjack, and other games of chance together.
Estimates indicate that nearly 40 million people play poker regularly.
Roulette is a game of chance that lets a large group of people play together at once.

Winning and losing are part of the draw for casino night themed parties.
In blackjack, although the player will win 44% of the time, the dealer wins 48% of the time, creating a setting that makes for easier fundraising.
New acquaintances can learn a lot about each other after playing poker or black jack side by side for an evening.
New players who have never been to a casino party before can start their night taking lessons at a beginner’s table.
Every player will get a pocket pair, on average, once every 17 hands, or about 6% of the time, while playing poker.
Rolling the dice and shouting familiar phrases like Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner while playing craps can add to the festivity of a casino party.

Casino games can be both challenging and invigorating for your guests
How often do you get to play blackjack with your friends? As the focus of a cason party fundraising event, you can shoot to beat 21 all night long!
In making travel plans, as many as 36.7 million people visit Las Vegas every year, perhaps because they are anxious to play casino games.
Casino nights are popular events for both men and women.
Knowing that your losses become gains for a charity of your choice make casino nights win, win.
Eleven is everyone’s favorite number in a game of craps.
Numbers draw the big attention when large groups of people play Keno at a local charity casino night fundraiser.

Dinner parties, followed by casino games, allow guests to both relax and enjoy themselves.
In the last year, over 10 million have played poker in a casino.
New games are fun, but the majority of players enjoy the more traditional and standard casino games.
Next to blackjack and poker, craps is a favorite game for many people who like a more challenging and fast paced game of chance.
Estimates indicate that there are 1,511 casinos in the U.S.
Real parties are as fun for the hosts as they are the guests. A casino night meets that requirement if you bring in a team of workers to run the tables at a casino party night.

How To Make Sure Your Wedding Day Is A Success

May 24, 2017 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

Nobody wants their wedding, baby shower or birthday bash to be a disaster. When you invest a lot of time and effort planning a special occasion, it can be incredibly frustrating when your guests aren’t happy or bad weather ruins your set-up. With wedding carpet rentals and a backyard party tent, however, you can ensure that your careful scheduling and design doesn’t go to waste. A relaxing event is supported with a proactive effort, after all, and renting your supplies can eliminate the middleman and help you focus on what you do best.

Know Your Weddings Basics

Are you throwing a wedding soon? It’s important to know your basics so it can go off without a hitch. According to the Knot’s 2014 Real Wedding Study, wedding guests tend to average 136 more often than not. Likewise, the average length of an engagement is 12 to 14 months. This means couples often want at least a year to plan their special day. Last, but not least, the most popular month to get married is in June followed closely by October.

Make Sure There’s Enough Room

Party rentals shouldn’t make any given space cramped and uncomfortable. If your event plans on hosting a speech or another type of presentation that requires chairs to be lined up, it’s recommended you allow five or six square feet per chair. For the more bulky chairs add a little more space to be on the safe side. After all, people will need to get up, move around and keep an eye on unruly children all the while. Aisles and speaker areas often need eight square feet per person, with cocktail services five or six square feet.

Keep An Eye Out For Disagreeable Weather

A common concern that has many reaching out for wedding carpet rentals and party tents for rent is disagreeable weather. Should your event be held outside (one of the more common decisions as of late), a tent can ensure that any wind, dust or sprinkles are kept at bay. The two most common types of tops are polyester and vinyl. Which one you’ll choose depends on your taste. Vinyl is considered both durable and affordable, making it a popular choice for weddings and baby showers.

Rent Your Party Equipment

Wedding linen rentals, wedding tents for rent and wedding carpet rentals are all wonderful elements to add to a special day. They offer you the variety and flexibility you need on top of peace-of-mind, with any spills or tears generally covered by the company in question. It doesn’t hurt to double-check their policies, however, to make sure you can proceed with your event without a care in the world. Remember that tents are ideal for outdoor parties and gatherings, while extra space should be considered when setting up benches, chairs and tables for speeches. When you need a little help during a stressful planning session, rental equipment is here to help.

Celebrity Charitable Contributions Encourage Others to Donate

January 26, 2017 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

Celeb news is a hot topic in today’s day and age. Everyone wants to know the latest celebrity news and Hollywood gossip. But who are some of the big name celebrities that people are interested in nowadays? Well, everyone from Floyd Mayweather and Beyonce to Oprah, Denzel Washington, and Will Smith. All of these celebrities have something common, they’re African American. With all of the controversy regarding awards shows like the Oscars, with some claiming there’s a lack of diversity, black celeb gossip is on the rise.

In addition to keeping celeb news fresh, many of these celebrities support causes, prompting many everyday Americans to contribute to causes as well. They’re also more likely than others to help a cause or company rake in more money. According to a Harvard study in 2011, businesses who sign on big name endorsers for things like events and what not, actually saw higher sales, an estimated increase of about $10 million annually to be exact.

Back to celebrity contributions to causes, though. How do they make such a difference? Well for starters, they have a ton of money. For example, Floyd Mayweather was the highest celebrity earner between 2014 and 2015, raking in about $300 million. Beyonce, one of the world’s most successful female musicians, has a net worth estimated at $450m while her husbands, Jay-Z, is estimated at $650. That means they’re combined estimated net worth is $1 billion! Then there’s Oprah, who’s show made about $125 million by the end of its first year. Will Smith is also a wealth African-American celebrity and one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood and for good reason. After all, most of his films gross more than $100 million.

With so many wealthy celebrities, it stands to reason that some, if not all have causes they contribute to. This begs the question of just how much do celebrities influence their fans. Well if the Harvard study is any indication, fans are indeed influenced by their idols, which is good news for charities and companies across the country who benefit from celebrity attention. That’s where celeb news comes in handy because it helps spread the word whenever a celebrity decides to focus on a particular charity. Let’s hope such contributions continue.

Throwing An Outdoor Party? Keep These 3 Tips in Mind

December 20, 2016 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

Throwing an outdoor party is a lot of work and can actually be extremely stressful if you aren’t prepared. Outdoor events if you successfully prepare, on the other hand, can be great fun for everyone involved.

Here are a few tips to help you plan your outdoor party and make sure it’s a blast.

Party Rentals

Tent rentals and other party rental equipment are often ignored during the outdoor planning process, but they can help ensure protection and fun for all your guests. No matter the weather, if you’re throwing an outdoor party, you’ll need to have some sort of shelter. There are special party rental companies that can assist you with all your rental equipment needs. It’s wise to contact them prior to any party planning.

Plan, Plan, and Plan Everything

It’s essential that you do not try and wing any part of your planning process because one mistake can lead to mass confusion, which could potentially ruin the entire party. Try and figure out at least a rough estimate of how many people will be attending. Once you determine how many people will be there, you can start planning other aspects of your party. You’ll be able to start figuring out how much space you’ll need, which is important to know whether you’re hosting the party on your own property or a rented space.

Don’t Try to Cook for Everyone

A common outdoor party mistake is attempting to cook enough food for all your guests yourself. Don’t even bother trying because you will just stress yourself out even more than you already are. Encourage all your guests to bring a dish to pass. Obviously you’re still responsible for providing the majority of the food and beverages, but it’s unfair for your guests to expect you to provide for everyone. Putting out a few sandwich platters and other little snacks is more than enough for your part and have your guests bring a few entrees and deserts.

Despite the importance of planning everything, it’s just as important to not overdo it and stress yourself out more than you need to.
References.

Top Five Tips For Creating The Ultimate Home Entertainment System

December 6, 2016 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

How’s your home theater looking? It can be a little disheartening not having all the latest toys to look forward to when coming back from a long day at work or school. Thankfully, home automation systems have never been easier to cobble together — whether you’re into movies or prefer to play videogames online with friends, a little research and a proactive mind can give you the home entertainment system you’ve always wanted. Below are the top five tips to putting together the ideal home automation systems.

Know Your Goal

Did you know there are nearly four million Hulu subscribers? Additional studies have revealed a whopping 38 million people have watched Hulu at least once, if not a few times, in the past year. A good entertainment system is one that knows what it wants to be. If that means helping you address your proverbial sweet tooth, then so be it! For those interested in videogames, a strong Internet connection is a must-have so you can spend more time enjoying competitive multiplayer instead of slogging through lost connections.

Be Familiar With Different Options

Hulu isn’t the only major film source, however. There are nearly 64 million Netflix subscribers, with 30% of Internet traffic during peak hours coming from people watching Netflix movies, shows and documentaries. Nearly three-quarters of TV streamers (nearly 74%) say they have positive feelings toward binge streaming television while 76% of TV streamers say watching multiple episodes of their favorite television show is a welcome respite from their busy week.

Save Money

According to ongoing surveys, the average household energy bill is around $110 per month. That’s pretty high! With home automation systems you can save around 15% every month, adding up to nearly $20 per month or around $200 per year. This is due to the interconnected nature of home automation systems rerouting energy in a more efficient manner, making sure everyone’s happy at the end of the day!

Stay Secure

Home entertainment is pretty expensive. The last thing you want is to lose all that hard work! Smart-home security and safety systems have represented the second-largest service market by revenue for the past few years, expecting to top most industries by 2017. Studies have shown people will, on average, save around 20% on their insurance with a home automation system than the alternative — that totals to at least $1,000 extra per year.

Get Started

Putting together a flexible and up-to-date home entertainment system isn’t as hard as it looks. One of the most important elements is a powerful Internet connection and strong reception, vital for streaming films, videogames and shows alike. Staying comfortable is often high on people’s priority list, too — around 44% of participants in a survey said they had recently been to a theater with cushy recliner seats and wanted to add it in their own home. According to the latest available data, the sales of home theater-in-a-box systems have reached a whopping $750 million over the past five years. Are you ready to create your very own home theater?

Looking for Something Fun to Do? Try Zip Lining!

November 15, 2016 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

If you are looking for something all of your friends or family will enjoy can be a challenge. Finding family fun activities that are also fun for adults may seem like an impossible task but it does not have to be. Zip lines can be fun for everyone in your group.

What is zip lining?

A zip line is pulley that has been suspended on a cable that has bee mounted to a slope of some kind. Zip lines are designed so that a person can be moved my gravity from the top of the slope to the bottom. These are often placed high the trees or other natural settings, when they are used for family fun activities, for example. When zip lines are put up for children, they tend to be shorter and are placed lower to the ground. Zip lines that are placed higher up and go for longer distances are generally reserved for getting to remote spaces, as can be found in a rain forest canopy to to get people to and from tree houses.

How long has zip lining been around?

While zip lining for entertainment or for family fun activities is relatively new, the zip line has been around for a very long time. Early versions of modern day zip lines go back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. In China, zip lines were used to cross rivers. It was not until 2015 that bridges were installed over rivers in that country to replace the zip lines people were using to cross the rivers.

H.G Wells included a zip line in his 1897 book, “The Invisible Man.” In 1906, Alberto Santos-Dumon used a version of the zip line to do testing on the biplane he was working on. He used this to test ot before it could fly on its own power. He was able to fly his biplane that same year.

People who were in the Australian outback used to use zip lines to bring supplies such as food or equipment to people who were working on the opposite side of a river or a gully. During wartime, the military there used them to get supplies to troops who were further advanced.

The use of zip lines has therefore been widespread and goes back a very long way in human societies around the globe. They were used in agriculture and for a host of reasons.

Why should I try zip lining?

There are a lot of reasons to bring your friends or family on a zip lining adventure. In terms of family fun activities, it is safe and a lot of fun that can be done both indoors or outside. Here are some other reasons:

It will help people with a fear of heights. Zip lining offers a safe way to confront and overcome that fear. When people are dealing with phobias, one thing that psychologists recommend is to face it. If people are afraid of heights, getting used to being at a higher height safely can help. Zip lining is a perfect way to face heights in a safe manner.
Zip lining is a great way to bond with friends or family. The adrenaline rush that people get when they try a zip line for the first time is a great way to creating bonding moments. When you are looking for fun family activities, it is hard to beat the shared experience of zip lining for the first time. This can help all groups bond. Some groups that get a lot out of the experience are coworkers, sports teams, school reunion groups and families. Want to bond with your new in-laws? Try zip lining!
People of all fitness levels can try it. Some fun family activities require all participants be very fit. White water rafting is a lot of fun but people who do it need to be at least somewhat fit. There is no such requirement for zip lining. Anyone can do it. That is one way you can bring anyone and everyone together.

Finding fun, safe and adventurous things to do may seem hard but it can be done. If you want a fun bonding activity for your group, zip lining may be just the thing to try.

Your Gude to Glass Artwork

October 12, 2016 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

If you are you looking to add some art, you have a lot of options. One festive and fun art is glass artwork. If you are looking for glass art, there are a few tips.

Pick a theme. You can find just about every theme out there. If you are interested in glass art for your collection, you should already have a theme. You will find many artists who have taken to this kind of art.andnbsp;The modern movement was started in 1962. It came from a collaboration between Professor of ceramics Harvey Littleton and chemist and engineer and Dominick Labino, Ann Wolf was an early pioneer. Glass blowing has a long story that dates back to the Roman Empire. Some people pick a color or style.
Check the value. When you are looking at glass art, You have a number of options and there are a number of factors that impact the value. These can include the clarity of the glass art, the condition it is in, how rare the piece is, too. You should research all of this when looking at glass art.
Get to know the artist. If you are interested in a specific artist, you should get to know them. If you are not in the same location, you can always check out their glass artwork online. There are a lot of websites devoted to glass art work so you should not have trouble finding information about the various artist or manufacturer. Most artists love to talk about their art so make sure you ask about it. There might be some cool story that goes along with the piece that you select.
Check out any feedback. Artists often have interactive websites and Facebook pages. Check out their online presence. Check out the sites to see what interactions they have had with their customers. This can help you determine what piece you can buy.
Get more information. Contact the artist. If you have gotten to meet the artist, you can get more information from them about their glass artwork. You may need to get more information from the seller about the piece or the style. They can give you the history of the piece and the collection. You should ask them for a certificate verifying the authenticity.
Ask about how your how to light your glass artwork. Your glass artwork can be accented by the kinds of lighting you use to accent it. Ask how you can highlight your glass sculptures If you go in into any of the contemporary art galleries, the staff can help you pick the right lighting for your glass artwork.
Have the store tell you how to properly clean your glass artwork. They should have tips and tricks to help you keep glass artwork looking its best. You will want to keep it looking great with the tips they give you.

Glass artwork can come in a wide array of styles and colors. There are many people working with glass today. You can find functional glass art So you should be able to find a piece that speaks to you.

Wedding Tents for Your Momentous Occasion

September 30, 2016 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

Once you’re engaged, you want to have enough time to plan your wedding just the way you want it. After all, this is a rite of passage as well as a very special day for you as well as your families and friends.

The average length of engagements, according to the Knot’s 2014 Real Weddings Study, is 14 months, so if your engagement falls into that time frame, you are among those couples that want a bit more than a year to plan this momentous occasion.

June continues to be one of the most popular months for weddings, followed by October. The Knot’s 2014 Real Weddings Study found that 15% of weddings were held in June and 14% in October. This same study found that weddings tend to have an average of 136 wedding guests.

Now that you’ve explored all your options and have decided to have an outdoor wedding–complete with wedding tents–there are a few logistics to consider.

First of all, you may be deciding whether you want to buy or rent your wedding tents. If you and your life-partner-to-be both enjoy entertaining on a regular basis, you’ll probably want to purchase your own. However, if you only think you’ll just use them occasionally, such as three-to-four time per year, you may want to consider renting them instead.

Secondly, you’ll want to make a decision on what type of tent you may want–a frame or a pole tent. There are basically two types of tent tops available for large events: vinyl and polyester. Most spacious event tests are constructed out of vinyl because it’s not only strong and durable, but affordable as well.

The size, or the square footage, of the wedding tents you choose will depend on the number of guests you plan–or anticipate–to be at the wedding. Remember to allow space for maneuvering, especially if some of the chairs are on the bulky side.

If you are planning to have chairs, especially if they’re going to be set up in rows, be sure to allow five-to-six square feet for every chair.

Here are a few simple formulas to determine what size of wedding tents you will need.

For table seating, use the number of guests times 15 square feet.

For the actual ceremony and regular seating, use the number of guests times eight square feet.

For the dance area, you’ll need an additional two-to-three square feet.

For the head table that seats the happy couple, you’ll need 25 square feet.

Once those R.S.V.P.’s begin to arrive, you will have a much better idea of how many square feet you’ll need–and don’t forget the plus-ones!

Are you planning to serve a meal or did you decide to go with assorted appetizers? When you’re serving Hors d’Oeuvres, you may not require as much space because your guests will likely choose to mingle with their Champagne or sparkling mineral water.

If you’re having a more formal sit-down affair, then you’ll need to respond these questions;

What are the tables’ dimensions?

How many people will be seated at each table?

In general, when you choose round tables, you’ll want to have a minimum of 12 square feet for each person. If you choose rectangular tables, then you’ll want to have a minimum of ten square feet for each person.

You’ll also want to consider aisles to ease the flow of guests as well as create a special space for all of the wedding toasts and speeches! This will require approximately eight square feet for each person.

After you’ve made the decision on the space required for your wedding tents, you’ll want to turn your thoughts to other necessary items. Here is a short list to ensure that you have everything you need for your grand entrance to marriage:

Wedding carpet rentals

Wedding chairs

Wedding tables

Wedding flooring rentals

Wedding lighting rentals

Wedding linen rentals

The Rise of Hip Hop

September 28, 2016 / Contemporary Artists / 0 Comments

Hip Hop is one of the most popular kinds of music on the planet today. On Facebook “old school” hip hip has garnered over one million likes. There are hundreds of Facebook groups devoted to the music. Hip hop artist Jay Z’s album, “The Blueprint 3” reached number one on the Billboard 200. This was his 11th number one album. This made Jay Z bypass Elvis as having the most number one albums by any solo artist. This was a big deal, not just in the world of black entertainment news but for everyone.

Where did hip hop start?

Hip hop got its start on the streets on the Bronx in the late 1960s and early 1970s as rap. It offered a mix of funk soul, new technology, disco and a big dose of social uneasiness and upheaval. It was popular on the streets, in parks and clubs but it did not get much traction beyond the New York City borough where it was born until The Sugarhill Gang released, “Rapper’s Delight.” This hit radio stations in 1980. Blondie, a band fronted by singer Debbie Harry, took the music a step further with the release of its single “Rapture” that featured rapped lyrics. The next year, The Funky Plus 4 became the first rap group to play on national TV when they were asked to be the musical host for NBC’s hit show “Saturday Night Live.”

The 1980s were great for the new genre. Rap acts Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Fives produced groundbreaking music that added lyrics that talked about social and economic issues facing the African American community. At the same time the Black Entertainment Network (BET) was formed to provide black entertainment news and information. The network was launched in 1980. The new TV network was launched to appeal to an African American audience and features urban news, black celebrity news and other programming. Before there were black news websites, there was BET.

RunDMC hit the scene in 1983. Their style of music and lyrics was stark and blunt. Theirs was viewed as an uncompromising style and they payed homage to the rappers that had gone before them. Later, in 1986, their collaboration with Aerosmith when they did a remake of that band’s hit “Walk This Way” breathed new life into the rock band and brought them back to the music scene. That same year, they also collaborated with the Beastie Boys. Rap was growing and moving into other musical genres.

Meanwhile, Russell Simmons, broker of Joseph Simmons of Run DMC founded the Def Jam record label with Rick Rubin. Their first artist was LL Cool J. Soon after they signed Run DMC, the Beastie Boys, JA Rule and Public Enemy. It was not long before it became the dominant label in the genreandge;

The crossover to pop that many rap artists were looking for happened in 1990. MC Hammer’s single “U Can’t Touch This” and Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” topped the charts. It could have been the success or the commercial aspects of both songs but they were both shunned by most of the rap community and the black entertainment news outlets.

The 1990s saw the rise of “gangta rap” and an East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry was started. While New York City was the birth place of rap, Los Angeles rappers gained more influence as Death Row Records was started by Dr. Dre and Marion “Suge” Knight. The emerging sub-genre featured a lot of flash and emphasis on the violent lifestyle of life on the streets of the southern Californian city. Ice T released his single, “Cop Killer” that was considered to be scandalous. The situation was brought to a head when both Suge Knight and Tupac Sahakur were killed by gun violence in separate incidents.

Eminem exploded in 1999. He became he first rap artist to become the largest music star on the planet. Some have compared the white rapper’s lyrics to Shakespeare. He was able to connect to middle America in ways that no other artist could. In 2000, he released his second album. It sold 1.8 million copies.

Since then, there is little doubt that rap and hip hop are part of our pop culture. No longer confined to black entertainment news areas, it is everywhere.

For more information see this. More on this topic.