Caroline Collective is proud to announce that one of the speakers of C2 Creative talk, MaryBeth Smith, will be holding another session of regular Feldenkrais classes at Caroline Collective for 6 consecutive Thursdays, beginning on March 11th. These classes will be led by MaryBeth Smith, Director of the Feldenkrais Center of Houston, and a nationally recognized authority on the improvement of human potential and performance.

Here’s a recap of the Feldenkrais method: As humans, we are constantly engaged in a dynamic and ongoing process of moving, thinking, feeling, and sensing. With Classes and Lessons in the Feldenkrais Method, you will become more aware of how you move in habitual ways. Each lesson helps you to explore alternatives that you might not have thought of otherwise. Through increased awareness, you learn to move with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. As Moshe Feldenkrais said,

“We can. . .make the impossible, possible; the possible, easy; and the easy, elegant.”

The movements of the Feldenkrais Method are suitable for anyone of any age or level of physical fitness. Join us on Thursday nights from 6:30pm – 7:30pm to unwind, destress and experience awareness of your body through movement.

WHAT: Weekly classes in the Feldenkrais Method

WHEN: Starting March 11th, every Thursday for 6 weeks 6:30 -7:30PM

WHERE: Caroline Collective, 4820 Caroline, Houston TX 77004

HOW MUCH: FREE for Caroline members (all levels)
Non-Caroline Members: $15 drop-in, series of 6 for $70

For more information about the classes and/or the Feldenkrais Method, please call MaryBeth Smith at 713.622.8794.

There are many advantages to having a meeting of this sort both in shared resources and knowledge. Every attendee will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and [briefly] mention their goals or what they are promoting at SXSW. Regular SXSWers can share tips and tricks with first-time attendees. All Houston community members can learn or be briefed on the wealth of talent we have in technology, music and film. By arriving at the conference with a known regional support network already in place, everyone is able to speak about Houston and obtain the resources they need. As we’ve said before, this sort of regionalism can provide a united front for Houston attendees as well as help people obtain the resources they need at the conference.

WHAT: Pre-SXSW Party at Caroline Collective

WHEN: March 9th, 6-9pm

WHERE: Caroline Collective, 4820 Caroline Houston, TX

WHY: Meet other Houstonians attending SXSW, celebrate creative and business success

Also this year, the second annual Houston@SXSW party, which will be held Monday, March 15th from 7-2am at Hudson’s on 5th. Houston @ SXSW began in 2009 to support and promote Houston area film, interactive/tech, and music talent by providing them with a showcase platform at the annual SXSW conference in Austin.

Hear from Houston startups, watch short films and see band showcases from The Snake Charmers, Kenneth Scott, Runaway Sun, Southern Backtones, Peekaboo Theory.

http://twitter.com/houstonsxsw
http://facebook.com/houstonsxsw
http://houstonsxsw2010.eventbrite.com

A big thanks to all of our sponsors:

The Planet

http://theplanet.com
The Planet is the #1 dedicated server hosting provider in the world that serves more than 20,000 businesses worldwide and more than 15.7 million Web sites.

Silver Sponsors

Active Interview

http://activeinterview.com/
Go beyond the resumé. Simple video screening for smarter recruiting.

AYN Brand

http://www.aynbrand.com
AYN Brand : Branding Strategies & Promotional Solutions : marketing . public relations . social media . consulting

Caroline Collective

http://www.carolinecollective.cc
A unique combination of private workspace, public art space, and open collaborative desk space, Caroline Collective provides a place where citizens can work in collaboration or privately, with a conference room and individual desks.

co.lab

http://HelloColab.com
A creative agency specializing in interactive marketing and social media strategies

CulturePilot

http://www.culturepilot.com
Successful marketing requires a seamless integration of several elements working hand-in-hand. Whether it’s the power of traditional print collateral, the potential for impact offered by interactive media, or a comprehensive strategy that brings the two together, we have the insight to help you determine the right solution and the versatility to make it happen.

Energy People Connect

http://www.EnergyPeopleConnect.com
Energy People Connect addresses the lifestyle and social interests relevant to members of the global energy industry. With integrated events and an online community, it is a tool for brand managers, recruiters and service providers to engage the people of the industry in new social media settings.

Favitt

http://Favitt.com
Favitt is like “Search on steroids”. Choose what search engines you want and toggle between them including Google, Youtube, Maps, Images, Digg, Yelp and more. Plus skin the background with your favorite pic.

Media975

http://www.media975.com
Power to the people via HD Video! Live streamed events, production house, content creation.

RecycleMatch

http://www.recyclematch.com
RecycleMatch is a partnership of industry veterans who believe they can make a positive impact by offering a more cost-efficient and environmentally responsible method for companies to manage their waste streams and under-valued resources.

Thotbox

http://Thotbox.com
ThotBox offers fresh solutions to old questions, through consultation in areas like “Next Ladder-Up Cold Calling” and “Striking Where the Ground is Wet.” We can help your business develop the skills and the tools needed to manage ideas, build from the ground-up, streamline technologies, and establish a clientele, making your business marketable and enduring.

Web Entertainment Guide

http://www.WebEntertainmentGuide.com
Web Entertainment Guide (WEG) is your source for all the best in original programming online. This site was developed by fans of web series who felt that there needed to be a place where web consumers could easily find and access original shows online without having to spend hours searching.

Werkadoo

http://www.werkadoo.com
Werkadoo is an online marketplace for project or contract work. We connect people to projects. Werkadoo’s secret sauce is a unique matching algorithm we’ve built that matches a businesses needs with exactly the right person or team based on soft characteristics and behavioral traits as well as hard skills and expertise.

YouData

http://www.youdata.com
Attention Paid.™ Let’s fix advertising.

Week 1 (March 3): In this course, we will talk about how you can promote your events online, covering many of the popular websites were you can promote your event, usually for free. We will go over some of the advantages and disadvantages of each website, and which ones you should use to promote your event, and why. We will not only talk about “event” focused websites, but also other social media websites that you can utilize as well. (http://www.meetup.com/houstonnewmedia/calendar/12650804/)

Week 2 (March 10): In this mini-course / workshop we will be covering social media and online networking with sites like

Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Google Buzz
MySpace
Plaxo
Blogs
and more…

We will talk about what they are, and how you can utilize these services and technologies to promote your business, brand or organization. We will address the pros and cons of each service, and which ones you should be on. This workshop will include a presentation, followed by discussions and guidance where we can talk about your particular situation, and give you some ideas on how to best utilize social media. (http://www.meetup.com/houstonnewmedia/calendar/12650936/)

Week 3 (March 17): In this course we will be covering how to effectively use WordPress for a blog or website, including:

. Whether WordPress is the right solution for you.
. How to effectively use WordPress.
. Tips on what to do and not to do with your blog or website.

You will also learn technical skills like:

. Adding Content (posts and pages)
. Managing categories and tags
. Finding and installing themes/templates
. Finding and installing plugins
. Adding and removing widgets (http://www.meetup.com/houstonnewmedia/calendar/12651518/)

Week 4 (March 24): In this course we will be covering how to effectively use Drupal for a blog or website, including:

Whether Drupal is the right solution for you.
How to effectively use Drupal.
Tips on what to do and not to do with your blog or website.

You will also learn technical skills like:

Adding Content (posts and pages)
Managing categories and tags (i.e. taxonomy)
Finding and installing themes/templates
Finding and installing modules
Adding & Modifying Menus
Adding & Modifying Blocks
and what those above things are! (http://www.meetup.com/houstonnewmedia/calendar/12651655/)

This show celebrates the artwork of Houston Critical Mass cyclists. All installed work has been inspired by the act of bike riding in Houston’s Inner Loop, and is pinpointed on a large-scale map. Artists Chuy Benitez, Kira Black, Oliver Bludworth, Matt Bower, Lindsay Burleson, Brittney Connelly, Claudia Cruz, Shannon Duncan, Osman Galindo, Christa Havican, Sarah Hazel, Corbin Hughes, Marian Ochoa, Smitty Regula, Kyle Silverstein, Nick Teel, Matt Tremble, and Ervin Valdez explore mediums including found object, photography, painting, video, drawing, and installation.

The show will be curated by Shannon Duncan, organized by Ned Dodington, and sponsored by C2 Creative, LLC. RSVP on Facebook here. The exhibition itself will be open from February 27 to March 18 and may be viewed during Caroline Collective’s regular business hours (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). You can also call the team at Caroline Collective at 832.429.6867 to see about scheduling a private showing if you can’t come during regular business hours.

The program allows for members of coworking spaces in one city 3 days worth of access at Caroline Collective (or any other participating coworking space) whenever they are in Houston. This program strengthens the collaborative nature of coworking by allowing different spaces throughout the United States and the rest of the world to work together to spread the joys of coworking. By creating a network of spaces, participating spaces work to strengthen the core of coworking by allowing any and all members access if they are in town.

The program works very simply: if you are in Houston and are a member of a coworking space in your hometown, you simply come in to Caroline Collective, tell Matthew or David your name and your home base, and you’ll be able to work from Caroline Collective for three full days for free. After the third day you will be required to pay the regular $10 daily fee, but this allows the visiting coworker the opportunity to experience coworking in a different city and with a different twist than they are used to. Since so many coworkers are traveling business (most people who travel a lot don’t want a permanent office…. hence coworking), we expect this will create a big upswing in activity here at Caroline Collective, especially considering that Houston is such a central point in so many industries in the business world. We are incredibly excited to make sure that all business travelers who use coworking to be able to use this program at Caroline Collective and any other coworking spaces that participate.

For a list of other participating coworking spaces, check the Coworking Visa page.

For a list of coworking spaces in Texas, check the Coworking Visa Texas page.

As members of the design team we strive to support the larger vision including collaborating on an exceptional design, meeting the timelines set, and doing it within the allowed budget. If that means getting creative with readily available strip lights and track heads, then that is what we will do. In fact we welcome the challenge.

We promise not to dig our heels in when lighting isn’t the client’s main concern. It’s our job to make it beautiful anyway. We promise not to spec the most expensive fixtures available, regardless of budget, and then call it a day.

We have a broader range than that and owe it to our client to respect their needs. Exceptional, sustainable design, on time and within budget.
It’s what we do.

Feel free to join us at Caroline Collective and bring any other craft that you’re working on and hang out with us if you already have something planned for your sweetheart, or prefer to keep your heart close to your chest. Kids welcome!

Bring a craft. Share a craft. Learn a craft. Make a craft.

Thanks to Katie Mahoney for the great idea to hold this special Craft Night.

WHAT: Craft Night for Valentine’s Day 2010

WHERE: Caroline Collective, 4820 Caroline, Houston TX

WHEN: February 8th, 2009, 7-10pm

WHY: Bring a craft. Share a craft. Learn a craft. Make a craft.

About Craft Night

Craft Night was, in its 2008 inception, an after work hours event to come and share your craft project with other crafty people in Houston. Later, it evolved into crafters teaching a specific skill or a non-profit visiting Caroline, providing food and drink and enlisting the help of the community for one of their own projects.

Beverages are encouraged (we have a refridgerator), ipods loaded with music are always welcome and your attendance is requested.

One of the best things you can do for yourself as a band is to start touring as early as possible. As Mike King puts it on Artist House Musics blog, Tour Early and Tour Often. He also mentions that in order to do this effectively, be sure that your live show is awesome. And again he is correct. But too many bands get caught up on the latter advice without realizing that the former is really what creates that engaging performance. Playing too many times to the same people burns yourself out from gauging the crowds reaction and puts the audience too close to the music to objectively evaluate your live shows.

Thats why on January 31st well be holding a Bandcampus: BOOKING PARTY for Houston bands. Well provide the tables, chairs and the internet. Well also be giving you a venue list for Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Victoria/Corpus Christi as well as a mad-libs style email contact form and a mad-libs style phone contact form and review the process of contacting (and following up with) a venue to book your band.

We held a similar Booking Party in July and the results were exciting: One band, Liquid Kitchen, was able to book two shows within 72 hours of Bandcampus: BOOKING PARTY. Another band, Insert Name Here, booked one show for themselves that week and continue to use the scripts to book themselves shows.

Come to Bandcampus: BOOKING PARTY and make it easier for your band to start finding new audiences to play in front of.
For information on events, working space, going in’s, and going on’s…visit http://carolinecollective.cc/about/

For all things in the world of video, visit http://www.PaynterMedia.com

Great job Tom!

That’s why on January 31st we‚Äôll be holding a Bandcampus: BOOKING PARTY for Houston bands. We‚Äôll provide the tables, chairs and the internet. We‚Äôll also be giving you a venue list for Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Victoria/Corpus Christi as well as a mad-libs style email contact form and a mad-libs style phone contact form and review the process of contacting (and following up with) a venue to book your band.

We held a similar Booking Party in July and the results were exciting:  One band, Liquid Kitchen, was able to book two shows within 72 hours of Bandcampus: BOOKING PARTY. Another band, Insert Name Here, booked one show for themselves that week and continue to use the scripts to book themselves shows.

Come to Bandcampus: BOOKING PARTY and make it easier for your band to start finding new audiences to play in front of.

WHAT: Bandcampus: BOOKING PARTY
WHEN: January 31, 2010, 2-4pm
WHERE: Caroline Collective, 4820 Caroline, Houston TX 77004
WHY: Book your band to play in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and more

–
Regular BandCampus sessions are (mostly) held on the First Sunday of every month at Caroline Collective sometime between the hours of 1pm and 5pm. Please mark your calendar accordingly for future events where we’ll all educate specific skills to musical artists such as, online/offline promotion, tour booking, financials, and recording. Please speak about this event to your colleagues, band members and other interested members of the Houston Music Community.