City to Country Magazine Sep/Oct 2017 Issue

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SEP / OCT 2017 Issue

GET DOWN WITH

MIDTOWN CITY TO COUNTRY

HITS NASHVILLE DESIGNS BY

KRISTINA SIBUL OLIVIA BREAULT

RISING STAR, MODEL, AND ACTRESS ISBN 978-1-365-58375-9

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FROM DEVASTATION TO MOTIVATION

MARCUS SMITH

Sep / Oct 2nd Anniversary Issue

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Written by Tammy KC Hegyes

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CITY TO COUNTRY

Hits

Nashville

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Johnny Cash Museum 8

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hen someone says Nashville, Tennessee, the first thing that crosses our mind is that it’s called the Country Music Capital of the World, “… the drinking town with a music problem.” So, when City to Country Magazine told me they needed a travel feature for the next issue, I grabbed my bags and keys, tuned my Sirius XM radio to some Country music and turned it up, then hit the road, because it’s time for some fine dining, music, museums, shopping, and finding another beautiful city in this fine country of ours.

Drinking and Country music are just a small part of this vibrant city that is full of great people, scenic streets, wonderfully delectable foods, and shopping and that is a huge part of this country’s history. If one loves the waterfront, you’ll be looking at the Cumberland River, which runs right through the town’s epicenter and is a great place for strolls and many water outings, not to mention the exquisite skylines and other views from the pedestrian bridge.

Whether you’re traveling with your family or for a romantic getaway, Nashville is the place to go. So, shine up your boots, loosen your pants, and get ready to eat, drink, and listen your way through this rapidly-growing, cultural metropolis in the heart of the South.

When in Nashville as a tourist, most people love hitting the hotspots, and I found myself doing just that. First up, a friend of mine recommended that I find my way to The Johnny Cash Museum, and I was so impressed after I did. One of Nashville’s most-visited attractions since opening in 2013, The Johnny Cash Museum resembles a small storefront, but packs all kinds of memorabilia within. You’ll look forward to the listening booths, costumes, and collectibles that chronicle the life and work of “The Man in Black.” For more information, please visit www.johnnycashmuseum.com.

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Nashville is also known for its Country music and for all the stars who have sung in its Honky Tonk bars on Honky Tonk Row, such as Garth Brookes, George Strait, Gretchen Wilson, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and Dee Messina. There is a lot of history in those bars, and they play all kinds of music. If you visit Nashville, this is a must-see for you to get a true experience of Honky Tonk music. When walking through Honky Tonk Row, hearing the music flowing onto the streets and seeing the crowds of tourists gazing into the bars to see who’s playing, I was thrown back in time.

What put Nashville on the map? You might say it was the Grand Ole Opry. Well, you could be right! A radio show, which began back in the ‘20s, started people tapping their feet and filling the Opry’s seats with many fans. Visiting Nashville should go hand-in-hand with visiting the Grand Ole Opry.

In a sense, Nashville is the Opry, and the Opry is Nashville.

It is such a big part of the city’s history and holds so many amazing stories about all the performers who have graced the stage. One of my favorite parts was seeing the dressing rooms the stars use. The designs of the dressing rooms and all the memorabilia and pictures show the history of the Opry. The Opry staff were definitely right when they said they are family friendly. All of the staff were so professional and nice. The Grand Ole Opry is located northeast of Downtown Nashville in the Opryland district, and tours are offered seven days a week, although availability depends on concert schedules. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, you can visit their website at www.opry.com.

Grand Ole

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Urban Grub 12

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One of my favorite things to do is find a winery with some of my friends and enjoy an afternoon with interesting people and great conversation. Nashville has just that, though hidden away, but not from this little lady! Grinder Switch Winery is the place to go, if you’re looking for that divine glass of heaven. We walked in, and they were able to quickly accommodate a tasting for five. After the tasting, we enjoyed wine slushies that were delicious! They give you a few different tasting options to fit everyone’s preference. I will say the Grinder Switch Winery tasting was a great experience at a reasonable price. I would recommend that you find your way to Grinder Switch and enjoy their wines. The hosts were great, and that’s saying a lot when it comes to my group of friends.

Grinder Switch

When the evening arrives, it’s time for you and that special someone to look for just the right place to have dinner. Something ethnic, healthy, casual, and to-go was what we’re looking for, and that’s what makes Urban Grub one of the best in culinary dedication in Nashville’s dining scene. The menu is a combination of Southern traditions with a “flavored-up tweak.” They offer fresh seafood, including shucked oysters, smoked and grilled meats and vegetables, and cantina-style handhelds. Honestly, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in Nashville! The smoked, cheesy grits that contained shrimp and andouille sausage were heavenly, and the pork chops were out of this world.

Everything was so flavorful! We finished with divine, warm vanilla donuts that are not to be missed. They also have a great wine list and beer selection and some of the best wait staff ever!

I give my trip 5 out of 5 stars, and I hope you enjoy the experience for yourself. Hit www.tripadvisor.com!!

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Written by Sue McGaughey

FROM DEVASTATION TO MOTIVATION

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arcus Smith is a multifaceted man who lives his life with passion and purpose. From a very young age, Marcus was fascinated with film and TV. He admits being obsessed with the TV show Saved by the Bell. I mean, who didn’t love Zack Morris, the cool guy? Marcus thought for sure Zack was the coolest guy in the world and completely fell in love with the overall-fictional reality show. Deep inside, Marcus knew the show was scripted and Zack was just an actor, but he always thought about how cool it would be to interact with Zack, Screech, Lisa Turtle, and Kelly Kipowski. “I would’ve given anything to do that,” Marcus said. “Growing up in the small town of Vacaville, California, there weren’t many acting opportunities, but I knew as soon as I got the opportunity, I would take that challenge head on.”

Marcus grew up and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. He landed a Nike and McDonald’s commercial, which started him on his path. Marcus did a lot of auditions and landed the lead (Ronald) for Tyler Perry’s touring play, The Marriage Counselor, while it was in Canada. He had the chance to work with one of his closest friends, Mark E. Swinton, who worked as an assistant director on the project. The Ronald character was a very successful NBA athlete who was full of confidence, wealth, and charm. It’s safe to say he was a lady’s dream guy. In working to prepare for that character, Marcus had to really be comfortable with that side of himself, because he had always been shy.

“Believe it or not, it took a great deal of work. I know that may sound crazy, but it’s true. That was one of those roles that helped me gain more confidence in my personal life,” Marcus stated.

Steven Daron Cooper, Photographer @Presentdaycol Sep / Oct

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While pursuing his acting career, Marcus was young and still growing as a person. He told City to Country Magazine, “I was learning who I was, partying, and making a ton of mistakes. LA can do that to you. As a result of my foolish ways, I lost all of my agents and managers. I was broke and had no job, an upset girlfriend, and a mountain-high stack of unpaid bills. I knew I needed a ‘real job,’ but taking one, for me, represented the end of my career. I didn’t want to work for a company, clock in and out, and have that be how I spent the rest of my life. I wanted to create, hold onto my creative aspirations, and give myself a fighting chance at being discovered.”

Marcus created an alter ego named 6 Pack, then created a web series around his life. He went on to shoot and record a bunch of music to help promote the series on YouTube. While doing this, Marcus took a job, as a personal training manager at a corporate gym, to fund the operation.

He made very little money and couldn’t afford to pay rent and chase his dreams at the same time. Marcus had a lot to consider. His dreams were still hauntingly lingering in his mind. Ultimately, he chose to live in his car. He often slept on the beach in Playa Del Rey. Life was rough for Marcus. A little over a year of sleeping in his car and living hard caused him to have a breakdown. Marcus realized that he couldn’t live like that anymore. “One night, I sat in my car and just cried.

I sat and prayed about it. I was out of answers and out of ideas. What was most unsettling was that I was unsure of what I was going to do next. I was 35 and was contemplating moving back home to live with my mother. I asked myself, ‘How is it that I’ve been given so much, yet I have so little?’

In that moment, I realized that I had no other choice but to change the way I was living my life,” Marcus said.

Marcus put his thinking cap on and figured he needed a new way of doing things. He didn’t know what was coming next, but he did know that he wouldn’t live another day the same way he had been doing.

That very same day, within one hour of him making that life- changing promise to himself, someone offered Marcus a lot of money to be their personal trainer. He took the money and never looked back. Within 30 days, his life changed completely. Suddenly, Marcus had a new car and, more importantly, his own apartment. He was so happy that he realized how unhappy he had been for so long. Owning his mistakes and choosing to change was the right decision for Marcus. He grew in all aspects of his life, including health, wealth, happiness, and stability.

Marcus learned a lot of good life lessons. “A part of my life’s mission is to be able to instill the idea of ‘fearless faith’ in others. I think I just made

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that up! It’s the idea that you are never out. It doesn’t matter how lonely you feel, how broke you feel, or how dire your situation appears, things can change for you in seconds, because they did for me. I’m living proof of it,” he said. It’s very important to Marcus that he teach others that they should never lose faith or give up.

Starting his personal trainer career allowed Marcus to teach that philosophy.

Getting people to lose weight and accomplish their goals means so much to him. He truly believes that, when you gamble on yourself and win, it instills confidence, as well as helps you in every other aspect of your life.

You have got to be able to step out of your box and embrace this “fearless faith” to get the ball rolling in your favor.

Marcus recalls his childhood. There wasn’t much money floating around his house. He was the second oldest out of nine children. It became clear to him that, if he wanted to go to college, he would have to somehow earn a scholarship. His mom encouraged him to train hard and work toward getting a basketball scholarship. Ever since Marcus can remember, he has been involved in sports and competition. He’s always had a heart for people and a caring for others. Personal training and fitness will always allow him to live by his own morals and philosophies of caring and helping others.

He’s addicted to exercise anyway. It’s not something he can just turn off.

Currently, Marcus is focused on being the best personal trainer he can be.

There is proof of that, as he has many happy clients around the world.

During his college days, Marcus would frequently be asked how he kept such a sculpted and healthy physique. He would give advice, but thought to himself, “Hmmm, I should get certified in this. I can breakdown the science of weight loss and healthy living and use my skills to make some money.” At that point, it was on! He started his company, ProBody by Marcus, a few years back. His business has him training with many people, including some of LA’s hot celebrities, such as Shemar Moore (SWAT on CBS), Omarion (singer/rapper), and Robert Richard (Coach Carter). His client roster has also included Nadine Velasquez (The Bounce Back) and Christine Milian (singer/songwriter). His training business is based in LA, but that doesn’t limit him or who he can train. Marcus has a unique selling point, as he trains some of his clients via Skype, which allows him to train people all over the world. He’s working diligently on building the best weight loss brand he possibly can. Marcus takes pride in his clients’ joy.

Recently, Marcus has decided to appear in a semi-nude calendar. His motivation is to have the calendar designed to encourage others to keep on track with their own personal fitness goals. He wants to remind people of the importance of taking care of their health. Most humans are motivated

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and learn best by visual stimulus. So, why not do a calendar that they can see every day and say to themselves, “Damn, if he can look like that, then there’s hope for me,”? Marcus plans to incorporate some very valuable messages into the calendar. He wants to insert fitness challenges, motivational messages, and goal-setting advice that has a month to month theme. He is putting a lot of heart and thought into this calendar to encourage, motivate, and teach others the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

Interviewing Marcus was inspiring. Here’s a man who was homeless and sleeping in his car just a few years ago. He’s overcome so much.

Close friends and family have seen him try to reinvent himself several times over the years. Marcus feels like that, THIS time, he is making strides in the direction he wants to go. “Over the years, I’ve had to share different sides of myself in an effort to build my brand. I hope by watching me that others can be encouraged to become risk takers themselves. I hope they learn to keep trying, go after their dreams, and never give up, no matter how many setbacks they may have,” Marcus said.

Although Marcus is very busy spreading his knowledge, caring, and refreshing spirit around the world, he still finds some time to relax. It makes sense that, during his downtime, he loves to just hang around the pool, vibe with people, and enjoy the sunshine. He also enjoys eating and going to the movies. Marcus confesses that he enjoys doing those things by himself too. “It’s the simple things in life that make the world go ‘round,” he said.

When asked what advice he would give to others, Marcus said, “I would say, ‘Don’t waste time. Find out what you enjoy doing for free and make a career out of it.’ I would also say, ‘Becoming successful is a mind game. In order to achieve your dream or your goal, you’ve got to become it in your mind first, in order for it to manifest.’

I’m a believer in thinking positive and positive will come to you. I would also say, ‘Don’t be afraid to fly and be dope! Never give up. Never be afraid to dream a new dream and fight for it!’”

For now, Marcus Smith is focused and committed to being the best personal trainer and motivator he can be.

However, acting, modeling, and singing are still in his blood and his background. Nothing is impossible in his mind. “If opportunities arise that put me back in front of the camera, then I’ll gladly take on that challenge,” Marcus said. He started his life’s journey as a young man with dreams and faith. Even though his dreams were challenged and his faith was tested, he found his way. He continues to build his ProBody by Marcus brand and knows, without a doubt, that every day, no matter the challenge, he will stay in his faith and never give up on anything. He truly believes that anything is possible. You just have to believe.

For more on Marcus Smith, you may follow him on all social media or visit his website. Look for his calendar to come out sometime during the fall of 2017. www.probodybymarcus.com/ www.facebook.com/marcus.smith3?ref=br_rs https://ink361.com/app/users/ig-214857356/marcussmithiii/photos

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Written by Jess Svenson

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mother and daughter, Chanel Ryan and Megan Jay Simrell, are perturbed by paranormal activity in their new home in William Scherer’s new psychological thriller, House on Rodeo Gulch.

What sounds like a traditional Hollywood thriller was actually hatched and filmed in the filmmaker’s own municipality of Santa Cruz.

JESS SVENSON: Are you a country boy, William?

You’re not in Hollywood, are you?

WILLIAM SCHERER: I grew up in Virginia, but got to live all over the world as a Navy brat. After living 18 years in Hollywood, I now enjoy peace and quiet in a little, central California, surfing town called Santa Cruz.

SVENSON: Any reason why you’re not out there? Has it been easy to do what you want to do from there?

SCHERER: Years ago, one needed to live in Los Angeles or New York City, if they wanted to work in the film business. There was the knowledge, equipment, personnel, and instruction necessary to

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Written by Leah Reise

Get Down with

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n a chaotic world, we need flashes of genuine humanity, the kind that reminds us there is beauty and joy.

Midtown Social (MTS) brings the world just that…a huge dose of warmth, rhythm, and boogie!

Musical expression has crossed cultures since the dawn of our race. Music is the language of our deepest dreams, feelings, and aspirations, which is why it is so important to use it for love and good. It is what connects us across the globe and what draws us to one another, no matter our differences.

Using art and music for positive social change is one of Midtown Social’s most important missions. Following their debut EP, Down on 6th, the nine-member band hosted charitable fundraisers for Bay-area families who had fallen victim to eviction. One benefit that they performed was a private party for The Homeless Youth Alliance. They also played at The Paramount in Oakland, which was a benefit for Oakland Children’s Hospital, and various years at fundraisers for Global Glimpse, a program that helps students, from all walks of life and backgrounds, succeed in the 21st century. They recently did a collaboration with You’re Going to Die, previously a show and now a nonprofit organization, at The Great American Music Hall. The show, You’re Alive, celebrates mortality and life. The founder, Ned Buskirk, created a space of community healing for people who’ve lost loved ones, where they can read poetry and share stories of the deceased through art and music.

Not only has Midtown played their way into the hearts of the local communities, but they also strive to extend their message as far as their songs can soar. Love, unity, and multicultural understanding are exactly what Midtown delivers with their Motown Funk and Soul-inspired, original tunes that never cease to fill the dance floor. Their addictive, sonic vibes have landed them in some of San Francisco’s largest events, including opening for Jenelle Monae at the Stern Grove Festival and performing at Pride Main Stage.

They can also be seen playing at some of San Francisco’s best venues, like The Great American Musical Hall, Slims, Elbo Room, and The Boom Boom Room, not to mention becoming increasingly popular in the wider Bay area. So, it’s no surprise they won the first ever High Sierra Band Contest in 2017, after competing against nearly 1,000 bands. Midtown’s single, “Socialite Boogie,” was the catalyst that wooed the vote. To top it off, they performed proudly at the High Sierra Music Festival.

If you’re curious what all the excitement is about, you’ll have to watch their awesome music videos online at www.midtownsocialband.com. You won’t be able to resist moving your body to the groovy “Socialite Boogie,” while the soulful words, “We play until the night goes…our way…we play,” sink into your core. Their sexy, hot song, “Addicted,” will get you on your feet and have your hips and shoulders rolling to the irresistible upbeat melody, while you sing along, “I can’t help I’m addicted to you!” You’ll feel like you’re experiencing San Francisco life with their music video “My Love,” as they take you on a stroll through the lively city streets and invite you into their family, singing, “My love is so high.”

These uplifting songs can be found on one of three great albums: Down on 6th, recorded at the famous Fantasy Studios in Berkeley; The December Sessions: Midtown Social Live; and Midtown Social, a self-titled, full-length album recorded at Tiny Telephone Studios, John Vanderslice’s famous, new Oakland studio. All three albums are available on Midtown Social’s website, Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify.

To introduce you to each and every one of these outstanding artists, we’ll start with the founders, Aaron Joseph (pianist/ singer) and RJ Julia (drummer). With elegant hands, crazy dance moves, and sexy, smooth vocals, Aaron easily animates the crowd. By day, he is a landscape architect, but by night, music seems to flow right from his skin and seize hearts.

Reaching the community through song is what makes him the happiest. “I have so many hopes and aspirations, but my truest dream is to feel like I’ve been a part of something meaningful, something impactful to the art community.

More selfishly, I love creating and the creative process,” he says. Well, Aaron’s dream was certainly realized. Not only

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was he part of the creation of an awesome band, but he was also the curator for a blooming kinship. He continues, “As one of the founding members, I’d like to think the idea of being a part of a family band is what drew me to Midtown.

Creating a supportive and imaginative environment is something I was looking for, and I think I found people who feel the same.”

The instantly lovable RJ, an awesome drummer, co-started Midtown with Aaron when they played together in another band. “He brought in a track called ‘Dirty Circumstances,’ and we started working on and writing a few other tracks separately from that group,” RJ says. Growing up listening to Motown, Soul, Blues, and Rock on family road trips, RJ had his take with a few different instruments, which didn’t quite suit him, but he realized the drums were his calling when he saw his school’s drumline. After a seemingly rough start, he really applied himself. “Got to play crash cymbals my first year on drumline, because I was still terrible. Spent the next summer working my ass off and taking lessons. The next year, I got to play snare drum!! From there, I went on to join the Troopers Drum Corps, study with Jim Zapanzic and Pete Magadini, and hang with Dave Garibaldi. Now, I get to make music with some of my favorite people on earth, Midtown Social,” RJ states. Concerning what is most important to him, he says, “Really, at the end of the day, what I want is for people to share in compassion, love, and community.”

Community is exactly what the group was creating. It wasn’t long before Aaron and RJ came across the vibrant and beautiful Kisura Nyoto (singer/songwriter) at Faultline

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Studios, where she was working on another project. That’s when they started writing tracks and slowly pieced the group together. Kisura learned to sing in the backseat of her mom’s car, listening to The Isley Brothers, Carole King, Minnie Ripperton, Anita Baker, and Michael Franks. At age 10, she wrote her first poem and started writing songs shortly after.

When asked about her musical background, her brother also came into the picture. “When I was younger, I used to rap with my brother and his friends. My brother is in a band called Algorithms,” she says. It’s clear a wide range of genres have contributed to Kisura’s talent, including her strong, gospel-nurtured vocals that have brought a special spirit to Midtown. What truly connects her to MTS is something the whole band can relate to, and she speaks for the lot when she says, “Family and music are the things most important to me.” Undoubtedly, band members would also agree that Kisura is the whole shiny package, as her presence and smile seem to light up the stage all on their own.

To add more heat to the already sizzling Midtown ensemble, the suave and sensational Teddy Raven (saxophonist/flute player) never fails to ignite the crowd with his fiery solos and old-fashioned charm. When not playing for Midtown, he’s a teacher and a composer of his own music, and he plays with a few other bands, Jazz Mafia, Kuckaw!, and Inspector Gadje. The life of a busy musician like Teddy is far from easy, but his love for music makes it all possible. “I started playing saxophone in the fourth grade, eventually got a scholarship to study Jazz at the University of Southern California (USC), and have since devoted most of my time to a career in music,” he says. Teddy’s devotion to his MTS family will surely help them attain their goals,

spreading their music and message around the globe. “It’s been an incredible journey, performing and growing with Midtown Social for almost four years, and I’ve seen this band grow more than I thought possible, both musically and emotionally. There is no limit to the band’s success, as long as we keep trucking along,” he says.

Then, there’s the vivacious and funky Rory Matthews (guitarist), who Teddy happened to bring to the group, having studied with him in music school. “One of my coworkers invited me to a show, saying his roommate played bass for a Funk band. I recognized Teddy on stage with the band and dug their sound too. I hadn’t played Funk music in a group for a few years and was very much missing it as a part of my life,” Rory says. Having played Jazz big bands and combos in high school and graduated from USC’s Thornton School of Music with a Bachelor’s of Music in Studio/Jazz Guitar, Rory is not only an awesome addition to MTS, but he also shares their passion for social justice.

“We bring a lot of positive energy and welcoming vibes to people wherever we play, and sharing our message of love, empowerment, fun, and growth through life’s struggles is important to me. I’m honored to make music with such kind, creative, and beautiful people who share a common dream,” he says.

Music as social change is exactly what drives Midtown’s sultry and fierce Sarah Rice (bassist), who began playing bass at age 15 and was inspired by a feminist icon, American singer, and multi-instrumentalist, Ani Difranco. It so happens Sarah carries a similar strength as her feminist muse, which can be felt in the intensity of her performance on stage. Sarah plays from the heart, and her music speaks her life’s purpose. “We are all trying to make this life work, to find our bliss through the hardship. I believe art and music are what give people buoyancy and connection.

Our dream at Midtown Social is to tour around to all the corners of this world and make music that moves bodies and changes minds,” she says. With Sarah on their side, the band is on the right track, as change is something Sarah works toward every day. When not playing for the band, she holds a job as a social worker in the medical field. “I see my role as a social worker and a bassist as similar. It’s about holding space and being the unwavering support,” she says.

Perhaps great things do come in small packages, as is the case with this petite and extraordinary woman, a humanist who devotes her life to the people and a musician who can enchant a crowd with tremendous grace.

Bringing some East Coast pizzazz to the West Bay, handsome and dynamic Adam Rubinger (percussionist) always sets the mood with a bang! For Adam, music begins with our deepest ties to our ancient past. “I’ve always found that music is a conduit directly to our ancestors that passes knowledge to descendants. We all engage with it, but it’s my job to understand the roots and communicate it to people on the dance floor when I’m playing these ancient things we call drums,” Adam says. He was quick to fit in with the Midtown gang and fill hearts with the beats of hand drums, auxiliary percussion, and even his grandmother’s snare drum. Midtown’s humanitarian flair certainly makes him feel at home, as he’s dedicated most of his life to philanthropy, previously earning his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) and his Master of Arts in Social Justice and Education at San Francisco State University (SFSU) and also volunteering for organizations like Big City Mountaineers, which helps underserved youth through wilderness mentoring. What keeps this humble drummer the most grounded is kinship and unity, and he expresses this beautifully when he says, “The most important thing to me is family, both chosen and true kin. I hope that my Midtown family can reach a place where we can spread our message and sound to larger and larger communities and make this global community smaller and smaller.”

Like her melodic counterparts, the fabulous Lydia Eyssallenne (violinist) also strives for the unity of community through art and music. With electrifying elegance and poise, she mesmerizes the room as she plays her chords and adds beautiful harmony to Midtown’s tracks. As a child of the ‘90s, Lydia grew up listening to violinists such as Gidon Kremer, Itzhak Perlman, Midori, Nigel Kennedy, and Joshua Bell. “Aside from private lessons, I played in string

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orchestras, symphonies, and other chamber groups. Right now, I freelance and work,” she says. Coincidentally, Lydia found out about Midtown through Aaron when they worked together at a restaurant, and she was more than happy to hear he played in a Funk band. Now, the band is her family and also who she refers to as her “main peeps.”

The final limb of the majestic Midtown Social is the stunning Whitney Moses (singer/songwriter), whose vibrant vocals give the group just the touch they needed to complete the symbiotic circle! As with the rest of the MTS crew, Whitney appears to have song notes in her blood. “Singing has been my love since I was a little kid. When people ask how long I’ve been singing, I often say, ‘Since I could talk.’ I grew up singing in church and school choirs and listening to R&B, Jazz, and Motown,” Whitney says. Coming across Midtown for the first time at The Boom Boom Room, she knew right away she had found a band and family she wanted to be a part of. It couldn’t have been more of a perfect match for

her vocal finesse and altruistic nature. “My family is hugely important to me, chosen and otherwise. My community has sustained me through so much, and I’m always striving to return that where I can. Staying engaged politically is a big priority, seeking justice and liberation for those who are oppressed. Equality and equity. I strive to live a life where my actions feed the folks around me,” she says. With the power of MTS, Whitney feels bringing peace to the people is more than possible. “I could really see our music reaching people, far and wide, bringing a sense of joy and helping people feel connected,” she concludes.

Perhaps, when trying to describe Midtown Social in only one word, “grassroots” might come to mind. Midtown is culture and equality. It is love and unity, and it is tolerance.

It is rich in all the things that are good in humanity and beautiful in life. Every amazing member shares a belief in the power of music, which may just be the most powerful tool of all, to bring the world together.

Midtown Social album links: Down on 6th www.midtownsocialband.com/album/6th/ www.amazon.com/Down-Sixth-Explicit-Midtown-Social/dp/B01HQV7IUK https://open.spotify.com/album/5IN6vZCvz1OxwA1ds5OKDW The December Sessions: Midtown Social Live www.midtownsocialband.com/album/midtown-social-the-december-sessions-midtown-social-live-ep/ www.amazon.com/December-Session-Midtown-Social-Explicit/dp/B01HSZ31SM Midtown Social www.midtownsocialband.com/album/midtown-social/ www.amazon.com/Midtown-Social-Explicit/dp/B06XGYZJKF/ https://open.spotify.com/album/5UedgWIcODOUPdOENp2s31

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Provided by Jonathan Route

RISING STAR, MODEL, AND ACTRESS

OLIVIA Jonathan Route, Photographer J. Route Photography www.jroutephoto.com Sep / Oct

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O

livia Breault is soon to be a 17-year-old, aspiring actress and model. She has lived her whole life in the small town of Townsend, Massachusetts, and will be a senior at the town’s newly-built high school this coming September.

Olivia has always been a very active member of the community, following in her sister’s footsteps, including raising money for The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for five consecutive years and participating in the school’s Service Learning program, going to New York and Philadelphia to do volunteer work at homeless shelters, building projects, food pantries, animal shelters, and more. Within her own community, she volunteered for many years at the town’s police-sponsored Senior Citizens 4th of July BBQ and has done work at a local homeless shelter and at Heifer International in New Hampshire. While in school, she has also served on the school council and was recently elected as the vice president of her class, the class of 2018.

As if that wasn’t enough, Olivia has taken advanced placement classes for the last two years, all while training for her dream career of being an actor and model. She continues to take acting classes at The Actor’s Loft in Worcester, Massachusetts, under the direction of Chris Neville, who has quite an accomplished acting career himself. Olivia has worked with numerous photographers, most recently Jonathan Route, to hone her modeling skills, and she loves being behind the camera as well as in front of it. In November of her senior year of high school, she will also be competing in the Miss Teen USA Massachusetts state pageant. She has hopes of being crowned Miss Teen Massachusetts and representing the state at the Miss Teen USA pageant in the summer of 2018.

Olivia decided that she wanted to try her hand at modeling when she got her braces off. So, in the spring of 2015, her journey began. The acting bug caught her attention in middle school, and she participated in several productions of her school’s theater program. In the fall of 2015, Olivia auditioned for the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) and was chosen to go to New York in the summer of 2016, competing in both modeling and acting competitions for modeling and talent managers and agencies from all over the world, as a model/actor with Karon Shea Model Management out of Worcester. It was quite an experience!

As a result of her hard work, she received a total of ten callbacks from agencies in California, Paris, Asia, Canada, and New York. Olivia signed with Model Management Group, New York.

In these past two years, Olivia has had a featured extra role in a Hallmark Channel holiday movie, a featured character in a music video for the band The Rare Occasions, and most recently, the lead role in the independent feature film The Eyes above Paradise, which was shot this summer in the white mountains of New Hampshire. She has also modeled in several fashion shows, not to mention the many auditions she has attended for movies, commercials, television, and web projects. A day trip to New York City for an audition is always just a phone call away, if contacted by her agency.

As she begins her senior year, Olivia understands that acting and modeling are among the hardest professions there are and that you may be a star one minute and done the next. She is considering many other options for her future, with possible studies in nursing, veterinary medicine, or photography/cinematography, either in college or within a branch of the military.

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Sep / Oct

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Written by Sue McGaughey

COUPLES AND

Y

ou might be asking, “What the heck is dream support?” Let me simplify it for you. Dream support is when you support your significant other’s dreams, as well as your own. It’s when you acknowledge that your partner’s feelings, ideas, dreams, and happiness are as important to you as your own. Let’s face it. We all have dreams, ideas, and things we want to do in life, right?

Often, when we enter into a relationship with someone else with the idea of long-term commitment, we fail to express to them the importance of desires that we have that will help us fulfill our heart.

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People mistakenly think that just falling in love and being together is important enough. WRONG! I don’t care who you are, if YOU aren’t happy with yourself, then you will be of little benefit to a partner. If being in a relationship holds you back from pursuing your own dreams and passions in life, eventually, you will become resentful towards your partner.

It’s so important to understand each other right from the beginning. Now, don’t get me wrong. You and your partner don’t have to have the same dreams. You just need to be

able to support each other and what makes you happy individually. Uh oh! Did I say individually? Yes, I did. It’s important to be happy as your own person before you can truly benefit someone as part of a couple. Couples need to find common interests that make them happy together, but they also need those personal things that make them happy as an individual.

You may wonder how to support your partner. Well, there are many ways you can do that. The first and most important is to acknowledge their dreams and passions and let them know that you do support them all the way. For example, if your man or woman is an artist, they like to draw, but you never graduated further than stick figures.

That’s okay. Encourage your partner to draw and to improve their craft. If they feel the need to go away and be alone in a quiet spot for inspiration, support that. A lot of people will immediately become jealous or insecure at the thought of their partner going away alone. Stop that! Jealousy and insecurities are the number one killer of any relationship.

Your partner is most likely being honest and wanting zero distractions while drawing. Who knows where that can lead? Perhaps an art museum one day? They will never know, unless they have the freedom to explore and indulge in their passion for art.

In a relationship, supporting your partner should go both ways. When it comes down to it, you must have trust, communication, and honesty. Trust in your partner,

yourself, and your relationship. Communicate your wants, needs, and concerns and be honest about the level of support you can give. On the flip side of all this, your partner should understand that their dream is their dream. It’s the dream that they are passionate about and want to devote time to.

You supporting them is a bonus for them. It’s a way for you to express a portion of your love, devotion, and faith and belief in them.

Ask yourself these questions. Do I love my partner? Do I want my partner to feel happy and fulfilled individually, so we can feel happy and fulfilled as a couple? Am I secure enough to allow them their own personal freedom? A lot of times, people live under the expectation of, “I have to be number one in my partner’s life.” That’s not true for everyone. If you really break it down and think about it, YOU have to be number one in your own life, so you can be the best you that you can be. You also need to allow the same courtesy to your partner. They too need to be number one in their own life, so they can be the best they can be.

Ultimately, by supporting each other in your individuality and supporting each other’s dreams and passions, you are supporting a stronger unit as a couple, and if you think about it, a unit equals one. Learn to ditch expectations, let go of insecurities, and allow yourselves to embrace each other in all areas of self. In the long-run, you will be a much stronger couple.

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Provided by Kristina Sibul

Rotermann Quarter in Tallinn, 2017 Jelena Rudi, Photographer Ksenia Linjova, Makeup and Hair Artist

DESIGNS BY

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K

ristina was born in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, a small country in northeastern Europe.

Since three years of age, she had an unconscious desire to draw everything she saw and also what she dreamed of. She says, “As I remember, I was always drawing. I drew pictures and lived my life there, while composing stories of friendship, love, and fashion.” The main things Kristina was drawing were girls and boys in different clothes, which were changed according to the places and situations. She drew them walking down the sunny beach, so they were in swimming suits, for example. If they went to a party, she would dress them in stylish cocktail dresses and suits, so it was Kristina’s world, her planet.

Kristina’s older brother was the first person who helped her to open her creativity. He was building cities full of small figurines of people and animals. Kristina always wanted to make similar things as her older brother, but she found it difficult, because of her young age. Despite her age, she was practicing all the time and never gave up on developing the same skills as her brother. Kristina is self-critical and always tries to do her best. She has been developing and improving on these drawing and fashion skills all of her life. That diligence and obstinacy influenced her first 29 years of life.

Kristina’s primary school art teachers remarked on her exceptional drawing talent and suggested to her parents to help her develop that skill. At the age of nine, Kristina plunged into the world of fashion. She started to attend a children’s hobby school, where she gained knowledge about fashion history, fashion design, fashion shows, podium walking skills, etc. By the age of 12, Kristina was winning the fashion drawing competitions on a regular basis, and she got her first request to draw a small collection for a brand that produced fur coats.

Kristina began to consciously wish to become a fashion designer at the age of 14, when she was drawing fantasy costumes inspired from historical costumes as homework for her art class.

Kristina said, “I realized that I had so many ideas that come to my head from everything surrounding me, such as a door knob, a vase for flowers, or the sky with clouds, all transforming into dresses.” In those times, she did not know exactly what conceptual fashion was, but after that, she began to dream to become a fashion designer and to show her ideas to all people.

During these years of studying at school, from age seven to 18, Kristina participated in many competitions and exhibitions. After graduation, she knew that she wanted to study fashion and textile design and nothing else.

Family Archive, 1987

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In 2003, it was very “fashionable” to study fashion, and so, many people were trying to enter this field, but Kristina went there, because it was the only destiny of her life. She was happy to study at the Estonian Academy of Arts, because she was interested in arts and fashion.

Kristina is very thankful to her parents, especially her mother, who supported her during studying at school and university, and to all the people who have believed in her.

While studying at the academy, Kristina had an opportunity to study fashion in Milan as an Erasmus student. The life in Italy considerably influenced Kristina’s style in designing fashion. In her first years, her designs were very conceptual, so the idea was more important than the wearability, and the designs were very complicated. After living in Milan, Kristina’s collections transformed to become more casual and wearable. For her Master’s degree collection, she was inspired by sports and haute-couture. This particular collection has been featured in the Riga Fashion Show and at Tallinn Fashion Week and was a finalist in the internationally known Arts of Fashion Foundation competition in San Francisco. Kristina has tried many different styles and is always searching for new inspirations.

After graduating from university, Kristina had an opportunity to work for a main designer in Shanghai, producing children’s wear and gaining experience in the mass production of a collection from start to finish. China, with such beautiful countryside and differences in people, affected Kristina’s fashion creativity. Next, she had an exciting experience, working as a fashion drawing mentor at Instituto di Moda Burgo, where she met Julia Perlin, a young and ambitious fashion designer. Since this time, Kristina’s fashion world life has been connected to Julia, with whom she created a fashion brand named Kaleidoskop. While these ladies have different stylistic views on dress design, their similar characteristics have allowed them to work in synergy, complementing each other, while creating opposite designs.

Today, Kristina makes pret-a-porter designs that can be worn everyday or for special events. Nevertheless, all designs have special elements or unusual complex patterns with a combination of various fabrics. All fabrics that are used in dresses created by Kristina are natural and nature friendly. New designs are intended for women who are confident, active, and sophisticated and who appreciate natural fabrics and an aesthetic look.

Kristina’s personal life, marriage, and the birth of her two children have slightly changed Kristina’s visions and priorities. While the family plays a main role in her life, Kristina has yet to calm down. She uses every free minute to create!

Kristina believes in the Kaleidoskop brand that was developed together with Julia, because it is based on love and passion for fashion, not because of money. She gives thanks to all people who believe in her creations.

For more information about Kristina Sibul, please visit www.kaleidoskop.studio or e-mail kristitat@gmail.com.

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City To Country Magazine LLC

Deep Waters Collection 2017 Image Credits: Andrey Kulpin, Photographer Julia Perlin, Stylist Ksenia Linjova, Makeup Artist Darja Popolitova Yewellery, Earrings Olga KrĂľlova Pihl, Hairstylist Carina Leps, Model Estonian Maritime Museum, Photoshoot Location

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