Spring 2014 Teen Circuit Webzine

Webzine SPRING 2014

THE 2014 #NAKED FACES

CHALLENGE

ECO-TEENS

ECO-TEENS “I AM ECO-FRIENDLY” The Spring 2014 Issue of the Teen Circuit focuses on empowering teens to become conscious consumers of the environment’s resources.

INSIDE THE SPRING 2014 ISSUE: IN EVERY ISSUE

IN THIS ISSUE

TEENS & HEALTHY LIVING 4 The Junk Food Epidemic: What’s really in your food?

ON THE SCENE 6 I AM not the MEdia, Inc. in the Community Photos

BODY IMAGE & STEREOTYPES 7 Cosmetics: Do we need them? And how to GREEN it Up! BULLYING & TEEN VIOLENCE 11 Interview with the “Bullied” SEX & HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS 12 Eco Friendly Dating Ideas TEENS AS CONSUMERS 14 eCycle Secure: Harvesting Parts EDUCATION & ENTERTAINMENT 16 Behailu Academy: A school for the creative

THE 2014 #NAKED FACES CHALLENGE 10 Mixing Natural Beauty with Social Media MY “PROM”ISE MAKEOVER CONTEST 15 Prom Challenge for teenage girls in Charlotte, NC POETRY APPRECIATION MONTH 18 Poems written by teens OPEN MIC NIGHT W/THE EVENING MUSE 19 Article that looks at a haven of self expression in NODA

TEENS & HEALTHY LIVING

Fast Food: Bane of Civilization?

By Brandon Kathman Over the past several years the fast food industry has faced a crusade of lawsuits, protests, and general public outrage over the so called “childhood obesity epidemic,” but some doubt whether or not these chains are truly liable to take fault for the full “weight” of the matter.

“I think these types of lawsuits give the term frivolous a bad name,” said Steven C. Anderson, president of the National Restaurant Association. “And I think the idea of everyone being a victim and wanting to blame someone else for their difficulties really is the basis for this lawsuit --- and I think it’s patently absurd.”

America currently holds 23.4

million children considered by medical professionals to be overweight or obese. Right now, we seem to want to blame this solely on fast food giants like McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s. Lawsuits against these companies range from allegations of falsely advertising, claims that a list of each meal’s ingredients should be readily accessible, and charges that the food is simply too dangerous to sell in its present fattening state.

Stephen Gardner, litigation director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, has repeatedly criticized fast food advertising, stating, “McDonalds undercuts parental authority and exploits young children’s developmental maturity through their advertising campaigns.”

There may be grounds to claim that the advertisements of fast food corporations are unlawful, given that they target young

children too naïve to realize that some facts are being downplayed or omitted entirely.

It might not occur to a young boy that what is advertised as a “Veggie-Lover’s Burrito” doesn’t necessarily contain nutritious ingredients. Most companies hide certain information in advertising; to not do so would be catastrophic for their businesses. Understandably, most lawsuits related to advertising have been unsuccessful thus far.

With regards to the demand that ingredients be posted, there are several flaws. For one, we don’t require this of any other restaurants. To ask that a list of ingredients be available to the public probably isn’t too much to ask, but to demand that it be posted at the location takes matters a little farther.

….Continued on the next page

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Perhaps, given its standing as a

cause of obesity, the industry should be forced through government action to make its food healthier. The initial problem of course, is that the industry hasn’t engaged in many illegal activities to begin with, thus government intervention is difficult.

No one would ever argue that fast food is healthy or nutritious.

Fast food is unhealthy, but then again so is nearly everything else we put in our bodies nowadays.

It’s perfectly clear that Americans consume odiously fattening food with every visit to McDonalds, but we ignore the fact that we consume too much everywhere we go. Little known issues like serving size inflation and continual snacking constitute a much larger cause behind the problem.

Restaurants of every kind have come to realize that as American’s get bigger so do their appetites. As a result, the portion size that a restaurant is

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likely to serve an individual goes up as well. With larger portions, Americans tend to eat more regardless of where they are eating.

Another part of the problem is how children in America snack.

Most other nations around the world base their lifestyle on three large meals, or in some case six smaller meals. Here in America the snacks alone that our children consume on average each day contain a calorie count exceeding that of multiple meals in other countries.

According to a study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, “From 1997 to 2006 American children have added 168 snack calories per day to their diets. This equates to snack food comprising 27% of their average daily calories.”

As you read this article new studies and experiments are being performed across the nation as to possible addictive qualities in the food we

consume. The net has expanded to cover many foods and drinks we ingest.

Several years ago a scandal broke in Nicaragua around the local Coca Cola factories. It was discovered that the company was selling Nicaraguans cola with nearly double the sugar that we receive in our Cokes in the United States. The effect on Nicaraguans was nothing short of addictive, giving the factories a steady clientele.

What’s to say that a wide variety of foods in the US aren’t intentionally amped up with sugar? Perhaps Cinnabons, Pop Tarts, or Cocoa Puffs are packaged to make us want more, and more, and more.

Americans are not widely overweight due to the fact that fast food is unhealthy; we are widely overweight because American food in general is unhealthy. Fast food is the whipping boy of America, the corporate leviathans we blame to rationalize our own faults. ~

ON THE SCENE

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Teen Dating Violence Film Screening Feb 2014 (Cassandra & Erica working the booth) Career Fair at Vance High School Feb 2014 (Anthony talking with teens) Teen Dating Violence Film Screening Feb 2014 (Anthony and Oscar having fun for a good cause) Project Lift and Communities & Schools Workshop March 2014 (Jimmeka presenting to educators) At Power WPEG Power 98 for Teen Power Talk with Danny Diaz March 2014 (Jimmeka and Leyana) At Power WPEG Power 98 for Teen Power Talk with Danny Diaz March 2014 (IANTM and teens discussing Social Media Do’s & Don’t’s)

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BODY IMAGE & STEREOTYPES

Image by Feer Arroyo at flickr.com

Cosmetics: Do we need them?

By Leyana Casey Cosmetics! Cosmetics! Cosmetics! That’s all we see from magazine ads to billboards. Cosmetics are a $160 billion industry and it’s not hard to understand, because the average women uses up to 12 beauty products a day if not more, and men six. Why are cosmetics so popular and especially for women?

Cosmetics didn’t start off this way. The first record of cosmetic use was during ancient Egyptian times. Some products were used to protect the Egyptians’ harsh environment.

For example, they would use scented oils and ointments to clean and soften skin and mask odors. Not only were these ointments used to mask odors but it was also used to protect workers and slaves from the hot sun. Wigs existed back then and they were also used to protect Egyptians from the heat.

The sun brought heat to the people of Egypt and it affected their eyes as well.

They used a natural object, Khol, like eyeliner, which protected their eyes from the glare of the

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sun and it was said to restore eyesight.

These beauty products seemed to have a purpose in the Egyptian community, but what about the other things such as hair pieces, dyes and paints, for the nails hair and body, and rouged cheeks and lips? Maybe it was to prevent them from looking sickly or to enhance their features.

The Egyptians took great pride in their hygiene and cleanliness and the products they used carried over into modern days, but our main purpose doesn’t seem to stay clean.

We still see people trying to enhance their features today, which are the main reason women use make-up and beauty products.

Other reasons they use makeup is be more physically appealing, gain confidence, cover scars, and to look younger. Younger girls want to look older and lastly some people want to look like someone else for a period of time, but when is enough, enough? Nowadays you don’t see simple, natural looking make-up, the cosmetic user cakes it on. Women are trying to be better than the next. Living in a world run by men and them having the final say, women are out to impress and appeal to men. Shanta Bailey who is a professional esthetician, a person with special training in administering facials, aromatherapy, hair and skin care, and makeup has her own opinion about makeup.

Q: How do you feel about cosmetics in general?

A: “I love them. Makeup shouldn’t be the go to item for cover-ups. Makeup should be looked at as clothes, it is a cover up and accessory but you still have to exercise and take care of your body, that’s how you should look at skin.

Makeup is just the icing on the cake; you still have to make sure your skin is healthy.”

Q: What types of products do you suggest to your clients?

A: “More makeup lines have created mineral makeup, which are the best and most benefited.” Her two favorite and the ones she usually suggest are Jane Iredaland Bare Minerals by Bare Escentuals Q: What are the problems with today’s conventional makeup?

A: “Conventional makeups usually have too many chemicals so the users are being over exposed to chemicals and chemical procedures, to where the skin has become too sensitive, especially to the environment.

The pollution in the environment has made it even worse. Mineral makeup doesn’t hold bacteria, it actually aids in protecting and restoring sensitive skin.”

During the 20th century makeup started becoming safer, which isn’t saying too much. Today’s makeup has so many chemicals that are

extremely harmful. The makeups have carcinogens, which cause cancer and neurotoxins and reproductive toxics that harm the brain cells of animal including humans.

Many of the products that we use daily are toxic and when we constantly use them they build up in our body. The main harmful ingredients in products are called the Dirty Dozen*.

These products include: 1.BHA and BHT Used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives.

2.Coal tar dyes: In hair dyes and in other products colours listed as "CI" followed by five digits.1 3.DEA-related ingredients Used in creamy and foaming products, such as moisturizers and shampoos 4.Dibutyl phthalate Used as a plasticizer in some nail care products.

5.Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives Used in a variety of cosmetics

8.PEG compounds Used in many cosmetic cream bases.

9.Petrolatum Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lip sticks and moisturizers.

10.Siloxanes Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten.

11.Sodium laureth sulfate Used in foaming cosmetics, such as shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath.

12.Triclosan Used in antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers and antiperspirants.

Some of these products are even in products that say that their “organic, natural, or herbal”, because in the cosmetics world those words have no legal definition, so companies can put any ingredients in a bottle and call it organic, herbal, or natural.

6.Parabens Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives

The next time you go shopping for cosmetics whether its shampoo or lipstick check its ingredients is it worth the risk. Or try something different and natural that will help you and the Earth in the long run.

7.Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance) Any mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics — even in some products marketed as "unscented."

*For more information on the Dirty Dozen and how they affect humans visit http://www.davidsuzuki.org/iss ues/health/science/toxics/dirty -dozen-cosmetic-chemical

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THE 2014 #NAKED FACES CAMPAIGN

Photo shoot with last year’s winner Ariel Murchison Provided by Eve Lloyd

TAKING IT ALL OFF! The #Naked Faces Campaign with I AM not the MEdia launched for the second year this past March during Women’s Empowerment Month.

In 2013 nearly 100 women braved the pages of Facebook and Instagram by posting a makeup free photo and embracing their natural beauty with the initiation of the Naked Faces movement on Social Media. The buzz brought much needed attention to one of the amazing initiatives presented by the organization and received retweets and reposts on other social media sites such as The Charlotte Woman Magazine and Share Charlotte. But there could only be one winner and that young lady was Miss Ariel Murchison who bravely took the challenge and campaigned for her family and friends to support her efforts in embracing her natural beauty with

over 180 likes on instagram and facebook combined. This year Ariel has passed along her crown of Natural Beauty with the Naked Faces Campaign to Instagram winner @Schatzischatzi.

She will receive a Free Facial Gift Card donated

by Aveda Institute, a Free Photo shoot with professional photographer, Robert Christopher, and a free I AM not the MEdia Shirt and Bag. Stay tuned to I AM not the MEdia’s social media pages for the 2014 #NakedFaces photo shoot.

Pictured Left: 2014 #NakedFaces Challenge Winner

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BULLYING & TEEN VIOLENCE

Image from guardianlv.com

“From A Bullied Heart”

By Kain X. A study by Yale University shows that victims of bullying are 2 to 9 times more prone to consider suicide than other non-victims. Bullying has by far been one of the largest growing problems of the 21st century. School boards, principals, teachers, parents, and even law enforcement can't put a complete spot to bullying. As we see suicide rates rise and statistics grow, its only a matter of time before bullying is the new normal.

Q: What do you think makes someone a bully?

A: A bully is someone either sadistic enough or mentally self harming enough to put another person down in an attempt to feel joy and happiness.

Q: Why do you think the bully/bullies decided to make you a victim?

A: Bullies choose targets they believe are also unstable but on the other end of the spectrum. They choose people who they know it will deeply affect.

Q: Did you ever feel powerless? - If so explain why.

A: I did feel powerless. The school I was in had a rather aggressive nature that saw nothing wrong in bullying. The school administrators did nothing to improve my situation or the similar situations of others.

Q: Did you ever bully or feel like bullying someone else, maybe younger or altogether weaker than yourself?

A: Yeah, there was a time in sixth grade where i bullied another kid for about 2 months. I will regret that for the foreseeable future I’m afraid.

Q: What did you do to stop being the victim, or ignore

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what happened?

A: The bullying didnt stop until I moved to another school.

Q: Did being the victim ever begin effect your everyday life?

A: It did indeed affect my everyday life. I was very anti-social and started judging a certain group of people preemptively without have spoken a word to them.

Q: Do you appreciate the feeling of life? Where there ever times that you didn't?

A: I have always loved life. Just because i didn't particularly like human interaction didn't mean i hated life. Bullying would never do that to me.

Q: What would you professionally tell the former bully today, or years from now?

A: I would ask him how it made him feel when i bullied him, and what it has done for him.

Q: What have you personally learned from the bullying experience?

A: There are terrible people in this world and if you let them get you down they won’t stop.

Q: What would you say to thank your loved ones or someone that helped you get passed this obstacle in life?

A: I would thank them for keeping me positive.

The American Justice Department bullying statistics confirm that one out of every four kids will be bullied sometime during their adolescence. If you are a victim of bullying stay strong and know that there are others. What can you do to stop this in your community?

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. - Harvey Fierstein

SEX & HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

ECO DATING

organic gourmet lunch for two.

When you reach your destination, find a nice rock to sit on and whip out the picnic. If there is a lake, ocean or stream, take a dip and lie in the sun.

Plant a garden: Get your hands dirty together, and then spend the spring and summer watching your garden grow.

Image from rollingout.com

By Leyana Casey First dates are always the scariest and most nerve racking.

With so many things to do and think about; such as what to wear, where to go, what to do, when to do it, how to act, and if the other person will enjoy it, everything would be less stressful if the daters were given ideas on what to do an where to go. With the new trend of going green and saving the environment, who could go wrong with an environmentally friendly date?

Here are some ideas to make your date go from litterer to tree hugger.

Green Volunteerism: Spend time searching for local organizations who are doing beautification projects, feeding the homeless or walking dogs for the Humane Society.

Bike or walk to a community festival or fair: Go back to childhood and paint each other's faces with plant-based paints.

Spend the day enjoying local music, food and fun!

Plan a green camping trip: Leave the city, phones, computers, and iPods behind and embrace nature. Quiet time spent in the woods promotes deep conversation and getting to know one another. Don't use plastic or paper throw-away products and do dishes together out of a sudsy bucket using green dishwashing soap. Play a game by candle light or try some star-gazing and bring a musical instrument to play at night.

Attend a local game with your date: Take public transportation or walk to the stadium. Bring your own food and drink, preferably organic, as you cheer on your favorite team.

Put on a green summer party: Introduce your special someone to your friends and family, and show them what you stand for by being green. Buy organic foods and meats to grill and cook for your guest. Also buy reusable or regular dished to show that you support the environment.

Go on a hike and picnic: Pack a couple of backpacks with an

Pick fruit: Don't want to wait for your garden to grow? Go fruit picking instead. Pick a bucket or two together, and then go home and turn them into something sweet. Have berry-picking locations near you? Check out your local farmers' market instead.

Enjoy some eco-tourism: Whether it's an afternoon in your local botanical garden, a kayaking trip down a green waterway or a weekend away at an earth-friendly resort, ecotourism is a great way to see the world, spend some time together and maybe even learn a little something about the planet.

Eat A Green Dinner: No, your food doesn't have to be all green — although that would be pretty impressive! Stop at the farmers' market to pick up fresh produce and cook a meal filled with local eats together. Then, head to the patio to eat outside or head to the nearest park with a picnic blanket. Or, if you're dining out, go to a local, organic restaurant nearby. hopefully you have gained some ideas and can use them on your next date and also impress your date with some eco-friendly and resource savvy. ‌Continued pg.13

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SURVEY ON MOST POPULAR ECO-DATES WITH TEENS

Camping trip 10 8 6 camping trip

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Interview with teens on their opinion of Eco Dating Sophie Sipprell: I think going on picnics and doing more local things than driving around and travelling would be really fun, because its more simple.

I would do the previously listed ideas, and the one I would most likely do would be a camping trip, hike, or a picnics. I would rather do these, because I like going outside and embracing nature. I also enjoy looking and laying under the stars, and when you go on picnics you can people watch. My least favorite is planting a garden or tourism. Tourism isn’t always fun, it can be really boring. Lastly when I planted a garden all the animals came and ate my food.

James Cornett: My favorite activity to do would be going to a local game, because I love sports.

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hike and picnic

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SURVEY ON LEAST POPULAR ECO-DATES WITH TEENS

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By Brandon Kathman

so, valuable and nonrenewable metals are recovered as well as circuits that can still be of use in more current technology. eCycle Secure also takes customer security very seriously.

Our computers and smart phones often contain sensitive or confidential information, and represent a risk for those looking to recycle their devices.

“Our procedures for data sanitizing, purging, and destruction conform to the National Institute of Standards and Technology,” said executive Brett Rhineheardt. “At eCycle Secure, we are committed to the absolute preservation of

than a computer or phone eCycle Secure has the facilities to accommodate many different kinds of equipment. These include conventional computers and phones, televisions, telecommunications, medical equipment, and even nonelectronic equipment.

Many organizations have been using eCycle Secure for years.

Some of these entities include the local, state, and even federal governments, as well as school systems and hospitals. At the same time, eCycle Secure can accommodate even the smallest business, making them one of the most versatile venues on the

Recycling has become a growing phenomenon of the 21st century.

As our planet’s resources dwindle away, it becomes increasingly necessary to recycle and conserve everything from soda cans to batteries. Now, thanks to state of the art technology, North Carolinians can even recycle their computers, televisions, and smart phones through the revolutionary new company, eCycle Secure.

Today it seems we change our devices more than we change our socks. As new laptops, tablets and phones are produced every month, we are forced to leave behind the old and embrace the new just to remain competitive in the modern world. Until now, our devices were destined only for the local landfill, the precious circuits and wires inside buried forever. eCycle Secure gives us another option. Founded in 1995, this company has spent nearly two decades perfecting a method of seamlessly repurposing the end of life and out of use equipment discarded by America. In doing

confidentiality of any information stored on any customer’s device in our custody.”

Through eCycleSecure’s protected data eradication process clients are guaranteed that any sensitive information will be destroyed with the system itself. Anyone interested in using eCycle Secure can rest easy knowing that they are in good hands.

If you’re interested in recycling something more unconventional

market.

Regardless of who you are you can employ eCycle Secure to help mankind step towards a more sustainable tomorrow.

These people do great work, and have helped the United States take at least some of its waste out of the equation forever.

If you want to find out more about eCycle Secure and their operations visit their website at www.ecyclesecure.com or call at 1-855-508-9722

TEENS AS CONSUMERS

eCycle Secure: A New Era of Recycling

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EDUCATION

AND ENTERTAINMENT

Behailu Academy Behailu Academy is a very friendly non-profit, that strives to help youth from ages 12 to 18 find themselves throughout various forms of art including performing arts, digital media arts, and visual arts all while providing an atmosphere that ultimately encourages creativity and teaches youth the basic skills and mindset to build a successful future for themselves.

After my interview with Lexis, a day by day Behailu Academy student, I learned that Behailu Academy has helped her to grow as an individual artist and stopped her from wasting any degree of talent sitting around at home. Behailu Academy gives students everything they need to set educational goals in life and become working members of the community. " It feels just like home. " - Lexis (Behailu Student) I found Behailu Academy to be a place like no other, it was very comfortable, full of fine art, and

incredibly open for creative growth. I certainly wish there were more places like Behailu Academy around the country, because they have truly created a great place for you to find your voice and nurture your art.

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POEMS WRITTEN

BY THE TEEN CIRCUIT WEBZINE TEAM I Am Poem

By Brandon Kathman I am the blackbird I want to break free I am the sledgehammer Don’t stand so close to me I am the Eye of the Tiger The eternal flame I am the King of Pain You give love a bad name I am the Superfreak Who can it be now?

I am La Bamba The Shakedown I am livin on a prayer Don’t you want me?

I am down under I am me

I Am I am a stone I am reserved, displaying no emotion I look upon the world with indifference I hear the sounds of nature around me I am unmoved Yet, even stones can be broken As such, I am awoken I now hear the beauty of nature I now see the majestic, awe-inspiring power of life I am excitable, buzzing with energy and passion I am Josh Kayani

I Am Me I see beyond the trees, I feel the cold breeze and water wash over my knees as I dream and believe Of life with thoughts so free.

- Kain Xavier I AM POEM

By Leyana Casey If I’m what I eat from my head to the soles of my feet Then am I what I wear from the paint on my toes to my hair Or am I my peers that I say what is what I hear Or the TV because what monkey see is what monkey do and monkey fools you Everything around me causes my thoughts My thoughts become words And my words become actions And my actions become habitats And my character is my destiny And my destiny is me, right?

I am not a product of influence I am the influence I chose my path and my destiny I know who I am Do you?

I am ME

By Luna I am ME I am not what the media tells me to be I am ME The most beautiful creation I could ever be I am ME I am not a collection of images on TV I am not an object of obsession in a bad comedy I am ME As I was created As I was conceived My beauty shines from the inside Manifest into what you see I am ME Who are you?

Take a moment to breath Take a moment to see

Look inside Your mind, your heart, your soul, That's what matters, that's what's you Forget the superficiality, that's not YOU Be YOU Not what the media tells you to be You are the most beautiful creation you could ever be Be YOU The perfect being you were born to be You see, being YOU is what YOU were meant to be Say it loud, say it proud, I AM ME Not an image on your plasma TV I am ME I am not what the media tells me to be I am ME The most beautiful creation I could ever be I am ME As I was created As I was conceived My beauty shines from the inside Manifest into what you see I am ME I AM reethinkers, Rethinking past decisions.

Frustration, In their eyes.

Clothed, Torn jean shorts, ragged flannel shirts, and ripped Nikes.

This is me Gracious, For every meal.

Aroma, Of Afro Caribbean, coconut, rice and chicken.

Revitalizing, Pineapple juice that takes away every worry.

This is me Ordinary, Yet so meaningful.

Natural, Memories made.

Traditional, Celebrations with family.

This is me ~ Oscar Arc

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PRO-ME

BIZ Image from fredphotog.wordpress.com

Finding Your Muse Brandon Kathman The Evening Muse is the perfect place to celebrate Poetry Month this March. Whether you seek philosophical thought, beautiful and mellifluous music, or just want to add some culture to your life the Evening Muse has it all.

The Evening Muse celebrates original songwriting, and has been giving literally thousands of independent music acts a place to perform since they first opened their doors in 2001. The Muse has hosted all genres of music in its thirteen years, from reggae to full electric, and in that time many locals have come to love it for its unique and artistic atmosphere. The Evening Muse is also open to all ages, unless specified by the evening’s musician in advance. Children are more than welcome, and an evening at the Muse can be a great experience for them.

When you walk through the front door you are instantly greeted by beautiful original artwork lining the walls. These stunning pieces alone provoke quiet contemplation, and add to the overall atmosphere of the location.

But the environment of the building pales when compared to the spectacular performances put on by the musicians who perform. It is rare that artists as diverse as these perform under the same roof. In

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a given week one can see folk music, country, hiphop, rap, rock, or jazz and experience the fusion of many cultures.

Ann Schmitt, a patron of the Muse, said “The Muse has fabulous new talent every month, and is a very affordable, very unique little corner bar that has become a cornerstone of the entire neighborhood.”

Perhaps even more impressive is knowing that you are experiencing only original music, not cover songs. Any music you hear was written by that musician, a product of his or her own thoughts and feelings. You truly, if only for a moment, catch a glimpse at another’s emotions.

The Muse also has something for the performer in all of us. Amidst the various artists it plays host to, the Muse has regularly scheduled Open-Mic Nights, where anyone can perform if they so desire. In a given night, you might have the opportunity to entertain nearly a hundred people. There are few places in Charlotte with this kind of opportunity, and if you feel this is up your alley I would highly recommend giving it a shot.

“You can’t go wrong with The Evening Muse,” said Benjamin Goins, a regular at the Muse. “What a great place for music, poetry, and a general assembly of friendly people.”

Regardless of whether you go as a performer or observer The Evening Muse is an incredible place to spend a Friday Night. Tickets are on sale at www.eveningmuse.com, or they can be purchased at the door.

Arts & Culture Guide

What’s Happening: Events for Teens March 20-June 20

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Queen City Ghost Tours Friday and Saturday Nights September 12 through October 4, 2014, and Nightly Wednesday October 8, 2014 thru Friday October 31, 2014.

See more at: http://queencityghosttours.com 101 Inventions That Changed The World Presented by Discovery Place April 21, 2014 See more at: http://101inventions.discoveryplace.org/ Repticon Charlotte Reptile & Exotic Animal Show Apr 5, 2014: 10 am - 4 pm (Sat) Apr 6, 2014: 10 am - 4 pm (Sun) Aug 23, 2014: 10 am - 4 pm (Sat) Aug 24, 2014: 10 am - 4 pm (Sun) See more at: http://www.repticon.com/charlotte.html Interactive Improv Comedy Show Ongoing event 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Call 803-548-6824 for reservations in advance See more at: http://www.charlottecomedytheater.com/ Summer Food Truck Rally September 27th 4431 Neck Road Huntersville, N. C. 704.875.3113 See more: http://www.ruralhill.net/FoodTruckRally.asp Charlotte Motor Speedway AutoFair Hosted by OldRide.com Charlotte Motor Speedway 5555 Concord Pkwy S Concord, NC 28027 704-455-3209 See more: http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/autofair/

"Changing the Face of Informational & Entertainment Media For Teens and by Teens!"

TEEN CIRCUIT WEBZINE Our New Quarterly Online Magazine targeted towards teens with stories and articles written by teen journalists as well as photos and graphics created by teen photographers and graphic designers.

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MEET THE TEAM!