TechGrrl Tips: #IranElection roundtable on old media vs. social media on GritTV

deanna zandt — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:11:42 +0000

I was thrilled to participate in this roundtable on the media reportage vis a vis Iran’s election on GritTV, featuring the fabulous independent filmmaker and educator Simin Farkondeh (who everyone should interview, btw), John MacArthur of Harper’s, and Robert Huesca, a professor of communications at Trinity University.

I’ve got more thoughts on the subject (if ya couldn’t tell by the look on my face at different points in the clip) that ~~I hope to round up later this morning~~ I wrote up here…

Mighty mighty cab wars

deanna zandt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:57:59 +0000

Pic courtesy shehab-uae

This is normally one of those things that I’d just twitter about and leave at that, but the whole scenario ended up being too fascinatingly hilarious to just let lie. Cyn and I went to the best live show tonight– we saw The National at Summerstage. I mean, it was just unbelievable. One of those shows that instantaneously makes you high because it’s Just So Good.

Afterwards, we were both starving and thinking of heading down to Schiller’s for a burger and cocktail (her: tuna, me: glorious beef). The train was going to take about a jillion years at that hour, so we figured we’d take our chances and see if we could get a cab. It wasn’t easy going: thousands of people pouring out of the east side of Central Park, all scavaging for the same four wheels.

I took to walking down the middle of 72nd Street. (alright, I’m exaggerating. I was walking in the middle of one of the lanes.) It was more than competitive out there– people were really throwing themselves into it, and I figured I had to step it up. As we rounded the corner towards Park Ave, a lovely lit-up free cab sat waiting. I scooted, nay, I dashed, for the cab.

From behind me, I heard a war cry. An actual war-sounding cry. I’m sure this was meant to intimidate, and not… well, inspire, but I escalated and cried back, running faster for the cab and diving to the door handle without even looking to see who or what my competition was.

When I did turn around, surprisingly enough, the young man capitulated immediately and said, “No no, go ahead.” Cyn was squealing with mad delight at the entire scene. I hadn’t come off my adrenaline yet and didn’t know what was so funny. I kindly asked the young man if he’d like a ride downtown. He backed away slowly, smiling, “No no, really, there’s four of us.”

In the cab, it still took me a minute to realize the scene that played out. Cab. Desperation. Dash. War cry. Louder war cry, FTW. It was a glorious moment of New Yorker-ness.

Viva Berlin

deanna zandt — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:18:47 +0000

I could go on and on about the month that I spent in Berlin, especially the week that I was traveling around with my mom — we had an absolute blast! Instead, tho, I’ll direct you over to my Flickr collection of trip photos, conveniently sectioned off for your browsing pleasure. Enjoy!

Watch me live at Personal Democracy Forum

deanna zandt — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:58:58 +0000

Hey y’all! I’m here at Personal Democracy Forum I’ve got a Nokia N95 (thanks, Micah!) and I’m gonna be running around all day talking to folks for GRITtv. Watch live!

(If I’m not on live, then it’ll just show a white screen… look at older clips here)

More pictures than you can handle

deanna zandt — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:29:42 +0000

It’s been a wild ride since I got back from Berlin, happily so– I’ve been knee deep in local activism (Union Square: Not For Sale), attending and speaking at conferences (Media Reform), seeing friends what seems like every night of the week (I love my tribe!) and working on those comics, as ever. I’m going to be posting my Berlin pics later today, but in the meantime, here’s some visual highlights from the last month:

Loads o’ pictures to share

deanna zandt — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:01:35 +0000

I’m back in the picture-taking loop now that I’ve got a shiny new digital camera. Yippie! Here’s some recent montages I’ve participated in…

The Zandt-Mƒ�nkze Family Reunion, 2007
(Here’s my shots)

My birthday cocktail hour at Mo Pitkin’s

My trip to Europe — Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic

UPDATE: Christine just sent me the most hilarious set of pictures from our IKEA trip, oh my:

Deanna’s IKEA Adventure

New favorite t-shirt

deanna zandt — Wed, 23 May 2007 23:56:36 +0000

Courtesy of Kate, the Famous Authoress.

Up for adoption: “AKA, The Alien”

deanna zandt — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 02:29:09 +0000

My pals Loid and Sabine found this gem while looking for a new kitty…

In memory of Brad Will, slain independent journalist

deanna zandt — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 06:47:03 +0000

Due to some technical complications and a short-circuited brain unit, I just found out that Brad Will was the journalist who was shot dead at the protests in Oaxaca, Mexico on Friday.

Brad taught me about white balance on my camera, how to walk slowly enough to not mess up your picture, and to always point the mic at what you’re shooting. He was earnest and spirited — a wide smile and a big heart. He believed, and dedicated his life to showing others the truth.

More from Jason, and the AP report with quotes from Beka and Brandon.

News on vigils and protests, and latest reports: http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/bradleywill/archive.html

“Love is a memory that never fades. May memories be your comfort.” — anonymous

John S. Hall tanks completely with new book, performances

deanna zandt — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 03:24:36 +0000

In an obvious move marking a new low point in an already declining career, poet and sometimes-musician John S. Hall has released a new book with Soft Skull Press, entitled “Daily Negations,” and will be making two, no doubt poorly-attended, New York appearances.

On Monday, October 16th, he will read with musical accompaniment from Dogbowl at St. Mark’s Poetry Project; poet Aaron Kiely will also read. On Thursday, November 9th, Hall will perform with musicians Dogbowl and Sasha Forte at the Bowery Poetry Club; poet Penny Rimbaud will also take the stage that night. Full details are below.

The book is a response to vapid, feel-good self help books that offer platitudes in response to human suffering. “Daily Negations” features a negative thought for every day of the year, and is intended to be of no help whatsoever to anyone.� The performances, which will hopefully placate Hall’s publisher, promise to be spectacles of mediocrity.

SHOW DETAILS

Mon., 10/16, 8pm
John S. Hall with Dogbowl
also featuring Aaron Kiely
St. Mark’s Poetry Project
131 E. 10th St., at 2nd Avenue
http://www.poetryproject.com
$TBD

Thu., 11/9, 7pm
John S. Hall with Dogbowl, Sasha Forte
also featuring Penny Rimbaud
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, b/w Bleecker and Houston
http://www.bowerypoetry.com
$TBD

More information is available at http://www.myspace.com/johnshall.
Book information is available at http://www.softskull.com/detailedbook.php?isbn=1-933368-45-4

ABOUT JOHN S. HALL

John S. Hall’s band King Missile was dropped from Atlantic Records in 1994, after having recorded 3 albums, two of which were not very successful at all. King Missile has made several independent records that are widely unknown, and toured the country several times to nearly empty nightclubs. This is John’s second book with Soft Skull, because he couldn’t get a better publisher after his first book. He lives (if you can call it that) in New York.

Toxic Pop TV launched

deanna zandt — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 15:18:15 +0000

I’m so very excited and pleased to announce that the first episode of Toxic Pop TV has been launched! It’s a weekly TV straight outta the heart of the downtown NYC artsy-fartsy scene, and I’m participating as a sometimes-segment host and working on the techie backend for the site.

Without further adieu, episode 1!

The Adventures of Electra Elf: “Don’t Worry Bee Happy”

deanna zandt — Mon, 15 May 2006 19:34:35 +0000

Official World Premiere Movie Event:
The Adventures of Electra Elf: “Don't Worry Bee Happy”
starring Reverend Jen, Reverend Jen's nephews, Faceboy and more!
Directed by Nick Zedd
Written by Reverend Jen
With opening act, Amy Hills
Tuesday, May 16th, 8:30 p.m.
At Mo Pitkin’s, 34 Avenue A (212)777-5660
8 BUCKS
Followed by Faceboy’s Birthday Party in the lounge next door!

Underground filmmaker, Nick Zedd, has once again teamed up with art star, Reverend Jen, to premiere a new cinematic masterpiece — episode 13 of their long-running cable access TV series “the Adventures of Electra Elf.”

Set in a fictional metropolis called “Hummerville”, the wacky yet “jackable” superheroine adventure series stars Reverend Jen as Electra Elf, a spandex-clad ass-kicker who by day masquerades as mild-mannered reporter, Jennifer Swallows. Reverend Jen Junior portrays her sidekick, “Fluffer”, a talking Chihuahua who rides a flying skateboard and masquerades as a petite dog-clothes model by day. And you know what that means…lots of silly Chihuahua outfits!

In "Don't Worry Bee Happy" evil mutant, Nimbus (played by an animated puppet) travels via spaceship to Hummerville along with Rastus and Skeeter, two mutant insect-children (played by Rev. Jen's 4 and 5-year old nephews) and a spider creature named Daddy Long Legs. When the mutants team up with supervillain, Maggot Master (played by Mike Amato) and proceed to terrorize Hummerville with artificially cooked up mega-insects and spiders, Electra Elf and Fluffer must save the day!� But what will happen when Electra Elf gets caught in a giant spider web and Fluffer confronts a roach five times her size?� I'll tell you what will happen — you'll be on the edge of your seat!!!

Featuring an original rockin’ soundtrack, amazing fight scenes and heart stopping action, this is sure to be bigger than Batman, and unlike Spiderman, Superman or Batman, Electra-Elf and Fluffer aren’t the same old superheroes rehashed by entertainment moguls to fill the pockets of media conglomerates. These are original superheroes for the new millennium!� Don’t miss this unbelievable night, which will also feature live opening act, Amy Hills!

Check out www.electraelf.com for a free trailer and cast extras!

A moment to post from PDF

deanna zandt — Mon, 15 May 2006 15:55:42 +0000

I’m here at the Personal Democracy Forum Conference, and just some quick observations… while there’s way more women here that there was last year, the crowd is still overwhelmingly white. I mean… like, REALLY white. Nothin’ against white people or anything (many of my friends are white, HAHA)… it’s just that it’s sort of frustrating to hear people yak about the digital revolution when it’s essentially middle to upper class white people talking to each other.

On the upshot, I finally got to meet Jill from Feministe, who is one of my biggest online heroines. I got all flustered. (Warning, mutual blog-crushing happening.)

Pics & video from Greg Hoy and the Boys

deanna zandt — Mon, 15 May 2006 15:49:56 +0000

Oh my, my new favorite band ROCKS.

Artsy pictures here. Blurry video here.

Don’t miss their next show, the official debut: Sat., May 20 @ 8pm, Bowery Poetry Club.

End the War Tour

deanna zandt — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 18:07:38 +0000

Have you seen the End the War Tour? I just finished this little site and blog for them; two fantastic books that are necessary reading for anyone seeking to end the war.

	National Conference on Media Reform (warning: mostly silly pics of Canadians here)
	The New York Howl played at Southpaw
	We were flyering in Union Square again this week
	Winnie had a birthday
	We went to the Mermaid Day Parade and helped out with the effort to save Coney Island

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