Featured Artist of the Week: Hor!zen

This week's featured artist is a longtime Orlando favorite, Hor!zen. This band has been a staple in the young reggae market for years now. I had the pleasure of working with them at Central Station Bar in Downtown Orlando often. These guys have a great deal of potential.

On Friday, Hor!zen will be opening up for Scholar's Word at the Plaza Theatre in Orlando. This show is bound to be filled with raw energy and reggae fun. Neither of these bands ever fail to put on an incredible show.

You can check out Hor!zen's music at their MySpace page.

We hope to see you out at the show on Friday night.

-Logan

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Lil’ Rock Stars go to Africa (Really, but not really)

Today our Lil’ Rock Stars in Orlando got to go on a journey in another world that is very unfamiliar to their daily lives. They experienced a world of someone their age, or younger struggling with HIV/AIDS or living with the fear of being infected with the virus. Each child went through a different struggle that children their age face day to day in Africa. The fear of being raped and capturing the virus, the fear of being kidnapped from your family and being turned into a child soldier, the struggle of spending the entire day working for one meal, and many other tragic stories that children and families around the world face each day.

We took our Lil' Rock Stars to a World Vision experience through Africa at Discovery Church. The journey was a very eye opening experience not just for the children that came, but also our interns/volunteers that took the time out of their day to drive the kids to the church, make PB&J sandwiches for them, and experienced the journey with them too. One quote that really stuck with me after the experience was a quote after the prayer room that read:

“Help one individual, and you help an entire village.”

The Executive Director of the New Image Youth Center (Shanta), where our Lil’ Rock Stars go after school, made some very good points about them being more grateful for what they do have, and encouraging them to give back. They can give their old clothes, give some of the food they receive, give some of the toys they receive, and more. It’s inspiring to see the looks on the kids faces and the motivation to really give back to a child that is even worse off than them. Shanta made a great point how they are looked at as the Africa of Central Florida, but then zoned it in on how they don’t have it as bad, as a child in Africa, Haiti, South America, or any other third world country. Even thought they don’t have much, they can still make a difference in the world.

Those are the things I’d like to see being thought in the schools around the nation. By inspiring and motivating our youth from an early age that they can make a change, we can create a new world with less hunger, poverty, homelessness, and disease. It is important for those who have more than enough, to empower those who have little, and to encourage our neighbors that we can be anything we want if we put in the effort and time. We may not agree on everything, but if we can stand together every day as one community, we will change the world!

World Vision Video

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Featured Artist of the Week: Social Ghost

I am going to try to make this week's post as unbiased as possible. I must disclaim it, however, by expressing my love and admiration for this week's featured artist. For many years now, they have been my favorite local Orlando act - and they have only gotten better with time. 

(Photo by: Alicia Lyman)

Social Ghost, the 3-piece pop rock blend of infectious melodies, odd time signatures and impeccable musicianship, are finally releasing their first full-length album, War Without a Gun, on Saturday night at their FREE CD Release Party at the House of Blues. The band has certainly come a long way since their conception. After a few lineup shakeups, somewhat of a style overhaul and the acquisition of a very reputable representing management agency, Social Ghost quickly became one of the most sought after and beloved rock groups in Central Florida. You might remember them from their stellar performances at RFH Fests 2 and 3, as well as an awareness show at BackBooth. Each and every time, in typical Social Ghost fashion, they blew the crowds away.

I had the pleasure of listening to the entire upcoming album a little early. Even after a week, it is still playing in my car, simply due to the fact that I cannot get enough of it. Songs like "Tomorrow" and "Stars" are perfect exemplifications of how radio rock songs should be constructed. They're short, precise and very very sweet. The entire album reminds me of an odd blend of Coheed and Cambria and recent Damiera (for those familiar). 

I have my tickets to Saturday's show so I hope you get yours as well. Please attend and show your support for what could be the next big act to come out of Central Florida. 

In the meantime, check out their music on their MySpace page.

-Logan

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The Beginning of Helping Others [Stories of a Nonprofit CEO, pt.3]

Being able to teach something useful to someone is one of the most appreciated things I have ever done in life. It always brings joy to my face to see an individual grow and succeed based on the skills I have been able to pass along to them. I’m really looking forward to getting our financial training, and lifestyle design program started for Rock for Hunger this summer/fall. My first experience in really teaching others a useful skill was when I became a certified personal trainer. I know what you are thinking, I do not look like a personal trainer, or like I have ever been fit.

I actually ran my first triathlon about four years ago now. It’s amazing how fast time can go by when you are doing something you love. Be sure to appreciate every day of your life. Also, I trained a girl who turned pro in bodybuilding. Got her from 29% body fat, all the way to 12%. That is sick for a girl! (see the photo below).



I trained bodybuilders, professional athletes (trained a professional female soccer player who was offered to play for the Canadian Olympic team), rehabilitating clients from injuries, and the average every day person looking to loose weight. I’ve always been overweight and took an interest in fitness while I was working on becoming fit. It became so interesting to me that I started teaching others on how to loose weight and get in shape, and loved working with all the problem clients who had anything from knee surgeries to fibromyalgia, etc.

As my passion for helping individuals feel better about them, I went to being a pre-med student at UCF, which then eventually led to Rock for Hunger. More on the pre-med journey next week. It is so crazy how so many Americans love their jobs, and what they do, but one needs to be really careful not to let their job consume their life, and loose focus on one of the most important things: YOUR HEALTH!!! It was one of my greatest achievements to go from 235 lbs down to 185 lbs and being able to run a triathlon, and having abs! Now I’m up to close to 250 lbs, because of not taking time for myself, and not watching what I eat. Let’s make a commitment together to not only have fun and work hard at what we do, but to also work hard on eating well and keeping ourselves in shape. The healthier and fitter we are, the happier we can make others, and the even more successful we can be at what we love to do. Let’s get fit together, and let’s ROCK FOR HUNGER together!!!

Note: On Thursday I’ll post a basic fitness plan for the average person, and basic eating guidelines. You think what does this have to do with Rock for Hunger, everything! It’s these stories that have made us who we are today!

Chris Goyzueta, Executive Director of Rock for Hunger
Stories of a Nonprofit CEO, pt.003

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Featured Artist of the Week: Astronautalis

Not many Rock for Hunger alumni artists are as creative as this week's Featured Artist. Astronautalis, Jacksonville's version of eclectic albino hip-hop, played a Rock for Hunger Spring Show a few years back. Needless to say, he blew BackBooth out of the water that night.

As an artist on Orlando's Fighting Records, Central Florida often has the pleasure of seeing Astronautalis perform live. This weekend is no exception since he will be appearing at "Orange You Glad Fest" on Sunday, May 17th at Will's Pub.

Make sure you check out Astronautalis's music by visiting his MySpace page or his website.

We hope to see you at the upcoming show.
You won't be disappointed.

-Logan

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Living with Tourette's [Stories of a Nonprofit CEO pt.2]

People always ask where the passion of helping other came from. I’ve always told them the story of me becoming a personal trainer. But I think it goes a lot further back then that. Since I was a little kid, I always had the desire of coming up with a natural cure for a neurological disorder I have called Tourette Syndrome (TS). The stereotype with TS is that we all curse and have vocal outbursts. Sometimes a foul word does slip from my mouth, but I assure it’s not the TS. Actually only 15% of individuals diagnosed with TS have vocal outbursts. As many as 10 per 1,000 children have TS or some kind of tic disorder. Some of the symptoms of TS include: throat clearing, coughing, eye blinking, facial movements, shoulder jerking, biting the inside of the cheek (that one can hurt!), lip smacking, neck jerking, and other body movements.

In my search for a cure for TS, I found out there are lots of powerful (and very scary) medications one can take, or many natural remedies. Either way, the symptoms of TS can not be cured. Symptoms can be diminished but never really disappear regardless of taking the method of medication or natural remedies. My philosophy always was to go with the natural remedies, rather than putting powerful chemicals in my body with many damaging side effects.

Instead of taking these powerful drugs here are some natural remedies one can take for TS: Meditation, Thai Chi, Yoga, Reading, acupuncture, massage, and other types of relaxation therapies.

The ticks and twitches from TS never really bothered me very much. What always bothered me was that other kids would pick on me, and make fun of my symptoms. Ever since, I wanted to be able to help other kids to not have to deal with these bullies by finding a cure for TS. Looks like life had a different plan for me. As my good friend Rae Rae Eddins always said, me going to medical school to find a cure for TS sounded to selfish and was totally not like me. So, here I am still trying to find a cure, but not to TS. Instead I’m battling each day of finding a peaceful solution to an even bigger problem: Hunger, Poverty, and Homelessness. Some say there is no cure for this one either, but I think those people have not yet seen what one person can do. Imagine what many people together can do. Together we can change the world! That is why it is important for us to “Be the change we want to see in the world (Ghandi).”

Chris Goyzueta, Executive Director of Rock for Hunger
“Stories of a Nonprofit CEO” pt. 002

- Check out the Tourette Syndrome Association of USA for more info

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Music that Rocks ya Soul

Still awake and had one of those days or are you getting to work all stressed this morning? You need some feel good music that will Rock ya Soul! Take a listen to this version of “Stand by Me” from Playing for Change. Some true feel good music that will bring a smile to your day. "Music can Change the World, because Music can Change People" - Bono...

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Featured Artist of the Week: Orange You Glad Fest Preview

Every so often, an event comes out of nowhere and takes their surrounding communities by storm. In Orlando, I just heard about the upcoming "Orange You Glad Festival," which will compete with the notorious Florida Music Festival the weekend of May 14th through May 17th. The event is run by the individuals behind Will's Pub and other surrounding Orlando venues.

Some of the artists playing the festival happen to be Rock for Hunger alumni. Acts like Thomas Wynn and Astronautilus have rocked our stages before. Most of the other acts, however, are equally as amazing. They just haven't performed at any of our events.

Some of the other bands performing are The Skirts, Andy Matchett, The Dark Romantics, The New Threat, History, and many many more.

The participating venues are Will's Pub, Redlight Redlight, Peacock Room, Uncle Lou's, and the intimate Stardust.

The question is: Will this festival have the legs to compete with FMF? We think so. Actually, let me change that.... we hope so.

Visit Orange You Glad on MySpace by clicking here.

-Logan

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The Paths of Life - Stories of a Nonprofit CEO

Isn’t it incredible how many different paths life can take you? Every choice we make changes the course of time forever. Even if we choose not to pick a way, we are going down a new road. Many of us go through life changing careers, relationships, course of study in college, and many other aspects of life. Then there are some that know exactly what they want to do, go for it, and never look the other way. Regardless of the path we take in life, we must make the choice to make the best of it. As I always say, “just say yes, and figure out how later.”

It’s crazy to think about the path I choose just three years ago when deciding to take on Rock for Hunger full time. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I choose the other road. Right now I could be sitting in a cadaver lab in my first year of medical school, learning about medicine and the different part of the human body, or I could be on the road full time shredding my guitar 250 days out of the year, or who knows what other possible roads of opportunities there were ahead of me. But instead I’m know the Executive Director of a grassroots nonprofit organization, and booking live music for the Plaza Theatre.

Some days I feel like I should be further along in life. But when I look at it this way, I could either be a struggling entrepreneur, studying 50+ hours a week, or be living life on the road trying to get my big break. Looks like either way I’m exactly in the right place and on my way up to something great. Wherever you are in life right now, it is important to always focus on your strengths, spend as much time with our loved ones as we can, and realize that today really is a great day. Because today is another new day for us to be able to accomplish anything we want. I can’t be a rock star, doctor, and nonprofit entrepreneur all at the same time, but today I can be the best nonprofit entrepreneur in the world. As one of my former great professors always said, there are three important things in life:

1.) Something to Do - “Focus on your passion and strengths in life”
2.) Someone to Love - “Always make time for those we love”
3.) Something to look forward to – “Stay focused on our goals every day, bad or good”

This is the start of a weekly column to take you through the Stories of a Nonprofit CEO. These are the stories of how Rock for Hunger came about and got to where we are now, and going to be week to week. Along the way I’ll teach you about some pretty cool and absolute random things I’ve experienced in life to make me who I am today. Hope you enjoy!

::Chris Goyzueta, Executive Director of Rock for Hunger::
“Stories of a Nonprofit CEO” pt. 1

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