DISCO Board Member Laurel Mills joined FOX 6′s Janice Rogers to talk about Stranded: A Day of Desert Island Music. Thanks to FOX 6 for allowing us to share this exciting event!

Stranded artists shared some of the songs they’d want with them on a desert island with Birmingham Box Set, the music blog of Birmingham magazine (and one of the event’s sponsors).

Birmingham Box Set writes, “I’m sure we’ve all been asked what you’d take with you on a desert island. That’s a question that has pervaded our culture, whether you’re discussing three people you’d have to have with you, or three books, or three items of any kind. And on Sunday, Birmingham musicians will perform the songs they’d want with them on a desert island.”

Read more “Stranded: A Day of Desert Island Music” for the bands’ picks.

The countdown is on!

Stranded: A Day of Desert Island Music will kick off at Bottletree Cafe at 2 p.m. Sunday, and we’ve got a full day of music in store. Join us for this DISCO benefit and hear local bands cover the songs they couldn’t live without on a desert island.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and are available at thebottletree.com or by emailing tickets@desertislandsupplyco.com.

The following schedule is subject to change.

2 p.m. (the) DEAD SEA FLOWERS
2:50 p.m. Sad Luck Dame
3:20 p.m. Abbey Moore
3:40 p.m. Cosmonaut Vacation
4:30 p.m. M. David Hornbuckle
5:20 p.m. Rowe
5:50 p.m. Clay States
6:10 p.m. Terry Ohms
7 p.m. Sanyasi
7:50 p.m. David Seale
8:40 p.m. BEARHEAD
9:30 p.m. Bare Revolt
10:20 p.m. Voices in the Trees
11:10 p.m. Jesse Payne

Over on the book and publishing blog {head}:sub/head, Trav writes, “I have fond memories of Robert Louis Stevens’ Treasure Island. It’s the first book I remember my father and I reading together while I was learning to read. Which is one reason this weekend’s November 13th STRANDED event has my attention.

“The event is being held in recognition of Robert Louis Stevens’ birthday, and in following the island theme, the Desert Island Supply Company is wondering ‘what songs could you not live without if stranded on an island’?”

Read more “Musical Event with a Bookish Bent“

Which songs could you not live without if you were stranded on a desert island?

On Sunday, Nov. 13, a bunch of area bands will answer that question during an all-day benefit concert for DISCO at Bottletree.

A full line-up will be announced this week, but confirmed acts include Abbey Moore, Bare Revolt, Bearhead, Clay States, Cosmonaut Vacation, Dead Sea Flowers, Jesse Payne, M. David Hornbuckle, Josh Vasa, Rowe, Sad Luck Dame, Terry Ohms and Voices in the Trees. Southbound‘s Michael Seale will emcee.

Bonus reason to attend: November 13 is Robert Louis Stevenson’s birthday! The author of Treasure Island and Kidnapped! would be 161 were he still alive.

The show will start at 2 p.m. and go till midnight. Tickets are $20 in advance/$25 at the door and available http://thebottletree.com/ or by emailing tickets@desertislandsupplyco.com. All proceeds from ticket sales go to DISCO.

Thanks to all the musicians and bands who are participating to help DISCO. Thanks, too, to our sponsors: AfterDigital Studios, BhamRocks.com, Birmingham Box Set, Birmingham Mountain Radio, Indie Connect Birmingham, Warning Track Records and Weld.

The Secret Life of Groceries (Ages 8-11)
Free workshop. Limited to 12 students.
Thursday, Nov. 3 • 5-6:30 p.m. • Woodrow Hall • 5504 1st Avenue North
Create your own comic book story about the secret life of groceries. What happens in your fridge when the door is closed? Does the jar of salsa start a dancing party? Does the milk have a sour attitude about everything? And what’s the ice cream screaming about? – Led by Scott Jones, former Executive Food Editor of Southern Living and President of JONES IS HUNGRY

Register for The Secret Life of Groceries workshop.

(Image courtesy of Cookthink)

The Birmingham chapter of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Southern Magic, will host more than 20 authors, publishers, and editors at the 8th annual Readers’ Luncheon on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham. A portion of the proceeds from the luncheon will go to DISCO.

The luncheon will feature USA Today best-selling author of contemporary and historical romances, Victoria Dahl.

Joining Victoria will be New York Times best seller Christy Reece, award-winning young adult author Jennifer Echols, and fifteen other popular authors from Alabama and the Southeast, including JF Lewis, Margaret Fenton, Rosemary Clement-Moore, and Christie Craig. This year, Lou Anders of Pyr Books and Stephanie Taylor from Astraea Press will also be in attendance.

The event includes door prizes, free books, and opportunities to talk with the authors, editors, and publishers in attendance. The luncheon starts at 11 a.m. and costs $30 to attend. A multi-author book signing will follow the keynote address. More information and a registration form can be found on the website for Southern Magic, www.southernmagic.org, or by calling 205-529-2226.

A big thanks to Southern Magic for their continued support of the work DISCO does!

Plucky, Nervy and Bold: How to Create a Memorable Heroine (14-18 years old)

Saturday, October 15, 2-3:30 p.m. at Woodrow Hall (5504 First Avenue North, in Woodlawn)

Southern Magic, the Birmingham chapter of the Romance Writers of America, is donating part of the proceeds from its annual readers’ luncheon to DISCO. The luncheon, which is on Saturday, Nov. 5, will feature some amazing YA writers.

Southern Magic member Lisa Dunick is offering a free workshop this Saturday on how to create a memorable heroine. It’s for 14-18 year olds, and participants will get to attend the readers’ luncheon for free! (Regular tickets are $30.) Space is limited to 10 students, so sign up now!

Register now for Plucky, Nervy and Bold