No Virginia, Halloween is Not Evil

Around this time last year, I spent a lot of time at Yahoo! Answers, answering all kind of questions. In addition to the ever-popular “What should I be for Halloween?”, someone asked the question “Is Halloween evil?” No way could I ignore a question like that!! Since my answer was quite long (I did give it some thought. I even provided Wikipedia links!) I figured someone might find it interesting here too. So I’m republishing it this year for your reading pleasure.

Remember always, your mileage may vary! 😉

No Virginia, Halloween is not Evil

Halloween is not evil.

Since the dawn of time, humans have always celebrated holidays to mark special days, and the passing of seasons. Originally known as the Celtic holiday Samhain, Halloween was originally known as a special day that celebrated the end of the harvest.

Before Christianity came into being, women were understood to produce life, and it is believed that humans, also known as pagans, worshipped a Mother Nature/Goddess. It is also believed that these nature lovers were mostly peaceful folk.

When Jesus “the Christ” (means “the Anointed”) lived, his power for love, forgiveness, and healing changed people, and the world forever. Long after His death, his devoted followers passionately spread his teachings throughout the world.

Pre-Christian practices were then named evil, in order to discourage followers. Before Christianity expanded, Friday the 13th and black cats were considered very lucky. After Christianity was established, pagan beliefs were then said to be evil, or the work of the devil.

Pre-Christian holidays such as Samhain were too popular to destroy, so they were “baptized” with a new Christian name and story. Samhain became “Halloween”, which is celebrated every October 31st. As Samhain (now Halloween) was the day believed to hold the veil between the living and the dead, to be safe, November 1st became “All Saint’s Day”.

Unfortunately, some of Christianity’s strongest champions employed ruthless methods to convert non-Christians into believers. In addition to physical methods such as torture, pro-Christianity propaganda was also employed.

After a few hundred years, no one even remembers why the name changed. But whatever you want to call Halloween, kids (and bands!) love it as a day to dress up in costumes, and try on another persona. So no, Halloween is not evil.

But in my humble opinion, Mother Nature should have fired her publicist!

Source(s):
Wikipedia: Venus of Willendorf
Women in Prehistory
Wikipedia: Venus Figurines
Wikipedia: Halloween
Wikipedia: Spanish Inquisition
Wikipedia: All Saints Day

Twitter for Musicians eBook by Carla Lynne Hall

Twitter for Musicians eBook

FINALLY, IT’S HERE:TWITTER FOR MUSICIANS!!!

Twitter for Musicians is my straightforward, easy-to-follow strategy guide that will help musicians build their online presence by using this fun and popular social media site. This eBook is available for instant pdf download for only $10 at http://Musician-Tweets.com

Quicker than sending an email, Twitter is a popular social networking site that enables musicians to start and build musical relationships in 140 characters or less. Musicians who are unfamiliar with Twitter often get bored before they see the beauty and opportunity of Twitter. If you’re a musician who has given up on your Twitter account, or wants to learn how you can use it to build a buzz about your music, Twitter for Musicians is for you!

Did you know that you can use Twitter to:

* Build your fanbase
* Book gigs
* Sell your MP3s
* Meet and communicate with other musicians and music fans
* Get new visitors to your website, MySpace, etc
* Contact music industry professionals
* Learn the latest indie music news and trends
* and more!

Many of the tactics outlined in this 35-page guide can be implemented right out of the box. Twitter for Musicians also includes case studies of musicians who have used Twitter successfully, which will help inspire new ideas that you can also use.

“Carla Lynne Hall is an amazing strategist.” – Ariel Hyatt, Ariel Publicity

“Carla Lynne Hall is like your cool-ass aunt that gives you the real deal about the music business.” – Darrell McNeill, Executive Director, Black Rock Coalition

“Carla, thank you so much for your insights – you really have inspired me!” – Emma Wolfin, songwriter

Take a peek at Twitter for Musicians’ Table of Contents:

How Can Twitter Help Musicians
The eBook’s Introduction which details the many ways that Twitter can boost a musicians’ career

For Beginners Only
If you’re totally new to Twitter, this section teaches musicians how to get started, from scratch.

Find Your Twibe
On Twitter, no band is an island. How to find and make Twitter friends

Develop Your Online Brand
Before you build your presence on Twitter, or any other social networking site, it’s good to know who you are, and what you want to stand for

Win Twiends and Influence Tweeple
Good Twitter etiquette, and how to wield your influence like a Twitter Ninja!

Promote Yourself and Your Music!
How to promote yourself, your music, and videos – within 140 characters!

Case Study: Amanda Palmer
Learn how this singer/songwriter used the power of Twitter to make $19,000 in a few days

Case Study: Imogen Heap
Learn how this singer/songwriter used Twitter and video blogs to record her CD, and sell out her performances

Samples of Actual Music-Related Tweets
Tweets from songwriters, musicians, and bands that attracted responses and results!

Twitter Musician Resources
Lists of musicians, music websites, podcasters and other helpful music folks on Twitter; Lists of free Twitter tools to help you manage your goals, and your time

Suggested Reading
A short bibliography of helpful books and guides for indie musicians

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About Carla Lynne Hall:
Carla Lynne Hall is a musician and music marketing consultant based in New York City. Her mission is to make music and share her knowledge with other musicians. As a musician, she has released three CDs on her Moxie Entertainment label, and has toured the world as a singer/songwriter, and professional vocalist. Her current CD SUPERNOVA has been described as “Norah Jones meets Sade for tea on their way to meet The Beatles.”

Carla has also spent a number of years behind the scenes in the music industry: Synch Music Licensing at EMI Music Publishing; Director of Marketing, Juna Entertainment (music management); Musician Mastermind Forum Manager, Ariel Music Publicity; Street Team radio promotion, Hot 105 FM, WHQT (Miami, FL).

Carla has given indie music lectures at many venues, including ASCAP, Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, The Indie Music Forum, and Philadelphia Music Conference. She is also the host of Musicians Lunch, a monthly musician’s gathering in NYC, and other cities around the US.

As well as being an Associate Writer for MusicDish.com, Carla is also the former music business columnist for Vibe Magazine, and her writing has been featured in publications around the world. She is the author of The DIY Guide to the Music Biz and Twitter for Musicians. Carla also blogs about the life of an indie musician at Rock Star Life Lessons.com

Twitter for Musicians is available for instant download at http://Musician-Tweets.com

The Indie Maximum Exposure List by Ariel Hyatt & Friends

Ariel Hyatt has done it again! After laughing at Billboard’s recent “Maximum Exposure List” (marketing strategies that only the superstar musicians could even pray to attain), Ariel reached out to her dream team of indie music rock stars to compile a list of tactics that the rest of us can actually use!!!

I’m not above mentioning that I’m on her dream team, and that my tips are included in this amazing white paper. Especially as I’m in good company with other cool indie music peeps like Rick Geotz, Derek Sivers, Lou Plaia, Tom Silverman and more! And it’s FREE!

Visit HYPEBOT blog to learn more about this indie music breakthrough white paper.

Get your Indie Maximum Exposure List in pdf format now!

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Ariel Hyatt is the founder of Ariel Publicity & Cyber PR, a New York-based digital firm that connects artists, authors and filmmakers to blogs, podcasts, Internet radio stations and social media sites. Educating musicians is her passion and her philosophy is: combine social media with internet marketing to help artists grow their fanbases and increase their income. This is the subject of her book, Music Success in Nine Weeks, which has helped hundreds of musicians navigate the Social Media landscape.

“Twitter for Artists” Teleseminar with Artist’s EDGE – Oct 20th

On Tuesday, October 20th, I’m giving my “Twitter for Musicians” workshop again via conference call with Artist’s EDGE’s Debra Russell, who is a Certified Results Coach who specializes in the Arts and Entertainment Industry. As a member of her coaching group, I’m grateful to have access to TONS of her inspiring talks on MP3, which include the topics of Goal Setting, Developing Multiple Streams of Art Income and more! I have downloaded a number of her talks on my iPod, and I listen to them often to keep myself on track.

I’m very honored to be a part of her teleconferences that are available exclusively for her members. If you’d like to hear this call, try out her membership for only $5!

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Debra Russell from Artist’s EDGE

Debra Russell, Speaker, Certified Master Results Business Coach, and Certified NLP and Hypnosis Master Practitioner is the founder of Artist’s EDGE. Specializing in the Music Industry, Arts and Entertainment Industry and Professional Athletes, Debra is guided by your passion as she applies her business knowledge and ability to facilitate transformational change and growth to guide you to success in your chosen field.

For more support, tools and resources, you can sign up for Debra’s Newsletter “Words to the Wise”, get her e-Course “Success Solutions to the Top Ten Obstacles in the Business of Arts and Entertainment” and read her blog at http://Artists-EDGE.com. Or follow Debra at http://twitter.com/artistsedge.

To get more personalized support, you can ask your critical questions and receive specific answers and support through the complimentary http://AskDebraRussell.com monthly call.

Related Blog Post:
How Do You Choose to Show Up in the World?

My Miami Norland Senior High School Reunion – 2009

The Miami Norland Boys from the Band – Then (circa 1980’s) and Now!

This past weekend was spent in Orlando, Florida at a multi-year high school reunion for Miami Norland Senior High School (Home of the Vikings). I met folks who had attended from 1978 to 1986, and it was an absolute blast.

In addition to reconnecting with old friends (and boyfriends!), I also got to know former classmates that I had never really spent time with while we attended school. Some had families, others had had multiple marriages, and other classmates were simply memorialized because they were no longer here.

High school reunions can be bittersweet, but they also teach you about yourself, and how far you’ve come since you left. And it’s amazing how your high school experience becomes so crystallized in your memory that attending your reunion brings it all back.

After the first night’s festivities were done, one crowd went to Orlando’s Howl at the Moon club for more partying, while another group went to Denny’s. I went to bed myself, but the Denny’s crowd reminded me of all those high school trips to Denny’s after football games. We were under 21 at the time. Where ELSE were we going to go??

One high point for me was after Saturday night’s banquet. Most of us went to Adobe Gila’s (everyone was calling it Dobie Gillis!) where there was this quasi-hard rock/metal band that was playing. The music didn’t appeal to us until their female singer took the stage for Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin”. One of my classmates put a Viking helmet on the guitar player, while the rest of us RUSHED the dance floor, and all sang along to the top of our lungs. It was obviously the best song of the night for the band, and the drummer even threw his sticks into the audience! I caught one of the sticks, and later gave it to the classmate who put the Viking helmet on the guitarist. It was just a great night.

Sunday morning was our farewell brunch, and I was even a bit sad to say goodbye. It’s good to get to know former classmates when you’re now an adult, and have an appreciation that you couldn’t even imagine back in the day.

I’m glad I went.

To my Miami Norland Senior High Vikings Comrades: Don’t Stop Believin’!

Guitarist at Adobe Gila’s, October 10, 2009

Michael Jackson Mask

Michael Jackson Mask

The Michael Jackson mask is here, just in time for Halloween. You know you want it.

Click on SpiritHalloween’s button below, and get 20% off 1 item in your order by 10/31/09!

Bernie Madoff Mask

Bernie Madoff mask

Bernie Madoff is said to be the most hated man in America. In other words, it’s time to poke some fun for Halloween!

Click Mr Ponzi Bernie Madoff Costume Mask for more info

Carla Lynne Hall Performs at BB King’s Blues Lounge NYC on October 8th

Tonight I’m playing at BB King Blues Lounge in NYC as part of The 6th Annual Hedge Fund Rocktoberfest to benefit A Leg To Stand On (ALTSO).

I think I’ve performed in this fundraiser every year since its inception with my classic rock band of bankers, aka Aged Inventory. In the past, I’ve performed an electric set, as well as an acoustic one with my banker bros for this gig. Tonight, I’ll be totally solo, in the acoustic Lucille’s Lounge. This will be a late show, but no less fantastic!

Carla Lynne Hall Solo Performance
Thursday, October 8th
BB King Blues Lounge – Lucille’s Acoustic Room
237 W. 42nd Street
Times Square – NYC
Tickets: $150
Event Times: 6pm – Midnight
Show: 11pm

This unique event brings together members of the hedge fund and financial industries for a night of rock and roll performances in support of A Leg To Stand On’s mission to level the playing field for children with limb disabilities in the developing world. For more information, please visit A Leg To Stand On (ALTSO).

CLH Podcast Interview on “Unsigned Underground” with Darryl Gregory

My recent “Twitter for Musicians” workshop attracted the attention of musician and producer Darryl Gregory, who also just happens to have his own podcast show, Unsigned Underground. Darryl was so happy with the class that he invited me to appear on his podcast earlier this month. How cool is that?!

Darryl’s podcast blog is quite complimentary too! He writes:

“I met Carla at a workshop she gave entitled Twitter for Musicians where she showed the best way for musicians to use the new social media. So I know her first as a media expert and an entrepreneur. But again she’s more than that – Carla has a book “The DIY Guide to the Music Biz” Carla has a blog ”Rock Star Life Lessons.com” Carla is a syndicated columnist oh yeah and Carla can sing.”

Wow! Listen to my
Underground Unsigned podcast interview with Darryl Gregory.