18 April 2017 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

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By Laman Ismayilova

YARAT Freestyle invites everyone to enjoy the wonderful night of spiritual music on April 28.

The program of the evening is prepared by Mr Hppy.

Mr. Happyhas graduated from violin class at the Baku Music Academy. He composes and performs his own songs. During the concert you will enjoy both violin and vocal performance by Mr. Happy. Not to forget that,

He also practices anti stress and yoga activities, so come along and let your soul enjoy a peaceful and relaxing music!

The event starts at 19:00. Admission is free.

YARAT is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to nurturing an understanding of contemporary art inAzerbaijan and to creating a platform for Azerbaijani art, both nationally and internationally. Based in Baku,YARAT (meaning CREATE in Azerbaijani) was founded by Aida Mahmudova in 2011.

YARAT realizes its missionthrough an on-going program of exhibitions, education events and festivals.YARAT facilitates exchange between local and international artistic networks including foundations, galleriesand museums.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter:@Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter@AzerNewsAz

Excerpt from:

Enjoy wonderful night of spiritual music! - AzerNews

From left to right, James madison collegefreshmen Allie Pail, Dana McDorman-Kolata, Claudia Allou and Georgia Artzberger study outside on Feb.19, 2017 at Case Hall. They had gone to get gelato together prior to their study session.

The weather is finally warming up in East Lansing, and it'stime to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. The warmer weather opens the door for a slew of activities for students and residents to partake in. Here is a list of 10 fun things to do in East Lansing now that the harsh Michigan winter seems to be over.

Make a trip to an ice cream shop

There is nothing better than icecream after class on a nice day. With locations inAnthony Hall and the Union, theMSU Dairy Store sells icecream, icecream floats, icecream sandwiches and more. There is also Cold Stone Creamery on M.A.C. Avenue andTasty Twist on Grand River Avenue.Students can grab a frozen treat to make theirstroll across campus enjoyable.

"I like to go to the Tasty Twist to get ice cream," media and informationjunior Aarmond Cook said. "Normally, I'll getthe ice cream inside and then go outside and eat that, you know it's the perfect weather for it."

Grab dinner at a local restaurant with outdoor patio seating

The weather is perfect to enjoy food out in the sun. Restaurants like El Azteco and The Peanut Barrel offer open patio seating during the warmer weather, which makes for a fun meal with friends.

Take a walk or abike ride along Red Cedar

TheRed Cedar River is a landmark at MSU, so take a bike ride or just a nice walk and enjoy the sights and sounds of the river. The changing weather also calls for fashion changes, so walks or bike rides arelight andeasy.

"It's getting nicer out, it's nice to switch up the shoes and not wear heavy boots and I can wear sneakers," creative advertising sophomore Nicole Kay said.

Have a picnic with your friends

Grab some blankets, a speaker with music and some friends for a nice, relaxing picnic in the sun. Dorms usually have large lawn areas behind the buildings for students to play sports and relax. Use a little bit of that space to spread out some blankets and enjoy a meal.

Feed the ducks

The Red Cedar River attracts a lot of ducks when the weather is warm. The ducks like to gather near Wells Hall. In moderation, feed the ducks on the grass with friends. The interaction is sure to cause some laughs.

Drink iced coffee outside of Espresso Royale

Its finally that time of year to make the switch from hot coffee to iced coffee. Espresso Royale offers a number of cold beverages and outdoor seating to get people through those warm spring afternoons.

Participate in a 5k

Get in shape for the new season and raise money and awareness for a good cause by participating in a 5k. MSU clubs and organizations hold numerous5k runs throughout the year. The warmer weather should be extra motivation to participate. Grab a friend and challenge yourself with a fun run.

Visit the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden

The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden is a natural getaway right on campus.The nature of the garden offers a spectacular, colorful view. Its the perfect place to relax with benches available for everyone. The fresh spring air is sure to clear anyone's head.

Grill

Make use of the warm air to take the chance to cook outside. If your apartment complex or rental home comes with a grill, fire it up and make dinner for you and your friends.

Lay outside and get a tan

Catch some Vitamin D by laying outside. Take a break from homework, play some music and relax on your lawn.

Read the original:

10 things to do in East Lansing now that warmer weather has arrived - The State News

I was invited to try the float tank by Lexi Matthews at FM Integrative Health in Fargo, home to the first float tank in North Dakota only open to the public since early April. Sensory deprivation tanks have been around since the '50s but have seen a resurgence in popularity over the past year or so. Proponents say spending up to an hour floating in an enclosed chamber of salt water devoid of light and sound helps relieve anxiety, stress, insomnia and chronic pain.

"It just gives you a chance to calm down and relax, which is not something we take time for anymore," says Matthews. "By just stopping, it forces the body to shift from being super energetic to rest and digest which is the other side of your nervous system."

We walked from the lobby into the small room holding the float tank and I was immediately surprised by how big the tank was; it was more like the size of a small car than the coffin-like tank I saw in my only other point of reference on float tanks an episode of "The Simpsons." (Important online research.) In the episode, Lisa tried a float tank and got into a meditative state that caused her to hallucinate that she turned into her cat, a tree and Cokie Roberts.

Matthews didn't say anything about Cokie Roberts, but told me, "It's a totally new experience unless you've floated in the Dead Sea." (I have not done that as it would require me to be seen in my bathing suit.)

Matthews said before getting in the tank which is filled with 10 inches of water and 800 pounds of Epsom salt I first had to get clean: remove my makeup and take a shower. This step ensures the tank stays as free from oils as possible. There is also a filter which runs for a half-hour in between clients.

As I stepped in the water, it felt lukewarm close to my own body temperature. I shut the door and laid back in the darkened tank. I was struck by how easily I floated. The high salt content of the water created extra buoyancy. (I guess I would have known that if I had taken that vacation to float in the Dead Sea.) The tank was not completely dark as a small blue light shown from the bottom.

Unlike some tanks, FM Integrative Health pipes relaxing music into the chamber so as I floated I listened to the music and drifted away, or rather tried to drift away.

My thoughts: "Oh, that's lovely violin music...so peaceful. Shoot, Laura (my daughter) needs a new viola. I meant to call the violin store today. I wonder if they're open until 6 p.m. when I get off work. If I'm late getting home, what will I make for dinner? What's in the freezer?"

STOP!

Time to float.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on not concentrating. It helped that I didn't feel claustrophobic like I thought I would. The top of the tank was a couple of feet above my head and I noticed as little sparkles of light peeked through it looked like a constellation of stars. (Maybe this new age woo woo stuff is how it started for Lisa Simpson).

I floated for a few minutes with the music and light, but I chose to turn both off to completely deprive the senses. After a couple of minutes, I felt myself drift further. I gently stretched my neck back and forth, but mostly I just laid there in the quiet darkness. I wouldn't say it was the psychedelic experience some users report, but I found it incredibly relaxing and peaceful and hard to get out of the tank when my session was over.

When it was over, I showered to get the salt off my body. I got a little salt in my ears and eyes, but that was a minor inconvenience compared to how soft my skin felt. Better yet, I still felt relaxed a couple of hours later the kind of relaxed you feel stretched out on the deck on a warm summer day enjoying a cocktail. I didn't turn into a cat, a tree or Cokie Roberts, but I'd consider it a win, and no one had to see me in my bathing suit.

Continued here:

What it's really like to float in a sensory deprivation tank | Jamestown ... - Jamestown Sun

The Dodgers are 7-6. That translates to an 87-win pace, but there is little reason to draw major conclusions from a few weeks of games. The team finishes up a four-game series with Arizona on Monday, with a chance to take three of four.

As always, there is plenty to discuss. You can send me questions on Twitter @McCulloughTimes. Lets do this.

Put your hands over your ears, then?

The chatter connecting the Dodgers with Ryan Braun has always felt a tad strange to me, as Braun does not exactly fit the profile of the sort of player President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman likes to pursue. Braun is 33, he can only play a corner outfield spot (and maybe only left field) and hes locked into an expensive contract.

As one rival evaluator told me last summer, Its a lot of money for an inflexible, left-field-only player with injury history. These are the types of players theyre trying to get away from. Now, after flailing against left-handed pitchers throughout 2016 and often at the start of 2017, the teams calculus may change. But Braun is still an imperfect fit, especially if the need is as simple as finding an outfielder who can mash southpaws. Those players basically grow on trees.

The Dodgers were linked to Braun last summer, in a deal that reportedly would have involved Yasiel Puig and Brandon McCarthy, and there were more talks this winter. My current understanding is the Dodgers are not seriously involved in discussions about Braun. That could change, obviously, but its April, and six-time All-Stars rarely get traded in April.

The Brewers may be feeling pressure to shed Braun from their roster, though. His 10-5 rights, which would allow him a full no-trade clause, kick in on May 24. For plenty of reasons, it would make sense for Milwaukee to move him before then, when Braun would hold all the leverage. Braun may not handcuff the Brewers like Brandon Phillips did in Cincinnati, but he would control the situation.

Braun makes a lot of money. The Brewers owe Braun $20 million this season. They owe him $20 million in 2018. They owe him $19 million in 2019. They owe him $17 million in 2020. In order to buy out his mutual option for 2021, the Brewers must pay Braun $4 million. In all, the team owes him $80 million.

The Dodgers, of course, can afford this. They have the largest payroll in the sport for the fourth consecutive season. But under Friedman, the team has tried to trim money off the books. They also would like some financial flexibility for after 2018, when Clayton Kershaw can become a free agent.

If the Dodgers continue to flounder against left-handed pitchers, Braun will be out there. But so will Andrew McCutchen, and a slew of players less expensive than Braun.

Soon. Quite soon, I think.

Hi Ross!

I would not be shocked to see Julio Urias replace Rich Hill in the rotation after Hill's latest blister setback. The assignment may go to Alex Wood, but with an off-day on Thursday, the Dodgers can re-set their rotation and skip Hills spot for a turn. The need for a fifth starter will not re-emerge until the end of April.

Which, conveniently, is when Manager Dave Roberts suggested Urias would join the big-league squad.

Hard to say. Adrian Gonzalez has been a very good player for more than a decade, and has earned the benefit of the doubt regarding his first 50 plate appearances. Hes shown an ability to reshape his swing to remain productive despite whatever his physical condition may be. But there have been some troubling signs early.

Some scouts I talked to noted his inability to drive the baseball, which could be related to the elbow that bothered him for most of spring training. Gonzalez has two extra-base hits thus far. Both were doubles. He is hitting .238, and has often tried to take the ball the other way, rather than pull. That is not exactly encouraging.

Its 50 plate appearances. Gonzalez found a way to be productive in 2016, despite various issues with his neck and back, so perhaps he can do the same in 2017. But if he is still hitting .238 in June, and if Cody Bellinger is still hitting .395 in triple-A (or some realistic equivalent), its a discussion worth revisiting. Bellinger looked lost in the Cactus League in March, but theres a reason the organization refused to discuss him in various trade scenarios over the winter.

Bellinger is likely to debut in the majors this season. When and where may be more dependent on Gonzalezs health and production than on whatever Bellinger does in Oklahoma City.

That sounds about right. Ryu has not dominated, but hes been useful. Given the severity of his shoulder surgery, that is a victory for both him and the organization. The bigger question is whether Ryu can post every fifth day for an extended period of time. His fastball velocity dipped during his second outing, which isnt encouraging. Im curious and I suspect the Dodgers are too to see how he holds up in the coming weeks.

Its hard to frame the Dodgers as giving up on Zach Lee. He had spent three seasons in triple-A, from 2014 to 2016, and had a 4.89 earned-run average in 13 starts for Oklahoma City when the Dodgers traded him. By that point, he had been surpassed on the internal depth chart by Julio Urias, Brock Stewart, Ross Stripling and Jose De Leon. He was never going to be a member of the Dodgers rotation.

The Dodgers got back Chris Taylor when they sent Lee to Seattle. Lee got walloped in Tacoma (7.39 ERA in 14 starts). The Mariners put him on waivers. He is pitching for a San Diego team that is not interested in winning games in 2017. Even if hes in Oklahoma City, Taylor has more value on the Dodgers 40-man roster than Lee would.

I suppose its possible, but Im not sure which other teams would be willing to part with significant assets to acquire an aging, expensive player who has taken 24 at-bats since 2015. If Andre Ethier is healthy and productive, the Dodgers want him on the roster. If he is neither healthy nor productive, it doesnt make sense for another team to want him.

Not particularly.

Not particularly.

You made a pair of egregious omissions by forgetting Vietnamese* and Thai. Those two are 1-2 in my power rankings. Followed by:

3. Chinese

4. Mexican

5. Italian

6. Japanese

7. Greek

8. French

9. Indian

*One of my rare gifts is the ability to name a decent Vietnamese restaurant in every American League city (the National League is a little tougher, for whatever reason). If youre searching for pho in Cleveland or Tampa let me know. I can hook you up.

I havent watched much. Ill probably browse Payback in a couple weeks, but I have little interest in the weekly shows. They seem miserable.

Goo Goo Dolls. No offense to the Blossoms, but this should not be a debate.

I dont know what the players do in the air, but I usually try to sleep while listening to music. Im always in the market for relaxing music, but I cant find anything that tops Lost In The Dream by The War on Drugs or Jason Isbells Live From Alabama. I sleep in 45-minute intervals, for whatever reason. Ill fall asleep midway through Decoration Day and wake up to Dress Blues.

Go here to read the rest:

Dodgers mailbag: Should they go after Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun? - Los Angeles Times

Imagine a thin line ofavocado slices that start curling inwards, rolling together and taking shape of a flower, or a round jelly cake being divided by a ceramic knife into four pieces of equal size, so perfect that youdont even want to take a bite.

If you find these imagesrelaxing or tinglingly pleasurableto watch, you will like satisfying videos.

Satisfying video clips feature repetitive tasks, perfect patterns in motion or machinery processes being completed in slow motion, with relaxing music. On Instagram, there are more than 265,000 posts under the hashtag #satisfyingvideos and as of writing, another 13 have jumped up within just two minutes, according to social analytics firm Brandwatch. On Reddit, there are active subreddits, mildlysatisfying and oddlysatisfying, where users discuss their favorite hypnotic videos and GIFs. And on Twitter, celebrities like Chrissy Teigen are mesmerized by those clips.

Publishers who are pursing views are aware of this trend. BuzzFeed, for instance, has been curating satisfying videos from Instagram and YouTube, churning out articles with headlines 11 oddly satisfying videos that will calm youdown and This video of things melting is the most satisfying thing youll see all day.

The reason for the rise of these videos isnt known. But these are times in serious need of zen, and people will take it where they can get it.

Naturally, brands want in. Recently, agency Arnold Worldwide created a painting video series called Color Theory to promote telecom company CenturyLinks new service Prism TV. Those slow-motion clips are close-ups of artist and Instagram influencer Annette Labedzki creating different colors blue, pink, orange and green with a painting spatula.

We know that color mixing is trendy on Instagram. I think the slow nature of those videos are different from what you typically see in your news feed, said Juliet Tierney, manager of social and content systems for Arnold. Those videos allow you to take a second out of your busy day and meditate. We are seeing a very strong completion rate.

While David Coomer, chief creative officer for agency Cornett, thinks that advertisers have always worked to have elements of satisfaction in their creative to make the communication intuitive and easy to connect on an emotional level. And from TV to billboards, Coca-Colas Taste The Feeling campaign could be one of the best uses of neuroscience in marketing. The photography is filled with happiness, the product looks tasty, even the sunlight showcases the brands iconic red while giving it a sense of warmth and playfulness, he said.

For R/GA managing director Chapin Clark, the most memorable advertising that applies the concept of satisfying videos is a series of banner ads for small publisher Seagull Books that he saw on the New York Times last summer.According to Clark, those banners were simply videos of seagulls on the beach, flapping their wings, looking off into the distance with the wind ruffling their feathers. There was no ad copy or description about specific book titles.

They were oddly hypnotic and weirdly funny, said Clark. I still remember them and the advertisers name, very clearly.

Satisfying videos look very familiar to ASMR content(which is short forautonomous sensory meridian response) thattake viewers to a calm and happy state through certain typesof soft sounds, including soft whispering and crinkling paper. Brands like KFC andDove chocolate have created ASMR ads to tout consumers.

Clark thinks that satisfying videos resonate with the viewers emotional position: People are tired of arguing about things or having a well-informed opinion about world events. In many cases, people dont have to have an option about everything. The internet can be a very contentious, scary and angry place, on a daily basis. Given the current political climate in the U.S., maybe now more than ever,according to Clark.

I think we all need a respite in our feeds every now and then, he said. These videos are fulfilling in themselves. There is no point-counterpoint. They just are.

Read the original:

Moment of monetized zen: Brands are cashing in on the new 'satisfying videos' craze - Digiday

Atlantic City

Boardwalk Hall pipe organ tour: A free behind-the-scenes tour of the Midmer Losh pipe organ is conducted 10 a.m. Wednesdays at Boardwalk Hall. The tour includes areas that are usually closed to the public. Volunteer guides will explain the construction and repair of the pipe organ and give a detailed history of the hall. The tour ends with a free 30-minute recital beginning at noon. For information, call 609-402-9584.

Freedom Fund Breakfast: The Republican Club invites the public to the annual NAACP Freedom Fund Breakfast 9 a.m. Saturday at Golden Nugget Atlantic City. Doors open 8:30 a.m. Keynote speaker will be Phil D. Murphy, former U.S. ambassador to Germany. Tickets are $50. For information, email atlanticcitygop@gmail.com.

Bridgeton

Exchange Club fundraiser: The Exchange Club of Bridgeton invites the community to its fundraising event to benefit the campaign for the prevention of child abuse. Dine at the Green Olive Restaurant on Shiloh Pike from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 10 percent of the total food purchase will be donated to programs in Cumberland County. A bake sale and Chinese auction will be available. Patrons must bring the Exchange Club flyer with them from Facebook.com/Bridgeton Exchange Club. For information, call 609-247-3433.

Cape May Point

Spring retreat: The Forever Young Senior Club at Notre Dame de la Mer Parish will host a one-day retreat May 23 at Saint Mary by-the-Sea Retreat House, Cape May Point. To register, call 609-729-5773.

Egg Harbor City

Historical Society meetings: The local Historical Society meets 7 p.m. the last Monday of each month at 533 London Ave. The meetings are open to the community. For information, call 609-965-9073.

Egg Harbor Township

Golf benefit: A nine-hole golf outing and spaghetti dinner will be held May 3 at McCulloughs Emerald Golf Links to benefit the OConnor family, local residents who lost all their belongings in a house fire while they slept. Kane OConnor, 8, is credited with helping his family escape safely. The event will be hosted by Mayor Sonny McCullough. There will be a 4 p.m. shotgun start, followed by dinner. Tickets for the package are $75 per person. Dinner only tickets are $30. To RSVP, call Terry Prendergast at 609-926-3900, ext. 2.

Galloway Township

Color run/walk: The community is invited to participate in a fun run and walk 11 a.m. April 30 at the Middle School, 100 S. Reeds Road. Check-in is 9:30 a.m. There will be a 2-mile and a 1-mile course. Participants will be doused with color powder at different stations along the route. Registration is $35 for adults, $25 for ages 4 to 17. For information, call 609-748-1250, ext. 4301.

Linwood

Community yard sale: Residents are invited to participate in the spring community yard sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6. The event will be held rain or shine. A $5 donation made to the Linwood Historical Society reserves your space on the listing. Participating addresses will be posted the day before at linwoodnj.org. For more information, call 609-927-8293.

Little Egg Harbor Twp.

Adult coloring: The Coloring Club invites adults to meet with others to color pages 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Ocean County Library branch at 290 Mathistown Road. Materials will be supplied. There will be relaxing music and light refreshments. For more information, call 609-294-1197.

Margate

Healthy breathing class: Instructor Raquel Jantos leads a free weekly class of gentle relaxation techniques from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays in the meeting room of the Public Library, 8100 Atlantic Ave. No signups are required. There are no classes the last Wednesday of the month until May. For information, call 609-822-4700.

North Wildwood

Native American Earth Day celebration: The community is invited from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, 111 N. Central Ave. The free event will feature demonstrations, games, story telling and displays. Guest speaker will be Chief Robert Red Feather Stevenson. For information, call 609-522-4520 or visit HerefordLighthouse.org.

Ocean City

Quilters meeting: The Pieceful Shores Quilters Guild will meet 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Bay Avenue Community Center. The public is invited. For more information, call 609-971-2798 or 609-242-5449.

Pleasantville

Retirement celebration: The community is invited from 6 to 11 p.m. April 21 to celebrate Marionette C. Todds 30-year career in the school district at Greate Bay Country Club, 901 Mays Landing Road, Somers Point. There will be dinner, dancing and live entertainment. There was an editing error for the cost of tickets. They are $60 each. For information, call Judy Grate at 609-432-5193 or email jgrate1974@gmail.com.

Sea Isle City

Beachcomber guides needed: Volunteers are needed to lead one-hour beach tours Tuesday and Thursday mornings from late June to late August. New tour guides will be fully oriented and trained by experienced beachcombers. If interested, call 215-805-9277 or email marianne snyder233@gmail.com

Stafford Township

Java and Jazz concert: Southern Regional High Schools annual jazz concert will be held 3 p.m. April 30 in the senior high school cafeteria. The districts three jazz bands will perform with special guests from the University of the Arts. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Coffee, tea and dessert are included. For information, call 609-597-9481.

Tuckerton

History of Tuckers Island: Authors Gretchen F. Coyle and Deborah C. Whitcraft will talk about the history of the community and sign their book 7 p.m. Friday during the Library Associations annual open house at the Ocean County Library branch at 380 Bay Ave. Light refreshments will be served. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. To register to attend, call 609-296-1470.

Ventnor

Gathering Wool group: All skill levels of knitters and crocheters are invited to meet 10 a.m. Tuesdays at the Atlantic County Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave. Its free. Bring a project to work on. For information, call 609-823-4614.

Vineland

Library exhibit: The Millville Army Air Field Museum commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Millville Aiport and its importance during World War II with an exhibit of photos and artifacts at the Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Ave. The display will run through April. Its free. For more information, call 856-794-4244 or visit vinelandlibrary.org.

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in your town - Press of Atlantic City

Everyone has different taste in everything: movies, books, ice cream flavors, drivers seat position, shoe size etc. No topic of interest, however, has a more widespread preference palate than music, and for good reason: music comes in all shapes and sizes. Not only are there a bajillion styles, there are also a bajillion different moods and physical states people indulge in that may require a certain flavor of vocals, chord progression, instrumentation or overall vibe. People listen to music for a bajillion different reasons, sober or otherwise. Whether youre on the jog, on the job, or on the drug of choice, these artists will help you fill each moment with the sweet ambience youre looking for.

To start off upbeat before working toward the more dulcet tones, one of my favorite bands, Future Islands, has a pretty infectious style. Bordering on the rock/indie pop genre, they steer their songs with a funky, tantalizing bass line that drives the sound. If your head isnt bobbing right from the start, the drop of the beat and the entrance of the synth tones will ensure it. Lead singer Samuel Herring sings his lyrics with passion and vigor, using his powerfully gruff voice to serenade and electrify at the same time. Their album Singles topped charts across the nation, with album opener Seasons (Waiting on You) being awarded the best track of 2014 by NME, Pitchfork and Spin. Their most recent albumThe Far Fieldgloriously perpetuates the iconic funkiness and fervor of their previous albums. If you enjoy Singles, you will absolutely love The Far Field. And if both those are up your alley, their first albumIn Evening Airwill also suit your groovy desires.

For more serene music lovers, Blood Orange offers a tranquil and tropical vibe while still riding the groove train. Whats amazing about everything Blood Orange puts out is this: its virtually all one guy. Dev Hynes, voted one of NMEs top 20 coolest people in rock in 2008, masters the synths, beats, live instruments and most of the vocals. His second album,Cupid Deluxe, garnered high praise from critics all over. While Im no music critic, Cupid Deluxe remains my favorite album to date: perfect for relaxing and drifting off into a state of tropical bliss.

Many of Mary Janes myriad maniacs prefer pairing their puffery with hip-hop and R&B spices. If thats your deal, A Tribe Called Quests most recent album is a collection of poetry in motion that touches on all styles of sound. From slow, sultry jams to upbeat and hard hitting rap, We Got It From Here Thank You 4 Your Service covers all the bases for R&B and rap lovers.

Whether or not grass is an important part of your balanced breakfast (or second breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea time, sevensies, dinner, or supper) music probably always will be. These albums may already be on repeat throughout your day but speaking as someone whos fond of the ganja, I gotta say, these artists are always able to lift my spirits when theyre already high.

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A few green music recommendations - Psuvanguard.com

Fact: I do not know how to relax. You can ask my parents or husband for confirmation. That gene is missing from my DNA. In order to battle my stress, I run. Thats not relaxing, but it keeps me balanced, healthy and happy. Many of my friends relax with a glass of wine. I dont even do that. As a writer, you might think a great book would help me unwind. Nope. I only find relaxation in watching comedies or a Law and Order marathon. I need to be comatose in front of a screen to mentally check out.

Well, it was brought to my attention that Edgar Cayces Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) started offering a new way to relax. Its called AlphaSphere. The A.R.E. Health Center & Spa describes it as a unique sensory experience that combines sound therapy, color therapy and vibration to promote deep relaxation and revitalization for the body, mind and spirit.

Because Im a dedicated journalist, I decided to fit 30 minutes into my hectic schedule to do some investigative relaxing for my Beacon readers. When I arrived for my appointment, I had one stressful decision to make before beginning my session. Which color would I select for the therapy?

The choices were blue, pink, red and orange, and each had different benefits. I chose blue because it was described as a balancing and calming hue.

When I first entered the room, I noticed the ergonomic lounger that looked like a modern sculpture with its sleek and simple design. Later, I was told an Austrian artist had designed the AlphaSphere, and A.R.E. is the only site in North America that has this therapy.

Once seated in the comfortable and artsy chair, I started to soak up my surroundings that included a blue light over my head. I was instructed to close my eyes in order to fully relax, but I couldnt stop peeking at the glowing blue light and the sheer fabric that surrounded my chair.

Peaceful sounds that included scores of music and quiet chants were played throughout the 30-minute experience and were synchronized with the vibrations in the lounger.

I found the vibrating chair to be the most relaxing element and appreciated the subtle heating effect that resembled a heating pad on the small of my back. I enjoyed the sounds and scores of music that reminded me of a movie theatre with the surround sound, but didnt love the quiet chants of a human voice.

The unique therapy was definitely calming and even stimulated my imagination with the creative use of sensory elements such as sound, light and color. I only wish the therapy lasted an hour, because it took me awhile to decompress.

SHA, the artist and creator of AlphaSphere, is coming to A.R.E., located on 67th Street, to give a free lecture on April 27 at 7:15 p.m. For more information or to book an AlphaSphere appointment ($35), call 757-457-7202.

Later that evening, I decided to end the day with my true and tried way of unwinding from a long work day. I watched two hours of Law and Order and became instantly relaxed when the theme song (a.k.a.,my sound therapy) played.

Lee Belote

is a Bay Island resident who loves writing about her hometown. Reach her at jlbelote@verizon.net with any great stories, local happenings or new hot spots.

View original post here:

Beach Buzz | In search of some relaxation with AlphaSphere - Virginian-Pilot

Chris Wilkinson, Staff Writer 11:49 a.m. ET April 16, 2017

Musical group Explosions in the Sky performs onstage during FYF Fest 2016 at Los Angeles Sports Arena on August 27, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images for FYF)

Sometimes music can tell a story without lyrics. Sometimes you can feel exactly where a musician is coming from based on how he strums a guitar, or picks a base or beats a drum. Sometimes an instrumental is all you need to go from having an emotional breakdown to having an existential crisis...but in a good way. Explosions in the Sky is one of the best bands in this category and they brought this music to FSU last Monday to a crowd who was ready to listen.

Explosions started their set at The Moon with a short introduction before going into their music. What is their music? If you were to define their music with a genre it would be instrumental rock or post-rock music. However, their music seems to go deeper than that label in the way it can totally entrance people.

Just listening to their music on an iPod is enough to completely mesmerize you with the instrumentals. The bass, the drums and the guitars all go together to create a sound that begs to be pondered. However, when the music is being performed live, with a million differently colored light surrounded by people in the same mindset, you get more than pondering music, you get a spiritual revelation.

Each song can range from four to fifteen minutes long, starting with the roots of a good song with a solitary instrument and beat and then gradually building the song as it goes on. Soon the song adds some drums to the guitar rhythm, then a bass, then another guitar, then maybe some keys until the band has built up from a simple relaxing rhythm to a full fast paced song.

This kind of long build up really gives you time to just be a wonder. Even when their song does become fast paced after eight or so minutes, it still has its air of a relaxing and rhythmic song. Additionally, the band also did a great job of making their set list so that the outro of each song seems to lead into the intro of the next, making the entire concert feel cohesive.

All and all, being in a crowd of a few hundred and seeing everyone totally engrossed in the band performing with minimal shouting during each song is a sight to behold. Explosions in the Sky has a unique way of building into a song and holding your attention while they sucker punch you with emotions and an existential crisis. Im not entirely sure if everyone had the same emotional reaction as me, but Im pretty sure everyone at the venue was completely enthralled by the music.

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Explosions in the Sky enthralls Tallahassee concertgoers - Florida Flambeau

Concertgoers come to rest

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By Nicole Kobie

A baby falling back to sleep at 2 am to a gentle lullaby may convince its parents that music can induce sleep, but new compositions designed to help listeners relax sound rather different to Rock-a-bye Baby.

Boston-based start-up Sync Project uses biometrics to tailor music to your mood. Its Unwind app measures your heart beat via your smartphones accelerometer and uses these readings to tweak a relaxing ambient track by UK band Marconi Union. After listening, you take a brief survey. How relaxed do you feel?

Music can be used for everyday wellness as well as for clinical applications, says Sync Project co-founder Ketki Karanam. Relaxation and sleep was an obvious place to start. We decided to start by focusing on relaxation as we felt that was one area where people were using music to calm themselves down or relax, she says. And people with sleep conditions are often looking for drug-free ways to sleep better.

As well as the Unwind app, the company plans to collect biometric data from attendees at an overnight performance of neoclassical composer Max Richters eight-hour album Sleep designed to help people nod off at the Barbican in London next month.

Concertgoers will be invited to wear activity-tracking URA rings, which also monitor heart rate and body temperature. In addition, the volunteers will wear the rings while going to sleep at home, with and without the aid of Richters composition.

The Sync Project team will then analyse the readings for insights into how the music might affect sleep and relaxation. Participants will also report back on their stress and relaxation levels before and after listening to the music.

Ultimately, Sync Project aims to develop its own AI-based music treatment tools for different situations, from everyday wellness to clinical applications. Karanam even points to studies examining musics impact on people affected by conditions such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers and strokes.

But neuroscientist David Eagleman at Stanford University in California, who was an adviser to Richter on the Sleep album, is sceptical. Repetitive, unsurprising music helps the brain go into a relaxed state but does little more, he says.

Music has certain obvious ways it can excite or relax us, but there are limits and it certainly cant replace real treatments, he says. In the Parkinsons research, music could help people keep their muscles moving better and stop them freezing while walking, he says but clapping works just as well.

Music can be a useful distraction, which can help with insomnia or pain relief, says Kevin Morgan, director of the Clinical Sleep Research Unit at Loughborough University, UK. That said, if the presenting insomnia is so mild it can be effectively managed with Spotify, its unlikely to have been a major clinical issue in the first place, he says.

Controlled, academic tests of Sync Projects tools remain necessary, as people who opt in to use them are already likely to be music fans, Morgan says. Keep in mind that those who like listening to music as a lifestyle choice do so because it delivers emotional/psychological benefits, he says. That it also delivers these benefits to the same people when theyre sick would be unsurprising.

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Start-up uses biometrics to tailor music for good night's sleep - New Scientist