Micada.org

I’m not at liberty to quite say exactly what’s going on, but I have been offered a position assisting in a large-scale event happening this fall in Chicago that is absolutely right up my alley.

Too. Excited.

In taking stock of everything I am doing my late summer / fall is going to be NUTSO, from helping with the planning of DJ Funk + Ghetto Division at Smartbar, to this new gig, to good friends and great talent coming through to a final resting place (hopefully) in Seattle, Washington for Decibel Festival. I am going to try my damnedest to make it to that, as too many of my favorite producers and DJs are going to be there for me to miss it.

At this point I could end with my general request to be on the lookout for good opportunities for work in something music, arts or non-profit oriented, but I’m not sure I’ll really even have any time to devote to anything new until at least October. But once I’m done with all that, I’ll surely have the kind of experience in a once-in-a-lifetime (or annually!) opportunity, that means I should have no problem finding something that really fits my interests.

While sometimes I feel very much “I love you Chicago, but you’re bringing me down,” there isn’t a city in this world or any that I’d rather be from, be in right now and be involved with the culture of than this, my Chicago.

I fail at keeping the weekly posts up. But early July is so busy! Not only is it a holiday with the 4th and all, but the 9th (and the following weekend) was my 25th birthday. Much merriment, mirth and mischief ensued, including a wedding, pilsen house party, 4am bike ride, Derrick Carter, copious cupcakes, dancing and disco. I’d like to thank everyone who made my birthday amazing, and I hope it’s only a taste of what my 25th year of life will be.

I also had finals, and with them finished up my summer classes, which always leaves me in a weird time-hole. What do I do if I don’t have to study? (Hint: EVERYTHING. ELSE.) I’ve started a part-time job which I think I will like, as the people there are all very awesome. While the work isn’t in my field much, I think it will be a good experience. I’m moving forward on new projects, finishing ones I’ve started and even had time for the aimless bike ride once in a while. Summer is always this weird few months where everything happens much more leisurely than normal, yet there is somehow even more to do.

Look for a couple updates to the site here. I actually have several new favors du jour, and need to restructure a few pages to more accurately represent the work I can do, have done, and am skilled at. I’m still looking for a position better suited to take advantage of my skillset and experience. With the food on the table being more or less covered, I’m considering offering up my pr/web/promo services on a reduced basis, maybe even in a fitting internship. I think my “no internships after 20″ decision might’ve been hasty, as it was out of a need to not be taken advantage of or to make sure my work was seen as worth compensation. It’s a common misconception in new media, web, publicity, etc. etc, that this kind of skilled work can be found for free/cheap and that does need to be changed. My personal, pro bono work has been my most successful, and so maybe accepting more of that can help. It’s when I’m trusted to be self-sufficient and given free reign that I can really show off what I know I can do well.

This week, not too many double booked nights out, especially after the action-packed business that was last weekend, what with Angel Alanis holding down a great party at Green Dolphin, and Ghetto Division’s first (of many) amazing and successful show at the Congress Theater. Though the week’s calendar claims otherwise, this weekend I may hunker down and work on a couple of horribly delayed projects, such as new press kits for Lorenzo Vektor, D-51 and good friend DJ Q-Bot, updated press kits for Rampage, Rob Threezy, MaddJazz and Charlie Glitch, some general business work for Le Principle/Adulture, a new site for Whoa-B and adding material to this site to help my job search.

In terms of the work I’m happy to have finally done, there are a bunch of new updates at GhettoDivision.com, including a neato label page acting as the gateway for Ghetto Division Records, post-show updates from Congress, and a reminder to vote for the Ghetto Division DJs in the Lollapalooza Remix Contest on do312.com. I encourage you to check out 3.ly/GDLolla on Facebook and the post on the boys’ site here and vote!

Finally, I added a “Favor Du Jour” widget, which is a term I started using on Twitter IRT the fact that I realized some people were following me for my music suggestions. Since then, I’ve been outright asked for good mixes for work / play / working out / biking /hanging out / whatever purposes, and I’ve happy to oblige.

To keep the Week’s Calendar updated there on the right hand side. It’s just text for right now until I find a better solution. But considering my forays out at night are pretty predictable, it works. I reserve the right to wuss out on any of the shows listed, though I usually never miss a Dollar Disco, if you desperately need to buy me a drink or something.

A closing note: I am very much looking for some gainful employment at the moment, and while I’d love for it to be in the field in which I have the most experience (music marketing, publicity, event planning, web presence, management or development, etc. etc.), I can easily see where I would be able to apply these practices to other ends. I am updating and changing this site to accommodate more information about what I’ve done and include more work samples of past events and current projects. Feel free to contact me through any of the means provided. Thanks!

My name is Mica.

I am a New Media Enthusiast, Booking Extraordinaire, Non-Profit Devotee, Budding Entrepreneur, Independent Promoter, Media Reform Activist, Web Developer, Radio Show Host, Perpetual Student, Neophyte DJ, Suicidal Cyclist, Dance Aficionado, Altruistic Cynic, and Native Chicagoan.