It’s a big week for The Flobots. The Denver band has been selected as one of four recipients of the 2010 Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, an honor bestowed by Mayor John Hickenlooper and the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs. Flobots share this honor with fellow recipients El Centro Su Teatro, Access Gallery and Jeffrey Nickelson, the late founder of Shadow Theater Company.

Flobots were selected on the strength of their artistic and commercial successes, including winning over audiences around the world with a bombastic and inspiring live show. Their major-label debut, Fight with Tools, sold more than 300,000 copies, and the hit song “Handlebars” was one of the biggest songs of 2008. The Mayor’s award also recognizes Flobots’ social activism and civic engagement, values that they promote from the stage and practice through their non-profit organization Flobots.org.

In a ceremony on February 17, Flobots will perform a track from their upcoming record Survival Story, which is due on Universal Records in mid-March. The album’s first single, “White Flag Warriors,” is now in rotation on radio stations around the country. The song features vocals by Tim Mcllrath of Rise Against. Long-time Flobots friend and collaborator Matt Morris also appears on the record.

ABOUT FLOBOTS.ORG

In 2008, Flobots took its activism to a new level by forming a non-profit organization. Flobots.org uses music as a tool for creating positive change and civic engagement among young people.

Major programs:

n Live from DCH! Music Therapy Program at Denver Children’s Home

n Art to Activism Outreach Program, bringing music and leadership into the classroom

n After-school music and leadership program at Denver Venture School

n Fight With Tools Street Team and Web Site, building communities of socially engaged music fans

n Flobots.org Community Space, home to programs and performances for youth and community

Flobots supported the Somaly Mam Foundation’s second annual Evening of Hopes and Dreams at a private residence in Beverly Hills on September 29th. The band attended the gala and performed at the official after-party hosted by “Fame” star Walter Perez. The evening raised money and awareness to combat human trafficking and modern day slavery. For information about the Somaly Mam Foundation visit www.somaly.org.

Saturday, October 10:
The Draft 3.0: a reading show, presented by Lighthouse Writers Workshop
6:25 pm -8:15 pm
Join four current Lighthouse members, writers of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, who tackle the extremes in this reading: “Fire & Ice.” Enjoy cocktails in the festive back patio of the Meadowlark (weather permitting), and then sit back, relax, and enjoy readings of short literary stylings by Laura Bond (fiction), Jon Hammer (nonfiction), Joey Chase (nonfiction), and a poet yet to be wrassled.

Saturday, October 17:
Larimer Sidewalk Arts Festival
9 am – 4 pm
An open-air celebration of arts created by young people. Any artist between the ages of 12-21 is welcome to show and sell their work. All proceeds benefit each individual artist. There is no fee for participating. Join us for a day of music, food, community and art!
To register an artist, please email meadowlarkart@gmail.com.

Tuesday, October 27:
New Series: Denver Minor Disturbance Poetry Slam
6 pm- 9pm
Hosted by Ken Arkind, a member of Denver’s historic Slam Nuba Team, The Denver Minor Disturbance Poetry Slam is a new bi-weekly poetry workshop open to young poets, new poets, old poets, in-between poets and anyone who wants to throw down some words and feelings in a safe, supportive and fiercely creative environment. We will welcome a revolving roster of hosts and workshop leaders, including members of Denver’s thriving poetry and literary scene as well as national artists.
Contact: Sarah Soriano
Tel. (831) 392-6466
Email: sarah@sarahlayne.com

ARTIST BUILDS SOUND ACTIVATED GOWN
Garments Reflect Interaction During A 56 Day Performance

(Denver, Colo.) September 15, 2009 – Flobots.org Community Space will host, 56 Days: I’m Still Here, by internationally exhibited artist Sarah Soriano. This exhibition catalogs 56 days of performance, throughout which Soriano examined the struggle to resist or accept gender roles within the confines of her relationship.

The exhibition reveals intimate portraits of Soriano wearing a sound reactive nightgown. The gown, which will be active on display, reacts to high voice levels by warping the dress.

Visitors are welcome to yell at the displayed gown to see its transformation.

“I created the sound reactive gown in order to make visible what someone might feel when arguing with their significant other,” says Soriano. “It represents a vulnerable moment when one is on the receiving end.”

An additional series of seven large-scale digital photographs show Soriano posed expressionless in a woman’s business suit. The portraits show Soriano transforming from a professional woman into a woman struggling to maintain composure as the suit slowly engulfs her over 56 days.

“The suit is similar to the gown in that it accentuates how I internalized every emotion after an interaction with my spouse. Every layer of the suit is a metaphor of how I felt our relationship was doing that day. I continued this for 56 days. The suit quickly became heavy and constrictive as I added more layers.”

Sarah Soriano is a candidate for a Master of Fine Art Degree in Electronic Media Arts Design at the University of Denver. Her work has been exhibited in São Paulo, Brazil, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Denver, Colorado.

56 Days: I’m Still Here will be on display October 2 -16 at Flobots.org Community Space at 2705 Larimer Street in Denver. An opening reception will be held Friday, October 2 from 6 pm – 9 pm. The exhibition will be open Friday and Saturday, 2 pm – 6 pm or by appointment. Admission is Free. Visit www.sarahsoriano.com for information.

Get tickets to the event or sponsor a team here!

Find more music like this on Fight With Tools

KGNU Interview MP3

This community space is for those who believe that positive social change happens when people come together to work toward a common goal. We are pleased to offer a home to the hope, energy and hard-work that change requires.

As the headquarters of Flobots.org, a non-profit organization started by the Denver band of the same name, it will feature an eclectic mix of programming that reflects the energy, diversity and challenges of modern Denver. Activities will include speakers and workshops, gardening and outdoor activities, art and film exhibitions, children’s programs, live performances, community potlucks and training sessions for volunteers and social activists. Through partnerships and collaboration, the center will serve as a resource to others working to make a difference in their communities and themselves.

The opening of this community space marks an exciting period of growth for Flobots.org. Thank you for joining with us to shape its future.

Here are some ways to get involved:

• Submit ideas for programs you’d like to see hosted at the center
• Volunteer to work at the center
• Let your school, city council person, school board member or civic club know about Flobots.org
• Make a donation. As a non-profit organization, Flobots.org relies on public support.

WISH LIST:

• Projector
• Computers for computer lab
• Digital cameras
• Easels
• Bike rack
• Interior sound system
• Containers for container gardening
• Scooter
• Commuter Van

ABOUT FLOBOTS.ORG

For the Denver-based Flobots, activism and art have always been intertwined. Since its inception, the band has encouraged fans to engage in voter registration and other community efforts. In 2008, they decided to take their activism to a national stage.

Major programs:

• Live from DCH! Music Therapy Program at Denver Children’s Home, soon to expand into the Flobots Community Collective
• Street Team Program, building communities of socially engaged music fans
• Fight With Tools Web Site, an online resource for those who work for real-world change

Last year, Flobots.org’s founding members were awarded the Circles of Change award from Seeking Common Ground. In March, Flobots.org received the Cesar Chavez Leadership Award. Flobots.org has been featured at numerous conferences on social justice, leadership and sustainable living.

Flobots.org Community Collective

2705 Larimer Street

Denver, CO 80205

www.flobots.org

info@flobots.org