The Manifest / Industry Night 2010 Kick-Off Meeting | December 1st

Join us to find out how to participate in Manifest and Industry Night 2010. Hear from the design contest winner Landry Miller, changes to Industry Night, the big party at the Hilton, our partnership with Threadless, the 'Hack your Manifest t-shirt contest,' and ... the rain / tsunami plan!

When: Tuesday, December 1st @ 11 a.m. in Film Row Cinema | 1104 S. Wabash Ave., 8th floor.

2010 Manifest Design Competition: Vote now!

Out of sixty-one submissions, five Columbia students and their proposals for a new Manifest poster and star have been selected to compete for the honor of becoming the 2010 Manifest designer. One will win. You will pick that winner.

The vote is public. Students, faculty, and staff can vote, but so can anyone. If you're reading this now, you could be voting now.

You can only vote once, so make it count, and make one of these five designers Manifest dreams come true. The top vote recipient wins $500 and will partner with Columbia's Office of Creative + Print Services and Student Communications to design ALL of the print and web materials for Manifest 2010.

Voting ends Friday, November 13th at midnight! Vote now!

Thanks to our partners at Threadless who are promoting this contest, and to the Student Programming Board and the Office of Student Engagement.

Thanks! ... and get ready for Manifest 2010!

Columbia College Chicago would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported Manifest 2009. The work of our graduating seniors and graduate students was more amazing than ever and we celebrate their launch into careers and professions that are going to shape and create our culture. For those of you who experienced Manifest for the first time and for our veterans… see you next year! Mark your calendars for Friday, May 14, 2010.

Elevated Diction in Time Out Chicago!

With so much stuff going on during Manifest, space is running a bit short. The student producers of Silver Tongue decided to colonize one of the last available spots: the elevators. Jonathan Messinger, Books editor from TimeOut Chicago stopped by a rehearsal and had this to say:

Rising fiction: Students take advantage of a captive audience.

Ray Bradbury's Characters Brought to Life!

No Career Fairs Need Apply - Industry Night Builds Relationships

Media Contact: Elizabeth Burke-Dain, 312.369.8695

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Note: Students, Faculty and Staff are available for interviews.

INDUSTRY NIGHT: COLUMBIA COLLEGE ENCOURAGES RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING WITH PROFESSIONALS IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY

"There are two kinds of students," says Mercedes Cooper, Communications Coordinator at Columbia's Portfolio Center. "The one who is aware of the economic crisis and what is going on in the creative market and those who choose to not focus on the crisis so that it won't paralyze them. Its interesting to see how these two types operate."

"I'm taking a realistic, but aggressive approach to the job market," says Rachal Duggan, illustration major. "There is no way I'm going to be bummed out about the current economic situation. I know I'll have to start out with small projects, but I'm anxious to get the ball rolling in freelance."

"I think I graduated at the worst time possible, but I'm trying to be optimistic, persistent and patient," says Kimberly McGuire, graphic design major. "The only thing I can do right now is network with as many people as possible."

Columbia's Portfolio Center wants students to understand that relationship building is the key. This is a message that they feel will be true now and throughout their professional lives. Industry Night trains students to talk about their work to people in the field, have their business cards ready and their portfolios in order. These skills will be invaluable for any graduating student who wants enter the job market.

"Industry Night was created in 2008 as a chance to turn the tables on most college job fairs," says Columbia College Portfolio Center director Tim Long. "The goal here is to present the students with a real-world, real-time networking opportunity."

At Industry Night "We don't want professionals to be stuck behind a desk with students parading their work in front of them," says Mercedes Cooper. "Rather, students have their portfolios on tables and the professionals are at their leisure to go up to any student whose work appeals to them. If a professional sees work that they like, but doesn't have an immediate position to fill, this gives them a chance to build a relationship for an opportunity down the road."

It is also an opportunity for students to get feedback on how they are presenting themselves and to develop on-going relationships with companies they might want to work with in the future.
Industry Night puts the students in the driver's seat while letting the professionals sit back and enjoy the ride. To date, over 500 industry professionals from music, film, fashion, advertising, public relations, marketing, and performance community have confirmed their presence at this year’s event.

Industry Night opens May 14th 2009 runs in concert with Columbia College's Manifest Urban Arts Festival (May 15th, 2009) and is part of the college's commencement weekend. For more information about Industry Night, go to the website: www.colum.edu/industrynight.

For more information, high-resolution photos or to schedule an interview please contact Elizabeth Burke-Dain (eburkedain@colum.edu) or call (312) 369-8695.

Student band explores mind through music

Manifest profiles: Special to The Chronicle
by The Columbia Chronicle

Eccentric, edgy and electric are words that describe the sound of Fluid Minds, a Columbia student band that will be featured at this year's Manifest celebration on May 15.

The band is comprised of three Chicago natives, Frank Clayton (bass, saxophone, flute, keys and vocals), Christian Rogala (drums, organ, percussion and vocals) and John Gray (guitar and vocals). All of the members, however, are well versed in many instruments.

The band formed four years ago when Clayton and Rogala met at a show in Barrington, Ill. Clayton's band, which Gray, a longtime friend, was also a part of, and Rogala's band were both scheduled to play. After the show, they scheduled a jam session and agreed to keep in touch, as Rogala was attending Berklee College of Music in Boston at the time.

After Rogala graduated, they became a permanent band, calling themselves Cosmic Haze at first, the name of Clayton and Gray's former band. They later decided on Fluid Minds, the name of an old Cosmic Haze song. The band recently added another member, Mike Deguzman, a few months ago.

"We're writing and playing and doing all different types of styles, just pretty much playing what we love and what we're inspired by," Rogala said. "You can really hear it in our music, it's a very eclectic sound."

Along with releasing two records in four years, the band has opened for The Killers, had songs featured on Fox Sports Net, Fuel TV, Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" and a in a few films.

In addition, the band has their own production company, called Mother Brain, which encompasses all genres of music. Rogala also teaches with Striding Lion, an interdisciplinary arts workshop group that works with children on the South Side. The band is currently working on a new album, which is not yet scheduled for release.

Though they have been a success, the band struggled at first to find their sound.

"People are afraid to get on our train because of how different our music is," Rogala said.

The band didn't let this interfere with their efforts for success, making their main message optimism and positivity, as well as helping people get through the rough times.

"To eventually get back to Fluid Minds is being fluid, to be able to create, understand and be open, and that's really what we preach ... there's dark times, and there's also the light," Rogala said.

They are thankful to have been so successful and are humbled by fans' responses to their music.

"[We've] already accomplished a lot, we always look ahead and we want to accomplish more, we want to keep having fun and just creating," Rogala said. "We're humbled by the whole thing."

Though the band is keeping busy with a full schedule, they remain focused on Manifest

"[It's] 15 minutes we gotta pull off, so those 15 minutes at Manifest will be high quality and our top notch tracks," Rogala said.

After the festival, the band plans to do a live show off-campus, but a venue has not been picked.

"We'll probably do a whole set, like an hour-and-a-half," Clayton said.

Rogala agreed, adding, "Just to get people amped up."

Fluid Minds is scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. at Manifest on May 15 at Balbo and Wabash Avenues. For more information about the band, visit FluidMindsMusic.com.

A sneak preview of SPECTACLE!

Spectacle Credits: Artistic Director, Jennifer Friedrich, lead Costume Designer Elsa Hiltner, lead Builder Joy Dennis Photo Credits: Alexis Ellers

Transmission Features

Transmission, Columbia's open air exhibition of provocative auto and auto-inspired art, will feature a ton of exciting work at this year's Manifest. Here are a couple highlights:

Breakdance Chicago
Location: Transmission Lot, 9th Street and Wabash Avenue
Time: 4-7pm

The city's very own Breakdance Chicago will be at Manifest! These dancers have performed with some of hottest artists out there including T.I., Twista, and Lupe Fiasco. Come by the Transmission lot and learn some sweet moves and watch some of the best break dancers the city has to offer, perform!

Street Beats
Location: Transmission Lot, 9th Street and Wabash Avenue
Time: 12-3pm

Come out to the Transmission lot from 12-3pm to see Street Beats! Street Beats is a street performing tap dance crew of all Columbia students. It's not your atypical tap dance performance - this innovative form of dance is a must see!

E Club
Location: Transmission Lot, 9th Street and Wabash Avenue
Time: 11-9pm

The Entrepreneurship Club will be the "little blue business" of Transmission this year. They will be serving blue ice cream out of the trunk of a blue 1964 Ford Fairlane. They will also be doing caricatures and rad games. Your tongue may be blue, but you won't be.

Campus Crusade Confessional
Location: Transmission Lot, 9th Street and Wabash Avenue
Time: 11-9pm

Confession has always been a one-way thing. But we at Campus Crusade believe that no one is without sin, especially the Christian Church. We want to confess our sins, to you Columbia, on behalf of Christianity everywhere. Because that's what God would want. Come to our car and experience a type confession you perhaps never have. Inspired by the book "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller.

A+D Derby
Location: SPB Lot, Balbo Avenue and Wabash Avenue
Race Starts: 2:30pm

Originally devised as a way to improve A+D Shop Student Worker tool skills, the A+D Derby has since evolved into a 32 car, 48 foot long, demolition derby meets pine wood derby meets parade float fiasco. Join us as student workers from throughout the Art and Design Department battle A+D staff in head to head competition for bragging rights and a chance to hold the coveted Wideroe Cup.

International Student Organization
Location: Transmission lot, 9th Street and Wabash Avenue
Time: 11-9pm

An International Cafe serving treats and fare from a myriad of continents and countries to help you explore cultures from across the world. Come for a taste and learn about the international community at Columbia College Chicago.

CarCam
Location: SPB Lot, Balbo Avenue and Wabash Avenue
Time: 11-9pm

Columbia knitters will be turning a 2000 Volvo Station Wagon into a knitted, live, working video camera called the CarCam. In front of the CarCam will be 3 full-sized, knitted Columbia students complete with tattoos and hipster attire. Guests will be invited to pose with our students.

The Graduate Film Student Organization
Location: Transmission Lot, 9th Street and Wabash Avenue
Time: 11-9pm

Creating a film live with a group of fellow student filmmakers as a part of Transmission: Live Production on the day of Manifest. The Graduate Film Student Organization will be producing a film in and around a parked automobile.

Pulp Ink and Thread
Location: Transmission Lot, 9th Street and Wabash Avenue
Time: 11-9pm

The PIT will presenting The Paper Car - a station wagon made entirely out of paper. By beating worn out clothing and rags to pulp, they have created large sheets of handmade paper and used it to cast a real Subaru Station Wagon.

Postal Jeep
Location: Transmission Lot, 9th Street and Wabash Avenue
Time: 11-9pm

Local Ohio-an Aaron Rush will be hanging out in the Transmission Lot with his 1975 DJ-5 Postal Jeep. The jeep drives on the right and began as a rolling memorial to the events of 9/11. First as a red, white and blue mobile, new paint work morphed the lady jeep into what it is now today - cooler than any jeep in your Hot Wheels collection.

MANIFEST 2009: SPECTACLE FORTUNA

For Immediate Release: Media Contact: Elizabeth Burke-Dain, 312.369.8695, eburkedain@colum.edu
Digital Images are available.
April 23, 2009

Images: Spectacle Fortuna Parade Costume design of Mr. Montag from Farenheit 451
and Cap'n Ahab from Moby Dick

What: This year's Spectacle Fortuna at MANIFEST* is themed 'Human|Nature' and examines the relationship and tensions between humankind and the natural world. As part of this subject matter the works of the great American writer Ray Bradbury's famous literary characters will be brought to life in some of this year's parade characters. Artistic Director, Jennifer Friedrich; lead Costume Designer, Elsa Hiltner; lead Builder, Joy Dennis, and a team of Columbia students are in the Spectacle Fortuna Build Shop right now bringing to life Bradbury's life-long dream: to animate the characters from his books in the form of larger-than-life puppets and elaborate costumes. Expect to see the firemen and the mechanical hound from Farenheit 451, the children and Mr. Dark from Something Wicked This Way Comes, the female martian (Ylle) from The Martian Chronicles and the central characters from Wonderful Ice Cream Suit and The Illustrated Man. Also included will be costumes from Bradbury's screenplay work such as Captain Ahab from the film Moby Dick and Nemo from Little Nemo in Slumberland. While Bradbury will not be able to ride with the parade, a Ray Bradbury costume is being made for one of the lucky parade participants. Ray Bradbury is one of 2009's honorary degree recipients in Columbia College's graduation ceremony.

SPECTACLE FORTUNA BUILD SHOP BIOS
Jennifer Friedrich, creator and Artistic Director of Spectacle Fortuna, has led the designing and building for the parade for the past eight years in conjunction with Elsa Hiltner, Joy Dennis, and the students she teaches in her class 'Puppetry, Pageantry and the Art of Spectacle.' She is also the Manifest Producer and Artistic Director of the Incurable Theater.
Elsa Hiltner is the lead Costumer Designer for Spectacle Fortuna and is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee for her design work. Outside of Columbia she has worked with Collaboraction, First Folio Theater and the Eclipse Theater among others.
Joy Dennis is the lead Builder for Spectacle Fortuna. Joy is a Columbia alum and has designed and built for the parade for the past five years. In addition to her work at Columbia Joy has worked with Von Orthal Puppets, the Incurable Theater and many others.

Experience MANIFEST. Columbia College Chicago's urban arts festival celebrates the work of seniors and graduate students from every department on campus. Manifest 2009 will feature an artwalk & sale, music on four stages, screenings, readings, live radio, Web casts, the TICTOC Performance Art Festival and the Transmission art car exhibition.

When: Friday, May 15, 2009, 6:45 - 7:45pm
Where: Harrison and Michigan Avenues. The parade will make a circle around the south loop campus.
All events are open to the public.
Info: All events, maps, and schedules are listed at www.colum.edu/manifest or 312.369.6789

Press Contact: Elizabeth Burke-Dain, eburkedain@colum.edu or 312.369.8695

MANIFEST Highlights include:

Over 75 showcases in numerous creative media including screenings, lectures, gallery exhibitions, Web casts, performances, radio and television broadcasts and more.

Transmission: an "auto art" or auto-inspired art that transforms the cars of today into curiosities and art objects. Lined up along Wabash between Harrison and 11th Streets, Transmission features ART CARS from Columbia students, student organizations and the Chicago cultural community.

Industry Night: A industry networking event that puts the students in the driver's seat while letting industry professionals sit back and discover some of the best emerging creative talent in Chicago.

TICTOC: a performance art festival. From private rituals made public, to thought-provoking social commentary, to the essentially whimsical, TICTOC is committed to presenting diverse examples of performance art to thrill and challenge audiences.

Launch: Launch invites you to experience innovative work from Columbia College Chicago's fashion programs. This student-produced event showcases the talents and multiple perspectives of senior students in Fashion Design and Fashion / Retail Management.