#PIQNIQ 2018

[persistentvisionmedia]

AWOLNATION is such a fun band. Aaron Bruno’s charisma is just stunning. Having a much liking for this band before covering their show, they’ve certainly become a favorite after seeing them headline at 101WKQX PIQNIQ. Just check out the cool aesthetic of the pictures below and you’ll get a small taste of not only how awesome AWOLNATION is, but also how great their live shows are. The cherry on top is having captured some of these images while they performed “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf).” This is a band that songwriter and frontman Aaron Bruno has said, “will age as a fine wine.” We cannot wait to stay tuned in to all they have in store for the future. Here come the runts, indeed.

AWOLNATION are playing select dates this summer and into the fall at various US music festivals. Check http://www.awolnationmusic.com and their Facebook page as well for details.

AWOLNATION | 101WKQX PIQNIQ 2018 AWOLNATION is such a fun band. Aaron Bruno's charisma is just stunning. Having a much liking for this band before covering their show, they've certainly become a favorite after seeing them headline at 101WKQX PIQNIQ.

[bites-kms]

HK Bars: Re-loaded

It’s vox populi that Hong Kong nights are great. The city is alive between the tetris buildings, live music venues, the poured-to-perfection drinks and the incomparable chill and fun vibe people foster. This is a re-vamp of the previous bar-hopping post on Bars in HK. This time, I had the opportunity to explore further and different neighborhoods with friends and fun colleagues. 

Iron Fairies  LG, 1 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong.

With sister locations in Bangkok and Tokyo, this bar is undoubtedly great and one never gets tired of visiting either this or any of the other locations— and, in all cases, it’s quite unlike anywhere else in the city. Sutton’s establishments, one very well renown interior designer and bar entrepreneur, are known for mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, eclectic decor, and The Iron Fairies is no exception. Indeed, this is one bar you’ve got see in person to believe. In LifeStyle Asia Editor in Chief, Micheal Alan words’ the “metal-making tools line the walls, vials of ‘fairy dust’ hang from the ceiling in clusters and — most incredible of all — some 10,000 preserved butterflies dangle overhead, suspended on tiny metal rods (...) are incredible. Watching them sway back and forth is simply mesmerizing”. I guess I’ll have to go to the Tokyo one to make an Iron Fairies hat-trick!

Iron Fairy by LifeStyle Asia  The Woods  G, L, 17-19號 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong.

This was a great venue where I met my friend Sammie from Singapore. It’s an eclectic bar, around the main area of LKF, where a mirror door disguises it, and a museum-kind-of-display about different cocktail elements merged with design fashion runway aesthetics is part of the charm. Drinks were delicious and music was great. It’s a fantastic alternative to the mainstream happening in the neighborhood. I dared to have a different approach to an old fashion and it was delicious, with a little of spices and herbs. Great choice. Foxglove + Frank’s Library  18 Ice House St, Central, Hong Kong.

This is a great hidden speakeasy featured as a deluxe umbrella shop. Delightful venue, with even more striking and delicious drinks, with super charismatic bartenders made our stay a memorable one. There was this jazz band playing stellar music and then a Philippine guy took the mic and literally brought the house down with his songs (I mean, Frank Sinatra “Fly me to the Moon”, of coz!) and voice. It was so much fun!  There’s a little speakeasy within the speakeasy called “Frank’s Library” and it serves a smaller, more selected list of drinks, in a library setting that isolates the music from Foxglove, turning this little bar into a cozier, more familiar one.  The Old Man- Ernest Hemingway  Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Photo Credits: The Old Man - Ernest Hemingway Website Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to this one. I did have nights to spare, but some of them I just strolled around, got lost and experience some great night walks and dinners, where I ended up with food-commas and completely exhausted. But I’m gonna write it down so I don’t forget to go next time I’ll visit the hood. It was honored as one of the World’s Top 50 Bars in 2018, so it’s a set date for sure. With unique decor, on its website one can read the true inspiration and homage this place gives to the author: “He was a sophisticated drinker, a lover of fine spirits, and a true connoisseur who sought out the best bars from Paris to Pamplona. The Old Man honors Hemingway by taking inspiration from his novels, history, and folklore, and by using novel ingredients and culinary accoutrements – thereby paying tribute to the spirits and cocktails he loved.” Damn... just realized I walked by its door so many times... I guess this time wasn’t meant to be! Piqniq R/F (Rooftop) HQueens, 80 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong.

This is a nice surprise in the middle of Central HK. After a beautiful Yayoi Kusama art piece and strong pink and red decor that highlights the instagrammable worth of this rooftop, one finds a breathtaking terrace in the middle of Hong Kong skyscrapers with an unforgettable view of the bay and the mountains. A solo glass of prosecco, in between dinners and another bar date closer to the hotel, was exactly what I needed to bond with Hong Kong. 

Sevva  10 Chater Rd, Central, Hong Kong.

This was a fantastic double recommendation from my friend Mau and my friend Angelica. I remember Angelica mentioned it the first time I went to HK but, as it was expected, I was on its door and didn’t manage to find it properly. But this time, I went and enjoyed one of the few last nights with my ex-boss. We managed to find it and dare to take the elevator to the beautiful heights of its bar. It had a great drink list which I decided to pass on and go with my default and solid choice of prosecco to quench my thirst on this warm and cloudy Hong Kong night. We toasted for the good times and for the success we had over these days regarding our pitch.  It was a great experience which definitely made me grow as a professional and as a leader, where I needed to juggle, define, forecast and ask for the resources I needed to make it happen, that included a physical trip to this city to lead in-house workshops. 

Skye  Hong Kong, Causeway Bay, Gloucester Rd, 310號27樓

Skye Bar, provided by Pullman Hotel in Trip Advisor. Promise, this would be my last cheat-recco since I didn’t make it to this one either - although I managed to go to the Ozone Bar at the Ritz Carlton. This bar is similar,  it’s part of the Pullman hotel chain, and the literal cherry on top it’s its funky rooftop bar. Looks fun and with a memorable view.  Ophelia Shop F39A & F41A, 1/F, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen's Rd E, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

What a bar! Also, quite hard to find in a small pedestrian street in Wan Chai, on a third or four floor, without a sign on it’s outside facade. It’s completely hidden to the naif eye. But this bar, on top of its completely outstanding fashion, hosted by a hot, tall, blond, thick-accented and not quite friendly Russian, is something to experience at least once or twice in a life time. They allowed us to seat on a reserved table since we arrived early and then, when prime time started, the weirdness also made their appearance. This bar has actual women laid down on it’s shelves and bars, with fans, burlesque and S&M outfits, as part of the kitsch decor. I didn’t know how to feel about that but certainly caught my attention and was something I’ve never seen before (and trust me, I’ve seen some weird s*it over the years and trips!)

Ping Pong 129 Second Street L/G Nam Cheong House, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong.

What a beautiful and great recco from my friend Pink. I wish we had made it together, but I saved the best for last. Hours before leaving to the airport and after a blogging session in a beautiful cafe near to my hotel (where I almost leave my credit card!) I went for a second-to-last drink to toast for this comeback to Asia and this amazing time in Hong Kong. Below a hidden normal door with no actual sign but an bull-eyed window that, after a closer look one realized is a ping pong paddle, there’s a long stairs that leads you to the best and probably only “Gintoneria” I’ve ever been to. People get crazy with Tequila or Wine bars, but man, this one, was finding Neverland for me. What a fantastic idea. More than Gintoneria, it was paradise. This beautiful neon means “Take care of your body. Seriously, can it get any better than this?? I ended up talking to a video designers and producers from China with rusty English but with tons of willingness to talk to me and make themselves understood from Shenzhen, and actually followed my company on Weibo and managed to connect to FB to follow and add me as a friend. What a great, great finding and an even more fantastic night, today’s font and dear memory! 

[epamslifehungary-blog]

EPAM Social Hackathon: alapproblémák és ötletek NO FOOD WASTE témakörben

Első, mindenki számára nyitott hackathonunkat, az EPAM Social Hackathont  megelőzte egy „bemelegítő meetup”, pont azért, hogy a 24 órás hackathonhoz muníciót adjunk az érdeklődőknek. Rengeteg ötlet, érv és ellenérv hangzott el; a beszélgetésből pedig készítettünk egy összefoglalót:

A szeptember végi meetupra meghívtuk azokat a szakértőket, akik majd a verseny napján is segítenek a résztvevőknek; a Nébih képviseletében, Doma Eszter és Kasza Gyula voltak a beszélgetőtársak, Doró Viktória, a reCity Magazin alapítójaként és környezetvédő aktivistaként, Kiss Kata és Kabai Dávid pedig az EPAM, tech szakértőiként ült a kerekasztal mellett. Moderátorként Kárpáti Judit vitte a szót. A beszélgetést felvezető előadásban számok, statisztikai adatok demonstrálták, hogy globálisan milyen méretű a probléma és mi a gyökere. Kiderült, hogy a fejlett országokban sokkal inkább a megvásárolt élelmiszer landol a hulladék közt, míg a fejlődő térségekben már a termelés fázisában  „elvesznek”, ottmarad rengeteg élelmiszer, illetve alapanyag a földeken. Érdekes , hogy a világ országai közül Franciaország kezeli a problémát a legjobban (talán a fejlett gasztrokultúra miatt?), náluk megy veszendőbe a legkevesebb élelem, de Magyarország is jó helyen áll, világ szinten a 9. helyen.

Vajon a törvényi szabályozás vagy a kulturális, földrajzi, illetve egyéb különbségek lehetnek az okai, hogy ki, milyen helyen áll a rangsorban?  

A nagyon nagy mennyiségű élelmiszer hulladékot „termelők”, amilyen az USA vagy Szaud Arábia, vajon hol rontják el?  

Egyáltalán kik azok, akiknek segíthet egy-egy megoldás, ki a célcsoport és mi a tényleges probléma, amire válaszokat kell keresni?  

Doma Eszter, a NÉBIH blogjának, a Maradék nélkül-nek szerzője elmondta, hogy egy kutatás eredményeként kiderült, hogy a magyarok leginkább a pékárut „szeretik” a kukába dobni, de a készételek is nagyon sokszor jutnak ugyanerre a sorsra. A nagybevásárlás intézménye megkérdőjelezhető és inkább a kisebb, gyakoribb bevásárlás lehet megoldás, a lakóhelyhez közelebbi boltokból, így kivédhető, hogy túl vásároljuk magunkat és fel nem használt, de már megromlott élelmiszereket találjunk a hűtőnkben pár héttel később.  

Jellemző az is, hogy sok applikáció ami korábban az élelmiszer hulladék problémakör megoldására készült, már nem aktív. Ennek azonban nem az lehet az oka, hogy az alapötlet nem volt jó vagy a felhasználók mégsem igénylik ilyen appok létezését. Az okok inkább a megvalósítás hiányosságaiban keresendők szerintünk és érdemes lehet újragondolni ezeknek a tovább vagy újra fejlesztését.

Ezeket az appokat találtuk a témában korábban, amik már nem aktívak, de találtunk róluk infót régebbről és egy cikket a ReCity valamint egy másikat a ProgramPartner.hu oldalán.

Lefoverswap Elemorzsia Piqniq Viqli Ratatouille Bookalokal Cookisto

Az is felmerült,  hogyan lehetne folyamatosan és egszerűen figyelemmel kísérni, hogy minek jár le hamarosan a szavatossága és egyáltalán mi a különbség a szavatosság és a fogyaszthatóság között.  

A boltokban egész szekciók vannak ma már a közeli lejáratú termékekre, de ezeket sokan nem merik megvenni (így a boltok dobják ki) vagy túl nagy mennyiséget vásárolnak belőle és a háztartások szemetesében végzi egy részük.  

Terítékre került a gyerekek uzsonnájának a kérdése is; a gyerekek a legnagyobb élelmiszer hulladéktermelők, melyre az edukáció lehet megoldás. - Már létező tippeket, ötleteket pl. a Maradék nélkül oldalán találhatsz  

Ezzel kapcsolatban merült fel, hogy nem csak gyerekek számára lenne érdekes egy olyan megoldás, amely összeszedi és rendszerezi azokat a tippeket, trükköket, amiket az emberek az otthonaikban alkalmazhatnak a pazarlás ellen.

Praktikák itt

A hűtőben az átlátszó tárolók is segíthetnek, de ha erre vannak adatok, képek, konkrét beszerzési forrás, ahonnan a dobozok rendelhetők, máris könnyebb dolga van annak, aki tényleg szeretne tenni valamit a saját háza táján a probléma megoldására.

A meetupon ugyanis arra is fény derült, hogy bár sok mindenért felelőssé tehetők a nagyvállalatok, a nagyüzemi konyhák vagy éppen a termelők, akiknek a földjén marad az áru, de a legnagyobb tömegben mi, otthon, a háztartásokban „szemetelünk”, így a megoldás is az otthonokban „lakik”

Nem győzzük hangsúlyozni, hogy az élelmiszerhulladék megelőzés egy nagyon összetett probléma. Ezért megpróbáltuk összegyűjteni egy élelmiszer életciklusában előforduló lehetséges fázisokat, hogy Ti is lássátok, a megsemmisítés / újrahasznosítás minek a végeredménye. Nagyon sok kiváltó ok van az azt megelőző fázisokban, és az is látszik, hogy ezek megelőzhetőek lennének több és megfelelő tájékoztatással.  

Ötleteljetek velünk, miket láttok rizikónak és problémának, ami az élelmiszer gyártásától / előállításától, a csomagolásától, logisztikájától, kereskedelmi és magánfelhasználásától indul ki, és technológiai megoldás segíthetne rajta!

És amiket mi olvastunk a téma kapcsán:

http://recity.hu/elelmiszer-hulladek-a-menu-egyharmada/

http://recity.hu/betevo-hulladek/

http://recity.hu/elelmiszerbank-hid-a-felesleg-es-a-szukseglet-kozott/

http://recity.hu/cegek-az-elelmiszer-pazarlas-ellen/

http://recity.hu/elelmiszermento-applikacio/

http://recity.hu/technologia-biztositja-az-elelmiszer-felesleg-hasznosulasat/

http://recity.hu/technologia-biztosita-az-elelmiszer-felesleg-hasznosulasat-2-resz/

http://recity.hu/400-kamionnyi-elelmiszert-mentettek-meg/

http://recity.hu/mi-lesz-veled-biodizel/

http://recity.hu/rolad-mit-mond-a-kukad/

http://www.reducefoodwaste.eu/food-waste-hackathon-hungary.html

Példák, adatok:

https://foodtank.com/news/2017/08/food-waste-technologies/ 

https://foodwin.org/2018/04/30/5-startups-with-the-highest-impact-on-food-waste-across-europe/ 

http://www.foodcowboy.com/ 

http://ampleharvest.org/ 

http://foodsustainability.eiu.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2016/09/FoodSustainabilityIndex2017GlobalExecutiveSummary.pdf 

http://foodsustainability.eiu.com/infographics/ 

https://furtherwithfood.org/resources/ 

https://www.eu-fusions.org/phocadownload/Publications/Estimates%20of%20European%20food%20waste%20levels.pdf  

https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/BFJ-04-2017-0255 

http://portal.nebih.gov.hu/-/maradek-nelkul-program-kutatasi-eredmenyek-osszefoglalasa  

 http://maradeknelkul.hu/publikaciok/  

[rockrevoltmagazine]

ALBUM REVIEW - The Front Bottoms, Ann

Okay, so admittedly, I am a newish fan of the folk punk rockers, The Front Bottoms. I’d asked a friend to recommend some tunes for me, as he knows what I like. And, his first and most enthusiastic recommendation was for The Front Bottoms. And boy, oh boy, he hit the nail right on its little head. Their latest EP, Ann, out May 18, 2018, is an absolute masterpiece of the good truth wrapped in slyly profound lyrics. From front to back, there isn’t a song that lacks a lyric I can relate to.

The Front Bottoms, Ann 

I don’t know if this was a coincidence or kismet, but the fact that this EP came out during Mental Health Awareness Month was really the perfect gift to fans. Putting words to feelings of depression to anxiety, self doubt masked within existential dread to pure unadulterated joy, this album is self-care in six songs.

Lyrically, this album is some of the most amazingly raw and gut-punchy (not a word, but it is now, you’re welcome) art I have ever ingested. Musically, the beauty is found in the simplicity. If you’re looking for driving drums and rippin’ guitars, you’re not going to find it here. And that’s actually really great; you shouldn’t.  

The first track, “Today is Not Real,” had me hooked from the start. Honestly, vocalist Brian Sella makes these complex truths sound so raw and beautiful with his voice. With the lyric, “In a half hour, I’ll be fine. The next 29 minutes are gonna flow like concrete,” Sella brought to me to my knees. Putting feelings into words using imagery like that is powerful, and not everyone can do it well. Sella does it more than well; his delivery is flawless.

Sella’s voice puts me in the mindset of a good friend who has seen some shit. He wants to talk about the shit, but he does it better through images, one who shows and doesn’t tell. He doesn’t want you to feel bad for him, but he wants you to understand him. That is precisely what Sella does during the entire album.

I could go track by track and point out my favorite lines, but you don’t care and I prefer you to experience it yourself.  Go and do that. I am telling you, lyrically, this band is pretty much untouchable in terms of content and emotion, being simple and beautiful while also dealing with complexities. It brings to mind another punk favorite, The Menzingers, in that both bands tackle real world relatable content and do it in a way that cuts through the bone and sucks out the marrow of the issue. Personal favorite tracks are “Lonely Eyes” and “Somebody Else.” Again, just go listen. Thank me later. 

Track by track, the instrumentals provide an incredibly moving backdrop to the lyrics. While I can imagine the track “I Think Your Nose is Bleeding” being recited as slam poetry on some awesome Buzzfeed-esque video filmed in a small local coffee shop, the album could not stand as strong without the accompaniment of the music. I love a rippin’ metal track as much as the next girl, but that kind of power doesn’t belong in folk punk. And, The Front Bottoms are honestly one of the best folk punk acts on the scene. They understand their audience, they know what feels good to them as a band, and if this album doesn’t make you feel something, we probably couldn’t be friends. 

Luckily for all of us, The Front Bottoms are touring this summer supporting Ann, as well as their incredible previous releases. If they are coming to a city near you, go check them out. And if you’re heading to their Pittsburgh show in June at Mr. Smalls, I’ll see you there! In all, this EP is a powerful one, perfect for either sitting outside in the sunshine with a beverage of your choice, playing badminton on the lawn with your friends, or lounging in your room writing shitty poetry. Either way, there is something for everyone to enjoy and come away with in Ann. And, from me, it gets a coveted five-skull rating! 

Ann Tracklist 1. Today is Not Real 2. Somebody Else 3. I Think Your Nose is Bleeding 4. Pale Beneath the Tan (Squeeze) 5. Lonely Eyes 6. Tie Dye Dragon

The Front Bottoms Tour Dates MAY 22   UPSTATE CONCERT HALL   CLIFTON PARK, NY MAY 23   BALTIMORE SOUNDSTAGE BALTIMORE, MD MAY 25   THE ORANGE PEEL                ASHEVILLE, NC MAY 26   GEORGIA THEATRE               ATHENS, GA MAY 27    106.5 BBQ                                  JACKSONVILLE, FL MAY 29    HOUSE OF BLUES                 NEW ORLEANS, LA MAY 30    SATURN                                    BIRMINGHAM, AL MAY 31    CANNERY BALLROOM         NASHVILLE, TN JUN 01    BUNBURY MUSIC FEST        CINCINNATI, OH JUN 02    SPRING FLING 2018              CLEVELAND, OH JUN 04    MR. SMALLS THEATRE        MILLVALE, PA JUN 05    THE CLYDE THEATRE          FORT WAYNE, IN JUN 07    20 MONROE LIVE                   GRAND RAPIDS, MI JUN 08    THE DANFORTH                     TORONTO, CANADA JUN 09    CORONA THEATRE               MONTREAL, CANADA JUN 10    THE STRAND BALLROOM   PROVIDENCE, RI JUN 23    WESTWORD, MAIN STAGE DENVER, CO JUN 24    SUNSHINE THEATER            ALBUQUERQUE, NM JUN 26    CAIN’S BALLROOM                TULSA, OK JUN 27    SOKOL AUDITORIUM            OMAHA, NE JUN 29    FIRST AVENUE                        MINNEAPOLIS, MN JUN 30    101WKQX PIQNIQ 2018         TINLEY PARK, IL JUL 01     MAINSTAGE                              MORGANTOWN, WV JUL 12     GREAT SOUTH BAY FEST     PATCHOGUE, NY AUG 24   READING & LEEDS FEST      READING, UNITED KINGDOM AUG 25   READING & LEEDS FEST      [LEEDS FESTIVAL] LEEDS, UNITED KINGDOM SEP 29    SEA HEAR NOW FESTIVAL   ASBURY PARK, NJ OCT 02   LIVEATLAGUNITAS                 PETALUMA, CA OCT 06   CAL JAM FESTIVAL                 SAN BERNARDINO, CA

Connect with The Front Bottoms:

Review by Devon Anderson, Managing Editor

ALBUM REVIEW – The Front Bottoms, Ann was originally published on RockRevolt Mag

[persistentvisionmedia]

Dashboard Confessional is always a breath of fresh air to see. The last time we covered them, it was also an outdoor show. The lighting this time around for their set at 101WKQX PIQNIQ was a bit dark until the burst of everything at the end of the last song. The lighting was great and every band member went full out. Lead guitarist and backing vocalist Armon Jay ended up on the ground shredding his guitar, drummer Chris Kamrada went double time on bass and cymbal hits and bassist Scott Schoenbeck and lead vocalist Chris Carrabba covered the rest of the stage with hair whips, jumps, and serious energy. If only we had been able to be up close for those moments. Hopefully someone in the crowd captured something of that amazing outro. While we can’t show you any of that, here’s what did capture and can show you from their set:

Dashboard Confessional | 101WKQX PIQNIQ 2018 Dashboard Confessional is always a breath of fresh air to see. The last time we covered them, it was also an outdoor show.

[persistentvisionmedia]

Bush is a staple in rock and especially grunge. It’s as if they never left the scene. Going on hiatus in 2002, they reformed 8 years later in 2010. It is now another 8 years past and Bush is still on fire. Their performance at 101WKQX PIQNIQ was electric. Lead singer Gavin Rossdale ran through the far seats of the lawn mid-song sailing through half of the concert-goers. It was amazing to see a wave of phones and smiles hurl through the crowd as the band continued on with Machinehead as Gavin made his way around the stadium. Take a look through the photos of Bush’s set this past week.

Bush | 101WKQX PIQNIQ 2018 Bush is a staple in rock and especially grunge. It's as if they never left the scene.