Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka will perform at DreamHack Atlanta

Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka will perform at DreamHack Atlanta

ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE — Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka (born Juaquin James Malphurs) will perform on the main stage at DreamHack Atlanta July 21 at 10:30 p.m.  DreamHack, the world’s largest digital festival, is scheduled to run July 21-23 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center.

Musical Matchmaking at Piano Sonoma

Musical Matchmaking at Piano Sonoma

SAN FRANCISCO, KDFC, "STATE OF THE ARTS" — Michael and Jessica Shinn have returned to the Green Music Center’s Schroeder Hall with their festival, pianoSonoma, bringing together artists-in-residence and adult musicians who want solo and chamber music performance experience. There are two back-to-back weeklong sessions, with Tuesday and Thursday early evening concerts, and Wednesday afternoon masterclasses that the public can attend.

#DreamHackATL: World's largest video game festival comes to Atlanta

#DreamHackATL: World's largest video game festival comes to Atlanta

WXIA 11 ALIVE — Gamers from all over the world will convene at the Georgia World Congress Center this weekend for the world's largest gaming festival. From July 21 to 23, DreamHack will host a three-day event featuring eSports tournaments, gaming exhibitions, and a cosplay competition. Gamers can participate or watch professionals compete in tournaments offering a prize pool of more than $800,000.

Marriott’s new Stay Well concept should be the industry standard, not an upgrade

Marriott’s new Stay Well concept should be the industry standard, not an upgrade

CHARLOTTE AGENDA — Last month Marriott was up to the challenge of forcing a night of zen into a pretty hectic week in my life.They’d recently rolled out their new Stay Well room concept, a Deepak Chopra-endorsed upgrade that promises to nurture your emotional and physical needs with aromatherapy, circadian lighting, air purification and more. Fancy. We at the Agenda had just decided to pull the trigger on our Raleigh expansion which would include heavy hotel travel for me for the foreseeable future. Intense.

Georgia Music Investment Act Becomes Law

Georgia Music Investment Act Becomes Law

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION — Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law Monday a measure that deepens the state’s vested interest in supporting and benefiting Georgia’s entertainment industry. House Bill 155, dubbed the the Georgia Music Investment Act, is the the third leg of the state’s efforts to retain and grow creative talent and the first tax incentive targeted for musicians and music production. It offers a 15 percent refundable tax incentive to music projects or tours in Georgia. 

Georgia Music Investment Act Passes State Legislature, Aims to Create 10,000 New Jobs and Boost Economy

Georgia Music Investment Act Passes State Legislature, Aims to Create 10,000 New Jobs and Boost Economy

BILLBOARD — A seven-year campaign to establish a tax incentive for Georgia's music industry is coming closer to reality. The House of Representatives (157-11) and state Senate (46-7) voted last night (March 30) in favor of the Georgia Music Investment Act (House Bill 155), which is aimed at creating more than 10,000 new job opportunities and boosting the state’s overall economy. The pending legislation -- the first targeted tax incentive for music in Georgia -- now awaits Gov. Nathan Deal's review and signature.

"Simply put, it's a job creator," says Phil Tan. The Atlanta-based, Grammy Award-winning music/audio engineer’s credits includes projects by Mariah CareyRihannaColdplay and Ludacris. "Local industry folks have worked very hard for this," he continues, "knowing how important it was to get this done. This is a very important step."

Here's the one place where Google Glass is actually thriving

Here's the one place where Google Glass is actually thriving

MASHABLE — Google Glass died in 2015. And while there have been numerous rumblings about a second-generation version, it has yet to materialize in any official capacity. But, as it turns out, Glass isn't completely dead. Sure, for you, me, and all the cool Spectacles-wearing teens, Glass will never be cool (it still looks as dorky today as at did in 2013). But for factory workers, the smart glasses are more practical than tablets. Heather Erickson, a tractor engine assembler at the farm equipment manufacturer AGCO, is one such factory worker who has found Glass to be quite useful for her job ...

Google Glass Didn't Disappear. You Can Find It On The Factory Floor.

Google Glass Didn't Disappear. You Can Find It On The Factory Floor.

NPR "WEEKEND EDITION" — Remember Google Glass? They're the headsets that look like regular glasses but have a small computer on the side to speak to and access the Internet. If that's not ringing a bell, it could be because Google Glass fizzled out and was discontinued in the consumer market. But now, it's getting a second life in the manufacturing industry.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, Speaker David Ralston: film tax credit here to stay

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, Speaker David Ralston: film tax credit here to stay

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION — The tax incentives that have lured a steady and growing stream of movie and television projects to Georgia are here to stay as long as Gov. Nathan Deal and Speaker David Ralston have anything to say about it. They and Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson were joined by actors dressed as Captain America, Thor and Katniss Everdeen (whose other doppelgangers, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth andJennifer Lawrence must have been busy) for Georgia Film Day.