Stephen Marley

Stephen Marley played at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA last weekend. He performed with his band of percussionists, guitarists, back up vocals and a bassist. His son also joined him on stage dancing around and waving the jamaican flag. Stephen played earlier in the day and opened up for Snoop Dogg. He covered many of Bob Marley’s song as well as originals. He’s different than Damian Marley in the way that he is more a traditional classic reggae artist, versus Damian which is more focused on playing his music around the central theme of love. Stephen also had some interesting art in the background of his set. You can notice a couple painted on surfboards behind the set.

What’s going on the the Orange County contests this summer? What ever it is, i like it.  There has never been this much money given away for first place prizes in a matter of a few weeks for skate or surf.

Last weekend was the Maloof Money skateboarding championship where Chirs Cole won the $100,000 first place prize and this weekend Hurley will sponsor the US Open of Surfing and give away a $100,000 first place prize during the 9 day event. According to surfline.com, “The unprecedented infusion of prize money is certain to boost the intensity level across the entire world-class field and make the competition more difficult for America ‘s top-rated WQS campaigners Tanner Gudasukas (#6), Brett Simpson (#7), Patrick Gudauskas (#10), Austin Ware (#11) and Nathan Yeomans (#23). In addition to the former World and U.S. Open champions, also standing in their way are prominent surfers Chris Ward, Taylor Knox, Fred Pattacchia, Damien Hobgood and Adriano de Souza among others.” There is also a building swell that is rumored to arrive this weekend. With the swell, surfers and grand prize, this year should be the most competive year to date for the U.S. Open’s history.

Source:

Press Release. Hurley US Open of Surfing to Offer Largest-Ever first place price. Surfline.com. July 11. http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/contest-news/hurley-us-open-of-surfing-to-offer-largest-ever-first-place-prize_28482/

Maloof Money Cup Skaters

Chris Cole

Ryan Sheckler

P Rod

With $100,000 for the taking, Pro skaters such as Chris Cole, Ryan Sheckler, P Rod, and Vijah, were  giving it all they had to go for the gold. This was the second annual Maloof Money cup skateboard championship, that has been taking place at the Orange County Fair. Chris Cole was the winner of this years championship.

*all photos taken by Chris Wade

Captain and Casey were there too

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine CA. He played after Stephen Marley’s set and opened for Slightly Stoopid. His performance was timed accordingly with the crowd’s energy level. The audience started to trickle away after he played. He sung originals off older albums and new popular songs such as sensual seduction through out the show.  It was an overall entertaining performance, and interesting because i have never seen so much security for a single performer. He placed security guards in suits on each corner of the stage.

Snoop Dogg

Make Moon

Make Moon: EP

A Promotional Review by Chris Wade

ActionWade.com

July 12, 2009

Growing up going to a variety of concerts, I have always appreciated a band that brings more to the stage than their instruments. Not every band can get the crowd involved with their music. Only a few bands can bring the crowd together in a way that they are all on the same level with each other and have a single shared thought of what is on stage. I remember first seeing MAKE MOON play at Evocal in Costa Mesa, California. They had a black and white film of a blindfolded girl eating a paper shaped dolphin, projected over their entire set. At that moment, I knew I was in for a unique experience.

MAKE MOON is the upgraded, new and improved version, of once known band called Dolphin City. I actually had the privilege of having the band play their last show at one of my events and was sad to see them leave, but now I am excited to see them perform as MAKE MOON.  I think of this band in terms that they were once a caterpillar, now in a cocoon, and about to be transformed into a wild psychedelic butterfly of music when they return from London. They have been touring London for the past month with a new name and a new musician Ryan Sorensen, along with the original band Drew Morgan, Kevin Bleitz, Tyler Ellis, and Eric Scullin, they are ready for a new beginning of musical experimentation.

Make Moon’s music can be explained as a combination of rock, jazz, new wave and some experimentation, with influences such as the Talking Heads, Jeff Beck and the movie The Holy Mountain. MAKE MOON gives their fans a sample of what to come with their new EP available on iTunes. Based out of Southern California, this band knows what it takes to make listeners stand up and participate in the making the show more than just an ordinary rock concert. MAKE MOON is music that all ages can enjoy. You can either listen to the music in your bed or listen to it in your car in order to get pumped up for the night to come. It’s an effective balance of harmony and heaviness, unique to the industry that musicians alike can appreciate.

All together, Make Moon has the talent, know-how and ability to make it big. They were recently nominated in the Orange County music awards as Dolphin City and are now even more musically driven with the new band member and experience of going abroad. MAKE MOON is more than a musically talented collection of artists that can draw the crowd into their audio journey while performing live, they can also make their crowd go on a wild roller coaster of rhythm and soul. Make Moon has a well thought out EP with a respectable sound quality that can be simulated on stage.  I am excited to see them play after touring London, and listen to their music on this new EP.

With love and happiness,

Chris Wade

CEO

ActionWade.com

The Blue Beet: Newport

DJ Bob D

Established in 1912, The Blue Beet in Newport Beach, still rages it after a century of  providing seafood, steaks and entertainment.  DJ Bob D, a well know local DJ, provided the crowd with rhythm and style to make them feel like they could win anyone over on the dance floor.

Sutra Lounge

It seems like there’s been something happening every Thursday night at Sutra Lounge in Newport / Costa Mesa. Check it out and get some fancy footwork.  Live DJ’s on Thursday July 9th:Kedd Cook and DJ DiscoTech

one of the "beer cans"

another "beer can" in the dusk

The Balboa Yacht Club Regatta

Check out the BYC’s Regattas aka The Beer Can Races, every Thursday around 6:00 in the Newport Harbor Bay. Cruise the harbor or just watch it from side of Balboa Island, the Fun Zone, or where ever. Perfect opportunity to make moves happen.

sea lions

I went out to sea today…. to find some peace of mind and appreciate the calm winds. Once i exited the harbor, I charged out to sea with the Boston Whaler and headed north towards 56th street. It looks like the waves are back! 3-4 foot south swell. On my way back to the harbor entrance, i went to check out the sea lions on the buoy outside of the harbor.  About to finally go into the harbor, i felt like pinning the throttle for one last time and head south towards Crystal Cove.  I noticed these yellow flowers floating at sea. I thought to myself that someone might have passed away on this day, sometime ago and someone went out to drop off these flowers to visit their loved one and also find some peace of mind.

The ocean is a beautiful place that can take life away at an instant as well as provide life for all, including people and the sea lions alike. As i drove off, away from the flowers, i noticed the ocean surrounding the boat, suddenly start to become uneven and disturbed, as if i was invading it’s the space of the person who passed away, resulting in white caps forming as if there was a shallow reef. It was too far out to be a reef and the wind was calm. Maybe i was disturbing some type of force or maybe it was just a natural occurrence of events, either way, I found my peace of mind today.

el moro

I cant wait till the winds mellows out, a low tide, south swell. I actually enjoy the walk down  : )

Whose coming with me!?