Author Archives: Chuck Gregory

2020 VIRTUAL FEST (LESFF)

Thursday, June 18 to Monday, June 29

LLESFF stands with Black Lives Matter and is committed to continuing efforts that elevate and empower BIPOC voices in the independent film landscape. We acknowledge that there are many financial barriers for indie filmmakers, especially in final production and festival submission stages. LESFF will announce a new pilot program that financially supports BIPOC filmmakers through grants, submission fee waivers, and access to resources and partnerships with the existing LESFF alumni network to ensure that more of their films have the opportunity for festival circuit visibility and impact. More details on the initiative to be announced at this year’s event.

The 2020 Lower East Side Film Festival (June 18 – 29, 2020) invites you to experience innovative feature films and specialty short showcases, exclusive industry livestream Q&A’s, trivia nights, and more throughout the virtually interactive festival. The Lower East Side Film Festival (“LESFF”) has moved online and is excited to expand viewership to a broader audience demographic while continuing their mission of supporting independent filmmakers. The first five days of the online festival will roll-out premieres of feature films, short film showcases, and virtual events. The entirety of the program will remain live for the following week to allow festival goers 11 full days to soak up everything LESFF 2020 has to offer.

This year, LESFF is thrilled to announce they are spotlighting immigrant and 1st/2nd generation filmmakers with their 2020 film line-up echoing the ethos of The Lower East Side itself, a neighborhood that has been home to many of the country’s immigrants. LESFF understands the value a diverse culture brings to the unique storytelling that the cinematic language has offered for the past 100 years, and has championed that ideal in their programming in the past decade.

Notable presentations will include a conversation with Ramy Youssef that will offer audiences free access to a talk with the Golden Globe winner and the writers behind the highly lauded second season of Hulu’s Ramy, hosted in partnership with The Writers Guild of America East discussing the process behind writing about comedy, relationships and religion, moderated by Huffington Post’s Rowaida Abdelaziz. As well as the premiere of Joshua Edelman’s Mentally AI, which features Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and Sarah Silverman (Bob’s Burgers,The Simpsons), and is an exploration of how artistic success is defined. Judges will include Indya Moore (Pose, Queen & Slim), Samantha Bee (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), and more.

ABOUT LOWER EAST SIDE FILM FESTIVAL

2020 will mark the 10th Anniversary of the Lower East Side Film Festival. Since its inaugural year, the festival has premiered hundreds of short and feature films, hosted thousands of audience members, and has been deemed “one of the most exciting under the radar film events in all of New York City” by Film.com and was featured in New York Magazine’s ‘Approval Matrix’ under “Highbrow/ Brilliant”. Past judges and alumni have included Ethan Hawke, Rami Malek, Rosario Dawson, Susan Sarandon, Willem Dafoe, Denis O’Hare, Laverne Cox, Parker Posey, Ilana Glazer, Dolly Parton, Natasha Lyonne, Marky Ramone, Rebecca Miller, Judah Friedlander, Lizzy Caplan, Amy Arbus, Justin Bond, Nick Kroll and many more. LESFF believes great films are made with creativity, innovation, and heart and always seeks undiscovered and underdog filmmakers who understand that a huge budget does not always equal a great film.

LESFF 2020 Schedule

Thursday, June 18th – 6PM
Opening Night -All Films Go Live!
The Complete 2020 Film Line-Up is available online. Viewers can purchase individual tickets for features and short showcases ($10 each) or an All-Access Festival Pass ($30).
All films will be available online through June 29th.

Friday, June 19th – 6PM
Inside The Writers’ Room of Hulu’s Ramy with Ramy Youssef
Ramy Youssef (Golden Globe winner for Best Actor Musical or Comedy) and the writer behind the highly anticipated 2nd season of Hulu’s Ramy, in conversation with The Writers Guild of America East discussing the process of writing about comedy, relationships and religion.
Moderated by Huffington Post’s Rowaida Abdelaziz.

Saturday, June 20th – 6PM
I LOVE NY Trivia Night
Festival Director, Shannon Walker hosts a night of trivia celebrating all the reasons we love New York – pandemic or otherwise.

Sunday, June 21st – 6PM
Rebecca Miller In Conversation with Shaina Feinberg
Rebecca Miller (Maggie’s Plan, Personal Velocity: Three Portraits, HBO’s Arthur Miller: Writer) talks with LESFF Alumni filmmaker Shania Feinberg (The Babymooners, Senior Escort Service) about their approaches to storytelling through indie film.

Monday, June 22nd – 6PM
Festival Awards
Festival Director, Shannon Walker and Roxy Hunt announce the festival winners.

Judges

LESFF Judges include Indya Moore (Pose, Queen & Slim, Saturday Church), Samantha Bee (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), Matt FX (MusicSupervisor — Broad City, Difficult People, In The Mix with Matt FX), Laura Brownson (The Rachel Divide, Lemon), Julie Cohen (Oscar-nominated RBG), Sam Levy (Ladybird, Jerry Before Seinfeld, Frances Ha) Heather Burns (Manchester by the Sea, Miss Congeniality), and Shannon Gibson (Executive Producer, Refinery29).

LESFF 2020 Films

FEATURE FILMS:

Blunderpuss. Written & Directed by Shaina Feinberg (The Babymooners, Shiva, Dinette, Senior Escort Service).Blunderpuss stars Chris Manley (The Babymooners, Shiva, Dinette), Jeff Seal (Shiva, Dinette) and Drae Campbell (Shiva, Dinette) that follows a clown who goes on an apology tour after rehab.

Mentally AI. Directed by Joshua Edelman. Mentally AI, featuring Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and Sarah Silverman (Bob’s Burgers,The Simpsons) is a character study of, “the funniest comedian you’ve never heard of,” and an exploration of how we define artistic success, MENTALLY AL follows Al Lubel, a former Star Search grand champion as he struggles to get by, perpetually broke and sleeping on friends couches, as he continues to pursue his artistic dreams into his sixties.

Unschooled. Directed by Rachel Beth Anderson & Timothy Grucza (First to Fall).Unschooled is beset by drugs, violence and apathy the Philadelphia public school system is failing. Desperate for a solution, some inner-city parents turn their hopes to an unlikely place; a newly opened educational resource center in the north Philadelphia neighborhood of Germantown called the Natural Creativity Center (NCC). Founded by veteran educator Peter Bergson, NCC (as it is known) is built on the belief that formalized education is just part of a larger systemic problem-the dehumanization of our children’s education. Bergson has set out to prove once and for all that the power and efficacy of self-motivation isn’t limited by race or economic background and that there is a more humane way to educate our children-one that taps into every child’s innate desire to learn. Undeterred in his belief, Bergson practices “unschooling” – a program developed over several decades at a center he and his wife Susan started 30 years ago in the suburbs – called Open Connections – empowering students to direct their own education, favoring dialogue, discovery and self-discipline over tests, teachers and timelines. When three young Philadelphia teens; Amani, Miles and Jaya enroll at NCC, all of Peter’s radical ideas are put to the test.

SHORT SHOWCASES:

‘I LOVE NY’ SHORTS
Missing your city a little bit right now? Let these short films remind you of the magic, the music, the mystery, and the magnetism of the greatest city in the world – NYC.
Films include: Yves & Variation, Sundays at The Triple Nickel, Corner Man, Cinema Rules Everything Around Me, The Cantor’s Last Cantata

‘THIS IS AMERICA’ SHORTS
This series of short films each capture a snapshot of today’s America – the search for acceptance, the fight for justice, and of course the emergency response to an accidental missile warning aimed at Hawaii.
Films include: Black Ghost Son, Coffee Shop Names, Do We Belong?, 808: How We Respond

‘ME, MYSELF, AND I’ SHORTS
Coming of Age; Mid-life Crisis; Self-exploration – we’re no stranger to seeing these themes on the big screen and these shorts tackle all the ups and downs of discovering, questioning, and owning your own identity.
Films include: Practice, A Mother, Eagle, Blocks, Mom and Me and My Little Rooster

‘OUT OF THIS WORLD’ SHORTS
Monsters, super-powers, aliens, and space travel – these shorts take you beyond the realm of reality and into a world of the extraordinary.
Films include: Below, Cosmic Fling, Balloon, Your Monster, Visitors

‘MIND F*CK’ SHORTS
If you’ve been to LESFF before – then you know. BUT if you’re new to us – strap in! These films will be tough to get out of your mind long after they’re over, for a variety of reasons. You’ll see.
Films include: Horse, Others, Gholü, Eat The Rainbow, Nailbiter

‘NSFW FROM HOME’ SHORTS
Description TBD
Films include: Symbiosis, The D, Boys & Toys, Marcy Learns Something New, Unfinished Business

‘IN THE BIZ’ SHORTS
Movies about movies! From a struggling writer, to a struggling actor, to a struggling voice over artist – we all know this business can be tough. But these shorts remind us that in the end – it’s all worth it! Right?
Films include: Avalanche, Dame, Marsha!, Ghostal Galaxies

SHORT HIGHLIGHTS:

Coffee Shop Names. Written by Deepak Sethi (Writer — Family Guy, Brickleberry, and TBS’ Close Enough.) Three Indian people starring Danny Pudi (Community, Star Trek Beyond), Karan Soni (Deadpool, Deadpool 2, Always Be My Maybe, Ghostbusters) & Kausar Mohammed (Silicon Valley, What Men Want) imagine their personas as their “coffee shop names,” the names they give baristas because their real names are hard to pronounce.

Marcy Learns Something New. Written & Directed by Julia Kennelly (Chandler). Marcy Learns Something New stars Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live, Broad City, Wine Country) as a widow who goes to a dominatrix class, “Marcy Learns Something New” explores themes of loneliness, connection and finding confidence in unexpected ways. Rather than portray BDSM as either a dismissable joke or a dark secret, as it’s often seen, the film seeks to show Marcy’s agency in finding joy during a difficult period of her life.

Eagle. Written & Directed by Jose Acevedo (Alternatino with Arturo Castro). Eagle stars Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah) and Antonio Ortiz Jr. (High Fidelity, Orange is the New Black) about a Brooklyn High School senior who receives some good news.

Balloon. Written by Dave Testa & Jeremy Merrifield and directed by Jeremy Merrifield, Balloon stars Paul Scheer (The League, The Disaster Artist) and Jonah Beres (Stranger Things, Splitting Up Together) that explores gender through a superhero myth.

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Have Better Sex… Naturally!

Get ready for an all-natural coconut oil-based and water-based boost in the bedroom! Coconu has USDA Certified organic personal lubrication products for stimulating, deeply satisfying sexual experiences for couples. Designed to stimulate the senses, the ingredients provide real, natural health benefits, too!

Options include the Coconut Water-Based Formula ($24.99) and the Coconut Oil-Based Formula ($24.99). Or get the combo pack that includes both ($44.99)!

Coconut Oil-Based Formula highlights include:

Long lasting formula designed to protect and moisturize dry or sensitive tissues
Works to automatically stimulate your body’s natural lubrication
Coconut oil-based formula is USDA-certified organic.
Hypoallergenic, 100% cruelty free, 100% edible and non genetically modified organisms
No alcohol, petroleum, parabens, gluten, phylates, fra- grances and dyes
Also perfect as massage oil
Coconut Water-Based Formula highlights include:

100% natural ingredients and 100% cruelty free
100% edible
Hypoallergenic
No genetically modified organisms
No alcohol, petroleum, parabens, gluten, phylates, fra- grances and dyes
Doubles as a lubricant and vaginal moisturizer
Rehydrates sensitive tissues
pH balanced to preserve vaginal environment and pro- tect against irritation
An extremely lifelike lubrication

Multiple media outlets have reported the spike in sales for products related to sex during “stay at home” orders. Coconu is the healthy, certified organic, safe and cost effective way to bring more joy to the bedroom!

For more information click here

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Wine On Earth Taste-A-Thon

Wednesday, June 17

A series of virtual tastings all on a single day. Join one (or many) at any time, from any time zone, and from the comfort of your home.

Wine Regions Featured:

Barossa/Eden Valley • Bordeaux • Bourgogne/Chablis • Champagne •
Chianti Classico • Jerez-Xérès-Sherry • Long Island • Napa Valley •
Paso Robles • Porto/Douro Valley • Rioja • South Africa •
Willamette Valley • Washington • Yamanashi

For more information click here

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Give Dad the Gift of Recovery with DEFY’s CBD Muscle Balm

DEFY’s CBD Muscle Balm was designed with a powerhouse combination of 800mg CBD, 10 percent menthol and five percent camphor to soothe stressed and tired muscles. Its no-mess, roll-on design makes it the perfect gym bag accessory post-workout, post-game and beyond.

DEFY’s recovery enhancing CBD products are exclusively sourced from hemp crops grown using organic practices on licensed U.S. farms. Products are made traceable back to the batch, and are third-party tested for potency and purity.

For more information click here

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Beowulf: A Translation into English Verse, by Matthew Hutchinson

“Beowulf: A Translation into English Verse” by Matthew Hutchinson is a well-researched translation of the Old English, epic poem: “Beowulf.” Hutchinson starts the book with a detailed background on his approach to translating the poem. Then, he presents his translated version of the poem, which is easy for readers to follow. In the appendices of the book, he provides additional information about the poem including the names that are mentioned, genealogical charts and suggested readings that are about the poem.

For more information click here

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Catch some zzzz’s this summer

Wake up ready to take on the day with vitafusion™ Max Strength Melatonin Sleep Support Gummy Supplement.* It’s a yummy gummy made with a natural strawberry flavor that helps you get your beauty sleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Each two-gummy serving supports sleep and helps with jet lag recovery.* It’s specially formulated to provide 10 mg of melatonin per serving. What you won’t get: no gluten, no dairy, no synthetic (FD&C) dyes, no artificial flavors and no high fructose corn syrup.

Helps Regulate Sleep Cycle*
Helps with jet lag*
Natural Strawberry flavor
Maximum Strength Melatonin 10 mg per serving
Contains NO Artificial Flavors, NO high-fructose corn syrup, NO gluten, NO dairy and NO synthetic (FD&C) dyes

For more information click here

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Son of a Barista

I am delighted to introduce you to SON OF A BARISTA, an artisan espresso based coffee maker and pod system, that combines high-quality barista level coffee at an accessible price point. Due to the current landscape, the brand is transitioning from a hotel based in-room coffee sales model, to a direct-to-consumer approach. With a fun, catchy (and tongue-and-cheek) name, Son of a Barista intends to disrupt the coffee industry and shake up the convention. SON OF A BARISTA has cut out the retailers, storefronts, and costly ads, to bring customers the highest quality coffee at wholesale prices.

Due to our current reality – with our customers now at home more than ever – we are offering the machine complimentary with the purchase of the Starter Kit, as we want to offer everyone the gift of artisan coffee during quarantine. The Starter Kit is $78 and includes a COMPLIMENTARY ESPRESSO MAKER + 2 month’s worth of coffee.

For more information click here

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Briefcase Wisdom for a Backpack Culture, by Jerry Gano

Briefcase Wisdom for a Backpack Culture” by Jerry Gano is a daily devotional that is a collection of Facebook posts that the author has written. The title of the book refers to the generational differences between readers. Gano explains that although there are generational differences, the Word of the Lord transcends these differences and can help guide all humans. There is an entry for each day of the year, so readers can follow along with the posts. Each post has “a Bible verse suggestion, so they can use the posts to help walk them through passages in the Bible. By presenting these posts, Gano encourages readers to connect with a lesson from God every day and reflect on how it can be applied to their lives.

For more information click here

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The 2020 Virtual BTN Big 10K

Sunday, July 26 to Saturday, August 1

This year, the BTN Big 10K is going VIRTUAL! Come join fellow Big 10 alum (from the safety of your home) in this special event.

Participants can walk or run a 5K or 10K on their own July 26 through Aug. 1 and log activities afterward. Participants will receive a 2020 Big Ten school-specific shirt and rave bib as well as a Big Ten-themed running buff/headband. There will also be a BTN Big 10K Spotify playlist and finishers certificates. The cost of registration in $20.

The BTN Big 10K is working with three amazing charities this year – Feeding America, Special Olympics Chicago and Alive Rescue.

For more information click here

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Good Dee’s “Just Add Water” Frosting Mixes

Good Dee’s whips up the perfect treat for health-conscious frosting lovers with an all-new, patent-pending Just Add Water collection of low-carb, deliciously simple mixes sweetened with low-calorie allulose and erythritol. Founded and led by native Texan-turned-New Yorker Deana Karim, Good Dee’s delivers a wide selection of full-flavored, low-carb baking mixes and pantry essentials. Using only the highest-quality, innovative ingredients and no added sugar, the clean-eating company proudly offers options compatible with most diets, including gluten, soy, wheat and nut. Now, enjoy the endless possibilities of all-new Just Add Water frosting mixes – including Cream Cheese Frosting, White Chocolate Frosting, and Dark Chocolate Frosting – ideal for cakes, dips, ganaches, hot chocolate, and more.

Free of gluten and maltitol, Good Dee’s Just Add Water frosting mixes are a delight for the tastebuds and a cleaner approach to baking. The Cream Cheese variety is sugar alcohol-free and sweetened with allulose, a low-glycemic alternative found naturally in dried fruit that offers a similar taste and texture to sugar. The White Chocolate and Dark Chocolate varieties are sweetened with erythritol, a naturally occurring, low-calorie sugar substitute. Simply combine Just Add Water frosting mix with 3 tablespoons of water to enjoy a creamy treat that pairs perfectly with desserts, dips, beverages, or picnic spreads, and stays just-whipped fresh for up to one week in the fridge.

Cream Cheese Frosting features just 60 calories (455 calories for the total batch) and 1g net carbs per serving, delivering a rich, unmistakable cream cheese flavor that pairs perfectly with carrot cake, sweet apples, or salty pretzels. White Chocolate Frosting features just 35 calories (420 for the total batch) and 1g net carbs, working well as a delectable whipped cream replacement alongside key lime, green apples, or sea salt caramel. Dark Chocolate Frosting features just 25 calories and 2g net carbs per serving (300 for the total batch), offering up an ideal complement to mint, fresh banana, or tart berries. Each mix offers 13 delectable servings and around 35 calories per 2 tablespoons.

Featuring nothing but real, honest ingredients, discover the full collection of delectable Good Dee’s all-in-one baking mixes (just $11.99 each) and health-conscious pantry staples at select natural food stores, supermarket chains, and independent grocery stores nationwide. Explore new Cream Cheese Frosting, White Chocolate Frosting, and Dark Chocolate Frosting Just Add Water mixes, along with tantalizing baking mixes like Blueberry Pancake and Low-Carb Chocolate Brownie, at GoodDees.com. Get inspired by innovative clean eating recipes and baking ideas to satisfy every craving on Instagram @GoodDeesMix.

About Good Dee’s:

Created and founded by native Texan-turned-New Yorker Deana Karim, Good Dee’s proves that health-conscious living and decadent indulgence really do mix. Give in to cravings guilt-free with Good Dee’s complete collection of baking mixes designed for low-carb, restricted, and special diets. The tasty solution to a lifetime of deprivation and struggle with weight gain, Good Dee’s offers innovative, full-flavor mixes free of gluten, soy, wheat, and added sugar. Also available in nut-free brownie, blondies, chocolate snack cake, and muffin mix. Learn more and shop all flavors and varieties – priced at just $11.99 each – online at GoodDees.com. Find inspirational recipes and baking ideas on Instagram @GoodDeesMix.

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Izo Sotol – a Step Between Tequila and Mezcal

A Step Between Tequila and Mezcal, Award-Winning IZO Spirits Introduces a Pure-Distilled Sotol 15 Years in the Making

Part of a sustainably-crafted collection, the earthy flavor of IZO Sotol adds a rich depth to fan-favorite cocktails and a subtle smokiness perfect for sipping

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (June 3rd, 2020): A step between Tequila and Mezcal, experience the rich, earthy notes of Sotol – a pure-distilled spirit 15 years in the making – from award-winning IZO Spirits. Founded by Mexico native Gaston Martinez, IZO offers premium, flavorful spirits produced sustainably right in the heart of rural Durango, according to centuries of tradition. Now, released as part of the complete IZO collection, Sotol adds a rich depth to fan-favorite cocktails and offers a subtle smokiness perfect for sipping.

“This is the only IZO spirit not made from agave,” explains Martinez. “But you simply can’t have a true Mexican-inspired collection without the depth and light sweetness of traditional Sotol.”

Named for the round-shaped root of the silver-blue plant from which it is made, IZO Sotol comes from the Desert Spoon found among the high desert landscape of Northern Mexico. While agave matures at roughly eight years, flowering only once and producing around five bottles of Tequila per plant, the Desert Spoon blooms every few years of its 15-year lifespan and produces just one precious bottle of Sotol. At maturity, relying on a similar process to Mezcal, the IZO Jimadores remove the outer leaves, and extract the piña (or “heart”), which is then slow cooked in a lava lined pit, fired by hand selected local Oak. The juice is then fermented and distilled twice to produce a clean, smooth Sotol from start to finish.

Considered the official drink of Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Martinez’s own home town of Durango, Sotol is best enjoyed by the sip to experience its full flavor. It can also be used in place of Tequila for a sophisticated twist on a variety of cocktails. Try it in a refreshingly simple Sotol and Sage – an upgrade on the classic summer Mojito:

● 1 oz lime juice

● ½ oz agave nectar

● 2 oz IZO Sotol

● 2-4 oz soda water

● 5-10 fresh Sage leaves

Muddle lime juice and Sage leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, the agave nectar, IZO Sotol, and soda water. Shake gently to combine, then strain over a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with a spritz of soda water, garnish with a Sage leaf and enjoy.

Explore the clean taste of traditional IZO Sotol, along with a full collection of IZO agave spirits – including Mezcal Joven, Mezcal Ensamble, Mezcal Reposado, Mezcal Añejo, and Tequila Extra Añejo Cristalino – at IZOMezcal.com. Taste the proud tradition of agave spirits sustainably distilled “from ground to glass,” ensuring consistent, perfectly-balanced flavor. Discover the rich history behind the full-bodied IZO Agave Spirits collection, along with refreshing cocktail recipes, at www.IZOMezcal.com.

About IZO Agave Spirits:

Founded by Gaston Martinez – a native of Durango, Mexico – IZO is a collection of premium, handcrafted agave spirits produced sustainably right in the heart of his rural hometown according to centuries of tradition. Made sustainably from slow-roasted, wild agave hearts harvested on local ranches, every sip of award-winning IZO Mezcal speaks to generations of Mezcaleros bringing people together around shared values of community, celebration, and savoring the reward of a job well done. Every aspect of IZO pays respect to its point of origin, from the locally-sourced Onyx featured atop the bottle to the elegant, minimalist label and bottle design that allows the flavorful spirit within to shine. The pure, sophisticated taste of IZO Mezcal tells the story of centuries’ old Mexican tradition and of one man’s vision to share it with the world.

For more information click here

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