chilltown, nj 07302 
-------------MUSIC AND FRIENDS-------------
RONEN KAUFFMAN
Ronen Kauffman lives in Jersey City, NJ. As far back he can recall he's been working with media. Over the years he's worked as a writer, editor, publisher and independent consultant for various publications, including his own. Today he teaches, writes, and sometimes plays in a band called Zombie Apocalypse . He likes to stay busy.
Ronen produces and hosts a podcast called Issue Oriented. The show exists in a space between music and ideas, and is never boring or pointless. Thousands of people currently tune in to each episode. Check out the website and myspace .
Recently Ronen's freelance work has appeared in magazines like Alternative Press, Outburn and AMP, and on websites like Pastepunk.com and Punknews.org.
He holds a double BA in Political Science and Journalism & Mass Media from
Rutgers College, and a MS in Teaching from The New School, NYC.
~~the bOOk~~
NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, GOODBYE - BANDS, DIRTY BASEMENTS, AND THE SEARCH FOR SELF
by Ronen Kauffman
New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye is a memoir set against the New Brunswick, NJ punk and hardcore scene of the mid/late 90's. More than just an engaging personal account, it’s a story about personal growth, coming of age, and the real power of punk and hardcore. Gain an insider's look at a truly influential underground movement.
Ronen will donate 5% of the proceeds of this release to the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.
--------THE ART OF THE JOURNEY--------
BEN JONES
~~the bOOk~~
The Imagine Atrium is lucky enough to be the first store to offer internationally known artist Ben Jones' incredible 30 year retrospective album, The Art of the Journey, available for sale. Ben will soon be hosting an exposition at the Jersey City Museum. Stay tuned for details.
For a sneak peek at some of Ben's oustanding artwork, visit his Web site.
-------THE CURE FOR LONELINESS-------
ANDI GREEN
Ever been lonely; ever been sad? Ever been happy; ever been mad? Of course you have, and the WorryWoos are here to help! In this first of a kind series, written and illustrated by Jersey City artist and writer Andi Green, emotions themselves are turned into lovable creatures that embark on delightful journeys of self awareness. These whimsical stories transform feelings into a non-threatening occurrence.
The Lonely Little Monster is the premier book of the WorryWoos series and introduces us to Nola, the lovable wide-eyed main character. She is searching for friends and in the process discovers a new way to look at the world. The positive conclusion provides the reader with a can-do attitude and presents an encouraging spin on dealing with everyday issues.
~~the bOOk~~
THE LONELY LITTLE MONSTER
by Andi Green
Nola has a problem...she doesn't have any friends. The Lonely Little Monster is an imaginative tale that deals with the importance of seeing the world in a different way. Through the use of whimsical illustrations, we follow the main character as she ponders her plight. The heartwarming ending puts a positive spin on a common situation and proves that things can change, especially if you open your eyes!
Nola, The Monster of Loneliness is the first character of the WorryWoo series. The huggable monster with the adorable belly button is here to show you that things can change. More importantly, sometimes, you can make them change. Accompany The Lonely Little Monster on her quest for friends and find a new way to see the world. You can even have her by your side! Discover the huggable plush Nola with her handle like tail that makes for a delightful tote. She's the friend you've been waiting for!
EXCLUSIVE! Q&A w/ AUTHOR AND CREATOR ANDI GREEN
Andi Green is the creator of the Worry Woo Monsters. She is based in Jersey City, New Jersey and graciously allowed us time to talk with her about the book and her creative process. Our exclusive interview with Andi is below....
Imagine Atrium:
Most people think that it's easy to write a children's book. Is it?
Andi Green:
Yes and no. Coming up with an idea for a children's book is pretty easy. Actually producing the children's book is a whole other story. There are so many questions you must ask yourself. Is my story unique, does it stand out from the other books, will my book appeal to both the child and parent. This doesn't even take into account the overall production of the book: writing and editing the story, finding an illustrator (or illustrating the story by yourself like I did), and then selling it!! I guess I'd have to say it's way harder than it looks, and in the end you really have to have a passion for your story and your work because it's a long road.
Imagine Atrium:
What inspired you to create the character Nola?
Andi Green:
I've been drawing monsters like Nola since I was a teenager. Life was tough and I needed an outlet for all of the emotions that I was feeling. Surprisingly, as I grew up and went to college I continued to sketch these characters whenever I had time. After graduating from college, while living in London, the WorryWoo Monsters- and Nola - were born. It was such a lonely time in my life that I couldn't help but continue to sketch my monsters, but for the first time I labeled them with the emotions I was feeling. Once I came back to the U.S, these sketches evolved into large art installations which included the stories for each monster. Every time I exhibited the installations, people would ask when I would turn them into books. So through a very long process I finally finished my first WorryWoo book and also decided to create the doll - and that's how Nola came about!
Imagine Atrium:
The artwork in the book is very unique and interesting. Who is the illustrator/artist and what was the process of creating such amazing and colorful images on paper?
Andi Green:
Actually, I am the illustrator. I work with pen and watercolor on thin paper. I love when the pages get all crinkly - it creates a three- dimensional quality. I've been working in this style for as long as I can remember. The first time I lit up my installations the crinkles left me speechless, I felt as if the monsters where going to come off the page! And I love that this is a defining characteristic of the book as well.
Imagine Atrium:
What was the experience of creating the Nola doll like? How long did it take you from conception to the final product?
Andi Green:
Creating Nola was quite an experience. I am terrible at sewing so I needed some serious help. A good friend of mine put me in touch with her mother-in-law, who is an amazing seamstress. We went back and forth over 6 prototypes until a final Nola was created. From there I shopped around trying to find a manufacturer for my prototype. This was extremely difficult. More prototypes looking nothing like the first prototype. But we kept going and I found a wonderful team to work with! The total time took about six months. But now that I have my team, everything is much easier.
Imagine Atrium:
Who is the next monster in the series and when can we expect to see him or her?
Andi Green:
The next WorryWoo is Rue, The Monster of Insecurity. Like Nola, he has a lot of obstacles to overcome but eventually learns to love himself. And I love the way his prototype looks - I'm really excited because he already looks amazing and the book is already in production too! I am hoping he will be out by Jan 2008.
A WorryWoo fan, with her face painted like Nola, hugging her Nola doll and holding Rue, the next doll in the WorryWoo Monsters series.
Imagine Atrium:
Anything else you want to tell us?
Andi Green:
I think everyone should check out Nola at Imagine Atrium! To see all the WorryWoos go to worrywoos.com!
Andi Green will read and sign books at Imagine Atrium this holiday season. Stay tuned to our special events page for updates.
-----------LITERATURE REMIXED-----------
DEREK BERES & DAX-DEVLON ROSS
Derek Beres (above, left), author of Tangled Web, is one of the leading figures in international music in America. Beres has worked in numerous facets of the industry, from journalist and DJ to producer and presenter. A graduate of Rutgers University, he has written for dozens of magazines covering the traditional and digital realms of global music and has toured internationally, playing alongside some of the most important figures in the scene today. Well versed in international music, he is equally adamant about world cultures, devoting his life to the path of yoga, Eastern philosophies and world mythology.
Dax-Devlon Ross (above, right) co-authored The Underdog's Manifesto with Creature. He is also the author of The Best of Intentions and Beat of a Different Drum: The Untold Stories of African Americans Forging Their Own Paths in Work and Life, published by Hyperion in 2006, as well as co-author of a collection of essays, A Staircase of Words. Ross is a graduate of George Washington University Law School and a former NYC school teacher.
Ross and Beres formed Outside The Box Publishing in 2005 and are residents of Jersey City, NJ.
~~the bOOks~~
THE UNDERDOG'S MANIFESTO
by Creature w/ Dax-Devlon Ross
Part memoir, part survival manual, The Underdog’s Manifesto isn’t just one artist’s story — it’s every artist’s story. It’s our laughter in the face of disbelief; our resistance of corporate domination and social apathy; our commitment to crafting something original despite our culture’s fascination with derivative, disposable mush. Underdog is the anti-How-To book. Creature’s aim isn’t to sell another rags to riches homily; through his candid reflections, raw wisdom and generosity of spirit he reminds us that there’s no shame in a hard day’s hustle. Throughout history underdogs have spirited the most authentic, audacious and original art, and spawned movements forever altering the creative landscape. Years from now Underdog may very well be regarded as the artistpreneur’s clarion call. In the meantime let the voices and visions of these artists inspire you to look within and ask yourself why you create, what you’re willing to sacrifice, what you believe and what it really means to be successful. Featuring interviews with Underdogs such as Percee P., Duo Live and "Lucky" Logan P. McCoy and afterword by revolutionary thinker Jeremy Glick - the man that frustrated Bill O'Reilly as no one else ever has - The Underdog's Manifesto is an indispensable and evolutionary addition to the process of becoming a confident and full-bodied artist.
TANGLED WEB: THE BEST MUSIC TOUR YOU NEVER HEARD OF
by Derek Beres
Photojournalist Derek Beres spent one month traveling across America with what appeared to be the most ambitious Latin music tour ever assembled in this country. Featuring Yerba Buena, Voltio, Akwid and Radio Mundial, what was to help forge a new identity in global music ended up falling victim to those ever-present constants of the music industry: greed, corruption and mismanagement. Tangled Web documents the tour day by day, including personal, behind-the-scenes gazes into life on tour, as well as an honest overview of the downfall of this tumultuous industry. By capturing this moment in sonic history, Beres recounts the story of contemporary music, as well as catching some of today’s most talented artists in action.