Ladies and Gentlemen, the Master of the Weejun.

(applause/ovation)

I say to you today my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, a union exist.  We stand at a momentous time in history.  A demand and a request of a couple has manifest into a vision and passion of a unique sextet.  Playing their instruments of choice they have injected their yeast into a culture that has allowed a mighty rise to occur.

(applause/ovation)

MashUp exists out of the pure desire to bring to the people, Richmond through the eyes that are often hidden due to oversized ‘blockers’.  Eyes that see more than just the obvious, convenient sight in plain view.  Those eyes that envision more than just a dive bar with value-priced PBR’s, but a sanctuary from the trials and tribulations of a weekend and week beginning.  Optical lenses that aren’t scratched and skewed by the jaded point of view of traditional journalism but polished by the gift of an appreciation for the ‘other’.

(applause/ovation)

It is imperative that at this juncture we freeze frame.  For if we don’t we stand to miss the good ole days.  As with any successful innovation, alterations and knock-offs soon follow.  MashUp with its artistic liberty, has been able capture rare elements in a barren land that will contribute to the chemical catalyst for a RVA renaissance.  It is our responsibility to ensure that this discovery of precious treasures is not exploited.  We must stand vilgilent in the face of monetization and stolid to the truth of what we do.

(applause/ovation)

In the pieces that we deliver each Tuesday and Friday we have felt the Velocity of the comical value of life, Toad’s Place hosting of the art Wu-Tang shows that it Can Be So Simple, Baby.  Socially, the oasis at the Camel has given to Richmonders a refuge.  Capital Ale is not only a House of Brews but provides a place for the Blues.  We all Dream of a Richmond, whether transplanted or local, where it is Manchester ‘and’ the Fan not ‘either or’. We must assure that the Infusion of ice bars and D-lux brunches at Godfrey’s don’t mask the gorilla warfare of the institution to mainstream us all in the name of commercialism.

(applause/ovation)

Yes, We Know Plato, but we must also continue to Fight the Big Bull, not with Cool Cheap Eats but with true Focus and Cirrus Sessions that will Cary us to a Town of Galleries, Artwalks, Enlightenment, and at the end laughter.  A retrospective look at our blunders, bloopers if you will, that help us to take stock of whether we need Mo Books, Mo Bikes, or just mo Tattoos.  As our constituencies grow, mature and experience more, the onus is on us not be informative, entertaining, and revealing only.  But to be all things Richmond!  All things Richmond that thinks of the slip as an addition to.  All things Richmond where RIR with a W is for the rest of us.  All things Richmond where the Fan is more than just, ‘where those kids are’ or where the marathon passes.  All things Richmond where Broad Street is not just free wine on 1st Friday but one day the 1st stop on every Friday for more than just wine.  All things Richmond where Art works in Manchester and Scotts has a new ‘addition’ every month.

(applause/ovation)

In closing, or just beginning depending on you view.  MashUp is just that.  Must stay that in order to be ‘like that’.  Will you join us?  “All aboard” on a ride that has an unexpected journey each week but one definite destination…your one stop for all things Richmond!  May the Rocker of the Kasbah bless you and may the Rocker of the Kasbah bless MashUp!

(applause/ovation)

(After these messages Please stand-by for the response of the ‘top blogger’)

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