Cetosurf.com - A Community for Women Who Love Waves

As most of you know, I am an avid surfer and lover of all things oceanic.  Waves, surf, sun, sand and fresh ocean air are definitely at the top of the list of things that make me happy.  You can imagine my excitement to learn of the launch of my lesbian friend Christine's new site, CetoSurf.com.

CetoSurf.com welcomes women of all ages, abilities and surfing styles who share a passion for the ocean, fun and friendship. By connecting and informing women surfers, Ceto seeks to foster greater access to the joy of waves, promote a healthy ocean environment and a more sustainable surf industry. It was founded by longtime surf enthusiast, Courtney Hayes.

How awesome is that?

CetoSurf.com offers:
• a home page for all ocean lovers: featuring great interviews with the world’s top women surfers, ocean activists, surf industry innovators and artists.
• a women-only social networking community:
the home page also serves as a portal to our private, women-only community featuring member profiles, regional subgroups, ocean news and forums, meet-up events, used equipment classifieds and surf product reviews.
Recent events include a women's shopping night at Cinnamon Rainbows surf shop in North Hampton, NH with special discounts and deals, volunteering to teach children who have Autism how to surf at Special Surfers Night with Aquaholics Surf Shop in Kennebunk, ME, and women's only surf and stand up paddleboard lessons in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

Future events will include an event for the first ever International Gay Surfers Day, weekly women's lesson groups, and monthly post-work cocktail nights at various participating bars and restaurants around in the area.

While most events are located in the New England area, Ceto Surf hopes to expand and reach out to women who love waves all over the world. Check out the site and come surf with us!

Below is a photo gallery of Christine and the founder of CetoSurf.com, Courtney Hayes.  Some of the photos include a recent volunteering event in Maine, teaching Autistic kids how to surf.  It's a great community and we hope you will help these ladies spread the word!

Lesbian Rock n Roll Meets the Arts!!

Annie Parkhurst's Cut&Paste Rock&Roll

Cut&Paste Rock&Roll is a celebration of music and art supporting queer culture and creativity within LGBTQIA community within Southern California. Currently this is a grassroots DIY organization however we are working on obtaining an official 501(c)(3) status for The AMP Organization which eventually will be responsible for CPRR and other queer events. The AMP Organization: Art, Music and Philanthropy, was formed in 2010 and will focus on supporting, promoting and empowering the talented people within the LGBTQQIA community. www.amporg.org

The 2nd annual Cut&Paste Rock&Roll was a huge success. We met our fundraising goals for the CPRR Queer Youth Scholarship and we had our biggest turn out yet. Thanks to everyone who donated their talents, time and dedication to making this event and idea come to life. Check out the Flikr stream on the Feb 5th show, hilarious stuff!

I have some exciting news to share with you all!



First, I would like to proudly announce that Sylvia and I are moving forward with the nonprofit 501(c)(3) status for The AMP Organization that will be responsible for Cut&Paste Rock&Roll and other events like it. We will be putting together a board of directors soon and applying for a few grants to help us get on the ground running. I welcome your ideas, suggestion and interest if you'd like to somehow get involved. The AMP will continue the quest of CPRR; Promoting LGBTQQIA creativity, culture & community. We plan on hosting more events in different areas of interest like film and dance, along with workshops, meetups and volunteering opportunities.

Secondly, I have received a great deal of feedback suggesting that CPRR be a more frequent event and not just an annual thing. In hopes of raising money for the startup costs/legal fees for The AMP Organization, CPRR #3 will go down on August 20th 2010. We'll be doing the show from the same venue however I've worked out a plan to host the vendors/artists out in front of the club and clearing out the tables inside giving everyone more room inside along with giving the vendor tables the elbow room they deserve. Below are a couple of items that I could really use your help and input on regarding the upcoming CPRR #3. Let me know if you have any ideas you'd like to share.

#1) Booking bands and artists. Particularly queer ones, however allies are a big focus of mine so I'm open. I want to keep it fresh each year and no re-book people/performers that have played before. If you have any ideas on local artists, bands, performers that you think would want to play, send me their info. See the performer tab on the site for details: http://www.cutandpasterockandroll.com/PERFORMERS.html

#2) Sponsors. If you know of any business/organizations that you think would want to sponsor this event send me contact/links if you have them. There are several levels of sponsorship, and discounts for non-profit like minded organizations. At the bottom of the page here there are more details on what sponsors might be looking for: http://www.cutandpasterockandroll.com/CONTACT.html

#3) Queer Survival Kit goodies. Last year Condom Revolution, Blackheart Records, Queer Control Records, Daisy Rock Guitars, Teen Line, The Trevor Project and several local bands donated goodies to the gift bags. If you know of any businesses, organizations or nonprofits that fall in line with our rockNroll theme and want to support this queer event, send me your suggestions and contacts!

Also, if you have any suggestions or ideas in general, send them over, I'm all ears.
Lets make magic!

High five,
Annie


Annie Parkhurst
Cut&Paste Rock&Roll
5318 E 2nd Street #186
Long Beach, CA 90803
www.cutandpasterockandroll.com
www.twitter.com/cutandpasteRnR

A Celebration of Queer Music, Art and Community since 2008