The Emergenza Music Festival is an annual event which takes place in several countries around the world. New York is one of the event venues and several hundred bands sign up to show off their talent. The Festival is run as a contest where bands compete against each other for the number one place and for a chance to tour places in Europe during the summer. There are 4 rounds, and bands are eliminated at each round based on crowd response. This year it just turned out that many of the bands are rock bands or heavy metal bands. However every genre is encouraged and the band must be independent. The festival is very well run by a staff of trained professionals who co ordinate the thousands of individuals who participate in this Global event. I participated on March 14th with my new band which I call M.I.C. We played as the 4th participant in the show. After a fast paced and high energy 25 minute set we gave up the stage to the next and last band for the night.

DominicaÕs Athenia Henderson recently received the honor of being named Winner by the Song of the Year ( http://www.songoftheyear.com/) songwriting contest. Song of the Year is an international songwriting contest supporting VH-1Õs Save the Music Foundation. The Song of the Year judges are some of the biggest names in music including many Grammy Award winners. Song of the Year is excited to recognize Athenia Henderson for her exceptional songwriting ability for the song - A Song In My Head. Athenia competed against songwriters from all over the world for this honor. When asked what inspired the song, Athenia Henderson commented that Ò I believed this song can connect with every one. I got the idea after being jaunted for always having new music ideasÓ. Currently, Athenia is concentrating on promoting, and writing music career while hoping to get a record deal which will enable her to explore other avenues for her music. You can find more information about Athenia Henderson by visiting her website http://www.atheniahenderson.com or visiting her epk site http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=113843 .