Pictures from South Bronx Unite’s Will Sing for Food fundraiser event for The Veggie Mobile Market will be up on my Facebook soon!

I can’t claim to know a whole lot about comics of the comic book industry (I read a few Archie comics when I was young if that counts for anything!), but it was really cool to see this sort of subculture at work.  It actually got me thinking about learning animation for some of my short stories.

P.S. I’m super backlogged on posts so expect to be hit with like 10,000 in the next couple of days!

P.P.S. Happy Bronx Week!!!!

From the West Harlem Art Fund…

BRIMMING ON THE EDGE

May 2nd – May 16th 2013
Andrew Freedman House, 1125 Grand Concourse, nr 167th Street, Bronx, NY 10451
Meet & Greet on May 3rd at 5pm

Featured Artists

L.W. Antonius, Alta Berri, Linda Byrne, Thomas Callahan, Marco Castro, Robin Kang, Suprina Kenney, Jongil
Ma, Tomo Mori, Anca Pedvisocar, Roberto Sandoval, Chris Smith, Dianne Smith, Nancy Steinson

Brimming on the Edge is a group exhibition that marries the disciplines of art, design and technology together.
Produced by The West Harlem Art Fund in partnership with the Andrew Freedman House, Brimming on the
Edge coincides with NYCxDesign, and the Frieze Art Fair located nearby on Randall’s Island. There is a budding
movement revolutionizing the Western world. The public is demanding more customized experiences that reflect
their personal lifestyle and appreciations. Yes, it’s easy to purchase a picture frame or a wine rack from a large
retailer that’s inexpensive and probably made in China. But now, the public wants a unique work that’s made in
the United States for which they can showoff in their home or keep as an heirloom. We wish to show the public
these new possibilities in a number of combinations. Brimming on the Edge is curated by Savona Bailey-McClain,
Executive Director, The West Harlem Art Fund, Lisa Banner and Linda Griggs, Independent Curators.

About the Organizations

The West Harlem Art Fund is uniquely positioned to offer this experience. A fifteen year old public arts
organization, we have produced numerous exhibitions and special events with artists and creative
professionals wishing to share their talent with residents around the city. Public art for the West Harlem Art
Fund has included traditional exhibitions, digital installations, storefront windows and live performances. The
West Harlem Art Fund encourages audiences to not only think outside of the box – but to live outside the box.
Our heritage symbol is the double crocodile from West Africa — Funtunmmireku-Denkyemmirreku which means
unity in diversity.

Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council (MBSCC), one of the leading non-profit, community development
organizations in the Bronx has been the owner and operator of the Andrew Freedman since 1984. This
majestic building has been home to a “one stop” social service center which provides a vast array of programs,
resources and referrals for residents of the entire community. It is expanding into a new and exciting
destination for art, culture, learning and creativity.

I practice most of the HIP HOP elements mainly because of my knack to envelop myself truly into things I am drawn to , also in many ways the elements in my eyes at least have no real separation , you see when I do writing or graffiti it is comparable to the dynamic feats of the Dance I do , When I emcee it is the same poetic flow I place into the creation of Burners on a wall or in a blackbook. In many ways being I am in different circles I get to have different ways to stay inspired I realize people who only Emcee or only do Graffiti can easily become bored with HIP HOP because they are mentally so boxed in and don’t have a much broad perspective on what is really beneath the surface.I try to have all my work on a basic level to be straightforward for the most part in addressing social ills and bringing forth substance and clarity to a misrepresented , diluted Culture…I like to think my work is a tool of reminding my audience of what HIP HOP not only was because I don’t live in the past but what HIP HOP truly IS…

My top 3 favorite places in the Bronx in no particular order are…

•  MY HOUSE – I like to be home around my work and in my creative space.
• Crotona Park – in the summertime I love to attend the events to hear good music and rock out , meet a  child and show them REAL skills It brings me a lot of joy to teach kids and make new friends in the park jams …this has always been a common denominator in many peoples lives who are involved in HIP  HOP
• My neighborhood and really all of the Bronx around me because I feel the people have a specific walk , talk and demeanor about them that I find comforting , I feel at home here and when I go downtown or travel out of NYC I miss The Bronx , there is NO PLACE LIKE IT

Well, I have a lot in the works …still working on my Album project  “Knowledge of Self” , which had some setbacks due to my crazy agenda , I am also planning on doing a lot more work in the South Bronx along the lines of Community Murals , Youth Programming , Showcases and Performances and creating opportunities for my friends and HIP HOP family around me so we can all prosper and get QUALITY HIP HOP out there.

…BIG UPs go to all my crews , TBB,UZN,FRC,SSB,WOTS,MW…… I would also like to note my inspirations on a last acknowledgment that my work would be Impossible if not for a few KEY individuals below:

- Rock Steady Crew – all members past and present gave me the foresight to what I could manifest.
- James Brown – keeps me FUNKY.
- Bruce Lee – keeps me focused.
- EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF USA. – even with its many faults the teachers and students created the person I am today… THANK YOU….
PEACE AND ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE !!…

  

WHAT:  Third Annual Public Prep Network’s Namesake Luncheon Honors Award Winning Actress and Comedian, Whoopi Goldberg for her commitment to inspiring young women and her work as an education advocate 

 

DATE:                       Tuesday, April 30, 2013

 

HOST:   Public Prep Network, a non-profit that currently operates three

tuition-free, all-girls schools in the Lower East Side and the Bronx

 

CORPORATE         Barclays Financial Services will be honored for their continuous

SPONSOR:              support

 

LOCATION:             The Metropolitan Club

1 E 60^th St.

New York, NY 10022

 

TIME:                        Reception                  12:30 PM

Program                     1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

 

SPEAKERS:  Whoopi Goldberg, Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-Winning Actress and Co-host of ABC’s The View

Ros Stephenson, Barclays Head of Corporate Finance and M&A at Barclays

Ian V. Rowe, CEO of Public Prep Network

THEME: The importance of early education in ensuring academic and life-long success for young women and the Public Prep Network’s role in making this happen in New York City

The musicians representing the Bronx were: Blue Meadow, Corky Has a Band, I am B 13, Yurby, Al-Lisha Burns, Bill Santen, Flow Freequan, Captains of Industry, Tee Dot Ohh and Liya Marie, Emily Angell, marie-claire, and Tyrone-Birkett/Emancipation.

The event was hosted by Terrance McKnight and the night’s commentators were

Though I’d love to give you a full review on each and every act (they were all really great. I’m excited to find out the finalists on Monday!), I don’t think you’re in the mood to read some long tome on the internet. Below are the groups that stood out to me the most:

Blue Meadow

Blue Meadow was  the first group to perform. They began slowly coming to life as each member began to play his instrument. By coming to life, I mean that they were literally slumped over before and sprang up when one of their band members gestured to them. One of the coolest things I noticed about the band is that all of the members sing. The drummer was actually the first person to begin singing, so that was pretty awesome. They have a smooth, rhythmic rock thing going out, kind of like Maroon 5, but with a little more soulfulness. I could definitely see me buying their music.

Corky Has a Band

While live tweeting the battle, I said, “Corky Has a Band Just Did Unimaginable Things to a Piano Just Now” and I was not lying. Described as hyper-vaudevillian, their music is as surprising as it is carefully orchestrated. The duo incorporates the entire instrument into their performance in a purposeful discordant harmony.  And there was a kazoo.  Who can play a kazoo and make it work in 2013? Probably only Sergeant Whiskers and Professor Tickles.

I am B 13

He had me when he said, ” This is dedicated to the rappers who rapped about nonsense.” YES.  Commentator Helga Davis (love her)  said it perfectly after I am B 13′s performance when she said, “I can tell you read.” Educated rap is a beautiful thing. It’s so refreshing to hear multisyllabic words in a rap song. He said ‘pantomime,’ you guys. Plus, there’s just something really endearing about a rapper with braces who says lines like, ” If you got a problem with me, go to a mathematician.”

Captains of Industry 

Captains of Industry utilized a recording someone had made on a seemingly ordinary day in Germany. or Austria. The base of their completely improvised performance was a soundtrack of cars honking, dogs barking, and people walking. The drummer used some sort of plastic tubes instead of drum sticks, which was very cool because you could hear the sound echoing through them. It kind of reminded me of Australian dj group, The Avalanches.

Check out some photos of the other musicians:

First, one of the most important things you need to know about getting to BPMM is transportation. If you’re part of the 1.3 million NYC households that own a car, then getting there won’t be a problem . However, if you don’t, like me, you MUST catch the Bee Line 45 bus, which only runs once an hour. Your other alternative would be to take the Bx29 heading towards City Island, but it’s still a considerable walk. If you’re impatient like I was (also having seen the 45 leave before my eyes with another 20 minutes for the 29 to show up), you just suck it up and walk the two miles. It’s not a bad walk if you’re wearing comfortable shoes and just follow the bike path.

Second, you should probably look up BPMM’s hours before you go. Which, like a fool, I did not, so after walking the two miles, I discovered that the actual mansion itself was closed. It’s only open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 pm – 4 pm. {Unless there’s a special event, like this Friday’s First Fridays event. Check their calendar for details} The good thing is that the grounds around the museum are open from 8:30 am til “Dusk” (I’ve never been partial to the word dusk.)

Spring is probably one of the best times to visit the grounds, where you can see flowers beginning to bloom and nature (fear it as I may), come back to life – particularly after the hellish Fall and Winter we had.

Plus, it’s a great place to get away from it all, whatever ‘it’ may be for you.

As for the exhibit, it is definitely called Organic Abstracts for a reason. Having known the background behind the exhibits, I had a much greater appreciation for them than Boyfriend, who having went to an art school (to study business of all things) is very particular about art.

Check out the pictures I took during my visit:

From WNYC & WQXR:

The Greene Space at WNYC and WQXR Announces the Fourth Annual

 BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

Annual City-wide Competition to Discover NYC’s Best Emerging Talent  

Kicks Off with the BROOKLYN BATTLE on Friday, February 1 at 7pm

 

For The First Time, Grand Prize Includes Guest Artist Appearance

at Amateur Night at the Legendary Apollo Theater

Let’s get ready to battle! The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR has announced the contestants of its fourth annual BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS, New York City’s premiere search for undiscovered musical talent.

The contestants, hailing from all five boroughs, were culled from hundreds of submissions. From country gospel and experimental rock to a Latin string quartet and soul funk jazz, the 64 musical acts representing their home boroughs capture the excellence, vitality and diversity of the New York City musical scene.

these musicians will compete in Borough Battles at The Greene Space, WNYC and WQXR’s intimate and acoustically-superior street-level performance venue. The borough winners will go onto the final showdown, The Ultimate Battle, on Friday, June 21. The winners will be selected through votes from both the live studio audience and the online audience watching via live webcast. Voting will be available online at www.wnyc.org/thegreenespaceand via mobile phone by texting vote codes to 69866.

 

For the first time ever, the Ultimate Battle Grand Prize winner will be awarded with the opportunity to perform at the iconic APOLLO THEATER as a guest artist at its signature series, Amateur Night.

 

Every Battle will be emceed by award-winning WQXR host TERRANCE MCKNIGHT. This year, insightful commentary will be provided by musicians, singers, industry executives, and WNYC and WQXR staffers, including:

 

• GERI ALLEN, Composer and jazz pianist
• CHRIS BANNON, Vice President, Content Development and Production, WNYC
• HAKIM BELL, Singer, songwriter and producer
• NONA HENDRYX, Singer, songwriter, and producer
• FRANCO IEMMELLO, Vice President of Rhythm Promotion, Capitol Records
• WES JACKSON, Executive Director of The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
• CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, Bassist and composer
• STEVE PAGEOT, Grammy Award-winning producer
• MIKE RINZEL, Senior Director, Digital, WQXR
• JOHN SCHAEFER, Host of WNYC’s Soundcheck and New Sounds
• STEVE PAGEOT, Grammy Award-winning producer

The last act standing at the final battle will win an exclusive concert at The Greene Space with live video webcast, a professional, multi-track recording session, a Tekserve package including iPads, a professional photo shoot, a produced music video and, for the first time, a guest artist appearance at Amateur Night at The Apollo.

April 5: THE BRONX

I Am B13 (rap)

Captains of Industry (Free Jazz)

Tee Dot Ohh Liya Marie (Singer/Rapper)

Blue Meadow (Rock)

marie-claire (Jazz)

Kevin Batchelor’s Grand Concourse (Reggae/Ska)

Daphya (Hip hop/ R&B)

Bill Santen (Folk)

Flow Freequan (Rap)

Yurby (Folk/Alternative Rock/Blues)

Al-Lisha Burns (R&B/ Pop/)

Corky Has a Band (Hyper- Vaudevillian Performance Art)

Tyrone Birkett/Emancipation (Postmodern Spirituals, Jazz, Soul, Gospel)

Emily Angell (Folk-Pop)

ALL BATTLES

Where:            The Greene Space at WNYC and WQXR

                              44 Charlton Street (at Varick Street)

                              New York, NY 10014

Tickets:           Tickets for all events are on sale now at www.wnyc.org/thegreenespace

One Borough: $15 ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine or beer; $30 ticket includes open wine and beer bar.

All Borough Badges: New this year! $90 for general admission to all five borough battles and winner’s concert, with a complimentary glass of wine or beer at each event; $180 for VIP admission to all five borough battles and winner’s concert with an open wine and beer bar.

Official Website: www.thegreenespace.org/battle

 

New York Public Radio is New York’s premier public radio franchise, comprising WNYC, WQXR, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, and New Jersey Public Radio, as well as www.wnyc.org, www.wqxr.org, www.thegreenespace.org and www.njpublicradio.org. As America’s most listened-to AM/FM news and talk public radio stations, reaching 1.1 million listeners every week, WNYC extends New York City’s cultural riches to the entire country on-air and online, and presents the best national offerings from networks National Public Radio, Public Radio International, American Public Media, and the British Broadcasting Company. WQXR is New York City’s sole 24-hour classical music station, presenting new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, among other New York City venues, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life. In addition to its audio content, WNYC and WQXR produce content for live, radio and web audiences from The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, the station’s street-level multipurpose, multiplatform broadcast studio and performance space. New Jersey Public Radio extends WNYC reach and service more deeply into New Jersey. For more information about New York Public Radio, visit www.nypublicradio.org.

From co-Executive Director, Vonni Newsome:

The Miss Bronx Pageant is a member of the Miss New York Organization.  The winner of the pageant will go on to compete for the Miss New York title as well as receive a full scholarship to Future Star Studios and an educational scholarship.  It will allow women through an open forum to express their talents, and opinions and achieve their professional and personal goals. All contestants are women from the 5 boroughs which include students from NYU Graduate School, Pace University, Wagner College, Fordham University and local High schools. Musical and dance performances by award winning dance troupe “Glorious Warriors” and a complimentary cocktail hour will also take place.

This event is being organized to help young women pay for college and prepare for a career in the field of their choosing. It also is helping to provide an opportunity to gain additional life experience by working and speaking on issues that affect their communities.

Walter Newsome is a Bronx City Council candidate who is organizing and sponsoring this event. He took on this venture because of his strong beliefs in Women’s Rights, Education and Community Service.

The event will be held Sunday, March 24^th, 2013 from 7pm-10pm at the Bronx Museum of the Arts 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10456.

Miss Bronx Pageant 2013 is open to the public and ticket prices are $40.00.

To RSVP: www.facebook.com/MissBronx2013

Ticket Sales: www.eventbrite.com/event/5832728849/efbevent