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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Posing Beauty in African American Culture - Opening Reception October 8th

The publication and exhibition “POSING BEAUTY IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE” explores the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through a diverse range of media including photography, video fashion and advertising.

Author and curator DEBORAH WILLIS will be present at the reception on Thursday, October 8th, from 6-8 p.m.

Event Date and Time:
September 1, 2009 – October 18, 2009
Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Location:
Gulf + Western, Tisch Windows, and 8th Floor Galleries
721 Broadway at Waverly Place
New York, NY 10003

From the TSOA Website:

“The Department of Photography & Imaging in the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts has announced its first fall show will be Posing Beauty, an exhibition of approximately 80 works—including black and white, color, and digitized photographs; video installations; and web-based projects—drawn from public and private collections. The exhibition explores the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts in a diverse range of media.

Throughout the history of Western art and image-making, beauty has been idealized and challenged, and the relationship between beauty and art has become increasingly complex within contemporary art and popular culture, according to the exhibition’s curator, Deborah Willis, University Professor and chair of the Department of Photography and Imaging. “This exhibit questions the relationship between beauty and art by examining the representation of beauty and different attitudes about class, gender, and aesthetics,” said Willis.

The exhibition was inspired by the book of the same name, and is written by Willis and published by W.W. Norton & Company (October 2009).

The exhibition will travel to other venues, including Williams College Museum of Art, Newark Museum, and USC’s Fisher Museum of Art in Los Angeles.

Posing Beauty is divided into three thematic sections. The first theme, Constructing a Pose, considers the interplay between the historical and the contemporary, between self-representation and imposed representation, and the relationship between subject and photographer. The second theme, Body and Image, questions the ways in which our contemporary understanding of beauty has been constructed and framed through the body. The last section, Modeling Beauty and Beauty Contests, invites a deeper reading of beauty, its impact on mass culture and individuals and how the display of beauty affects the ways in which we see and interpret the world and ourselves.

Artists in the exhibition include: Eve Arnold, Anthony Barboza, Sheila Pree Bright, Renee Cox, Bruce Davidson, Leonard Freed, Lee Friedlander, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Alex Harsley, Jessica Ingram, Lauren Kelley, Russell Lee, Builder Levy, Elaine Mayes, Jeffrey Scales, Jamel Shabazz, Stephen Shames, Mickaline Thomas, Carrie Mae Weems, Carla Williams, Garry Winogrand and Ernest Withers, among others.

The exhibition will be on view in the Gulf + Western Gallery and in the 8th floor gallery of the Tisch School of the Arts Department of Photography & Imaging, located at 721 Broadway (at Waverly Place). Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. This exhibition is open to the public and admission is free. Photo ID is required when entering the building. For further information, on the exhibition or any of its accompanying events, visit photo.tisch.nyu.edu or call 212.998.1930.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Department of Photography & Imaging at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. The touring exhibition is sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase and organized by Curatorial Assistance. Additional support has been provided by grants from the Tisch School of the Arts Office of the Dean and Visual Arts Initiative.



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Monday, October 5, 2009

They Won't Budge: Africans in Europe @ MOCADA



CURATED BY AWAM AMKPA, ANNALISA BUTTICCI + MADALA HILAIRE - NYU AFRICANA STUDIES
DEB WILLIS - CREATIVE CONSULTANT

Their stories are numerous, some similar and others flavored by particular struggles in specific sites of discontent. Overall, their attitudes are of stubborn resilience, hope, and survival in environments desperate for their labor but resentful of their presence. Unlike their predecessors who went to European countries for further education, these migrants take unusual risks to go work in the factories and farms of Europe and have been under the radar of immigration studies. The photographs and videos in They Won't Budge depict African immigrants making their uncertain sojourn on makeshift and intermittently-powered fishing boats from West Africa, through the rigors of European immigration control, and into the interstices of society in countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Czech and Britain.

CURATORIAL DISCUSSION AND BOOK SIGNING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2009
6:30pm - 8:30pm   Free to the public

The curatorial team for They Won't Budge will discuss the vision behind the exhibition and its components within a larger migration project. Moderated by photographer, art historian and curatorial consultant for the project, Dr. Deb Willis, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions about the works on view, the curatorial vision and African immigrant populations currently living in Europe. Viewers can then view the exhibition at their leisure and purchase signed copies of Dr. Willis' new book Posing Beauty in African and African American Culture.
DJ PERFORMANCE & MUSIC PANEL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
7:00pm - 9:30pm   Free to the public

MoCADA and Nomadic Wax will host an interactive DJ performance and panel on the influence of hip-hop in both African and European musical forms and how DJ's borrow from numerous music types to create new house and jungle beats. The panel, consisting of DJ Boo, DJ Laylo & DJ Madi, will be moderated by arts and culture journalist Siddhartha Mitter and will have a live feed on Afrobeatradio. Following the discussion audience members can enjoy listening to each DJ perform a 15-minute set.
MINI-CONFERENCE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009
10:00am - 6:00pm   Free to the public

Spike Lee Screening Room - Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus (DeKalb & Flatbush Aves)
NYU Africana Studies & MoCADA will host an all day mini conference examining different elements of the migration of African populations into Europe.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
10:00am - 1:00pm - PANEL DISCUSSION:
NYU Africana Studies Director, Dr. Awam Amkpa will lead an academic and community panel discussion examining the historical and current migratory patterns of African populations into Europe.

1:30pm - 2:30pm - BOOK SIGNING
Following the panel, NYU professor, film and music critic Dr. Manthia Diawara will briefly discuss his book We Won't Budge. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

3:00pm - 6:00pm - FILM SCREENING:
MoCADA will showcase two films describing diverging elements of contemporary social and political conditions in Africa.
Le Cri de la Mer (The Cry of the Sea), by director Aicha Thiam, is a documentary short focusing on Yaye Bayham, a Senegalese mother who lost her only son on a boat headed for the Canary Islands and now spends her days fighting against the economic exodus of Senegalese youth.

African Underground: Democracy in Dakar is a groundbreaking documentary film about the role of hip-hop during the 2007 presidential election in Dakar, Senegal. The film, produced by Nomadic Wax & Sol Productions, follows rappers, DJs, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before, during, and after the controversial election.

FINDING AFRICA IN FT GREENE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
2:00pm - 4:00pm

Families can learn more about the presence of the modern-day African Diaspora through a treasure hunt exploration of MoCADA's community in Fort Greene. Each participating family will receive a list of locations to find and must receive a "token" from each. Once the tokens are all collected, the first ten families will receive a gift bag full of prizes!



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Goodie Mob Reunion Tour




GUERILLA UNION PRESENTS
THE REUNION OF THE LEGENDARY GOODIE MOB

NATIONWIDE TOUR KICKS OFF OCTOBER 15 IN NEW ORLEANS;
ROLLS UP TO THE ‘CYPRESS HILL SMOKEOUT’ ON 10/23

GOODIE MOB TO OFFER SNEAK PEAK AT BET AWARDS TAPING 10/10

RENOWNED RAPPER SCARFACE TO APPEAR AS
VERY SPECIAL GUEST ON ALL DATES

Pomona, CA (October 5, 2009) -- Guerilla Union, Inc, producer of Rock The Bells, The Cypress Hill SmokeOut, and Paid Dues Festival, is proud to present the return of the legendary Goodie Mob.  Goodie Mob will be touring for the first time in ten years, with all original members: Cee-Lo (from Gnarls Barkley), Big Gipp, Khujo, and T-Mo.  The tour will kick off on October 15 in New Orleans and features Scarface as the “very special guest” on all dates. Goodie Mob will offer a sneak peak of what fans can expect from the reunion when they perform live at the BET Awards taping in Atlanta on October 10 (the show is scheduled to air on 10/27). Tour highlights include a stop at The Cypress Hill SmokeOut on October 23 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre and festival grounds in San Bernardino, CA, and the blowout NYC show on November 13 at the Hammerstein Ballroom on which Goodie Mob and Scarface will be joined by Tech N9ne and Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Royce da 5’9).

Universally recognized as pioneering and critically acclaimed, Goodie Mob – along with fellow Dungeon Family group OutKast – introduced southern rap to mainstream America, helped put Atlanta on the map as a Mecca for hip-hop, and is credited with having invented the runaway term “dirty south.” The group was met with an overwhelming response when it recently hit fans in hometown Atlanta with a surprise show. “The reunion was inevitable,” said Cee-Lo.  “The void in today’s music and marketplace ironically has become the very place prepared for us.  There’s a need and a want for what we do and represent as The Mob.  Consider the tour a mission… an order if you will.  The last of a living breed, the Goodie Mob marches on.”

The tour’s “very special guest,” Scarface, is considered by many to be one of best rappers of all time. Scarface, a multi-platinum selling recording artist, has received commercial and critical acclaim as both a solo artist, and as a member of the infamous Houston hip-hop group The Geto Boys.

Goodie Mob reunion tour dates are scheduled as follows:
October 15      New Orleans, LA         House of Blues
October 17      Austin, TX                    Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre
October 19      Houston, TX                House of Blues
October 20      Dallas, TX                    House of Blues
October 23      San Bernardino, CA     The Cypress Hill SmokeOut
October 24      San Francisco, CA       The Fillmore
October 28      Salt Lake City, UT       The Depot
October 29      Denver, CO                 The Gothic Theatre
November 13   New York, NY            Hammerstein Ballroom
November 14   Washington, DC           The Scene
November 15   New Haven, CT           Toad’s Place




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Monday, September 7, 2009


VH-1 Hip-Hop Honors 2009 Lineup Announced!



It’s back! This year’s VH1 Hip Hop Honors show will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the seminal Def Jam records. The show premieres Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 9/8c. Full press release is below:

The sixth annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors show will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Def Jam Records, as talents from across all artistic genres come together to celebrate this significant milestone in American hip-hop music. Eminem, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Ludacris, DMX, Mary J. Blige, Redman, The Roots, Method Man, ONYX, Public Enemy, Warren G, Kid Rock, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Brett Ratner, Trey Songz, Ja Rule, Gym Class Heroes, and Scarface are scheduled to show up and show out to celebrate the label that served a catalyst for this American musical phenomenon.

VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009 will be taped from the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. 30 Rock’s Tracy Morgan returns as host for the 3rd year, as he will be joined many of hip-hop biggest luminaries. The VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009 broadcast will premiere on VH1 on Tuesday, October 13 at 9PM ET/PT.*

Def Jam has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in music history and has inspired other emerging labels and artists. Special homage will be paid to the architects of the label, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Lyor Cohen, Julie Greenwald, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Antonio “L.A.” Reid (Chairman Island Def Jam Music Group). Presenters and performers honor the history and the legacy of Def Jam Records through never-seen-before interviews, archival footage and special musical performances of some of Def Jam’s greatest hits. It promises to be a night that will showcase how Def Jam came and remains to be one of the premier record labels of hip-hop music.

Hip Hop fans can go to HipHop.VH1.com now to comment on this year’s line-up and to weigh in on what they’d like to hear at this year’s celebration. Additionally, on Monday, September 14, VH1 will launch the full show site at HipHop.VH1.com with artist profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more. Additional VH1.com and VH1 Mobile efforts for VH1 Hip Hop Honors will be announced in the coming weeks.

VH1 Hip Hop Honors is executive produced by Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for Blacjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George and Fab 5 Freddie are co-executive producers.

Additionally, we want to know where on the web hip-hop fans go for the latest news in fashion, music, and nightlife. So tell us! Nominate your favorite online destinations in the following categories:

- Best Hip Hop DJ
- Best Hip Hop Gear
- Best Hip Hop Radio Station
- Best Hip Hop Site
- Best Hip Hop Venue

These will be featured in a special section of hiphop.vh1.com. Submit your list of top sites to us at vh1hiphophonors@vh1.com by September 10 . The nominees will be announced and voting will begin on September 14.

(Re-Posted from blog.vh1.com )

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Society HAE, Harriet's Alter Ego & Metro PCS present... BK PoP... A PoP Up Experience Shop In DUMBO, Brooklyn

BK PoP... A PoP Up Experience Shop In DUMBO, Brooklyn
Sunday, August 23rd - 2pm to 7pm

Come Shop & Chop It Up With Designers, DJs & Artists

FEATURED DJ'S
The Ahficionados
SoundProof International

FEATURED ARTISTS
Jae Howell, Zahrah Aya, Populart Yin, Goldi Gold, Vanessa Chakour, Delphine Fawundu-Buford, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, ElanArtist and Aki Baker.

FEATURED DESIGNERS
Alador & Smith, Yak Blak, Memory Lane By Toya, Idyllic For U, Afreakstar, Nassat, Buttafly Unlimited, Brenda Zheng, Designs By Alicia P, Enyawd Creations, Sofistafunk, Vintage Blvd, The Femstone Collection, Etau Atelier, Odd & Even NYC, Chenzira, Deka Heartz, Butter By Keba, Ka Devereux and Harriet's Alter Ego.


*** Complimentary Appetizers Courtesy of Panla.com. ***
*** Beverage Bar Courtesy of Glaceau/Vitamin Water & Steaz. ***

Complimentary Spa Services For Men & Women Courtesy of Wink Eco Beauty Bar

*** FREE COPY OF THE COVETED FRANK 151 MAGAZINE/BOOK WITH YOUR PURCHASE FROM AN ARTIST OR DESIGNER ***

Admission is FREE. RSVP to http://www.going.com/BKPoP

BK PoP is part of an ongoing series of "PoP Up Experience Shops" that utilize unconventional spaces to house one-day installations of art, music and fashion by emerging artists of various mediums. All works exhibited are available to purchase.


BK PoP is sponsored by metroPCS, Fusicology, Going.com, Glaceau, PopChips, StepRepeat.com, The NY Kings, Steaz, Harriet's Alter Ego and Wink Eco Beauty Bar.

Monday, August 17, 2009

FELA on Broadway!

I was blessed with the opportunity to catch FELA! off Broadway last summer. I must say that this is one of the BEST plays that I've ever seen. I was completely blown away by the musical arrangements, choreography, multi-media presentations, and of course the acting. This play allows the audience to get an intimate glimpse into the life of the AFrobeat legend FELA Anikulapo Kuti. I walked away from this play respecting Fela as more than just a wonderful musician but a true revolutionary.

I encourage everyone who has any interest in world history to go and check this play out.

Check out he website for more info: www.felaonbroadway.com

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Q-Tip at Central Park Summer Stage...





Q-Tip RIPPED!!! Central Park Summer Stage today. He clearly channeled the energies of Michael Jackson, J Dilla and James Brown. The Abstract MC burst on to the stage with his opening song Shaka, one of my favorites. He then transitioned into another hot one, Johnny is Dead.

I honestly didn't know what to expect, seeing Q-Tip all alone without Tribe. Q-Tip did a spectacular job at giving the audience a show that will stay with them for quite a while.

The audience was hype, the band was tight, and there was even a guest appearance by P-Diddy.


The highlight for me was the when Q-Tip did the Robot to Dancing Machine and went right into "Move." It was awesome!!!

Oh and then Mr. Abstract had a Funky funky moment during Electric Relaxation...check my video for that one...great!!!

Overall I give Q-Tip a high five for one of the best performances I've seen in a hot minute...Loved it!!!!! Check the video for a snippet...

=

Friday, July 10, 2009

TAMAR KALI-Psychochamber Ensemble @ Weeksville! 7/11/09





Date:
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time:
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:
Weeksville
Street:
1698 Bergen Street between Rochester and Buffalo
City/Town:
Brooklyn, NY

More FREE Concerts in NYC

Manhattan

East River Park
7/16 Man Man
7/23 Slick Rick
7/30 Ismael Miranda

High Bridge Park - Tuesdays
8/11 Andy Andy
8/18 Xtreme
8/25 Bachata Heightz/Watata

Marcus Garvey Park - Thursdays
8/6 Jon B
8/13 Joe
8/20 Hezekiah Walker


QUEENS

Springfield Park
7/30 Chrisette Michell
8/6 Heather Headley
8/13 James Fortune & Trin-i-tree 57 hosted by Hezekiah Walker

Queensbridge Park
7/14 Sugar Hill Gang
7/21 Lovebug Starski & Friends
7/28 Rhythm Revue with Felix Hernandez

Rochdale Park
8/20 The Persuasions


Staten Island

Mahoney Playground
8/12 Raekwon
8/19 Naughty by NAture

Summer is not quite over yet...

There are still many FREE things to do in the BIG CITY OF DREAMS...NYC that is...

Central Park SummerStage..
Saturday, July 11, 2009 | 3pm
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
Eric Bobo
FREE!

Sunday, July 12, 2009 | 3pm
Family Day!
DJ Lance Rock & Brobee (of Yo Gabba Gabba!)
Surprise Guest TBA
Iza Trapani
Sleeping Beauty puppet show
FREE!

Monday, July 13, 2009 | 8pm
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Featuring Paulo Szot
The Metropolitan Opera launches its free Summer Recital Series with a special performance of opera arias and popular songs headlined by the Tony Award-winning baritone Paulo Szot and featuring Lisette Oropesa (soprano), Alek Shrader (tenor), and Vlad Iftinca (piano).
FREE!

Saturday, July 18, 2009 | 3pm
Q-Tip
Chester French
Little Dragon
Benji B
FREE!

Sunday, July 19, 2009 | 3pm
Alpha Blondy & The Solar System
Lee "Scratch" Perry & Dubblestandart
Subatomic Sound System
FREE!

Friday, July 24, 2009 | 7pm
Bettye Lavette
Budos Band
Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue
FREE!

Saturday, July 25, 2009 | 3pm
Jerry Rivera and special guests
N'Klabe
FREE!

Sunday, July 26, 2009 | 3pm
Ginuwine
Joe
Chico DeBarge
FREE!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 | 7-10 p.m.
Explosions in the Sky
A benefit concert to support the full season of free programs at Central Park SummerStage.
Buy Your Central Park SummerStage Benefit Tickets

Friday, July 31, 2009 | 8pm
Dance
RIOULT
Germaul Barnes/Viewsic Expressions
FREE!

Saturday, August 1, 2009 | 7pm
M. Ward
Mike Watt & Nels Cline +
FREE!

Sunday, August 2, 2009 | 7pm
CineFest Brasil
If I Were You 2 (Se eu fosse você 2) directed by Daniel Filho
Silvia Machete
FREE!

Monday, August 3, 2009 | 8pm
Béla Fleck & Toumani Diabaté
FREE!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 | 7pm
I Am Cuba directed by Mikhail Kalatozov
The Pedrito Martinez Project
FREE!

Thursday, August 6, 2009 | 7:30pm
Asbury Shorts: An Evening of the World's Best Short Films
Mingus Dynasty Quintet
FREE!

Friday, August 7, 2009 | 8pm
Dance
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
nathantrice/RITUALS dance theater
FREE!

Saturday, August 8, 2009 | 3pm
Boys Noize
FREE!

Sunday, August 9, 2009 | 3pm
Jazmine Sullivan
Chrisette Michele
Jon B
FREE!

Friday, August 14th and Saturday, August 15th, 2009 | 8pm
Dance
Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company
with musical guest Martha Wainwright
A very special evening of dance and music that will feature a world-premiere by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, set to new music by Martha Wainwright, both commissioned by City Parks Foundation.
FREE!

Sunday, August 16, 2009 | 3pm

Central Park SummerStage draws to a close with a special performance to be announced on May 20.
FREE!

PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL!
Friday July 10

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm

Bud Light Latin Music Series
Celebrate Brooklyn & LAMC present
Los Amigos Invisibles | Aterciopelados

A double shot of unfiltered South American pleasure in which the great Venezuelan party band LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES, a lusty outfit that combines a “love of disco and funk with their reverence for oldfashioned Latin dances like the mambo and bossa-nova,” (NY Post) locks horns with Columbian national heroes ATERCIOPELADOS. Proficient in everything from punk to electro-lounge to jangly Latin folk rock, the velvety ones (English translation, for all you gringos) have an uncanny ability “to take north-of-theborder musical styles...and breathe new life into them." (Time)
Saturday July 11

Doors: 3:00pm | Show: 4:00pm

Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert
A Very Special Family Show With They Might Be Giants
Reader: Claudia Marshall of WFUV

Brooklyn’s own legendary alternative rockers THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS have made some astonishingly good kids’ albums, most recently the 2009 Best Children's Album Grammy Winner Here Come the 123s, becoming in the process “the ultimate fan- and now family-friendly rock act.” (Billboard) They return to the Bandshell to headline our annual Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert, which also features readings of Keats’ classic stories by WFUV’s Claudia Marshall. Special appearance by Livable Streets Education's big purple friend ZoZo!
Thursday July 16

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm

Mexico Tourism Series
Kronos Quartet | Luminescent Orchestrii

For more than 35 years KRONOS QUARTET has pushed, made fun of, made irrelevant, and pretty much pulverized the standard notion of the string quartet, assembling in the process “a body of work unparalleled in its range and scope of expression.” (NPR) Their repertoire runs the gamut from Bartók to Charles Mingus to Jimi Hendrix, and their collaborators have been as diverse as Philip Glass, Asha Bhosle, and Nine Inch Nails. They share the Bandshell stage with the frenzied and slightly diabolical LUMINESCENT ORCHESTRII, a Gypsy punk string ensemble that “plays renditions of Appalachian and Gypsy tunes that run from lively and infectious to deeply melancholy.” (Time Out NY)
Friday July 17

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm

American Express Roots Music Series
The Robert Cray Band | the Sweet Divines

The five time Grammy-winning Stratocaster titan ROBERT CRAY’s “soul-infused blues has become the bridge between traditional and contemporary blues;” (Rolling Stone) he remains a strong persuader, as potent as ever after three decades of recording and touring. THE SWEET DIVINES, four young ladies with a smoking band behind them, pay homage to the traveling soul revues of the 60s with an authentic sound that evokes Stax, Aretha, James Brown, and funky New Orleans. "Sign them up, and let them bring the funk to the masses!" (BBC) Friends of CB pre-performance reception sponsored by Betancourt Realty & Associates. See Friends panel for details.
Saturday July 18

Doors: 1:00pm | Show: 2:00pm – 9:00pm

American Express Roots Music Series
African Festival With King Sunny Adé | Freshly Ground | The Mandingo Ambassadors | Cheikh M’Baye & Sing Sing | Abena Koomson | Yasser Darwish

Our annual day-long festival of music, food and crafts features a lineup of bands that will keep the dancers moving from day till night, with the great KING SUNNY ADÉ of Nigeria leading the charge. The bill includes South Africa’s FRESHLY GROUND, making a rare US appearance to whip the revelers into a frenzy with its mix of indigenous African sounds and contemporary urban styles; THE MANDINGO AMBASSADORS, from NYC by way of Guinea, whose music “has been structured to make you feel good” (NY Times); wild Senegalese drum troupe CHEIKH M’BAYE & SING SING; powerful Brooklyn born Ghanaian vocalist ABENA KOOMSON; and whirling traditional Egyptian dancer YASSER DARWISH.
Thursday July 23

Doors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pm

Dance
Stephen Petronio Company

“One of the few contemporary dancer makers who have created an instantly recognizable style,” (NY Times) STEPHEN PETRONIO celebrates his company’s 25th Anniversary Season with the dynamic and elemental I Drink the Air Before Me, an evening length work inspired by the power of extreme weather and storms both atmospheric and internal. Petronio’s predeliction for forward thinking popular music (his dancers have moved to Rufus Wainwright and Antony in the past) is satisfied here by a score from new classical composer and crossover sensation Nico Muhly.
Friday July 24

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm

American Express Roots Music Series
Buckwheat Zydeco | the Holmes Brothers

Swamp boogie accordion master BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO and his band “spit out the kind of crackling music that's been missing since the heyday of Stax Records...on stage the attack is relentless.” (Wall Street Journal) THE HOLMES BROTHERS harmony-filled blend of American roots jumps from church to the juke joint and “recalls the era when soul seceded from gospel music,” (Mother Jones) with a healthy dose of blues, funk and country thrown in. Friends of CB pre-performance reception sponsored by Warren Lewis Realty Associates. See Friends panel for details.
Saturday July 25

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm
Kailash Kher | Electro Morocco

The South Asian superstar, Bollywood icon, and judge of Indian Idol KAILASH KHER moves “among styles without hesitation, adding elements of folk, reggae and rock to Indian pop…(he) has a voice as appealing as it is thrilling.” (Wall Street Journal) Comprised of five NYC-based Israelis, ELECTRO MOROCCO combines buzzing guitars with synths and beats to concoct a dance floor friendly mix of retro rock, Middle Eastern folk, and warped electro.
Thursday July 30

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm
Burning Spear | Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens

Roots reggae legend BURNING SPEAR brings his Rastafarian message of positivity back to the Bandshell for another epic performance. Last year’s vital Jah Is Real featured contributions from Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrel; Spear has never sounded better. “Four decades and still dropping knowledge: no other artist, with the possible exception of Toots Hibbert, can lay claim to being reggae’s true elder statesman.” (PopMatters) The evening begins with the righteous harmonies and church-inflected soul of NAOMI SHELTON & THE GOSPEL QUEENS.
Friday July 31

Doors: 6:00pm | Show: 7:00pm
The Royal Family: Soulive’S 10Th Anniversary Celebration With Special Guests John Scofield and Christian Scott | Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk

The exceptional jazz-funk trio SOULIVE celebrates 10 years of “simmering instrumental funk” (Entertainment Weekly) by busting out THE ROYAL FAMILY, a hard hitting conglomeration of various side projects and special guests that will come together for the jam of the summer. Ivan Neville’s DUMPSTAPHUNK, "musically hard-nosed and rooted in 1970s inner city funk,” (Offbeat)" kicks off the show with a set of New Orleans’ nastiest grooves.
Saturday August 1

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm

Music & Movies
Mexico Tourism Series
Dean & Britta: 13 Most Beautiful…Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests | Crystal Stilts

Luna alumni DEAN & BRITTA perform original scores to Warhol's rarely seen short silent film portraits, which captured Factory superstars, celebrities, and anonymous teenagers in mesmerizing 4-minute shots. “The music unabashedly translates the ominous drone of early Velvet Underground songs like I’m Waiting for the Man and Venus in Furs into a more modern electronic mode reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder’s chic torture-chamber disco.” (NY Times) Commissioned by the Andy Warhol Museum, the project is like an archeological dig unearthing NYC’s 1960s art scene, complete with soundtrack. Brooklyn’s CRYSTAL STILTS, “moody-sounding f***ers who make fabulous stripped-down garage-pop,” (Pitchfork) will set the tone for the night.
Thursday August 6

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm

Music & Movies
Purple Rain Sing-A-Long With Escort

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of history’s greatest pop albums, and the extravagantly, hilariously whacky and over the top film it inspired (the apotheosis of both the purple one’s genius and self caricature), we invite you to don something lacey and ruffled and come get your Prince on. We’ll have lyric subtitles, but you know the words already. Brooklyn’s own live disco orchestra ESCORT plays an opening set, and will lead the sing-along festivities. Rated R. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or guardian.
Friday August 7

Doors: 6:00pm | Show: 7:00pm
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals | Deer Tick

Fronted by the Joplin-like vocals and driving Hammond B-3 of their fearless frontwoman, GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS play “blues-based rock with glorious passion.” Hard to categorize—folk? indie rock? alt-country? Americana?—but easy to love, DEER TICK “write and play some of the most soulful, inspired music around, littered with lyrics as sharp as a shot of whiskey and rapid-fire guitar solos strong enough to blow the dust off your boots.” (Brooklyn Vegan)
Saturday August 8

Doors: 6:00pm | Show: 7:00pm

Celebrate Brooklyn & Lyricist Lounge present
Big Daddy Kane | Plus Screening of BDK: the Big Daddy Kane Story | Hosted by "The worlds #1 beatboxer" Rahzel

The Lyricist Lounge returns with a once in a lifetime night of positive hip-hop featuring Brooklyn legend BIG DADDY KANE performing with his live band, preceded by a screening of the short documentary BDK: THE BIG DADDY KANE STORY, directed by Lyricist Lounge’s own Anthony Marshall. Other special guest performers TBA!

Monday, June 29, 2009

DJ Spinna: Special Michael Jackson Tribute Party

Thursday July 2, 2009

* JOURNEY *

INTO MICHAEL JACKSON's MUSICAL LEGACY http://docs.google.com


W/ DJ SPINNA



SPECIAL EXTENDED MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE!

@ SANTOS
96 Lafayette Street (btwn Walker & White Streets) DOWNSTAIRS - NYC 10013



DOORS 10PM-4AM / Admission FREE Before Midnight - $10 After / 21 & Over- ID Required



*JOURNEY* Every Thursday @ Santos Party House



Directions To Santos

A, C, E, J, M, Z, or # 6 Trains To Canal Street)

Or mapquest.com for Driving Directions

Jay Z performs his head banger...Death of Auto Tunes at BET Awards

Jay Z's death of Auto Tunes performance was so smooth at the BET Awards...

Artists Pay tribute to Michael Jackson at the BET Awards.

There is literally an endless list of artists who have been inspired by Michael Jackson.
I was particularly moved by the tributes by New Edition and Ne-Yo at the BET Awards.



Janet Jackson pays tribute to her brother at the BET Awards

Michael Jackson Will Never Die...

Although the man that we know and loved has left this earth physically....The Spirit of the King of Pop will continue to live through his powerful and innovative music.

Some cool MJ Videos:










Friday, June 12, 2009

Get some Boricua and African Culture this weekend...

Tribute To The Ancestors
June 13, 2009


On Saturday, June 13th, from 12 Noon to sunset, the 20th Annual Tribute to Our Ancestors of the Middle Passage will be held on the boardwalk at West 16th Street (Ancestors Circle) in Coney Island, Brooklyn, the site where some of the earliest slave ships once docked.

Sponsored by Akeem Productions and the People of the Sun Middle Passage Collective in conjunction with Medgar Evers College, this annual tribute is in remembrance of the tens of millions of Africans who, after being kidnapped from their homeland, died during the voyage across the Atlantic – the Middle Passage – and their bodies were plunged into the Atlantic Ocean, which was to become the largest African burial ground in the world.

Celebrate Puerto Rico!!!!
Friday, June 12, 2009 - 11:00 pm
National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.
Baile Del Pueblo (Official Parade Eve Dance)
New York Marriott Marquis Hotel
1535 Broadway (between 45th & 46th Streets) New York, NY
Note: PAID EVENT
Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm
National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.
Brooklyn Musical Festival
McCarren Park (corner of Lorimer & Driggs Streets) in Williamsburg
Brooklyn, NY
Note: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 8:00 am
National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.
Annual Parade Breakfast
New York Marriot Marquis Hotel
1535 Broadway (between 45th & 46th Streets) New York, NY
Note: BY INVITATION ONLY
Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 11:00 am
2009 National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Along Fifth Avenue (from 44th Street to 86th Street) New York, NY
Note: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

NOTE: All activities require attendance confirmation. For reservations tickets or additional information, please call (718) 401-0404.
Website: nationalpuertoricandayparade.org

Friday, April 17, 2009

Taking my favorite long walk in BK.

My cousin Claire sent me a text this afternoon to see if I wanted to take a walk with her to Park Slope and get some sushi. Walking to Park Slope (Washington to Eastern Parkway to Union and then 7th Ave) is my favorite long walk in Brooklyn. The atmosphere and scenes are comforting to my senses. This walk was especially great today -- 70 degrees YUP!

I was delighted to see that the trees in front of the Brooklyn Museum were fully blossomed. What a wonderful sight!




I love colors so I dressed for the occasion. I'm wearing two fun shirts. A long sleeved Berksha shirt that I got from Spain many years ago layered with my brand new Indaba Arts t-shirt. This t-shirt was created by the dynamic duo couple Ibi and Joseph Zoboi. I got a sneak peak of the their summer line (t-shirts, earrings, skirts, carvings and more...they are off the CHAIN!!! Save up and indulge in special creations by artists.

I love to support local artists. When I buy from local artist, I know that the product that I bought was made with LOVE. I also know exactly who my money is going to and I walk away with a unique gift.

Well back to my walk. On my way up 7th Avenue my eyes were immediately drawn to a table filled with some beautiful and colorful glass rings... I didn't plan on spending any money but I had to buy one. It will be perfect for summer...

The jewelry was created by a woman named Cecilia, her company is called Fusing Colors.





Finally, we got to what I thought was EDO a Sushi Restaurant in Park Slope. To my surprise I saw a newly renovated Japanese Restaurant called Shin Ju. It's a very nice looking place and they make my favorite sushi, Inari Maki. My cuz bought the Crispy Tuna Roll, I didn't get anything, wasn't really hungry.



On our way back, I smiled as my eyes gazed at the kids lined up waiting to buys some ices, people sitting on the benches, the dudes skateboarding in front of the Museum..I was filled with the warmth of happiness as I was reminded that summer is near. :-)


Friday, April 10, 2009

My hotel room at the Hilton.

My hotel room is the perfect size and very comfortable.




This is what I see when I look out of my window.

On the Amsterdam Train



Cozy ride to the city...

From Schipol Airport to the city.


One cool thing about traveling to Amsterdam is that the train fare from the airport to the city is very reasonable. It took us about 10 minutes to get to the Amsterdam Hilton. The fare was only 2.80 EU. Great!




It costs .50 Euros to use the bathroom! There was also a fee to use the bathroom in the train stations in Ghana. Interesting...


In the airport...

Despite the airplane drama earlier, check out went pretty smooth. Customs was a breeze.

The lines were not too long...it went by quickly.

No baggage drama. Our luggage came out on time and in tact.

Plane Drama...just plain plane drama.


Del from NYC to Detroit..

We had a connecting flight - NYC to Detroit - Detroit to Amsterdam. I knew something was strange when it was 4:00 PM and we were still waiting to board the plane that was supposed to depart at 4:17 PM. "Just wait here until we tell you to go down," this is what airport security told us. We did not get on the plane until 4:35 PM. The plane didn't take off until around 5:45 PM. I would have been fine with this if our connecting flight in Detroit wasn't leaving at 7:15 PM.

Our plane landed in Detroit at exactly 7:15 PM and we had to run to catch our next plane. When we got to the boarding area, the signs were changed, and the doors were locked. The plane was ready to leave. Luckily, the pilot was notified that a few passengers were just arriving and ready to board. Yeeesh!!! Thank goodness we made it.

It was a cool flight. I watched Slum Dog Millionare and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.



For dinner I had curried chick peas and spinach accompanied by rice with golden raisins. It was a pretty good meal for an airplane dinner.



I slept for a little while but just couldn't get that cozy in the 7 hour flight.
I caught my last good sleep just about an half hour before landing.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Sitting in the JFK airport.

This past February, I thoroughly searched the internet looking for flights to Amsterdam. One of my best friends Kristen once said to me that she planned on traveling outside of the country at least once a year. I thought that was a great goal and made it one of my own. Spring Break in Amsterdam would be beautiful. My first trip was in February, and although it was in the 40's, it was wonderful. My February trip made me fantasize about a warm Amsterdam.



I was deeply hurt after searching the web thoroughly and only finding tickets for over 800. bucks to Amsterdam + Europe in general. Even tickets to the Caribbean were very high. At this point I had to face the reality that I just may not travel this year, well at least not for Spring Break.

Towards the end of February,on the 27th to be exact, I decided to search for tickets again. Although I am not a student, started by searching the student travel website. To my surprise I saw ticket from NYC to Amsterdam for 456 round trip on KLM. Since I am not a student, I searched the North Western/KLM website and found the same tickets. I immediately asked my husband if he wanted to go, "hell yeah" was his response. Without too much thought we booked the tickets. We got two tickets for 912.72 all taxes and fees included. I thought that was a super deal!!!

Now I'm sitting in JFK awaiting my next flight. Just caught a cool deal at BOINGO for internet connection. So, I will be blogging this trip.

I'm certain that I did not forget anything.

Cameras - check.
Batteries - check
Chargers - check
Memory - check
Card Reader- check

Oh and clothes and toothbrush, toothpaste, all of the good stuff too. :-)

Can't wait to see what the Amsterdam Hilton looks like. I hear that it is in a posh neighborhood.

Signing off for now...blogging again soon!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

How you can begin to fight dementia before it's too late.

According to a recent study by neuro-psychologist, Dr. Paul Nussbaum of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, the best time to fight dementia is to begin in your 20's, 30's and 40's.

Following are some quite interesting tips:

1. Use your non-dominant hand to write often. This helps to excercise your opposite side of the brain and activate your neurons.

2. Get you groove on. Dance - Dance - Dance. Dancing is apparently the only physical acitivity that decreases the incidence of dementia.

3. Excercise your green thumb and garden. Gardeners use the visual and spatial resoning to garden, this excercises the brain.

4. Get some yarn and make something creative. Knitting requires use of both sides of the brain.


5. Get your board games on. Great use of your brain and it's a socializing activity.

6. Inspire your musical genious by learning to play an instrument. This develops a dormant part of your brain.

7. My favorite thing to do: Explore the world. Traveling forces your brain to expand by navigating a new and complex environment.

*** In other words..don't spend most of your time engaged in passive brain activity. (i.e. Watching television, playing video games) Excercise your brain.

(The article was inspired by an article written by Orlando Sentinal for AM NY)

Will Computers be Terrorized by a Virus Tomorrow?

According to an article in the AM New today by Jason Fink, computers could be attacked by a PC Conficker Worm tomorrow.

Although tomorrow is April Fools Day, people are taking this threat very seriously.
This potentially deadly virus is lying in millions of computers and can cause anything from an "April Fools Day" floating across your screen to completely shutting your computer down.

It is for this reason that I prefer Macs.

Are these viruses put out there to boost sales in the anti-virus programs - you never know. Following are frequently asked questions about the Conficker worm by Jason Fink:

Who may be impacted?
Conficker may attack the computer of any PC user who runs a Windows operating system and who hasn't been installing Microsoft's security updates.

How do I know if my computer is infected?
Commercially available anti-virus scanning software will detect it.

What can I do to prevent an infection?
Enable the automatic updates setting on your computer or go to safety.live.com and run the free Windows Live OneCare safety scanner.

What should I do if my computer is infected?
An infected machine must be "cleaned" either by re-installing the operating system or by contacting a computer specialist.


Hopefully this bug is nothing dangerous and Windows users will be fine.
We will see tomorrow.

Friday, March 13, 2009

One of Ghana's Finest Performs in NYC Today....

During my trip to Ghana I had the opportunity to hook up with Batman Samini,one of Ghana's leading musicians. I dropped in on a studio session check out the pic:



Samini will be performing later tonight in NYC. I'm sure the show is going to be great!!!

Busta! What it is right now?


Busta is currently touring as he gets ready to release his new album B.O.M.B an acronym for Back On My B.S. Check out some up coming east coast dates:

Richmond, VA Toad's Place Fri Mar 13 / 09
New Haven, CT Toad's Place Sat Mar 14 / 09
Burlington, VT Higher Ground Sun Mar 15 / 09
Foxboro, MA Showcase Live Mon Mar 16 / 09
Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights Fri Mar 20 / 09
Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre Sat Mar 21 / 09

On March 23, 2009 catch Busta's free My Space Release Party at the ever so popular Santos House in New York City.


This past Tuesday, Busta Bus rocked B.B. Kings with a dynamic sold out performance. Special Guests included his new New York Posse, Maino, Red Cafe and Ron Brown. Guest also included M.O.P and Beenie Man. Check out some videos...

Red Cafe opened the show...


Busta and Maino...


Busta and Beenie Man


Busta and M.O.P

Thursday, March 5, 2009

$499 --Paris 4 - Night Spring Getaway w/Air...

Find this super deal at travelzoo.com

Paris, France


Top 20 deal - sells out quickly!
Travel dates: Wednesday departures April 1 - May 13


By Travelzoo Staff

Airfare prices usually climb for spring travel, but go-today.com is still able to combine low airfare and affordable hotel accommodations to offer a 4-night spring getaway in Paris for $499.

This deal is valid for Wednesday departures April 1 - May 13 and is at least $200 less than competing packages or a-la-carte prices.

This $499 package includes:

Roundtrip airfare to Paris (see departure cities below)
4 nights at Comfort Hotel Lamarck
Daily breakfast
Hotel taxes/service charges
Airline fuel surcharges
The Comfort Hotel Lamarck is a budget hotel about 1 mile from the Sacre Coeur Church. Many hotel choices are available with this deal, including an upgrade to the "tourist" Pavillon Villiers Etoile Hotel for just $50 more. Well-situated within a mile from Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe and minutes from the Villiers Metro stop, the Pavillon Villiers Etoile is worth the incremental cost.

Travelzoo Tip: Want to stay longer? Go-today offers a 6-night Paris package starting at $549, with many hotel upgrades options available at very reasonable add-ons.

Departure cities:
New York City ... $499; Philadelphia ... +$130; Houston, Los Angeles ... +$220; click the link below or call for more departure cities.

Click here for more information and to book with go-today.com. Or call 800-227-3235 to reserve over the phone.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Talk about an awkward situation: Rabbi Vs. Daughter in Sex Trial....

The following article expresses an example of the sick horrors that some people experience in their lives. Wow!!!

(Associated Press) A woman who says her ultra-orthodox rabbi father molested her for much of her youth confronted him Tuesday under tense circumstances: as he cross-examined her at his own sex-abuse trial.

The defendant, Israel Weingarten, decided to be his own defense lawyer, setting up what a frustrated judge called an "awkward" and "fairly untenable" situation once he got the chance to directly question the government's star witness.

The woman, now 27, initially turned her head and wept when her father stepped up to a podium normally used by lawyers in a Brooklyn courtroom. But she slowly regained her composure, even lashing out at him when he questioned why she didn't come forward as a teenager with the shocking allegations.

"My feeling from your molesting me was utmost fear and blackmail and years of torture because you hit me, because I told my mother," she said. "Didn't I get hit enough?" Weingarten, 59, a member of the Satmar community in Monsey, N.Y., was arrested and jailed without bail last year on charges he traveled outside the country to have sex with a minor. In a rambling opening statement, he said he had been falsely accused by a daughter who rebelled against a strict upbringing, and suggested that a neighbor was the The daughter, one of eight children, told the FBI in 2003 that she was victimized since age 9 while living with her family in Hasidic communities in Belgium, and on trips to England and Israel. Prosecutors allege Weingarten sexually abused her, sometimes on a daily basis, and moved the family around to help conceal his crimes.

The accuser has since changed her name, but came forward and identified herself in open court as the daughter of the rabbi on Monday when she first took the witness stand to detail the accusations. She has appeared in court wearing an orange scarf and pants suit, and with her hair down -- a mainstream look she said her father had scorned.

She told jurors on Tuesday that once she grew up, she left the faith and hoped "to forget everything that happened to me," mindful that her father had warned her she "would never be able to prove it." But she went public with her charges at the urging of her mother, who was embroiled in a custody dispute with her father.

Weingarten, though assisted by two lawyers, struggled with his cross-examination. His questions meandered, and he often interrupted his daughter's answers by scolding her, which visibly angering U.S. District Judge Gleeson.

"I'm not sure where this cross is going, but I do know this: You are not going to lecture this witness," the judge told him.

The father peppered his daughter with questions about her admission that as a teen she briefly fell in love with an older man living next door in Belgium. Though she claimed she never had sex with him, she testified she was thrilled "that I finally got to be with another guy besides my father." Her father reminded her that the neighbor was married with children, asking, "Didn't you feel that was wrong?" "I didn't do much thinking," she responded. "I went with my heart." The woman was to resume testifying on Wednesday

Are you being textually harrassed?

According to an article printed today by Andrew Breiner and Marlene Naanes of AM New York, textual harrassment is on the rise. Most cases in NYC include consistent and overbearing requests for dates, and threats from exes. Apparently, most of the harrassment comes from people that you know.


As we all know, texting is on the rise. Verizon Wireless reported 90 billion messages in the last quarter of 2008.

The U.S. Justice Department recently did a study showing that stalking by text is becoming an issue.

So what can you do if you are being textually harrassed?
1. Simply don't reply.
2. Block the sender.
3. Disable your texting function for a few days.
4. If it's really serious get a new phone and be very careful of who you give your number to.
5. If it's really, really, serious report it to officials.



There is no, cyberstalking law in NYC, however, these types of harrassments could fall under second degree aggravated harassement and fourth-degree stalking.

Hmmmm...Somthing to think about in respects to the future of communication and privacy or lack thereof.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs @ The NYC International Children's Film Fest.

I must admit I was a bit excited to see the film to one of my favorite children's book stories, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka. Today was the kick off of the NYC International Children's Film Festival. This film was featured in the Shorts for Tots Series. I took my son and his buddy Judah to see the series of short films geared towards 3-5 year olds. It was a joy to watch the two of them giggling throughout the films. The coolest part is that they got to rate the films with "loved it," "liked it" "so -so" and "hated it." Luckily they liked most of the films, with the True Story being in their top three.

Well, the Facebook junky that I am, I decided to that I was watching the film, in the midst of my viewing it. I got quite a few responses about it, so I decided to post the actual story. I love this story because it's a great way to teach kids perspective. All these years we've been told the story from the perspective of the three little pigs, but, who knew that Mr. Wolf had his own version of the story. Read the story and decide what your perspective is:


OMERSET PA (AP) -- A. Wolf took the stand today in his own defense. This shocked and stunned the media who predicted that he would not testify in the brutal double murder trial. A. Wolf is accused of killing (and eating) The First Little Pig, and The Second Little Pig. This criminal trial is expected to be followed by a civil trial to be brought by the surviving Third Little Pig. The case has been characterized as a media circus.

His testimony is transcribed below:

"Everybody knows the story of the Three Little Pigs. Or at least they think they do. But I'll let you in on a little secret. Nobody knows the real story, because nobody has ever heard my side of the story. I'm Alexander T. Wolf. You can call me Al. I don't know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started, but it's all wrong. Maybe it's because of our diet. Hey, it's not my fault wolves eat cute little animals like bunnies and sheep and pigs. That's just the way we are. If cheeseburgers were cute, folks would probably think you were Big and Bad too. But like I was saying, the whole big bad wolf thing is all wrong. The real story is about a sneeze and a cup of sugar.

THIS IS THE REAL STORY.

Way back in Once Upon a Time time, I was making a birthday cake for my dear old granny. I had a terrible sneezing cold. I ran out of sugar. So I walked down the street to ask my neighbor for a cup of sugar. Now this neighbor was a pig. And he wasn't too bright either. He had built his whole house out of straw. Can you believe it? I mean who in his right mind would build a house of straw? So of course the minute I knocked on the door, it fell right in. I didn't want to just walk into someone else's house. So I called, "Little Pig, Little Pig, are you in?" No answer. I was just about to go home without the cup of sugar for my dear old granny's birthday cake.

That's when my nose started to itch. I felt a sneeze coming on. Well I huffed. And I snuffed. And I sneezed a great sneeze.

And you know what? The whole darn straw house fell down. And right in the middle of the pile of straw was the First Little Pig - dead as a doornail. He had been home the whole time. It seemed like a shame to leave a perfectly good ham dinner lying there in the straw. So I ate it up. Think of it as a cheeseburger just lying there. I was feeling a little better. But I still didn't have my cup of sugar . So I went to the next neighbor's house. This neighbor was the First Little Pig's brother. He was a little smarter, but not much. He has built his house of sticks. I rang the bell on the stick house. Nobody answered. I called, "Mr. Pig, Mr. Pig, are you in?" He yelled back."Go away wolf. You can't come in. I'm shaving the hairs on my shinny chin chin."

I had just grabbed the doorknob when I felt another sneeze coming on. I huffed. And I snuffed. And I tried to cover my mouth, but I sneezed a great sneeze.

And you are not going to believe this, but the guy's house fell down just like his brother's. When the dust cleared, there was the Second Little Pig - dead as a doornail. Wolf's honor. Now you know food will spoil if you just leave it out in the open. So I did the only thing there was to do. I had dinner again. Think of it as a second helping. I was getting awfully full. But my cold was feeling a little better. And I still didn't have that cup of sugarr for my dear old granny's birthday cake. So I went to the next house. This guy was the First and Second Little Pig's brother. He must have been the brains of the family. He had built his house of bricks. I knocked on the brick house. No answer. I called, "Mr Pig, Mr. Pig, are you in?" And do you know what that rude little porker answered? "Get out of here, Wolf. Don't bother me again."
Talk about impolite! He probably had a whole sackful of sugar. And he wouldn't give me even one little cup for my dear sweet old granny's birthday cake. What a pig!

I was just about to go home and maybe make a nice birthday card instead of a cake, when I felt my cold coming on. I huffed And I snuffed. And I sneezed once again.

Then the Third Little Pig yelled, " And your old granny can sit on a pin!" Now I'm usually a pretty calm fellow. But when somebody talks about my granny like that, I go a Little crazy. When the cops drove up, of course I was trying to break down this Pig's door. And the whole time I was huffing and puffing and sneezing and making a real scene.

The rest as they say is history.

The news reporters found out about the two pigs I had for dinner. They figured a sick guy going to borrow a cup of sugar didn't sound very exciting.

So they jazzed up the story with all of that "Huff and puff and blow your house down"



And they made me the Big Bad Wolf. That's it The real story. I was framed. "