The Roots Picnic...It just gets better! Youre going right?

New VIDEO Tuesday!!! with Chris Brown and Raphael Saadiq!!!

I anticipate a redeeming night for CB tonight on DWTS, so as we wait with baited breath how about a new video from him called "Beautiful People".  Me and the homie Aladdin found this video while I was filling in for the Lil Mo show at my part time day job, WPGC.  I dont know why I feel like I have to say this, but...."Im sorry, I still love me some Chris Brown...." lol  Oh and Im not alone, check out ALL the cameos in this video!

Now off to some REAL good music (no offense Chris lol).  Raphael Saadiq has always been the truth to me.

I damn near (or actually did) loose my job because of him lol (and a few other things lol). In my opinion him and the rest of the Tony's  really kicked off the revamping of soul music in the 90's also called "neo soul".  So whenever there is something new out from him I stop, listen and share! So its about that time for sharing....here's "Stone Rollin"

Lil Wayne says this is what Rock N Roll looks like...what do you think?

Check out his new artist, Porcelain Black.....I hate to say it but he may have something with this one

PIFA and Vivant Art introduce us to Black Parisian Art and I think youre gonna like it!

Biggups! to all my folks with an extra serving of Spring Fever especially after this disappointingly cold week!  Listen lets stay focused and know that good sunshiny weather is on its way and in the meantime I will supply you with some cool things to add to your calendar for some spring culture and fun!  If you're in the Delaware Valley area (Philly and surrounding) you already know that PIFA is kicking off next week! Ive told you before this is one of the biggest art festivals to hit Philly and I honestly think there is something for everyone!  like I've told you before they have a LARGE schedule of events but I try to keep my eye open for stuff I think WE might like to get more involved in lol. Well from April 15 - May 28 Vivant Gallery in Northern Liberties at 60 North 2nd Street there will be a special exhibit in celebration of PIFA .  It is a celebration of Black Parisians in the early 1900's. Now remember a lot of American Black Artist's were rejected in the states but celebrated in France.  So I think this is a good time to learn more about ourselves.  Enough of my sermon lol...

A couple of months ago I met Vivant Gallery owner and currator Florcy Morisett, who is a supafly sista from NYC but has made a home in Philly and has traveled all over the world cultivating her passion and career!  Oh this is Florcy...

She was just recently added to Philly 360's multi talented list of creative ambassadors too!  Check out all the info after the jump and they are also taking submissions from artists!  And dont forget to follow PIFA on Twitter and Facebook

 

ART CALL

"Art Noir: Parisian Embrace"

Art Call

Vivant Art Collection in partnership with Pennsylvania International Festival of the Arts' (PIFA) Gallery Night announces a call to artists. The show exhibits dates are April 15 - May 28, 2011 at the Vivant Art Collection. 

Open to all US artists

Paintings or Photography only

Pieces must be the same size

No frames unless it is a print or photography

 Submit work in JPG format via email

Must submit 3-5 works and be available for purchase

Deadline: March 28th, 2011, if accepted must be received at Vivant by April 8th. 

Art Exhibit

April 15 - May 28th, 2011, Vivant will host a visual art exhibition titled "Art Noir: The Parisian Embrace" as a part of Pennsylvania International Festival of the Arts' Gallery Night. The art exhibition will explore periods ranging from the late 1800s to the 1960s, when African American artists expiated to Paris, France as result of racial prejudices and segregation.  During this period, America refused to celebrate black art, Paris opened their city, musical stages, and art gallery walls to  black American artists such as singers Josephine Baker, Nina Simone and Charlie Parker; writers Langston Hughes and Richard Wright; and painters Henry Ossawa Tanner and Herbert Gentry.

History
In between the 1920s and after World War II black American writers, artists, and musicians arrived in Paris and popularized jazz in Parisian nightclubs; at that time Montmartre was known as "the Harlem of Paris."  During the same period, the development of traditional African sculpture became a powerful influence among European artists who formed an avant-garde aesthetic in the development of modern art.  In the words of artist David C. Driskell, "They chose a form of cultural exile over expatriation, hoping for a better day to come about in the land of their birth." 

this blog is proudly supported by PIFA

PIFA and Vivant Art introduce us to Black Parisian Art and I think youre gonna like it!

Biggups to all my folks with an extra serving of Spring Fever especially after this dissapointingly cold week!  Listen lets stay focused and know that good sunshiny weather is on its way and in the meantime I will supply you with some cool things to add to your calendar for some spring culture and fun!  If youre in the Delaware Valley area (Philly and surrounding) you already know that PIFA is kicking off next week!  So like I've told you before that have a LARGE schedule of events but I try to keep my open for stuff I think WE might like lol. Well from April 15 - May 28 Vivant Gallery in Northern Liberties at 60 North 2nd Street there will be a special exhibit in celebration of PIFA  and they are taking submissions!!!!

 

I am determined to get us out of the house this spring/summer and a couple of months ago I met Vivant Gallery owner and currator Florcy Morisett, who is a supafly sista from NYC who has made a home in Philly and has traveled all over the world cultivating her passion and career!  I was truly impressed by her and am so pleased to introduce her endeavors to you!Oh this is Florcy...

She is also the latest to be added to the Philly 360, Creative Ambassador roster!
 

ART CALL

"Art Noir: Parisian Embrace"

Art Call

Vivant Art Collection in partnership with Pennsylvania International Festival of the Arts' (PIFA) Gallery Night announces a call to artists. The show exhibits dates are April 15 - May 28, 2011 at the Vivant Art Collection. 

Open to all US artists

Paintings or Photography only

Pieces must be the same size

No frames unless it is a print or photography

 Submit work in JPG format via email

Must submit 3-5 works and be available for purchase

Deadline: March 28th, 2011, if accepted must be received at Vivant by April 8th. 

Art Exhibit

April 15 - May 28th, 2011, Vivant will host a visual art exhibition titled "Art Noir: The Parisian Embrace" as a part of Pennsylvania International Festival of the Arts' Gallery Night. The art exhibition will explore periods ranging from the late 1800s to the 1960s, when African American artists expiated to Paris, France as result of racial prejudices and segregation.  During this period, America refused to celebrate black art, Paris opened their city, musical stages, and art gallery walls to  black American artists such as singers Josephine Baker, Nina Simone and Charlie Parker; writers Langston Hughes and Richard Wright; and painters Henry Ossawa Tanner and Herbert Gentry.

History
In between the 1920s and after World War II black American writers, artists, and musicians arrived in Paris and popularized jazz in Parisian nightclubs; at that time Montmartre was known as "the Harlem of Paris."  During the same period, the development of traditional African sculpture became a powerful influence among European artists who formed an avant-garde aesthetic in the development of modern art.  In the words of artist David C. Driskell, "They chose a form of cultural exile over expatriation, hoping for a better day to come about in the land of their birth." 

So happy to find some good new music, 3 ladies that call themselves, "King"

3 Ladies from LA who have been getting critical acclaim all over the internet from the most respected musicial folks ie.,Phonte (Little Brother/Foreign Exchange), Questlove, King Britt, Viktor Duplaix and more!  It doesnt matter until you put your word in though, so take a listen and support good music!

Saturday Brunch...

Yay for Bottomless mimosas!!!!

Have you meet our new Wonder Woman?

 Oh yeah Im serious!  Come on you knew it was coming eventually.  Looks like the new Wonder Woman is  coming this fall.  Its produced by David E Kelly (Ally McBeal, Boston Legal and Michelle Pfeiffer's husband)  The actress's name is Adrianne Palicki.  When I went to do my research on her I found she had some voice appearances on Family Guy, Robt Chicken, etc.  The interesting thing I found out about Adrianne is that she is also apart of an upcoming remake of the movie Red Dawn (80's babies remember!?!?!).  The original introduced us to Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, C Thomas Howell, Charlie Sheen and Lea Thompson!  It was the epitome of an 80's cast lol.  Anyway, just thought you might find this interesting too. 

Keepin it real moments need to be celebrated, so Jalen Rose today is your day!

Now I figure most would think Jalen would take this clarifying moment to politically correct himself in a way that would please the majority.  Well you thought all kinds of wrong! lol Not only does Jalen eloquently explain his past comments about Duke, but he reiterates them!  Im just lovin you Jalen!

Uh oh Willow, here comes Lauryn's daughter....and shes 12!?!?!

Seriously is it me or has life gone by way to fast as of late?  Does this mean Zion is 15!?!?!?  Listen back to the point.  Lauryn Hill and the beautiful Rohan Marley have let one of their most prized treasures out to play and not only is she a singer, she is beau-ti-ful.  Check out Selah Marley, who is introduced to us via Teen Vogue......

Check out more about Selah....

Times are bad and PIFA's got CHEAP DATES for you and your boo!

This is for all my folks in the Delaware Valley.  As the weeks go by you will be hearing  more and more about the greatness of PIFA.  And you know if Im gonna talk something up then it must be friendly to our pockets right?  Right!  Now I know times are hard (or thats the current excuse of our boo's lol).  So I come baring remedies!  PIFA is one of the biggest art festivals to hit Philly and like Ive said previously, they have something for EVERYONE.  Now, for all of my boo's on a budget I have a great list of events that will have your boo thinking you are the most romantic boo eva or that you really care about their pockets.  Either way its a win! lol


Ok so maybe you would like to meet your boo for a romantic lunch while youre working downtown....



LUNCHTIME TUNES
Piano music fills the Kimmel Center Plaza during lunchtime as
students and professional musicians play classical and pop tunes. 
Piano furnished by Jacobs Music.  
APRIL 11 - 28
MONDAY - THURSDAY
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
FREE


Or maybe you want to do something fun and free with the kids...



FAMILY PROGRAMMING
Spend your weekends enjoying interactive family activities in the 
Kimmel Center Plaza. With origami classes, PNC’s Grow Up Great 
concerts and more.  
APRIL 9 - MAY 1
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

EASTER EGG HUNT

Celebrate the signs of spring with a family-oriented Easter Egg 

Hunt within the Kimmel Center Plaza. For children 10 and under.

APRIL 24 

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Ooooo maybe your boo is into their religion and you need something to bring you a little closer....



GOSPEL PERFORMANCE
Gospel music soars as hundreds of voices from Enon Tabernacle 
Baptist Church Choir sing new works and spiritual favorites from 
the Kimmel Center tiers.  
APRIL 15
6:00 PM


Maybe you want to show your boo that you have some culture and you love the kids lol.....



KIMMEL CENTER YOUTH JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Led by Maestro Anthony Tidd, these energetic middle school 
through 10th graders know how to groove! Whether jamming 
at the Kimmel Center or rocking on the road, they will get you 
moving! Come see tomorrow’s jazz greats today!
MAY 1
1:00 PM
FREE


Wine Tasting...free!

APRIL 9 - MAY 1 
Kimmel Center Commonwealth Plaza WINE Kiosk
THURSDAYS - SATURDAYS   5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
SUNDAYS   2:00 PM - 4:00 PM






and those ideas are just to get your mind movin.  For a complete list go HERE!
and if you really want to be in the know, follow them here....
http://www.twitter.com/PIFAPhilly
http://www.facebook.com/PIFA.Philly




proudly supported by PIFA

Learn French for free..in Phille' lol and in 10 minutes?

So last week I inroduced PIFA to Laiyasworld. It's a really great arts festival coming to Philly.  Actually it might be one of the largest art festivals to hit the area in light of the 10 million dollar grant that is funding it!  Well listen I'm thankful that they have asked me to let you guys know about some of the things that might interest us!  I always took French throughout school, from kiindegarden to college.  Now with all those classes you would think I could skate through a French conversation with no problem.  Well you would be wrong lol.  Its crazy though because I love the language, but I always make the joke that as long as I can say in French, "Ou est la toilet"(where is the toilet?) or "Je parle un peu francais" (I speak a little French), I should be good.  Needless to say Im open to learn more and definitely open to learning FOR FREE lol.  So PIFA has joined Alliance Francaise de Philadelphie for French in 10 minutes for the weeks of April 11-28.  It looks pretty cool.  They will actually touch on specific topics like wine and food (which sounds even better lol) and there will be authentic teachers.  So put it on your calendar and I will see you there! As a matter of fact you may want to start following them on Twitter (@Pifaphilly) and on Facebook ! In the meantime, here is a quick French lesson on behalf of Laiyasworld lol....

proudly supported by PIFA

Ahhhhh a new Erykah Badu video. Now dont that feel good?

Man I love when Erykah just pops up with something new.  The song is from her last album, which was one of her best!  Sometimes it amazes me how her songs can articulate what Im thinking or where I've been.  I know its got to be the same for you too right?  Here's "Gone Baby, Gone Baby.."

Marsha, Angela Basset, Lorretta Divine, Kimora and more come together for Essence...

Ok so if you know me then you know i love my Essence!  Despite the whole fashion editor debacle, which I close my eyes and ignore most days lol.  But I have to have love based on the house that Susan Taylor built. To me Essence is THE magazine for all brown girls. In no other magazine do they honor the talents of Black women with so much class and beauty. So I love that they got together at their annual event to honor the likes of Loretta Divine, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Basset and Ms Viola Davis.  Check out  what some of the ladies in attendance had to say about this phenomenal day!

Kanye, Mos and Lupe....the freestyle

Live at the Blue Note in NYC....what more is there to say?

Revivalist Exclusive: Lupe, Mos & Kanye Freestyle with the Robert Glasper Experiment from revive da live on Vimeo.

Need some culture in your life? Thank God PIFA is coming to town!

So how many times have you said to yourself, "Man I need to do something different, something fun but also educational and creative..."? And then you turn on the TV and get lost for about 3 hours lol. Well no more excuses! Im actually including myself in this declaration lol. The weather is getting nice and PIFA is bringing Paris to Philly for a month! WTH is PIFA you ask? Its the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts! And it will be in Philly from April 7th-May1st! And man do they have a lot going on! This is not your typical arts festival. First of all the whole festival is inspired by the early 1900's Paris (think Josephine Baker) and the Kimmel Center. So most of the events surround the the Kimmel and embody some piece of Paris. Some notable participants that Im looking forward to are Les Nubians (who actually lived in Philly for a while), Angelique Kidjo, Questlove and Philly's own world renowned choreographer, Rennie Harris! As the weeks continue I will give you more details on some of the goings on. Some things have admission, but a lot are free (which is my favorite price!). So from food and wine, to opportunities to get to France, to some great performances, PIFA will definitely provide us with the cultural fix we need. Stay tuned!

Oh and get inspired by this Josephine Baker clip

prouldy supported by PIFA