This week's song choice for a Saturday Night is from another artist who left us far too soon. I couldn't end our trip through the music of the 90s without a) adding some hip hop to the mix and b) representin' Brooklyn, so I hope you all will enjoy "Hypnotize".
This past weekend marked the beginning of the seventh annual Bed-Stuy Alive here in my hood. Bed Stuy Alive! is a week of activities (October 8 - October 15) that celebrates the community’s many treasures, from its history, commerce and culture. This year’s theme is Live Healthy, Live Well, Live Green.
A major highlight of the week is probably the best free concert series to come to Bed-Stuy, Restoration Rocks! This year's line up was spectacular, Pharoahe Monch , Idle Warship (Supergroup featuring Talib Kweli, and Res), Mos Def with the Brooklyn Philharmonic (DOPE!!!) and a lot more local artists showcasing their talents. While I was super excited to see all the act, I must admit, Chris and I left the house super late, so I only had the opportunity to see Mos Def perform.
I don't have to tell you he killed it, right?!?! LOL
After enjoying Mos (It's going to take some use to calling him Yassin Bey next year!), Chris and I walked around the festival, checking out the various vendors, seeing our options for lunch (the variety of food was bananas!!! Soo many choices!), and people watching...
I met Veronica at the food court area, enjoying some delicious smelling yummies. We talked food, blogs and she hipped me to some great vendors at the event.
I also ran into my friend (and Badass Blogger), Michelle.. whom I literally had not seen since grade school! LOL
She was even kind enough to snap a picture of Chris and I!!!
I had such an amazing time, but I knew I had some henna-ing to get started, so we called it a day and headed back to the casa, and managed to snap a few more pics in the process.
Summer is my favorite time in the city, simply because of the events happening in NYC. I just had to share this upcoming event that will be happening in Brooklyn!!!
Sweet Roll Entertainment, a fashion events company that is “creating a fulfilling fashion experience for the contemporary curvy girl,” announces its second fashion swap for exclusively for full-figured women, size 10+.
“The Hotter Than July” summer curvy girl fashion swap will take place after work Tuesday, August 2nd at a location to be determined in Brooklyn. Like company’s first and successful swap in May, admission to the event is just a “sweet $16” plus a contribution of 5 gently-used fashionable clothing items.
In addition to unlimited clothes swapping, ticket price also includes curvy girl friendly entertainment and light refreshment for each guest. At the last swap, delicious desserts were served as an eloquent male poet recited poems praising full-figured curvy women. Word is there may be full-figured dance performer this time, while Linger Café serves a delicious menu or large and small plates as well as desserts. (Sweet Roll Ent held its Curvy bloggers luncheon there this past June.)
Also, in keeping with its “Hotter Than July” theme, ladies are encouraged to bring “freak ‘em” dresses (also known as party dresses) to this swap. Attendees will receive an entry into the Featured Item raffle for every freak ‘em dress that they bring. Raffle prizes include everything from vintage jewelry to body products made by full-figured entrepreneurs. Gift bags guaranteed with advance ticket purchase.
Today was Chris' birthday and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by heading over to B.A.M.'s annual DanceAfrica Bazaar, which happens every Memorial Day Weekend in Brooklyn!! We had a beautiful time!!
Each year the streets surrounding the Brooklyn Academy of Music are transformed into an African Bazaar, where people from all over come listen to amazing music, eat delicious foods, and shop 'til they drop!!!
I was walking around, enamored with the fashionable women walking around, not to mention the abundance of natural hair. Speaking of natural hair, I was staring at a woman's shirt, imagining myself doing a run-by like Smokey in "Friday", "Break yo'self, fool!!!", when she approached me, recognizing me from the blog.
See what I mean about that top?!? Sooo CUTE!!! It was the beautiful Deitra of Bohemian Soul.. we've been Bloggy Buddies for years and have never met before, despite living really close to each other! You GOTTA love the Bazaar for making friends. :)
I couldn't wait to check out her accessories. I ended up purchasing a gorgeous flower headband, which I rocked for the rest of the day and when Chris and I met up with my BFF Natasha, her honey Rob and his beautiful Mother -
Natasha was looking absolutely stunning in a beautiful African Print Dress.
Such a lovely, lovely lady!!!
We all had a blast walking around in that intense heat, and I know I went home tired, but insanely happy with some definitely drool worthy goodies!!
Some bangles, a couple of pairs of earrings and the beautiful floral headband from Bohemian Soul!!
I got me a African Print bag!! Whoo Hooo! I am so excited about wearing this bag. If I wasn't exhausted, I'd been swapping out purses, STAT!! LOL
All in all, we had a beautiful time at the DanceAfrica Bazaar... it's definitely one of Brooklyn's Best!!!
If you haven't noticed, I love Brooklyn and I admittedly get very, very braggadocious about my 'hood. Bed-Stuy is far from perfect, but there is so much beauty on these streets, what's not to love?
So this Saturday Night, I present two of Brooklyn's finest, Mos Def (Bed-Stuy!) with Talib Kweli (Park Slope!) and "History". Enjoy!!!
Happy Monday, Everybody!!! It's a new week, ripe with opportunities to make sure the next seven days are beautiful! And what's more, it's Valentine's Day!!! Hooray!! This week's Music Therapy with Miss Moon choice is a very very special Valentine.
Have I mentioned my love of the borough I reside in? No? Yes? Well, let me say that I love Brooklyn!!! I cannot imagine living anywhere else but here. One day I am going to own a big, beautiful brownstone here in Bed-Stuy and come summer, you will find me on the stoop, chilling and blasting this song by Little Jackie.. "The Stoop". Enjoy!!
This stoop is my throne
This hood is my home
And the sky’s always blue by the brownstones
We in Brooklyn, it ain’t no Beverly Hills
Basically we pay bills, then chill
It’s like east coast bliss, its like west coast diss
We do it like this and you seal it with a kiss
And a pound, that’s just how it go down
It’s the protocol, do you feel me all?
Saturday afternoon we talk about the night before
And tonight we’re gonna do it some more
Sunday morning hear the bands in the church play
All day long, every block there’s a new song
Sitting on the stoop in Bed Stuy
Always sayin hi when the brothas walk by
Just proper etiquette
Sitting on the top step
With a bag of chips, sit back, relax, enjoy the trip
We got a neighborly philosophy
I don’t mess with you, you don’t mess with me
It is what it is, it ain’t all hard up in the hood
Sittin on my front stoop and its all good
Boys in wife beaters and corn rows
Wear their pants down low so their briefs can show
Girls be always dressed up
Giving their best stuff
Workin that hairdo
Boys are gonna bless you
Always some commotion at the corner store
That the corner cops chose to ignore
Everybody ride tune to a different song
When they pass by I bob my head along
I don't smoke spliffs but don’t mind the aroma
If the deli out of stella then I settle for corona
And I claim my spot for the evening
Let the part begin, we gonna do it again
Sitting on the stoop in Bed Stuy
Always sayin hi when the brothas walk by
Just proper etiquette
Sitting on the top step
With a bag of chips, sit back, relax, enjoy the trip
We got a neighborly philosophy
I don’t mess with you, you don’t mess with me
It is what it is, it ain’t all hard up in the hood
Sittin on my front stoop and its all good
Its all good
Its all good
Cause I l-l-l-l-love my hood
L-l-l-l-love my hood
Its all good
Its all good
Cause I l-l-l-l-love my hood
L-l-l-l-love my hood
Sitting on the stoop in Bed Stuy
Always sayin hi when the brothas walk by
Just proper etiquette
Sitting on the top step
With a bag of chips, sit back, relax, enjoy the trip
We got a neighborly philosophy
I don’t mess with you, you don’t mess with me
It is what it is, it ain’t all hard up in the hood
Sittin on my front stoop and its all good
I've mentioned my love for Essence's Street Style Photo Galleries in this blog before. Sadly, the past few galleries they've offered up have been less than inspiring. Until...
From the Street Style: Shout Out Brooklyn(Capturing beauties at Target’s First Saturday event Shout Out Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Museum). The woman in the image is Namik Minter, and she is simply lovely. A lot of the styles in this particular photo gallery were amazing (A few were "Meh" and one or two were "Dear God, Nooooo!!!!!"... guess which ones I mean! LOL)
But back to Ms. Namik. I love love love this outfit. I took one look and KNEW that I had to recreate it.... for the plus size ladies out there!
Let's start with the dress!!! Now in the picture, I couldn't tell if she was wearing a top/skirt combo, or a dress, so I elected to call it a dress and selected the Grey Sequin Knit Dress ($54.00, Torrid)
While Namik's dress clings to accentuates her killer curves, I think that the Torrid dress is a little more forgiving... which is great for big bellied gyals like me!
I selected a super-simple comfy blazer that has been on my "to buy" list for a couple of weeks now... the Relaxed One-Button Blazer ($39.99, The Avenue).
Simply roll up to sleeves to get that casually chic 3/4 length look!
Again, I couldn't tell if Namik was wearing a super funky necklace in the picture, or if what I was seeing was a part of the dress (or shirt!), so I once again came to the conclusion it was a necklace and set off to find the perfect one for this look, with the assistance of my homegirl, Stephanie (Thank you!!!). I couldn't find an exact replica, but I believe I found a necklace that captured its uniqueness and vibrancy.
I selected the gorgeous (albeit pricey) Lauren Manoogian Hexagon Necklace ($125.00, Urban Outfitters). I really thought that this necklace matches that out of place, yet harmonious with look, as well as I thought that the colors went very well with the shoes I picked out.
I chose the Jeffrey Campbell Band Brown Combo Fiesta Woven Wedge ($109.00, Lulu's)
The shoes are only available in a 9.5 at the moment, which is a shame, because I could really use those shoes in my life! LOL
I am feeling very very much like a Brooklyn Geechee today, y'all... There's been a great deal of Marcy Ave-type Magick afoot....... and I am loving it!
First after weeks of searching, I finally found a bottle of Absolut Brooklyn. Then I heard the AWESOME video "Stuy (On My Mind" by Fresh Daily, and lastly, courtesy of the Afro Punk Blog,I discovered that Mos Def and Lenny Kravitz (Two of Bed-Stuy's Finest!!) have joined together with the Gulf Aid All-Stars to record this great blues meets hip hop collaboration called "Ain't My Fault".. Check it Out!!
What do you think about the video? Want to help with Gulf Aid, click here!
I love living in Bed-Stuy, I am a PROUD Brooklyn Geechee. I love my neighborhood the way one loves members of their family: You may not the like the things that they do, but the love is unmistakable.
With love, I share this heart-breaking poem by Liza Garza to the fellas walking the streets (my streets and the streets all over the world), with a gentle urging to remember the women you leave behind. Peace from Brooklyn!
My Everything
they said we'd become victim to the streets
as if the concrete could creep up and catch us
in the midst of walking lift up and grab us
cock back and blast us
backhanded slap us
and we believed em
did everything to create some sort of distance
in between em
the souls of our sneaks and the hot pavement beneath
anything just to bring us a lil closer to heaven
as if 18 inches was the next best thing to ascension
in a life full of question
with answers camouflaged in every look of lust
never knowing who to really trust
so we stay strapped and we stay trapped
cycles full of sin
they trying to sift out our backs
or compromise our integrity
and in every choice there awaits a greater casualty
black Jesus pieces and pinkie rings
over sized white tees
and r.i.p.'s
the streets is calling me
or they might as well be
I'm a single mother raising two sons
who could potentially be toting two guns
in less then five years from where i stand today
and in less then four years my delivery would change in pace
cause I'm trying to catch up with 3 years fast forward in time
when in just two they height will match mine
zoom in focus to my life right now
smack dead in the face to what i write right now
if i could only make the streets seem less sweet
if i could only place a tear at their feet for every victim at least id have the hopes to sway them
with currents that run deep enough
sweep them with stories of misplaced trust
waves of lost love
and seasons that my body wont forget
how every year in late September, October the breeze can blow and
i forced to remember when
i loved him
and i lost him
all i got to give is the sweat off my brow
is the tears when they fall
all i got to give
is my everything, knowing i still could lose my everything.
Earlier this week, my song selection for this Saturday Night, played when I had my iPod on shuffle. The song played as I rode the bus down Fulton Street and I remarked how happy I am to be back in Brooklyn.
I loved living Upstate in Corning, and was loved by my hubby-to-be and his fantastic family, but I felt at times very much like a fish out of water. My race made me a minority, but the fact that I have natural hair, a nosering and tattoos made me much more of a minority.
Hearing this song this week reminded me of the wonderful things about "Where I'm From", so with gratitude, I share this song... Enjoy your Saturday Night!!
Peace.. peace.. peace y'all!
(Strange!) Real strange.. real strange..
(An overdose..) A.. nickel bag of funk
(WE GOT BEAT!!)
Now move on.. move on.. yeah..
("Hey man are you ready to go?") Yeah..
[Butterfly]
Boogie jive and rap is life where I'm from
Where I'm from, I might play with Izzy where I'm from
Where I'm from, it be like, "run your coat black"
Jupiter, keeps her fat beats by the pack
Where I'm from, nappy hair is life
We be reading Marx where I'm from
The kids be rockin Clarks where I'm from
You turn around your cap, you talk over a beat
and dig some sounds boomin out a jeep
Where I'm from, cocoons hide the youth, swoon units 100 proof
You want some beef, they will cut you some
Where I'm form, the beats is infinite where I'm from
Voodoo, ashubani, gangsta lean where I'm from
I'm interplanetary, my insect movements vary
It's kinky if it's hair, G, where I'm from
The firehoses blow, it's purple wind and snow
I do a hit and go, SPLIT
It's hip, what's hip? When hip is just the norm
Cause Planets pledge allegiance to the funk in all it's forms
The kinks, the dance, the prints in all the shirts
My grandmother told my mother it's Africa at work
On vibes, we freak, them universal beats
You find it at the spot you hit at ends of every week
We twist, exist, to spin the maddest hits
Up here funk is our neighbor so we paid her a visit
The lip we sip can't house the nine zips
For rock we can't do nothin, for this we come equipped
Off disc, off tape, rap blastin til from 8
The really truly fat the fly on the flip
Cocoa gotta know, how Planets, gotta roll
Speak the mega cool, get funky as a goal
It's calm, relax, we're only some new jacks
that acts from the funk but don't play the role
Where you from?
....
[Doodlebug]
Weekend "Dig Plans" got T's where I'm from
Where I'm from, it's Collins 13 where I'm from
Where I'm from, brothers took the beat and got fly
(Why?) That's most asked by 85, where I'm from
Fakin the funk you get did
Projects, tenements, pyramids
Where I'm from, we're livin off the boom boom crack
It's that hip hop rockers jazz when I max
Peace be the greeting of the insect tribe
Pestilent forces can't catch the vibe
We live to love and we love to rock mics
We speak in ghetto tongue cause ghetto's the life
Food for thought so get a buffet plate
The lyrics are so fat you might gain weight
So just watch me step alone, into the sunset
Left foot right foot 1-2 mic check
Brewin funk inside my soul kitchen
So pull up a chair here's a bit have a listen
of hardhead intervene, damn I know you're fluent
Yeah, cause Doodle ain't havin it and Butterfly knew it
Where you from?
....
[Ladybug]
Venus acts a fool at the square right? (Yeah)
Doctors engineer in apparel right? (Yeah)
Hip-Hop made a point last year right? (Yeah)
But Planets is the joint this year right? (Yeah)
Planets got the dubs and live to grass-hop
Duck out from the fuzz, that sweat the hip-hop
Risin like we foam, get it from the dome
I'm from where the fat beats stretch for mad blocks
We can get a kit, without, no thread
Feelin funky beats go straight, to the head
Fall into a club, dig on what we love
It be past six, before we reach bed
Butter freaks on relics we say, those are fat
Doodle makin silk, LaQuan, where it's at?
We need to stack a sack, for rap to take us dap
So we treat our clips, just like, bustin caps
Rip it til dawn, kick it til dawn
Hip-Hop is the fix, or else, we be gone
People thought they canned it, rap is not by bandits
Digable Planets got it, goin on
{all together}
Everywhere, every every where (yeah) *8X*
I am ashamed to admit that this was my first venture to the Weeksville Heritage Center, despite living in Brooklyn... FOREVER! Truth be told, I wasn't aware of this historical section of Brooklyn until a few short years ago.
The Weeksville Heritage Center is a historic site in the New York City borough of Brooklyn that was an important 19th century free black community, whose residents established schools, churches and benevolent associations and were active in the abolitionist movement.
Weeksville is a historic settlement of national significance and one of the few remaining historical sites of post-Civil War African-American communities. The Heritage Center focuses on tours, arts and crafts, literacy and historical preservation programs for public-school students. The site is managed by the Weeksville Society, a historical society that maintains the 12,400-square-foot (1,150 m2) site comprising the historic Hunterfly Houses and an open grassy area.
The Heritage Center is located at 1698 Bergen Street between Buffalo and Rochester Avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
The lovely Natasha, my BFF!!
Visiting these houses gave me such an amazing sense of pride... it's a reminder of what can be accomplished. The owners of these houses were former slaves... they saved their money and was able to buy land and build their homes for themselves and their families. It really inspired me to be more mindful of my budgeting so that one day I too will own my home!
The concert was spectacular. We didn't have the best seats, so we couldn't always get a good look at Cody, but I was happy and content to listen to his new music and do one of my favorite things to do: people watch!
This woman's locs were completely beautiful. The photo really doesn't do it justice, but isn't she simply gorgeous?!?!
The audience in full effect... I saw so much drool-worthy natural hair looks and dope fashion... check out that sistah with the beautiful fro hawk in the back there!!
This picture was taken after I had my first Belgium Waffle from Waffle and Dinges ... Suffice to say most of my makeup was GONE after I grubbed on this beauty:
I had the WMD with Dulce de Lece, Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, Chocolate and powdered sugar...... (delicious but once and awhile!)
My Honey coasting on a sugar high!!!
(Photo Courtesy of Brian Pace)
What can I say about Cody Chesnutt's performance? No words can truly do it justice! His band was fantastic... all really talented and full of energy and love for their craft.
We were also blessed with an opportunity to meet Cody and take a few pictures .. He was very kind and generous with his time and the event was beautiful!!
(Photo Courtesy of Brian Pace)
I've been such a homebody the last few months, I've been promising myself to get out more often, so expect to see more installments of "Been There/Done That".
My name is Audrey. I have been called many, many things. My Pirate Sistahs dubbed me Pirate Yemaya Chalice Moon, Mother of the Secret Realm (or Yemmy for short), which I remixed P-Diddy style into Miss Moon the Brooklyn Geechee. This blog is basically all about me and my life. I call it the rantings, ramblings and revelations of your average Brooklyn Geechee.
I have a lot of interests, and I admittedly get a bit dorky about them. So this blog will be about music, movies, politics, tv, getting healthy, and as Lisa Jones dubbed her book Bulletproof Diva (a must read!)... tales of race, sex, and hair.
I hope you like it. And if not, I welcome constructive criticism.
My only rule is be nice or leave.
". Enjoy!!!
". Enjoy!!
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