Monthly Archives: November 2009

DMV EVENT-12/12 NAS+DAMIAN MARLEY

Posted on November 19, 2009 | 1 Comment

Hey folks,

A great friend of mine, Christine(1/2 of LunchboxTheory) has been working really hard over at  National Geographic to get the word out to the masses about this amazing event called Distant Relatives at National Geographic. It’s going to be NAS+DAMIAN MARLEY.in.one.room. (and there’s several other Hip/Hop greats in the building too! like Kool Herc, Rakim, Daddy U-Roy, King Jammy, Jeff Chang, Moussa Lo and DJ Red Alert). A HIP HOP and REGGAE panel discussion…AND THEN an AFTERPARTY (there will be an OPEN MIC at the party…so all local artists should definitely make sure to come and you know the greats themselves will PERFORM! so you know you don’t want to miss that!). Event is on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12th, 2009. Tickets became available Tuesday after midnight. And you are probably wondering…how much? and What does a ticket give me access to, right? Tickets are $25.BUT  JUST WAIT, that INCLUDES not only seating at the panel discussion but also covers your admission into the afterparty later that night.So you know, soon as I heard about this event, I wasted no time to purchase my ticket yesterday at work.Yes it’s that serious. Tickets are limited too! So you better hurry up and get yours!

Here’s the Press Release below if you want detailed information on the whole project and the all the people behind it:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE TO PRESENT RECORDING ARTISTS NAS AND DAMIAN ‘JR. GONG’ MARLEY FOR SPECIAL PROGRAM

‘Distant Relatives’ Event Dec. 12 Will Feature Hip-Hop and Reggae Legends In Conversation Moderated by MTV VJ Sway, Made Possible by VTech

WASHINGTON (Nov. 18, 2009)—National Geographic Live will conclude its fall event series with a one-of-a-kind evening with some of hip-hop’s most legendary figures. “Distant Relatives,” sponsored by VTech, will feature hip-hop icon Nas and Grammy-winning artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, son of Bob Marley, in a discussion about the often under-appreciated evolution of and deep-rooted connections between reggae and hip-hop.

Joining them for this conversation, moderated by MTV VJ Sway, will be key players in the development of both musical genres, including Kool Herc, Rakim, Daddy U-Roy, King Jammy, Jeff Chang, Pat McKay, Waterflow and DJ Red Alert.

The event will take place at National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.nglive.org, via telephone at (202) 857-7700, or in person at the National Geographic ticket office between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Tickets purchased online can be picked up in the lobby prior to the event.

Hip-hop, now a multibillion-dollar industry, originated as a vital form of cultural expression in Africa that was translocated by the slave trade to the Caribbean and the American colonies. It blossomed a half century ago in the dance halls of Kingston, Jamaica, and soon migrated to the parks jams and recreational centers of New York City, where the culture became known as hip-hop.

This evolution forms the basis of the “Distant Relatives” music project, a collaborative effort by Marley and Nas, which will comprise an album set for release in early 2010, a documentary film, performances and a series of public discussions, the first of which is this event hosted by National Geographic.

An open-mic party will be hosted at popular Washington nightclub Zanzibar following the event. National Geographic ticket holders will receive free admission with proof of purchase. For more information on the Zanzibar event, visit www.zanzibar-otw.com.

This event also will be streamed live and broadcast online at www.natgeomusic.net.

About National Geographic Live
National Geographic Live is the performing arts division of the National Geographic Society, featuring live concerts, films and dynamic presentations by today’s leading explorers, scientists, filmmakers and photographers, covering a wide range of topics, including exploration and adventure; wildlife and habitat conservation; natural phenomena; world cultures and ancient history; and relevant issues such as climate change and sustainability. Proceeds from speaker series help fund future National Geographic initiatives in field research, exploration and education. For more information, visit www.nglive.org.

About Nat Geo Music
Nat Geo Music, a division of National Geographic Entertainment, was established in 2007 to inspire people to care about the planet through the power of music. Content developed by Nat Geo Music is utilized across all National Geographic platforms, including online media, radio, print media, film and television. The Nat Geo Music label, launched in January 2009, records, releases and promotes modern music from around the globe from a variety of artists and genres. The Nat Geo Music Channel programs music from every corner of the planet and showcases global legends, local stars and up-and-coming artists. For more information, visit www.natgeomusic.net.

About VTech
VTech is one of the world’s largest suppliers of corded and cordless telephones and a leading supplier of electronic learning products. It also provides highly sought-after contract manufacturing services. Founded in 1976, the Group’s mission is to be the most cost-effective designer and manufacturer of innovative, high-quality consumer electronics products and to distribute them to markets worldwide in the most efficient manner. For further information on VTech’s blogs and its array of products, please visit www.vtechphones.com.

About “Distant Relatives”
“Distant Relatives” is an album created by two great artists to explore and celebrate the correlations and deep-rooted connections between reggae and hip-hop, tracing both sounds back to the African motherland that is both the cradle of humanity and the wellspring of mankind’s music. Unlike all previous collaborations between Jamaican and American artists, “Distant Relatives” is neither a remix nor a featured guest spot on a single track but a fully collaborative effort filling an entire album, opening new avenues of musical expression. Who better to fulfill this long-overdue mission? The youngest son of the legendary Bob Marley, and a hip-hop icon since 1991: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Nas, whose success as a duo was proved in 2006 with the double-Grammy-Award-winning “Road to Zion.”
###
Contacts:
Stephanie Montgomery
National Geographic
202-857-5838
smontgom@ngs.org

Carleen Donovan
Press Here Publicity
212-246-2640
carleen@pressherepublicity.com

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I really hope to see you all there! Don’t wait too long to purchase your tickets! This is one event you will not want to miss out on!

-Selamawit

→ 1 Comment

Posted in EVENTS, Movement, SIGHT, SOUND, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

THIRD MONDAYS-11/16/09

Posted on November 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

The Eclectic Eight

This list is more on the rock, emo, pop side. Check them all out and let me know what you think!

6a00cd970046954cd500d41422a0cb3c7f-320pi

45771air 1) AIR – “Sexy Boy” This group has been around since 1998. I’m mad I’m just now hearing about them. But better late than never. They are french, they use synthesizers and they got fun lyrics. This song is off their Moon Safari album that came out in 1998. A remixed version of same album was released in 2008. You can listen to that here

__________________________________________________________________________________

01330

2) Coconut Records – Nighttiming Whose behind this project? Ever heard of Actor Jason Schwartzman? (part of Coppola-clan, was in several Wes Anderson flicks such as The Darjeerling Limited and Rushmore…among many other films) Well, he has apparently been dabbling in music for years, even has his own indie record label. This 2007 album was his first under this band name. This is a pretty moody and wistful album but hopeful…Like how you feel when you just start liking someone and you are both running toward that cliff in pseudo-agreement, but you aren’t sure if its good idea…but you are excited by it all so you decide..yea yea yea..I’m going to  jump the cliff and so you do..then you look over and see…i’m the only one who jumped! then BOOM you slam head first into the crashing waves. yup, that’s what this album is like. (perhaps that description was a bit of an exaggeration…but listen and you’ll see).

_________________________________________________________________________________

41VB5RTWFNL._SL500_AA240_

3) The Ethiopians – Everything Crash: The Best of the Ethiopians Yea I know you are thinking…of course she’d add this group named after her peoples…nope.not even really. Just came across it while looking for Ethiopian music. Besides they are Jamaicans. But I guess that doesn’t really matter in the grander scheme of things, as one friend reminded me We all are the people of Kush. The band does 1960-70′s ska; Listening to them makes you wish you had a guaro y fresca in your hand (yea I’m nostalgic for my Costa Rica days.) while you danced the night away with everyone you loved and knew, in an open veranda steps away from the Caribbean Sea. See it? Yea, now play the songs.

__________________________________________________________________________________

BlackKeysA&R

4) The Black Keys - Attack & Release These two Ohio boys are really onto something. Trippy, folksy, rock-n-roll, 70s-ish…but more. Led Zepplin meets White Stripes meets…The Roots? Look, you just gotta listen to see what I mean. The album has songs about men dealing with crazy bitches, being love-sick, cold-hearted, down-trodden and on-top of the world.Initially, it may sound a bit depressing and confusing but it makes me wanna have a good ass night. The album’s got a pretty good build. Sounds like  it could be a really great soundtrack too. They have caught alotta folks attention from all different genres…even from couple hip-hop heads. So much so, there’s a huge project in the works, with the likes of Q-tip, Mos Def, Jim Jones, Pharoach Monch, Raekwon and more involved. If all goes right, I feel like this project could be just as exciting as when Run-DMC and Aerosmith collaborated back in the day. Yes, I am going out on a limb and saying that. These sortsa projects and artists make me excited about the direction the relationship hip-hop and rock-n-roll is going in..albeit tumultuous one at that…. Check out official site on the project: http://blakroc.com/

__________________________________________________________________________________

l_46b6cb86c58e89e60c4c37b47782b19b

5) Serge Gainsbourg – “Sea Sex and Sun” He may no longer be alive, but his music definitely is and will continue to do so. He’s french, he’s raunchy, speaks to you exclusively in french (for the most part) and his music epitomizes that early euro jazzy cafe music. Though I don’t understand what he is saying, I imagine a scene out of some foreign love triangle film. Sounds really odd I know, but I imagine scenes in my mind when I hear music.I like to try to visualize sound, if that makes any sense. I digress, you can and should listen to a nice compilation of his work here

__________________________________________________________________________________

nico-vega

6) Nico Vega “Nico Vega” Yes another rock group. Definitely on pop-side and the lead has quite a nice voice. Catchy songs. By the sound of her voice and the lyrics she does not sound like a woman to fuck with. Enjoy and tell me what you think!

__________________________________________________________________________________

phil-ade7) Phil Ade- Wow. I have seen mention of his name at various local events and have for some reason or another been unable to see him live. But after hearing his music I have realized, I really should have gone to see him. Confident, Fun, and Witty lyrics over some pretty nice beats. AND he’s a fellow DMVer. I doubt you will be disappointed. Check out his music here.

__________________________________________________________________________________

carolyn_malachi8)  Carolyn Malachi- The woman who started the Revenge of the Smart Chicks. Jazzy voice. Witty lyrics. AND from the DMV. Carolyn has been on mission to make smart chicks cooler than ever before. She’s been doing music and incorporated that into her community work by starting the Smart Chicks, Inc. After seeing her speak at hip/hop cinema event at the historical society several months ago, I realized this chick is onto something…definitely refreshing to say the least. Listen for yourself! She’s got new album that just came out too called Revenge of the Smart Chicks II: Ambitious Gods. Check out her music here.

_______________________________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoyed this month’s Third Mondays, 11/16: THE ECLECTIC EIGHT . Expect the unexpected each time. Also, I want to hear what you think!

One Last thing:
By TwitterButtons.com

-Selamawit

→ Leave a comment

Posted in SOUND, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nouveau

Posted on November 9, 2009 | Leave a comment

Remember what it was like going to your first museum and/or art exhibit? This event usually occurred with your school as part of a class trip or with family or maybe on your own. Okay, perhaps you don’t vividly remember that day, but you remember the artwork at the very least; whether you liked it, hated it, or thought damn this is weird and I don’t care to be here.  At the end of the day, even people who claim to not like going to art exhibits or don’t have a personal affinity for art (collecting, creating, appreciating) still do actually like some forms of art and just don’t realize it. We all have are personal tastes, some more refined than others perhaps, but everyone has some piece of artwork that just moves us each time we come across it.

Now there are many fine art forms: paintings, sculptures, drawings, printmaking, photography, dance, textiles, films, etc… In this specific case, I am referring to  traditional visual arts, which essentially includes everything I listed minus performing arts and film/video.

So from time to time I will be posting up articles on noteworthy artists in hopes that you all will check them out (especially if they are exhibiting their work in the dmv area) and support them!

Here are the first batch of folks:

1)Robert Williams

I came across him while skimming though Juxtapoz Magazine’s notice that their entire November issue is about him. Check it out here. He does conceptual surrealism and even has a book out by that title. He even designed shoes! Definitely a modern day Dali, check out his work:

artwork_images_972_88652_robert-williams

robertwilliams

robert-williams-pavilion-of-red-clown

Robt-ConceptualRealism

robert-williams-vans-vault-09-1

____________________________________________________________

2) Wangechi Mutu

About 2 winters ago,  I was looking on the Hirshorn Museum website because I wanted to go one weekend and they apparently had this upcoming exhibit on up-and-coming artists around the world. One of the artists who was exhibiting was this Kenyan-born, Brooklyn-based artist named Wangechi Mutu. She uses mixed media to make her collages that present cultural reflections on women and their status and roles in society, especially within pop culture. I am sad to say that for one reason or another, I didn’t get to go to the exhibit and had to settle with viewing her work online and to this day I haven’t forgotten her name. Yes, her work was that mesmerizing to me. Here are a few images of what her work. If you are fortuante enough to see her in your local gallery or museum, please don’t miss out like I did.

wangechi_mutu_untitled_dipWangechi-Mutu_Mutu-Unforgivable-Hierarchieswangechi-mutu-Ectopic-Pregnancywangenchi-mutu

____________________________________________________________

3) Martin Schoeller

Last spring I was venturing around DC. You know those perfect spring days, where the sun is out, high 70s, the city is noisy and you feel like its going to be a great day and even better night. I happened to be walking around Chinatown and decided to finally go visit the Portrait Gallery. I had never been for some reason, so I decided now or never. It was crowded and noisy and I just tuned everything out and focused on the exhibits. I saw some sculptures and portraitures of dead presidents and dignitaries. Then I came into a room with Martin Schoeller’s work. And I stood mesmerized. They do appear simple and arguably “boring” but if you stand there and just look at each image you will see something new. He presents each subject in such a raw and real way you actually feel as though you can see right into their souls. Kinda deep and bold statement to make but that’s how I felt when I saw his pieces. Take a look for yourself and let me know what you think:

06-05_full[1]ChristopherWalken_1[1]ms_harriskim_2003[1]

jack-nicholson-schoeller1[1]

___________________________________________________________

4) Cara Ober

I first came across Cara when I saw her work exhibited at Civilians several months ago. She does mainly mixed media work covering themes such as love and religion. The one-liners displayed on each piece are poignant and playfull; thoughts that we all have had stream through our minds on a daily basis. Check out few of her work:

hCbgmqB8[1]q9YKS7Gb[1]

xhzOOBQh[1]

728MWZNM[1]

_________________________________________________________

Make sure you check out their work. Don’t like it? Leave a comment and tell me why! If you are an artist yourself (especially in the dmv area) then contact me: editor.shademagazine@gmail.com and I’d love to check out your work!

-Selamawit

→ Leave a comment

Posted in SIGHT, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

EVENT: Fotoweek DC 2009

Posted on November 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

FWDC09Logo[1]

Fotoweek DC 2009 started today, Saturday Nov 7, 2009 and will be going on until November 14, 2009. Make sure you all check out the FREE exhibits going on all week throughout the district. Check out official site for more information here.

-Selamawit

→ Leave a comment

Posted in EVENTS, SIGHT

Tagged , , , ,