HOW DID I END UP HERE? La Vid (West Village)

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

A glass of white wine in hand was the perfect way to end a long week and a great way to kickoff a holiday weekend! 

I left the job early to check out the Japanese flick "Battle Royale" at the IFC which opened its run this past Friday. Its pre-Hunger Games, more brutal and hilarious all rolled into one film. If you are a violent cinema enthusiast - I highly recommend!

Ok well the onslaught of violence gave me a bit of an appetite so I headed to my favorite Thai spot nearby - Beyond Thai Kitchen. I had the mango chicken breast salad. Spicy and delicious!

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Couldn't leave the village without something sweet to take home - although this time it didn't make it home.  I stopped by the new bakery on 6th called the Fay Da Bakery. 

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Lastly, I came across a wine tasting at the newest shop on the block, La Vid Wine and Spirits. The staff schooled me on the happenings of this place. Firstly, the free wine tastings are every evening from 6-9pm featuring reps from the varied wineries, which is key (the BEST promoter of your product is you!). Secondly, they don't carry the typical brands - no yellowtail Shiraz here but you will find wines from smaller and unknown wineries that taste just as great. Lastly, the price is right - I'm a wine connoisseur so I love (and appreciate) when I can save a few $$ on a superb bottle! 


I will definitely be back to try some of their Chilean brands.

-Chante

ARTS PROJECTS WE LOVE: Arts to End Violence Festival - Crown Heights, Bklyn

Last night’s gallery opening was part of the Arts to End Violence Festival hosted by the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center as part of their Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) ceasefire initiative.

About 120 neighborhood residents attended the Arts to End Violence gallery opening held in a new art gallery on St. Johns Place, the adjoining church, and along the sidewalk. There was jazz music performed by Pastor Ken Bogan of Greater Restoration Baptist Church, film screenings of work done by filmmakers and students alike, and plenty of enthusiastic mingling. There were also opportunities for attendees to create their own inspiring messages of peace by making their own peace signs for the upcoming peace march in early-June. One guest noted that what was created by the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center was an oasis of peace. Tonight is the last day of the Arts to End Violence Festival. There will be film screenings of six short films and a documentary called Player Hating, which was filmed in Albany Projects. The event will take place at the Launch Pad (721 Franklin) at 7:00 pm. If you can't join the festivities this evening tonight then come to S.O.S. Week (June 2nd-10th)!

Hope to see you in Crown Heights!!

-Chante
(as provided by Amy Ellenbogen, Crown Heights Mediation Center)

EAR CANDY: The Name Is....TESS

If you didn't know her name before, you will know it after listening to her debut EP "The Name Is Tess". Tess Santos released her creative Hip Rock-n-B EP to the masses last week Friday at her listening party at the Ella Lounge in NYC.

With this EP, she shows the world that she encompasses a fiery synergy of passionate sass that cannot be harnessed by one genre alone. I absolutely love artists that leave people dumbfounded (what just happened?), curious (who is THAT?!) and amped (this right here-dopeness!). 

This EP is eclectic with audacious tracks like "Cut Open", "Whore" and "Danger" to the gritty yet vulnerable "Morphine". And I can't get enough of her bonus track "Haunted" about the crazy tailspin that love leaves you in - its a stripped down acoustic with Tess' emotional vocals and the guitar strings.

Over the past few years the young artist has toured internationally with Deemi, JT Taylor (of Kool & the Gang), Atlantic Star, and has worked with Nona Hendryx, Musiq Soulchild, Joel Ortiz among others.

The dues that she has paid and the sacrifices that she has endured all were not done in vain. This EP is a testament to her hardcore work ethic, devotion to her craft and her evolution into the artist that she has (and will) become!

-Chante

SIDE NOTE: Check her remake of "Sweet Dreams"!

The Great Googa Mooga: The Golden Ticket!

If you have not heard about The Great Googa Mooga then you've been living under a rock! 


This weekend is the two-day long food and drink fest of all fests for all palates, music tastes  pulsating throughout Prospect Park & endless revelry amongst event goers as folks moved elbow to elbow from one booth to the next.

The suspense of this event was 'what is this "Googa Mooga" all about?' I've been to countless local foodie events, after all this is NYC the land of food trucks and street vendors (another reason to love this city!), so I'm not new to the idea. But this event was building up to be a bit more that the norm. Googa Mooga was going to recreate a foodie-themed amusement park in the heart of Brooklyn!


The initial glitch that arose was scoring tickets to this event - if you were fortunate. After the website debacle and angry tweets/emails, I along with a few hundred others were able to cop a ticket and, later, Googa Mooga even extended an extra entry ticket to holders so that they can bring a guests (which was cool). And some attendees opted to spend the cash for VIP access tickets. Well the weeks after that were a blur between the series of updates on the who's who of food vendors on the roster (Big Gay Ice Cream, Brooklyn Soda Works, etc.), the scheduled attractions (performances by several bands including The Roots, Hall & Oats; wine tastings and much more) and the anticipation of a larger than large crowd. Googa Mooga was shaping up to be one event that this city will never forget.


I attended on Saturday - amped and ready! I arrived and knew there was a walk ahead of me so with the proper kicks I proceeded towards the entrance gate. I finally arrived in the early afternoon and the Nethermead lawn already it was packed. I smelled pork, chicken and then some as I entered. After being checked in and with map in hand, I went straight ahead to the bank of booths ("the Marketplace"). 


I must admit the lines were ridiculously long, the lawn was packed and the tunes were blaring in all directions but nonetheless I was having an absolutely great time (even ran into fellow Brooklynites - Brooklyn Exposed - as they made their rounds!). 


There was so much to do or not do. It was downright insane at times - trying to decide what to do next. I ended up simply stuffing my face then walking it off to the next foodie-something. I paused, at times, in awe of the clusters of folks noshing away, dancing, laughing and just having a fantastic time. The negative chatter about how bad this event was executed, how it reminded people of the DMV, etc. faded to the waste side. An event of this magnitude is not going to happen without a hitch, frankly, I feel that the hosts did an exceptional job with all things considered and I hope that this becomes an annual staple of NYC. A great draw for people to explore Brooklyn as the other best thing in the city outside of the isle of Manhattan.


-Chante

LEGENDS: R.I.P. DONNA SUMMER

As I write this, I just heard that the Queen of Disco, DONNA SUMMER, is now flying with the angels; after her battle with cancer at the age of 63.

Donna has been one of my biggest influences in the music industry and I'm just sick to death over her passing.  I still remember buying the cassette of her album, "On The Radio" and playing it until the tape unraveled!  I wanted to be Donna!!

Her hits, Last Dance, Love to Love You Baby, I Feel Love, just to name a few, will forever be apart of musical history.  No one could sing like Donna.  No one could bring that flavor that she could and she will be greatly missed.

In recent years, she just signed a new record deal and was sure to come out with more classics to add to her list of stellar hits.

Enjoy the performance below.  She never missed a beat and STILL belted like the beauty she was!  I will miss her greatly.  Fly with the angels, Donna!

Sending prayers of strength and blessings in abundance to her family and friends in this time.

BIO:  Donna_Summer

~Caprice~

VIDEO: Indie Soul Mixer 2012 Recap

Visual recap presented by Beki Wills of the wonderful time had by all artists, musicians, producers, and attendees alike. Kudos to the Indie Soul Mixer hosts/creators - Mike Ashley and Dexter Myers. 

-Chante

"No Matter What (A Mother's Song)" - JENNAH BELL

JENNAH BELL wrote this song describing the beauty of her mother's unconditional love. As many celebrate mothers everywhere on this day, we pay tribute to these nurturers, givers and the ones who are there for you when no one else is.


And to those who have lost the mothers in their lives as I have please join me in remembering how special their love was and pay it forward - what a gift to give someone that will last for a lifetime!


-Chante



Be sure to cop Jennah's debut EP "The Early Bird" - every track is my fav!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Saskia de Vries Designs

Bracelets Made of Recycled Cassette Tapes from Africa
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Recently, I was introduced to the intriguing jewels by Saskia de Vries Designs at the Dekalb Market (my second home).


Saskia says of her inspiration to make such art, "Four years ago, in a street market circling the Jokung Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet, the seeds of Saskia de Vries Designs were sown. In the midst of a year-long journey across Asia, I was inspired by the beauty of the crafts to learn how to make them myself. It began with a Tibetan knot in that small corner stand, which lead to a secret Turquoise market known only to locals. Soon I was trading knots with children on the beaches of Cambodia and buying stones from the traders in Katmandu. In the backstreets of Delhi I bought enough beads to fill a camping backpack." 


The artistry of each piece is quite striking and unique! From the bold colors to the creative origin of their birth, you an see why I couldn't leave her store without purchasing. Be sure to stop by her shop at the Dekalb Market this season as well as other pop up markets across the city!  


-Chante

EAR CANDY: DJ DAN C.E. Soulful Mixes

DAN C.E. Live From Billie's Black 5/5/12 Pt. 1 - The warm-Up by Dj Dan C.E. on Mixcloud

http://www.mixcloud.com/DAN_C-E-/dj-dan-ce-live-from-the-rendezvous-shrine-nyc-pt-2-indie-soul-mixer-7-wrap-up/?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=base_links&utm_term=resource_link by Dj Dan C.E. on Mixcloud

BROOKLYN FILM FESTIVAL - JUNE 2012

If you were one of the unfortunate many who missed out on the Tribeca Film Fest this year like I did, the chance to make up for that blunder is at this year's Brooklyn Film Festival this June 1-10, 2012 at the indieScreen and Brooklyn Heights Cinemas.


The Brooklyn Film Festival (BFF), is an International, competitive festival. BFF mission is to provide a public forum in Brooklyn in order to advance public interest in films and the independent production of films. To draw worldwide attention to Brooklyn as a center for cinema. To encourage the rights of all Brooklyn residents to access and experience the power of independent filmmaking, and to promote artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure. 

At this point, I'm still indecisive on which films to see but I will definitely partake and hope that you will too!

Here's the trailer of one of the many films at the fest!



-Chante