MUSIC: AfroPunk Weekend in Brooklyn

 

The Skins @ Afropunk

This past weekend at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn marked the sixth year, long awaited, 2-day Afropunk Festival (August 24th and 25th) and for the first time we (Synch Ladies, Chante and Caprice) were thoroughly delighted and in awe to be in attendance for one of the most culturally diverse festivals in NYC! 

The festival featured brilliant artists from all corners of the rock music genre; garnering a huge community of rocksters from the non-conforming youth to the mature.  This would be a looooooooong read if we named every single artists on the bill, so we'll give you a snippet of who rocked the stage: The Skins (this super polished band of young adults set off the festival with an enormous BANG), Living Colour (how could you NOT have this iconic rock band grace the stage? HUH??), Saul Williams, Questlove, Unlocking The Truth, DJ Hernandez, Wicked Wisdom, led by Jada Pinkett Smith (yes, there was a Will Smith sighting) and a plethora of performers who unleashed a hurtin' from the early afternoon into the wee hours of the night.  Oh and NO, there is no way it stops at JUST the music!!  There was much to do and see, such as the ART WALL canvas featuring works by Ronald Wimberly; rock climbing by the Brooklyn Boulders; delicious grub from a vast array of food vendors (shouting out Phin & Phebes!!) and The SpinThrift Market to "feed your shopping fix" from customized t-shirts to jewelry and everything in between!

In the mist of all the weekend excitement, we chatted briefly about the festival and the legacy of rock music (take a listen here) in all its splendor. 

There is no doubt that we will be back next year and hopefully, SR's Caprice will get a chance to rock the stage with the best of them!  

Until next year AfroPunk and keep ROCK ALIVE!!!



-Synchronized Rhythm

FOOD: Tea By Tiffany's Green Meditation

Green Tea Chocolate Granola - courtesy of Tea By Tiffany
Photo Credit: Chante/VySyn Photography 

Tea and mediation go hand and hand - that's what I along with a few other guests learned at last night's green tea meditation event hosted by Tea By Tiffany at Asali Yoga in Harlem. The evening was filled with learning, sharing, embracing a renewed way of thinking and tea tasting, of course.

After returning from the recent annual tea industry event in Las Vegas, Tiffany treated us to four teas from Korea and Japan that she brought back from the conference. 

Let me know you...this tea is indescribable. It is pure, high-quality tea from the farms of the shaded, unshaded and mountain sides of lands far away that when sipped you feel as if you are being transported to those parts unknown.

Incredible!

Aside from the tea leaf offerings, we indulged our senses to sweet green-inspired treats, like the one above, as well as our spirits to the inspirational words of meditation speakers, Alan Watts and Jiddu Krishnamurti.

After a long, long week at the office, this was the perfect way to kick off my weekend with great tasting tea and a lesson in meditation.

Tiffany will continue to host these themed events more frequently so I encourage you to join her mailing list for updates and if you are interested in a private tea tasting contact her here.

What's in Your Cuppa?
Chante

FOOD: A Cuppa at PressTea

Last month, a new cafe opened in Greenwich Village namely Press Tea to much fanfare.

Since the opening, I've stopped by a few times and I have to admit the fuss is warranted. This place brings coffee and tea lovers alike to try an innovative approach to tea preparation and freshly brewed special blends - very imPRESSive! 

The wooden motif, warm lighting and cozy seating offers an ideal place to catch up with friends, sip a special brew in your creative mode or get away from reality with a good book.

Ironically, each time that I've stopped by ended up being the worst rainy days of spring and Press Tea was that oasis in those stormy moments.

Chante

MUSIC: Open Mic @ Sam Ash

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

This past week, Sam Ash Music Store kicked off it's weekly Wednesday's Open Mic night. 

The event featured various musicians and vocalists including Les July (who also starred as the MC), Caprice Starbrite, N'tirzah Al Rephaim, Kizmit (band), The Cynz (band) and others.

It was a great opportunity to be exposed to different genres of rock and soul while strolling down memory lane on the oldies of music's heyday. 

This music series is set to be something grand where a jam session with random musicians who do not know each other can occur at any given moment!

-Chante

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

ART: Little Teapot

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

I'm beyond giddy with the clay tea set that Lindsay of Little Bearpots custom made for me.

After meeting her at the LaunchPad event a couple of months ago, I became an instant fan of her craftsmanship. She creates so many exotic pieces that I simply had to ask her to make a teapot for me and it was not a challenge for her at all.

While I gave her creative freedom, we did collaborate on the types of glazes and surfaces that would work for this piece since I was looking for something subtle yet classic. And I was looking for yunomi-style cups for my tea sessions.

It turned out wonderfully!! My first steeping was with a Rooibos tea blend...but of course!

I'm so looking forward to steeping many more leaves in this pot

Chante

The brew is ready!
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography