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

LaunchPad's Monthly Built-in-Brooklyn Craft Fair

Me and, designer, Jenowade
Photo Credit: Pamela Landvreugd

Last month, I stopped by Brooklyn's Launchpad for their monthly crafts vendor shoppe featuring the finest in artistry, nosh and vintage gear.

I was fortunate to meet artists and entrepreneurs: Jenowade (designs inspirational and creative jewelry - see the 'Namaste' silver necklace below), Lindsey Schneider of Little Bear Pots (picked up a new tea cup - definitely want to purchase her tea sets), Christiana Greene of Bum Cake vintage vendor (copped a 1940's silver and black opal piece - my first vintage jewel) and the ladies of Shea On U for their smooth body butter that smelled too good not to eat (yes I tried..ha!).

Namaste Jewelry by Jenowade Designs
Photo Credit: Chante/VySyn Photography

Visit Launchpad’s website for the next date of their monthly crafts offering and join their mailing list to be the first to know the latest cultural events that are happening at this amazing Franklin Avenue venue! 

Chante

HOW DID I END UP HERE? BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN

Photo Credit: Chante/VySyn Photography

I finally made it to Sunday brunch at the Elberta Restaurant on Flatbush Avenue - southern cuisine with a flair. I'm a sucker for a good plate of biscuits and gravy - Elberta's was certainly on point!

I truly hope that this place becomes the go-to spot for comfort food in the post-Barclay district era. This restaurant offers a tasty menu, cozy cocktails ($5 mimosas was what I needed) and special events (Bayou Shrimp Tuesdays, Lobster Fest Wednesdays & Groove Fridays featuring live music). Kudos to the staff and chef (Robert Carlino!).

Photo Credit: Elberta Restaurant - Yelp

After filling up my belly at Elberta's, I strolled through the Grand Army Plaza arch then headed to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens on a whim. This is when my day got even more interesting.

The last time that I visited the garden was at last year's cherry blossoms event - the Annual Spring Sakura Matsuri Festival. After I began venturing through the garden like a kid in a candy store, I came across the rose garden. I simply love this part of the park. There were rows and rows of roses in bloom - see the above picture. I had to smell every single one!

Adjacent to the rose garden, is the Shakespeare garden. To me, this is the most creative exhibition of nature - combining literary prose with the very same beauty of nature of which the prose helped inspire. Curated by Anne O'Nell, this garden boasts over 80 flowers, shrubs and trees that appear in his works as quotes by Shakespeare cascade throughout the garden.

Before nature embraces winter, checking out this garden should be on your to-do list. :)

Photo Credit: Chante/VySyn Photography

“Like the lily,  That once was mistress of the field and flourish’d,  I’ll hang my head and perish.”  Henry VIII (3.1.168-70)
-Chante

EVENT: Pinot for Pink

Last night, I attended the "Pinot for Pink" event at the hosted by Caitlin Heikkila, a fellow blogger of all things Brooklyn. 

The event was in memory of her grandmother who lost her battle against cancer as well as others who succumbed to the disease or continue to fight against the odds.  This Fall, Caitlin will be running the NYC Marathon to raise money for a nonprofit organization called The Pink Agenda, that is committed to raising funding for breast cancer care, research and awareness of this disease. I simply couldn't resist supporting Caitlin's determination and passion for this worthy cause as I have also lost members of my family, including my mother in 2005, to this disease.

It was an amazing night seeing Caitlin (its been awhile!), meeting new faces and tempting fate at the silent auction of local goodies (e.g., Seersucker, Arthur on Smith, home made). The evening was filled with random chatting amongst strangers and friends while everyone sipped on the best libation offerings at the Brooklyn Winery (the Rose was amazing!). We were also fortunate to squeeze in a tour of the winery on how the delicious wine is made - Brooklyn Style. 

If you wish to support Caitlin's fundraising campaign, check out her site. Also be sure to subscribe to her blog for some cool ideas on things-to-do-in-Brooklyn.

-Chante

Summer In NYC 2012

Flower Power on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

The beginning of August signals a lot for me. August 1st kicks off a month-long birthday celebration, throughout the month of August I'm witnessing carnival novelties pop up across Brooklyn in preparation for the parade next month and then the reality check hits me mid-month that the summer is coming to a close.


While I'm a little sad that summer will bid us adieu pretty soon, I can only reflect on how amazing this season has been even with the intense hot-waves! Vacationing in the city has been exciting from taking a day trip to the local parks, sailing on the ferries as an alternative route to trekking to those unchartered parts of New York City and re-exploring neighborhoods that I haven't been to since I was in my early twenties.


This summer was (and is) dedicated to re-confirming what I already know - how awesome NYC truly is!

Gantry State Park @ Long Island City
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

With still a few weeks left of this summer season, I have plenty more planned (and unplanned) to look forward to. I can't hardly wait!


-Chante

L to R: Enjoying a cool treat courtesy of a Mister Softee truck, Sweet treats @ CandyRush (Brooklyn),
Joe's Pub in the East Village, CityPoint - future shopping center in downtown Brooklyn
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

At the Fairway Pier @ Red Hook in Brooklyn
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

L to R: Wall Street Wifi Hotspot, Jamaica Avenue (Queens),
Park Slope's Stinky Brooklyn Cheese Shop, B61 Bus Stop in Red Hook (Brooklyn)
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

L to R: Chelsea Market at lunchtime, DUMBO Brooklyn,
Bird watching at the Brooklyn Bridge Park pier, Sweets at the Dewey's Candy Shop (Brooklyn)
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

RED HOOK's Brooklyn Crab Shack with a View

After making its debut this Spring, the Brooklyn Crab is the place to chill at in Brooklyn for seafood, for great sights to see and an escape from the busy Manhattan scenery.


I checked this place out yesterday during a much needed getaway to the shores of Brooklyn. They open its doors daily at 4pm and to my surprise the line was packed before then. As you can tell, the wait was a bit onerous for some but bearable for me on this gorgeous Spring/Summer day.  I was flying solo and I was initially hedging on leaving to settle on something to nosh on from Fairway considering that we were told the wait would be an hour, at least. But I'm so glad I stuck it out. One of the servers felt my inner angst and gave me a table with a lovely couple. While I waited for my shrimp, crabs and beet salad, I sipped on a yummy yet lethal strawberry daiquiri.


Between the cool breeze, dope view of the pier, bellowing laughter and pleasantries with my table mates, I realized that I will come back for more deliciousness even after experiences some minor flaws of this place (delayed set up of both bar areas and staggering hour plus waits for a thirsty hungry crowd is not a good look).  


The potential for Brooklyn Crab to be great is there. They have this "great escape" location (they offer shuttle bus service from the 61 bus stop and the Carroll St train station on the F/G lines for those not familiar with Red Hook), and they are the best seafood game in town (well in the area - tied with Redhook Lobster Pound on Van Brunt, of course).


I find this place a bit gutsy to use the moniker "Brooklyn" in its business name. But hey that's how Brooklyn does it. 


Definitely stop by Brooklyn Crab this summer - hope to see you there!


-Chante

Photo Credit: Brooklyn Crab

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)

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

Fleas for the Holidays..Shopping!

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Flea markets for me are the best ways to get exposed to local small businesses as well as uncover some cool finds as gifts for others (or yourself). I blogged this past summer about the Dekalb Market and checked it out today for some much needed holiday shopping (and noshing, of course). And what I loooove about NYC is that the Dekalb Market is one of many flea markets within the city limits allowing all entrepreneurs from the seasonal to store-front-less business owner to expand their followers and appease their fans at different locations throughout the city. 



Here are a few tips from an experienced flea market shopper: 

• Join the flea market's mailing list to stay on top of the schedule b/c not all flea markets run year round and seven days a week (they need a vacation too...lol)
• Bring plenty of change - not all vendors at the markets will have credit card machines and some cringe when you give them twenties. I'm often inundated with a multitude of thank you's from the vendors that I shop from when I give them exact change and throw in a few singles - that's my good deed for the year..ha!
• Bring a big empty cloth bag with you to put all of your purchases in. If you don't, you risk holding a half a dozen bags of varying sizes plus its good for the environment to consolidate and conserve waste (this is my other good deed).
• (lastly) Shop-Til-U-Drop 

And....

Start off your shopping with a cup of JOE!
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

NYC's most popular flea markets - the short list!! 


Dekalb Market (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Brooklyn Flea (Fort Greene, Brooklyn)
Bryant Park - Holiday Shops (Midtown, Manhattan)
HK Flea (Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan)
GreenFlea (Upper West Side, Manhattan)
The Market NYC (Chelsea, Manhattan)




S/O to Tiffany for the banging special tea blend - chocolate, rooibos and mint - at the Dekalb Market!! And great seeing you, Charles, friend of SR!!


-Chante

Review: Brooklyn Book Festival 2011

Author Readings - one of many events @ the Bk Fest
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

This year's Brooklyn Book Festival was truly amazing! The biggest book fest that I've ever seen. The author readings, events for the youth, spoken word sessions, lectures, chats with authors covered the municipal court park in downtown Brooklyn and overflowed into the nearby venues (e.g., Brooklyn Historical Society). The crowd was huge - filled with lovers of the literary arts, poets and authors!


I had a great opportunity to pick up some new titles (seven to be exact - I would've bought more but my bag was full....ha!), chat with writers about their creative process and network with publishers (writers, check out Color Page publishers!).


A special shout out to the authors that I support and you should too - J-Elijah (author of "I Got the Revelation..."), Sandra Lakeland (author of "Six Feet From the Ledge"), Grace F Edwards (author os "The Blind Alley"), Wayne Small (author of "The Pumpkin that Hated Halloween"), Eric Watts (author of "Cellar Door Volume I: Secrets") and Odi Mumba Kwamdela (author of "Soul in the Wilderness")!!


 - Chante

Cartoonist Challenge Kids Event
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Poet, J-Elijah
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Everyone was doing this! LOL
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Books..Books...and more Books!
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

(Music) WE REP BROOKLYN!

Visit Soulbounce

Shopping Til You Drop @ DEKALB MARKET (Bklyn)

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Last week the Dekalb Market opened its "doors" in Brooklyn (located where Albee Square Mall used to be). This cool shopping and eatery mecca is what downtown Brooklyn needs! Its unique in scale where each vendor has its own crate unit that they've revamped and decorated with their special touches creating a cosy mini store. As a shopper, you can find any and everything from hang bags, jewels, tees and fashionista couture. As a foodie, you can nosh on donuts, organic teas, salads, chicken/beef sandwiches and cupcakes. And as a music buff, the vinyl is spun all day long by the DJ at the BBox Radio Station (on the market's kick off day DJ Spinna and Ali Shaheed Muhammad have spun a set here) as you lounge in the tent's shade and cool breeze. Lastly you can find the miscellaneous/strange/oddities including artwork featuring little cartoon creatures to add to your wall's diverse motif by Kudulah.

SR's Chante sipped on Moroccan mint iced tea courtesy of Tea by Tiffany which was DELISH, picked up a Brooklyn tote designed by Brooklyn Rock and got a cute skirt/dress at Harriets by Hekima.

Needless to say the Synch Ladies will make another return to do more shopping since there are more vendors to come!



Tiffany serving up her yummy teas with a smile :)
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography



Dumeha Vernice T. @ Harriets by Hekima
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography