Your guide to Philly's diverse creative scene, nightlife, music, food & more
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Philly 360° Rewind: The Recording Academy®'s Roots Picnic Brunch
Philly Film Premiere: The Triptych - June 12, 2013
Philly Film Premiere: An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty
BMI, Hot 107.9 & 100.3 Old School Present: How I Wrote That Song - Saturday, June 8
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Philly 360° Rewind: The Recording Academy®'s Roots Picnic Brunch
Philly 360º and The Recording Academy® Philadelphia Chapter got together for brunch with many of Philadelphia's rising music stars following the sold out Roots Picnic.
The Roots Picnic kicks off the summer and is the perfect opportunity to round up all of Philly's top talent when they are finally at home and not on the road performing.
Though tired from the all day festivities of the picnic and after party, Philly 360º Ambassador Brandon Pankey kicked off the afternoon introducing Philadelphia Chapter President and fellow Creative Ambassador Ivan Barias. Barias gave inspiring remarks about the thriving Philadelphia music scene and how impressive it is that industry professionals continue to stay in the Philly market even after “making it big.”
We had the opportunity to catch up with Carvin Haggins, Bria Marie, Dilemma, MPrynt, Asia Sparks and many more.
Take a look at the video below!
Philly Film Premiere: The Triptych - June 12, 2013
Here's another one for the Philly film-buffs out there. This Wednesday, the fine art vibe of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is going get a funky infusion of AFROPUNK, as director Terence Nance premieres his three-party documentary series, The Triptych.
Nance's film profiles the life and work of three cutting-edge contemporary artists of African descent, including Wangechi Mutu, Sanford Biggers, and Barron Claiborne. After the film screening, the audience will get up-close-and-personal with its stars, as Nance, Biggers, Claiborne and Philly 360° Creative Ambassador Maori Holmes sit down for an intimate panel discussion about the film and their perspectives on black art.
This event falls on one of PMA's famous Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays, and the museum will stay open until 8:45 p.m. But, don't worry, the party definitely won't stop there. Mama's Gun, a new monthly music showcase from the Philly Rockers Collective will host the official The Triptych after-party at Philly jazz & blues lounge Ortlieb's.
So, from fine art and film at PMA to the rockin' afterparty at Ortlieb's, this Philly AFROPUNK explosion is definitely a can't-miss event. We'll see you there!
Event Details:
Philly Film Premiere: AFROPUNK's The Triptych
Wednesday, June 12
Screening starts at 6 p.m.
Panel Discussion 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
The Triptych Official After Party
Wednesday, June 12
9 p.m.
Ortlieb's
847 N. 3rd Street
$5 cover
Philly 360° Insider Tip: Did you know The Triptych director Terence Nance has another film screening here in Philly? Check out this Philly 360º post for the latest scoop on Nance's premiere of An Over Simplification of Her Beauty!
Check out the below video for a sneak-peek at The Triptych's profile on photographer Barron Claiborne!
Philly Film Premiere: An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty
Philly, an almost magical piece of black cinema has landed in our backyard, and trust us—it's a must see film! Boasting an impressive list of executive producers, including Jay-Z, Dream Hampton, and Wyatt Cenac, director Terence Nance’s mesmerizingly gorgeous debut feature An Oversimplification of Her Beauty opens in Philly this weekend at the Ritz at The Bourse.
Exploding with moving and stunning imagery, Nance's film explores the grey areas between lover and friend, through the eyes of Terence (played by Nance) and his female bestfriend (played by Namik Minter), as their relationship teeters between platonic and romantic. Add in the other external relationships both characters bring to the table, and you're left with a complicated, but beautiful and totally relatable story that will leave moviegoers testifying to its undeniable truth.
Throughout the film, Nance incorporates an unbelieveable kaleidoscope of imagery, including dazzling (and sometime dizzying) segments of hand-drawn and stop-motion animation, which heighten the sense of magic and surrealism that Oversimplification captures so effortlessly.
The film opens here this Friday, and Philly is definitely rolling out the red carpet for this one. There are special screenings on Saturday and Sunday of the opening weekend that will feature post screening Q&A's with the film's director Terrence Nance and a few notable Philly film buffs. So, definitely get out to see this fantastic work of black cinema! And, make sure you bring a friend, and tell three more.
Also, keep your eye on director Terrence Nance—we're pretty sure we'll be seeing a lot more from this rising cinematic visionary real soon!
Event Details:
An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty
Friday, June 7 - Thursday, June 20
Click here for showtimes
Ritz at the Bourse
4th and Walnut
Special Events:
Saturday, June 8 - 4:10 p.m. screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Terence Nance, moderated by Yaba Blay
Saturday, June 8 - 7:20 p.m. screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Terence Nance, moderated by Shantrelle P. Lewis
Sunday, June 9 - 4:10 p.m. screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Terence Nance
Checkout the below video to watch the trailer for An Oversimplification of Her Beauty!
BMI, Hot 107.9 & 100.3 Old School Present: How I Wrote That Song - Saturday, June 8
Hot 107.9, Old School 100.3 and BMI, in association with Sigma Sound, The Recording Academy® Philadelphia Chapter and Philly 360° Present: How I Wrote That Song
BMI is bringing its popular "How I Wrote That Song" panel series to Philly to take you inside the songwriting process with some of today's biggest hitmakers, as well as the legends that penned the songs that have become part of the soundtrack of our lives.
Join us for two panel discussions:
Generation Next Panel
- Host: DJ Damage of Hot 107.9
- Pop Wansel, BMI's Producer of the Year and GRAMMY-nominated producer
- Oak Felder, producer of GRAMMY-nominated tracks
- The Phatboiz, producers of GRAMMY-nominated tracks
Legends Songwriting Panel
- Host: Dyana Williams of Old School 100.3
- Kenny Gamble, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and GRAMMY-winning songwriter
- Leon Huff, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and GRAMMY-winning songwriter
- James Mtume, GRAMMY-winning songwriter, musician and producer
Special appearances by Radio One Chairperson and Founder Cathy Hughes; BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta Catherine Brewton; and Recording Academy Chapter President Ivan Barias.
Event Details
BMI, Hot 107.9 & 100.3 Old School Present: How I Wrote That Song
Saturday, June 8
1:30-6:30 p.m.
212 N. 12th Street
Tickets are $15. To buy tickets, click here.
AfroTaino Productions: Illuminating The Latino Music Scene
Eight years ago, a pair of go-getters formed a partnership by combining over forty years of experience in event planning, audience development, marketing and special events. AfroTaino Productions arrived on the scene in 2005 after two individuals with a shared passion for global arts and culture made the commitment to serve as agents of change in their community.
A name says it all, and AfroTaino productions is a combination of Latino roots; Afro (Rahsaan Lucas) and Taino (Marángeli Mejía Rabell) blend their music, entertainment and art experiences into 35 years of multicultural marketing.
Rahsaan and Marángeli formed AfroTaino to make sure there was a fair balance between what media corporations offer and what the community needs in terms of the Latino music scene. Their business is to think about all of the elements that make an evening out an all around experience, and make that happen for their audiences. AfroTaino Productions does this by bringing out acts that people from the region would never get the opportunity to see anywhere else. With events like “M is for Musica” (a monthly Latin showcase) to Alo Brasil (playing at the Barnes Foundation next month), AfroTaino makes sure their shows are a one-of-a-kind event.
AfroTaino has also worked with organizations such as The Recording Academy®, Taller Puertorriqueño, Semilla Arts Initiative, the Hispanic Bar Association and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office and have bring artists to the Philadelphia area, such as Calle 13, La Mala Rodríguez, Chocquibtown, El Gran Combo, Bomba Estéreo, Los Amigos Invisible, Ana Tijoux, Antibalas and La Vida Bohème.
The duo has a lot of events happening through out this summer that you won’t want to skip out on. Check out their full schedule here.
And, check out Afrotaino in action here. Philly te Ama also did a video with AfroTaino. Watch it below.
Night Market Philadelphia: Fairmount - May 16, 2013
This one is definitely for the Philly-foodies out there. On May 16, the sensational street food festival Philadelphia Night Market returns with an evening jam-packed with all of the best flavors of Philadelphia. This time, the neighborhood-hopping food festival lands in the Philly-fab neighborhood of Fairmount—home to world-renown cultural destinations Eastern State Penitentiary, and of course the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
This Thursday, Night Market will partner with local restaurants and food trucks to showcase the very best of Philly and Fairmount, as over 60 vendors set-up along streets of Fairmount for a culinary explosion you won't soon forget. From tacos to tots, curries and everything in between, Night Market is set to have more Philadelphia culinary treats than you can even begin to imagine in one place. The hardest part wil definitely be deciding what to eat—and when to stop!
And, since no Philly party is complete without the tunes, Night Market will also feature performances by a stellar line-up of local artists and bands.
The best part? The Food Trust has plans for three additional roving street food fairs this year. Click here for the latest information on this month's Night Market Fairmount, the West Oak Lane event on June 20, South Street on August 15, or October's Chinatown-based event.
Ok, now go and tell a friend, or three, and be sure to make your way to Night Market Fairmount to experience all of the exciting flavors Philly has to offer.
Event Details
Philadelphia Night Market: Fairmount Avenue
Thursday, May 16
6-10 p.m.
Fairmount Avenue between 19th and 22nd streets
Be sure to check out this Visit Philly video highlighting some of the best taste and sounds of Fairmount!
BlackStar Film Festival Screenplay Contest!
Hailed as “the black Sundance” by Ebony Magazine, the 2013 BlackStar Film Festival is set return in August for another round of fantastic films made for and about the black global experience. But, dont worry—you don't have to wait until August to jump into the Philly cinematic action!
This year, BlackStar is giving writers from all over a chance to take their work from the page straight to the silver screen. Just this week, BlackStar launched the first BlackStar Screen Play Competition, inviting writers of all genres to submit their scripts for a chance to win $2,500 to produce a short film based on that work. After all of the entries are reviewed, five finalists will be selected to have their scripts read live at this year's festival in front of an all-star panel of judges. The winner takes home the cash prize, and of course some very serious bragging rights.
BlackStar is a one of a kind festival, and it happens right here in Philly. So, don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this innovative and groundbreaking celebration of the black cinematic tradition. Entries are due by Friday, June 7, and the festival will take place August 1-4, 2013.
Click here to apply or to learn more about the 2013 BlackStar Film Festival.
Philly 360° Fashion Rewind: The Release of Shaq at Grilled Cheesesteak Party
What an amazing event! I could end the story right there, but I won't. Let me explain further. CYL Creative Group in association with A Good Story, Cool Mentality and The McKenzie Estate celebrated the re-release of Reebook's Shaq Attaq sneakers back in April at the Grilled Cheese Steak Party sponsored by Reebok, Famjuice, Hot 107.9, UBIQ and Slingshox.
UBIQ was filled to the max with nothingbut dope people for a dope event. The first 50 attendees received swag bags that included limited edition SlingShox and DNTN, a Philadelphia-based apparel company, Branded band which allow recipients to customize their G-Shock watches. A live art painting by Don Scott, creative director of DNTN Brand Apparel, of Swizz Beats and The Reebok Shaq Attacks was done on site.
Hip-hop music blasting in one room, a competitive NBA 2k13 tounanament sponsored by Mitchell & Ness, in another. Both floors were fun and full of festivities and did I mention the food? Good eats were provided by Lord of the Kitchen Cupboard. Amongst other items attendees snacked on Grilled Cheese Steak bites keeping with the theme of the event. Complimentary beverages were flowing courtesy of the good folks over at Famjuice. Philly definitely showed up and showed out.
2013 National Urban League Conference - July 24 - 27, 2013
All roads lead to Philly, as the 2013 National Urban League Conference comes to town, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the historic March on Washington. For four days, newsmakers, policymakers and the brightest minds in business and communty empowerment will converge on Philadelphia—taking part in an exciting week of workshops, networking opportunities and professional development. This year's conference is already generating tons of buzz from all over the country, and is slated to feature appearances by Vice President Joe Biden and Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle Douglass.
Founded in 1910, The National Urban League has worked for decades to empower underserved communities, providing impactful resources, services and advocacy to more than 2 million people nationwide. In 2010, the Urban League celebrated its 100 year anniversary by launching I AM EMPOWERED, a bold nationwide initiative geared empowering communities to achieve in education, employment, housing, and healthcare.
Continuing to build on the success of these cornerstone principals, the 2013 National Urban League Conference will feature a Career Fair with hundreds of recruiters looking for diverse talent, and a College Fair featuring plenty of colleges, universities and scholarship opportunities. The conference will also include The Small Business Matters Entrepreneurship Summit with workshops on starting your own business and information on how to finance or take your small business to the next level.
And, since no Philly event is complete without music, this year's conference will feature an Empowerment Stage with all-star celebrity sessions, and performances by some of Philly's top artists and entertainers. Conference attendees will of course have plenty of opportunity to experience the full flavor of Philly, by exploring our booming creative scene, many cultural attractions, and of course our award winning restaurants and nightlife.
Registration is open now! So, hurry, signup today and make sure you reserve your space for this all-star week jam-packed with community empowerment—and of course plenty of Philly fun!
Event details:
2013 National Urban League Conference
Thursday, July 24 - Saturday, July 27
The Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch St Philadelphia, PA 19107
Visually Fly: Jeanine Hays Of Aphrochic
I recently caught up with designer, blogger and entrepreneur, Jeanine Hays of AphroChic. It’s always inspiring to see another woman living up to all of her creative potential and living the life she wants to live. As I found out more about her, I was intrigued and wanted to know more. I asked her a few questions to introduce you all to this creative super woman–Jeanine Hays.
Flygirrl: Who is Jeanine Hays, and what do you do?
Jeanine Hays: I am the creative director and co-founder of AphroChic. I work with my husband, Bryan Mason, who is the other half of our husband-and-wife team. Together we write the blog, design products, and create a lifestyle brand dedicated to proving that the cultural and the contemporary can and do work together in modern design. We want to provide women of color with quality options when looking for décor that speaks to their cultural heritage and inspire everyone to create spaces that tell their story.
Flygirrl: What is AphroChic?
JH: AphroChic is a lifestyle brand, and there are several different pieces that go into creating the overall aesthetic that the brand follows. We started in 2007 as a blog. I was working as a policy attorney in San Francisco and Bryan was pursuing a PhD at UC Berkeley. At the time we were simply aware of a gap in the conversation on modern design with regard to women of color and wanted to do something to fill it. We quickly realized that that gap in the conversation was also a gap in the market, and we decided to do something about that. AphroChic became a home decor company in 2009 when we launched our first collection of pillows. Since then we've expanded into table linens, shower curtains, and wallpaper.
We also do a lot of writing and expert work online. I am contributor to HGTV.com, and the DIYNetwork.com among others. This Fall, the AphroChic brand will take on a new incarnation with the release of our first design book, Remix: Decorating with Culture, Objects, and Soul, that will be published by Clarkson Potter. The book takes everything that we've been saying with blog posts, articles, and products and brings it together in an introduction to AphroChic style that combines history and global textile traditions with the best of contemporary design.
Flygirrl: Where did you find the courage to step out on your own?
JH: AphroChic has grown very organically, and so when the time came to step away from the law and focus on the business full-time, it was less of a leap and more just the next logical step. Bryan and I were living in California when we launched our first collection. Before we moved back to Philadelphia, we had reached the point where it felt as though we both had two full time jobs. We would work 9-5 at being a lawyer and a student, then come home and work until two in the morning on AphroChic. We were really encouraged by the reaction that our designs received from the design and blog community in the early years. It helped us to gain our confidence as designers and realize that we had a unique voice to share in the world of design. Upon our return to Philly in 2010, we committed ourselves to working on AphroChic full time, and it has been one incredible journey.
Flygirrl: Where are your secret gem locations to get inspired in Philly?
JH: I love the Philadelphia art and design scene. One of my favorite things about this city are all of the independently owned boutiques and galleries that can be easily explored. As an Old City resident, I love to pop into my favorite design stores on 3rd Street. Millesime is my favorite place for exploring the latest in European design. ReMod Gallery has an extensive collection of Mid-Century Modern pieces that are a must-see. I love to visit the Jonathan Adler store for design inspiration. We are lucky to have one of the largest showrooms here in Philly! On 2nd Street, Gallery51 is a favorite of mine for their unique cultural exhibits and collection of global rugs. HOME on East Passyunk is also a favorite shop. They offer cool furniture and accessories from DwellStudio and Ferm Living - two of my favorite design shops.
Flygirrl: What advice would you give to other creative people looking to step out on their own?
JH: Don't be afraid to start small. It doesn't have to come all at once. Design became my creative outlet when I was in law school and my days were filled with contracts and torts, but it never would have become anything more than that if I didn't make the small decision to start a blog. My second piece of advice would be to plan. Plan everything as much as you can, but do it knowing that putting things into action will require you to be flexible. Finally, and most importantly, do what you love. Owning a small business is full of ups and downs and there will be days when your love of what you do will keep you afloat. Being an entrepreneur is truly a labor of love. And when you love what you do, it shines through in your work as a designer.
Flygirrl: Where can people find out more about you and to stay connected?
JH: People can go to our shop at aphrochicshop.com to sign up for our newsletter which comes out with the latest AphroChic news. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest @aphrochic.
Insider Tip: And this month Philadelphia design enthusiasts can follow my pins on the Visit Philly's Guest Pinner Board
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