I took a look at the last time I blogged, didn't realize it was March 3rd...been a while huh? Things have been really busy around here...film, school, work, events...I love it all regardless of stress, it's what I love to do. Well, I suppose a quick update would be helpful at this point...let's recap:Womanifestation (3.26.06)
In case you didn't know, March was Women's History Month, although I celebrate 365 days a year, one month is set aside to observe women and their efforts and accomplishments. I've lived in Hampton Roads since May 2004 and I've heard so many great things that used to take place, i.e. Word of Mouth, Urban Safari, a couple of radio shows, etc. One of those things happen to be Womanifestion. Basically, Womanifestation is a showcase with a complete female line-up...oh the dopeness. Now, perhaps I just didn't look hard enough but...in Hampton roads, the only Women's History Month events I saw taking place were on college campuses or events that were "membership" driven, for example, the YWCA Awards luncheon...I don't remember the exact charge but it was roughly $50-$75 for the luncheon or upwards of those prices. I didn't really see anything locally that dealt directly with the community. I've heard people speak of Womanifestation as a thing of the past, they talk about how dope it was and the emcees, the singers, the poets, etc. I said to myself, why does it have to be a thing of the past...let's bring it back, the rest is history.
March 26, 2006 @ Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center, Womanifestation took place. Overall, the event was pretty dope...we ran into a few road bumps but that is expected with any event. Phatz (of Jhunippuz Elite) and myself hosted the show and from what I hear, everyone had a ball. Oh the love. The lesson learned from this event: Never on a Sunday, always on a fun day. It seems that when people find out the event is going to on a Sunday, that kind of turns them away because they think about getting ready for work the next day, putting the kids to bed and getting them ready for school, etc., a lot factors in when dealing with Sundays, unless Monday is a non-working day. Nevertheless, the show was a success.
Back 2 Basics Hip-Hop Showcase 3.30.06
Yeah, it was approximately 4 days after Womanifestion. Didn't plan on it happening that way but here's what happened. There was another event schedule for that day...1 half of the U.G.L.Y. People (Sas, located in Texas) was scheduled to fly up for the event. Due to circumstances beyond my control, we had to cancel that event...the other half of the U.G.L.Y. People (Derek 32zero) called and asked me to put something together because his partner had already planned on flying up here, etc. So there you have it, call a couple of local groups & some b-boys, find a venue, hurry up some flyers, promote, promote, promote and you have show. Hamza the 7th Sun was another main artery that brought this event to life. It was supa dope...even though it was on a Thursday, people still came out to support. Argh these weekday events.
The line up was sweet, Jhunippuz Elite, Soul Students, Hamza the 7th Sun, Derek 32zero, the b-boys were in the house, Zulu Nation was in the house...it was a lovely event. Oh yeah, can't forget to mention Danny's wife, Ytunde...she makes the banginest (yes, that's a word) cookies. We were all fiending for more by the end of the night. [Sigh] Sometimes I wish I could build a hip-hop city.
April Showers brings May Flowers
April...spring time, should be a lovely time right? I guess I really can't complain, I just need to get my emotions in order...that would be like drying out the Atlantic with an 8 oz. cup. Overall, April was cool...had an event on the 14th and shot a video on the weekend of the 22nd...came out beautiful. I love what I do and I thank for every opportunity that is passed my way. I don't want to dig too far into April because I feel a rambling session coming on so I'll "Wrap It Up B".
And now the feature presentation...
May has just begun and my plate is full...full of personal things though. I'm moving, wrapping up with this college semester, want to go to summer school but can't afford to...I wouldn't consider these problems because I know that there are people in the world that are trouble with far more bigger situations than mine. However, these are the issues that I am dealing with that I feel I can't do anything about. Can't disregard them because they exists, can't down play them because they need to be handled...where does that leave me? Right back at square one, got s*** to do and don't know how it's gonna get done. Looking at the present state of the world, it seems like people you wouldn't even suspect to be in tight binds are in the same shoes as everyone else. Gas is $100 a gallon, the rent in VA goes up every year...from my stand point, those are the two major big deals. I have never been in a place where the rent goes up every year...why is that? I heard, "Well, VA is a commonwealth so they can pretty much do whatever they want." When does it stop? If the rent continues to go up at the rate it's going right now, people are going to be paying $900 for a $700 apartment, does it keep going up or will it go back to the original price? Craziness I tell ya. I dig VA...the Hampton Roads area but I don't think I can deal with the influx in prices. I'm pretty sure that it is done in different areas in different ways...it seems like as soon as you get a raise, the jack up the rent so you don't see the difference in pay...but you surely feel it. I don't want nor do I plan on spending all of my little extra dough on bills. One can never get ahead doing that. Perhaps that's what "they" want...for people to constantly focus on not getting ahead, fallbacks and what-not. [sigh]
I can't worry all the time though because I honestly have a lot to be thankful for. My dream has become a reality and this is only the beginning...that I am very thankful for. Although there have been set backs and upsets, I'll take that as a lesson learned and keep it moving.
I'm really tryna stay on top of blogging, since I probably won't be in school this summer...I'll have more time to blog.
**The picture at the top was borrowed courtesy of Okayplayer.com
I found it to be a pretty dope shot and wanted to share. Check out www.okayplayer.com for all the latest for delicious fresh new music. Peace**
1 comment:
well its not a "VA" thing. Its actually a small city thing. Most small cities across the country are going through this because of real estate development and gentrification. when real estate values go up, property tax goes up. Landlords and management companies feel the pinch so they raise rent up. small cities make a bulk of their revenue (to pay cops, teachers, etc.) from property tax.
if you notice everyone has been barking at the city councils throughout the hampton roads area because of the tax rate.
of course, just because the rent goes up these fools refuse to raise the minimum wage . this is why we have to have a living wage increase because the working poor are being left in the dust.
great post though.
Post a Comment