The Somewhat Ruined Weekend

So, thanks to Hurricane Irene, the AfroPunk Festival in Brooklyn, New York has been cancelled. Yours truly, unfortunately, was supposed to go. However, as festival favorite Janelle Monae says, "...gotta keep...balance". Though not easy to admit, there were some upsides, namely other opportunities to get out of the house. Such is life, apparently. To those on the eastern seabord affected by Hurricane Irene, stay safe.

Spotlight: Dance by Sol'eil

This post will begin with a caveat: Yes, I know the person that made the song that is the subject of this entry and no, I'm not featuring the song just because I know this person. It's being featured because I like it and the method used to develop the lyrics was quite innovative. Sol'eil posted on the Janelle Monae Fandroids page the other day soliciting help to write a song by describing your day in one word.  The result is "Dance".  Can't you just picture hearing it in a hip lounge or boutique or having it on full blast driving in a convertible with the top down on a late summer evening?

http://t.co/WRXF6BY

(For more information on So'leil, check out http://www.facebook.com/musicofsoleil)

A Musical Experiment

Some songs are just so beautiful they bring you to tears, or close to it. Try listening to the following songs without getting that reaction:

"Say You'll Go"-Janelle Monae
"Smile"-Janelle Monae
"Cindi"-Janelle Monae
"Star"-Janelle Monae
"Bag Lady"-Erykah Badu
"1000 Oceans"-Tori Amos
"Winter"-Tori Amos

Guaranteed or you money back ;)

About neighborhood

When was the last time you patronized a business in your neighborhood? In this megamall/megamarket world, it seems easy to overlook the store right around the corner.  Though the "mom-and-pop" shop of yesteryear has declined, local businesses remain an integral part to play in the community. Even the much maligned strip mall has its purpose in the local economy and neighborhood. Each business in each neighborhood is bringing money into the area it's in. Every business space that's occupied brings people and dollars that otherwise wouldn't exist to keep the area going. When able, take time out to buy something from at least one business within your immediate vicinity-especially new ones, ones you've never patronized before or haven't been to in a while. It's one way to help your community thrive.

Buy of the Moment

 

top: Homeslice by Emily Thornhill

price: $30



     Detroit has no shortage of creative minds. Emily Thornhill, owner and designer for Homeslice Clothing can be counted amonge the aforementioned.  One-half of the now defunct Detroit fashion powerhouse Femilia Couture, Thornhill has continued the tradition of stylish, locally made organic clothing.  When I saw the gray ruffled top pictured above hanging at the vendor booth at the Movement Festival, I had to have it.  At $30, it was definitely a buy. For a laid-back-yet-spiced-up look, I paired it black shorts and black Louis Vuitton-style cut out shoes.  It just goes to show that some of the best buys are local. Where else can you find eco-frendly clothing that's both chic and affordable? Check out Homeslice at homesliceclothing.com.

In Honor of the 1st Anniversary of The ArchAndroid

This is quite last minute, but yours truly would be remiss in not commemorating this day-the day in which one of the best albums to grace the music industry (and human ears in general) was released-The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monae.  Unfortunately, this humble blogger didn't have the chance to experience (yes, experience is the appropriate term here) Monae's first full-length work until September 20th, 2010.  However, that first listen was the beginning of a journey of immeasurable proportions which shall be briefly shared here:

On that late summer Monday, I hurriedly made my way to the Royal Oak Music Theater. To say that curiosity was my primary feeling at that moment was an understatement. While waiting for the show to start, someone I was speaking with gave a rave review of Ms. Monae. Little did I know how true their words would be.

Words are inadequate to express how impressed I was with Janelle's performance. I had to hear more of this tuxedo-clad, oxford wearing powerhouse.  After speaking with the merchandise vendor and a little bit of discerning, I decided to buy The ArchAndroid.  Per my usual music-buying routine, I take a listen as soon as I arrived home.

Right off the bat I recognized the album as nowhere near anything I've ever heard before.  It was quite interesting, in the best sense of the word.  Despite the fact it is Suites 2 and 3 of a 4 suite series, it wasn't too hard to get the gist of the story by reading the CD jacket. There were some songs that had to grow on me-in particular, Wondaland and Make the Bus. Grow on me this album definitely did, and after some research did I gain the proper ears to listen to the arrangements and message of the songs. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

To talk about the greatness of The ArchAndroid at this point would seem in bad taste, so I'll spare you that.  However, it is essential to give a proper and pithy description that won't be found in most magazines:

Yes, The ArchAndroid is Sci-Fi themed in that it chronicles the adventures of an android in a future society.  However, the storyline and theme are multi-layred, speaking to deeper issues of self-discovery and unity and life in contemporary society. This is illustrated in many of the lyrics on the album, such as on Dance or Die ("You can pull the trigger or you can build you an ark"), Locked Inside ("The writers and the artists all are paid to tell us lies"), Cold War ("...do you know what you're fighting for?"), Tightrope ("You either follow or you lead"), and 57821 ("...lead them all back to one..."). It is an album meant to make you think, feel, challenge you, and inspire.

Whether the response when listening to The ArchAndroid is bliss, confusion, or disgust, one fact is undeniable-its sound, storyline, and theme are singular.  What's more, it's one that can only pulled off by Janelle Monae and the Wondaland Arts Society.

Enjoy the Silence

    
   
 To start off, yes, the title is from a Depeche Mode song. Here's why-it is VERY rare for people nowadays to actually enjoy a moment of silence. We're constantly bombarded with noise-television, computers, cell phones, and the like to the point where silence has actually become awkward.  Everyday life has become a noise factory-in every sense of the word.  Where has the silence gone?

     My mom alluded to this one day recently when we were in the car together after having ridden for a while with the radio off and no word spoken.  It wasn't an awkward silence. It was a nice, peaceful silence.  She mentioned that she misses those days when she used to ride in the car with family with the radio off. Occasions like that can actually be quite pleasant.  That occurence had me thinking about the oft missed opportunities to savor quiet and just be.

    Contemporary Western lifestile rarely affords time to get away from the noise.  However, there are ways to fit it in-namely in the form of using TV and radio commercial time to literally unplug. Though it may not be much in the short run, the minutes add up and you still have the chance to fit in all you have to (and want to) accomplish in a day.  Even if you're one of those people that cannot bear the thought of being idle-ever- commercial breaks are ideal for getting things done such as prayer, journaling, meditation, and reading.  Silence is even great to try when heading somewhere or hanging out with friends or loved ones. Times of tranquil quiet, in fact, is usally an indicator of great, long-lasting relationships.

     Everyone has days where they want to shut everything out for a while and just be.  With all of the demands placed on us as human beings in the 21st Century, such moments have become mandatory in order to function properly.  In all honesty, there is no better way to chill than pure quiet time.  Whoever coined the phrase "Silence is golden" knew what they were talking about.