WHO’S IN TRANSIT: Our Crush On Cuba Kapowski

I first met Cuba (real name Beverly Cardenas) on Dec. 12, 2012. Now I can only recall that exact date, not because of some extraordinary memory skills, but because some mutual friends put on a very epic party to start the end of the year. And how hard is it to remember “12-12-12” right? While I was quite comfortable just relegating our encounter to just another pretty face amongst pretty faces I was pleasantly surprised to find her at another shindig but this time she was providing the soundtrack to the evening. A monthly set she puts on with her colleague Mike G Gallion appropriately titled “1985”. So I was eager to sit down with her and gain some insight into how a first generation Cuban American becomes a dope DJ.

“I was actually intimidated by DJing” At her suggestion we meet at Del Friscos Grille, “I love their patio!” she says. She has the same bright smile as I remember when I first met her and more open than I anticipated. “I felt like a bit of an outsider here (in Dallas) growing up. I just knew I was going to end up in New York. I was one of the only girls I knew listening to Wu-Tang and breakdancing growing up. I was rocking Timbs and the whole nine. I wanted to master all elements of Hip Hop.” Even though there is a certain tone that leads me to believe life wasn’t a box of chocolates growing up for a young girl searching for her place in the world, the smile is constant. She shares that even though the love was there in her household, the support wasn’t necessarily for what she wanted to do. “I’ve wanted to DJ since I was a kid”. So while she never made it to New York as a youngster she was able to connect with some like-minded individuals by attending the Art Institute of Dallas and working at 97.9 The Beat. Then things weren’t so lonely and it at least sparked her creativity but it was years before she actually got behind the 1’s and 2’s. Some years later she found herself working at Max FM, a short-lived local radio station in Dallas where she had actual access to DJ equipment. “I went to a party that Chris (DJ M Knight) was spinning at and I watched him the whole night and I thought to myself I can do that”. With that bit of inspiration she began practicing for 2 to 3 hours every night after work. While she was able to get pointers here and there from some local and nationally known DJs, she considers herself to be self-taught.

Our conversation shifts back to Dallas, “There’s just an energy here right now that makes it exciting.” There’s the smile again. She even sees it in her day job. When she’s not spinning for the W Hotel Pool Wetdeck or at the Arcade Bar on first Sundays for “1985” she’s helping Dallas’ urbanites locate residences as one half of the Dallas Uptown Girls in the hippest neighborhoods in the city. It’s with that I’m left with the idea that it’s people like her who are injecting the freshness into the metroplex. That constant cool that is breathing life into the “Big D”. And to think…we almost lost her to New York. www.cubakapowski.com Cuba Kapowski's Facebook Cuba Kapowski's Tumblr Cuba Kapowski's Instagram www.thedallasuptowngirls.com

Dalat: Finally A Vietnamese Place For Drinks

Typically when one thinks of a Vietnamese restaurant the first thing that comes to mind is an amazing bowl of beef pho or a banh mi sandwich. And while you can find both at Dalat, Khan Nguyen (the owner) had a different take on the experience he wanted to provide. Late night Vietnamese comfort food is not only what you'll find at Dalat but you'll also find karaoke and great drinks. Some of the libations are even created for the customers that frequent the restaurant. "Many of our customers are from the service industry so we wanted to give them something to get through the week", says Khan. Hence you have two flights of shots, the "Pulling A Double" (Rumplemintz/Jagermesiter/Tuaca) and the "Been A Rough Day" (Jameson, Grand Marnier, Bailey's). Then you have their signature "Dragon Shot" which you'll only find at Dalat. It consists of chilled Milagro Tequila, Vietnamese salted prunes, and a lime, which is especially smooth. There are the more tasty options on the drink menu to stimulate your taste buds, such as the "LonganTINI" which is a delicious twist on a longan and lychee martini. The possibilities are endless, so when you stop by don't let your imagination limit you to the Spring Rolls, grab a Dragon Shot while your at it.

DESTINATIONS: W Happenings Presents Sunday Fundaze

So if you are an individual who considers yourself to be "In Transit" and one of the many faithful followers of this blog then you saw our "A Blog About Town" post about the pool party at the "W Wet Deck" earlier this week. You know....the one with all the good looking people of Dallas in bathing suits having a blast?! You probably said to yourself "When was that?!" or "How did I miss that?!". Well fret no further fellow "In Transient" our friends at the W are at it yet again. "Sunday Fundaze" will be happening this Sunday for the Memorial Day weekend. This one promises to be one you won't want to miss, especially since no one is going to work the next day. But don't plan on being fashionably late, space is limited and they will shut down entry once at capacity. See you there!

A BLOG ABOUT TOWN: Fast & Furious 6 Media Promotional Event

With the Summer Box-Office season vastly approaching so is the urgency to get the word out. So when hip hop star/actor Ludacris hit Dallas to promote the latest installment of the Fast and Furious franchise for a invite-only VIP private meet & greet where else would he go other than our favorite watering hole, The Cedars Social. Hosted by our friends at Southern Fried Marketing, Achieve PR, Park Place Dealerships, and The Design Factory the event brought out the who's who in Dallas. Complete with great music and hot cars. Check out what happened.

We From Dallas - Official Trailer (2013) Documentary

Now this is looong overdue! We can't wait to see the finished product.

A BLOG ABOUT TOWN: Sunday Fun-Day at the Wet Deck at The W Hotel

We all know that the weather in Texas can be a bit shakey at times but if there is any indication as to whether Summer has officially started it's the scene at the W Hotel's Wet Deck. Complete with beach ready bodies, libations sponsored by Titos Homemade Vodka and DJ Beverly Cuba Cardenas on the 1's and 2's providing the soundtrack for the afternoon. It was literally a scene out of one of those resort catalogs. Here's to Summer!

DESTINATIONS: Uber Adds "DLUX" Option To Keep You "In Transit"

Typically with our "Destinations" blog we try to highlight places and or events you might want to incorporate in your social calendar. This week we're going to highlight an option for how you might get to those "Destinations" courtesy of our friends at Uber. If you're not familiar Uber is a premium car service that is easily accessible from your smartphone or tablet. We can speak from personal experience that the process is as easy and as intuitive as it sounds. Simply "tap the app" and your driver will be there within 10 minutes in a luxury SUV or town car. However this weekend they're taking their service up a notch by introducing their "DLUX" vehicle option. This weekend all Dallas riders can roll in a Bentley Spur, Rolls Royce Phantom, Mercedes Benz S63 AMG, or one of the many other luxury wheels they're offering by requesting “DLUX” in the app. A very nice touch, especially if your a guy who might want to impress his date with a night on the town or if you're just wanting to get extremely fly while hitting various hots-spots this weekend. They even got Dallas Cowboy, Brandon Carr to go along for a ride for his birthday. But it's only in effect until Sunday morning so get while the getting is good. We can tell the weekend is already looking up!

A BLOG ABOUT TOWN: Accessories in the Nude Fashion Showcase

An evening of fun, friends, and fashion all brought together for a worthy cause. Accessories in the Nude, an event benefiting the "Women of Moses" foundation, assembled an array of fashion designers and enthusiasts in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Showcasing several emerging fashion and accessories from many local artists and designers. The night was seamlessly integrated with great music, drinks, high-end fashion, and so many beautiful people that you weren't sure who was on the runway and who was in the audience. But don't take our word for it, check it out for yourself!

DESTINATIONS THE WEEK OF 5/5/13: Wax Addicts

Lower Echelon has put on some of the more substantive events the the city of Dallas has seen in the last year. Starting with the groundbreaking "12/12/12" which allowed Dallas' hippest party goers to dance the night away to nothing but 12" vinyl classics. Then came the groundbreaking "J Dilla Tribute Show" which probably seems like simple arithmetic to the average hip hop junkie, like of course someone's doing a "J Dilla Tribute Show"...DUH! But you have to remember...this is Dallas. A city that unfortunately has been known to be historically behind culturally, especially when it comes to urban culture. But LE is here to help alter that landscape and perception, which brings us to their latest contribution "Wax Addicts". A series of events designed for party goers and music enthusiasts alike set to the tune of all vinyl jams for the masses all hosted at the Circuit 12 Gallery on Dragon St in the Design District. Not to mention globally renown DJ JT Donaldson on the 1's and 2's. The upcoming installment for the series will be the last one for a while as they will be going to a quarterly format in the Fall, so the organizers are making sure this last one goes out with a bang! Complete with cheap drinks and Urban Taco providing bites it's sure to be a good time!

A Blog About Town: Chivas & Rye 51 Present Modern Man "Art of the Suit"

Rye 51 is one of the cooler haberdasheries to emerge in the West Village in the last year. Adjoined with bespoke retailer Q Clothier it was only right that they teamed up with Chivas to host Modern Man "Art of the Suit". Add some grooming, libations, and cigars and you've got an event fit for every fashionably astute gentlemen of Dallas. Check out the fun!

Janelle Monae Feat. Erykah Badu - "Q.U.E.E.N"

We're diggin just about everything for this song. The concept, design, treatment and art direction are DOPE! Janelle has always been her own kind of artist and then when you throw in our very own "Low Down Loretta Brown" you got the makings of something completely different and very funky. If you don't take nothing else away from the visuals for "Q.U.E.E.N" just know that "the booty don't lie"...

Easy Like Sunday Morning (Bishop Arts District)

/DSC_5708.jpg" />