Kit and Ace Speaker Series

By Brittani Batts

Conversation, clothes and cocktails can basically sum of this great night. The amazingly chic couple Eddie and Angelee Fortuna, creators of HIS + HER style blog, hosted a ‘Curating the Perfect Shot’ event at Kit and Ace.  The invitation said it would be a fit and style session, where guests would be broken up into groups for fashion tips.  However, it turned out being a great social among great people. Few people knew each other coming in, but everyone knew each other once it was time to leave.  One of the other things on the agenda for the night was to learn to create the perfect ‘Old-Fashioned’ Cocktail.

Eddie  started the drink-making, making sure to explain what he was using and why, however, once the great conversations started, it was every man for himself.  Guests used bitters, Bourbon, orange peels and simple syrup to make their own interpretation of the signature cocktail of the night.  “But do not forget to add the great Luxardo Maraschino cherries.  They truly give it that extra great taste.  Within the drink and also eaten afterwards.  Even though they are $20 a jar, they are definitely worth it for the perfect Old-Fashioned.” And of course by his side was his beautiful wife and partner, Angelee, both wearing Kit and Ace from head to toe. Eddie wore the Cowan Crew pullover sweater and Trouser, while Angelee wore their signature Page Blouse and Bartlett Trouser.  “These are my favorite pants, “ Angelee proudly shared.  “On the back, at the ankle there is a clip that adjusts from loose to tight, from loose trouser feel to like the skinny leg pant, possibly for heels or boots.  Easy transition from work to night.”

New to Dallas, Kit and Ace is based out of Vancouver so not only are they a step ahead of the seasons, but also they receive new fashions every Tuesday.  Their store is already full of beautiful sweaters, scarves, and trench coats all made from their signature ‘Technical Cashmere’ from Mongolia, China.  “Our Motto is ‘Time is Precious’ and all of our items look good and feel amazing,” says Travis Miller, shop director. “We are also big on showcasing local talent and fun.” On their walls, they have paintings from local artists and they proudly rotate artists’ work as well to show support.  “We will also have a Pop Up shop soon where local artists can display their work for the night and sell items as well.”  With such warm vibes from both Kit and Ace and the HIS+HER blog, I look forward to any event either one have in the future.

Diner En Blanc Dallas

Anyone who knows me knows that I typically avoid "all-white parties" if I can help it. I honestly just think they're corny.  In my head I envision this lame attempt to re-enact Diddy's legendary now defunct Labor Day shindig he used to host annually in the Hamptons. And personally I think guys in all white look like douche-bags. Women look great but guys...not so much. The white rimmed shades, white watches, white linen and the dreaded white dress shoe...smh.  So when I first heard of the Diner En Blanc I wasn't that excited and to be honest I didn't know much about it and then I did a little research and asked some friends who had attended in other cities

I was met with stories, memories, and experiences they described as those that would last a lifetime.  How friends and loved ones donned in all white came together for one incredible evening.  Much like in the same way a group of friends came together 27 years ago in Paris, France to which this occasion was birthed. This event has since went global has been held from Europe to the Middle East and right back to the Big D itself. So I admit I was intrigued. From the secret location (to which all attendees were bused to from various rendezvous points around the city) to the exclusivity in which people were invited, my interest was definitely peaked

What a time it was indeed! An evening filled with food, fun, and friends.  There was wine, beautiful people and even fireworks! Dallas' inaugural Diner En Blanc was a welcome success and a social event the city will continue to look forward to for sometime to come.  Cheers!

Moodoir: Volume One

"Mooddoir: Volume One" serves as the score to a scene of the rarest of quiet moments.  The backdrop to a moment that seems to have no beginning and no ending.   A moment played out where lovers first recognize their soul’s counterpart in another and is manifested in sublime intimacy.

 
Track Listing:
1. Yasin Gaye – “The Panties” Feat. Teddy Pendergrass
2. Jamiroquai – “Everyday” 
3. Sade - “Sweet Lies of Sweet Love” (staRo Mix) 
4. The Weeknd – “Coming Down” (Sango Mix) 
5. Alina Baraz – “Fantasy” 
6. The Internet – “Get Away” 
7. The Weeknd – “What You Need”
8. Childish Gambino – “Urn”
9. Janet Jackson – “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun) 
10. The Internet – “You Don’t Know” 
11. Frank Ocean – “Pink Matter” 
12. Alina Baraz - “Can I” 
13. Dwele – “Obey” 
14. Al Green – “Simply Beautiful” 
15. Floetry – “It’s Getting Late” 
16. Raheem DeVaughn – “Anytime Anyplace” 
17. Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin” (mellosmoothe) 
18. Minnie Ripperton – “Inside My Love” 
19. Alicia Keys – “Fire We Make” Feat. Maxwell
20. Usher – “Can You Handle It” 
21. Drake – “Night Off” Feat. Lloyd 
22. PARTYNEXTDOOR – “Persian Rugs” 
23. Alina Baraz – “Show Me” 
24. The Internet – “Shadow Dance”

For Oak Cliff

The #4OakCliff Back to School Festival is a community-wide extravaganza for Oak Cliff celebrating the community, arts, health, and education.

The Festival will include:
- school supplies for Oak Cliff students
- a back to school festival with local pre-K-12 schools
- a college fair with local colleges and universities
- a job fair with job placement organizations
- a health fair with vaccinations, health screenings, fresh foods, yoga classes, and other healthy living resources
- partnerships with local churches, business, and other service organizations
- arts, music, entertainment, and creative activities for all ages
- free food from local restaurants
- voter registration and opportunities for civic engagement

Have other ideas? Reach out to the organizers to join the @[null:#4OakCliff] planning team!

Partnerships with the community so far include:
- City of Dallas Parks & Recreation Department Facilities
- Parkland Hospital
- Habitat for Humanity
- Commit
- Momentous Institute
- Leadership for Educational Equity
- Empowering Oak Cliff
- Earth Day Texas
- Weapons of Mass Empowerment
-SMU Simmons School of Education

We want YOU and your organization/business added to this list! Please reach out and share this event with all students and families you know in the Oak Cliff area.

To sign up as a performer, volunteer, sponsor or vendor, please give your info at this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11sX14FcaVkH3ZamS02DivgBntqyb5i_QXQa6V6H5jhw/viewform

RSVP and register HERE

4th of July Kick-Off feat. Dwele at Sisu

Best known for his smooth crooning over Neo-Soul tracks, Dwele is one of those rare gems in music.  Whether its singing on the mic or playing the instruments on one of the six albums he's released over the last 13 years, he's maintained a musical consistency that keeps him in the forefront and helps him maintain a loyal fan base.  It's that same consistency that allows him to push himself even further and allow himself to evolve as an artist.  That evolution has now taken him behind the 1's and 2's as a DJ and he's bringing it to Dallas courtesy of The City Influencer.  Just in time to help us kick things off for the 4th of July weekend he'll be spinning at SISU in Uptown 07/02 for a night that sure to be sexy for the summer.  Get your tickets HERE and use promotional code "INTRANSIT"  for a discount on your tickets.  You don't want to be the one who has to hear about it the day after.  Don't miss out!

The Catalina Wine Mixer

 

 

If anyone has ever heard of "The Catalina Wine Mixer" you're probably thinking of one of two things.  You're either thinking of one of this blogger's favorite Will Ferrell movies "Step Brothers" or you just happen to reside in the DFW area and you're thinking of one of the better social occasions in this city.  I always think of it as the "Haley's Comet" of parties here.  You never know exactly when it's going to happen but when it does it is always special. It's one of the few events that takes you out of the typical hangout spots i.e. Uptown, Downtown, Deep Ellum etc.  Times Ten Cellars in Lakewood plays host and sets the backdrop to a scene that can only be described as fun and sexy.

 

When you mix music, wine, and good looking people it's hard not to have a good time.  The only thing that could possibly make this event any better is if Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly showed up themselves in their all white suits to reprise their roles as "Huff and Doback" and perform their rendition of "Boats and Hoes" while we all look on and raise our glasses of Sauvignon Blanc and yell "It's the F@#$ing Catalina Wine Mixer!!!".  So if you've never been, do yourself a favor and make every effort to be a part of this experience.  As for everyone else who knows what it is...see you there!

The Artivist

 

 

Join WME for The Artivist

 

Saturday, April 4 2PM-11PM

Ash Studios

3203 Ash Lane

Dallas, TX 75226

Weapons of Mass Empowerment and Creating Our Future has partnered with 97.9 the Beat, Lyft ride share, and Deep Eddy Vodka to host a community focused get out the vote event, #TheARTivist.

 

The goal of #TheARTivist is to bridge diverse worlds together around cultural arts and social activism in the city of Dallas as well as raise awareness and register attendees to vote in the May 2015 local elections.

 

Bring everyone you know for an exciting opportunity to experience some of Dallas's most talented in live art, poetry, D.J. sets and much more. Enjoy specialty food trucks, vendors and a variety of other attractions. This event is free and open to the public; no ticket or pre-registration is required to enjoy the festivities.

Deep Ellum Arts Festival 2015

 

 

 

 

21st Annual Deep Ellum Arts Festival

Admission to the festival is free!

Six blocks of Main Street in the Deep Ellum entertainment district, 2800 Main Street, Dallas TX 75226, will be transformed into one enormous street festival. Featuring 200 top-notch decorative and visual artists, 100 original bands and singer/songwriters performing from four different stages, the renowned Pet Parade, and enticing foods and drinks.

Festival attendees can stroll through displays of cutting-edge decorative arts and admire, commission, and purchase the works of sculptors, muralists, jewelers, painters, leather and wood crafters, and other specialized fine artists, some of whom will be creating pieces on the spot. 

Fair Park at the Crossroads

 

 

The movement to reimagine Fair Park has begun! Join and be a part of the discussion at the upcoming event, Fair Park at the Crossroads on Saturday, March 28, from 9am-1pm at the African American Museum.

This community-focused event will include dynamic panel speakers who will speak about the Past, Present and Future of Fair Park. Most importantly they will discuss important next steps for how we can collectively change future plans for this important Dallas treasure, and the local community.

This is a must attend event that will include various community voices. RSVP here to reserve your spot.  

 

 

Africa Amedia: Art Exhibition // Performance Piece

By Marco Smith

By now you already know who Justin Adu is and if you don’t know let me give you a brief summary.  Justin Adu is a mad scientist disquised as an artist.  Or more like this creative enigma posing as mild mannered designer.  Or maybe he’s the coming of the next great renessaince.  Actually he’s neither of these things and all of these things all at once.  When trying to explain or describe who or what he is the biggest mistake you can make is trying to limit him to some lame creative category or some box society places us in.  All you need to know is that if you see his name anywhere or associated with anything you need to pay attention.  Case in point: Africa Amedia.

African Amedia is a satirical art exhibition and performance piece curated, written, and directed by Adu. It features mixed media paintings, art installations, photography, video and a one-night-only performance piece-taking place during the opening May 10th 2015. African Amedia is a fictional television network that highlights some of the negative portrayals, generalizations, and stereotypes the media casts against African Americans.  Adu hopes that people coming to see the exhibit at the African American Museum will realize the value of getting to know one another and not basing their decision on negative, skewed images that the media puts out in the universe.  African Amedia is an open letter that Adu hopes will inspire people to look past stereotypes and relate to each other based on content of character, not color of skin.

The Revolution Will Be Digitized

Rise & Talk

Brought to you by the good folks over at Dallas Rising in partnership with Austere Magazine and Stem & Thorn they bring to you the first in a series of creative conversations: Rise & Talk Featuring Jeremy Biggers.

This in depth series will allow you to experience a live interaction with amazing artists. 

Jeremy Biggers is an artist with many hats, many of which you might find something like the Mona Lisa painted on the lid. We're showing a new side of Jeremy, and what we would like to do is invite you to not only attend and learn more about him, but to engage with the artist in ways like never before. 
It's not about you going to an event and listening, it's artists coming together to design their own version of the much needed conversation for our community.

FREE event
FREE drinks

RSVP HERE

See you guys there!

Friday, March 6

at 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Dallas Startup Week

Calling all entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, techies, bloggers, nonprofits, mobile-app developers, angel investors, venture capitalists, restauranteurs, friends, Romans, and countrymen! The biggest celebration in Dallas startup history is taking place next week March 2nd - 7th.

  Dallas Startup Week is a 5-day celebration of entrepreneurship in North Texas starting on March 2nd in Downtown Dallas. Dallas Startup Week connects our expanding community of entrepreneurs and investors to opportunities for mentoring, partnership, and friendship over common goals, struggles, and achievements. Whether you're a speech pathologist starting a program to help children in education, a fashion blogger, or a mobile geek with an innovative idea for a smartphone this is the place you need to be.

 Register HERE now for your all access pass to Dallas Startup Week. You'll register via Eventbrite then be taken to Sched.org to RSVP for all the events you'd like. Be sure to bookmark the Sched.org mobile web app on your smartphone so you can keep track of your schedule of events throughout the week.

Bend For Books

For the growing community of "yogi's" out there in the DFW here is an opportunity to practice your "downward-facing dog" pose for a good cause.  V12 Yoga will be hosting a charity yoga class to benefit Big D Reads on 02/21/15 from 1:30 to 2:30.  Afterwards feel free to indulge for 20% food at Green Door Public House.  A great way to spend your Saturday!

Lost Angles Presents Closing Exhibition at Josey Records

Dallas Design Duo The Lost Angles to Wrap Up Winter Art Exhibition at Josey Records with Goodbye Party Dallas, Texas – February 12, 2015 – On Friday, February 20, 2015, The Lost Angles will host a closing party to celebrate their four-month residency at the art gallery inside Josey Records and Music in Dallas.

 Read about Josey Records in the Dallas Observer here 

Caleb S. Kirkland and Ben Lewis, co-founders of The Lost Angles, have curated an incredible collection of works inside the warehouse-turned-vinyl-paradise from a variety of talented local artists. The inspired visual aesthetic has benefited the venue in its inaugural year by accentuating its aural focus and developing a distinctive atmosphere.

 The exhibition’s closing celebration next Friday will flip the script and give the homegrown art space center stage. The event will showcase works from visual artists Kathy Tran, Luna Del Sol, Rosie Lee, Gina Garza, Matthew M. Barnes, Lindsey Mitcham, Rufino Jimenez, Caleb S. Kirkland, Mark Ridlen, Joby Cummings, Henri Richardson and Carisse Ayers. Live DJ sets will be performed by Luke Sardello, Tony Schwa, Nekstone and JT Donaldson. In addition to art, music and libations, a raffle will be conducted by the evening’s hosts to giveaway exclusive goods featuring art from the exhibition. Prizes will include apparel, home décor items and other charming pieces made for design lovers.

 The store will maintain regular business hours and remain open to the public throughout the evening, with music beginning at 6PM and continuing until 10PM. Josey Records is located at 2821 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Suite 100, Farmers Branch, TX 75234 on the northwest side of the Josey intersection. Admission to the event is free and open to all ages.

" Da Sweet Blood of Jesus" Film Screening

Here's something for your Friday night. THRWD magazine is hosting a screening of Spike Lee's latest joint, "Da Sweet Blood of Jesus" at the historic Texas Theatre. This along with a concert featuring sounds from Simon Pheonix, Topic, Blue The Misfit and more. Should be a good time


 

MOONLIGHTING: AN AUDIOFUTURIST LOVE STORY

In recognition of the impending Valentines weekend and it being "Throwback Thursday", I thought I'd revisit one of the first posts I put up after the re-launch. I'm still listening to this mix at home and think it makes for a perfect soundtrack to set the mood for V-Day.  This one is for the lovers...

The year is 3127. Human existence has moved far beyond the confines of the planet Earth. So much so that we’ve discovered we’re not alone in the universe and you’ve met someone who’s peaked your interest from Phomeda 7. You know, the planet where the people are a cross between human and amphibian and the women resemble mermaids. They breathe underwater and above ground. That meeting has resulted in an interstellar rendezvous of sorts and the possibilities of a relationship unlike any you’ve ever experienced. Well at least that’s what you’re thinking before you’re awakened from your inner most geeky fantasy. But if this scenario were true the soundtrack to it would most definitely be "MOONLIGHTING: AN AUDIOFUTURIST LOVE STORY". It's the latest offering from Simon Pheonix. Dallas' resident creative communicator, visual villain and multimedia artist. He experiments in image, voice, and sound.

 Unlike most mixtapes "Moonlighting" is an experimentation of the sensual from a futuristic perspective. A sonic journey into a ubiquitous realm of aquatic sounds and tones. This is not your slow jams tape from high school. "moonlighting: an audiofuturist love story" is an hour long audio mix exploring how authentic love is sought and expressed in the digital age. You may hear the alternative crooning falsetto of Childish Gambino or the sweet familiar voice of the late great Aaliyah. Either way you're in for something special to set the mood.

THE REVOLUTION: COCKTAIL & LAUNCH PARTY ***Marco Smith***

Justin Productions Presents
“The Revolution” Cocktail X Launch Party
A Black History Month Celebration 
Honoring 28 African American DFW Influencers
At The Historic Texas Theater
Wednesday, February 25th 6:30-10pm

Artist Justin Adu starts of 2015 with the aim to bring attention to Black Excellence at its finest. This event will conclude Black History Month by Honoring 28 African American Influencers in The DFW Area and attendees will also get to view the trailer to Adu’s upcoming Art Exhibition & Performance Piece.

The Revolution will be held on Wednesday, February 25th from 6:30-10pm at the historic Texas Theater in Dallas, Texas. There is no fee to attend the event but donations will be graciously accepted. Any funding accepted will be used to assist in bringing more culturally relevant events to the DFW area.

This Launch will just be the beginning of a project that Adu hopes will allow the viewers to not only see how African Americans are viewed in media but also honor the influence of African Americans that positively affect the culture. “My goal is that African Americans will understand the importance of celebrating each other more.” - Adu

GET YOUR TICKET HERE

// FREE //

THE REVOLUTION: Cocktail & Launch Party

Justin Productions Presents
“The Revolution” Cocktail X Launch Party
A Black History Month Celebration 
Honoring 28 African American DFW Influencers
At The Historic Texas Theater
Wednesday, February 25th 6:30-10pm

Artist Justin Adu starts of 2015 with the aim to bring attention to Black Excellence at its finest. This event will conclude Black History Month by Honoring 28 African American Influencers in The DFW Area and attendees will also get to view the trailer to Adu’s upcoming Art Exhibition & Performance Piece. 

The Revolution will be held on Wednesday, February 25th from 6:30-10pm at the historic Texas Theater in Dallas, Texas. There is no fee to attend the event but donations will be graciously accepted. Any funding accepted will be used to assist in bringing more culturally relevant events to the DFW area.

This Launch will just be the beginning of a project that Adu hopes will allow the viewers to not only see how African Americans are viewed in media but also honor the influence of African Americans that positively affect the culture. “My goal is that African Americans will understand the importance of celebrating each other more.” - Adu

GET YOUR TICKET HERE

// FREE //

Red Bull Sound Select Presents: Thundercat

Who: Thundercat, -Topic, & Roger Sellers
What: Red Bull Sound Select: DALLAS
When: Friday, January 23, 2015 (Doors open at 8 p.m.)
Where: Three Links (2704 Elm Street Dallas, TX 75226)
Tickets: ADMISSION IS $3 WITH RSVP HERE
Twitter/Instagram: @RedBullDFW @RBSoundSelect @Thundercat @SoSoTopic@roger_sellers