Brew Culturversy: Sofia Maldonado

26 year old Puerto Rican/Cuban Brooklyn based artist, Sofia Maldonado is causing a ruckus in the Big Apple, her 92 Foot mural located on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Aves. New York Buppies who Lunch have their twinsets in a bunch (ohh that rhymed). And I love it!

The murals depict scantily clad, black and latina women with too long nails and too much make up. Hmm..what makes this mural any different than any music video?

Personally, I believe it's doing what true (not that 'ish you buy at one of them bourgie negroid 'art parties' from a cataloge) art is supposed to be doing. Pushing buttons and raising controversy. Good for her. It's time there was a discussion about these stereotypes and their ramifications on society. It's time the purveyors of these oversexed and hyper-sexual stereotypes be held accountable (side eyeing the pic above). It's time for a discussion with women who have no idea they are being marginalised through allowing themselves to be objectified. It's time to let society who believes this is all we are, know that this is not the case.

It is certainly not time to vilify an artist for depicting truth, as she sees it. Artists observe and distill society at large. Kudos to her for getting people pissed off. The protesters are about to make her famous, and she didn't even have to die, yet!

On the flip side, if you don't agree with something, protesting is great, too. VIVA FREE SPEECH, bitches!

SOURCE

9:30 Club Hosts Haiti Benefit In DC

Wale Headlines Haiti Benefit Concert

D.C. artists are coming together Monday, January 18th at the 9:30 Club to raise much-needed financial support for earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Wale will headline. He’ll be supported by other D.C. area artists including D.C. Don Juan, Tabi Bonney, Phil Ade, XO, Kingpen Slim, K-Beta, Que (formerly of Day26) – and special surprise guests will take the stage as well. The benefit concert will be hosted by Chris Cole of BET’s College Hill South Beach.

The artists are donating their performances, the 9:30 Club has donated the use of the venue, club employees are donating their wages and the advanced ticket sales service charge will also be donated as well.

Show Information
January 18, 2010
6:00 PM Doors Open
$20 General Admission ‧ $100 VIP

All ticket sales will be donated to Yele Haiti Foundation and Partners in Health Organization.

Click here to buy your ticket. 

Do your part.  

Info via DMVixen.com

MLK Had A Dream....

And it was FONKY?

Eric Roberson and N'dambi

MN8 and Sunshine On Me
5th Annual MLK Soul Spectacular
Tickets: $25 - 40
Lincoln Theater in DC

Brew Music: Live Shows About Town

SHOW'S AT THE 9:30 CLUB

His name is Wale not Whale or even Wall-E for that matter, and he'll be at my favorite venue on New Years Day, well really New Years Day NIGHT...momma is too damn old for this show staring 11:30 pm. At 11:30pm, I'm dreaming about the Matlock episode I just watched. But you youngin's go on and get you some DC style rappin' rapped atcha, you crazy kids, you. Maybe you'll have a sighting of the 'That Other Knowles' with she alleged, Boo who's name isn't Wally. WALE featuring UCB, 11:30pm Doors - Late Show

Wiz Khalifa, Remy, Fly Gypsy

MORE INFO/TIX

Brew Beauty Chrisette Michele on Feb 23rd, will hopefully have a show time more mindful of granny's bed time...(you hear me Chrissy!?)


Ram's Head Live

AWWWWWWW DIP, Timbo is branging his head full of Virgina Farm Raised Hot links to Bmore. Unless he's bringing Esthero (I Stan for some Esthero!) with him, then exiting his leather legging wearin' arse stage left and letting her do her own show...I'mma pass on this one. But if you fancy yourself a big fan of Tim Mosely get yer tickets here!

Brew News: Boys Choir of Harlem Closes Shop

After more than 30 years of making music magic, the Harlem Boys Choir is no more.

The choir’s last "official" performance was in 2007, which was around the time its founder passed away. Board members and alumni hoped to revive the choir, to no avail.  A former member announced this week that the choir was over.

The choir fell victim to poor money management and there was that sex abuse conviction of a choir counselor that cast a shadow on the choir.

The Boys Choir of Harlem had performed for every sitting president since Lyndon Johnson.

So sad that inner-city kids have lost another creative outlet...and we've lost their music!

Source

Brew Culture: Hip Hop Takes Over Broadway

Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are forking over the cash for a new Broadway musical.  The three signed on as producers of Fela!, which opens Monday at the Eugene O'Neill Theater (but we already told you about that back in September!).

The musical centers on political activist and musician, the late, great Fela Kuti.  Kuti died of AIDS in 1997.  The musical is directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones so you know it's hot!  Click here for a clip!

It's not clear just how much the Carter and the Smiths put into the show.

I'm down for a road trip!!! 

See, we Brewchies like to put a lil' culture on it sometimes!

Source

Brew Culture: Theater for Colored Girls Who Don't Talk Back To the Stage

Last year's Off Broadway phenom 'Fela' is gearing up for Broadway, at the Eugene O'Neill The-A-ter, in fact. This is a not miss, this go around. In these *ominous voice* 'trying economic times', the fact that they could find backers for this all black show is an amazing feat. So, save your lunch monies and go on and support 'em!


"Fela! explores Fela Anikulapo Kuti's controversial life as an artist, political activist and revolutionary musician as well as his pioneering blend of jazz, funk and traditional African rhythms that launched the Afrobeat community.

Conceived, choreographed and directed by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones, the new musical will begin performances at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on October 19, with opening set for November 23."

Source and Tickets

Brew Culture: Labor Day Events

This promises to be one of the most beautiful Labor Day weekends we've had in a long time, here on the East Coast. No rain in sight and 80 degree days!

If you plan to spend the weekend in the house, I feel sorry for ya! The rest of us will be out doing hood rat stuff in this glorious sunshine.

If hood rattin' isn't your thing, then here are some ideas for the DC-area folks:

Friday

• Patriot Golf Day supports the kids of our men and women in the military. And, I hear this is the spot to meet "something new" (ahem)! Anyway, it runs Friday – Monday at Needwood Golf Course in Derwood, MD. The 9-hole course is $18 before 2 pm; $17 from 2 – 4 pm and $15 after 4 pm.


• Maryland State Fair runs Friday – Monday 9 am – 10 pm at the MD State Fairgrounds in Timonium. It's 8 bucks for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 if you're 6-11 and FREE for kids under 6 (that's our favorite word around these parts)!


• Disney's High School Musical at Wolf Trap's Filene Center. Shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets run $25 – 80. We luv da kids at the Brew!

Saturday

• Bid whist & Hand Dancing at the Anacostia Community Museum from 6 – 10 pm. Quit suckin' your bougie teeth. Your Momma cuts a rug and your Daddy is a bid whist champ. It costs $10 and you should make reservations.


• Maryland Renaissance Festival runs Saturday – Monday from 10 am – 7 pm (until October 25^th) at the MD Renaissance Festival Grounds in Annapolis. It'll run ya $18, $15 for seniors, $8 ages 7 – 15. Can't you get big ass pieces of chicken and a goblet of pimp juice at this thing? Count me in!


• DC Blues Society 21st Annual DC Blues Festival at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre. It's FREE! Noon – 7:30 pm.


• Old Ebbitt Grill's Labor Day Block Party kicks off at 6 pm (until 11) at 15^th & G Sts, NW. Get your grub & drink on and enjoy musical performances too! $75 in advance, $85 at the door, $25 for entrance only. Proceeds go to DC Central Kitchen (bring a canned good and you'll get an extra drink ticket).

Sunday

• National Symphony Orchestra performs on the Capitol's West Lawn at 8 pm.
  Gates open to the public at 3:20 p.m. In case of bad weather, the concert will move to the Kennedy Center.


• Prince vs. Michael Jackson Dance Party at the Black Cat in DC. Party starts at 10 pm, $15 to get in, $13 in advance. I vote Prince, by the way.

Monday

• Go shopping and buy us something!

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend. Designate a driver!

Tweet Talk: Amanda Diva, Culture & Shoppin' a Brew Twofer

I ran across the cutest hand painted bags on Twitter the other day, (is Twitter the new Etsy?) They remind me of Keith Haring crossed with contemporary African art melded with Foxy Brown...

.. ew- not that one

.. THIS one

These super cute Eco-friendly bags are the creations of Former MTV Personality, poetess, member of Floetry (though I'm not sure if they are still in bidness- and don't feel like googling it!), Rapper, Spandex champion, Columbia U. grad and surfer (OK, I think I made that one up).

My Fave- Planet Fro $30

I digress- (as we do here at the Brew) these bags are aaaadorable, think of how cute this would be carrying all your booty from the Brooklyn Flea or Eastern Market! Check 'em out at her website Diva Works Of Art-- she has prints and cds too. Diva, get your Hustle Man on!

Brew Culture: Fashion Faces by Bela Borsodi

I don't think I've ever seen anything more interesting..... faces made from folded clothes. WOW! These are by Austrian photographer Bela Borsodi. Click here to learn more about him and to see more pictures of his work.