I stumbled across NYC’s 1st mobile gallery. “We are a mobile gallery.Going to people with the art instead of having a stationed gallery. Why don’t we move around and take the art to the people.” James and Andrew are childhood friends from Camden, London who started ArtMovesNYC over a year ago displaying artists from near and far. They can be found on the Upper Westside, Fort Greene, Williamsburg, West Village, Harlem and yesterday, I filmed them selling art at Lafayette & Houston. It was their first time setting up downtown. When I asked James what it takes to sell art on the street, “You gotta be balls out!”, he replied with a laugh.
Tomas Delos Reyes on The Art of Living
Tomas is a DJ, Mixologist, Chef & Traveler. “I call myself The Boulevardist. Its my alter ego. Man about town. I pride myself on being in touch with whats going on.” 8 years ago, Tomas “caught a free ride out to NYC from San Fransisco and has planted his roots. Our conversation covers his story, his eye opening experience while traveling to the “Motherland” – the Philippines, which inspired his latest project.
“A big part of who I’ve become is a traveler…Im required to travel 1 or 2 big trips a year I’m required..i made my way to the Philippines for the first time..thats was kind of a wakeup call..mainly b/c a big apart of my identity was checked..i grew up as a Filipino-american..when i identify myself in america..i identify myself as a filipino..growing up w Filipino traditions..but it wasn’t until i went out there i realize how filipino i wasn’t..this 1 guy came up to me ..was kinda of checkin me out..he says ‘where u from?’..i said I’m Filipino..he goes ‘no, your not Filipino your FilAm’…that sparked a whole personal journey. of being more conscience of my Motherland, The philippines.” Tomas from our conversation on his trip to his Motherland, The Philippines
Yusef Sirius El: “Im A Beast In Footwear Design”
“I’ve been an artist since I was 2” Yusef Sirius El is a a man of many talents. Painter, musician but he is known for his success as a footwear designer. Name the brand..Adidas, Nike, ENYCE, he has designed for them. Millions have worn his designs. Our conversation covers the story of Yusef, footwear designer.
Life Lessons From A Tribeca Homeless Man
“When I first became homeless, I use to pray that I die for 6 months…that was back in ’87” Jerry,52, may be homeless but his mind isnt. I met Jerry in Tribeca. Our conversation is inspiring to say the least. The street lights are on a timer. They come on and off every 2 minutes. Jerry’s face begins to appear at the :35 second mark. He shares his story, a new year’s resolution, tips if you become homelsss, this favorite Bible passage and strongly suggests that everyone “diversify their finances”.
Kobie Brown “From Fatherless To Fatherhood” (2012 Film)
I along with millions of Americans have grown up “Fatherless”. And today 40% of American children live in a fatherless home raised by single mothers, aunts, grandmothers and other female caregivers. Kobie Brown’s 2012 film From Fatherless To Fatherhood explores the causes, effects and possible solutions to turning the corner on father absence. We met at Central Park for an unscripted, insightful conversation about the inspiration for the film, his family story and his goals. I love and support what Kobie is doing, solutions through dialogue.
“Before You leave this planet, it is important that you get in touch with what your purpose is and not be defined by what your job or career may be..but find out what it is you are suppose to do for the betterment of mankind and everything else will fall into place.” – Kobie during our Central Park conversation
“5 Things About New Zealand”
Enjoying the view & good people at a Brooklyn rooftop BBQ and I met 3 animated New Zealanders who were on holiday. I asked them to share 5 things about New Zealand. I was laughing while filming. Afterwards, I asked my friend Tunde to share with them 5 things about New York.
The Blisslife of Amel Larrieux from Groove Theory & Sweetback
Today’s temperature was uncomfortably hot and humid but I perked up when I bumped into R&B songwriter Amel Larrieux at Broadway and 10th street. She has just returned from a vacation in the Bay area. We walk along 10th street and she shares the excitement about having her daughter in her band which comes out later this year on Blisslife Recordsr; her love of taking walks and “daydreaming in New York”; her definition of knowledge/wisdom and advice for going after dreams.
Amel Larrieux, was born in New York City’s, Greenwich Village, her mother was a dance critic and professor named Brenda Dixon Gottschild. She was always a creative minded person since a tender age, and fortunately was surrounded by talented family members and inspiring artists.
Extreme Hopscotch: “You got beat by an 8yr old!”
Parents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins..get your Extreme Hopscotch game up! Yesterday at a BBQ in Brooklyn, while filming the kids "hopschotchin", they challenged myself and my longtime friend Jon Cropper to try. He said "no way". I tossed him my camera and thought how hard could it be? Well, I got schooled by an 8year old and they filmed it. It happens. I am not going to let it get me down. LOL. But I will get my Extreme Hopscotch game up.
Harlem Teens Anti-Violence Protest April 15th @ 129th & Lenox (II)
(Part II) In Harlem last Friday, teens representing high Schools across Harlem came to speak, rap and lay down on the street for 5 minutes; thus, putting themselves in the place of someone who has been shot. Here is an additional edit of the teen’s speeches, rap and words from Iesha on “why we are here” prior to their demonstration https://mysmallstory.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/harlem-teen-ant-violent-protest-april-15th-129th-lenox/
Iesha of Street Corner Resources& Harlem renaissance High School brought Harlem community leaders from the NYPD, City Council, Teachers, Pastors and Jacob Restaurant provided the backdrop and much needed electricity for the sound system.
Toure on Upcoming Projects , Storytelling, His Story, Multicultural America & Book Recommendations
While checking my email at the Soho Apple Store, I ran into long time friend and very talented writer, Toure. Referred to as “a one-man media conglomerate” by The Daily Beast’s editor Tina Brown, the pop culture commentator has his hands in various media works, from penning articles for Rolling Stone, where the scribe has been a long-time contributing editor, to contributing to MSNBC and hosting the Fuse’s Hip Hop Shop. His TL is not short of tell-it-like-it is commentary. Touré is expecting the release of his fourth book, Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness? on September 13. These days Toure is Fuse’s pop culture and music insider Touré, takes on double hosting duties with two of the networks hottest shows, “Hip Hop Shop” and “On The Record with Fuse.”
In addition, Touré is the author of Never Drank the Kool-Aid, a collection of published articles, Soul City, a novel, and The Portable Promised Land, a collection of short stories. He is also a Contributing Editor at Rolling Stone, formerly a host and correspondent at BET and was CNN’s first Pop Culture Correspondent. He has appeared on the “Today Show,” “the Paula Zahn show,” “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren,” “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch,” “Topic A with Tina Brown,” “Anderson Cooper 360°,” “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” “Dateline NBC,” “Nightline,” and many others.
