Tag Archives: homegrown talent
May 4, 2012 

FRIDAY FUN: Fashionably Late Fridays @ Dazzling Lounge

Last summer, a few ambitious folks got together and thought, “What is the Toronto nightlife scene missing?” Events that are not full of posed-up “industry” folks, parties that aren’t geared to the “I stole my 21-year-old cousin’s ID” crowd, jams that don’t end with hotheads scrapping over perceived disrespect…kinda hard to come by in general, but seem to be few and far between in Toronto. I’ve lived here for 5 years, and some say I’ve missed the golden era of Toronto nightlife – but I have to say, the good parties I’ve been to in the city have been GOOD PARTIES. Thanks to those ambitious folks I mentioned (the good people of R Flavour, This Is Your Conscience, and Goddess Intellect), Toronto has another good party series to coincide with the return of the good weather – Fashionably Late!

Summer 2011 found me at Dazzling Lounge nearly every Friday. Dope Asian fusion cuisine, yummy drinks, good company and hype music (shout out to main DJ Kold Fusion) – I had quite the time. I ran into old friends, met new ones, danced to Poison with Robin Givens and got holla’d at by Clifton Powell (aka Pinky from the Friday movies). Let’s just say, every Friday night was an experience.

Starting tonight (yes – TONIGHT!), Fashionably Late will regain it’s position as the Friday night place to be for a cool, sexy, and fun affair. Dazzling Lounge has just revamped its patio space, so I’m excited to do some patio photo shoots with the Toronto skyline as my backdrop! The Fashionably Late team has a ton of tricks up their sleeve to add to your party experience. It’s not just about a drink and a two-step – Fashionably Late plans to fully entertain you with special nights and pre-party happy hour events.

Speaking of special nights – the 2nd Friday of each month will be the Timeline party. DJ Kold Fusion will take you on a musical journey with an old school groove, taking us from current time to the mid 80′s in hip hop, RnB, reggae, soca, house, and anything else he comes up with (people have broken heels to Nirvana thanks to DJ Kold Fusion, so wear your good shoes, ladies!). Next Friday, May 11th, will be the first Timeline jam, and it’ll also be my birthday party! I’m calling it my Bee-Day Party, and I want you (yes, YOU!) there!  My actual birthday is May 10th, but I’ll be ringing in my new year at Fashionably Late on the 11th. If you want to come sip a drink or dance on a table top with me, shoot me an email! Hit me up on Facebook! Tweet me on Twitter! You know how to reach me :) I may be doing my own little event at an upcoming Fashionably Late, so I’ll keep y’all posted on that too…

Catch up with the Fashionably Late news via their Facebook page and Twitter – come shake a leg!

January 12, 2012 

Keepin’ It Fresh: Upcoming Events In The T-Dot

Looking for something to do in the city that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? Lately, my email inbox has been filling up with some interesting upcoming events, so Bee’s got you covered:

Photo via Harbourfrontcentre.com

Kuumba @ Harbourfront

As per Harbourfront’s site, “Join Harbourfront Centre for an exploration of African roots through a 21st-century perspective. This year’s festival also highlights the incredible role women have played in shaping the history of black culture and pushing it to new frontiers.” The waterside arts centre will be putting on a number of events (most of them FREE!) from Feb. 3rd – 5th.

Hit up the Honey Jam reunion and catch talent like Saidah Baba Talibah, Kim Davis, Eternia and DJ MelBoogie! Get on bad at the DJ Skate Night, soca style, featuring Dr. Jay! Preview some fresh Toronto talent at The Known (Un)known w/ Tika Simone featuring two of my favourite vocalists right now, Rochelle Jordan and Shi Wisdom! Short films, drumming exhibits, dance workshops and more – check out Kuumba for more details.

Photo via pommeisfrenchforapple.com

Pomme Is French For Apple

A two-woman show put on by Bahia Watson and Liza Paul, Pomme is “a fresh, funny, irreverent look at womanhood in all its glory: its perils, its pleasures, and all kinda madness in between.” I’ve been hearing great reviews from previous runs of this show, so I’ll definitely be making my way to the Tranzac (22 Brunswick Ave, Toronto) sometime between Feb. 13th – 18th. Check the official Pomme site and their Facebook page for more deets!

Photo via newcaribbeancinema.wordpress.com

 

 

Better Mus’ Come

A love story embedded in the framework of political turmoil in 1970s Jamaica, Better Mus’ Come is coming to the TIFF Bell Lightbox on Feb. 5th! I became obsessed with Jamaican politics in the 1970s and ’80s after watching a documentary that aired on MuchMusic wayyyyy back in the day (so far back that it was the days I used to tape X-Tendamix - co-starring Roxie – on VHS), so I’m pretty intrigued by this film, directed by Jamaica’s own Storm Saulter. Check the official site, and go here for more ticket details.

Photo via IFreeCan.com

IFreeCan: Relaunch feat. Warsan Shire

So, I’ve been following this amazing poet on Twitter named Warsan Shire. If you’re not familiar with this Kenyan-born, Somali-Brit, you need to catch up. She’ll be in Toronto on Jan. 14th for the relaunch of the IFreeCan initiative, which “is a platform that welcomes anyone that wants the alternative of the society’s expectations.” This event (being held at the Centre for Social Innovation – 720 Bathurst Ave.) looks to be a great night featuring music by DJ Jake d’ Snake, poetry from Warsan Shire, Keisha Monique and more, and photography from Kassandra T, Allen Agostino, and others. They’ve posted videos on Facebook from A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, and Kardinal Offishall to get us in the mood for the event, so I’m hooked. Official site here.

Don’t say I never gave y’all nothing! Hit me up if you’ll be attending any of these events…maybe we’ll meet up!

October 6, 2011 

Who Doesn’t Love A Deal? 10% Off @ Honey Fig!

Photo via blackenterprise.com

Remember that post I wrote here about supporting Toronto-based and Black-owned businesses? Here’s your chance to do so while saving some of your hard-earned scrilla (do people still say that?):

Honey Fig is celebrating their anniversary for the month of October! For the entire month, you can receive 10% off any online order, or in-store service/purchase! Click here for more details!

Promo code: October10

Every little bit counts, right? Happy shopping!

October 2, 2011 

Funky, Fresh, Fly: Afrodelik Designs

I love fashion. But even more than fashion, I love uniqueness. I love having pieces that are rare or custom-made, because all too often, I see cookie-cutter images of “style” here in our city. If you’re looking for something fresh and hot, look no further than to Afrodelik Designs, based right here in the T-dot!

Founder and designer, Desiree Marshall says:

“We celebrate Black culture by producing rich, funky, hand-drawn afrocentric art collections for clothing. Afrodelik embraces the bounce of the afro, the groove and diverse curves of hot mamas, and the cockiness of shuga daddies. The strong energy of African spirit and our heroes and sheroes of today and yesteryears.”

Take a look at some of Afrodelik’s creations, and you’ll see why folk like Alicia Keys, DJ MASEO (De La Soul), Sean Combs, Joe Jackson, and Morris Day (among many others) have snatched up their own goods:

T-shirts, dresses, kid’s apparel, jewellery, and artistic prints are all available for purchase, so your body and home can be decked out in funky fresh Afrodelik styles! All items are available for purchase online, and also at Play De Record, Lavish and Squalor, and the Afrodelik Studio – see the store finder page for more details.

Let’s support Toronto talent – don’t miss their Facebook Group as well! What do you think of Afrodelik Designs? Do you know of any other amazing Toronto designers doing their thing? Drop me a line!