People I love and admire...DJ Julie B

So I take a little trip to Costa Rica and  I am spinning some tunes I look up and this beautiful face is smiling at me...who knew that this would turn into one of my most fulfilling friendships...love her like a sister and admire her drive in all that she does...

Julie B has always been a dancer and music lover, being the only female DJ in the Soulful house scene in Costa Rica, she captivates the true essence of house music. Julie B has been immersed in the music world for 8 years now and is recognized for her sexy sound and groovy vibe. Music has taken her around the world! She has played at the Miami Winter Music Conference 2015, Calas Veva, Bakxos, Mistral With Love Festival and most recently she brought her magic to the ADE Festival in Amsterdam. She has shared the decks with some outstanding DJs and producers like Mark Di Meo, N'dinga Gaba, Duce Martinez, Kevin Masterkev, Sasha Robotti, Kenny Summit, Guy Robin, Dave Doyle and Yass Baki to name a few. I had the honor of spinning with her last year and I am so looking forward to it again!  She has been a special guest on several international radio shows in Ibiza, South Africa, Los Angeles California and London UK. She is also known in the fashion world, where she has played for major fashion houses like TOUS, Ducati, Michael Kors, and MBFWSJ. She holds residencies at Avenida Escazu, and 8ctavo Rooftop, one of the most exclusive terrace bars in Central America, there she fills the night with amazing tunes every Saturday at their famous SoulfulSaturdays. Follow her on facebook for all updates here at  DJ Julie B

Her latest venture? Julie B has teamed up with Soulstice Music and they have already dropped an amazing tune that is definitely in my rotation. This beautiful song can be found on traxsource with super hot remixes!!! Link is below                                    
                                                                       What I Need

Check out her latest mix just click on the link Julie B @ Vertigo! and for more of her wonderful mixes https://www.mixcloud.com/Imjulieb/

So if you know your way to San Jose make sure you check her out you will not be disappointed! I am sure you will love her as much as I do!!!

People I Love and Admire...Victory Jones

Starting my blog off perfectly with this powerhouse!!! I met this lovely lady many years ago while we were slinging drinks for red bull and the love affair began. Shea India Relé aka Victory Jones is on her way with her sultry voice and amazing talent she is one to pay attention to in 2016.

Meet Victory Jones, an American born, Jamaican bred recording artist and songwriter from New York. With a natural flair for fusing genres, specifically: urban, pop, dub, and electro, Victory is versatile, poetic and raw. There’s a certain swagger in her delivery, mixed with a playful transparency, revealing her undeniable vulnerability, over percussive eclectic beats. Three-timeGrammy award winning producer, Syience, likens her to a chemist, “Sonically, this girl can mix water and oil and make it seem effortless. Her (creative) process is amazing… The world is missing what she’s about to give them.” Victory is currently working on her solo debut EP, A Prelude To Victory, which she has fittingly labeled “urban alternative” because of its culture bending and blending of sounds, with an urban edge. Her ongoing collaborations with producers/artists Chris Reeder, Syience and the Young Wolf Hatchlings have heavily influenced the overall tone of this project. This EP will be an intro to the full length album coming later this year entitled, Basements & Rooftops. Inspired by her wild relationship with the music industry, Basements & Rooftops is a metaphor for the highs and lows of life, representing Victory’s take on the social scene in the concrete jungle of NYC, where some of “the City’s” best parties are often held in basements and on rooftops. Victory’s unique voice, “can do” attitude, and tenacious work ethic have led to many collaborations with sought after, well-known industry heavyweights, Missy Elliott, Timbaland,Usher, Britney Spears, Katherine McPhee (American Idol), Ne-Yo, and Salaam Remi. Basements & Rooftops, is the first step towards a movement which she hopes will garner as much success for her as it has for those she respects and admires in the industry. Early on, Victory’s parents sensed her flair for all things creative and encouraged her to explore her burgeoning talents; from starring in school musicals and dance recitals, to having her poetry featured in hometown newspapers. It was during these formative years that she gained an appreciation and desire for true artistry. Ultimately, it was music that impassioned her to find her “voice,” and eventually became her calling. During childhood, she recalls her father listening to just about everything from Motown to The Eagles, Jimmy Cliff to The Beatles, to Chaka Khan and Fleetwood Mac. She credits this diverse exposure as being highly impactful on her creatively: igniting her keen desire to fuse genres, while remaining true to her singular artistic style.

“In retrospect, I’m grateful for being exposed to so many different types of music, because I can listen to and appreciate just about everything. For me, music is magnetic. It can pull you in and make you part of the story it’s telling or become part of the fabric of a moment in your life’s story. When I find a song I love, I become obsessed! I’ll play it on repeat endlessly, study every part of it and really soak it in, dissecting and reassembling it like a beautiful puzzle. I absolutely lose myself in it. It’s a very personal and emotional connection… a vibe that cannot be simply put into a box. It’s a visceral reaction that transcends genre.” 

Victory is gearing up to collaborate with other notable NYC writers, producers, dj’s, recording and visual artists. In the interim, you can definitely catchVictory infiltrating the music scene in NY, London and Los Angeles.        

March 1st catch her at Arlene's Grocery!!! you can find more information about the event here at https://www.facebook.com/events/1120741524611399/ in the meantime take a look at her fantastic video for her latest single and visit and like her page at https://www.facebook.com/victoryjonesmusic/

Brooklyn Girl Chronicles are back!!!

I started this blog few years ago and I had some good feedback...thanks to an abusive email that inspired me lol I am starting the blog back up again. Stay tuned for highlights on artists, musicians, writers and good people that make this world go round in a positive way...maybe a few funny stories too ; ) I live in Manhattan now but I will always be a Brooklyn girl at heart...let the good times roll


love and blessings!!!

Hot & bothered mix 2012

latest mix...enjoy : )
Hot & bothered mix 2012

NY Review: 'Israel Horovitz One-Acts'

NY Review: 'Israel Horovitz One-Acts'

Artists that I admire and love...Wax on/Wax Off Party

One of the highlights of DJing before the onset of the mp3...was the weekly trip to the record store. There was nothing more exciting. I spent hours picking out the new imports and releases and trying to beat the dudes to the turntables so I could listen. Some tracks were pure shite others well completely blew me away. Next step cash register where you prayed you had enough in your bank account to get all your selections. Record shopping is expensive damn! Next stop home to listen to those tracks over and over and build your mix...absolute bliss...miss those days...miss the record shops...my bank account is a little happier but I digress.

Wax On/Wax Off Vol. 5 

So I am happy and honored to report that this Thursday I will share a guest spot with Marlon B and Achour Mezi at the 5th installment of the Wax On/ Wax Off Party thrown by DJ Cosi and DJ RedLox.

Wax On/ Wax Off is monthly vinyl party with residents DJ Redlox & DJ Cosi (Freedom Party & Red Rooster saturdays.) Each installment has guest DJs

DJ Redlox

DJ Cosi

Redlox and Cosi state "Our goal is to have another outlet in the NYC DJ scene which goes back to the real roots of DJ culture, where you actually had to buy a physical record, pick out a selection of records for a set, and worst of all, carry those mothers to a gig. Our sets will always display the true personality and dedication to the craft of the DJ."

So what is so exciting about this party besides the fact that these DJs are amazing...I am not including myself of course...well maybe just a little ; ) We will be spinning all vinyl!!!! Yes packing up the records and slinging them on my back just like the old days and it feels oh so good. Festivities start at 8pm on Thursday June 21st  and is located La Linea, ( http://lalinealounge.com/) 151 1st avenue btw 1st and 2nd st) and there is no cover. So come drink, be merry and party like it's 1999...you know the era before models, reality show stars and heiresses decided they were DJs...yeah I said it ; )                            

Artists that I admire and love...Ethikos Productions

So I get a email a few weeks ago...asking if I would be interested in creating the sound for a series of One Acts by Israel Horovitz...what? Hell yes!!! I think I answered that email back in 3.5 seconds. I first had the honor of originating the sound for Beirut Rocks back in 2007 with another amazing troupe Barefoot Theater Company www.barefoottheatrecompany.org, and meeting Mr. Israel Horovitz, who is probably the coolest cat ever and yes I have a crush on him u would too after reading his work and just meeting him. Move forward to present day, landed the gig and have totally fallen in love with the company behind the upcoming show Ethikos Productions.

Ethikos Productions is a non-profit production company, that sprung from a connection that actors/producers Brian Rice and Jenna Ciralli, founded in the classroom at William Esper Studio. These two are simply amazing...I have seen them in rehearsal and get ready folks. Their inaugural production will be “Israel Horovitz One-Acts, the production is comprised of exciting, young NYC-based artists from backgrounds as varied as Harvard, Rutgers, the William Esper Studio, and Life 101.

 https://www.facebook.com/IHOneActs

 Israel Horovitz One-Acts, will feature It’s Called the Sugar Plum, Beirut Rocks, and the U.S. Premiere of his latest farce, The Bump.  Directed by former Flea Resident Director Mia Walker, the production previews July 5, with opening night slated for Friday, July 6.  All tickets are only $20.


Together, “Sugar Plum” and “Beirut Rocks,” mark a unique pairing of Horovitz’s work, recommended by the playwright himself. Set in the later 1950s Cambridge, It's Called Sugar Plum has two college students fighting grief, guilt and greed in the wake of a tragic accident.This combination is also being produced in Paris, France this year. Beirut Rocks is a shocking study in the shattering events of the Hezbollah air raids on Beirut in 2006. Complementing these two pieces is The Bump, a tragically sweet brief encounter between two conflicted hearts in a U.S. passport office. Ethikos Productions will put these three short plays side by side, for an evening of bold theatrical work across generations. 

cast includes Jenna Ciralli, Julie Asriyan-Piotrowski, Hunter Thore, Brian Rice, Lyle Friedman and director Mia Walker. Dan Catomeris is also part of the great cast.


Ethikos Productions states "This production marks the moment to take our art to new professional heights. We will be performing at the well-known and respected venue, The Flea Theater. (www.theflea.org) The Flea represents the quintessential off-Broadway experience of taking risks and exploring gutsy new works. As a maverick production company, we value having our performances at a venue that truly fosters artistic integrity. Israel Horovitz, the celebrated playwright will be collaborating with us on our project"

 Mr. Horovitz looks on as Jenna and Brian read The Bump

Additionally, the director Mia Walker is a power house, that i completely adore. Mia directs beautifully, is kind to her actors and is an absolute gem to work with. Mia is currently Assistant Director of Broadway’s "Porgy and Bess," and  will be directing all three one-acts.

Mr. Horovitz's writing is dynamic, the actors stellar, the production team beyond spectacular if i do say so myself...so inside of heading to the local bar and wasting 20 bucks on watered down drinks and cheap beer spend it on some worthwhile, thought provoking theater trust me u will not be disappointed.



Save the date!
Performances: July 5 - 8, Thursday - Sunday - 7 pm
July 12 - 15, Thurs - Sunday - 9 pm
info on tickets and cast can be found here at  http://www.theflea.org/Israel Horovitz One-Acts

To find out more and donate to the production.. check out their video at Indiegogo Campaign: http://www.indiegogo.com/IHOneActs
 

The cast includes Julie Asriyan-Piotrowski, Dan Catomeris, Jenna Ciralli, Lyle Friedman, Brian Rice, and Hunter Thore.  The design team includes Jason Sherwood (set), Jonathan Cottle (lighting), Ashley Farra (costumes), Kate Sinclair Foster (props), Tasha Guevara (sound) me!!!, Daphne Schmon (video), Megan O’Keefe (dramaturg), Rachael Harris (technical director), Jenna Lloyd (asst. lighting), and Nicole Greene (stage manager).  Jenna Ciralli, Jeffrey Galli, and Brian Rice serve as producers, with John H. Kaufman III serving as associate producer.