"Picture That Like Kodak" -Another Instgram Exhibit

If you're NOT up on Instagram and you're interested in photography even in the slightest, then BOY have you missing out on some fun stuff!Allow me to bring you up to speed. Instagram is an app feature on the latest smartphones that allow even the most casual photog, to shoot some interesting images from their phone and "develop" them is a various amount of funky styles. SO addictive! See me, I carry an ACTUAL camera (Canon T2I) at all times so I often forget to experiment with my phone app.  But when I do...PURE MAGIC! So here a lil' "photo exhibit" I've curated from some of my Instagram contributions that I'll share with you guys.

"(Dandy) Lion King WAY Off Broadway!"- Style Goes A LONG Way

Dandy Lion
Articulating a Re(de)fined Black Masculine Identity

October 20th, 2011–December 22nd, 2011
Opening Reception: October 27, 2011

Aljira is pleased to present Dandy Lion: Articulating a Re(de)fined Black Masculine Identity, a photography exhibition of works guest-curated by Shantrelle P. Lewis and created by 21 artists exploring the phenomenon of Black Dandyism throughout the African Diaspora. Artists include Hanif Abdur-Rahim, Kwesi Abbensetts, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Kia Chenelle, Bouba Dola, Russell K. Frederick, Delphine Fawundu-Buford, Cassi Amanda Gibson, Akintola Hanif, Jamala Johns, Dexter Jones, Phillis Kwentoh, Antony Kaminju, Caroline Kaminju, Lafotographeuse, Ray Llanos, Jati Lindsay, Devin Mays, Terence Nance, Brandi Pettijohn, and Nyugen Smith.


A refreshing exhibition, Dandy Lion: Articulating a Re(de)fined Black Masculine Identity takes a glance at urban Black Dandies who like their continental African counterparts, Le Sapeur of Brazzaville, Congo, embody style, sophistication and a commitment to culture via dramatized masculinity. This exhibition is an examination and approbation of the contemporary dandy in Diasporan settings. Dandy Lion is an homage to the fashionable urban gentleman – an African Diasporan man of style, an urban connoisseur of sophistication and a contemporary man of extraordinary swagger.

Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art
591 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
p. 973 622-1600 f. 973 622-6526
info@aljira.org www.aljira.org

Gallery Hours
Wednesday–Friday, 12–6 pm
Saturday, 11 am–4 pm

"Get Into The Party Life" -Stylin' On 'Em!

FINALLY in Brooklyn, the Dandy Lion photo exhibit is opening in the MoCada space today!
What's a "Dandy Lion" you ask? Well a Dandy Lion: is an articulating a Re(de)fined Black Masculine Male...Their words not mine! LOL. And for the picture posted here it appears to be that I'M one of that bunch! So come out support a brother, and get me off that rusty fence hustling!

Opening Reception TONIGHT!:
Thursday, July 21
MoCada -80 Hanson Pl.
6 - 9pm

Curated by:
Shantrelle P. Lewis

Photography by: Hanif Abdur-Rahim / Kwesi Abbensetts /Laylah Amatullah Barrayn /Russell K. Frederick /Cassi Amanda Gibson / Akintola Hanif /Jamala Johns /Dexter Jones /Phillis Chizoba Kwentoh /Jati Lindsay /Amanada Adams-Louis /Brandi Pettijohn

THIS Friday we're inviting out different fashionable/stylish and artistic folks to dine & dance as we host the return of "Class Reunion!" That fashion & music networking dinner party first started two yrs. back. Well without further ado, here's the info for this event hope you enjoy!

EVERY FRIDAY!
"the Class Reunion" -Dinner & Dance party
Luke's Place -277 Cumberland St. (corner of Lafayette St.)
9pm-2am
Music by Danny Ocean, & the Ahficionados,
hosted by a collective of fashionable folks
Admission "FREE like Frei" all night
Food & drinks served till 12am.

Wanna celebrate a b'day w/ a dinner party?
contact us at theMreport@gmail.com w/amount of guest
it's FREE of charge

Yessir! The iconic fashion staple of Brooklyn is having a SWEET BBQ at there newest location, now moved further up Flatbush Ave., in the shadow of the Nets/Barclay Stadium. If you've haven't been then NOW 's the time to go peep their new digs while picking out clothes and a burger or two from the backyard grill. The bonus is that ya man Free like Frei (the Ahficionados/the Block Association) will be man-handling the set for this affair. Be dressed right, it IS a clothing store still!

Sat. July 23rd
"Vinnie Styles BBQ"
V.S.-239 Flatbush Ave. off Bergen St.
6-10pm
Music by Free Like Frei
Sponsored by:Phat & Juicy Burgers, Ciroc Premium Vodka, Brooklyn Wine Co.

After the Vinnie's BBQ is done Saturday night, we'll be moving the party over to Luke's Place for an after party, to continue the fun times and drink and eat some mo'!

Sat. July 23rd
"the After Party"
Luke's Place- 277 Cumberland Ave. near Lafayette
10pm-3am
Music by Danny Ocean & Free like Frei
FREE ADMISSION

"C.U. At The (Insta) Grammys!" -Columbia U + Instagram + IPhone = Job Photo Shoot

Now I'm not one to be on Twitter very much. Other than posting links to bring unknowingly folks back to this very blog, I'm not inspired by what I generally read being tossed back and forth and recycled/re-tweeted on there. However, I did read a time lined tweet I saw that @djdnice had posted some pics of B.O.B., Wale, Snoop, & 50 using Instagram and giving it HIGH praise on there. For those not in the loop, Instagram is a GREAT app tool on the iPhone/iPad for photographers both novice & skilled alike. Which brings me to this point. Just yesterday, based on how sunny it was, I decided to REALLY explore the app and the camera (which I NEVER hardly use...at all!) on my iPhone and do a "photo shoot" of some cool stuff that caught my eye around my gig at Columbia U. Oh...wait...you didn't think I worked huh? Sh****t, I gots bills to pay too man. LOL! Anyways, I cut down the amount and posted my favs below to show you (and myself) that with a good eye/app ANYTHING is possible! And speaking of cutting, who's cutting me the check for this heavy endorsement? Send your best Instagram pics (to theMreport@gmail.com) and if
(big on the IF) I like 'em I'll post them here on the blog. Now go get 'Gram crackers kids! Enjoy...













****UPDATE****

D-Nice

@djdnice

Dad, DJ, Photographer, Producer, Director, Hennessy Black DJ and My Name Is D-Nice!

@theMReporter wow! Your instagram pics are hot!!!

"Class Acts!" -Schoolin' You In Fashion, Now Picture THAT!

Who says success is not without reward was preaching the gospel, cause long time freelance photog Russell Fredrick knows about this first hand folks! This Friday at Luke's Place in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn from 8-12 we'll be have a celebratory get together to thank all of those who made his Kickstarter fundraiser a success. He'll be welcoming all of those who supported the project and friends to come. As well as wish him much success on all his future endeavors to come. Then to top this off Butch Diva will be hosting as well, in preparation for her upcoming sample sale THIS Saturday too! Yeah Friday's looking MAJOR!

Friday April 1th
(and EVERY Friday after)
"the Class Reunion" -Dinner & Dance party
Luke's Place -277 Cumberland St. (corner of Lafayette St.)
9pm-1am
Music by the M Report, the Ahficionados
& special guest DJ's
Hosted by Russell Fredrick & BUTCH DIVA
and a collective of fashionable folks
Admission "FREE like Frei" all night
Food & drinks served till late.

Wanna celebrate a b'day w/ a dinner party?
contact us at theMreport@gmail.com w/amount of guest
it's FREE of charge

...And oh BTW, here's the deets on that Butch Diva Black Fashion Month sample sale too spread word shorty!

"Eye Know The Godspel!" -(Sunday) Schooling Cats On Church Photography

God knows how long it's been since I last attended church, but I work close to two of the BIGGEST churches in NYC...If not the WORLD! Cathedral of St. John the Divine (between West 110th Street, which is also known as "Cathedral Parkway", and 113th Street) & Riverside Church (betwn Riverside Drive and Claremont Avenue & betwn. 120th Street and 122nd Street). However something you walk pass something EVERYDAY and never get to truly appreciate the beauty of it's appearance. That's till now. But new found love for photography got me excited about taking flicks of things with a whole new perspective. Here's a few joints I shot off at the churches mentioned that I think you'd appreciate. Enjoy 'em & prey for me too. Lol



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"Who Shot Ya?" -(Dandy) Lions, Tigers, & Bears Stuy, Oh My!

For those of you who were unfortunate to miss the "Dandy Lion" photo exhibit up in Harlem last month, here' some flick that I was featured in taken by re known portrait photographer Russell Fredrick that didn't all make the cut. To be quite honest I HATE taking pictures! It's only when I'm in the hands of a trusted photographer, that I'm most comfortable IN FRONT of the camera. I much rather be behind one taking someone else flick. However as you can see, these Blk &Wht joints are TIMELESS looking. I'm not one to print & frame, so I figured I'd share them with you guys cause the kid is SO dope with a pose click snap.

"I've Been Framed!" -Uptown Saturday Evening Photo Exhibit

EVERY movement has a look! And "the Return of the Gentleman" is one of the better ones. And what better way to capture this "look" than through photos by some of our times greatest inspiring photographers. Well THIS SATURDAY (Nov.6th) you need to free up some time and head on up to Harlem (YES! venture out of Brooklyn) to catch this latest exhibit tilted "Dandy Lions" (clever huh?) in which a photo of yours truly (yep that would be me) is currently featured in. Truth is, even if I wasn't featured I'd be telling you about this cause, I KNOW it's gon' be DOPE! Here's the deets...

Dandy Lion: Behold…A Gentleman

Harlem PoP -2037 Fifth Avenue (@ the corner of 126th St)
www.harlempop.com

Curated by Shantrelle P. Lewis
Presented in Association with Society HAE’s Harlem PoP
Opening Reception Saturday, November 6th
2pm to 6 p.m.

Featuring Photography by: Elen K. Awalom Laylah Amatullah Barrayn Russell K. Frederick Cassi Amanda Gibson Akintola Hanif Jamala Johns Dexter Jones Lafotographeuse Brandi Pettijohn Hanif Abdur-Rahim Radcliffe Roye

Complimentary Fashion Portraits Courtesy of Award Wining Photographer Delphine Fawundu-Buford

Dan•dy \ˈdan-dē\ n. pl. dan•dies
1. A man who affects extreme elegance in clothes and manners; a fop.
2. Something very good or agreeable

"My 15 Minutes Of Fame...Forever!" -Black Fashion Month Finale / Private Photo Shoot

Once again I wanna take the time to THANK everyone involved in helping the Block Association push for Black Fashion Month to get the recognition it rightfully deserves. Starting off first w/ Easter weekends Spring formal "the Fashion 500", which will become a yearly tradition. Then on to "Dig In" the social soiree for fashionably inclined (make-up artist, models, desingers, etc.). Now on finally to "Flashing Lights" which will be the finale of our celebrations for the month of April (Sat. 24th). What IS "Flashing Lights" you ask? Oh that's our private (invite ONLY W/RSVP) photo shoot dinner party at the Block's Manhattan penthouse located just a few steps away for Madison Square Garden! The night will double as pt.2 of Block member Lyshaan Hall's B'day as well. So let me explain exactly WHAT that means. Ok from 7pm on Fashion photog Kwesi Abbensetts will be shooting personal portraits of ALL invited guest in attendance. Admission is FREE (of course) however you DO have to pay ($10) every time you step in front of the camera with a different outfit on (3 outfits are the limit). So 1 outfit $10, 2 is $20 and so on, you get it right? Wear or bring one BLACK outfit if you have more than one choice. Cause the actual party will be shot plus the back drop is WHITE so dark colors would look best. 2 guests per invite is allowed IF they plan on getting their photos taken, if not then it would be best (due to space) for them to arrive during the party half of the night. Cash bar & limited food & FREE mimosas will be on hand case you were wondering. Ciroc is the sponsored liquor. Shooting will end around 11pm, then we'll be straight partying for the rest of the night! Music will be fashioned throughout the day by the Block Heads (the Ahficionados /DJ Frei, Soundproof Intl./DJ Trauma, & myself the M report). So you'll hear everything from N*E*R*D to nasty Nas! So...are you interested? Make haste to contact me at theMreport@gmail.com subject /Paparazzi.
Here's a preview of Kwesi's work H E R E!

Sat. April 24th
"Flashing Lights" -Private Photo Shoot Party
Lyshaan Hall's B'day Pt.2
Private Loft -(W. 30 betwn. 7th & 8th) 16th flr. PH
7pm-2am (?)
Music by the Block Heads
(Feat. DJ Trauma, Frei, the M Report, Silky Valente')
FREE admission w/ confirmed RSVP ONLY!
FREE limited mimosas or wine
Cash bar & Food
$10 per outfit 3 outfit limit per person
Wear at least one BLACK outfit out of choices
PLEASE RSVP NAME & # to confirm attendance & to get building address to theMreport@gmail.com, subject/Paparazzi

"Picture Me..." -The Minority Model Stops To Pose And Take A Flick. Click! Click!

Oh wait...you ain't know I modeled too huh? Yeah man, for years I've been globe trotting on mad runways, and no not just to pick up bags from the tarp either. Truth be told, I'm not fond of taking pictures, but I fake it REALLY well. There's some undiscovered talent in these pics, by two of my favorite photogs at the moment (Daniel Krieger and Kwesi Abbensett), who knows how to capture my good side. Not to get all morbid and all, but PLEASE folks, by all means use these pics in case of my untimely demise. Not some crazy family pics the media ALWAYS uses when someone passes away...you know exactly what I'm talking 'bout too. Lol!