"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

"Pic(s) Of The Litter!" -Candid Eye Spy Street Shots

Now that I've been shooting video, I've been TOTALLY abusing the photography side of my creativeness. Well, NOT totally cause I DO have a bunch of photos I'll be posting up from time to time that I deem viewable. Besides I need the space on my computer to make room for more videos Hahahaha!

"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!

"Shots! Shots! Shots!" -I'm A Rebel (T2I) With A Cause...

As we embark on a NEW year, I've taken it upon myself to embark on a NEW challenge! Never the one to rest on my laurels I've decided to take my "lil' photography hobby" up a notch, and learn some skilled techniques to make my photos BETTER! AND I'm learning all hands on/self taught at that. Folks who known me realized in a short amount of time I've personally gone through quite a number of cameras. Even I didn't realize just HOW many till I recently started throwing away the empty boxes and manuals collecting dust in my nightstand draw. Some came from replacing lost ones OR simply longing to upgrade from the current one I was using at the time. But this time is DIFFERENT! I think (or at least feel) that I now own the two that I'll be comfortable rocking with for a while (IE a couple of years to come). And those are the G11 (yeah I know the G12 is now out rocking 1080 HD), and the Canon Rebel T2I/550D that I became OBSESSED about after a friend let me peep the video quality on his one day. Here's a few examples of some "test" shots I've posted using this HDR software that's become a good friend of mine too. I'll shoot some video soon too, so you can fully understand the pure RAW* "awesomeness" of the Rebel T2I! Look they shooting! Ah, made you look!

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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

"Women Are From Venus, Men Are Like Mars!" -A Joint For Spike

Well he lost the suit against Spike TV, but the man STILL deserves to get recognized in a huge way! Starting this Thurs. lasting til Sat., one of my favorite Brooklynites, Spike Lee, gets his just due with a 3-day celebration in his name! A visionary hero to many will be having a 2o yr. anniversary for his ground-breaking momentary film "Do the Right Thing" this year but it doesn't stop there. Here's a run down of things you can get into to get your "Spike on" this weekend.

Thurs. June 25th -6pm
"We Gotta Have It!" -Art inspired by Spike Lee
Selena Gallery- LIU Brooklyn Campus
"The Man & the Brand" -7pm
the Spike Lee screening room -LIU Brooklyn Campus

Friday June 26th -6pm
"No Jheri Curls, and No Drugs" -A Photo exhibit by David Lee
Brooklyn Historical Society
"Buggin' Out" -Spoken word inspired by Spike Lee
7pm
Brooklyn Historical Society

Saturday June 27th -5pm
"We Got Game" -Father & son B-Ball game tournament
Tillary Park, Dwtwn Brooklyn

More info peep: WheresMars.com