Showdown at Sara D Roosevelt Park!

Hey Y'all,
If you watch basketball I believe you recognize the name Steve Nash. Number 13 point guard for the Phoenix Suns whose contract is up at the end of the season. Where he will land is anybody's guess, but this post is about The Steve Nash FoundationThe Steve Nash Foundation. This private foundation is geared towards helping children develop and come out of unfavorable conditions.

Nash hosted his yearly showdown at Sara D. Roosevelt Park in New York City. The Showdown is a soccer match which includes players from both basketball and soccer teams. This event helps raise funds for  underprivileged children.

Some of the players this year included: Salomon Kalou (played for Chelsea), Patrick Vieira (played for Arsenal), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Mike Dunleavy Jr. (Milwaukee Bucks), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderer), Robbie Rogers (Leeds United), Mark Stein (ESPN writer), Medhi Ballouchy (NY Red Bulls), Jimmy Conrad (played for Chivas USA) and offering their support were Grant Hill (Phoenix Suns), Thierry Henry (NY Red Bulls) to name a few.

The game was a close one, with Steve's team winning 7-6 but overall I think it was the kids who won it all.
It was a great feeling to have so many athletes come out and support such a cause. If you guys could see the looks on these kids' faces you would've been so moved.

Watching this game only made me wish I could play with them, can you imagine a tiny latina running around and getting trampled? Yeah I can see it too!

You can find more videos on my you tube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/skidiven?feature=results_main.

G'Day Tropfest New York

Hey Y'all,
Tropfest began 20 years ago in Sydney Australia by founder and director John Polson. It is the world's largest short film festival. Each year they receives thousands of entries. This year was the first Tropfest New York hosted by Hugh Jackman in Bryant Park.

When submitting entries for this competition there are certain guidelines a film maker must follow:
-Tropfest must be your film's first public screening
-The film must be made specifically for Tropfest
-The film must be a total of 7 minutes including titles and credits
-The film must include the TSI (Tropfest Signature item). Every year the organizers pick a different TSI to be in the film. This New York item happened to be "Bagel".
I showed up at Bryant Park around 1pm, doors didn't open till 3pm. I found a cute little spot in front of the projector. Live music from bands like Milagres and Alexi Murdoch kept us entertained until the main event began. Celebrity guest judges included Rose Byrne, Jennifer Westfeldt, Judah Friedlander, Ted Hope and Scott Foundas. The winner of this Tropfest was Josh Leake of Portland, Oregon titled "Emptys." The film was about bottle collectors and how they survive through this means. 
It is always great to see short films that are creative in delivering their messages. I had a great time and am looking forward to the next one.

Solstice in Times Square

Hey Y'all,
I attend the summer solstice yoga in Times Square every year. Summer solstice the when the sun is at its Northernmost point. Every year that I attend this event gets bigger and bigger. I remember when the event was only held at Military Island before the green spaces were created. Now, every island is taken up from 42-47 Streets.

Taking a yoga class in the middle of one of the busiest places in the world is the best feeling ever. Stressed out New Yorkers usually find calm and solitude in other parts of the world but to be allowed to reach a state of serenity in this particular place brings great enjoyment. It is the ultimate test for individuals to center themselves within a chaotic and electrified maze.
Each year I feel a lot calmer and more connected with my City. Namaste New York!

Art is Times Square

Hey Y'all,
I must begin this post by saying that I have been a bit under the weather and forgot my camera, so a lot of these images were taken with my phone (Apologies).
Artists Wanted is an organization created in 2007 to bring together artists and buyers. This week I attended the Art Takes Times Square Event where hundreds submitted their art work for a competition and were displayed in Times Square. They set up two plasmas near Military Island for viewing. It was great to watch so many creative sides to people. The winner of the art competition was Vicki DaSilva who uses light to create graffiti.

                                

The musical artist Twin Shadow displayed his new video called "5 Seconds." The video was more than 5 seconds long but very well done. He will release his new album called "Confess" on July 10th.
The host of the event was ?uestLove of the Roots who also DJ'd the after party. The party had a hair stylist booth where your hair was revamped to a funky style with accessories. Mannequins holding stuffed animals adorned the entrance. I loved the different outfits people wore (My outfit was pretty boring).

 It was definitely a New York Artsy sight.