Trip Hop with Emel Mathlouthi

Hey Y'all,
I was introduced to an amazing international singer/songwriter named Emel Mathlouthi recently and was blown away by her voice. She has such a good energy and aura about her that makes you feel at ease.
Emel is from Tunisia and she is best known for her protest songs: "Ya Tounes Ya Meskina" (Poor Tunisia) and "Kelmti Horra" (My word is free). "Kelmti Horra" became the anthem song for the Tunisian revolution.
When the Tunisian government banned her music, Emel moved to Paris, France to pursue her singing.  She has performed all over the world and this year we were lucky enough to have a U.S. tour.
I was able to watch her perform the last tour date here in New York City called Arabic Trip-Hop. The online radio network Live@365 had her performance for the new world series at Elebash Recital Hall at the Graduate Center. She performed songs from her two albums titled "Kelmti Horra" and "Helma".
It was a beautiful experience, the kind that you don't want to distract yourself from by taking videos or pictures (you want to be in the moment). Mathlouthi has several videos on YouTube where you can hear her music. She will also be performing at globalFEST on January 11, 2015 here at Webster Hall.

DUMBO Lights

Hey Y'all,
We had our official New York City Light Festival in DUMBO Brooklyn. The festival was a collaboration of light installations from different artists on November 6-8, 2014.
This area in Brooklyn is a beautiful piece of property near the Manhattan Bridge; the streets are cobblestone with train tracks embedded giving you a walk down NYC's memory lane. The archway was the main congregating space for the event.
I attended the event on Friday night, it was a beautiful site to see color lights reflecting off the bridge and archway even though it was freezing. They had projections against the bridges structure and DJ music echoing the archway. What amazed me was how many people showed up. When I was done with the event I walked to the closest train station at York Street (F-line) and the sidewalk was filled with so many people; it took me 20 minutes to get from the street level entrance to the platform!
On the last night of the festival I was told there were so many people they ended the event early (rumor/gossip?). If it's true I guess they will have to find a bigger space next year.

         

                                                                          

                                 

                                                      

                                     

                                                       

                                      

         

                                      

                                                      

                                                      

                                    

                                    

                                    

                                                       

                                                       

                                      

                                                      

                                      

         

                                      

                                      

                                       

                                        

                                         

                                         

                         

Maroon 5-Adam Levine

Hey Y'all,
Maroon 5 had a special performance in New York City and they were awesome! The concert is based off their latest album "V". I love Maroon 5 and it's not just because Adam Levine is a cutie. If your in New York City on December 12th 2014, they are part of Z100's Jingle Ball concert lineup.

                           

                                       

Kipling Holiday Tour in NYC

Hey Y'all,
Kipling has a Holiday Tour event taking place in New York City,  Los Angeles, California and Orlando, Florida. I attended the first New York event and it was so cute!
They offered complimentary sweets, custom gift wrap, holiday Tattly metallic tattoos and monogram bags.
The Kipling brand got started in 1987 in Belgium. It's name was inspired by Rudyard Kipling the author of The Jungle Book. I guess it's no surprise the brands signature mascot is a monkey!
Every bag comes with a small Kipling monkey key hanger. they have the brightest colors that make carrying a bag more fun and flirty.
My first bag is a small red backpack with pull strings and a velcro fastener. Happy to say my crinkled nylon accessory has lasted me over 20 years. The fabric is so durable and water proof I use it all the time.
I also have a larger cobalt blue backpack that I use for short travels. You wouldn't believe all the stuff I can fit in there. It even has a small compartment on the side I can hide anything in.
To add to my collection Kipling gave me a cute purple pouch that I got monogrammed with yellow neon thread and a black crossbody purse with four zipper sections and a magnetic snap clip compartment.
If your looking for a colorful gift to give to that special someone, this should be your choice. They are offering free monogramming for a limited time so head over to the site and Make Happy!

Walking Dead is very much ALIVE at NYC Comic Con

Hey Y'all,
Walking Dead season 5 premiere had the highest cable ratings on Sunday night 10/12/14 and in the process shortened the NFL's Sunday night football ratings! WHOA!!!This is going to be a great season.
There has been some flack about various TV shows invading Comic Con shows with no real merit for being there but this isn't one of them.
This year Walking Dead had a panel with the full cast and a sneak peek at the new show. It was insane! The amount of fans and excitement was just overwhelming. I loved it.
I remember last year they had a back drop with one of the cars used on the show and a zombie booth where you were transformed into a walker.
I can't wait to see what they come up with next year.

Photo credited at Deadline.com 

Photography provided by Luz Ruiz