Calling all artists and art lovers! Please join the arts & media innovators at inCOLOR for a night of art, fashion and music. Mingle with fellow movers and shakers in the art industry and swap ideas with the fashionista next to you. Get to know a little more about the creative minds in your local community and show off your own artistic finesse too!

Live and inCOLOR presents F.P.P.O. will take place on Jan. 28, 2010 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at TAG Galleries, located at 732 S. Broadway. Come out and network with the newest generation of artists: generation you.

Featured artist of the night Terry Plater is a Baltimore-based artist and graphic designer known for his cool, up-and-coming T-shirt line Fresh Toppings. Plater was one of the first local designers to be displayed at the downtown Di[ɘ]ce Boutique , located on 1211 S. Charles Street, and was previously featured on inCOLOR. Some lucky winners will also walk away looking fresh with an exclusive inCOLOR + Fresh Toppings T-shirt giveaway!

TAG Galleries was developed with the goal of bringing together the top artists of the current generation and connecting them with a larger market of people seeking unique expression, and they’re teaming up with inCOLOR for one night only! This event is the first in a series of publishing events inCOLOR will be holding in 2010, designed specifically with the modern artist, designer, musician and photographer in mind.

Stay Live and inCOLOR to know the who, what and where of what’s happening within the art community. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/in_COLOR and become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/LiveandinCOLOR.

Man do I miss seeing my neighbors chillin’ on their Brownstone stoops until 2 a.m., clubbin’ it up at Caribbean City, the view of Manhattan from my rooftop and riding the A train home every night. And do I ever miss those flashing lights of Times Square. I will never look at movies filmed in New York City the same again.

For the summer, I had the privilege of interning at InStyle.com and worked with the most kick-ass online editorial producer Tiffany Black. For the record, I lived in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and worked in Midtown Manhattan. So I rep Brooklyn. Whether you’re a New Yorker, a tourist or soon-to-be visitor, I’ve compiled a list of top 70 for you.

Where you must go, what you must do, places you must see, foods you must consume and clothing stores where you must shop:

1. Coney Island
2. Flea by the Sea in Coney Island (*Keep in mind for summer 2010, because it only happens in the summer)
3. Brighton Beach
4. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
5. Jones Beach and the West Bath House Pool in Long Island.
From Manhattan, take the LIRR to Freeport then buses to Jones Beach
6. Franklin Park Bar and Beer Garden
618 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, NY
(between Classon and Franklin avenues)
7. Radio City Music Hall
8. Staten Island Ferry
9. BCD Tofu House
17 W 32nd St
10. Dallas BBQ
241 W. 42nd St.
(located between Seventh and Eighth avenues)
Try their Strawberry Daiquiri
11. Grand Central Station
12. Highline Park
The High Line is located on Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th and 11th avenues. The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan’s streets. Now, they built a park over its tracks.
http://www.thehighline.org
13. The Metropolitan Museum
14. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
15. Eat a sausage link or a hot dog from a seller on the street
16. The Time and Life Building
17. Hearst Magazine Building
18. Ride the A train - Get off the Nostrand stop (where I lived) – it’s a predominantly West African, Jamaican neighborhood. Check out all the mom and pop 99-cent stores. Find the store on Fulton where they sell “Brooklyn” tank tops for $6 bucks.
19. Element/The Vault - club/lounge
225 E Houston Street & Avenue A
20. Caribbean City – filled with mostly Crown Heights locals. Reggae/Carribean vibe. No top 40 or mainstream music here. It’s all about the dance, homeboys shouting “Brraaauh Briit Brit,” bangin’ on walls, jumpin’ on couches getting their groove on. It’s not the place to be unless you possess the rhythm and flava.
21. Statue of Liberty
22. Empire State Building
23. Ellis Island
24. Battery Park - Walk along the Hudson River
25. Take a photo with a snake man; you can’t miss the guy with a huge boa coiled around his shoulders
26. Catch a subway performance. Really pay attention to the talented subway performers (It’s a free show. Otherwise payment is on a donation/sliding scale basis) My fave skilled street dancers are the Underground Entertainers and the Street Rockers.
27. Find these stuffed mini cupcakes sold in Soho. Melissa makes silver dollar-size treats in flavors like PB&J, s’mores, tie-dye and cookie dough — yummy, tiny little things. Baked by Melissa, 529 Broadway at Spring Street
28. Apollo Theatre – It’s grand but, not as big as it looks on TV. Just outside the theater is a wall dedicated to Michael Jackson, signed by thousands of his fans.
29. Alvin Ailey performance
30. Free kayaking (Again, keep this in mind for summer 2010)
On the Hudson River: Pier 40 at Houston Street, Pier 96 at 56th Street, 72nd Street in Riverside Park
31. St. George’s Church
209 E. 16th St.
(Located at Third Avenue, near Stuyvesant Square)
Episcopal Church near Union Square
32. 34th Street
33.Union Square
34. Times Square
35. The Broadway Comedy Club
318 W 53rd Street (between Eighth and Ninth avenues)
If you see Erik Rivera perform, tell him I sent you
http://www.Erikrivera.com
http://www.broadwaycomedyclub.com
36. Freak Nasty. Find out when the next Freak Nasty event is and go – I never knew f%$^*%& could be described with such eloquence and hilarity. Talented spoken word artists pay tribute to sex and sensuality with erotic poetry.
http://www.burrowsink.com.
37. Comix. Check out Helen Hong’s K-Date
Laughter & Matchmaking. Korean Style.
The one and only matchmaking comedy show! Comics perform, then pair up members of the audience! Hosted by comedian Helen Hong!
http://www.comixny.com
38. Brooklyn Diner
212 W. 57th St. near Carnegie Hall
39. Carnegie Hall
40. Bronx Zoo
41. Junior’s Cheesecake
386 Flatbush Avenue EXT, Brooklyn
42. These clothing stores: Strawberry, 21st Century, Accessory, Mandee, Buffalo Exchange in Brooklyn, Mystique Boutique
43. Soho for some high-end shopping or if you’re a spendthrift, hit Canal street right around the corner or Chinatown up the street
44. John’s Pizzaria
278 Bleecker Street (Between Jones Street and Morton Street)
45. Le Poisson Lounge
158 Bleecker St.
46. See Bob Bordallo and Ebon Grace perform at various bars. Genre: Soulful rock, funk and groove. http://www.myspace.com/ebongrace
47. Watch an art battle
http://artbattles.com
48. Bombay Masala in Brooklyn
678 Franklin Ave.
Between Prospect Place and St. Marks Ave.
Best Indian food in New York City
(Ya’ll know how much I love me some Indian food)
49. Canal Street – Spendthrift shopping
China Town – even more thriftier (Don’t touch the T-shirts unless you’re gonna buy it. You’ll be charged, even if you don’t purchase them).
50. Dress up to see a musical. I saw “Phantom of the Opera” and “In The Heights” twice
51. Duane Reade – instead of Walgreens
52. Dumbo/Fort Greene Flea Market
http://www.brownstoner.com/brooklynflea/
53. Galapagos Art Gallery – watch a saucy burlesque/cabaret show
54. Prospect Park – free concerts http://www.prospectpark.com*
55. Lucky Strike = Bowling Alley + Spiffy Bar/Lounge
56. Wander around the Seaport Area
57. Take a pole dancing class at Crunch (My cousin, Jenilee Lucero, is a pro. She can definitely teach you a thing or two about working those hooker heels. Then swing on a pole on the L train at the last stop when everyone gets off and before other riders hop on. Or you could just do like me and swing on the pole when the train is still moving).
58. Rent a bike and ride around Manhattan
59. Stroll through Fifth Avenue
60. The Promenade in Brooklyn
61. Have a rooftop barbecue
62. Farmer’s Market at Jay Borough Hall
63. Afro-Punk Festival*
http://www.afropunk.org
64. Max Brennar
841 Broadway
(between 13th and 14th streets)
65. Sing Sing Karoke
9 St. Marks Place
Between Second and Third avenues
66. Movie Night underneath the Brooklyn Bridge*
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org
Got to see Edward Scissorhands and met up with an old friend, Dylan Houle.
67. Brooklyn Ballet
http://www.brooklynballet.org/
68. East Village/Stuyvesant - Tompkins Square Park, my dog Babygirl enjoyed their park
69. Buggy Ride through Central Park (Take the buggy instead of the horse carriage, because the horses stink and they cost a grip)
70. Last, but not least. Slow the hell down.

And yes, I did go to all these places, witnessed these glorious sights and some. ‘Til we meet again, New York City. I’m still married to San Francisco.

Sometimes good things come in three’s. In this case it’s Anna Sui, Gossip Girl and Target. That’s right, famed bohemian-chic designer has created a new line for Target. This line, inspired by every fashionistas favorite guilty pleasure, Gossip Girl is set to hit Target stores nationwide in September.

Today I was watching the America’s Next Top Model marathon on Oxygen and repeatedly kept thinking to myself, “doesn’t Allison look exactly like a Blythe doll?” Her eyes are very wide and doe-like which you can either hate or love. I’m interested to see who wins during the season finale this Wednesday.

In most professions females make only 77% of what males make. However, in the fashion industry, female models make much more than their male counterparts. While there are numerous recognized female supermodels there are only about five recognized male supermodel icons. This season’s Make Me a Supermodel has a lot of potential to create some new familiar faces. My money is for Jonathon from England and Sandhurst from Trinidad and Tobago to make it to the final three.

As much as I adore the plaid shirt trend going on, it’s getting too much for me. I once went to a party where I saw four girls where the same red checkered shirt I planned to wear that night. I’ll still wear them because I really like them, but can this trend stop so I won’t look like a clone?

Lil Wayne’s rock album Rebirth has been pushed back again. This is definitely not a good sign of what’s to come. The first track Prom Queen left me with questions at first but now I’m almost getting used to it, although the video is hideously cliché. Now, I just have to decipher what he’s saying.

Justin Timberlake is really making his mark in the fashion world. I would have never guessed he would be chosen as co-chair for recently held Costume Institute Gala in New York. He is a jack of all trades; music, fashion, and acting. His time as host of Saturday Night Live last week was hilarious. Though most of his skits were revamped versions of skits he did on previous shows, they were still funny. Especially his team-up with Adam Samberg for, “Motherlover” which is soon to be a YouTube favorite.

Whether it was Giselle and Kate for Versace or Claudia Schiffer for Ferragamo, this year many brands stuck with campaign models who can guarantee a sell. However, some fresh faces have been able to make their mark this season.
Recently, Style.com revealed a list of their top ten favorite new faces. Among the models on the list was Japanese born Tao Okamoto.

In 2006 Okamoto signed with Elite and since then has been making a big splash in the fashion industry.
She was first seen on the runways of Cynthia Steffe and Marc by Marc Jacobs during the Fall 2007 New York Fashion Week. Last season she walked over 45 shows and became the first Asian model to walk for Miu Miu in the last two years. Her editorial and print work includes stints at Italian Glamour, and the Moschino fall advertising campaign. 

The essence of her beauty truly comes from her simplistic features.  Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, she is also a trendsetter.  Her fresh and bold bowl cut inspired wigs at 3.1 Philip Lim. Okamoto is currently signed with Supreme Model Management.

As an outsider looking in, Twitter — the latest fad in networking Web sites — as I knew it was all about posting mundane updates as to what you’re doing on a moment-by-moment basis that really no one cares about. But upon exploring the site further, I stumbled upon someone who is putting Twitter to good use as an avenue for creative expression. Ben Okri, a renowned Nigerian poet and novelist, began posting a new line of his poem every day on the micro-blogging site to promote his latest book, “Tales of Freedom.”

Read the culmination of his artistic endeavor below:

I sing a new freedom

I sing a new freedom
Freedom with discipline.
We need freedom to rise higher.
Be true to yourself
In the follies of our times.
Become what you are
In this era of economic crimes.
Only the free in spirit
Will find their way out of this maze.
We are children of the stars.
We ought to amaze.

I predict that a new trend is afoot, and Okri’s composition is just the beginning of what’s to come. Interestingly enough, it’s been reported that Somalia-born rapper K’naan will use the comments made by his “followers” (Twitter speak for fans or friends) on the site to compose a song to the instrumental version of his song, titled “People Like Me.”

(Photo courtesy of http://www.zam-magazine.nl.)

The Salutation, a Dallas band with a mission of spreading peace and inspiration, has an all-encompassing sound sure to appease the most diverse of listeners.  Their musical style provides the edge and passionate gestures of the rock genre crossbred with the lyrical delivery of hip-hop. Their platform of "peace, hope and endurance," strives to encourage a new school of thought: complete self-affirmation.

This uplifting message has already been embraced by many, as listeners who indulged in their current release, When Different Becomes Dangerous, have eagerly attested to their hardcore support of the band with an overwhelming request for new music.  True to form, the band hasn’t hesitated to deliver with the release of two new tracks.  Pulse Fiction features energetic doses of guitar and drums that will remain pulsating through your veins long after the first listen.  Crimson Signature is a much more mellow listen that is nevertheless, full of intensity marked by a couple whose love for one another transcends unimaginable boundaries.

Even though they’ve already made appearances with +44 and Paul Wall, including a performance with The All-American Rejects, they are constantly adding to their repertoire by contributing to a set of motor cross DVDs, independent films and iTwinkle.tv webisodes. SXSW Music Festival was a huge success for them, as they garnered attention and most certainly expanded their fanbase. In addition, they recently shot a video with Rene and Ayo from Clear Channel radio station, The Edge on QTV.  Watch the interview here.

Look for them to make an appearance at BloodaPalooza, a tattoo, music and art festival that graces Dallas with its electric presence beginning April 10 through April 12.

To keep track of The Salutation and their steadily expanding movement, check out www.myspace.com/thesalutation.

I was walking down the street when a little ninja girl on a T-shirt winked at me. So, I bought her. Her stylized, bold features caught my eye as I was sifting through an artist’s garage sale in San Francisco. A more badass character than any Powerpuff girl I’ve seen. A token to female empowerment.

Her creator and illustrator, Ben Collison, a local San Francisco Bay Area artist, is the founder of No Guns Productions. He’s been on his imaginative grind for the last six years — from sketching, stenciling, and indulging with silkscreen and acrylics to digital imagery.

“I think art got into me not me getting into it. It’s the only thing I give a damn about,” Collison says.

Name it: Clothes. Art. Skateboards. Figurines. Ninjas. Savage females donning Samurai swords. Old Samurais — the symbol of his inspiration. His designs materialize in various forms.

Collison grew up into ninjas and Bruce Lee. Then discovered I.F.C. Samurai Saturdays. He’s been published in a couple of books and magazines around the world. Billboards featuring his work held space in both San Francisco and Brooklyn. 

If you’re lucky, you could pull a drive-by and maybe catch him selling his swag right outside his front door. Just remember no guns.

“There is so much bullshit out there that a little positively could go a long way. Besides anyone can kill with a gun. It takes a badass mofo’ to kill with a sword,” says Collison.

To check out more of his work, hit up:

bencollison.com
noguns.livejournal.com
myspace.com/gundame