Ghetto Brother: Warrior to Peacemaker

New Bronx-based book club, Bronx Lattes & Literature will sharing our table at Regalos Holiday Fair today.  Graphic novel Ghetto Brother: Warrior to Peacemaker will be available for purchase.  Get your favorite bookworm a stocking stuffer!

Grab the book and learn more about the book detailing the life of Benjy Melendez, founder of gang turned community activists and music group, Ghetto Brothers and how a gang truce ushered in a movement of peace that birthed hip-hop.

Check out this Rolling Stone article.

YouTube:  Street Gangs of the Bronx 1972 See Benjy Melendez @30:12

 

 

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Hey Bighead

Hey Bighead. Long time no see.

Yea.  I ain’t been around in forever and a day.  No blog post is going to sum all that time up.

Good news.  Grad school kicked my ass but I won the fight in the end.  2016 graduate.  I walked into Madison Square Garden Theater in my cap and gown, listened to some speeches, thought about my mom and how proud she would have been, saw my name on a screen (flying up a little too fast) and ate some dope Italian food in the West Village with some wonderful people (leveling up on Red Lobster yaow).

My degree: TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).  I’ve been working part-time as an ESOL teacher for 3 semester now at a program in a local college.  It’s been great.  My students are the best and we just wrapped up the semester with a party last week.  I had some tasty Moroccan cake and Colombian empanadas are my joint right now.

Anyway, I have no promises as to when I am going to pop up again on this.  Is anyone reading blogs anymore?

In the meantime…

Check Firelina today and tomorrow at Regalos NYC Holiday Fair at 131 Alexander Avenue in the Bronx.  Dope vendors (me included) will be out from 10am to 10pm. (That’s a long day!)  Come get your gifts.  ‘Tis the season and all that.

 

Trunk Show Files: T-shirts & Films at the BX Museum

Perhaps, you’ve seen those nostalgic photos of a bygone NYC era of friends, crews or couples in Kangol hats, Adidas or  shearlings. Yes? No? If so, then chances are you’ve seen some work of Jamel Shabazz.

Friday, January 16th will be your chance to see more. The Bronx Museum of the Arts will be screening the film Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer. 

About the film:
“In the infancy of hip-hop, Brooklyn-born photographer Jamel Shabazz documented the pioneers of music and style who would launch an enduring worldwide phenomenon. Charlie Ahearn, the director of the seminal graffiti movie Wild Style, pays tribute to both Shabazz and those who defined hip-hop before it had definition.” (bronxmuseum.org) 

The film features interviews with Mr. Shabazz, Fab 5 Freddy, KRS-One and more and originally premiered at BAMcinemaFest 2011.  There will be a Q&A with director Charlie Ahearn after the film.

Come see me in the lobby! Firelina tees, sweatshirts and hats will be available for purchase.

FREE Admission and Bar (donations suggested).

Screening location & time:
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse
BX, NY
2nd Floor North Wing
6:30-9 pm

Take the B or D to 167th St or the 4 to Yankee Stadium.

Trunk Show Files: T-Shirts & Coquitos

bronxmuseum.org

It’s coquito season at the Bronx Museum again.  Come check out the Coquito Masters Qualifying event and Firelina Trunk Show at the Bronx Museum of  the Arts on Wednesday, November 5th from 5:30 to 7:30.

What’s the qualifying event?

“As part of the 12th Annual Coquito Masters competition, contestants bring in their version of coquito, a traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink reminiscent of eggnog, and you become the judge to see who goes on to the New York finals! Presented by the Bronx Museum’s Community Advisory Council and International Coquito Tasting Federation.

The event will also feature live painting demonstrations by artists Nikolai Kahn and Lexi Bella.” (www.bronxmuseum.org)

The event will be held in the Lower Gallery and Firelina will be in the lobby selling tees, sweatshirts and hats.  Grab some Firelina apparel up close and personal.  (And avoid shipping fees!)

Come see us!  IT’S FREE!

1040 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10456
T: 718-681-6000

D to 167th or 4 to Yankee Stadium

xo
Firelina