© 2012, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

The same passion and powerful inspiration Dr. Angelou delivers in her writing, is what moves her audiences in her lectures.  Dr. Angelou has the capability to disintegrate barriers and bring together all races, genders and generations who have all shared the same kind of pain, struggle and triumph as she did.

Where: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
5501 Main Street
Houston, TX 77004

© 2011, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

The Grand 1894 Opera House presents an encore of Ann, an affectionate sketch of Ann Richards. Emmy Award-Winning actress Holland Taylor stars as Ann Richards, celebrating a darling daughter of Texas.

Showtimes: April 21-24, 2011

Thurs-Fri at 8 pm

Sat at 2 pm and 8 pm

Sun at 3 pm

Location:

The Grand 1894 Opera House

2020 Postoffice St., Galveston Island, TX 77550

© 2011, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

Here is a list of Sade and John Legend’s North American tour dates for 2011:

June
16 — Baltimore, MD – 1st Mariner Arena
18 — Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center*
19 — Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
21 — Uniondale, NY – Nassau Coliseum
22 — Washington, DC – Verizon Center
24 — East Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center
25 — Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
28 — Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
30 — Montreal, QC – Bell Centre

July
3 — Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
6 — Boston, MT – TD Garden
8 — Indianapolis, IN – Conseco Fieldhouse
9 — Cleveland, OH – Quicken Loans Arena
10 — Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
12 — Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
13 — Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
15 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL – BankAtlantic Center
16 — Miami, FL – American Airlines Arena
17 — Orlando, FL – Amway Center
23 — Houston, TX – Toyota Center
24 — Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
26 — Kansas City, KS – Sprint Center
28 — St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
29 — Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum
31 — Charlotte, NC – Time Warner Cable Arena

August
3 — Detroit, MI – The Palace at Auburn Hills
5 — Chicago, IL – United Center
6 — Chicago, IL – United Center
7 — Chicago, IL – United Center
9 — Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
11 — Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
13 — Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
14 — Seattle, WA – Key Arena
15 — Portland, OR – Rose Garden Arena
17 — Sacramento, CA – Power Balance Pavilion
19 — Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
20 — Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
21 — Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
23 — San Diego, CA – Cricket Amphitheatre
25 — San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion
26 — Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
27 — Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
30 — Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
31 — Anaheim, CA – Honda Center

September
2 Phoenix, AZ – U.S. Airways Center
3 Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Arena

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

© 2011, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

He dropped into Houston to perform for the first time on The Doo-wops and Hooligans tour with Bruno Mars at Houston’s Warehouse Live in October of 2010.  Donnis has made a substantial amount of moves before settling in his home at Atlantic Records. After the release of his debut mixtape, Diary of an ATL Brave, in August of 2009, he was signed in February of 2010.

Donnis was also featured in the April issue of XXL magazine’s ‘Freshmen Top 10 of 2010’ alongside his Atlantic label mate Wiz Khalifa. “That was a big deal to me because I was working as hard as the other kids on the cover with me, but I was just doing it on the other side of the world. I came back here and got the cover just based off of one mixtape I put out,” Donnis said. This cover is a big deal indeed. After this type of recognition, Hip-Hop fans and critics are either outraged or impressed by the artists that received slots. What is plaguing about the cover is the title of the 2010 Freshmen class, “A New Breed of Hustlers”. When most think ofrappers that are “hustlers”,  Young Jeezy or Beenie Sigel come to mind, not college educated J. Cole or the hustler turned hippie Wiz Khalifa. Although there were a few rappers on the cover that may fall into the “hustlers” category,  Donnis  isn’t one of them. Another title should have been chosen to categorize this smorgasbord of new artists as a group. Perhaps “A New Breed of a Different Kind” would have fit better.

But before all the underground attention he has received in America, Donnis was once on the other side of the world in Tokyo making a name for himself in music. “I was in Tokyo burning CD’s, sending e-mails, opening up for whoever was hot, and doing whatever I could to make myself known.” Donnis got his start touring with U.K. songbird  Estelle. (Note to aspiring rappers: making it in America may be overrated). He also spoke of the importance of the Internet to up-and-coming rappers. [pullquote] The internet is really all we have. If your internet game isn’t on point, then record labels aren’t checking for you.[/pullquote] “I’m signed and I still get pressured to be on the blogs as much as possible. They call it your ‘google statistics’. It’s all about how much you show up on websites now.”  Since Donnis is not the typical trap or snap rapper hailing from Atlanta, he stands out and receives a decent amount of deliberation, both good and bad, on the blogosphere (another note: invest in a computer).

After attending community college in Georgia for a year, he decided school wasn’t for him and chose to join the U.S. Air Force. “It was definitely a culture shock, coming from Atlanta to Tokyo. I’d been to places like Jamaica and Canada but this was like my first time overseas, it’s where I became a man,” Donnis said.  “I did the majority of my dating and partying there, I learned many things.” He spent time in Tokyo for two and a half years before returning to the States. His first stop was Denver to finish his military service in the U.S. Air Force before moving to New York to chase his dream of signing to a major label.

After releasing two mixtapes and an EP here in America, Donnis is currently working on his debut album titled Southern Lights. Expect features such as Estelle and John Legend. He has hopes and plans to work with Andre 3000 and Erykah Badu in the future. “I just want to work with people I respect and look up to; I don’t believe in putting people on a record just to put them on a record,” he exclaimed. When I asked him if he was stuck on an island and could only take three albums with him, he flashed a grin again and took a long sigh. “That’s pretty intense but ok, I’m gonna bring John Mayer, Room for Squares, as my favorite album, Outkast, The Love Below, and Kanye West, Late Registration.” There was a bit of a debate about Kanye’s best album, but then again it was his island.

Since he was in Houston, Donnis also discussed his favorite Houston rappers. UGK was at the top of the list and he told us about his relationship with Bun B.  “Bun is like my big bro, he’s always quick to contact me back when I need advice. It’s always a ‘whatever he can do to help’ situation with him” Donnis said. “It’s awesome to have somebody like that because a lot of the more accomplished rappers are looking at us like we’re crazy now. It’s a lot of hatin’, but Bun supports us”.

Bun B seems to be the go-to guy for all of the newer artists outside of Houston. His show appearances, features, and overall stamp of approval helps these newbies in today’s 3rd Coast music scene; where if you’re not on radio or TV (or from Dallas), your name won’t be as familiar.  Donnis throws a mention to Paul Wall and Z-ro as legendary Houston rappers he likes.  When I reminded him about Lil Keke, his face grew with excitement, “Yo, Lil Keke’s ‘Southside’ was my shit when I spent a summer in Mississippi, I was kind of young when that came out, but I loved that song”.

© 2011 – 2012, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

Hair /Make-up:

• A small brush and comb plus a few bobby pins should be enough to keep your do in perfect shape. Walmart has a nice selection of coin purses to keep your hair needs organized.
• Running mascara is so not cute. So, be safe and step out with waterproof mascara.
• Avoid the raccoon eye with Diorshow 360 mascara. This innovative mascara brush rotates 360 degrees for an even, clean coat. It’s not water proof, be sure to drop a few q-tips in your clutch for a discrete quick fix.
• Lip gloss is a no-brainer, but the line to the mirror can be pretty lengthy sometimes. Skip the long wait and carry a compact mirror so that you can re-apply right on the dance floor.
• Bonus: Keep a small powder brush on hand. At the minimum have blotting papers so that your spirit shines — not your face.

Now on to serious business. Hygiene:

• Nobody wants to smell bad when they’re out and about. For those sweaty nights, make sure to tuck away a moist toilette and a travel deodorant for those who glisten more than the average person.
• Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Majority of germs are transmitted through our hands. Eliminate this with hand sanitizer. Purell has cute travel sized sanitizer that fit easily in a clutch or pocket.
• We’d rather not discuss, but it seems to need addressing; when it’s that time of the month and you decide to go out, discretion is key. A small panty liner and a Compaq tampon like Compaq Tampax will help you turn a nightmare at the club into a quick stop during your restroom break.
• Fresh breath is a must. Liquor is sure to ruin a perfect first impression. Along with pit stains, alcohol on the breath is such a turn-off. Try tucking away Colgate Wisp for instant fresh breath and a whiter smile.
• Lastly, but unfortunately so overlooked, moisturizer. Crusty knuckles are bad business. Moisturized hands make the world of difference when meeting someone new. Pick up the tried and true Unusually Rich-But Not Greasy at all-Hand Cream by Kiehl’s. Save yourself the embarrassment and drop the 3.4 fl oz rich moisturizer in your clutch so your handshake doesn’t impact your first impression.

All of these products can be found online or at your local drug store. With these helpful tips, you should be prepared for anything that comes your way ladies.

© 2011, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

The journey from the pulsating rhythms on the dance floor to the brightly lit, tiled, (hopefully) sterile bathroom changes the scene drastically. For most partygoers, the venue restroom serves as a completely different venue in itself. The air on this side of the door is much lighter, void of the smoky humidity that the inside of the club offered. The bass from the DJ’s music becomes a muffled background beat for drunken conversations about what just went down at the bar. At times, the sound of someone in a stall whose liquor didn’t quite agree with them interrupts the buzz.

Yes, a club restroom can get “real.” The bathroom scene is the part of club life we’d rather not discuss, but cannot avoid. Whether you go to the restroom only when you absolutely have to, or plan restroom breaks with your posse every thirty-five minutes, we’ve all seen our fair share of the good, the bad, and complete “did that really happen?” moments.

The restroom attendant –the little lady perched on a barstool in the corner of your favorite spot’s restroom, listening quietly to all of your drunken conversation while at your service with a paper towel, a smile, and a lean of her head suggestively towards the tip jar. A staple in venue restrooms for both men and women, attendants provide a wide array of emergency nightlife goodies.

Irma, women’s bathroom attendant at The District in Midtown, had a spread complete with mints, perfume bottles, napkins and an assortment of gum flavors for $1 a stick. Other women’s bathroom attendants have weave glue, deodorant, or even flat irons. And in the men’s restrooms, attendants provide cologne, cigarettes, gum, mints, black and milds and an assortment of condoms for that after-hours hype.

Like most people in the hospitality industry, Irma makes the majority of her income from tips. Which isn’t easy to come by when servicing drunk people in the bathroom at a club. The tip jar, seemingly always half empty with singles, rarely gets any attention, yet it’s difficult to picture a trip to the restroom at the club without the bathroom lady/man. This brings up the question of whether or not it is necessary to tip them for handing you the napkin you could have very well picked up yourself. Their presence isn’t absolutely necessary, but on that night that nobody in your clique has emergency gum, Irma and her $1 stick of Winterfresh can come in handy.   Tipping the attendant is just one of the controversial issues that using the restroom at your favorite spot can bring to your attention. Simple cleanliness and etiquette can be questioned as well.

My rule of thumb; the Golden Rule slightly remixed. Treat club restrooms the way you would want your bathroom at home to be treated. Courtesy flush. We know you’re tipsy. We are too. But if your aim is off and you hit the seat just wipe the toilet down before you leave. It’s okay to tell that girl that she has toilet tissue stuck to the heel of her platform pumps. Use that little trash bin in each stall to properly dispose of your… products. Share the mirror. Please, leave your drink outside with the friend that didn’t go into the restroom. And when Irma hands you that paper towel, or you need a squeeze of that Sweet Pea lotion before you leave , drop her a couple of dollars. If that was your drink money, you can always wink at some guy at the bar to sponsor round four.

Illustration by Benjamin Buggs

© 2011, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

Location: Reggae Bodega

Fashion repeats itself over and over again so there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, express your creativity and intelligence by mastering the skill of thrift shopping.

There is nothing new about finding beauty in the past. However, there is something incredibly smart and crafty — read sexy — about a person savvy enough to style him or herself on a budget. Those in the know can pull it together by making a few stops and spending, literally, a few bucks.

Thrift shopping is not for that shopper who likes to purchase what they saw on the mannequin in the window.  You must be dedicated to the thrill of the hunt and have a real notion for your own style. Leave no hanger untouched and be prepared to sift through boxes.

For most, thrifting starts in college and your Granny’s closet. Houston’s Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store on 4330 Griggs Road  is liberating for two reasons: it’s possible to purchase five pairs of amazing earrings for under $5, and the proceeds support American veterans. When you donate clothing and items to the store to free up space in your closet, disabled vets can get anything in the store free of charge. At such low prices, you’ll never feel the usual shopper’s remorse leaving the lot.

The Cottage Thrift Shop, 811 Westheimer, has finds for completing the appropriate outfit for any occasion. Here, the prices are more reasonable for a thrift store, as they should be. Yves Saint Laurent blazers are available for $3 — if you’re an early bird.  The drive to hunt for the buried treasure and a toleration for the smell of mothballs is really all it takes to come up on valued items. This place has nothing on Saks Fifth Avenue. The gorgeous 100 percent silk embellished blouse for $2 would be insanely pricey at Saks. Dig a little deeper, you’ll find a vintage leather Chanel clutch for a price so low that it’s literally a steal. Feeling Fabulous? Check out the boutique section of the store and snag a luxurious fur shawl to drape over your evening gown on a chilly night. You have to really want it to find it; thrifting is not for the lazy and impatient shopper.

For the less hardcore thrift shoppers who don’t mind paying retail prices for worn items, consignment or second-hand shops may be the thing for you. Consignment means to place something valuable to you into the hands of another person. In Houston, resale shops are scattered throughout River Oaks, Montrose, Midtown and the lower Westheimer area. With popular places like Buffalo Exchange, Taxi Taxi and B’dazzled, you can have a shopping frenzy.

The difference between consignment shops and thrift stores are the prices; consignment being slightly higher. Consignment shopping allows you to act as your own merchant, selling and exchanging merchandise. There are definitely more designers on display, because buyers are looking for just that. Rock and Republic, priced at a retail value of $270, is $100 at a thrift price. The resale stores are ideal for designer denim lovers who seek deals. This makes less work for the guys and gals who like to get in and get out.

Need inspiration?

Take a look at old pictures of your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles; take notice on how dapper they look and adapt. Chances are those family members still have that blazer, those earrings, or those shoes that fit you perfectly. Be sure to get permission before you go nuts in a relative’s closet. Some may be flattered that you admire their sense of style and would be more than happy to let you borrow or keep some things. On the other hand, your Auntie may still step out in her black leather mini skirt, so just check to see if it’s cool with her first.

Show your individuality and financial savvy with these tips.

Photography by Visual Culture

© 2011, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

There was a time, long a go, where women, doused in Poison perfume by Dior, embraced uncomfortable weather conditions with lavish and sometimes gaudy outerwear; a time where the best of the “leathas and furs” were showcased  before storing away at the end of the winter; a time where clubs and dives accompanied men and women with coat checks or even hangers to put away those heavy accessories.

Why are we not doing this anymore?

Showing some skin during this transition in season may give you a cold, but wearing your goosebumps is tragic. The key to perfecting a  “Look but don’t touch” siloutte  is to create drama at the waist up. The upper body demands proper coverage to protect us from viruses and harsh criticism, therefore, a functional piece of bold outerwear is a good investment. Wool capes, fur vests and boleros, and leather bomber jackets adds a flare to your unit. At these unpredictable times, the best way to fight nature is to wear it.

Jacket by Jenise Gregg Couture

Coats take up unnecessary space when indoors, so go for a jacket. Know that in the cold, you’ll need a warm signature look. A cropped jacket or vest with these embellishments: spiked grommets, fur collars, or a slight exaggerated shoulder, will add the glamour and give you the confidence to walk in it. Try a jacket that contours to the upper body allowing comfortable space for pockets. The jacket should accentuate the curves, hugging the waste, and fall no lower than the top of the back jean pocket. Motorcycle jackets are great for this. Use your handbag to store extra little things-no bulky pockets. Pockets are used for stashing a lip gloss at most.

If you’re really feeling yourself, step out in an animal fur vest or shawl. Now is an ideal time to take advantage of clearance sales as Spring quickly approaches. Chinchilla and mink are the premier skins, followed by fox and rabbit. The feel to the touch isn’t as luxurious, but faux fur is an animal friendly option. If the idea of sporting animal is too “rah-rah” for you, wrap up in a wool cape with a hem about 3 inches past the waist, paired with knee high riding boots-it’s a fun look and a great conversation piece.

In our attempt to create more drama during the low temperature season, we ask the leaders of the night life (whoever you are) to conform to the standards of great customer service, or better yet, go back to what it was during the 90′s? Help create the environment of literally wearing fashion again.

Looking an uncomfortable mess, sweating in fur and leather, is not the drama we want for Houston. So don’t get it twisted. We need more coat checks; a key necessity to creating a fashionably fly entrance and exit at the club.

NOTE TO PARTY PEOPLE:

Opportune moments like parkin’ lot pimpin’ are reserved for stunner behavior.  Stepping out in a fur coat is a bold move, however, it carries no weight when you have to pull it out of your trunk at 2:30 a.m.

AND CLUB PROMOTERS:

The baller types who cough up the extra cash to skip the long line at the club, will surely do the same for coat check. Besides, everyone knows the long wrap-around lines are bogus before 12 a.m. anyway. Pick up the extra dollars worth spending and create a closet for 2011′s fall fashion.

Photography by Debra Ham
Make Up Artist: Jetawn Francine Ford
Shot at Sha Marie’s Hair Studio
Motorcycle Jacket by Jenise Gregg Couture

© 2011 – 2012, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.

NEW YORK, NY – December 6 –The Freestyle iPhone App, a portable recording studio for your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, has created quite a buzz in the hip-hop community since the new and improved version 2.1 hit the Apple App Store back in November. Combining a notepad, recorder and 14 original built-in instrumentals, Freestyle 2.1 allows MCs and writers to capture their creativity and record lyrics on-the-go, and then upload songs to Facebook, Soundcloud or Twitter as soon as they are recorded.

Boasting upgraded features like enhanced sharing capabilities and integration with your iTunes library, Freestyle 2.1 may be what the internet rappers – in all their hip to technology skills – are needing in this digital music bubble.

For More on Freestyle 2.1 check out www.freestyleapplication.com

Key Features:

• Notepad, beats, rhyming dictionary, and recorder all in one place
• Designed from the ground up to not get in the way of the writing and rhyming process
• 14 dope beats to rhyme to. Now with an exclusive NEW Freestyle medley
• No internet connection needed! Comes with Schirmer’s Complete Rhyming Dictionary
• Record multiple takes of a song and share! • Change beat and vocal levels after recording
• Streamlined & intuitive interface
• COMING SOON – NEW BEAT STORE

© 2010, www.theblvdmag.com. All rights reserved.