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MusicThe Latest

Exclusive: Erez Safar Discusses The Don’t Block Your Blessings Festival

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

The Don’t Block Your Blessings Festival, produced by Erez Safar, is a one of a kind virtual music festival that will be held on Valentine’s Day 2021. The festival will feature musicians, artist, and healing. Attendees will be able to enter different virtual rooms attending talks, musical performances, or watch live art creation. The Knockturnal spoke with Erez Safar about the festival and what attendees can expect to see.

 

The Knockturnal: What inspired you to create this festival?

Erez Safar: I lost my mom two months ago to cancer and I wanted to turn that pain and darkness into light and bring the inspiration she brought to me into the world. So I put together this project called Don’t Block Your Blessings. At first it started as a movement to share videos and stories of personal transformation, both from myself and countless others. Whether it was an aha moment someone had or an arduous journey in their lives that shifted their perspective to positivity, I wanted to share it with the world. The goal of the project is to collect and present an online living library of light and love to a world in need of healing.

Doing a live-stream festival came about because a few months back when I was stuck and unable to perform live shows, like so many other artists, and my album was coming out, I wanted to still do a big release party. I put together a page on my site and create interactive rooms and filled them with musicians and live painters from around the globe to do their thing in celebration of the album I called it Lo-Freq Fest and it was featured in Billboard and came out incredible!

After my mom passed and I started the “Don’t Block Your Blessings” (DBYB)  project, I wanted to engage as many people as possible who needed to hear others’ stories.  The DBYB Festival idea came from that impulse, and I decided that using this online venue I would add a virtual room dedicated to live-streaming some of the most innovative minds in self-growth and healing. The first DBYB festival which I put together with only a few weeks’ lead time brought in 25,774 viewers and with the upcoming one I am adding a lot of talented presenters with even more impressive followings. I am hoping it reaches over 100k viewers and participants.  The first festival featured my favorite DJ (DJ Qbert), some incredible musicians, MOONZz, Psychic Twin, Mikey Pauker, Sounten, Ada Pasternak, and the healing room was packed with programming including a session by Heather Prete (from The Den Meditation and UCLA) and David Sacks (writer of The Simpsons).

 

The Knockturnal: Is there any special virtual tech you’re using for this event?

Erez: Yes, I use various live-streaming platforms and incorporate the feeds into the portals we built on the DBYB website. I think it’s a first of its kind live-stream festival to feature musicians, artists, and healers in this way, sort of a Coachella meets wellness retreat.  To give you an idea, we built out three interactive rooms on our platform and festival goers to jump from room to room attending talks and sessions, accessing musical performances, and viewing live art as its created.

 

The Knockturnal: How did you choose the artists?

Erez: I am a fan of a lot of artists and healers, so I of course reached out to the people I love first, from there people just kept connecting me to more and more presenters and it just kept growing. I also host a Don’t Block Your Blessings room on Clubhouse every weekday from 1-2pm and that has been getting a lot of traction and has also been very healing for a lot of people. The room is called “#CheatCodes to Happiness // Don’t Block Your Blessings”.

 

The Knockturnal: Tell us about yourself and your career?

Erez: I’m based in Los Angeles, music has always been my biggest passion, I have a label and production company called Bancs Media, a music promo company called Slay Sonics and world music festival called the Sephardic Music Festival which has been profiled in The NY Times, Wall Street Journal and on NPR. I am also very much in the healing space, I developed a Telemedicine app called Elemental Treatment and a sister platform called Guru and You.

I produce music under the names h2the and Diwon and have two bands, Bonhom (mostly music for TV shows and film) and Dreams in Static.

 

The Knockturnal: What else have you been up to during the pandemic? 

Erez: A lot of this, managing my employees at my marketing firm, The Coup, and studying a lot of Kabbalah.

 

The Knockturnal: Who are some musicians that inspire you?

Erez: Coltrane is my favorite, I could hear one note from his sax and I know it’s him… of course, I can’t leave out Miles Davis in that regard, he re-created music genre many times over, a brilliant sonic revolutionary. I also love the Beastie Boys for similar reasons, they tossed out the idea of a genre and blended so many of their favorite influences to make some incredibly inventive songs and the fun they had while doing it comes out in all their music, so it’s a bit infectious in that regard. I’ve been super into Run the Jewels recently, El-p is an incredible producer and a witty rapper and Killer Mike is one of the best to do it, I love that they bring this sort of Rage Against The Machine intensity to hip-hop. I’ve mostly been listening to chill music because I’m in the one year mourning period from losing my mom, so a lot of Jose Gonzalez, Eviatar Banai, Novo Amor, Zusha and other ethereal type of artists.

 

The Knockturnal: Who would you like to collab with one day? (can be anyone) 

Erez: Artists that have created their own sounds and universes that I feel like I super vibe with sonically, Bon Iver, TV on the Radio, Banks, Diplo and Vampire Weekend.

 

The Knockturnal: How can people attend the festival?

Erez: The festival and all its rooms stream live on the website, www.dontblockyourblessings.org

 

The Knockturnal: Final thoughts?

Erez: Just that I’d love people to join the movement, whether its presenting at the festival, joining our Clubhouse room sessions or sharing their stories (which they can see examples at https://dontblockyourblessings.org/your-stories).

The next Don’t Block Your Blessings Festival will be free to participate in and free to attend virtually, and is set to take place on Valentine’s (Sunday February 14th), between 6-9pm PST.

 

 

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EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Exclusive: Andy Goldenberg Discusses ‘Love, Weddings & Other Disasters’

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

Andy Goldenberg stars in the new romantic comedy Love, Weddings & Other Disasters as bachelor Jimmy Barton. The romantic comedy explores the quest for love from a “colorful” group of individuals while they are simultaneously creating the dream wedding for a loving couple.  The Knockturnal spoke with Goldenberg to discuss the film, working with Dennis Dugan, and awkward moments.

 

The Knockturnal:  If you can be chained to any member of the cast, who would it be and why?

Andy Goldenberg: This is a tough question! Who do you go with? How do you not say Diane Keaton? I’ll tell you how: She’s a fashion icon and I am most comfortable in basketball shorts and a tshirt. And Jeremy Irons? I’m content spending all day gaming and I somehow don’t imagine that’s his thing. There were so many funny people on this film and, on off days, I’d actually hang out with my co-stars, but I have to go with Billy Concha, who plays Pedicab Guy. I worked with Billy on another film that Dugan directed and he’s just about one of the nicest guys I’ve met in Hollywood. On our first day of shooting, he snuck up behind me and wrapped me up in a big bear hug and we were so excited to see each other. The guy can not only fly planes and sail boats, he spent a month getting his license to drive a pedicab around Boston just so he could look natural in the movie! Anyone that’s worked with him in the industry will tell you the same thing: he’s a good dude.

 

The Knockturnal: Other than your relationship, which unlikely couple was your favorite?

Andy: I must confess that I loved watching Dennis Staroselsky and Caroline Portu on set. It felt like they had known each other for years and had such an amazing connection, but they are the most ​likely​ couple of the film. I think Diane Keaton and Jeremy Irons definitely have the sweetest storyline. Here’s this guy whose life is all about spectacle who ends up falling in love with a woman who can’t experience his visual art form. It’s touching and sweet.

 

The Knockturnal:  How was it to play alongside the director, Dennis Dugan?

Andy: Dennis has done it all. He’s been there, he’s done that. They call him “the great Dennis Dugan.” The day we shot the game show, he was acting ​and​ directing in front of a live studio audience with a script that he had ​also​ written. It was so cool to watch him command the stage. He kept the atmosphere light and always had the crowd laughing. The way I remember it he also had no line readings. Every take was different and exciting, based on whatever the other actor was giving him. You can’t ask for more.

 

The Knockturnal: Your character had some pretty awkward moments with the Russian stripper he was paired with so what is one of the strangest dates you have had?

Andy: Back in the stone ages before you used phone apps and websites for online dating, AOL had a Personals chat room where the single could mingle. After talking for a few hours online, a girl invited me over to her place to swim in her pool. It was now midnight and she lived 30 minutes away. It was right after college and I was back home, living with my mom, preparing to make the move to LA. I woke her up to let her know that I was going out for the night with my friend Brian to work on our buddy’s bachelor party. It was a terrible lie. She was so confused by why we had to meet up so late and why we couldn’t just talk it over on the phone or meet earlier the next day. It was really that I felt the need to let her know I was going out, “just in case.” Indeed, I got progressively more nervous the closer I got to the girl’s place and was coming up with escape scenarios for any eventual catfishing, but it wound up being super fun and she didn’t murder me. You’d think it was a total booty call, but we didn’t actually hook up. We just went swimming. I slept over, in her bed, but I don’t think anything happened. I was a pretty innocent guy, back then.

 

The Knockturnal: What is one of your favorite romantic comedies?

Andy: It doesn’t get much better than ​When Harry Met Sally.​ My mom didn’t let me watch it when I was a kid. It was rated R. I still look at the poster and can only think of it as some kind of adult film. It is so natural and so real and conversational. I’ve seen the movie a number of times, but I’ve seen the ending even more. I only have to watch Billy Crystal’s declaration of love for Meg Ryan. It gets me every time. I love it and it’s the standard upon which I judge every other romantic comedy. That being said, I also actually LOVE ​Love, Actually a​ nd this movie felt very much like that structure, so I was excited to be a part of it.

 

The Knockturnal:  You’re a self proclaimed king of dad jokes, what is your most cheesy dad joke?

Andy: I LOVE Dad Jokes. I’m excited that I now have my very own child to annoy. My favorite joke is lame. But, I guess that’s what makes it a dad joke. I say it every year. And it makes me laugh. Every time. And my wife smiles and rolls her eyes. It’s simple. “I can’t believe it’s already January 2nd.” That’s it. On January 1st, my wife knows it’s coming. But she can’t run from it. Unless she doesn’t talk to me that day. And, even then, I don’t have​ to say it. She just ​knows​ I’m thinking it. I own that joke. Runner up: What is a pirate’s favorite letter of the alphabet? Aye. You think it’d be Arrr, but it’d be the sea.

 

The Knockturnal: Do you have any upcoming projects to share?

Andy: I released a children’s book called ​Peter, the Paranoid Pumpkin​ about a pumpkin who doesn’t want to be alone outside during Halloween and I have written other holiday books that just need to be illustrated. Also, the pandemic gave me some time and some inspiration to start writing the third season of my popular zombie romantic comedy, ​Bad Timing, so hopefully we’ll all be seeing that soon.

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MusicThe Latest

Exclusive: Mikey Pauker Discusses New Song and Conscious Music

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

Mikey Pauker (pronounced pow-ker) is a Conscious Rock artist from Fairfax, California. Pauker has been described as one of “The 10 Stars Of The New Jewish Music” via TIME Magazine. He has released multiple albums including Sim Shalom, Mikey Pauker & The JoyMachine, Extraordinary Love, The Sages EP & ASCENSION. This year Pauker released his new single “We Are Safe” produced by Jim Kaufman (AWOLNATION, Finish Ticket, Anti Flag) on Ineffable Records home to artists including: Stick Figure, Through the Roots, Tropidelic, Mike Love among others. He performed the song and was a guest on The Aubrey Marcus podcast, a motivational destination for conversations with the brightest minds in athletics, business, science, relationships and spirituality with over 35 million downloads on iTunes. His “RISE Vulnerable Rally” music video swept the world touching the hearts of over 1 million souls.

The Knockturnal spoke with the musician about his start in music, what it means to create conscious music and his inspiration behind his work.

 

The Knockturnal: How did you get your start in music?

Mikey Pauker: I’ve been involved in music since a very young age. My father who was an avid supporter of Americana and folk music used to drive me around in his car and we would listen to Paul Simon’s Graceland. I remember my father pull onto the side of the road and saying to me “Mikey this is what we call the drums” and he would place his hand on mine and tap out the rhythm. As a kid, I used to dance in front of the mirror pretending that I was Michael Jackson. I remember asking my mother for my first guitar when I was in sixth grade. I began taking lessons with a music teacher and when I was in high school I remember receiving my first acoustic guitar. That changed everything. I started writing music and during my senior year, my band won the battle of the bands. Pretty soon later I started playing at a local coffee shop. I knew from a young age that music was going to be my life.

The dreams that I was having back then were premonitions of the life I’m living now.

 

The Knockturnal: Who are important mentors in your life?

Mikey Pauker: I’m grateful to my mentors who have guided me on my journey. About 10 years ago I headed out to Jerusalem to study at Yeshivah Simchat Shlomo where I met the dean of the school: Reb Sholom Brodt. For the first time in my life, I had a spiritual teacher and mentor who taught me in-depth about spiritual practice and study. I would meet him in the morning at the Mikvah (ritual bath)) and he would immerse me in the sacred waters. We would walk upstairs to the Shul and he would stand right next to me snd teach me how to pray. It was an intimate experience. Unfortunately, Reb Sholom passed away a couple of years ago. I never had the opportunity to say goodbye but I still feel him here with me.

I then met Rabbi Zelig Golden almost a decade ago at my cousin’s wedding. I felt like we had a soul connection. He mentioned to me that he was the founder and CEO of Wilderness Torah: the center for earth-based Judaism. For the past seven years, I have been participating in his organization through many facets and pilgrimage festivals. Zelig has been an extremely influential soul in my life who has supported me through spiritual rites of passage helping me connect to a deeper relationship with earth and spirit. Rabbi Zelig has taught me to walk humbly and to learn how to share my gifts. I’ve been learning how to dismantle the patriarchy that lives within me and the world around me. It’s been really powerful to work with him.

 

The Knockturnal: Your bio says you’re a conscious musician. What does that mean? 

 Mikey: Conscious music is a new wave of music crossing many genres uplifting positive and healing messages through music. You can see this wave happening throughout festival culture and on many streaming music platforms.

A lot of these artists are social and holistic activists that use their medium of music to connect listeners to spiritual and mind-altering concepts.

 My music weaves the technology of mantra and affirmations implemented in the narratives of my songs to connect listeners with Spirit and their heart. Other artists in this genre include Rising Appalachia, Mike Love, Ayla Nereo. Many of these artists also tour throughout the year playing transformative music festivals like Envision, Beloved, Soulplay, Lighting In A Bottle.

 

The Knockturnal: How does faith play a role in your music?

 Mikey: Faith is everything. Many of my songs are based on Kabbalistic text and my spiritual journey. I feel very blessed and privileged to have found sanctuary through my connection with God. It’s something I don’t take for granted. It’s a relationship based on sacred reciprocity.

 My main practices to clear out my vessel so I can be in a sovereign place to receive these songs are meditation, chant, and dance. The spiritual technologies give us human beings the tools to clear our energetic bodies so we can step into this world as grounded and open vessels to receive messages from Creator, Spirit Guides, and our Ancestors.

 

The Knockturnal: Who are your favorite musicians?

Mikey: That’s a complicated question. I have so many favorites. I grew up listening to a lot of folk and reggae music: Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Bob Marley. In my youth, I listened to a lot of Christian rock music actually from going to underground shows at the churches in my hometown. These days I’ve been soaking up: NEEDTOBREATHE, Bon Iver, Chronixx, Coldplay, Dermot Kennedy, Jai Uttal.

 

The Knockturnal: Who would you like to collab with one day? 

Mikey: Idan Raichel, Chronixx, Mike Love, Chris Martin, Ryan Tedder, Mike Dean, RY X, and of course Rick Rubin.

 

The Knockturnal: Tell us about your new song. What inspired it?

Mikey: “We Are Safe” Is a positive affirmation and mantra to lift us out of this dark chapter of human history. I know it’s been a very challenging year for most of the world and it surely has for me. This song is not asking us to ignore the real-life challenges that many of us are facing right now. Instead, it is a hopeful mantra that can create inspiration and upliftment so we can live our days connected more to our hearts. I released it on one of the most popular reggae and rock labels: Ineffable Records.

 

The Knockturnal: What has the pandemic been like for you?

Mikey: The pandemic has been a huge reset for me. As a touring musician, this is the first year in over a decade and I’ve been able to live a more domesticated life. Just like everyone I’ve had grievances that have ultimately become blessings. Although my tours were canceled this year I went to work. I focused on songwriting this year. I honestly can’t believe the powerful transmissions that have come through this year of that front. I couldn’t be more excited to release new music in 2021. At the same time, I want to get back to us so many musicians and spiritual teachers that have inspired me throughout the years. So I launched the “Weaving Earth Festival” which brought together viewers globally. From all three we had over 100,000 views. Not bad. Some of the presenters were: Jai Uttal, Porangui, MaMuse, Mose, George & Georgia Bertelstein, Samantha Sweetwater, Shiva Baum, and more! I also lost a Jewish music festival in partnership with The Reconstructionist Movement and Or Shalom called “Koleynu” bringing together some of the most well known Jewish musicians and wisdom carriers. Also, I released “We Are Safe” on Ineffable records. Also A couple of remixes for my song rise with both DJ Taz Rashid and Mose.

 

A few months ago I got into a head-on accident that forced me to slow down. I survived with a broken right wrist and an injured left hip. The past few months have been filled with intensive physical therapy to get me back on my feet. I finally can play guitar again and It feels like I fell back in love with the simplicity of just being able to play. Feels good.

 

The Knockturnal: What’s coming up next for you? 

 Mikey: I just finished mastering four brand new songs produced by Jim Kaufman (Awolnation, Finish Ticket, Antiflag) and we are right now shopping for them to labels. I’m excited to be releasing the full album in 2021 along with the series of music videos. Be on the lookout. Also, once things open up I’m going to begin touring. We shall see how that pans out. Everything is unpredictable due to the pandemic but I have a good feeling things will begin opening up in 2021.. we shall see. I hope to see you out there. Big love!

 

Stay connected at www.mikeypauker.com .

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Fashion & BeautyLifestyle

Exclusive: Priscilla Jiminian Discusses Skincare Line and Entrepreneurship

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

Skincare brand Skinergy Beauty was designed to meet the skincare needs of women of color. Owner Priscilla Jiminian created the brand when she realized that as an Afro-Latina her own skincare needs weren’t being met by what was available.  The Knockturnal spoke with Priscilla about Skinergy Beauty and being an entrepreneur.

The Knockturnal: At what moment did you realize you needed to enter the skincare industry?

 

Priscilla Jiminian: I was experimenting with products to achieve the “glass skin” look. As much as I found this notion of clear and translucent skin to be interesting, the products required too many steps – which took up too much of my time. I realized there had to be a simpler way to combat multiple skin concerns with less steps and less products in less time.

 

At the same time, I was already selling hundreds of Dark Spot Correcting Cream (which was formulated in the Dominican Republic in 2017) to my Instagram followers. That’s when it became clear to me that I should officially start Skinergy Beauty, and expand the skincare line. I knew there had to be a way to minimize the use of so many products.

 

The Knockturnal: What was it like building Skinergy Beauty from the ground up?

 

Priscilla: Building the business has been simultaneously exhilarating and stressful. When I entered the skincare industry, I was still working full-time in real estate. I invested most of my personal income to sustain Skinergy Beauty and legitimize it as a business. I taught myself everything by doing extensive research, and incorporating what I knew as a self-employed professional with a decade of customer service knowledge. As a creative, I also knew I wanted to bring my vision to fruition in the best way possible – and really capture the clean look and feel of the Skinergy Beauty product line. It was risky to take this route – without any outside monetary help such as loans – but it was a leap of faith that paid off and I’m thankful.

 

The Knockturnal: What has been your biggest challenge with creating your own skincare line?

Priscilla: Learning how to find the perfect work/life balance is always a challenge – whether you are self-employed or work for someone else. When you wear all of the hats, it is so easy to lose yourself or spread yourself too thin.

 

I have to constantly remind myself to take a mental break (and even take days off) to relax and enjoy other things. As much as I love what I do, it is still a job because I oversee and operate every aspect of the business. Sometimes, you can burn out. Balance is key.

The Knockturnal: Being Afro-Latina, what has it been like being a representative as well as an inspiration for young women?

Priscilla: It has been incredibly humbling to be a part of the representation of Afro-Latinas, because diversity and inclusion is lacking in the beauty industry. My hope is to continue to inspire all people and women of color to break the barriers, aim high and never let fear dictate your decisions. It doesn’t matter if someone else did it before you or if it’s unfamiliar territory you’re going into, we all have dreams and goals we want to attain. Persevere, and make it happen.

 

The Knockturnal: How were you able to create a skincare line that was inclusive of diverse skin types, tones, and needs?

Priscilla: It is a very personal journey, based on what my skin needed. I had the advantage of connecting with many other people of color via social media, and listened to what their skincare needs.

Reactive, sensitized skin requires simple, gentle, natural ingredients to help soothe and calm the skin. That was the basis when I expanded Skinergy Beauty to include a serum, moisturizer, toner and now a cleanser.

The Knockturnal: What advice would you give to someone interested in entrepreneurship?

Study the particular industry as much as possible. Align yourself with like-minded individuals that are in similar industries. The learning will never end – so buy the books, read the articles, watch the videos. Become well-versed and cultivated, become an expert. Execute the idea from start to finish. Study the competition. Learn basic accounting, the state laws that you may need to know as a business owner, and how to pay quarterly taxes.

Make sure to own your brand name; i.e.: trademark or copyright. Buy your domain, get the social media handles for your brand, and make sure that everything looks the same and is consistent across the board. Cohesion is vital for recognition and growth.

Finally, know your audience and customers – they are the most important factor in determining your success.

Photo Courtesy of Skinergy Beauty

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LifestyleThe Latest

Exclusive: Hilary Sheinbaum Discusses her New Book ‘The Dry Challenge’

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

Journalist Hilary Sheinbaum discusses the advantages of sobriety and what she learns through participating in the Dry Challenge. For Sheinbaum the lessons she learned through participating in the challenge have become a part of a greater philosophy and her annual practice. She has now written the book The Dry  Challenge,  which goes on sale December 29, on abstaining from alcohol for thirty days. The Knockturnal spoke with Sheinbaum about the new book, the benefits of sobriety, and her career as a journalist.

The Knockturnal: What inspired you to do the Dry Challenge?

Hilary Sheinbaum: My first dry challenge was decided on a whim and part of a silly bet! In December 2016, during the holiday season, I had dinner with one of my guy friends, Alejandro, and we briefly talked about Dry January — the act of giving up all wine, beer, and spirits for 31 days — but, I almost immediately forgot about the topic. Soon after, on Dec. 31, I tipsy texted him from a New Year’s Eve Party and challenged him to a bet. This was out of character for me because #1) I don’t usually make new year’s resolutions and, #2) as a journalist, I was writing a lot about celebrities as well as food & beverage — so part of my job was to report about drinks! The premise of our bet was to see who could last the entire month without drinking. The winner would win dinner, provided by the person who did not complete the dry challenge. In short: he lost, I won — and I won a lot more than dinner. My skin and sleep improved — and eventually, I wrote a book about how to successfully complete a dry month!

 

The Knockturnal: What was the biggest challenge with giving up alcohol for a month?

Hilary: One of the challenges I encountered that first year was not planning or thinking through what I was about to do. I’m usually a big planner, but I made a bet just before the ball dropped on New Years Eve, and my challenge promptly began at 12 a.m. on January 1, 2017. I didn’t clear out my liquor cabinet or have a script in my head about how the month was going to play out, or how I was going to communicate my challenge to friends or dates — because I was single at the time! I just went for it. I didn’t know this then, but making that spontaneous bet impacted my month as a whole and definitely the months and years that followed.

 

The Knockturnal: Do you suggest doing this challenge completely substance-free (i.e. no cigarettes, vape pens, and other substances)?

Hilary: To reap the benefits of a dry month, I would suggest going completely substance free — no vaping, no cigarettes — to see how you feel. Understandably, if someone is trying to quit smoking cigarettes, that can be a challenge in itself, and it’s not my personal area of expertise, so my best advice is to eliminate alcohol for the month and not use other substances as a replacement for drinking.

 

The Knockturnal: What are some popular misconceptions about dry January or Sober October?

Hilary: One misconception I hear about dry months is that they’re boring or it makes you anti-social. There are so many adventures, activities and things to do that don’t involve alcohol, whether it’s dinners with friends, working out, traveling — the possibilities are endless. In fact, you may find new, cool things to do with your time that you would otherwise have never found, rather than spending hours under the influence or hungover! 

 

The Knockturnal: Since you have been doing this challenge since 2017 have you noticed something different each year you complete the challenge?

Hilary: The first year, in January 2017, I went into the challenge without a plan. Every January since then, or whenever I take on a dry month, I’m more aware of what my calendar entails. The most important thing is setting yourself up for success, so I try to figure out what’s coming up in my life. For example, if you’re getting married and want to enjoy Champagne on your wedding day, it might not be the best time for a dry month. But, if you want to be dry on your wedding — go for it! More power to you.

 

The Knockturnal: With your career as a journalist which requires you to be alert and able to multi-task. How do you feel the dry challenge impacted our work life?

Hilary: One of the best parts about not drinking is no hangovers, ever. As a journalist — or for anyone who has a job with tight deadlines, demanding turnarounds or the need to think quickly on your feet — being clear-minded and alert is so important. I find that when I participate in a dry month, I’m more motivated, well rested, and I can work more quickly and succinctly! 

 

The Knockturnal: Similarly drinking for many is a social activity how do you feel like sobriety benefited your social life?

Hilary: I think my social life has improved from dry month participation. Instead of “going for a drink” over and over, it’s challenged me to find other fun activities with friends like hiking, workout classes and creative outlets that don’t involve alcohol. 

 

Dry January even improved my dating life. In 2015, I met a guy at a party. We hit it off and went on dates over the course of a month. Four of those five dates involved alcohol — which isn’t a big deal. That’s how dating in New York is. At the time, I couldn’t gauge if we really fit together, so we went our separate ways. In 2018, this person came back into my life as a friend. In 2019, he participated in a Dry January with me and we got to know each other without the influence of alcohol. Almost two years later, we’re still dating, and we now live together. So, I think dry months have more than a few perks!  

 

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EntertainmentThe LatestTVVideo

Exclusive: ‘Bridgerton’ Cast Discuss Joining Shondaland [Video]

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

On December 25th, Shondaland will be premiering their first project with Netflix: Bridgerton.

The show is based on the Julia Quinn book series and shows the beauty of the regency era with the drama and entertainment that Shondaland is known for. Unlike the book series, Shondaland was intentional about showcasing and reflecting the world we live in by having a diverse cast and storylines exploring race, class, and sexuality all while telling the scandalous stories of the British aristocracy. 

Chris Van Dussen (show-runner and executive producer) discussed having an on set etiquette expert who taught the cast the social cues of the regency era and how to mimic the body language and customs of the regency era aristocracy. It was important to the Shondaland team to focus on every detail of the show. They invested time in making sure the show felt authentic to viewers while remaining enjoyable and binge worthy like many of Shonda’s series. 

Shonda Rhimes is an icon in American television and for the British cast of Bridgerton it was an honor to join her orbit and the Shondaland family. For Jonathan Bailey he’s proud to be a part of a family that champions diversity and inclusion. For actress Nicola Coughlan Shonda Rhimes has set the benchmark for what television should be. 

With Shonda Rhimes creating iconic television Bridgerton is a reflection of the Shondaland sparkle.The television series and period piece explores many modern conversations around race and class through  a gossip column, forbidden love, social gatherings,and the social relationships and social mobility of the characters. As a result the show isn’t short of drama, passion, and humor. 

With Bridgerton, audiences will not only see themselves in a television series set in an era and genre that typically lacks representation. Audiences will be able to laugh and enjoy the lives, various realties, worlds, and personalities of the Bridgertons.

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IFC Hosts Special Virtual Screening of ‘MLK/FBI’

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

MLK/FBI tells the story of civil rights her Martin Luther King Jr. relationship with the FBI. 

The documentary not only reveals the intimate details of King’s private life but his political life and the FBI’s plot against him and his image. His role in the civil right’s movement has been memorialized however, Dr. King as a person and the FBIs monitoring and campaign against him is typically unknown. 

 

The FBI during J. Edgar Hoover’s time at the bureau there was a monitoring of Americans with potential communist ties. King’s relationship with Stanley Levinson led to a close monitoring of Dr.King’s private life and revealed his extramarital affairs. Ultimately all of this information was collected as the FBI’s intent of discrediting Dr.King.

 

For Sam Pollard his biggest concern with pursuing this documentary was that the documentary could diminish his reputation and could possibly receive pushback from the King family. However, after filming he believes the film will be able to highlight the complexities of Dr.King and show the humanity of the man who in many ways has become the face of peaceful protesting, Black liberation and the continuous fight against segregation in America. The awareness of who Dr.King was and what he represented can coexist without discrediting him or taking away from his legacy.

 

The documentary not only explores some of the nuances and difficulties with accepting and understanding American history but shows the complexities of not just Dr.King but the political figures that have been associated with allyship or “being the good guys.” The documentary will not only explore J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI but the role of the Kennedy administration as well. 

 

The documentary leaves room for interpretation and will allow viewers to decide between what is right and wrong, ideological alignment, and the opportunity to see the humanness of figures whose legacies feel untouchable. 

 

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Exclusive: Kenyah Sandy Discusses Steve McQueen’s ‘Small Axe: Education’ and Black British History [Video]

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

Education is the final episode of the Small Axe anthology series. The episode follows the realities of a young boy named Kingsley showing the racism within the British school system and the experience of West Indian children who were left the victims by it.

 

West Indian children were discriminated against and ultimately segregated from their schoolmates and sent off to “special” schools also known as schools for the educationally subnormal. The story of Kingsley reflects the harsh history of the British school system and the realities for many West Indian children in the 70s. Kingsley is a bright young boy who thrives in math and science however, struggles to read instead of providing Kingsley with a diagnosis and giving him the tools needed to understand his learning disability his school uses it as an opportunity to separate him into an  ESN school(educationally subnormal). The school is integrated however, it is clear that the reasoning behind the children being admitted into the ESN school are different.With the lack of resources and caring teachers the design of the school leads to many children falling through the cracks and due to racial biases West Indian children were greatly affected.

 

For Kenyah Sandy his portrayal of Kingsley gave him the opportunity to learn about Black British history while simultaneously reflecting on the evolution of the British school system and the increase of educational opportunities for Black children of school age. For Kenyah being a part of the Small Axe films gave him but also the world an opportunity to see the history of Black Britain and West Indians in Britain. 

 

The Small Axe series created by Steve McQueen will be able to build the diasporic bridge by showing not only Black history on a global scale but by also connecting Black experiences around the world. 

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EntertainmentFilmThe LatestVideo

Exclusive: Kenyah Sandy Discusses Steve McQueen’s ‘Small Axe: Education’ and Black British History [Video]

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

Education is the final episode of the Small Axe anthology series. The episode follows the realities of a young boy named Kingsley showing the racism within the British school system and the experience of West Indian children who were left the victims by it.

 

West Indian children were discriminated against and ultimately segregated from their schoolmates and sent off to “special” schools also known as schools for the educationally subnormal. The story of Kingsley reflects the harsh history of the British school system and the realities for many West Indian children in the 70s. Kingsley is a bright young boy who thrives in math and science however, struggles to read instead of providing Kingsley with a diagnosis and giving him the tools needed to understand his learning disability his school uses it as an opportunity to separate him into an  ESN school(educationally subnormal). The school is integrated however, it is clear that the reasoning behind the children being admitted into the ESN school are different.With the lack of resources and caring teachers the design of the school leads to many children falling through the cracks and due to racial biases West Indian children were greatly affected.

 

For Kenyah Sandy his portrayal of Kingsley gave him the opportunity to learn about Black British history while simultaneously reflecting on the evolution of the British school system and the increase of educational opportunities for Black children of school age. For Kenyah being a part of the Small Axe films gave him but also the world an opportunity to see the history of Black Britain and West Indians in Britain. 

 

The Small Axe series created by Steve McQueen will be able to build the diasporic bridge by showing not only Black history on a global scale but by also connecting Black experiences around the world. 

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Exclusive: Eugene Ashe and Ryan Michelle Bathe Discuss ‘Sylvie’s Love’ [Video]

by Katherine Tinsley
written by Katherine Tinsley

This December 23, Amazon studios will be premiering Sylvie’s Love.

The film starring Tessa Thompson and Namdi Asomugha tells the love story of Sylvie and Robert through the beauty of color, television and jazz. The film was written and directed by Eugene Ashe and is his way of showing the beauty and class of Black people within Harlem and across the nation during this time. In his own words, he wanted to show that we also looked like Doris Day. Sylvie’s Love is a period piece, however, the film shows a different view and representation of Black life and love instead of adversity and pain. Sylvie’s Love highlights Black love, beauty, friendship and culture without it being depicted as painful. 

For Ashe he was able to pull inspiration from his own family photos and with Ashe being a musician himself and also from Harlem, he was able to weave aspects of his own story into the film. There was an appreciation for the use of color within film and the color palette of each scene combined with the Jazz music of Harlem that worked together to help further the storytelling process. 

 

For Ryan Michelle Bathe, she was able to come onto set feeling and understanding the history of the character she was portraying. Bathe and her castmates along with the crew focused on every detail of the film looking into the body language of the characters, how their hair would be styled, their wardrobe and the history behind the details. The awareness of this helped to better mold the world Kate and the characters were navigating.

 

For Bathe her ability to be a part of the film is a manifestation of her being a hopeless romantic, from her falling in love with the script and the characters and she is honored to be a part of the film. The love from the cast and crew is shown through the love story they’re depicting. 

 

For Ashe, being able to tell a story of Black love in a year filled with Black trauma is the most needed emotion to be depicted and felt at this time. 

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