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The New York Latino Film Festival Opening Night ft. Story Ave

by Micaela Verrelien
written by Micaela Verrelien

Every year The New York Latino Film Festival curates a special line up of versatile films in honor of celebrating culture and of course the love of film. This year the festival happens to fall on the same month as Hispanic Heritage month, which makes it a double celebration. 

 

The NYLFF kicked off the celebration with the award winning film “Story Ave” directed by Aristotle Torres. “Story Ave” is a film that not only won the SXSW as the best narrative feature special jury award, but it caught the attention of Oscar and Grammy awards winner Jamie Fox. 

We all know Jamie for his humor, insanely talented vocals, and award winning acting skills. With Jamie backing “Story Ave” as a producer, just know you are in for a ride.

 

The cast is filled with massive talent like Luis Guzman, Asante Blackk, Cassandra Freeman, Melvin Gregg, and so much more. The film is set in Bronx, New York. It follows a visual artist  teen, played by Asante Blackk, whose brother unfortunately passes away. The passing of his brother affects him severely which lands him in the wrong crowd. Without giving you any spoilers just know that this film may sound discouraging, but it is the complete opposite. It is a film that rewards the heart with happy tears and encouragement of the soul. 

 

If you need some encouragement, make sure you check out the film now and celebrate Hispanic Heritage month.

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Events

On The Scene: Nights of the Jack Grand Opening

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

The crisp autumn air carries whispers of Halloween, and in Los Angeles, that means one thing: Halloween events galore. How do you decide which to go to? The one event that stands out for me, hands down, is Nights of the Jack. On Friday, September 29, I attended the grand opening of this breathtakingly immersive experience that celebrates the essence of Halloween.

The star of the night was undoubtedly the mile-long walking trail adorned with an enchanting array of hand-carved festival jack-o’-lanterns. The vibrant Halloween lights and themed scenes created a mesmerizing spectacle that appeals to visitors of all ages. As we walked around the trail, we were captivated by the creativity on display, from SpongeBob’s Bikini Bottom to a touching tribute to Kobe. Each pumpkin was a work of art.

This year, Nights of the Jack introduced various interactive experiences that added a thrilling twist to the festivities. An AR scavenger hunt challenged attendees to “find Jack” and reap digital rewards. Digital carnival games, including axe throwing and jack-o’-lantern tossing, added to the excitement. But the crown jewel was the AR selfie stations featuring spooky backgrounds – the perfect way to capture the night’s memories.

Beyond the pumpkins, Nights of the Jack offered a cornucopia of attractions for visitors to savor. Expert pumpkin carvers brought pumpkins to life before our very eyes. Themed face painting delighted guests of all ages, turning them into Halloween creatures of their choosing. A resident psychic offered mystical readings, and a souvenir shop provided a chance to take home a piece of the magic.

Nights of the Jack is not just another Halloween event; it’s an experience that caters to everyone. Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly adventure or a unique date night, this is the place to be. The variety of food options and drinks kept us energized throughout our journey.

As I left the event, I couldn’t help but wonder if they would create a Christmas trail. If they do, consider me there. Nights of the Jack is a place where Halloween’s magic is celebrated and truly lived.

Check out our recap reel here.

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ArtEntertainmentEventsTVUncategorized

HBO Max Brings Young Love to Life at Fort Greene Park

by Branda Ayo
written by Branda Ayo

Set against the backdrop of Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, NY, HBO Max hosted an immersive screening of Matthew Cherry’s new animated series Young Love this past Wednesday. The Chicago-based show follows an African American couple voiced by Issa Rae and Kid Cudi as Stephen & Angela, along with their daughter Zuri, played by Brooke Monroe Conaway. The animated series was greenlit by HBO Max in 2020 and launched 9/21 for streaming on HBO.

The new series for HBO Max is created by Cherry, who will showrun with long-time animation creative Carl Jones (The Boondocks, Black Dynamite). The series will be executive produced by Blue Key Entertainment’s Monica A. Young (producer of Hair Love) along with Lion Forge Animation’s David Steward II and Carl Reed.

 

For the family-friendly event HBO Max hosted immersive activations in partnership with Scene In Black & The Lay Out based on the 12-part TV show including:

  • Angela’s Salon: Hair Braiding presented by Yeluchi by Un-Ruly
  • Stephen’s Studio: Beats Making presented by BeatClub & Serato
  • Zuri’s Reading Corner: Kids Activities presented by Penguin Random House
  • Photo Moment: Family House

DJ BMAJR kept the mood alive and upbeat as the official DJ of the evening playing throwbacks and new singles for their set.

The event kicked off promptly at 6 PM, drawing a crowd of eager parents and their little ones, all grabbing snacks and preparing for the evening’s screening. However, the show didn’t start until after sunset, around 7 PM, heightening the anticipation among the attendees. While some episodes had already been released on HBO Max the week before, the opportunity to gather and celebrate a Black TV show in the heart of Brooklyn felt like a powerful statement.

Notably, the local partners that HBO Max collaborated with were predominantly Black vendors or organizations, further emphasizing the event’s intentional commitment to diversity. This choice was in line with the show’s creator and showrunner, Matthew Cherry, who is a Black filmmaker and first-time father. It was an inspiring moment, given the historical significance of Black hair and how it has defined the Black community, to see a light, family-friendly show portraying everyday struggles such as dealing with family expectations, life after a setback, and parenthood, especially to a bright young Black girl. These are challenges that the young couple must contend with, and the TV show skillfully highlights their journey.

Amidst these pressures, the TV show shines a light on the joy and love that the family members have for each other and those around them. Angela’s return to her life after her cancer remission includes relearning her trade as a hairstylist, with mistakes made but ultimately giving herself grace. Stephen grapples with embracing his musical talent and recognizing that his work may not appeal to everyone, understanding that artistic taste is subjective. Meanwhile, Zuri, as cute as ever, urges her parents to participate in a school project, not just to fulfill an assignment, but to showcase how cool and supportive her parents are. Angela and Stephen manage to arrive just in the nick of time, making Zuri proud and treating the kids to some great music for dancing.

Photograph Courtesy of Max

HBO Max screened the first two episodes interactively, engaging the audience with trivia questions related to influential Black movies and TV shows embedded in popular culture. As the evening came to a close, Matthew Cherry, along with other key members of the show, took the stage to express their gratitude to the guests for joining in the celebration of the continuation of their storytelling journey, from Hair Love to Young Love. The Brooklyn audience gave Cherry a well-deserved round of applause, echoing their appreciation for the screening.

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Be Your Own John Wick at The Continental’s Pop-Up Bar in NYC

by Catherina Gioino
written by Catherina Gioino

In the dark and gritty underworld of John Wick, there’s only one rule professionals are told to abide: no business conducted on Continental grounds. That, and markers must be honored. And yet, as if the second to fourth movies of the John Wick franchise have taught professionals nothing, yet another person has been murdered in The Continental, and this time, you’re prime suspect number one. 

That’s the premise when you enter The Continental premises in New York for the next three weeks. The famed downtown Manhattan cultural attraction, and actual filming location of The Continental in the John Wick series, is hosting a murder-mystery party and you’re at the center of it all. 

“Welcome to The Continental: The Hotel Bar Experience” is an immersive cocktail dinner party experience running for three weeks starting September 21. The pop-up spurred in conjunction with Peacock’s newest prequel to the John Wick series, “The Continental.” Each week of the pop-up also correlates to the release of the latest episode of the three-part series:  Part one on Friday, September 22, part two – Friday, September 29 and part three on Friday, October 6.

Regardless of whether you’re a diehard John Wick fan or have no idea how important the sacred grounds of The Continental are to this deadly world of crime, you’re guaranteed to have a blast at the pop-up bar experience. From questionable subjects offering convoluted information to bloodied suspects giving up even more contradictory statements, you’re playing part-detective part-theater-goer in this truly enveloping experience. Coupled with the exchange of gold coins like in the movies, you’re pretty involved in the criminal underworld of the John Wick series, and you’re going to love every minute of it.

The night starts before you even get through the front door. While waiting to take a photo next to an NYC cab straight from the 1970s, you’re accosted by a New York Herald Tribune (RIP to the NYC journo folks out there) reporter who gives you his card and says to text him with any information you might have regarding a mysterious murder on Continental grounds. With the scene set, you’re given three gold coins and are escorted to the front desk of The Continental.

Upon entering the unholy grounds, the concierge explains the rules of the show: keep your “fancy telex machine,” as characters will refer to it often, on at all times as there will be messages conveyed to you– via text so no decoding there– and also opportunities to scan QR codes and take photos that you can check out through a special link sent to you. Additionally, you’re required, absolutely a must, to have a blast. Once you pay your coin to the concierge, you’re invited inside for some champagne while Roy the Cowboy with a loose bolo tie tells everyone a certain set of clues lurks behind the initial bar’s curtains.

Walking behind those curtains, you’re now set in the main setting for the night. There, you’ll find tables and seating arrangements for those who want to just take a laidback approach to this murder-mystery, but for those who are full involved, there are a number of somewhat conspicuous characters who are full of clues– or, red herrings. While these characters roam around the room, you’re welcome to exchange your coins for any number of John Wick-inspired drinks, and you’ll leave plenty filled with the mouthwatering food passed around throughout the night. Don’t worry if you run out of coins– there are trusty porters and bellhops who cleverly slip you a few more when you need.

With a rather loud interruption in the middle of the night, you’re then left to your own devices as you get riddled with messages regarding which rooms to visit and which characters to speak to– as well as a fun opportunity to take your photo for “intake” with a sassy tattooed assistant telling you in a rather deep 1950s Brooklyn accent to hurry it up. Without giving too much away, you’re in for a treat in the adult playground you’re encouraged to roam with glee.

“Welcome to The Continental: The Hotel Bar Experience” is an immersive cocktail dinner party experience running for three weeks starting September 21. Get your tickets here and let’s see if you make out the suspect before you’re ex-communicato.

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Victoria Monet Brings ’Jaguar II’ To Atlanta

by Chantell Hayden
written by Chantell Hayden

Victoria Monet took over Atlanta Tuesday night at the Buckhead Theatre where she performed on her first, official headlining tour The Jaguar Tour. On Aug. 25, the singer-songwriter released her debut studio album Jaguar II, the sequel to her 2020 EP Jaguar.

The Jaguar Tour kicked off Sep. 6 in Detroit and quickly made its way through the northeast until landing in her birth city of Atlanta. The venue was packed at every corner with fans dressed in Victoria’s signature brown hue. Once she opened the show with “Moment,” it was clear that we were in for a legendary night.

The audience belted out every word as she danced along with her backup dancers to “Coastin’”, “FUCK” and “Jaguar” in a sheer, brown two-piece embellished with crystals.

As she transitioned into “Party Girls” featuring Jamaican Dancehall artist Buju Banton, the audience could hear the familiar melody of Beyonce’s “Baby Boy” featuring Sean Paul intertwined with the track; a nod to one of her biggest inspirations.

Highlights from the night included her entrance during “Cadillac,” decked out in a bedazzled Zoot Suit and a fedora. Her signature dance break to Trillville’s “Some Cut” which sparked a viral online dance challenge last year. Lastly, she couldn’t end the night without performing the standout track “On My Mama,” a song with a nostalgic early 2000’s vibe and a heavy mix of R&B and Hip-Hop. The song samples Chalie Boy’s 2009 hit single “I Look Good.”  

Victoria Monet by Chanel Moye

Later, it was revealed that the VMAs felt it was “too early” for the Grammy-nominated artist to make her debut on their stage.

This isn’t the first time fans have had to work overtime to give their favorite artist the (rightful) recognition they deserve. Fans pressured MTV into allowing Normani to perform at the 2021 VMAs after they discovered she wasn’t invited to sing her new single “Wild Side” featuring Cardi B. 

Following her highly anticipated single “Motivation” and a messy split from the popular girl group Fifth Harmony, Normani was set to make her debut as a solo artist. Her 2019 VMA performance of the song was one of the best of the year, and naturally, expectations for what would come next were high.

So, when she and the eclectic rapper joined forces to release their chart-topping collaboration “Wild Side”, fans were surprised that the VMAs didn’t extend an invitation for her to perform, especially considering the waves the music video made online. However, MTV’s apparent snub left fans questioning the network’s influence in today’s music industry landscape.

There was a point in time when performing at the Video Music Awards was seen as a pivotal moment in an artist’s career. Now, we aren’t so sure. There is something to be said about MTV’s long-standing culture of excluding black artists but that’s a conversation for another day.  

Nonetheless, while MTV was undermining her star power, she was preparing to embark on a sold-out tour. For the next three months, The Jaguar Tour will hit 22 cities across North America before ending in London on Nov. 15.

Amidst all the excitement around Jaguar II, the song was most excited to see Victoria perform on tour is “Stop (Asking Me 4Shyt).” It is truly one of a kind and was clearly the fan favorite of the night as the crows sang every word.

“Stop askin’ me for money, get your own

I barely even just got on

Do I look like a tree to you? Well, leaf me alone if I do”

…

“I need you to stop, askin’ me for shit Ooh, I put this on in case you forget”

As the show concluded, eager fans quickly exited the theater to catch a glimpse of the next spectacle: the massive Billboard towering over the Buckhead Theatre. There, Victoria Monet lays in a seductive pose, clad in an all-black catsuit, and beneath her image, in bold letters, the sign proudly announced “SOLD OUT” with “Victoria Monet’s The Jaguar Tour” written below.

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