It’s that time of year when comfy, cozy warm clothing trumps just about anything. The rainy, gloomy outdoor weather out my window has me reaching for warmth in RL and in SL. Today I went with the lovely corduroy skirt from Sn@tch and a sweater from Naima.

The Ella Stockings from League are definitely an SL best buy considering how often I wear them. Another great purchase that will get lots of wear are J’s Engineer Boots. Oddly enough, in the fashion bloggers group the other night, someone asked everyone to name the must-have shoes in SL and someone named these shoes – and I happened to be wearing them at the time. I chimed in with that comment which was met with a resounding “See! I told you!”

I went very retro with this shag hair cut from Tami McCoy. The necklace is from SLink and the earrings from Muse.They are from the Kailena set which is either the second or third  jewelry set I bought in SL.

More beautiful makeup from PXL Creations July skin line.

****STYLE NOTES******
Promotional Copies are denoted by a Bold R

• Poses: Reel Expression
• Skin: PXL Creations July R
• Eyes: PXL Creations Glow Yellow Green R
• Lashes: Lelutka Diva Prim Lashes
• Hair: Tami McCoy Retro Gurl
• Sweater: Naima Fashion Wool Sweater Large Collar
• Skirt: Sn@tch Corduroy Skirt R
• Tights: League Ella Stockings
• Boots: J’s Engineer Boots
• Necklace: SLink Wood and Amber Pendant
• Earrings: Muse Kailena Earrings

So couple weeks or so ago was a big freebie thing at Decoy, so I get a fatpack of these tops which remind me of some scarf thing I once get years ago on an infomercial that never worked out. Anyhow I tried with lots of different things and decided that cutoffs and ripped jeans worked best.

Skin: Adam n Eve – Desire t2 – make up Russet
Eyes: booN tsubura eyes lampblack
Hair: *T/O/H HAIR BOB2 by Kappers in Japan
Top: [Decoy] Zanza – Meadows
Jeans: NaimaSexyrippedJeans
Footwear: Simple Geta Platforms : Gold Flowers -w by ITAN KISHI
Jewelry:
Necklace & Earrings: 1960’s Chic Feather, Hyper-Gems Jewelry Set by JCNY
Bangles: *tal* Carmina Bangles by Analise

To learn more about Cycle 4’s winner, Naima Mora, visit her bio page here.

Source: Marquee

Source: Nathan Heyward

Source: Nathan Heyward

Source: Jason Lam

Source: Derek Blanks

Source: Derek Blanks

Source: Alexei Production

Source: Alexei Production

Source: Sterling Photography

Source: Alexei Production

To learn more about Cycle 4’s winner, Naima Mora, visit her bio page here. To learn more about Zeo Productions, click here.

Source: Zeo Productions

Source: Zeo Productions

Source: Zeo Productions

Source: Zeo Productions

Source: Zeo Productions

Source: Zeo Productions

Source: Zeo Productions

Source: Zeo Productions

Source: Zeo Productions

To learn more about Cycle 4’s winner, Naima Mora, visit her bio page here. To learn more about Upstudio Photography, click here.

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

Source: Upstudio Photography

To learn more about Cycle 4’s winner, Naima Mora, visit her bio page here. To learn more about Oswaldo Saiki Photography, click here.

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

Source: Oswaldo Saiki

To learn more about Cycle 4’s winner, Naima Mora, visit her bio page here. To learn more about Catherine Westergaard Photography, click here.

Source: Catherine Westergaard

Source: Catherine Westergaard

Source: Catherine Westergaard

Source: Catherine Westergaard

Source: Catherine Westergaard

Source: Catherine Westergaard

To learn more about Cycle 4’s winner, Naima Mora, visit her bio page here. To learn more about Demetrius Fordham Photography, click here.

Source: Demetrius Fordham Photography

Source: Demetrius Fordham Photography

Source: Demetrius Fordham Photography

Source: Demetrius Fordham Photography

Source: Demetrius Fordham Photography

Source: Demetrius Fordham Photography

Que a ampliação do acesso à internet e o desenvolvimento deste meio mudou os rumos da dança do ventre brasileira é fato. Basta ter começado a dançar antes do ano 2000 para ter noção da radical alteração (pra melhor) do conhecimento sobre a dança e suas variações. Daí que alguns vídeos acabam virando xodós, coisas que fazem a gente querer estudar mais, melhorar, ou simplesmente manter-se apaixonada pela dança do ventre. Enumero os cinco vídeos mais influentes de minha vida pós-banda-larga:

1. Alexei Riaboshapka

Ok, as puristas reclama que isso é um dabke e não um saidi. Eu vejo a leitura musical perfeita e movimentos sutis e me derreto. Esse é a bailarina que quero ser quando crescer.

2. Saida dançando Tamiil

Pela primeira vez curti verdadeiramente as explosões. Pareceu-me que ela sabia quando se recolher e quando fazer barulho. Acabou sendo o único vídeo dela que de fato admirei até agora, mas me inspirou muito e tirou meu preconceito contra as fusões.

3. Polimnia Garro e o estilo libanês

Poli mostra, nesse vídeo, que libanesa também é sofisticada. Incorporei vários movimentos que me pareciam exagerados depois de vê-los tão bem aplicados. Moça fina inspira muito!

4. Naima Akef dançando Tamra Henna

Comecei a entender ritmo de verdade com esse vídeo.

5. Suheir Zaki – amor à primeira vista

Tudo bem, esse eu vi antes da internet, em fita comprada em São Paulo, do Omar Naboulsi. Mas apaixonei-me logo de cara e tudo me conduziu a olhar com muito cuidado para a arte dessa maravilhosa mulher.

HORIZON+pellicola ilford

The most influential jazz saxophonist would have been 83 years old today.

I’ll be celebrating today by playing my Coltrane collection, I suggest you do too. Here’s one of his most well-known and heartfelt tunes, “Naima” from the 1960 album Giant Steps.

R.I.P.

You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.
-John Coltrane

John Coltrane. 1959.

Iconic.

Not your ordinary tee shirts….These slightly lifted men’s and women’s tees are pretty basic but they provide so many options.  Both men’s and women’s versions offer four different levels of transparency.  One regular with no transparency, one that is slightly faded, one that is sheer and another made specifically for layering.  Use the layering option to change the tone or colour of the shirts to match anything!  Because the shirts come in all possible layers, you can wear them layered over each other, with tattoos, with jackets, etc. Both men’s and women’s versions are slightly lifted to expose a little bit of hip bone action, making them just a hint sexier than a regular tee shirt.

The best thing about these shirts is that they are only 50L per 4 level pack.  The gluttony pack, which includes 21 total colours is only 500L, which saves over 50% and with all the possible shade options you get when you start using the layers, the amount of possible colours almost seem limitless.  You may not ever need another plain t-shirt.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Existence/140/41/627

Credits:

Group photo (from left to right).

Photo 1:

Skin: League Kate
Hair: Truth Grazia 2 -cherry
Shirts: (shirt1 under) *BOOM* Essential (unisex) Faded Royal and (shirt 2 top) *BOOM* Essential (fem) Sheer Kool Aid
Pants: *BOOM* Fall Tweeds (cocoa)

Model: Claire Dallin

Photo2:

Skin: The Abyss
Hair: Naughty Designs
Jacket: Naima
Shirt: *BOOM* Essential T (unisex) -sheer-midnight
Pants: *BOOM* Gettin Low V2 (Black)
Tape: Sinistyle

Model: Morgan Exodus

Photo 3:

Skin: FNKY (angel)
Hair: Lelutka -Rene
Shirt: *BOOM* Essential T (fem) sheer Panther
Bikini: *BOOM* Wild Girl Kini -pink

Model: Aranel Ah

Photo4:

Skin: Belleza
Hair: Sinistyle
Dogtags: Sinistyle
Shirt: *BOOM* Essential shirt (unisex) regular Bleached
Tattoo: (unk)
Tape: Sinistyle
Shorts: Gearshift

Model: Bronson Hellershanks

Photo 5:

Skin: LAQ April 06 [Milky] Glow Skin
Shirt: *BOOM* Essential T-Unisex regular(Tar)
Shorts: *BOOM* Vintage Runners (Tar)
Hair: Truth Elle -sangria-
Model: Claire Dallin

 Photo 6:

Skin: Curio Beach Osprey (bean)
Hair: Tiny Bird Love Letter to Japan (pepper)
Jacket:  AOHARU Short Jean Jacket (blue)
Shirt#1: *BOOM* Essential T (girls) regular -Ninja
Shirt#2: *BOOM* Essential T (unisex) Faded-Sunshine
Jeans: *BOOM* Gettin Low V2 (Blue)

Model: Aranel Ah

 Photo set 2 (vendor)

Photo1:

Skin: Belleza
Hair: Discord
Tattoo: Aitui
Shirt: *BOOM* Essentials 4pack in Tar
Shorts: Gearshift

Model: Trallion Suen

Photo2:

Skin: Lelutka

Hair: Novocaine Hair – Antoinette – champagne

Shirt: *BOOM* Essential T-shirts (femme) -twilight-

Pants: *BOOM* Gettin Low V2 -black-

Model: (random shape I found)

Not your ordinary tee shirts….These slightly lifted men’s and women’s tees are pretty basic but they provide so many options.  Both men’s and women’s versions offer four different levels of transparency.  One regular with no transparency, one that is slightly faded, one that is sheer and another made specifically for layering.  Use the layering option to change the tone or colour of the shirts to match anything!  Because the shirts come in all possible layers, you can wear them layered over each other, with tattoos, with jackets, etc. Both men’s and women’s versions are slightly lifted to expose a little bit of hip bone action, making them just a hint sexier than a regular tee shirt.

The best thing about these shirts is that they are only 50L per 4 level pack.  The gluttony pack, which includes 21 total colours is only 500L, which saves over 50% and with all the possible shade options you get when you start using the layers, the amount of possible colours almost seem limitless.  You may not ever need another plain t-shirt.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Existence/140/41/627

Credits:

Group photo (from left to right).

Photo 1:

Skin: League Kate
Hair: Truth Grazia 2 -cherry
Shirts: (shirt1 under) *BOOM* Essential (unisex) Faded Royal and (shirt 2 top) *BOOM* Essential (fem) Sheer Kool Aid
Pants: *BOOM* Fall Tweeds (cocoa)

Model: Claire Dallin

Photo2:

Skin: The Abyss
Hair: Naughty Designs
Jacket: Naima
Shirt: *BOOM* Essential T (unisex) -sheer-midnight
Pants: *BOOM* Gettin Low V2 (Black)
Tape: Sinistyle

Model: Morgan Exodus

Photo 3:

Skin: FNKY (angel)
Hair: Lelutka -Rene
Shirt: *BOOM* Essential T (fem) sheer Panther
Bikini: *BOOM* Wild Girl Kini -pink

Model: Aranel Ah

Photo4:

Skin: Belleza
Hair: Sinistyle
Dogtags: Sinistyle
Shirt: *BOOM* Essential shirt (unisex) regular Bleached
Tattoo: (unk)
Tape: Sinistyle
Shorts: Gearshift

Model: Bronson Hellershanks

Photo 5:

Skin: LAQ April 06 [Milky] Glow Skin
Shirt: *BOOM* Essential T-Unisex regular(Tar)
Shorts: *BOOM* Vintage Runners (Tar)
Hair: Truth Elle -sangria-
Model: Claire Dallin

 Photo 6:

Skin: Curio Beach Osprey (bean)
Hair: Tiny Bird Love Letter to Japan (pepper)
Jacket:  AOHARU Short Jean Jacket (blue)
Shirt#1: *BOOM* Essential T (girls) regular -Ninja
Shirt#2: *BOOM* Essential T (unisex) Faded-Sunshine
Jeans: *BOOM* Gettin Low V2 (Blue)

Model: Aranel Ah

 Photo set 2 (vendor)

Photo1:

Skin: Belleza
Hair: Discord
Tattoo: Aitui
Shirt: *BOOM* Essentials 4pack in Tar
Shorts: Gearshift

Model: Trallion Suen

Photo2:

Skin: Lelutka

Hair: Novocaine Hair – Antoinette – champagne

Shirt: *BOOM* Essential T-shirts (femme) -twilight-

Pants: *BOOM* Gettin Low V2 -black-

Model: (random shape I found)

Des soirées spécialement dédiées à la gent féminine sont prévues lors de la 2e édition du festival de la chanson raï qui se tient du 2 au 8 août à Sidi Bel Abbès.

Ces soirées, qu’animeront les meddahate (orchestre féminin traditionnel), auront pour cadre le théâtre de verdure, au faubourg Thiers. L’annonce a été faite par Akloul Sid-Ali, commissaire du festival, lors d’une conférence de presse animée samedi à la cinémathèque Moksi. « Le festival de Sidi Bel Abbès aspire à aller plus loin pour préserver un patrimoine musical typiquement algérien qui, aujourd’hui, est fortement revendiqué par d’autres pays », a estimé Akloul, faisant certainement allusion au Festival international du raï d’Oujda (Maroc) dont les initiateurs ne cessent de redoubler d’efforts dans le but de s’approprier un genre musical déjà estampillé made in Algeria.

« Bel Abbès abrite et abritera pour toujours le seul et unique festival du raï digne de son nom », dira-t-il, en forçant le trait. Et d’enchaîner : « Le défi que doit relever cette édition est justement de faire émerger de nouveaux talents afin de redonner un nouveau souffle au raï » . Mohamed Sahli, Zahi, Cheb Nassim, Nadji, le franco-algérien Cheb Amar, Naima, Wahid Staifi et bien d’autres jeunes chanteurs font partie de cette nouvelle vague de raïmen. Ils chaufferont durant 7 jours la scène du 24 février, à partir de 21h, sous le regard expert d’un jury que présidera l’artiste compositeur Omar Assou. Le commissaire du festival a indiqué que la compétition sera « rude » cette année car, au final, un cycle de formation artistique pluridisciplinaire sera proposé aux 3 lauréats du festival.

Cette formation aux métiers de la scène se déroulera aux ateliers des artistes de Paris, a précisé le conférencier. Côté spectacle, les organisateurs proposent un plateau plutôt alléchant avec en ouverture Fadela, Kader et Cheikha Warda. Pour la soirée de clôture, l’indémodable Hadja Zahouania et Cheb Billal tenteront de faire mieux que Khaled qui, lors de l’édition précédente, s’est produit devant plus de 50 000 spectateurs. Aussi, l’une des plus grandes icônes de la chanson raï, Cheikha Habiba, aura droit à un vibrant hommage qui lui sera rendu en clôture. L’entrée aux spectacles organisés dans le cadre du festival du raï sera payante et est fixée à 100 dinars.

Par M. Abdelkrim/ El Watan

“A powerful two-woman show about an unnatural disaster and a great shift in universal consciousness”

Two brave, strong and beautiful sisters-in-struggle, lead us into the hell of global awareness, through the depths of despair, and into The Power of One. Weaving multi-media physical and poetic images of

Water
Light
Lead bullets
Lead paint
Katrina
Sudan
Police oppression
Learning from the Oak Tree
Militarization
Corporate ownership of land and water
Poverty
Palestine
Terror
Transformation
Pollution
Fire
The memory of water molecules

Tonight at The National Black Theater of Harlem, the words and images became a deep pounding resonance in my heart, a howling in my lungs, and a salty water pouring out of my eyes.

“and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
… But first it shall Make you miserable

How can we learn about, connect with and take into our consciousness the pain and suffering of the earth and her inhabitants?

How do we find, nurture and preserve our spirits as we struggle to learn and make a difference in this world?

HURRICANE SEASON is a powerful poetic answer to these questions. Members of packed house closing night audience at the National Black Theater in Harlem New York shouted out “TEACH!” with moans of grief and praise — and yes, these two powerful women did teach – Oh Yes!

“Art is our Weapon, Our Medicine, Our Voice, Our Vision”

Recorded interviews from Katrina survivors, shocking screen images, overwhelming statistics … all brought home, bite size, so we could understand the impact globally and in our own back yards. The beautiful bodies of these highly trained performers created an oversized “Cats Cradle” – a literal and poetic web to connect the conscious and subconscious — to help us reconnect with our humanity and inspire us to action.

Tonight’s closing performance imploded and exploded with the energy built by a National Tour and several weeks in Harlem – were Alixa and Naima created a sacred and safe space for us to learn, cry, scream, and howl in response to the horrors – and to acknowledge our newfound hope and channel our energies into positive action.

Alixa and Naima are Climbing PoeTree. They define this powerhouse duo as the expression of a growing movement for radical social change. They are poets, performers, print-makers, dancers, muralists, and designers. Alixa and Naima have sharpened their art as a tool for popular education, community organizing, and personal transformation. With roots in Haiti and Colombia, Alixa and Naima reside in Brooklyn and track footprints across the country and globe on a mission to overcome destruction with creativity.

In five self-organized independent tours, Climbing PoeTree has catalyzed over 500 crowds in more than 70 cities from Oakland to Atlanta, Johannesburg to Havana with artists such as Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Danny Glover, The Last Poets, and Dead Prez. Alixa and Naima have led more than 100 arts-based political education, anti-racism, and entrepreneurial workshops in institutions from Cornell University to Rikers Island. And they have painted murals on walls from the Bronx to Santiago, Toronto to Jamaica. Through compelling artistry, these multitalented, tireless, and driven young women expose injustice, help us heal from violence, and make a better future visible, immediate, and irresistible.