I couldn’t have asked for a better week to officially kick off the summer. My homegirl Darylle, a super talented hip hop dancer/choreographer (of Diamonds in the Rough) based out of VanCity, hollered at me about a month ago asking if she could crash at my pad while she tested the waters out in TO to see if it would be a possible new home for her in the future. We had only ever seen each other around jams and hip hop dance competitions years back in VanCity, so having her stay with me and realizing this girl is my SISTREN, was such a blessing in disguise. Since Tuesday… we have gone out every single day and every single night. And this girl was DOWN, yo. For everything. It was like experiencing Toronto for the first time all over again through fresh VanCity eyeballs. My appreciation for the life I live in the concrete jungle deepened, especially remembering what it felt like to feel what Darylle felt this whole week.

This past Saturday, my boy Giles hollered at me to take photos for an art show that he curated at the Capital on Queen west. The artist, Cristina Allen, who is also a naturapath and has some of the coolest tattoos I’ve ever seen on a chick, was displaying her watercolor pieces inspired by women of the 1930’s-50’s era. The night was expectedly wonderful. Many people came out throughout the night, vinyl throwbacks that make your heart warm and fuzzy were provided by Phantom Signal, aka Josh McGuirk and Nick Fox, and there was some live hand rolled cigars gwannin’ by Frank Correnti. They were some serious fatties, yo! Thanks to everyone who came out and bought a $4 Steamwhistle, cooled out and enjoyed the good vibes. Stay posted, Giles will be throwing more art shows at the Capital in the near future!

[GoGetters Ent. VanCity in the house! Jenno and Stylus Nominee DJ CocoFresh]

This week has been insane to say the least… either way, I’ve been meaning to post these from jump, but better late than never. Monday evening marked the 2011 DJ Stylus Awards, held at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Shouts to my girl Simone who ran a tight ship that night and hooked up the tickets for me to attend. Celebrating Canadian DJ’s and Hip Hop, it had been 3 years since I last attended this event, and maan I have to say — it has come a long way. From expanding categories to the legit sponsorships, this year’s Stylus was pretty good! I was stoked on reaching because many of my friends got nominated this year. Highlight for me, by far, had to be when Rich Kidd won Artist Mixtape of the Year. He had much respect from all the people in that room, and I couldn’t be any more proud of him for what he’s accomplished through that mixtape, and with all the artists that worked on it with him. It was a celebration nonetheless…

[Spotted: eyeamtheo and TFHOUSE of dstry.ca, and Beetle Jenn, of course!]

If you’ve never been to a Fundamentals jam, then you’ve seriously been missing out on your chance for me to capture you with my drunken photography. Honestly, you think it’s easy to take photographs while juggling a drink in your hand and potentially already being inebriated upon party arrival? AND make everyone look good?!

Hahahaha. I’m totally joshin… (Who says that?!)

#FACT: Char Loro takes pictures better when she’s hammered.
#FACT: Black-Rap and Classe Nouveau are the only party promoters (thus far) who fully back that ish up.
#FACT: Fundamentals therefore has the funnest pictures I’ve taken at parties.
#FACT: Fundamentals has the funnest people I’ve ever taken pictures for at parties.

The rules are simple.
1. ‘Stush’ is not welcome.
2. Don’t pose. There’s nothing to front.
3. No, I will not ‘Show you’ the picture after I take it. Do you remember what film used to be like?! Wait in anticipation. You look gooooooood, girl!
4. If you’ve having fun, I’ll be sure to capture it. If you’re having toooo much fun, Hahahaha I will Deeefinitely capture it.

Stay tuned for the next Fundamentals jam, featuring your resident DJ’s Big-Jacks and Mensa, new guest DJ’s, and hosted by Black-Rap and Classe Nouveau. Once a month at Augusta House. Bom bom!

For now, check the flicks, homie.

[Beetle Brit dancin’ like there was no tomorrah!]

Finally, the cold, long, and hard fight to finish my last semester of 2nd year is over. After many a late nights, back aches, and editing sessions… I am now free to assess how exactly I want to make the most of this summer. What better way to celebrate last Thursday, the 28th, then to party it up with my sisters at the Crawford for Beetle Brit’s 22nd Birthday?!? Better yet, let’s jam out to TFHOUSE’s Superior Taste Mixtape release, AND the launch of my boys’ artist collective, DSTRY, aka the Destroyers. I danced like a bafoon. I shot bullets into the air every five seconds, made gun noises with my mouth and boomed them into the ear of the DJ. I sang all the wrong lyrics. I was kind of feeling awesome. Then, I went home and munched on Montreal bagels. Life in 2011 ain’t half bad, folks.

Here are the flicks from that night, starting with Beetle Brit’s surprise brunch — Lox and Cream cheese on a Montreal Bagel… with a Rickards Tall Boy, of course! Enjoy.

Congrats to everyone who helped put this event together, and to Rian and Jazmine for spearheading it. You ladies are amazing. Great cause, great performances, dope talent, good times. Below are the flicks, if you take em, please give credit where credit’s due. Lovehard, ya’ll.

To some, it is but another day — one will wake up, go about their memorized motions, and carry on as if it were any other. A quarter century stands for more than just a good sounding number, it marks a change, if you will it to be so. Put on the armor of Readiness and equip yourself for what’s to come. What was past and all that it encompassed, has prepared you for this very moment — Right Now. There is no turning back, there are no repeats, and definitely… no second chances. Every moment counts. Even the moments with brick walls, fire breathing dragons, and 5 pound hailstorms. Let me tell you something — your resilience, your strength, and your courage has never left you, even during the times when you felt abandoned. You were never alone, because you were always with You. Something great is about to come swooping down and if you doubt it, don’t believe it’s for you, or you try to jump out of the way… Think Again. Run with it, chase after it, because my Love, it is Yours for the Taking.

[Ma Dukes aka Dilla’s Mom]

A few weeks back during my reading break, my man DJ Nana hollered at me and asked me if I was down for being part of this very, very exciting weekend he was putting together for Ma Dukes, aka Dilla’s mom. It was one of those unknowingly amazing weekends that I never expected would unfold. In lieu of his birth/death anniversary, Nana along with a super dope team of peoples, organized a special screening of Suite For Ma Dukes — a short film about a composer who took some of Dilla’s best songs and had them performed by a 30 piece orchestra, with guest performances by D’Angelo, Bilal, Common, and De La Soul.

[TFHOUSE, beeeeeeeeetch]

Upon high demand from Teddy’s loyal followers, he put on a show performing some of his songs from his mixtape he released last summer, as well as gave everyone something to get hyped up for with his upcoming album Superior Taste, that’s bout to drop in 2 weeks. His songs he performed with Dana definitely showed everyone what he’s been in the studio for, something that defies what everyone thought TFHouse was about. Prior to gracing the stage with his signature dance moves and undeniable presence, Teddy had MONEY BOXX from Tokyo open up for him (who knew rapping in japanese would be so friggin’ mind blasting), as well as ANTZ ONE, a skater-rapper also featured with the Granby Girls in TFHouse’s music video for On My Way.  Nocturne was bumpin, a really cool venue (minus the wack chick bartender who wouldn’t serve me, WACK.) At the end of the night, our fam went out to New Ho King for a whole bunch of “Cheers”ing to a successful night, that Teddy sucks and may never rock a show ever again. =D

Here are the flicks from that night:

[The Beetles and Tater aka The Granby Girls]

No overpriced cover charges. No excessive skanking out or waiting in lines for the door, for a drink, OR for a cab. Everyone came as they were, spirits merry and ready to ring in a New Year. There just isn’t any snazzy party in the world that can compare to a really intimate house jam. Thanks to the friends and famz that rolled through and celebrated with us. My only regrets were missing the countdown while running up my stairs… and making those damn jello shooters too strong. Lol!

I wish I took a lot more pics, especially of everyone who ended up coming through, but truthfully, by midnight we were all feelin’ a little bit craaazyy. Lol. Here are some of the flicks of that night: