As the granddaughter of a barber and highly successful business man, I was excited to hear about this film. The Fade: A Clean Cut Documentary, follows four barbers from four different continents. The film examines their stories, and compares their experiences as black men throughout the diaspora.
For the black community, a barbershop is more than just a place to get a haircut. Barbershops are community landmarks, and cultural breeding grounds. It’s exciting to see someone go in depth, and examine their importance. The film has won several film festival awards and is gaining so much exposure.
FYI Johnny “Cakes” Castellanos; Jay Z and Pharrell’s barber is featured in the film as well.
About a week ago I heard the exquisite Misty Copeland on the radio promoting her latest endeavor with the American Ballet Theatre, I only heard the tail end of the interview so I had to go off and do my own research, To my delight, I found Ms. Copeland was speaking on the formation of what is being called Project Plié , an initiative ABT is doing to increase ethnic representation in ballet companies across the nation.
” Project Plié seeks to combine training and support of ballet students from communities previously underrepresented in American ballet companies with the creation of a nationwide network of partner professional ballet companies who are committed to diversity.” (http://www.abt.org/education/projectplie/)
My parents were avid fans of Alvin Ailey and the Joffrey Ballet. Ballet classes began for us as soon as we learned how to walk and I can proudly say ballet had an extremely positive affect on my coordination, physicality and athletic ability. I loved to express myself that way and continued to take classes and perform throughout my adulthood. It makes me happy to know that steps are moves are being made to ensure more black and brown children are afforded the same opportunities, and the chance to be exposed to such a beautiful art form. And I’m even more happy to know that the Cincinnati Ballet is one of the companies on the list of partnerships.
I was just recently introduced to the awesomeness that is the young New Zealand singer Ella Yelich-O’Connor aka Lorde. Her single “Royals” hits home on so many levels. Watch the video, read the lyrics. Get into it. Her debut album Pure Heroine is an electropop dream. She’s so young and talented. I could definitely see her collaborating with the likes of M.I.A. and Yeezus. Check her out.
“Royals”
[Verse 1]
I’ve never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
And I’m not proud of my address,
In a torn-up town, no post code envy
[Hook]
But every song’s like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin’ in the bathroom
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin’ the hotel room,
We don’t care, we’re driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
But everybody’s like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your time piece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.
We don’t care, we aren’t caught up in your love affair.
And we’ll never be royals (royals).
It don’t run in our blood,
That kind of luxe just ain’t for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I’ll rule, I’ll rule, I’ll rule, I’ll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.
[Verse 2]
My friends and I – we’ve cracked the code.
We count our dollars on the train to the party.
And everyone who knows us knows that we’re fine with this,
We didn’t come from money.
[Hook]
But every song’s like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin’ in the bathroom.
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin’ the hotel room,
We don’t care, we’re driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
But everybody’s like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your time piece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash
We don’t care, we aren’t caught up in your love affair
And we’ll never be royals (royals).
It don’t run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain’t for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I’ll rule, I’ll rule, I’ll rule, I’ll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.
Ooh ooh oh
We’re bigger than we ever dreamed,
And I’m in love with being queen.
Ooh ooh oh
Life is great without a care
We aren’t caught up in your love affair.
And we’ll never be royals (royals).
It don’t run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain’t for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I’ll rule, I’ll rule, I’ll rule, I’ll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.
House of Leigh 