You guys have heard me recently talk about an artist named Dy'Ari. I have seen this artist on the LGBT circuit over the last year or so and have become such a fan. I had the opportunity to work with him on a couple of projects and have just fallen in love with him. That is as a friend, he has a lover ya'll and they are HAPPILY married. He is one of the most intrinsic artists that I have met. He is very transparent, sincere, down-to-earth, and not to mention sexy. Take a minute to check out his testimony here. Again, it is so worth it.
Here is my vimeo vid of it but for those who can't see vimeo, see below for the YouTube version
Here is another version on YouTube
So Worth The View
Whitney Baby!!!
Just had to post that I just downloaded my pre-ordered Whitney CD. I'm loving it. Yeah!!!
Jersey City Pride 2009
I have to admit that I love JC Pride. Probably more than the other NYC Prides. Primarily because the JC Pride is not as pretensious as the others. You know what I mean, you go to Manhattan and everyone is standing around as if to say, "Look upon my beauty and adore me. You know you want to be me". Whereas JC's is more people friendly and just plain fun. People can be themselves and just let loose.
It started off with a music/entertainment festival where some very impressive LGBT artists performed. Some notables this year are Dy'Ari, LaLa, Kelly King (sings in the whistle register better than Mariah), Stewart Lewis, and Ten Year Vamp. Around 6:30 p.m. they cleared the stage and opened it up for a dance party in the middle of the street. You had your children there who like to vogue, dip and walk but unlike some other events everyone was encouraged to just get out there and do something. All in the name of just having fun. It was such fun to see some of the older lesbians vogueing.
This went on until around 8 p.m. and then everyone headed over to the after party at the Hard Grove Cafe. They blocked off the street and had another dance party until midnight. I danced and carried on way too much. I have to say that this was the most fun that I've had all year.
Disruptive Realism
I don't know how many of you will remember or are familiar with a song by the Talking Heads called "Once In A Lifetime". It was last featured in the movie "American Beauty". But the lyrics are something like this (leaving out some parts):
"And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful
Wife
And you may ask yourself-well...how did I get here?
...
And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!
...
And you may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?
And you may ask yourself
Where does that highway go?
And you may ask yourself
Am I right? ...am I wrong?
And you may tell yourself
My god!...what have I done? "
I sometimes find myself in a similar state of mind that I will describe as disruptive realism. You know, when you wake up one day and try to make sense of where you are in life, how did you get there, why is it so, where are you going from here? Why does it seem that no one really wants to settle down? Why is it that some people, who are cheating themselves, get so upset with their significant other for cheating? Why can't they just agree to have an open relationship? Can I REALLY trust my BEST friends? Why am I STILL single? Do I REALLY want a relationship right now? Am I ready for a relationship right now? Where does all of my money go? Was it really beneficial for me to graduate with my masters? Should I have stopped with my bachelors? Why is there still prejudice? Why do people kill one another? Why is homophobia so strong in people that they feel the need to physically/verbally oppress SGL's? Why is there hair growing on my back? Is that natural? Is that why I'm still single? etc.
Then I awaken from the utopia that I've created within my head where everything is bliss and there is an answer for every question. I come to the reality that I don't have all of the answers and never will. That life sometimes isn't fair, right or will go my way. That I've made some excellent, good, not the best, and down-right stupid decisions in my life. Then it makes me just stand back for a moment and say, "Whoa!". Disruptive realism.
Let Yourself Feel
Why do we live so protective of all of our emotions? Don't get me wrong, I understand not wanting to be hurt by those you let close to you. But does that require for us to go through life totally removed from emotions? Afraid to feel rejection by telling someone that we find them attractive and would like to ask them out. Afraid of feeling discarded by telling our lover what they really mean to us in fear that they may realize their worth and leave. Afraid to feel abandonment by telling friends and loved ones our true sexuality. Afraid of true love so we distance ourselves from anyone who may be perfectly suited for us. Afraid to feel hurt, disappointment and joy that comes with self evaluation so we know ourselves only on the surface. Afraid to show that we are vulnerable and let someone know that we are hurt. Afraid to just say that we are scared.
I say let yourself feel. It's OK. After all that is what makes us human. (you may have to click on the full screen button to view the text on this video)
Dy'Ari's Listening Party
If you saw or read my post about the white party, then you read that I mention Dy'Ari. Dy'Ari has been labeled an electro-pop artist but I think he transcends that label. I've heard him sing R&B, jazz, and pop and he does it well.
Last night Dy'Ari had his listening party for an anticipated 2 CD's to be released in the next few months. There were over 70 people who stopped by and listened to selections from the upcoming CD's (Inked & Encyclo-Dy'Ari). Unfortunately I didn't receive a list of all of the songs played but some of my favorites to note are "Colors of me" and "Sexy". Colors of me is a very smoothed out R&B song that sounds like Ne-Yo would have had his hands in it. By far, I think this is my favorite song. Sexy is a more up-tempo, club song that just serves it to you. If I had a body like his, I would write a song called sexy as well. But I won't go on and on about the various songs but instead will give you a few places to follow this independent artist and a few vids of previous performances. Check him out and let's support him.
Dy'Ari's Official Links
MySpace
ReverbNation
Facebook
Twitter
Here are some of the pics from the listening party held last night at Secrets in Manhattan.
White Party Cruise 2009
I hope everyone had a great weekend. The NYC area had some decent weather this weekend and made for a lovely Saturday. I finally rearranged my apartment and am loving it. I don't want to leave half the time any longer. But did make my way to James Saunder's White Party Cruise.
If you love grown and sexy events, this one is for you. This annual event is upon one of the luxury ships off of the Chelsea Piers and sails all around Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Ellis Island, and Bayonne. I am so glad that I attended this event. I met so many wonderful people and the music was banging. I thought that since it was from midnight - 4 a.m. that I would be tired but the time went by so fast with the quality entertainment. Many entertainers were on board and made the show a lot of fun. My new friend Dy'Ari performed along with Allyson Williams (Just Call My Name). There were several exotic dancers roving around as well. I almost had my eye put out by one. Nonetheless, I will say that, again, I am another satisfied customer.
