100+ New York City Stories: Unscripted conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, small businesses and everyday people. Filmed, interviewed, edited & shared by LaRon Batchelor.
“Do stay classic. Do stay original. Do know your lane. Know your lane and follow it!” Jay Z’s fashion brand Rocawear set-up a temporary shop on Mulberry street to gift special friends and Jason had a line of people waiting to be styled by him. I had to ask Jason his story. Our conversation covers urban fashion, how “being exposed to VIBE” influenced his career; top swag cities in the world, the value of a stylist; the dos & dont’s and being a minority in fashion.
Jason’s current editorial work can be seen in the pages of Vogue, Giant, Prestige International, Vibe, Fashion Queen, Florida International, Uptown, V Man, Ebony, and H magazine. The joy of styling for him lies in creating a well-executed image, one that cleverly combines elements of classic style, with a fresh modern twist. He believes it’s his determination that distinguishes him, his ability to maneuver through any and all obstacles to produce his best work.
Thanks to Rocawear and Jason for adding some swag to my wardrobe, which consist mostly of Robert Graham.
Rocawear converted the Openhouse Gallery on Mulberry street into a temporary Rocawear Style Suite.
Walking through SOHO, I met TJ. “I live in NOLITA. I play music for The Bowery Riots and I have a Rock&Roll political radio show called ‘Shock & Awesome‘ ..politics for derelicts, where we cover the week in news.” And I thought he was just in a Rock&Roll band. Our conversation covers Rock, Politics & NYC. “Everything I’ve loved. Every hobby I have. I turned into something I like doing. Put something that you love out into the world.”
I have noticed the Weeksvile Events postings on Facebook and knew cinematographer/producer Shawn Peters was behind it. So I when I saw him on the street, I asked what’s happening in Weeksville? “Weeksville was a free black community during slavery in Brooklyn ..one of the first in America. And every Saturday in July we celebrate that community with a Garden Party.” Weeksville Heritage Center is the site of an early free Black community which was established by African Americans in 1838. This legacy of liberty continues through innovative research, education and public programs.
JULY.02 / PHAROAHE MONCH & BALOJI
JULY.09 / MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO & MUSHINAH
JULY.16 / KEZIAH JONES & SOPHIA URISTA
JULY.23 / THEOPHILUS LONDON & PHONY PPL
All events w/ Special Guest: DJ ManchildblackOur mission is to document, preserve and interpret the history of free African American communities in Weeksville, Brooklyn and beyond and to create and inspire innovative, contemporary uses of African American history through education, the arts, and civic engagement
I was at the aptly named Culture Fix on the L.E.S. and met the Melbourne-Based co-founder of Harxest.com during his 1st NYC visit. “Harxest Spaces is a project I’m doing with a couple of mates and we just go to various creative individuals and shoot their spaces to give people an insight into what their workspaces look like.” Love it! Harxest is an online magazine which gives insight into the industries of art/design, fashion, culture, style icons & media. Designed in collaboration with Harxest and web development by Pounce, the site officially launched on the 30th of April 2011. Our conversation covers Melbourne vs NYC, the need for platforms like Harxest.com, his story and his favorite NYC Borough.
“The winter of 1964, I moved down here from Harlem. When I first got off the train, I fell in love with country. I been down here ever since.”He shares some knowledge on the old Brooklyn vs the new Brooklyn.
“When I was 8 years old , I was taken to see The Magic Flute by my Mother.” Joanna Bergin was born in Argentina, grew up in London and I met her in NYC. Joann had just flown in from London hours earlier and stopped by one her favorite restaurants – Spur Tree lounge. Our conversation covers her journey to being an opera artist; genres of opera, people’s thoughts on opera, and what she has learned from traveling ” I love to travel. People are people are people are people where ever they are. We all want the same thing..to laugh..to smile..to be happy”.
Walking along Broome street, I saw a man dressed like a racoon who looked like a character from my favorite movie The Wiz. During his performance he said “I am homeless over 6 years. I don’t have nobody, just by myself. I try to help myself.People support me. I like to eat a lot thats why they call me Big Belly Racoon.”
“Bitchin about what Brooklyn is now is like bitchin about what Hip-Hop use to be like..aint gonna happen..Paid In Full is not coming back out again.” Amy moved to Fort Greene 28 years ago from the Lower Eastside. We have been friends since the 90′s when I lived in Fort Greene & Clinton Hill. After a stroll around my old neighborhood reminiscing about my Brooklyn days – my house parties, Brooklyn Moon Cafe, Franks, Mikes Diner, The Friendships - I met up with Culture Critic-Substitute Teacher Amy Linden at the entrance of Fort Greene Park for an animated conversation on 28 years in Fort Greene, Rafael Saadiq, Charter Schools & Obama.
Stop by your local library and ask if they expect to be open next year. The NYC Library is facing a $40 million budget cut that it calls the biggest cut in its 100 year history. Loyal library patrons face a 4 day week, fewer new books, branches closures and a great deal of staff reductions. Yesterday, I spoke with Ken Gordon of Woodhaven (Queens) Library branch about how important it is for people to attend and support library rallies across NYC.
Last night’s Dream Hotel opening bash was epic. After enjoying the fire-eating mermaids pool performances with some good friends, I filmed mermaid Belind’s story poolside. I was very surprised and you will be as well. Everyone has their own reason or story why they love NYC. As Belinda explains, “This City comforted me in my most distressing moments..my fiance passed away 4 years ago. And I was lucky enough to find love again via NYC.”
