09.25.08 | Double Your Pleasure

Two excellent singers, one crazy night.BY PATRICE ELIZABETH GRELL YURSIK
It figures. Miami goes practically all summer long without a serving of sweet soul music, and now that the high season is about to begin — wham! — two soulful divas gotta face off on the same night, forcing music fans to make some tough decisions. In this corner, taking the stage for the hot new monthly dinner party, The Soulcial at Sheba (4029 N. Miami Ave., Miami), we have Philadelphia’s own Jaguar Wright. Best known for a powerful wail as demonstrated during “Song Cry,” her duet with Jay-Z, Jaguar will re-create the moment with up-and-coming Miami rapper Rahsaan, while Jerald Dorsette accompanies on the keys. Doors open at 8 p.m., showtime is at 10, and there’s a $10 cover. E-mail bsidersvp@gmail.com, and visit www.myspace.com/bsidelounge.

In the other corner is Jazmine Sullivan, a rising star and successful singer-songwriter who’s topping the R&B charts with her Missy Elliott-produced hit “Need U Bad.” Ever since an 11-year-old Jazmine impressed the hell out of Steve Harvey on Showtime at the Apollo, ears have been pricked for her musical uprising. It begins at 10 p.m. at the intimate and lovely Florida Room at the Delano (1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach). Admission is free, but you must RSVP by calling 305-674-6152 or e-mailing thefloridaroom.rsvp@morganshotelgroup.com. Visit www.myspace.com/jazminesullivan to hear her sweet voice.

09.04.08 | Cum, Hear Some Poetry
Cum, Hear Some PoetryBY RAINA MCLEOD
Spoken word is the art you find at the intersection of poetry and music. Cultivated in the brains of artists who write to an imaginary beat that pulses in their heads, it is built to ignite passion, caution, or action. This stuff will make you move. Ingrid B. has been bringing the art of spoken word to South Florida for years, and you can trust that when she pulls together a cadre of performers, you’ll leave with poets’ lyrics ringing in your ears. Friday night’s show might also cause some tingling, um, down there.

Titled Cunnilinguistics, the name alone could titillate the unintentionally celibate, and that just might be the point. This evening of erotic poetry also features music by DJ Johnny Walker Red, who’ll keep the theme going with some grind-worthy beats. See you at the Literary Café

05.23.07 | Survivor: South Beach Five local hip-hop figures tell how not to get voted off the island this weekend.
Survivor: South Beach


Five local hip-hop figures tell how not to get voted off the island this weekend.

by Colleen Dougher
Posted May 23 2007

E-mail story Print story


PHOTO



Ingrid B (photo: Daryl Henderson)


STORIES

Local love
May 23, 2007


Holiday in our hood
May 23, 2007


Surviving Memorial Day weekend in Miami Beach is nearly impossible if you hit the streets unprepared. So we've asked some of the most prominent people on the South Florida hip-hop scene to offer their suggestions on where to find the perfect cocktail, how to avoid the crowds and jail, and where not to buy weed. Read on, have fun and if you do get in trouble, don't call us to bail you out. We've done all we can.

Garcia

Rapper, Crazyhood.com

1. Start Memorial Day weekend with a Call a Cab cocktail at Wet Willie's [760 Ocean Drive] in Miami Beach. This is a daytime thing, so between the alcohol and heat, you'll get a real nice buzz. And it's a great place to pick up girls or just meet people.

2. A cool place for some old-school hip-hop is Buck 15 [upstairs at 707 Lincoln Lane] on Miami Beach. This place isn't a club, so don't get it twisted. It has a lounge feel, but it's a cool spot for something different -- definite good vibes.

3. If you're on the beach with all the tourists and wondering where all the locals went, I have two words: Tiki Bar [Holiday Isle, 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada]. This spot is where it's really popping. You have to rent a car because it's in Key Largo, but it's worth it. It's a nonstop party on land and water. The trick is renting a boat while you're there and hitting the regatta at the sandbar. We're talking about 200 boats -- some with DJ equipment -- tied together and everybody going crazy. It's Girls Gone Wild in the middle of the ocean. At nightfall, everybody parties at the Tiki Bar. That's where I'll be.

4. OK, this one is important. If some guy offers you weed on Washington Avenue, don't buy it. Every year, I see some idiot getting arrested for copping off some guy on the corner. South Beach is strapped with undercover detectives, and they look real hood. Trust me; I know what I'm telling you.

5. If you're trying to do the club thing for real in Miami, the beach is cool, but downtown is really popping. You have Life, Studio A, Nocturnal and Space in one block. Space doesn't close until 1 p.m. the next day. If you're hungry afterward, hit up Goldrush [15 N.E. 11th St.], the 24-7 strip club across the street, for lunch. If you want to hit up a dope lounge in downtown, go to PS14 [28 N.E. 14th St.]. The vibe is real grimy but dope nonetheless.

Ingrid B

President, B Side Entertainment, Ingridbonline.com

1. Be sexy. Ladies should wear comfortable shoes. Barefoot at the club is never sexy, and it's so not hygienic. Guys should dress to impress or at least know the dress codes to avoid drama at the door.

2. Be fly. It is so not fly to fall out in the club. Pick one drink and stick with it rather than mix liquors. Eat but stay away from greasy foods to avoid spending the night leaning over the toilet bowl in a public bathroom.

3. Be ready. Drink prices at bars are outrageous, so find a liquor store on the beach and start the party while dressing. To avoid being pushed over the credit-card limit when drinking at the club, ask if the club places a hold -- which might be as much as $200 -- on credit cards. Before tipping, ensure gratuity isn't already included.

4. Be protected. Yes, there's sex in the champagne room and probably every room in South Beach on Memorial Day weekend, but what happens in South Beach might not stay in South Beach if you don't wrap it up. No excuses.

5. Be free. Locked up in South Beach is definitely not what one wants to be, so avoid drama. There are cameras everywhere, especially in front of the major clubs.

Abebe Lewis

CEO, Circle House Studios, Myspace.com/bbcirclehouse

1. Look out for all those fat-ass booty shakers because they will most definitely be on point this weekend -- another thing Miami is known for, thanks to Uncle Luke.

2. Bring shades to block the glare of all the gold grilles people have in their mouths.

3. Your eyes will be bugging out of your head at all the fly women, so watch out because your girl might smack you up if she catches you checking them out.

4. Ladies should get ready to be hollered at all night long. Guys are extremely outspoken this weekend, so don't be bringing that attitude to the street. If you're dressed crazy, hanging out in every direction, don't be mad if you get that attention.

5. Tip well. Many people get so caught up they forget to tip, but many locals are working double-time so you enjoy yourself.

Lance-O

Owner, Kulcha Shok Muzik, Kulchashok.com

1. Jazid [1342 Washington Ave.], which typically does reggae on Sunday, offers something more hip-hop-oriented but off the beaten path for Memorial Day [weekend]. On Tuesdays, Buck 15 usually has a good underground or hip-hop thing for those in town that early or that late.

2. Best place to hide: There's a hip-hop night at The Mark across from Joe's Stone Crab on Saturday nights. It's a small place -- more underground and old-school hip-hop -- and it's at the south end, not in the heart of everything.

3. Think outside the box to avoid crowds. Arrive early or extremely late to park. I would suggest sleeping until 2 a.m. and then going out. You get the cream of the crop at that hour.

4. Eat. There are always tons of well-equipped pizza places in the heart of it all. Med Pizza [1240 Washington Ave.] has literally 20 pies ready to go nearly all the time. Deco Sandwiches [1361 Washington Ave.] is a new place that has really good service.

5. A good place to park might be in the garages or lots around Lincoln Road and 17th Street, behind the Miami Beach Convention Center or even up on 21st Street. These places are good, quick and pretty easy. It might mean walking a little bit, but it beats aggravating, bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Larry "Street" Dogg

Standup comedian and filmmaker, Streetdogg.com

1. Those who haven't reserved a room should sleep in their car, but be careful: If someone catches you, they're going to think you're a homeless car person.

2. If you're looking for a nice, quiet beach, try Haulover [10800 Collins Ave.], as South Beach will be extremely crowded. Looking for a nude beach? There's one a little north of Haulover.

3. Witness me and my camera guy chasing artists around after dark to clubs such as Wet Willie's, Mansion, Opium Garden, SoBe Live, 510 Ocean and The Fifth. After interviewing hip-hop stars, we catch the fights that begin about 4 a.m., when everybody is extremely drunk coming out of clubs.

4. On Memorial Day weekend, people stupidly start fights over nothing. Then, Miami Beach police book them. There goes more footage. After that, we seek out the least-expensive pizza on South Beach. Is that a party or what?

5. The tastiest -- and least expensive -- pizza on South Beach is Pizza Rustica [863 Washington Ave.]. They have barbecued-chicken pizza -- real pieces of boneless chicken breast smothered in barbecue sauce atop melted cheese. It's $4 for a slice large enough to feed two people. No other pizza tastes like Rustica's. I've tried them all.

Brimstone127

Rapper, Brimstone127.com

1. Bring trash bags. Instead of trashing the beach, help clean it up. Remember, people actually live on South Beach year-round.

2. Remember a loved one who has passed away. Let's not forget Memorial Day is actually a somber event, when we remember and appreciate ones who lost their lives to fight for our country.

3. Apply anti-harassment sunscreen. This is for the ladies who just want to tan. So brothers, please don't stand in their sun.

4. Bring anti-bling repellent. Enough is enough -- bring wooden beads back.

5. Buy a local rapper's album. If the MC is standing there on the block, selling his material, ask him to freestyle. If he's dope, buy the album.

05.16.07 | Party Like A Neo-Soul Star
Party Like A Neo-Soul Star
BY RAINA MCLEOD
In the oversaturated world of Miami party promoting, it seems like the key to success is to shove as many flyers in as many people’s hands as possible, lying all the while about all of the “special invited guests” who are coming. FYI promoters: Sending LL Cool J a MySpace message doesn’t qualify him as a “special invited” anything. But one promoter who has distinguished herself from this bloodthirsty pack is Ingrid B of B Side Entertainment. Her Bohemia Room series has lived up to its tag, “A Spoken Word Experience & Urban Soulcial,” consistently bringing local and national stars to perform and continually bringing audiences to their feet.

While Bohemia Room has now moved from the Design District to Lincoln Road’s Yuca (501 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach), the move will do nothing to dilute the roster of powerful spoken word artists or soul singers that graced the stage week after week at the events’ former home, Power Studios. Tonight’s show will kick off Ingrid’s birthday weekend, and will feature soulstress Jaguar Wright, old school rapper Special Ed, and some of South Florida’s coldest spoken word artists. Admission is $25, and tickets are available at www.partyspree.com. The eclectic engagement begins at 8:00 p.m. Visit www.thebohemiaroom.com.


Date/Time:
Price: $25
Event URL: http://www.partyspree.com


Event Location
Yuca
501 Lincoln Rd
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-532-9822

03.15.07 | Red-Eyed Soul A refuge from WMC hoopla,,,,,,BY RAINA MCLEOD
Red-Eyed Soul
A refuge from WMC hoopla
BY RAINA MCLEOD
Yesterday marked the start of the Winter Music Conference, one of the largest networking events in the dance music industry. The city is full of artists, DJs, industry execs, and puh-lenty of wannabes — all either looking for a shot in the industry or a shot of tequila. If you need a break from the schmoozefest, roll to Power Studios for the Winter Soulstice, a soul music experience celebrating brown-sugar soul, poetry, and music. The vibe is chill and the spot is just right for getting away from the screaming DJs and glow sticks that have taken over the city.

The event starts at 7:00 p.m. with the monthly erotic poetry night that has tongues wagging, Cunnilinguistics. That’s followed by a pre-Winter Music conference live jam session with special invited guests Jaguar Wright, Mishall Moore, Basic Vocab and local soulsters performing with house band Jody Hill and Deep Fried Funk. The party grooves until 3:00 a.m. Tickets are on sale for $20 in advance and can be purchased Wednesdays at Power Studios or online at www.partyspree.com.


Date/Time: Wed., March 21, 7:00pm-3:00am
Price: $20
Event URL: http://www.partyspree.com


Event Location
Power Studios [Map]
3701 NE 2nd Ave
Miami, FL
305-576-1336

10.18.06 | Best Open-Mike Poetry Night
The Bohemia Room
Power Studios, 3701 N.E. Second Ave., Miami, 305/519-1369, Thebohemiaroom.com

Hosted by Alexander T. Proctor and Ingrid B, this open-mike event features a different theme every Wednesday, from erotic poetry to social politics. Proctor often recites a theme-related ditty he has written on his BlackBerry just before the show. And even though she's not a poet, Ingrid B has enough personality to compensate for it. The petite, Afroed dynamo commands the room as she flirts with, fusses over and cusses at The Bohemia Room's faithful patrons. For $10, poetry lovers can treat themselves to three hours of spoken-word performances by amateurs and professionals alike. Some artists, such as the Miami Masters poetry team (including Will Da~Real One, Asia, Caheej and Da Youngsta), return week after week. And early arrivals can enjoy a free buffet of Chef Creole's chicken wings.

05.24.06 | B Cool
B. cool


Want to find the hottest hip-hop and spoken-word events this Memorial Day weekend? Follow Ingrid B.

by Kamila Pritchett
Posted May 24 2006
STORIES

Memorial Day hip-hop weekend preview
May 24, 2006

Ingrid B.'s events

The Bohemia Room features open-mike spoken word 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Power Studios, 3701 N.E. Second Ave., in Miami. Admission is $10. Call 305/576-1336 or visit Thebohemiaroom.com.

Mello Mondays include open-mike spoken word and live music 10 p.m. Mondays at The District, 35 N.E. 40th St., in Miami. Admission is $10. Call 305/576-7242 or visit Thedistrictmiami.com.

For more information, visit Ingridbonline.com.




Ingrid Bazin is getting calls from everybody. "They want to know, 'What's the cover? What's the dress code? Where can I find a plumber?' " she says. "They come to me for everything."

Bazin, known to many South Florida partygoers as Ingrid B., has become the go-to person for anyone looking for the hottest party spots in Miami, particularly during the chaotic Memorial Day weekend. For the past four years, Bazin has promoted hip-hop shows and spoken-word events through her promotions company, B Side Entertainment. She currently hosts Mello Mondays at The District and The Bohemia Room on Wednesdays at Power Studios, both of which feature local spoken-word artists showcasing their skills. She is also a die-hard supporter of under-the-radar hip-hop and R&B acts, often partnering with local clubs and concert promoters to draw attention to their shows. In short, if a hip-hop or poetry event is taking place in South Florida, chances are you'll see Bazin's curly Afro rising above the crowd.

In 1999, Bazin started an online forum called "U Can Catch Me at the Hot Spots" (Groups.yahoo.com/group/ingridbhotspots), on which she still posts information for the week's biggest parties and events. Today, roughly 6,000 people subscribe to her e-mail and text-message alerts, in which she heralds her own parties as well as big-time happenings such as the Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival, Zo's Summer Groove and Miami Carnival.

Recently, she has helped promote concerts by well-known hip-hop acts The Roots, KRS-One and M1 of Dead Prez, as well as shows by more-obscure R&B singers Raheem DeVaughn, Mishal Moore and Vikter Duplaix. "I try to reach out to artists that aren't the mainstream," Bazin explains. "The whole concept is about the B-side of life. We don't want to be like the song on the radio that made you buy the record. We want to be the song on the B-side that made you keep the album."

Bazin's own events target young adults who enjoy hip-hop, poetry and networking with like-minded people. Since launching The Bohemia Room in 2002, Bazin, who isn't a poet herself, has partnered with spoken-word artist Alexander T. Proctor and The Miami Masters collective to host the event, which routinely features both regional and national poets.

"I think Ingrid B. is very instrumental in the poetry community down here," says Asia Samson, a Sunrise-based slam poet who often performs at Bazin's events. "It's very rare to see someone who's not a poet give so much. And she has the dopest Afro around."

Bazin exudes a flirtatious, sexy vibe at her parties, working the crowd with her big hair, big smile and big personality, all of which stand in stark contrast to a side of her personality many people never see. "I'm actually very shy," she admits. "I talk to whom I have to talk to because this is my job. Otherwise, I'm really pretty reserved. I just appear to be a nut."

The daughter of the Very Rev. J. Fritz Bazin, a prominent Episcopalian priest and activist in Miami's Haitian community, Bazin is used to being surrounded by people, especially since her house sits on the same property as her father's church. Born in Barbados, Bazin moved to Miami from New York when she was a teenager. She initially wanted to run a dance school, but after working with children at an after-school program, she quickly changed her mind.

"I went to Miami-Dade Community College forever and left there with about 100 credits and no degree," Bazin recalls. "Then, I went to Barry University and studied liberal studies, sociology, English and African-American studies."

After graduation, Bazin decided the classroom wasn't really where she wanted to be. She realized she didn't have the patience to work with kids or deal with school politics. "I got my degree, but I decided that I didn't have the desire to work with the bureaucracy of the school system," she explains. "And I prefer to work for myself, get up when I want to and not have to answer to anyone."

This attitude is reflected in the independent, open-minded nature of her events. Bazin prides herself on providing an outlet for artists, fans of poetry and music, and singles looking to meet someone new. The Bohemia Room often boasts a suggestive theme, such as Flirt, Passion or Cunnilinguistics, an erotic-poetry night held the third Wednesday of every month.

Bazin is generally mum when it comes to her own love life, however, dodging questions about her relationship status. "Well, maybe there is someone special that I have in mind," she offers. "And I'm going out to get a voodoo doll and make him act right."

If and when this mystery man finally comes around, he can always just give Bazin a call. Everyone else does.

04.12.06 | BEST BETS
Cheap Bet
Wednesday 12
Bohemia

In honor of National Poetry Month, check out this evening of poetry, live music and sexy people in the Miami Design District. Local R&B singer Mishal Moore will perform seven songs from her new blues- and R&B-infused jazz album, Mishal Moore Vol. 2: Just Believe, including "I Put a Spell on You," which features poet Will Da Real One of spoken-word group The Miami Masters. Will has also been featured on HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry. Other poets who will perform include Rebecca "Butterfly" Vaughns, Asia, Poetic Vibez and Darrell Supreme. Bohemia is held at Power Studios every Wednesday, each night having a different theme. If you're feeling a little randy, find your pleasure on the third Wednesday of every month, when Bohemia's Cunninglinguistics night features erotic poetry.

Location: Power Studios, 3701 N.E. Second Ave., Miami

Time: 8 p.m.

Cost: $10

Contact: 305/519-1369 or Onthebside.com

10.13.05 | Selected Events for the Week of October 13, 2005
When Hurricane Katrina threatened New Orleans, soul singer and spoken-word poet Sunni Patterson packed up her things and left. "I have a cousin named Katrina, and my mother was, like, if this hurricane is gonna be anything like your cousin, we need to get the hell up out of Dodge," she recalls, laughing. Her family home was destroyed, but Patterson maintains a sunny disposition, though she's expressing her personal pain through song and verse. "If anything, Katrina has elevated my art, to put the second-line rhythm and the heartbeat of the city in everything I do," she explains. The poet will perform at several spoken-word events this week. Tonight she'll rock the mike at Third Wednesdays at Power Studios (3701 NE Second Ave., Miami). The event has been titled Soul Survivors, and artists will address domestic violence and honor slain poet Lorrie Tennant. Admission is ten dollars, and donations are welcome. Call 305-519-1369, or visit www.onthebside.com. Learn more about displaced New Orleans artists at www.thesoulofno.com. (PEGY)

09.22.05 | BEST POETRY SCENE
Mello Mondays at the District
35 NE 40th Street

Miami
305-576-7242

BEST POETRY SCENE Mello Mondays at the District 35 NE 40th Street
Miami

305-576-7242 This weekly event is a baby among the other spoken-word evenings, but Mello Mondays gets two snaps up for distinguishing itself from the pack by mixing celebrity poets in with locals. Hosted by Ingrid B., the gathering's tribe includes Will Da Real One, Asia of the Slanted Eye poets, Rebecca "Butterfly" Vaughns, and Shiraz. But many fans come for more famous faces like Stic and M1 of the hip-hop group dead prez. Alonzo Mourning held his welcome-back party here and enjoyed a performance by political comedian/slam poet Shang. National personalities Georgia Me, Big Brooklyn Red, J. Ivy, and Urban Mystic have blessed the mike. Next up are performances by the reggae group Inner Circle, MTV2 hip-hop hostess Amanda Diva, former Def Poets Sekou Tha Misfit and Steve Connell, and Steele, a rapper from the group Smif-N-Wessun who will lay down the weapons and pick up the poems.

10.07.04 | Requiem for a Murdered Poet
On an overcast Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, a frowning neighbor peers over a rusty, wobbly, chainlink fence at the weeds and grass that has grown shin-high in the front yard of the Nicholson/Tennant home. The front picture window didn't even get a piece of protective plywood during last month's spate of hurricanes. A volleyball and a kid's yellow trike sit abandoned next to a trash can in the carport. The weathered blue-gray box-bungalow is for sale now, but Tennant's mom doesn't think it will be easy finding a buyer.

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