Six Scents Parfums & Elements Showcase Official Launch Reception @ Soho Grand Hotel, NYC

8/24

I joined my good friend, blogger and fashion writer extraordinaire, Glenn Belverio last Monday evening for a party at the SoHo Grand Hotel to celebrate the official launch of the Six Scents Parfums and Elements Showcase. We didn't stay long, just enough to catch up with a few friends about recent travels, movies we recommend seeing (Glenn's pick is a Brazilian film called Waste Land) and contemplate one (or two) more cocktails.

Glenn Belverio and photographer, Peter Miszuk.

Stylist, designer and blogger, Ms. Fitz.

 

Joseph Quartana, owner of Seven New York.

A guest.

Day 2: Rock Steady Crew 34th Anniversary, Outdoor Concert

It's the grand finale of the Rock Steady Crew Anniversary: The free outdoor concert, held once again at Lincoln Park in Newark, NJ on Sunday, July 31st. This year's lineup included performances by the Cold Crush Brothers, Keith Murray, Rahzel, The Large Professor, and so many more. But the highlight of the concert for me was the amazing performance by the crew themselves (see the video below). Here's to another year—happy anniversary, Rock Steady!

(Another shout out to photographer, Joe Conzo and to Photo Rob for your always-incredible pictures.)

Group Hug: The crew huddling before their show.

The real Rock Steady:

 

 

 Watch the video of the performance:

Lauren Macé, enjoying the show.

B-girl and Rock Steady member, Renegade, who also happens to be an incredible masseuse, was kind of enough to work her magic on us backstage. Working out those knots isn't always a pleasant feeling, though, especially when you have a lot of tension in your shoulders, like Legs. At least she's always smiling while inflicting the pain.

D-Stroy from the Lunch Breaks Show and photographer, Joe Conzo.

Brothers from another mother: Q-Unique and Crazy Legs.

  

 

The Lineup: (left to right) Stage manager superstar, the fabulous Lea Maxwell, moi, the man who helps make it all happen, Sab Serrano, b-boy Ynot, b-girl Feenx, Feenx's parents, Rachel and Art, Big Jeff.

The lovely, Mona Liza Reyes and Sab Serrano.

In all the years I've been covering the Anniversary on my blog, I've never shown pictures of the marketplace inside the concert. It's really cool. And the food...! I look forward to it every year. When I'm not hanging out backstage, you can usually find me roaming around this area. Here's a few great pictures I found on a blog called WORXlife.

Maestro of beats, DJ DV One.

While performing, the legendary Cold Crush Brothers summoned Crazy Legs onto the stage to sing a song with them—a spoof on Toni Braxton's "Breath Again" (later, Legs admitted he thought for sure he was about to get roasted).

 

Always appreciative of the fans, Crazy Legs showing love to the crowd.

An interview with Keith Murray backstage.

Keith signing autographs over a fence—what a guy.

After many hours (and layers of dirt): Lea Maxwell and I crashing out in the backseat of the car on the way home.

Until next year...The big 3-5!

Rock Steady Crew 34th Anniversary, NYC

Every summer hundreds of b-boys, b-girls and die hard hip-hop heads from all over the world congregate to New York City to celebrate the annual Rock Steady Crew Anniversary. This year, the crew celebrated its 34th with 2 days of b-boy/b-girl battles, a free outdoor concert and, of course, after parties. Not one to ever miss the event (I'm a huge fan of the crew's president, Crazy Legs), here's my full coverage.
Shout out to photographer, Joe Conzo for always letting me use his great photos on my blog, like this one below of Rock Steady Crew during their performance at the concert on Sunday, July 31st.

Saturday, July 30th: 
One-on-One and Crew Battles @ Red Bull space on Thompson St., NYC

 

It's so cool when the kids get down. This one in the camo shorts danced like he was 18.

Reminds of me this one, RSC's own Bailrok, who showed up at the Anniversary just a few years ago and blew everyone's socks off with his dancing. The next year he was IN Rock Steady. And these days, he's traveling around the world performing.

It never ceases to amaze me what these guys can do with their bodies.

Photographer, Joe Conzo (right) with Wild Style director, Charlie Ahearn (in the blue hat).

Every year, Crazy Legs and the crew present the "Spy Awards," which recognizes dancers who they believe represent the art of breaking to its highest degree of integrity. 2011's recipients: b-boys Dyzee (far left), Teknyc (far right) and b-girl Lady Jules, who, unfortunately, couldn't be there, but her friend, RSC's own Bonita (bottom), read Jules' speech and accepted for her.

RSC's vice president presenting the award to Dyzee.

B-boy Teknyc (a former RSC member) posing for pictures.

A chic guest.

 

Holding the beats down: DJ's DV One and Skeme Richards.

The only downfall of the day? The venue reached its maximum capacity and many people did not make it inside. Here, the line outside wrapping around he building.

I love this shot!

 My report on Sunday's concert coming up next....