Designer Elie Kuame to Present at NYFW For Fall/Winter 2013 Collection

Get ready all you stylemakers and fahionstas because February is just around the corner and if you know like many in NYC, you know that means NY Fashion Week. From February 7 through the 14th,Fashion will be taking over the Big Apple. From Lincoln Center to Fifth Avenue and various venues around the city, the goal will be to check out the latest collections from designers.

Like many, French designer Elie Kuame, will present a memorable line yet again to the fashion industry. The event will take place at 7:00pm on February 11th, 2013 at 404NY which is located at 404 10th Avenue, between 33nd and 33rd Street.

The event has been created by fashion expert Tai Chunn for the MVC Foundation. Fashion guru Tai Chunn founded MVC Management Productions in 1997 and has become one of the most leading runway production companies in the fashion industry. From shows such as the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to BET’s Rip the Runway which stands for the Monique Vanessa Chunn Foundation For Cerebral brain Aneurysm Research. The foundation was started in honor of his sister who suddenly died from a Cerebral Brain Aneurysm. The event will include a silent auction, and scholarship presentation to an outstanding student Noelani Browne studying neurology. The night will end with a Real
Women’s Fashion Show by French designer Elie Kuame.

Tai Chunn is proud to be putting this even together and says, “I have had two loves my entire life. Fashion & Sister. I use to sew outfits from the sleeves of our old clothes and help my sister create cheers for her cheerleading squad, she was captain of course. We shared many secrets and dreams. It’s only suitable that I combine both loves during the legendary NYFW! MVC Foundation is a homage to My Sister Monique Vanessa Chunn and Elie Kuame is what kept me in fashion for over 20 years! That twinkle in the eye of a young designer that gives you that grumble in the pit of your stomach.

What keeps me honest is being able to give back to the world the love my sister gave to everyone she you touched in her short time on this earth.” Elie Kuame was influenced by the love for his mother and other women in his family, Elie Kuame grew up appreciating the beauty and delicacy of women. In 2000, he moved from Belgium, where he grew up, to France where his love for Art and Fashion blossomed. With Four years of technical artistry, Kuame soon worked as an assistant for a wedding House Couture in Paris. For more information visit Facebook.com/eliekuame or ElieKuame.com.

Inspired In New York Honors on January 28, 2013

It’s a New Year and that means new events for New York City. In a tradition of continuing what has happened the last few years, Inspired in NY Honors is back. on January 28, 2013 Inspired In New York Honors will be honoring three spectacular ladies. They are:
IRENE GANDY, MIKKI TAYLOR and SONIA ALLEYNE.

In their respective industries, they each are stars in their own right and is a pleasure for Inspired In New York Honors to be celebrating them and their achievements for the first installment in the series for 2013.

IRENE GANDY is a Tony award winning Broadway producer, manager and press agent, MKKI TAYLOR is the current editor-at-large Essence Magazine and the quintessential authority on all matters regarding beauty, and SONIA ALLEYNE is a multimedia editorial director for all careers and lifestyle coverage at Black Enterprise Magazine.

The event will take place New York City on January 28, 2013 at Tian At The Riverbank in historic Harlem, NY. Attendance is by INVITE ONLY.

Irene Gandy, Mikki Taylor & Sonia Alleyne were chosen to receive this recognition by the honorable Councilwoman Inez Dickens & Senator Bill Perkins due to their many years as innovators and trendsetters in the arts, media and entertainment industries. All honorees will receive a proclamation from New York for their contributions.

The crème de la crème of the entertainment industry will be in attendance to support and honor these trendsetters and innovators on their very special day.

Contributing Sponsors: MEGA Personalities, CME Group & Promotional Pro Ent. For press inquiries and further information contact: camille@cmegrp.com.

The Mixtape Comedy Show 4th Anniversary at The Gotham Comedy Club in NYC

On January 20, 2013 at 8 PM, the official 4th anniversary of the Mixtape Comedy Show at the Gotham Comedy Club kicked off. It was a night full of surprises for the crowd.

As many fans know, the comedy show takes place every third Sunday of each month and is roaring good time for anyone who stops by. There are even times when famous guest comics stop by to surprise the crowd.

For the past three years Actor/Comedian’s Anthony Anderson and Royale Watkins have hosted The Mixtape Comedy Show The Gotham Comedy Club. This very successful monthly comedy show has featured a variety of the world’s top comedians including: Tom Papa, Jim Gaffigan, Tracy Morgan, Tony Rock, Sherri Shepherd and Kim Whitley.

Celebrity guests who have attended the show include Ice-T & Coco, Tasha Smith and Michael Jai White from Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married & For Better or Worse, Romany Malco from Think Like A Man, Eva Marcille from Girlfriend Confidential LA & America’s Next Top Model and DJ Premiere.

For the anniversary show, there were comedians who have been showcased on Comedy Central and HBO such as: Nick Griffin, Hadiyah Robinson and Wil Sylvince. The night was full of laughs, but the night got even funnier when Sherri Shepherd from The View graced the stage. For the grand finale, Chris Rock ended the show and the crowd went wild. It was truly a great anniversary treat.

January 20, 2013 was the celebration of 4 successful years and with the way it is going, they are expecting even more exciting years with lots of laughs.

For more information on the Mixtape Comedy Show at The Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan visit their website at: Gotham Comedy Club. Also, check them out on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Once you attend the show, you will definitely want to return

Art in Flux Discussion in Harlem

It was an eclectic and interesting day fora special event on Saturday January 12. 2013. It was a day when Experts gather around a Art in Flux Pop-up Exhibit that provided an unique view of contemporary art and wine markets.

The group and spectators rallied around to talk about the ongoing mixed-media exhibit called ART ENOLOGY: ARTISTS ON WINE. Within the discussion, the audience discovered what it takes to become an experienced art collector and wine expert while learning how Harlem has become the latest draw for connoisseurs who stock up on their favorite labels and artists as sound investments.

The free talk took place between 1pm and 3pm and included a wine tasting courtesy of Simone International/Papi and Mouton Noir wines followed by an artist meet-and-greet. The event was moderated by museum curator Souleo and guest speakers were as follows:

Jenna Bond-Louden, EBONY.com art adviser and founder of the salon series Lady Bird + Co.

Antone Barnes, Co-founder, Modern Class Design and interior designer to celebrity clients and professional athletes.

Andre Mack, Founder of Mouton Noir Wines and winner of the 2012 Chaine des Rotisseurs “Best Young Sommelier in America” Award.

Eric White, wine specialist/manager, The Winery.

The information shared by each of these experts left the audience with much to think about when deciding to invest in art and wine collecting. This event was definitely a great place for beginners and also the well informed connoisseur.

The ART ENOLOGY show features pieces by celebrated wine photographer Charles O’Rear; Smithsonian American Art Museum’s 40 under 40: Craft Futures artist Joshua DeMonte, and internationally acclaimed visual artist Shantell Martin visually interpreting wine and wine bottles. Items from more twenty more emerging, mid-career and established visual artists also are on view. Curated by Souleo, whose recent credits include a discussion series at the New York Library and consulting work with Danny Simmons, the exhibit is on view until January 23.

“Wine has been celebrated and stored artistically for centuries for spiritual rituals, religious ceremonies, medicinal purposes and social occasions,” says Souleo. The artists participating in Art Enology have tapped into this linked history and transformed wine bottles into statements that simultaneously advance the aesthetic properties and possibilities of bottles and inspire a new dialogue centered on historical and contemporary concepts.”

Michael Baisden to host 8th Annual Jazz in the Gardens Music festival in Miami

Since its 2006 inception, Jazz in the Gardens has consistently delivered a dynamic mix of musical genres including Jazz, R&B, Neo-soul and World Beat sounds …

Michael Baisden, nationally syndicated radio personality signs on as host of the 8th Annual Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival Experience #JIG8 on March 16 and 17, 2013 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Miami Gardens’ 8th annual two-day Jazz in the Gardens music festival at Sun Life Stadium is proud to announce as the festival host, nationally syndicated radio personality, Michael Baisden. Michael Baisden is undeniably one of the most influential and engaging personalities in radio history. His meteoric rise to No. 1 is redefining radio with the numbers to back it up. The show is nationally syndicated and is heard in over 78 markets nationwide with over eight million loyal listeners daily. His career began when he took a leap of faith to leave his job driving trains in Chicago to self-publish his book and began touring the country selling books out of the trunk of his car. Baisden, who now has four best-selling books to his credit, has hosted two national television shows and has recently produced three feature films.

 “I’m excited to be hosting the 8th Annual Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival. I had the pleasure of hosting the 2011 festival and it was an awesome experience. Each year the event gets bigger and better,” stated Michael Baisden. “I’m looking forward to inviting my listeners from around the country and the world to join me for two days of food, fun and incredible music. My goal is to make this the most successful Jazz in the Gardens Festival ever!”

Jazz in the Gardens success is attributed to the list of legends that grace the stage each year along with its incredible food, affordable tickets and Miami Gardens’ amazing March weather. For the past seven years, the festival has enjoyed unprecedented growth and has consistently delivered increases in attendance. Nearly 50,000 music lovers from the Caribbean, United States and all overFlorida attended the 2012 festival.

Tickets on sale now at www.jazzinthegardens.com, the Sun Life Stadium Box Office,www.ticketmaster.com and at Ticketmaster locations.

“Baisden is of the premiere radio personalities in the U.S. and a connoisseur of good music and great entertainment. It’s always good to have someone with his reputation, credibility, popularity and love for a really good show on our team,” said Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert.

The 2012 “Jazz in the Gardens” featured performances from legendary artists including Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Patti LaBelle, KEM, Kenny G, Doug E Fresh, Kevin Eubanks, Ramsey Lewis and Nicole Henry.

Previous years have included celebrated artists such as Erykah Badu, John Legend, Robin Thicke, the late Teena Marie, Wyclef, Babyface, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Chaka Khan, Chrisette Michele, Common, Anthony Hamilton, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Al Jarreau, Gladys Knight, The Isley Brothers, EnVogue, Lalah Hathaway, Branford Marsalis and Roy Ayers.

For more information about the 8th Annual “Jazz in the Gardens,” please call the general hotline at:(877) 640-5299 or visit www.jazzinthegardens.com. Like at www.facebook.com/jazzinthegardens, follow @jazzgardens and use the Twitter/Instagram hashtag #JIG8. Follow Michael Baisden @baisdenlive /

#BaisdenLive and like at www.facebook.com/michaelbaisdenlive.Sponsorship requests should be directed to Roane Consulting Group at (804) 506-4020 or sponsorships@jazzinthegardens.com. Food and merchandise vendor requests should be sent to vendors@jazzinthegardens.com. All media inquiries should be directed to Circle of One Marketing at (305) 576-3790.

About City of Miami Gardens
The City of Miami Gardens was incorporated on May 13, 2003, as the 33rd city in Miami-Dade County. With a population of approximately 110,000, it is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County. Miami Gardens is a solid, working and middle class community of unique diversity. It is the largest predominantly African-American municipality in the State of Florida and boasts many Caribbean and Hispanic residents. The City hosted the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl, the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl™, Super Bowl XLIV™ and will host the 2013 Orange Bowl and 2013 BCS National Championship game. Miami Gardens recently elected its second Mayor, Oliver Gilbert III. Through his leadership and that of former Mayor, Shirley Gibson, the City has demonstrated steady growth in the areas of community and economic development and has gained a
reputation for being a hot destination spot in South Florida. www.miamigardens-fl.gov.