BLK XMAS
Curated by Derrick B. Harden
Featuring Artists: Jeru the Damaja, Dee & Ricky, Laura O’ and the Loop, Robin’s Jean, Monique Romney, Sylva Dean and Me, Mike Lash, Agni Zotis, Bethanne Fiore, Shannon Campbell, Walker Fee, Diego Muniz Vicuna, Roxie Darling & Kaitlyn Stubbs
Lyons Wier Project Space: 175 7th Avenue @ 20th Street
October 10th-October 22nd, 2011, 11am-7pm Daily
Opening Reception: Monday October 10th, 2011 6-9pm
On September 22nd, 2011 Our Town Downtown printed a cover that read “The Great Expectations of Derrick B. Harden” featuring an article on Mr. Harden as the “Art World Underdog”, his response to this “Great Expectation” is: BLK XMAS, a conceptual art show set in motion the day the article came out. BLK XMAS, debuting at Lyons Wier Project Space on October 10th, 2011– fittingly Black Monday– explores the stark, sometimes apocalyptic yet always timeless theme of black on black, featuring mixed media monochromatic art works. Harden has been working directly with the participating artists, all of whom have accepted his challenge: to create within an all- black color scheme and to not discuss their work with the other participating artists until it’s revealed the night of the opening.
The BLK XMAS theme is a spin off of The Hole gallery pop-up exhibition, “Christmas in the Summer” that Harden curated with his curating /musical partner Laura O’Reilly at Cappellini in SoHo NY in August 2011. The show featured art work by Kathy Grayson that you could not see (it was hidden under gift wrap), for the curating/music duo’s album that you could not hear yet. BLK XMAS marks the art world release of the Dear Derrick & Laura O’ music project “Christmas in the Summer”. The limited edition physical albums wrapped in all black & autographed by the duo will be on sale at the BLK XMAS opening and available at The Hole’s gallery gift shop at 312 Bowery therein after.
Harden has curated exhibits for The Wu-Tang Brand, Mint & Serf, Anthony Lister & Melinda Hackett, to name a few–and is currently the associate director of The Hole. Featured for the first time as an artist himself, Harden had a sold out show at the Chelsea Hotel with “Art That I Found” curated by Nicolette Ramirez, featuring conceptual pieces of art Harden created out of found objects. His first hip hop experimental art film “Hollywood Murder” (The Art of Nothing) debuted in the Lyons Wier Gallery show Fusion, and was executive produced by owner of The Wu-Tang Brand Oliver “Power” Grant & Michael Lyons Wier.
BLK XMAS exhibits the high energy that Derrick B. Harden brings to curating and his ability to connect with artists, expressed as a form of conceptual art in and of it’s self. Harden points out- the underdog always wins. The subtle, yet biting and ironic nods to the art world have widely fueled his success thus far as he gently points a finger at whoever is “hot shit”–in BLK XMAS no one is safe.
Press Contact: RelationshipsArePriceless@gmail.com Visit: www.relationshipsarepriceless.com
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Hello! Hello! Hello! To all my loyal readers I’m BACK! Was on the go go go Gallery 151 has been keeping me bizzy over on Bowery, but alas it’s been a long time in the making-I am happy to say LOVE IS A SHOW, the music video is dropping next Monday: VALENTINES DAY!!! Shout out to Ryan Lee who filmed the video and Matthew Charof for his editing skills- and the whole POW family for making this production possible!
The release show is going to be HOT HOT HOT peep the lineup below:
If you don’t know her already meet SHYVONNE! We filmed a special Valentines Day edition “Efficacy”for Fiona Bloom’s acclaimed web series at Gallery 151:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Not only is the lovely SHYVONNE performing on Valentines Day so is the out of this world RAYE 6!
check out her music video UNIVERSAL LOVER:
Click here to view the embedded video.
so obviously this show is NOT TO BE MISSED!!! We’ll also be joined by the lovely JASMINE SOLOANO DJing through out the night! FREE SWEETABLE EATABLE ROSE with your advance ticket purchase. YRB magazines free, give away bags, prizes, valentines making station & oh so much more. For the coupled and cute and single/bitter : ) there will be single beautiful girls and yummy men….so don’t play yourself BE THERE : )
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR VALENTINES DAY NOW!!!
Until next week
much love!
mm
Hello fall! I hope you had a great labor day weekend! I know I did! Hit to beach 3 days in a row & managed to finally get a little color (my half Irish skin usually burns instead of tans so this is truly exciting for me)! I got to sing a duet with the Mayor of Jersey City last night (long story) at my Grandmas BBQ at the shore & have managed to actually relax for the first time in a long time. In the spirit of labor day Oveous’s new single “Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall” couldn’t be more appropriate so I had to share it with you all!
Not to mention that I will be on one of Oveous’s upcoming single releases for the song we wrote together called “MAYBE”, and you’ll be seeing that all over the place so you should start to become familiar! : )
If you don’t already know about Oveous here’s a quick breakdown:
Oveous is a recording artist who tricked everyone into believing he was only a poet. He grew up in the Bronx and Washington Heights exposed to the richness of jazz, soul, hip hop, and latin music. An honorary member of the world-famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Oveous shares his own brand of “rap & spokenword”. He became a National Poetry slam finalist three years in a row, is a multiple time winner at the Apollo Theater, has performed on the hit series HBO Def Poetry, and has recorded music with grammy award winner Louie Vega. Currently, you can download Oveous’ albums (“Future Intentions” & “The Iambic Moment”) at: oveous.bandcamp.com
This is a well done music video, love the Pulp Fiction theme:
Click here to view the embedded video.
And though he tried to trick you into thinking he was only a poet, he really is an amazing poet:
Click here to view the embedded video.
You can catch him Live this Thursday in NYC!
Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word poetry/spoken word event, featuring Oveous Maximus + a to-be-announced poet and 10-slot open mic.
When: Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010
Where: (Le) Poisson Rouge (downstairs gallery)
158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and Sullivan) Manhattan, New York City
Time: 7pm (open mic sign-up starts at 6:30)
Cover Charge: $10
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On a completely different note, I wanted to share with you The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing.
My media partner and close friend Matthew Charof (who shot and edited all the videos from Miz Metro: UNLIMITED up on mizmetro.com) asked me a very interesting question last night: “Do you think it is better to do something first or do it the best?” and then shared this with me:
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, by Ries & Trout
1. It is better to be first than it is to be better.
2. If you can’t be first in a category, set up a new category you can be first in.
3. It is better to be first in the mind than to be first in the marketplace.
4. Marketing is not a battle of products, it’s a battle of perceptions.
5. The most powerful concept in marketing is owning a word in the prospect’s mind.
6. Two companies cannot own the same word in the prospect’s mind.
7. The strategy to use depends on which rung you occupy on the ladder.
8. In the long run, every market becomes a two horse race.
9. If you are shooting for second place, your strategy is determined by the leader.
10. Over time, a category will divide and become two or more categories.
11. Marketing effects take place over an extended period of time.
12. There is an irresistible pressure to extend the equity of the brand.
13. You have to give up something to get something.
14. For every attribute, there is an opposite, effective attribute.
15. When you admit a negative, the prospect will give you a positive.
16. In each situation, only one move will produce substantial results.
17. Unless you write your competitor’s plans, you can’t predict the future.
18. Success often leads to arrogance, and arrogance to failure.
19. Failure is to be expected and accepted.
20. The situation is often the opposite of the way it appears in the press.
21. Successful programs are not built on fads, they’re built on trends.
22. Without adequate funding, an idea won’t get off the ground.
Which lead to a very interesting conversation that had a deep impact on me, so I’m sharing it with you as food for thought. What does it mean to be focused in one’s life? To have a clear sense of direction and purpose? In New York City there is such high energy so many people trying to start projects and get their friends to help it’s easy to get caught up in a lot of hot air. We have to stand up and be focused on what we want to accomplish. It’s okay to say no. Be honest with your friends if they can’t take it maybe you shouldn’t be working with them. Life is short, do what you love and be focused. Hard learned Metro advice for city living.
Last but not least! Joe’s Pub next Saturday September 11th w/Erin Barra! Get your tickets! I hope to see you there! Will be debuting new songs with my full band, horn section and all!
and incase you missed it last week here’s our joint Joe’s Pub promo Efficacy:
Click here to view the embedded video.
tickets available at joespub.com
Until next week!
xo
MM
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Getting back into the NYC rhythm, it’s been an action packed month since returning from Europe! Have been in rehearsals and sessions every single day since I’ve gotten back & have some very exciting new material to debut at JOE’S PUB SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH! Some fruitful collaborations in the works as well, the track “Maybe” I co-wrote and featured on with HBO Def Poetry Jam Spoken Word Poet/Rapper/Vocalist extraordinaire Oveous Maximus is FIRE & will be the first single off his upcoming release “Baila Cono”! Many other exciting collaborations in the works including working with UK Rapper Superstar SWAY and his artist Raptor, Berlin Producer Bill Youngman & France super group Les Gourmets to name a few! Getting ready to back up Outasight in a dope Ray Bands/Complex commercial tomorrow afternoon-who’s album I’m completely in love with- if you haven’t already done so go download Outasight’s “Never Say Never” FREE right now! It’s well worth it: outasight.bandcamp.com/
JOE’S PUB SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH SPLIT BILL W/ERIN BARRA 9PM!
We did a special little promo Efficacy for Fiona Bloom’s series- which features a little improvised freestyle check it out:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Buy your tickets now at:joespub.com
Miz Metro Mondayz Album Feature:
Beatsmith Mikey Fresh and emcee Digital Dao, together known as Circa ‘87, have hooked up with DJBooth.net to bring listeners their debut album, Dreams and Dream Killers.
Joining the duo throughout Dreams and Dream Killers are guest artists G-Eazy, Adrienne Mack-Davis, Caliaf St. Aubyn, The Incomparable Shakespeare, Rook and DJ Synapse. Phil Joly, Frank Drake and Joe Ferry provide additional instrumentation on Mikey Fresh’s beats. Album cover art comes courtesy of Phil Wong.
Download the album by clicking here:
Producer/DJ Mikey Fresh:
& Emcee Digital Dao =Circa *87
I watched these two progress over the time I spent with them at SUNY Purchase, and they are two of the most musically dedicated people I know. Their project has an old school feel good hip hop vibe that so many of us crave. Mikey Fresh also produced Adrienne Mack-Davis’s debut album “Music In Me: The Process” and will be DJing the live mixtape showcase for HIP HOP HOWL in Tompkins Sq. Park Sunday September 12rh on the mainstage 2-3pm! It’s all in the family, check them out you won’t be sorry : )
That’s all for this week! Be on the look out for the BABcollective as well, which is a new project I’m starting with Adrienne Mack-Davis & Felecia Cruz- basically a gurl super group : ) Media- Music takeover!
Hope to see you at Joe’s Pub on September 1tth!
Much love,
Mizzzzzzyy
twitter.com/mizmetro
mizmetro.com
Just got back to NYC! Official homecoming party/ belated b-day party at SWAY next Monday August 9th! Hope to see you there, let’s catch up! LDN was great- big ups to DJ Snuff for putting me on to the real spots in LDN-Brixton is where it’s at!! I had an incredible music dance party experience at the Congo Natty show at JAMM in Brixton- Jungle is a workout!! Crazy to be back in NYC now, it was an incredible 9 week journey! Started in Madrid then off to Barcelona, Portugal, Naples Italy, Lyon France, Paris, Berlin and then LDN town. International Metro : ) Building bridges, a lot of seeds were planted and I look fwd to watching them grow this next year! I’ll be back in Europe in November for more dates, recording sessions & meetings!
I have some dope footage to share with you from BERLIN JAM ON IT! With the EODUB World Fam! I shot, edited, took all the photos and did the music myself- Miz Metro Media : ) (new to editing so bear w/it!) : P
Much love to everyone I met in Berlin from around the world! EODUB connecting hip hop culture worldwide! Here’s a little taste of a Sunday afternoon in Berlin:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Support TWO Time EODUB MC Champ World Champ Stig of the Dump- his single just dropped: “I Got Game” not for the faint hearted: STIG OF THE DUMP ON BANDCAMP
Some photos I took in LONDON:
Speakers Corner Quartet crushed it below-footage of their cover of Rocky dropping next week!
Congo Natty : )
All about:
Mind That Child!
Looks like my kindof ride
Vintage Markets were everywhere!!!
Brick lane street art is some of my favorite in the world, the above mock iphone was pasted to a wall- wild piece of art. Brick lane had amazing Indian food as well. The shopping was divine, found some great sales. LDN is obsessed with vintage everything, i couldn’t believe how many vintage stores and stands there were everywhere. It was certainly hipsterville on the sidewalks of Bricklane, felt like Williamsburg or Ludlow st.
Oh, and one little gripe I have with the Tate Modern is why they only have two names next to Street Art! All the other artistic movements had at least 10+ next to theirs…we get 2? I’m just sayin…
Heading to Brooklyn now for a show tonight at the Amarachi Lounge in Bed Stuy 325 Franklin Ave, will be rocking out with Under the Rasta Influence, Adrienne Mack-Davis, True Theory, Cherry L & more!
Till next week!
much love!
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and visit www.mizmetro.com catch up on past episodes!!