For some of us this might be the time of year to be heading off to ice packed airports, pine nestled gourmet stores and Christmas bon bons. But for a certain select crowd it’s also that that time of year where they rejoice the proficiency of certain underground movements, steady beat, ultra treat and the persona of a collective crowd high on talent, magic, good looks and joie de vivre. It all came courtesy of Taste Events, the pompadour URB magazine and the collective brilliance of those in front and behind the turntable…
It’s a tight space and the little gems swiveling besides are punching the air with their vodka strong straws, swaying their shoulder bones to the grit of the beat percolating in their heads. It’s a tasteful event, with young sexy vibrant energy abundant, representative of all the city’s many different players and strident innovators in one room. You know it’s all working out because the subtle smile of Joey Rubin of Taste arts, brands and events approaching me is barely noticeable but in his own laconic way very present.
Through the pulsing throngs and re digitized eclectic beats Joey takes me to the back room where we sit down and talk.
SCV: How did tonight’s event come along?
Joey: As a result of culmination of some amazing talent, events and the continual identifying and branding of that talent with the support of media like URB magazine.
SCV: What type of talent are we talking about?
Joey: Cutting edge, provocative and definitely underground. These kids with their sheer noise are making noise and we’re listening. Acts like ‘Keys n’ Krates,’ ‘Feed the Robots,’ west coast producers –‘Flying Lotus,’ ‘Bad Boy.’ They’re real innovative and they’re really serious.
SCV: Where does this talent turn up?
Joey: Through out the year we putting on events, concerts and from there we figure out who’s shaking it up and whom we want to cultivate. People like ‘Alpha Pup,’ seed-ny.com, and urb.com they’re there helping to bring the diverse talent up and give it a stage to roam. And that’s the beauty the underground cutting music finally gets to be heard and these guys go onto making more amazing music.
SCV: Why music?
Joey: Because you can feel it and dance to it. It’s tribal, it’s in our genes and we have to champion it.
From there it was back out into the clandestine world of ‘Keyes and Crates’ who by now were winding up the crowd with their salutation to retro beats and cutting techno, reggae, Michael Jackson beats. What used to be a level looking dance floor and stage abutment had now become the latest sighting of Buster Keaton making out with a reincarnated Elvis Presley.
Approaching Sirena Wang.
SCV: What brings you here tonight? Is there a clique to this group?
Sirena: It’s all about the music. I don’t pay attention to what people want to call this. I’m a classical pianist student and maybe I’m out of the loop, but I think we’re all people at the end of the day who can really relate and enjoy the music.
Coming across Sherlem Archibald.
SCV: What makes URB?
Sherlem: They’re cutting edge, it’s who they’re pushing and giving a voice to. See this room? It’s full of self made talent who want to raise their voice and be heard. And that’s good, because you got to push boundaries, see how it affects people, moves them.
SCV: Give me an example of pushing boundaries.
Sherlem: We now have a black president, we’re starting to get beyond stereo types and exploring other genres and that’s got to be good.
Turning to Sean Roberts?
SCV: Is it true, we’ve got more multiculturalism going on here? A breaking of the mold so to speak.
Sean: It’s what New York has always been about, this big melting cultural plot, where anyone and everyone with a story, dream, voice would come and try to make something of themselves.
- Sean Roberts and Claudia.
SCV: What are they making?
Sean: They’re making themselves, they’re taking a stand, going against stereo types, working with what’s come before them and integrating it with the present to come up with a whole lot of heat. It’s wonderful and everyone here understands that and embraces it.
We couldn’t have agreed more, with the glittered crowd, Sophia Loren head scarves, Balenciaga hand bags, careening shoulders and fists in the air we knew we had come to something wonderful. Knew that sooner or later instead of you all going to those packed snow crusted airports you’d be venturing to come out here and take your spot amongst the glitterati and the cognoscenti.
Let me tell you about my experience with Taste, and with Joey Rubin in particular.
He held a party in DC with Pharoahe Monche. Personal favorite of mine and very exciting, I let the whole crew know.
Last minute, the venue was switched. Okay, it happens.
My friends who HAD PURCHASED PRESALE TICKETS were refused entrance because the new venue was smaller. Okay, that may happen too.
But THERE WAS NO REFUND. The event was in January. I have called, emailed, and texted almost every week since then. And every time, I receive the same response. Yeah, sure I’m on it. Sure thing. I’ll put the check in the mail.
I’d like to see that Joey and The Taste Crew care about the folks that come to their shows. And if the situation were rectified, I would surely say that. Unfortunately, I cannot.
JR-Flo, thanks for taking time out to personally shout me out in regards to the event above.
I tip my hat off, big time, to that.
I wish you, keys n krates, and everyone that was involved in this event continued success and good vibes.
Peace.
Hey man. Thx for the shout on your blog. Really like the site. Keep in touch. If you want any content from us feel free to jack it off.
This was an awesome and appreciate piece for that event.
That night, that was 1 of 2 affairs that I took time out of my schedule to check out.
As a native creative 40 year old New Yorker (I look like i’m 25 though)…I’ve seen much in life.
Like I said, the event was nice.
Nice quote: “We now have a black president, we’re starting to get beyond stereo types and exploring other genres and that’s got to be good.”
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The only thing that really pissed me off that night was the girl who was in charge of the ‘list’ at the front door. Her name sounds like Lamay.
Lets get a better picture of the whole situation so all reading can understand:
The flyer @ urb.com/events said arrive before 10pm to ensure entrance.
I arrived there with 2 friends at 9:45pm. The door to 105 Rivington was locked although there was some movement inside. Along came another 6 different inviduals….everyone wondered…’hey…has the show been canceled? its close to 10pm and there’s not a soul in site…plus its ice cold freezing….the type of freezing we’re talking about is like: its takes about 30 seconds for you feel the cold in your lips, fingers, cheeks, thighs, etc.
As soon as my friends decided to kill 15 minutes elsewhere….the crowd of now 10 decided to do the same.
Luckily, I drove and found a spot right in front of 105 Rivington.
With the heat pumping, my friends having a good time, I just surveyed more people arriving in dismay because it was a few minutes from 10pm, no one was being allowed in, and it was FREEZING outside.
I saw the security guard walk in through the door of the main hotel on the left. He went through a side door and came out the entrance of 105 Rivington to start setting the ‘barricades’ up.
It took him about 10 minute at a medium to slow pace. It seemed like he had an attitude like he was just hired to watch the basement door for Prince.
10:10pm – a short lady with a pad arrives and SLOWLY starts to let people in. (This is just observation only)
Lets make a few quick notes: there’s zero people inside.
Why does it take more than 1 minute to read a name for ONE person on the guest list to confirm their RSVP? If there was a game to be played like they use at those commercial club establishments, then I’ll brace myself for this same concept …but for Monday night cool out Urb event? I must be hallucinating.
My friends weren’t paying attention to this, but as a original New Yorker who has seen and experienced much…I just put it all in the back of my head. Some people that act like they are confident are actually insecure. Some that are seeking power or status are going about it unethically or the wrong way.
“Gents, lets join the line…about 5 people went in and the line of about only 12 is starting to move.
The minute we stepped out our vehicle (and if you were there that night) we realized how subzero ICE COLD it was.
If you came out with your light super sexy outfit (with no real winter jacket) like a few ladies & fellas that did, you’d be pissing in your pants if you had to stand still for about 10+ minutes conservatively speaking.
(See the last comment above by Mayk)
We joined the line and we were probably 6th in line from the entrance. We weren’t loud, drunk or whatever stereotypes one can create to keep unwanted individuals out of an establishment or event.
To keep good spirits, we actually were having vibrant conversations with people in line. The joy of our laughter kept everyone warm for the time being. Even the front door ‘security guard” was eavesdropping into our conversation, laughing and making comments while he was bundled up like a Polar Bear. Hey thats a good sign of good spirits: everyone seems cool and is talkative.
After close to 10 to 14 minutes waiting to let 6 other people in front of us into an empty venue, we were next up.
The young asian lady, Lamay, with the guest list asked for my name or if i was on the list.
I said my name and she went inside to check. She came back out again and asked and I said my name no differently than before.
While she was inside flipping through about 3 pages, we, my friends, the security and others on line continued to have a vibrant cool conversation.
Lamay came back out and said: “I’m sorry, you’re not on the guestlist” She said which guestlist are you on?
Huh? Can you now imagine, everyone on line froze in shock, to see what the heck was going on.
I said “urb.com/events”
I even got a confirmation email back. I wouldn’t brave the cold like this if i didn’t get an email confirmation.
Lamay, guestlist holder, to the dismay of myself, the security guard (cause you could see it in his face) and others on line was like: WTF is this about? (Lamay you just let in 1 person on the line who wasn’t on the guestlist and his friend who skipped the entire line. Those two individuals were not related to the event at all but since they where white and you knew one, you just let them in.
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Joey Rubin and urb.com events transcend color, race, etc – that was what i always believed as a reader of that magazine for years.
Back to the story:
Lamay says to me, can you prove that you’re on the list?
(Readers can you tell me what’s on your mind when you hear something like that?)
In shock, but very calm I said: “Why would I stand in line in the freezing cold for close to 15 minutes on a Monday night for a event that is RSVP only?” This was a question to make her think logically so that she can come to a conclusion.
She couldn’t grasp it and looked like she had to make a life threatening decision in the next 3 seconds. (She later said that it was cold outside…huh?)
Anyway, I had a blackberry and I could have pulled up the email confirmation. But those who use blackberrys know that its not as fast as an iPhone when using the internet. PLUS it was freezing cold. Who would have known that she would have accepted that as proof to allow me in? And most importantly, why go through all this trouble for a FREE EVENT that is done in good spirit?
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Scallywag asked Sherlem: “What makes URB?”
Sherlem: They’re cutting edge, it’s who they’re pushing and giving a voice to. See this room? It’s full of self made talent who want to raise their voice and be heard. And that’s good, because you got to push boundaries, see how it affects people, moves them.
SCV: Give me an example of pushing boundaries.
Sherlem: We now have a black president, we’re starting to get beyond stereo types and exploring other genres and that’s got to be good.
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So why couldn’t this young lady make a logical decision that represents the values of URB and the people that attended the event? Something like: “you know…I like the way you look, dress & carry yourself. I like how calm you were in answering my questions without flipping out?”
What did I do to Lamay in my past life to deserve this treatment?
I looked over to my 2 friends and said: “oh well..are you guys on the list” My friend said yes and said his name plus 2 extra individuals. It took her 3 seconds to say ‘yes, you’re on there’ And I walked in with both of them.
Very angry in my head because I came to check out keys and krates and enjoy a good vibe and such – i just kind of shook it off.
My friend who was supposedly on the guestlist said: ” I don’t understand..someone that looked like you must have done something bad to her..”He said: In reality, I only requested myself plus 1 individual, so she didn’t even really check the list when I said ‘plus 2’.
As a world traveler, I would understand this behavior from a real pretentious venue (i’m not trying to get into a private party by Madonna). But this is an URB event that promotes positivity, a venue for creatives to enjoy and network.
How can a person (Lamay) that doesn’t think logically stand at the entrance for an URB event with these principles? This can have a negative effect on branding, principles, and much more.
I just want to share this story with everyone.
Regardless, I had good time watching keys n krates perform.
I’m a very creative hip hop head. And to see them re-construct hip hop classic with melodic fluidity, I was impressed and happy.
I didn’t was surprised to see dj Moma spin afterwards. Did I have to name drop to get into this event? ha ha haa? That is not necessary for an event like this. No way. No time for that game.
But for Lamay, I pray and hope that you don’t act like this to many. I have seen people flip out at doors after getting rejected for personal feelings.
I’d like to put everyone in my shoes that came out that night. You all stood on line for a good amount of time in the cold for a free event that only required RSVP. If you finally made it to the door and were told you can’t enter for a non-logical reason, how would you feel? Jump on the train and go all the way back to whatever borough you came from?
Step it up…people are better than that:
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Scallywag asks Sirena Wang:
SCV: What brings you here tonight? Is there a clique to this group?
Sirena: It’s all about the music. I don’t pay attention to what people want to call this. I’m a classical pianist student and maybe I’m out of the loop, but I think we’re all people at the end of the day who can really relate and enjoy the music.
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On a positive note: I’m glad to have ‘made it in’ and met your photographer who gave me the link to your website, scallywagandvagabond.com
I digging it big time.
Peace
. . . well worth braving the f*cking wind chill on a Monday.
I like this pieces for it’s astute portrayal of reporting the subcultures progressive movers and shakers,and the importances of defying the present osbactles of the world; i.e World war, Biasness, diease, the recession in America, need I say more. The once profound Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said “we shall over come”.
Bravo Scallywaga & Vagabond TEAM!
Ghurron Briscoe