[i wanna dance with somebody...]

Received a text message about this dance competition- have no clue who's involved with this. Either way who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned dance-off?

[The Ugly Sweater Party]

--Now we all know we've received some pretty strange gifts for Xmas/ Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa/ insert whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate.
--But nothing beats the ugly sweater. Especially when the box is wrapped so beautifully that you are fooled into thinking the gift will be super beautiful too. Then as soon as you move the tissue paper aside you find a hideous and/or ill-fitting mess of yarn. Holiday sweaters with too many colors, sequins, 3-d decorations, lights, annoying slogans, reindeer, and whatever else the so called designer thought would be "so cute, festive, and unique!" Funny how the word unique is often used when something is just plain ugly. --Well here's a use for your fugly old sweater- wear it to the Ugly Sweater Party! On December 10 Klever will be headlining the party at Montage Grill (50 Chestnut St. in the ROC). And don't worry- with Klever on the tables we will all be partying so hard that the sweaters will be off in no time. See ya on the dance floor! For more info see: RIPROC

[bmore and illadelph]

MZ STREAMZ - TEAR IT UP

[Things i'm digging...]

1. Really Ridiculous Comedy

I don't watch TV- ever. But I recently discovered HULU and It's Always Sunny is too damn hilarious! Maybe I like it because it's set in Philly. But I'm guessing the real attraction is just the sheer absurdity of the characters' adventures which involve pretty much everything I would never ever do. I won't even get into the shenanigans. Just click on over to HULU and catch up on it- I promise you'll be laughing out loud Urkel style in no time.

2. Nuts and Garlic

Not sure if it's the change of seasons but we've been devouring nuts at an alarming rate. And garlic is in pretty much every dish i make (not the desserts of course but you know what i mean). Combine the two and you've got perfection. My girl Nicky Nic Nick recently visited from the Bay Area and brought us the most incredible Garlic Pistachios (thanks Nick!). I'm telling you these pistachios melt in your mouth! Nicky picked these up from the G.L. Alfieri stand at the San Francisco market. Luckily the brilliant people who made these nuts have a great website and ship all their treats. I am already planning to grab some holiday gifts from the site. Check out: G.L. Alfieri

3. Wray & Neph
Jamaican Rum will always do the trick.

4. Support Starving Artists and Local Business This Holiday Season

We all indulge and spend more money this time of year on gifts for loved ones. For the holiday season I say boycott the mall and all large corporate stores. For gift giving try to save money, support local artists, and spend money in urban businesses.

First: I make a portion of gifts and even if a gift is not entirely handmade I always personalize wrappings with funky collages and clippings.
Second: I check out the ETSY website. ETSY is an awesome site chock full of all kinds of unique handmade goods, vintage finds, and supplies. PLUS- you can search and buy locally.
Third: I shop in urban businesses ('hood business as we like to say). By urban business i mean a business that has chosen to stay in the city to serve the needs of residents.

Off the top of my head here are some Rochester shops/ vendors I will be perusing: MoodMakers, Archimage, Thread, Tonja's Hat Store ( 674 South Ave. right near Thread), Future Xclusives, The Public Market, Abundace Co-Op, Record Archive (make sure to ask about local artists), and LakeShore Records. Obviously there's a million more- get exploring. Remember when you spend your money where you live you will get to see the benefits.

[Bending the Arc of History]

"And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope," -Barack Obama.
WATCH OBAMA'S VICTORY SPEECH
READ OBAMA'S VICTORY SPEECH

[Election Day- Get to it!]

[Spike Lee Back in Full Effect]

Just when we were getting worried that he had disappeared Spike Lee comes back with a new movie, a million interviews, several guest photography shoots and articles in magazines, and even a G-shock watch!Yes- our all time favorite director is a force to be reckoned with.
Go see his new WWII movie. Spike Lee's new movie, "Miracle at St. Anna", is out in theaters now.

[Monster Mash-Up!]

October is always jam packed with rad parties. If you were around the Roc last Halloween then you already know that the Monster Mash-Up party is serious business. And by serious we mean this party is a dress up to get down/crazy/sweaty/funked up/ dance-all-night event! Get into costume and head to Pearl (349 East Ave.) on Oct. 30. With such a diverse musical line-up you're definitely gonna hear your favorite jam and a billion other soon to be favorites. Tim Tones, Ric Rude, and Mdot Coop will be rockin the party.

["Trick r Treat" BMX event]

We love Halloween, we love gnarly and fearless bmx folks, we love the main st armory, and we love real music at awesome after parties! yup we love a lot of things- especially this red bull bmx event. Mdot Coop, Ric Rude, and Tim Tones providing that hip hop you need after the bmx invitational.

[Hassan Mackey and Kev Brown @ Dubland Und.]

This friday get yourself to Dubland Underground to witness Hasaan Mackey and Kev Brown rockin the mics hard.