NYC Top 5 Venues List

The time has come again for The Life of a New Yorker (.com) to select 5 venues in this grand city that are worth mentioning.

Remember if you have a venue you want to see on the list send an email and we'll be happy to check it out.

It's all about NY all the time!

NYC'S TOP 5 VENUES

1. Abiodun's Open House Sundays

Legendary Abiodun Oyewole, founder of  The Last Poets, has opened his home to musicians, poets, and creative thinkers alike each and every Sunday to share and learn in a open and positive environment complete with salmon croquette and constructive critique from the legend himself.

110 Morningside Dr, New York, NY 10027

The Last Poets

2. Tammany Hall

A restaurant and performance space on Orchard St. in the city that can only be accurately described as  fancy. "The venue features an expansive main floor with a 24-foot modular stage, classic big bar and banquette-style seating. A mezzanine overlooking the main floor is ideal for listening and mingling, and is equipped with its own private service bar."

Tammany Hall hosts a variety events regularly, for instance the Inspired Word will be featuring tomorrow (Wednesday Sept. 17th 2013), flexing their musical wings and displaying some of the most talented musicians in NYC!

 152 Orchard St. New York, NY 10002

tammanyhallny.com 

https://musicallstarsnyc.eventbrite.com/

3. 6th St. & Avenue B Community Garden

Photo by Michael Phillip Geffner

This community garden is a piece of history as it has been around since the 80s. "Today the garden serves as an anchor of local community garden groups and as a working model of preservation for an energetic greening movement." The garden hosts a variety of free events and workshops which their website gives detailed information about.

Photo Taken by Michael Phillip Geffner

 Corner of 6th St. and Avenue B New York, NY

http://www.6bgarden.org/

4. Don Pollo Restaurant

Exotic Peruvian cuisine, always fresh and always delicious! Taste the savory flavors of Peru right here in the big city!

83-02 95th Ave, Ozone Park NY 11416

http://www.donpollonyc.com/

5. Dassara

Brooklyn restaurant specializing in a variety of noodles/ramen dishes at an affordable price in a cozy little space.

271 Smith St. Brooklyn, NY 11231

www.dassara.com/‎

Featured Artist: Taylor Flash

Taylor Flash

Have you ever had your soul captured so uniquely by a photographer that you didn't even recognize yourself ?

The Life of a New Yorker Presents the most recent featured artist: Taylor Flash. To call him a talented photographer would be an insulting understatement to say the least. Taylor is an original. With all the so called photographers appearing on the "scene" someone with an eye for natural beauty, respect for the art, and actual talent is much appreciated.

Photo Taken by Taylor Flash

Taylor has been taking photos for about 2 1/2 years and says people are his inspiration. " People inspire me through hearing and seeing their work everyday. Channeling their energy is what allows me to portray them. It makes me happy when people see the end result image and through that , see a spirit in themselves that they previously might have not saw. Its almost like giving back." - Flash

Taken by Taylor Flash

Landscape by Taylor Flash

While Taylor is well versed in portraits, and studio photography he is also well known for his landscapes and has most recently added videography to his list of credentials. He charges anywhere between 100$ - 200$ per photo shoot depending on the situation. For the high quality photos he can produce his prices are always very reasonable.

Taken by Taylor Flash

Working with Taylor was an honor and a pleasure. If you are looking for a professional, affordable, talented, and original photographer, Taylor is your man!!!

Check out his fan page: https://www.facebook.com/Taylorflashphotos

and Portfolio: http://www.wix.com/taylorflashphotos/astoryofakid

Featured Artist: Danny Matos

The Life Of A New Yorker is proud to present an astounding, raw, talented, and intellectual soul as the newest featured artist. The poet performing in the video above is none other than Daniel "Danny" Matos.

Danny Matos

He is a beloved member of the Inspired Word Family, powerful spoken word artist, talented poet, acclaimed 2013 poetry idol, and The Life of New Yorker's most recent featured artist.

Matos shortly after winning the title

On April 24th of this year Danny competed along side 3 other finalists for the title of Poetry Idol. He worked hard to generate, memorize, and deliver an original poem each week of the competition and clearly his hard work paid off. Danny says he is grateful and appreciates the opportunity however he knows he has a long way to go. It's true we could all leave room for improvement but as Danny continues to remain humble even in his success it is clear he has already touched so many hearts with his powerful words.

Danny can be contacted by email: dmatos105@gmail.com

Or by Facebook: www.facebook.com/danny.matos.144

He can also be seen performing nearly every week at Micheal Geffner's Inspired Word Open Mic series and sometimes making guest appearances at the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe.Where ever you are lucky enough to see this expert poet in action you are sure to fall in love with him, his words, and his rare open honest soul.

Featured Artist: K Da Loctician

Kdaloctician

Kelly-Ann King (Also known as K the Loctician) is a passionate hair stylist who specializes in Dread Locs and natural hair care but is versatile and talented enough to meet any challenge. 

Her relationship with natural hair began at the young impressionable age of 9 years when she perfected her first braid. She fell in love with that very first braid and since then it was clear that this was her calling.

"I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else. This is where my heart is" K admits.

Kdaloctician hard at work

With 5+ years experience under her belt she explains "You have to have the love and drive for locs. You must love and nurture them so they can grow healthy and strong." This impassioned drive as well as her ability to master her craft, branch out and create unique styles, sets K apart from other stylists who simply "do" hair.

Currently K's shop is located downtown Brooklyn at 295 Livingston St, Brooklyn NY. She can be reached at (347)-735-7764 or visit her site http://www.facebook.com/pages/Locs-of-Royalty

Original Styles By K Da Loctician

Locs of Royalty

Featured Artist: Keon Torres

Young, talented, ambitious, energetic, enthusiastic, phenomenal, and ecstatic. Who am I describing? The Life of A New Yorker's latest feature; The Hip Hop sensation and Lyrical artist  
Keon Torres.

Artist Keon Torres Making Magic in the Studio

I had the pleasure of first seeing Keon performing at the prestigious open mic series, "The Inspired Word". His ballistic energy was contagious as he delivered one of his more recent singles "My Direction". By the end of his performance I was both thoroughly impressed and entertained by the young MC.

Torres performing at 116 Macdougal

Born and raised in Harlem New York, 20 year old Torres made his official debut performance at the age of 19. His relationship with the stage only developed further as he continued performing at various open mic venues in the city. A year later Keon made the decision to advance his musical career by releasing his first album, a mix tape entitled "Mixing Universal sound in Control LP". To listen and download tracks from this album for free visit datpiff.com. Torres is currently working on his sophomore project, another album featuring his latest and original songs, entitled "1412". Look forward to this dynamic album release in Spring 2013!

You can catch this talented and youthful spirit performing live most days all around this great city of New York. Or simply follow his fan page here at----> Keon Kudo Torres

Be sure to look out for the release of "1412" coming soon!!!

Torres performing at the Funkadelic Studios

Featured Artist: Supriya Pava

Supriya Pava: Photographer, Fashion Designer

New York has a lot to offer when it comes to culture, diversity, and simply enjoying the arts. There is a ridiculous variety of artists who are creating and shaping pure art with their unique craft everyday in this city that never sleeps. I am talking about youthful, ambitious, and talented individuals whose vision and work line the walls of  galleries in Manhattan or are spray painted rebelliously upon the upper scaffolding of every other building in East New York, Brooklyn. This week the spotlight is on a truly amazing artist, fashion designer, and colleague of mine; Supriya Pava, an established photographer born in New Delhi India but currently based right here in NYC. 

I had the honor of working with Pava for some portfolio work and she made me feel more comfortable than I ever thought imaginable under the lens of her camera. She not only possesses talent, expertise in her craft, and professionalism but also a vision that allows her photos to radiate with creativity and artistry. I am not a model. Needless to say I was nervous that I would be inadequate. It was more than getting my picture taken; I was trying to allow someone to capture my fearless beauty when I was at my most vulnerable and feeling far from fearless! I'm glad that person was Supriya! She saw something in me and knew exactly how to utilize her gift and mold  realty to bring both her vision and that part of me alive through her photographs. After our very first session I needed less direction and it became almost mutually effortless.

 

Supriya is always interested in new subjects and offering her photography services for reasonable and appropriate pricing. She specializes in fashion, portraits, and reportage photography. Pava can also provide more artistic styles and has experience with tasteful nudes, black and white, and abstract photos. With her inner eye and one of a kind vision, amateur and experienced models alike could undoubtedly benefit from working with her. I recommend Supriya for any task that calls for a talented and professional photographer as she is more than qualified.

Supriya is not only a photographer but also a budding innovative fashion designer whose clothing line; "DEZAINA" will be hitting NYC boutiques by Summer 2012. Once again applying her artistic vision along with a natural born talent, the combination is a brilliant and colorful clothing line. DEZAINA includes women's clothing (dresses, blouses, etc) and a beautiful selection of eccentric jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, and rings). The clothing featured is originally designed and manufactured by Pava herself and are fun, fashionable, and diverse. Currently Supriya is in the process of developing an official website however more information on DEZAINA or her Photography can be obtained by contacting her via email.

"In photography, creative inspiration can come from almost anywhere. I am inspired by New York City at large. The life around me compels me to look through the lens and capture a fleeting moment. I'm interested in both documentary and studio photography. One day  I am taking photos on a subway and the other I'll be shooting a model portfolio. I enjoy diversity.

Currently I am working on a "Skyline project", the idea is to photograph NYC skyline at different times of the day in the period of 12 months.

You can check out Supriya's photography at pavaphotography.com, it is currently under construction until May 2012." -- Supriya.

Email Supriya Pava at "pava1@earthlink.net".