Friday, May 31, 2013
11:30 a.m.
World Communications Charter School
512 S. Broad Street (use South Street entrance)
Launched in the Fall of 2011, this multifaceted project included a talkback lecture series, “Roots 101” curriculum for youth in our Art Education Program, and citywide engagement via paint days.
The dedication features food, music, giveaways, and, of course, a special appearance by The Roots.

The Mural Arts Program provides free, year-round art education to over 1,500 youth throughout the city of Philadelphia.

FUNDERS: City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), Philly360°, F.A.O. Schwarz Family Foundation, Heineken, United States Department of Justice

PARTNERS: World Communications Charter School, SEFG Entertainment, LLC, Little Giant Media, two.one.five magazine, Coolhunter LLC

SPECIAL THANKS TO: The Roots Management: Richard Nichols, Shawn Gee, and Joe “AJ Shine” Simmons, Brad Rubens, Esq.

The post The Roots Mural Dedication appeared first on two.one.five magazine.

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“The Punk Rock Flea Market is definitely the best in Philadelphia to go to,” said Allison, a vendor from West Philadelphia, “This is the first time ever that they’re doing a two-day event. We did it last year during Christmas-time, which was a huge success, but we’ve been doing really well. It was a great turnout.”  She also commented that the flea market  helps some vendors gather a larger following for their art. “It helps to put yourself out there and get known for your work.” Fueled by vendors such as Blackbird Pizzeria and Little Baby’s Ice Cream, thrifters were able to purchase one-of-a-kind finds to cherish until the Punk Rock Flea Market’s next time around.

The post Punk Rock Flea Market Recap appeared first on two.one.five magazine.

The music of Realysm inspires and engages people of all ages. In fact, he has a gang of elderly back-up dancers that can attest to that…seriously.

With a brand new album and many years of chaotic life experience under his belt, Realysm is slowly but surely on the rise. We couldn’t resist meeting up with him to discuss his new music, his outrageous stage performances and what makes him more real than the rest.

Two.one.five. magazine: First things first – tell us about your elderly back-up dancers…

Realysm: People like old people that dance [laughs]. These guys come out with wigs, big coats and hats and they’re engaging the crowd. They go up to people and break them down and all of that.

My mom actually thought of the idea. We were sitting there one night and she was like, “You should do something different. You should get old people! I’m talking wheel-chair-on-oxygen old people [laughs]”. I haven’t found anybody quite like that yet, but if anyone knows someone who’s rocking an oxygen tank that wants to come boogie with us, hit me up.

215: Awesome back up dancers aside, what makes your show worth experiencing?

R: I think it’s the entertainment factor. I really went out and studied what worked and what didn’t before I got into this. One show that I went to that kind of inspired me was the Odyssey show. I went to see his show at Silk City and the band was so good. You could tell that they really rehearsed and had everything tight. It brought an element to that specific genre of music and I was blown away. I left there in awe.

I focus on my shows being that same experience. I look at Prince’s old shows and James Brown and Bilal, and I want to bring that element of entertainment to hip-hop. I think that’s what I’ve done and that’s what I do and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I definitely keep it interesting and luckily we’ve been able to do that each time so far and we’re going to keep that momentum going.

215: Does the name “Realysm” represent the fact that you are truthful in your lyrics?

R: My name stems from the idea that anything real to somebody is always something that’s extra good. Think about it like this: when someone asks you if you want to go to McDonalds, most people will respond by saying “No, I want real food”. If someone asks you if you like the commercial music that’s on the radio, most people would respond by saying, “No, I like real music.”

That’s how the name came about. I tried to categorize myself as that element that is better than everything else.

215: If you had to convert someone into a Realysm fan with just one song, which would it be and why?

R: Right now I would say a song called “Not What I Was Expecting”, produced by Flying Lotus.

One thing I’m horrible at, despite what I do, is socializing. I’m very introverted. I don’t like to talk to people. I can make things entertaining a lot of times without projecting a lot of myself.

In this song I decided to take a personal experience and completely put it out there. That’s something very rare for me. That song has factors about it that are undeniable. I could put that in front of anybody, and I don’t think anyone could listen to that and just say, ”Eh, it was alright”. There is so much truth and honesty in it; you can even tell with the tone of voice. It was well put together. So, I think that it could definitely win anybody over.

215: What can you tell us about your new album Written in Red? What can listeners expect to hear and feel?

R: I can answer that question by asking you a question. When you think of red, what do you think of?

215: Hmm, either anger or love.

R: That’s the idea: hate, anger, love, passion (think red lipstick, red pumps, lingerie), partying, painting the town red. I tried to fuse all of those elements into one project in story telling form.

You have some love songs, you have some “I hate you, I want to kill you” type of songs, you have straight party songs like “Really Real” which is one of my singles, and then you have passionate songs. I think that’s what you can expect when listening to it – just a little bit of everything.

215: What’s the overall message that people can gather from listening to your music?

R: “Chasing smiles” is my motto.  With anything that I do, I try to encourage that. If you think about it there are not a lot of things that you are sure of in life. One thing that I’ve always been sure of is that I love to be happy. No if’s, and’s or but’s. Who doesn’t love to be happy and smile and feel good? I guess that’s the aspect that I try to communicate in music: be happy, chase smiles.

215: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever gotten?

R: When I was talking to people about making transitions and leaving the car business, I doubted myself. My coworkers said to me, “A year ago this place was non-existent. You opened it, named it and now you have a staff, and we’re selling more than one hundred cars a month. You did this. So take whatever that is, and make yourself the product, and run with it.”

That was the best piece of advice that I got. I was encouraged to believe in myself and to believe in what I’m doing. You have to look at what you’ve already accomplished and use that as fuel to explore your desired avenue.

————————————————————————————————————–

Realysm will be hosting an album release party at Vango’s Rooftop Lounge on Thursday, May 30^th, in honor of his newest album Written in Red. The event will also be hosted by celebrity comedian Buckwild and will additionally involve several specially invited celebrity guests.

RSVP for free to attend or donate $10 for your own wearable usb-wristband, which is loaded with music files from the album.  The event begins at 10 pm. Be there.

Check out the visuals for Realysm’s single “Destination” below:

The post An Interview with Realysm: Are you really, really real? appeared first on two.one.five magazine.

Pulling from the discographies of all the artists on the bill (which include The Roots, Solange, Trinidad Jame$, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Grimes and Gary Clark Jr to name a few), Cosmo Baker delivers a mix that will certainly make anyone who listens wish they were attending the June 1st event at Penns Landing in Philadelphia.

TRACKLIST:
DJ Premier “Young Gifted & Black Intro”
Gang Starr “Full Clip”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “Thrift Shop”
The Roots “Dynamite”
How To Dress Well “Running Back”
Sonnymoon feat. Melo-X “Htlv (Houstatlantavegas) (Melo-X Remix)”
Naughty By Nature “Hip-Hop (DJ Scene 2013 Remix)”
Trinidad James “All Gold Everything (Emynd NOLA Bounce Remix)”
Robert Glasper “Black Radio feat. Yasin Bey (Pete Rock Remix)”
The Gaslamp Killer “Anything Worse”
The Roots “The Seed 2.0″
Solange “Losing You”
Jennah Bell “Monster Killer”
Solange “Sandcastle Disco”
The Roots “How I Got Over”
Duck Sauce “Grand Steppin”
Grimes “Circumambient”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “Can’t Hold Us feat. Ray Dalton”
Grimes “Oblivion” A-Trak “Tuna Melt feat. Tommy Trash (Grandtheft Remix)”
Jay-Z & Kanye “Niggas In Paris”
Trinidad James “Females Welcome”
AraabMuzik “The Prince Is Coming”
The Gaslamp Killer “Impulse feat. Daedelus”
Kendrick Lamar “Backseat Freestyle”
A$AP Rocky “Goldie”
Gang Starr “Above The Clouds feat. Inspectah Deck”
Robert Glasper “Twice feat. Solange (?uestlove’s Twice Baked Remix)”
Gary Clark Jr. “The Life”
Joey Bada$$ “Waves”
Naughty By Nature “Jamboree feat. Zhane”
Smoke DZA “Gotham City feat. Joey Bada$$”
AraabMuzik “Hammer Dance”
The Roots “Act Too… The Love Of My Life feat. Common”
Shlohmo “Don’t Say No feat. How To Dress Well”
Lushlife “Magnolia”

“At the 11th Hour it seemed like a good idea to write some sort of introduction to this mix and I gave it some thought as to what I was going to touch upon, but understand this is harder than it may seem. It’s difficult enough to capture everything that this collection of artists is about in the futile medium that’s one single mixtape. In the same regard, much like their entire career it’s almost impossible to pin down what The Roots, and Okayplayer are all about with just words. And that right there just may be the point.

I could take it back to 1992 or 93 when I first met these two dudes Ahmir and Tariq and this could be the story of “Philly dudes done well” or I could talk about the parallels of all or our respective career arcs and all that jazz. Or I could talk about how just some local musicans and DJs from South and West Philly have transformed into global music and cultural ambassadors.

But to me it comes down to one thing – love. The love that one has that makes one do what they do. It’s not for the money of the fame, but for the love of music that is the single reason why we’re in this game. That’s the greatest commonality that we all share, and one of the reasons why Okayplayer is what it is today in 2013. Perhaps it’s something in our mutual Philly history, and its collective cultural fiber; from being in that one time at that one place. I don’t know, but I do know one thing: I grew up with all this, and so when I was asked to contribute this mix, it was more than an honor. It felt like I was coming back home.”

- Cosmo Baker, 2013

cosmobaker.com
twitter.com/cosmobaker
facebook.com/cosmobaker
@cosmobaker
mixcloud.com/cosmobaker

• Listen to Cosmo Baker x Okayplayer Present the Official Roots Picnic Mixtape 2013
• Buy Tickets To The 6th Annual Roots Picnic
• RootsPicnic.com
• Like The Roots Picnic on Facebook

The post Cosmo Baker x Okayplayer Present The Official Roots Picnic Mixtape 2013 appeared first on two.one.five magazine.

Take a look at a few of our favorite choices below.

Ol Usain Drake

Jump Rope Drake

You ain’t Know Drake was in “ATL“

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THEM ON Urisocrat’s full list .

The post Photos: Uristocrat Compiles the Best Drake GIFs From This Weekend appeared first on two.one.five magazine.

If you were already excited about WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival then you’ll be delighted to know that in addition to the previously announced line-up, WXPN will be adding Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Districts, Kat Edmonson, Red Baraat and Matt Pond to the list of performers.

This year’s festival will be celebrating 20 consecutive years of summer music festivals presented by WXPN. The two-day festival will take place at Susquehanna Bank Center on the Camden waterfront from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28.

Still haven’t pledged for tickets yet? Get on it.

The post Additional artists to perform at WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival appeared first on two.one.five magazine.

Who are they?

They’re Girls’ Pint Out,  an all-female organization that seek to promote a refined level of beer appreciation among women and support the craft beer industry through monthly events, field trips and meet-ups. Founded in January of 2010, GPO is increasing in popularity with new chapters popping up across the nation, giving women the opportunity to socialize and learn more about craft beer.

Philadelphia’s Girls’ Pint Out chapter leader Kristen Gallo-Zdunowski was involved with the Boston chapter for about two years before moving to Philadelphia in July of 2012. “Girls’ Pint Out is a community to me,” explained Kristen, “I have gotten to know so many amazing women through this organization and we all have at least one thing in common – we love craft beer and want other women to love it too! Our events give women the chance to try new beer and talk about it in a social environment. The hope is that they’ll learn something new and expand their beer horizons.”

The next Philadelphia Girls’ Pint Out meet-up is Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Revolution House located at 200 Market St during happy hour from 5 to 7 pm. In this memorial weekend warm-up, goers can enjoy half off drafts, half off margherita pizzas and $5 red and white house wines. Make a new friend, discover a new brew, discuss the beer industry and have fun!

Interested ladies may register their attendance here.

The post Girls’ Pint Out Meet-up appeared first on two.one.five magazine.

FRIDAY, MAY17TH 

1. MagicMagic with Sammy Slice

The Barbary

951 Frankford Ave

9 pm – 2 am

$5 before 12, $7 after

Free guest list from 9 – 10 pm

Come get down to b88ty club anthems, strip back rap attacks, triple platinum thug techno, house in da box, dancehall staples & bad gal basics, indie belters & <3felt hymns (their words, not ours!)

2. Get Loose

Emmaline

108 ½ South 19^th St. (Between Chestnut and Sansom St)

10 pm – 2 am

$5

Emmaline is that new spot that you NEED to check out. Every Friday night DJs Mr. Sonny James and DJ Beatstreet are inviting you to come out and “GET LOOSE” on the dance floor.

3. Workout! With Bo Bliz and Lowbeezy

Silk City

435 Spring Garden

10 – 2 am

This Friday at Silk City, turn up with DJs Bo Bliz and Lowbudget as they drop quality bangers that will have you MOVIN’.

SATURDAY, MAY 18TH 

1. Punk Rock Flea Market

9^th and Spring Garden

10 am – 5 pm

$3 entry – pay as you go

The annual Punk Rock Flea Market is back and it’s bigger and better than ever this year. R5 Productions has over 500 vendors coming through; get there early so you have time to catch them all.

2. 2013 Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

Each year more than 50,000 people converge on Walnut Street from Broad to 19^th Streets, for Philadelphia’s most upscale festival. The event features food, entertainment, shopping and family fun. This is the only event where Walnut Street is closed to automotive traffic. Pedestrians stroll Walnut and 18^th Streets and explore 120 booths.

3. 9^th Street Italian Market Festival

9^th and Christian

11 am – 6 pm

Pay as you go

Enjoy the nation’s oldest outdoor market as they celebrate the annual Italian Market Festival! Take in the live entertainment, family events, crafts, food, and…well…more food.

4. PHAIR

23^rd and Arch

10 am – 5 pm

Pay as you go

PHAIR (Philadelphia Open Air Market) is coming to Center City from May 18^th – November 23^rd! Vendors will feature art, vintage, crafts and food. Don’t miss out on the opening day!

5. Preakness at the Piazza

The Piazza at Schmidts

1001 N 2^nd St

5 pm – 9 pm

Tickets

Join in on the unique new event at the Piazza, which is being hosted by the MS Society along with committee volunteers. Preakness at the Piazza will benefit those in Philadelphia who suffer with Multiple Sclerosis. There will be music, auction items, giveaways and door prizes.

6. PHSH TANK

Kung Fu Necktie

1250 N Front St.

7 pm – 2 am

$5

Join one of our favorite Philly DJs at his monthly gallery show/dance party! Starting at 7 pm will be the Dave Mass “Paid in Fool” art show followed by the PHSH TANK dance party from 10 pm – 2 am.

7. Saturnia

The Trestle Inn

339 North 11^th St.

10 pm – 2 am

No Cover

A far out disco dance party featuring some of our city’s hottest DJs, bringing you a fierce blend of classic disco, boogie & proto house to get you moving on a Saturday night. More info here.

8. Hot107.9 PresentsHe’sNext 

May 18TH  at SigmaSoundEntertainment
212 north 12th street
Philadelphia, pa 19107

Host’s: Hot107.9 MorningShow #PMS Shamara (@shamaraonline) & Laiya (@laiyasworld)

Doors 7pm
Showtime 8pm

SUNDAY, MAY 19TH 

1. 9^th Street Italian Market  Festival

9^th and Christian

11 am – 6 pm

Pay as you go

Enjoy the nation’s oldest outdoor market as they celebrate the annual Italian Market Festival! Take in the live entertainment, family events, crafts, food, and…well…more food.

2. Punk Rock Flea Market

9^th and Spring Garden

10 am – 5 pm

$3 entry – pay as you go

The annual Punk Rock Flea Market is back and it’s bigger and better than ever this year. R5 Productions has over 500 vendors coming through so get there early so you have time to catch them all.

The post What’s going on this weekend: May 17th – 19th appeared first on two.one.five magazine.

If you see wide swaths of cornstalks in a Hollywood movie, chances are you’re either watching yet another Superman reboot (Man of Steel opens June 14!), or you’re seeing farmland that’s under some kind of extreme peril, either from floods, droughts or the shady business practices of giant multi-national agriculture conglomerates. As far as Hollywood is concerned, farmers are the last true American patriots, as red, white & blue as any Chevy truck ad. Representatives from Tinseltown don’t care to venture over to the Midwest terribly often but when they do, it tends to bring out the hot-blooded American jingo in ‘em.

Which is why it’s curious that filmmaker Ramin Bahrani — long hailed an indie stalwart after Chop Shop and Goodbye Solo — has chosen the flatlands of Iowa to present his next directorial effort. Along with co-screenwriter Hallie Elizabeth Newton, Bahrani has crafted a mudflap-and-grain melodrama that purports to involve the confounding failure of the American soul in the dusty heartland.

Rahrani, whose previous films have involved no shortage of small, well articulated moments, has gone big swoon here, with compromised fathers and vengeful sons, cuckolded wives, and shady agri-businesses getting cutthroat with the small family farms that used to chalk off the endless rows of green squares throughout the state.

Embodying the conflicted nature of the once-prosperous farmhand, we have Henry Whipple (Dennis Quaid), a loquacious farmer and seed salesman, a little too proud to be the number one seller in seven Iowa counties. Whipple, who has a perpetually cranky back and a habit of popping breath mints at regular intervals, is a born huckster. He glad-hands everyone in town, looking for the sales angle even at the funeral of one of his farming compatriots, and trumpets his reliable success as if he’s done something truly groundbreaking. He’s also running an affair with the former head cheerleader (Heather Graham) of his high school football team, and has resorted to using shady business practices in the past when his damaged reality didn’t quite match up to his imagined glory.

Whipple has two sons, Grant (Patrick Stevens), whom we only see in the opening credits, shot home-movie style, leaving the farm to go to college; and Dean (Zac Efron), a wanna-be NASCAR driver with smoldering eyes and a strong desire to do something — anything — in order to avoid his likely destiny on the family farm.

Whipple, in perpetual motion, afraid to sit still for even a moment to contemplate what he’s done to reach the level of success he’s aspired to, walks bottled up, his hands at his sides in a half-curl, ready either to shake someone’s hand or clench up in a stressed anxiety fist.

One gets the feeling that Bahrani was shooting for a kind of slightly heightened verisimilitude with the film (in the course of things, you’ll find out more than you ever would have wanted to about GMOs, best seed-washing practices, and crazy 8 car races), but with its various stars (and former teen idols) and the somewhat unnatural sheen of overwrought drama, it comes across as an elaborate stab at play-acting. A costume drama, only instead of bustiers and petticoats, the principles are decked out in Levi’s and plaid shirts.

Like a damaged raft on a raging river, the whole thing starts springing leaks the more weight is placed on it. By the time you get to the (obviously still breathing) dead body lying amongst the broken corn stalks near the end, it more than feels as if its totally lost its way, a poor yield on a dubious harvest.

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