Wednesday night Ray and I headed to New York City to see Chance the Rapper perform at S.O.B.S for his Social Experiment Tour. It was pretty epic. I liked a lot of the songs on Acid Rap, and last week after Ray showed me a youtube video of Chance performing I was so excited. He has so much energy and passion on stage and the crowd is just as much a part of the performance as the trumpet, keyboard and drums. And when we saw him live, it was even better. We got on the long line early enough to get a good spot on the side of the stage, by the sound board and where Chance would be entering and exiting the stage. We had the perfect view. Soon the room was packed and it was time for him to hit the stage. It was electrifying. There was awesome lighting, and smoke effects, and visuals. There was an amazing energy in the air. He makes good music and can not wait to see how far Chance goes. He’s unique, talented and wants to continue to connect with the people that connect with his music. Ray was able to dap him up a couple times, and we stood next to one of his biggest fans that poured over him.

We wanted to A) do something that was completely ORNG Ink style B) Everyone of all ages to feel welcome and C) have fun!

At the family and friends party I tasted the BaROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF brew for the first time and it was pretty good. It was definitely more for the person with an extensive beer palette. The bottles looks so cute in the label designed by Laura Campbell. People were very impressed with the finished product. It was unfortunate that Andy, our beer professor and master couldnt make it. We hope that we can work together for a third original brew.

Mindy Fullilove kicked off the festivities by starting the community earth oven fire. Luckily we were able to be joined by Juggla, the brick oven pizza making genius who started to do his thing. Valley Arts was having an event in the Firehouse, so we got some foot traffic. People walked in the gallery and examined the group art show also curated by Laura, tasted the beer and enjoyed delicious pizza.

ORNG INk’s sideyard, often referred to as, Freddy’s Yard was packed with people of all ages. The AIM Squad and some of their friends from Orange High School, Chef Jesse, local Valley artist, Terrie Boddie and his daughter Jai Bronson Boddie (who has a poem in the The ABC Series), Richard Bryant, and more. People were really having a good time.

The weather was perfect to create a cool, indoor/outdoor party and people alternated between both party locales. Everyone that stopped by stayed for a long time. Mindy had the great idea of starting the fire pit and making smores. Then, AIM Squad performed some of their music for the first time, and Soundbox veteran, Sykez did his thing!

The night was truly magical and it was an event for family and friends. Just what we wanted. I can not wait till next year!

• BEER TASTING: A couple months ago ORNG Ink and the University of Orange hosted their second round of beer making classes with Andy, the beer master and we brewed our version of the Obama Honey Porter Ale, called BaROCK Your Socks OFF! We brewed over 40 bottles and want to have the official tasting with our 21+ friends and family members.

• GROUP ART EXHIBIT: We are calling it the “Legacy Show”. All artists who have ever exhibited in the Ironworks Gallery we reached out to them to donate a piece for a group show! We are sure to get some great pieces from Monique Norris, Stephen Batiz, Anj Ferrara, Vaughn P., Vladimir Jean, Khari Ricks & more!

• zine release: This is the event to get your hands on the Fall issue of masConsumption! The ABC Series is a short story anthology featuring writers, poets, song writers and more in the area, New York City and across the world!

• pizza making: in our earth over form 5-7p.m. Build your own personal pan pizza in our community earth oven
• live music performances by Sykez, Cesar Pressa and more!

RSVP to the event on facebook here! Invite your friends! It’ll be fun.

The event is free, but we are asking for a $5 suggested donation that goes back into the residence-in-artist programming at ORNG Ink. The zine will also be for sale for $5. 

Read the feature here.

Listen to Dannie Swift’s recent mixtape, The NHC Tape. There’s so many stories being told and Dannie is so talented!

Read her “inside the song” feature in the Spring 2013 issue.

Listen here. And to Politically Incorrect.

Broken Wrist, Sykez

Download Politically Incorrect!

2012 ended with the Soundbox Showcase, & most importantly the release of Sykez newest EP, Politically Incorrect. Blogs have called it a  classic, and his fans want to hear more. My favorite track on the album is, Jersey Devil.

Take a listen to Politically Incorrect here, and read Sykez’s article in the Winter 2013 issue.