Lights!! Camera!! Action!! Register Now with America's Next Top Model, Bianca Golden as Host

This is a Unique 1 Day Fashion Event facilitated by 3 remarkable Women

You've heard these words even if you've never taken a performing arts class - Lights, Camera & Action!  Then everything on set comes alive actors, on stage and off stage everyone doing their part in putting on a production.

Well, at the Lights Camera Action Models Event being held at the Dorral Arrowwood Resort in Ryebrook, New York on Saturday, March 8, 2014; international, national and local established and aspiring models all have the opportunity to learn, network, compete and participate in a Fab Fashion showcase. 

This event includes training workshops, photo shoots, a model talent competition and more.  Exclusive magazines, talent scouts, casting directors, modeling agencies, photographers and designers will be in attendance; making on the spot selections.

The type of opportunities, information and experience that Lights, Camera Action will provide is a MUST for any model seeking to bring their career up a few notches.

America's Next Top Model, Bianca Golden will be hosting and is one of the esteemed Judges for the Talent Competition portion of the days events. Facilitators Mia Patterson who's conducting a workshop on killer runway & print poses & Tinisha Avay, the brainchild behind Lights Camera Action are super excited to be able to bring an event of this kind to the New York area.

To find out more about Lights Camera Action visit 
http://about.me/LightsCameraActionModelsEvent/#   
email LightsCameraAction@gmail.com or 
"Like" Lights Camera Action on Facebook & Instagram: Lights_Camera_Action

SPACE IS LIMITED!!! So Register Right Away - you can't afford to miss this event.  Call 330.942.7466 and secure your spot today!

Simply Said Media is your exclusive "go to" for all things Lights Camera Action! So continue to point & click for the latest info.  Feel free to email me at simplysaidmedia@gmail.com, leave a comment or call the office at 347.371.7495.

I can already feel the bright lights of the runway.  I can hear the laughter from the entertaining workshops.  I see all the Fashionista's & Fashion Forward Gents networking.  "Lights, Camera - Action!" it all goes down on Saturday, March 8, 2014.

On Left, Lights Camera Action Producer Tinisha Avay, ANTM Bianca Golden (Center) and Angels of Avay Models Coordinator Lacarra Peterson

Till my next entry...
 

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR - 2K14 NOTHING BUT POSITIVITY

Reasonably priced and memories to last a lifetime

Ok here's what I didn't do - I did not watch the ball drop, I was applying mascara to my lashes and before you know it, the time was 12:03.  I did not ring in the New Year with my son - he went into the city to watch the ball drop with his favorite cousin.  I did ring it in quietly as desired.  I did ring it in with a sense of gratefulness and a spirit of thanks for being allowed to see another year.

I tried to adhere to the Black & White theme - my shoe's said it all, my dress said it too, my neck piece was signature and complimented the event.  Thanks Forever 21 for that last minute find!  Trust me I was ready to give up on trying to find the right accessories.  I like sets, but I don't wear ear rings so If I'm going out - I tend to adorn the neck, wrists and fingers.  My rule,  "simplicity goes a long way" and if I'm trying too hard with anything - I just stop myself right then and there.  Let it go, re-group and be practical with whatever the task is at hand.  Let's go back to what went down at Chef Garfield and DJ Roy's 12th Annual Black & White New Year's Eve Ball.

Well, I arrived minutes to 1AM and surprisingly enough Kris Kapone of Camouflage Sound was doing his thing giving the patrons a medley of hits.  He was doing 90's dancehall when I got there; that's always enjoyable for your dancing feet as well as a quick mental stroll down memory lane if you just feeling liking holding a corner and taking in the sounds or pulling your loved one closer to you and bruk wine :)

I also went into Mink which of course is the other side separate from Mangoville Ballroom.  There I found Pee Wee of Pretty Posse holding it down for the masses who made sure they were there before midnight and those like myself just getting there.  Now Chef Garfield & DJ Roy made sure that the DJ's that they selected for both Mangoville & Club Mink will cater to both older and younger patrons so everyone can "fulljoy" themselves.  I know I just made my Rastafarian brothers & sisters happy just now :)  Anyhoo, I went back and forth between rooms, pretty much like last year and had a good time in both party rooms.

I carried my camera, BUT FORGOT MY SD CARD, so my cam has an internal memory - I'll be sure to ask someone like my brother how to pull pics from the internal memory.  It will be interesting especially since I bought the camera second hand.  So I didn't take lots of pics with my cam & I have yet to figure out the settings on my new phone who decides to use flash whenever it feels like it.  So getting pictures this year didn't work out.

Iriedale.com along with 7days7nights.com where covering the event and there probably were some other social media sites covering the event that I didn't know offhand.  Either way I did see the pics I did take on both sites respectively so New Year's Day was well documented.

Back to the music at about a quarter to 2AM the Music Messiah Glama Wayne hooked up his lap top and did what he came there to do.  He brought the Mangoville patrons on a musical journey from old school classics straight up to new school favorites.  Other DJ's that played were Steelie Bashment, Ricky Genius, I saw Carl B Moxie and to end the night at about 4AM Killa Boo of Addie's International closed out the impressive night of musical memories with a mix of current top charters and well loved reggae classics.  By that time I was getting my coat from coat check but could still here classics from Super Cat and so on.

From my vantage point it appeared that all the couples I saw and singles in attendance had a wonderful time.  It was great to see everyone having a good time.  I have been in "Thankful" mode since a week or so before Thanksgiving and it still stretches within the new year.

Chef Garfield, DJ Roy and their staff put a well planned New Year's Eve Ball that catered to the diversity of our community in age and musical tastes.  I didn't sample the food provided by Genesis 1 Restaurant, but I know it was delectable to the palette.  I eat there all the time :)  Kudos to a successful Black & White Affair!

For 2K14 my wish for you is to be a better you, an accomplished you.  In order to do that it requires you to search your soul.  Don't be afraid of this process; without it you can't move forward in life.  You would remain stagnant - and who wants that?  How do you search your soul?  You have to examine your life, my FIRST suggestion for you is to disconnect/detach all the wires that connect you to this fast paced society we live in.  You MUST TAKE TIME OUT & MEDITATE.  I do self checks every quarter to make sure I'm on top of my game with the goals that I set out for myself.  An individual can really get lost with all of the responsibilities and hats that you wear in life.  YOU MUST MAKE GOD TIME & YOU MUST MAKE ME TIME.  When you do that everything falls into place as it should.  Remember though it's a daily process.  

In order to be a better you - you need inner strength.  You MUST believe in yourself and PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON SELF.  Make this year your year!!!  I hit a milestone birthday in December of 2K13 and I'm so excited about my plans for this year and my intent to execute them.  You'll hear about them on this blog, on the radio, via email and various outlets of which I use to get the word out. 

Claim 2K14 to be your year for a better, brighter you!  All the best from all of us at Simply Said Media.

Till my next entry...
 

Aim High & Look Straight Ahead! Have a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2014

 

DYNAMIC & VERSATILE - SIZZLA!

Album cover from his 2K5 Release, one of so many releases.

I gotta tell ya, I was deliberating what picture to use for this story.  I choose the album cover Soul Deep because 1.  I can relate to that statement & 2.  That album was tuff!  I remember riding through Church Avenue in Brooklyn, making my rounds to various record stores, shops and studios in the neighborhood BLASTING Sizzla.  

Sizzla is another impeccable musician that embodies his craft and delivers outstanding pieces of work that can be considered collectable items if you are a lover of Reggae music and a lover of conscious lyrics.  His talent is unmatched and he is in a class by himself.

Being an advocate for Positive lyrics, images and music; Sizzla falls in with other Reggae Artists who understand the impression they leave on society as a result of their work.  The following are a few things that you may or may not know about Sizzla.

• Sizzla Kalonji was born on April 17, 1976 in Kingston, Jamaica to devout Rastafarian parents his birth name -  Miguel Orlando Collins.

• Sizzla has 21 albums that have made it onto Billboard's Top Reggae Albums music chart.  He has released over 45 solo albums and over 15 combination albums.  According to Wikipedia he has released over 70 solo albums as of 2011.

• The record lables that Sizzla have been affiliated with include Greensleeves, VP, Digital B, Xterminator Records, Damon Dash Music Group and of course his own Kalonji Records.

• Sizzla Kalonji established Judgement Yard, a community center in August Town which also houses his recording studio and record label.  Youth and Artists alike seeking guidance and help with their careers find that and more at Judgement Yard.

I could go on and on about Sizzla - he's just super talented and could flow to any rhythm or beat that you drop on him.  In recent years unfortunately, Sizzla has not been able to perform in the United States.  His last major public performance in the United States was in 2008 at Irie Jamboree at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens.  After that I haven't seen him since.  No more bumping into him in Brooklyn at Bruk Down Recording Studio which incidentally is no longer on Church Avenue either.  

From time to time I do speak with people from the Judgement Yard Camp and until the red tape is all cleared and his legal team continues to do their job with respects to coming back to the U.S. and working again - we just have to catch him outside of the U.S. - plan a trip to Jamaica! He just did Sting 30 :)

Thank goodness for the airwaves, internet and networks in keeping up with Sizzla Kalonji.   The last tune I got from his people was a tune called "Love Connection" that was a minute ago.  We all can't wait for the stamp approval back to the U.S. his return will be a win win.  His back account will increase with all the bookings & his fans get to experience him live & direct again. Not through a screen - the physical is SO MUCH BETTER than virtual.

Ok, you dragged it out of me - just to give you an example of how powerful, Word, Sound & Power is - several years back I had collapsed from a coughing spell that came over me.  I was in a coat room filled with about 5 nurses.  One of the nurses ran all the shots once they located where my asthma pump was they administered it.  They didn't want to give too much because that would have negative results.  While all my other senses were failing me, my hearing was just fine - what kept me going throughout this ordeal was lyrics to a song.  The song that I was singing in my head was "You can't keep a good man down."  you know "Cause I'm so solid as a rock you just can't get me down."  You know the rest, the bass line and those words held me until I came to.  I just shared with you my own personal Sizzla moment :)

To stay in the know with all things Sizzla - he's on all major social networks so search for him.   Judgement Yard Family, feel free to post all of Sizzla's latest bookings and his itinerary for 2K14 in the comments section below or just email me the info.

Till my next entry....

One of my all time favorite albums from Sizzla - a MUST HAVE for your collection!

 Last pic for this entry:

Sizzla Kalonji - don't sleep he's a 70's baby talent to di WORLD!!!! 

BLACK HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE

"Our aim must be to create a world of fellowship and justice where no man's skin color is held against him."

 

As we enter into a new year, this weekend I am focusing on education.  Simply Said Media puts the spotlight on Educator and Civil Rights Activist, Mary McLeod Bethune.  

As I look back into her story of struggle, triumphs and outstanding achievements it reinforces the simplicity in taking hold and putting to action the words "determination."  Also when someone tells you that you "can't" and you prove to them and yourself that you can, will and go beyond anyone's expectations of you - that is sweet victory!

When Mary was seven, she picked up a book in the house where her mother worked.  The white owner's daughter snatched it from her and said "You don't need that, Negroes can't read."  From that moment on Mary was determined to learn to read.

I encourage you to google or do some research on our past great accomplished Black Pioneers.  Below details a few important moments in her life.

Born:  July 10, 1875, Mayesville, South Carolina to Samuel and Patsy McLeod.
Family:  Married Albertus Bethune, in 1897 they separated but did have one son, Albert.
Education:  Trinity Presbyterian Mission School, 1886; Scotia Seminary, 1894; Moody Bible Institute, 1895.
Awards:  Spingarn Medal, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1935; Frances Drexel Award for Distinguished Service, 1937; Thomas Jefferson Award, 1942; Medal of Honor and Merit (Haiti), 1949; Star of Africa (Liberia), 1952; honorary degrees from several universities.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1904:  Founded Daytona Normal and Industrial School.
1920:  Vice-president of the National Urban League.
1923:  Merged her school with a boy's school to form Bethune-Cookman College.
1924-28:  President of National Association of Colored Women.
1935:  Formed National Council of Negro Women and became its president.
1936-43:  Director of Division of Minority Affairs, National Youth Administration.
1945:  Special representative for U.S. State Department at the conference that formed the United Nations.
1952:  Traveled to Africa to represent the United States at the inauguration of William Tubman as president of Liberia.
1974:  A seventeen-foot statue was erected in Washington, D.c., in her memory and honor.


Mary McLeod Bethune past away on May 18, 1955, in Daytona Beach, Florida, she was 79.  She was buried on the campus grounds of the school she founded.  She believed that every child should have a good education.  This belief is something that should resonate in the minds of all parents continuously.  

When looking back at her story I find a strong black woman who made a way out of no way to accomplish the desired goal.  For example, when she opened up her school, there were no funds to run it.  She baked pies and sold them to railroad workers to cover the rental expenses of the building.  She made ink from wild berry juice.  She made pencils out of charred firewood. She even picked through the town's garbage dumps to help furnish the school.  She went door to door to get donations to help support the school.  As the school grew more buildings were needed to house the students.  Mary got support from two white millionaires with their help her school remained opened even through the Great Depression.

Her story is remarkable, her accomplishments amazing and inspiring to all.  No matter what color you are education is essential to the advancement of self.  Dare to explore and challenge your mind to learn new things.  Look at your obstacles as an opportunity to overcome, because in the end your determination, hard work and efforts will pay off in ways you've probably could never imagine.  Mary is still considered one of the most powerful black women in American history.

Simply Said Media Salutes Mary McLeod Bethune!

Till my next entry...

Statue honoring her memory in Washington, D.C.

 
 

IT'S ALL ABOUT INTERNATIONAL REGGAE SUPER STAR SHAGGY

Simply Said Media will have the pleasure of interviewing Shaggy tonight in Brooklyn

It's about to go down at the elegant Milk River Restaurant in Brooklyn as Ranch Entertainment, Bigga soft drinks, Destine Media and Sly and Robbie presents Shaggy's 12th Album Release Party "Out of many one Music."

Simply Said Media Staff will be there to catch all the action as we embark upon a Shaggy filled night.  I am looking forward to it.  The last time I bumped into Shaggy was at a GMAX Enterprise party some time ago last year.  It was good to catch up with him and talk for a few.

Do you have any specific questions you would like for me to ask him?  Here's your opportunity to leave a comment and let me know.  I will be sure to check a few minutes before my interview time.  Aside from that you will have to wait for my blog entry follow up and VIDEO :) that will be posted on my YouTube channel and other video apps available to you.

There's so much going on, not just in the Reggae Community but in the community I live in.  I pick and choose my stories BUT with good reason :)

Get with the program peoples!  TONIGHT IS A SHAGGY NIGHT!!!, I am feeling "Shaggalicious"  I am "Shaggwonderful"  I am totally "Shaggable" - I'm not from the UK so don't get it twisted.

Other entries to look out for is my story on Reggae Sensation Sizzla, and the interesting promoters that are saying that he will be doing a U.S. Tour hitting Connecticut first - it's so NOT true, more to follow.

Keep it locked - on this Blog!

Till my next entry...

DANCEHALL VETERAN RED FOX IS "HOT LIKE FIRE"

 

Red Fox profile shot. Photo Credit: Allyson Ione Photography

Hi everyone!!! Getting new music is like candy for me.  I get happy, I listen to it and enjoy it.  I have had the pleasure of receiving and listening to Red Fox's new single "Hot Like Fire."  On a scale of 1 to 10 this track is a 20.

His lyrics are catchy, the track is bananas and its Red Fox letting the Reggae Community as well as all music fans of all music genres know that he hasn't gone anywhere, but continues to deliver hot hits.

Red Fox will be going on tour in early December.  To find out all his tour stops, I would suggest you google the Dancehall Veteran to see if his Management Team has posted his tour dates and locations.  I do know that he will be out of the United States during the winter, so if you would like to catch him live up close and personal, make sure you get your tickets for the "Pose Off" Fashion Event taking place on Sunday, November 10, 2K13 at Liquid Bar and Lounge in Valley Stream, NY.

Red Fox will be a featured special guest for "Pose Off" and you will get to hear all his classic tunes including all the new ones such as "Hot Like Fire."

For a limited time Simply Said Media will inbox you the single "Hot Like Fire" for free.  To take advantage of this offer leave a comment with your information or email plaibhen@gmail.com or iriepeggy@gmail.com  

You can also leave me a tweet @SimplySaidMedia or friend request me on Facebook by searching Peggy Laibhen

NEW MUSIC - LIKE CANDY TO MY SOUL!!!  

RESPECT THE MUSIC - PLAY THE MUSIC!!!

Till my next entry...

Photo Credit:  Allyson Ione Photography

CARIBBEAN FEVER IRIE JAMBOREE 2K13 ALL ACCESS & BACKSTAGE WRAP UP

 

The Doctor, Beenie Man & Slim Perfection, Barclays Center 9/1/2013

Now just to let you know I wrote up my wrap then accidentally pressed the wrong button and lost it all.  So yeah, wasn't inspired to rewrite anything.  You really should have been at the Barclays Center for this 3 day Music Festival - History was made and its one of those "where were you" moments.

So as uninspired I maybe to give you my wrap up, at least I'll give you some pics of the celebrities that were present for such a special night in Reggae Music.  

For picture quality I will not post the shot of Busta Rhymes only because his security was really serious and its only of the back of his head anyway.  I do have a great shot of Malik Yoba and myself but I would just direct you to my facebook page to take a look at that one and others.  Brooklyn's finest from the Red Square camp - Spragga Benz (see fb page for pic)  Too many celebrities to name.  I will do a separate entry about Shabba Ranks - stay tuned for that.

Feel free to comment on how you spent your Labor Day Holiday weekend.  I'm sure you have great memories.

(all photos courtesy of Simply Said Media)

Radio personalities Dubbmaster Chris & Felisha Loud with the Queen of Dancehall Lady Saw (center)

 

 

My best friend, Dubbmaster Chris and I - Backstage @ Barclays History 9/1/2013