Art Effect w/ DJ Destroyer hosted by moi!

I am teaming up again with promoter extraordinaire Jenn Laskey for the next installment of Art Effect Thursdays at the amazing Medusa Lounge.

This time Strictly Social's own DJ Destroyer will be on the decks. Destroyer has been killing it recently with new residencies at Zanzibar and Boardner's. If you have never heard his perfect blend of progressive soul and hip-hop check out Strictly Social mixed Volume 1 featuring tracks from Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Nicolay, Raheem DeVaughn, Jean Grae and more.

Download DJ Destroyer's mix here

Admission is FREE if you RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com or say that Norman Mayers invited you!

Check out photos of Art Effect

Art Effect @ Medusa Lounge
3211 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
East of Virgil Ave @ Dillon Street
$5 valet
www.medusaloungela.com

Bounce Rock Skate Sept 5

Nu-Soul Magazine presents Bounce Rock Skate on Friday September 5. Nu-Soul & Strictly Social are hosting the outside patio at Boardner's in Hollywood with LIVE PERFORMANCES from Chase Allen and Q Dixon.

www.myspace.com/chaseryanallen

www.qdixon.com

DJs for the night will be Kaleem, DJ 7, Loslito and Strictly Social's own DJ Destroyer spinning soul, r&b, hip-hop and more.

Admission is just $5 before 10:30pm and $10 after.

We have a special COMPLIMENTARY guest list until 11pm for Nu-Soul readers. Simply email events@nu-soulmag.com with the subject: Bounce Rock Skate

Plus there is $10 valet, the best deal in Hollywood on a Friday night!

Bounce Rock Skate
Friday September 5, 2008
@ Boardner's Hollywood
1652 N. Cherokee
Hollywood, CA

Art Effect w/ Vikter Duplaix Hosted by Me!

Jenn Laskey & Nu-Soul Magazine present a new Thursday Night experience in an untapped area of Los Angeles. At the crossroads of Hollywood, Silverlake, and historic Fillipinotown, sits the exotic and medieval Medusa Lounge. This brilliant new venue will transport guests to another time and place with its exquisite details and haunting ambience.

www.medusaloungela.com

ArtEffect Thursdays will combine the best in visual art with some of the city's best DJs and special guests. For this special launch party come witness the musical stylings of Grammy-nominated Vikter Duplaix on the decks along with residents The Beat Ventriloquists.

This event is Free if you RSVP at events@nu-soulmag.com or simply drop Nu-Soul editor Norman's name at the door!!!

ArtEffect Thursdays Launch Party w/ Vikter Duplaix
Thursday August 14, 2008
Medusa Lounge
3211 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Free with RSVP
$5 b4 11, $10 after without
$5 valet
www.redlightpromotions.com

My Trip to St. Martin

Ah, the Caribbean. Anyone who knows me knows I lived in Barbados for 5 years. I have been to quite a few of the Caribbean Islands but this was my first time to St. Martin. The island is actually owned by 2 nations. One side is Dutch and one side is French. I must say I was very impressed by this island. It was a lot more free that other islands in the area. Being Dutch and French there is of course a more laid back attitude towards nudity, thus there is a nude beach on the French side. Alcohol is cheap. Rarely was beer more than $2. Usually it was $1. There were casinos, strip clubs, lots of bars, movie theaters, nightclubs, cheap amazing food, and beautiful beaches. The cultures mingled freely so you would here French, Spanish, English and Dutch used side by side. I went with my family so I didn't go out to any clubs but I got drunk every day in my 5 star hotel villa! Enjoy the photos!

ArtEffect Thursdays Hosted By ME

I will be hosting anew Thursday Night event at a sick new LA spot called Medusa Lounge. On Thursday August 7 will be the launch party for the new night called ArtEffect, for lovers of music and art. Sounds Eclectic by Beat Ventriloquists. Stay tuned for the big launch next week August 14 with Vikter Duplaix.

FREE with RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com or just drop Norman's name at the door!

Check out the venue medusaloungela.com

Check out the DJs www.myspace.com/beatventriloquists

Kurt Brown exhibit this Sunday

My buddy Kurt Brown will be showing some of his photos this Sunday at O Bar in West Hollywood. Some of my shots that I did with him will be featured and projected on the wall. Not sure which ones but here is a reminder of what I shot with Kurt.

Vacation Recap: Part 1 - Summertime in NYC

So I am back from a fabulous 2 week vacation from Los Angeles. The first part of my trip took me to my hometown of New York for a few days. I moved away from NYC when I was 14 and I have not been back to the city in the summertime since I moved away in 1992. I decided to take full advantage and host an event for Nu-Soul Magazine while in town. The event, Strictly Social, was held in the East Village at a venue called Sutra and it was a massive success. We had around 300 people come through to show support on a Wednesday night and there were great performances from an assortment of artists including Replife, Sarah White, Jade, and Vice Lounge. Plus we had a visual artist named Shantell Martin come through. She did visual projections of a person's aura from her laptop, creating a unique image for each person.



I hung out with my friend Joseph who lives in Harlem and we went to a bar the second night to spend some dollars (if you know what I mean) and we also went to Orchard Beach (yuck). I miss New York in the summer!

At the beach 2008

Some pictures from the beach during Fourth of July taken by my friend Steven Blank.

J*Davey Interview

Influenced by everything from 80s new wave, gritty hip-hop, seductive soul, and punk, J*Davey has crafted a sound that has had the underground buzzing for years. J*Davey is leading the march into a brand new musical revolution.

Read the interview by Norman Mayers

Strictly Social moves to Little Temple July 23

On July 23, 2008 Strictly Social is moving to the heart of Los Angeles at the renowned Little Temple!

To celebrate we are bringing you an amazing lineup of talent that you won't want to miss.

Nu-Soul Magazine & Soul Union present an evening of Eclectic Soul Fusion.

Featuring performances from:

Jimi James
If you missed her in January now is your chance to catch this very buzzed about artist. Sure to grab you attention with her energetic and creative live show, sick flow, and futuristic style, Jimi James is one to watch!
www.myspace.com/rahrahgirl

Rogiers
Performing in support of his debut album Life & Music: All Of It, Rogiers delivers compelling songwriting and pristine vocals over diverse soundscapes ranging from future soul to dance beats.
Read the Nu-Soul Review
www.myspace.com/rogiers

This event will be hosted by Yolanda Johnson
Yolanda will be launching her jewelry line Beyoutiful by Pilar of Kreative Souls
www.myspace.com/yolandajohnson

Special Guest DJ Anthony Valadez (Temple Bar/Zanzibar/Little Temple)
www.myspace.com/anthonyvaladez

Resident DJs Destroyer, Milky Wayne, Myxzlplix

Only $5 all night with RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com
$7 without
Show begins at 10:30pm

9pm - 2am
21+

Strictly Social
Now at Little Temple
4519 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 660-4540
www.littletemple.com
www.myspace.com/lastrictlysocial

Strictly Social June Photos

I threw another successful party last week in LA with Anthony David and some others. Macy Gray was even in the house!
See the photos

Los Angeles Pride 2008

So I found myself in West Hollywood last weekend for Los Angeles Pride. I was with a few of my cool female friends and we ran around. Basically it was just another excuse for me to get drunk, take my shirt off and ogle cute boys. Good times.

Nu-soul Presents Strictly Social w/ Jamal, Erik Rico & More

Nu-soul Magazine and Soul Union present an evening of ECLECTIC SOUL FUSION!

On Wednesday June 25 come and experience STRICTLY SOCIAL and see what the buzz is all about.

Featuring Performances from:

jaMal (with full band)
www.myspace.com/malskimusic

Erik Rico
www.myspace.com/erikricomusic

Chase Allen
www.myspace.com/chaseryanallen

and special guest Maya Azucena
www.myspace.com/mayaazucena

Show begins at 10:30pm

Come early for a special listening session of Dwele's new album "Sketches of A Man" available June 24
www.myspace.com/dwele

Resident DJs: Destroyer, Milky Wayne & MXYZLPLIX

Only $5 with RSVP b4 10:30pm
RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com
$7 otherwise

Strictly Social
Wednesday June 25, 2008
@ Skinny's Lounge
4923 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
9pm-2am
21+

Robyn Review

Check out my review of one of the hottest new albums out right now. Introducing the firecracker from Sweden, Robyn.



Artist: Robyn
Title: Robyn
Genre: Pop/Electronica/Soul
Read the review

Strictly Social Photos with Sy Smith

May's edition of Strictly Social was a hit! We were celebrating the release of Sy Smith's latest album Conflict and the people definitely came out to show her love. Early birds were treated to a listening session of the album before the show got under way. The acoustic musings of the adorable Wendisue got everyone warmed up. Then came Europe's Jonas, who seduced the crowd with his velvet voice. Check this dude out! Special guest jaMal came through to introduce the lady of the evening, Sy Smith. Sy commands the audience's attention like no one else, and she sang some new hits from Conflict as well as some classics like everyone's favorite tune "Aquarius Rising." The vibe was beautiful all night as new friends and old mixed and mingled in support of good music. Don't miss the next Strictly Social on Wednesday June 25.

All photos by Steven Blank Photography













Purchase Sy Smith's Conflict
Sy Smith on Myspace
Jonas on Myspace
Wendisue on Myspace
Strictly Social on Myspace