Ryan and Allison are a recently engaged couple like any other. They’re just letting the world plan their wedding!  Two weeks after Ryan proposed, Allison – an editor at the Los Angeles Times Magazine – brought an idea to her editor about starting a blog where her readers have the ultimate say on all major wedding decisions.  She went for it!

Now Allison starts her journey as the official Anti-Bridezilla on her Plan My Wedding blog. Readers will vote on everything from her china to her bridal gown to her first-dance song with Ryan.  Lucky for her, Ryan, known as “The Fiance” on the blog, is in full support!

Log on to planmywedding.latimesmagazine.com to see what’s been decided and how you can help with upcoming votes.

It was another night in the big city. Hosted on the ground level of the towering Chapman Lofts in Los Angeles was FashionISArt – An evening of art, appreciation and fun masterminded by the Trifecta Group. The sound of the bustling streets and rustling traffic was instantly overpowered by the gripping visuals and fresh pumping music within the event walls. Posted against the venue’s stark white backdrop and fluorescent lighting were photographs by Gabriel Jeffrey, Dorit Thies, Paul Schefz and more. Whether the crowd lounged around on the plush green seating near the entrance doors or chatted the night away with friends near the DJ booth, Trifecta’s attempt to showcase designers, photographers, stylists and fashion artists of many forms under one roof was a festive success.

Interested in attending the next Fashion IS Art event? Visit www.FashionISArt.biz to learn more about the monthly soirée and find out what else the Trifecta Group has in store for the city’s creative conessuiers.

Doors open at 7:00PM, show is at 10:30PM.

Tickets are $10.00, and available at the door only. Get there early to ensure entry!!

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Personal Message from HABIT:

Hello world, my name is Habit and I am up and coming Hip-Hop artist. I was born and raised in L.A., moved to Arizona in 2006 for college, graduated class of 2010. Now I’m back in L.A. pursuing what I love. I pride myself in doing what I love in the name of Hip Hop, as well as the rich legacy that gave way to it. Not to mention those that share that same love and compassion for the art form that I do. I am a fan of all of music. When people ask me what my style is I reply, I am a walking, talking piece of motivation with a lot of soul.

Habit…

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Connect with Habit:

Website

Blog

Twitter

YouTube

Outdoors under the blue sky with perfect weather, good music, and good food is how more than 30,000 people enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend in West Los Angeles. Some people brought picnic baskets while others sunbathed. Some painted designs on their bodies while others walked around the entire day. Most would agree that everyone had a great experience.

The 24th Annual UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival is a 2-day event on Memorial-Day weekend comprised of Jam Day (Sunday) and Reggae Day (Monday). With Raphael Saadiq headlining Jam Day and Nas & Damien Marley headlining Reggae Day, it comes as no surprise that the entire grassy area of UCLA’s intramural field was filled with people on both days. The event ran from noon to 7pm, giving attendees plenty of time to walk around, eat, listen to music, and just mingle under the sun. Performances from established artists such as Q-Tip, Bilal, Cham, Nneka, and Barrington Levy, among others, kept the crowd sizzling all day as the field slowly filled to capacity. In addition, rising stars such as Tha Boogie, Quadron, and others also took the stage to help fill the air with new music.

“I was here last year sitting on a blanket… it’s a blessing [to be performing],” says Korus of Tha Boogie. With music influences ranging from Missy Elliot and Timbaland to Outkast and Radiohead, Tha Boogie, who recently toured with headliner Raphael Saadiq, were ecstatic about the opportunity to perform at such a large event.

The music was a magnet—festival attendees ranged from Los Angeles locals to other California natives, and even a few visitors from out-of-state joined in the festivities. One attendee from San Luis Obispo made the 3-hour drive to Los Angeles to enjoy both days of the festival. As a first time attendee, she said, “I heard from my sister that this was a huge event, and I really wanted to see Nas, so it was definitely worth it.” Nas & Damien Marley’s album collaboration, Distant Relatives, was released on May 18^th. Having had a number of recent shows to promote the new album, the Jazz Reggae festival was the perfect place for thousands of locals to experience their collaboration.

“The music is great, but you can’t come to the festival without getting food too,” said one audience member. In addition to music, people enjoyed the large selection of food choices as well as vendors selling apparel, handcrafted jewelry, and other goods. The food selection consisted of Brazilian food, Indian food, $1 tacos, funnel cakes, and more. Other vendors were selling art, boutique apparel, and other items. Every year, the Jazz Reggae festival at UCLA is not only for music artists to showcase their talent, but also a place for food, art, and other businesses to thrive.

And it doesn’t stop there. The talent it takes to put together such an event is also worthy of mention.

Preliminary planning for the festival begins as far back as a year in advance (meaning next year’s festival is already in the works!). With an unpaid staff of about 30 students, this huge event all comes together with careful, meticulous planning, hard work, and dedication. Alongside classes, midterms, finals, part-time jobs, and other activities, the students involved with the Jazz Reggae festival take on many tasks such as contacting and organizing vendors, marketing the event, and managing press coverage. Finally, during the hectic 2-day festival, they get to see their hard work manifested in spectacular performances and people smiling, dancing, and having a good time.

Ask someone who was there, or who has been to the festival in the past. It is a fulfilling weekend for anyone who loves food, art, sun, and of course, music.

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Say Cheese!

Raphael Saadiq and his band performing.

Venue was packed!!!

We just love this man. Essence of cool.

Family Fun

Q-Tip doing his thing!! Performance got so crazy, at one point he jumped into the crowd, rapping to the audience, for more than half of a song.

No place like LA.

Bilal and his band doing their thing.

We’re digging his new look. What do you think??

This video has already received 10,000 + views within the last 24 hrs and has received the following YouTube Awards:

##12 – Most Discussed (5/13/10)) – Music
#90 – Most Viewed (5/13/10) - Music – Australia
#56 – Most Viewed (5/13/10) - Music – Canada
#99 – Most Viewed (5/13/10) - Music
#27 – Top Favorited (5/13/10)
#12 – Top Favorited (5/13/10) - Music
#12 – Top Rated (5/13/10) - Music
#68 – Top Rated (This Week) – Music

We at Yoo-N-LA see you matt yang!…Keep leaving your Mark!

In the new century, the cliche military command “Left, left, left right left!” has been backed by the likes of lyrical powerhouse Beyonce to tell any trifling, low-down brotha exactly what direction they can shuffle if they refuse to change their Tiger Woods ways. The shapely vocalist unconventially reminds us, “To the left, to the left, to the left”; its painful reminder echoes like a winded conversation by the water cooler.  Beyonce and her brigade of empowered female listeners aren’t messing around in the 21st century. They are intelligent. They are single. They are woman. And if you come to the field unprepared or trippin, you’ll leave in a body bag.

Boys II Men and Brian McKnight came to our rescue on the battlefield  in the 90s with “Ill Make Love to You” and “Back at One” respectively. A decade prior Michael Jackson moonwalked and simutaneously fired back against those trying to give a brotha a baby-daddy case with “Billy Jean”. We’ve come a long way over the years men, but we are being held hostage under the magnifying glass in 20-10 and the sun is hot.

This weekly column will be  for the common dude who goes to school or work, pays the rent on time, and is tired of being a pawn in the chess match of love. The good guys deserve a battle cry in the 20-10 too. So gents, strap on your army fatigue hard hats, lace up your camo-themed timbos, and grab your notepads — we going to war and I’m going to give you the ammunition needed to survive on this unforgiving battlefield of love.

WEEK 1

“AAAteeeenhut!”

Lesson one: Having the Self-Awareness to Confront Yourself

Webster defines the term self-awareness as “aware of one’s self, including traits, feelings, and behaviors”. In essence, to have self-awareness is to truly understand who you are, what sets you off, what turns you on, and what makes you different from the next man. Knowing, truly knowing, who YOU are is critical in your battleplan prep months or even years before you dare attempt to step foot onto the frontlines of dating.

Learning to have a self-awareness means confronting you. I mean looking in the mirror and having the audacity to examine yourself. Asking yourself, “why do I do what I do? Am I correct in the things that motivate me? What are my weaknesses? What are my strengths?” Most men never make it past bootcamp because they refuse to have the discipline to mature their self-awareness. These troops inevitabely live their lives on the injured reserve, bitter, confused, and alone.

You must confront yourself because you cannot get away from yourself. You cannot escape yourself. It doesn’t matter what salary you earn or what car you drive or what home you live in because ultimately you have to live with YOU. Allow yourself, my brotha, to be single. Allow yourself to have a movie night with you. Spend time excersing and improving yourself physically and do the things that stimulate you mentally. In esscence, Before you make it your business to jump into a relationship you have no business in, make it your business to learn about YOU.

Check out the trailer for Exit Through The Gift Shop - A Banksy Film.

Film will open at AMC on May 7th!

I know you’re going to this.

2010 UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival

Held at UCLA’s Intramural Field over Memorial Day Weekend, May 30-31.

Single Day Tickets: $26 Presale; $35 Day of

2 Day Passes: $45 Presale; $50 Day of

Deluxe Tickets: $55 Presale; $75 Day of

Buy your tickets online at Ticketmaster or in person at the UCLA Central Ticket Office.

Note: Deluxe section will offer a variety of exclusive amenities to greatly enhance your festival experience. A large tent and umbrellas in an exclusive area will provide shade from the hot Memorial Day sun, as well as tables and chairs to rest. Plasma televisions will stream the concert for easy viewing. Deluxe Ticket holders may also come and go as they please onto the main field. Free food and beverages will be available. In addition, there will be access to a private bathroom just for Deluxe ticket holders. This section will provide ease and comfort on an already memorable day.

Yoo-N-LA is so there!!!

Who/what is this??

Well…

Forgotten Roots Theatre Company is a non-profit organization that brings to life black playwrights centered around the African-American culture, through non-stereotypical, inspirational works. Forgotten Roots Theater Company is committed to giving a voice to African-American creativity and performances, reflecting the genuine essence of the African-American commitment to its community and beyond.”

First play of the young theater house will be: Happy Ending/Day of Absence by Douglas Turner Ward; Directed by Mateen Stewart

When: May 21-23, 2010 @ 8pm

$10 donation

Where: The Complex 6470 Theater: 6470 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038

GO GO GO GO GO and support!

Blest Coast Tour

Wednesday, May 5th at 8:00pm

Admission: $10

Dakota Music Lounge – 1026 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 9

Starting May 5th and every 1st Wednesday following, Street Pressure along with Music Without Borders, bring you “Blest Wednesdays” at the Dakota Live Music Lounge.

May 5th will have live performances by D.I.S., Testimony, Casanova Jones and Sons of the Lawless.

Come out for an eclectic but ingenious mix of genres and styles of music!