A unique style and diversity— in fashions and physiques — are standout attractions for the 2015 edition of the “Bikini Under the Bridge Fashion Show” on July 12.
Presented by JRG Entertainment, the annual swimwear presentation touting the event’s signature line will be held at the 26 Bridge event space in Brooklyn’s DUMBO section.
Diversity, in its one- and two-piece swimsuits and the varied physiques and ethnicity of models, has been a consistent BUTB theme over the years, said Guyanese-American entrepreneur J. R. Giddings of JRG Entertainment.
“That’s what separates us from other shows — diversity in body type and culture,” said Giddings, whose fashion sense and business savvy created the popular show that’s been imitated, but not surpassed in its innovations.
There are similar bathing suit shows and other fashion initiatives, but they’ve come in the wake of Giddings’ JRG Fashion Café and other projects, which dates back more than 10 years and continue today through the BUTB production.
” ‘Bikini’ has created that splash,” said Giddings recently, noting that his decade-old fashion concepts and ventures inspired some of today’s events.
Among this year’s participants are model/actress Krystal Garner and rising star Brittany Rebeiro, who’ll serve as cohosts. Past BUTB models shows featured famed international supermodels Grace Bol and Bobby Roache.
And a wide-ranging collection of companies are supporting the event — including Junior’s restaurant, Scrumptious Bites, E.R.E.N.A. Hair Centers, Sweet Symphony Day Care, the Ping and Sassy virtual boutique, Bridge Cleaners and Tailors, makeup artist Diane Pottinger, Tropical Limousine service and Brooklyn’s Suede restaurant. Hennessy, Heineken, Thierry Mugler, Johnny Walker Black, are some of the firms that have supported the show in the past.
For information and tickets, call (917) 416-8160, (718) 282-5555 or (516) 428-7323, visit www.bikiniunderthebridge.com or send email to jrg177@gmail.com.
‘VAGINA’ BOOK BECOMING FILM
Jamaica-born, Toronto-based author Sandy Daley is busy working on the next chapter of her career — a film version of her book “Whose Vagina Is It Really?”
Daley is executive producer and screenwriter for the film and its trailer, which was shot in Toronto in late May by Daley’s Chocolate Doll Productions firm.
The trailer stars Kylie Shannon Gilmour and Mike Barkey. A crowdfunding site will be created soon to attract investors and sponsors for the film, which is due for completion by 2016.
Like the book, the film explores social interactions, cultural and moral values, and the role religious fervor plays in male and female relations. “This is the first of many projects,” said Daley. “There are so many different female stories to tell.”
A hardcover second edition of “Whose Vagina Is It, Really?” – with additional chapters – was released just before earlier this year.
Visit at www.sandydaley.com or send email to whosevaginaisitreallymovie@gmail.com for information.
Shaggy — seen performing at 103.5 KTU’s KTUphoria 2015 at Jones Beach Theater in last May — will be touting his new music live on NBC TV on July 7.
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Shaggy — seen performing at 103.5 KTU’s KTUphoria 2015 at Jones Beach Theater in last May — will be touting his new music live on NBC TV on July 7.
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Shaggy — seen performing at 103.5 KTU’s KTUphoria 2015 at Jones Beach Theater in last May — will be touting his new music live on NBC TV on July 7.
SHAGGY, LIVE ON NBC
Grammy Award-winning reggae singer Shaggy will perform his latest single, “I Need Your Love,” on the NBC-TV Today Show on July 7, sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board. The presentation in Rockefeller Plaza, takes place during the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. segments of the show.
D’MARSH FASHION DISPLAY
Works by Jamaica-born fashion designer Glenroy March will be hitting runways for the New York Fashion Week: Men’s showcase when his D’Marsh Couture Spring/Summer 2016 collections debuts on July 15 in an invitation-only show Manhattan.
“The Signature Glenroy Presentation” 2015 hosted by Coco-Mat in midtown. The special presentation of the Glenroy collection is inspired by architecture and fabrics courtesy of Coco-Mat.
For more March’s creations, visit the House of D’marsh (New York, Paris, London) at www.dmarsh.net or send email to info@houseofdmarsh.com.
JERSEY CARNIVAL TURNS 20
Celebrating its big 20th anniversary this year, the Jersey City West Indian Caribbean American Carnival Association will host its annual CARICOM Flag Raising and Pre-Carnival Reception on July 8 – a prelude to the big, 20th statewide Caribbean Carnival Parade Festival on July 25.
The flag-raising and reception will be held in Jersey City’ City Hall Council Chambers and Rotunda, 280 Grove St. in Jersey City, N.J., from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There will be a Summer Caribbean Concert at HUB, 360 Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City, on July 22, starting at 5 p.m., days before the Carnival Parade Festival, which begins with a scholarship breakfast at Liberty House Restaurant Liberty State Park, sponsored by Sidewalk University. The parade starts at noon at Lincoln Park (Kennedy Blvd. and Belmont Ave), traveling to City Hall and the reviewing stand. A main stage, children’s village, marketplace and food court will be set up at Exchange Place Waterfront O’Grundy Pier, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For information, call (201) 757-9043 or (201) 522-2649.
‘SNEAKERS’ IN B’KLYN MUSEUM
Sneakers – the simple and sometimes fancy footwear worn by billions people around the world – are coming to the Brooklyn Museum in “The Rise of Sneaker Culture” exhibition, starting July 10.
The museum’s Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing will house exhibition through Oct. 4.
From its humble 19th-century beginnings to playgrounds, concert stages and beyond, the history and popularity of the soft-soled wonders are explored through a display of 150 pairs of sneakers – pairs from the collections of hip-hop legend Darryl (DMC) McDaniels, Dee Wells of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder, sneaker expert Bobbito Garcia and major fashion design houses.
Accompanying displays will be film footage, interactive media, photos, and design drawings examining the history, evolution, innovations, and trends in the sneaker industry.
The Rise of Sneaker Culture – organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto. It is curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, Senior Curator, Bata Shoe Museum – and organized by Lisa Small, curator of exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum. An illustrated catalogue, co-published by the AFA, the Bata Shoe Museum and Rizzoli, has been created for the exhibition. The exhibition’s national tour is being supported by Macy’s.
The Brooklyn Museum is at 200 Eastern Parkway at Washington Ave. For information, call (718) 638-5000 and visit www.brooklynmuseum.org.
GRACE JERK FESITVAL RETURNS
Get your taste buds and appetites ready for the fifth annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival New York, coming to Roy Wilkins Park, Queens on July 19.
The anticipated family-oriented event features Jamaican jerk foods, entertainment and loads of Caribbean culture.
“When you say “fun” you probably think back to your childhood, your youth — so we will be featuring a lot of nostalgic performances on the Western Union Cultural Stage this year,” says Bridget Edwards, cultural stages coordinator for the event
Performers include the Akousa Living Legend Afrikan Drum And Dance Troupe, from Miss Lou (Louise Bennett-Coverley) style poetry by Dr. Sue, book readings by writer/filmmaker Judith Faloon-Reid, singer Cheryl Spence, the Riddim Driven Fashion show and the Konekt Dat Band.
“We know folks get comfortable and find a seat until the main stage starts, but we would like them to know that we present outstanding performances on the Western Union Cultural Stage, so please come early, bring the kids, bring auntie, grandma and grandpa and expect to have lots of fun,” Edwards said, emphasizing the multi-generational activities at the festival.
Produced in association with VP Records, the festival is sponsored by Grace Foods, Western Union, Continental Bakery, Vitamalt, Gleaner, Power 106, Randy’s Radio and Tower Isle Patties.
For advanced tickets, visit www.jerkfestivalNY.com or go to selected retail outlets in the tri-state area: http://www.jerkfestivalny.com/tickets. The Raddison Hotel JFK, the official festival hotel, is offering discounted rates to festival attendees visiting New York.
ST. LUCIA EDUCATION AID
Educational assistance and entertainment are on tap for the year’s annual Project Education Breakfast for Education on July 12, at St. Lucia House, 438 E. 49th St. (between Church and Snyder Aves.), in Brooklyn, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
St. Lucian soca artist Julius (Gozilay) Peter, known for his penchant and proliferation for Creole, recently performed in at the St. Lucia’s 36th anniversary gala in London and will be headlining entertainer at the affair.
The New York City-based Project Education provides school supplies and other assistance to underprivileged St. Lucian students and their families in Saint Lucia and had aided more than 1,500 students.
Admission to the annual Breakfast for Education event is $35. For information about this event, donations and other fundraising activities, call Project Education at (917) 406.9602 or send e-mail to projecteducationint@gmail.com.
