Posted by Witch Hazel | Posted in Chuck Brown, rip | Posted on 16-05-2012
Sad news for real music fans and the Washington, DC community today. Chuck Brown, the beloved Godfather of Go-Go passed away. Brown had suffered from pneumonia for the past few weeks, forcing him to cancel his packed schedule. Brown was 75. As I watched the news of his death roll through my Facebook Timeline, it occurred to me that almost all of friends in DC had fond memories of Chuck but virtually no one on my friends list (except for one) who lives outside the DC area had much to say about Chuck. It was a sea of virtual crickets. Most seem to have never heard of him which is a shame. He gave us decades of good music that stayed largely in this city and parts of the East Coast. There were a couple of shining “mainstream” moments, like “Bustin’ Loose” and when Nelly sampled him on “Hot In Herre,” so I figured I’d share some of his music with my Brewchies! When I think of all the crap artists we can’t escape on the radio, I’m left to wonder, why aren’t they playing more of THIS?!? I remember as a kid that I could not wait ’til I hit 25 so I could go to an official Chuck Brown show. And when I finally made it there, it was a moment I wouldn’t forget. I’m grateful to have been able to witness this legend on stage over the years, whether it was in a park, sitting on the grass or on a formal stage — he rocked it!
If you’ve never heard of Chuck and don’t know his music, here’s 11 minutes of what it was like at a Chuck Brown show. Non-stop music and lots of two stepping…only the weak sat down but he never did. I mean, the man was 75 and would perform non-stop for an hour or more in one continuous groove that would just go and go (hence, the “Go-Go“).
But, there was also a softer, jazzier side to Chuck. He helped propel the short lived career of the late Eva Cassidy in the early ’90s. Their voices together were magical.
Jill Scott also recognized the power of Chuck’s music, often collaborating with him when she performed in DC. They also recorded the song, “Love,” together in 2010. I could only find this random line dancing video of the song, but hey, watch it and learn some new moves.
Jill tweeted her thoughts about Chuck about an hour ago:
Ohhhh Chuck!!!!! R.I.P. ,Dear friend and lover of the original beat, your music captivated and lifted. You will be MISSED!!!!
33-year-old Desmond Hatchett is gross. Really gross. This dude has impregnated 11 women and has 30 children. WTF? Now he’s begging the state of Tennessee to help him pay child support. I don’t understand. Does this bamma just lay in a hot project va-jay-jay all day? Is there a shortage of breeding bucks in TN? I have so many questions, but until they get answered his arse is sitting in the Brew’s Cornball Corner until the Drop Squad recruits him for the race draft. Oh and for you 11 women, DO BETTER!
Keep watching those Martin reruns on TV One because that may be the only place you’ll see him for awhile. CBS has decided to drop his new show. Martin was to play the role of a widowed father who decides to join the police academy after losing his job. The network gave the pilot the green light but ultimately, pulled the plug before it ever aired. There’s no word on why the show got scrapped. Sad news for ole Marty Mart who just last month announced he and his wife are divorcing after 2 years of marriage (but over 15 years together). Please don’t go cuckoo again though, boo.
Former Miss USA and straight-to-BET-movie blactress Kenya Moore all but confirmed that she will join the cast of the Real Housewives of Atlanta next season. In an interview with Sister2Sister magazine, Moore said she feels some reality shows can be “immature” and “petty” but she admitted that she’s “had an opportunity recently to be on a reality show…I can say that it’s an already established franchise. I’m back and forth between Atlanta and L.A….primarily Atlanta. Wink, wink!” Is it fair to call this show “housewives” anymore? Can Atlanta handle another donkey booty?
Anyway, will you watch?
Image via Arnold Turner/WireImage Want more Witches’ Brew?
Posted by Witch Hazel | Posted in Freeway, Jay-Z | Posted on 15-05-2012
Monday, Jay-Z announced he’s putting together a two-day concert festival in Philadelphia this Labor Day weekend called “Made In America.” The festival will feature some 30 acts but you can Google that on your own. The real tea that set Twitter ablaze was this photo right here.
While on stage, Mr. Carter was flanked by city big wigs and whatnot and his old rap compadre, Freeway. As the press gathered to photograph the announcement, Jay politely pushed Freeway to the side so he wouldn’t be in the direction of the cameras. Oh, but a crafty tweeter caught Freeway standing off to the side like someone stole his Now and Laters. Press play to watch it unfold.
Vibe magazine, however, reports that Hov actually invited Freeway. But, since Free has prior drug and felony charges, he was not supposed to stick around during the photo op. They did pose for this flick after the event ended (and errybody went home).
Doesn’t Jay have some priors though? It’s all relative, I guess… Want more Witches’ Brew?
Posted by Witch Hazel | Posted in Brew Tube | Posted on 11-05-2012
Six year old Michel Cooney has cerebral palsy and could not walk when his soldier father left for Afghanistan last year. Doctors told the family that Michael would never be able to walk on his own or do much of anything. But, during the 7 months while his father, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Cooney, was away, Michael learned how to walk. He unveiled his new skill when his dad returned home to North Carolina from his deployment.
Grab a tissue.
Now, push play.
OMG, the sad music too?!?
Staff Sgt. Cooney had no idea his son could walk.
Alright, a Witch is tapping out for the weekend. I’ma go get in the fetal position and cry for a few minutes. I’m so filled with joyous right now.
Smell that? No, not the lovely creatures above, I’m referring to the stench of sizzling hair from kitchen magicians across the nation. It’s PROM SEASON Brewchies! You know the time when ‘your cousins’ get creative. I cannot wait to see all those shiny dramatic updos, drag queen “cake, cake, cake, cake” makeup, exaggerated eyebrow situations and Louie Vaton inspired gowns with team logos that your gay friend ‘Dynasty’ whipped up in his bedroom.
We Witches need fodder for our brewing pot of foolish stew. E-mail us your best prom pictures, good and bad, to witchesbrewadmin@gmail.com and we’ll feature them in our gallery, but remember what my favorite prom queen Carrie’s mama said before the pig blood flowed, “they’re all gonna laugh at you!” Okay, I’m dating myself, but you get the point!
Posted by Piper from the Brew | Posted in brew commentary | Posted on 07-05-2012
Yep, it’s official, I’m the cute, single lady who is best friend to almost every couple I know, married or not. I’m like the couple’s mascot. I get included in date nights and almost any other activity couples generally engage in on the solo tip…… Wife: “hey babe let’s go get sensual, sexy massages”Husband: “ok babe, call Piper first, make sure she can come!” HUH??? (ok this particular couple may not count, I think they wanna do me and with the right bottle of wine and a quality porterhouse, I could become the woman of low morals they seek)
Now on the one hand it’s mad, crazy stupid cool to be loved by your peeps and trusted by your girls (cause truth be told, bishes are trife!) but on the other hand…… HUH?? So since this is starting to become an almost normal occurrence in my life I decided to call it ” The Wilona Woods”. The Wilona Woods is what happens when you wake up in Turks n Caicos on a romantical vacation that should include 4 people but instead it’s you and ‘the couple’. The Wilona Woods occurs when your girl calls you on a Friday after work, “hey girl, what chu doin? let’s go to happy hour”, you’re a big doofus who never learns her lesson so you say “hail yeah!” cept when you get to the spot she’s there with her boo…. her boo that’s so happy to see you he humps your leg like a horny puppy and nearly pees himself, you soooo just got Wilona Wooded! That bish tricked you with the “let’s hang girl!” then you get to the bar and BAM! her boothang is there smiling at you with all 4,567 of his teeth, fa real son??? UGH!
The only thing I’m missing that will bring this Wilona thing full circle is my adoption of an abused pre-teen who looks like a Jackson, and quite frankly with the ticking time clock on my elderly fallopian tubes, that could be right around the corner…
But seriously, to all my peeps, I love that ya’ll love me, really I do, but stop Wilona-ing me! Sometimes it’s ok to date….. without me Love you!
A Brewchie Writes in: Hey Dudes, I just started seeing a new guy; I told him that I like to take my time to become intimate with someone and really to get to know them first. He said he was cool with that, but he was still going to sleep with other people as we ‘get to know each other’. What should I do? -Holding On To Da Draws
*****
Phlip: It seems to me that she is holding off on physical interaction before being in a relationship with someone, and there is simply a difference of opinion on his part. In his mind, he is not in a relationship with him, nor is there any level of exclusivity implied on his part. Much respect to him for being honest with her as it relates to it too. As far as “what should I do?” it comes down to how she chooses to receive this information. It is apparent that some physical attention is important to him and that given that he has not yet established a “home” from which to receive it, he will get it where he gets it until he does. Is she willing to “get to know” him knowing what could be happening on the other side? If not, does she realize that he has made it succinctly clear that she has no claims of ownership to make yet. Not that I know either party here, but it seems that their ideals are quite opposite and that they might not make a great match given this one fundamental difference and would hope that she is as honest with herself as he has been with her and acts accordingly.
SuPreme: What should you “do”?? Well – use common sense, first off. If you’ve explained your position to a guy, and he’s like “I’m gonna get it in while you put me on nookie probation” – well, then, you have to respect his honesty. Now make the decision if you’re okay with that. REALLY decide it. Because I understand where both of you are coming from. Are you okay knowing he’s going to have other options? If so, go ahead and keep dating – but make SURE you’ve searched your feelings on it. However – I don’t think many people WOULD be okay with that. And if you’re one of those people, move on. Find a guy who fits into what you want and respects that decision. You start compromising for one guy, you’ll compromise for the next guy or guys. It would be better to know if you guys have been dating for a while or if this was a conversation had after a very short time. If it’s the latter – why are you even considering this? Move on.
Brewchies, what say you? Can you take your time to ”get to know” someone who is currently “knowledgable about” other people? Should you automatically chuck deuces to a guy who isn’t willing to play by your rules? Fellas, are you willing to take your time to get to know someone without humping, or is this just a ‘quaint’ idea?
Chicago Native, Jasmin Mitchell is an independent freelance jewelry designer. Her work is bold yet earthy. She’s a talented artist and business woman. Let’s meet her!
**Brewchies up your cute factor at a special discount!
15% off with coupon code BREW15
So, tell the Brewchies how you started making jewelry: I hold a Bachelors degree for fashion design and fashion merchandising. After graduating from design school I worked for several years as a wardrobe and styling assistant for a touring fashion show where I traveled across the country assisting in weekly shows. While on the road I started experimenting with other elements of fashion design and discovered a knack for creating jewelry that the public soon began taking an interest in. I then decided to focus on jewelry making and settle back down in my hometown of Chicago. I kept myself busy by splitting my time between freelance designing, and working part-time at a jewelry design boutique located in downtown Chicago. I also began taking a few classes to learn more about various jewelry making techniques – some of which I included in my designs.
I am inspired by many things including (old and new) fashion, movies, music, magazines, and art. I also often find inspiration when I am searching for materials.
I like to experiment and so I don’t really limit myself when it comes to my style. My pieces range from subtle and clean to bolder and edgier designs. My handmade jewelry is created from a variety of materials including semi precious stones, beads, wood, metals, recycled materials, chain and whatever else I find interesting to create with.
Brian McKnight’s comebackdownward spiralattempt at another 15 minutes of fame new “song” has gone from bad to worse. Now, there’s a video for this tune about how your cooch works. Instead of keeping with the “sensual” theme of the song, he’s teamed up with the Funny or Die people to put a comedic spin on the song (as if the idea of it all wasn’t hilarious to begin with). Anywho… here’s the vidja, which I can’t even call a Brew Funny. Really, it’s a Brew Sad.
Posted by Elphaba Of The Brew | Posted in Brewchies With Talent | Posted on 03-05-2012
Native New Yorker, Patricia Ambroise is a celebrity makeup artist who wields brushes on the faces of some of your favorite actors, warblers and rhyme spitters. Her work can be seen in major print publications, runways and music vidjas. Let’s see what it takes to become a makeup artist to the Starrahs and why Elmer’s Glue may be the secret clear skin!
Training: An alum of St. John’s University, Patricia received certified training in Makeup Artistry from the well-respected ATCI Beauty School located in New York. In addition to her formal training, she is certified by MAC Pro, Temptu Pro, and Makeup Forever Backstage Pro. She also holds membership with Cosmetics Executive Women.
What would you do, if you weren’t in a creative field? If I wasn’t a makeup artist, I would still be in the Higher Education field, I possess a M.S.Ed in Higher Education Administration.
Describe your creative process: My process is answering the question, what is the key to a gorgeous make up application? My answer always is, “Enhance the face, not hide it! “.
What do you want to get out of your art, what do you want to give to others through it? My job as a makeup artist is to enhance your appearance not disguise the client. My ultimate goal is help build confidence within the client through my gift by giving them proper tips and advice on how to maintain their beauty regimen. I also want to show clients that using everyday items can help you optimize beauty success. Like did you know that Elmer’s Glue (yep the one from elementary school) is a great way to remove blackheads? One of my many secret tips.
Random fact: I am a double Gemini. I was born under the sign of Gemini and have a twin brother who kicked me out the way during birth hence making me two minutes younger lol.
Yep, it’s official, I’m the cute, single lady who is best friend to almost every couple I know, married or not. I’m like the couple’s mascot. I get included in date nights and almost any other activity couples generally engage in on the solo tip…… Wife: “hey babe let’s go get sensual, sexy massages” Husband: “ok babe, call Piper first, make sure she can come!” HUH??? (ok this particular couple may not count, I think they wanna do me and with the right bottle of wine and a quality porterhouse, I could become the woman of low morals they seek)
Love you!
Native New Yorker, Patricia Ambroise is a celebrity makeup artist who wields brushes on the faces of some of your favorite actors, warblers and rhyme spitters. Her work can be seen in major print publications, runways and music vidjas. Let’s see what it takes to become a makeup artist to the Starrahs and why Elmer’s Glue may be the secret clear skin!
One of my many secret tips.
