Coney Island Fireworks (7/3)

Who says Coney Island is closed?! From the looks of it, the world renowned amusement park couldn't be more open and inviting. Tonight's attraction brought in droves of people from all walks of life. All these people came to see...

This dude get his hustle on.

No just kidding! They all probably came to see another spectacle of lights: the Coney Island Fireworks which take place every Friday night at 9:30pm, all summer long. On the eve of Independence Day, the fireworks were especially befitting for this weekend. Here's a little preview below...

The fireworks have been a tradition in my native Coney Island for as long as I can remember. The crazy thing is the formations of the firecrackers and designs of the show have always been the same throughout the years too! Nonetheless, I love it because its FREE!

So eff "Macy's Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display" and your hearts and smiley faces and 3D graphics... and eff the $200 tickets just to watch from a chic rooftop or fancy  boat!

I'll take a redundant display, on the wrong night, with a neck-breaking view from the rickety boardwalk, surrounded by drunkards any day!

 

Orchard Beach! (7/3)

Deuces to other NY Beaches!

So what's the first thing you think of when you hear "the Bronx?" Whatever your impression of the borough may be, either or good or bad, Orchard Beach puts the Bronx on the map as the place to go this summer. New York beaches in general don't have the best reputations but Orchard beach is clean, serene, and green. When I say green, I'm referring to the massive park, Pelham Bay Park, that is just steps away from the sand and surf. Also, just a short drive away is City Island, where you can find a surfeit of seafood restaurants on one strip. 

Some things to know if you plan on visiting Orchard Beach:

• There are two concession stands with food, but no other stores or restaurants in the immediate area.
• It's a breeze (a long breeze for me... but pleasant) to get there via MTA! The last bus leaves from the beach at 7:30 pm.
• Plenty of parking in the lot if you plan on driving (a fee applies however).
• You won't be disappointed!

Shout out to my fellow contributors of TalkShitNYC, 

Rachel, Naphtah, and Nuby, 

as well as Island for coming through!

International African Arts Festival (7/2)

So if the gray and ominous clouds in the background weren't enough of a sign of what was to come I don't know what is. But the show must go on. Most of the festivities seemed to have wrapped up at 7pm yet there were still a lot of tents up and booths open. There was clothing, accessories, novelties, and gifts, and also... 

This random pile of things. Up for grabs? Free?!

Entering the the festival dry...

Leaving drenched!

 

Maybe the rest of the event, 

which ends on July 5, will be more pleasant.

Find Be Free This Week

July 2

• International African Arts Festival

  FREE!

  From 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (thru July 5)

  Location: Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn

  
  

• Obie Bermudez

  FREE!

  From 6:00 PM until...

  Location: Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn

  
  

• Whistlin Dixie's Texas Tavern

  FREE!- RSVP KatieJ@gmail.com

  From 6:00 PM until...

  Location: 714 West 11th Ave in Manhattan

  
  

• Sage Stand-Up

  FREE!- Name & # of guests to freestagestandup@gmail.com

  From 10:00 PM until... (Every Thursday)

  Location: 711 7th Ave (btwn 47th & 48th) in Manhattan

July 3

• Orchard Beach

  FREE!

  From 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

  Location: Pelham Bay Park (1 Orchard Beach Rd) in the Bronx

  *Leaving from Atlantic Ave train station in BK at 10 am*

  
  

• Coney Island Fireworks

  FREE!

  From 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM

  Location: Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn

  
  

• Deity Bar & Lounge

  $10

  From 11:00 PM until...

  Location: 368 Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn

July 4

• Nathan's Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest

  FREE!

  From 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

  Location: Nathan's in Coney Island, Brooklyn

  Arrive early because of crowding. Also will be televised.

  
  

• BK All Day BBQ

  FREE!- Must register at link above by 7/2

  From 4:00 PM until... (Pick up passes btwn 4-6pm)

  Location: Green Lounge (1175 Bedford Ave) in Brooklyn

  
  

  
  

Michael Jackson Apollo Tribute (6/30)

King of Pop, Michael Jackson 1958-2009

After an evening of let downs, me and my bff Analda decided to hit the Michael Jackson Tribute in Harlem. The theater had closed at 8 pm and there were still lots of people there at 11:30pm. I heard from my other homegirl, Jasmine that she had waited about 4-5 hours earlier that day just to get inside the Apollo theater and see the entire tribute. Here's a video of Analda's testimony on the late, great Michael Jackson.

Analda signing the tribute wall.

The lefty (me!) signing the tribute wall.

American Apparel Factory Flea Market (6/27)

I was waiting at a bus stop in front of an American Apparel store in Brooklyn when I saw this sign. So I changed my plans and decided to head to LES. They weren't giving anything away free but it doesn't cost anything to go see what it was all about.

The line stretched across the block.

This is what I saw while I waited on line. This bicycle contraption had a boom box built in the rear. In the wake of MJ's death, of course nothing else would be playing but his music.

Finally getting in... but this would be the most anti-climatic shopping I have ever done. The blue balls of retail! There was all crap there and I didn't even find the dress I was looking for. But, I'm persistent so I may hit up the American Apparel Rummage Sale and see if I find anything there.

Sneaker Pimps Concert (6/26)

Not only did I get tickets to Sneaker Pimps for next to nothing, technically I got paid to go. So the story goes like this: I was online researching events and things to do. I found this in the MySpace Music section that posts upcoming shows. I did some more clicking around and discovered a promotion that select Verizon stores were participating in. If you made any purchase (I got a phone holster that was on clearance for $1), you get a pair of tickets to the concert. The night of Sneaker Pimps, I had an extra ticket so I sold it to a scalper outside the place for 15 bucks (he was a sketchy looking dude but I didn't care... money talks).

Before I discuss the show, I must talk about the venue, Terminal 5. This place is effin awesome. There were 4 floors with balconies looking onto the stage. There was also a roof top area lit in red (speaking of lighting, that was also one of best features of this place). Everywhere you turned there was a bar (drink prices not bad, $5-$10). My favorite thing was the huge ass disco ball hanging above. 

The Sneaker Pimps concert was a sneaker head's oasis. There were exclusive kicks everywhere on display, artists doing their work right on the spot, a gaming station equipped with xboxs's and flat screen tvs, a sneaker flea market, and free ish! Not to mention the performances including Big Boi of Outkast, Wale, Jadakiss, Clipse, the Cool Kids and many more. This was definitely a hot ticket and one of the best night's of my summer thus far. 

Artist painting a money stack rocking Air Yeezy's

The Cool Kids

Jadakiss

Pusha T of Clipse

Ladies Night, Every Thursday Night, Webster Hall (6/25)

Why am I cheesing you ask? It's because I'm a lady, and we get in free on Thursday night at Webster Hall (sorry guys, $25 for you). This had been my third time there for Ladies Night and it was fun as always (also was the day of Michael Jackson's passing so you already know what was on the track list). The club boasts 8 or so floors of music... but every time I've been there, I've only been to two of them (the ground floor and basement). It looks like there's an upstairs but it is cut off. 

Webster Hall is one of the only clubs, if not the only club, left in NYC that has a 19 to party, 21 to drink policy. But with a cool, calm, collected attitude that other 19 year-olds may not possess, I manage to get around that prohibition. Drinks are Manhattan prices anyway: $8 for shots, $12 for cocktails.

Ladies Night features an all female burlesque performance if you get there early enough. There used to be a male stripper presentation but that was dropped for some reason when I asked one of the staff. So if you have a vajayjay and don't wanna pay... Check out Webster Hall on Thursday night!

eBay Let's Make a Daily Deal (6/24/09)

My very first game show experience! Goodness I look happy and hopeful that I'll win something good... But that's not quite what happened. For three days starting on June 22, eBay held a game in Times Square to promote the "Daily Deals" featured on the popular auction/shopping website. There was a first come first serve line to get in the studio. I got there around 2pm and finally got in at 3 (there was a new game every hour). Everyone got a number and was randomly called to guess the price of the prizes. Some of the goods up for grabs were a digital camera, a laptop, a blue-ray player, and more. 

I was lucky number 10, but I didn't get called to play. However, like all the participants, I received a $25 eBay gift card, which I've already put to good use. There were also chances to win gift cards via text message by guessing the price of items shown on the big screen in Times Square. I played like fifty times and didn't win and ended up memorizing prices of stuff. You could also enter to win online. Overall it was an interesting experience and best of all it was free!

Comedian and "Sex in the City" actor Mario Cantone hosted.

Women's Health Alert: HPV Vaccination (6/22/09)

"'That vaccination is for hors!' These were the words of my mother as we left my doctors appointment. She was talking about, Gardasil, a shot my doctor had recommended to me. Gardasil is the leading vaccination for the prevention of the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, which is a sexually transmitted infection. Now, when I think of a 'hor,' I think of someone who neglects their body and their health. So no mom, Gardasil is not for hors. In fact, anyone who makes the choice of getting vaccinated is someone who is actively trying to live the best life possible."

The paragraph above is an excerpt from an informative speech I gave in my communications class. Since I wish to live the best life possible I decided to get the vaccination on my own. Luckily, my school was offering it for free and I received my second shot (of three shots in total) on June 22. Like any injection it was a bit painful and your upper arm will be sore for a couple days. Besides that, I haven't had any reactions or issues.

You should check with your school's health center or your insurance company and find out if you are eligible for a free HPV vaccination. I support this vaccination because it is the first of its kind. It not only can prevent genital warts, but also can prevent cervical cancer in women. I am not promoting promiscuity but rather living healthy. Practicing safe sex, or even abstinence, are the best ways to avoid pregnancy and prevent sexually transmitted infections.