Check out the events below:

1) Greensboro, NC: The International Civil Rights Museum http://www.sitinmovement.org/home.asp

2) Charlotte, NC: Independence Park http://www.foxcharlotte.com/rising/96557989.html

3) Houston, TX: Hermann Park http://www.houstonculture.org/juneteenth/

4) Austin, TX: Various locations  http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/juneteenth.htm

5) San Antonia, TX: Comanche Park http://www.juneteenthsanantonio.com/events.html

6) Atlanta, Ga: Various locations  http://bit.ly/9SWppK

7) Pomona, CA: Ganesha Park: http://www.juneteenthamerica.us/festival.html

8 ) San Francisco, CA: Civic Center Plaza  http://sanfranciscojuneteenth.eventbrite.com/

9) Berkeley, CA: South Berkeley Adeline-Alcatraz http://sf.funcheap.com/2010-berkeley-juneteenth-festival/

10) Alaska (various locations) http://www.juneteenthalaska.com/Juneteenth_Celebration.html

11) Worcester, MA: Institute Park http://bit.ly/bDYjjO

12) Kalamazoo, MI: Western Michigan University http://bit.ly/a9ZyOb

13) Lansing, MI: St. Joseph Park http://www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org/

14) Missouri (Various locations) http://www.juneteenth.com/5missouri_events.htm

15) Washington, D.C. (various locations): http://njof.org/Calendar.html

16) New York, NY: Battery Park http://bit.ly/9Qu5I0

17) Portland, OR: Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd http://portlandobserver.com/?p=3100

18) Casper, WY: City Park http://www.casperwyoming.info/specevent.php?id=6202

19) Columbus, OH: Franklin Park http://www.juneteenthohio.net/

Here are some products we love:

CHEEKS:

1) Benetint by Benefit in Rose

Photo Credit: Sephora

2) Smashbox blush in Radiance

Photo Credit: Smashbox

3) Make Up For Ever cream blush in Truth or Dare

Photo Credit: Sephora

EYES

4) Sephora brand Colorful Duo Eyeshadow in Tropical Blue

Photo Credit: Sephora

5) Stila brand eyeshadow trio in Afterhours

Photo Credit: Sephora

6) Cover Girl eyeshadow in Purple Pop

Photo Credit: CoverGirl

LIPS

7) NARS lip gloss in Scandal

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

8 ) ULTA Kiss and Tell gloss in Hot Gossip

Photo Credit: ULTA

9) Mary Kay lip nectar in Passionfruit

Photo Credit: Mary Kay

NAILS

10) ULTA brand nail color in Limelight

Photo Credit: ULTA

11) ULTA brand nail color in Sun-Sational

Photo Credit: ULTA

12) ULTA brand nail color in Blue Streak

Photo Credit: ULTA

Jordin Sparks @TheRealJordin

Friday, June 4: Northern Lights, Clifton Park, NY

Tuesday, June 8: Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA

Thursday, June 10: Nokia Theatre, New York, NY

Get even more concert dates: http://mysp.ac/c2I3zC

Drake @drakkardnoir

Friday, June 4: XL Center, Hartford, CT

Sunday, June 6: New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Saturday, June 12: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO

Get even more concert dates: http://bit.ly/9l5tta

Maxwell @_maxwell_

Friday, June 4: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA

Saturday, June 5: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA

Tuesday, June 8: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

Get even more concert dates: http://bit.ly/ciE374

Usher @UsherRaymondIV

Sunday, June 6:  New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Wednesday, June 30: Marcus Amphitheater / Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI

Trey Songz @SongzYuuup

Sunday, June 6:  New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Thursday, June 10: Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN

Friday, June 11: Comfort Dental Amphitheatre, Englewood, CO,

Get even more concert dates: http://bit.ly/c3qTtm

Jason Derulo @jasonderulo

Wednesday, June 9:  The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, New York, NY

Saturday, June 12: Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL

Friday, June 18: White River Amphitheatre, Auburn, WA

Get even more concert dates: http://bit.ly/c6oDcZ

Melanie Fiona @melaniefiona

Monday, June 28, Greensboro  Coliseum, Greensboro, NC

Tuesday, June 29, Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC

Tuesday, July 6, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Get even more concert dates: http://bit.ly/d1S4ic

Rihanna @rihanna

Friday, July 2: White River Ampitheater, Auburn, WA

Friday, July 9: Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA

Thursday, August 12: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Get even more concert dates: http://bit.ly/d0LsAF

Keri Hilson @misskeribaby, Alicia Keys @aliciakeys, Mary J. Blige @maryjblige, Estelle @EstelleDarlings, Janet Jackson @JanetJackson and more

Friday, July 2- Sunday, July 4:  Essence Music Fest, New Orleans, LA

B.o.B. @bobatl

Monday, June 7: Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY

Thursday, June 10-Sunday, June 13: Bonnaroo Music Festival 2010, Manchester, TN

Sunday, June 13: Liacouras Center at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Get even more concert dates: http://bit.ly/9iDV8s

Want more? You can find and track more of your favs, and buy tickets here: http://bit.ly/c49N0N

*Concert date information from Songkick.com and Myspace.com

– Edmund Burke  

 

Something’s in the water down in Arizona…there must be.  Crazy, racist bacteria perhaps? (Stranger things have happened.)  Why else would the governor seek to BAN, yes BAN, as in kill, smash, eliminate, trash, (you get it) ethnic studies classes? 

This means no African American literature, Mexican-American history, Asian American Studies, Race and Slavery, Religion and Gender… 

No Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Amy Tan, Sandra Cisneros (and probably Mark Twain)… 

And yes, this is still 2010…right? 

Flip through your high school history or literature book (go ahead, I’ll wait)  and you’ll see pretty much the same thing: a focus on white people and their contributions to this country.  Of course, white people have contributed to the growth of our nation, but so have members of the other myriad of ethnic groups that call the U.S. home. However, contributions of people of color have always seemed to be minimized ( I remember my 7th grade Social Studies book only having a paragraph about Frederick Douglass in it), or left out completely.  Shouldn’t EVERYONE learn about EVERYONE? 

We, too, are Americans.    

I guess Arizona Governor, Jan Brewer, and her followers (yes, the same people who also seem to condone racial profiling http://bit.ly/c7P1OA), think differently.  They are supporting a BAN on ethnic studies classes in high schools!  

The bill states… 

1) …that students should be taught to value each other as individuals and not based on ethnicity. (Hmmm…how ironic. So we should love everyone, but only learn about white people. That makes sense…ummm…no). 

2) …classes that focus on one ethnic group or promote “ethnic solidarity” are not allowed. (So, why does everyone only get to learn about white people again? Last I checked, Caucasian is an ethnic group of its own. Contradict yourself much?) 

3)…if a school decides to rebel and teach (*gasp*) about anything other than white people, the school will lose money! (Anybody else think this screams racism???) 

Something must be done about this and YOU, yes YOU can help!  Contact the Arizona governor and/or the governor of your own state and get your friends to do the same: http://bit.ly/aTvCVp 

***You can also tweet the Arizona governor (@GovBrewer) and let her know what you think! 

How do you feel about this craziness?  Do you live in Arizona? Do you take any “ethnic studies” classes?  

P.S. Click the links below for more info on this controversial bill: 

http://bit.ly/bS1baJ 

http://bit.ly/ajwiCB    

http://n.pr/dy4yC5    

http://huff.to/acQv0U    

http://bit.ly/co1vAE    

 
]]> http://sesimagazine.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/we-too-are-america/feed/ 0 sesimag racism http://sesimagazine.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/wanna-be-published/ http://sesimagazine.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/wanna-be-published/#comments Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:28:44 +0000 sesimag http://sesimagazine.wordpress.com/?p=525 ]]>  

©Monkey Business Images/Veer/Corbis

Here’s the deal:

Sesi is thinking about adding a new department to the print mag: fiction.  But we need teen writers, like you, to submit your work!  Short stories (500-1500 words) and poetry (maximum of one page)  may be submitted at any time, and if chosen, will be published in an upcoming issue!

Here’s how: To submit your story or poem, please e-mail it as an attachment to Andréa Butler, Editor-in-Chief, at abutler@sesimag.com. Be sure to include Fiction Writer in the subject line of the e-mail.

P.S.  Stories/poems may cover any topic (as long as they are not vulgar) and must be told from the  Black teen girl perspective.  Currently, there is no monetary compensation, but it is a great way to be published, collect clips, and gain valuable experience! Please refer to our Writer’s Guidelines for more information.

We look forward to reading your work!!!

You’ve got the dress, the ‘do, the make-over, and the date…but what about the music?

Don’t wait until you get on the dance floor to shake that thang.  Get hype while you get ready…after all, everyone needs a soundtrack, especially one you can take on the go (you and your girls will definitely make an entrance with your choreographed exit from the limo).  So, grab your cell, open Pandora (or the music app of your choice), and pump these soundtracks for prom day (there are several to fit your mood…you can choose one, all, or mix it up), and get ready to “get it in” in style.

*** Check out the music videos on the right side of this page!

*After you’ve got something to primp to, check out the matching hairstyles in the spring issue of Sesi!

Hip Hop Star:                                                                                                 

©Pat Hunt/Veer/Corbis

Replay (I-Yaz)    

Show Stopper (Danity Kane)    

In My Head (Jason Derulo)    

Single Ladies (Beyonce)    

Run This Town (Jay-Z)     

Fierce  Diva: 

Diva (Beyonce)   

Hard (Rihanna)   

Go Girl (Ciara)    

Closer (Ne-Y0)    

Thinkin’ About You (Mario)    

Glam Girl:  

Good Morning (John Legend)    

Nothin’ on You (B.o.B.)    

Halo (Beyonce)    

I Love, You Love (John Legend)    

My First Love (Avant)    

Flirty Fashionista:

American Boy (Estelle)    

Put it in a Love Song (Alicia Keys feat. Beyonce)    

Just a Kiss (Mishon)    

Get Me Bodied (Beyonce)    

Knock You Down (Keri Hilson)    

What songs/categories would you add to the list? Post them in a comment!    

Here’s what you’ll find in this issue:

Cover Story: Keke Palmer (True Jackson, V.P.)

Mishon, Brandon Mychal Smith, and Jason Derulo! (You’ll definitely want to rip out these pics and post them up on your wall! Daydreams anyone?)

Must-have prom trends…

…and MORE!!!

Don’t miss out on this issue of Sesi : buy yours now! After you read it, e-mail your comments/suggestions to Andrea at abutler@sesimag.com. We look forward to hearing from you! Enjoy!

The cries of disgruntlement are understandable. Keys has been in a slight plight with her current musical output, as to me, she’s been dancing around the primrose bush too much, not really pushing the envelope lately. Yes, the talent from the songwriting to the piano playing to her voice is still all there, but Alicia is settling into a groove that she’s having a hard time crawling out of, and it showed with 2007′s As I Am, which left little to be desired in my book. Then we had the lackluster duo of newest singles, “Doesn’t Really Matter” and “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart”, which were dropping hints of something bigger, but just didn’t latch on. Still, we can’t judge an album by two singles can we? Thus, we listen to Alicia’s fourth installment, The Element of Freedom , in full.

Now onward with album number four, which has production credits from Jeff Bhasker, Swizz Beatz, and Peter Edge, Alicia experiments and expands on her sound, and it shows as notes of Prince, 80′s rock arena anthems and Broadway-esque ballads shine through and the raw soul of Miss Keys from yesteryears is a distant memory. Musically, The Element of Freedom is regal. Wondrous symphonic elements done by slicing keyboards and instruments, thunder cloud rumbles of ballads and a few sprinkles of R&B smarts grace the 14-song tracklising. The lyrics are just as bold and seeping in romance and reflection of oneself. The ambitious starter, “Love Is Blind” begins things off mysteriously, as we can hear Alicia touching into 80′s rock synths territory. This touch is also done again in the booming, “Wait ‘Til You See My Smile” which quietly merges into the gorgeous climb of “That’s How Strong My Love Is”.

Standout “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)” has Alicia dipping into a more introspective mindset thus we get possibly the best cut on the album. No, scratch that…it’s the best song Alicia has put on a record since 2005. Surprisingly, Alicia Keys has rapper Drake to thank for this, as he provides background vocals and arranged the melodies. It has a gorgeous brooding backdrop and has Alicia looking inward putting her heart on her sleeve. Fantastic song.

Beyonce latches up with Alicia for “Put It In A Love Song”, which puts some pep in the step and is a mighty fine uptempo cut. Skittish percussion, pounding piano keys and a catchy (if moronic) chorus spread over this foot stomper. But lo and behold, Beyonce doesn’t splatter herself all over the place, melding nicely with Alicia, and actually proving that when she’s subtle, she really does shine.

An 80′s-esque production on the funky, “This Bed” is another standout and is the best constructed cut featured that actually shows Alicia stepping into a brand new pair of sparkly flats. She dons a Prince mindset fully on this one, yet somehow Alicia works it on out on her own accord.

Where 2003′s Diary of Alicia Keys and As I Am, featured a rougher soul interior, The Element of Freedom, is glossier and more thematic, and a tapestry of ballads and moody mid-tempos. The album is a sure nod to wading into larger waters, yet Alicia Keys, on this, is just getting warmed up. Still, this is album number four, and Alicia shouldn’t be warming up…she should be delivering and that’s how Element doesn’t quite reach expectations. Songs like the screeching, “Love Is My Disease” are uninspired while ballads like “Distance and Time” are good, yet just kind of sit in limbo after repeated listens.Where Element works in its glossy exterior and its hints at Alicia stepping out her comfort zone, there is still the feeling that there is something missing as few songs manage to rise to the occasion. Though a solid set of tracks reside here, some fans might be divided in what Alicia Keys is executing and what they want her to do. Even with some improvements, Alicia Keys touches down in the middle ground with Element, and cautiously, yet elegantly, spreads her wings.

Do you have the new album? What do you think of it? Leave a comment and tell us your fav tracks.

Review previously seen on Audio Diva

…to win a FREE copy of Sesi’s PREMIERE issue!!!

To celebrate the launch of Sesi’s very first issue (Winter 2009), we are giving away copies to THREE lucky winners!  This is your chance to stay up on the latest beauty trends, throw the perfect NYE bash, catch up with your fav HawthoRNe character, and much, much, more…for free!  (If you’ve already bought your copy, thanks! You could always win an extra one…they make great Christmas gifts!)

There are TWO ways to win your FREE copy of Sesi:

1)  Tweet @sesimag your relationship question, followed by #sesimag (Your question may be answered in the new column “Ask a Brotha” in the Spring issue! If your question is long, tweet the main part of it and then e-mail the details to abutler@sesimag.com).

and/or

2) Join Sesi’s social network (www.sesimagworld.ning.com) and tweet “@sesimag I just joined SesiMagWorld, because Black girls rock!#sesimag” 

***Don’t forget to add the hashtag #sesimag after your relationship question and/or your tweet stating that you joined SesiMagWorld.

FYI so you don’t get disqualified (We really, really want you to win!!!)…

…Don’t create multiple Twitter accounts to enter.

…Don’t tweet the same message over and over and over and over and over and… (you get it). (Multiple tweets won’t increase your chances of winning.)

Easy, right? So, what are you waiting for? Win that mag!

You must have a Twitter account to participate. The contest starts Friday, December 18,2009 at 5pm EST and will end on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 5pm EST.  When the giveaway ends, three winners will be randomly drawn from the entries! I will then contact each winner for mailing info.  The mag should arrive to the winners within 7-10 days of notification.

Good Luck!

* You must be a resident of the United States to enter.

After a year long absence, British stunner Corinne Bailey Rae returns to the musical game with her sophomore effort, The Sea (due in stores January 25, 2010). First single, “I’d Do It All Again” comes to us in video form, and an engaging, if morose, visual it is that shows Ms. Rae repeating the motions of her day. Be sure check out the performance she did of this song on Later…Jools Holland as its a winner.