Ciara meets the Ghost Town DJs: Body Party/My Boo comparison

Ci-Ci is back!!!

You can keep your hands on me, touch me right there, rock my body
I can’t keep my hands off you, your body is my party

Princess Ciara has returned to reclaim her throne. These lyrics are one of many reasons why we welcome her with open arms. The sassy Atlanta native has been dancing and singing her way into our world since her 2004 debut and Crunk and B classic Goodies.

Released on April 9, 2013, Body Party is a down-tempo R&B song that speaks about how Ciara’s body is a party for her man and features “seductive moaning” and “playful bedroom talk.” The first verse introduces the concept of the song: “My body is your party, baby/ Nobody’s invited but you baby/ I can do it slow now, tell me what you want.” In other words it speaks of Ciara promising her body to her man.

Body Party could possibly be her best slow grinder since 2006’s Promise from her album Evolution. Another thing that attracted me to this song besides its suggestive lyrics was the familiar beat that backed it.

Body Party samples the 1996 hit My Boo by 90s hip-hop group Ghost Town DJ’s. The song was released on Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label, on the album So So Def Bass All-Stars I & II.  The song is belted out by lead singer Virgo Williams and tells the story of an invite by a female to a male suitor, to spend time together.  The song blended R&B style vocals with a high-tempo Miami bass beat.

The song first obtained radio airplay during the week of April 9, 1996 and became a radio hit during the spring and summer months of 1996. (I wonder if the release dates of each song was intentional.) It was the most played hit at numerous influential Top 40, Urban and Rhythmic stations such as WQHT (Hot 97) New York, WPOW (Power 96) Miami, and KPWR (Power 106) Los Angeles.

Many times great hits are crafted from one’s own brain, other times they are crafted from great samples. No matter which route she takes, Ci Ci has a way of making each style one of her very own.

   

 

International Museum Day at the Acropolis Museum

View of the Museum’s entrance by night © Acropolis Museum. Photo Nikos Daniilidis
View of the Museum’s entrance by night © Acropolis Museum. Photo Nikos Daniilidis

On the occasion of International Museum Day on Saturday 18 May 2013, the Acropolis Museum continues the minting of commemorative medals, so as to acquaint visitors with small but beloved objects in its collection. This year’s medal displays a fighting rooster; the impetuous and persistent rooster was the competitive prototype for athletes and fighters in ancient Athens. As early as the beginning of the 5th century BC, alektryonon agones (cock fights) were performed every year in the Dionysos theater on the south slope of the Acropolis.

On this day, the Acropolis Museum will be open from 8 a.m. until 12 midnight, with free entry for its visitors. Museum Archaeologist-Hosts will present various programs for children and adults related to the rooster.

At 9 p.m., in the Museum’s entrance courtyard, the Orchestra of the Center of Arts and Culture of Dion will perform songs by great composers from the rich repertoire of traditional and Greek art music.

Moreover, from 16 to 19 May, 2013, the Acropolis Museum will participate in the International Contemporary Art Fair, Art Athina, held at the TaeKwonDo Stadium in Paleo Faliro, with a presentation of high quality reproductions of original exhibits.

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The Acropolis Museum is located in the historical area of Makriyianni, southeast of the Rock of the Acropolis, on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, Athens.

15 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street,
Athens 11742, Greece

7 Cajas | Film Review (14th Havana Film Festival, NY Premiere)

7-CajasThe CLOSING NIGHT CEREMONY at the 14th Havana Film Festival in New York was worth every second!  On April 19th, 2013, The HAVANA STAR PRIZE went to 7 CAJAS.  The NY PREMIERE of the 100 min. winning Paraguayan film followed the ceremony.  Juan Carlos Maneglia and Tana Schémbori directed this energy-filled thriller.

There was a director present for Q&A.

So back to the film – it’s about a teenage boy, Victor (Celso Franco), who wants to buy a cell phone equipped with a built-in video recorder.  He dreams of being on TV and this recording gadget is intriguing to him as it’s not common in his part of town or perhaps, his country.  A series of events lead him to an opportunity to make some money to buy this cell phone, but it comes with a price – in the form of 7 boxes that he must transport safely. When summoned, he must return all 7 boxes.  He has no idea what the boxes contain.  In order to keep in contact with the men he’s working for, they let him borrow a cell phone.  His life becomes endangered along the way.  The film is brilliantly written.  The plot is rich, you can feel the culture, and the characters draw you in.  The dynamic between Victor and his tomboyish friend Liz (Lali Gonzalez) is endearing. 

You must see this film.  It’s in Spanish with English subtitles.  If you don’t speak Spanish, after the first few minutes this won’t be an issue because the film is that good.  You don’t even realize you’re reading the subtitles.  As cliche as this sounds, you will remain on the edge of your seat.

(To read more about the Havana Film Festival, visit: http://www.hffny.com/2013/)

14th Havana Film Festival 2013

 Written and Edited by Nadine C and Alka Gunjal;

Photos by Erik H

 

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Gwyneth Paltrow In Paris

On Monday, April 15th, 2013, actress and goop.com founder, Gwyneth Paltrow was spotted in Paris wearing Brazilian designer, Barbara Casasola’s jumpsuit from the Winter 2013 Collection.  Unfortunately, Paltrow is the latest celebrity since Anne Hathaway to be dubbed the most hated celebrity in Hollywood.  Like all trends, this too shall pass.  In the meantime, while she is hated on, we will inject some love for not only her talent, but her style.