Don't Believe the Hype!: Artists of Brooklyn College

     It seems DBTH is a series of mine now. Last semester I created a short focusing on My college campus, Brooklyn College. In a smaller society(as compared to the entire city), one that is so diverse, people like artists can be overlooked, especially the variety of artists on campus.

Don't Believe The Hype!: Artists of Brooklyn College from Kearah Armonie on Vimeo.

VOTE for ME in the "RAISE UP" Project

VOTE for ME in the Raise Up Project! For the opportunity to be awarded a $5,000 scholarship. VOTE HERE (http://www.raiseupproject.org/contest-entries/kearah-armonie/)

I am a poet, MC, Writer, Blogger, and college student. I major in film and minor in TV & Radio. My goal in life is to influence, to share experiences, tell stories, and educate all by using various outlets. My education is very important to me and this scholarship program represents all that I am passionate about. Your vote will be greatly appreciated.

   Judged By Russell Simmons & Rosario Dawson "#RaiseUp" is a Spoken Word & Hip Hop Contest Taking on the Drop Out Crisis.

Here's More about the contest:

    Youth 15-22 years old are invited to submit their original raps and poems about the drop out crisis in American High Schools. Poems and raps can be submitted by one person (individual) or by a group. 5 individual poems/raps will be chosen as our winners, and each person will receive a $5,000 educational scholarship and a trip to Washington DC to perform at the Kennedy Center on September 28 as part of a huge show around this issue. One group poem/rap will also be selected to receive a $2,500 award. Scholarships are provided courtesy of the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation.
    Finalists will be selected through a three-round process in which the American public and special guest judges – including Rosario Dawson and Russell Simmons – will vote. After the event at the Kennedy Center, the participants in The Raise Up Project have an opportunity to be featured in a National Public Radio series that will air in in late 2014.

Here is the link to vote for me: http://www.raiseupproject.org/contest-entries/kearah-armonie/
Thank you.

Urban Word NYC Grand Slam finals: Behind the scenes

      This year's grand slam was certainly a wonderful one. I was given the opportunity to film and edit this short doc about the posts competing and what Udub means to them. Out 2014 slam team will be competing in the  Brave New Voices youth poetry competition this July, in Philadelphia.

Paint and Poetry vol. 25 !

     Footage from last month P&P has been posted ! It was such an enjoyable experience and one of the last at it's venue/home. A friend of mine, Syd, created this video which sums up what the event is all about. See if you can spot me :)

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/PaintAndPoetry also search the hashtag #PaintAndPoetry

Finally, I have a video

Myself performing at BC Slam Team's CUPSI Showcase event, at Brooklyn College

Belle

     Belle is film based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a young mixed woman in Europe during the 1700's. She is taken in by her white father after her mother passes away. Her father is always away and she is raised by her great uncle, along with her cousin. The films follows Belle as she is a young adult during the time that she would be married off and difficulties she faces being Black in a white, racist society.

     This film beautifully and seamlessly tells a romantic, political, and historical story without too much emphasis on either aspect. Belle is an heiress who eventually falls in love with a poor man, and her great uncle was the lord chief justice during a time of slavery where slaves were terribly mistreated and the case is just one of the main conflicts throughout the film. Belle is not your average princess movie.


      I saw this film the day after it's premiere at Sunshine cinema, it was followed by a Q&A with the star of the film, Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Gugu answered several questions about the film, including my own. I asked about her knowledge of Dido pre-production. She said that she was not originally aware of her story but she did receive a photograph of the famous painting of Dido and her cousin Elizabeth, and needed to find out more. Gugu did her research to learn more, post-production she managed to see the painting at the Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland. She learned that Dido now has descendants who live in Africa, which was interesting because Gugu is half South African.

Belle is a wonderful film, directed by Amma Asante, which I highly recommend.

"Lukewarm" a short film

"Lukewarm" Short Film from Kearah Armonie on Vimeo.

   For my Film Production class we all had to write and direct 3-10 minute long short, black and white silent films, using either the Bell & Howell or Bolex camera. This is my final project., entitled "Lukewarm" about a young aspiring model who stumbles across what could be her destiny. This was filmed with a Bolex camera, prime lens, using black and white reversal film.

Gilded Mind as shot by Suzanne Ayesha

      One of my best friends, Briannah, and I are Poetic/Hip-Hop duo Gilded Mind. Recently we were photographed by upcoming photographer and friend Suzanne Ayesha. 

Photos:

For more information please visit: https://www.facebook.com/GildedMind

#PaintAndPoetry March 2014!

     This month's paint and poetry was also a birthday celebration for the creator of P&P, Mojo Disco. A mix of Paint and Poetry regulars and a few new faces from all over filled the gallery promptly. With music by DJ Blackout and walls covered in beautiful artwork the atmosphere was nothing less than dope. Painters and Performers were no strangers to P&P, good friends of Mojo's and artists who have been there since day one(or at least day 2) like Malcolm Wicks, Audible Chocolate, and Theo Mighty. The party feeling was strong with intermissions that called for mingling and dancing and overall the room was filled with love, as usual.

Here's a look at the "paint" aspect:

Marley Twists over starter Locs !

As you know, I started my locs 2 months ago. Now I've put them in Marley twists. Using two strands of Marley braid hair for each twist. Here's my tutorial:

PLEASE visit http://iloveboxbraids.tumblr.com/