Lilly and Angie
Tag Archives: manhattan
Graduation from The College of New Rochelle
I’m in the middle shaking the president, Judith Huntington’s, hand.
On the Deck
Ezekiel, Me, Sphie-Joy and Freida on the deck. It was cold and raining. It didn’t help that I had a new camera and am still learning how to use it. However, this photo didn’t come out that bad.
Rokafella: The Story of a Female Break Dancer
Last weekend I had the privilege of meeting female Break Dancer, Rokafella, in East Harlem. I met her at a meet and greet hosted by Momma’s Hip-Hop Kitchen.
I am not into Break Dancing but was interested in her story of how she became a female Break Dancer during a time when it was strictly for the fella’s and how she had enough stamina to actually keep it up until today.
This is the story she told me:
My name is ‘Rokafella’ because I seriously used to ‘rock the fellas’ back in the day. I used to show the guys that women could Break Dance too. I used to spin on my head and everything…I started Break Dancing in 1994. I danced all types of styles; Hip-Hop, House, Salsa, and African. I felt Break Dancing was missing so I started to Break Dance. Even though I danced all those genres, I am known for my Break Dancing.
I came up against misogyny and the gender thing. The better I got at my craft, the more people were resistant to hiring me. I had this determination to continue because I was capable of continuing my training. The more I trained, the more determined I became.
My parents were not really supportive of me Break-Dancing because they saw me struggling; and you know, parents don’t like watching their children struggle…
It was in Manhattan where I trained. I was in an all guy group. One of the guys from the group is my husband today.
Today, I am still dancing. Along with my husband, Kwikstep, I founded a dance company name Full Circle. It is a dance organization that preserves Break-Dancing and other Hip-Hop dance forms.
This year Rokafella will be performing at Teatro Pregones Theater with her husband, Kwikstep. They will be sharing their love story with the world on stage on Thursday, February 14 at 7pm. If you are in the Bronx and are looking for something different to do on this Valentine’s Day, I would encourage you to attend Rokafella’s show.
Rokafella and students from Full Circle will be performing at Hosto’s Community College March 2. This is their fifth year being apart of Momma’s Hip- Hop Kitchen’s program.
Photo Credit: Yu Wadee
Living life to be Golden!
Hi y’all doing this is Sam Sam taking over for his sister for tonight. LWB © *;
This is Golden Man. You have the ”Golden Child,” but he is the Golden Man…
About 4 to 5 years ago, someone I knew took a picture with this young man. And coming out of Juniors tonight I seen him once again doing the same thing What a kawinkydink… He is usually around and or between 42 and 34 street downtown Manhattan. (And he talks if you talk to him, not a total mime yet. Also obviously he is around the tourist and crowed areas. He has to make that money like everyone else.) He said the picture that you see above is from when he first started, about the first week to month. That was his spot right at olive garden downtown. As he beg
in to learn about his new trade he began to venture out. People when you see other people trying to make a living with various odd legal and reasonable jobs such as this young man or selling legal goods on the street. Please don’t look down on them because you don’t know what you may have to do when it is all said and done. You may not have money or food for them if they are asking for that, but a “how your doing”, “nice work”, or “good job” goes a long way even on a bad day.
in to learn about his new trade he began to venture out. People when you see other people trying to make a living with various odd legal and reasonable jobs such as this young man or selling legal goods on the street. Please don’t look down on them because you don’t know what you may have to do when it is all said and done. You may not have money or food for them if they are asking for that, but a “how your doing”, “nice work”, or “good job” goes a long way even on a bad day.But that’s my bit for today have a good one and as a lady I know says: ”Stay bless ladies and gentlemen.”
Lucia
Adam
Lucia
Newton Girls
A friend of mine will soon be tying the knot in September.
She has seven sisters, eight brothers, one little nephew and two wonderful parents.
Before she leaves her family to start one of her own, we decided to do a photo-shoot with just her and her sisters in mid-town.
Elba Luciano & Gizmo
I always wanted to take a picture of Elba wearing her cowgirl hat but yesterday I actually asked. It turns out Elba was so friendly we spoke for a while about her growing up in Manhattan, her mom moving from Puerto Rico and how she came to name her dog ‘Gizmo’ (She got his name from the movie Gremlins).
She is the second person I asked to photograph and in response said- “Someone need to photograph you!” For some reason, I like when I hear that.
She also told me she will be rooting for me when I become famous.
When I complimented her on her cowgirl hat she said- “I’m telling you, I’m a cowgirl!”
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