Adventures in the Beetroot Field and Margaret in association with Vice Magazine bring to London town the Stag and Dagger festival.

Stag and Dagger is the first festival of its kind to be held in Shoreditch East London, a.k.a. the ‘cool’ people’s party district. Over 5,000 people will take to the boutique streets of Shoreditch to see over 100 acclaimed acts in 15 intimate venues from 6pm through to 12am (and slightly later for some bars).

The line up is exceptional with headliners including DJ A-Track, Bang Gang DJ’s and ‘Parees’ very own Fafi. From live music acts to Film screenings to Art shows , Stag and Dagger will be causing a stampede in Shoreditch — a fun-filled electric one of course!

The Stag and Dagger festival is to take place Thursday the 15th of May 2008. It will be held in Shoreditch East London starting at 6pm and going on until roughly 12am.

For more information on the festival and how to get tickets check out the website here.

Don’t Forget One ticket = access to all areas!!!

To be honest, I should have blogged about these guys much earlier than now. Chester French are real fresh creative makers of music and once my ‘lil siter made me listen to ‘She Loves Everybody’ and ‘Jimmy Choos,’ I knew they were worth the editorial space of every publication on earth.

D.A. and Max, a.k.a. Chester French, are a couple of music lovers who happened to go to Harvard university, where they joined forces to start making ‘Beach boy with a dash of N.E.R.D.’ flavour songs. That said, you may have your own take on who their influences may be, but the writing style, topics and the fashion in which they deliver their lyrics remind me of N.E.R.D. and I think The Beach Boys are a definite inspiration to their all-American, soul-filled, rhythmic but mellow melodies. Take a listen and decide for yourself if they intrigue you with their words and transcendent love for many musical genres.

Rolling Stone have them down as one of the seven music acts to watch out for in 2008 — and myself, Jermaine Dupri, kanye and Pharrell saw them coming and knew they were on fire long before!!! Signed to Star Trak Interscope, and releasing an album with absolute minimal influence from the non-musical execs, expect to get a taste of the world from Chester French.

For further album samples and more info, take a look here.

As more and more people are finding out, the boys of N.E.R.D have been back in the studio. They’re not set on conquering the world, which is why it wasn’t put out in every public avenue — as of yet I don’t believe that there has even been a press release. In a nutshell, N.E.R.D are about the music and they have always been.

As soon as you as you so much mention N.E.R.D, most like to think they know all about the Neptunes and the beats they make etc etc. But my heart sinks a tiny bit at this because it means that N.E.R.D and their generating of real, good music is sometimes overshadowed by and because of the Neptunes phenomenon and what work they may have produced for others.

So get to know N.E.R.D! Most folks are finding them unrecognisably stimulating, raw, intoxicating, and energetic: quite simply a badass rock, funk, hip-hop band that can’t be boxed in.

With a succession of recent live shows, they’ve been performing edgy slants on some of their (and our) classics like Lapdance and introducing crowds to some of their newer creations, like Everybody Nose. Austin, Texas was the latest to experience NERD live at SXSW in the only way appropriate according to Pharrell: with N.E.R.D themselves.

And note to Pharrell: Girls also know how to get down in the mosh pits.

Just thought I’d post this ‘lil blog and keep everyone updated on some of the latest ‘going ons’ in London town: this latest piece of Banksy’s mind (created last week) is def in sync with the rest of Britain. Supermarket giant Tesco is trying to take over the food shopping game whilst leaving very little market for the small corner shop guy (they can afford to sell at cheaper prices), so much so that they’re leaving the small corner shop guy for dead. For anyone who doesn’t live in Britain, or the part of Japan where they’ve opened their first store, the iconic Tesco bag is what is blowing like a flag in the breeze, tied to the top of the lamppost. The children saluting it may become a reality, as Tesco’s are literally popping up EVERYWHERE.

Where: North London, Islington, Essex Road N1.

Back in 1985 Aretha and Annie said it, but here in 2008, these girls are actually doing it! That’s right the sisters are doing it for themselves by way of the MF Gallery. The all female art show is back for a second round “ding ding!” In 2006 Martina and Frank brought us GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! Attracting many from all over NY and beyond. Fast forward a little over a year later, and they’ve done it again, presenting us with GIRLS 2! Again this show strictly exhibits the work of female artists, and will pay homage to a line up including Martina herself, and the likes of Lisa Petrucci, Aya Kakeda, Meredith Dittmar and Tracy Drury - just to name a few of these amazing ladies.

To launch the five week exhibit, an opening party will be held on Saturday, February 23rd, where you’ll be able to meet the women responsible for the work. It starts at 7pm and is totally free for all, no RSVP required. Don’t miss the show, attend any of the days between the 23rd and Sunday March 30^th. Be there or be square!

Opening Party Saturday February 23rd 7pm-10pm
Show runs Saturday February 23rd - Sunday March 30th (Wed-Sun 2-7pm)

www.mfgallery.com

Straight out of Chicago, The Luna Negra Dance Theater comes to NYC for ten nights only. In it’s highly anticipated and anxiously awaited New York City debut, Luna Negra Dance blends classical dance with contemporary moves all wrapped up in Latin heat. It embodies more than just a dance performance, it’s more of a celebration, an ode to Latin culture. The crew of ten performers are led by the 2001 Ruth Page Award Winner in choreography Eduardo Vilaro, and for this production he has teamed up with Gustavo Ramirez Sansano and Bessie Award recipient Pedro Ruiz. The team has taken Chicago by storm, and are set to dance their way into the hearts of the rest of the U.S. starting with NYC. Luna Negra is definitely an experience not to be missed. Check out a video clip here.

10 Performances only from January 25th to February 3 @ The New Victory Theatre
Web site or 646-223-3010. Groups (20+) 646-223-3000. Regular Ticket prices: $12.50, $25, $35

http://www.lunanegra.org

The L.A. Art Show is back this year with a vengeance! Now 13 years old, and stronger than ever, 2008 marks a new era as the L.A. Art Show joins forces for the first time with the IFPDA’s 23rd Los Angeles Fine Print Fair, bringing more than ever to the public. Now one of the most attended and anticipated events worldwide, the L.A. Art Show stands as a certified advocator of culture and art, not just for L.A. but for the world. Showcasing the work of artists from over 125 exhibitors based in New York, California, Texas, New Mexico, England, South Korea, Sweden, New Zealand, Germany and Canada to name a few. It’s a truly transcultural affair, presenting works from old masters, to those cutting edge contemporary artists from all walks of life. The show has played a major role in the development & cultivation of the art and culture scene in Southern California.

Taking place over a period of four days, from Thursday January 24th up until Sunday the 27th, it will be precluded with an Opening Night Gala on Wednesday January 23rd hosted by the Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles. Preview tickets are $200 in advance (but all proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art), but the main shows held on the 24th through the 27th are priced at $20 at the door and discounts are available.

L.A. ART Show: Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Airport, 3021 Airport Avenue (off Bundy), Santa Monica, California
http://www.LAArtShow.com/

New York City blues club BB Kings presents, for one night only the legendary, Grammy award winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Infamous and majorly respected for albums such as Shaka Zulu, Raise Your Spirit Higher and more recently Long Walk to Freedom, Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be sure to inject love, happiness and unity into every member of the audience. If their name doesn’t ring a bell then their infamous vocals will. Having been around for over five decades, they’ve lived through personal struggle, and have triumphed over Apartheid - experiences that set their agenda of peace, love and harmony, gaining them permanent status as ambassadors of South African culture. The strength in their flawless, unified, harmonic style known as Isicathamiya (the traditional music of the Zulu people) will inject every New Yorker with a thirst for more. So get hold of a ticket while they’re still available, and find out for yourself why Nelson Mandela chose them to accompany him on his walk to the presidency. It’s not every day that they play in NYC, this is a brilliant rarity, and a chance to experience a group that everyone should see at least once!

Peace, Love and Harmony.
Saturday 26^th January 2008.
Ticket Prices: $41.50 in advance and $45 at the door
Doors open @ 6pm and the show starts 8pm
http://www.bbkingblues.com/