Mimi Faust Co-Hosts ‘Runway Curls Salon Suites’ Grand Opening in ATL on Oct. 17th with Mushiya Tshikuka

Mushiya Tshikuka former star of WE tv’s Cutting It In the ATL announces the grand opening of her latest endeavor – RUNWAY CURLS SALON Suites 

Atlanta’s salon industry is about to be shaken up with the grand opening of Runway Curls Salon Suites located at 780 North Highland Avenue Northeast Atlanta, Ga!

.The Runway Curls Salon Suites is the brainchild of Mushiya Tshikuka, former WE tv Cutting it in ATL star and founder & creative director of the Damn Salon, Runway Curls, and My Natural Doll along with Mushiya’s husband and manager Louis Smith.

Poised to become Atlanta’s beauty industry haven for women who desire the best in beauty and wellness, this establishment will make its official debut on October 17th, kicking-off with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Representative Park Cannonfollowed by a Black Carpet Mixer and Runway Curls Hair Show featuring Mushiya.

Presented by Bronner Brothers and Butter Bar Skin Care, the grand opening of Runway Curls Salon Suites will be hosted by VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Star Mimi Faust.

“From the moment we conceived the idea that birthed the Runway Curls Salon Suites, I knew we had quite the undertaking on our hands” states Mushiya.  “The planning, investing, building, and marketing, all of these things were vital and took meticulous attention to detail so that our vision for the suites could become realized.  Our hard work has paid off, and after two years of construction, the Runway Curls Salon Suites are open!” 
Housed within a state of the art beauty oasis, the Runway Curls Salon Suites features fully furnished single & double salon suites; booth rental for those not quite ready for a suite; education & training lounge featuring classes by renowned master cosmetologists; and a Runway Curls beauty boutique offering the latest in premium, high fashion hair and hair care products.
Additionally, this one-of-a-kind facility accommodates up to 45 beauty entrepreneurs providing a variety of beauty and wellness services.  Services include everything from hair care of all specialities, specialized skincare treatments and makeup to brow and lash treatments, nail care, and massage therapy. 
“We look forward to introducing Runway Curls Salon Suites to not only the Virginia Highland neighborhood, but the entirety of Atlanta,” states co-founder Louis Smith. “Our revolutionary salon suites approach and upscale environment demonstrates what a modern salon suite for the beauty professional and client who demands excellence should look like.”
To learn more about the Runway Curls Salon Suites, visit: runwaycurlssalonsuites.com.  Tickets to attend the event or information on sponsorship opportunities are also available  runwaycurlssalonsuites.com. Follow the Runway Curls Salon Suites on Instagram and/or Facebook @RunwayCurlsSalonSuites.  

Sparkles the Diva’s Pinktastic Birthday PIGnic FUNdriaser

Atlanta’s most well-followed and fashionable dog on Instagram, Sparkles the Diva, will celebrate her eighth birthday via a “PINKtastic Birthday PIGnic FUNdraiser.”

Sparkles the Diva’s guests of honor, Prissy and Pop, are the country’s most famous mini pigs with more than 690,000 followers on Instagram.

The pup and pig celebrities are inviting metro Atlantans of all ages, and their fashion-forward pets, to join in the pink-filled festivities.

All proceeds will benefit Mister Migs’ nonprofit, “Your Career Unleashed,” which is a scholarship-based program that helps young adults with autism and other learning disabilities become independent, productive citizens through gainful and fulfilling employment.

The “PINKtastic Birthday PIGnic FUNdraiser” will be held at Mister Migs, located at 2137 Flinstone Drive, Suite G, in Tucker, Ga., from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 (National Pink Day).

The event is free to attend, but space is limited. To RSVP, click here.

In addition to being part of the most “Instagram-worthy” event of the summer, attendees will also enjoy:

  • A silent auction and raffles to raise funds for Mister Migs, with prizes including items from Vanderpump Pets, Vera Bradley and BarkBox, an overnight stay at the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta and many others.

  • A pet fashion contest, judged by some of the country’s most stylish humans. All pets are invited to come decked out in their most fashionable pink attire for a chance to win prizes.

I’m featured in the UK Magazine “Top of POp”!

Being Featured in Top Pop  magazine is amazing because for 1. The magazine is in the UK ( United Kingdom) and I’ve never been in a magazine before so being featured in a magazine is off my buckets list . I never thought I would be Global this fast I just started my career Lol but, I’m very grateful for this opportunity #yayyyyy

Get Ready to Experience Japan with #JapanfestAtlanta

Experience Japan like never before at this year’s sensory loaded JapanFest! Enjoy the sights and sounds of live performances, touch Japanese silk kimonos and taiko drums, taste and smell authentic foods, and feel the spirit of Japan by listening to a Japanese ghost story. JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 16-17, 2017, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Infinite Energy Center (located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097). Tickets are $10, children six and under are free.

Japan is internationally renowned for its performing arts, visual arts, and martial arts. Many people may have heard a Japanese drum or eaten sushi, but at this year’s JapanFest, you can “Experience Japan” in a new, multisensory way by banging a drum, learning how to make sushi, and practicing martial arts. Fashionistas can enjoy a pop culture fashion show, or they can experience the traditional kimono themselves, with the help of the Konnichiwa Club. For those who are fans of Japanese anime, Anime Village will be returning, with a special appearance by a Sailor Moon voice actor!

Music has always been well represented at the festival, and this year is no exception. JapanFest will feature a variety of musical performances, including the always popular Matsuriza taiko drumming, J-Rock and J-Pop, a shamisen duo, and classical music. There will also be traditional dance performances, and all are invited to join in the spirited Obon dance!

New this year will be performances by the Bunraku Bay Puppet Theater, showcasing an ancient Japanese puppetry art known as bunraku, which features puppets with complex movements usually in traditional costume.

Many of the approximately 550 Japanese companies based in Georgia will display their products in the Japanese Businesses in Georgia exhibition (JBiG). Interactive exhibits include the latest in Japanese technology, such as automobiles, tractors, and electronics.

For the younger set, there is a Children’s Area which has a variety of crafts and activities. There will be plenty of Japanese cuisine, so bring the family for a day of fun!

Separately, there will be a special performance held in conjunction with the festival, Saturday, September 16, 7pm-8pm, in the Infinite Energy Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. For more information, go to http://www.japanfest. org/specialperformance

Special JapanFest rate available at Holiday Inn Gwinnett Center: http://www.japanfest.org/accommodations

JapanFest, now in its 31st year, typically draws crowds exceeding 20,000. Organized by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and the Japan America Society of Georgia and supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, the festival is designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast. Purchase tickets in advance from the website and skip the lines! Tickets are $10. Children age 6 or younger are free. Teachers can bring their students to JapanFest for free by applying online at www.japanfest.org.

Larger organizations can save money by purchasing advanced ticket packages online.

JapanFest would not be possible without the help of over 150 volunteers. To fill out an application, please visit http://www.japanfest.org/getinvolved. No pets other than guide dogs are allowed inside the convention center. For more information, call 404-842- 0736 or visit www.japanfest.org.


Sponsors:

Platinum-Delta Air Lines; Gold-Aflac Incorporated; The Coca-Cola Company; Silver– TV JAPAN/NHK Cosmomedia America, Inc.; WSB TV Channel 2; Bronze– American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Power Equipment Division; Georgia Army National Guard; Georgia Asia Times; Georgia Power Company; Miura America Company; MomoCon LLC; OQTA, Inc.; Sapporo USA, Inc.; Temple University Japan Campus; TOTO USA Inc.; Fuji– Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC ; Creative Loafing; Dexerials America Corporation; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Inside Gwinnett Magazine; LeafFilterTM; WOWNOW Inc.; Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A; Sakura– Ernst & Young LLP; Gwinnett Daily Post; Holiday Inn Gwinnett Center; Honda Precision Parts of Georgia, LLC; Kennesaw State University Symposium of Asia USA Partnership Opportunities; KPMG; Yachiyo Mfg. of America; Ume– Atlanta Parent Magazine; Brandon Hall School; J Mart Asian Grocery; Machida Family of Duluth; Panasonic  Automotive Systems; Toppan Printing Co. Ltd; JapanFest is also made possible in part by–  Chopstix for Charity, NAAAP Atlanta Chapter;  Georgia Council of the Arts; Japan Foundation New York; South Arts, Inc.

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PRETTY FOR A DARK SKIN GIRL

PVLSE MEDIA CEO TERRENCE FLOWERS ANNOUNCES THE FILMING OF HIS UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY
“PRETTY FOR A DARK SKIN GIRL”

a film about colorism in the African American community

 

Filmmaker and PVLSE MEDIA CEO TERRENCE FLOWERS​ announces today that the Pvlse Media will be
filming their upcoming documentary “PRETTY FOR A DARK SKIN GIRL”​ This documentary examines the
contrast between skin tones and how it affects a person’s perception of beauty​. Society is programmed
to think European facial features along with lighter skin are the basis for beauty. We want you to hear
how these stereotypes and false sense of beauty have affected women with darker complexions.
The taping of the documentary will be held on Aug 17, 2017 at the COLUMBUS LIBRARY​ located at 4261
Macon Rd. COLUMBUS GA​ 31907 from 1pm to 5pm. These African American women will be interviewed
by local filmmaker TERRENCE FLOWERS​ and also given a complimentary headshot for press and
marketing. The term pretty for dark skin girl is derogatory in nature because it seems to have a
alternative motive by saying most dark skin girls are ugly​ and by default you are an exception to that
rule. Through my filmmaking and the testimonies of these women I hope to explore and maybe get a
sense of understanding for this dilemma that plagues the black community.
PVLSE MEDIA​ has brought the community some of the most thought provoking documentaries focusing
on social issues that affect us all. Colorism in the African American​ community has become very
problematic in all aspects of life from television to the workplace

GOOGLE CELEBRATES 44TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF HIP HOP WITH INTERACTIVE DOODLE

See the original post on Google

On August 11, 1973, there was a party at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx—and four decades later, we’re still talking about it. Today’s Google Doodle celebrates the 44th anniversary of that party, which is widely credited as the birth of the Hip Hop movement.

To learn more about the Doodle and the movement that inspired it, the Keyword team chatted with three of the Googlers behind the Doodle—Kevin Burke, Ryan Germick and Perla Campos. We also talked with two legendary hip hop pioneers who served as close partners in the project: Fab 5 Freddy, former host of “Yo! MTV Raps” and narrator of the Doodle, and Cey Adams, visual artist and founding creative director of Def Jam records, who designed the Doodle logo image that you see on the homepage today. Here’s what they had to say.

Keyword: How did you come up with the idea for this Doodle?

Kevin: I’m a huge Hip Hop fan. Growing up outside New Orleans, it was a part of my DNA—performing Hip Hop in my high school band, adding Hip Hop to my college radio station’s rotation, and working on the set of Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson” music video in my first job out of college. Hip Hop has been a constant thread through my life and I wanted to bring my love of it to a Doodle. I developed the concept for interactive turntables, showed it to my manager Ryan (also a fan of Hip Hop), and he lost it. He said, “let’s make it tomorrow!”

OK, so people were into the idea. But Hip Hop is such a big topic. How did you decide what to focus on?

Perla: From the beginning, we were thinking big. I mean, Hip Hop touches so many parts of culture but a lot of people don’t know much about its origins. So, we anchored the Doodle to the birth of Hip Hop, and wanted to celebrate the people who pioneered the movement. We hope to give them the voice and the recognition they deserve, which is what Doodles are all about—shining light on times of history that maybe you didn’t know about.

Kevin: It all started with DJ Kool Herc, an 18-year old Jamaican DJ in the Bronx. He and his sister threw a party in August 1973, and when he DJ’d the party, he used two turntables to extend the instrumental break in the music where people did their craziest dance moves (that’s actually how “break” dancing got its name!). And the Hip Hop movement was born.

Ryan: With each Doodle, we try to touch a different part of the human experience. But we hadn’t yet touched on a massive part of U.S. and global culture—Hip Hop. And by bringing in elements like “Achievements,” we can also make it about the real people behind the Hip Hop movement.

Speaking of the real people … Fab and Cey, how did you feel when you first heard about this project?

Fab: It was a full circle experience for me. I first went online in 1994—I even remember doing a segment on “Yo! MTV Raps” about email. And going back to when I first got on the internet, I was looking for likeminded people who were part of the culture. And now, Hip Hop is on one of the biggest digital platforms out there, in a way that acknowledges and recognizes what this culture is, and what it continues to be. It’s pretty amazing.

Cey: Everybody on this project was so excited to be a part of it, which made me excited too. I could add an authentic point of view and represent all the people who helped start the movement, even the ones who are no longer here. The project is rooted in honoring the past.

The Doodle pays homage to many early pioneers of Hip Hop. How did you decide who to include?

Perla: We started with a big list of people and narrowed it down based on a ton of research and conversations with close partners versed in all things Hip Hop—like Lyor Cohen, current head of YouTube music and a legend in the music industry who has signed some of the greatest Hip Hop artists ever. We also wanted to make sure we represented the diversity in Hip Hop and featured the women who were a huge part of the early days but often aren’t talked about.

Kevin: Part of the Doodle is a “record crate” that has legendary samples you can listen to. You’ve probably heard these samples in a Jay-Z or Kanye West song but few people know who actually created them. Perla and I were in tears one day because we added a bunch of fresh beats from our childhood—the samples behind the Puff Daddy, Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. songs we loved growing up. We were totally going down memory lane.

How does this compare to other Doodles?

Perla: We’ve never done a Doodle like this before, both because of the technical challenges and the many voices and collaborators we wanted to include. It was both unnerving and exciting to tackle this because so many people have been touched by Hip Hop in some way—so how do you do it justice?

Ryan: There’s a lot that went into figuring out what bitrate of audio you needed to scratch records, how to sync up the beats correctly, and the complexities around animations were firsts for us. We’re always trying to one-up ourselves, to exceed the expectations of people who love our Doodles. This one represented all the things Doodles are good at: storytelling, interactivity and education.

How did you get into Hip Hop? What’s your earliest memory of Hip Hop?

KevinI got a lot of exposure to Hip Hop growing up in Louisiana. I was this artist kid in a suburban conservative area—I identified with the spirit, angst and celebratory energy of Hip Hop. I’m also a music trivia nerd—when I was a kid, my dad would quiz me whenever a song came on the radio. I’ve tried to work that music trivia into this Doodle at every chance.

Ryan: Hip Hop was part of the fabric of my upbringing. I grew up in suburban Indiana—in an environment dramatically different from the Bronx where Hip Hop was born—but as soon as we got cable, I started watching “Yo! MTV Raps.” One of the most exciting things about working on this Doodle was that we got to collaborate with people like Fab 5 Freddy and Prince Paul, one of my all-time favorite hip hop producers.

Cey: One of my earliest memories is when I went to the Jamaica Armory to see Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. I realized that Hip Hop belonged to us—it was music for myself and my friends, something that nobody could take away from us.

Fab: The guys who wanted to be DJs and rappers had this sense of wonder and energy about them. They were like engineers in the way they worked with their sound systems—the cables, the speakers, the amps. Those DJs were a bunch of smart cats figuring out something that was advanced and revolutionary during that time. I felt comfortable around them during a time when there was rough stuff going on in the streets.

How do you view the evolution of Hip Hop over the last 44 years? Where is it going?

Fab: The essence of Hip Hop culture at its base is like an algorithm—it can be done in any language and by any nationality out there, and when done right it grows exponentially. From the very beginnings in the 70s, this culture was generated by those who had very little, and took those bare essentials to say: “I’m here, I matter.” And that has reverberated continuously for decades. So I don’t like to think of old school vs. new school, I’m a “now school” person. Hip Hop marches on—it will always reinvent itself.

Cey, you’ve worked as an artist for decades, across a huge variety of mediums. What was it like to design something for the Google homepage?

Cey: Graffiti has always been associated with vandalism to some degree—in the early days, I had to tell people that my art was different from people who were just tagging. But we’re capital “A” artists. All we’re doing is using a spray can instead of a paintbrush. And now Google is putting this piece of art on the homepage, which will be seen by people all over the world. That’s really exciting to me.

What do you hope the audience gets from this Doodle?

Perla: My biggest aspiration for the Doodle is that people see themselves in it, that there’s something that speaks to and represents them on the Google homepage. Hip Hop originated as a way for young people to focus on something positive in the midst of the negative forces around them, so I want people to feel that same hope and positivity from this Doodle.

Ryan: I hope people can cut through some of the negative stereotypes associated with Hip Hop —it’s not without its shortcomings but it’s such an important part of our culture. The Bronx was not an easy place to grow up in the 70’s, but such a vibrant culture was born out of it.

Cey: I want people to get a Hip Hop education, and to understand that the music, the art, the dance, the fashion, it’s all part of a collective lifestyle of people who wanted to change their circumstances. And it will always be there—and will continue to spread around the world—because there’s always some young person who wants to change their circumstances.

Fab: For those who have have grown up with this, they’re gonna be amazed to see such a huge part of their lives acknowledged. I want people to see that Hip Hop affects everybody, not just youth culture. It continues to be important, relevant and alive. And it’s happening in every corner of the globe.

Kevin: I love that we’re celebrating a party—people dancing and performing, there’s something really positive about that

BEYONCE’S STYLIST LAUNCHES NEW LUXURY EYE WEAR LINE, LOOKS FOR KID MODELS IN ATLANTA

NEW LUXURY KIDS SUNGLASS LINE KIDRAQ IS LOOKING FOR THE NEXT CHILD SUPERMODEL

Celebrity Eyewear Designer and Principal Creative Officer of Eyecandy Creations Tiffany Williams knows how to look your best in the sun. In addition to creating lines for two of Hollywood’s most fashionable faces, Cynthia Bailey and Eva Marcille, and providing luxury eyewear for A-listers on movie sets across the country, Williams has partnered with Raquel Smith (Beyonce’s stylist) for a joint venture called Kidraq.

Co-creator Raquel Smith describes Kidraq as, “A luxury brand specializing in children’s eyewear featuring brightly colored Italian acetate frames shaped to complement and accentuate a child’s face.” The Kidraq signature series is slated to hit the market Summer 2017. In honor of August being children’s eye health and safety month, Kidraq is hosting a child model call to find the official faces for the brand.

Smith has worked with Beyonce for years, her journey beginning as an intern with the family-owned “House of Dereon” years ago. Smith quickly moved up from intern to Beyonce’s assistant stylist under then principal stylist Ty Hunter to eventually become Beyonce’s personal stylist. Raquel was intricately involved in each of Beyoncé’s world tours. She also styled Beyoncé’s red carpet appearances, video shoots, special performances, and personal wardrobe.  In recent years Smith has begun to grow her own personal brand, which started with going back to school to study jewelry design. Raquel says that her bold captivating signature pieces reflect the influence that her father had on her life.

“After launching 2 successful eyewear collections, we felt it was time to do something different. We realized Kids deserved to be fabulous too, and we could not have chosen a better collaboration than with one of the most sought after celebrity stylist!” Williams explains.

KidRaq will host a casting call for child models in Atlanta on Saturday, August 12th from 10am – 2-pm at 3235 Satellite Blvd, Bldg 300, Duluth, GA 30096.  Parents are encouraged to bring little ones out early for the opportunity to be one of the new faces of Kidraq.

 

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