Category: Event

Celebrity /

25th Essence Festival: Daytime Experience Culminates With All-Star Gospel Celebration

WHAT: The 2019 ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola, the world’s largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience and the largest celebration of global Black culture, convenes top world leaders, influencers and creators for its newly reimagined ESSENCE Power Stage. Free and open to the public, the Essence Power Stage will feature conversations and keynote addresses with influencers and artists – plus a culminating all-star Gospel celebration with performances celebrating 25 years of Black women in Gospel music.

 

The ESSENCE Power Stage will allow audiences to take in a range of empowering conversations with today’s most influential voices, tackling key issues around politics, love, and family, activism, wealth and more. For a full lineup of this year’s daytime speakers and artists, visit essence.com/festival.

WHO: Initial participants hitting the ESSENCE Power Stage are some of the most influential and legendary voices and performers, who represent our culture and community.

**More participants to be announced.

ESSENCE Power Stage:                                                         

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar                                   

Dr. Jess                                                                             

Erika Alexander                                                                                                                 

Jemele Hill

Mayor of Flint, Karen Weaver

Mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms

Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell

 

Mayor of Rochester, Lovey Warren

Mayor of Baton Rouge, Sharon Weston Broome

Marvet Brito

 

MC Lyte

Pharrell Williams

Reverend Al Sharpton

 

Teddy Riley

Terry Crews       

 

All-Star Gospel Celebration:

Donnie McClurkin

Mary Mary

Tasha Cobbs Leonard                                         

Yolanda Adams

                                                                                                                                         

WHERE: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

WHEN:  July 5 – 7, 2019

 

NOTES: In addition, the 2019 ESSENCE Festival® will feature over 80 performing artists, plus a daily line-up of diverse, can’t-miss enrichment and entertainment programming, Including the Essence Beauty Carnival, Essence Fashion House, Essence Wellness House, Film and Television Festival, and Global Black Economic Forum, among others. Register now for the many free ESSENCE Festival experiences at https://www.essence.com/festival/.

Sponsors for the 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival are Coca-Cola, AT&T, McDonald’s, Ford, State Farm, and Walmart.

Accessories /

Pixel Outflow Studios and Kimberly West Styling host Photo Walk 2019: Photography, Fashion, and Creative Art

Pixel Outflow Studios is an international multi-media company based in Birmingham, Alabama. The owner, Stanley Parrish is a multidisciplinary editorial and portrait photographer, graphic designer and well-known videographer.

To kick-off the new season, Stanley will host his annual Photo Walk 2019 street-style, photography series in collaboration with Kimberly West, Fashion Editor, and Stylist.

The event is free admission for models, digital influencers, or media personalities seeking professional photos. Photo Walk 2019 will be an afternoon of photography, fashion, and creative art!

Registration can be made on Facebook or through Eventbrite underneath the name Photo Walk 2019.

For more information contact Stanley Parrish at info@pixeloutflowstudios.com or Kimberly West at (205) 202-1166.

Photographer: Stanley Parrish (www.pixeloutflowstudios.com)

About Stanley Parrish:

Stanley Parrish is a multidisciplinary portrait photographer, wedding photographer, graphic designer and videographer based in Birmingham, Alabama. Stanley graduated from the University of Alabama with a BA in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. He has over fifteen years of experience working in visual media. See his commercial/fashion website at www.stanleyparrish.com

Art is his first love. He loves creating illustrations, logos, advertising design, marketing materials, flyers, posters and more! His goal is to help small businesses and business professional’s builder better and effective brands by offering creative graphic design solutions and professional photography services.

Photographer: Stanley Parrish (www.pixeloutflowstudios.com)

About Kimberly West:

Kimberly West is an on-air television personality, consultant, and digital influencer. She holds both a B.S. in Apparel Merchandising, M.S. degree in the field of Family Consumer Sciences and graduate level coursework in Public Relations For Digital Media. Kimberly has represented several lifestyle-related brands on news stations such as ABC 2 WMAR, Fox 45 Baltimore, ABC 33/40 – Talk of Alabama, WBAL – TV 11, and much more.

In addition, she has a retail background working for companies such as Talbots, Victoria’s Secrets, New York & Company, and Parisian Department Store. Kimberly West has been featured on numerous sites such as Entrepreneur.com and received awards/nominations.  She was also the official Style Expert for the local Baltimore based news series with ABC 2 WMAR, Scandal Shopping!

Beauty /

Birchbox Beauty Launch at Walgreens Hosted by Lauren Brindley and Co-Founder Katia Bauchamp

Walgreens celebrated the launch of their exclusive Birchbox beauty section and offerings with a kick-off invite-only event INSIDE of the Soho store location in New York City. The event was hosted by Lauren Brindley the Group Vice President of Beauty for Walgreens and Katia Bauchamp the co-founder of Birchbox.

The highlights of the evening included the build your own box station where attendees were able to assemble a custom Birchbox and have personalized by cool girl calligrapher,Steffi Lynn as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony to christen the occasion.

In attendance were friends of Walgreens and Birchbox, influencers, media and premier beauty brand reps who sipped on prosecco, dined on passed hors-d’oeuvre, took photos in a photo booth and jammed to live music.

Starting today, Birchbox is available in Walgreens locations all over the country including New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Chicago with even more locations opening in 2019. With a new and effortless way to discover new beauty brands or to shop indie products, Walgreens has evolved into a beauty destination for all, perfect for those who are still looking for Christmas gift ideas!

 

 

 

Birmingham /

Surprise Guests and Joyous Performances during ZooLight Safari

ZooLight Safari present by Wells Fargo will feature special nights with surprise guests to help spread the incredible holiday magic! Be amazed by enchanting illuminations and sparkling lights. Enjoy the sounds of seasonal songs and holiday classics as you sing along with our Singing Santa during performances at the Safari Peak. Delight in delicious treats and decadent desserts at the S’mores & More station!

Guests will be captivated by the festive décor as they join Santa and characters, for the lighting ceremony of our nearly 30 ft. tall tree of lights. Take a merry ride on the Shipt Candy Cane Train, go for a spin on the Jingle Bell Carousel, dash down the Yuletide Slide, hop on the Santa Rollers, and enjoy fun holiday-themed games on Henley Park!

Love Santa? Capture the joy of your loved ones in a photo with Santa at the Holiday Card Photo Op. Get creative making crafts, decorating ornaments, and writing letters to Santa. Dance and sing the night away under the stars with spectacular live entertainment. Start a new holiday tradition with the Birmingham Zoo during the 2018 ZooLight Safari presented by Wells Fargo!

 

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

TREE LIGHTING

December 7 – 7:00 pm @ Safari Peak in Trails of Africa

 

ENTERTAINMENT

Singing Santa Show

6:00 pm every night @ Safari Peak in Trails of Africa

Magic City Literacy Council

December 7- 9 –  Storytimes each night at 5:30pm, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm @ Henley Park

*Bring a baby or children’s book to donate to our cause, Books for Babes, and you will get ONE FREE Zoo Ride ticket per guest at the entrance! Baby books will be donated to families at UAB hospital to promote family literacy.

Santa & Showstoppers Promotions Singers

December 9

Beverly’s Dance Studio Night

December 15 –  6:00pm – 8:00pm @ Safari Peak in Trails of Africa

Bella Prima Dance Studio Night

December 18 @ Safari Peak in Trails of Africa

Blue Grass Christmas Featuring The Allen Tolbert Project

December 20

Americana Christmas Featuring Durand Robinson

December 20

Santa & Showstoppers Promotions Singers

December 23

 

SPECIAL GUESTS

Birmingham Children’s Theater

December 7 –  5:30pm – 7:30pm

*Characters from the current BCT productions, Peter Pan and The Snowy Day

Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen Night

December 8

Your Favorite Holiday Mouse

December 14

International Crane Foundation: Whooping Crane Mascot

December 15

Miss Alabama Night featuring 2013 Chandler Champion

December 16

Cinderella Queens

December 16

National American Miss of Alabama

December 19

Santa and Mrs. Clause Night

December 22

Miss Appalachian Valley-Greeter

December 22

International Crane Foundation: Whooping Crane Mascot

December 29

 

SANTA

Pictures with Santa

5:00 – 5:45pm and 7:00 – 8:45pm every night @ Safari Peak in Trails of Africa

Singing Santa Show

6:00 pm every night @ Safari Peak in Trails of Africa

Santa & Showstoppers Promotions Singers

December 9

December 23

 

RIDES

Shipt Candy Cane Train, Jingle Bell Carousel, Yuletide Slide, & Santa Rollers

5:00 – 8:45pm every night

*all rides are an additional cost

 

GAMES

Mistletoe Maze, Reindeer Ring Toss, & more!

5:00 – 8:45pm every night @ Henley Park

CRAFTS

Letters to Santa

5:00 – 8:45pm Dec 7 – 23 @ Children’s Zoo

Ornaments

5:00 – 8:45pm every night @ Children’s Zoo

Holiday Sensory Bins

5:00 – 8:45pm every night @ Children’s Zoo

ZOO GIFT SHOP

Open every night from 5:00 – 9:00pm

FOOD & BEVERAGES

S’mores & More

5:00 – 8:30pm every night @ Safari Peak

*Alcoholic Beverages Available — ages 21 up

Nourish 205 Restaurant

5:00 – 8:30 pm every night with a holiday menu available @ Children’s Zoo

Wild Burger Restaurant

5:00 – 8:30 pm Sunday – Thursday for snacks & drinks ONLY @ Safari Peak

5:00 – 8:30 pm Friday & Saturday with a limited food menu @ Safari Peak

Side Track Snack Station

5:00 – 8:30pm every night @ train depot

 

HOURS & PRICING

WHEN

December 7 – 9

December 14 – 23

December 26 – 31

*The Zoo will CLOSE EARLY at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari.

 

TIME

5:00 – 9:00pm

 

WHERE

Birmingham Zoo

 

PRICING

*Members  Free Admission

Non-Members  $10 Admission

Ride Tickets  $3.50 — not included with admission

Unlimited Attraction Wristband  $10 — not included with admission

 

PARKING

Parking at the Zoo is FREE

**Purchase a Premium Parking Space for $10 — Parking spaces must be purchased in advance. Guests must have printed parking pass in the dashboard of car.

WEATHER

**Weather Permitting –  ZooLight Safari and all related activities are dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change.

Birmingham /

IBERIABANK ZooGala 2018: The Birmingham Zoo’s Largest Fundraising Event

On Friday, September 14, the Birmingham Zoo will host its largest annual fundraising event, ZooGala 2018 – Indaba in Africa, sponsored by IBERIABANK, partner of the Birmingham Zoo for the past nine years.

Featured Photo from Event Rentals Unlimited

The affair will be held at the Zoo. Stunning décor inspired by African safaris, markets, savannahs, rainforests, and coastlines will transform the event into an evening to remember. Guests are invited to mingle and enjoy culinary offerings, inspired by regional African cuisine by Kathy G. & Company. Live entertainment will be performed by The Main Attraction for your dancing pleasure. Throughout the evening, guests will experience special animal walkabouts and greetings.

The Birmingham Zoo hosts an online silent auction that includes an array of exciting travel opportunities, artwork, jewelry, fine wine, and dining. Anyone may partake in the online auction. Guests do not have to be present at the event to participate; registration is encouraged.

Chairs for this year are Amanda Davis, Leigh Davis, and Sumner Rives. ZooGala Advisor for 2018 is Britt Redden. Candice McKinney is Chair of the VIP Pre-Party, which begins at 6 pm and will introduce an innovative conservation program. Honorary chairs are Janice and Roddy McKinney. IBERIABANK ZooGala 2018 tickets may be purchased for $250/person. VIP Pre-Party tickets are $350/person and include entrance to ZooGala.

IBERIABANK ZooGala 2018 proceeds benefit the Birmingham Zoo’s animal care and educational programs. Guests must be 21 years or older. Attire is cocktail. For ticketing information and more details about the party, to participate in the online auction, and in the case of inclement weather, visit www.birminghamzoo.com.

Event /

Exclusive Beer Pairing Dinner at Fleet Street Kitchen

The guided dinner, created exclusively by Fleet Street Kitchen Chef Michael Correll, highlights a variety of beers and ciders from the MillerCoors portfolio.

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Beyond enjoying a delicious menu, a MillerCoors beer expert was on hand (for the event) to share little-known facts from the brewers’ storied history and portfolio of products throughout the night.

 

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1st Course

Venison Terrine with Apple Butter

Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata

2nd Course

Nantucket Bay Scallop Crudo with Cranberry Ponzu, Poached Cranberry, Sunchoke and Uni

Leinenkugel’s Cranberry Ginger Shandy

3rd Course

Farro risotto with Matsutake mushroom, smoked bacon, green apple and spruce or Grilled baby octopus with local honey, smoked paprika, confit potato, fennel puree and citrus

Blue Moon White IPA

4th Course

Pan Seared Halibut with Kumquat-truffle Jam, Cauliflower Puree, Frisee and Roasted Tri-colored Cauliflower

Blue Moon Belgian White

5th Course

Roasted Magret Duck Breast with Charred Onion Soubise, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Arbequina Olive, Artichoke and Nasturtium

Leinenkugel’s Bavarian Dunkel

6th Course

Praline Kit Kat with Crunchy Praline Feuilletine, Chocolate Financier, Malted Whipped Cream, Coffee Sorbet

Blue Moon Cappucino Stout

 

Birmingham /

Local Holiday Season Events and Shopping

It’s time to start pre-planning for the holiday season.  I love to travel with my family but also enjoy partaking in local events. Holiday season planning is a mandatory task because it enables me to have a good time while being present (in the moment) with my kids.

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Photo Credit | Just Destiny.com

Why not take a break from shopping and indulge in a cup of afternoon tea?  The Townhouse Tea Shoppe, located on Olmsted Street was featured in Southern Living Magazine.  Relax with a friend and grab a cup of gourmet coffee or delicious pastry.

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Photo Credit | Yelp.com

Winter Wonderland at Railroad Park will host its annual ice-skating event starting November 26 2016.  Guests can purchase hot cocoa along with their family skate rental.  I’ve always enjoyed skating and this might be on the top of my holiday list.

If you’re obsessed with entertaining supplies and Santa Clause this is the perfect local suggestion. The Summit Birmingham will host its annual holiday kickoff with Swoozies Birmingham, Lights Up.  This event will include a parade, fireworks, and potential mall shopping.

To help us get around with ease and eliminate the question, “where should I park?”  Saks Fifth Avenue has a promotion with Uber allowing new users $20 OFF a ride to their store.  In the Uber app, enter code SAKS2016*  – this promotion alone will encourage my shopping with Saks this holiday season.  Plus, I actively use Uber and wanted to share with everyone here!  Don’t forget to check out their Holiday Gift Guide (click here)

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Accessories /

Indie Fashion Week DC Cycle 3 | Oct. 3-9, 2016

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today for this thing called FASHION!” From October 3rd-9th, Indie Fashion Week  will be hosting several events throughout Washington, DC. For Cycle 3, the fashion series will be paying homage “in style” to the Iconic Independent artist Prince Rogers Nelson, whose untimely passing rocked the world this year. In addition, Indie Fashion Week will be highlighting Domestic Violence as the month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout the week, the color PURPLE will be represented throughout all of the events and several songs by Prince will the theme of each individual event.
Indie Fashion Week  was created by Harley Morgan and Terrance Payton (ROE the Agency, LLC) to create a fresh look at independent fashions who may not be able to gain big recognition when they first launch on the scene. Buyers, the media, influencers, style connoisseurs and the general public will get an ample opportunity to interact, connect with, and support Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle brands over a seven day span. Indie Fashion Week aims to bridge the gap between consumers and independent brands by building a platform to facilitate sustainability, brand expansion, and retail opportunities. Indie Fashion Week is building a new and vibrant fashion community by creating a space where tools can be provided to help fashion entrepreneurs to learn about the business of fashion, to hone their craft, to network with their peers, and to build long lasting business relationships.
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When asked about the vision behind the creation of Indie Fashion Week, Co-Creator Harley states  “Indie Fashion Week is shifting the style culture in a multitude of ways. From highlighting the fashion brands from our area down to the EXPERIENCE that you receive with such a wide range of fashion-fused events, you have no choice but to be excited! The mood Is changing; the time has come for us to get excited about fashion here in our city!”
 
The full schedule of Indie Fashion Week is as follows:
  • Monday, October 3rd– “KISS” at #ModelMONDAYZ – Kickoff Networking Party at The Manor
  • Tuesday, October 4th– “Controversy” at #StyleISH Styling Competition at Touche featuring Celebrity Stylist Zoe Dupree
  • Wednesday, October 5th– “Sign of the Times” at WALA Creative Entrepreneur Workshop Series “Trademarks & Copyrights”   Use code IndieFashionWeek for 50% Ticket
  • Thursday, October 6th– “Pop Life” at #StylishMixer Industry Party [Invite Only] at Ping Pong Dim Sum
  • Friday, October 7th– “Diamonds & Pearls” at #Rendezvous Ready 2 Wear Presentation at L8
  • Saturday, October 8th– “Let’s Go Crazy” at #FashionNightOut
  • Sunday, October 9th– “Purple REIGN” at The Indie 500 Fashion Finale
If you are excited about the upcoming fashion week, please take some time to read about the happenings from Cycle 2 by clicking HERE for the event recap and then make sure to get ready for Cycle 3!
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For more information on
Indie Fashion Week DC, information on volunteering or to RSVP to any of the events, please visit www.indiefashionweekdc.com. You can also follow
Indie Fashion Week on Social Media: Twitter – @Indie5HundredDC, Instagram – @IndieFashionWeek, and Facebook –www.facebook.com/indiefashionweekdc. 
Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Nordstrom Fall Beauty Trend Week 2016

Nordstrom will host it’s annual Fall Beauty Trend Week to learn how to achieve the freshest runway-inspired looks for the season. Receive one-on-one time with Nordstrom beauty experts, tips and tricks to nail the newest trends and receive beauty buzz intel from industry insiders – it’s all happening at Perimeter Mall and it’s free to attend! Plus, you’ll get free samples and exclusive gifts with your purchases (while supplies last).
From September 18th – September 24th, Perimeter Mall will be hosting Beauty Trend Week! Details below:
Follow Nordstrom Beauty:
Twitter: @Nordstrom
Instagram: @Nordstrom
#Nordstrom
Birmingham /

Birmingham Fashion Week 2016 | Event Recap

Birmingham Fashion Week debuted it’s 6th annual runway show on August 25 – 27, 2016 at The Boutwell Auditorium.  Guests in attendance for the event were tastemakers, designers, retailers, and media outlets.

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More Photos on Instagram @kwest1908

DSC_0115Style + Life + Fashion was present on Friday, August 26, 2016 serving as a media outlet for the production.  Guests were greeted by Tara Gray (TV Host and Producer) while welcoming participants to this fashionable event.

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BENJAMIN JAY was the opening designer on August 26, 2016 along with RAILS, BRADFORD BILLINGSLEY and featured designer CHARLES ELLIS SARTORIAL.  

Runway retailers for the show included Gus Mayer and ALCHEMY 213.  In addition, 8 emerging designers and  30 rising design stars were present on this particular night.

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Birmingham Fashion Week 2016 was a great event for fashion enthusiasts. The production showcased genuine talent and artistic value of local Birmingham residents.

Featured designers displayed professional work and runway models exemplified the individual style of each collection.

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Designs from High School Students

With vendor support, upbeat music, and unique designs, Birmingham Fashion Week will continue to be a runway show that’s anticipated (here) in The Magic City!

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