May 2012 by DC Life Magazine

DC LIFE April 2012

Photo: Eugene O. Smith, Jr.

Cultural Fusion for Social Change

Ar ticles | News | Hea lth | Lifestyle | Food

Contents 10 A Crash Course in Fitness Monika Pearson interviews Marvin Cofield for some fitness tips 12 Recipe Box Neilsen-Massey share their best sweet and savory recipes for the season. 16 Career Corner Liam Hickey explains networking to gain employment. 18 Four Tips to Win a Great Job in a Recovering Economy Guest writer Valerie Mullins shares her wisdom.

32 He Said She Said

21 Events Review: Food & Wine Festival

Two of DC’s leading dating experts shares tips on communicating your goals in relationships.

Jeanette Zuleger visits the new Livingsocial building and redeems her social life with a Yoga+Wine event. 26 9 Tips for Wedding Bliss

35 Truths About Love in a Crazy World Dating coach and columnist Jason Daygamer interviews Dr. Eigen

Mutsa Meda offers advice on modernizing matrimony fashion. 42 Music Spotlight: Abraham Inc. Jenna Makowski writes about this band’s eclectic sounds. 44 Events Gallery Images from the Fifth Annual Food & Wine Festival provided by Jessica Farley 47 Music Review Q&A with local musician Mary Alouette.

DC LIFE April 2012

Photo: Eugene O. Smith, Jr.

Cultural Fusion for Social Change

Ar ticles | News | HeAltH | lifestyle | food

Publisher: Mestizo Media Group, Inc General Manager: Eugene O. Smith, Jr. Managing Editor: Gigi Smith Copy Editor: Rebecca Hession Contributors: Jennifer Jordan Harrell, Jason (The Daygamer), Mutsa Meda, Monika Pearson, Jem Bahaijoub, Jenna Makowski, Leslie Morton, Andy Schober, Liam Hickey, Valerie Mullins, Jessica Farley

Advertising Sales DC Life Magazine P.O. Box 272 Dumfries, VA 22026 Phone: 877-275-5569

Subscription Inquiries Please address all requests to Mestizo Media Group, Inc. at subscriptions@mestizomedia.com. Subscriptions are available at $48/year or $70 for two years.

FROM THE EDITOR

e would like to thank you for your continued support for DC Life Magazine. We are entering into our fifth year of publishing as we continue our campaign to increase social awareness through cultural fusion. May gives us the opportunity to fully enjoy the oncoming Summer season with itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cookouts and all-white parties. This issue touches on weddings, marriage, unions and more. We hope you enjoy what we have curated and we hope youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll check out our travel and tourism issue coming in June.

Thank you.

Eugene Smith / Editor In Chief

“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” ― Stephen R. Covey

Health

A Crash Course in Fitness

with Marvin Cofield By Monika Pearson Meet Marvin Cofield, fitness connoisseur and trainer for athletes of an AAU-based organization in Potomac Valley, Maryland called, “DC Heat”. For anyone that isn’t familiar with the term “AAU”, it stands for Amateur Athletic Union, which is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. I had the pleasure of picking Mr. Cofield’s brain about a few key things that should be put into perspective about achieving personal fitness goals. Mo: What mistake(s) do you believe people make when they workout? MC: The most common mistake is comparing themselves to another person in regards to goal setting. I have always felt

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there should be an app for self-esteem on phones or maybe people should visit selfesteem.com. When I train a client, we set realistic, attainable goals that are relevant to the individual. Mo: What is the most challenging thing about the fitness process? MC: The most challenging part of the fitness process is maintaining focus. People will maintain their vehicles much more consistently than their bodies. I give my clients proper mental perspective. Mo: What advice would you give someone who suffers from any physical pain about working out effectively? MC: I don’t believe in training in or working through pain unless you’re in the military or it’s a life or death situation. Pain is a signal that something is injured and training in that area

will make things worse. The most important component of a fitness program is rest and recovery. Heal first...then continue training! Mo: What should women focus on when they workout as opposed to men? MC: It depends on the goal. If you’re an athlete, make sure your workout is sport specific. If you’re a novice, take it slowly using strict form. If the young lady is a veteran, I would suggest shorter more intense workouts with emphasis on tone, cardio, and flexibility. I’m old school...I would prefer my female clients to not look like or work out like men!

could repeat it in my own spare time whether I was inside a gym or not. Mr. Cofield is the founder of the Marvin Cofield Basketball School (MCBS) in Beltsville, Maryland where he trains ages 3 to college-level athletes. The MCBS offers a Sunday basketball school, personal fitness training program, and group basketball training. Visit his site at http://marvincofieldbasketball.com.

I had the privilege of partaking in a fitness session with Mr. Cofield a few months ago and I truly appreciated the fact that there weren’t any fancy “bells and whistles” to our workout session. Practically every exercise I was instructed to do, I

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Recipe Box

Berry Almond Tart Pastry Dough 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup confectionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sugar 1 tablespoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract 1 egg 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

For the dough, cream the butter, confectionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer. Add the egg and beat until smooth. Add the flour gradually, beating on low speed until just incorporated; do not over mix. Shape into a round disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill until firm.

Almond Cream 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Almond Extract 1 egg 1/4 cup almond flour 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly sugared surface, turning over once. Roll the dough up onto the rolling pin and then place the pin across the tart pan at the center point and unroll the dough. Press the dough into the tart pan and trim the edge by rolling the pin over the pan so the dough falls freely from the edge.

Sugar Glaze and Assembly 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup water 1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract Vanilla Pastry Cream Berries of choice

For the almond cream, cream the butter, granulated sugar and almond extract in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer. Add the egg and beat until smooth. Beat in the almond flour and all-purpose flour. Spread evenly over the pastry dough. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the

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almond cream is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. For the glaze, combine the granulated sugar, water and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Let stand until cooled. To assemble, spread Vanilla Pastry Cream over the baked Almond Cream. Arrange the berries over the pastry cream. Brush the Sugar Glaze generously over the fruit. Chill until ready to serve. Serves 6 to 8

Apricot Mango BBQ Ribs Rib Seasoning 1 1/2 tablespoons ancho chili powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon organic garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 slabs baby back ribs Apricot Mango BBQ Sauce 1/2 cup medium diced canned apricots, drained 1/2 cup medium diced fresh or jarred mangos, drained 1 (4-ounce) can mild chipotle chiles 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 whole garlic cloves 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) For the rib seasoning, combine the chili powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, thyme and olive oil in a bowl and mix well to make a paste. Rub evenly over the ribs. Wrap the ribs in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours or up to overnight. For the sauce, combine the apricots, mangos, chipotle chilies, brown sugar, garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, vanilla extract, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper in a blender container and puree. Store in the refrigerator. To bake the ribs, preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Unwrap the ribs and place on a rimmed baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Brush the sauce generously over the ribs. Bake for an additional 45 minutes or until the sauce caramelizes. To grill the ribs, unwrap the ribs and place on a grill rack. Grill over low indirect heat for 1 1/2 hours. Brush the sauce generously over the ribs. Grill for an additional 1/2 hour. Place the ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Cover with foil and let stand for 20 minutes. Successful grilling or baking of ribs occurs when ribs cook slowly over low temperatures. Serves 2 to 4

Career Corner

Networking: Your #1 Search Method By Liam Hickey

So, you fixed up your résumé last month, and now you want to send it out … but to where? Hmmm … let’s see … oh, I know! Maybe the Internet. Yeah, the Internet has lots of stuff on it, and nobody else will think to look there! Yeah … sure. OK, now that you’ve gotten past my sarcastic intro—I was raised by New Yorkers, BTW—let’s talk reality. You have to talk to people. To put it simply, people make decisions mainly on emotion. Does the economy move on facts and figures? NO. It moves on confidence and fear. It’s the same with human interactions: as long as people are involved, emotions drive the dynamics. So, now you realize the way people act towards you is based on how they feel, or more to the point, the emotions that you make them feel. Well, doesn’t an employer want to know about my skills? Only in part, because they do show your capabilities. What will really get you considered for that job is your ability 16 DC Life Magazine

to “vibe,” or to connect with people. Managers hire people they want to be around, because these are the people they will be around every day. “Vibing” is critical to your search, and this is why you have to get in front of people to network effectively. It’s just like dating. When you meet someone you like, you don’t want to simply trade phone numbers. Instead, what you really want is a date; a phone number is just a tool to make things happen. So, think of it this way: the purpose of networking is to sell yourself. The trick is to conduct the conversation (yes, you can control it) so that you address the other person’s needs, which can include referring friends and colleagues. If you can’t help in addressing those needs, then move on. You have to show value … and quickly. When talking to people, watch the eyes and expressions. Are these people focused on you, or are they easily distracted? If they are listening, good! Give them more. If not, ask about them,

because they want to talk about other things. Find out what those things are (“Well, you’ve let me talk about me. What about you?”). When people talk to you, find things in their stories that you understand. When you add something, sprinkle in some of their words in your comments. (If you say “random” and they say “chance,” then mimic them by changing your word to “chance,” as well.) Identify with their worlds. If you can’t, move on. You don’t want to waste their time or yours. Ask as many questions of them as they ask of you. Show interest, and make them smile and laugh. (If you hadn’t noticed, a smile comes with a laugh.) Say things like, “Yeah, that happened to us, too.” They may ask where or how. That’s your queue to show them what you’ve got. Oh, they may ask general questions, like “Do you have kids?” It usually means they want to talk about those things. Ask them the same questions back and listen. They will end up liking you more.

IMPORTANT: Once you finish a good conversation, jot down some notes ASAP. These will be invaluable to sell yourself again.

that,” or even “This sounds like a place I’d like to interview.” If they want to talk again, they will say so.

If you’re not good at any of this, I highly recommend that you take a class in improv comedy. It gets you to think on your feet and find the “fun button.” It’s also good clean fun. (Well, sometimes it’s dirty.) I also recommend the organization Toastmasters International, which focuses on public speaking. Introverts and “soft talkers,” you will need more practice, so get started!

Now you know what to do, so take a shower, put your shoes on, and make it happen!

OK, I told you earlier to “get in front of people,” but I haven’t said where. You can attend the usual professional happy hours, which are fine. It’s just that those can be a crap shoot as to who attends. Sometimes you can find better. Search for professional groups and events that involve discussions. It’s an opportunity to show your stuff while learning the latest industry trends. Search Google for your career-specific keyword(s) plus “conference,” “summit,” “expo,” “annual review,” and “association.” Look for your industry keyword(s) on LinkedIn and Meetup, too as well as meetings with agendas or specific topics. Lectures are fine, but you want involvement. The bottom line is to make others feel like they want to spend more time with you. That takes face time. Once you create that feeling, queue for a future meeting. Say something like, “I’d like to talk about this again,” “You should talk to my friend who does

Liam Hickey currently works as a career consultant, writer, and editor. He has several years of IT experience as a Network Systems Consultant and a Data Analyst, as well as experience with a startup. For years, he has helped others find career opportunities, write résumés, and prepare for interviews. From this, he has written a book on job searching—Hold My Hand! … and find me a job— and started his own business for career coaching. Liam grew up in Munich, Germany as a military brat. After graduating high school there, he attended the University of Maryland, College Park and earned a degree in German Studies in 1995. In his spare time, Liam enjoys practicing Tai Chi and Kung Fu, studying human behavior and psychology, reading on a variety of topics, watching History International, and salsa dancing.

Four Tips to Win a Great Job in a Recovering Economy By Valerie Mullins

Are you feeling stuck in your career? Maybe you no longer have a career at all! These feelings can be sooooo bad, it can cause anything from mild stress to full blown illness. But don’t despair! I’m going to give you four tips to help you win a great job in a recovering economy! If you don’t think you can move in this economy, perhaps you need to move to a new perspective. Here’s what you can do to get started. 1. What kind of job will make you feel like getting up in the morning? Are you in a job because of the income, need money to raise your family, pay college fees and other expenses? Sooner or later you will hit the wall! Do you know your “life’s work?” If not, you may want to take a few tests like the Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment to help you discover what you would be happy doing. ‘The original developers of the personality inventory were Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers.’ The initial questionnaire grew into the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which was first published in 1962. Personality does factor into your better career choices. 2. Once you’re reasonably certain what you want to do and have settled on a career path that will make you happy, the next item on your “to list” is to determine if

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you have the necessary education and/or skill sets to nail it or make it happen. 3. There are low cost ways to get some background training in your field of interest to enhance your knowledge base and prepare you for what’s ahead. Investigate online courses, which can be lower in cost versus instructor lead face-to-face classes. 4. Now that you’ve got the training under your belt, do you lack experience to make that all important move? It may be time to invest in some quick on-the-job training.

But you may be asking, “How do I get the experience I need for the career I want?” “Employers want experienced applicants!” You’re right! A good way to get experience is to contact a company or organization for a detail assignment or internship opportunity. Volunteer to work at a company or firm that performs the “exact” work you would like to do as a “paid” employee. IF this is not an option; ask if you can work parttime evenings or weekends. Whatever method you decide upon; do not sit and moan or complain! Complaining will never get you anywhere and life is very short! Make a little plan, do a little everyday and soon you will see progress. Look out world; you’re on your way!

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2012 Wine & Food Festival By Jessica Farley

The 5th annual Wine and Food Festival was held this past weekend at the National Harbor. Over 150 wines, beers, and spirits were available on an “all-you-can-taste” basis to patrons, along with restaurant tastings, live cooking demonstrations, and myriad vendors coming from coast to coast with samples of their tasty delicacies. Needless to say, I’ve been in elastic-waist pants ever since. Highlights of the event included a live cooking demonstration from the Food Network’s Sara Moulton, who prepared crepes and buffalo chicken rice- both recipes from her new cookbook “Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Meals.” Moulton, who spent 10 years as a host on the Food Network, now hosts “Sara’s Weeknight Meals” which has aired on PBS since 2008. She even has a “Sara’s Kitchen” app, which features recipes, videos, and shopping, available through iTunes for $2.99. The wine selection ranged in price from $9 to $349, and guests were also provided with a variety of craft beers featured in the “Biergarten,” as well as spirits selections from Skinny Girl, Cruzan, and Jim Beam- just to name a few. In short, nobody left the 2012 Wine & Food Festival thirsty. Exhibitors featured everything from artisan food products, to cigars, to homemade crafts, providing something enjoyable for everyone in attendance. Amongst the most fascinating vendors included Milly’s Organics, who were back for their second year at the festival all the way from California. Describing the experience of the Wine and Food Festival as “truly phenomenal,” Milly’s all

natural, all organic salad dressings proved too tasty for me to resist; I went home with a bottle of her Cayenne Watermelon Dressing, which she described as “most popular during the warm weather months.” Also back for a second year at the Wine and Food Festival was Captain Thom’s Chili Pepper Company, a 12 year old Baltimore based company. My favorite of their featured products? A toogood-to-be-true bacon ketchup, which would pair terrifically with scrambled eggs or atop a juicy burger. As a fan of the spicier foods in life, my mouth was left watering for more after a sample of Rizzotti Foods’ award-winning “Rippin’ Red Wing Sauce.” Based out of Abingdon, Maryland, all of Rizzotti Foods’ sauces are all natural, with no added sugars, preservatives, and zero Trans and saturated fats. All the more reason to indulge! The crowds enjoyed a break from all of the food and drink with live performances from The Bay Jazz Project, headlined by the coquettish vocal stylings of 26 year old Silver Spring native Mary Alouette. As a first time attendee to the Wine and Food Festival, Alouette said, “I loved the experience; the crowd was so vibrant!” Her gypsy-jazz influenced debut cd, “Midas,” is soon to be available on iTunes! As the sun began to set, and the souvenir tasting glasses shattered one by one on the ground after a tasting too many, I went on my way home- full-bellied and geared up for next year!

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Creating Memorable Wedding Favors The summer wedding season is right around the corner, and with multiple celebrations each month, making a wedding stand out from the crowd is a difficult task. The key to a memorable evening is giving everything a personal twist with colors and flavors that compliment the wedding and new couple. From the wedding decorations to the drinks served at the reception, each item can add a pop of personality. NielsenMassey Vanillas, the maker of fine vanillas and flavors, knows that vanilla is more than a key ingredient in the wedding cake. Vanilla and pure flavors can bring a splash of flavor to the entire celebration. The unique ideas below from Nielsen-Massey can make each wedding celebration truly special. For the DIY Bride – Make handmade paper flower bouquets (such as these flowers from Martha Stewart Weddings) and add a spritz of Nielsen-Massey Rose Water for a sweet floral scent. For the Wedding Shower– While the bride and groom open houseware gifts, guests can go home with a DIY baking kit. Create favors by printing the bride’s favorite dessert recipe and tying it to a bottle of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract. For the Bar or Bachelorette – Create a signature cocktail to add elegance and fun to the wedding reception or bachelorette party. The couple can share favorite flavors with guests such as this Moroccan Mojito. For Guests with a Sweet Tooth – Have a sweets table with the bride and groom’s favorite cookies and candies. Guests can choose from a variety of sweets from traditional chocolate chip cookies to macaroons infused with Nielsen-Massey Orange Blossom Water. For a more out of the box approach, create a vanilla ice cream bar with various toppings. For the Bridesmaids – The bride can pamper her bridesmaids with a homemade thank you gift, that’s inexpensive too! The

Vanilla Body Scrub recipe below will show appreciation, and the calming scent of vanilla will make the days after the wedding relaxing. Vanilla Body Scrub 1 cup Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 or 2 drops of an essential oil such as lavender, eucalyptus, etc. Decorative, waterproof container Mix ingredients together in a bowl. Spoon into a decorative, waterproof container. Wrap in decorative paper. Instructions for use: Apply a small amount to damp skin while in shower or bath. Gently scrub skin with a soft washcloth. Rinse thoroughly. No matter the wedding occasion – reception, bridal shower or even bachelorette party – there are several unique ways to add a personal touch. About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar and Certified Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Beans. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas recently introduced a line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are Allergen-Free and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

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Fashion

9 Tips for Wedding Day Bliss “I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, A church filled with family and friends. I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for, He said one that would make me his wife.” --Author Uknown By Mutsa Meda So, part one is over. You were lucky enough to meet the man of your dreams, fall in love, experience the kind of happiness that makes you feel complete, and get engaged. In part three, your love story will continue on as you and your husband share many wonderful years of wedded bliss. But first comes part two: the fun part, or the insanely stressful part, depending on how you look at it. It’s time to plan your wedding, and now all of a sudden, you have a lengthy laundry list of items to achieve, like setting a date, choosing a venue, assembling a bridal party, making strategic seating arrangements, hiring photographers, choosing invitations, choosing food, choosing lights, choosing flowers, choosing this and that, and that and this, gasp! Fortunately, angels fall from the sky in the form of wedding planners to help with all that heavy lifting, which leaves you with figuring out the fun stuff – the fashion! Many women have dreamed about their weddings since childhood, and there will be photos, so yes, the fashion may be fun, but it’s also one of the most serious aspects of wedding planning. Here is a list of ideas to try and a few trends to consider for your special day.

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Bridal Gowns Illusion Necklines – Think of an illusion neckline as a soft, elegant extension of a strapless gown, with a veillike effect and more support to boot! How sweet is that? The concept of sheer fabric is also immediately associated with romance, so what better occasion is there for an illusion neckline than a wedding? This demure yet fashion-forward style is incredibly versatile and can range from high to asymmetrical. Long Sleeves and Lace –Lace fabric has not been one of the top go-to choices for brides for decades and decades for no apparent reason. Is there any fabric out there that is more romantic than lace (tulle and chiffon are tied for a close second place finish)? After a long period of being shunned by the modern bride, long sleeved lace gowns have been steadily gaining popularity once more, thanks in large part to Kate Middleton and Bella Swan (a.k.a Kristen Stewart in Twilight: Breaking Dawn). Movies and popular culture no doubt play a big role in influencing the direction of fashion, and this case is no different. Unexpected twists, such as a sheer lace openback or a deep neckline are great contemporary enhancements to consider as well. Color Me Bride – Prince Charming has finally found the love of his life and wants to make you his princess. The best part about living out your fairytale fantasy is that you can edit it to suit your personality. Many women dream of wearing white on their wedding day; it’s pure, it’s classic, and it’s symbolic. For the women that dare to be different, and for those that are over the idea of wearing ivory gowns, blush-tinted dresses provide them with excellent alternatives. After popping up all over runways at New York Bridal Fashion Week, it is pretty clear that this romantic, airy shade is giving ivory gowns some worthwhile competition. The popularity of this muted color is fast increasing and the color choice is perfect for a spring or summertime wedding.

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Edgy Hair Accessories Regal Headbands – A headband is a bold alternative to your typical bridal tiaras and bejeweled hair combs. The smaller the jewels on the headband, the better. A headband with smaller jewels will allow for a more regal appearance. Bigger headbands can make your look seem overly costumelike. This look is usually easier to pull off when your hair is styled away from your face, so an updo would be the “can’t-gowrong” hairstyle with which to accessorize with a dainty headband. Flirty Feathers – Feather accents can add a nice contrast to your look. Not only are these a great way to complement a stylish updo, but they can be a great substitute for traditional floral hair accents. Feather accents also give you the opportunity to add a splash of color to your clean, all-white look. Birdcage Veil – Traditional brides usually prefer long veils cascading all the way down their backs, or ones that conceal the face and allow the groom to do the big reveal. If you’re aiming for a more theatrical look, the birdcage veil is the way to go. The versatility of the birdcage veil allows you to choose a length that flatters the shape of your face as well as the style of your dress. The look is a combination of edginess and allure, and guaranteed to make your look extremely memorable.

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Tips for Selecting Bridesmaid Gowns Flatter Their Figures – Opting for a uniform style for your bridesmaids sounds like it might make life easier for you, right? Nope, quite the opposite actually. Not every dress style suits every woman’s figure, so by insisting on a uniform, not only do you risk having a visibly uncomfortable bridal party on your special day, but you also run the risk of losing the attention of your attendees to the poor bridesmaid with the ill-fitting dress! Trust me, you do not need any extra stress that day. One option to consider is to let the bridesmaids choose the style of dress they want from your chosen color and fabric. After all, being given a little flexibility would make your friends feel good since they’ll be paying for the dress anyway! Easy A-Line – If some form of dress-style consistency for your bridesmaids is absolutely necessary, rarely can one go wrong with a knee-length A-line skirt. This cut flatters every figure, as long as the neckline is designed to suit each individual bridesmaid. The bridesmaids can walk and dance in these dresses with ease, and they won’t have to worry the whole day about getting an elegant long gown dirty! Color Coordinate – One of the first major decisions made in wedding planning is the theme. This decision influences every aspect of your wedding from the flowers and plate settings to the bridesmaids’ dresses. You’ll want to make sure that the style and color of clothing for your bridal party complements your theme, rather than clashing with it. Some additional things to keep in mind are the complexions of your bridesmaids. You don’t want to choose colors that are too harsh or dull against their skin, so selecting the same hue with a different intensity for each individual bridesmaid is a good way to go.

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Dating & Relationships

He-Said She-Said Dating Goals: How To Get The Right Girl/Guy! Jason is a Dating Coach and body language expert—his website is Daygamer.net. Every month, Jason will offer up his advice and invite one of his female colleagues. Our guest writer is Tara Chantal Silver, Founder and Managing Director of SilverStrategy, and this month’s topic might lead you down that aisle.

He Said A lot of people complain that they can get dates but not relationships, or relationships but not ones leading towards marriage. Here are some tips: 1. Know your goals. If you are winding up dating the wrong people (or can’t find the right people), focus on whether you are clear (to yourself and others) on what your goals are, and then screen to make sure that prospective dates match these goals. If you are looking for a FWB, LTR wife/husband, wife/ husband & kids, etc., you need to know what that goal is and be firm in it. Your goals should not change based on the people you are interested in. If they don’t meet your goals, don’t get involved with 32 DC Life Magazine

them. I’ve known people who complained that they can’t find a girl suitable for a long term relationship, yet they date people that from the beginning they knew did not meet their LTR standard. Focus your time and energy--wasting time with inappropriate people takes time away from finding and spending time with people who actually could meet your goals. 2. Screen girls/guys to make sure they match your goals. You can easily come up with questions to screen for a serious girlfriend/boyfriend, future wife/husband, future wife/husband and mother/father of your kids, etc. This does not need to be done on a first date but you CAN screen for casual (hookups, open relationships) vs. serious goals (relationships) on an initial meeting. Example: women who want kids (relatively soon) generally screen men by asking if the men want kids. The only correct answer to this (as far as these women are concerned) is “yes” (as long as it is true)—otherwise, these women tend to move on. Anything that isn’t a “yes” reads as a “no,” so there is no “maybe.” There is a Friends episode about this. What about women who don’t want kids? In my experience, they are upfront with this information, so that men who want

kids know to move on. Another example: People looking for serious relationships (including marriage) often screen for family values by asking about one’s family and relationship with their family. Yet another example: If you are looking for a relationship, you can ask what the person looks for in a man or woman for a relationship—if he/she describes you, it is going well. (You have also just subcommunicated that you are looking for a relationship.) This leads into the next section. 3. Sub-communicate and communicate who you are and what you are looking for in a relationship from the beginning. You are setting the frame and managing expectations. This is done before you even sleep w/the person, and includes both what you say and how you treat people you are (or want to be) involved with. Saying “I’m not looking for anything serious right now.” or “I don’t date.” are ways of communicating casual goals. Or, if you treat a girl/boy like a serious girlfriend/boyfriend by making a point of introduce her/him to your close friends/family, having a drawer or toothbrush for her/him at your house, making her/him breakfast, having

traditional dates, and doing traditional “couple activities like supermarket shopping, you are setting a serious “frame” even if you don’t have the “defining the relationship” talk. It isn’t about one thing you do; it’s a combination of things that set the frame. That said, don’t assume you are on the same page--you have to have the talk if there can be a misunderstanding about your gals or something has changed (or you want it to). If your goals are different from each other’s, you are not an appropriate match, and someone could get hurt. 4. One way to break the pattern of dating (or not finding) the right people is to be open-minded about who we date. Try dating people who you are (or might be) attracted to, but who don’t meet your normal type. There should be some things that are deal-breakers for you, but you should NOT have a huge list, since every item on that list further limits the dating pool (and some of those people may actually be appropriate for you. (The February DC Life Magazine He Said She Said topic was deal breakers.) Direct any questions about this article or column to dating. column@gmail.com. Jason Dating Coach Daygamer.net

She Said My goal as a communications expert is to help people launch, brand and market their companies. Much of that time is spent on helping and coaching founders and business partners to weather the ups and downs of planning and growing a business. Lately I find myself giving advice with the same foundations to my engaged friends, who are planning their joint ventures and trying not to create cracks in the partnership. These pressures of the “Big Day” wreak all sorts of havoc on even the best of relationships during the engagement process-mostly due to a lack of communication. I have come to find that many of the tools that work in the business world are just as effective in building strong and lasting personal relationships. So what are some of the common issues couples have during the engagement phase and can anything be done to repair relationship woes? While I’m no engagement guru, I do possess a skill set for a better communication methodology. Same Team: You are on the same team so act like it. It’s not what he wants versus what you want. You (plural) need to get through this in one piece, so it doesn’t matter if you (singular) are the only one who makes it. Listen to your partner. Communicate your feelings and goals, spelling out what you need in order to be happy and to grow as a couple. Make compromises (you can live with) and let your partner know their happiness is a priority for you. (Do you truly care what flowers are on the table?) A winwin is not a competition to decide who’s right and who’s wrong.

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If one of you is unhappy, you both lose. (I guarantee you won’t even remember the flower arrangements.) Being on the same team will help you grow as a couple - even through the hard times. What Not To Do: A wedding won’t fix any deeply penetrating issues in your courtship, just like having a baby will not fix your relationship and definitely won’t fix a sour marriage. Even some of the small bothersome issues will catch up with your sanity over time if you don’t nip it in the bud. Wedding planning disagreements are common and often create resentment, so take note of unstable feelings. Use this time to learn to disagree and talk things out. The engagement process is a good testing ground for how you deal with hardship as a couple. If you can’t seem to get to the other side of an argument, get outside help sooner rather than later. This is a crystal ball for pressure situations later in the marriage—kids, layoffs, illness, and the list goes on. If you can work things out now, chances are you’ll be able to do the same later down the road as well. Date Nights: Create wedding-free nights. This should be a designated weekly event. Go out, go to a movie or dinner, or rent a hotel room for the night. If you can’t make a stress-free zone for your relationship now, it will be even harder to make the commitment later on amidst more serious responsibilities. Even if you’re stressed and fighting, replace the significance of any problem you two are facing with what is most important: each other. Share the Load: The “Big Day” is a big job, and women are often stuck with doing all of the “things.” But, ultimately, it’s a party to celebrate a union of lives, families and love. Both parties have to show up, and not just at the altar. He might not care about what silverware you register for— but he cares about you and should be

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supportive. Maybe he could plan the music or rehearsal dinner. Don’t be a martyr and take on every last detail on your own. Even if you’re born to plan and micromanage, don’t create that precedence in your marriage. Women have more on their plate then they did traditionally and you’ll be sorry and resentful when all the “details” of the rest of your lives fall solely on you. Read the signs: Non-verbal cues from your partner are just as important as verbal ones. We have all seen couples become bitter because of constant nagging and obvious sly remarks made in passing and promised ourselves that would never be us. If you’re pressing on an issue results in eye-rolling, make a note and point it out. Immediately figure out how to get through obstacles or the passive poking will create a sour environment where problems will just be ignored. Resentful dismissing and avoidance will only create anger and suddenly you will become that bickering couple you swore to never be. Try to address and react to difficulties as if you were talking to your boss. You wouldn’t dare to nag or roll your eyes at your boss. That wouldn’t show proper due respect or be helpful in the long run right? So, show the same respect to the most important person in your life, your future spouse. Deal With It: Women open, Men shut. Generally speaking, this is how men and women deal with problems. Women want to pour everything out the moment issues come on to keep them from growing and taking a snowball effect. Men keep things bottled up inside and/or slowly process issues. Here is my shout out to you men and women approaching the altar. To Women- find ways not to sweat the small stuff and vent appropriately. To Men—recognize when you need to express things, she’s not a mind reader but she can tell when you’ve pulled away.

Women often feel obligated to take the lead emotionally and pressures mount as men continue to pull further back. This is a bad cycle that is extremely hard to break. Learn each other’s signals because clearly you both have them. Communicating with your significant other needs to be a lifetime commitment. If you don’t acknowledge and confront what’s bothering you or them– you risk dragging your woes out longer and leaving your partner with just enough rope to hang his/herself. Learning to adjust your life in every way to accommodate someone else is an ongoing process of compromises and balancing acts that are all worth it for the right partner. Sharing your feelings and hopes will help to meet each other’s needs and facilitate a strong foundation of communication, trust and fulfillment. Love and happiness should be a two way street, so ask yourself often if you’re attending to the needs of your partner. In fact... just ask your partner! Tara Chantal Silver is the Founder and Managing Director of SilverStrategy, a boutique public relations and public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C. Tara has worked within the field of communications for over 13 years and has become a staple in the DC marketplace. SilverStrategy specializes in working in the areas of Strategic Communications, Event Planning, Branding, Creative Marketing Campaigns, Partnership/Coalition Building and Development. Tara was a recent recipient of the 2011 Washington Woman in PR’s Emerging Leaders Award and Cofounder of DC Entrepreneurship Week. Prior to starting SilverStrategy, she was Vice President of a local public affairs firm. Follow her blog, YourGoodIdeaFairy. com and on Twitter @SilverStrategy and Facebook.

Truths About Love in a Crazy World By Jason Daygamer

I decided to take Dr Eigen up on his interview offer, which I am glad I did since his answers were thoughtful and insightful. The original message his publicist sent me is below: “In today’s world, the average relationship seems to last anywhere between a few months to a few years. Long term commitments seem almost to belong to another age. Often it seems we live in a crazy world and therefore accept crazy relationships. People in relationships seem guarded and unwilling to let their partners in. Some argue this is only because of the troubled economic time that we live in. Others argue we are seeing so many dysfunctional relationships because the role of a man and woman are blurred. What is the cause of so many short term relationships? How can people have long term and meaningful relationships? Able to discuss this and more is Dr. David Eigen, a leading psychologist and author of the books, Men – The Gods of Love and Women – The Goddesses of Wisdom. Dr. Eigen discusses why so many live in a crazy world and have crazy relationships. He discusses also how to have a healthy and normal relationship. Dr. Eigen has appeared on CNN and HLN for his expertise. Would you be interested in interviewing him on this?” The Interview: Jason: How do you feel the roles of men and women have blurred, and why does that lead to dysfunctional relationships? Dr. E: Men are taught and inherently are leaders who must also balance their feminine side. The Women’s Liberation movement taught women that being feminine was demeaning. It correctly taught women that abuse was unacceptable; they are equals of men and should be respected. They are equal but different.

Unfortunately, blame was laid on men, not the patriarchal teachings and femininity. There solution was to become men, but not powerful balanced feminine beings. I see that many women are as aggressive and pushy in a masculine manner. This will emasculate their intended victim, who losses self-confidence and becomes less of a man, more passive and feminine, or rejects this and runs. Why is this balance so important? Because the balance between your inner male and female is a direct reflection of your ability to love and be loved! Jason: Define some roles that you feel are (or should be) male roles and some that are (or should be) female roles. Dr. E: These are the attributes listed in Women the Goddesses of Wisdom: MEN WOMEN MENTAL EMOTIONAL Giver Receiver Doing Being Control Situations Capacity to Relate Presenting Component Receiving Vessel Initiator of Life Producer of Life Rigidity Flexibility Be Directive Give Direction Strength Sensitivity Focus Inspiration Structure Vision Intellect Faith Logic Intuition Guardian Nurturer Provider Sustainer Order Fluid Linear Circular Rational Symbolic Warrior Defender

Jason: Is it more difficult for right-brained men and left-brained women to find love and LTRs? How and why? Dr. E: Yes, because they have reversed their roles, which probably will lead to disharmony, dissatisfaction and, eventually, a break-up. Jason: How do you feel tough economic times lead to dysfunctional relationships? Can’t we have good relationships regardless of our economic status? Dr. E: “Economic stressors affect relationships. If the man is not providing (which is his job), he will feel less of a man. This can have a negative effect on the relationship.”

and about me – that is good. If they find excuses for upsetting behaviors, own up to nothing, and are self-involved, and I am feeling uneasy, jealous, resentful, alone, uncared about, lied to –(these are signs to avoid) then that’s all she wrote. Jason: How do you break out of a pattern of dating the wrong people? How can you recognize the wrong people? Dr. E: A pattern of “wrong people” is most likely codependency, which is the addiction to the struggle to be loved. Counseling, CODA [Co-Dependents Anonymous], [and] self-discovery are all available. Doing nothing will guarantee the same negative results.

Jason: What is a “normal” relationship and what is a healthy relationship?

Dr. E: Do they stick around? Are you both at peace being around each other? Do you both honor each other? If so, it is a possibility. If all there is…is a heated rush, it is doubtful. Jason: What qualities should you look for and avoid in a potential mate? Dr. E: I look for someone I care deeply about, am at peace with, who can discuss issues I may have and address behaviors that cause me to react. If they can be clear and not defensive, agree to review what is not working, are honorable, have integrity and seem to genuinely care for

Jason: Does the man have to lead in a relationship, and how? Dr. E: Both lead in their respective manner. The man leads more directly, while the woman encourages. Neither are [the] lessor or weaker, just leading from their sex’s perspective. Jason: What are the differences between the self-limiting beliefs men have, versus the ones women have? Dr. E: Men have to be macho to be men, therefore limiting their ability to feel and take in love. Women are taught they are weaker and less intelligent by nature, thereby limiting their inherent strength, their wisdom. Jason: What could our families have taught us growing up that would help us in relationships as adults?

Dr. E: A balanced give-and-take is the basis of a healthy relationship. The name of my third incomplete book is The Sacred Dance, which describes a healthy balanced relationship between two balanced people. Jason: How can you know when you first meet and/or start dating someone if they have long-term relationship potential?

relationship?

Dr. E: How to be whole and balanced, which they probably aren’t themselves. Jason: Do “crazy relationships” work for some people? Why? Jason: What are three behaviors or mindsets you can adopt to improve your ability to find the right person? Dr. E: AM I being the right person? What is it I really need? Am I pretending not to know something about myself and/or my partner that will make it clear? Am I blocking letting in the best partner for me? Jason: What are three behaviors or mindsets you can adopt to improve your relationships? Dr. E: How am I being loved that I am choosing to ignore and why? Am I creating situations/strife that blocks this love? How can I participate more fully in my

Dr. E: Some people like to be whipped to achieve physical orgasms. Is it crazy? Does this work for them? They say it does, but perhaps it is the only way they can feel, not knowing what love really is. Jason: What qualities in a man most attract good quality women for longterm relationships, and what qualities in a woman most attract good quality men for long-term relationships? Dr. E: This is a difficult question as the answer will be different for a healthy relationship. Present world answers, which create relationships that are bartered for, are the problem.

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Jason: Do you believe that you need to just “be yourself” to do well with the opposite sex? Is this different for men and for women? Dr. E: The big question is WHO AM I? Most people really have no idea who they are, but are just acting out the roles they have been taught. So the answer is YES, but you need to be clear who you are first. Jason: Is there a correlation between how quickly a couple has sex and success of the LTR? Dr. E: Quick sex will get the sexual compatibility question out of the way quickly, which is good. However, it can miss important understandings about one another that can be overlooked. Jason: What are the most important ways a couple should be compatible? How do you screen for these compatibilities? Dr. E: Screen for compatibility? Well first look at yourself and see what you really need, not just what you want. Then ask questions. I have found that within the first hour, I have all the info I usually need if I just LISTEN, and I don’t make excuses for my perspective partner answers or explain them away. If they say they are a retired axe murderer, penis amputator, etc., I believe them. I want warm fuzzy feelings, not cold prickly ones. Jason: What do you know now about women and relationships that you wish you knew at 21?

Dr. E: A Whole Lot! In fact I have written books about relationships out of my experience, misunderstanding, and lack of selfknowledge. But the biggest thing is they are not the enemy, but they can be. Jason: Do you feel that people have too many dating deal breakers? Is that a problem? Is this different between men and women? Dr. E: Most I have heard are trite, hollow statements based in our own rigid thoughts. Get rid of them. Base it on honest feelings. If a woman did something unacceptable, it is possible after we discussed it that she owns up to it and… agrees to change, then that is a good thing. If they defensively argue and are not open to hearing what I am saying, that will cause me to move on. However, a relationship is NOT A DEAL, and trying to make it so…ruins it. Jason: What are some deal breakers that you feel are not appropriate? Dr. E: People looking for loveless arrangements based in their mental constructs. Not knowing who they are, but looking for some formula based relationship. Jason is a Dating Coach who has a monthly Dating Column in DC Life Magazine. His website is daygamer.net. Please send comments or questions regarding this article, his dating column, or his coaching program to dating.column@gmail.com.

Entertainment

Abraham Inc. By Jenna Makowski www.jennagmakowski.com

Abraham Inc. performed live on the Strathmore stage on May 3, 2012. “Come on, y’all! Get up and clap along!” Rapper and MC C-Rayz Walz patrolled the stage, flapping his arms outwards and clapping them above his head in an attempt to drag the audience into the music. The initial reaction was minimal; most people remained still, culturally conditioned to stay rooted to their chairs when seated in a darkened and formal 40 DC Life Magazine

concert hall. The strange disparity of a hip hop artist on a formal concert stage more accustomed to symphonic orchestras and jazz trios mirrored disparities playing out in the music itself. The rapper’s freestyle lines were punctuated with the raspy riffs of a funky brass trio, who in turned passed a call-and-response line back and forth with a virtuosic klezmer clarinetist, all woven together on top of a house beat. But Abraham Inc. doesn’t need their audiences to tell them that what their doing is strange. They already know.

Photo by Jon Wasserman

The Eclectic Sounds of

“Audiences usually start out apprehensive,” explained Fred Wesley, one of the group’s founders. “But by the end they are into it. They go beyond the formalities and just enjoy themselves. That’s what we want, for people to loosen up.” The audience didn’t need much coercion to realize that the musicians had their movement in mind. By the middle of the second song, a few couples had abandoned their chairs and danced their way into the hall’s dark corners. And by the middle of the fourth song, most of the ground floor had morphed into a

Jewish wedding-esque circle dance that twisted its way down the aisles and between rows, plucking people out of their seats as it passed. Abraham Inc. grew from the creative endeavors of clarinetist David Krakauer, a musician schooled in both classical music and klezmer. Klezmer, a genre of Ashkenazic Jewish music with roots in Eastern Europe, was first brought to the United States by the massive waves of Jewish immigrants around the turn of the century. It was later revived in the 1960s and 1970s as part of a post-World War II search for Jewish identity.

Krakauer has been using his musical vision and creativity to take it to that revival to the next level. His strategy: to meld klezmer with other musical genres in order to reach a wider audience. He began collaborating with DJ Socalled, whose previous forays into the cross sections between sampling, hip hop, techno and klezmer had established him as a creative pioneer in Jewish music and popular culture. Their next step was to call funk trombonist Fred Wesley. As the former composer, arranger and back-

up musician for James Brown, Wesley brings a distinct harmonic dimension and groove to the mix. Krakauer realized from the first rehearsal that the group had chemistry. Usually, they just need to wait a few moments for audiences to catch on. At the root of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music is the process of listening to each other. And in the process of listening to each other, they find the similarities that connect funk, klezmer and hip hop.

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Photo by Jon Wasserman

Taken at face value, funk and klezmer seem not only disparate, but diametrically opposed. The rhythmic quality of funk, with its core of electric bass lines, percussive grooves and horn hits, seems to sit at the opposite end of the spectrum from klezmer’s melodic nature and meandering clarinet lines that mimic the human laugh and the human cry. But Wesley and Krakauer saw the connection. “There’s a certain kind of simplicity,” explained Krakauer. “It’s not like jazz, where you’re leaping around to different chords with complex changes. Klezmer and funk are harmonically simple, with only one or two chords that creates an almost trance-like feel.” They take the funk and klezmer riffs that develop out of that harmonic simplicity and layer them on top of Socalled’s creative samples, which draw on bits of old klezmer tunes and funk rhythms and riffs. But Socalled’s samples serve a larger purpose beyond a rhythmic foundation. Sampling, rapping and DJing have exploded as means of artistic expression around the world. Hip hop has become a universal language.

their audiences. But there’s also a connection that reaches beyond the music. It’s also the basis of the band’s name. Both funk and klezmer share religious roots. While funk grew out of African American gospel and blues, klezmer developed partially out of synagogue cantoral music. That connection led to the name Abraham Inc. As Wesley explained, “Abraham is the father of us all. We all come from the seed of Abraham. Black, White, Jewish, Christian, Muslim – it all comes from one seed, and it’s all incorporated into one new music.” For a musical product that spans so succinctly and meaningfully across religious, racial and cultural lines, it seems appropriate that the message they spread musically be expanded metaphorically into life as a whole. For Krakauer, that message is about cross-cultural sharing. “People should always keep an open mind toward the other, whoever that other is. It’s wonderful to share cultures, to learn about other people. Often we’re fearful of those kinds of things, but Abraham Inc. provides a wonderful metaphor for this cross-cultural sharing.”

“As soon as someone starts rapping, then young people respond,” Krakauer observed. “Any kind of world music, any nationality you can think of, embraces hip hop. It has become international. People add hip hop to traditional music, and that marriage is something people can just listen to and identify with. They don’t have to make an intellectual leap to enjoy the music.”

Wesley takes a more direct approach.

It’s that non-intellectual and completely instinctual, gut-level connection to the music that Abraham Inc. seeks to foster with

By the last song, nobody was left sitting.

“Free your mind and your ass will follow,” advises Wesley of anyone who comes to hear Abraham Inc. live. The audience in that darkened concert hall was quick to take his advice.

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Fifth Annual Wine & Food Festival at the National Harbor

Images of the Fifth Annual Wine & Food Festival at the National Harbor in Maryland on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6, 2012. Photographs courtesy of Jessica Farley.

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Music Review

Local Talent Review Submitted by Jem Bahaijoub ImaginePR.com Gypsy jazz vocalist and Strathmore Artist in Residence Mary Alouette will celebrate the release of her debut EP, Midas, at a salon-style CD release show at the Mansion at Strathmore on April 25th. What makes you standout from other musicians? My music encompasses a variety of musical influences, from early hot jazz, to opera and electronic beats. I used to sing with the Washington Opera’s Children’s Chorus at the Kennedy Center, and was fortunate enough to work under the baton of Maestro Placido Domingo. Also, I sang with the Choral Arts Society under director Norman Scribner, and got to perform at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, as well as in the same program as Stevie Wonder at the Capitol. Opera and theater experiences in DC led me to study opera singing at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. I also spent summers studying and performing classical vocal music in Italy and Austria. In addition to classical music, I also love a variety of older and modern music, so I want to create music that has an overarching sense of influences. I really love listening to Django Reinhardt, especially when he references Debussy in his compositions. Montreal has a great electronic, indie, and world music scene, and I discovered techno and dubstep. I had to scope out more and traveled to Berlin twice to explore the roots and the industrial nature of this music. My favorite track on Midas, my EP coming out in April, is O Be I Your Bluebird, which references the classical, jazz, and electronic influences in a variety of ways, from vocal delivery to instrumentation to structure. When I got the tracks back from the mastering session in New York, I must have listened to that song for 32 hours over the course of three days. It is a vision that has been in the making for years. What’s been your biggest break in your career so far? The Artist in Residence position at Strathmore has afforded me so many opportunities to work with

professional musicians on and off the stage. It encouraged me to produce my EP, Midas, and has provided support to continue pursuing music. I feel I’ve gotten my feet on a path and have ideas for the future. Some big events I’m looking forward to are a performance at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center later this year, and singing in an Eva Cassidy Tribute at the Music Center at Strathmore in August. What impression do you want your listeners to go away with after listening to your music? I’d like listeners to hear something just like my favorite lyric from Django Reinhardt’s song, Continental, “beautiful music, dangerous rhythm.” 4. What are your plans for the future? I’m going to spend a lot of time next year gigging in New York City with gypsy jazz players of the Lower East Side Hot Club and other groups, working on writing more gypsy jazz/electronic/classical fusion, and spending time in the studio at ishlab with engineer and producer Daniel Lynas. I lived in Brooklyn last year after spending six years in Montreal. It was a change of pace in lifestyle, but I’ve been lucky to find the jem of a studio ishlab, and its great team of producers, engineers, and artists coming there to work. ishlab is in DUMBO, a neighborhood that is so soothing in its green industrial vibes along the waterfront, so I’m looking forward to absorbing that atmosphere, which grounds me. Feeling at home in a place is so crucial to creative production. I’m also looking forward to going to ‘Django in June’ for the third time. It is an annual gypsy jazz workshop-based festival in Massachusetts, a music camp for adults with great players coming through to teach and perform. It will be really great to jam and sit-in with other gypsy jazz players regularly in New York City. There’s a great community of players there and I’m excited to crosspromote DC and NYC gypsy jazz scenes, which are ever expanding.