Has Baltimore found it’s new Wire series? It’s possible to say after viewing the premiere of the Lost Kings Series this week at the Charles Theater July 24th.
Terrence Smalls, director at 89 Crowns and writer of the independent film, may be onto something with his new series because it’s been a long time coming since Baltimore had such rich production embedded with its culture. In Lost Kings, Smalls shares his perspective of the city trenches, finally giving a glimpse of the inside from an insider of Baltimore City.
Any Baltimorean can tell the world is ready for more insight into how we live our lives whenever our radar flashes anytime tourists compare the lifestyle of the residents in Baltimore City to actors in the phenomenal HBO Series The Wire. Watching the Lost Kings at its premier made me realize it could have the same potential. From people’s accents to the infamous dirt bike riding in Baltimore streets, this fictional story portrays our city life artistically instead of, in recent years, the common factual documentary.
Through Smalls’ enactment of Max, played by Baltimore’s dirt bike Wheelie Queen, we watch her journey to avenge her brother’s death and thrive in an arena full of corrupt men. According to the premiere’s Facebook e-vite, Lost Kings’ purpose is to “bring Baltimore Culture to the forefront, while also highlighting and examining factors that contribute to psychological trauma.”
The film did great in portraying its purpose. Many artists throughout Baltimore’s art scene had a part in the production of the film. So it was easy to pick up on the city’s culture naturally as we watch the native actors. The film also highlighted characters having Post Traumatic Stress in situations highly aggravating and aggressive.
The series premiere is broken into 3 chapters in a total length of 30 minutes. It didn’t feel like 30 minutes at all with its many break in-between scenes acting as identifiers for the audience to refresh their attention on a new direction the story will take lead. We can see Smalls create a signature of his artistry while implementing this playwright style into the first episode. It also sets the series apart from independent “hood films” of its time, labeling a little more cinematic than that of what I can find “googling” indie hood films or come across on YouTube. So let’s say in three chapters Baltimore’s rawness is indeed depicted authentically and successfully in a swift 30 minutes.
I also did my part as I was a production assistant for the film, which is always great. Woo! I enjoyed having met many of the cast a crew since last year in 2017 at the start of shooting. Other participants in the production took to social media to share that they felt the same.
Terrence Smalls shares his appreciation for the turnout of the Lost Kings Premiere:
Does the Lost Kings series look like a series that you’d tune into? Leave your comments below.
If you missed out on the Lost Kings Series first premier, you have the opportunity to check it out really soon. The producers are expecting for the Lost Kings Series second premier to be held this August 2018.
On September 6, 2017, not even a full 3 months away, was the birth of another successful small black business in Baltimore, MD. Hellooooo Kora Lee’s Gourmet Desserts and Brunch! It’s about time I got around to sharing some new black excellence on Doc’s Castle Media.
Kora Lee’s Gourmet Dessert and Brunch is located in downtown Baltimore, directly off light rail stop of N Howard Street and W Monument Street. The neighborhood looked sketchy but what can anyone expect dinning on Howard Street, where more than half of the strip is out of business and filled with vacant buildings. But I digress because that’s a topic for another blog.
I visited this Gourmet shop while accompanying my fellow co-hosts of the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast to interview the owner of the newly open spot on Howard Street. Our faces were greeted with friendly faces as soon as we walked in. It felt like walking into your aunt’s or granny’s house on a Sunday afternoon.
The atmosphere was great. As soon as I walked in the door, I felt like I was visiting a close aunt as I caught onto the music vibes. Classic MJ played on the radio as we waited to order some southern style brunch. I had to remind myself where I was when Thriller came through the speakers because I was ready to get in-formation to perform the infamous Thriller dance. I was ready to dance for my food.
Chris, Jill and I placed our orders. I ordered The Lanrane, a southern styled cheddar biscuit smothered in creamy gravy, itsy-bitsy bites of sausages, and a side of sliced tomatoes sprinkled with parsley leaves. I’m drooling as I’m writing about it while recalling the exact taste my taste buds experienced that afternoon. Such creamy goodness surpassed all cheddary biscuits I’ve ever tasted including Red Lobster’s famous cheddar biscuits.
Jill and Chris enjoyed their dishes too. So much so they didn’t dare to demolish them on camera. They savored them for once the interview with Kora Lee was done. But as for me, it became RIP to my plate. I was “hangry” and couldn’t wait.
During our interview with Ms. Kora Lee, we discussed many topics. Just to touch on a few, we discussed her motivation to open her restaurant in Baltimore, whether she gains a lot of support from other Black people and businesses, and what’s new to expect from this young but thriving small business.
View the full interview with owner Kora Lee of Kora Lee’s Gourmet Dessert and Brunch via the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast, below.
What’s your favorite small business to support in Baltimore? Share with our readers in the comments. Let’s start a movement to build non-traditional business customs.
Everything that happens has a reason and a cause. That’s why I won’t knock the knowledge I’ve learned since the death of Korrynn Gaines, the 23-year black woman who was gunned down by police officers earlier this August in front of her 5-year-old son and the comfort of her own home.
Photo From Korryn Gaines Social Account
Since Korrynn’s death, there’s are numerous questions about what truly happened during her 6-hour standoff with the Baltimore County Police Department. For several days, the general public was left in the dark about whether the police kicked her apartment door in while entering her apartment or if they obtained a key, and questions on whether she fired her shotgun at police first or if the police did.
Hearing so many questions regarding this shooting can make someone question if the people we put our trust in to protect and serve us are really honest in their dealings. It caused me to do a little more research about policy.
Previous to Korrynn’s most recent encounter with the Baltimore County Police Department, there was another incident with county police in March. The police interrogated the Korryn for 20 minutes for driving around with cardboard tags instead of Maryland state tags on her car. When asked to provide documentation for her vehicle, she repeatedly refused to present her driver’s license, tags, and registration. Some articles on the Internet state Korryn was pulled over while practicing sovereign law. Take a look at this footage as she refused to provide identification for police officers in March while she was pulled over for a traffic violation.
Delegation of Authority: What does it mean?
Like many of us that have a growing curiosity for something we desperately want an answer to, I went to YouTube for a quick definition. I came across a lot of videos that gave good definitions. But there was one particular journalist named Andrew Westmoreland who gave me the best explanation to what delegation of authority meant in the sense of its use in law enforcement. I also found websites that further explained how it is used to delegate orders to people of the law. Though I can’t say what Westmoreland is saying is the fact, he does make a few valid points that I cannot look past, like people not being aware of their laws and policies as it relates to current events with cases about police brutality.
With Korryn Gaines, lots of people may have jumped to conclusions too quickly about her character by saying she’s crazy or mental. There is obviously something more. According to what is observed in her encounter with the addition to learning more about delegation of authority, Korryn had a genuine concern about how she dealt with law enforcers. She was a smart and strong-willed woman. She truly stuck to what she believed was her due to rights. To her, there is a correct way of doing things. She literally died for what she believed.
Would you believe Korryn’s notion to ask the police for delegation of authority was justified after watching journalists explain what it means? Leave your comments below.
This Saturday, December 19, 2015, there’s a new attraction opening for people seeking to quench their “eye” thirsts. Those who appreciate admiring the beauty of an exquisite painting can now see what Baltimore’s most underrated visual artists have to share with the world.
In October, I had the opportunity to take a sneak peek of what I assume should be expected, along with a lot more admirable pieces, at this up and coming art gallery with my attendance at the Jerrell Gibbs art exhibit.
Jerrell Gibbs is one of the many artist who submitted to Doc’s Castle Media in 2014. Art has always been a passion of his, whether it was drawing sketches of his favorite cartoon characters or his favorite athletes. He adopted a lot of his influences from his dearly departed cousin Carlos Batts, “Tatman D”, Ron Bass, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Voka along with many others. While creating pieces stimulating the audience by exuding positive under tones through his work, he aspires to become a well- known freelance artist. I assume beginning with the Incredible Creation behind him during his cultivated, artistic exertion.
It wasn’t until three months ago, I’ve made the connection with my DCM submission box. I’ve finally seen with my own eyes the artwork of such a talented artist.
(I honestly stress that all artist get out there, talk about your work, and never give up! It’s the only way you’ll get the attention you’re seeking.)
Gibbs work is remarkable and I believe he has what it takes to pull the support of a new generation of eyes. He even has a documentary named “Got Gibbs?!” releasing this month, which follows him on a journey towards achieving his freelance arts aspiration. I know there is so much more to expect from Gibbs. I can’t wait to see what more he has to offer.
The Incredible Creation is a brand I started following at the closing of Fall 2013 beginning with the Incredible Creation Blog. Since its emergence, they have expanded in providing a broad band of products and services with a mission created by its founder Milly Vanderwood as an outlet “that artists from all mediums should be able to display their talents, regardless of traditional standards of the “art spectrum.” The latest addition to their extended list of products is the divinely scrumptious Incredible Little Cupcakes.
With exhibits inspired by today’s pop culture, there’s lots to look forward to from this gallery. From exhibits honoring the late Tupac Shakur & Aaliyah, to displays commemorating the artist themselves, the Incredible Creations is providing the leisure for the artist to tell us a beautiful story visually.
“Got Gibbs?!” Trailer
http://youtu.be/rEKAbaENNxA
Come out this Saturday to see more art from Jerrell Gibbs and other Incredible Creation artists at the Grand Opening of the Incredible Creations Art Gallery.
To be an event with an estimate of 3 million people who showed up, there still were lots of disappointed black folk who didn’t have the chance to attend. As I spoke to some people through social media, I’ve heard many excuses for why they weren’t in attendance. Some saying because they had no transportation given such short notice or had to be at work. Others didn’t feel it necessary to come because they don’t believe in a current generation being in charge of black liberation. Lot’s of people simply didn’t want to hear what Minister Farrakhan had to say in conjunction to his past. But the majority relayed their absence was because they weren’t aware of the 20th Anniversary of the March being held this year.
If you weren’t aware of the Million Man March, who could truly blame you for not showing up for this special moment in history. Mainstream media failed to make you aware of such a historical event and still brushes it off with failure to broadcast the event’s successes and positivity.
Black media was sure to be in attendance. There’s plenty of good footage for you to get the gist of everything that happened on 10/10/15. Watch video brought to you by The Mindy Jo Show, below.
Support Black Media
What is the Mindy Jo News Show?
Mindy Jo News Show is an independent news show under PR WIZ, LLC and is based out of Washington, DC. The show’s purpose is to “connect with people through compelling content across various platforms such as online, digital, and mobile devices in the DC Metropolitan areas and around the world.”
Mindy Jo, photo from http://mjnewsshow.wix.com/
Mindy Jo, who’s the brains behind such publication, personally provided me with this video to share with my readers. I met her through Twitter as she caught wind of the coverage I’ve shared of the Million Man March. After I retweeted of footage with the hashtag #SupportBlackMedia, it came to my attention that I should really do just that.
Mindy Jo aims to be an “affiliate of the people” while “embracing all human beings.” Through her actually taking the time to share my writings, I know she’s doing a great job achieving that.
The Mindy Jo Show focuses on various topics, such as health, lifestyle, weather, wealth, science, education, technology, and politics. All news provided to you with a “pure” and “organic” touch. It’s a perspective worth taking the time to watch.
Are you willing to support black media? Check out more from the Mindy Jo Show via her website, mjnewsshow.wix.com. Have you read the Five Main Points Minister Farrakhan screamed at us during the Million Man March? Read it here on Doc’s Castle Media.
Baltimore’s turmoil due to riots and protests for Freddie Gray have blossomed a hefty amount of creative masterpieces from independent artist of all sort. The Internet is buzzing of colorful opinions, many pale and others vibrant, depicting artists’ perception of peace and violence; justice and injustice; and moral or immoral.
Encouraging words from these rappers are expected since so many young people support these artist. We need them to inspire our kids to do better; to seek success and progression instead of lawlessness and turbulence, as the world watched Baltimore Youth as they rioted and looted as a result of police brutality towards Freddie Gray.
“Dumb Dumb” artist scratched the surface of reaching the you by releasing “No SunShine” in honor of Freddie Gray. Unfortunately, I do not believe he took this opportunity by storm. So much more could be done. So much more could be said.
“No SunShine” doesn’t get much praise from me because there’s more to be said than what these children who live in these neighborhoods already know. There are ways to get a message across without stating the obvious of what’s happening in our city’s black communities. We know of what our state’s governmental policies enable and forbid us from doing. We know about the “slums” that blacks have systematically become accustomed to. My concern was for artists like Young Moose to do a bit more, maybe lead more as an example.
I guess, I’m expecting too much in such a short amount of time. Huh?
Where are the programs they’re continuously supporting. As I look at each artists background and choice of brand for their music, I’m a little concerned about outsiders not understanding what’s needed to be said for our city. It could easily be misinterpreted if someone would listen to more of Young Mouse’s discography as his music is majority about drugs and trap life.
We need more “substance.” We need more positive messages young people will enjoy and support.
What do you think? Did you like Young Moose’s “No Sunshine?” Leave your comments below.
Special Note: This post will be my least uniformed blog post due to the built up emotions from recent events caused by the death of Baltimore black man, Freddie Gray. It’s my duty as a Baltimore writer to talk about this the way mainstream media does not want us to. PLEASE KNOW THIS FIRST WHILE YOU READ THIS: I AM NOT A JOURNALIST, now. I AM WRITING AS A BLACK WOMAN FROM THE CITY OF BALTIMORE!
Words pour onto paper as I’ve become a part of American history today while I write about what my eyes have witness on April 25, 2015, a day which I thought I would never see my city be the forefront of America for something so severe and extremely civil. I thought it was a part of mankind’s inhumane struggle that Black people conquered, or at least scratched the surface of overcoming. But we haven’t and it’s obvious to the world now.
America is governed by a system corrupt that uses the very people who help build this very nation as a stepping stool to bringing the world back to square one by embarrassing my whole race through provoking us to move; by tormenting Blacks unfairly.
As a Black woman, myself, and a blogger who lives in Baltimore, it is my duty to talk about the problems my city faces in the eyes of millions, nationally and internationally, who are watching my town react to police brutality towards yet another African-American male, who met his end in the most unfortunate and unfair manner society could ever grant, death by the very people meant to protect him.
Who is Freddie Gray?
If you don’t know by now, get the fuck off my blog. You don’t care enough. This post isn’t for those who rather sit in their ignorance while we are at war. This post isn’t for the people seeking to view how “ratchet” and “routy” my city is to confirm our “home of The Wire” reputation. This post is not for people who go on major media outlets social media pages to read and participate in the racist comments. This post is to wake you the fuck up! This post is meant to make you realize from the eyes of a Baltimore writer that something really messed up is going on. So open your eyes.
Baltimore, what are we doing? No, let me redirect my concerns to the correct group of individuals… America, what are we doing? No, no, no. WORLD, what the fuck is going on?!
These last two years of my life has been about watching a massacre of black men, AND black women, being slaughtered by a system who prays on a culture who isn’t united and hasn’t been since we were active in the 1960s US Civil rights movement. The way that I feel about it, I have no words for what’s going on in my heart. I have no words for how I see my country being portrayed. I have no words for how my race is being treated. I only feel a fire burning within me from how close to home Freddie Gray’s death has hit thousands and thousands of hearts around this country, and I’m in awe because I would have never thought something this relentless happening in front of billions of people watching is happening in my very own backyard.
I CANNOT BELIEVE MY EYES! This shit happens everywhere else, not in my home.
As each month unfolds since the death of Trayvon Martin, I started to view my country as the ultimate hypocrite and bully. I use to watch and read about the United States in international affairs while growing up, thinking how phoney we must be to walk into other countries, like Liberia and South Africa, trying to assist with their racial issues when in neighborhoods where I live didn’t match up to the persona America tries to paint for the world to see. It is here, the media hides what’s really happening between blacks and whites, until now. Why? Our country’s own racism was hidden and blocked from mainstream media and majority of this country’s citizen for so long, so we could believe we were past oppression; to make us feel like we could give a helping hand to other cultures around the world. America needed us on the same page so we could be viewed by countries around us as “land of the free” and “home of the brave.”
Black people have fallen by the arms of police officers since forever ago, and white people, and even black people, still want to yell out one of the most irrelevant and most repeated statements recited in recent years as if it’s an excuse for why we shouldn’t make a difference in our law enforcers policies. “Blacks kill blacks all the time.” WE KNOW THIS! WTF DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH POLICE KILLING US TOO!?
Black people I need you to listen! I need you to open your eyes because this is what’s real.
Do you know we are being manipulated by national news? Of all things to capture and broadcast to the world, they choose the most uncalled for and offensive images to represent our race at such a delicate moment in our history because they know it will make our uneducated youth move and take an opportunity like protesting as an excuse to “show out” and express their anger, when they don’t even know what to be angry about. Do you know we are being made to have opinions that we’re unsure of because the media knows this will make us angry and ready for a revolution? And why is it that our own news stations WJZ and WBAL are taking a different approach in reporting about Freddie Gray than stations like CNN and the Huffington Post? Nothing’s making sense. This isn’t adding up.
Do you realize the media’s power, now? LISTEN!
Though we are made to believe the media is not bias, people of Baltimore and black people around the world, we do not have control of the media’s motivation to stay unbiased. Even I am being bias now (and I encourage you to continue to have your own opinions during this time. All I ask is that you realize and watch everything going on)! The media is what’s making police brutality the fuel of our anger ; it’s turning it into something bigger than expected. The media, which is funded by BIG corporations who bank on black people’s money, are making my culture out to be unruly savages and it does not sit well with me. It makes me angry. It’s what made me step up and write how I feel today. Black people I don’t blame you at all. We have a right to be mad, but it is unwise to be so turbulent.
To me, this is beyond race. Racism is being used as a tool to push a bigger motive because it’s the only way to get large bodies of people to move. We have to be wiser. We have to be smarter in our decisions because 10 years ago, we lived in a better peace. But with the media suddenly pushing stories about police brutality incorrectly more often, seems every couple of weeks to days, it’s also corporations that are funding the media’s weapon to wither our peace away and box us in for something we don’t fully understand yet.
So what is real? What is true? We can’t rely on our reporters to be honest and staying away from these stereotypes we’re fighting about.
To all the kids who are reading this, you must choose now to learn your history. You need not act before you are educated. Do you see how dangerous it is to go through this? This entire ordeal isn’t transparent enough, and this anger escalating within us is not good, especially coming from a group like us who can’t get past light skin and dark skin.
Peace, love, joy. Peace, love, joy, everyone.
Why is it that America decides to use my backyard as a war zone this week? America decides to take the city that I’ve spent the last 3 years trying to help put on the map, positively, as a target and guinea pig for a bigger agenda. Can you image how I feel right now? For someone who spends all her spare time trying to help the city become angry with her fellow Baltimoreans. They don’t see the bigger picture, and rather dig a bigger hole for us to climb out of? I’m so disappointed and proud at the same time. This is why I have no words. I’m so all over the place.
I doubt this will be my last post on this. I’ve been awakened.
I ask that anyone who lives outside of my city to turn to the World Wide Web for real accounts of what my city is doing in honor of Freddie Gray and not CNN. I ask you to read about what we are really going through from us. I ask that you empathize for us. I ask that you pray.
#PrayForBaltimore #PrayForMyCity
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. -Proverbs 28:9
Baltimore is full of talent in all genres. I still wonder why this city lacks attention from the rest of the world when it comes to the arts. We definitely deserve some kind of credit, right?
So what do you think? Is this film worthy of the big screen?
Definitely! For “Who You Gonna Call?” to be independent and locally based, I see potential beyond what it deserves. The plot could possibly be used for a sequel some day. I’d go see it, and I see it doing wonders for feminist if it were to actually become a full film.
“Who Ya Gonna Call?” was found on “Charm City Finest” YouTube channel Zoar Films. Cisco Davis, Jr., the creator of this short film, created it as a project for local film competition 29 Day’s Later Project, and as a celebration for Ghostbusters’ 30th anniversary.
While scrolling through the newly found YouTube channel, I’ve found some more interesting films. Majority of which were short movies and parodies of fan favorite films, like Ghostbusters and Power Rangers. I urge you all to go check them out if you’re into “scifi” goodies.
Would you go see this one the big screen if this was made from a big movie production company? Leave your comments below.
It was a shock to see Missy Elliott resurface during this year’s Super Bowl with Katy Perry. That was really something unexpected. I believe we should have more pop cultural surprises like it in the future. As I’ve kept up with the news about this neat act of wonder, we can all agree that there was someone missing from performance that we’d sure to see in any of Missy Elliott’s performances.
Where’s the little girl who dances in all her music videos?
Well, that little girl’s name is Alyson Stoner, and she was handling some business of her own, which is why she missed out on the performance. Stoner is pursuing her very own music career. Who knew?
I’ve always known Stoner for her many Disney appearances in films like Cheaper By The Dozen, and as Mike’s little sister Sally in Disney Channel Original Mini Series Mike Super Short Show. So it’s funny and kind of weird to see the hip-hop community discrediting and simply labeling her for her part in being that awesome dancing kid from Missy’s music videos.
Come on, guys! She’s so much more than that.
Here’s a list of Things I’ve known her to deserve credit for:
Cheaper By the Dozen (1 and 2)
Isabella from Phinese and Ferb
Sally from Mike’s Super Short Show
Wendy from Drake and Josh
Barbara Gordon from Young Justice
Connie from The Batman
Caitlyn from Camp Rock
Camille from Step Up (1, 3. and 4)
Kairi from Kingdom Hearts video game series
Background Dancer for Eminem, Outkast and Will Smith
She’s definitely more than just that dancing little girl. No wonder she missed the performance. Haha.
To make up for her absence, Stoner released a tribute video for the well-respected Missy Elliott via YouTube and that is why it’s Doc’s Castle Media’s YTube Vid of the Week.
Did you see any of Alyson Stoner’s cameos throughout the years? Leave you comments below.
Are you a fan of the new Drone craze happening across the world? You’ll like the last YTube Vid of the Week then. Watch “Saving the Drone” on Doc’s Castle Media.
Mr. Tony Bonez Sinatra gave us something to hold us over, too. He did promise to release something this New Years Eve. But seeing as though it’s now New Years Eve and there hasn’t been any hint to anything new coming from him, I can assume his music video release to the War Drumz Twitter account is what we should be focusing on for the moment.
“Smoked Out” was put out to the public from the War Drumz Audio Art YouTube channel the day after Christmas. Since then, I’ve watched it once a day. The video makes me like the song that much more.
Do you like this video or song? Leave your comments below.
