[GALLERY] 'On The Scene' With Tameka Nichole: Imurj First Friday, Soul Line Dancing, Beatless Meetup

(1.4.19) Imurj First Friday Basement Battle: Live Art with Black Sharpie

What an experience this was, to go downtown Raleigh to a basement party! Not your normal type of basement party, this was different, the type that consisted of a 2 Round / 45 minute LIVE ART BATTLE! Free to the public and Free to the artist that desired to enter the battle.

The art battle was hosted by Taylor Lee Cashdan, who made the battle very entertaining to watch as the artist turned a blank white 3′ x 3′ canvas board into a piece of art to be judged by the attendees of the event, while only being given the theme, “Love, Light and Sound,” literally seconds before they got to work on their piece. The artwork was left behind by the artists at Imurj to be showcased for the entire month of January so that visitors of the establishment may revisit the artwork and even purchase (while they last).

This event was free to the public and attendees were offered free beer through a tasting sponsored by PONYSAURUS. Imurj holds a free special event every 1st Friday downtown Raleigh at 300 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC.

The Experience from Artist & Attendees:

Battle Artist, Mack Wilson-Leigh says, “This event entertained me because it took me out of my comfort zone, I don’t work in ink and I normally work in portraits so this was all new to me. I loved it, it was great.”

Friends Elizabeth and Alexis

Elizabeth, “I would say it enlightened me because it allowed me to see an artist go through that creative process, in a limited amount of time, figuring out what inspired them, how they felt about a certain theme, and to then bring that creation to life.

Alexis, “Well, It enlightened me because I really like doing art and I know that everyone has their own concept of what they like to do and certain ways that they like to portray what they are thinking. It was really cool to see four people get a theme at the last second, where they didn’t know what they were supposed to be drawing, and then to watch each one’s creative process and how they all came up with something completely different from the person standing next to them.”

Photos: Tameka Nichole

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(1.4.19) Downtown Raleigh Soul Line Dancing & After Work Mixer

Soul Line Dancing and an After Work Mixer with $5 drink selections were all that was needed to get attendees out of the house on this rainy First Friday of January 2019 to do something a little different than normal. The Joy of Connecting People Organization Host, Kimberly Nicholson, invited all out to The West Social Club Raleigh, 400 North West Street, #110, to network and mingle, live a little, all while getting fit through Soul Line Dancing with director Gail with her Dance & Get Fit routines.

The Experience

Quinchella: “It was enlighting because of the different styles of dance of which you can do line dancing, with the different songs, and it’s like a movement, I just loved it!”

Sherema: “It entertained me because really, I like to network and this was a form of exercise, so it was good laid-back entertainment, where I got to meet different people while getting fit.”

Photos: Tameka Nichole

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1.5.19 Beatless Meetup

The Beatless Meet-Up was held over the first weekend in January; organized by The Prevailing Woman and hosted by Sabrina Seymore. Over 100 attendees came dressed in their most stylish pajamas and MAKE UP FREE!

Many influential women of Raleigh, Durham & beyond who inspire women to look, be, and feel their best were enlightened, entertained and empowered through the Self-Care panel discussions from the likes of Attorney & Blogger Marche Robinson of Robinson Style, The Bradford Owner Dana Kadwell, Psychotherapist Kelsey Hargrove of Living for Synergy, LLC, Jena Janse The Life Strategist, and Realtor Kimberly WIlliams while also providing time for attendees physical self care by giving a host mini spa services offered from Artistry by Alicia, Shello Polish, Elle Johnson Co., and Perfections by Tameka Nichole, LLC.

This event took place at The Bradford in New Hill, NC on Saturday, January 5, 2019 where attendees were able to unplug and disconnect from the city and be by the country side. The Prevailing Woman Magazine is a multi-generational media outlet that promotes the professional and personal achievements of women on both national and global platforms. You too can attend and be apart of The Beatless Meet Up Tour coming soon to a city near you. Tour Dates: Atlanta, Ga 1.19.19, Charlotte, NC 2.2.19, Richmond, VA 2.23.19, New Orleans, LA 3.30.19, New York, NY 4.6.19 and Washington, DC 4.27.19.

The Experience:

Joy Epps: “The event was empowering because of the panel first and foremost, the diverse group of women that were on the panel and in attendance, from different races, ages, marital status; that in itself was empowering and the way they answered to give different tips on how to succeed in the workplace and with entrepreneurship, giving their different perspectives on their experiences to help others. It reminded me to put self first because we get in the habit of ripping and running, running for work, for our families, other things and not taking care of ourselves. The event overall reminded me that self is important and should be first.”

Kristina Howard: “The event empowered me because I was able to be surrounded by like-minded women with similar goals, especially just being a part of an event with women of color made me very proud, just to see us come together and do something so positive and uplifting made me realize how important self-care is.”

Photos: Tameka Nichole