tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74738374401146690582024-09-14T21:51:31.481-04:00A blog bringing you 411 on events, media, arts, culture, nightlife, education, community, fashion, beauty and more in Boston (and beyond)!beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-19288559700101519062013-03-20T13:50:00.002-04:002013-03-20T13:50:36.978-04:00

St. Patrick's Day is always a festive time in Boston. These are just a few quick snapshots of some of the ways people wore green on the streets of Southie in celebration of St. Patty. I didn't get any shots of my outfit this year, but it was basically a huge coat (it was freezing!!) and the same green Chuck's I rocked last year.

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-89714577640274043832013-03-01T09:00:00.000-05:002013-03-01T09:00:01.005-05:00

Rumor has it that Bostonians have no style, that the fashion here is non-existent, or is dominated by Ugg and sweat pant clad college students. I beg to differ. Let's let the pictures speak for themselves though. From time to time, I'll put up a street style picture or two to demonstrate Boston's abundant flyness. For the first edition of "BeanStreets," I decided to share a picture I snapped

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-19402426343176365002012-09-17T11:00:00.000-04:002012-09-17T11:00:07.893-04:00

Some of the freshness on display Cheeeeeeeese! Even the laces were off the chain Mr. Small Change himself rockin' penny flavored kicks and a snapback straight from the Motherland Young sneakerhead in training Tightly Laced Kicks is an annual sneaker collector's exhibit, graffiti art showcase and Hip Hop jam held in Boston at the Villa Victoria. This year I trooped out (in the midst

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-41039481481273739772012-09-16T14:15:00.001-04:002012-09-16T20:35:05.966-04:00

I had a faaaaaaaabulous time at Fashion's Night Out in Boston this year. Somehow I managed not to get a single picture of my outfit, which probably means I was too busy enjoying myself. Some of the highlights for me were: 1) The spectacular fashion show held in the heart of Copley Place, featuring upcoming designers who crafted innovative works from materials as unique as

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-34922713328693390602012-09-16T13:43:00.000-04:002012-09-16T15:28:36.174-04:00

I had a good time at the Caribbean festival in Cambridge this year. Perhaps not as much fun as in past years (my friends and I all agreed that something...intangible...was missing).  Nonetheless, it was a gorgeous day and the streets of Cambridge were filled with shiny happy people, and I was comfy rockin' my hidden wedge hightops, so how can I really complain? All photos

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-50556685619699233282012-09-06T11:17:00.000-04:002012-09-16T20:38:08.541-04:00

While New York will be an absolute mob scene of celebs, bloggers, free drink seekers, photographers and tourists tonight, Boston will play host to a slightly more subdued, but no less fun version of Fashion's Night Out. This is the second year that the city will officially participate in the FNO festivities, closing down Newbury Street to traffic once again. I had a ball walking up and down

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-90155172883355683672012-08-31T15:56:00.000-04:002012-08-31T15:56:13.758-04:00

Last night, Boston was blessed by one of the best. The legendary salsa musician, community activist and apparently part-time comedian, Willie Colon graced the Boston City Hall Plaza stage to play to an enthusiastic crowd. It was a beautiful night--the weather could not have been more perfect for outdoor music and dancing and the fans kept it positive and peaceful (something this city could

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-46009902689102613612012-08-28T15:27:00.000-04:002013-03-20T17:56:19.374-04:00

Here are a few of the images I snapped at this past weekend's Caribbean festival in Boston. I must say, it was a beautiful day on Blue Hill Ave. All photos copyright 2012 © Nuri Chandler-Smith. These images are NOT to be used or reproduced unless written permission has been given. To request permission please email: beantownbrown617@gmail.com

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-62279696363331166812012-08-21T10:34:00.000-04:002012-08-21T10:34:13.042-04:00

Here are a few pictures I took at Sunday's Shake the City rally in Dorchester's Franklin Field. It was good to see familiar faces, local leaders, concerned community members and young heads ready to change reality.  Standing in Solidarity. City Councilor, Ayanna Pressley. Mothers for Justice & Equality. Peace on Earth. This mother and son were

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-51714461041135866052012-07-24T14:18:00.000-04:002012-08-31T16:18:52.060-04:00

Photos by Núrí The 2012 Betances festival was beautiful as usual. Each year, Boston's South End explodes with vibrant music, dance, art, food and people in celebration of the richness of Puerto Rican heritage. Here's a little background on the man for whom the square and the festival are named: "Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances was born April 8, 1827 in Puerto Rico.

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-5199898581260518232012-05-18T13:31:00.000-04:002012-05-25T11:52:49.528-04:00

Check out the video from this sista who will be speaking tomorrow at the National Natural Hair Meetup Day (#NNHMD) event here in Boston. All of the info on the event is included in the description box of her video. I will be attending, taking some pictures, and maybe a little video so that I can blog about it afterward for www.itsjusthair.com! I'm also looking forward to checking out my girl

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-41310129792333926402012-05-11T15:35:00.000-04:002012-05-14T14:30:41.523-04:00

When I was a pre-teen, my mother used to take me shopping on Newbury Street now and again, helping to nurture my love of fashion. One of our favorite stops was always the Betsey Johnson store. Bright pink, unique and girly with strength and edge, we always enjoyed browsing the iconic looks and innovative designs of both the clothing, and of the store itself. These trips were the first thing

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-60418385763886827102012-05-03T16:28:00.000-04:002012-05-03T16:28:32.696-04:00

This Sunday, the Dance Complex in Cambridge is hosting one of their periodic open houses, where they offer free 20-minute mini dance classes all afternoon. It's a great chance to check out a potential new class, or just get some free, fun exercise. Many of the teachers are incredible, world renowned dancers, such as the legendary Ramon de los Reyes, Founder and Artistic Director of the

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-88056953458486238422012-04-19T14:39:00.000-04:002012-04-19T14:39:11.724-04:00

I received the following community alert in my email yesterday. This definitely looks like something worthy of some time and attention: COMMUNITY ALERT NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH PUBLIC MEETING APRIL 19TH  @  6:30pm ROXBURY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1234 Columbus Avenue - (Media Arts Building) A public hearing on the third and latest risk assessment for the NEIDL (the

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-26037049285578280432012-04-18T14:50:00.000-04:002012-04-18T14:56:59.730-04:00

As a HipHop fashion aficionado, I'm always on the lookout for the newest trends, styles and fashion phenomena in the culture. Trace Urban recently put out the video above on some up-and-coming female emcees (I'm so not a fan of classifying artists by gender, but that's another topic), focusing a bit on the styles each of the selected young ladies likes to rock. The video focuses mainly on

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-84872866507409052412012-04-07T12:08:00.001-04:002012-04-07T17:34:11.718-04:00

Today is the Deadstock sneaker convention at the Fourth Wall Artists Space in the Fenway. The event runs from 12pm-6pm at 132 Brookline Ave Boston. Sneakerheads will be rolling out from far and wide, so break out your flyest kicks and check it out!

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-86845716219251133732012-04-02T12:07:00.000-04:002012-04-02T12:07:16.325-04:00

There are more local events in support of Trayvon Martin coming up. Check the flyer above for details on the April 6th Community Town Hall Forum at Hibernian Hall in Dudley Sq. It's cool that they already have some specific ACTION items outlined for this event, so that it won't simply be the choir standing around singing to itself.  There is also going to be a community dialogue at

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-87812732381333410562012-03-30T11:13:00.000-04:002012-03-30T11:13:40.690-04:00

Surrounded by sneakers on a Sunday afternoon. While I tend to represent Boston's oldschool *throws threes up*, and don't really rock Nikes like that, this Dunks event still looks like a fun way to start off the best month of the year. ;) The Villa Victoria Center for the Arts is the perfect venue, spacious and located right in the heart of Boston's South End. I participated in another sneaker

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-40814586651176319622012-03-28T15:19:00.001-04:002012-03-28T15:23:21.581-04:00

  I was hoping that I wouldn't have the chance to take a picture of myself wearing a hoodie. I was hoping that Zimmerman would have been arrested by now and that the Trayvon Martin case would be well on it's way toward justice. I was hoping that  decency and reason would prevail before I had the chance to add my 2 cents to the mix and that anything I would contribute would be behind the

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-19901506805270925862012-03-22T18:02:00.002-04:002012-03-22T18:06:01.695-04:00

 It's nearly time for the protest for Trayvon Martin in Harvard Sq. Please show your support in any way that you can. You can also check out this beautiful interview in VIBE, featuring my peoples Hard Hittin Harry, his incredible daughter and the one and only John Forte.

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-60210947162346230052012-03-20T12:18:00.000-04:002012-03-20T12:18:11.030-04:00

 Much of the fashion blogosphere (like NYC blogger Keiko Lynn) is abuzz about the store LF and the incredible shoe sale they've got going on right now. Having never been to the Boston store, I'm not sure if it's buzzworthy, but the weather is beyond beautiful in Boston, which means it's the perfect time for a stroll down Newbury Street (especially now that the power is back on). Who knows,

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-26135373564617443362012-03-19T09:00:00.005-04:002012-03-19T16:05:23.408-04:00

Clockwise: Adidas Okapi, Matt & Nat cuff, Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top (Photo credit: Nuri) Here's a little taste of what I wore this weekend for the festivities happening across the city. The weather today could not have been more perfect for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in South Boston. Highlights for me included seeing Darth Vader rolling through Southie on a float,

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-88400705425114841852012-03-13T15:57:00.002-04:002012-03-13T16:00:17.006-04:00

Here's another cool event I stumbled across on facebook. "You Are a Queen," produced by the theatre ensemble AWARE, uses the performing arts to promote education and awareness about HIV/AIDS in the community. Did I mention that it's FREE!? It's also really centrally located at Hibernian Hall, right in the heart of Dudley Square, so transportation isn't a problem. Check out the details after the

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-16191772900295572512012-03-12T14:02:00.000-04:002012-03-12T14:02:27.579-04:00

Pictures from last year's event c/o the USOC event page So, I logged into facebook earlier this morning to find an invite to a cool event happening later this month. I am always down for something that combines multiple things that I love, in this case, fashion and giving back to the community:  USOC Meet & Greet and PGR Dresses Challenge FRIENDLY TAKEOVER II  Monday, March 26,

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473837440114669058.post-89939956089968947482012-03-08T10:34:00.001-05:002012-03-08T10:37:15.846-05:00

Well I know what I'll be doing on Friday evening. This event is not to be missed. It's rare in Boston to find an event where you know the people, the vibe, the music and the overall atmosphere will all be completely on point for only $3! Get there early though, or you will be standing outside in the cold with your face pressed against the glass. Literally. BOSTON PROGRESS ARTS COLLECTIVE

beantownbrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03925560477170672986noreply@blogger.com0