Tools of War NYC Summer Park Jams

7/17/2018

Hip Hop legend Grandmaster Caz at the wax, Tools of War Crotona Park Jam, NYC 2016

Tools of War grassroots Hip Hop is celebrating their 15th year producing old school summer park jams in New York City.

NYC park jams are integral to the origin and growth of Hip Hop during the 1970s-1980s.

Park jams, then and now, are an opportunity for us to gather, lay down our differences, and discover our similarities. All while having fun. We could use more of that these days.

Older woman dancing at Tools of War Crotona Park Jam, NYC 2016

Tools of War co-founders, Hip Hop Pioneer Jorge "Popmaster Fabel" Pabon (Rock Steady Crew, Magnificent Force) and Christie Z (DMC USA DJ Battles) began the series in order to revive the tradition and to keep grassroots Hip Hop culture alive.

DJ Lord Finesse at the turntable. Tools of War Crotona Park Jam 2016

With Forever Host Grandmaster Caz, sound by DJ Jazzy Jay, and a deep well of talented DJs and MCs like Lord Finesse, they do it right. Tools of War park jams bring together persons of all types and ages into fabulous community.

Diverse audience, Tools of War Crotona Park Jam, NYC 2016

Family-friendly, free, and open to the public, Tools of War park jams are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Bronx and Harlem through the end of August. Check out their schedule.

This is New York City at its best.

*Photos above are of the final Crotona Park Jam of 2016. For more of the series, follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

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Bocafloja 'Vernacular' at Bronx Music Heritage Center

9/4/2017

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Flyer for Bocafloja Vernacular/New York event

You don't want to miss Vernacular this Thursday, September 7th 2017 at the Bronx Music Heritage Center.

A night of spoken word, storytelling, dialogue, and music presented by the insanely talented multidisciplinary artist Bocafloja and Quilomboarte.

Live performances by Bocafloja, Josefina Baez, Fabian Villegas, and music by DJ Boo promise smart, savvy, multi-lingual mergings of art and politics. The objective is to engage a communal conversation about colonially, social imaginaries, and political participation beyond resistance. A good time for it. Always a good time for it. I’m in.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the awesome going down Thursday:

Thursday, September 7th 2017
7pm to 9:30 pm
$10
All Ages
Bronx Music Heritage Center
1303 Louis Nine Blvd, Bronx, NY 10459
2/5 Train to Freeman Street
917-557-2354

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Hip Hop in the Bronx Photo Exhibit @BMHC

7/26/2016

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Joe Conzo Jr. and Francisco Molina Reyes II Photo Exhibit:
13 Years of Tools of War Park Jams in The Bronx
Grand Opening Thursday, July 28th 7:30-9:00pm

13 years of Tools of War grass roots Hip Hop Park Jams in The Bronx

The awesome Seis del Sur's Joe Conzo Jr. and Francisco Molina Reyes II photo exhibit chronicles DJ park jams and Hip Hop culture in the Bronx.
Come celebrate the last 13 years of keepin' it real.
DJ Grand Wizzard Theodore and Popmaster Fabel provide music at the reception!
FREE TO ALL!

Opening reception: Thursday, July 28 7:30 - 9pm
Bronx Music Heritage Center
BMHC Lab 1303 Louis Nine Blvd., Bronx, NY

Free and open to the public!!

Exhibit on view July 28 - September 28
Viewing hours:
Thursdays 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Fridays 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

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Golden Age of Graffiti: Subway Art of the 1970s-80s Exhibit at City Lore

4/4/2014

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City Lore is a NYC based cultural institution that, since 1986, advocates for, documents, and celebrates the traditions and heritage of the diverse communities in NYC through education and public programs. Last night, I went to their packed-house opening reception for Moving Murals: Henry Chalfant & Martha Cooper’s All-City Graffiti Archive.

Chalfant (Style Wars) and Cooper (Subway Art) are among the earliest documenters of and campaigners for graffiti as artistry. The exhibit showcases subway graffiti of the 1970s through the early 1980s. reproductions of 850+ subway cars photographed by Chalfant and Cooper cover the walls, replicating a trainyard environment. Walk in and you are surrounded by history, beauty, and ingenuity.

This exhibit is a must see for those interested in NYC history, culture, and street art. The work is amazing--from the subway writers to Chalfant and Cooper to the construction of the exhibit itself. Moving Murals will be open for viewing through July 10th, and City Lore will host several totally cool programs associated with it.

Where: The City Lore Gallery, 56 E 1st St. New York, NY 10003
Gallery hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm
How to get there: Take the F train to 2nd Ave or 6 train to Bleecker St.
For more information: 212-529-1955 x13 or aronner@citylore.org

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Tools of War NYC Summer Park Jams

Bocafloja 'Vernacular' at Bronx Music Heritage Center

Hip Hop in the Bronx Photo Exhibit @BMHC

Joe Conzo Jr. and Francisco Molina Reyes II Photo Exhibit:
13 Years of Tools of War Park Jams in The Bronx
Grand Opening Thursday, July 28th 7:30-9:00pm

Golden Age of Graffiti: Subway Art of the 1970s-80s Exhibit at City Lore

E. B. Gallardo
is an urban anthropologist & multimedia storyteller based in New York City.

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Tools of War NYC Summer Park Jams

Bocafloja 'Vernacular' at Bronx Music Heritage Center

Hip Hop in the Bronx Photo Exhibit @BMHC

Joe Conzo Jr. and Francisco Molina Reyes II Photo Exhibit:​13 Years of Tools of War Park Jams in The BronxGrand Opening Thursday, July 28th 7:30-9:00pm

Golden Age of Graffiti: Subway Art of the 1970s-80s Exhibit at City Lore

E. B. Gallardois an urban anthropologist & multimedia storyteller based in New York City.

Archives

Categories

Joe Conzo Jr. and Francisco Molina Reyes II Photo Exhibit:
13 Years of Tools of War Park Jams in The Bronx
Grand Opening Thursday, July 28th 7:30-9:00pm

E. B. Gallardo
is an urban anthropologist & multimedia storyteller based in New York City.