Urban Exploring: Episode 8 – Color Me Rad
THE SYNOPSIS
In this installment of Urban Exploring, The Artoholik's Ike & Guru head to Metlife Stadium to participate in the Color Me RAD 5k race. Prior to arriving at the stadium Ike & Guru get into a mini debate over directions and just so happen the camera was rolling. On arrival, Guru checks in and volunteer for an hour or so while Ike roams the crowd in search of flicks. The duo met back up, murdered the 5k run and then spent time enjoying the party with the rest of the crowd all while documenting the event. What good is an episode of Urban Exploring without food? Ike & Guru hit up local juice bar HLS in Maplewood, NJ to recharge on a healthy note. Enjoy!
THE DISCOVERIES
COLOR ME RAD
Color Me Rad is a 5K that fires off in a blaze of color bombs, color cannons, color mortars, and multi-toned courses that guarantee your outlook will be brighter, your boyfriend will be more affectionate, your boss will finally remember your name, the hair on your head will grow back and the hair on your back will fall out, and your gray outlook will turn green like a spring morning.
Historically, running has only been acceptable when trying to escape the law, personal responsibility, the truth, and grizzly bears.
Instead of running FROM something, get ready to run FOR something at this year's Color Me Rad. Run for the hell of it. Learn More
HLS (Health Love & Soul)
Our mission is to prove that foods and beverages can be delicious and fun without sacrificing nutrition or principles. We strive to be the destination of choice for selective meat eaters and vegetarians alike by offering a menu that caters equally to both. We pride ourselves on bringing diverse groups together in one warm and welcoming environment. HLS: Many choices. One love.
- Arinze and Emeka, Proud owners of HLS Learn More
THANK YOU
THE MUSIC
Music truly make our episodes, great music gives great energy. In this episode, we did something never done in any of our videos, we told the story with four different tracks, so it's only right that we thank these wonderful musicians for the sound.
Track1: 1000 BONUS JOINT by DJ Day
Track2: Until Then Overdue by SAVON
Track3: LoveNothing by Haan808
Track4: Byram's Groove by Slakah the Beatchild
Be sure to check out the photos from this event in our photo booth.
Urban Exploring: Episode 7 – Smorgasburg
THE SYNOPSIS
Episode 7 is totally a wild card episode. As we work towards ending season 1 of Urban Exploring we had two other episodes already filmed and in line for publishing. But this past weekend Iquan and Guru set out to have their weekly bike ride throughout NYC and this time the duo dared themselves to ride across the Williamsburg Bridge ending up in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. After a few blocks of riding they ended up at the weekly food festival by Brooklyn Flea Market called Smorgasburg, where they discovered a ton of people and smelled an array of delicious food. Come to find out Iquan was familiar with the event but never really shared it the way he normally would. Long story short, the guys ended up documenting their hangout and created another episode filled with fresh and yummy discoveries. Enjoy!
THE DISCOVERIES
SMORGASBURG
Smorgasburg happens in two locations every weekend: Saturdays at East River State Park—Kent Ave. and N. 7 St.—on the Williamsburg waterfront; and Sundays at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 5. Both locations are open from 11am to 6pm, and feature packaged and prepared foods, beverages, and more from purveyors from New York City and across the region, for a total of 75-100 vendors. The markets are always open rain or shine. For all inquiries, please email us at info@brooklynflea.com. Learn More
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POTPURI
Potpuri is a labor of love to bring authentic Indian street fare to NYC. Different than most Indian food, this food is cooling and refreshing on a hot day and entirely vegetarian and organic. We are very excited to be a part of the Saturday Food/Flea market on the Williamsburg waterfront. Learn More[/one_third]
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PIZZA MOTO
Pizza Moto cooks made-to order, wood-fired Pizza in our one-of-a-kind ovens. Over the years we have designed and built 4 mobile ovens, which can be found all over Brooklyn and Manhattan between April and November. Customers’ overwhelming curiosity and excitement about our ovens, our pizza, and our tinkering ways inspired us to keep searching for engineering projects in the pizza-verse. Learn More[/one_third]
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BON CHOVIE
Anchovies. Highly traveled and beloved around the world. Though they're called by a variety of names, from Spain to China to the U.S., they represent a global tradition of small fish recipes and sea-borne nutrition. What's more, these guys are pivotal in global food security and reduction of our environmental footprint; if you want to make a difference, well, the way to do it is by eating a little lower on the food chain - it's true! - which reduces pollution AND resource consumption. Learn More[/one_third_last]
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ASIA DOG
Asiadogs are hot dogs with Asian-inspired toppings. Born from a love of NYC, we wanted to push the limits of one of its most popular street foods by adding our own personal touch with super-fresh ingredients.
Coming from mixed Asian backgrounds, we celebrate NYC's diversity by incorporating flavors found in China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and more. Learn More[/one_third]
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CHED BRED
Cornbread has gone from side dish to being sidelined. The soul of cornbread lives mostly in your long-lost southern relative or haunts an obscure hole in the wall restaurant. The retail alternative just doesn’t cut the cake, so to speak. Jack’s Chedbred is here to revive this authentic All-American classic and get it back in the game and on your table. Learn More[/one_third]
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MR CUTTERS
Mr. Cutters is the ONLY Barbadian/Bajan food stand in NY that serves the traditional sandwich known as a “cutter.” So what exactly is a Cutter? Cutters are found in many of the island’s rum shops and street stands and are made using salt bread (a Bajan bread roll) and filled with anything delicious such as fish, ham, or cheese. Learn More[/one_third_last]
THANK YOU
JAMES W.A.T.T.
Jersey emcee/producer James Watts blessed us with four tracks for Season 2 of Urban Exploring however we couldn't wait to use at least one. The track used in this episode is titled "Is this love" and we choose to use this one because of the slow build up. It give the feeling that something is coming. James is far from a discovery to us, he is actually a long time friend of the crew and produced all the tracks on Aaron Brown's Poetry Album earlier in the year. For more on James and his music Click Here
Urban Exploring: Episode 6 - Queen Ella
THE SYNOPSIS
In episode 6 of Urban Exploring Season 1, Iquan and Guru spent an entire day with Newark based R&B singer Queen Ella as she gets dolled-up for her show at the Apollo Theater later that evening. The two started out at popular Newark barber shop Center Stage Cuts, where they meet Queen Ella and waited for her to get her weekly unorthodox hair cut. Then the three jumped in the car and made way to Montclair, NJ to grab food from Raymonds an American New York themed restaurant located in the center of Montclair's church street. After a nice lunch the 3 split up to get changed for Queen Ella's Apollo Amature Night performance. Prior to this day, Iquan tagged along with Queen Ella and her crew to the Metropolitan Room in New York City as she headlined for first ever New York show.
THE DISCOVERIES
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QUEEN ELLA
Known for her incomparable and captivating performances…two time Apollo winner Queen Ella, born Queenella Nicole Gibson, is a full-time recording singer/songwriter with ambition. Unemployed since July of 2009, the rebellious red-head Queen Ella decided to put aside her career in International Business to pursue her career in music. She has been performing for small crowds of all ages since the age of 4. The center of her mother’s living-room was her stage; performing for friends, family, and stuffed animals is how she discovered her passion as an entertainer. Learn More[/one_third]
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CENTER STAGE CUTS
Barbershop for Men and Women
Center Stage Cuts is proud to offer a mix of grooming, entertainment and local retail - cuts & culture for men and women. Housed in a 19th century converted food market, we're located on the corner of Broad and Grant Streets in downtown Newark, the arts capital of NJ. The shop is filled with artwork by emerging artisans and designers. Additionally, we host a weekly calendar of events including live bands, spoken word poetry, karaoke, and art exhibits. Learn More[/one_third]
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RAYMONDS (MONTCLAIR)
In 1989, when Raymond Badach opened his postage-stamp-size luncheonette on Church Street, coffee was just coffee and Montclair wasn't a mecca for New Yorkers.
One thing remains the same—our wish to provide great-tasting, fresh food at decent prices in an interesting atmosphere.
At Raymond’s you can always catch up on the local gossip, hang-out at the counter with a newspaper, or meet some new friends—especially if you’re the new kid in town. Learn More[/one_third_last]
METROPOLITAN ROOM
Voted #1 Jazz Cabaret Club by New York Magazine, The Metropolitan Room is one of the most critically acclaimed venues in NYC and is known as the "Home" for big name talents and rising stars. This famed, Flatiron District, 22nd Street bastion for singers, is located in the heart of Manhattan in the Flatiron/Chelsea District. A high-end cabaret and jazz club, the Metropolitan Room brings the best in live music to New York City. Every night of the week, at 7pm, 9:30pm and 11:30pm. Fabulous award-winning Broadway, TV, Film and Radio performers take the stage in an intimate 115-seat atmosphere reminiscent of the golden age of cabaret. Our renowned Chelsea club and performance space provides an intimate for a range of entertainments as diverse as New York itself. From spectacles like “The Sophisticates: Strip as it was Meant to be Teased” to performances by drag comedienne Hedda Lettuce, side-splitting comedy acts and moving cabaret sets by top Broadway stars, the 115-seat room provides the perfect setting for audience-pleasing shows, night after night. Learn More
THE THANK YOU'S
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MEDIUM APPAREL
Thank you Zac & the crew over at Medium for the care package, I felt fresh in my CREAM t-shirt. Much love to my fam out west. - Iquan
Get Your Own
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FLAT FITTY
Shout to my home girl Dove for having my hat game on point in this episode. - Iquan Cop One
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Urban Exploring: Episode 5 – Orane Williams
In this episode Iquan get's up earlier than usual to catch his friend Orane Williams at the gym as he get's ready for a very important day. Watch Orane and Iquan workout at Retro Fitness in Kenilworth, NJ, grab breakfast from Mark Twain in Union, NJ, then head to Montclair State University as Orane sits on a 'swagger panel' in front of over 300 young males.
Discoveries:
- Orane Williams
- Mark Twain Diner
- Retro Fitness
- Montclair State University outreach program
Music:
Clear Blue - Light Roast
Shot Written & Edited:
Iquan Worthington
Thanks:
Orane Williams
Urban Exploring: Episode 4 – THE InstaMEET
In this episode Iquan Worthington hops out of the car and on to NYC transit to meet up and document with a group of street photographers as they roam parts of NYC in search of the best Instagram photos of the day.
In this journey Iquan hooks up with fellow Artoholik/friend Steve Cancel a.k.a @smbnyc, and pretty much shadow him as they both get to know the group of young street photographers starting out at Grand Central Station and ending in Long Island City. The whole idea started when Steve noticed that Iquan commented they're mutual Instagram buddie @4thkind photo, once the two realized that they were both trying to connect with him they pretty fell into the instaMEET group put together by @cityof_dreams. Overall the day was long and tiring from constant walking, taking, stopping, posing, and sharing ideas. The end result? We all earned new friends, new respect for our work and have documentation on exploring parts of the most beautiful city in the world.
Special shout of to @cityof_dreams, @smbnyc, @truthsoverlies and @cathya0528 for contributing their photos to the video.
Here's the rest of the crew, follow them all..
@truthsoverlies, @
We hope you enjoyed another Artoholik Original Story. Click here for the photobooth of this event.
Urban Exploring: Episode 3 - Sunday's Beats for Brunch
In our third episode of Urban Exploring, IquanW hops in a cab with Guru and DJ Ream Supreme to check out "Sunday's Beats for Brunch" at Pianos in the LES of Manhattan. As the crowd enjoyed food and drinks, Laytonic, El Siete, DJ Polarity and The Grand Affair each had an hour to bless the crowd with good music. Enjoy this mini recap of event.
"Sundays Beats for Brunch was once just an idea, but with a little bit of time, networking, and getting to know one another, Laytonic's idea for Sunday's Beats for Brunch came to fruition.
It's always astounding when something imagined or pictured in the mind becomes a reality, but when that reality becomes a successful idea, it just let's you know that you were born to create.
To us, this day was a success not because of the number of people that attended or because of the amount of money made, but for the simple fact that all of our friends that share the same story as creators were here to witness an idea turn into a goal. That goal became Sunday's Beats for Brunch." - IquanW
Urban Exploring: Episode 2 - Harvey Hirsch
In this edition of Urban Exploring, IquanW's former employer Harvey Hirsch takes over the episode to show him and Guru his old neighborhood, Coney Island. The trio started the day by having breakfast at one of Harvey's favorite spots, The El Greco Diner in Sheepshead Bay and after chowing down on the Brooklyn Breakfast of Eggs, Locks and Onions, they took a short ride to Brighton Beach where Harvey grew up. Harvey then showed the two where he made his first dollar by hustling comic books, sandwiches and lemonade to the beach goers. The last stop was lunch at the Original Nathans for some good old fashion hot dogs!
Here’s why we decided to ask Harvey to be included in this month's adventure...
Harv has traveled the world, in the US ARMY in Vietnam as a helicopter Crew Chief in 1968 and as an international marketing expert. He started and managed one of the most innovative direct market firms in America, winning all sorts of prestigious awards for his strategic communications work and for his revolutionary patented marketing technology. In fact in 2006 Xerox named his firm #1 on the planet when they awarded him their First Place PIXI Award for Variable Marketing. IquanW and many other students worked as paid interns in his agency, (and learned secrets that enable us to get and keep jobs). Now he's a food video blogger, specializing and having fun with getting his videos placed on page one of organic Google searches. But most importantly, Harv said he would buy us a real Brooklyn breakfast. He’s just a fun guy and he knows things and that's why you hang with a foodie! Check out his YouTube channels... Food of the World and Free Range Chow Hound. That's it for this month's Urban Exploring, stay tuned for Episode 3.
Urban Exploring: Episode 1 - Moruf & Aaron Brown
Back in January, we kept the love in Newark, NJ and attended a special event to celebrate Dubois's birthday, hosted by our friends Kaylan Jones and the P-N-F crew. The small yet intimate event featured a live performance by local rapper Moruf who currently holds a mean street buzz right now in the music world. Moruf released his latest mix tape back in December titled Shades of Moo. The following morning we hung out in Harrison, NJ; a little town right outside of Newark to catch up with fellow Artoholik Aaron Brown. Aaron was in town from Brooklyn to shoot video for a track off his newly released poetry album Under Construction. Our message in this story... spending time with friends is always a beautiful thing, but supporting those friends is even better. That's it for now, we hope you enjoyed Urban Exploring with us.