{#WordlessWednesday} The #Sailing takes me away edition! #NYC

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

{#WordlessWednesday} @outshinesnacks distributing Fruit & Veggie Bars Samples!

Remember the BeautyPress Event I attended on the Yacht that I posted pictures of on Monday? Well on the way there, I saw a truck from Outshine Snacks distributing Fruit & Veggie Bar Frozen Treats! 

Pearl Street New York City South Street Seaport

Outshine Snacks Truck parked near Pearl Street New York City South Street Seaport

Outshine Snacks distributing frozen Fruit & Veggie Snack Bar Samples near Pearl Street New York City South Street Seaport

I got to try a sample and they were delish! Nice cool treat on a hot summer day in New York City!

Happy Wordless Wednesday, Bloggers feel free to post a link to your photos so we can visit you too (please remember no giveaway links here, thanks!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is an event recap NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received to share our opinions of this Sample Opportunity. As always, all opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{Op-Ed} An Open Letter to #NewYorkCity - Just say NO to "The Poor Door" #oped #poordoor

I am not a visitor, a lurker, a stalker, a dreamer or 'NYC Wannabee' I was born here. I was raised here. I have worked hard my entire life here. 

Forging a life in this City is not an easy task.  This city isn't all endless cocktail parties.

It takes a lot of hard work and quite frankly cojones to make it here. No one hands you anything, there is a reason the song lyrics say 'If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, it's up to you New York, NEW YORK'.

I sat on this Op-Ed for days, hoping that when my fingers met my keyboard somewhere amid my furious typing that my emotions would level off a bit, that I could approach this from a place of neutrality and tap into my News Writing Background, but I am still as emotional right now as I was when a status update from a wide variety of my friends hit my feed with a link to a Huffington Post article entitled "Luxury New York Condo Will Have A 'Poor Door' For Lower-Income Residents." The link I provided to it will open in a new window for you, please read it. Then come back here and tell me how it made YOU feel.

A 33-story building now under construction at 40 Riverside Boulevard on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City will contain 219 luxury units facing the Hudson River, there will also be a segment on floors two through six that will contain 55 street-facing units for the building's 'poorer' residents. The 'poor' residents will have their own entrance. These 'affordable' units are being made available to families of four whose annual income is $51,540 or less - which amounts to 60% of the area's median income. The lower-income residents will not only have to go through a 'poor door' to get in and out of the building, they will also be prohibited from using the amenities found in most properties by the New York-based developer Extell like the gym and swimming pool. The Developers will receive millions in tax breaks and hard working New Yorkers deemed by them as 'poor' will be stigmatized as they enter and exit their own place of residence each and every single day. Demoralizing much?

We all opted to tweet Mayor Bill Di Blasio (who may have still been on his vacation to Italy at the time) and I am sure none of us will get a direct response, but that tweet I sent just didn't feel like it was enough. This doesn't sit right with me on any level.

I spent time post College doing Public Relations for my local district's City Councilman and all throughout my School Years and while working with him I was constantly told I should pursue a career in Politics, and I scoffed at the idea, until now.

The Huff Post article has left me with a knot in my stomach that has been churning for days, and while part of me wants to break up with this City, another part of me questions if it's time for me to make change in a way that really matters, from the inside out.

The New York Times noted in May that minorities and the elderly largely make up the city's rent-regulated population, but by far the best quote I've read so far on the issue comes from Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal who said:

"A mandatory affordable housing plan is not license to segregate lower-income tenants from those who are well-off."

Haven't we battled hard enough to end segregation in America? Is history really doomed to repeat itself because we never learn from our mistakes?

I don't want to be part of a system where it's OK for some to hold their head high and others be made to feel like they should drop theirs in shame.

You know what families may end up qualifying for the 'poor apartments' those of teachers, doctors, fire fighters, sanitation workers - you know just the folks who keep this city running, IN the actual trenches. You mean to tell me the local teacher and his/her family should enter from a separate door? That a Police Officer who puts his/her life on the line each and every single day should come home from a hard day's work keeping this city safe and enter through a 'Separate Door'?

What about that hard working young College Grad working at a Not-For-Profit? Should they feel 'shamed' when they come home too?

Butterflies I am always super careful to use this space as a place to inspire. I try to keep Religion, Sex and Politics off these pages, as my goal was to always keep my online home rant and snark free, but I can't pretend this doesn't hit me where it hurts. As a New Yorker I find this shameful. I know that the city where dreams are made of has always had a rough 'underbelly' and I never want to cover the sky with one hand, but I can only hope that everyone apartment hunting sees the Huff Post article or this one, and that even if they can afford the apartments there, that they will put their money where their mouth and conscious is, and NOT buy an apartment in ANY building with a "Poor Door".

As a lifelong New Yorker, there is one and only one 'separate entrance/exit' I find acceptable. The one at the theatre that allows actors to quickly exit after a play. When that play ends they are off the clock. Some days they may stop and sign playbills, other nights just like us they need to get home to family obligations or just de-stress. That is the only 'separate' door I can find acceptable in this day and age.

Since Sundays is usually the day I reserve to share my Weekly Moment of Gratitude, all I can say for today is that I am grateful not to live in a building with a "Poor Door".

I found AND SIGNED an online petition that is intended directly for Gary Barnett, President of Extell Development Company who is building the Apartment Building at 40 Riverside Boulevard, I hope you will considering signing it! I want this to remain a City that rewards you for your hardwork, but can't it do so without shaming anyone? NYC median rents continue to skyrocket, the average right now is at $3,247 per MONTH, longtime residents are being pushed out of the City, so in essence most of us can work here, just not afford to continue to live here.

What do you think of the "Poor Door"?

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FTC Disclosure: I would assume it goes without saying for this one, but this is NOT a Sponsored Post!

Want to try @Samsung Products BEFORE you buy? The Samsung Galaxy Studio lets you do just that! #vzwbuzz #techtuesday

Samsung Galaxy Studio SoHo New York City

You don't have to be a Blogger or Digital Influencer with millions of followers to get the Royal Treatment when it comes to tech. You want to try BEFORE you buy? Want to live with that new tech toy and really 'road test' it before shelling out your hard-earned cash? While it's certainly not a new concept, Samsung recently launched a consumer trial program at five United States Galaxy Studio Locations, and I recently got a tour of the New York City Samsung Galaxy Studio in SoHo.

What do you get when you a cross a Verizon Sponsored Soccer Viewing Party with a VIP tour of the 130 Prince Street Galaxy Studio? THIS!:

The Samsung Galaxy Studio in SoHo NYC is located at the cross streets shown above!

It was fun to experience the Samsung Galaxy Studio first hand and get a true feel for what a perspective consumer will experience when checking out a device from this specific location to test.

Nothing beats service with a Smile!

I was very impressed with the layout, it has a nice flow that utilizes various stations to give you a feel for the products and a team that will guide you and help you decide which Samsung product is best for your needs and lifestyle.

Play area at the SoHo Samsung Galaxy Studio

Above: They offer a 'Play' area to keep little ones entertained and utilize areas of the open space to create little nooks if you need a moment to yourself.

Drawing come to life!

Above: It was fun to see tech in action, if you check out the tablet in this shot, it shows a drawing of a train track, then check out how the train moves over the track that was just drawn on the tablet, pretty cool right?

Capturing your child's imagination doesn't always have to be hi-tech!

Above: Who says it's all tech all the time? Everyone needs to stop, unplug and crack open a book sometimes, happy to see the Studio is all about encouraging the little ones to take some time to read a book!

Above: They even encourage your child's (or yours for that matter) inner budding 'artiste' to emerge by enjoying some fun on the chalkboard with color chalk! Fun!

Above: All I know is I can't resist a good mascot photo! Check out this guy in the play area, you know I had to nab a shot.

Left: Yours Truly, Tracy from Ascending Butterfly, Center: Rachel from The Digital Latina and Right: Jessie from The Wired Family!

Above: And apparently I'm not the only blogger who loves Mascot Photo Opps!

Above: The Design Studio Station is where you'll find a calendar of events and info on Samsung Workshops!

Milk Music Station at the SoHo Samsung Galaxy Studio

Above: Samsung announces "The Next Big Thing in Music" 

#TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ investigates the Milk Music Station at the SoHo Samsung Galaxy Studio

Above: #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ yes ME, had to 'hear' for herself of course! Yours truly checking out "Milk Music" an App exclusively available for Samsung Galaxy owners (powered by Slacker) which offers 13M songs, 200+ stations and zero ads for a limited time. I'm using Samsung Headphones and getting an overall Samsung Music Experience with my own tunes (from my Galaxy 3 phone)

I'll share another cool shot of me enjoying the tunes tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday! I haven't downloaded the app yet personally but did enjoy using it while at the Galaxy Studio, once I download and play around with it a bit, I'll come back and share my 'full' take on it.

Is that the word Photo I see on the wall inside the Innovation Lounge? Gotta investigate that!

Above: Just had to check out the "Innovation Lounge" and in there I explored some Butterfly Fun!

Above: I spot a lonely tablet, hmmm perfect spot to draw a butterfly or two right?

Above: Check out where the butterflies I drew actually show up! See them on the right side? I can truly say "Butterfly was here, and now she's gone, she left her butterflies to carry on".... (LOL couldn't resist!)

Above: We all know testing tech products can be a thirsty business right? The folks at the Samsung Galaxy Studio know that to be true and they offer a Cafe Station where you can punch in your order for a beverage and get hydrated! 'Hydration on demand' my friends, makes you feel like you are in the Jetsons! I made mine a Coconut Water!

Left: Romina from MamaXXI blog, Next: Jessie from The Wired Family Center: (in Pink) Rachel from The Digital Latina, Next: Mark from A Geek's Perspective, Far Right: The Afropolitan Mom

Above: After the tour was complete, it was then off to a super secret area of the space to enjoy a Soccer Match Viewing Party hosted by Verizon Wireless!

The Trial Program is currently available at the following locations:

• Dallas-Fort Worth/Frisco, TX: Stonebriar Centre Mall, 2601 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034
• Houston/The Woodlands, TX: The Woodlands Mall, 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
• Los Angeles/Conaga Park, CA: Westfield Topanga, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Canoga Park, CA 91303
• New York City: Samsung Galaxy Studio SoHo, 130 Prince Street, NY, NY
• Santa Clara, CA: Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050

My Take:

The Program is free of charge, however to participate you must provide a refundable credit or debit card deposit during the trial period. Customers will receive a full refund once they return the un-damaged device within the 21 day trial period. Open to all U.S. residents who are 18 years of age and older. You must present valid government issued ID and a valid Credit or Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express only).

I think it's great you get to truly try before you buy and get ample time to put your loaner device to the test!

Which Samsung Device would you borrow Butterflies?

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FTC Disclosure:  As a member of the very cool team of Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I was compensated for this campaign by Online Mom Media. However all opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

#CasaValentina @TheTonyAwards Nominated Best Play at @MTC_NYC - run extended until June 29th - GO SEE IT!

Butterflies you definitely need to run not walk to Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J Friedman Theatre (they are a not-for-profit theatre) to catch Casa Valentina a World premiere play by Harvey Fierstein and Directed by Joe Mantello. It is a Tony Award Nominated Best Play and I got to find out for myself just why!

The play's run got extended until June 29th, and I urge you not to miss it. It received Outer Critic's Circle and Drama League Award Nominations.

Left to Right: (Seated) Patrick Page as Valentina, (Standing) Reed Birney as Charlotte, Nick Westrate as Gloria, John Cullum as Terry, and Larry Pine as Amy. Casa Valentina (Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy)

About/Synopsis:

Casa Valentina, (inspired by true events), is set in 1962 at a Catskill Mountains resort where heterosexual family men could spend weekends living their lives as women. This is Harvey Fierstein's first non-musical in a quarter century.

The bungalow colony at Chevalier d'Eon is run by George/aka 'Valentina' and his wife Rita (played brilliantly by Mare Winningham), the day guests first arrive for the season, which is where the play opens, George has just returned from a meeting with the Postal Inspector regarding homosexual pornographic images meant for a yet un-named guest. In an era where homosexuality was still illegal they are grappling with the prospect of losing their business, and the arrival of a leader of a social sorority for transvetites that has been recognized as a non-profit organization. The leader of the sorority, Charlotte Price, wants to recruit guests to join the board and become the first East Coast Chapter. Guests who visit regularly because they can enjoy the safety of anonymity at this resort are not pleased with the idea of providing their legal name and addresses and signing an affadavit that pledges they are in fact NOT homosexual. The 'self made women' now have to confront whether or not public recognition will help them gain a place in open society or would it in fact spell personal disaster?

MY TAKE:

Harvey Fierstein was actually sitting just across from me and seeing the performance with him being there, made it a bit more magical for me! After a bit of geeking out and a big mental Squee!!! - I summoned up the courage to ask him to sign my Playbill, which he graciously did, and he received a standing ovation when folks recognized him during intermission (I recognized him way sooner but kept it to myself! Which was super hard to do).

This is an incredible ensemble cast and each actor truly embodied their character perfectly. Mare Winningham is a perfect Rita (holding her marriage and her world together as best as she knows how), Patrick Page who portrays her husband George as well as Valentina, gives just as to much the role when he isn't saying a word as his expressions many times says it all. He embodied Valentina beautifully, and his struggles as George and with his own sexuality was amazing to watch!

Reed Birney is a most believable Charlotte. When she tells the 'girls' "I've gone to jail so that you don't have to. I've bared my soul on the battlement, dodged arrows of judgement to shield you." - you understand that she truly believes her way is the right way - for her it's that black and white but sadly those 'shades of grey' catch up with us all! Tom McGowan is a loveable 'Bessie'- while she isn't the oldest in the group she is like the Mother Hen in her own way. John Cullum bring us 'Terry' who I have to say has some of the best lines including:

"Boys, in my day, spent their first years in dresses and gradually worked their way up to knickers and eventually long pants. But a common punishment was to demote a mischievous child back into petticoats. They thought the embarrassment would shame the child into obedience. Oh, the terrible things I'd do to get punished and wear my precious gowns."

Larry Pine plays The Judge/Amy and it is The Judge that has the most to lose should his secret ever come to light. Lisa Emory portrays Eleanor, The Judge's daughter, (Eleanor of course wants nothing to do with her dad's 'other life')

Gabriel Ebert delivers a perfect Jonathan/Miranda a naive newcomer to the resort. And it is when the girls rally to give Jonathan a proper makeover and transition to a more polished Miranda that the sisterhood truly come together.

Last but certainly not least, Nick Westrate brings us Gloria - "the pretty girl, but irrestitible boy" - sharp, savvy, sassy and un-apologetic, he lit up the stage!

You grow to care for them all. The hallmark of both great writing and great acting! Finding a place in this world where you can truly be yourself is hard enough, but when being yourself goes against the 'norm', when do you stand up and stand out?

There may never be a 'right time' or a 'right place' but their search for acceptance and happiness in their personal 'Garden of Eden' gets threatened, not so much by the sorority leader but by a changing society. I didn't think of the sorority leader so much as a snake in their Garden but as a mirror. She forced everyone to look right at themselves and forced them to decide. A secret Shangri-La or a life lived out loud? And sometimes that's NOT as easy a choice as it may seem.

Harvey wrote two of my favorite Broadway Shows, La Cage Aux Folles and most recently Kinky Boots, and he just has a knack for human stories, this one does it without music, it is raw and powerful, and often times the actors say as much without words as they did with them.

Don't miss this play!

Where do you feel most yourself, Butterfly? Have you ever not felt accepted?

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FTC Disclosure: Ascending Butterfly was provided with Casa Valentina Press Tickets for Editorial Consideration, all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

@Sniffapalooza @MoltonBrownUSA in #NewYorkCity! #Sniffapalooza #Skincare #Beauty #bbloggers

Molton Brown London, Midtown East Location in New York City

I got to attend my very first Sniffapalooza event in New York City and I definitely picked a great first one to attend! A special holidays edition of Sniffapalooza was hosted at the New Molton Brown store in New York City, there were tons of gift sets on display that were perfect for holidays and beyond, and it was truly a delight for my senses!

I hadn't had the opportunity to experience Molton Brown Products personally so I greatly enjoyed trying out all the great body washes and lotions and thought I'd share my standouts and Photo Highlights:

Kusmi Tea Station at Molton Brown London Midtown East Location in New York City for holiday Sniffapalooza

The event was held right after the second of two snowstorms that battered New York City, it was in fact snowing when we all arrived, so the Kusmi Tea Station was a very welcome site as most of us were still freezing from our morning commute into the city in the snow! Thanks Kusmi!

The Bath and Body Treasures Collection from Molton Brown

Honestly this collection is fantastic year round, not just for holidays! Valentines Day is coming up, not to mention it's perfect for birthdays too! Thoughtful for Mother's Day or a teacher's gift for June! (As a former Special Ed teacher I can tell you that teacher's do NOT want apples! That's definitely a myth!) This collection features six Body Wash & Nourishing Body Lotions and picking a favorite scent isn't easy, this collection includes: Pink Pepperpod, Gingerlily, Ylang-Ylang, Templetree, Suma Ginseng and Japanese Orange. I think this thoughtful gift would be well-received by any recipient.

Molton Brown London Fine Fragrance Display at the Molton Brown US Midtown East location -New York City December 2013 Sniffapalooza Event

Now don't get me wrong, all the fine fragrance smells wonderful, but I do have an absolute stand out favorite from among the six and that's IUNU. The fine fragrance collection is called 'Navigations Through Scent' and Iunu which is 'Egypt' inspired offers a ginger oil and elemi oil top note, with Egyptian Jasmine Absolute, Ylang Ylang and Black Pepper Middle Notes and a base of Patchouli and Oakmoss. They describe it as 'Warm. Slightly Dark. Sublime' and I describe it as 'Yes, Please!'

Molton Brown Gift Bag Sniffapalooza Event December 2013 New York City Midtown East Retail Store

My Take:

My personal favorites (in no particular order) are:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Coco & Sandalwood (they offer a Body Wash, Nourishing Body Lotion and Replenishing Hand Cream. This scent is also included in The Exclusive Home Gift Collection.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Patchouli & Saffron (Body Wash, Nourishing Body Lotion and Replenishing Hand Cream or you can purchase it in a trio, they also offer a Single Wick Candle that you can purchase separately.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Frankincense & Allspice (Available in a Hand Wash, Hand Lotion and Candle)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Navigations Through Scent - Iunu

The team at the Midtown East Location at 515 Madison Avene in New York City are super helpful, and you can give them an idea about your particular favorite scents and they can easily match you up to the right Molton product, so don't hesitate to ask for help if you go in and feel a bit over-whelmed by the selection.

I'm glad Sniffapalooza introduced me to the brand and to the New York store, I will definitely be back and will of course visit them online too!

Get Social:

Why you don't tell Sniffapalooza and Molton Brown you saw them featured on Ascending Butterfly?

I'm sure they'd love to know! Give them some Social Media Love here:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @MoltonBrownUSA on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Sniffapalooza on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Sniffapalaooza on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Molton Brown USA on Facebook

Butterfly have you tried Molton Brown? If so, what is your personal fave? If not, which product would you most like to try?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, I was provided press passes to this Sniffapalooza Event for editorial consideration. This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

#MotivationMonday - Get #inspired by @Angela_Bofill + check out #Photo & #Video highlights from her @SmoothJazzNY Tribute!

You may remember that I hosted a reader giveaway for a VIP Experience for the Smooth Jazz New York Encore Sail for the Angela Bofill Experience. While this giveaway is already closed, please remember we are a Media Partner for Smooth Jazz and will be working them again VERY SOON for a fun giveaway, so check back SOON! (If you LOVE Wine, and especially love exploring and trying new Wines, and you are New York City Based, then this is going to be for YOU!)

I left this sail incredibly inspired by the strength of Angela Bofill, the entertainer and the The WOMAN! A two-time Stroke Survivor, Angela not only refused to give up on herself she refused to give up on her passion, her MUSIC. She was incredibly open, honest, raw and shared such an incredibly positive outlook and a perspective filled with humor and a love for life and each moment. When you get the chance to be in the presence of someone who keeps their energy so high and doesn't let any obstacles weigh them down, you can't help but feel inspired. You feel motivated and uplifted. You feel like anything is truly possible. And that's the gift Angela gave me that night. While my VIP experience on the sail was amazing, my nights with Smooth Jazz always tend to be, this one however held a more special place in my heart. A year to the date I was to be on the very same sail, but life veered me of course, and I never made that sail, I never made that ship and I spent a year and a half in and out of the hospital. Overcoming a ton of challenges of my own. I don't really know if I did it with the same humor Angela did, but my quiet Grace got me through. And being on that sail, on that night was already incredibly nostalgic for me. It already reminded me of how far I'd come since last year. And then seeing Angela, and hearing HER tell HER story filled me with renewed hope that there is nothing that can stand in MY way, unless I let it.

Lenny Green of The Quiet Storm Kicked things off during the Smooth Jazz Encore Angela Bofill Experience Cruise in New York City, October 2013!

The concert had an incredible line up! Maysa on Vocals, Alex Bugnon on the Piano/Keyboard and Kim Waters on Saxophone all joined together to pay tribute to the one and only Ms. Angela Bofill. Other artists sent in Video Tribute Messages to her, and she sang and played the cowbell along to some of the songs. She mercilessly teased Kim Waters and kept the crowd, not just engaged, but happy, we were all smiling and cheering her on!

Center: Maysa performing during Smooth Jazz Smooth Cruise Encore Angela Bofill Tribute Experience

Far Left Standing Angela (vocalist), followed by Maysia (vocalist in the blue dress), and far right: Saxophone Player Kim Waters

Center: Saxophone Player Kim Waters,  performing during Angela Bofill Tribute Experience

Left: Angela, back up singer, Center: Maysa who is helping Right: Ms. Angela Bofill to her seat on stage!

Angela Bofill on cowbell and Kim Waters on Saxophone on the Smooth Jazz Encore Cruise October 2013

Alex Bugnon performs at the Smooth Jazz Encore Sail Angela Bofill Experience, New York City, October 2013

Left: Ascending Butterfly Right: Mama Butterfly taking in New York City at Night on the Smooth Jazz Encore Sail, October 2013

Left: Mama Butterfly, Center: Alex Bugnon, Right: ME! Ascending Butterfly - it was so cool meeting Alex Bugnon in person!

Left Mama Butterfly meets Right: Saxophone Player and Jazz Musician Kim Waters!

Left: Saxophone Player and Jazz Musician Kim Waters and Right: ME! Ascending Butterfly

Angela Bofill signs CD's for Fans after the Smooth Jazz Encore Cruise October 2013, New York City

Feel like you were there with highlights from the concert filmed on the LG G2 Smart Phone:




 

My Take:

The concert was amazing and I left totally inspired by Angela Bofill, she is a fighter in every sense of the word, and her sense of humor and spirit made everyone smile! It was super touching to see how emotional it was for her when they showed clips of her performing throughout the years.

Butterflies if she can keep pursuing her passion after such major setbacks, why can't YOU?

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FTC Disclosure: Smooth Jazz New York provided Ascending Butterfly with tickets to the Angela Bofill Experience Encore Sail for editorial consideration, all opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.

#TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ meets @COVERGIRL Ambassador & #ElectricLady @JanelleMonae @ApolloTheater #covermoment {#Photos)

You all know how much I love Music, so when Covergirl invited me to attend Janelle Monae's (aka The Electric Lady #1) 'Electric Tour' with a VIP backstage meet and greet you know I couldn't turn that down! As you know my online alter ego is #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ, and Music and Travel are my top two passions in life. And in all my years living in New York City this was my very first visit to the historic Apollo Theatre! (And it certainly won't be my last!) The very last pictures include our meet and greet photo! So stay with this post until the end butterflies!

Janelle is the new face of Covergirl and she is on tour to promote her new album, The Electric Lady, which you definitely need to pick up if you haven't already! Pick it up on Amazon:



The excitement was definitely building outside the entrance of the theatre while we were waiting to get in, The billboard changes very rapidly but I was able to nab a shot of the sign announcing Janelle before it switched again to other shows:

Outside the legendary Apollo Theatre in New York City for the Janelle Monae 'Electric Tour'

of course Mama Butterfly and I wanted to take a picture before we even sat down:

Left: ME! Ascending Butterfly Right: Mama Butterfly inside the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NYC

We got there super early as you can tell and they hadn't even started setting up yet so we got some time to ham it up and check out the theatre!

The excitement was definitely starting to build as the band started setting up!

Check out 'Mini Janelle'!

Everyone just had to stop and snap pictures with a super cute little girl that was dressed up like Janelle!

Janelle Monae 'Electric Tour' Concert at Apollo Theatre in New York City

You could literally feel the floor beneath you vibrating as concert goers jumped up when Janelle took the stage, everyone was jumping and dancing and it's like the floor had come alive beneath your feet!

Janelle was definitely bringing her 'A' Game!

My inner Fashionista was totally digging this outfit! The Jacket! Those Boots! YES!!!

The confetti was flying and it felt like New Years Eve!

The Electric Lady was definitely bringing it!

You know we were all singing along with her!

No one was ready for Janelle and the band to take a bow, we wanted MORE!

I had to let Janelle know how much I enjoyed the show!

How do artists keep straight which camera to focus on?

Now that's better, you can now see the whole Apollo sign in the background!

Even Mama Butterfly got in on the Meet and Greet Fun!

My Take:

The last time I did a concert in New York City with a VIP Meet and Greet was for John Legend, so I was super excited to get to do another one! Janelle truly delivered, it was an amazing concert and her new album has 20 songs and she is joined on some tracks by some amazing artists including Prince (yes THE Prince), Miguel, Erykah Badu, Solange, as well as Esperanza Spalding (who I love, love, love by the way) on an expansive double disc set.

Serving Face? Indeed Butterflies, that's why she is the face of Covergirl! She tore it up at the Apollo! Thanks Covergirl, I will never forget this concert!

"Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am" ~Janelle Monae, on the track Q.U.E.E.N. featuring Erykah Badu, check out the official video below:

Have you grabbed this album yet? If so, what is your favorite track?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is an event recap, this is NOT a compensated or sponsored post, Concert Tickets were provided to Ascending Butterfly for Editorial Consideration. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. All opinions are 100% my own! The Amazon Banner to purchase The Electric Lady MP3 download of the album  is an affiliate link.