Its been a bust few months and I have lots of new adventures to share very soon. A sneak peak of what's to come..Hurricane Shoals Park in Maysville, GA. The Georgia State Botanical Gardens in Athens, GA and the   Air force Show in Sumter, SC. Also coming are a list of great places to try in downtown Decatur, GA that are full of local flare.

In the mean time get ready for a new blog Alternating Contradictions that you can follow! Go to www.alternatingcontradictions.blogspot.com to get in on the discussion in the coming months. Special thanks to Logosnap.com for helping to create the logo.

Black Cowboy Festival

My heart belongs to the country even though I currently live in the suburbs. I felt the need to pull out a pair of cowboy boots and dust off a cowboy hat when I heard about the Black Cowboy Festival being held outside of Sumter, SC.  This event is sponsored by the Black Cultural Enlightenment Society and this year marked the 13th event held.  The founders of this event by a black family purchasing land that was used by their families for sharecropping. The Myers Family plays host to different community events including activities for local 4-H clubs and other family events. The Black Cowboy festival came about from the talk that families in the community had never seen a black family with horses.

This event had a down home southern feel filled with music, good food and of course horse competitions. Folks  proudly sported their their cowboy hats and boots. There was a strong sense of community as different groups provided entertainment for the crowd including high school marching bands, jazz bands, story tellers, and African dance.  While this event is held over 4 days, I was only able to attend one day. There is a full schedule events that includes a fish fry, line dancing, trail rides and educational workshops for youth.  Campsites are also available for those who wish to stay for the entire event wit your RV or trailer.

The festival had several tents that allowed guests to enjoy the shade during the day. Vendors were on site for people to purchase a variety of items and some down home country cooking . My favorite vendors were sold all cowboy related items such as horse saddles, cowboy hats and boots. 

On the property there is also a homestead village  filled with vintage items from a single room cabin that share croppers who once lived on the land. Guests are allowed to walk though the cabin and see life as it would have been over 100 years ago. It really opens your eyes to see how simplistic life was with everything you would ever need in one room. 

The homestead 

Attendees were also able to enjoy horse racing competitions. My family only raises cows so I was excited to see all of the horses. I was  also very excited to see cowgirls holding their own as the competitors raced through the obstacle course for the best time. Horse rides and wagon rides were also available through out the day. It was unbelievably hot so if you wish to enjoy this event make sure to bring lots of water, sun screen, and a lawn chair. Don't be afraid to get dirty and have some good old fashioned down home fun!

I know I can't wait until next years event and will be bringing my dad along for the ride! 

St. Patrick's Day -Savannah Edition

   

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

       Savannah is not a new city for me, I spent 4 years there for college and visit at least once a year to see friends and classmates. Savannah, one of the oldest cities in the country and its know for its southern charm and hospitality. The classic square design envisioned by James Oglethorpe and hanging Spanish moss are notable images associated with the city. Numerous films showcase Savannah in Hollywood such as Forrest Gump, The Legend of Bagger Vance and the General's Daughter.

     Savannah hosts the country's second largest St. Patrick's Day celebration. Hundreds of Thousands of people converge on the city to drink green beer. The first St. Patrick's day celebration was held in 1813  I have not attended a St. Patrick's Day celebration since 2005 and thought this, the first time in 7 years that St. Patrick's Day was on a Saturday, was the perfect time to revisit the celebration.  If you have never made it to Savannah for St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras is an example of the type of party that is held. River street becomes transformed into a sea of people donning an array of shades of green, and  Irish costumes. Many people look forward to the challenge of collected as many beads a possible or the most elaborate set. Bead come in all different sizes, shapes, colors and themes.

Photo Courtesy of Google Images 

Another time honored tradition for the Savannah St. Patrick's Day celebration is the annual parade. Local organizations, and schools march in the parade as well as a variety of marching bands from other parts of the US. One time honored tradition is that military personnel march in the parade and women kiss the soldiers or sailors as the pass through the streets. There are lots of lipstick stains left on many cheeks by the end of the day.

Photo Courtesy of Google Images 

St. Patrick's Day can be whatever type of event you choose for it to be. Many people bring their children along and make it a family fun event. While others let loose and let the green beer flow. Its important to know that you will be doing tons of walking and its important to plan ahead. Street vendors offer corn dogs, turkey legs, funnel cakes, and much more! Usually every hotel room in the city and surrounding areas will be booked several months in advance. Travel costs increase dramatically during St. Patrick's Day so plan accordingly. While in Savannah make sure to check out the many attractions such as carriage rides, ghost tours or visit Tybee Island Beach.

During my visit this year my college roommate and I started compiling a list of all the great things to do in Savannah that we had never partaken in during all our time spent there. So be one the lookout for more stories and adventures from my favorite city!

Dance Theater of Harlem

I know what you are thinking....New York isn't in the south, right? I was fortunate to attend a performance of the DTH here in Columbia. Many people may not know that my first love was actually dancing and not public health. This performance brought out the inner ballerina that is in every six year old girl.

Ballet was popularized in the 1600s in France and spread across the world. Traditional ballet, neoclassical, and contemporary can be found in many different countries across the world.

 

The Dance Theater of Harlem was founded 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, the first black dancer to be selected by the New York City Ballet. The DTH enables youth of color from across the globe to hone their craft of classical ballet and provide outreach to the community on arts education. One of the great unique things about the DTH is that the women's tights and shoes are dyed to closely match their skin tone. Traditional ballet attire consists of pink tights and shoes for women.

 

The City of Columbia was dazzled by the performance of the DTH with several pieces that incorporated traditional ballet as well as a few contemporary pieces. There was variety of scores that accompanied each piece drawing the viewers in with every move. One of the things I love about dancing is the lack of words used. You can feel the meaning of each piece solely by watching the movement and feeling the music as the dancers infuse their own body with the sound.  

 

This was a great family event that members from young and old could enjoy. The entire night was narrated by the current director. He gave a brief overview of the beginnings of ballet, the origins of the DTH and walked the audience through how a typical practice session would unfold back in Harlem. There was a section of the program dedicated to questions and answers from the audience by the dancers.  Audience members were also invitied on stage for a quick partnering lesson with members of the troupe. The dancers both male and female,  hailed for various states in the U.S. as well as different countries from around the globe such as Brasil and Cuba. 

This was a delightful evening that was enjoyed by everyone who attended. If the Dance Theater of Harlem comes to a town near you, make sure you check them out for yourself!

 

Images Courtesy of Google Images 

V Day 2012

Celebrating the inner beauty of all women….The Vagina Monologues.

The Vagina Monologues has been performed throughout the world to bring awareness to a variety of issues including sexual assault, female genital mutilation, birth and sexuality. This play was created in 1996 by Eve Ensler after she conducted over 200 interviews with women on their views about sex, love, relationships, and violence against women. This play is a sassy and direct way of starting the conversation about not only sexual assault, but femininity and sexuality. Each cast that has the opportunity to perform this play adds its own spice and flare, making each production across the globe truly unique. 

The production I viewed was hosted by the University of South Carolina. An ensemble cast of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, ages and gender created a dynamic cast for this performance of the Vagina Monologues.  The different skits such as, My Vagina was My Village and The Little Coochi Snoter That Could, documented experiences of sexual assault. My Vagina was My Village highlights the experience of a woman during the war in Bosnia. This compelling piece was performed by a woman who was a victim of sexual assault. The emotion displayed during the piece spilled over into the audience, bringing tears to my own eyes and a lump to my throat.

 There were several skits that provided comic relief at necessary times such as The Woman Who Liked to Make Vaginas Happy and The Angry Vagina. The Angry Vagina playfully highlighted a woman’s experience of a gynecological exam and other thoughts and perceptions of a male oriented world. These helped lighten the mood and balance the heavy moments throughout the play.

A new edition to the play was a monologue that was inspired by recent natural disasters and the sexual assaults that occurred during the aftermath. Voices were finally heard from violence that occurred during Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti. Even in times of devastation, women were still fighting against aggression, but still holding on.

Experiencing The Vagina Monologues not only rekindled my sense of pride for my womanhood, but also reminded me of the power of words. So much intensity and feeling went into each of the pieces preformed, an intensity that I felt could never be put into words, yet it was done so very eloquently.  I laughed, cried and got angry, as well as felt empowered all because of the powerful words spoken.   Survivors of sexual assault were asked to stand during the end of the program to speak out against the violence, after those brave individuals stood, people were asked to stand if there was someone in their lives who was a survivor. The message was clear. We are all touched by sexual assault in some way, shape or form.

If you have never seen The Vagina Monologues, I highly recommend it. Not only to feel connected to your womanhood, or to understand women better, but to stand up against violence and sexual assault. 

Carolina Motor Sports Park

Ladies and gentlemen, you may now start your engines!!!

Growing up has never been as monotonous and borrowing as when a person is reintroduced to the joys of childhood to reflect on.  This experience happened to me over the weekend when I was injected with the enjoyment of kart racing. For sometime the experience of kart racing has been presented to me, yet I had always declined the opportunity for multiple reasons mostly because I thought it wouldn’t be enjoyable to an adult.

BOY WAS I WRONG!!!

Little did I know the NEED FOR SPEED would quickly engulf my body delivering a jovial spirit to last a lifetime. While in South Carolina over the New Year 2012 weekend I traveled to Kershaw, SC to The Carolina MotorSports Park for the experience of kart racing; better known to the world as Go-Kart racing.

Carolina MotorSports was developed by a group of enthusiasts and racers from the Southeast. Two individuals, Joe Hooker and Bob Humphries played the largest role in getting the project of Carolina MotorSports built. The acquisition of land was completed in July 1998 whereas the full 2.3 mile road course was completed a year later in July 1999. Carolina MotorSport has a bit of historic relevance as well due to the fact that the speedway is on an old WWII fighter base training site. Located 4 miles south of Kershaw, 17 miles north of Camden on Hwy 521 in South Carolina and approximately 1 hours drive south of The Charlotte International Airport; the Carolina MotorSport Park is destined to ignite the inner racer in us all. Not just for kart racing, Carolina MotorSport is obtainable to all auto enthusiasts from motorcycle lovers, drifters, stock cars, etc…

The facility has day garages available for $50 a day or $125 for 3 days with a 200 ft. skid pad and irrigation system. Also on the grounds for easy accessibility to customers is the registration building with 4 service windows and covered waiting rooms for. The Timing and Scoring building has a sound proof race control room along with network capabilities. Wireless internet is provided throughout the Timing and Scoring building plus wired iCard. Also within the Timing and Scoring building is an AMB and AMB TnetX, restrooms with showers, offices, and medical area just in case an accident presents itself.

The Carolina MotorSport Park also possesses a 4 bay tech shed with lights, paved 100’x300’ false grid, public address system, and FM transmitter availability. Within the fueling area rests a public air hose for easy use by all. Sunoco Race fuel (93,100,110, and 112 upon request) Octane unleaded is also offered at the track. On the grounds exists a vendor area, free wireless internet in designated areas, and a snack bar which is open during race weekends along with the clubhouse and classrooms which are open to rent.

My personal experience with Carolina MotorSport Park came in the form of Kart racing. Being a novice to the sport I quickly learned why it can become addictive, exciting the endorphins to desire to go faster. The karts (Birel N-35 rock karts with 9HP Honda engines) can be rented at $20 for 10 minutes of track time. An age limit of 12 yrs. old and up is established to drive the rental karts around the .70 mile (3696 ft.) course. The kart track hours range from 9am-4pm. During my time at this facility I was surprised to learn all that went into kart racing. Things like the constant maintenance placed on these karts as though they were real stock cars. The karts are placed on lifts in order to better get to the needed areas of interest during the repairing process. This sport is so big I was shocked to learn it has multiple magazines covering it routinely. The largest shocker of all came when I learned that these diminutive racing cars can cost up to $1,000+. Upon hearing this bit of news I was like a deer in headlights and thrown for a loop. Equipped now with a helmet and neck brace I was now prepared for the track. For a first timer the sport came quickly to me and I enjoyed myself immensely. The karts are basic with ignition and brake, nothing more nothing less. I couldn’t help but wonder why the steering column in my kart was so stiff; only to find out that the steering column was stiff on all the karts. I couldn’t help but ponder if this was similar to the feel of most race cars. Whizzing around the track freely taking position after position in the form of passing other racers on the track I was quickly trapped in the moment of never wanting to exit my kart car. This kart racing experience was an eye opener and an event that will happen again in the near future with even more expectations and a lot more throttle.

New Years Eve Block Party! - Columbia SC

Curious to bring in the year 2012 differently, I decided not to stay in Atlanta for the annual Peach Drop and ventured next door to Columbia, South Carolina. On this year Columbia made a point to open the flood gates with a festive block party to rival all New Year celebrations in the Southeast. The bash which took place on Main Street in the heart of Columbia included beer, wine, and champagne vendors alike with the Grey Goose Lounge serving as the VIP spot of the night. The ESPN Zone even made an appearance to the party allowing college football bowl game fanatics to never miss a snap while still continuing to party the night away. Columbia made a statement this year with its signature Palmetto Tree and Crescent Moon display during the midnight countdown. Music from regional acts like Pinna, who opened the musical carousing followed by Josh Roberts and The Hinges kept the revelers going until the musical highlight of the night hit the stage. Headlining all musical acts was none other than Kannapolis, North Carolina’s own Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic.

Upon arrival in downtown Columbia, after finally finding parking, I was dazed to witness the mounting anticipation in the streets for George Clinton’s performance. With WIS News 10 on hand reporting the action from street level as it took place, the party was off and running in full force with a Resolution board erected for all those willing to share in their New Year plans. Around every corner groups of partiers huddled together not only to battle the reserved chill in the air, but also to make grand attempts to sing their renditions of some of Parliaments classic and ground breaking tunes. I was stunned to witness some guests underdressed for a night outdoor block party with temperatures dropping swiftly, yet then again there’s always someone wanting to be seen.

As soon as Parliament hit the stage they didn’t disappoint the fans in the least. George Clinton on stage performed with ease demonstrating why he’s one of the greats of his time plus further demonstrating how far music has fallen considering the stuff played on radio stations today. By the time midnight arrived champagne corks discharged in the air displayed a menagerie of flying mastery, delayed numbers from the midnight countdown were yelled out and Auld Lang Syne (Traditional New Year Song) was erupting from the mouths of multiple celebrators. With fireworks a blaze and couples sharing their initial 2012 kiss; Columbia, South Carolina scored big with this celebration and only gives reason to assume what they (Columbia) will do this up coming year to rival this celebration. Whatever it is my interests are peeked and I may again have to be in attendance.