What do jazz, sidewalks and Greek food have in common?

I have been searching for a piece that I wrote a few years ago regarding Birmingham's cultural scene. My husband and I were attending the first annual 4th Avenue Jazz Festival. It was outstanding. Jazz Hall of Famers and jazz enthusiasts returned to perform on 4th Avenue North. It was a reunion.

Every once in awhile, people who may have never walked along 4th avenue north would pass through the crowd looking for the Carver Theater. They were en route to catch an independent film as part of the Sidewalk Film Festival. When the film was over, many of them stopped and hung out at the festival.

That night, we left 4th Avenue North to catch the annual festival at the Greek Orthodox Church on the Southside. We danced and ate all the leftovers. After we shut down the festival a group of friends left for an event at Workplay.

To some of you, this doesn't mean anything. To me, it was the beginning of a cultural explosion in the City Center, stretching from north to south. Birminghamians were functioning in cultural enclaves, but organizers created a situation where people were forced to intersect. Some jazz enthusiasts were introduced to the Film Festival. Film fans, stopped and hung out at the Jazz Festival. I can't wait to see what is in store for the fall.

What events are you looking forward to this fall?

B'ham's Hip Hop Scene and Me

As much as I appreciate other music genres, I am still a fan of hip hop, particularly conscious hip hop. Few in Birmingham know that I was a percussionist in my high school band (Color Guard and Drum Major also). So naturally I'm into music that I can dance to, groove to or be moved by the messages of its lyrics.

Fortunately, I re-united with Patrick Johnson a.k.a S. Fly of Red Light District over a year and half ago. We were once employed by the same company. S. Fly is the first Birmingham hip hop artist that I was introduced to. Red Light District is an unforgettable group in my mind. I’ll always remember my favorite lines in one of their songs: “ I know a place where we can go, there’s nothin’ but love around, nothin’ but love around”. The track’s beat, the bass is so deep and melodic. It’s one of those songs that you just ride out to when you need to clear your head.

Since then, I’ve also met other Birmingham artists such as: Thed Weller, Byron the Aquarius, I.M.A.E, Poet John Paul, Shaheed, Supreme and Poet Shaun Judah. They performed at one of Birmingham’s most energizing and uplifting spoken word/live music events, The Latte Lounge: SpeakYoSoul Live! at Java and Jams coffee house . I saw Green Seed shut it down at the Bottletree a few years ago. I’m now a fan and really encourage each of these artists to continue to deliver the goods with sick beats and passionate messages about love, struggle, triumph, politics, friendships, foes and “things that make you go mmmhhh”.

Lastly, I think that Birmingham is filled with incredible talent. We can't forget about the ladies. The artists I’ve mentioned have all impressed me. Just as impressive is the female producer/singer/graphic artist Ms.BeatJunkie. She’s remixed tracks for artists abroad and here in the city. Her influences are cats like J.Dilla Flying Lotus, Pharcyde, Digable Planets and Sun Ra. You must experience her for yourself. She even freestyles and has a soulful, jazzy, “can sing just about anything” voice. She has her very own unique swag! You can listen to some of her beats at www.myspace.com/offbeatmusiq.

While you’re cruisin’ the web for hip hop, stop by djlovedeluxe.podomatic.com. This is my site. Yes, I’m making a really concerted effort to hone my dj skills. Stay tuned for the 69 Boyz/Flo Rida mashup. Not very conscious I know, but we all have our weaknesses! The SoulHeat mix on the site showcases some of my favorite conscious hip hop tracks and a remix by Birmingham's MsBeatJunkie. You know, it’s really cool to know personally some of the great hip hop artists and musicians in our city.

Thanks Bettina for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the Birmingham Hip Hop scene. I wish each of the artists mentioned much success in life and their careers.

Supporting friends and colleagues during Ramadan

When I was in charge of diversity training for an organization with a sizable Muslim population, I always received calls regarding how to deal with co-workers who were fasting during Ramadan. They wanted to know whether they should invite them to functions or what should they serve during functions. I always start the conversation with, for this year I suggest...However, I really think that organizations with religious and ethnic diversity, should sit down annually and develop a calendar that includes the major observances of staff and constituents. However, most questions require a quick fix and immediate answers.

A few suggestions come to mind.

1) Plan ahead. Include a survey of ethnic and religious diversity that solicits suggestions from all of your constituents on how you can be supportive.
2) If you want Muslim co-workers to attend events, don't plan a lunch or a dinner prior to sundown. However, I have had colleagues who still showed up to lunches, but they just didn't eat.
3) If a co-worker who is observing Ramadan decides not to attend an event or meeting scheduled during this time, please be supportive.
4) Contact your local Mosque or Islamic Center for suggestions or to learn more about Ramadan. Our Birmingham society had an open house a few years ago. Many churches and community groups participated.

I have also asked people that I know who are Muslim to comment on this post and give their opinions.

Can Translation Blunders Make or Break You?

While on her African tour, Secretary of State Hilliary Clinton was asked about her husband's opinion regarding matters of state--or so she thought. It ends up, the student was asking about President Obama's opinion not former President Clinton's. A translation blunder set off Sec. Clinton. I don't know the nature of the error. However, when considering using a third party in intercultural relations, the translator can make or break you.

When I provide cultural competence consulting to organizations, the issue of using a translator always comes up. Out of desperation, people often grab friends, people off of the street or even bi-lingual employees. I am not suggesting that you not hire bi-lingual employees. For certain issues, a basic common understanding of a language is fine. However, for official business, health or international issues it is really important to use certified translators. A certified translator possesses a number of competencies beyond speaking two or more languages.

See Lost in Translation: She, Not Bill, is the Secretary of State.

First Time Eating Thai or Indian Food?

I am frequently questioned about what to eat by people who have not had the occasion to try Indian or Thai food. My approach is to take the, "It tastes like chicken" approach of my mom by actually suggesting that they order chicken. It is my way of easing people into expanding their pallets.

For the not so experimental person, I take them to Surin for Thai as opposed to some of the other places in town. I recommend the BBQ chicken which includes fried rice. They may or may not try the coconut soup. If they make funny faces, I don't let them anywhere near my ginger soy scallops.

For Indian, I recommend Tandoori chicken which is available at most places I have been to. I also order bhindi masala which is sauteed okra with tomato, onion and spices. My southern friends are used to stewed okra which also includes tomatoes and onions. I actually brought bhinidi masala to a family dinner. Everyone loved it. I didn't mention it was Indian until dinner was over. They were pleasantly surprised.

All see, Soul Food in India, Japan...

How do you ease your friends into experimenting with different foods?

Is the Best Granola in Montgomery, AL?

I am trying to figure out where to find the best granola in the country. We have some great granola in Alabama. My favorite is from Cafe Louisa in the Cloverdale area. I prefer to buy it by the pound in a Ziplock bag rather than the fancy packaging from the bakery. I swear that it changes the taste.

Cafe Louisa is in an area of Montgomery which is somewhat eclectic. It is home to an independent theater that my husband and I used to frequent--the Capri. We were attending a screening of Military Brats: Our Journey Home. Although there are other military installations in Alabama, they chose to show the film in Montgomery. Montgomery is home to Maxwell Air Force Base which is best known for Air War College.

While waiting for my husband and a friend that was stationed at Maxwell, I needed a quick bite. I decided to explore the cafe across the street. I ordered yogurt and granola. I immediately fell in love. Not only is the granola wonderful, the ingredients, are local. Particularly the syrup.

Who makes your favorite granola?

All B'ham Hip Hop Roads Lead to S-Fly

After posing the question, "How would you characterize the Birmingham Hip Hop Scene?", members of the hip hop community shared their opinions. Almost everyone mentioned S-Fly, Patrick Johnson, of the Red Light District. I wrote to him and asked for his perspective. He responded immediately to my request. He reminded me that we had met more than ten years ago when he was still with the Red Light District and I was working at UAB.

Bettina...I'm a huge supporter of our music scene in general, and because I'm a hip hop artist, I tend to take my hometown hip hop a bit more personal than some others may. I honestly think the current scene reflects the national music scene as a whole - we still tend to try and make music that sounds like someone else's. I don't think rappers WANT to make music that sounds like someone else's (at least not initially), but the pressure from radio, video outlets, and even the (local) audience we play for often demand songs about getting money, what money allows us to do/have, or status... almost anything negative about hip hop can be funneled right back to the "money" category.

This is only 1 example that keep the hip hop community from standing out or being heard on a larger scale (there are several). THERE ARE SEVERAL ARTISTS/EVENTS that promote good hip hop music, and there are various artists from the city who are excellent examples of new, fresh sounds and approaches to the music that intrigue audiences without radio play or videos.

The best part about the current scene for me is that the scene has actually grown up. In 1992, when Southern Comffort started, the scene was more like a toddler.... we had studios where we could book time and a network of outlets to produce quality work, and we were all "learning the system".

Somewhere around 1998-99, rappers like Supreme (Eargasm), Superking and B. Moe (Last Sunday Showcase), and Red Light (Love Jones @ Phoenix) hosted regular events that promoted not only the artists who came through, but hip hop culture AND the Bham scene as a whole. We no longer booked studio time - the PC had become affordable and we now had home studios and the knowledge to use them. This was our adolescent age... we were now promoting events, booking our own venues, and showing our independence.

Nowadays, Supreme has his own hip hop show, I've produced documentary and soundtrack music, Superking and Big Creed started award shows for the local scene, and several hip hop artists are involved in civic/mentoring projects. We produce our own shows if/when necessary with no problem, buy and/or produce our own advertising, create, shoot, and edit our own videos. We are in a much better position than we were almost 20 years ago! Our #1 problem right now is being ORIGINAL whenever we produce this quality work....what's the sense in producing your very own Gucci Mane record when Gucci Mane already has one out? Shout out to Ike Gi Jones and the Battle C.A.T.S., John Woodlawn, 7even, Big Chuck Ent, Murc Camp, Code, Thed Weller (old head, new name) and a host of other "newer generation" Bham scene hip hop brethren that keep fresh creative sounds and ideas, and can rock a show without rapping over the words in the track (a new phenom, requires a different post altogether). RESPECT to all the pioneers of this scene, from Cozmo Flex and Kid Fresh, to L.O.D., R.O.A., Attitude, Supreme, and so many others (emcees and dj's alike).

Yes, long winded....but like I said, I love this scene and will always promote it. I'm not leaving.

Please check out the link to Mr. Dial Has something to Say's Emmy nominated soundtrack by Patrick Johnson.