George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic/Ohio Players/July 12

Toni Braxton/July 19

Chrisette Michele & Musiq Soulchild/July 26

Salt & Peppa/Naughty by Nature/Slick Rick/August 2

Aretha Franklin/August 9

BeBe & CeCe Winans/August 16

Sean Paul/The King of Calypso Mighty Sparrow/August 23

Hey my sweets. It’s been far far far too long.  Please forgive my absence. I’m going to have to ease back into the 5 day a week posts.  I’m still looking for writers as I type.  I am going to commit to doing a few posts a week.  My plate is overflowing at the moment. I’ve taken on a massive new duty as of late and I’m sharpening up some new selling tools and techniques.  The Lord knows I’m a working girl!  Just let me do what I love and it’s like I never stop working ;-).  I’m in the midst of finding some balance (per usual).

And there’s no place to inspire a crazy girl like me, like NYC.  One of my closest friends Robin Hereford and her husband, Darrius Hereford visited the city for the first time recently and I could feel the city’s energy through them the whole time they were there.  I made them a cute little “IndiasWorld’s Itinerary” of some of my favorite spots and they even picked up one of my all time favorites (Tillman’s) from my good friend Michael Clark.   They wore themselves out.

There ain’t no place like New York in the Summer.  Free concerts galore! And what piqued my interest is that The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin is performing FOR FREE at WINGATE PARK on August 9th.  And the entire series is sizzling hot (that’s right sizzling).  Wingate Park is in the hood (but don’t let that stop you).  It is always a peaceful fun filled evening.  The concerts are every Monday starting today at 7:30. Kicking off the series is George Clinton, Parliment/Funkadelic, and The Ohio Players and ends on August 23 with Sean Paul and The King of Calypso, Mighty Sparrow. Wingate Field is on Brooklyn Avenue b/t Rutland Road and Winthrop Street. For more information visit: www.brooklynconcerts.com. Enjoy!!!

Chicago’s hippest and newest hotspot will be doing it big every first Thursday of the month with a new music series, Eyes Wide Shut.  A popular (I’m hearing national) music act will be featured.  Last week it was Chico DeBarge and tonight it’s Slick Rick.  The Shrine will showcase local acts every other week that will span hip-hop, soul, dance and r&b.  One thing for certain is that  nearly every week you can expect live music, a hip and diverse crowd, good drinks and great vibes.  The Shrine is located in the South Loop at 2109 S. Wabash in Chitown.  www.theshrinechicago.com