It’s Angola Rodeo time again. If you’re not sure what that means, just watch this video, in which prisoners in Louisiana are gored by a bull to the delight of an audience noshing on fried food. Since 1965, Louisiana’s Angola prison has held the Angola Rodeo every Sunday in October. To participate, prisoners volunteer for a a series of wildly dangerous stunts for which their compensation is the cheers of the audience members, each of whom pay $15 for the opportunity to see imprisoned men get attacked by giant farm animals.

Photo courtesy of NO Adventures

Angola makes it a point to note that the prisoners are “inexperienced” at rodeo events, meaning they’re more likely to be injured by the animals than trained rodeo performers, and the events themselves are designed to be dangerous for the men. In “Guts and Glory,” a poker chip is tied to the “meanest, toughest” bull possible. Prisoners are then tasked with taking the chip off the bull while avoiding horns and hooves. Then there’s “Convict Poker,” in which a raging bull is released onto a circle of inmates. There is no actual card game, the inmates just have to conquer their fear and remain seated while the bull tears apart their opponents. Last man sitting wins.

Angola Rodeo proponents, some of whom are prisoners themselves, say the event allows the men to experience freedom they wouldn’t otherwise experience. And the funds raised from the rodeo go toward inmate education programs and funerals for prisoners. But one would think there has to be a better way to raise funds for people in prison than setting them before one-ton animals in bloodsport. We thought the days in which prisoners fought animals for hooting crowds ended with the fall of Rome.

via Good.is

There are too many Louisiana legends involved in this video. Mannie Fresh on the beat with rhymes by Mystikal, Juveline, Skip, and newcomer The Show.

For those of you craving more, Mannie Friesh, Juvie, and Mystikal will be performing at Maison on Oct 29.

Shot by B Mike (Does this dude ever sleep?).

First off, let’s start off with the cost. Movies are WAY too expensive for a man surviving in my economic situation. With internet giving you 1.2 million websites that show illegal movies , Netflix, and Redbox I can now spend the same amount of money it takes me to buy a condom and some Reese’s buttercup (What cha know bout those Redbox/ “Where did my shorts go” nights?)

I shouldn’t have to mortgage my house for a late night flick and a movie combo #4 with extra butter on a abnormally size big screen and share it with random strangers whom most stank.

Yes I said it. Strangers Stank!!! Which beings me to my 2nd point, “Those People”.

The concept of group watching a movie is almost dumb in theory. Sure we can all talk about it immediately afterwards…EXCEPT for the #THOSEPEOPLE (thinking about them just made me #hashtag angry). They want to talk about the movie AS IT’S HAPPENING.

Two things to clear up right now. First, no matter how hard you yell, she’s still going to die BECAUSE SHE CAN’T HEAR YOU!!! Second, stop asking me what’s going to happen. I literally bought my ticket when you got yours. I know you saw me in line.

I can spend close to nothing and have that same night on my couch and if I fall asleep, I can watch it again. Fall asleep in the movies and that’s like paying a prostitute to play monopoly with you.

On the other hand some movies are meant to be seen on the big screen such as Transformers, Paranormal Activity (side note: The movie was terrible but great in the movies because I’m a scary bitch) and anything James Cameron imagines.  I will always be partial to not going to the movies since I’m broke and so is 98% of Americans in this country but it’s a part of you that wants to be seen by others watching a movie. That’s cynical and crazy and while I was writing this I just bought tickets to see Contagion.

I’m Loosing in life,
@howardhall24

Ocean (born Christopher Breaux — Breaux!) is a New Orleans native, having left the city (and the University of New Orleans) following Hurricane Katrina, and relocated to Los Angeles, where he hooked up with teams of producers to write tracks for Beyonce and Justin Bieber, among others. He also joined the Odd Future crew, notably on the Tyler, the Creator track “She” from this year’s acclaimed and controversial Goblin.

His debut mixtape features the singles “Novacane” and “Swim Good,” which you can see below. The track also inspired a bounce remix, which you can download for free here.

via

We got a chance to sit down with Dupree to discuss his goal and aspirations for the camps as well as a few more topics.

Louisiana Social: What spark your interest to begin the Ron Dupree Camp?

Ron Dupree: I have an extreme passion for children and I wanted to show my genuine fondness by giving back to the youth. Not to mention, the camp will give the children an opportunity to learn more about a heathy lifestyle in their growing stages.

LS: Who were the individuals on your team to assist you in building this distinguished camp.

RD: I had the opportunity to gain the foundation from my loving wife, Jamela Dupree, she has the ideas *laughs*; along with Sevetri Wilson of Solid Ground Innovations,LLC.

LS: Was it always a dream of yours to get to such a compassionate point in your career to where you developed a camp such as this?

RD: Absolutely. I feel that it is a great time to give back and provide the children who lack the established means to participate in sports or have the expert direction into making them a discipline player, that golden opportunity.

LS: Is this camp annually?

RD: Yes, this is the first year, and we strive on making it bigger and better each year.

LS: What are the daily activities of the camp?

RD: The registered kids will take part in basketball drills, techniques, and basic guidelines, which will be instructed by me personally, along with a few of my NBA friends.

LS: When will the camp be held?

RD: July 15-16 (Friday – Saturday)

LS: What are the requirements for those eager basketball fueled kids to take advantage of the awesome camp?

RD: The age, in order to register, is 9-17. Boys and Girls can register.

LS:Are there any affiliated sponsors adding excitement to this camp?

RD:, Yes, VitaminWater and Subway. Greatly appreciative of the corporate support and help in giving back to the community.

LS: Can the public donate funds freely?

RD: Yes, anyone can visit the camp official website, http://www.rondupreesportsandnutrition.org/, and it has all the information on registering and donating. We encourage the professional to get on board and help an awesome cause.

Dupree closed interview with us saying, ” A place where kids can take a dream of pro sports and make it reality.”

For those of you interested in following up with Dupree, you can catch him on twitter at @Rdupree12.

Ron, it was a pleasure.

With my help, I’ll make sure you feel fresh and look fine, with these fashion facts on keeping you functional, fashionable and feeling flawless for the grand occasion.

Ladies

Light and loosely fitted blouses are perfect for this kind of occasion. While you are dancing and grooving to the essence of soul, it is great to know that your fit is moving with the flow. Ladies, pair this with shorts, tights, jeggings (jean leggings), or jeans containing at least 2% of spandex

For a more casual look, try a cotton dolman sleeved blouse. For a dressier look, sequin and embellishments are always a win.

Dresses are another great selection. They are flirty, fun, and functional. Maxis, midis, and minis are all appropriate. Any length would be suitable for this type of occasion. If you are going the casual route, Light cottons and linens are more comfortable. If you prefer to be dressier, jersey, silks, and rayon are just as great. Prints and patterns are hot right now: Tribal prints, floral prints, and stripes.

Wear comfortable shoes! This is very important. There a plenty of options for fashionably functional footwear. Try sandals (flat, wedged, or low-heeled). If you like to wear high heels, make sure the sole has a platform. This makes them much easier to move around in.

Key colors: Neutrals (Browns, nudes, tans, & creams) with pops of warm colors (reds, oranges, & yellows)

Ideal places to shop: Macy’s, Dillard’s, Express, ALDO, and BCBG

Remember Ladies, accessories complete the outfit. They are the ornaments of your look.

Men

Collared shirts, crew and V-neck tees are ideal for dressing up and down. Move smooth and feel cool while minimalizing the layers of your outfit. If you choose the dressier route, try a solid collared shirt; Western-style is more fashionable. If casual, plaids are perfect. Short sleeved may be a bit more comfortable, but long is always suitable. At this kind of event, you could wear a crew or V-neck tee, but it’s best to pair it with a vest or blazer (lightweight material).

You can pair these items with linen pants, chino pants, or dark jeans (they can easily be dressed up or down). Lightweight fabrics are ideal.

Step into the scene with some comfortable shoes. Boat shoes and loafers are ideal. Anything that’s not too heavy on your feet: leather, suede, & canvas. You don’t want to weigh yourself down and wear yourself out.

As for accessories guys, it’s ok to be bold. Scarves and hats are my suggestion. Fedoras and riding caps are very popular and quite appropriate.

Key colors: Neutrals (Browns, nudes, black, white & grey)

Ideal places to shop: Banana Republic, Express, Steve Madden, and ALDO.

With that being said, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you good hunting.

-Christine

In keeping up with supporting local talent, I present to you, 20yr old crooner, (@codybrandell) out of Lafayette, LA. Cody and his camp let this tape loose on twitter around 7 last night and it founds it way to our timeline.

The Tape, titled “The Wait Is Over”, is pretty much Cody putting his spin on some of your favorite beats with a few original productions of his own. I’d heard some of his work a while ago and it was pretty decent.

While I’ve only played through it once, I’m impressed enough to share it with the masses. He has a smooth voice and definitely knows his way around a track (read:SWAG).

Give it a listen, download it and PLEASE provode feedback below. Either encouragement or critic, you can’t get better without feedback.

***Update***

Ok, I’ve been through this tape about 3 times so far. This tape is REALLY SOLID. Production is great. Writings nice. OK, I’m a fan now. Props to @Jasmine_RaShae

The Skinny:

Red Clay Soul, comprised of Keshia Caldwell, Madania Graves, Orian Williams, and Taquari Hatch, is a collective with the intent on bringing the art of a soulful event back to New Orleans’ Nightlife.

“In the wake of Katrina, we’ve felt that there was a void being ignored” said Caldwell, Red Clay Soul’s Public Relation rep, in reference to the lack of events for both young Professionals and those interested in Poetry, neo soul and the likes. “We all have a love for the arts, culture and music. We’re looking to bring more of that back.”

All three have, in some form, been active in the social scene for a minute but this is their first endeavor as a unit.

Now that the introduction’s out the way, lets move to the event.

The Vibe:

Eiffel Society has a very unique and artistic architectural flare to it. From the outside it’s hard to gauge what the venue actually looks like or what to expect prior to entering but as you walk up the stare case, you start to see the little nuances of the place.

While the inside was decorated beautifully, it did seem a bit too dark to take in all that the intricacies of the venue but at the same time, I’ll admit that it was cool to just walk up on a piece you didn’t know was there. They had a bunch of little nooks to get comfortable as well as a dance floor. It’s was a more social experience with a lot of mingling going on, which was to be expected.

The only true setback was that the air unit gave out prior to the event but I can’t really put that on anyone. Stuff happens. It wasn’t a sauna, just a tad bit uncomfortable but nothing a few trips to the bar didn’t fix. I did, however, feel for a few guys rocking thick blazers.

Speaking of attire, this was pretty well dressed crowd. You can really never go wrong with a cosmopolitan dress code. Nothing really too fancy or really out of place, everyone seemed to manage well.

The crowd consisted of majority young professionals so you got the vibe that you had to handle yourself as such, which was a GREAT thing in terms of avoiding the ills of going out. Did I mention they were well dress and attractive? I mean like “”Beautiful People” was the soundtrack of the night” hot…

The music was provided courtesy of DJ Jay Skillz. In all honesty, I really need this guy to remix my ipod. Seriously…

The Highlights:

Before the event even kicked off officially, early birds were able to witness the live painting of Tyrone Davis. Definitely a great look to keep the crowd entertained and at the same time added a conversation item to the table.

Around 1:00am the main event began with spoken word performance by Dane Barrett and Red Clay’s own Calwell. Dane’s poem “City Life”, a poem dedicated to New Orleans, and Caldwell’s own “I remember” and her signature self esteem boosting “Smile” met warm welcome and applause. Good so far…

Possibly the biggest highlight of the night was the performance by Rantz Davis. (This is the part where you see guys giving their ladies the side eye like “You better not”… They did anyway.)

“The Prettyboy of R&B” definitely brought the vibe up a notch. The swooning crown listened and sang along as he performed a few original songs as well as a few covers. He ended his set with his latest buzz worthy single “Nobody”.

It was an all around great presentation and entertaining setup from all 3 segments. Anything that leads to the dance floor and/or lends to a decent conversation is a win in my book.

After that it pretty much slowed to a “chill at your own pace” event.

The Outcome:

For a first time out, I’d like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s offerings and look forward to seeing what they have next. All in all, it was a good outing. Take a bow…

Those interested in following Red Clay Soul’s upcoming events can follow them on twitter or tumbler.

***Update***

Red Clay Soul’s next event will be July 1st and 2nd, during the Essence Music Festival including a Jill Scott Listeningt Party. So far, they’ve got  my attention to see what’s up next.

Thursday

*W Happenings Presents – BodyRock Sport Fashion Show”
When:Thursday, June 9 · 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Where:W New Orleans,4th Floor, 333
Poydras Street, New Orleans, La
Why: Fashion and Fun

VERTIGO “Opening Night”
When:Thursday, June 9 · 9:30pm – 4:00am
Where:EIFFEL SOCIETY, 2040 ST. CHARLES AVENUE , New Orleans, LA
Why:  Beautiful Location.

BOUNCE VI featuring Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby, DJ Jubilee, Ricky B, Katey Red, Rusty Lazer, Flyboy Keno and Nicky Da B
When:Thursday, June 9 · 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Where:W New Orleans,4th Floor, 828 S. Peters Street, New Orleans
Why: Consider this an unofficial BouceFest

Friday

*Red Clay Soul Experience
When:Friday, June 10, 9pm-3am
Where: EIFFEL SOCIETY, 2040 St Charles AVE, New Orleans, LA
Why:  Great Location plus Performance by Rantz Davis (@Rantz_Davis)

Sunset on the River

When: Friday, June 10 · 7:00pm – 12:00am
Where: Shaw Center for the Arts, 828 S. Peters Street, Baton Rouge, LA
Why: Again, beautiful view mixed with beautiful people…

Steel Bill Live at Triple A Bar featuring DJ Knuckles
When:Friday, May 20 · 5:30pm – 9:00pm
Where: Triple A Bar, 4715 Bennington, Baton Rouge, LA
Why: I actually like this guy. #iSupportLocals.

Steel Bill Live at TriplLouisiana Seafood Festivale A Bar featuring DJ Knuckles
When:Friday, May 20 · 5:30pm – 9:00pm
Where: Triple A Bar, 4715 Bennington, Baton Rouge, LA
Why: I actually like this guy. #iSupportLocals.

Saturday

French Market’s Creole Tomato Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Where: The French Market, 1008 N Peters St., New Orleans, LA
Why: Really wanna ask that?

French Market’s Creole Tomato Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Where: Old U.S. Mint,400 Esplanade Ave.  New Orleans, LA
Why: Really wanna ask that?

Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday 11am – 7pm
Where: Old U.S. Mint,400 Esplanade Ave.  New Orleans, LA
Why: Food, more food, and dance…but you keep asking.

Sunday