The cliché phrase “the best things in life are free”, is starting to sound just about right. After not even a month, Manhattan has dwindled my bank account down to nearly nothing. Now I finally understand when the Girl’s character, Hannah, says, “I calculated, and I can last in New York for three and a half more days — maybe seven if I don’t eat lunch.” I’m contemplating cutting down on meals or sticking to a strictly canned diet in order to keep up with my New York City lifestyle.

I suppose the fact that New York will suck every single penny from you, is a less than desirable part of living here. However, the only reason that it’s capable of this incredible feat is because there are so many desirable things to do. With endless drinking and eating establishments, arguably the best shopping in the world, and almost every band you want to see coming through, it is hard to hold onto those dollars. But lucky for me, New York City doesn’t mind giving back to its broke citizens.

This Sunday I came to the decision that today, I could not spend a penny. Not even on food. As I walking down West 8^th Street, watching all the people lining up for PRIDE, something rung a bell. PRIDE aligned with another event. I quickly checked my sticky notes and I was right. The Alabama Shakes, one of my all time favorite bands, were playing a free show in Central Park along with Diamond Rugs and Robert Ellis as part of Summer Stage.  I quickly called up my concert buddy and headed up town.

It was incredible to say the least. The venue was spotted with food and drink vendors of all types, nonprofit organizations, and booths complete with businesses and startups. Bandaid and Time Out New York helped sponsor the event. While visiting the booths and vendors were great, the best part, of course, was the music. I cannot begin to explain how freaking awesome Brittany Howard is. Girl has ridiculous pipes and soul. People of all ages gathered to groove together to the bluesy sound of The Shakes. It was amazing to see children, parents, and random hipsters dancing together.

Summerstage is not the only organization in New York City that puts on free concerts. The night prior to seeing The Alabama Shakes, I had just seen Ghostface Killah as a part of Celebrate Brooklyn. (Wuuuuuu Tangggg).

While Boston does offer free events like the recent Earthfest where all of you made fun of the fact that you were at a Third Eye Blind concert but secretly enjoyed bouncing around to “Semi-Charmed Life”, the amount of free concerts in large venues is extremely limited or are aimed at a slightly older/ family oriented crowd. This really is a shame because it is a great way to attract people and help support our beautiful city’s tourism.

Additionally, it is an opportunity for small and local businesses to spread their word to the community. Boston is full of young and innovative businesses that would truly flourish in a festival type setting. It is a simple way for those who don’t have a large budget to make their presence known. Also, Boston truly is a musical city. After all, we are home to one of the best schools of music in the country: Berklee. A free concert festival would be a perfect way to bring together larger acts while showing off local talent.

I really hope that Boston hops on the free bandwagon in the near future. After all, the city is crowded with poor college students, myself included after this summer. The great people of Boston deserve some good free fun and the local businesses need this opportunity. So Boston, please set the music free.

Lindsey Train is a junior Marketing Communications major and Multimedia Journalism minor at Emerson College in Boston. She has recently moved to New York City where she is interning for Likeable Media, a social media advertising agency. Through her blog she hopes to incorporate the best of New York City into the city that she has grown to love: Boston.

Now being the music junky that I am, I figure I should share a few artists I’m really into right now:

• Dean Swift/ VVS1 Crew

Dean Swift is a local Boston rapper getting his hands into just about anything.  He just recently completed an album titled Unheard Of with Atlanta rapper Geniu$, which features a handful of production from southern up and comer Izze The Producer (Production credits of Young Jeezy, Ace Hood and Birdman to name a few).  It will be released on August 14^th, 2012 through djbooth.net.

He is also a part of the VVS1 Crew which is a group that clashes Dubstep and Hip Hop in a very tasteful way.  The group consists of producer Mike Irish, singer Renzo and fellow rapper Soupa.  VVS1 creates a refreshing sound that is relatively new but done correctly.  They have a major internet single out now called “Pearl Harbor” with an EP coming soon.

Check out the Dean Swift x Geniu$ video for their video “Prayer”

And VVS1’s internet single “Pearl Harbor”

• Jhene Aiko

This Californian songstress has a very interesting take on R&B.  Her critically-acclaimed mixtape Sailing Soul(s) is definitely a listening experience with plenty of honesty and emotion.  What is so great about the tape is how great it flows incorporating different tones.  What also intrigued me about Jhene Aiko is her creativity outside of the studio.  I am a big fan of her tumblr page.  It consists of plenty of beautiful poetry, inspirational quotes and photos of her personal life.  Definitely take a listen to her tape Sailing Soul(s) which is all over the net and watch her video for the single “Stranger”.

• Golden Spurs

A local band from Massachusetts, the Golden Spurs is a Blues Garage Band.  They do not have a huge internet presence but they do have a bandcamp music page.  I went to one of their shows at a hole-in-the-wall club and they completely rocked out with an amazing show.  Recently, the band moved to Nashville, TN to pursue their career.  Check out their Facebook page for updates.

This is a taste of my iPod, give these guys a chance and follow them on Twitter for more news and music.  If you like what they have to offer, let them know and spread the word.

Until next time,

-Steph, FBA Intern

My trip was sponsored by Israel Outdoors, a Birthright provider that focuses on—surprise—the outdoors. I hiked the Masada at sunrise, swam in the Dead Sea, and kayaked in the Jordan River. I saw breathtakingly beautiful views; from the foreign landscape of the Israeli desert, to the orange sunset over the Mediterranean. But still, as much as I enjoyed the hikes and the views and the (DANK) falafel—I’m a born and bred city kid who is also a Future Boston intern. I wanted to see the city.

I visited both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv during my stay in the land of milk and honey. These two Israeli cities are quite different. Jerusalem is a land rich with history that is also the religious epicenter of the world. Tel Aviv, on the other hand, is a comparatively new city (as most cities are when compared to Jerusalem) which caters to the modernity-seekers of the Middle East.

I spent a few nights in Jerusalem and (tear) only one day in Tel Aviv. But despite only spending one day in the city of Tel Aviv, I fell in love with its vibrancy. There were two aspects of the city that struck me in particular, both of which I think could bring a new energy to Boston.

The street art in Tel Aviv is both prevalent and amazingly creative. Walking around the city one sees a huge spectrum of variety within the street art realm. Varying in style from political, to simplistic, to urban, the street art in Tel Aviv broadcasts the artistic spirit of the people who live within the city.

My favorite part of visiting Tel Aviv was going to the flea market. A massive array of vendors offers everything from art to judaica, jewelry to vintage clothing, and souvenirs to toys. The flea market reminded me of Eastern Market in my home city of D.C. It left me wondering why there is no equivalent in Boston. Flea markets are fantastic places for creative people to get together and sell their crafts. They are also great places for tourists and locals to shop while enriching their community.

As great as Israel was, I’m glad to be back in Boston. Still, I’d love to see a little bit of Tel Aviv on the streets of the bean.

—Carly Loman, Future Boston Intern

Since the last post was postponed as a result of technical difficulties, I decided to begin searching early for this week’s featured DJ.   I found him amidst a gathering at a very loud show-house known to Berklee’s inner electronic circles as The Dungeon.  The main act was a mysterious figure whose real name I still do not know.  Thus, I give you DJ BLXG.

I heard that Blxg was staying in Boston indefinitely, so I contacted the proprietor of The Dungeon to put the word out that Future Boston would like to feature their most recent main act.  This young man claimed to be a close friend of the mysterious DJ’s and said that he would do what he could to obtain 20-or-so minutes of Blxg’s current flavor.  When I heard back, I was told that said exclusive mix was in his possession and that orders were to make a punctual hand off.

That was that.

Here is an exclusive mix showcasing the footworkishly-hood inner workings that compile DJ Blxg’s current play list of favorites.

Track list:

Traxman- “Footworkin On Air”

DJ BLXG- “FU”

DJ Manny- “Aw Shit”

DJ Pierre- “Juke This MF

DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn “We Leanin’”

DJ Spinn- “Freekin’ You”

DJ Taktix- “Hornz For 94″ (Phillip D Kick Edit)

DJ BLXG- “SIC”

Traxman- “Let There Be Rockkkk

Grab More From Blxg @ http://blxg.bandcamp.com/

-Trevor Wilson, Future Boston Intern

As I continued to dig deeper, I stumbled across a calendar in PDF form with a list of cultural events within the city.  To my relief, I saw that Boston will be having a parade this year.  Then I decided to research the Dominican Festival and in the same PDF form, showed its date and location.

My curiosity continued to run its course and my attention was brought to the August Moon Festival celebrated in Chinatown.  It held a presence on the internet; I was able to read on its history, see an agenda of the celebration and there were photos of past events.

What happened to mi orgullo within the Puerto Rican community?  The advertisement is as low as it has ever been which in turn will reflect on the number of attendees and its overall outcome.  When I was a child, the Puerto Rican Festival was from Friday to Sunday with the parade being on Sunday morning as well.  Thousands would flock from all over to experience such a beautiful event of pride and to enjoy famous Latin artists perform.

I am not trying to complain but I am curious of what can be done to increase its population.  I am also curious if we, as Puerto Ricans (though I’m only half), have lost our culture and become “Americanized”?  What can be done to get back to what once was?

Just a few thoughts,

Steph L, Future Boston Alliance Intern

There are plenty of questions I personally would like to be answered such as:

• How is it that these views went under the radar within the police department for so long before reaching the public?
• With James Carnell being the editor, was there also an editorial board that can give the green light on what can and cannot be written?
• Knowing no one flagged these particular views down before it being published, why weren’t there any higher-ups to blow the whistle on what was expressed?  And if no one in power read it, then please tell me why was this newsletter even being published?

There was not a major outcry of this particular situation.  Is it because it did not get a big enough push in the press?  Can it be that the general public is simply ignorant to this newsletter?  There are plenty of meetings to help build police/community relations, but this newsletter did not help.  Being a black and Hispanic man of the city having this be the OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION of the BPPA is embarrassing to me.

I am not naïve enough to believe these scripts represent the views of every member of the police force.  I like to believe our officers of the city are doing their best to ensure we live in a safe environment.  But the views displayed in the Pax Centurion completely go against that.

I personally am against the Pax Centurion’s backing of the editor, James Carnell.  But my views may not necessarily be right, and that’s fine with me because I’m mostly concerned with what’s best.  Being biased only builds tension, insightful information alleviates that and helps build relations between the force and the people.

Selection Process

A committee of Future Boston’s creative class leadership circle is responsible for the selection process. The selection process includes:

1) Committee will evaluate all application submissions. The most qualified/interesting ideas will be asked to participate in an interview.

2) Emphasis will be placed on identifying Bostonians who demonstrate a working knowledge of their business idea and a commitment to serving the Greater Boston region.

3) You must commit to attending all classes, if you miss a class you will be asked to leave the program.

4) Based on an evaluation of the application and interview the top 25 most-qualified applicants will be asked to attend classes. (August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10 and December 8 all classes are from 10-2pm)

Apply Now!

For my first blog post, I featured the well-known streetwear-chic store Bodega. For my second post, I’m going all the way to the other end of the spectrum in regards to both notoriety and target demographic.

Nestled away on JFK St. in Harvard Square, Forty Winks is a hidden gem, specializing in women’s intimates (i.e. lingerie and sleepwear). Normally I wouldn’t immediately think to profile a somewhat risque store, but having been in Boston for two years now, one of the few things I’ve been sorely disappointed with shopping-wise has been the lack of affordable but stylish intimates stores. Prior to finding Forty Winks, my choices were pretty much limited to the exorbitantly expensive Agent Provocateur on Newbury (yeah, not happening) or this…eek

A lot of people may be intimidated by the term “lingerie store”. But fret not. In addition to selling fancy but affordable undergarments, the store also has a wide selection of sleepwear, swimwear, and accessories. Below are some of my favorite picks from my visit, which should include something for everyone.

First off, in order to not completely alienate our male readers from this post, I picked out a few things that I thought could be good gift-giving ideas for guys.

Want to get your girlfriend something sweet, but not too scandalous? Try this sheer, chiffon tank top.

La Fee Verte Silk Cami, $88

If you budget is a little bigger, try to splurge on this bedtime silk romper.

La Fee Verte Zuma Romper, $134

No girlfriend at the moment? No problem. This elegant floral robe would knock the socks off most moms.

La Fee Verte Kimono Robe, $156

One of my favorite things about Forty Winks (other than how gorgeous the store is itself)is the balance storeowners Rachel and Meredith seem to have found between sexy and sweet items. Below are two of my favorite bras for the ladies, with prices not far off from the mega-chain that is Victoria’s Secret.

For the more mature woman, this Elle MacPherson Intimates Gentle Jade Contour Bra has fine black and blue lace detailing and is only $60.

Looking for something a little less showy? Try this Mimi Holiday Mojito Padded Push Up Bra for $86

Like I mentioned earlier, Forty Winks also features a pretty wide selection of swimwear and accessories, including products to properly maintain your fanciest pieces. Most of the items I featured were in the mid to high price range, however the store sells more simple basics for as little as $20, while some products can cost you a hefty $335, like this Ari Dein Piazza Leon Chamise.

Forty Winks is located at 56 JFK St. in Cambridge. Follow their blog here.

Learn more about the background of Forty Winks here.

‘Till next time– Xakota, Future Boston Intern 

Truth of the matter is young adults enjoy having fun.  Part of that fun is going out at night; whether it being celebrating achievements, embracing relationships or just taking the time to appreciate and enjoy life.  After a joyous night out, many folks like to share a meal together.

Love and Food is a beautiful combo

Looking at American culture, food has always been used to gather people in celebration ranging from Thanksgiving Day turkey and stuffing to Superbowl Sunday buffalo wings.  So in regards to Boston’s nightlife, people deserve the right to have a choice of food after an evening out.

By legislation and representatives having a pessimistic attitude, it shows a lack of faith in its residents.  Playing it safe by constantly saying no to extended business hours stunts our city’s growth.  Sometimes it’s good to take risks; let’s see how we can improve instead of being content with where we are.  By taking a risk, there’s a fifty percent chance of success, by saying no there’s ZERO chance.

A few positives of extending business hours are it helps Boston’s economy.  Bars, lounges and clubs close at 2 am, so by keeping restaurants open a little later helps pump a few extra bucks into our city.  Also believe it or not, Boston loses a lot of its young & talented college graduates to more modernized cities such as the City that Never Sleeps, good ol’ New York City.  Extended business hours just give them another incentive to stay.  And by staying, their contributions in whichever fields of profession they choose also help pump our economy.

The issue is way bigger than a sandwich from Black Seed Café, but they are an example of the attempt to help move our city forward.  So let us push this issue further and attempt to be the change we wish to see.

-Steph the Intern

As many other soon-to-graduate college students, I am haunted by the thought of what’s next?.  It is a big world out there with so many options, how can I find a path that suits me best?  Boston bred my entire life, I had an inclination to move elsewhere such as New York City and start fresh; almost freeing myself from whatever I may be tied down to here.  But I do understand the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Being a city kid, I have witnessed the decline in cultural events such as the Puerto Rican Festival.  The passion and leadership isn’t there anymore hence the lack of performance and outcome as well.  I lived in the South End during the 90’s, and believe me when I say GENTRIFICATION IS REAL.  I am not bashing my city but I am not afraid to point out a few flaws.

Recently I realized something, why not try to build where I am already established and help improve the city in areas necessary.  It is the reason I aligned myself with Future Boston Alliance.  I’ve seen and heard people complain about social struggles in the city.  And with all of the complaining done, most have yet to do something about it.  So I do not know what the future holds for me exactly, but with this blog entry I am vowing to be and live the change I would like to see in this beautiful city.  All I ask now is who is willing to join me?