In its ongoing commitment to combat microplastic pollution, the European Union (EU) has officially taken action, implementing a ban on glitter. Effective October 17, the European Commission’s microplastics restriction has come into force, marking a significant step in reducing microplastic contamination in the environment.

This proactive move is part of the EU’s broader initiative known as the Green Deal, with the goal of transforming Europe into the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The ban primarily targets the sale of microplastics in consumer products, including cosmetics and detergents, seeking more environmentally friendly alternatives to curb ocean pollution.

However, it’s essential to note that not all glitter has been banned. The focus is on loose plastic glitter, the type commonly used for crafting and personal adornment. The EU clarified, “Only certain types and uses of glitter are concerned, depending on what the glitter is made of, what it is used for, and whether it is loose, trapped in or attached to an object,” in a Q&A regarding the ban.

The initial announcement of the glitter ban created a stir among beauty enthusiasts and influencers, causing a surge in glitter sales in Germany prior to the ban’s implementation. Nevertheless, consumers can still purchase glitter; the EU has introduced specific regulations. For instance, glitter made from biodegradable, natural, or water-soluble materials remains permissible, as does glitter produced from “inorganic” materials such as metal and glass. Snowglobe glitter, encased in glass, is also exempt from the restrictions. Additionally, glitter beads and sequins intended for sewing purposes are covered by these regulations.

One pressing concern raised by some is the potential for waste generated by existing glitter products. The EU has addressed this issue by allowing retailers to deplete their existing glitter stock. Glitter, as it stands, can be sold for “makeup, lip, and nail cosmetics” until October 16, 2035, provided the products bear a label indicating the presence of microplastics.

The environmental impact of glitter, especially in terms of microplastic contamination, has been a topic of discussion globally, including in the United States. In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the use of microplastic beads in cleansers, exfoliators, and toothpaste to mitigate water pollution, and glitter was identified as a subsequent target. 

“After a single use, thousands of [pieces of glitter] may pass into the waters or soil and accumulate in the environment,” Meral Yurtsever, an associate professor of environmental engineering at Sakarya University in Turkey, told Allure in 2021. Yurtsever emphasized that these glitter particles could “remain intact for centuries.” The concern is not limited to water pollution, as microplastic glitter can also find its way into soil and even be carried by rain.

The EU’s proactive approach to curb microplastic pollution, including the restriction on plastic glitter, is a significant step toward preserving the environment and reducing the long-lasting impact of microplastics on the planet.

The post EU Implements Ban on Glitter to Combat Microplastic Pollution appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

The recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Rite Aid, one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, has raised concerns about the potential impact on the mass-market beauty industry. 

Rite Aid, with its sales of $24.1 billion across over 2,300 stores, had set itself apart from competitors by offering a diverse range of beauty brands, including indie lines not commonly found elsewhere. These efforts to diversify its beauty assortment were part of a strategy to remain competitive and relevant in the evolving retail landscape.

The efforts were not enough to stave off filing for Chapter 11. “It was always a matter of when, not if, Rite Aid would file for bankruptcy,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, in a note to investors. “The company has been deep in the red for the past six years, notching up combined net losses of $2.9 billion. It also has $3.3 billion of long-term debt sitting on the balance sheet, which, during the last fiscal quarter, cost it some $65 million to service. Its assets exceed its liabilities by $947 million — a figure that seems to constantly widen. Against this financial backdrop, Rite Aid simply isn’t a viable entity: it is basically running on the fumes of cash it generates in the day-to-day business.”

In 2020, Rite Aid unveiled a wellness-focused beauty department featuring indie brands, a move aimed at attracting health-conscious consumers. The inclusion of brands like Doll Face, Kokie, Essano, and Ella + Mila expanded the mass-market beauty offerings, catering to a broader range of customer preferences. Rite Aid’s stores in rural areas also remained a reliable source for traditional mass-market brands such as L’Oréal, E.l.f., CoverGirl, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Sally Hansen, and Revlon.

Despite these efforts, Rite Aid struggled financially, posting net losses of $2.9 billion over the past six years and carrying $3.3 billion in long-term debt. The company’s inability to maintain financial viability eventually led to its Chapter 11 filing. The opioid lawsuits looming over Rite Aid added further pressure, with potential settlements estimated to cost the company around $1 billion. In comparison, industry giants like Walgreens and CVS, with their substantial resources, could manage settlements of approximately $5 billion each to resolve similar lawsuits.

Rite Aid secured $3.45 billion in new financing from certain lenders to support its operations during the bankruptcy process. The chain is expected to close some of its stores, potentially up to 500 locations. While the situation poses challenges, industry experts believe there is still a need for a third major drugstore chain in a highly consolidated industry.

From a beauty perspective, consumers can turn to alternative outlets if Rite Aid stores close. Major retailers like Amazon, Ulta Beauty, Ulta at Target, and Sephora at Kohl’s offer convenience and opportunities for discovery. CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart are also expected to benefit from the shift in customer purchasing behavior.

Despite the challenges, some hope that Rite Aid will maintain a core of stores that can continue to support smaller beauty brands. Rite Aid’s loyal customer base appreciates the convenience and service the chain provides. Its beauty departments, known for their strong nail sections, have become destinations for consumers in smaller markets. These sections rival those of upscale beauty retailers, offering emerging brands an opportunity to establish their presence.

While Rite Aid’s future remains uncertain, its unique proposition and reach across rural areas are factors that could shape its path to recovery. The company’s challenge will be to maintain relevance and compete effectively in the ever-evolving retail landscape, even as it grapples with financial difficulties and the changing retail industry dynamics.

The post Will Rite Aid’s Bankruptcy Affect the Beauty Industry? appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

The modern era presents a unique set of challenges for those trying to navigate the hustle and bustle of city life while maintaining a successful career. The frantic pace, coupled with the pressure of achieving professional goals, can often lead to stress and burnout. But with the right approach, it’s indeed possible to strike a balance between your career and city life.

Understanding the Demands of a Fast-Paced Career in the City

Navigating a fast-paced career in the city can be an exciting but challenging experience. The city’s constant buzz, coupled with demanding work schedules, can leave you feeling overwhelmed. It’s crucial to understand that city careers often involve long hours, high stress, and tight deadlines. However, these demands can be managed effectively with proper planning and organization. Striking a balance between work and personal life is key. This can be achieved by setting clear boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and taking time out for relaxation and leisure. Remember, a successful career doesn’t mean sacrificing your well-being but rather finding harmony between professional responsibilities and personal fulfillment.

The Importance of Time Management in Balancing Work and Personal Life

Effective time management is crucial in harmonizing work and personal life, especially in a fast-paced city living. It’s all about prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and sticking to a schedule. With proper time management, you can accomplish more in a shorter period, which leads to more free time, reducing stress, and enhancing productivity and effectiveness. By allocating specific time slots for your work and personal activities, you can create a balance and avoid one aspect overshadowing the other. So, in the hustle and bustle of city life, mastering the art of time management can be your key to a well-rounded existence.

Strategies for Achieving Work-Life Balance in a Busy City

Achieving a work-life balance in a busy city can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s entirely possible. Prioritize time management; set clear boundaries between work and personal life. This could mean strictly adhering to your work hours and not bringing work home. Incorporate regular exercise into your routine; it not only keeps you fit but also helps reduce stress. Plan and prepare your meals in advance to save time and ensure a healthy diet. Use technology to your advantage – apps can help manage your tasks efficiently. Lastly, ensure to take out time for relaxation and doing things you love. Remember, it’s all about balance.

The Role of Mindfulness in Maintaining Balance in City Life

Mindfulness plays a crucial role in maintaining balance in city life, especially when juggling a demanding career. As city dwellers, we often find ourselves caught up in the fast-paced rhythm of work, social events, and daily errands, leaving us with little to no time for self-reflection. By practicing mindfulness, we can cultivate a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and environment, allowing us to stay present in the moment rather than getting lost in the hustle and bustle. This can significantly reduce stress and enhance our overall well-being. So, by integrating mindfulness into our daily routine, we can find balance and thrive in the dynamic environment of city life.

Utilizing City Amenities to Enhance Your Work-Life Balance

Living in a city offers a multitude of amenities that you can leverage to improve your work-life balance. Start by exploring public parks for after-work relaxation or morning jogs to clear your head before heading to work. Libraries offer a quiet space for focused work or personal development, while community centers often host classes or events that can help you pursue hobbies and interests. Make use of public transportation to save commuting time, which you can then utilize for personal activities. By effectively using these city amenities, you can create a healthier balance between your career and personal life, reducing stress and enhancing overall satisfaction and productivity.

How to Make the Most of Your Commute for a Balanced Life

Maximizing your commute time can be a game-changer for achieving a balanced life amidst the hustle of city and career. Start by using this time to plan your day. A clear plan will help you stay focused and efficient. If you’re using public transportation, consider using this time to read, listen to podcasts, or learn a new language. If you’re driving, audiobooks or educational CDs can be a great way to use this time. Alternatively, use your commute as a time to relax and mentally prepare for the day. This could involve mindful breathing, listening to calming music, or simply enjoying the scenery. Remember, your commute isn’t wasted time, it’s an opportunity to grow and prepare for your day.

Finding Your Sanctuary: The Importance of Personal Space in a Bustling City

Finding your personal sanctuary in a bustling city can significantly improve your quality of life. It’s important to carve out a space where you can disconnect from the urban hustle and recharge your energy. This could be a quiet corner in your home, a serene park, or even a quaint café. Having a personal space in a city is like having a safe haven where you can retreat to, reflect on your day, and re-energize. It helps maintain a healthy work-life balance, reduces stress, and increases productivity. So, in the midst of chasing your career goals, don’t forget to find that special place that brings you peace and tranquility.

The Impact of Social Connections on Work-Life Balance in the City

Social connections significantly influence work-life balance in a city setting. When you build a strong network of friends, colleagues, and mentors, it can ease the stress related to career pressures. These connections serve as a support system, offering advice, sharing experiences, or simply being there to unwind after a long day at work. They can also open doors to new opportunities, helping you grow professionally while also enabling you to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. Hence, fostering social connections is an essential aspect of managing city life and career effectively.

Embracing the Art of Balancing Career and City Life

Mastering the art of balancing career and city life is not only possible but also rewarding. It’s all about setting priorities, managing your time effectively, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Embrace the hustle and bustle of city life, but don’t let it consume you. Use it to fuel your career growth and personal development. Remember, it’s not about sacrificing one for the other but finding a harmonious balance between the two. So, take charge, plan wisely, and strike that balance to enjoy the best of both worlds.

The post The Art of Balancing Career and City Life appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

I always resented contemporary art. I thought it didn’t qualify as “real” art. I dismissed the abstract as something that “artists” made up out of boredom or desperation to be creative. Yet it seemed like the whole world claimed such things were supposed to be extremely evocative.

I never understood the appeal of immersive experiences either. Not until I began going out to techno events and was confronted by the overpowering combination of experimental sound at overbearing decibels and dizzying patterns of intrusive lights that  had a way of possessing my body, my senses and my mind in a way that I soon came to crave and worship.

Techno was definitely evocative, and admittedly, it was definitely art. So my notions of what art was and could be radically shifted. Anything was possible, I guessed. I wanted to have an open mind.

I took myself to the Atelier des Lumières in Paris. It was said to be a mecca of stimulative, immersive installations. I got there early. Inside was a dark, rectangular halle. It was made entirely of cement, like a bunker. There was no place to sit. It was cold and still like a tomb, and the darkness began to feel like a physical force pressing against me.  I sat on the ground. Without warning, a high pitch screeched on the speakers. The show began. Thin white blades of light zipped across the room like swords from one end to the other. They morphed into broken geometric patterns flitting about the walls. The noise grew uncomfortably loud, suddenly going quiet with the onset of a drum. The room went dark. Then–projections of distorted white shapes exploded on the ground, on top of me, on every wall. They shifted rhythmically with the drum beat. Then going dark. Then getting bright. One beam of light swooped across the bunker, dissipating the shapes. Flashes and sounds continued for 10-15 minutes. My head spun; my vision blurred.

I forgot where I was. I forgot I was sitting. I felt as drained from awe as I am each morning after a night at a techno event. I felt that same feeling as when I dance in the dark, forgetting which way is up or down, left or right, where neither time nor space matter but tumbling, tumbling in the thrilling tumult of the world being breathed into life before me.

The five-minute light show felt like a lifetime because of its assault on my senses: I was sucked into another universe, where concepts like time and space didn’t exist.

The medium is the message. The nearly tangible blackness of the halle granted the illusion of infinite space. As shapes and sounds bent out of order, so, too, did my notions of reality. I felt like I was falling and floating in place. As my eyes darted across the room, never landing on the same pattern twice, I felt I had traversed hundreds of galaxies, hundreds of dimensions. The exhilarating journey fostered in me doubt–and hope–that a world like this could exist.

Since then, I tend to seek out contemporary art even more than traditional art because interactive experience holds a commanding grip of the senses like paint on canvas cannot.

The post Techno Music Led Me to Modern Art appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

The first weekend of May, thousands flocked to a massive, white enclosed tent on Randall’s Island to visit one of the largest art exhibits of the year: Frieze New York.

Holding two Guinness World Records for size and this year—home to over 190 galleries from 30 countries—Frieze’s international three-day art fair has, once more, proven to be the premiere art fair.

Visitors had the option to either arrive by ferry—a scenic 30-minute ride along the East River—or via ground transport. There were spacious, grassy grounds, and the looming tent itself, featuring galleries, talks, live performances, and even restaurants.

The entire presentation was divided into smaller clusters of galleries. Though each day drew thousands of visitors, it did not feel crowded because of how large the tent was. There was time and space to examine each artwork individually. Gallery representatives stood amidst each exhibit, ready to answer any questions and sell. Visitors were given a chance to learn much more about their favorite art pieces than they would have been able to in a regular museum.

“Frieze New York offers the opportunity to encounter an exceptional quality and range of artwork, featuring the world’s most exciting emerging talents together with iconic names in modern and contemporary art,” Frieze.com reads. “Independent curators have specially advised on sections Frame and Spotlight to encourage discovery and connoisseurship.”

Each section had drink and food vendors, as well as seating for maximum comfort. There was no time limit on how long to spend at the exhibit, so visitors could spend all day eating, relaxing, and taking in art. For those feeling fancy, even champagne was available for purchase. Frieze also featured a Reading Room, where visitors could buy a curated selection of arts and culture publications.

Art varied from surrealist paintings to contemporary photographs to mixed-media pieces.

Galleries are required to apply each year in order to be selected to participate. The selection is determined by a committee of gallerists. The fair gives three awards recognizing the best presentations each year. The Frame Prize and two Frieze Stand Prizes.

This year, The Mumbai-based gallery Jhaveri Contemporary and Nuno Centeno from Porto, Portugal, have won the Frieze Stand Prize and Focus Prize respectively for their presentations at Frieze New York. Each gallery receives $7,500. The Frame prize, for emerging galleries, was awarded to Toronto’s Cooper Cole Gallery, who showed the work of Tau Lewis.

Representatives of each gallery fly from all over the world yearly just for Frieze. To name a few, participating gallery locations this year included Hong Kong, Cape Town and Mumbai. Frieze is not the only destination for art galleries, however. One gallery, Massimo de Carlo of Italy, revealed it participates in up to 10 shows a year, successfully making sales at each.

Frieze New York was a refreshing blend of formal and casual, educational and self-explanatory. People of all ages and incomes attend, whether they are there to merely observe or to purchase. The art fair offers all a chance to admire some of the highest-quality art in the world.

The post Looking Back at Frieze New York 2018: The Hit of the Year, Again appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

It’s a Sunday morning, and Vishaal Turakhia is in his Brookfield Place office running numbers. Investment bankers don’t sleep. Neither do DJs. Turakhia is both.

On late nights after work, the 33-year-old can be found in his downtown apartment mixing techno “experiments” for his Soundcloud, a project which he describes as a “psychoacoustical experimentation with dark, industrial, and melancholy waveforms.”

“No matter how bad the day is, no matter how hard work gets, I can go home to that and I’m in a whole other universe,” he says.

Turakhia first started experimenting with electronic music as a teenager in his native India. He spent summers in Goa, whose coastline stretches along the Arabian sea. Places such as Anjuna Beach were meccas for electronic music, especially subgenres like psytrance (also known as “Goa trance”), characterized by fast-paced bass, leads, and twisted, synthetic sounds.

“Goa is where the ‘hippy’ movement began. On the beaches is where people experimented with psychedelics openly. So you went from the “jam band” era to an electronic-enabled style of music. Goa was to India, what Woodstock was to New York,” explains Turakhia, who goes by the stage name CYP450.

Law enforcement didn’t try to stop these activities, which allowed the music scene in Goa to flourish. Turakhia began experimenting on Technics equipment, spinning with vinyl records, the old-fashioned way. Gradually, he transitioned to the DJ-favorite Pioneer multi player, also known as a CDJ, which is compatible with USBs, SD cards, and other modern DJ software.

What sets psytrance apart from other subgenres of electronic music, Turakhia explains, is its many layers.

“A wall of sound envelopes and takes you on a journey, starting with rhythmic bass or percussion, and gradually layering other elements to tell a story. This makes it less repetitious and more technically complex than techno.”  

Turakhia moved to New York in 2007 to pursue a degree in finance at Ithaca College. On the weekends, Turakhia would commute to the city to network. One night out, he met an organizer of the promoter group Psycheground Luis Campos, and, being equally as interested in the music world, took up the offer to play psytrance gigs at iconic clubs like Exit in Greenpoint and Sullivan Room in the Village.

Apart from Goa’s melancholic sound, Turakhia looked to old-school rock classics like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones for groove which he translated into electronic music that he characterizes as “deep, melancholy melodies.”

Today, the electronic music scene in New York looks a lot different. Turakhia has since transitioned from mixing psytrance to other subgenres of electronic music, including techno, one of the city’s current favorites.

You can catch CYP450’s latest tunes here: https://soundcloud.com/cyp450

The post Meet Vishaal Turakhia: DJ & Investment Banker appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

It’s January 13, the night of my first party of the new year in New York. I open my eyes. The DJ duo Mind Against come into focus. Their dark outlines move masterfully beneath the strobe lights, fingers taking turns twisting knobs on the deck. Twist—the bass disappears. Twist—percussion enters. I can feel the heat emanating from the bodies around me, moving as one in the darkness. Then I hear the far-off twinkle of the melody of their latest released track. The one we all know and love and came for. I yell in happiness and turn to my friend. He hears it, too. We both grin at one another as “Days Gone” starts to play. A journey awaits. Everyone goes wild, pounding fists and feet to the epic synths as they grow louder. This is the moment we have all been waiting for. The duo raise their hands in satisfaction, one throws back his head, and the track speaks for itself. This is the moment they have been waiting for, too.

This is just one of countless incomparable live techno music experiences I continue to gather and be fascinated by. I first came to realize the power of this music when a friend went to Movement, an electronic music festival that takes place every year in Detroit. I was addicted to watching the videos he shared of secret after-hour parties. Hearing the fast-paced, hypnotic music so full of raw, unsubdued energy filled my body with a rhythmic strength that I couldn’t shake for days.

A few months later, I went abroad. By completely coincidental circumstance, I ended up at one such party in a warehouse in Prague. I set aside everything for the night and surrendered myself to the music. It’s been a love affair with techno ever since.

The quick beat that characterizes electronic dance music is a powerful and addicting motivator, especially when heard live. Journalist Hunter S. Thompson said, “Music has always been a matter of Energy to me…Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel.” The exchange and reception of (positive) energy is central to the techno scene.

Nothing unites people quite like knowing that no matter who they are or where they come from, something that is so special to them is equally as special to thousands of others in the moment. Being emotionally connected to the music connects people to its atmosphere, including everyone in it. This intimate feeling of unity is especially profound for those that may struggle with connecting with others.

Daniel Levitin, author of “This Is Your Brain on Music,” discovered that our bodies physically respond to music by releasing feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. We rely on music for emotional regulation because it influences our moods.

Techno, a subgenre of electronic dance music, originated in the heart of Detroit, Michigan, during the 1980s. It arose from a blend of African American soul and synthesizer-made music, and migrated first from DJs’ basements to gay clubs. Science fiction lent itself as inspiration for early artists’ futuristic techno sound. Following the Great Depression, they envisioned, through their music, a transformed society. After the techno wave in Detroit, it was picked up by the Germans in Berlin and popularized in Europe. Today, techno is an even bigger part of the European lifestyle than in the U.S.

Techno and other electronic dance music lovers term the party scene as “raving.” This term varies in meaning, from dressing up in colorful clothing for a festival to just going to a techno club, but usually means being out for an entire night of committed dancing and enjoyment.

In the U.S., the techno scene is most prominent in the Big Apple. Other cities like Los Angeles and Detroit remain key players as well, but what sets New York apart is its massive population, providing diverse but consistent demand for electronic music, as well as its access to dozens of techno-qualifying venues with proper sound systems, active promoters, and their ability to afford hosting big-name DJs from around the world.

As with anything, it is possible to take raving too far. That is, one prevalent aspect of the techno party scene is substance abuse, which enhances the experience of music in the brain. This comes from the search for a transcendent experience. One particularly common drug, MDMA, also known as molly, targets and increases the level of chemicals in the brain responsible for happiness. Nonetheless, the majority of party-goers enjoy safe, legal experiences as often as dozens of times a month without so much as tired feet the following day.

The post Why I Love Techno Music appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

Ever received a free custom-made piece from a well-known designer? Yea, neither have we! NBA Custom suit designer Andrew Jang takes our breath away, not only with his phenomenal designs, but with his contribution towards the community. Along with his passion for fashion, Jang is also dedicated to giving back to the community the best way he can. This winter Jang awarded students from public school 154, with 370 custom- tailored coats from the Adriaen Black clothing line.

Jang spent a total of two days at PS 154, receiving feedback and ideas from students, to make sure every coat design is unique and exactly how students wanted them to be. From style, color and fit all coats were created to match students’ personalities. Jang calls his project “Made to Measure, Made to Love” and has personally invested a total of $440,000 towards this custom kids’ collection.

“I didn’t grow up with much, and I know firsthand what it is like to constantly receive hand-me-downs, rather than a new piece of clothing,” says Jang. “I wanted to give these kids something truly special—winter coats personalized exclusively for them.”

Jang wanted to give these kids an opportunity to call something their own. To add an extra bit of flavor and personality to the designs, each coat will be monogrammed with students’ personal initials.

A custom coat from the Adriaen Black collection would ordinarily retail for as much as $2,000. Jang has big plans for “Made to Measure, Made to Love” future and hopes that by next year instead of 370 exclusive coats he can create 3,700.

“Additionally, I hope that by receiving this gift from me, these students will also feel inspired and empowered to give back themselves. As they grow, perhaps they will donate this coat to someone younger,” he said.

He also plans to broaden the project’s horizon by creating entire wardrobes for students.

For now, Andrew Jang has already begun talks to create custom outfits the students can wear to their college entrance and prospective job interviews. Already, many of his NBA clients have shown interest in getting involved in the initiative.

Photos by Kris Connor/Getty Images

The post Designer Andrew Jang of Adriaen Black Donates 370 Custom-Made Coats to Bronx Students appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

American rapper Logic delivered a moving performance of his song “1-800-273-8255” on stage at the 60th Annual Grammy Award Ceremony on Sunday, alongside featured singers Alessia Cara and Khalid.

The title of the song is the National Suicide Prevention hotline number, and the entire song is a message meant to give strength and hope to those struggling.

The trio of artists were joined on stage by suicide attempt survivors and their family members to deliver this powerful message: “You are not alone.” One survivor teared up on stage. After the performance, Logic delivered an inspirational speech, which received a standing ovation from the crowd.

“Black is beautiful, hate is ugly. Women are as precious as they are stronger than any man I have ever met… Be not scared to use your voice!…Stand and fight for those who are not weak, but have yet to discover the strength that the evil of this world has done its best to conceal,” he said. “…bring us your tired, your poor, and any immigrant who seeks refuge. For together we can build not just a better country, but a world that is destined to be united.”

Following the speech, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention released a statement praising Logic’s advocacy of suicide prevention and his use of a public platform to reach more people.

“When Logic released the song 1-800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s calls increased by nearly 50 percent. This was no coincidence,” the statement says.

Many have taken to Twitter to give their own reactions:

https://twitter.com/lisarinna/status/957824846158688256

How do you get back to the business of handing out an award after Logic dropped … logic. That was the show close right there. #grammys

— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) January 29, 2018

The song was released in April of 2017, quickly climbing up Billboard’s Hot 100 and Streaming Songs charts. Logic did an interview with Genius to explain the lyrics and how he got his inspiration by meeting people on tour that claimed his music had saved their lives.

“It hit me, the power that I have as an artist with a voice,” Logic explains. Now he continues to use that advantage to give others a voice.

The post Logic’s Powerful Performance at the Grammys appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

In 1981, a group of twenty-something women were having a beer at the Corner Bistro in New York City when they decided to form a sword–dancing team: Half Moon Sword.

“When we were in our early twenties we had no idea what we were getting into or that we would still be doing it today, so many decades later,” said a founding member of the team Deirdre Bialo-Padin.

In 1986, Half Moon held their first Sword Dance Festival in New York City. At the time, there were no other sword dancing teams in North America. They inspired others to form teams all over the U.S. and even in Canada.

Sword dancing is a winter celebration performed in northern England, where the annual visit of the local sword dancers to the villages was thought to guarantee good luck for the year.

There’s been dancing of this nature for about a hundred years in New York City. Some of the members learned it by attending classes with the Country Dance & Song Society.

Half Moon women have traveled together, hung out together, and attended each other’s weddings. “It’s kind of like being part of an all-women’s baseball team,” Bialo-Padin said.

All of the four musicians on the team are married to one of the dancers. “We tend to marry musicians…so that they could play for us,” Bialo-Padin laughed.

Now even some of their children are part of the team. The tradition continues from generation to generation.

Half Moon Sword will host its 33rd annual sword dancing competition next year.

The post Meet the Women Who Brought Sword Dancing to America appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.