Grammy Winning artist Donna Summer was dubbed “Queen of Disco” throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s as Summer brought a new era of popular music and once in a generation charisma to a world stage. Her chart topping hits are many, and millions of fans have timeless memories made to her countless hits, including: Love To Love You Baby, Bad Girls, On The Radio, This Time I Know It’s For Real, Last Dance, Hot Stuff, MacArthur Park and She Works Hard For The Money. Donna Summer’s extensive music catalog is a phenomenon. It’ also a cultural soundtrack that transcends time; infused with emotion, light and love. Her passing in 2012 from lung cancer was devasting to a generation who came of age right along with her. Now Summer’s daughter, actress and filmmaker Brooklyn Sudano, teamed up with Academy Award winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams and HBO to bring the world a deep and poignant documentary about the singer’s musical career and her life away from the cameras, titled, Love To Love You, Donna Summer, now streaming on MAX (formerly HBOMAX). I had a chance to sit down with Brooklyn Sudano to discuss her mother, Donna Summer. Sudano and co-director, Roger Ross Williams do a brilliant job throughout the film of portraying who Donna Summer was as an artist, and mother, wife and human being. Throughout the film and in this interview, audiences catch a glimpse of a woman many loved, but few truly knew. This is the complex and storied life, and iconic music career of Donna Summer that continues to live on. Allison Kugel: What was your intention in creating this documentary about your mom? Brooklyn Sudano: I became a mom, and I didn’t have my mom, and so it brought up a lot of feelings and questions. I was a working mother, and so I thought, “I wonder what she would have done in this situation?” or “what did she do?” And I couldn’t ask her. Also, people and fans would come up to me and they would share their personal stories and their own memories with my mother or a particular song or album. I felt there was so much that people didn’t really know about her or fully understand. Even for the fans who loved her so deeply, I felt maybe they needed their own sense of closure to her life and her story. Allison Kugel: The title of the film, Love to Love You: Donna Summer, is based on her breakout song, Love to Love You Baby, which really launched her as an artist. I had never heard the original cut of that song until I watched this film. I’ve heard the radio edit of the song and then I watched the documentary and thought, “Ooooh, okay.” It’s very sexual. Brooklyn Sudano: I’ll say… provocative (laugh). Allison Kugel: Very Provocative. As her daughter, how does that hit? Brooklyn Sudano: I think it depends at what age you asked me that question. When I first discovered that song in the film, there was that moment of me going to my younger sister Amanda and saying, “Oh my gosh, do I have a crazy song for you!” We would go to my mom’s shows when we were younger, and she didn’t perform that song on stage anymore. So, it was really a whole revelation in terms of who she was to us in our own minds at that point. I think as we have gotten older, I think we understand the door that it opened for her, and she understood that this was going to be her entrée onto the world stage, and so she owned it. I think in so many ways it was very empowering to so many people to see and witness a woman, particularly a Black woman, be on stage and just own her own power. It was groundbreaking for the time. In terms of using that song as the title, obviously there is that Love To Love You [song] connection, but we also wanted it to feel like a love letter in a sense; Love to Love You: Donna Summer. Allison Kugel: The video clip of your mother singing, If There is Music There, later on in her career, I cried like a baby watching that. Your mother, Donna Summer, is one of the few singers who really embodied the character and the story of the song she was singing. She didn’t just sing the song. She became the song. Brooklyn Sudano: That is a perfect way to put it. She became the songs. I think that was really what set her apart. That’s why her music transcends decades and generations; it’s because of that very fact. I think that was one of her real gifts, was to really take each song individually and come from that emotional place to connect with her audiences. I think that is why her music transcends. Allison Kugel: What did you learn from your mother that you now use as a mother to your own children? Brooklyn Sudano: One of the biggest things is to obviously give warmth and love, but also she very much included us in her creativity and in her art. I try to do that with my kids. They are their own little artists, actors, and singers. I encourage that, and make them a part of my process. My mom would take my sisters and I on the road with her and we would work backstage. We had a real understanding of behind the camera, in front of the camera, on stage and backstage. Allison Kugel: We all have that moment when we realize our mom has a first name other than “Mommy.” I would imagine that for you or somebody in your shoes, you have this moment when you realize your mom has a name and that she’s a person. And then I’m sure you had another moment when you realized she was Donna Summer and everybody in the world knew who she was. What was your first awakening to that fact? Brooklyn Sudano: I think it was just the understanding that there were always people around us or coming up to us. I remember that from a very young age people we didn’t know would come up and love on us and share their stories and know who my mother was. I didn’t know a time when that didn’t exist. Allison Kugel: Did you just think, “My mom is really popular. She has so many friends.”? (Laughs) Brooklyn Sudano: (Laughs) Maybe that moment of realization came when I was about seven or eight years old. We went to go see Michael Jackson at Wembley Stadium, and it was that moment she got to take us backstage to meet him. At that time, he was at the pinnacle of his career. It was a sudden understating of, like, “Oh, my mom can do this!” I think it might have been that moment where it really hit home and I thought, “Wow, she has a lot of access. People treat her a little differently.” I got to dance on stage with Michael Jackson in the pouring rain at Wembley Stadium and Sheryl Crow was back up for him at the time. It was one of the most memorable, remarkable moments of my life, of feeling all of that positive joyful energy coming across. So yeah, that was pretty cool. Allison Kugel: Tell me about your parent’s love story. Brooklyn Sudano: As my dad says in the film, “From the moment we met, we basically were together.” I think that both of my parents are artists by nature. They saw in each other that need to create, and they connected on that level. They also had this very deep bond. My parents were married for thirty-two years when my mom passed away, and when they first got together, no one thought they would last. Allison Kugel: Why did nobody think they would last? Brooklyn Sudano: It was a few things. They both had strong personalities. They both were extremely driven. It was also an interracial relationship [in the ‘70s]. Also, the relationship had so much visibility. I think there was that dynamic where people thought that under the pressure, it was not going to last. The things that bonded them together were that they both had a very strong sense of faith and God and in family. They both loved to create, and they did that well with each other. They were very symbiotic in the way they wrote songs together, and they had a very deep love that translated through all the trials and tribulations they came across. Allison Kugel: In the documentary, when your mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, she was not a complainer. She did not want her illness to take center stage and she didn’t even really want it to be a thing. She didn’t want to address the elephant in the room. That is kind of how it was portrayed. On the day-to-day, at home with family, what was the process she went through in dealing with her diagnosis? Brooklyn Sudano: My mother was extremely strong as a person. I think her decision not to share [her diagnosis] with the world was that she was a woman of faith, and she really believed that God was going to heal her. She wanted to put all the positive energy out there for that and only wanted people around her that would give her that energy. When you are in the public eye you end of carrying a lot of people’s emotions for them. She didn’t think she could carry other people’s fear about her illness or their expectations of what it would look like. She just really wanted the time to focus on herself and her family. I think she tried to just walk that out. I was kind of right in the middle of it with her, my dad, and my aunt, and trying to be there day to day. I had her eat healthy and do all the things for her to have those moments where she could feel the best she could under those circumstances, and she was a trooper; one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. Even the doctor said, “Any other person would be in the hospital now.” My mom never ended up in the hospital. She just had a strength and a will that was beyond anybody that I’ve ever experienced before and she passed at home in Naples, Florida. Allison Kugel: Was there a moment where she thought, “Okay, this is happening, this is it, it’s my time.”? Brooklyn Sudano: She never verbalized that. I think there was a moment where I could see her wrestling with it internally, but we didn’t talk about it. She fought until the end. Allison Kugel: She also had a precedent setting lawsuit where she sued her original label, Casablanca Records for her publishing rights before moving to Geffen Records. Brooklyn Sudano: I don’t think it was about the publishing, specifically. I think it was more a contractual obligation, than the publishing. We thought about unpacking that whole thing within the film and it was just very weedy in terms of the legalese of it all. She just wanted to be out of her contract, and I think there were some changes at the label. She sued to get out of it and to be able to move forward in the way she thought she wanted her career to move forward. It was at the peak of her career, so it was a really big risk for her to take. Neil Bogart, and the whole team at Casablanca [Records], at that time where really like family to her. It was a really difficult time for her because she was so close to them. Thankfully, we have all mended bridges and she was able to mend bridges with them as well. We are on great terms with them at this point. I will say that my mom had a lot of forgiveness and a lot of love for people involved in her life. Allison Kugel: Why do you think she described the music business as “being raped over and over again?” Brooklyn Sudano: I think when you are an artist, you are naturally sensitive. You’re in tune with the world in a way that maybe not everybody is. I think that is what makes you aware and able to articulate things in a way that maybe most people don’t. The music business is a business. It can be cutthroat and be about money and power, and all the things that drive an industry. A lot of times it is at odds with the sensitivity of an artist and their need to grow. I think that was one of the biggest challenges during her time at Casablanca [Records]. It was that she wanted to be an artist in a different way than they wanted her to be. She wanted to grow and write more of her music, which she did, and be a little more in control of her own destiny. I think that is what she was articulating. Alison Kugel: There was another controversy that happened during her life. She became very passionate about giving her life over to Christ, she became a born-again Christian, and she made a comment about God making Adam and Eve and not Adam and Steve. Brooklyn Sudano: My mom did a lot of schtick on stage and it was part of an off-hand comment that was intended to be funny and it was not received that way. Allison Kugel: Okay. It was a bad attempt at a joke and wasn’t meant to be taken as her literal belief system… Brooklyn Sudano: No, and I think part of the reason why we talk a little bit about it in the film was that my parents didn’t address it [at the time], because the intent was not meant to be hurtful, but obviously many people were hurt by it. We wanted to acknowledge that, but the way that it snowballed and all the things that people said about her and how she felt about the LGBTQ+ community was the complete antithesis of who she was. I think that was where a lot of her internal conflict happened. My lived experience was not that controversy. We had so many people from that community as part of our daily lives and such a big part of her fanbase. So, I always experienced it as a lovefest and joy, and so it was tricky going back to that. I think as a family we wanted to acknowledge that it hurt people, but that was not who she was. We hope with the film as a whole, that it is about acknowledging and healing. That is why we thought it was important to include it. I also think times where changing and it all kind of got lumped together. People started talking and the rumor mill happened. She was kind of caught in a changing time about what you could say and what you couldn’t. Allison Kugel: I wonder how she would feel about the cancel culture of today… Brooklyn Sudano: It was a little bit of that. It is a little bit of what we are experiencing present day in terms of cancel culture, and I think she felt the brunt of that. She was always spiritual, but then as a Christian, it was assumed that she must mean this or that when she said that. It got to be a whole mess. It was really unfortunate, because she was somebody who lived her life with love, hands down. Allison Kugel: That came through in the film, one hundred percent. Brooklyn Sudano: That is what she wanted to project. Every single person I talked to for this [film], and I talked to many people from all parts of her life, had nothing but love. Even if they had a complicated relationship with her, they loved my mother deeply and felt deeply loved by her. That was who she was, and the hardest part of that situation was that people would question her integrity in that way. Allison Kugel: And you co-directed this film with Roger Ross Williams, who is an Academy Award Winning Director. Was it you who approached him? Brooklyn Sudano: I came to the conclusion after a period of time that I wanted to direct this film, but I also hadn’t [directed] before. I had been an actress for many years, but this was my first feature and my first documentary. I had been a fan of Roger’s work. I got a sense that he understood family and he understood emotion, and how to tell that story with a lot of honesty. I knew his work, and I had met one of his long-time producers in the process. She came on board as our producer and connected Roger and me. When we sat down for lunch and discussed whether this was something we could do together, his vision and my vision were the same. He was probably a little reluctant, thinking, “This is the daughter of. Is she going to want to do some kind of sanitized sugarcoated version of her mother.” I didn’t. I really wanted to tell the truth and for that honesty to come through, and he knew how to tell those kinds of stories. Allison Kugel: Before your mother met your father (music producer and songwriter, Bruce Sudano), she had been in a relationship where she was the victim of domestic abuse, which never made it into the news at the time. Brooklyn Sudano: No, I don’t think anyone in the public would have known. My mother was a very private person. She was very open in many ways in sharing her [musical] gift and being very grounded and down to earth with people and gracious, but she was an extremely private person. I think it was important for us to share that part of her story, because it’s a part of what made her human. Those trials and tribulations she had to overcome just show you how amazing it was that she was able to achieve this pinnacle of success and survive it all. Hopefully it was a message to many other women that you don’t have to stay in that situation; that you can move on from it and have a successful life and a successful future relationship. Allison Kugel: Do you have any rituals for when you feel your mom’s presence or when you really miss her? Is there anything in particular that makes you feel closer to her? Brooklyn Sudano: It’s not necessarily a ritual, but more of an acknowledgement like, “Hi, mom.” I really feel almost now more than ever that wherever she is, it’s not far. She is right here (gesturing towards her shoulder) with me. I live my life and operate in a way where I acknowledge that she is that close to me. There were many moments during this filmmaking process, and over the years, where something will happen and I say, “Okay. Here she is.” Roger and I would make a joke that she was the one directing this documentary (laugh). There were so many divine little moments and things that would happen to let us know that she was happy with what was happening. Allison Kugel: Were there signs you would get from her? Brooklyn Sudano: Obviously, her music follows me everywhere. I would show up somewhere and there was a song playing. I would think, “Okay, I know I’m supposed to be here in this particular moment.” She passed away on May 17th. We had been working on this film for so many years and when HBO gave us our air date and our air week, it was the same week as her passing. Another sign was when my hairstylist on the day of the premiere for the film started singing, “Someone to watch over me...” I asked her why she was singing that song, and she said, “I don’t know. I don’t even know why I have that song in my head.” I said, “My mom would perform that song on stage as one of her standards that she would sing, and that was part of her set for many, many years.” It was a little wink from her, like, “Hi. I’m right here with you. I see you.” Allison Kugel: What do you feel you have mastered in your life at this point, and what remains a work in progress for you? Brooklyn Sudano: I think that life is a journey. When I was younger, I would be looking more for destinations. Now I’m much more content in my journey and knowing there is an ebb and a flow, and peaks and valleys, and they are all valid and useful to our growth. Allison Kugel: And what remains a stumbling block for you? Brooklyn Sudano: I used to be someone that struggled with depression and anxiety. I feel like I have to be much more okay with the unknown. I think, for me, it is about bringing my faith to the next level and accepting that I many not know what is going to happen two or three months from now. We are in the middle of a writer’s strike and I’m an actor. That’s another unknown that brings up a lot of stuff if I don’t really try to stay grounded and take it one day at a time. I have to catch myself and go back to the basics, and remind myself to focus on what is right in front of me, knowing there will be enough light to take the next step when I get there. Allison Kugel: What do you think your mom, Donna Summer, mastered during her lifetime, and what continued to be a work in progress for her throughout her life? Brooklyn Sudano: She mastered her gift (referring to her mother’s voice and musical talent). She understood that her gift, her voice, her creativity and her artistry was a gift from God. She knew that very early on, that it was something that came with a responsibility and she took that very seriously. I think that is why her voice continued to get stronger over the years. She mastered how to use her gift to reach people. I think that is one of the things that made her a genius in her own way. One of the things she was still working on was having to receive love without having to give; to just sit and receive. During her illness and that period of time, that was something that she really had to just release. She had to just sit and understand that just being her was enough. That was a big part of her journey in her last year. Love To Love You, Donna Summer is now streaming on HBOMAX. Follow Brooklyn Sudano @brooklynsudano. Images Courtesy of Warner Bros./HBO and Brooklyn Sudano Listen to or watch the extended interview on the Allison Interviews Podcast and on YouTube. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of Brooklyn Sudano

Ten years ago today, Gucci, together with co-founders Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Salma Hayek Pinault, founded the Gucci CHIME campaign, dedicated to advancing gender equality around the world. To mark the occasion, Gucci hosted THE SOUND OF CHANGE: LIVE, a global concert event on 1st June 2013 at Twickenham Stadium in London, to raise an alarm and call for global change. With a lineup including Beyoncé, Florence Welch, John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, and more, the concert was broadcast to 1 billion viewers, raising $3.9 million to support girls and women around the world. Featuring Aditi Mayer, Alia Bhatt, Amanda Nguyen, Annie Lennox, Ayaka Miyoshi, Ayshka Najib, Bethann Hardison, Cacille Ealy, Chiara Ferragni, Cindi Leive, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Diandra Marizet Esparza, Florence Welch, Halle Bailey, Idris Elba, Jaha Dukureh, Jodie Turner-Smith, John Legend, Julia Garner, Julia Roberts, Marco Bizzarri, Maryangel Garcia-Ramos, Mona Sinha, Neda Semnani, Paula Avila-Guillen, Sabrina Elba, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samira Nasr, Serena Williams, Sima Bahous, Sinéad Burke, Tanya Compas, Valkyrae, and Vee Kativhu A new video series directed by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy brings Annie Lennox, Halle Bailey, Julia Roberts, Idris Elba, Alia Bhatt, Serena Williams, John Legend and Gucci CHIME co-founder Salma Hayek Pinault together to speak out about what equality means to them, as the campaign ushers in a new decade of support for gender equality. THE SOUND OF CHANGE: LIVE was the first global concert event to raise funds and awareness for gender equality, and the scale of the concert served as a harbinger for what was to come. Ten years on, Gucci CHIME has raised $21.5 million, which has impacted the lives of 635,000 girls and women globally through more than 500 projects in 92 countries through 185 non-profit partners. To honor a decade of impact, Gucci has enlisted longtime Gucci CHIME Advisory Board member, collaborator, and Academy Award-winning director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy to lens a 35-video-strong series that continues the mission of the campaign to convene, unite, and strengthen the voices speaking out for gender equality. The series documents a wide range of artists, activists, organizers, and advocates chiming in on what equality means to them. Raw, impassioned, and emotionally charged, the videos are punctuated with personal anecdotes from the participants on their life experiences and hopes for the future. The films will be available to stream on Gucci's social channels and official YouTube account. Gucci CHIME Co-founder Salma Hayek Pinault says, “While there have been some great advances in gender equality since we founded Chime 10 years ago, there is still a lot of work to be done. It has been incredible for me to have the opportunity to meet people around the world and see firsthand the impact the campaign has had on so many lives. I’m overwhelmed and inspired by how many people want to participate in the change, and I feel very hopeful for the future. It’s really a fight worth having, now, more than ever.” Beyoncé's Freedom—a rallying cry for racial equality from the Grammys most winning artist’s pioneering visual album Lemonade—scores the videos, in a nod to the Gucci CHIME co-founder's enduring role in the groundbreaking campaign, and as a leading voice in the call for freedom and equality for all. Returning to renew their support for Gucci CHIME and its mission are Salma Hayek Pinault, Florence Welch, Julia Roberts, and John Legend, who participated in the the campaign's launch a decade ago. Newer Gucci faces such as Idris Elba, Julia Garner, Halle Bailey, Alia Bhatt, Serena Williams, and Jodie Turner-Smith join the voices calling for change. CHIME Advisory Board members Tanya Compas and Maryangel Garcia-Ramos, and activists Amanda Nguyen, Vee Kativhu, and Jaha Dukureh, among others, symbolize the brand's continued commitment to championing the next generation of change. Gucci President and CEO Marco Bizzarri also participates on behalf of the company’s 22,000 employees. “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Gucci CHIME, we reflect on the profound impact and influence the campaign has had on so many lives, through the tireless work and commitment of people around the world who fight for change every day. This is a journey that we embarked on ten years ago, but the work ahead of us is substantial. Today we recommit ourselves to the next decade of progress and positive change.” The full list of participants is as follows: Aditi Mayer, Alia Bhatt, Amanda Nguyen, Annie Lennox, Ayaka Miyoshi, Ayshka Najib, Bethann Hardison, Cacille Ealy, Chiara Ferragni, Cindi Leive, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Diandra Marizet Esparza, Florence Welch, Halle Bailey, Idris Elba, Jaha Dukureh, Jodie Turner-Smith, John Legend, Julia Garner, Julia Roberts, Marco Bizzarri, Maryangel Garcia-Ramos, Mona Sinha, Neda Semnani, Paula Avila-Guillen, Sabrina Elba, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samira Nasr, Serena Williams, Sima Bahous, Sinéad Burke, Tanya Compas, Valkyrae, Vee Kativhu. Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy says, “The commitment of Gucci CHIME to amplify voices over the last decade speaks to me and my work. Each film in this new series is an important reminder of why we need to champion the voices of those who are working to create change. I hope this campaign will reinvigorate conversations around the world, so that everyone feels the urgency to contribute towards creating a more gender equal future.” Gucci is also harnessing 10th anniversary of the Gucci CHIME campaign to renew its commitment to NGOs and grassroots organizations working to advance gender equality around the world. One such partnership is with UN Women’s Generation Action Coalitions, through which Gucci serves as the private sector lead on the action coalition dedicated to Feminist Movements & Leadership, a 5-year commitment. Among CHIME’s partners are the African American Policy Forum, the Center for Human Rights in Iran, Equality Now, Empowered by Vee, Exist Loudly, Formidable Joy, For the Gworls, Global Fund for Women, Intersectional Environmentalist, Italian organizations Associazione Artemisia, BEAWARENOW, Casa Internazionale delle Donne, Cooperativa E.V.A., Fondazione Una Nessuna e Centomila and SvS Donna Aiuta Donna with Cascina Ri-Nascita Project, the Kering Foundation, Mexicanas con Discapacidad, mothers2mothers, Ms. Foundation for Women, Outright International, Rise, Sad Girls Club, Samburu Girls Foundation, UN Women, in support of Generation Equality’s Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership, as well as locally with UN Women Brazil and UN Women Japan, Women Enabled International, Women for Afghan Women, and Young Feminist Europe. The Gucci CHIME campaign is committed to supporting the most vulnerable women and girls around the world, such as disabled women and girls, Indigenous women and girls, women and girls in the Global South, young feminists, trans and non-binary people, and refugee women. Gucci’s efforts provides funding to feminist organizations and activists including mutual aid and girl-led projects, upholding feminist funding principles. Gucci and its partners will celebrate 10 years of the CHIME campaign throughout 2023, and will continue to update the global Gucci CHIME community with more news regarding our mission to make meaningful change in the lives of girls and women the world over. About Gucci CHIME Gucci CHIME is a global campaign founded by Gucci in 2013 to convene, unite and strengthen the voices speaking out for gender equality. The campaign aims to inspire participation in a collective community, bringing people together across borders and generations in the fight for equality. Since Gucci CHIME was launched in 2013 by Gucci, together with Co-Founders Salma Hayek Pinault and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, the campaign has raised 21.5 million USD to support more than 500 projects across the globe directly serving 635,000 women and girls. Working with partners including Equality Now, the Global Fund for Women, Ms. Foundation for Women, mothers2mothers, UN Women, and other diverse feminist organizations and movements, CHIME projects are led by and serve women of color, Indigenous women and girls, young feminists, Disabled women and girls, transgender and gender expansive women, and other groups who have been historically marginalized. Throughout the past decade, the House has assembled a powerful group of influential leaders who sit on the Gucci CHIME Advisory Board. Serving on the Board are Hafsat Abiola, Muna Abusulayman, Sinéad Burke, Jamira Burley, Lydia Cacho, David Carey, Antonella Centra, Sarah Chadwick, Tanya Compas, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Scarlett Curtis, Minh Dang, Juliet de Baubigny, Waris Dirie, Sage Dolan Sandrino, Emma France, Maryangel Garcia-Ramos, Leymah Gbowee, Bethann Hardison, Jeremy O. Harris, Yasmeen Hassan, Hung Huang, Arianna Huffington, Madonna, Latanya Mapp Frett, Alyse Nelson, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Mariane Pearl, François-Henri Pinault, Julia Roberts, Mona Sinha, Amandla Stenberg, Caryl Stern, Cleo Wade, and Teresa Younger. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of Gucci

In the decision to extend the Acqualina brand and create The Estates at Acqualina, Jules, Stephanie and Eddie Trump are building not only on its past successes, but on its passion for developing “the world’s finest residences.” This exceptional collaboration between leading developer, architects, designers and hoteliers ensures The Estates at Acqualina delivers an exquisite living experience within a private gated community. The Estates at Acqualina offers a new residential experience to Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach. Located at 17901 Collins Avenue, the two boutique towers feature a lobby designed by Karl Lagerfeld, the only residential project in the United States to involve the late iconic designer. The South Tower, 777 Via Acqualina, offers 151 exquisite residences ranging from 3200 to 5600 square feet and rises adjacent to the Five Star Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach. In addition, it features two single family homes and two, two-story penthouses ranging from 6225 to 9000 square feet – all with private leisure pools. The Boutique North Tower, 888 Via Acqualina, features 94 residences only two per floor. The Estates also features Villa Acqualina, an additional 45,000 square feet of remarkable amenities. The Villa is located between the two towers and personifies an all-encompassing residential destination that evokes a sense of familiarity as residents drive through lush landscaping and a beautiful gatehouse that offers a feeling of security and exclusivity. The Estates benefits from its sister developments, Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach and The Mansions at Acqualina. The legendary service by Acqualina Resort & Residences, a Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Hotel and #1 Beachfront Resort in the U.S. by Tripadvisor, ensures that The Estates at Acqualina delivers ultimate perfection and a unique experience on every level. THE ESTATES GROUNDS AND GARDENS: A 5.6 ACRE PRIVATE SEASIDE OASIS Designed exclusively for residents and their guests, The Estates’ “backyard” is a lushly landscaped arena for celebrating the sporting life…or observing it from the meticulously manicured sidelines. The magnificence extends to the beautifully curated gardens featuring multiple infinity pools, a FlowRider® for surfers, a basketball court, a romantic beachfront restaurant and bar, and 502 feet of Atlantic oceanfront on a 5.6 acre site with all the benefits of Acqualina’s five-star lifestyle. Residents can enjoy the sun’s splendor and dip into the cool ocean in an atmosphere of absolute privacy, which is unparalleled in South Florida. The experience is only be amplified as Villa THE LOBBIES: WORLD-CLASS DESIGN BY KARL LAGERFELD The entrance lobbies at The Estates at Acqualina were designed by none other than Karl Lagerfeld. Mr. Lagerfeld’s design and style further enhance the grandeur of two of the most important spaces at The Estates. Mr. Lagerfeld’s lobbies not only provide the first impression of the building and project, but also serve as a common living room where residents socialize and relax in style. The Estates mark the first interior design project in the United States for the late designer and reflects his iconic style and eye for detail, with custom features, finishes and furnishings conceived and designed by Mr. Lagerfeld himself. The designs of both lobbies were inspired by the aesthetic of each space and the building as well as by the destination of Florida. Acqualina’s utmost service will be extended to the water's edge for residents to enjoy drinks and dining on the beach. VILLA ACQUALINA: 45,000 SQUARE FEET OF AWESOME The Estates at Acqualina features an impressive Villa Acqualina with 45,000 square feet of remarkable facilities including AcquaFit - a health and fitness center, one of a kind dining at Avra Miami (open to the public) and Circus Maximus, a full floor of magical amenities including an ice skating rink, a Formula One simulator, a golfing simulator, bowling lanes, a movie theater, and a Wall Street Trader’s Club room where residents have access to ticker tape, computers and a boardroom. Villa Acqualina has something for everyone, creating a never-before-seen ocean-side lifestyle. DEVELOPER: AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE A3 Development, LLC, an affiliate of Eddie, Jules & Stephanie Trump, is the developer and owner of The Estates at Acqualina (no relation to the former US president). They have developed several successful top-end real estate properties, starting in 1985 with the creation of Williams Island in the exclusive Aventura, Florida. This complex of eight high-rise towers, a charming Mediterranean village, and suite of resort and club amenities, was one of the first developments of its kind in South Florida. Their development portfolio includes the Acqualina Resort & Residences in Sunny Isles Beach, The Mansions at Acqualina, and Luxuria Residences, a Luxury condominium situated on the ocean in Boca Raton, both in Florida as well as extensive land holdings and developments in California. The Trump Groups' vision of The Estates at Acqualina was to create a unique lifestyle that will set it apart from the rest of the world. The Acqualina Brand, an iconic name which is transforming the South Florida skyline forever with a residential enclave whose beauty, luxury, and service place it in a class of its own on a worldwide scale. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of Splendor By Acqualina Resort & Residences

This Father’s Day, treat dad to a day of fun at Gulfstream Park Village. South Florida’s premier wellness, entertainment and restaurant destination is situated in both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park racetrack. No matter his taste, an array of dining and entertainment options await, including thrilling horse racing, a casino, karaoke, bowling, shopping and more. The open-air shopping center is also home to more than 15 restaurants and bars where guests can enjoy a meal with dad or the father figure in their lives. For dads who are kings of sports, Strike 10 Bowling & Sports Lounge and PlugIN Karaoke provide endless entertainment. Dad can sing his favorite jams from the comfort of his own private karaoke room at PlugIn, or take part in bowling, billiards and arcade games at Strike 10. Both venues include food and drink menus to make it a complete experience. For lunch, dinner, or just a great happy hour, take Dad to Yard House, home to the world’s largest selection of tap beers, irresistible bar bites (don’t miss the Poke Nachos!) and the best classic rock playlist in town. Dinnertime celebrations call for a trip to Christine Lee’s for some mouthwatering Asian-inspired dishes, including unparalleled sushi. Bissaleh is a Kosher dream with unique plates including Salmon Falafel served with oven-roasted eggplant and fresh tahini sauce, Pumpkin Lamb Chops with a ginger wine sauce, plus a host of vegetarian options, too. For dining with built-in entertainment, Texas de Brazil does not disappoint. Treat Dad to this Brazilian churrascaria where he can indulge in his favorite cuts of meat served tableside along with a delightful caipirinha. For dads seeking the latest in fitness fun, the new way to stay fit is Impulse Body Fitness, where guests can burn up to 2000 calories in 25 minutes. Treat Dad to a thrilling day at Ten Palms this Father’s Day! Gulfstream Park’s Ten Palms Restaurant will be celebrating Father’s Day with a full day of live horse racing. Guests are invited to reserve a table overlooking the track to enjoy a buffet style brunch with complementary beer or mimosa. Tickets to the event are $65 per person. To reserve a table, visit Open Table. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week and is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just two miles east of I-95. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Gulfstream Park

Through the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA)’s continued efforts to include diverse voices and perspectives, the museum is offering a robust series of educational and public programming to commemorate Pride Month and Caribbean-American Heritage Month this June. On view through Oct. 1, 2023, “Lonnie Holley: If You Really Knew” invites visitors to experience the work of prolific artist Lonnie Holley in his first major exhibition in the South. Also on view is the “South Florida Cultural Consortium” (SFCC) exhibition which showcases the work of 12 intergenerational South Florida artists. “Lonnie Holley: If You Really Knew” provides an intimate and focused look at the career of Birmingham, Alabama-born artist and musician Lonnie Holley. The exhibition, curated by MOCA curator Adeze Wilford, features 70 works including foundational “sandstone” sculptures, new works on paper and large-scale quilt paintings that depict faces. Known for his unique style of art that draws inspiration from his life experiences, Holley often incorporates found objects and everyday materials, which he transforms into thought-provoking art. Holley’s influence on Southern art is highlighted throughout “If You Only Knew,” including a section he curated featuring works from artists such as Miami native Purvis Young, Thornton Dial, Mary T. Smith and Hawkins Bowling. The “South Florida Cultural Consortium” (SFCC) exhibition brings together 12 artists working across various media including, sculpture, film and site-specific installations. The exhibition, this year hosted and organized by MOCA, provides a snapshot of the breadth and depth of the artistic talent in the South Florida art scene. On view outside the museum from late June through late August is MOCA’s most recent “Art on the Plaza” commission, LIZN'BOW (Liz Ferrer and Bow Ty)'s “El Mundo Es Magico.” The sculpture, “El Mundo Es Magico,” features displaced queer characters in a mix of reality and fantasy within Miami iconography, inviting conversations of fluidity, gender, class and identity. Central to the duo’s work is the feminist reimagining of each element towards a more inclusive, fantastical worldview. On view through June 25, 2023, visitors will be able to step into MOCA’s Paradise Courtyard and discover “Victory Garden,” an interactive sculptural community garden created by Miami-based artist Emmett Moore. Drawing inspiration from victory gardens of the past, which were planted during wartime to supplement rations and boost morale, Moore’s “Victory Garden” connects the local community with contemporary art and encourages visitors to reflect on their relationship with the built environment. Starting June 12, MOCA is offering a contemporary art experience with its summer art camps. Children ages 6-13 may join the museum for in-person camps including Studio Arts Camp and Dynamic Design Camp. Each session will offer a different theme to introduce students to a variety of contemporary art or design techniques. The art camps will entail 10, one-week sessions through Aug. 18. MOCA’s June programming includes: The Artisan Workshop: Celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month with Shop Zhuzh | Friday, June 30, 6:30–8 p.m. · Details: Embark on a journey into the captivating world of Haiti's geographical and cultural history through the art of paper mache. Join MOCA for an immersive workshop hosted by Zhuzh, an empowering accessory brand that connects artisans from the diaspora. Led by experienced instructors, this hands-on workshop invites participants to channel their imagination, molding and shaping simple materials into sculptures and decorative objects that reflect the essence of Haitian culture. Limited spaces are available. · Cost: Free · RSVP: For more information and to RSVP, please visit: https://111401.blackbaudhosting.com/111401/Jazz-It-Up-Featuring-Shop-Zhuzh Support: “Lonnie Holley: If You Really Knew” is made possible with support from Blum & Poe, and is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture. We are also grateful to The N'Namdi Family. Special thanks to guest curator Alison M. Gingeras, for her contributions conceiving this exhibition. “The South Florida Cultural Consortium” is funded in part with support from The National Endowment of the Arts, The Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, the Boards of County Commissioners of Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin and Monroe Counties, and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. “Art on the Plaza” is presented by MOCA, with major support from the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (NMCRA). Additional support was provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. “Welcome to Paradise” is made possible with major support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Additional support was provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. MOCA miniMakers, Sunday Stories and MOCA Makers are funded by the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (NMCRA). Jazz at MOCA is made possible with lead support from the North Miami Mayor and Council and the City of North Miami. MOCA North Miami is generously funded by​ the North Miami Mayor and Council and the City of North Miami; the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture (Section 286.25, Florida Statutes). MOCA is supported in part by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support general operating expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and The Wege Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Fine & Greenwald Foundation; The Nathan Cummings Foundation; and the Sol Taplin Charitable Foundation. Founding support for the MOCA Sustainability Fund provided by the Green Family Foundation Trust. Major support provided by Shirley and William M. Lehman, Jr. We also thank our Board of Trustees, Curator’s Circle, and MOCA Members for their meaningful support.​ By ML Staff. Images courtesy of MOCA

Join Truluck's as our skilled mixologists whip up sensational moments by the glass. Beverage Director, Dave Mattern, spotlights our newest summer cocktails such as The Backward Glance, Sea Plane, Rum Fashioned, Smoke in the Garden, and Summer Romance. You won’t believe the magic they’re mixing into every sip. It’s a must-try summer menu you don’t want to miss. Smoke in the Garden Smoke in the Garden is an intricate blend of mezcal, botanical liqueur, hibiscus, and fresh lime with a Tahin rim. There is a light herbaceousness in the botanical liqueur that plays well with the smokiness of the Mezcal. Spice plays with spice and pairs beautifully with the Salt & Pepper Calamari or Snapper Ponchartrain. Rum Fashioned Rum Fashioned is our summer version of the Old Fashioned. It’s a bold, strong cocktail made with rum, lime, mandarin orange, and bitters. Try it with a wedge salad to start or as an after-dinner drink with a slice of our world-class carrot cake. Sea Plane Sea Plane is a twist on a classic cocktail with bourbon, Aperol, amaro, passionfruit, and fresh lemon. We use an Italian amaro that focuses on rhubarb as one of the main ingredients. The Sea Plane name comes from the use of passionfruit in the recipe. This is definitely a comeback for more sips cocktail. Try it with the tuna crudo, a juicy steak, or Mediterranean Branzino. Backward Glance The Backward Glance is a mix of scotch, sherry, spiced pear liqueur, and berry tea. We know what you are thinking, scotch? This is a thought-provoking interplay of ingredients to create a cocktail that will blow you away. Pair this cocktail with yellowfin tuna crudo or Hiramasa ponzu. It’s also amazing with oysters. Crush some of The Backward Glance right into your oyster. Deliciousness. Summer Romance The Summer Romance cocktail pairs vodka, amaro, fresh lime, almond, a splash of Cava, and fresh raspberries. This is a summery riff on our Pretty in Pink cocktail with a hibiscus element to it. This drink will change over ten to fifteen minutes and makes a great sipping cocktail. If you lean more towards wine versus cocktails Truluck’s wine list is recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine’s Award of Excellence and enables guests to be adventurous, with highly rated varietals of 200 wines by the bottle and over 70 wines offered by the glass. Happy Hour takes place in the bar from 4:30-6:00 pm Monday thru Friday. Enjoy 25% off all spirits, $9 specialty cocktails, featured wines by the glass plus live piano entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings. So come revel in the remarkable, and experience the magic of Truluck’s for the the first time, all over again. Truluck's Miami 777 Brickell Ave Miami, FL 33131 (305)579-0035 IG @ Truluck's By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Truluck's

Get ready to witness the enchanting flutter of butterflies this summer, as NIKOZA unveils their latest resort wear collection, MARIPOSA. Inspired by the vibrant colors of South Florida and the graceful beauty of butterflies, this collection promises to be a true spectacle. Mark your calendars for July 6 at 4 PM, as the grand unveiling takes place at the renowned Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach (4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140). Be sure not to miss this extraordinary fashion event, where NIKOZA's collection will be showcased in all its splendor. Secure your spot at the fashion show by purchasing tickets by clicking here. At the heart of NIKOZA is Olga Nikoza, a visionary fashion designer based in Miami. The butterfly serves as the emblem of her brand, holding a deeply personal significance. To Olga, the butterfly symbolizes freedom, elegance, and femininity—an embodiment of her creative vision. Prepare to be captivated by the abundance of orchids and butterflies that adorn her designs, beautifully incorporated into fabric prints, bathing suits, accessories, and jewelry. The bathing suits, meticulously crafted with an intricate 3D embroidery technique, imitate the delicate beauty of orchids. Each print in this collection is personally designed by Olga, bearing her signature mark on the fabrics. A noteworthy aspect of NIKOZA's creations is their commitment to sustainability. Proudly produced in Miami, their bathing suits exclusively employ sustainable fabrics. This collection offers an extensive range of bathing suits, bikinis, cover-ups, dresses, hats, bags, and jewelry, catering to diverse tastes and age groups. Among the new additions to her jewelry line, Olga takes immense pride in the creation of a necklace called the "Butterfly Effect." This exquisite piece represents the pinnacle of her recent designs. Purchasing this necklace not only grants you a stylish accessory but also supports a noble cause. Olga Nikoza is the Vice President of a charity organization called "Harmony in Space," dedicated to aiding Ukrainian children affected by the war in Ukraine. All proceeds from the butterfly necklace will be donated to this cause, with the butterfly design mirroring the colors of the Ukrainian flag. By supporting NIKOZA and their Butterfly's Effect collection, you join their mission to help Ukrainian children, one butterfly at a time. For more details, visit their website at www.nikoza.com or follow them on Instagram (@nikoza_collection) and Facebook (NIKOZA). You can also explore their charity work on Instagram (@harmony.in.space). Secure your tickets for the fashion show by clicking here. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of NIKOZA

Natasha Tonic, the acclaimed swimwear designer known for her unwavering commitment to sustainability with her creations of innovative plant-based swimwear, will unveil her latest collection, "Coral City," on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Paraiso Miami Swim Week. In collaboration with Coral Morphologic, a Miami-based pioneer in the study and conservation of coral reefs, Tonics’ coral-inspired swimwear generates awareness of the dangers facing coral reefs worldwide. Natasha Tonic takes the commitment to sustainability one step further by planting one coral for every swimsuit purchased. Pieces in the collection feature coral designs inspired by Miami’s reefs and the pioneers working to restore them - Coral Morphologic and their Coral City Camera. Corals will be planted on the reefs of Bali by the Indonesian non-profit Ocean Gardener which has developed a restoration technique that uses organic ropes and wooden stakes to restore damaged reefs without the use of plastics. The "Coral City" collection features a stunning array of one-piece swimsuits and bikinis adorned with intricate coral prints and textures inspired by Coral Morphologic's scientific research. Each piece explores the beauty and complexity of coral reefs with prints taken from real corals grown in Coral Morphologic’s lab. Dominant colors such as electric green, coral orange, white coral, and Pacific blue are used to simulate the living and endangered corals found in reefs off Miami’s coastlines. Embracing the use of natural, plant-based materials, Natasha uses breathable hemp fabric in every piece she created to further minimize environmental impact. Each look on the runway will be paired with a piece from Tonic’s new jewelry line, a special collaboration with designer Tiffany Kunz. Just like the garments, these exquisite pieces draw inspiration from the ocean reefs with meticulously crafted chokers featuring hand-sculpted coral forms and delicate pearls, capturing the essence of the sea. To further compliment the collection, Tonic will debut a variety of lightweight shrugs and long gloves which lend a modern touch and serve as a natural shield against the suns' harmful rays. “I create collections when I feel there’s an environmental message to share,” says Natasha Tonić. “This time around I wanted to direct attention to worldwide endangered corals and offer a way to lend support. We’ve partnered with local Miami coral experts to donate 10% of sales to Coral Morphologic and another 10% to an Indonesian non-profit, Ocean Gardener”. To lend support to the critical issue of coral reefs, Tonic has pledged to donate 10% of the collection's proceeds to Coral Morphologic and another 10% to the Indonesian non-profit Ocean Gardener, an organization in Bali that has developed a restoration technique to aid damaged reefs without the use of plastics. Inspired by their revolutionary efforts, Tonic is taking her commitment one step further by working with the organization to plant one coral for every swimsuit sold, breathing new life into these delicate ecosystems. With each piece of the collection serving as an opportunity to lend support, jewelry partner Tiffany Kunz will also donate 10% of proceeds to a non-profit organization in Costa Rica, which focuses on transporting recovered corals to their natural habitats. Tonic's collaboration with the organization focused on the importance of protecting coral reefs and their ecosystems, fostering a symbiotic relationship between fashion and the environment. Photo by Rodney Ray "We are thrilled to partner with Coral Morphologic and Ocean Gardener to share awareness and educate communities about the importance of coral reef conservation, an environmental issue that affects our oceans and waterside cities like Miami," said Natasha Tonic. "Our goal with this collection is to first showcase the beauty of these vibrant ecosystems and inspire people to take action to protect them," she adds. The ethically-made collection serves as one of many reasons Natasha has been recognized as Sports Illustrated’s 2023 Sustainable Swimsuit Designer of The Year. The show will take place Sunday, June 11 at 6:00PM at the Paraiso tent in Collins Park. The original score for this production, composed by Kimi Recor, eloquently captures the intricate dynamics of water's movement and the diverse realms it traverses, providing a rich and evocative musical backdrop to the show's narrative. The collection will be immediately available for purchase online after the fashion show, directly through the brand's website at www.natashatonic.com. A link to register to RSVP to attend is located HERE. Photo by Gemma Totten & Ahmet Uras About Natasha Tonic Natasha Tonić is a pioneer in the plant-based swimwear movement. In 2017, she began raising awareness about microfiber pollution and the detrimental effects of petroleum-based fabrics like polyester, nylon, and polyamide on the environment. Despite initial resistance, her message gained traction, and major eco-friendly influencers like Venetia La Mana and the Stories Behind Things began supporting her cause. Today, plant-based swimwear has become an industry standard, and Natasha has inspired fabric producers to look beyond traditional materials. Her message is clear: if we don't address the problem of microfiber pollution now, it could have dire consequences for our health and the environment in the future. About Coral Morphologic Coral Morphologic is a Miami-based company that studies and preserves coral reefs through art and science. Their work has been featured in major museums and exhibitions worldwide, and their research has contributed to a greater understanding of coral reef ecosystems. About Ocean Gardner Ocean Gardener is an NGO based in Bali Indonesia dedicated to coral reef education and coral reef restoration. Since 2016 the organization has planted over 50,000 coral fragments and counting back to the reef. IG @ natashatonic By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Natasha Tonic

The live runway show will be staged at the official PARAISO Miami Beach fashion pavilion on June 9th, 2023, and will be available to customers online at kittenish.com the same day. The show will be live-streamed on their Instagram page @kittenish at 6 pm EST. After a successful launch last year as one of Miami Swim Week’s hottest fashion shows, Jessie James Decker will return to Miami Swim Week to present the latest collection of swimwear and accessories from her Kittenish apparel brand at PARAISO Miami Beach (a.k.a. Swim Fashion Week®), the world’s largest marketing event for the Swimwear and Resort Wear industry on June 9, 2023, at 6:00 pm EST. The country singer, songwriter, TV personality, fashion designer, beauty and lifestyle entrepreneur, and a New York Times bestselling author, Jessie James Decker will take advantage of Paraiso Miami Swim Week’s move a month earlier to June. The move to early June is in response to a market shift capitalizing on the time of year when most of the top swim brand sales and media coverage occurs and in turn, Kittenish will mark the occasion as the sales release date for the collection. “Kittenish is about being playful, fun, flirty, and sassy, and this swim collection displays just that”, states Jessie James Decker. This year she came to the design team with a unique vision of combining her love for a European aesthetic with her identity as a southern babe to create her best swim collection yet! Jessie captured this aesthetic by carefully selecting romantic shades of red, vibrant greens, and a mix of warm neutrals. Jessie loves traveling abroad and the romantic, sexy appeal of Italy and the Mediterranean coast so the collection keeps it spicy with subtle hints of Mediterranean prints, animal-inspired prints, and textured fabrics to give this collection that flirty Kittenish touch. Jessie and the Kittenish team are proud to say that we kept Mama Earth in mind as we sourced eco-friendly fabrics to create several of the suits in this collection. They are also proud of keeping functionality and versatility between styles as a top priority. Helping to bring the popular brand style to the runway will be a showcase of the top fashion influencers from ZOOZ Group Talent including Cindy Prado (@cindyprado - 2.7M followers), Alexa Collins (@alexacollins - 2.4M followers), Cydney Moreau (@cydrrose - 1.2M Followers), Angela Babicz (@angelababicz - 612K followers), Skyler Simpson (@skylersimpson - 873K Followers), Kyra Green (@kyra212green - 401K Followers), Leidy Amelia (@leidy.amelia - 414K followers), Justine Ndiba (@justinejoy312 - 485K followers), and Morgan Lolar (@morganlolar - 109K followers), amongst other models and talent expected to walk. In addition to the fashion show, Jessie will also serve as the keynote speaker of Miami Swim Week’s inaugural Summer Fashion Summit. This intimate summit, held on June 8-9 at W South Beach, will consist of three sessions of a panel discussion and masterclasses on each day, exploring current trends across summer fashion, sustainability, marketing, and communications, with a lineup of visionary leaders spanning the fields of design, business, publishing, technology, media, and PR. Sponsor partners from Zooz Group will help round out the promotions and gifting as one of the must-attend events. Further information about the PARAISO Miami Beach schedule can be viewed at www.paraisomiamibeach.com Press/media, buyers, fashion stylists, and other industry professionals must register at the website to receive credentials for this year’s events. ABOUT KITTENISH: KITTENISH was founded in 2014 by platinum singer-songwriter, television personality, and two-time NY best-selling author, Jessie James Decker. Launching with collaboration, it was a small collection that sold out immediately. After opening KITTENISH’s first brick & mortar store in February 2019, Jessie decided to take full control of the e-commerce business at KITTENISH’s Nashville HQ. When you feel confident and beautiful on the outside, it helps your inner beauty shine through. KITTENISH is fun, flirty, playful, and sassy. KITTENISH is more than just a look; it’s a state of mind. Look KITTENISH, feel KITTENISH, be KITTENISH. ABOUT JESSIE JAMES DECKER: Singer, songwriter, TV personality, fashion designer, beauty, and lifestyle influencer/entrepreneur, and 2x New York Times best-selling author, Jessie James Decker has emerged as a multi-platform juggernaut juggling fashion brands like her personally designed Kittenish line with three retail stores and growing, along with her television hosting duties. Signed to Warner Music Nashville, Jessie’s passion for music has made the multi-talented artist one of music’s true breakout firebrands. The singer’s authentic style immediately captivated listeners everywhere on her 2009 self-titled debut. She continued to keep it real with her second studio album, 2017’s Southern Girl City Lights, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Now it’s onto a new musical chapter of growth and empowerment with The Woman I’ve Become EP. This year, Jessie was a fan-favorite competing on the most recent season of Dancing With Stars, proving she really can do it all. Jessie lives with her husband, retired NFL player Eric Decker, and their three children, in Nashville, Tennessee. ABOUT ZOOZ GROUP: ZOOZ Group is a leading global social media influencer technology agency. Led by Head of Talent, Rohan Goswami & Director of Talent & Partnerships, Savannah Taylor -ZOOZ Group forms close partnerships with client brands in order to understand and engage powerful influencers that hold extensive global audience reach. By applying our distinctive know-how and expert capabilities we’re able to cultivate and implement innovative marketing strategies that specifically target influencers – thereby ensuring your brand message and its reach is both reinforced and pervasive. By ML staff. Images courtesy of Kittenish.

On Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 10am-2pm, a job fair exclusively focused on construction jobs for Opa-locka residents will be hosted at Sherbondy Village Community Center, 215 Perviz Avenue, Opa-locka, FL 33054. The job fair is sponsored by Link Logistics and the City of Opa-locka and will include positions with Rycon Construction, Inc, Bryant Electric, Air Tech, Wiginton Fire Protection, Downrite Engineering, JB Garage Doors, Road Runner, LR Elite Services and Diamante Construction. Event Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 offers job opportunities across seven construction focused companies “As a community we are extremely honored to offer our residents the opportunity to participate in this exciting job fair, with participation from best-in-class companies", said John H. Taylor, Jr., Mayor of the City of Opa-locka. "We welcome Link Logistics into our growing Opa-locka community and appreciate that they are embracing and providing opportunities to those who call Opa-locka home." Available employment opportunities will include project management, estimator, project engineer, apprentice, liner technician, paint shop technician, carpenters, framers, drywall installer and finisher, administrative assistant, general labor and more. These positions will serve multiple construction projects in the area, including Link Logistics’ Ironwood Commerce Center Phase II, a six building, 740,000 square feet modern logistics development. The development will incorporate traditional Moorish architecture to compliment the surrounding community. For more information and to register for the job fair visit www.opalockajobs.com By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Unsplash, Photo by Cytonn Photography

For singers – amateur and professional alike – the name Tina Turner evokes instant reverence: Turner is a singer’s singer and perhaps the performer’s performer. A highly successful songwriter, the consummate dancer and fittingly ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, Turner was the ultimate entertainer. EPA/BRITTA PEDERSEN Upon hearing of her death, I was deeply saddened. I immediately recalled the intoxicating power and timbre of her voice, her mesmerising energy and her commanding performances. I started singing sections of songs such as Proud Mary, River Deep Mountain High and of course iconic original songs, such as Nutbush City Limits. This was an intimate, sentimental, nostalgic and danceable song celebrating Turner’s roots growing up in the small town of Nutbush, Tennessee. Fierce hard work My first encounter with Turner’s brilliance and might was hearing her hits of the mid-1980s, with songs like Graham Lyle’s What’s Love Got To Do With It, Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together and – love it or hate it – the powerful rock ballad We Don’t Need Another Hero, the theme song to Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Once introduced, I immersed myself in her extensive back catalogue, soaking in her early 1960s soul, funk and emerging rock tracks. Today, I flashed back to memories of the physical energy and technical focus and practice it took just attempting to sing any Turner songs in my 20s. The degree of difficulty required to perform as Turner did cannot be understated. To sing with such consistency in such high registers, belting out song after song live with impeccable pitch, breath control, fitness, articulation and rhythmic precision is one thing. To do all of this while dancing with intense pace to highly choreographed routines throughout each show is on a whole other level. Her performance practice exemplified fierce hard work – with an immense energy and vitality in live performance. Try singing any of her songs at a Karaoke bar. Very quickly you gain some insight into the technical demands her songs require. Making songs her own For every singer, selecting a repertoire to cover is an ongoing quest. In a sea of the world’s great songs, Turner selected songs she could make her own. She remodelled every song she sang - realigning them so much that we now think of them as hers first. There are so many examples. My favourites are Turner’s formidable versions of I Can’t Stand the Rain (originally by Ann Peebles), The Best (Bonnie Tyler) and Private Dancer (Mark Knopfler). A great deal of the songs Turner was known for through the 1960s were covers. Turner’s forceful and expressive vocal delivery gave new life to these songs, realigning them with her uniquely identifiable sound and choice of vocal register, her phrasing choices and her punctuated rhythmic delivery. Turner is perhaps less known as a songwriter, but her diverse songwriting demonstrated her skill and thoughtful, well-crafted lyrics. On her 1972 album Feel Good, nine of the ten songs were written by Turner. From 1973 to 1977, Turner composed all the songs on each album. One of my favourites of her original songs is the power ballad Be Tender With Me Baby. It speaks of a request for understanding, of her loneliness and vulnerability, sung with Turner’s intensity. Across her original songs and covers, Turner’s repertoire spoke of empowerment, individual strength and the many facets of love. Beyond performing, Turner represented inner strength, spiritual depth and resilience against adversity. In 1996, when Turner was 57, she recorded her ninth studio album, Wildest Dreams. One track, Something Beautiful Remains, may not be as familiar as many of her other hits, but it is the song I have kept returning to today. In the chorus, Turner’s lyrics are sadly perfectly fitting: Words By Leigh Carriage Senior Lecturer in Music, Southern Cross University. Special Thanks To The Conversation.

Vernacular art is a genre of visual art made by artists who are usually self-taught. They tend to work outside of art academies and commercial galleries, which have traditionally been the purview of white, affluent artists and collectors. Henry Darger worked as a hospital custodian. After his death in 1973, hundreds of his illustrations were discovered. Brooklyn Taxidermy/flickr, CC BY In the U.S., vernacular art – which can also be called folk art or outsider art – is dominated by the works of African American, Appalachian and working-class people. In many cases these artists took up making paintings, sculptures, quilts or textiles outside of a day job, or later in life. In early 2023, Christie’s held an auction of outsider and vernacular art. Featuring work by American artists such as Henry Darger, Bill Traylor, Thornton Dial, Nellie Mae Rowe, Minnie Evans and Joseph Yoakum, the sale grossed more than US$2 million. Awareness and recognition of this genre has grown over the past few decades, with the Smithsonian Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C.; the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore; Atlanta’s High Museum; and the Milwaukee Art Museum building significant collections. Art history as artist history In the 1940s, the French artist Jean Dubuffet came up with the term “art brut,” which translates as “raw art,” to describe art made by mental patients, prisoners or children. The drawings of Adolf Wölfli, who died in 1930, inspired Dubuffet’s term. Adolf Wölfli’s ‘General view of the island Neveranger’ (1911). Wikimedia Commons Wölfli was a patient with schizophrenia in a mental hospital in Bern, Switzerland, who was given pencils and paper as a form of therapy. Working mostly in pencil, Wölfli created elaborate drawings with decorative borders that included symbols, letters and his own system of musical notation. In an effort to promote this genre, in 1972 the British art historian Roger Cardinal advanced the term “outsider art” to expand the canon and include more artists, such as Madge Gill, who died in 1961. Gill, a British self-taught artist who spent much of her childhood in an orphanage, started making highly patterned drawings at the age of 38, claiming to compose the works while communicating with spirits. In his 2004 book “Everyday Genius: Self-Taught Art and Culture of Authenticity,” sociologist Gary Allen Fine explains that a common facet of vernacular art is an emphasis on the artist’s biography: their personal, family and employment history. Fine observed that to collectors and dealers, these stories seemed to imbue the art with more meaning – and value. Some curators have argued that vernacular art should be included in exhibitions of contemporary art and not merely exist in its own siloed category. A detail from Madge Gill’s ‘The Transformation.’ Goggins World/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND But the relationship between vernacular artists and their promoters can be complicated. In her 1998 book “The Temptation: Edgar Tolson and the Genesis of Twentieth-Century Folk Art,” sociologist Julia Ardery explored the ways that Tolson, a self-taught woodcarver from rural Kentucky, interacted with faculty and students from the University of Kentucky, and she analyzed their influence on his art. Much of Tolson’s work was acquired by Michael Hall, who taught at the University of Kentucky at the time. Hall helped Tolson receive a National Endowment for the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship in 1981, but he also ended up selling a portion of his collection to the Milwaukee Art Museum in 1989 for $1.5 million. As the sale of Tolson’s work shows, when huge sums of money enter the picture, the line between appreciation and exploitation gets blurred. Why vernacular art matters Vernacular art extends the artistic canon in the same way that folk music reflects broader traditions of expression. It reminds everyone that art is a universal human pursuit. As the late Chris Strachwitz, the founder of Arhoulie Records, has pointed out, Black traditions of blues and roots music were not formally taught but were passed down from one generation to the next in local communities. Similarly, the architect Robert Venturi promoted vernacular architecture in his 1972 book “Learning from Las Vegas.” In it, he highlighted the ways that Las Vegas casinos and hotels were designed to accommodate the automobile and were meant to be seen as symbols, with massive, outlandish signs – an approach that most schools of architecture would have scoffed at. In doing so, Venturi ushered in more playful forms of architecture. Concepts of authenticity are central to the appeal of vernacular art. Fine art and culture can sometimes be esoteric and exclusionary, and in a time when artificial intelligence has put authorship in question, vernacular art has even more resonance. It is made by the artists’ hands, using common materials, in ways that reflect their own unique life and artistic visions. This work represents a pre-digital form of expression, accessible to anyone, that showcases what it means to be resourceful, creative and human. Nellie Mae Rowe wasn’t able to pursue her artistic ambitions until she was in her late 60s. Words By Beauvais Lyons Chancellor’s Professor of Art, University of Tennessee. Special Thanks To The Conversation.