Love Angeles.

I’ve been to Los Angeles more times than I can count, and I’ve only recently stumbled upon Venice Beach. I know, I know how does one ‘stumble’ but I did just that. Usually whenever I am passing thru LA, I go straight to Santa Monica Pier to partake in either Mexican food or hotdog on a stick, then make my way back to the hotel/airport. However it was such a beautiful day that I couldn’t stop myself when I kept walking towards Venice beach. I see now why everyone either bikes or skates because that forty minute walk was nothing to play with. FYI, While walking I lost my damn glasses!

Venice Beach isn’t what I was expecting, although I wasn’t really expecting anything. It reminded me of soho in NYC, with a bit of market street in San Francisco, and a double dose of free spirit galore. Since I was on a tight schedule I didn’t stop and look at all the art work that was displayed up and down the side of the boardwalk. But if you have the opportunity to visit, check out all the gems I missed out on. If you’re into street art, then Venice Beach is definitely the place for you. Any type of art really, there were ‘show time’ folks performing and an amazing skate (?) park, with plenty of bikers/skaters to catch the best tricks!

Tristan Jonez

Note: Seems as the airport is close enough that you are able to see aircrafts take off frequently, while enjoying the views of the beach.

SPiN Chicago

Pig Pong Anyone?

So what does one do on a Friday Night when your flight has been cancelled? Ping Pong of course. After spending twenty minutes trying to find something to jump at me, I come across, an event at SPiN, announcing “On Friday Nights, We Play” I’m sure at some point in my life, I’ve played ping pong but playing successfully and winning games? Nah.

SPiN is definitely a feel good place with Instagram worthy decor to surely ensure your photos are poppin’, even each stall in the restroom guarantees you’ll be ‘transported’ to that place and space. Photo shoot in the future? Possibly. Mos definitely. In addition to ping pong tables, try your luck at Giant Jenga, and Connect Four.

While SPiN, May look like the perfect date night spot (It is) it’s fully interactive that solo dates, blind dates or friends meeting up, will find something that appeals to their senses. And if not, there’s ALWAYS the full service bar which boast a full menu. I recommend the seasonal mule!

Tristan Jonez

SPiN Chicago, 344 N State Str Chicago 60654

Desert Island; Tulsa

Although I doubt I’ll be in a hurry to return to Tulsa, I actually liked it. As a black woman, in the back of my mind, I’m always concerned about racism, and leaving that city alive but I just go with my gut instinct and everything usually turns out peachy. Tulsa was practically deserted, especially for a Monday, hardly any museums were opened, the temp tipped just above 93, and restaurants were virtually nonexistent!

However Religious buildings were abundant, as well as the city’s homeless population. I do wonder if Tulsa has an initiative to bring tourism to the city, because it does have potential, it gives me small town in a big city vibe. Driving in the Uber I did run into an area with life, such as shops, restaurants and dives. My curiosity is a bit peaked, I just may have to return.

FYI The Street art I did found, was of quality!

Tristan Jonez

Chinatown (SanFran)

Why y’all didn’t tell me Chinatown in San Francisco was so amazingly filled with street art? I was literally blown away with the art that was displayed on each and every street! I loved that all the pieces had some sort of dedication to asian culture. I was able to chop it up with Tupac and Bruce Lee at the same time. (Laugh) However I don’t feel as if I saw very traditional art pieces only, there was always some sort of popular culture element. Although, I don’t feel as If I truly look like a tourist while traveling, I definitely felt like one during my time in Chinatown but I didn’t let that stop me from being the touristy tourist! I tend to stay away from Boba Tea in NYC, as I’d rather not chew my tea, call it lazy, but whatever. But when in Rome, you normally do as the romans, so I had my first official boba tea, and let me tell you, it was so good! Sweet, but the mango flavored green tea was an incredible balance. I had to have something to drink while fighting to walk up all the hills!

I am a bit upset, I went all the way to Chinatown in San Francisco and I did not experience the joy that is The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. If we are what we eat, then I should be a fortune cookie! I find that I throughly enjoy that taste of a fortune cookie, its just so damn good! Whenever I order from the Chinese restaurant, before I can even get my order out, I am asking for fortune cookies! It is a must that my next visit includes a stop at the Fortune Cookie Factory!

Jonez

Art De Modern.

No matter what city I visit, I am drawn to the art museum in that city. Its almost as if my soul is being called by the artist who have painted such masterpieces. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a must see, must experience museum that I throughly enjoyed. Im not sure if museums can be feel good places, but SFMOMA surely was. I found myself falling in love again with Pop, Minimal and Figurative art, and Andy Warhol has captured the essence of my being. Roy Lichtenstein is another absolute favorite of mine! Can I tell you how I’m so not a comic book imaging fan but there’s something about HIS work that just captures my whole entire heart? His work just gives me all the feels I can handle, makes me so warm and fuzzy!

When I tell you I was on the brink of tears, tears y’all, Gerhard Richter had me feeling like I NEEDED his painting with me, in my home. Lord know its priceless, but If I could afford it, I would have placed my bet, then and there. I spent at minimum twenty minutes in a serious trans. I forgot where I was, and if it wasn’t for the scores of people visiting the museum, I would’ve taken off my shoes, and laid out as If I was watching television. Just incredible. I urge you all to visit the museum when you have a chance and just be. Clear out all the noise, and just sit with it. Sit with it as if you’re visiting with an old friend.

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: Anything Oil on Canvas, Abstract or German artists I just fall in love.

#TheMeadowsNYC

So I went to my first Music and Arts Festival, and I loved every minute!!

SideNote: I wonder how they decide who’ll perform, the order and the length of their set. It was a good flow to the schedule.

At first my only reason for attending was to sample and eat as much food as I could get my hands on. Of the three day festival, I could only get Saturday off from work, but getting to see Tory Lanez in person was the icing. So much energy! I’ll forever respect him. LL Cool J has had hits that I definitely rock with but not enough for me to see him in person, well he brought out Q-Tip, and I nearly lost my mind!! I opted not to see Future, and saw Big Gigantic. Didn’t know them before but I throughly enjoyed their set. They did a EDM collab with Biggie Smalls, so how could I not love them?

However I’m highly upset I missed Big Boi’s set. I had a killer migraine that morning, and just couldn’t get it to settle down quickly enough. I experienced Erykah Badu, but felt she was too regal to record. The food and drink option was plentiful, and I left feeling full and fulfilled.

This was the second year of The Meadows and I will surely be attending next year, all three days! Have you guys ever been?

Tristan J

Art Street.

Art/Str

Love = Street Art.

I’ve always had this obsession with street art, I love the time and energy that goes into creating something to be viewed by the World. Maybe its because I’m no Picasso, I can truly appreciate the hard work that goes into creating. From one artist to another, you guys are appreciated. I imagine, in my head, the type of art I could create with a canvas and a brush. One day I will take my paintings from my head to reality but for now, I’ll adore the works of others.

Enjoy.

Tristan J.