Mai Khoi - Bad Activist?

I went into Mai Khoi and the Dissidents' show “Bad Activist” only knowing that she had a crazy back story, was a refugee from Vietnam, and that she was very talented (like everyone Joe’s Pub has!). What I didn’t expect to experience was an incredibly educational, cultural, and art explosion! Mai Khoi walks us through her story, and the story of many Vietnamese who criticize their government, through spoken word, music (most that was sung in Vietnamese with translations on a video above her), costume changes, and visuals.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 53Jejeune MagazineFebruary 6, 2024refugee, Refugee, singer song writer, singer, Art, vietnam, activist, Joe's Pub, review, live shows, nyc, Obama, asian artist, asianComment

Scarlett Bella Song - Dancing For a Difference

Scarlett Bella Song is using her dancing to make a difference, and we couldn't be happier. She is a South Korean dancer, social media personality, and designer who started competing in dance when she was three years old. She has over 600,000 social media followers and has been dancing her way to the top. She recently collaborated with Annie and Sisters on the teen line Annie x Scarlett, which consists of 15 pieces with messages of kindness, empowerment, and collaboration. She also performed as the first and only dancers last month at the Kids Rock For Kids: Global Teen Rock Music Festival in New York City, which raised money for Ukraine and homeless youth in NYC. Continue reading to find out more about her dance, jewelry line, Asian American heritage, and involvement in the Kids Rock For Kids: Global Teen Rock Music Festival.

A Little Of Everything With Revell Carpenter

LA and NYC-based actress Revell Carpenter is more than a familiar face. Without a doubt, Revell’s training in LA, NYC, and London prove her to be an asset for all her industry endeavors which include directing and writing. Amazingly she has been at work since seven years old, and now you can see Revell starring in her short film “Goodnight”, an emotional and gritty film about ending a relationship. Other than “Goodnight”, you can see Revell in “All American: Homecoming” and “The Deadly Debutante”. With so much under Revell’s belt, you are sure to love her. We urge you to get to know Revell through our interview! If you would like to learn more about Revell’s short film, her work at the New York Public Library, and the overall fabulous human being she is, please continue reading!

The Future With Omicron

This time last year the world was faced with the toughest holiday season yet, but with the hope that next year would be significantly better. With the possibilities of further lockdowns, weakening vaccinations, and new restrictions being increasingly discussed, many now fear a repeat of 2020. Despite this being the last thing governments want to do, with the increasing fears of the new Omicron variant will it be the harsh reality we have to face?

Articles, zIssue 39Saanvi SethiDecember 22, 2021covid, omicron, testing, nyc, london, lockdown, restrictions, biden, boris, covid-19, delta, variants, CDC, NHS, vaccines, covid vaccines, WHO, booster, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, virus, masks, mandates, immunity, researchComment

Figuring Things Out With Smokelines

Two best friends and a whirlwind of experiences manifested through music. Smokelines was born out of a friendship between Californian Skylar “Sky” Blaze Star and New Yorker Faith Gara. With New York City as their backdrop, they are an ultimate dynamic duo of singer-songwriters capturing what it’s like to be young in the city. Jejune enthusiastically got to learn more about their latest single, Nirvana, a product of adjusting to the new normal as COVID-19 plunged us deeper into a digital reality. Nirvana is also a testament to their commitment to mental health awareness, in addition to their collaboration with The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. To find out more about what goes into the creativity and business acumen that goes into Smokelines, the meaningfulness of Nirvana, and mental health advocacy, read below.

Kaitlyn Velez Sings In Style

Kaitlyn Velez isn’t your typical Gen-Z songbird – she embodies the style of a New York City “It Girl.” Her aesthetic as an artist is a blend of pastel and vaporwave visuals, and her music is bubblegum pop with some R&B influences. The young singer and songwriter tells Jejune about what inspires her to create, her single “FOMO”, her Hispanic background - raices - as artistic fuel and how she gives back through the intersection of music and activism.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 29Jejune ContributorFebruary 11, 2021latinx, singer song writer, Latin American, pop star, pop, new york city, girl power, nyc, it girlComment

Janie May Gets Real

Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Janie May writes with her heart out. With a sleek style, honey-coated voice and sophisticated, yet upbeat tunes, the singer and trained social worker emphasizes the emotional aspect of life – emotions without warning yet too often felt and the source of human connection. May sat down with Jejune to talk about what she wants to achieve through music, her EP Balance Me, art and mental health in the age of coronavirus, and all the while showing us how solidarity as a guiding force takes us far.

COVER - Marcy Richardson, The Show Must Go On

What is your favorite part of New York City? If you live here, why did you move here or why did you decide to stay? If you just love to visit, why is that? I think almost every single person who loves NYC loves it, at least partly, for the arts. I moved here 10.5 years ago, 100% for the arts. I then fell in love with the grit and the people. My people, artists who make magic happen. These are the people who are being ignored. These people are hard-working and living off their art, now they are not allowed to work at all, and they are given no alternatives. This pandemic has taught us many things about our society, and one of the loudest messages is that “the arts do not matter.” But I ask you this: How will we look back on this pandemic in history? It will be through the photography, the songs, the murals, the books, and who knows what else amazing ideas and creations come from this lockdown. We won’t be all sitting around watching videos of Trump or Cuomo’s daily briefings. We will be looking towards the art. Look back on history. How do we think about the most famous moments? From a painting, a song, or a poem. We need to be supporting the arts more than ever right now! Not only do they mark our history, but they give us the most important gift of all —hope.

Jejune had the pleasure to sit down, chat with, and photograph an amazing hard-working artist in New York City, Marcy Richardson. When the pandemic hit all her venues closed, but like most NYC artists, she is full of passion and grit. She will weather this storm and come back to the stage like a phoenix. Please read further to learn a bit about Marcy’s journey.

Editorials, Cover, Editor's Pick, Most Popular, zIssue 29Kira BuccaJanuary 29, 2021performer, singer, actress, newyorker, aerialists, theatre, newyork, covid, pole, pole dancers, artist, nyc, HustlersComment

Long Testing Lines Leave New Yorkers Feeling Frustrated

The ever-growing lines at COVID-19 testing sites in NYC are a disturbing indicator of the basic public health crisis we are still facing. New Yorkers are braving insanely long lines in the cold and rainy weather to get tested for the virus, as we brace ourselves for a second deadly wave. Some people wait in these lines because they need the test for work or school. Some fear that they may have potentially been exposed, or are hoping that by getting a test they will be able to safely celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. And some, discouraged by the idea of standing for over three hours in the cold end up walking away untested.

Sirens Of Hope - Diana Sophia

As an individual who lived through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, I have been waiting for the music and art that would come from it, and Diana Sophia did not disappoint. If you did not have the experience or if you did, please take a moment to listen to her new song “Sirens.” This song will transport you to those months of 24/7 ambulance sirens and the anxiety we all felt, but she also laces in hope that came with them. This song is heavy, and not something I will listen to every day, but it is true historic art and should be respected as such. Diana might be from Mexico, but in many ways, she is nothing but a New Yorker. She is all about grit and passion. In addition to being an incredible singer-songwriter, she is a survivor and helps support an amazing organization for sexual abuse victims called Hidden Water. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Diana Sophia.

Katie Sands Is Giving Back In Style

Katie Sands, aspiring Broadway actor turned successful digital content creator, is a contemporary powerhouse. Katie gave us an inside look at her life as a content creator and the responsibility it holds in times of social injustice. Alongside sharing beauty and fashion tips on her blog, Katie also dedicates her time to supporting causes and organizations that she cares about. She is currently the youngest board member at “Make A Wish Foundation” and is using her platform to raise awareness for mental health, which is close to her since being on her own mental health journey. We talk to Katie about her collaboration with Phat Buddha, an activewear brand, and how she is dedicating all proceeds to support the JED Foundation, a foundation dedicated to mental health awareness. Inspired? We are too. Read our interview here to get the details of Katie’s creative and philanthropic outlook.