Hotel Review: Congress Hotel in Miami, FL

Place: Congress Hotel

Type of Place: Hotel

When visited: April 20 - 23, 2012

Location: 1052 Ocean Blvd, Miami  Beach, FL

Business Hours: 24/7

Admission/Cost: Average nightly rate $177 for Ocean view suite + $25 per person/day (Resort Fee)

Description: Treat yourself to every imaginable luxury when you book a Suite at the Congress Hotel South Beach,  located in the historic Art Deco district of Miami Beach, Florida. Our beachfront hotel offers a stylish retreat from the crowds of South Beach that allows you to enjoy the glamorous Miami lifestyle while avoiding long lines and overpriced drinks. Congress Hotel South Beach is the place to stay during your trip to Miami Beach, Florida.

Critique: I booked this hotel through BookIt.com.  The deal was great and my suite was breathtaking. The view of the ocean was perfect at all times of the day & night.  The suite came stocked with sodas, water, alcoholic beverages including wine and liquor.   We had separate bedroom/living space with full kitchen including full refrigerator, range and dishwasher. Even our bathroom was stylish with the isolated oval tub with overhead shower head!  It was amazing.  Not to mention the dual balcony access from the living room and the bedroom!!  Yes, we had 2 balconies.  I loved it.  The down side was the little-ass (LOL) TV’s they put on the wall.  They were like 15’ inch....LOL..Who does that!?!?!?.  Then there was the FREE Breakfast, that's included in the $25 resort fee....LOL.  I had continental breakfast at the holiday inn that was more elaborate than this.  They didn’t even have a waffle machine :-(  The roof top pool/bar is rather small. I feel that the rooms are designed beautifully, but everything else is short changed.  They really could step that breakfast game up!  I have to say that next time, I’ll venture to find another space. But that oceanview is PRICELESS :-)

Rating: 3 W.O.W’s

For more info on Congress Hotel please visit: http://www.congresshotelsouthbeach.com/

~  Kris, W.O.W Radio Operations Manager - Silver Spring, MD

The shower

 

The view from the room!

Avengers

Type of Media: Movie

Movie Title: The Avengers

Category: Action Film

Director: Joss Whedon

Cast:
Robert Downey, Jr. - Iron Man
Chris Evans - Captain America
Mark Ruffalo - Hulk
Chris Hemsworth - Thor
Scarlett Johansson - Black Widow
Tom Hiddleston - Loki

Samuel L. Jackson - Nick Fury

Premiere date: May 4, 2012

Where viewed: Regal Majestic Cinema (Silver Spring)

Date watched: Sunday May 6, 2012 @ 3PM

Description: After descending from space, Loki, Thor’s step-brother, wages war on Earth.  Nick Fury scrambles to re-assemble the Mega Superhero Team that have some trouble working together.

Critique: First, I must say that I’m not your typical Marvel Comics fan. Actually I don’t consider myself a comics fan at all, but thanks to movie-loving husband-to-be-in-the-future (....LOL) I have seen all the Marvel Comic movies, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor.  So when the preview for The Avengers came, it was a given that we would be seeing it.  I was not disappointed at all.  Even if you have not seen the other movies, they do a good job giving background on all the characters.  The one downfall in my opinion is how long it takes to get the to the action! LOL. The action was great. My favorite characters were Iron Man and the Hulk. They provided the comic relief in the movie and both actors did a wonderful job staying true to their original character.  Of course this my opinion. I definitely would recommend this movie, especially for you Marvel Comic fans out there!

Rating:  I give this movie 4 W.O.W’s

 

~ Kris, W.O.W Radio Operations Director - Silver Spring

Timbuktu Steak and Seafood Restaurant

Venue: Timbuktu Steak and Seafood Restaurant

Type of Venue: Restaurant and Lounge

Location: 1726 Dorsey Road Hanover, Maryland 21076

Business Hours:

RESTAURANT HOURS:
11AM TO 10:30PM

CARRY-OUT HOURS:
11:00AM to 10:30PM
7 days a week

BAR HOURS:
SUN TO THURS 11AM TO 11PM
FRI AND SAT 11AM TO 1AM

Admission/Cost: no cost for admission, only pay for food.

Description: Very quaint and spacious place. Also big in size. The food is definitely on the pricey side but has a great taste!

Critique: I loved it and would go back again!

Rating:   i give this place a 4!

For more info on Timbuktu Steak and Seafood Restaurant and Lounge, please visit: http://www.timbukturestaurant.com/

~ Persia Red, W.O.W Radio Reporter 

Hollywood East

   

As I was invited to write a blog for W.O.W Radio it was suggested to write about the nightlife and events that I cover as a photographer, but the problem is there was nothing of interest to write. I could have written about the 1 or 2 artist that shine at the weekly open mics I attend, or the incredible vocalists that I cover every Tuesday and Friday. Or maybe I should write about the industry affair I swung pass between a R&B show and a birthday party on Friday night that saw the same faces that I'm always happy to see. But I thought no,..let me write about the fact that I see those same faces every where I go. 

I have been working the DMV entertainment industry as an artist, label owner, videographer, photographer as well as a promoter for over 10 years now, and I have seen a lot of folk come and some folk go. But what I haven't seen to my displeasure is no one, city wide really take off nationally. Yes, we all see the few that have hit national radio and a couple who we've actually seen on TV but we have true grinders out here that don't get heard past there block or the local open mic night circuit. Musicians that rival the likes of Teddy Riley, producers as good or better than Swiss Beats, singers that can out blow the Keri Hilson's and rappers that go harder than Rick Ross, or are as lyrical as Eminem. Why don't we have what New York built, what Compton made, what the mid west stumbled across or what the Dirty south is enjoying? Because we don't do us. 

The fact that you are reading this blog means that you care about independent entertainment. But caring and supporting is two different things. We need to come together as a city and support the talented individuals who work hard at there crafts to provide us this entertainment. What separates Lil Wayne from Lil Cuz from around the way? Umh about a million dollars in advertisement and your support. If you look through your CD collection you can find all the CD's that you bought and just don't listen to now. That is the product of advertisement not good music. You bought the Mike Jones CD for $15 bucks when Mike Mike 'round Minnesota ave, was selling his for $5. Mike Jones had one hot track on it, Mike Mike had 4. You bought the Pedi Crack CD for $15, and listened to one song and flipped it in the back seat, you got this local artist mix tape for free at an open mic and listened to the whole joint for three days straight. The difference isn't in the music folks it's in the Support. Same deal with independent movies. There was a period where no limit dropped  a few movies. They weren't blockbuster hits, but they told a story we could relate to, had a few rappers serving as actors so we could get behind a familiar face and they made some decent money doing it. Guess what DMV we have independent film makers here that tell the similar stories, all a little closer to home, though they don't have Silk the Shocker playing the lead or Mia X as the supporting actress doesn't mean they aren't just as good. But we will never know if we don't go and see them or buy the DVD's to support.

    Now this isn't all the faults of the consumers though, artist have to except some of the blame. Movie producers have to promote. R&B artist have to advertise, rap artist have to showcase. We have to used our media outlets to our advantage. As I have worked the independent market, I have met numerous talented individuals that names were foreign to me before they stepped on an open mic stage, or shot me a movie trailer via email. Or even sang an original song at a karaoke night event. All very talented individuals. Networking is more than performing for your peers. You have to do block parties, pass out CD's, community days, handing out flyers. Once you meet a fan/friend, stay in touch with them. Keep them abreast of your moves, your successes, it helps them to feel like a part of your team. And the most important thing you can do to start to reap some of the benefits of your labor is stay true to yourself, and keep doing you. Here's my attempt to ignite the DMV fire and make the DMV, Hollywood East.

~ D-City, Photographer & Freelance Blogger - Capital Heights, MD

Screening for "School Without Walls"

Event Title:  Screening for "School Without Walls"

Event Date:  June 4, 2010 6pm-10pm

Event Address:    District Lounge, 2473 18th St NW (Washington, DC)

Event Host: Tanecia Britt of the DMV International Film Festival

Sponsor: Crystal Head Vodka

Why did you attended this event?  In support of the producer and director of the film, Tanecia Britt

Did you have an active role in this event?  If so, what & why? No, just an invited guest.

How would you decribe the setup of the event? the appearance?  Great. The location was nice as it provided an open floor and plenty of viewing opportunities of the film.

What was the highlight of the event?  Seeing Tanecia's name in the production credits ;)

What could have been better about the event?  I arrived late so I cannot properly gauge what was needed.

Give a brief summary of how you think the event turned out as a whole?  I believe people were in awe of the directorial debut of Tanecia Britt in Washington DC (she may have done viewings prior to this but this was the first that I attended). Anyhow, aside from that, the ability to converse with various talents in the DC area over Crystal Head vodka was a plus as well ;)

Pick one word that best describes the event:  Exciting

~ Sasha Vann, Publicist - Wash, DC




For more information about the DMV International Film Festival visit: http://www.dmviff.com