Brother Ali

I was ecstatic when I heard Brother Ali was coming to Columbia. The show last night was small but intimate. Ali told the crowd he didn't want a performance that separated him from his audience but a party that brought US all together. His set list included classics like Truth Is, and Uncle Sam Goddamn but he also went off his 2009 album US including Tightrope and Fresh Air. It was definitely a different experience than seeing him in Minneapolis where he draws a crowd packed to the brim but nonetheless still an incredible show. I had the privilege of chatting with him after the show thanking him for coming out to Columbia and talking about Minnesota. He was very genuine and made an effort to connect with the audience during the show and after.
Click here to see the photo used in The Maneater.

Fashawn opens for Brother Ali with music from his newest album "Boy Meets World"

Rhymesayers DJ BK-ONE spins at Brother Ali.

I encourage you to check out his music: http://www.brotherali.com/

Farm Dogs

I am currently working on my final project for fundamentals on a local farmer Ken Duzan. The Duzan's own two dogs that are free to roam the 10 acre plot as they please. Since I have been away from home I have really missed being around dogs so i've been having a lot of fun being around them. Most of these are at the end of the day so they are a little tuckered out but these are some happy pups.

Memorial Union

Columbia Farmers Market

Sustainable Farms and Communities Inc. gave tours of the Columbia Farmers Market for immigrants and refugees around the Boone County area. The event was put together in an effort to raise awareness among foreign communities. There were around 20 translators brought to the market that led families with five dollar tokens to buy produce,meat,and grains. The translators spoke common global languages including French and Spanish but also some African that I had never heard of such as Kinyarwanda, Setswana, and Kirundi.

Shamsa Saeed buys shallots from Kea Karen a local grower that specializes in Korean and Vietnamese vegetables.

Columbia resident Runting Li picks out items at Columbia Farmers Market on Saturday outside the Activity & Recreation Center. 

Danjo Farms is certified naturally grown and brings plants produce and herbs to the market.

Main Squeeze Vegetarian Cafe

Manager Elliot Dill and employee Wesley Powell prepare dishes on Thursday at Main Squeeze Natural Foods Café. The café's menu is entirely vegetarian and has more than 25 vegetarian and vegan-friendly items.

Pictorial

Mira Barasch flies a Barbie kite found in her basement on March 26th in St. Louis, MO.

East Coast Trip

I spent the last week and a half traveling from Columbia to St. Louis, New York, Amherst Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The weather along the way was especially strange ranging from umbrella bending rain winds to 80 degrees sunny enough to bring out some summery freckles. The most interesting part of traveling was feeling the difference in pace between cities so geographically close. I met some interesting people along the way and was able to see some monumental sights as well as into the nooks and crannies of the East Coast.