Two Men Who Feed Pittsburgh Culture Join Drinking Partners Podcast

Day Bracey and Ed Bailey of Drinking Partners with Thomas Agnew and D.S. Kinsel of Boom Concepts

On the latest episode of Drinking Partners podcast with Ed Bailey and Day Bracey, Thomas Agnew and D.S. Kinsel join the conversation.

Both D.S. and Thomas operate Boom Concepts, which the Drinking Partners combo claims has heavy influence in Pittsburgh's popular culture.

"Fuck the culture," Thomas says. "I feel like everybody just rides the waves... We don't follow any standards."

Instead of latching on to the trends or playing it safe, D.S. and Thomas are a part of the formula which makes Pittsburgh culture pop. D.S. is a self-trained artist and creative businessman. Thomas has been the brain behind the city's "word up magazine" since 2007, Jenesis.

Together, D.S. and Thomas combined to create Boom three years ago, which promotes and provides resources to a creative community in The 'Burgh.

"We feeding the culture [and Boom is] a place to cook," D.S. says.

Fundamentally, Boom Concepts is a workspace foremost, then a gallery (voted the third best gallery for local artists by the Pittsburgh City Paper) and incubation hub for art and entrepreneurship.

Through all the gentrification happening in the city's East Liberty neighborhood where Boom locates, the venue is a constant beacon for African American business and fun.

Whether it is from D.S.'s roots in The Hill District or Thomas' transfer from Toledo, Ohio to the city for schooling at the Art Institute in the early 2000s, both men are tapped into Pittsburgh.

The young men have created a safe space where people are "comfortable not being judged," Thomas says. Events like breastfeeding class, yoga class, and Wine and Trap have featured at Boom. Rap video has filmed in their basement and on their stage. 

Additionally, "we show artists how to be professionals... we support you conceptually," D.S. continues.

One of the ways the partners get support and show support is through grants. "Talk to Heinz Endowments, talk to Pittsburgh Foundation, the money is there for you to get," Thomas urges. There is free money available to artists in The Steel City. They just have to apply themselves to receive it. "We tell all the young niggas, you're not an artist, you're a creative entrepreneur," D.S. says. People need to think of themselves as a small business and find the money opportunities that will allow them to live off their craft.

Along with talk about D.S. and Thomas' joint and personal pursuits, episode 92 of Drinking Partners podcast comments on African Americans doing better at supporting one another. We have to "team up," Thomas says. "Throw the rope back over" once you make it to a place of stability and achievement, D.S. adds.

Listen to D.S. and Thomas' advice and their stories about hood awareness here in the newest episode of Drinking Partners, the best local podcast according to the City Paper.

More than anything, the effort from all the parties involved continues to contribute to the progression of the city of Pittsburgh.

Boom Concepts

5139 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15224

An Appropriate Place to Discuss Sneakers

Curated by Sean Beauford

There is cultural significance in sneakers. Beyond wearing a shoe for comfort and function, some people wear certain brands and silhouettes because they symbolize a popular adoration for sports, music, creativity, and style. Some people have accomplished great achievements in their shoes that the footwear itself becomes historical in-line with the person's legend. Heroes like athletes Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan, musical talents like Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, as well as genius Steve Jobs all triumphed in their Reebok, Jordan, adidas, Nike, and New Balance sneakers respectively. Factors such as these, along with special colorways and limited collaborations with exemplary design houses, make many sneakers attractive to wear and valuable to collect.

Frequent curator of art exhibitions in the Pittsburgh area Sean Beauford expounds sneaker culture with his new forum. "GRAIL abandons the idea of sacred material possessions, reconsiders consumption, and urges thoughtful creating," is written at ongrail.com. 

Through an exhibit and panel discussion, artists John Geiger, Dylan Graves, LinShuttr, as well as entrepreneur Soley Ghost, and moderator Grits Capone underline the significance and complexity of iconic shoes, nicknamed after the Holy Grail.

GRAIL's cast mates all have their own contribution to or appreciation for sneaker culture. John Geiger's imagination has led him to craft many unique designs with Nike's Air Force 1 and his own collection of footwear. Artist Dylan Graves offers an abstract representation of Jordan Brand's beauty while illustrator LinShuttr plays into MJ's icon. Soley Ghost is the proprietor of a couple sneaker shops, like East Coast Boutique in New Jersey. Poet and journalist Grits Capone will concentrate the conversation on an all-encompassing culture.

Establishments in Pittsburgh's East Liberty support Beauford's GRAIL and GRAIL TALK. The Kelly Strayhorn Theater presents the show, and sneaker consignment store Refresh PGH sponsors the affair. Music by iB-Rease will aid the atmosphere. GRAIL will open on Thursday, October 13 at Ace Hotel, also in East Liberty. Discussion will be held from 6-7 p.m. and after the gallery will unveil.

Ace Hotel

120 S Whitfield St

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Gil Veni Vici Presents "East Side Story"

Gil Veni Vici photographed by Wain Tan

Gil Veni Vici, best known for his image in streetwear campaigns for Los Angeles stalwarts like The Hundreds and Menace, is about to level up in the creative industry. The young, East L.A. native appears poised and ready to embark on his career as an artist and businessman, but first, he celebrates the city that raised him.

"East Side Story," is his multidisciplinary art exhibition on display at HVW8 Gallery in L.A. With large installations, a performance piece, and photographs, Gil shares his perspective on life and style rooted in the culture representative of where he is from. "Eastside Story" draws on his real-life experiences in L.A.'s El Sereno neighborhood, and his lifestyle while being influenced by his Mexican-American heritage and urban community. "Don't forget where you come from," Gil says.

The exhibit mostly features portraits of Gil taken by local photographers, like Castro Clifton, Adri Law, and Estavan Oriol. Leading the creative direction, Gil selected his friends and legends to capture the feel of East Los Angeles through his own natural persona. Inside the gallery, viewers become exposed to Gil's mind. The performance piece demonstrates a poker game sequence with the players being opposing gangsters and a mermaid card dealer. Here viewers are invited to visualize a fantasized scene from Gil's childhood. A large Virgin Mary shrine also stands surrounded by holy candles and rose petals. A wall tagged by Spanto of lifestyle label Born and Raised serves as a backdrop. "Details are important," Gil said about the curating process and inspiration for his exhibition.

Later into the night of the exhibit's opening reception on September 23, guests gathered in the gallery's parking lot which quickly turned into a party. Lowriders and quads added to scene. L.A.'s community was also out in full support - Jordan Clarkson of the Lakers, OverDoz's Joon, and Anwar Carrots were a few of the local legends in the crowd who came out and enjoyed the show. The whole experience was "overwhelming [with] so much love and positive energy in the air. I was really appreciative," Gil recalls.

On behalf of his efforts, he says, "I had to represent and show people you can do anything you want, just be creative."

Visual impressions, captured by Wain Tan, from the opening reception can be seen throughout this write-up, but experience Gil's "East Side Story" for yourself from now until October 16.

HVW8 Gallery

661 N Spaulding Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90036

Creatives Ale - A Beer for Every Street

The pair who throws free events with free alcoholic beverages takes the next step in their curated experience. Chancelor Humphrey and Cody Baker of Creatives Drink, the networking function doubled as a party, supply their own beer.

While the Creatives Drink series connects Pittsburgh's youthful generation with local businesses, especially distilleries, crafting their own liquor is a "no brainer expansion," Chance says in an interview on the latest episode of Drinking Partners podcast.

In collaboration with War Streets Brewery, opening soon on the Mexican War Streets of Pittsburgh, Creatives Drink offers Creatives Ale. The special red ale is brewed and packaged in minimal quantities and aims to "introduce [the public] to local liquor and beer," Cody says in the podcast. The breweries, distilleries, and wineries that Creatives Drink will work with will handle the alcohol, but Chance and Cody will handle the marketing aspect. Creatives Label controls how people perceive what they drink.

Chance and Cody try to inspire people to do something of their own in addition to offering experiences and products that showcase the best of Pittsburgh.

"If you have an idea just follow the steps to do it," Chance says. "This idea for the Creatives Label is a huge leap in a new direction. Creatives Ale can be and probably will be in bars in three or four months," Cody says.

People can sip Creatives Ale at Creatives Drink 7 (T.B.A.) or at LOCAL on the Rocks, a cocktail competition, on October 6. Also, listen to episode 88 of Drinking Partners podcast with Chance and Cody where the CD duo spill details on their new branch of Creatives Drink, Voyage, which is a party on a yacht with upscale liquor like D'Usse.

War Streets Brewery

1416 Arch Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Thrival Combines Innovation and Music in Pittsburgh

With its blue-collar industry past, Pittsburgh now reinvents itself as a rising technology hub and do-it-yourself, entrepreneurial boomtown. New and creative ideas breathe throughout the city and a welcoming market support the enterprising spirit.

Three years ago, Thrival Innovation + Music Festival was one of the new and creative ideas in town. The forum provokes thought and the arts due to "innovation-focused programs punctuated by a weekend concert featuring some of the best emerging national music acts and top-tier headliners." The event also seeks to "introduce Pittsburgh as the world leader in post-industrial economic development."

Thrival, part of the Thrill Mill, Inc. nonprofit group, is attractive because it serves as an "incubator and accelerator for early-stage entrepreneurs," while providing a contemporary music outlet. Many people flock to the event, 2,000 showed the first year, 7,000 the second year, and 10,000 people attended in 2015.

Looking for continuous growth in 2016, Thrival is set to put on a bigger production than ever before. The Innovation portion will feature three days each with a separate theme. There will be four keynote speakers, more than 30 programs, and more than 50 total speakers. For example, Dr. Bennett Omalu, the man who discovered "CTE" and its link to professional football during his work in Pittsburgh, and Eugene Robinson, a journalist and Washington Post contributor, will give keynote talks. Programs hit on subjects like the rise of podcasts, food culture, and "How to Build a Music Town."

Innovative interactions will run Tuesday, September 20 through Thursday, Septemeber 22 at places like Alloy 26 Auditorium and New Hazlett Theatre on the North Side of Pittsburgh. After, Thrival's weekend music festival kicks off on Friday, Septemeber 23 to Saturday, Septemeber 24. Headliners include electronic act The Chainsmokers, DJ and producer Hudson Mohawke, hip-hop specialist Ty Dolla $ign, and more. The concert site pays homage to Pittsburgh's old industry ways as Carrie Furnaces, a former steel plant in the Swissvale and Rankin, Pa. neighborhood, will host two stages for musical performances.

In an effort to promote Thrival's musical event, Pittsburgh-based, cultural publication Jenesis Magazine produced several 10-minute music mixes by local DJs. Artists like Christo and DJ Topgun sample some sounds attendees will hear next weekend. Listen to all of the mixes here and go to Boom Concepts tonight from 7-10 p.m. to hear the mixes played live.

For more Thrival information, tickets, and venue locations go here.

Carrie Furnaces

623 E. Eighth Avenue

Homestead, PA 15210

Boom Concepts

5139 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15224