Month: October 2020

Alex Tewfik – Inside Philly’s Food & Drink Scene

October 19, 2020 Food & Drink, Writers 49:47

Alex Tewfik is a restaurant veteran, who loves both restaurants and writing. He currently covers the Philly restaurant and drink scene for Philly Mag. He joins us to talk about his perspective and experiences in an industry that’s struggling to survive.

Ambience was always a major factor into the success of most restaurants. We discuss how restaurants are adapting now that most ambience consists of outdoor seating on a picnic table. Convenience and quality takeout has almost surpassed ambience. Alex touches on his fears that only restaurants with deep pockets will survive the pandemic. In a worst case scenario, only chains would survive.

Alex talked about his lessening expectations when he goes out for food. He is actively conscious that people are risking their lives to serve food. Expecting service at the levels before the pandemic just seems unreasonable.

What changes does Alex think remain in Philadelphia? Will streeteries continue? Does the PLCB allow to-go cocktails to continue? Will the restaurant model remain a tip-based industry for servers? Is Alex dining indoors these days?

In a hysterical Blunt Round, Alex details an injury suffered while performing a drunk dance move.

LINK:
Alex Tewfik: Instagram/Philly MagD

Antonio “Tone” Johnson: Inside the World of Black Barbershops

October 9, 2020 Artist, Authors 42:52

Antonio “Tone” Johnson is a photographer who grew up in the West Philly and Overbrook sections of Philly. He’s got a new book out called “You Next: Reflections in Black Barbershops and he’s our guest on this episode of The Philly Blunt.

Johnson’s most recent project, You Next, focuses on barber shops as sites for the cultivation of black male identity and wellness. He’s interested in capturing how those spaces and the communities within them are constructed and maintained.

Tone shares his childhood experiences in barbershops with his father and uncle and how a trip to Havana gave him the idea for the You Next project. He ran a successful kickstarter campaign behind the idea. Soon after, he was traveling the country documenting Black barbershops.

We talked with Tone about the importance of the barbershop in the Black community, what makes a barbershop special, and the importance of the vibe of the shop. He also documented haircut day at Fulton County Jail and shares the impact that day had on him.

During the Blunt segment, Tone confesses to his wildest haircut, best Halloween costume and his go to steak shop in town. We also vented about folks in the suburbs claiming they’re from Philly.

The You Next project is an important one and we think you’ll find his inspiration and process for shooting the book an interesting listen.

LINKS:
Antonio Johnson: www/Twitter/Instagram

Arnetta Johnson – The Jazz Disrupter

October 1, 2020 Activist, Entertainment, Music 43:51

Trumpeter Arnetta Johnson has performed on the world’s stage, she’s only 26 with a bright future, and she’s our guest on this episode of The Philly Blunt.

At 13, Arnetta Johnson decided to take up trumpet at Camden, New Jersey’s High School for the Creative & Performing Arts in an effort to get out of class. Four years later, she entered the prestigious Berklee College of Music on a scholarship. Soon after, she performed at the Super Bowl as a member of Beyonce’s backing band. These days, she’s leads her own band called SUNNY.

Arnetta discussed growing up in Camden, her journey to Berklee in Boston, and the culture shock of that move. It was the first time she encountered racial slurs and faced life without a corner store. She soon realized that her fellow students had far more personal training leading into their arrivals at Berklee. She locked herself away in the practice room for most of her freshman year to catch up, and catch up she did.

She made a couple of connections at a show in Philadelphia that followed her to Berklee and eventually led to a gig in Beyonce Knowles’ band for her Super Bowl performance.

Arnetta is the self-proclaimed “Disrupter of Jazz” because she wants to disrupt everything you think of when you hear the word Jazz. NPR recently called Arnetta Johnson one of the Top 20 Artists to Watch.

Current events weigh heavily on Arnetta. She candidly discusses the importance of current events influencing the music she creates and how music has always been influenced by history.

We also talked about the pressures of being a band-leader at the young age of 26 years-old.

Arnetta’s story is an impressive and inspiring story.

LINKS:
Arnetta Johnson: www/Instagram/Facebook