DA lady of the Week: FeleciaCruz of Fighting For Futures

I'm Definitely Amazing because....

FC: It is not all about me, it is about others too. What I will say is I am a driven passionate person who doesn’t let others stand in my way of the pursuit of my aspirations. Call me amazing if you will, I call it determined.

How does Fighting For Futures help make the underprivileged youth of the world Definitely Amazing?

FC: Fighting For Futures (FFF) is a gateway for underserved youth to recognize that they can have dreams and to help them to go after them. The children we work with know no other way of life and for most, it is a shock to even think that there is a world outside the realms they find themselves in. FFF is basically giving the children the ability to recognize that they DO have a choice. We PROVIDE the doorway into their dreams. It is up to them to follow through and to become “Definitely Amazing.”

Your campaign to help the young lady Chanty from Cambodia was a wonderful mission that through the hard work of F.F.F's was a success. What are some other big projects and missions you and F.F.F will be working on in 2010?

FC: Fighting For Futures is currently working towards settling into four different communities in third world nations and organizing free classes to the youth that will provide them with knowledge, encouragement, and individualism. We want to use photo and music mediums as therapeutics ways of enlightening and empowering the children to break out of the chain of child labor they are subjected to everyday.

You have some amazing events coming up where F.F.F will be apart, so please let the DA readers know where F.F.F will be next and what they can do to help?

FC: We appreciate and need as help and support we can get to activate our goals. The following is everything we have going on before we leave to implement our next project:

November
Friday 20th ~ All night we have Warren Britt on behalf of FFF fundraiser 8pm-2am @ Exchange in Manhattan.

Saturday 21st ~ All day holding a grand bazaar @ Gallery 151, 350 Bowery street, LES.

Sunday 22nd ~ we continue with the all day bazaar at Gallery 151.

EVERY MONDAY Starting 11/16 - 12/7 YOGA for HUMANITY @ Gallery 151 8-9pm sharp

December



Friday 4th ~ All night toy drive for Toys for Tots in conjunction with FFF 9pm- to 4am. If you believe in the goodness of mankind, you will find yourself at Crash Mansion December 4th, either to celebrate by giving back to less fortunate children in Brooklyn, or to motivate FFF funds, or because you want to celebrate my birthday with me. Whatever your reasons,attending this event in a must.
Saturday 12th ~ FFF House Party! at my place 8pm-2am 2 minute walk off the G train Bedstuty.
Saturday 19th ~ From 8pm-3am, Iheartdilla.com presents an all-star line up for FFF.
As you know being Definitely Amazing stands for going after your dreams and striving to achieve them. How has this experience, helping underprivileged youth around the world helped you to realize your inner "Definitely Amazing spirit?”

FC: Everyone has heard it takes one to know one, and I can apply that to my standing and involvement with FFF. Growing up I did not have the finer things around me, damn I didn’t have the basic necessities half the time. I know what it is like to be young and out on the streets hustling, conning and even stealing just to get by. It is a depressing carbon copy story with the kids we seek to help. They have no one to lookout for them, no one to guide them or provide for them. They are left to fend off the wolves of the world alone. I recognize a significant similarity between the path they are on with the path of my childhood, hopefully FFF makes a change for them, to be a voice, to be the stream of hope that ALL people need and deserve.

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a organization like F.F.F but doesn't know how or where to begin?

FC: It really starts with just having an idea, speaking and sharing it with everyone you know. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to have such support around me to help my idea become reality. It is the advice and directions of others that has allowed FFF to become what it is. I’d say to someone just starting to not underestimate the power of just doing it. My best friend Tammy is always quoting JFK when he said "One person can make a difference and every person should try." Don’t hesitate, fix your mistakes as you make them, use resources like family and friends, and most importantly do not give up.

Is there anyone you would like to put the spotlight on for their Definitely Amazing Talent or contribution to F.F.F?

FC: Chanty deserves thanks because without her Fighting For Futures never would have gotten off the ground. Exclusive thanks goes out to the following: Sid my husband to be, he gives me the strength to see the reasonable side of things and even coined our name. Tammy Warner who has been my partner in crime since we were 10 is a co-founder of FFF and does all of the writing, PR, and administrative duties for us. Initiative radio with Angela McKenzie who has wrote a multitude of press releases on behalf of FFF and is always in attendance at our events. Victoria Holt our devoted photographer, and Natalie Crue a recent member who has been a superstar at helping me with a ton of events and other random things. And last but not least thanks to all of our futures fighters: Sosa Management & Eric Sosa,Warren Britt, CYM, IX II V records, Zeps,Spills, Elus, Marthalicia Matarrita, MizMetro, Jasmine Solano, Bless Roxwell, Tasty Keish, Grungecake Crisis Magazine, Dj Illy P, Lindsay from nomadderwhere.com, The Bloom Effect & to all the other enthusiasts. Thanks to Sperry Topsiders & Kodak for believing in our mission and of course, thank you LeRoi for featuring me on your DEFINITELY AMAZING blog!!

Ultimate goal for 2010, for Fighting For Futures?

FC: Our goal is to hit 4 countries in 2010 and conduct successful photo & music therapy classes.

Where else can people contact you and get more info on Fighting For Futures?

FC: FFF’s website is under formation but to get some info visit my website feleciacruz.com and click on the fighting for futures tab. You can reach out to me at booking@feleciacruz.com. If you have general questions or would like to work on a project with us email FFF’s administrative director at tswarner@fightingforfutures.org.

Check out her youtube
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More info on FFF

Definitely Amazing Lady: Talented, Beautiful Bridget Barkan

I'm Definitely Amazing Because...

BB: I am a wild woman howling at the moon, laughing at myself, singing for my soul, for the broken hearted, for the people, for love


What does it take for someone to be considered Definitely Amazing?

BB: I think it's about, not just being good or even great, or even masterful at what you do but about how you connect to other people, about what you really believe in and what you are truly living for. You are definitely amazing when there is no line, no boundary between you and the audience, between you and the world. When your art doesn't separate you but brings you closer together. When it’s ego less and free.

Bridget you are a Multi talented woman, you act, sing, write, and Play Guitar. What are some of your other Definitely Amazing Talents?

BB: Well...I love kids. They are so important to me and I'm proud to say they really love me too. So I see that as a talent, a gift. I'm a big kid and I'm not afraid to make a fool of myself just hear them laugh. My day job, actually can't even call it a job is...playing music for kids. I am the resident music teacher at a school for children with special needs. Some of them are autistic, others have some learning and physical disabilities. They bring me so much joy.

I am also a dancer. I started taking ballet at 3 years old and have danced on and off for years from tap, musical theatre, jazz to samba, break-dancing and African dance. I recently started dancing again after 6 years and I love it. It's my meditation. I also went to film school for 2 years and I love screenwriting and directing. Huge fan of documentaries and look forward to making my own films someday too.


Your songs are diverse in where they also incorporate comedy blended with Heartache. Why do you choose to write like this, and how do you manage to create such diverse tracks?

BB: Well...that's my thing, I guess. Like Billie Holiday's song "A Fine Romance," it's called a sarcastic love song. I have some of those. Sarcasm and humor is a big part of my personality and it comes through in my music. Maybe cuz I'm a born and raised New Yorker, Hip-hop lover which I feel influences me with the cleverness and wordology or being half Jewish or my acting and improv background, or my parents who are both nuts, having always said the one thing they had in common was sex and humor. Haha...so combing the humor and my experiences of intimacy seems natural. Releasing the spectrum of emotions through music is very healing. I do songs like that with my kids at school. We laugh and then we pretend cry, which of course leads to more laughing. This is the kind of journey I want to bring people on with me. That it's only emotions and they pass and there's beauty in the sadness. Billie Holiday said "The blues to me is when you're sad, when you're sick, going to church, being very happy, there are two kinds of blues happy blues and sad blues..."

Heartbreak Lane is one of my favorite songs, how did that song come about?

BB: I was talking to a friend of mine on instant message, she lives in London. I asked her how she was doing, she said in heartbreak lane and that phrase stayed with me throughout the day. It was a lazy one. I didn't leave the house, just played music and talked on the phone. The seasons were changing. I learned this song by Joni Mitchell called "Both sides now" and the chord fingering she used was really challenging and I got inspired to use them. I played a couple chords and literally prayed to the universe, to God, for a new song. A song that wasn't word for word about my last relationship but about something bigger than me, bigger than my heartbreak. And I was reminded of Heartbreak Lane and then it just happened to me. The story unfolded. My own heartbreak really connected me to everyone, like the song says, "This is the place where we all feel the same pain."

I recently got the opportunity to see you perform live at BK's Rock The Block concert. What was your favorite experience of that event and who was your favorite performer?

BB: I loved being apart of that line-up. The Amazing Honey La Rochelle and Jesse Boykins III actually sang back up for me in my old band "Addictive Mama." And seeing an old high school friend who sang back-up for Yazarah was really dope. But I have to say my favorite performance was HEAVY. Sick music, sick vocals...vibe, everything. Love them.

All this month on DA, the theme is "Stand up 4 something Don't fall For anything" we are showcasing causes dear to our hearts. What's one organization or cause that you would love to spotlight and why?

BB: There are too many causes to say one. But I would have to say health care for all is a major one for me and the state of our planet. But in general I also I have a huge problem with capitalism and our consumer culture. Don't know if communism is a possibility in our lifetime or ever. But I believe there must be a better way to live than this without the greed and selfishness, where everyone can be taken care of equally. Here are a couple of websites that talk about things that are important to me and people should really check out.

www.notstupid.orgwww.michaelmoore.comwww.healthcare-now.org/

What's harder performing in front of crowds or Acting?

BB: Well they both have their difficulties. People always say when you act you can hide behind the role but sometimes I can hide behind the guitar and feel free in a different reality as an actress. I am exposed and vulnerable in both areas but being yourself and sharing your music is definitely on a whole other level. I struggle with myself up there. Lots of voices. Like, you really want to hear what I have to say? And it seems people do and I love putting on a show and connecting.

What's next for you in the divine 09 and beyond?

BB: I will be finishing up my album Heartbreak Lane. Working on a film in the winter and preparing for my Jan 15th show at the Blue Note. And doing what I can for my community and environment of course. I am looking forward to touring around the country and the world. My goal is to make sure whatever city, state or country I am in, to service the people of that place in anyway possible. I want my life to be dedicated to music, to laughter and to the people.

Anything else you would like to say to the fans and the DA Audience?

BB: Stay true to yourself and your vision. If you want to join my team, holler! bridgetolove6@gmail.com I am finding new family members everyday and its a beautiful thing. Peace

Betty's Battle: Do your part to stop ALS

ALS destroys the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles (including those used for breathing and swallowing), causing extreme muscle weakness and ultimately paralysis, while leaving mental function intact.

Striking healthy, fit adults in the prime of life, ALS usually is fatal within three to five years after diagnosis, without the use of mechanical ventilation.

Nancy O’Dell, longtime co-host of the entertainment newsmagazine “Access Hollywood” and author of the book Full of Life, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) have founded Betty’s Battle in honor of O’Dell’s mother who died of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, last year.

Last Night on WWE's Monday Night Raw Nancy O'Dell was the guest-host and she teamed up with the WWE to support the organization of "Betty's Battle" ALS is something many Americans battle with each day and if you would like to help in the battle go to The Donation page

FRESH N DEF 2: Bigger, Fresher, & Deffer

Now accepting Track submissions for Fresh N Def 2 so if ya want to be apart of the latest Fresh N Def hit me up send all tracks 2 Definitelyamazing@gmail.com

DA Lady of the week: The Gorgeous Montana Deleon

1900Montana.com is a site fellas out there should know very well, because it's The site of Author, Mother, Sex Guru, and Internet model sensation Montana Deleon. Montana Deleon is a fan favorite among the men and women who know her and love her work. With her long awaited book (How to treat your man like a King) almost done and her videos on Youtube making waves, she is on task to be bigger than she probably imagined.

Finish this Sentence I'm Definitely Amazing Because.....

Md: I'm not only beautiful and sexy, I have so many other talents that create substance behind my looks.

What does it take for someone to be considered Definitely Amazing?

Md: To display some kind of talent that keeps you coming back for more.

What do you consider F'N Fantastic Fashion?

Md: Whatever Rihanna wears, lol!

You are no novice when it comes to sex appeal and sex advice, what are some of the tips and advice ladies will find in your Upcoming book "How to treat your man like a King" ?

Md: Cooking skills, massaging, communication, how to cater to your man and be his sanctuary.

What's next for 1900Montana.com?

Md: I'm in the process of producing a love, sex and relationship talk show.

We all know your Definitely Amazing, but are there any other woman or man you would categorize as Definitely Amazing?

Md: Oprah is oh so Amazing to me to keep reinventing herself and coming up with new avenues of reaching the public


Anything else you want the DA readers to know about you?

Md: Please stay tuned for big things from me.

You guys and gals can find out more about Ms. Montana Deleon at these links:

1900Montana.com
DailyMotion:Montana
Montana's Youtube
Montana's facebook
Twiiter

Domestic Violence Prevention Awarness month

It is October and It is important to remember it is Breast Cancer Awarness Month but it is also Domestic Violence Month. I wanted to put the spotlight on this cause because it holds a personal place in my heart for me. My Mother was a victim of Domestic Violence and she left my father in order for me not to grow up in that violent houshold. Love shouldnt hurt isnt just a statement it is the truth women and men should know that it is never alright for a spouse, significant other, girlfriend, or boyfriend to hit you. It is a natural right to be safe, and feel safe in our lives, so we should never think it is alright for anyone to take this natural right away from us. Remember No One should EVER put their hands on you.

F'N Fantastic Fashion: The Hundreds

Today I'm Spotlighting West Coast clothing company "The Hundreds".
I'm pretty sure you've seen their clothes or fitteed hats somewhere in a vidoe or even on the subway worn by a skater kid or maybe even a hot looking girl. Either way I know you'll love it because it's unique and fresh. These guys from The Hundreds not only sell fitted caps but they sell Kicks, T-Shirts and even Button ups. They recently released thier new magazine with everyone's favorite co-host G4's own Olivia Munn From Attack Of The Show. This is a must have if ya like creativity and dope freshness.