Kinect the Dots

In mid-February a select group of tastemakers, bloggers, early adopters and media were invited to an intimate event in New York City. Once there; they were given an up close and personal introduction to Xbox's super secret Project Natal as chronicled in Project Natal: Rebirth of Gaming. Project Natal was Xbox's answer to Nintendo's Wii, with an interesting spin -- the player became the controller -- and picked up where Sony Playstation left off with the EyeToy. Guests tried their hand at a retooled version of Ball Breaker. Players flung their arms, kicked up their legs and on occasion used their heads to keep the ball in play with the aid of a trusty avatar.

Months later many of those same guests were invited to share in the Project Natal for Xbox 360 Experience at E3; the gaming world's Mecca. Ladies Lotto's Chrystina Woody and Jessica Lange (both from Edelman for Xbox) shepherded designer Samantha Edwards (LLNY), YouTube make up guru Melissa Ponce de Leon, writer Lindsey Murphy, me and others into what was likely to be an unforgettable experience.

We were jetted off to Los Angeles for four days and three nights. Upon arrival we were given quite possibly the best welcome goodie bag one could receive, including a guide to the city -- which went along well with Liz Wasserman's (LLLA) guide to what's cool in the City of Angels, sun block, the most comfy poly-cotton tee ever and a few other much welcomed surprises. Later we met the rest of the crew we would be sharing some quality time with during the "experience". Other guests were bar owner Danny Marino, an Olympic gold medalist -- with shiny medal in tow and Heidi, an amazing mom blogger. At the meet and greet we pondered what we would be seeing the following night at Cirque du Soleil's performance and afterward at Loft 7.

The following day we were off to have the time of our lives. First there was a pre-party at The Lab Gastropub in Downtown LA. In between bites we took some time to bang the drum as a part of the interactive experience of the Project Natal World Premiere Imagined by Cirque du Soleil at The Galen Center.

After our stomachs were filled with the delicious treats produced by the staff at The Lab we headed over to The Galen Center -- it seemed like a circus. Thousands of people were gathered outside, eagerly awaiting what was in store inside the venue. The entryway was inhabited by undulating dancers draped in multicolored ethnic garb and "tribal" makeup. Upon entering the venue we were given the oddest looking gowns: shiny, white and held up by quite possibly the largest shoulder pads created by man. We weren't quite sure if we were going to experience outer-space travel. While we were waiting for the show to start there was lots of chatter about what the real name of the peripheral was -- many settled on Kinect and lo and behold, they were right!

Cirque du Soleil dancer

The Cirque du Soleil show was quite unlike anything I've ever seen. Odd tribes people ran back and forth in the center of the room uttering an unintelligible language while engaging the audience in dancing, marshmallow making and a game of Telephone; complete with cups and string. To make matters more interesting, a family was suspended approximately 20 feet above us with no explanation. Later, another wonder -- gamers; men women and children played upside down, sideways and any which way imaginable on another wall. Each sequence of play introduced us to another game; Kinectimals, Kinect Sports and Kinect Adventures. For the gamer who was a little more hardcore they revealed Star Wars for Kinect. Also, the secret of the space gowns was finally revealed. The shoulder pads contained RFID chips that allowed producers to create waves of color sequences as a part of the show's finale. After such a spectacle how could we not be left glowing?

Sean Gallagher and KK Graham

The party didn't stop after the show. We were ushered over to the trendy Loft 7 at the Haas Building for another hands on experience complete with drinks, treats and music by Ladies Lotto's DJ Lady Sha. There we lined up to play the games previewed at the Cirque du Soleil experience and a few more: the wildly popular Dance Central and Kinect Joy Ride.

DJ Lady Sha on the decks

Samantha Edwards and Danny Marino playing Kinect Joy Ride

Kinect Joy Ride

Kinect Sports

Dance Central

Based on the name of the peripheral and the games introduced, Kinect is definitely geared towards families first and foremost. It's all about making the human connection and moving. The games encourage you to play in a team setting and are a great substitute for those days when you can't get to the gym. Kinect does away with passive game play and really invites players to get in the game. The event in and of itself was a bonding moment since many people who were strangers became friends.

Xbox has taken gaming to a whole new level and I am so there! Gamers can't wait to see what else Xbox has in store for Kinect. Units are already being pre-sold and they are moving fast.

November 4th -- get Kinected!

Clockwise: Sean Gallagher (designer); Chrystina Woody (Edelman for Xbox) KK Graham, Ladies Lotto; Lindsey Murphy, Edelman's Jessica Lange

Stay tuned for the Slideshow!

TONIGHT IN LA: Lioness LA's 4 Year Anniversary Party

Four years ago Lioness LA roared and the world listened! Come out to celebrate with Ladies Lotto's DJ Lady Sha and Aneesah in support of a great cause. Nightscape 2010 raises awareness for The Harmony Project

TONIGHT, Thursday, 6.17.2010
9pm-2am

Villa
8623 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood

Music by DJ Lady Sha
Art installation by Julia Rauda

RSVP to List@LionessLA.com for entry.
Complimentary entry, gift bags & special giveaways!

Lovemade DJ Lady Sha Do It

It's been months in the making and Ladies Lotto LA members DJ Lady Sha and the dynamic duo called Lovemade have delivered a bouncing baby of a mix. Vibrate is a mix made for loving and celebrates all things sensual. The ladies have combined the sexy, soulful and down right scandalous sounds of r&b, hip hop, dubstep, reggae and more to get you in the mood.

Click here to shake things up with Vibrate.

DISCLAIMER: Lady Sha and Lovemade take no personal responsibility for babies made while listening to this mix.

Resolve To Party Your A$$ Off

Resolve to have a blast this New Years Eve. Don't let NYE catch you on the couch -- unless it belongs to someone else. Visit Going.com to find out what's happening in your city. Going's got the details on thousands of parties in more than 25 U.S. cities!

Our picks for New York and Los Angeles?


Casino Royale

LLNY member Ngozi Odita and the Block Association bring the finest in style to this spy worthy event located in DUMBO.

9pm-5am
1 Front Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Click here for more info and tickets.


Black & White Vegas Style Extravaganza
LLLA's DJ Lady Sha will be on the ones and twos, spinning just about everything.

7pm
Dakota Lounge
1026 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Click here for more information.

Even if you end up on the couch -- though we do wish you'd get that ass on the dance floor -- you can move your body to a special NYE mix by LL's DJ Lady Sha and Hellzbellz.

She's A LLADY: DJ Lady Sha

1) How long have you been a Ladies Lotto member and how has it benefited you?

I've been in LL for a few years now and feel privileged to be apart of a network of women at the head of their industries. I love the company I keep when I get my daily digest and read what all the ladies are up to. I've partnered with several of the ladies in their events or in having them sponsor my events. Also, I love landing in a city and linking with a Ladies Lotto member that noticed my travels online. It's an instant comfort zone in new cities.

2) Being raised in LA, you were surrounded by other cultures and music. Did your parents take issue with your musical tastes, or did they embrace it?

My musical tastes were always my own... listened to in the privacy of my bedroom, headphones, or car (once I could drive). My parents left my taste in music alone. My dad listens to KCRW all day and my mom is a 80's & 90's pop lover.... I now love dropping some of the jams I'd hear on the radio stations they used to play.

3) Music is such a male dominated industry and it's hard for ladies to get props, particularly turntablists. What made you want to take that on?

I was always the girl that wanted to do the hobbies exclusive to boys. It began with guitar, then surfing, water polo, & finally DJ-ing. With DJ-ing, it satisfied my passion to pursue music while also being an immediate source of income. Ignoring the boys-club aura of it, I broke right into the professional DJ circuit after graduating from CAL. Ambition & hunger can make one circumnavigate any static.

4) How did you get your start DJ'ing?

I was a sophomore at Berkeley studying pre-med & anthropology while also taking on way too many extra-curriculars for my own good. My neighbor needed students to get funding for his DJ course on campus and begged me to enroll. I begrudgingly joined the course and within 2 weeks bought my own turntables & my path in life was drastically changed forever.

5) What DJ's (male or female) do you respect and who were you inspired by?

I have always been inspired by DJ Valida who holds the role of a female DJ down with such beautiful energy & warmth. Being a filmmaker, singer, model, & world traveler, she also reminds me it's possible to juggle many hats in life gracefully and never limit yourself. She was actually one of the first people that told me I should join Ladies Lotto.

DJ AM has been an inspiration to me not only in his talent as an incredible DJ, but as a human. At his memorial, one of his best friends said that AM used to advise his managers in business, "Be fair" and "Make sure our side of the street is clean." Additionally, many people had stories of how AM had helped them stay on their path of sobriety. As a DJ, he paved the way for people in our profession that play multi-genre sets to be able to someday make 20K a night & reach celebrity status unheard of before for a hip hop DJ. If I give my life's work the love, passion, dedication, and energy he gave to DJ-ing, I'll have succeeded.

6) You're the party-goer and not the DJ. What makes YOU want to move?

A DJ maintaining and building the energy of a night song to song without losing the dynamic of the beat in transitions. My favorite DJ's are ones that take me on a journey through memory lane, energetics, & vibe.

7) Which do you prefer? Spinning vinyl or digital?

Ideally, I love to spin digitally using serato with a vinyl interface on turntables. Best of both worlds.

8) The music industry has changed so vastly in the past 4 or 5 years. What do you think of the current trends in music and what do you miss?

I don't pay attention to current trends in music as much as I keep an ear out for innovative artists and those progressing the leading edge of their genres.
With music being as accessible as a simple & immediate download, there's been an increase in the amount of sounds I have to sift through to find gems, which is of course more time-consuming. I miss the feeling of buying a new album and listening to it over and over again while I pore over the cd's album art & insert.

9) To add to that, what artists are you absolutely feeling?

I could be here until next week answering that question because of the hundreds of mp3's I go through weekly. There's a fresh movement in LA's underground featuring earth shaking artists such as Rob Roy, Flying Lotus, & The Gaslamp Killer. Even if I don't fell an artist's entire repertoire, I always have a few songs every week that I cannot get enough of. This week, it happens to be Jay-Z's "Venus vs. Mars" off the new Blueprint 3 album.

10) You were already successful as a DJ, so what made you want to go a step further and start LionessLA? What do you hope to do with this venture?

LionessLA is a special events and marketing firm I founded with my business partner Aneesah Williams so that we could have the institution in place to create events we can call our own from their conception to their presentation. Instead of DJ-ing other people's events & fitting into their concept of nightlife, LionessLA is a way for us to produce events that combine our passions for quality music, live art displays, fine dining, fashion, & philanthropy. We began in 2006 with a mission to innovate Los Angeles nightlife with the LionessLA signature. With Los Angeles underway seasonally, we can now focus on collaborating with other cities around the world in addition to expanding Lioness Entertainment to take on other aspects in the music industry beyond event PR.

11) And lastly, we all know DJ's who don't seem to care about people sitting DOWN. What are your top five make-them-move, rump-shaking, no-parking-on-the-dance-floor jams of all time?

1. Get Your Freak On - Missy Elliot
2. Shorty Swing My Way - Kp & Envy
3. Shake it to the Ground - Rye Rye
4. Bucky Dun Gone - M.I.A.
5. Do My Ladies Run This Mutha - Memphis Bleek ft. Jay-Z

LionessLA online

Hear Me Roar! LionessLA Celebrates 3 Years

LionessLA invites you to celebrate their three year anniversary at Crown Bar for the annual Nightscape summer launch party.


TONIGHT
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
8:00p-2:00a

Crown Bar
7321 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046

RSVP: LIST@LIONESSLA.COM for guest list. Entry is free on list.
Crown Bar serves appetizers, dinner, and full bar (Bottle Service Available: VIP@LionessLA.com)


Art Installations // Pop-up shop by Apartment 3 // Giftbags & giveaways from sponsors // Music by DJ Lady Sha & special live performances until 2am


On behalf of LionessLA & guests, Whole Foods will be making a donation to the Downtown Women's Center in honor of this event.


Supported by Vimby, UrbanDaddy, Fusicology, & CandiedCartel

Members of the Month - October 2008

Ladies Lotto Los Angeles

Shaden Tavakoli

A turntablist, musician, vocalist, and nightlife innovator, Shaden Tavakoli, aka Lady Sha, continuously returns home to LA a citizen of the world as reflected in her eclectic DJ sets. Gracing stages both nationally and internationally, Lady Sha is one of the world's top female DJ's. Most recently, she became the first female to win the annual Winter Music Conference DJ Spin-off in WMC history (Miami, 2008).

Born in Iran and raised in Los Angeles, Shaden was exposed to a wide range of music from an early age. Her training in turntablism began while attending UC Berkeley as a double-major in pre-med and anthropology. Upon graduating, she turned her focus completely to music. Spinning heated hip-hop sets fused with electro, soul, rock, house, reggae, and global sounds, she has moved dance floors worldwide. One of the few female DJ's rocking parties in Jamaica yearly and the first female DJ to spin live on South African airwaves (2004 southern Africa tour), Lady Sha innovates the music and nightlife industries universally.

In 2006, Shaden and partner Aneesah Williams co-founded LionessLA, a special events production and marketing firm dedicated to progressing nightlife with cutting edge music, art, and philanthropy. Currently Shaden produces several annual events for LionessLA, while also DJing full-time in Los Angeles and touring New York, San Francisco, Miami, Vegas and cities around the globe.

Ladies Lotto Chicago
Lola Jenkins

Coming of age on the west side of Chicago, Lola was deeply involved in service activities with organizations such as The Greater Chicago Food Depository and Girl Scouts of America. Demonstrating a standard for high achievement, Lola graduated from Spellman College in May 2004. Characteristic of her foresight concerning her early desire for a career in social service, she earned a degree in political science, with a minor in sociology.

Quick wit and sharp intellect have been the defining factors in Lola's quick rise, leading to a promotion to VP of Operations at the Westside Association for Community Action in early 2008. For years she's served the under represented and ill-served residents of the Westside of Chicago. She is an actively sought after voice, and can often be seen networking at major events to create bridges of opportunity for WACA’s diverse constituency.

She is a member of the Cook County States Attorney African American Advisory Board and a Gala Committee Member for ETA Creative Arts Foundation. She credits her mother’s life of service and her father’s innovative vision as the standard by which she measures any accomplishments in her personal life and career.

Ladies Lotto New York

Jerri Chou

Granola values, LA party style, and NYC work ethic. Sound crazy? It is. But what might seem like contradictory traits makes for a smooth bold blend of social action and just plain being social. More recently, Jerri has taken her understanding of brands, digital and holistic experiences to the social realm.

As founding partner of alldaybuffet, Jerri runs general operations, brokers partnerships and brings together creatives, thinkers, educators, nonprofits, and digital mavens to create and realize innovative solutions to the world's problems. She's also helped create Cause for Drinks, GOOD WOOD, and The Feast Social Innovation Conference.

A graduate of Boston University's school of communication, she lived a former life as an advertising account manager at Grey Advertising. She's since worked on everything from hyper local website editorial and development with Steven Berlin Johnson's Outside.in to interactive social media marketing. She has since been asked back to Boston University as a guest lecturer.

Ladies Lotto Seattle

Mia Beardsley aka DJ B-Girl

Mia Beardsley, aka DJ B-Girl has been a staple in the Seattle music scene since 2001. She DJs, produces, runs an independent record label called B-Girl Media, is a hip hop teaching artist, and coordinates a hip hop community group for women called B-Girl Bench. Her label, B-Girl Media was established in 2004 and is home to a select few of Seattle's most talented artists.

Many styles and influences in her music production run parallel to that of her crew, Project Mayhem, a mainstay in the Seattle underground scene since 2003. Her first full-length solo release called "Love or Fate" debuted worldwide in March, 2008. Her follow up project is a three-person collaboration under the name Knox Family, and is expected to make major waves this November.

She has her own radio show on KBCS 91.3FM, called Freshcoast Radio, playing the best local and independent hip hop. B-Girl currently teaches high school youth in a hip hop music program called Katalyst, passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation.

New Virtual Store Brought To Life At Roosevelt Field Mall

Chevy and Condé Nast Media Group invite you to pick up the hottest fashion and beauty trends of the season at Malibu Shops! (ChevyMalibuShops.com): a new virtual mall coming to life at Roosevelt Field Mall where all of the online products will be displayed for guests to browse, shop and take advantage of special purchase opportunities including free shipping, 10% off deals, gift with purchase and more.

Malibu Shops! will boast free mini-makeovers and the opportunity to win a gift bag full of fashion and beauty products.

Products featured will focus on 4 major trends pulled from the pages of Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and Lucky and that reflect characteristics of the new 2008 Malibu such as:

1. Luxurious Details: DKNY JEANS Limited Edition Soho Jeans; Satya Jewelry Garnet Goddess Earrings; PF Flyers Journa Shoe; Revolver Renee Dress…
2. Metallic: Benefit "Miss Popularity" Body Shimmer; Carlos Santana Stunner Shoe; C&C California Metallic Tara Top; Junior Drake Mischa Bag; Hard Candy So Cal bronzer…
3. Green (eco-friendly products): Crabtree & Evelyn Naturals Mint Fennel & Ivy Body Polisher; Origins Organics™ Nourishing Face Lotion; Tracy Matthews Chandelier Peridot Earrings; Edun Sylph Skinny Trouser Pant…
4. Refined Lines: Longchamp Rodeo Luxe Shopper; Silhouettes Scrunch Boot; Suz Rohr Belt; k Swiss Moulton Sneaker…

For more information, to start shopping anytime, and a chance to enter to win a VIP shopping trip to NYC and tickets to see Mary J. Blidge go to: www.chevymalibushops.com.

WHEN: January 19-20, 2008
11am-7pm

WHERE: Roosevelt Field Mall

630 Old Country Rd; Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 742-8000

About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer
network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles
priced $35,000 and above. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with
standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles. For more information please visit
www.chevrolet.com.

This Weekend LA: LL Benefit for RAINN + Amy Frederick & Shopping!

Ladies Lotto & LionessLA presents:
Can.You.Dig.It.
Saturday Dec. 15, 2007
Doors open 9:30pm
Located at Tantra, 3705 West Sunset Blvd, Silverlake, CA 90026.

On December 15, Ladies Lotto & LionessLA presents the final installment of its innovative nightlife series for 2007 with Can.You.Dig.It., a Warriors theme party and Sagittarius/Capricorn celebration. This month's event will be donating proceeds to RAINN and features DJ's Lady Sha (LLLA), Step1, Puffs, & Bianca O'Blivion (LLLA). There will also be a special photography and art installation by KYLA. LionessLA invites guests to dress as their favorite character from the cult classic The Warriors (costumes are optional but warmly recommended). Guests will have free entry with rsvp to List@LionessLA.com and will enjoy free giftbags and giveaways all night long.

Can.You.Dig.It. will take place at Tantra, an exclusive Indian-inspired hideaway in Silverlake featuring fully stocked bars, a hookah patio, an exquisite menu, and superior interior design. With this event, LionessLA continues to expose our clientele to new heights of quality in art, music, and locations for a unique and unforgettable nightlife experience.

About RAINN

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

About LionessLA

Founded by Shaden Tavakoli (DJ Lady Sha) & Aneesah Williams, LionessLA is a special events firm geared towards innovating the Los Angeles nightlife experience. As an event planning, marketing & promotions company based in Los Angeles, California we are establishing a revolutionary movement in art, music, and other forms of self-expression. By hosting the finest events in the Southern California area, we seek to expose our clientele to the best turntablists, painters, musicians, cuisines, venues, and merchandise. Most importantly, we involve our events with charitable organizations that affect communities locally and globally.

AND BEFORE YOU HEAD OVER THERE:



What:
LOOK SHARP, URB's Holiday Shopping Weekend...including an afterparty at Xin

Where:
Fairfax District and Melrose District...basically to the south and west of the Melrose/Fairfax intersection. Specific participating store locations will be listed on urb.com/looksharp by Wednesday afternoon. The after party will take place at Xin Boutique on 8064 Melrose Ave.

When:
December 15th + 16th during each stores' hours (which will be listed on urb.com/looksharp)...but generally the shopping will take place from 12pm-7pm on Saturday and Sunday and the after party will take place from 7-10pm at Xin.

Why:
This area, Fairfax District and Melrose Heights has transformed and become just as noteworthy as the legendary "Melrose Strip" shops further east on Melrose.