{"id":1114,"date":"2022-10-29T16:16:28","date_gmt":"2022-10-29T16:16:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/success-dewry-duroi-kirk-dmarco-inniss-launches-craftpalooza-in-brooklyn\/"},"modified":"2022-10-29T16:16:28","modified_gmt":"2022-10-29T16:16:28","slug":"success-dewry-duroi-kirk-dmarco-inniss-launches-craftpalooza-in-brooklyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/?p=1114","title":{"rendered":"SUCCESS!! DEWRY DUROI & KIRK “DMARCO” INNISS LAUNCHES CRAFTPALOOZA IN BROOKLYN"},"content":{"rendered":"

EDITOR: Nathifa King<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a pleasantly warm afternoon on Saturday, October 22nd, when executive directors Dewry DuRoi Bradford<\/strong><\/em> and Kirk “Dmarco” Inniss<\/em><\/strong> entered the ballroom at the Tillary Hotel.\u00a0 As they arrived early, they were met by workers bustling around hanging paintings, setting up walls and building the runway.\u00a0 The food vendors began to arrive with cartons of water, champagne and gourmet items.\u00a0 The excitement was building for it was the official launch of CraftPalooza.<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 Over 500 Creatives and spectators converged on New York City to experience the essence of Brooklyn’s street culture.\u00a0 It was a true reunion of creative minds in one location for the purpose of sharing their artistic expression through fashion, art and entertainment.\u00a0 Prior to that day, there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding this event.\u00a0 \u00a0 Brooklynites began calling CraftPalooza the New York version of Art Basel.<\/p>\n

As soon as you entered off of the elevator, you were met by artful vendors complete with a step n repeat and red carpet displaying all of the sponsors who made the event successful.\u00a0 On entering the ballroom, to the right was a full display of various expressions of art in the form of paintings, clothing and figurines.\u00a0 To the left was a spread of food vendors showcasing and serving carefully designed hors d’oeuvres, freshly squeezed juices and treats all for free.\u00a0 For VIP, the champagne and wine was flowing.\u00a0 On the wheels of steel was scratch-master DJ – Diamond The Artist and DJ Red Bottom <\/strong><\/em>playing Hip Hop, Gospel and R&B tunes from the 90’s to present day.\u00a0 Bold 8-ft tall walls brandishing the name “CraftPalooza” lined the entire venue with strong statements of love for New York City.\u00a0 There was no mistake that upon entry, you stepped into a CraftPalooza branded event.\u00a0 And this was all before the activities on the long runway began.\u00a0 At 6:30, host – Phya Storm<\/em><\/strong> calls everyone to the stage to begin the festivities.\u00a0 Rack-Lo<\/em><\/strong> then grabs the microphone to announce the start of the fashion shows.\u00a0 Before the presentation of season 1 of Life, he kicks it off with the classic Lo-Life tradition called “<\/em>Lo-Goose on the Deuce”.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 It’s an ensemble of models prancing around the runway sporting Polo Goose down jackets and coats in a wide range of colors.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

HOW IT ALL BEGAN:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2018, Dewry DuRoi launched a health & sports festival called HealthJox Festival<\/em><\/strong> and in 2020, he established the HealthJox Foundation, Inc.<\/em><\/strong><\/a> nonprofit to provide healthy services to underserved Youth within the borough of Brooklyn.\u00a0 He knew that there was a greater pull towards Creatives because he discovered that most black and brown Youth learn better through the arts.\u00a0 This desire to reach the Youth where their interest lies, began his journey to form CraftPalooza.\u00a0 Speaking with his long time friend and rapper Kirk “Dmarco” Inniss, they devised a strategy to bring Creatives together for a day of art, performances, spoken word, food & drinks.\u00a0 They knew this event had to have all the elements of nostalgic Brooklyn in order to pull it off.\u00a0 What’s more Brooklyn than Youth wearing Polo Ralph Lauren from head to toe?\u00a0 Dmarco called on his childhood friend Prance-Lo<\/strong> <\/em>from NYC fashion icons – the Lo-Life’s to lock-in Rack-Lo<\/em> to curate the fashion portion of CraftPalooza.\u00a0 \u00a0Dewry then locked in a deal with Jeff Beler<\/em> <\/strong>– founder of UnderHill Walls<\/strong> <\/em>to curate the street art exhibit.\u00a0 Dmarco then called on Exodus Productions to produce the live performances throughout the evening.<\/p>\n

According to Dewry DuRoi, within the 5-boroughs, there was a huge void that needed to be filled within the Creative Industries.\u00a0 Being a fashion designer by trade, he spent a lot of his time surrounded by creative minds.\u00a0 He would attend multiple functions weekly throughout the city, none of which had a true sense of communal art vibes<\/em> on a large, consistent scale.\u00a0 With so many talented individuals in New York, it seemed like there wasn’t an authentic platform where Creatives could get together and just “be”.\u00a0 Out of this desire, came the building blocks for the CraftPalooza concept.<\/p>\n

CraftPalooza is a FREE Art Exhibit & Fashion Show with a live performance component.\u00a0 With a sold-out event, attendees enjoyed a full day of Brooklyn, New York\u2019s cultural experience with a silent auction of over 30 of the top NYC graffiti artists by art purveyor and nonprofit –\u00a0\u201cJeff Beler and UnderHill Walls\u201d<\/em>\u00a0to raise money for the HealthJox Foundation’s Curriculum:\u00a0“Pursuing Purpose Program”<\/strong>.<\/em>\u00a0 Attendees also enjoyed free food and drinks.\u00a0 We gave away free sneakers and socks to formally incarcerated shelter residents of the Tillary Hotel through\u00a0“It’s From The Sole”.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nHosted by\u00a0Phya Storm, we produced a multi-layered fashion show curated by Brooklyn’s own\u00a0Rack-Lo and\u00a0“The Lo-Lifes”,\u00a0<\/em>showcasing their fashion flavor of Polo Ralph Lauren styles that showed attendees the\u00a0FOUR SEASONS OF LIFE – Streetwear, Collegiate wear, Corporate attire and Successful Entrepreneur.<\/em>\u00a0 Polo – Ralph Lauren Corporate’s photography crew documented the entire event.\u00a0 CraftPalooza founder –\u00a0Dewry DuRoi Bradford\u00a0also showcased his collection called\u00a0CorDuRoi.\u00a0 We hosted live performances with a variety of Hip Hop\/R&B acts:\u00a0JaredSB, JesseJaceJay, Amber Lee, Norel, Roc-Rilla, Kez, Silva Reign, Senor Gigio, & One;\u00a0Gospel Rapper:\u00a0Drake Weatherall,<\/em> expressive dancing by\u00a0Mimik\u00a0&\u00a0Fadee-Model<\/em>\u00a0and spoken word by\u00a0Sergio Delavicci.<\/em> We featured the award-winning artist\u00a0Marco\u00a0Santini\u00a0<\/em>– who created his art during the event.\u00a0 We also featured some of the top NYC Street Artists: UnCutArt, Voodo Fe’, @SubwayDoodle, @Calicho, @madvaillan, @jnovik_studios, @iamfrankiebotz, @call_her_al, @meganewatters, @lovemkn, @canivorousflora, @art_tillman, @bljtheartist, @madidangerously, @framton_o_fun, @nassarting, @jaima.art, @protectyoheart, @voodofe, @miki_mu, @angelamariealarez, @sagegallon, @ponziart, @dustinprestige.<\/em><\/p>\n

Notably: <\/strong>Marco Santini’s live art piece sold for $1,000.\u00a0 In attendance was some of the greatest\u00a0Tastemakers<\/em>\u00a0from the\u00a0Art, Fashion and Music Industries.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0We also had\u00a0New York politicians, judges, celebrities, news media and community organizers<\/em>\u00a0in attendance.<\/p>\n

___________________________________________<\/p>\n

AWARDS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

CraftPalooza’s Executive Producers:\u00a0Dewry DuRoi Bradford and Kirk “Dmarco” Inniss\u00a0received an official Citation from\u00a0Mayor Eric Adams\u00a0and a Proclamation from\u00a0Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso\u00a0for their nonprofit services to the Community declaring October 22, 2022 CraftPalooza Day.<\/p>\n

Healthjox Foundation and CraftPalooza announced the award recipients who was honored with the<\/strong> “For The Love Of NYC”<\/em><\/strong> award:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nfr KaRaa SeshrAnkh<\/strong>: PURSUING PURPOSE PROGRAM\/HEALTHJOX FOUNDATION; <\/em><\/p>\n

Jeff Beler:<\/strong> UNDERHILL WALLS<\/em><\/p>\n

Rack-Lo:<\/strong> LO-LIFE<\/em><\/p>\n

Andre McDonald:<\/strong> IT’S FROM THE SOLE<\/em><\/p>\n

Carol Maraj:<\/strong> CAROL MARAJ FOUNDATION<\/em><\/p>\n

___________________________________________<\/p>\n

FREE GIVE-AWAYS & RAFFLES:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Free Phones & $10 Tablets were distributed by Top Marketing<\/em>;<\/p>\n

Notably:<\/strong> It\u2019s From The Sole<\/em> provided FREE SNEAKERS AND SOCKS to the residents of the homeless shelter within the Tillary Hotel managed by Exodus Transitional Community. We will also have many other items raffled off as well.<\/p>\n

___________________________________________<\/p>\n

NOTABLE MENTIONS & SPONSORS:<\/strong> Art, Food, Drinks & Merchandise:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

UnderHill Walls, Lo-Life, Polo-Ralph Lauren, Exodus Transitional Community, Exodus Productions, Its From The Soul, Keep This Link, Shmackwich, Empryss, HealthJox, HealthJox Foundation, Inc., Carol Maraj Foundation, Ben-A-Fit, CynCity, Kim-PR, KevKonnect, Clothed With Love, Nick Plakas \u2013 NP Painting & Decorating, Inc., Brooklyn Health Equity Foundation, Gregory Thomas, The Fashion Week Experience<\/em><\/p>\n

___________________________________________<\/p>\n

ABOUT PARENT COMPANY:<\/strong><\/p>\n

HealthJox Foundation<\/em><\/strong> (501(c)(3) nonprofit)<\/em> was established by Dewry DuRoi Bradford to help troubled Youth within the inner city of New York to discover their purpose in life.\u00a0 They created an ALTERNATIVE TO PRISON PROGRAM with the Judges of New York City called “Pursuing Purpose Program”.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 This was setup to help Youth redirect their thinking realizing that they are A BRAND and need to begin to find and cultivate their purpose in life.\u00a0 We believe that CraftPalooza will be a great way for them to experience the creative arts in a big way.\u00a0 We are really representing BROOKLYN to give everyone a sense of Brooklyn, New York-pride<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

EDITOR: Nathifa King It was a pleasantly warm afternoon on Saturday, October 22nd, when executive directors Dewry DuRoi Bradford and Kirk “Dmarco” Inniss entered the ballroom at the Tillary Hotel.\u00a0 As they arrived early, they were met by workers bustling around hanging paintings, setting up walls and building the runway.\u00a0 The food vendors began to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1114"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1114\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}