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Out of the Blue and Into a Good Time

(Painter Vase One in front of a number of his works and among a number of kids who atended an earlier Out of the Blue event.*)

PROVIDENCE, RI - The next time you’re looking at a flyer, menu, or pamphlet, pay attention to who made it. If it is well-crafted, easy to read, and of a professional quality, and if it belongs to a local business, then it might be a BlueAzul Design.

Ronia Peguero, or BlueAzul as she is commonly known, is a burgeoning graphic artist and web designer whose work can regularly be seen on flyers, menus, pamphlets and business cards. Her client list is long, with businesses like Phat Wings, Pride Ford, Touba, and Salon L’Amour. She is also a graduating student at Community College of RI (CCRI) and an employee of Cox Communications.

That’s not the whole story with Peguero, though. She can regularly be seen during night hours dancing in the corner of a bar or club, taking turns in a circle of poets and emcees in a freestyle rap session, or socializing with many of Providence’s most talented, underground artists. This combination of skills, hobbies, and friends of Peguero’s all comes together with an event she has organized called Out of the Blue 3, on Tuesday, October 10 at the Mixx Lounge and Dance Club at 93 Clemence Street, from 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM.

As the name of the event indicates, Out of the Blue 3 is the third installment in a series created by Peguero, which aims to showcase the works of an eclectic and talented group of artists, who work in an array of mediums. Explains Peguero: “I have a bunch of talented friends who I believe outshine me with their skills, and every once in a while I think people should see what I see. I don’t have to put on a show but I feel I would be selfish if I didn’t.”

Exploring the idea further, Peguero continues:

“My friends are phenomenal and incredibly talented, not to mention, all self taught; like myself. How can I not want to show others that there’s more to art than graphic design. There’s a whole network of people who inspire each other directly and indirectly day [in] and day out whether they realize it or not. I want to showcase that and give others the opportunity to enter the network.”

(Photographer Keith Briggs with actress, comedienne and Riders Against the Storm front woman Ghislaine Jean*)

Out of the Blue 3 will feature a mix of both new artists—Johnny Vergara with “illustrations,” Ileana Hernandez with fashion, and Ibrahim Abd’ with photography—and alumni of her show like painter Vase One and photographer Luna. And like the other two events, music—provided by DJ Twist—will be a primary part of the entertainment.

But there’s a lot to Tuesday’s event that is different. First of all, Out of the Blue 3 has been dubbed “a 2006 GLBT Interactive Artshow Experience,” and Mixx Lounge “happens to be for Lesbians 7 nights a week.” Yet if you know Peguero, then you know she has a diverse circle of friends. “There is only one artist in the show who is gay, not including myself, which is Johnny.”

But Peguero was dedicated to the theme: “It was a challenge because most of my artists are straight. So I scouted GLBT models to be photographed and to also be part of the live body art and henna portion of the show.”

It is important to look at this event as similar to a Caribbean Carnival or an Italian Festival; it is open to everyone. And that’s clearly important to a person like Peguero, who is recognized by many as a familiar face at any concert, danceclub, party, or cultural event. But Peguero articulates it even better.

“This event is necessary to bridge gaps between communities. Straight, Gay, Hip Hop, Rock, Young, Old, it doesn’t matter. It’s about accepting each other no matter what. It is a night for people to forget about their differences and notice their similarities. Come in with an open mind, have a great time and leave with good vibes.”

In addition, Peguero isn’t exclusively bringing her “urban” crowd—“young people, People of Color, people who are into other kinds of things”—into a lesbian club; she’s introducing “an urban twist” to Mixx Lounge and to the area. Peguero explains:

“DJ Twist will be spinning salsa and merengue and hip hop, a combination which is rare in lesbian bars. I have to drive to Massachusetts if I want to hear Latin music at a lesbian bar. Plus, the thing about my DJ is that he uses records, not CD’s, and actually blends the music. So this becomes an event where you’ll have a guy who knows what he’s doing, not one who can only play the hot songs.”

This is not all though. “There will be Spanish food there too [from Ramaraya Cafeteria Restaurant]: rice and vegetables; chicharron de pollo [small, select flavorful pieces of chicken]; ensalada verde with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and corn; guineitos [baby plantain]; yucca [a root with a consistency like a potato]; empanadas, quipe and pastelitos [meatpies].

“Plus there’s graffiti art with Vase One and Luna, the photographer, is also a b-girl [breakdancer], and Ibrahim who is full of wisdom. It won’t be a typical spot—it’s not a listen to Hot 106 while you’re out type of thing.”

(Artwork by Vase One and artist and Riders Against the Storm frontman, John Mahone aka JBro*)

Besides the orchestrated interaction between the GLBT culture and the hip hop/urban culture, Tuesday’s event is also different from her last two because of the live element.

Those who attended the first Out of the Blue will remember a number of live performances, by different hip hop groups like RI’s Swann Notty and Riders Against the Storm, as well as a few gospel singers. And Out of the Blue 2 occurred concurrently with Spinfactor, a national breakdancing competition, which meant there was an abundance of live dancing that occurred during the night.

“The live in this one is with the artwork,” Peguero explains. To accomplish this, edgy and talented artist Vase One will be doing “live body art”—painting—with a set of models and for guests who want it. Did I mention how talented Vase One is? Take a drive down major thoroughfares in Providence like Prairie Avenue, Elmwood Avenue, and Broad Street and you’re likely to see impeccable, graffiti-inspired, culturally-relevant paintings on buildings and behind businesses done by the incredible artist.

Another artist on hand contributing to the live element will also be contributing to the body art, but of a different variety. Marlene Hernandez will be doing “live henna”—a type of body art traditional in countries like Sudan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. It is like a tattoo, but with temporary color made from natural dyes that are also used for temporary hair coloring.

Even the photographers—Luna, Keith Briggs, and Ibrahim Abd’ will be contributing to the live element. “With the photography, you’ll be able to print the pictures right there on the spot,” explains Peguero excitedly.

And it’s the excitement that Peguero has, with the skills of the artists, the uniqueness of the theme, and the professionalism that comes from a third event which has attracted a variety of business sponsorships and donations for the event. All you need to do is donate your time.

For more information about Out of the Blue 3, call 401-383-7777 or visit www.myspace/blueazul. For more information about BlueAzul Designs, visit www.blueazuldesigns.com.

Reza Corinne Clifton is a community organizer for high school reform at RI Children’s Crusade for Higher Education. She is also a freelance writer who is regularly published in several RI-area publications. Her articles can be seen at www.RezaRitesRi.com and she can be reached by emailing [email protected].

Music:

Sade, Dead Prez, Nas, Immortal Technique, Les Nubians, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Common, Jean Grae, WuTang Clan, The Roots, Bahamadia, Redman, Rakim, Saul Williams, KRS-One, Mary J. Blige, The Lox, Boot Camp Click, Salif Keita, Outkast, Biggie, CNN, Black Star, Mobb Deep, Master Ace, Gangstarr, Lauryn Hill, Jean Grae, Big Pun, Busta Rhymes, Alicia Keys, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti and more...

Movies:

Kids

Bowling for Columbine

Wildstyle

GirlHood

Mostly Documentaries...

Television:

I mostly pass on this....
but, now that I get free cable...
I like to watch carmen on the L word.

=o) wouldn't u...?

Books:

Fast Food Nation

The Giver

Heroes:

My Parents:

Mom+Dad