:: Unicorn also known as Cynthia Blancaflor is a 30 year old Filipino artist born in Kenitra, Morocco and raised in Fort Washington, Maryland, where she was raised on Filipino food/values, R&B, go-go music, and pop culture. She began singing when she was three years old, following the foot steps of her father who is a singer.
By her early teens, she began writing political poetry and love poems, then in 1996 moved to Chicago for college where she found a thriving artistic community of spoken word artists, deep house, film-making and old dusty jazz records. She studied Journalism at DePaul University then discovered film-making through an intro course so she transferred to Columbia College where she found herself immediately behind a 16mm camera. Her first 45 second short film (b/w, 16mm), "Don't Walk" speaks on the racism she had experienced and seen on city streets. Her old homegirl Smokie got her into collecting old '70's records like Grover Washington, Jr., Steely Dan, Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, Roy Ayers and the list goes on. . .her exposure to the Chicago deep house music, dance and DJ scene would help to shape her musical stylings to come. . .
IMPACT
:: Unicorn moved to the San Francisco bay area in 1999 and has since found a community where she has been able to perform as a spoken word artist, vocalist and video producer. She earned her degree in Cinema from SF State and is a certified video editor through BAVC. Check out Rising Star Productions (http://rising-star.net)!
In 2002, as a vocalist of drum and bass collective, Blaktroniks (Moving, Tokyo Dawn, Reflective), the group was awarded the SF Bay Guardian GOLDIE for music. "Raindrops" (move_d_remix) by Blaktroniks featuring 9 (aka Unicorn) remixed by DJ Mike Grant. "Raindrops" found on Blaktroniks : Truth & Desire EP : Moving Records. Dreamy nu-jazz, including remixes by Mike Grant and Domu
EVOLUTION
:: While a member of Kreatibo, a queer Pinay artists collective, they co-produced/co-wrote/performed in an original play called "Dalagas and Tomboys: A Family Affair" See the article in the Guardian http://www.sfbg.com/39/30/x_8days.html Kreatibo was awarded a 2005 Lesbian Theatre Award from Curve magazine for their collaborative work that mixed video, theater, poetry, song, and dance.
As DJ Uni, she currently DJs deep house/funk/soul sets at private parties and local events. She is working in the lab on some new original music. Stay tuned. . .Check out her monthly dance party in Oakland at http://myspace.com/venusflylove
Check out "Rites of Passage," a young urban women's coming-of-age show, she co-produces on Peralta.TV. Her new live monthly arts TV show, "Planetary Alignment" begins on February 22, 2008 on Peralta.TV (Channel 28: Oakland, Piedmont, Emeryville ; Channel 27: Alameda, Berkeley) & Live Streaming on www.peralta.tv. More details to come. Her weekly radio show, "her blu majesty" airing on http://9thfloorradio.com/ will begin on February 6, 2008. See upcoming shows for details.
Also, check "Arts, Community and Culture", a 30 minute collaborative show featuring video and musical art work on channel 28 BCM (Berkeley Community Media) or online at www.betv.org
Check out Rising Star Productions for your video production needs.
Spread the word. . .
Check out my new radio show! EVERY WEDNESDAY 5-7PM
Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Brown Abstract
CHECK OUT MY MOST RECENT WORK/COLLABORATIONS:Presented by Peralta.TV, Produced by Cynthia Blancaflor, Graphics by Mama Wisdom (Goddess Alchemy)
Planetary Alignment Intro
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"Planetary Alignment" on Peralta.TV, Laney Theater, Oakland, CA
Hairdoo on "Planetary Alignment"Part 1
Interview with Hairdoo on "Planetary Alignment"
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Starchild Dance on "Planetary Alignment"
Starchild Dance on Planetary Alignment
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Transit Belongings Scene 2
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Cyphertown Productions presents Cyphertown Throwdown, Cell Space, SF, CA
Lynx at Cyphertown Throwdown
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Cyphertown Productions presents "Torch of Truth", Temple Bar, SF, CA
Torch of Truth - Lafa Taylor
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Nursha Project presents "Love and Color," Shattuck Down Low, Berkeley, CA
Mamaz at Love & Color
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Wisdom Show, Mystic Theater, Petaluma, CA
World Wide Web
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G S P/FSM at Fox Theater, Boulder, CO
Goddess Alchemy and Aima
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"Do my ladies run this MOTHERLOVER!?!"
Goddess Alchemy, Aima and Lynx
Bringing the smooothness...
Delphi, Big House and Aima
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Visionary Music Video Produced by Black Apes Project
Ras Attitude
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... MORE CLIPS TO COME...STAY TUNED!!