A youth marching band stomped on under yesterday’s downpour outside the New York’s Manhattan Center as a prelude to the Entertainers 4 Education Alliance’s annual “Stay In School” Concert 2008, sponsored by South Pole apparel, in association with Hot97 radio.

However, the real stars of the event were the young women and men who braved the weather and attended the concert to supply ample amounts of energy and enthusiasm for the cause and its advocates.

Showcasing a fashion show by South Pole apparel, celebrity performances, and testimonials on the importance of education, the red carpet affair was held to encourage and inspire the youth to stay in school in light of America’s alarmingly high dropout rates.

Hosted by Hot97 and MTV personality DJ Cipha Sounds, the event drew out many notable celebrity attendees and performers including producer and singer Ryan Leslie, America’s Next Top Model cycle 8 winner Jaslene Gonzalez, solo artist Donnie Klang of MTV’s Making the Band, Bad Boy recording artist Cheri Dennis, MTV correspondent Sway Calloway, State Senator Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, EMI/ Capital recording artist MIMS, and celebrity fashion stylist and Glam God contestant Indashio.

Organic nail polish! Well tha'ts what you can expect at the highly anticipate Wink Beaty Bar soon to open up in Brooklyn.Going green has been on everyone's agenda in being envornmentally friendy, now we ladies can beautified with all natural, organic treatments.

I discovered this unique beauty one stop shop during Brooklyn Fashion Weekend as they sponsored a mini manicure for patrons who attended the show. Why choose a Green Spa over a regular one? The experience is not only relaxing and healthier, but according the Wink, "Green Spas are attuned to the rhythms of nature as well as the rhythms of the human body. When nature and body are in harmony humans feel healthier, stronger and more attractive." Which is a great reason to try it out! For more information on the opeing check outWink Beauty Bar They offer a variety of service include nail and skin care, massages, body wraps and even throw spa parties.

If you’re looking for tasty new recipes with a simple touch, NYAM Food blog is the place to discover exotic flavors with a slight island twist. As a lover of flavor and food, Illyana created Nyam Food blog as a way to document her new recipes and make our mouths water! While most cookbooks and web recipes only have a few pictures and limited direction the unique aspect about her blog is that her step by step preparations are complete with great photos to see her process. JAMROCK got to talk with Illyana about her food Journey:

JAMROCK: Tell me about your background, how you started, what made you star your blog? ILLYANA: Growing up, I was exposed to a wide range of flavors, my dad's family is from the South (N.C. to be exact) and my mother's family is from Panama, and just living in NYC, there was a world of food at my fingertips…so all different types of foods were interesting to me.

ILLYANA: When I was a kid, I would watch "Yan Can Cook" and "The Frugal Gourmet”. And I would always bring home at least one cookbook from the library. So my interest in food started really young. I started reading food blogs about two years ago, and I thought it would be fun to have one to experiment and share the ideas I had in my head. I’m not in the food industry, so NYAM is a creative outlet for me in that way. I also wanted explore different cuisines, especially of the African diaspora.

JAMROCK: Where do you get inspirations for new recipes?

ILLYANA: I get inspiration from almost everything, from a cookbook, or a flavor combination I had in a restaurant, to childhood food, anything really. I always like to put a different spin on things, so mixing up different ethnic cuisines always gives me new ideas.

JAMROCK: Who are some chefs you admire?

ILLYANA: Lidia Bastianich: The food and restaurant business is male dominated, so it's inspiring to see a female chef who's as successful as she is. But most importantly, she makes the most mouth wateringly delicious looking food! Warren Brown. He has a great story and it's encouraging how he followed his passion. Anthony Bourdain. He has my dream job! - Traveling around the world learning about different cultures through food.

JAMROCK: Do you plan of writing a cook book?

ILLYANA: I'd love to one day.. No set plans right now though.

JAMROCK: Judging from some of your recipes you love plaintains, which would you say is your favorite?

ILLYANA: I don't think I can pick just one, lol! I'd say one of my favorites is fried green plantains (patacones). Another favorite is plantain lasagna, which is a casserole of seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, peppers & onions, olives, and sweet peas layered with sweet yellow plantain slices.. It's my ultimate comfort food / desert island dish! Come to think of it, I don't know why I haven't posted about it yet! I'll have to get on that, lol.

JAMROCK How can others get into cooking if they are short on time, not a great cook?

ILLYANA:First, I definitely suggest purchasing a sharp 8" chef's knife. You get the most mileage out of a chef's knife, from slicing meats, to dicing onions and peeling veggies.

Keep things simple and don't be ashamed to rely on cookbooks. If you're new to cooking, strictly following a recipe will help you get used to the rhythm of cooking, and soon you'll catch your own pace and grow confidence in the kitchen. To start off, I really recommend cookbooks / recipes that feature 5-ingredients (or less). They allow you to focus on the basics, so making a tasty meal isn't too overwhelming.

Know that you'll get better. Practically no one is a great cook right off the bat. Be confident that you'll get your skills up with time. I'm a better cook now than I was a few years ago, but I know there's always room to improve. Don’t take it too seriously. Just have an open mind and have fun!

JAMROCK: Favorite cooking utensil?

ILLYANA: My microplane zester! It's small, cheap, and easy to use. I use it for everything from finely grated ginger, parmesan, chocolate, to garlic paste.

JAMROCK: what do you like to do when you're not cooking

ILLYANA: Eat! :o) Besides that, I really love movies, they're my other passion.

Now get in the kitchen and try one of her sample recipes! For more of these delicious recipes from Illyana check out her blog www. nyamfood.blogspot.com

In a large bowl, mix the coconut, sugar, salt, almond extract, white chocolate, lime zest and juice together until evenly combined and the sugar begins dissolving. Then, stir in the egg whites well to form a clumpy mixture.

Drop heaping tablespoons (or use a small ice cream scoop) of the coconut mixture onto the parchment-lined tray, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Gently pat the mounds of coconut into shape right on the tray if needed.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cookies are lightly browned, turning the tray halfway through. Let the cookies cool completely on the tray.

The macaroons will last for about 3 days stored in an airtight container.

The empire grows for the most talked about Urban talent out of Canada. Empire ISIS won "Best International Artist of the Year" at the Underground Urban Music Awards in NYC August 10th. This is Empire ISIS' 6th award win of the year, following her recent win at the Toronto Independent Music Awards and recent nomination for "Best World Album" at GAMIQ awards (Quebec Indie Music Awards.

The Underground Music Awards is a national award show that breaks all of the rules of conventionalism. Unlike the Grammy Awards or the Billboard Music Awards, the Underground Music Awards were created to acknowledge and honor the achievements and contributions of unsigned and independent artists within the urban music scene. Every year there are incredible records released by independent labels and artists. Very rarely do the institutional accolades of the music industry reach or embrace independent music or the community of artists and fans who now represent 25% of all global music sales. Hence, the Underground Music Awards Program was born to fill that void.

"It's like the Grammy's of the Underground! With the Underground Music Awards, Urban Threshold has created a great platform for talented independent artists to get on the radar and receive accolades and major recognition ". - Riggs Morales, Director of A&R of Shady Records