Broccoli City Festival happens every year in Washington, D.C., and this year, we had the pleasure of attending! Before arriving, we were equipped with showtimes, lineups, site maps, and offers of free massages (for a select few festival goers). The sun was at its hottest, and so were the performances! The festival had two stages: Broccoli Stage, hosted by Mouse Jones, Bacon Bear, and City Stage, with Talk Tequila as their MC. Music was provided by DJ Flow, Jae Murphy, K Meta, and Bo.
The smell of food and the sound of fans screaming for their favorite artists is what festivals are known for. This particular lineup included GloRilla, Ice Spice, Kodak Black, Coco Jones, Finese2Tymes, Mariah The Scientist, Dess Dior, Lola Brooke, City Girls, as well as Brent Faiyaz, and that was just what the summer needed!
GloRilla
Photo courtesy of Stefan Bunbury / xoNecole
Broccoli City Festival, founded in the mecca of Chocolate City, is black-owned and operated. The #BCFest, an annual event that celebrates the rich tapestry of cultural diversity and music, is much more than what meets the eye. While many are drawn to the festival for its captivating performances and vibrant atmosphere, it is important to recognize its profound emphasis on environmental awareness. Since its inception in 2013, the festival has maintained a steadfast mission of promoting social consciousness and fostering a deep sense of environmental responsibility.
With over 30 dynamic live performances across two stages, the Broccoli City Festival was an electrifying experience for attendees. Beyond the music, the festival offers an array of interactive art, games, activities, and sponsor activations, allowing individuals to fully immerse themselves in a captivating world of creativity. Moreover, a diverse culinary landscape awaited festival-goers, featuring an extensive selection of food and drink options, including delectable vegan and vegetarian choices. Notably, the festival generously provides FREE hydration stations, ensuring attendees can stay refreshed and hydrated throughout the event. For those of legal drinking age, cash bars adorned with an array of cocktails, beer, and wine offer a sophisticated and enjoyable experience.
Coco Jones
Photo courtesy of Stefan Bunbury / xoNecole
At its core, Broccoli City is more than just a festival. It is a remarkable Black-owned social enterprise deeply committed to the progress and well-being of individuals. By curating innovative experiences that blend technology, music, art, and social impact, Broccoli City fosters a sense of community growth and propels creative expression to new heights.
Over the past decade, the impact of Broccoli City has been truly awe-inspiring. This remarkable enterprise has successfully mobilized over 20 million young people, both through its iconic festival events and its engaging online platforms. Through its unwavering dedication to social impact and its ability to inspire individuals to be agents of change, Broccoli City continues to be a driving force in shaping a brighter and more inclusive future.
Chloe Bailey
Photo courtesy of Muse.BlaQ/ xoNecole
The artists were on their A-game! Saucy Santana brought the bounce, the bops, and the booty to the stage, performing his hits "Walk Em Like A Dog," "Booty," and "Bop Bop Bop.” Chloe Bailey commanded the stage with her bubbly and fierce energy. This young star also continuously paused her set to check on her fans, who were trying to enjoy her in the scorching 93-degree weather, showing genuine care for her audience. Another fan favorite, Kodak Black, has a relationship with his fans that is to be admired. He has an incredible stage presence and a hype man for a DJ, but before, during, and after the show, he made sure to take selfies with his supporters. After his set, he walked through the festival grounds just to be closer to his fans and gave them yet another opportunity to take pictures.
Keke Palmer's performance at Broccoli City Festival was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Calling herself "The Boss," she effortlessly proved why she holds this title throughout her memorable career. From becoming the youngest Black female talk show host to gracing the legendary Met Gala red carpet and starring in culturally impactful masterpieces like Akeelah and The Bee and CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, Palmer has consistently showcased her immense talent. Despite recent personal challenges, Palmer demonstrated her resilience and determination by delivering an unforgettable performance at Broccoli City Festival. In an astonishing display of generosity, she made it rain on the stage, showering a preselected group of fans with a staggering $10,000 in 50s and 20s. This act of kindness exemplified Palmer's genuine love and appreciation for her fans.
Keke Palmer
Photo courtesy of Muse.BlaQ/ xoNecole
Keke remains unstoppable, conquering any scandal or controversy that comes her way. Her performance was a testament to her unwavering commitment to her craft and her ability to rise above any adversity.
Ice Spice took the stage, captivating crowds and igniting an unforgettable experience. With a remarkable display of talent, this rising star left no stone unturned, leaving the audience on their feet and craving for more. In a mesmerizing blend of music and style, Ice Spice effortlessly harnessed the power of her artistry, unleashing an energy that reverberated through the entire festival grounds. As the beats dropped and the atmosphere reached its peak, time seemed to stand still, a testament to the sheer magnetism of this extraordinary performer.
Ice Spice
Photo courtesy of Muse.BlaQ/ xoNecole
Enthralled by the incredible vibes radiating from the stage, every spectator became a part of the resounding chorus of accolades and admiration. From passionate fans to curious onlookers, Ice Spice's spellbinding performance left no one unaffected. This is an artist who is firmly cementing her place among the greats, capturing hearts and captivating minds with her undeniable talent and magnetic stage presence. Don't miss a beat from this rising star – tap into the extraordinary vibes, bask in the effervescent energy, and witness the unstoppable rise of Ice Spice.
Unfortunately, Lil Uzi Vert and Jazmine Sullivan were not able to perform on the first day due to severe weather concerns. Lightning beamed through the skies, piercing the darkness and warning the crowd to retreat. The festival staff ensured that everyone was accounted for from start to finish. Security is almost always hit or miss at large events, and some media were not able to capture key moments due to a series of interruptions, but it all worked out in the end.
Safety was the main concern for BCFest! From the first day to the second, the routes to the stage were updated, and protocols were increased. Dehydration took over many fans, but with the artists stopping their sets to allow them to be escorted to safety, security passing out water, and medics readily available, the festival-goers were in good hands.
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Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
___
Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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Using the same material from the interior of the Volvo EX90, Hudson crafted a wool-blend car coat and waistbelt that combine the vehicle’s Scandinavian design with his signature tailoring and intention. The exclusive collection launched on October 20, and each piece is made-to-order by Sergio Hudson Collections.
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In October, I traveled to Charleston with a group of journalists to get a firsthand look at Hudson and Volvo’s location. During a fitting, Hudson said his goal is to make “great work that can stand the test of time.”
“People can look back on and say, ‘I remember when Sergio did that collaboration with Volvo,’” he continued. “Thinking about aligning yourself with classic brands that speak to where you want to go. And I think that's what this collaboration kind of means to me and my business.”
Hudson pinpoints his mom as the biggest influence for his designs. This collaboration was no different.
“This particular coat reminded me of the swing coats that my mom used to wear in the early 90s. You know, diva girls in the early 90s had Sandra suits,” he said, referring to Jackée Harry’s character in 227. “My mom wore those and she would have these matching swing coats to go over them. And that's where the initial idea came. This would be around the same time that we had our Volvo. So she would put on her suit, her swing coat, get in that red Volvo, and go to church.”
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With this capsule and beyond, Hudson wants to see more staples rotating in and out of closets this fall. He advises fashionistas to build her closet out with essentials to mix and match that aren’t just stylish but also sustainable.
“It's just those special pieces,” he said. “You can wear the same shirt and pants every day and nobody will notice. But if you have a special boot, a special coat, a special bill, a special bag, that kind of speaks to everything that your style stands about, that is something you should focus on.”
These are the same kind of staple pieces that return to our Pinterest boards and TikTok feeds season after season. Fast fashion has never been Hudson’s aim. “I'm trying to create a special pieces that can stand the test of time,” he said in his warm, Southern accent. “I'm only creating those kind of pieces from here on out.”
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For Hudson, this collaboration is revolutionary. It’s his first time working with a car company and experimenting outside of his wheelhouse in this way.
“This is a Scandinavian brand, and, you know, it's 70 years old. I'm an African-American boy from South Carolina that has had a brand for 10 years. So I think bridging those two worlds and seeing the similarities was the beauty of this project,” he explained.
Though Hudson and his partner and CEO of Sergio Hudson Collections Inga Beckham have made massive strides in just 10 years, Hudson said the industry is far from where he wants to see it when it comes to Black representation. He pointed to how few Black designers were at this year’s Met Gala despite the theme being Black dandyism.
“The fact that I dressed 18 people speaks to how many of us weren't there,” he said. He implored more of industries, fashion and beyond, to collaborate with Black designers often.
“Allow mentorship. Allow funding. Allow great design to shine through,” he implored. “When it comes to being a designer of African descent, when you can't get the funding that your counterparts have, you can't compete. When you get opportunities like doing a collaboration with Volvo, or you get opportunities to be at the Met Gala, that's putting us on the equal playing field, but really the funding behind it is what we need to take it to that desk level.”
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