![Quantcast](http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-GS-HF4BKvzCmv.gif)
![4 Things You Can See & Do At The Cincinnati Music Fest](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODIzMjk3Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc0Njg5NDg4MX0.rt0IDbALFK3HxAN1MQ5H3wtO_s6W5QsBaxNRta6hdpU/img.jpg?width=1200&height=600&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C1260%2C0%2C1260)
4 Things You Can See & Do At The Cincinnati Music Fest
Festival season is in full effect!
If you've been following us on Instagram, you'd know that two days ago, the xoNecole team touched down in Cincinnati for the 2018 Cincinnati Music Fest.
The festival is coined in the Queen City as the "Essence Fest of the Midwest." With their infectious nod to the 90s with music acts from back in the day, I am definitely feeling those nostalgic vibes, and I'm not mad at it! Each year, CMF brings out nearly 100,000 people to join in on the fun and mecca for black music and black culture.
Although, Day 1 had me swaying to the beat and doing my best two-step on the stadium floor to the sounds of After 7, Tamar Braxton, and Xscape3, I was also in love with the interactive immersive experiences that were located around the Paul Brown Stadium CMF had to offer. Alongside their retail partner Kroger, P&G (Procter & Gamble) created the experiences so that attendees could easily engage with familiar brands in fun, memorable, and resonating ways.
The Goddess Patio Spa is by far one of my favorites. It speaks to the inner Queen in me, and with a photobooth that has the words "Respect the Crown" front and center, I am reminded of the magnitude of my Queendom. The Goddess selfie booth also allows you to channel your inner Beyoncé with plenty of sun crowns to choose from, helping the ladies to further illuminate their glow from within.
The experience also features self-service beauty bar with complimentary hair touch-ups and stylist consultations, as well as product samples from the likes of the Pantene Gold Series. My Black is Beautiful provides the roll-out with plenty of the platform's branding everywhere, as well as a free t-shirt (heyyy!). In its center, Olay offers a product demo Beauty Bar. All of the gold accents scream royalty and I am living.
Old Spice and Head & Shoulders' Kickback Man Cave experience was another one I loved. From the branding, to the card games, basketball, and billiard tables, I was here for it all! In addition to one on one gaming fun, the interactive experience also had product samples galore and came with sneaker cleaning services for our baes' kicks. It was the male equivalent to the Goddess Spa, but also something the ladies could enjoy too.
In the background of all the fun, OWN was doing behind the scenes work in partnership with P&G to give the OWN audience an all-access look at the "best of the fest" featuring host and influential OWN cultivator, Kela Walker. And you know me, I had to partake and get my groove on in a scene or two. Be sure to catch the finished product on July 31, airing before our favorite new OWN series Love Is__.
Tide also showed up and showed out with their Tide Spin Cycle activation. The immersive experience consisted of a giant washing machine structure that attendees can go through and learn the journey of a Tide Pod, and cop a Tide Pen or two. And, once you come out of the "washing machine" so fresh and so clean, clean, you can pause and take a photo opp featuring bubbles galore.
And although the weather is amazing in Cincinnati, not too hot and humid, just right – with all of the excitement going on at CMF, you might want to stop at one of the Secret and Always Restroom Refresh Stations where you can take a minute, get your product sampling on, and grab a fan and cool off for a bit. Yasss.
With my fitness competitions and Essence Fest, July has been quite the whirlwind, but surprisingly, Cincinnati Music Fest has been a breath of fresh air and I've been able to recharge in a lot of ways. CMF and P&G have been doing their thang with insuring this experience feels like the 90s and I must say, it has been the restorative weekend I didn't know I needed.
Day 2 is officially here and I can't wait to see Jill Scott, Common, and your shining faces at the brand activations mentioned above! Let us know in the comments if we'll see you at CMF!
- Cincinnati Music Festival – South Shore Travel ›
- See The Lineup For 2018's Cincinnati Music Festival - Cincy Weekend ›
- Cincinnati Music Festival 2018: Here's where to party all weekend ... ›
- Tickets | Cincinnati Music Festival Presented by P&G - Cincinnati ... ›
- Singers Jill Scott and Charlie Wilson to headline 2018 Cincinnati ... ›
- Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G | Downtown Cincinnati ... ›
- Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G | Downtown Cincinnati ... ›
- Cincinnati Music Festival: Fantasia Barrino cancels , Tamar Braxton ... ›
- Cincinnati Music Festival | Lineup ›
- Cincinnati Music Festival Starts Announcing 2018 Lineup | 101.1 ... ›
- Cincinnati Music Festival ›
Necole Kane is the founder and Editor In Chief of xoNecole.com. After spending 7 years as a successful celebrity gossip blogger, the Maryland native launched xoNecole.com with the mission to promote positive images of women of color as well as empower, educate, and inspire millennial women to live their best lives. Keep up with Necole on Instagram and Twitter @hellonecole, or through her personal website NecoleKane.com.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Summer Travel Guide: 9 Safest Vacation Spots For Black Women
When it comes to planning and choosing our international travels, there’s one question that is bound to come up: “Is it safe for Black women?”
At times, our travel plans can be halted by whether or not our desired destination is safe not only for solo travel but for overall protection as women of color. We want to have fun, go on excursions, taste the food, and let our hair down, so the last thing we need on our minds is navigating microaggressions and worrying about our safety.
According to a report by The Mandala Research Firm, 17% of Black Americans take one or more international trips and travel locally more than six times per year. Even more exciting, 42% of Black Americans said they would spend more in 2020 on travel than in 2019 (pre-Covid), and 50% of Black adults (16% more than the general population) are more likely to travel to locations associated with their ethnic or cultural heritage. All of this goes to show that we’re not afraid to pack our bags and book flights to our heart's desire.
Our passion for travel and exploration highlights a growing desire to connect with a wide range of cultures while discovering new fresh locales. By choosing destinations with positive reputations for safety and belonging, you can enjoy your next adventure with peace of mind. And to help, we’ve provided a list of the best vacation spots to add to our travel bucket list.
1.Havana, Cuba
Known for its vibrant culture and welcoming locals, Havana offers a unique travel experience for you and your girlfriends. Stroll through the historic streets of Old Havana and immerse yourself in the lively music and dance scenes that make this city unforgettable.
2.Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Famous for its Carnival, stunning beaches, and warm hospitality, Rio de Janeiro is a lively and safe city to explore all year long. Don't miss a visit to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and the bustling Copacabana Beach for a true taste of Rio's energetic spirit.
3.Belize
With its beautiful beaches, diverse wildlife, and laid-back Caribbean vibe, Belize is a safe and adventurous destination for travelers. Discover the underwater wonders of the Belize Barrier Reef and explore ancient Lamanai Maya Ruins.
4.Paris, France
Who doesn’t have Paris, the city of lights, on their travel list? Renowned for its art, fashion, and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Paris offers a blend of romance and safety for travelers. Wander through the charming neighborhoods of Montmartre and Le Marais, explore the Louvre, and indulge in the city's exquisite culinary delights.
5.Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, charms visitors with its historic architecture, delicious cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy breathtaking views from São Jorge Castle and savor traditional pastries at the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery.
6.Bali, Indonesia
We’ve all seen the viral photos off the Bali coast and Gates of Heaven, so why not make it a reality? Famous for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and serene temples, Bali offers a safe and enriching travel experience in Southeast Asia.
7.Tokyo, Japan
Recently, the value of the Japanese Yen has seen a significant drop, making it the lowest it has been against the dollar since 1986, which also means that there’s no better time than now to make your travel plans to the renowned cultural hub.
8.Accra, Ghana
There’s no FOMO like the kind felt from seeing all the beautiful faces enjoying their holiday at Ghana’s Afrochella Festival, so let this be your sign to start planning the trip now. Often referred to as a welcoming home for the African diaspora, Ghana offers rich cultural experiences and a sense of belonging. Explore the vibrant markets of Accra and visit the historic Cape Coast Castle to connect with the nation's poignant past.
9.Seoul, South Korea
You may be surprised to find this city on the list, but for Black travelers, Seoul is said to be one of the safest and most exciting cities to travel to. There will be plenty to eat, buy, and experience from this city’s rich history and culture.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images