So, AfroPunk 2018 SOOOOOO happened. i had been excited for months to attend the notoriously alternative festival in Atlanta and when the date finally came I was ecstatic. Just having been through the Hurricane of a lifetime, there was no better time to leave home than when the lights were out in 90 degree heat! So I said a prayer and headed up to the canopy city of Atlanta with the few items I had to experience my very first Afro Punk. I had been seeing photos from the original venue of New York for years and so I though that I would try my hand at being a little more flamboyant than normal. Hard to image, I know.

Crafting a flower crown from Dollar Tree materials in under and hour was certainly one of my finest hours, but nothing could have prepared me for the sheer splendor of the day. It was pretty pleasant in Atlanta, temperature wise, so I was very pleased. One of my fears had been sweating to death in the heat of the day, but that didn't happen! Pleasantly surprised, my baby hairs stayed gelled in place the full say. Shoutout Josephine Baker. Taking place in Mechanicsville, about a half hour from Sandy Springs, the festival was in an area of town I wasn't quite familiar with. But no matter, I typed the address of the venue in the Uber app as was on my way.

I really have to get into telling you all about my big city Uber experiences later. But we have to talk about it. I don't know if I just have the worst luck or what. Anyway, forty minutes and some awful music choices later and I was there. The check in was relatively very easy. I saved my two day pass in my Apple wallet to make it easily accessible for the check in process and I’m glad that I did. Three long tables bordered the entrance with security staff and coordinators present, checking bags and using the metal detector wands. It all went failry quickly. I’m not going to lie, I did hold my breath because of the 300 3 inch bobby pins in my hair, but I cleared security no problem. Praise God. As soon as Albrica (my best friend) and I made it through the gates we were immediately approached by several photographers. People who had no doubt come to fill their portfolios, novice and professional, with photographs of the spectacle. I obliged and I got some beautiful shots of me and my crown just in front of the main stage.

Outside of performances from Rico Nasty, the Internet, and N.E.R.D., the best thing about the festival was meeting all of you! From all over the southeast and beyond, I was thrilled to meet your acquaintance. One of my dreams for this blog is to take this show on the road, and AfroPunk was one of many events to come where we will be able to meet, talk, look fabulous, and inspire each other.

For a look at where I’ll be next take a look at my Invitations & Engagements Page. Know where I SHOULD be? Send me an invite!